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!

53. Adventure 053

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail nor any professional work associated with it. 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, we had a little bit of a freak-out with Nashi nearly gone, but man, oh man, true love's kiss really does work every time! We even got to finally meet Loke's younger brother Býleistr and doesn't he have such a…friendly personality. Meanwhile, John, Dazzler, Ghost, and Laxus found themselves in a rather inappropriate setting to find out they weren't alone. Instead, they were joined by six new teammates, all with fantastic powers of their own! …even if one of them won't reveal their powers. On Earth Land, Mary Jane was forced with the decision to choose between two friends while the Anti-Magic Unit and the guard readied themselves to fight a blazing fire and save lives, even if that meant taking down a guild to do so. Luna had enough with being held back from the fight to join Luke in trying to calm down their brother from his rage. Ena and Silver debated over Luna's feelings to have a little moment of their own. Oh-la-la, is this the start of a new ship? Back in the labyrinth, Pazuzu made a surprise visit to figure out how to break the chain between Bael and his unfortunate victims. Dazzler, John, and their newly assembled team finally caught up with Gary, Kyler, Mirella, and Muta for them to party-up and plan for their biggest battle yet only for Bael to ruin their plans by breaking the labyrinth into Earth Land. How crazy is that! What's even crazier is the Prime Minister didn't even seem that concerned for the welfare of his citizens. And did anyone figure out what was up with the King of Bellum? Anyways, Dazzler and Skade finally meet for the first time, even if it isn't a pleasant meeting, and the battle orders are given out. Is Nashi really Býleistr's one and only shot of redemption? But redemption from what? Back in Fiore, Brika and her lieutenant Gabriel meet with the Fiore Fire Force and Rescue Rangers for a plan of divide and conquer and hopefully take down the arsonist whether they're Spiritless or Mage. Gale can't keep it up for much longer against Igneel and Sycaña does the only thing she can do—turn him into a full-fledged Dragon Slayer, barring the consequences. And it looks like Gale attracted more attention than just the Dragon Slayers at his transformation. Mary Jane chooses Igneel to save, but to do so, she must use a part of herself that stuns Peter. Luna learns from Luke their childhood was never normal when, in fact, the authority figures of both Fiore and the Magic Community have been watching all four siblings for the day they realize their Demon counterpart. But when both of them are out of the fight and Gale is sent back to heal, Natsu and Mira must face the phoenix version of Igneel themselves and hope their enough to keep him at bay. But when nothing works and Igneel is attacked, Mary Jane is the one to save him from this madness. After all, they're in this together? Mirella learns more about the suffering Pazuzu faced before his life of a Devil when she approaches the source of her own suffering: her mother. Or an afterimage of her. Igneel and Peter both have their own moments thinking of Mary Jane, but their paths are taking two different directions. Gale and Luna finally have "the talk" but it goes wrong in all sorts of ways. Oh, Gale. You should've just confessed right then and there! Looks like tomorrow may not be that promising, but hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day for our protagonists!

'As each life took its turn…the world would wake up to change in the form of a pure massacre.'

Oh, my. I really hope people followed that evacuation order! I wonder…is Igneel a phoenix or a Dragon?

---

Daylight hit Luna's face in one of the worst ways. Her head hurt—emotions had taken a toll on her—and she felt achy, but she still felt clean. The shower she took before bed had been a good decision. She brushed her hair out of her face to look around, eyes bleary. Huh… This isn't my bedroom…

She sat up slowly to survey the hotel room. It was nice for a single suite and for the last-minute too. Memories came flooding back. How Bleu had valet parked while she was still in an emotional daze. She knew he had murmured something to the receptionist who looked over the moon to serve them and give them a bigger suite than they needed. A fresh change of clothes and food had been provided for them, though Luna only remembered Bleu shuffling her, encouraging her to bathe and eat before she passed out in her new pajamas, exhaustion consuming her.

That's right… Bleu took me here… He took me away from—

Glinting ruby.

Luna shut her eyes. No. Don't think about him. Opening her eyes, she noticed Bleu had kept to himself in his new change of clothes, quiet, and eyes on the Lacrima-Vision. "Morning." Her voice came in hoarse whisper.

Bleu glanced over at her and sent her a half-hearted smile. "Morning, Treasure. I had them send up breakfast. It's in the living room."

Luna slid off the bed, feeling strange when Icarus was not there to greet her. "Thank you." Her eyes swept over his form to see such a dark emotion in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Bleu sat back. "Come here."

Luna came over to him, curious, but when he pointed at the LV and she looked, her eyes widened. She drew in the international coverage of a small-country-sized city spiraling downwards into Bellum's west side. The streams came from the ground level and, from the subtitles of program, it seemed air coverage was difficult. She found herself staggering back to sit onto the arm of the chair Bleu sat upon, mouth covered with her hands.

"Oh, my gosh…" she whispered. "How is that…?"

Bleu grimaced. "That's what I was watching. This morning, it looks like it appeared out of nowhere," he told her. "Causalities aren't looking any better. Blocks of whatever that is have been crashing into cities."

"Has anyone died?"

Bleu blew out a breath. "Less causalities than you're thinking—"

"But people died." Luna could not believe what she was saying. "Who would do something like this?"

Bleu looked up to see the torn expression Luna wore and his hands gently went to her. He brought her in the chair with him, into his lap, and let her curl up to process everything in her present—in their present. He kissed her hair. "I'm sure the UN is planning something as we speak," he assured her. "They wouldn't let something like this fly. They'll figure something out to save as many people as they can."

"But what about the people who died?" Luna wondered in low murmur. "They didn't deserve this."

Bleu saw the sheen in Luna's eyes and had to hug her tighter. "They didn't," he agreed. "And the people fighting this will make sure no one else gets that either."

VRRRRRRRRRR…

Bleu tucked Luna under his chin to get his Compact from beside him on an end table. He lifted it up and his eyes darkened when he saw the message.

⌜MESSAGES

LUTHER

A new player arrived. He requests you at least catch the highlights.⌟

Bleu clutched his Compact, jaw locked.

"Bleu?"

Bleu moved his chin to see Luna blinking up at him with those big brown eyes. "Yes, Treasure?"

"I could feel you tensing," Luna told him. "Are you okay?"

Bleu let out a deep breath through his nose. "You're making me okay," he told her. He leaned down to chastely kiss her. "We need to get going and you need to turn on your Compact."

Luna rubbed her arm as her eyes darted to her lap. "Do I have to?"

"Yes, Treasure, you do," Bleu insisted. "I need to take you home." He raised a finger to her lips for quiet when she wanted to object. "Nuh-uh. Home for you, troublemaker, before people start worrying and thinking things."

Luna pouted and visibly deflated. "No…!" she groaned, snuggling into him. "Please, I don't want to go back! Can't we stay here a little longer?" She pouted up at him. "Please…?

Bleu sucked in a breath. "No matter how cute you are, I have to take you home," he let her know, laughing a little at the wrinkled nose she gave him. "C'mon. Let's get you dressed, so you and I look decent when I meet your parents—"

"What?" Luna reeled back at that. "You're meeting my parents? After we snuck out?"

Bleu cocked his head. "Well…yeah? I wasn't about to have you face them alone after last night. I snuck you out. I should take the heat, right?"

Internally, Luna was dying from how her heart clenched at that. Oh, my gosh, he's so cute! Shaking off the thoughts, she dismissed, "No. As sweet as that is, I'd rather face them alone and keep you out of it. That way, if you do meet—"

"When I meet them," Bleu butted in. He booped her nose. "And I plan to before I call you my girlfriend."

Luna tried to keep a dignified look as she blushed. "Fine. But I want you to meet them on better terms." She sulked a bit. "Papa's already all pouty with me thinking about boys."

"I'll just change his mind about me," Bleu decided, resolved.

"I don't know," Luna murmured, hesitant. "My papa can hold a really big grudge when he really wants to. He still gets all upset with Igneel after he—"

An envelope placed on an open desk. The light shined to see a golden seal holding it together carrying the initials I.Z.D.

"Treasure?"

Luna blinked open her eyes (she did not even realize she had closed them) to see Bleu's worried stare drinking her in. "Huh?" She looked around. "What just happened?"

"That's what I want to know." Bleu took her face in his hands with such a tender touch. "Treasure, are you all right?"

Luna opened her mouth—

"No lying to me," Bleu warned.

Luna closed her mouth to look away. "I'm…" Her hand went to her arm. "I'm…not all right," she confessed, tone hushed. "Everything that's been happening… It happened so fast. I'm still trying to figure out everything that happened these last couple of months, but I…" Chocolate burned with unshed tears. "I'm trying to be brave like my family is. They can take all this and keep going. But I'm not like them. I wa-watched Igneel get shot with lightning. Gale's scar—"

Despaired ruby.

Bleu tucked Luna into him when tears slid out. "There, there, Treasure," he soothed. "I've got you."

"I'm sorry," Luna sniffled, clinging to him.

"Don't be," Bleu hushed. "Don't ever be. Just let it out. No need to explain."

Luna sniffed again and peered up at him with watery eyes, cheeks flushed. "Ar-Are you sure?"

Bleu's heart broke a little bit at the break in her voice as though she was fearful he would push her. "Absolutely," he promised, pulling her back into his chest. "We go at your pace."

At that, Luna cried even harder in his arms. Bleu let his eyes closed as he drank her in. His lips twitched down when he heard his Compact vibrate, but he did not reach for it. I know I have an obligation, but now… His arms tightened around Luna. My focus is on keeping her safe and happy.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ah utsukushii sekai

Utsukushii mirai

Utsukushii kehai no suru sono saki wa

Subarashii sedai

Subarashii kitai

Subarashii sekai

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.

"Gale? Are you changed?"

"Yeah, Mom. Come in."

Levy opened the door with a fresh tray of breakfast. She saw her youngest struggling in his movement with all the bandages and gauze, but he looked much better after a shower and a new long sleeve and pants. Ruby looked dull as he passed her a forced grin. "That for me from Granny?"

Levy shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Honestly. Porlyusica has no bedside manner," she sighed. She set the tray down by the bed to take a seat on the chair, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "No, this is from me. Thought you might want a little something in your stomach before Cancer comes over to give you a haircut."

Gale groaned. "Why…? Why did some of my hair have to catch fire? I liked it the way it was!" He looked at Levy with hopeful eyes. "Maybe Cancer could—?"

"You are not getting longer hair," Levy rejected with Gale deflating at that. "My goodness, it's already bad enough how long Galileo's hair is—"

"But the Old Man—!"

"Is my husband and on equal ground with me," Levy told him. "Besides, it's not grown out now, is it? As much as it was fun to play with your dad's hair, I think he realized how high maintenance it was getting."

Gale sulked. "I'm an adult too," he lamely pointed out.

Levy had to laugh. "Not until you're seventeen you're not," she reminded. "And we are not starting the tattoo argument or the piercing argument again," she added when Gale opened his mouth. "I get your dad has a lot of piercings and a few tattoos, but he didn't have supervision. Thankfully, you do."

"So not fair," Gale muttered.

Levy narrowed her eyes. "You know, you could always come with me to mass on—"

"You are the fairest mother of them all," Gale suddenly preached with a comical flowery aura about him. "I'm so lucky to have such a graceful parent like you."

Levy grinned all tongue-in-cheek. "That's what I thought." Her eyes glanced to see Gale's Compact out with a YouView video subbed in Minstrish from Bellish of the city in the sky. "I take it you saw the news?"

Gale looked at his Compact and nodded. "Yeah. Good thing I know a little bit of Bellish. I mainly get the gist. What I don't get is why the king of Bellum isn't doing anything about it. I thought this is the time for foreign aid and stuff?"

Levy sighed. "That's what we're all thinking," she admitted. "I did some research on Bellum for Erza earlier this morning before she was called to see the Queen herself. The King of Bellum might still have power, but his prime minister seems to be doing a lot more of the ordering around. No one's seen the king in years."

"Which probably means the prime minister is the bad guy," Gale assumed. "How could that guy be in charge? He's rejecting international aid!"

"He has the right to," Levy sadly pointed out. "A country can refuse foreign aid and deem humanitarians or foreign aid workers 'illegal aliens'. If anyone sent any military, clinical, or magical help, those people would be arrested and prosecuted." She shook her head. "I've had such a bad feeling about it since I heard this morning. I hope Erza figures out what's going on."

"She will." Gale meant that. "I mean she figured out how to get Uncle Gray, Dad, and Uncle Natsu in a room without killing each other, so there's that." Wincing, he added, "Speaking of the old man…"

Levy knew where this was going. "He won't be coming by. Erza sent him on an errand with Natsu." She eyed her son to see his shoulders' sag. "He's still a little upset with you."

Gale flinched. "Did he say why?"

"He told me what happened, yes."

Gale could not look his mother in the eye. "And…?"

A longwinded exhale. "Gale Metalicanna, look at me."

Ruby pulled up reluctantly to connect with soft hazel. Levy ran a hand through his hair. "It's been so hard for you," she assumed in a soothe. "I don't understand everything that happens from your end, but I understand the pull isn't something you can ignore. And with both you and Luna going through so much, one of you would have snapped." She pulled back her hand. "I just hope you two cleared the air when she came over."

Gale really wished last night was not brought up, but it was too late now. He smelt his mother's thickening anticipation and curiosity. "Well… Somethings were…cleared, I guess…" When Levy nodded for him to go on, he swallowed and did so. "She and I talked, but we more fought than talked. She got all overreactive and—" Flinching underneath Levy's raised eyebrow, he ruefully added, "And I might've pushed her buttons too. Just a little."

Levy gave an approving nod and gestured for him to continue.

Gale turned away from her, resting his hands on the bed behind him. "A lot of stuff happened and…well…she caught me off-guard in the worst way. Worst thing is I tried to make it seem like she did something wrong. She kissed the jacka…jack-butt," he corrected when Levy narrowed her eyes. "She went out with him. She didn't do anything wrong."

"But you feel like she cheated," Levy filled in for the blank.

Gale nodded mutely.

"And you feel like you cheated."

Another flinch. Another nod.

Levy leaned forward. "Did you try telling her how you felt?"

Gale laughed a little too harshly. "What does it matter? I asked her if it would change anything and she just walked out the door and probably into the douchebag's arms—"

"But she didn't answer you?"

Gale gave his mother an incredulous look. "Didn't you hear me? She walked away—"

"But she didn't give you an answer." Levy had a beam on her face as she clapped her hands. "Oh, I love these parts in Lu's romantic novels!"

Dryly, Gale said, "Well, thanks for making my life your personal rom-com, Mom."

"You don't understand." Levy got all jittery with excitement. "What exactly did she tell you last night?"

Gale arched an eyebrow, wary of his mother's sudden change in mood, as he summarized, "She told me I confused her. She told me I couldn't be calling her 'important' and crap and how Bleu didn't confuse her and some"—he waved his hand when he could not find the words—"other stuff like that and…why are you looking at me like that?"

Levy looked ready to burst at the seams. "Oh, Gale! This is amazing!"

Gale could not help it when he glared at his mother. "What sort of mom says her son getting rejected is 'amazing'?"

Levy shook her head twice. "No, Gale, you weren't listening! You might be a smart kid, but with women, you definitely are like your father," she teased.

"Okay, ouch."

"I'm just saying," Levy chuckled, "that you might be the confused one here." She ticked off a finger. "Let's start with Friday night. From what your dad told me, you and Luna went out. What happened?"

"Um…" Gale rubbed his chin. "It was fun. We bought clothes and ate food. I cashed in a favor from Lady J—"

"And then?" Levy interrupted. "How did you two get from being so close to you being with someone else?"

Gale tensed. "Well... I got a call from the guys about the party and was trying to stop Amber and Dash from their usual bull. I took a walk to talk to them when I ran into some other friends. When I got back, Blondie was all snuggled up next to the douchebag and accusing me of ditching her and… Hey…" He eyed Levy as she seemed to be typing something on her Compact. "Are you…? Are you my shrink now?"

Levy ignored that. "And then what?"

Gale blew out an irritated breath. "Okay, well, um, she and her boy toy were getting on my nerves, so I bailed and went to the party."

"And Luna knew this?"

"Well, obviously, since she confronted me about quote-unquote all the girls I was hangin' with—"

"And did she seem upset when she said all this?"

"I mean…yeah? She certainly wasn't running through daisies, singing 'The hills are alive with the'—"

Levy squealed. "Oh, this is so exciting…!"

Gale could not look less amused even if he tried. "For a mom, you're having an insane amount of fun over my unrequited love."

Levy pressed her lips together to keep back her grin, but the grin came through anyways. "Never mind that. We've got some work to do on you when we get home." She clapped her hands. "Come on! Let's get you ready to be discharged! Porlyusica has some potions and herbs for you to take home."

Gale grunted as he swung his legs onto the floor, trying not to wince in pain. "And, uh… Is Igneel still here too?"

Levy frowned as she headed over to the bag she had brought for Gale. "Mmm, not to my knowledge, no. He should have gone home, but he may be at the guild. Master wants both of you to give your statements to her in private."

Pushing himself onto his feet, Gale let the dizziness wash over him. "Oh, whoopee," he deadpanned. He grabbed his Compact to catch a glimpse of the horrors over Bellum. He translated the broadcast topic to terrorism before shutting down the device and slipping it into his pocket. Terrorism, huh? Who has enough power to try to level off cities?

As he grumpily got the cane his mother offered him, in the back of his mind, he remembered those cool silver eyes and his free hand unconsciously went to the scar on his stomach.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 053

In this Time of Fear

我々は暗い時代を切り抜けなければならない。 過去の苦しみを乗り越えられるか?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Ja. Ja, ik weet het, maar—! Nu? Ik zie het. Ja, ik kan die tijd maken. Hoe laat zal de auto hier zijn? Ik begrijp het. Ja, Madam, zie je snel." Eloa sighed as she got off the Compact with her hair starting to curl up once again from the stress. Her pantsuit caught all the right curves and her work backpack on her desk was filled with her PAL and all her work papers. She leaned on her desk as the LV in her office displayed the international coverage of the horrors in Bellum and the relief team trying their hardest to help the cities under fire from loose rocks and misfires. Eloa went back to her Compact to go to her messages to her son.

None of them read.

"Eloa?"

Eloa rubbed her face. "Yeah, Bow?"

"Look at me."

Eloa tiredly raised her face to see her husband who leaned against the doorway to her with concern in his eyes and comfortable in his sweats. Bowie came into the study to take Eloa's face into his hands. "He just called last night," he murmured to his wife before kissing her lips. "He's sixteen now."

"Sixteen with powers, Bow," Eloa reminded in an irate mumble. "This is not how his parents wanted us to raise him. They wanted him safe—"

"And he is safe—"

Eloa whipped her hand to bring up a few unopened envelopes to show Bowie, forcing him to jerk back. "Not with these." She shoved them into Bowie's face before stalking off.

Bowie scrambled to catch them to look at them. He saw they were from Alchemic and Alkahestric places of study. Alexandria College and the University of Meidiland had sent large envelopes with seals from the Department of Magic Education on them. In fact, another sent out for the STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Magic) program and a possible grant associated with it. Instantly, he rushed after Eloa as she began to say her good-byes to the cats. "Eloa?" he called. "Sweetheart, I know this is a big change for us—"

"This is more"—Eloa turned her head with a glare—"than a 'big change', Bowie. This is everything we tried to protect him from! We promised his parents, Bowie, that we'd keep him away from that life and look! We go on our Thanksgiving vacation to see your family in Suertland and let Petey go to Margaruite with his friends and he—! He—…!" She huffed her annoyance when she caught Bowie's laughter. "Why the Hell are you laughing at me? You know what?" She shook her head as she went over to get her work Compact off the charger and grab her water bottle. "I'll see you when I'm back from the emergency meeting."

Bowie stopped his wife by hugging her from behind. "Now, wait, sweetheart, I'm sorry," he chuckled. "I just… You sound ridiculous."

Eloa whirled around with wide eyes that meant trouble. "Oh… I sound 'ridiculous' now?" She tipped her head to cross her arms. "You really want to go there, Thompson?"

Bowie waved his hands as his shoulders shook. "No thank you, Misses Thompson." He tried to touch her shoulders, but when she scowled and shook him off, he sighed out his humor. "Think about it. We didn't do anything a normal parent wouldn't. We let him spend the weekend with his friends—very good friends whom we know and we know their parents. And he seems pretty serious about a girl. Isn't that something you've been harping him about?"

Eloa tried not to pout, but she looked adorably moody instead of pissed. "I wasn't 'harping'," she mumbled. "I don't know, I just thought it'd be nice if he dated someone nice…"

"Mmm-hmm." Bowie deemed it safe to touch her and smoothened his hands down her shoulders, smiling when she relaxed. "Obviously, this has been a tense couple of weeks, even more the last few days. Peter's going through a lot of changes and he'll be going through more. Jean and Alex told us this could happen and their will and trust were absolute. The Triple A, now, have the right to recruit him. This'll be an adjustment period for all of us."

"I just don't understand how you are so calm about this," Eloa whispered. "He's just a child."

"He'll be an adult next year," Bowie gently reminded. "And believe me. It kept me up late last night after that call of all the 'what if?'s and my worrying. I've been thinking about Jean and Alex's will and trust as much as you have and what would be best for him."

"Well, you weren't acting like it," Eloa mumbled.

Bowie shook his head. "Let's face it. We worry in different ways. You're more physical than me when you're concerned." As Eloa blew out a breath, Bowie kissed her forehead. "We just need to wait for Peter to get home so we can speak about this. Hey." He cupped her chin and her eyes flickered to his warm ones. "Don't pout. You know I'm making sense; you just hate admitting it."

Eloa shot him a dirty look, but she could not help her small smile. "Yeah, yeah…" She went on her toes to give him a chaste kiss. "Listen, I really do have to go. I already have my boss on full lockdown for the Bellish press conference that's happening. But I"—she gave him a longer kiss—"should be home tonight or Monday, okay? Can you hold down the fort and remember to do laundry?"

"Easy," Bowie dismissed, tone playful. "And I have our house of pets to help remind me with their barking and mewing and chirping. You know, they get their nagging from you."

"Mmm-hmm…" Eloa accepted the kiss Bowie gave her on her forehead then her lips. "Okay. Be good. I have everything marinated in the fridge." A vibration ruined the moment and Eloa made a face as she saw her work Compact. "Ah, that'll be the car my boss sent for me. I'll be meeting him on the private jet."

Bowie watched as Eloa regathered her things while making her way out the door. "He does know I can drive you to the airport, right?"

Eloa rolled her eyes. "Oh, he knows. But you know how he is, Bow."

"Yeah. Extremely pervy," Bowie grumbled, clearly disgruntled. He went to the coat closet to get out his wife's trench coat and helped her into it. "Why can't I just make out with you in front of him again?"

"Because…"—Eloa flared out her hair when her trench coat was in place and Bowie took to buttoning it—"we've tried that and it didn't work?" She poked Bowie's nose. "Stop getting jealous, your Suertish mongrel. There's no competition and also, we aren't sixteen-year-olds with you two having a pissing contest."

"Good." Bowie stood to his full height to have her cheeks in his hands. He was slow in giving her a kiss, pulling away only slight to see Eloa's eyes closed and lips parted. "Because that yoke ou' there can't measure up to yer man—"

ZZZ-ZZZZZZZZ…

Eloa pushed away Bowie with a scowl. "And that's my boss." She looked up to see Bowie huffy and had to crack a smile. "Oh, stop it. And quit doing the accent, got it? You immigrated to Fiore when you were fifteen." She gestured all about her husband. "Stop using the whole 'foreigner' thing to your advantage. That worked when we were in college, but I'm smarter than that."

Bowie playfully cursed. "Damn. Should've thickened my accent. Once I start pulling out the ole Gaedelic and you wouldn't be thinking straight."

Eloa rolled her eyes as she opened the front door. "Keep up that attitude and you'll be hearing my Galego come out and not in a good way, you perverted immigrant," she teased when he grinned. Another vibration hit her and she sighed. "And the boss should be calling now that I ignored his messages. I really need to go." She blew him a kiss as she stepped out. "Love you! Bye!"

"I love you too! Be safe, Sweetheart, and call me!"

Eloa nodded as she exited the door. Her Compact came up and she answered the call. "Sir, I'm on my way to the car right now."

"Excellent. I know this is your day off…"

"I knew I would be on-call," Eloa assured. She tossed a smile to the chauffeur who opened her door and slid right in. "I'm surprised we've been invited to such an event. I've done my fair share of rep work at the UN, but I didn't think what you do qualified to meet people like this."

A throaty chuckle. "Mon ange, I'm a man who knows people in high places. Besides, this concerns me in many ways. I might not call all the shots, but I can throw in my weight when it matters."

Eloa lightly laughed. "Sir, remember what I said with the nicknames?"

A longwinded sigh, overdramatic and amusing. "My apologies, Éloa," came as-smooth-as-butter apology. "You know I can't help myself sometimes."

"Well, you should start since I happen to be in a very loving marriage with a man who satisfies me and means the world to me." Her words might have been light, but they held firm in her beliefs with a tinge of warning.

This was a fuller laugh she received. "And this is why you amaze me. Not too many can speak like that to me without fear. You have guts."

"And you still pay me well," Eloa tossed back as she looked out the tinted windows.

°•°•°•°

The car was layered in black. Gospel hymns played in the background, having no business being there. There was only one other person in the car whom mattered, a slender man with skin drenched in a cinnamon color. Sunset orange painted his eyes as he focused on the man on one side and the woman on the other, both deeply invested into flirting with him.

A breathy chuckle as a hand absently stirred a maroon liquid in a wine place. "Indeed. Perhaps not enough."A pause as the wineglass came to lips for a swallow. "Any word back from your son?"

A sigh. "Not a word. He should still be at the hospital." Followed by a worried: "Why? Have you heard anything?"

"I was hoping to ask you the same thing about my son," came honest reply. "He hasn't come home and I'm beginning to worry."

"Oh, Peter did mention something about Bleu staying at someone's house. I'm sure he's safe."

A smile. "I'm sure you're right, mon ange. I'll have one of my assistants send over the files we've gathered so you can do a little debriefing. Once we get to my private jet, I want you fully ready for the journey. The flight shouldn't take more than thirty minutes and we hit the ground running. I need my interpreter at her best form. Although, from what I've seen of your form—"

"I'll stop you right there and give you a warning I'm about to hang up. If I knew I could take you to HR and win a case, I would."

A laugh. "Oh, I know. Just like me to abuse my power and privilege," came teasing. "I just can't help myself, Éloa."

"You can," came irritated snap. "It's called 'get laid and stop harassing your employees'. Take up an office romance. Hit on a single mother. But I love my husband, so help me—"

"Now, now, I don't need another reminder of you threatening to quit," came another tease. "You wouldn't. I need you too much."

A snort. "What you need is for me to set you up with one of my single neighbors," came dry scathe. "See you on the jet." The call ended.

The orange-eyed man looked up from his sensual conversation towards his boss. "Aw, having some flirting time with your sweet Angel?" he baited.

The wineglass came down sharply. "Robert."

Robert gagged. "Ugh. I hate it when you call me that name." He waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah, I'm all over it. Don't stress it, boss man. Besides, by January, he'll be back in the estate to do your oh-so-fun bidding." He nuzzled his male companion while stroking in-between the legs of the woman. "Kid hasn't really taken any lovers before. It's his first lovesick puppy phase. Cut him some slack. We all know how you were with—"

Large hands clenched into fists.

Robert sighed. "Or don't. He's your son and all. Only heir and all that bullshit."

"He is not just my son." One leg crossed over the other. "He's my only heir." A hand went to the other to finger a ring. "And sooner or later…he will act like it."

°•°•°•°

Brika did her patrol around the building with Gabriel a little behind her, respectfully. Her soldiers saluted her as she strode by, but she could not pay any attention to them. Her sword was at her side, but a gun had been holstered to her just in case the worst was to come. Mask indifferent, confusion muddled in anger crushed her from the inside.

Why? she snarled to herself. Why would he do this?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Does everyone understand what I am saying?"

Minister Aaron Marignano had a study that rivaled most CEOs' offices. Rather than adapt to the Brightrs and other reading devices, he had hard-bound books upon books filled with history, strategic planning, and some of them were even in different languages. He had various maps of the world on walls, but one of the tables contained a detailed map of Fiore down to the new highways. No formalwear was required of him as he sat his pajama tops and bottoms and his robe with his minister title embroidered, but all the captains and chiefs he gathered showed up in uniform and on duty.

The focus watched Aaron through narrowed eyes. "Minister Marignano," Brika gritted out, "I understand the Magic Community has…favoritisms towards certain Magic-users, sir, but this was a serious—!"

"What Captain Armstrong," Xakaryeh stepped in, "is trying to say, sir, is that the perpetrator caused around a point two-five trillion jewel in damages to Magnolia Town. We have local ecologists who gave a rough estimate—"

"No need to explain, Chief West," Aaron dismissed dispassionately as his hand moved across his empty desk. The desk came to live as a virtual desk with a keyboard and keypad. He used the keypad for documents to appear with their own charts and graphs. "You see, I, too, had my own team do research once the rain cleared. From what they say, the rain brought back nearly ninety-seven-point-six-two-five percent of species richness in the area."

"But the buildings—!"

"Oh, yes, the buildings." Aaron moved his hand to show a different report. "A mysterious benefactor kicked in, just a little over midnight. With the billions they gave Magnolia Town to nurture, those citizens will win back insurance claims and then some and the city will have enough money to renovate all government-owned property and a little extra." He sat back with no satisfaction in his eyes. "Do you have anything else you wish to discuss?"

Chief Cheshire spoke up this time, albeit tentatively, "Sir… What about the endangered lives? The victims?"

"The benefactor will be paying for any and all medical bills," Aaron assured. "We took a census of the people and categorized. With only a handful in critical condition for such arson, we consider this a win. As for the peoples' personal feelings, we have field researchers taking statistics and reporting every fifteen minutes." He swiped his hand to show the polls. He tapped on the highest percentage. "It looks like, after being explained the financial package offered, more citizens agreed they were more worried about how to afford repairs and restoration over the capture of the arsonist. Because you see, these people are used to out-of-control Magic. In fact, this whole nation is. We have financial reservoirs for this reason."

Brika spoke up again. "Sir, I implore you to seek justice on this matter. Thousands could have died. This is just as bad as the fire from x—!"

Aaron held up his hand. He eyes shifted. "Captain Sterling… I've noticed you haven't said a word. Care to join in on the opinionated conversation?"

The focus looked over at Angelo who kept his eyes on Aaron. "With all due respect, sir, this conversation is one I'll reserve for Chairman Draculos."

A hiss. "You traitorous Mage," Brika snapped. "I should've known you would be as gutless as a fish and let this slide." The focus snapped back to Aaron. "Minister Marignano—!"

"No, Captain Armstrong." The tone made everyone freeze. Aaron lifted his chin. "You should all take a lesson from Captain Sterling. As you said, Captain Armstrong, the Magic Community might show favoritism and I am not the Lord Magic-Speaker. If you have an issue for the way I am commanding you, by all means, Captain Armstrong." An arched eyebrow. "Take it up with the Chairman."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Captain?"

Brika kept her fast-paced walk as Gabriel called her name. "What is it, Lieutenant?" she grunted.

"You have a call on line two," Gabriel let her know. "It would seem to be your uncle."

Brika blinked as she approached her office. "My 'uncle'?" She opened her doors to see her secretary was in the office with a worried look about him. He stood up the moment she saw him and tried to babble something, but she raised her hand to him. "Put line two to me directly."

The secretary gulped and nodded as he scurried with the Communication Lacrima.

Brika rounded to her desk to see a light flash on her Communication Lacrima. She pressed a button and picked up the Com. "Hello?"

"Well. You kept me waiting," came drawled out tease.

"Who is this?" Brika snapped. "You have ten seconds before I have someone track your signal."

"Now, now, Brika," came mocking purr, "that's no way to treat your uncle. News travels fast the Chairman is trying to protect a little, ole Magi. Your dear uncle thought you might want to hear a little more to the story."

Brika settled in her chair as she thought about it. Without looking, she could tell her secretary was peering worried at her. A decision was made. "You're right, Uncle… It has been a while since we've gone out to lunch."

"That's a good girl," came mock appraisal. "Bring no one or bring your whole outfit—I don't care. You'll meet me at Tom's Bistro. You'll know which one and you'll know the time. We won't have the pleasure of sitting together, but we'll keep the conversation going."

Brika sat back in her chair. "Tom's Bistro sounds good to me. Don't tell me you're bringing another gift?"

"Your hate of Magi is simply…inspirational. Can't wait to discuss over dinner. And, Captain? Dress to impress me and I assure you a man like me will be willing to spill all the secrets of others."

The call dropped.

Brika closed her eyes. "No, Uncle. My husband will not be joining me. Yes. Okay. See you then." She put the Com back onto its holder to let loose a sigh. "Lance!"

The poor secretary snapped to attention. "Y-Y-Y-Yes, sir?"

"Make sure my schedule next Wednesday at six-thirty is clear," Brika commanded. "I have dinner with family then."

"Of course, sir! Right away, sir!"

Brika opened her eyes to stare at the ceilings. Another Magi-hater. It makes me wonder… How far is the one willing to go to rid of them all?

°•°•°•°

In Mercurius Castle, Queen Hisui was being escorted away from the press room and back down the hallway with Madelia at her ladies' maids at her side, security detail around every corner. Her head of security was walking a few paces away with his eyes hidden behind shades. Arcadios accompanied her with his broad sword tethered to his side and stoic look on his face. Hisui had learned over the years to practice such a face, but she was very thinly hiding her agitation.

"I've never trusted that prime minister," Hisui muttered to Arcadios. "He sounded too pleased thousands of lives are in jeopardy. And not even letting us speak to the king about appealing the parliament's vote against foreign aid?"

"He's never been a warm-hearted leader," Arcadios murmured. "Our national representative would tell me the Belnich rep never had a side. She just observes and reports back. The only time Bellum seemed to resist was the induction of the USM rep, remember? Paige Grayless?"

Hisui nodded in understanding. "Yes. I remember that. She broke history being the first Mage to be a UN representative." Thoughts donned on her. "And wasn't there a debacle within the parliament about the addition of a Magic-Speaker?"

Arcadios nodded. "Indeed. From what little I know about the Lady Magic-Speaker, it doesn't seem like she has much power. We've been denied multiple times a meeting with her." He leaned down to tell Hisui for much more private ears, "I have a contact in Bellum who should be able to put us through the Lady Magic-Speaker later this afternoon on a non-traceable line."

"Arcadios—!"

"I understand this is treading into dangerous waters, Your Highness," Arcadios said knowingly and quietly, "but this is imperative we speak to her. My informant made it clear on that. I have a translator at the ready, but the Lady Magic-Speaker is proficient in Minstrish."

Hisui thought hard on the decision, eyes closed. "I will agree to it if you can make sure Minister Marignano is present," she decided. Her eyes opened to show Arcadios how serious she was about the request. "That is my final condition, Arcadios."

"Consider it done," Arcadios promised. "I will have one of my men gather him. But… Would that be wise? We already have gossip going around of him making himself all too at home at the castle."

Hisui did not stiffen or bend. "Let them gossip. Let them stare. The people know you are the acting Prime Minister and he—"

"And he gains followers more so by the day to become the actual Prime Minister," Arcadios pointed out. "Don't be so blind not to see many have wondered why you haven't appointed him the Fioren Prime Minister. Our neighbors in Ishvan and Veronica have tried to poach him on a number of times."

Hisui sighed. "Yes. And Aa—ah, Minister Marignano has made it clear being the actual Prime Minister is nothing he wants." She sounded a bit agitated and a bit weary saying that. "Believe me. I have tried endless times. And without him being present during those meetings regarding the cabinet and candidates for the Prime Minister position, it's impossible for me to—"

"Not impossible," Arcadios reminded, gentle. "You have the power to self-appoint him Prime Minister without his consent. You're a queen, not a monarch. You have great authority."

Hisui shook her head. "Something I refuse to abuse. I'm a queen, not a dictator. Let them stare and have rumors. I have my ministers. Minister Marignano, however, is one of the few who have shown me I can trust him not to try and overrule me for the throne. Every one of those ministers have their eye for my crown. My distant cousins seem to be all-too-happy to believe there's no heir."

Arcadios let her go to stop. "No one but you can renounce your title."

Hisui paused to turn to him. "And yet everyone but me has the power to kill for it." She turned to face ahead. "But while I am still queen of this country and until my dying breath, I am going to ensure Fiore's future for the better." She walked on with her lady's maids and her lady-in-waiting. To Madelia, she murmured, "I want her in the manor no later than tomorrow. I have a feeling we're about to get some unfriendly guests."

"Yes, Your Highness," Madelia whispered. "We'll have her moved at once." A beat. "Should I call for extra security for you as well?"

"No." Hisui's eyes steeled. "I will use my own sword to cut my enemies down."

---

Skade did not care how much of his Curse he used. He did not care how deep his hatred ran. He did not care about the blood he lost or the blood on his iced fur and skin. He did not care how many he had to kill. His eyes were locked in on the tower of a casino with only one thought in his mind.

He was going to kill Bael.

And then he would return to his Angel with Bael's head as a gift for her.

Skade blew out rigid ice to freeze the legion of Darklings before crouching low to leap. He began to run onto the side of the buildings with his claws kicking up brick and mortar. Familiars and Darklings raced towards them with fire and air and dark energy, but he did not flinch as he batted the attacks away. His jaws crushed the skull of a flaming creature while his tail grew spikes. When his tail flicked, the icicles missiled and exploded for his adversaries to be frozen in ice till the end of their days. The world tilted for him with a bladed insectoid crashed out of a window to get him right in the gut. Skade furiously clawed at his enemy, angry at the sting of the wound and being interrupted.

The second both hit the ground, the battle was over. The insectoid had been killed and Skade kept it locked in his jaws and shook it furiously like a dog with their new chew toy. Spitting it out, he kept his sprint towards the casino. He could see it closing in.

Faster, he urged himself. Faster. Kill soon. Kill Bael. Please Angel.

Another company of familiars and Darklings waited for him at the gate of the casino, but he had no time to play. He opened his wings and gave a mighty flap. His Curse stormed around him as he commanded ice to crash down on his opponents, but he did not watch them shatter and die. His paws came out to hit the building brick and he strengthened his grip through his ice. Icy blue looked up to see the top story of the cas—

SLAM!

CRASH!

Skade did not know what happened. Eyes wide, he crashed flat onto his back with black blood cough up from his mouth. The world moved in slow motion. It blurred, but it cleared for a moment. In that moment, he saw what had crashed into him and he did not like what he saw.

A brute of a creature stood before Skade dressed in furs, armor, and a metal kilt. Its claws were dipped in titanium with no remorse and a shell of a shield was strapped to its back.

Skade thought he had time to get control of his situation when the creature moved faster than any creature he had encountered, disappearing almost. His eyes bulged when something hit his throat, forcing him to choke, only for his tail to be grabbed and he was swung around. He hit the casino front-lawn fountain and dizziness rattled him to the core. He barely had time to fall into the water when an axe cut through the air and the fountain statue he had landed on, obliterating it. Skade dragged himself from the water, looking worse than a wet dog as he panted and lay again the rim.

"So… You are the one my Master wants to take?"

Skade blearily looked up to see the creature looming over him. He tried to summon his Curse for protection, but he felt too woozy to do so. Wh-What is this? He blinked and blinked to get a clearer picture of the creature, but it was too late. The creature grabbed him by the scruff before batting him away with the back of its axe.

Skade was thrown and rolled onto the ground. He tried so hard to pick himself up, but he could only yelp when he felt his wing tear as a large blade pierced it. He endured the pain of tearing his wings even more as he tried to get away. This was not like him. He should back on his feet and spitting ice. But for some reason, his powers were failing him. "Wh-Who are you?" Skade snarled. He folded his injured wing close to him to try and thread ice around it. "I have no business with you."

"Oh, but you do."

CRACK.

The axe landed onto the ground and took there, blade dug into the earth.

"You have wronged my Master," the creature told simply. "You ran when he tried to embrace you."

Skade scrambled back, but those metal claws wrapped around his throat and dragged him up into the air. Skade squirmed and bit and clawed, trying to get away, but the creature had a firm hand. "I am not running now!" he snapped. "The only running I am doing is to kill him!"

"Of course," came smooth hiss. "My apologies but the Master is currently preoccupied with a new hunt. You may resume your quest to kill him when he returns. Please excuse this inconvenience."

"Fuck you!" Skade snarled. He had wriggled enough space to get out of the creature's grip. Landing on all fours, he arched his back and straightened his tail, ears down. "I will kill him!" he swore. "He deserves to die! Malã'ika was supposed to be my first!"

"And if you ask the Master nicely, then she will be your first." The creature raised a hand and a double sword was in his hand. It spun in its grip before tipping a point towards Skade. "Now. I ask that you come with me quietly. I have much to attend to for the Master and must prepare you for his arrival."

Skade spat at the creature. "Move. You're in my way, bitch."

The creature straightened. "You will address me as 'Mammon'," he said tightly. "Please do not make my job even more difficult or I will use force which I hate doing." He slouched, taking out a handkerchief to dab his forehead. "I can't afford another one of Master's toys getting sullied." He put away his handkerchief to see Skade was making a break for it to scale the building. "Oh, not again…"

Skade set his eyes on the top layer of the casino with hatred fueling his Curse. I am coming for you, Demon!

"I don't think so."

Skade skidded with his claws raking the brick to see he was nose-to-nose with Mammon and the beast's glinting eyes.

"You will come with me," Mammon told him in an infuriatingly calm tone while he raised his double sword, "if it's the last thing I do!"

And Skade's eyes reflected the blade swinging down on him.

°•°•°•°

Bael paced around in his study with a look of impatience. Several holographic screens had appeared with various scans of maps and sonars. Various Darklings and familiars scampered around with updates and reports, but none of it was what Bael wanted to hear at this time. At one point, he cleared off his desk in one foul swoop to slam his hands into it. "Where – is – she?" he hissed in a fury.

A woman with tentacles for hair cleared her throat as she nervously reported, "My Lord, the Heartfilia Priestess-Queen is quite difficult to find."

"Why?!" Bael roared. "This stupid planet is primitive at best! You are all useless!" His knuckles burst through his desk before he stalked away (the desk vanished into black smoke and reopened, organized and brand new) to the window. Leaning his arm against it and his forehead against that, he looked past the destruction he caused and into the sinking cloud line. "This is ridiculous!" he hissed to himself. "She's only a stupid mortal—a Heartfilia wench. I have conquered planets and creatures. How the fuck can't we find a simple woman?"

One of the frog-like familiars gestured to a Darkling who looked outside. Dark clouds were coming together with the threat of a storm.

Bael ran his hands through his hair. "Fuck it. I have enough of this." He waved his arm behind him. "Someone get Hadad, Dagon, and Hammon now before I start getting a migraine from how fucking incompetent you all are and kill you." He rubbed his face with his hands as the smell of ashen sulfur and despair washed over him. A grin could not be held back as he sighed. "Ah… My favorite cavalry has arrived…" Turning around, he placed his hands on his hips. "So good to see you again."

The creatures put every other Darklings and familiar on edge. They all knew with one swipe, the three summoned could kill everyone except Bael without so much as blinking. The first chuckled at Bael. A minotaur with an eyepatch, a broken horn, and leather and metal combined for its armor. Its cloven hooves stood atop ash and a necklace of different types of teeth hung from its neck.

"Greetings, Father." The minotaur hit his chest with a fist and bowed his head. "For you, I would leave any battle."

"Right, Dagon, I forgot." Bael snapped his fingers as he tried to remember. "I know you were in some weird war, but what planet? Ugarit?"

Dagon rose and nodded proudly. "Yes. It is an honor you would remember."

Bael waved a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes, well you've always done me proud with your chaos stints." He turned to the other two. "Hadad, Hammon—glad to see you could make it."

Hadad was another demigod with lightning trapped in a spear and his hair an ethereal white. Darkness cloaked him in a sparkling toga and a horned mask on his face. "Of course, Tate." Rough and somber. Such voice did not sound particularly accustomed to this new language.

Bael sniffed the air and laughed, going over to clap his son on the shoulder. "How's that little mated life coming? What's her name? Shayena? Sheila?"

"Shala." Hadad said the name without warmth. "She is satisfactory for now."

Bael sighed. "Ain't that the truth. That mom of yours doing okay?"

Hadad lifted a shoulder. "Muter is her normal self. She clings to the day you grow jealous of her flings with mortals."

Bael licked his lips. "Right, right… Probably isn't happy with that Nanna god or whatever." He shrugged. "Well, if she didn't try to stick my dick in a reed, maybe I'd be in for one last fuck, but a fetish is a fetish." He went to his last son. "Hammon, you little shit, whatever happened to that plan of getting that Aries spirit or whatever?"

The last son was a ram, but he was not so in the conventional sense. He looked considerably more human than his brothers with his ram horns and sheep eyes prominent. He was not as robust as them or their father, but he had his fair share of muscle. He took out the cigarette in his mouth and let it disappear in a puff of smoke. "One I found in the Iroha Cosmos was pretty legit and a kinky freak. If you hadn't summoned me, she'd be on her knees."

"Should've brought her along," Bael laughed.

Dagon looked around. "Where is Sister Mirella?" he questioned. "It has been quite some time since I have seen her. I would like to go in the ring with her."

"As would I." Hadad's lightning spear cracked at the anticipation. "She knows how to leave an opponent wanting more."

Bael scowled. "Well, your sister's off acting all rebellious and causing this mess"—he gestured to the windows behind him—"so she's unavailable at the moment, but once she's home and Daddy gets to let out some rage, she's all yours again, boys. But that's not why I called you here. I have a special woman I need you to find and you three are my best trackers and actually inherited my invisibility."

"Oh?" Hammon raised an eyebrow. "Who's the mortal?"

"The Heartfilia Priestess-Queen."

All three were at attention at that.

"The Heartfilia Priestess?" Hadad pressed. Something darkened his eyes. "She's here?"

Dagon huffed through his snout, shuffling his hooves. "Is she a present for us?"

"If she is, I'm the oldest and call 'dibs' first," Hammon decided.

Bael silenced his sons as he raised his hand. "No, boys, she's not a gift…yet." He rubbed his hands together. "See, she's playing hard to get with me. I'm trying to track her down to teach that Etherious Demon King a little lesson on what happens when you fuck with the bloodline, but she's untraceable. Probably using purity enchantments and shit. So." He clapped his hands. "I need you three to search this disgusting planet her, bring her to me untouched, and as a little bonus, bring her youngest little offspring."

Hadad raised both eyebrows. "You always knew how to make these games fun."

"I want a taste of the youngest," Dagon immediately declared. When Bael started shaking his head, Dagon upped the wager, "I'll tame the chronophage you have in the labyrinth."

"Still, no deal." When all three sons looked displeased, Bael held up his hands innocently. "Sorry, boys, but orders are orders—you know that. She needs to remain pure. Once we're finished, then all of us can have a taste of her." He crossed his arms. "So can I count on you three? Or should I kill you and try a different set of sons?"

"Do we get to roll initiative?" Hammon asked.

Bael shrugged. "If you want. But this is a primitive planet, so don't waste your breath on an actual challenge. And no distractions." His warning look went to Hammon. "I mean it. Get distracted trying to up your body count and I'll kill you and put your bones right with the rest of the dead kids."

Hammon snickered. "Heard you loud and clear, Pops."

Bael turned his backs on his sons. "Then, get the fuck out of here and bring me back that woman." A slow smirk crawled across his lips. "I can't wait to see the look on that stupid Etherious King's face when I take her up the ass and make her my bitch. Oh!" he haphazardly called out. "Can someone tell Lucy it'd be nice if he actually answered my calls? I get he's just my nephew, but I think I want to name a character after him!"

The three sons bowed. "Yes, Father." Black smoke cloaked all three as the burst through the windows and took to the sky in black, cloudy streaks.

Bael took a deep inhale through his nose and exhale through his mouth. "Someone get me my dragon skin cape!" he commanded. "I'm going out and need to look dramatic!" His eyes settled on the clouds beyond his destruction. I have a date with my stubborn as Hell daughter's boy toy.

°•°•°•°

Kyler's vantage point was vast. He had taken up perch in one of the taller hotel buildings that had been chained down through John's Magic. Wings out and ready to flap at a moment's notice, he was vigilant in his watch to ensure every order he gave went smoothly. He could see Laxus' lightning in the distance and hear the sound of magazines being blown through by the teamwork of Atomic and Masahiko. Dazzler had created portals for people to safely return home and the crowds were thinning for last calls and last finds.

He gripped his staff a little tighter. "How are you feeling?"

Mirella stepped beside him with her wings out and her eyes resolved. "Freer," she admitted. "Had to kill my mother to feel that way."

Kyler glanced over to her as she looked onto the battlefield. "Mirella… I just wanted you to know—"

"I know." Mirella turned to him with a small smile. "I do too."

Kyler managed a smile back. "Have you given any thought to where we should move after this? Don't give me that look."

But Mirella was. "How can you think about where we're living together at a time like this?"

"It's what drives me."

Mirella blinked her surprise. "What…drives you?"

Kyler nodded before looking towards the skies. "It drives me into wanting to win this day. As long as I know you and Talia will be coming home with me, I know I can make it through this nightmare."

"Pfft."

Kyler looked over to see Mirella holding her mouth as she held back her laughs. She let one loose and more came out. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh, it's just…" She sighed as memories went through her eyes. "Well, you would always say these things before a battle, right? You'd be all hurts-your-cheeks sweet and noble and would ask me these same questions. What I'd want for dinner when we're finished…? If I wanted to do some free-flying or would do an aerial dance for you…?"

"If I could make love to you on our balcony…?"

Mirella could have sworn in all her existence, she had not blushed in several centuries. But the statement caught her so off-guard, her cheeks flushed at the purred suggestion. "How can Angels have such dirty minds?" she whispered to herself as Kyler laughed. It was then she noticed something on his neck. "Hey…" Her hand came up to reach out for the scar, but then she changed her mind and did not touch it. "I don't think I remember that one."

Kyler knew what she was talking about. "Ah, that. You might not remember it because it's more on my chest. It's…" He looked away. "It's the scar I got fighting against Bael."

"What?" Mirella could not believe it. "You fought against him when?"

"It was after you left," Kyler admitted, timbre quiet. "I was desperate. I had been searching what felt like decades and drove myself insane trying to find clues where you were. It was stupid of me to think you went back to Bael, but I…" He could not bring himself to say it.

Mirella swallowed and looked away. "I did some pretty foul things in my life," she murmured, "but going back to Bael was not one of them. I played his game just to keep you and Nashi safe."

"And I know that," Kyler was quick to put in. "Goodness, I know, Mirella. I was just…young and stupid and desperate and still in-love and…" He shook his head. "The fight went badly. I got years-worth of injuries and was taken to Rava to heal spiritually, physically, and mentally."

"I should've been there for you." Mirella's hands tightened to fists. "I should've been there by your side." Her eyes widened and she looked down to see a larger hand covering her own. Looking over her shoulder, Kyler held her hand and watched her with such warmth in his eyes. "Kyler…"

"We can be there for each other now," Kyler promised her. "Actually…"—he looked around—"barring the fact we're in the fight of our lives, this planet seems habitable enough to raise Talia."

Mirella chuckled as her eyes went to the sky. "Yeah, well…" Her smile dropped to a fierce frown. "Oh, shit."

Kyler was on full alert. "What? What is—?" He understood when that eerie tickle of despair flooded down his spine and wings. Looking up, he laid witness to darkness streaking the air in a group of three. "Are those more Demons?"

"Worse." Mirella let her scythe come to her naturally. "Those are my brothers." She hopped up on the ledge and flexed her wings. "They're going to target the Priestess-Queen and her youngest daughter to get back at the Etherious Demon King." Jaw clenched. "I should've known he'd get pissy he couldn't find her and call in for back-up. Pathetic. But dammit, they're good trackers."

Kyler narrowed his eyes at the streaks. "Another Demigod? A minotaur?" Eyes wide, he turned to Mirella to ask, "And a Dairi? Really? He had sex with one of the sacred sheep?"

Mirella rolled her shoulders. "Yeah, well, dear ole Daddy Dearest doesn't discriminate, ironically. You'd think the evil guy would be all for a hate crime of some sort, but the motherfucker loves to be all-inclusive." She bared her teeth. "Makes me sick." Eyeing the dark streak with lightning winding around it. "Looks like Hadad is going to be my worst target. I'll keep them busy. They always had a thing for me." A grimace. "Pigs."

"Arezodi."

Mirella turned for gold and turquoise to clash.

"Be safe," Kyler urged, "for me and for Talia."

Mirella surprised him again when she got him sucked into a long kiss. She released him with a loud smack and a self-satisfied grin at the slight dazed look in his eyes. "I think I have it easy. I'm about to relive some childhood trauma with my older psychotic brothers while you're facing off Bael."

Kyler had to agree. "Good luck."

Mirella laughed as her wings extended. "I don't need luck!" She was in the air. All I need is to know I'm going to come home to you and Talia waiting for me!

Kyler watched her go until she was a speck in the sky. Then, turquoise cut to the casino, narrowed and perceptive. Somehow, someway, I know he's about to make a grand entrance. I can only hope everyone has been evacuated before he does.

---

Lucy finished up with close-to-afternoon snacks and went to wash her hands. I haven't heard anything from Natsu… I hope everything's okay. She dried her hands to glance at her Compact. Still no word about Nashi and Luke went off to study. I haven't heard from him since last night.

BARK!

Lucy smiled when she looked down at Actaeon and Lelantos. They had laid on the kitchen tile and both were gunning for her attention. "Oh, you two…" She crouched down to ruffle their fur, giggling when they licked her hand. "Did you two have fun in the Celestial Spirit Realm this weekend?"

Lelantos rumbled and snorted as though confirming the answer.

Lucy hummed. "Luna's still at Porlyusica's," she told her Hunting Dog Spirits. "I wonder if she and Gale worked something out." Chocolate softened. "I remember when Gale met Luna for the first time. It feels like it was yesterday." Her hand covered in her guild mark laid on her stomach. "I know Natsu wanted him to wait so he didn't make the same choice Igneel made…but I can't help but wonder if—"

THUD-THUD!

Lucy looked up with a raised eyebrow. "What in…?" She made her way to the staircase to heard softer thuds. Actaeon and Lelantos brushed past her to sit neatly in front of Igneel's door, ratting him out. She heard incoherent muttering and more shuffling to precariously knock on the door. "Igneel?" she called. "You okay?"

Three beats of silence.

"Actually…" The door creaked open to show distress splashed on Igneel's face. "Could you help me with something?"

Lucy nodded; concern etched in her eyes. "Of course, Igneel. What's wrong?"

Igneel opened the door enough to let himself rest on the doorframe. "I…have a little bit of a problem. And I don't want to mess it up." Onyx focused on the floor. "And I thought… Well, maybe… I mean you…"

"How about I make some tea?"

Igneel peered up at his mother. "Chamomile?" he asked in a small voice.

Lucy smiled. "Honey vanilla chamomile."

°•°•°•°

HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS…!

Igneel fidgeted in Lucy's office as he sipped his tea on the grandmother chair. It had been handcrafted with her own little observation deck to look at the stars. Natsu had surprised her with it when the house was built as his own gift to her. Charts and maps and books filled with the office. Dog beds had been added for Lelantos and Actaeon who frequently kept their mistress company when she worked on her personal studies and research.

Lucy finished pouring her own tea and blew off the steam. "Now. What do you want to ask?"

Igneel squirmed a little. "Do I have to start from the beginning?"

"Not at all," Lucy assured. "What do you want to tell me and we'll go from there. I might need a little context, but I won't pressure you into telling me everything. Contradictory what Natsu thinks, I'm not that nosy."

Igneel had to chuckle at that before sobering down, staring into his tea. "Something happened last night. Well, something has been happening. I…" The grip on his teacup tightened. "I hurt so many people last night because I couldn't control it. I've nearly killed someone. B-B-But I don't know if I even have regrets about nearly killing that guy. He was going to hurt her."

"Mary Jane?" Lucy guessed.

Igneel nodded. "I just… I don't know what's wrong with me," he whispered. "I said I'd do better, but I'm doing everything you and Pops didn't want me to go back to."

Lucy set down her teacup. "Igneel, you are doing better," she promised him. "You're not that person anymore. You focus on your schoolwork and you're taking college-level chemistry and physics. That's a major leap from how you used to not want to do anything related to school. You're using your Magic to help people—"

"And I've hurt a lot of people with it too," Igneel pointed out harshly. "Face it. I'm going back to how I used to be. I didn't change like I said I would, I just… I just distracted myself."

"Igneel—"

"Ma, I know what I have to do." An air of deep sobriety was in his words. "I already spoke with Master and she approved it."

Lucy nodded slowly as she sat back in her chair. "I see." She crossed her arms with a long exhale. "I'll talk to your father when he gets home, but you know we both support you. But your siblings—"

"I'll talk to them," Igneel cut in with assurance. "Luke will be pissed, but he'll get over it soon enough and throw himself into his studies. Luna will probably cry. Nashi will hit me, but she'll cry too if she's back in time. I have it worked out for them." His shoulders hunched a little. "But…there's this…one person I need help with."

"Oh?" Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Someone special?"

Igneel nodded. "She… I don't want to make her cry again," he admitted. "I know it makes me sound like a coward, but if I saw her cry because of me again…I don't think I could ever…" He brushed back his hair with a hand as he thought long and hard on his words. "I know she'll be sad. She'll probably get a little mad at me too. But if I saw her face when I tell her I'm…" His chin tipped down to bury his nose in his scarf. "I just don't want her to hate me."

"She won't."

Igneel looked up to see his mother gazing into the distance with a forlorn smile and eyes glistening with her past.

"She might want to hate you, but she won't," Lucy spoke, timbre soft. "She'll cry and try to find you. She'll keep herself busy, of course, but there won't be a day that goes by where she doesn't wonder where you are or hope you're safe."

"What if she doesn't?" Igneel asked, longing for an answer. "What if she…? What if she doesn't care?"

"She'll care," Lucy said with certainty. "She cares about you the most, even if she doesn't know it yet. When she cries and feels hurt, it means she cares about you."

Igneel sniffled and rubbed his nose with his arm. "I made a promise to her. I promised her to be there for her and teach her Magic again. I know I didn't take promises seriously, but for her? It's just… It's different. We were in this together and now I…" Grumpily, he rubbed his cheek away a little too fiercely before anyone could see a tear.

Lucy laid a cheek in hand as she watched her son. "You are the spitting image of Natsu sometimes."

"Don't compare me to that old man," Igneel grunted. "I'm nothing like him—" Eyes wide, he found Lucy embracing him.

"How can I not compare you when your words sound the same?" Lucy told him in a murmur, closing her eyes. "You both lost so much at such a young age and you lost it for a second time. It takes a toll on you. You've worked so hard to get to where you are now."

Igneel sniffled as he latched onto his mother. "Were you going to send me to Granny Ana's this time?"

"No, sweetheart," Lucy swore. "I'm so sorry we ever thought about it. You were going through a difficult time in your life."

"I was being an asshole, Ma," Igneel told her, pulling away. As he rubbed his cheeks, he muttered, "I don't know how you guys put up with me with all the shit I did."

"Because we love you," Lucy answered, knowing he needed to hear that. "We do things because we love people and want to see them in the right direction. Just like we do right now."

Igneel jerkily nodded. "Do you think she'll understand that?"

"Not at first, no," Lucy conceded. "But," she added when she saw Igneel's face fall, "it'll take some time, Igneel. You were both so young when everything happened and you're still young. No one expects either of you two to understand everything. You were the first two so young to go through something so special. Even we don't have all the answers." She reached to cup his cheek. "You're both entering new territory. We all are. We just need to keep taking the right steps together."

Igneel leaned into her touch and closed his eyes. "I just want to see her one more time."

Lucy hummed. "What time do you need to be there?"

"Four-thirty."

"Do you want us to come with you?"

Igneel shook his head. "No. I'd rather you didn't. No offense, but I just… I don't want to see you sad. And I couldn't stand it if Lu started crying." His eyes opened. "Did you like what Pops did?"

"At the time, no," Lucy said off the bat. "I was angry and hurt. I thought I didn't matter to him. I thought he really didn't see my worth. But as years went by, I realized where his choices were. If he had seen me and told me, things would have been different. I would've tried to go with him or tried to convince him to stay. He needed to go and I know that. But sometimes, I wish we could've talked after everything happened that day. He didn't have to tell me good-bye, but just to see him one last time…"

She pulled away. "But that's in the past. My past. This is your present, Igneel."

Igneel looked down then back up. "Do you think Pops would've wanted to see you one more time before he left?"

"That was one of his biggest regrets," Lucy answered. "But he couldn't risk being so cruel to me, letting me see him and not know what would happen. And if he saw me…I don't know if he would've left."

Igneel looked back down.

"It's your choice, Igneel," was what Lucy advised again. "We can't tell you which way to go."

Igneel closed his eyes when he felt his mother kiss his forehead. "I know," he said, quiet. "I just wish it was easier." When he felt her pull away, he opened his eyes to see her sad smile and a hand out for him.

"Come on," she told him. "Let me help you get ready."

Igneel nodded. "Y-Yeah…" He slipped his hand into hers. "Thanks, Mom." He pulled himself up for his ears to twitch at the sound of an engine. It was a little difficult to make out heartbeats with the musical vibrations, but when the engine and music cut, he knew that voice. "Oh. Looks like Lu's home."

°•°•°•°

Luna looked out onto the porch as though wishing she could see Bleu's car. They had been careful to use the driveway this time and left no tire marks, but still… She got back onto the soles of her feet to see. I wish I could've stayed longer…

Icarus was at her side in his Dog Form, shaking out his fur, tongue out. I am still upset with you that you disobeyed and went to that unknown pup's den.

Not his bed or 'den' or whatever, Luna quipped. Just a hotel room and nothing happened. She stroked the top of his head. Don't be such a grinch. I needed to be away.

Icarus nipped at her hand. A light touch to show his disapproval. Either way, it is not appropriate, especially not summoning me to supervise. From now on, it is off to your own den, pup.

Luna rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she sighed. She turned when she heard the screen door open and saw her mother. "Hi, Mama."

"Hi, baby." Lucy stepped onto the porch and looked like she was searching for something.

Luna sighed loudly. "Gale's not here, so you can stop looking."

Lucy blinked in surprise. "Didn't he take you home?"

Luna shook her head, avoiding her stare. "No, I walked home with Icarus."

Lucy shot the Spirit a look, but he had flopped onto his back to show her his belly. She smiled at his goofiness to join Luna on the railing of the porch. "That's fine since Icarus was with you, but next time, text me or your dad or someone you know is home, okay?" She brought Luna in for a side-hug. "And I know you're rolling your eyes at me, but we're doing it because we care about you."

"I know," Luna muttered. "I just hate being the baby of the family."

Lucy laughed. "You'll always be the baby of the family." She hugged her daughter close. "But once you're trained a little more, I promise we won't be as protective." At Luna's disbelieving look, Lucy caved. "Okay, we'll try not to be."

Luna giggled and pushed away from her mother. "Yeah, yeah." She opened the screen door to get into the house, Icarus graciously keeping it open for Lucy to pass through. "And, um…" Her mirth dropped. "Have you heard anything about Nashi?"

Lucy grimaced and shook her head as she shut the door behind her. "Your papa, Gajeel, Gray, and Romeo went out to track them down, but no word. Not yet, anyways."

Luna looked physically unnerved. "I just want her to be okay," was all she wished. "I want her to come home."

"And she will," Lucy promised. "She will come home. We just need to be patient, okay?" She poked her daughter's cheek. "Come on. Help me with the snacks. Happy and Charla are coming by with the eggs."

As Lucy nudged her daughter further into the house, Igneel landed onto the first floor. Unwanted surprise froze him and he tried to make his way to his sandals when his foot knocked over one of Nashi's boots and it made a thud.

Luna turned and brightened (she did not notice Igneel's wince). "Igneel!" She could not help it when she rushed over to leap at her brother. "You're home!"

Igneel swung her around in a hug, smile weak. "Hi, Lu!" He set her on her feet. "You couldn't have missed me that much."

Luna punched his shoulder with no real hurtful intent. "Stupid," she sassed, "of course I did! You had everyone so worried about you! What happened? Did Mary Jane get to—?" She stopped when she saw the look that passed through Igneel's face at the mention of the name. "Igneel? What's wrong? What happened with Mary Jane?"

Igneel's eyes averted to the side. "She, um… Well… They had to take her to the hospital."

"She's at the hospital?" Luna echoed. "But why? What happened?" Panicked ideas made their way into her head. "We need to go visit her," she decided. "We need to see her. We need to make sure she's okay, we—!" She whipped out her Compact. "I'm going to start planning a 'get well soon' present for her. We should go and visit her. Oh! I'll text Aunt Mira and we could even make sure she gets home safely! Oh, Mary Jane would love…!"

And if she had looked up at Igneel's face, she would have seen the sheer pain marring his skin and the grief in his eyes.

---

Laxus had static charged all around him before sending out another storm of lightning bolts to the familiars and Darklings attempted to charge him. A smirk tilted his lips. "You know… This is actually pretty fun," he admitted aloud. "Never thought I'd get to have this much of it with how boring home's gotten." He charge lightning in the palm of his hand when a bigger familiar with three foaming heads came for him.

"Pots!"

Much to his dismay, Magic enveloped the creature and froze it in its tracks. A scowl dropped onto his face. "The Hell was that for?" he snapped.

The creature was thrown away as Dazzler strutted her way down the battlefield with hair a mess and her top hat firmly in her hand. She threw a glare right at the Lightning Dragon Slayer. "This isn't supposed to be 'fun'," she hissed at him. "Anyways, wrap it up. John and I jumped the last of everyone home, so no one on the good side should be around. We need to make a break for it back to Fiore before we flattened."

Laxus looked like he wanted to pout. "Well, that's no fun at all…"

SMACK!

He groaned as he covered his head while Dazzler looked ready to throw her hat, a tick mark pounding on her temple. "This isn't about 'fun', you idiot!" With a huff, she secured her hat back on her head. "We should regroup with the others anyway. The big and bad hasn't shown up and it's making me nervous. Plus, we still have Lance and Aine to figure out."

"Perhaps I can help."

Dazzler was scared out of her wits when Pazuzu Shadow walked onto the scene and in his panther form while Laxus was still shaking off the force of Dazzler's hit. "Jesus!" Dazzler gasped. "Does anyone walk like a normal person?"

Pazuzu shook his feline head to sit before them, twin tails wrapped neatly around his paws. "Good news: I found the little demigod and his weak mortal toy," he explained. "Bad news: Bael unleashed three of his hunting dog sons and Mirella is in pursuit. We're left without our best weapon."

"Ugh," Laxus harrumphed. "This family just keeps getting more and more messed up." He crossed his arms. "Listen, cat, I didn't come here to get tangled up in family affairs. You know where my son and his girlfriend are? Take me to 'em."

"It won't be easy," Pazuzu warned. "I can only get you part of the way. The rest of the way is up to you."

"We're Fairy Tail," Laxus grunted. "We don't do 'easy'." He looked over at Dazzler.

She held up a hand to stop him. "I know what you're going to say, but you need back-up. John can handle it from here. I'm going with you to save my friends and your pride can't stop me."

He smirked. "Like anything could stop you." He nodded towards Pazuzu. "All right, cat. You've got yourself a bargain. But double-cross us—"

"It doesn't benefit myself or my Master if I betray you now," Pazuzu drawled. "I could care less about your little mortals trapped in the tomb, but the princess cares for them. Which means they'll be used against her and she'll attempt to rush after them. Same game, different time." He got to his paws. "My priority is securing her safety. If taking you humans and making sure you all get the fuck out of here means it, then I'll do it."

"I like a guy who gets to the point," Laxus grunted. "How exactly do we get there?"

"Shadow travel," Pazuzu answered. "It's the quickest way, but it may take a minute. The place we're going to has a number of wards around it. Shadow travel can only do so much. My Curse will have to do the rest."

Dazzler clutched Laxus' arm and hissed into his ear, "I don't like this. He could be lying for all we know."

"I would tell you if he was," Laxus murmured back. "He's not lying, but he's not telling the whole truth. He has another motive for getting us off this little playing field. I just can't pinpoint what. Until then, keep that hat of yours ready." When Dazzler nodded, Laxus told Pazuzu loudly, "Fine. Take us to them."

Pazuzu approached them to circle them. Shadows followed his paw steps until it drew a circle. As the shadows worked to pull themselves together, Pazuzu got between both Mage and Magician. "Going down," was all he said as the shadows cackled and consumed all three of them to sink them into the ground.

---

A mouth moving.

DING-A-LING.

The focus found themselves in a bedroom filled with moonlight.

DING-A-LING.

The gaze turned.

DING-A-LING.

A fanged grin. A hand extended like an offer.

DING-A-LING.

The blurred image faded as the focus concentrated on the charm on someone's neck. The charm of a thimble.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Her bottom lip moved first.

Mary Jane could tell her body could not move. No matter what she wanted to do, her body was weighted to her uncomfortable bed. But her eyes cracked open anyways, dull and void. Her mind was a blank for many things. As the darkness came into focus, she only saw a ceiling and nothing more.

Where…am I? she questioned herself. How 'm I here?

DING-A-LING.

Flaming emerald.

A fire that could blaze on a thousand suns.

"My MJ… We're in this together."

Life flooded into mismatched eyes as memories swam back. Igneel…

A cheeky grin. "C'mon, MJ!"

Hands twitched.

DRIP.

Tears flooded down the sides of her face.

DROP.

Mary Jane could not hold them back. No, Igneel… He's not okay. I remember. Yesterday, last night, the fire… He needs m—

"Sweets?"

Mary Jane widened her eyes and struggled to tilt her head to see Peter at her side in a stiff recliner chair the hospital provided. Haggard, he was, but the relief on his face was palpable as he looked at her. Confusion sat within her as Peter shifted closer, taking her hand within his.

"Hey, Sweets," he murmured soothingly. "You're awake." He wiped away her tears. "You're crying."

What happened to Igneel? Mary Jane asked within her mind, frantic. Is he still here? Please, tell me what happened to him!

Peter reached over for the little panel to press the button for the nurse. "Your mom should be back soon for new clothes for you in just a minute. She texted me to let me know she's on her way back to the center," he explained. He reached to the nightstand for a cup of water with a straw. "Do you want water?"

Mary Jane blinked as tears kept coming while Peter guided a straw to her lips. No. I just need to find Igneel. Something's wrong; I can tell!

KNOCK-KNOCK. "It's the nurse!"

"Come in!" Peter answered.

The nurse opened the door, pleased as a peach to see Mary Jane awake. "There she is!" she cheered. "Oh, Mary Jane, we're so happy to see you awake!" She came over to check Mary Jane's IV and oxygen. "Looks like you're doing much better. You came to us with sinus bradycardia and some arrhythmic respiratory patterns with your oxygen lookin' a little low." She winked at Peter. "But this cutie was by your side the whole time!"

Peter blushed. "It really wasn't anything," he dismissed. He kept his eyes on Mary Jane as he kissed her knuckles. "It was an honor to be here."

Surprise blossomed through Mary Jane. Peter…

The nurse was grinning from ear to ear. "You've got a strapping young gentleman with this one, young lady," she teased. "But the gentleman will have to excuse us. I need to check everything and we're going to do some stretches. I'm guessing you're quite a bit stiff."

Mary Jane knew the shuffling going on and she heard Peter's words, but her mind could not get off from Igneel. Something feels wrong… I don't know what that feeling is, but it feels wrong. And Igneel's in the middle of it.

"All right, darling, let's get you stretched out!" the nurse decided with a clap of her hands. "First, let me turn on something…"

Thoughts raced through Mary Jane's head as she tuned out the nurse and let her guide her body how she needed. Everything felt wrong when I woke up yesterday. I could tell. Igneel wouldn't leave without a good-bye. That's just not like him. And he looked so hurt and sad… Why was he sad?

"And onto the next leg…"

He's already done so much for me. He made me see I'm not useless. He stuck by me even when I was a bully towards him. I'll never be able to repay him for all his kindness and friendship. But I promise, Igneel, I'll find a way to help you too. Just wait for me, okay? Please, I… I don't like feeling that you're sad and I can't help you.

"All done!" The nurse took a step back. "How do you feel, dearie?"

Mary Jane blinked a little faster this time. Cracking a few bones, she gripped the handles of the bed to drag herself into a sitting position. Her muscles, shockingly, were no longer stiff, but they did not feel all-there quite yet. Still, she could flex and point and she went through all her anatomical rotations with the nurse. She was in a daze as she was tested for her name, date of birth, and address. Just as the nurse was asking her about family, a knock came to the door.

"This is the Anti-Magic Unit Third Unit," came bark. "We have permission for entry."

The nurse shuffled to open the door, eyebrows furrowed. "My apologies, soldiers, but my patient is—"

Much to Mary Jane's shock, the nurse was escorted despite her protests and cries for help. Another man walked in with bags under his eyes and dice in his hands. Another soldier tried to follow, but the man stopped him, keeping eyes on a frozen Mary Jane.

"I'll handle her alone," came dry command.

The soldier nodded and turned out of the room, shutting the door.

Mary Jane gathered her blanket and pressed against the mattress. "Wh-Who are you?" she stammered. "What do you want with me? I didn't do anything wrong—!"

"Calm down." The man came to lean again the wall, messing with his dice. "You didn't do anything wrong…that I can remember."

Mary Jane swallowed. Eyes went this way and that. The only exit was the window. "Wh-What do you m-m-m-mean? Who are you?

The man paused in rolling his dice. "The name is Adrien Cotheran. You can call me 'Lieutenant'," he introduced. "I'm the lieutenant of the Anti-Magic Third Unit to Captain Sterling. We were the unit who helped out during the fire yesterday."

Mary Jane timidly nodded as though she agreed. "B-But why do you n-n-n-need me?"

Adrien tipped his head to the side. "That's what I'm trying to figure out myself." He held out his hand to see both dice had a seven. "Last night was a little bit of a mystery. I know the fire was there and I know it was contained. But something doesn't add up to me." He took a step closer to her. "From the reports of the west side guardsmen, they claimed they saw no action. But the scene of the crime doesn't make sense. Your boyfriend's car was impounded from that location."

"He's not my—"

"And another thing," Adrien continued, ignoring her. "In the grass, I found tire marks that bypassed the guards. So one of two things could have happened." He rolled his dice. "The men could have been lying to cover their own asses or…something did happen and they conveniently can't remember." He held out his fist for her. "Want to see the chances?"

Mary Jane pressed back even more. "What does this have to do with me?" she wanted to know. "Please, I…! I didn't do anything wrong, sir."

"Are you sure?" Adrien wanted to know. "All of this just doesn't make any sense to me. Your boyfriend's car is impounded with him kilometers away from where it was. You would think he would've been the one who brought you to the hospital, but why is he here and his car is in a lot instead?" His eyes narrowed. "To me… It sounds like your boyfriend is hiding more than he lets on."

Mary Jane blinked. Wait… All this questioning…is about Peter? Feeling a little more confident, she said, "Sir, Peter didn't start the fire."

"Maybe he didn't," Adrien conceded, "but I can tell there's something odd about this entire situation. And with evidence stacked against him, he's a suspect."

"He was with me—!"

"Then, why was his car impounded and why are you here?"

Mary Jane was taken back.

Adrien pressed on: "Whether you like it or not, people will begin to notice something was off about how yesterday went. The reports told may all match up with each other, but the evidence is another thing."

"Who are you?" came Mira's dark growl. "Why are you standing outside of my daughter's room?"

"That's my cue," Adrien supposed, stepping away.

Before he could get too far, Mary Jane blurted, "Why did you tell me all of that?"

Adrien paused. "Miss Dreyar, I might be in the gray area of how last night went down, but so are a lot of other people. If you care at all for your boyfriend, you might want to get your own story straight." He opened the door, muttering a few words of excuses to Mira before she slipped inside, agitated.

"The nerve of those Anti-Magic Units," Mira huffed. "I can't believe they would ambush you at a time like this." She set down a duffel bag onto the side table. "Thank goodness I overheard your nurse talking to the supervisor about this. I'll make sure we tighten security." She patted the duffel. "I did bring you new clothes and some hygiene—"

"Mom."

Mira stopped to look over at Mary Jane. "Yes, Mary Jane?"

"Mom, I need to get out of here." Mary Jane looked at her mother with fear. "I need to get to Igneel. Please. It's important."

"And what about Peter?" Mira asked. "I sent the poor boy to the cafeteria to get something to eat. He's been worrying about you all night."

Mary Jane chewed on her bottom lip in thought. "I need to talk to him too…about what he saw. But I can feel something's wrong with Igneel. I don't know what it is, but… Well, I just know!" Mismatched eyes connected desperately with cerulean. "Please, Mom! I need to see him!"

Mira chuckled, smile resigned. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

Mary Jane balked. Her mother of all people was against her? "Wh-What? Why?"

"Because"—Mira showed her Compact—"I got a text from Luna a minute ago. She and Igneel should be here before we meet with the unit psychiatrist."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Deep in the tombs, Aine had dried her tears and had taken to keeping Lance's head in her lap as she dabbed his sweating forward with some of the water that had been left to tide them over. She tried hard not to look at the shackles that had been left behind when the afterimage of Himera had been killed in cold blood. As Lance switched and gnashed his teeth, Aine shushed him. "Shhh… It's okay, baby," she whispered. "I'm here. I won't leave you. I'm right here. You're going to get through this, I promise."

He's running a fever and it won't break, she thought helplessly. We need to get out, but I can't carry him all the way out of here. I don't know if that girl is still out there and with her power, I couldn't beat her even in a fair fight.

Lance hissed.

Aine took to rocking him, shushing him. Oh, Lance… We need to get you better and soon. I just wish I wasn't so useless as I am now. She leaned down for his forehead to touch his. Please… Please, Jesus, let him wake up from this.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lance knew exactly where he was. He knew this place. He was sitting on one of the benches in Kardia Cathedral, his hometown church. A service presided with the priest going over a verse. He looked around to recognize the faces of his guildmates and friends mixed in with the crowd, dressed in their Sunday best.

'I'm at church. But…why am I here?' he wondered to himself. His eyes kept scanning when he caught dark kobicha eyes. He found himself grinning when he saw Aine sitting a row across and back from him in her cyan floral dress and hair nearly in a woven bun. She risked a smile back at him before Mystogan could notice anything. Internally, he sighed, lovestruck. 'Aine… My everything…'

"Isn't she, though?" came sleek hiss.

Lance whipped around, but the entire processional was gone. No one vacated the cathedral except for him. He was alone and he was…hurt? He looked down to see his street clothes might be on him, but they were tattered and charred in some places. 'What? How did I—?'

"SSSSSSSSStupid human!"

Lance turned, but he found his vision barreling down the aisle from the altar. Nothing felt right. Darkness crowded his vision and tinted his world view. The cathedral had been torn up with debris kicked and benches destroyed with fire and earth and lightning. Vines had overtaken the pillars and it was clear the doors had been locked from the outside.

'What? Where am I? Why is everything so dark?'

But the darkness cleared a little to finally show three figures before him. Luna stood before him with black vines curled around her arm as she stared down a battered Gale who fell on his knees before her.

'Luna? Gale? No… No, this isn't right…'

"You're not fun anymore," came distorted breath that sounded a lot like…

'Wait… Is that…? Is that me?' Lance questioned. 'How can that be me? I don't sound like that. I don't…act like this. What's going on? What's happening to my body?'

"Why don't you just die already?"

The tinted vision lightened and flickered to see the third figure that had been rushing towards Gale. Flames accompanied Igneel with his expression desperate and guilt-ridden.

Lance felt static charge around him and the darkness pulsed, clouding his vision. He felt his arm raise and could barely make out that his hand was pointing directly at Igneel. 'Wait, no… Wait, I'm… No! No, I can't attack my guildmate—my friend! Stop it! Please, someone, let me stop this!'

"Bye-bye…"—lightning surged around his arm, black and sinister and full of wrongness—"human…"

'NO!' Lance roared within his mind. 'No, please, God, no! Igneel, move—!'

SHHH-BAM!

The tinted world view slowed as it watched lightning shoot out from a palm. Igneel was still trying to rush towards Gale, but his eyes caught the lightning at the last second. As Lance screamed in his mind, he could see the exact moment terror crossed Igneel's face when lightning cracked before him. To Lance's nauseating horror, the lightning attacked Igneel right in the gut and held nothing back. It burned through his shirt and into his flesh as he shoved him back, back, back until he hit the pillar.

'NO!' Lance cried. 'Igneel, no…!'

A cackled invaded his own thoughts. 'Yesssssssss, human. Feel how much stronger you make us. Don't you like it? This power?'

The tinted vision began to blacken.

'No!' Lance felt like he was hyperventilating. His world was closing in. He was losing control of his own thoughts. 'No, please, get out! Get out of my head! Please, I need to save my friend!'

'Friend?' A hearty hissing laugh. 'You just murdered your "friend".'

'No…' whispered Lance as his world darkened. 'Please, no! Someone, help him! Anyone! Please! Save him!' But it was too late. Black encroached his vision until there was nothing left but his own thoughts. Grief struck him and he felt he was crying before he heard himself cry. 'No… Igneel… Please, I… You can't be dead. I didn't…didn't mean to—'

"You didn't mean to kill your own friend?"

Lance found himself suspended in his dark universe. There was no gravity, no nothing. It was like this universe was punishing him and he could not help but accept it. "No," he told himself. "No, I would never…! No!" He shook his head as he buried the butt of his palms into his eyes. "I can't have killed him. Please, Igneel can't be dead. I would never do that to my guildmate—my friend—my family."

"You're right," came soothing murmur. "You would never… But we would."

Lance reopened his eyes to see himself hovering over a puddle to bear his reflection. Terror ripped through him he realized he was not human. A giant serpentine creature stood in his reflection's place with wide emerald eyes and rows upon rows of sharp teeth stained in blood. And right below him laid the lifeless body of Igneel as a demonic scar mauled his stomach and a trickle of blood left his mouth.

CR-CRACK!

Lightning filtered through the sky as Lance dipped his serpentine head down to examine Igneel's body. Heat stung his eyes when he felt his tears. "I'm ssssssssso sssssssssorry," he hissed out in snake tongue and human voice. "I'm…dissssssssgussssssssting. I killed my own family. I killed the person Mary Jane treasured the mossssssssst. I killed you." His head bowed.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

A lightning storm crowded around him as though responding to his intense pain. They clapped and yowled and shook the earth in their own sadness.

"I don't dessssssssssserve to live," Lance told himself in hushed tones. "I don't desssssssssssssserve anything. I dessssssssssserve to die."

"No."

Lance lifted his head to turn it. The lightning storm left him along when all he saw was a warm and welcoming light that he did not deserve. A giant of a silhouette was there to greet him and reached out a hand as though to comfort him. "You will become worthy for me to claim as my son."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Aine was startled when she felt electricity zing through her. It was nothing bad. In fact, it was familiar to her. Pleasure flitted through her at the sensation as she reeled back. She looked back at the grimacing and flushed Lance in confusion. He…shocked me. That means…he's…

A smile blossomed through Aine as she kissed his forehead. Oh, Lance… You're so close. Please… Come back to me soon when you're ready. I'll always be waiting.

°•°•°•°

The battles were plenty. Atomic found herself with machine-gun Masahiko as she killed a dozen times over mindless familiars that spat blood and looked sloppier and sloppier with each wave of them. Ghost used his powers to spirit away some of the Darklings and fight them on his own territory. John had managed to bring out a swamp-like creature that seemed agitated at both John and the battles around it. But even with the extra help, it would not be long until all were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers.

Kyler gripped the staff as he watched the onslaught. He scanned the skies before ricocheting back to the casino. Where is he?

GRRRRRRRR…

Kyler's eyes narrowed when he saw the sudden appearance of ominous clouds grousing in their thunder speak. A volatile wind swept through Kyler's wings and he let it. He's coming. I feel. Mirella, Mother—give me the strength I need to win this fight.

CR-CRACK!

Lightning struck through the crowds like a whip. The impending storm did not seem to disturb the ongoing battles, but it did disturb the Sky Boats and drones trying to hasten their way to the falling country of a city. It rattled the drones and some were overwhelmed with the electric current. The Sky Boats attempting to make a breakthrough were forced to lower altitude.

Kyler was not amused at the theatrics. So he's trying to give himself a grand entrance. His wings expanded and flexed with his armor. Then, he will meet his match. Without further ado, he launched himself into the sky. The winds could not cut him down as he tore through them to gain higher ground until he was on level with the thirteenth floor of the casino from his distance. His staff firmly at his side, he shouted over the storm, "Bael! This is no time for your little games! You are a terror and menace to innocent lives! So I warn you now!" He extended his staff to point it at the casino. "Let my people!"

CR-CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Kyler eyed the storm around him as it answered for him. It sounded like it was laughing.

Perhaps because it was laughing.

A laugh threaded through the lightning and thunder as though it was surrounding the entire area. Dark, it sounded, and highly amused. "So…" came echoed mock, "my favorite daughter's boyfriend finally has the balls to face me. What? Didn't get enough after last time?"

Kyler locked his jaw. "Don't underestimate me, Demon," he hissed. "This time will be different."

"Oh?" Another mock chuckle. "And what makes this so different than the last? You think you and your little stick are enough to stop me. I mean the actual stick in your hand, not between your legs, just in case you're confused."

Kyler twirled the staff before placing it at his side. "I'm not in the mood to deal with your mockery, Demon. You have wronged your own flesh and blood. You have wronged your own wife. But you will not harm the people of this nation. Thus saith the Lord. You will let these people go!"

"And if I don't?" came resounding tease. "These people are nothing compared to us. They're meant to be slaves or whores, nothing more and everything less. They're primitive, Kyler."

"They're innocent—!"

"Not all of them," Bael countered. "Can you honestly tell me every human terran hasn't committed one little sin? What about the ones who practice these so-called 'false religions'? Are they 'innocent'?" A chuckle. "Come on, Kyler, we're the same—"

"Don't you ever compare me to you," Kyler seethed. "We are nothing alike. Now, either face me or let these people go. Those are your choices."

"Well… Since you've asked so nicely…"

CRACK!

Kyler did not flinch when lightning struck the form of man. Bael hovered before Kyler with his dragon skin cape, a smug smirk, and nothing but a loincloth to cover him. His shoulders shook in his hilarity. "Kyler, Kyler, Kyler…" he tutted. "When I first found out my precious Mirella ditched me to screw you, I kept asking myself 'Why him'? She could have any male in the cosmos, but for some reason, she chose goody-too-shoes dick. But now, seeing you like this, I have to say I'm impressed. You're a lot more stupid than I thought you were."

Kyler stood tall. "Your days of tyranny are over. I won't allow you to harm innocent lives anymore." He pointed his staff at Bael.

Bael pretended to be scared. "Oh, Hells no, not the stick!" He crooked a finger at Kyler and beckoned him with it. "Bring it on, little Enoch. Show me what your stick can do and make it fast. The sooner my playtime is done with you, the sooner the Heartfilia bitch and her littlest daughter are in my grasp."

Kyler thrummed in his rage as he whirled his staff around. His Miracle charged around him and the staff reacted, humming and vibrating beneath his touch. "May I work this miracle," Kyler prayed. Like he was tossing a hammer, the staff was speared towards Bael. "Thus saith the Lord!"

In mid-air, the staff glowed as pure white energy misted around it. Shifting and growing, the staff thickened itself. An arrowed head appeared and opened its mouth to show to venomous fangs. The tail flicked out with stripes made strictly from versus and prayer. Slitted eyes appeared and glinted at the crackle of lightning. A serpent near the size of the casino had emerged from Kyler's staff and rose to its full height. Hissing, it glared at Bael, ready to attack at any moment.

Bael huffed a laugh. "Really? A snake?" He shook his head. "Fine. Let's play it your way." He raised his hand and poised his thumb and middle finger for a snap. "But just know you asked for it."

SNAP!

CRASH!

The casino roof was shattered open with no remorse as a creature clawed its way out in a fury. The leather-winged serpent that once roamed Bael's throne room ceiling had emerged with a hacking roar and red eyes. It scrambled to get out of the casino and its winding body took to the skies to aid its master. It circled around Bael before settling beside its master. Roaring at the serpent, its neck curled the moment the serpent bared fang and hissed.

Bael's smirk broadened. "Shall we pit snake against snake?" He reached a hand to pat the scales of his winged serpent. "My poor baby is a little bloodthirsty. She hasn't had a real challenge in decades and, well, this will do."

"Afraid to get your hands dirty, Demon?" Kyler challenged.

Bael cackled. "Boy, you want me to accept you for boning my little girl? Then, we first start with the battle of the minds. You survive that, maybe I'll take off a glove and get into it. Besides"—his smirk turned dirty—"the anticipation is what makes the battle fun. I want this to be fun. Think of this was my pre-warm up before I get to fuck that Heartfilia witch."

"Mirella will stop them." Kyler had no doubt about that.

"She might." It was surprising Bael agreed. "I trained her to be a badass among badasses. She's faced each one of her brothers individually and has one and lost to each of them. But a threesome? Not even my baby girl can survive that." He licked his lips. "Believe me. She was passed out when Mammon and I—"

Unfettered fury surged through Kyler as he roared with the lightning and thunder. His serpent curved its neck, let out a warning hiss, and went for the strike.

"Oriens," Bael trilled to his winged serpent, "dinner."

Oriens reared back its head with a snarl and dove for the kill.

°•°•°•°

Býleistr had settled into a catnap when he heard the first whimper. He shook off his exhaustion from remerging and jumping through multiple gates as more whimpers came. Lion transformed into a lion-man, his tattered pants thankfully still on him. He looked over to see Nashi was stirring in the wrong sort of way. Brows pinched, lips pressed, her body flinched as though a nightmare encroached upon her.

Býleistr snorted. "Pathetic female." He strode over to the bed to hover over her. He watched when her head turned the other way. He crossed his arms. "So. You feel better enough to get a nightmare, but not enough to wake up?" He shook his head. "Idiot."

Nashi turned the kimono that had been loosely shaped on her slipped past her shoulders. When she turned again, the kimono began to part to reveal her—

Býleistr was quick, fur hot and eyes averted, as he tried to cover her up. "Stupid female," he hissed with no real fury. "You should be more careful around creatures you don't know." He peeked to see she was effectively covered again before sighing in a bit of relief. "Seriously. No wonder the wolverine has major possessive issues with you. Must've teased the Hell out of him."

He ran his hand through his mane as he watched her. She looks so…breakable. He sniffed Nashi, not realizing he was getting closer to her. Doesn't have any sulfur to her, but I can tell something's different with her. Her purity is…sexy as Hell. She reminds me of—

Vibrant chocolate mixed with gold. "Býleistr, no!"

The memories were chased away when Nashi turned back to him, still tense. He kept his face impassive as he slid out a claw and scooped a small lock of her hair. That was in the past. They're dead and my dear big brother screwed me over. That life is over. Leo made sure of that.

"Gah…"

Býleistr stood still when Nashi struggled.

"Ga…ry…" Nashi whispered in a pained breath.

Býleistr's stare hardened. And of course, my new life sentence has my mistress falling-in-love with another Devil. Just my fucking luck. His claw receded for a furry knuckle to brush her cheek. At least she's got some spunk. Didn't see too many mortals in my day able to handle this much Angel blood. Heh. No wonder Wolverine gets head over paws for her.

"What"—Býleistr froze—"are you doing?" came question.

Býleistr looked over to see a little girl no older than ten to twelve standing at the doorway with wide turquoise eyes and a tilted head. He stood up to assess her. "So you're the other little half-pint I'm lookin' out for," he muttered. "You're tiny."

The girl blinked up at him then pointed. "And you're a cat."

TICK.

Býleistr closed his eyes to try and reign in his temper. "I am not a cat, half-pint," he gritted out. "I am a Celestial S—"

"She's hurt."

Býleistr opened his eyes to see the girl had been drawn to Nashi so much so, she climbed onto the bed. Býleistr rumbled. "Hey, half-pint, don't disturb her." He tried to make a grab for her, but he pulled back the moment the girl touched Nashi's face with the gentlest of fingers. Still, he was wary. "Stop touching her," he snapped. When the girl did not listen, Býleistr fluffed his fur. "Half-pint, don't make me—!

"Someone hurt her."

Býleistr put away his claws as he snorted. "Oh, yeah? What gave that away?" He crossed his arms. "The fact she's unconscious or the fact she has bandages?"

"No." The girl brushed back Nashi's locks. "Not now. She was…young. Like me. Someone hurt her when she was young."

The air shifted around Býleistr and he did not like it one bit. "Hey, half-pint," he snarled. "What do you think you're doing?"

The girl could only stare at Nashi. "Her wings… They took her wings…"

He was getting even more agitated now. "Would you—?"

The girl spread her fingers along Nashi's forehead as her eyes closed. "I feel her fear. She is frightened. She is reliving a horrible memory." Her hair fluttered as she concentrated. "Her mind is a trap. She still has dark threads around it."

Býleistr was on alert. "You better not be shittin' me, half-pint," he growled. "You tellin' me her mind's been tampered with? She has Angel blood in her—"

"But she has no control," the girl reported. "Her mind is layered in pain she cannot physically heal from. Without an outside force, she will be consumed in her own mind." The girl opened her eyes to withdraw her hands.

Býleistr got off the bed to pace back and forth. "I didn't sign up for this," he grumbled to himself. "I didn't ask to be taken out of my fun, silent vacation in the Void. I didn't ask for another stupid mistress."

A whimper.

Býleistr's eyes bounced back to a withering Nashi and his claws slid out on instinct. "Dammit," he snarled. "I'm not a hero. I didn't ask to be here."

"I think you're lying."

Býleistr turned his fangs onto the girl. "Say that again, half-pint." His claws extended. "I dare you."

The girl continued on as though she had not heard him, "I feel your thoughts and emotions quite well. You might be angry on the surface, but underneath, you already feel an attachment to this terran. Unless you two weren't compatible, her summoning of you wouldn't have happened. Now, you're worried and protective of her. These are feelings you will need to get used to."

A snarl. Býleistr rushed at the girl with a claw coming up underneath her chin. "Just who in the Hell do you think you are, half-pint?" he sneered. "What sort of little fucked-up monster are you?" He sniffed her. "You smell like that Cambion. But she said you were just a child. No 'child' speaks like you."

"Talia."

Býleistr blinked when the girl extended a hand for him.

"My name is Talia," Talia introduced. "The Cambion you referred to is my mother, Mirella." She tipped her head. "I suppose I'm not normal. My body looks like a child to you, but my mind has had centuries to age. It was merely held prisoner and stunted under my slavery with Lynn. I would still be speaking in fragments if it wasn't for remembering I'm part god."

Býleistr tucked away all but the claw underneath her chin. "Fine, half-pint, whatever you say." He jerked his chin towards Nashi. "Now, you have thirty-seconds to explain how to fix her before I decide you looked better off in gurney than fucking with my head."

Talia lowered her head to look back at Nashi. "As I have said before, her mind is trapped. Dark threads are in her mind. She is part Demon, but her time spent fighting off Bael has not clearly been waved away. Angel blood is potent. It runs through her veins now. Physically, the blood will affect her in subtle ways until she has better control. A scrape to the knee will heal in five terran minutes. An accidental tongue bite will go away within five terran seconds. But her mind is still susceptible to attacks until she trains her new power mentally. They are scars that no amount of time can heal. On some planets, such mental wounds can be abolished by taking away emotions or stealing away memories. However, terrans have developed a non-powered way to manage mental wounds. They call it 'grounding'. We need to tether her back to reality."

Býleistr lifted an eyebrow. "A lot of big words there, half-pint," he grouched. He eyed Nashi next. "So. All we have to do is rummage around her brain a little bit and make it snap back to reality?" He rolled his shoulders. "Shit. I hate mental planes. Always full of freaky shit." He went over to poke Nashi's cheek with a finger. "I've known you for all of five seconds and look at all the work I'm doing for you. Back in my day, I didn't have to work so hard for females. Especially mortals."

Talia did not look amused. She looked…blank, actually. "Shall we get started?"

Býleistr groaned dramatically. "Fine," he grunted. "Let's get this over with."

"Good. Just so you know, you will be going in alone."

"Excuse me?" Býleistr looked positively disturbed. "Are you insane? Do you know how fragile the mental plane is? She could fry my existence with a thought!" Now that very much disturbed him.

Talia's eyes drifted to Nashi. "You are the only familiar mind in this room. I have enough power to force her to submit to my mind, but her mind would see it as a takeover. That's not what I want. She needs to wake up naturally if she wants to heal. You and she are linked through the summoning."

Býleistr blew out a breath. "You know, this 'chosen one', 'you're the only one who can do this' bullshit got old when I started growing in my mane," he muttered. Rogue eyes ensnared Nashi's form and the distress on her unconscious face. "Dammit, fine," he consented. "Just…let's just make it quick, okay?"

"How quickly it goes depends on her." Talia closed her eyes as what looked like a heatwave passed over Nashi with the spread of a hand.

Býleistr eyed Talia. "You know, half-pint… You're becoming more and more interesting."

"I'm part god, part Demon, part Angel, and part human." Talia opened an eye at him for him to see a little bit of amusement. "Of course I'm interesting." Closing the eye, she lifted her other hand to him. "Are you ready?"

Býleistr rolled his shoulders. "Nothing like the present to go through a mental trip." He cracked his knuckles. "Let's do it, half-pint."

Talia waved her hand. "You may feel some pressure, but it's okay. It's your mind being transported into Nashi's. Unlike normal mental transport, you won't find yourself in anything familiar. You will see things that aren't real. It's important for you to remember the only things that can hurt you in the mental plane can hurt if you let it."

Býleistr closed his eyes, shuffling his pawed feet. "Right. And how am I supposed to know if your little mind trip works?"

Silence.

°•°•°•°

"Half-pint?" Býleistr called.

Silence.

A growl. "Half-pint, this isn't a game—!" He opened his eyes.

His eyes widened.

He found himself floating in the middle of a pink-shaded galaxy where a pink sun was crescent and chunks of debris and darkness loomed everywhere. He could only think of one word for this situation.

"Shit."

Býleistr took a step and found he could walk as if he was on solid ground. He looked at his fur to see he had been shifted pink as well. A wrinkled nose of disgust. "This isn't my color," he grunted, miffed. Rolling his shoulders, he got to walking. "Let's get this shit over with." Looking around, he took a stroll in this overly pink universe. No two things looked the same. Chunks of debris could be used to change the center of his gravity. The dark threads that were visible were easily avoidable. But for the main part, the entire universe was empty, save for the crescent pink sun, the pink stars dotted everywhere, and the chunks of debris.

Býleistr about had it when he realized—"I'm going fucken nowhere with this," he snarled as he landed on another patch of debris. His frustration seeped through his fur and raised his hackles. "Gods, this is why I hate the mental plane. Doesn't this princess have anything going on in her brain? Don't tell me she's a literal airhead. And here I thought she had spunk." He looked around at the vast emptiness. "Apparently, I was wrong."

His ears twitched.

Something dark cast over him.

Býleistr tensed his shoulders. "Or maybe…"—his front claws slid out—"I was right!" Whirling around, he raised his claws with a snarl deep in his thro—

He stopped.

Before Býleistr flapped Skade in his Devil Form, icy fur and all. Pink colored him in various shades and tints, making him look ridiculous, but the icy-blue-silver remained. Býleistr huffed, sheathing his claws. "It's just you, Wolverine," he muttered. "What the Hell are you doing here? Did she call you or something?" He made a bleh face. "Should've known. She would reach out to her fuck-toy."

Skade just flapped his wings, but he said nothing.

Býleistr raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Hey. Don't just be all silent and shit," he snapped, irked. "What's going on here? Where's the princess?"

Skade remained quiet.

A growl tore through Býleistr's throat. "I'm talking to you, Wolverine!" His claws came out as he threw a punch. "Where's the princ—?"

His claws went right through Skade.

"—cess…?" Býleistr drew back, perplexed. Then, he understood and spat. "So. You're nothing more than a memory," he deemed. "I get it now." He looked around him. "Half-pint said dark threads were in the princess' mind. She is part-Demon. This must be her Demon side. And of course it's empty. It was just born, like, all of five minutes ago." Sheathing his claws once more, he took a closer look at everything. "It shouldn't have too many memories." A pause. A turn. Eyes slid back to the silent Skade. "Except you," Býleistr muttered. "You're a clear memory. You're a memory she wants to keep on both her human side and Demon side. Which means she mentally has the hots for you." He lifted his chin. "Wolverine. Take me to the princess."

Skade cocked his head, but he said nothing.

Býleistr unsheathed his claws on one hand. "Listen, bub. I don't have time for kumbaya and making your acquaintance. I just need to find the princess, spank her back into reality, and I'll be on my way. I'm not stealing her or anything, got it? So take her to me before shit gets ugly."

Skade finally did something.

He grinned and flashed fang.

"I am a memory, Sabertooth," Skade mocked. "You cannot touch me unless she permits it."

"Then, I'll fuck you up in the real world," Býleistr retorted. "What's the matter, Wolverine? Done playing the quiet game?"

Skade chuckled. "I am a memory existing in Malã'ika's mentality. I am just a thought she has. I was quiet because she had me quiet. I speak because she allows it." He crossed his arms as he settled on thin air but on even ground with Býleistr. "She doesn't want to be found. She hides from you."

"Why?" Býleistr demanded. "What is this, some mental breakdown? Gods, kids are so frustrating! Tell her she better get here now or I'm forcing her out."

Skade shook his head. "There is no force here, Sabertooth. This is her mentality." He spread his arms to show the expanse of this universe. "Everything is at her pace."

"Well, 'her pace' ain't workin' out for me," Býleistr snapped.

"She does not care."

"And what are you, the gatekeeper to her inner sanctum or some shit?"

"A thought," Skade said simply. "She thinks of me when in her Demon Form as an equal, a potential lover, a provider, and a protector."

Býleistr rubbed his temples. "Her Demon Form is her human form, jackass."

"Yes and no." Skade folded his wings. "Unlike me, Demon and human to her is in agreement. One body, one mind, one soul. But her Demon Form allows her to have untamed thoughts, no restrictions, no embarrassment. Her unbridled thought of me is she finds me most desirable like this. She thinks of me as a protector to her most vulnerable state. She thought of me to protect her. If she had known my human when she was in her Demon Form, he would be beside me."

Býleistr shook his mane. "Look, spare me the semantics, Wolverine. I don't have time for this mental plane bullshit. What's it going to take for her to come out and face me?"

"Nothing." Skade shrugged. "She will come when she is ready."

"There is no 'ready'!" Býleistr snapped, tail lashing. He was trying really hard not to flex his claws. Huffing, he gritted out, "Shit's happening in the outside world and I can't protect her if she's stuck in here having some sort of crisis." He stalked closer to Skade. "Today's been a bit of a day for me. I was literally yanked out of my suffering from a pit of darkness and silence due to my trigger-happy brother to be summoned by a little princess who had no right to summon me, killed a Snow Woman which I'm pretty sure broke twenty-five different Spirit bylaws, did sixteen gate jumps, and now I am told to be patient and wait a tick because she isn't – ready?" His hands grabbed Skade's throat. "I don't think so," he sneered. "I don't care who this princess is. She is mine to protect. You might be her protector mentally, but she is my ward now, whether she likes it or not. She got that shitty deal when she pulled me from the soul-sucking Void, all right? She made herself mine when she pulled my key towards her. So Demon or no Demon, she will meet me right the Hell now because it's my unfortunate job for me to care about her well-being inside and out, no matter how much pain it puts me through." His thumb pressed onto Skade's Adam's apple. "Do you understand me?"

Skade blinked.

Then, he smirked. "She does."

He disappeared into a cloud of smoke.

Býleistr coughed, waving away the cloud. "Dammit," he wheezed. "What the Hell are thoughts made of anyways?" As the cloud disappeared and he coughed, a little voice made his ears twitch.

"You shouldn't have come."

Býleistr hacked another cough before turning. His eyes widened and he averted his eyes. "Oh, Hell," he muttered. "This keeps getting better and better."

Etherious Nashi stood before him, shivering, naked, with her eyes and sclera pitch black and her horns curved. Dark Language was tattooed freshly over her skin almost like wounds and her hair pooled at her waist, pink streaked in black. "Please go away," came the demented beg. "I only came to tell you that."

Býleistr clamped his hand over his eyes. "'Fraid I can't do that," he sighed. "Listen, princess, I don't like this any more than you do, but facts are facts. You need to wake up from your little nightmare and back to reality, okay?"

"Why?" Etherious Nashi demanded to know. "Why should I? Reality is cruel and unforgiving."

"Yeah, it's a bitch," Býleistr agreed and took a careful step forward. "You think I like reality any better? My reality basically crashed around me when my own brother locked me away in the Void for millennia. You think you've got problems? We all have problems."

Etherious Nashi sniffed. "I don't understand," she murmured. "Why would your own brother lock you away?"

Býleistr stiffened. "Reasons." He held out his hand. "Anyways, princess, could you just take my hand so we could leave?"

Etherious Nashi shook her head and turned her back on him. "I'm sorry, but I can't. Nashi doesn't deserve to let reality be cruel to her."

"I'm sorry, what?" Býleistr dropped both hands for his eyes to clear at Etherious Nashi's back. "She doesn't deserve what? Whether you like it or not, reality is a part of life. Cruelty is a part of life—"

"Not this cruelty!"

Býleistr paused when Etherious Nashi hugged herself and dropped to her knees. Even more careful, he uttered, "What do you mean?"

Etherious Nashi bowed her head. "As a Demon, we feel a hundred times over what a mortal would feel," she whispered. "I have only surfaced once physically, but my connection with my human side has always been there mentally. We are one in almost every way, but…" Her eyes closed as pain struck her.

"'But'?" Býleistr prompted.

A rattled exhale left her as Etherious Nashi opened her eyes. "The funny thing about memories is to successfully steal them, you have to take them from the organism's mind completely. A memory from Nashi's human side was stolen. But when I surface, her life became mine. That memory her human side no longer has… I still retain it." She hugged herself tighter. "And I can't let her go back to that reality."

"I'm not so sure it's a memory," Býleistr said lightly. "The half-pint said Bael did some serious damage to the princess's mind. That could be something he conjured up to play you. Trust me. I've been there before."

"No." Etherious Nashi shook. "Bael did damage to Nashi's human mind. But to my mind, I'm completely intact. And this is no hallucination. This is a memory. A memory I can't burden her with."

Býleistr came to a startling realization. "So it's you," he whispered. "The half-pint got it wrong. It's not Bael's internal damage that's keeping her trapped in her own head… It's you. You won't let her wake up."

"I can't," Etherious Nashi whispered back. "I can't let her wake. I've been fighting to keep her in a deep sleep. I can't risk her Demon mentality and human mentality to mix or she'll relive the memory."

"It's her life," Býleistr quietly pointed out. "Both of you share that life. That memory stolen from her is part of her life. You can't shield it from her unless… Unless the memory was taken for a good reason, shit." He groaned. "Why does the complicated crap get passed to me?"

"The memory is horrible." Etherious Nashi hunched over like she was going to vomit. "It's cruel and inhumane. I've never known such pain in all of my existence, even after reliving the memories of her trauma. This is worse. If she regains this memory, there is nothing more you can ever do from her. She'll never recover and I can't let that happen to her—to me—to us." She rubbed her arms. "She deserves this chance she's been given for normalcy. She doesn't deserve it being taken away because of me and her memory."

Býleistr rubbed a hand over his face. "I might be out of practice, but memories can't just be erased, right? I remember there were Sorcerers who practiced such spells in my day. They didn't erase memories. They blocked them without damaging the brain. Or…they stole the memory for themselves." He lifted his head. "Problem solved. Give me the memory."

Etherious Nashi whipped around. "What? You can't be serious!"

Býleistr had already averted his eyes. "I'm as serious as you seriously need to put on clothes."

Etherious Nashi tilted her head. "Why? In my existence, I never wore clothes."

Býleistr let out a long sigh. "Look. Just give the memory to me, okay? Then, she never knows, you never know, I'll only know. Problem solved."

"I can't."

Býleistr looked like he wanted to curse, but he bit it back. "Why not?"

Etherious Nashi hesitated. "Because this memory… You'll think differently of us when you see it. Even you may find yourself in pain."

"Yeah, yeah, I know how it works," Býleistr grunted. "Memories taken have phantom pains, sometimes people go insane from them, blah blah blah, I get it. But my main thing here is to get the princess up and walking again. If she needs a memory erased to do it, then I'll do it."

"But…why?" Etherious Nashi was introduced to confusion. "Why does this for us? You don't like us. You don't even know us."

Býleistr's shoulders sagged. "No," he agreed, voice hushed, "I don't. I don't know you. I don't know your life story or your pain. I don't know you outside that you're a Heartfilia. But when you summoned me, you made yourself my problem. You are forevermore my responsibility until the day you release my key from your care. And as my newfound responsibility, it's my job to keep you safe, secure, and sound, whether we like it or not." His ears flattened as he scratched his neck. "And maybe I'll end of liking this gig. Get to torment the Wolverine a little. And you don't seem all that bad. But to get to know you and see if you're going to be the biggest pain in my ass or a good drinking buddy, I need you to wake up first."

A giggle.

Býleistr peeked to see Etherious Nashi smiling behind a closed fist.

"I'm sorry. I believe this is what Nashi calls 'funny'," Etherious Nashi explained as she got to her feet. "You're a funny cat."

TICK.

"Not a cat," Býleistr groused. "Are you going to give me the memory or not?"

Etherious Nashi slowly approached him. "And you're sure you want the memory?"

"I know the risks," Býleistr cut in. "A stolen memory can't be taken back. But a given memory can. If you ask to have the memory back, I'll give it back if it's safe for me to do. But since its unsafe for you to have it, I'll take it."

Etherious Nashi stood before him to study him. "You are very brave," she regarded. "I wish I was brave."

"I don't know you all that well," Býleistr mentioned, "but… If my brother sent me to you, then it must mean you have a lion's heart."

"I see." A pause. "Take my hand."

Býleistr reached out and found a hand much smaller than his own and smoother too. He took it and grasped it with such care. "Okay. Now. Memory giving is a little bit tricky, so I'll guide you through it. First, you'll need to—"

°•°•°•°

Nashi's eyes fluttered open.

The world blurred and she felt sleep in her eyes, but she adjusted to the low lighting with ease. For some reason, her throat felt moist and her body felt relaxed. It was nothing like she felt like before. She felt like she had energy to last her for days. She did not even wait as she sat up and stretched, yawning as she did so. "Where am I?" she wondered as she rubbed an eye.

"You—"

"Oh, shit!"

"—are in Kyler and Mirella's old room."

Nashi held a hand over her heart as she panted, positively scared out of her wits when the little girl with wide turquoise eyes and dark hair that sat at her side stared her down and spoke. "Jesus Christ, kid, don't startle a person coming out a coma," she scolded, breathless. Fanning herself, she let out a breath. "Lord, if I wasn't already sitting down, I'd need to sit down again."

The girl blinked. "How are you feeling, Miss Nashi?"

"Better." Nashi surprised and puzzled herself saying that. "Actually? Much better. It's like I just had a balanced breakfast and did my morning yoga, but I have three times that energy." She looked at herself and studied her arms, her legs, her hands. "Um… Why am I healed and not broken? I could've sworn I was broken. Like my lung was pierced and dying sort of broken."

As Nashi checked herself for wounds, the little girl explained: "The Angel Blood your Devil lover passed to you right before your death is the reason you healed. Unlike normal blood transfusions, the Angel blood has become the dominant blood cells in your system than your human and Demon blood. In a few weeks, your blood cells will level out. You will retain your rapid healing and many other perks Angelborn have, but you will not inherit a Miracle, regrow wings, or be fully able to access All-Tongue in languages that were never spoken on Earth Land."

Nashi paused and turned to the girl with a look that screamed you-said-what. "Okay… Um… Hi. Who are you?"

"My name is Talia," the little girl introduced. "I am Mirella and Kyler's daughter."

Nashi's eyes widened as she mouthed a long oh. "I see then. You know, for a small person, you speak quite maturely. Like an adult. Or a college professor."

"I am only twelve centuries old," Talia reasoned.

Nashi blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

Talia sat back. "You remember Lynn." When Nashi nodded, Talia went on: "Lynn imprisoned my body for over five centuries. She used her Curse to try and warp my mind. If Mirella hadn't passed down her god traits, Lynn would have succeeded. Instead, she captured eighty-five percent of my mind which was used regularly. Fifteen percent under my demigod parentage continued to grow and learn, even though it had been locked away. When I remembered Mirella was my mother, the god inside me came out and restored my memory."

Nashi blinked again then made pressed her lips together as though trying not to freak out. "You know I'm done trying to figure out these messed up families and people older than a millennium and all of that, so I'm just going to accept whatever you just said and pretend it's normal a twelve-year-old can speak like a tenured university professor." She studied the child. "I see the resemblance between you and your mom and dad. But why do you call them 'Kyler' and 'Mirella'? I call my parents Mama and Papa."

Talia seemed to be struck at that. "I'm not sure. It feels easier to call them Mirella and Kyler for now." She shrugged. "Anyways, how do you feel?" she got off the bed. "I'll get you some of Mirella's clothes."

"Like I said, ridiculously refreshed and thank you. This kimono isn't doing it for me." She scooted to the edge of the bed and swung her legs off it. "Where is everyone? Where's Muta?"

Talia went into one of the dressers and dug out a pair of training pants before moving to the underwear drawer. "From what I sense, outside, fighting the war."

Nashi raised an eyebrow. "'War'?" She walked over to the curtain-shielded window as she undid the messy bun to let her hair fall. "I know that this whole labyrinth-thing was horrible, but I wouldn't say it's 'war'." She opened the window and sucked in a breath before shutting it. "Holy shit, there's a war outside." She turned to Talia. "And you're sure that's not an illusion? Please tell me it is."

"It isn't," Talia negated. She held up two shirts. "These are Earth shirts. Would you like one with a K-pop band on it or one with superheroes?"

Nashi blinked rapidly as she forced herself to think through the situation. "Well, I don't know what the Hell K-pop is, so superheroes it is." She took the offered shirt and began to disrobe. "So, uh… Mind telling me how we got from hello, casino to this is the end of the world as we know it?"

Talia clasped her hands behind her back. "From my deductions, it would seem the labyrinth was shattered by my grandfather, Bael. We are currently falling from the sky at around six-hundred and fifty-nine-point-three terran feet per terran minute. In the next thirty minutes, we will have crashed into an Earth Land country called 'Bellum', I believe."

Nashi reached over for the bra Talia had laid out for her. "Shit, this is bad," she hissed.

"It gets a little better," Talia sated. "Assistance arrived. Kyler and Mirella and Pazuzu were joined by several mutants from an Earth dimension called Earth-X and a Lightning Dragon Slayer as well as two Magicians, a Reaper, and your Devil lover are helping them even the playing field."

"Okay, one?" Nashi quickly put on the shirt. "Skade? Not my lover. We have to make love to be lovers and he hasn't done that to me yet. And call him 'Skade', please." She went for the panties and shimmied them one. "Two? I'm assuming the Lightning Dragon Slayer is Uncle Laxus and one of the Magicians is Dazzler, but why are they here? And what's a Reaper?"

Talia looked at the curtain-closed window and made a motion with her hands for a glitter effect to be made. "Yes. Laxus Dreyar and Dazzler Lafayette, it would seem. A Reaper is a soul bound to a realm after committing an irretractable sin. You associate them in your culture to ghosts and phantoms."

"'Ghosts'?" Nashi paused putting on the training pants. "Hold it. You mean Ghost is here?" She shook her head to finish dressing. "Doesn't matter. What matters is literally apocalypse is going on outside and I need to do something about it."

"I would advise against that."

Nashi puffed as she gathered her hair into a ponytail. "Okay, and why?"

"You are severely undertrained to take the task," Talia examined. "Your connection to your Divine Souls are stronger than normal, but you have no training on how to use that power. You may find yourself quickly overwhelmed by it. Too much divinity can be damaging. You also aren't aware of the current orders of Mirella and Kyler. And from what I gathered, Mirella has taken to following after the three interlopers that have crossed out of the shattered labyrinth and onto Earth Land. It appears they are hunting for something."

Something came to Nashi's mind and she steeled over. "Probably Luna," she guessed. "She seems to attract more trouble than I wish. No wonder my parents kept her at home." She successfully banded her hair in a ponytail. "All the more reason for me to go out there and kick ass, kid. If the innocent people are in danger, especially my little sister, then it's up to me to save them."

Talia cocked her head. "Heroism and bravery do not equate to each other. Your hero complex will be a downfall in your future."

Nashi scowled. "Yeah? Well, who asked you?" She strode to the door. "Listen, Talia, you need to stay here. Once I get my bearings together, I'm going to transform." She hung onto the doorframe to flash Talia a smile. "Don't worry. Fairy Tail never quits, okay?" She turned to leave the roo—

"Oh my god, what the Hell is that?"

Nashi's back smashed against the doorframe as her hands held her cheeks to the humanoid lion sitting outside the bedroom with a haunted look in its eyes. "Does the universe think I need to die by heart attack?" she whispered. "If this is payback for making fun of Igneel all these years, then I'll stop." Blinking and drinking in the creature, memories phased through her. "Wait…" Eyes squinted. "I know you…" Recognition hit. "Býleistr. You're the spirit who saved me. You're…" Now it really hit her. "You're my… You're my Celestial Spirit." Her hands went to her hair. "Holy crap, I have a Celestial Spirit."

Býleistr snorted. "Let's get this straight, princess. We're partners. I'm no possession." He tilted his chin to look up at her. "How are you feeling? Less dead?"

"Right as rain," Nashi breathed, unable to take her eyes off him. "How about you? Are you…"—she grimaced—"mad at me?"

"'Mad'?" Býleistr quirked an eyebrow.

"You know?" Nashi twirled her ponytail. "For summoning you."

Býleistr cracked his neck before getting to his full height, a whole two feet taller than her. He hunched over to meet her eyes. "There are many things I'm angry at," he said softly, "but I'm not angry at you, princess. Remember that."

Nashi nodded and tried for a smile. "Okay. I will."

"Oh.' Býleistr took something out of his pocket to reveal it was his key. "I think you'll be needing this."

Nashi took the key like it was weighed in gold and seemed to cherish it, placing it close to her heart. "Thank you." She was thanking him for more than just his key and both knew it.

"Just…don't summon me again when you're dying, okay?" Býleistr cheekily requested. "Let's not make that a habit."

Now Nashi's smile was genuine and full. "Promise."

Býleistr stood up and cracked his back. "All right, princess. I'm at your command." He mockingly bowed to her before giving her a fang-infested grin. "What's your plan of attack?"

Nashi got her mind back to the battle. "Right." She bypassed him to jog down the steps. "I saw we go guns blazing. No one would suspect this house out of all places to be housing a powerhouse, right?"

"Except for this place is surrounded with annoying little Darklings pests," Býleistr told her, following her. "You think the Demon didn't already think of surrounding the house? Think again. The only reason none of them have gotten in is that this place is protected with an absurd amount of Angel power."

When they got to the ground flood, Nashi whirled on him with a thoughtful expression. "Is there another way out?"

"No secret passageways if that's what you're thinking," Býleistr told her, crossing his arms. "And I like where you're thinking."

Nashi cocked a hip. "So we're screwed?"

"No, but we just need to think outside the box."

"What about stealth?" This came from Talia as she flooded down the steps. "Stealth is our best option. My powers can be used to shield us from those of Demonhood since Mirella is part Demon and passed those traits to me."

"Oh, no, ma'am." Nashi wagged a finger. "I don't drag children into fights."

"And this 'child' is technically your senior," Talia rebutted. "I have eleven-hundred and eighty-three years, give or take a few decades, on you. I should be telling you to stay back since you're the child."

Nashi gaped and looked at Býleistr.

He grinned and shrugged. "Kid's got a point."

Nashi threw her hands up in the air. "Your parents would be pissed if I let you on a battlefield!"

"Mirella and Kyler would understand," Talia said evenly. "They would scold me for letting you onto a battlefield of this caliber untrained and ill-advised."

"Kid has another point," Býleistr agreed. "I say she comes. Your raw power might get you places, but this is one of those times heroics aren't needed. Battle strategy is."

Nashi groaned. "Okay, fine. Fine, you can come." She threw the words at Talia.

"I was coming either way," Talia said not unkindly.

Nashi rolled her eyes. "Well, whatever. So, senpai. What exactly do you suggest we do?"

Talia tapped a finger to her jaw. "Have you ever waved a red flag in front of a bull?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And in Bellum…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The private bedroom was uneventful for the main part. The patient sitter was leafing through her work Compact to go through the multitudinous emails that he had neglected. The door opened for a nurse to pop his head in, a bright and spry thing that looked fresh in his last year of residency. He looked over at the patient sitter. "Ah! Hoe gaat het met onze patiënt?"

The patient sitter glanced up with a quiet greeting of acknowledgement. "Rustig, zoals gewoonlijk. Geen piepje. Ik neem aan dat u l'infirmière Frederik bent. De verplegingssuperviseur vertelde me dat we vandaag een nieuwe infirmière van het résidentieprogramme hebben."

The nurse waved a hand as they came over to the Archive Lacrima and used their badge to sign in. "Just Freddie is fine." He turned to see the stunned patient sitter and realized his mistake. "Oh, het spijt me. Ik heb eigenlijk een deel van mijn résidentie in de USM gedaan. Ik ben klaar met mijn résidentie in Bellum omdat ik hier een infirmière wil zijn."

The patient sitter nodded and got up to stretch and yawn. Then, he glanced ruefully at the Nurse Freddie as he looked over the EMR (an electronic medical record). "Ik weet dat ik het niet mag vragen..."

"Neem je vijftien, Daan." Nurse Freddie swiveled in his chair give Daan a smile. "Het is oké. Ik ben nog steeds aan het système aan het wennen, dus er zijn nog een paar dingen die ik grondig wil controleren."

Daan sagged his shoulders in relief. "Dank u wel. Ik ben zo terug."

"Thank you. I'll be back soon."

Nurse Freddie nodded and turned back to the dual screens as he fired up iClinicalWorks. He leafed through the current medical records for the attending physician as Daan left the room and shut the door behind him. Freddie's eyebrows furrowed as he studied the patient's current medication list and diagnosis as well as the clinicals behind it. But something caught his eye. He saw the patient had been diagnosed with HFI and Flebogamma had been prescribed to treat for kidney insufficiency and had not been stopped. Scrolling back up through the medication list, Nurse Freddie saw the medication Lyphocin (vancomycin) had been prescribed for an intestinal infection.

"Weird," Freddie muttered. "This is a major drug interaction, especially with the dosage. And this is a disease interaction. And I can't see they took prophylactic measures…" He kept up the EMR while he searched the screen for something else. "Let's see… The previous physician's clinicals should be here somewhere…" But when several moments passed and he could not find it, he blinked in confusion. This doesn't make any sense. There should be other clinicals from the other on the team. He tried several times, but he found nothing. Frustrated, he sat back. No, something isn't right. I know there are others on his healthcare team. I should be able to see their notes and citings. But from what I see, it's like they're hidden or something.

A realization sparked.

Freddie surged forward and started clicking. If I was hiding sensitive information, I wouldn't delete it since someone could always go through the trash. I'd put it in a place so well hidden and plain sight that no one would think to look for it there. After a few more clicks, the screen filled with the names of previous physicians and care team members. He awarded himself a victory smile. Found it. Let's see… He blinked when he went to the latest physician. Huh… Looks like they started to care for the patient…a week ago? What? He clicked on the file to see the most recent note. It says here the specialist…publicly declared releasement of care back to the current physician. He kept scrolling. But it doesn't even state why. And this current physician doesn't even practice…

Freddie existed out to find the second most recent care team member to see it was another nurse. It was the nurse he took over for. She seemed kind enough, but… Hold on. This says this nurse was only here for two days before she formally releases the patient from her care? He tried to click on her profile only for his eyes to widen. What? Retired? They wouldn't be giving a retiring nurse this sensitive of a case. Shifting screens, he typed in the nurse's name to see if anything on the feed came up only to get an error message.

⌜ERROR MESSAGE - 000414

The team member searched does not exist in this system. Please try again.⌟

What? She doesn't exist? But she was just in here two days ago! Freddie scratched his beard. Something isn't adding up. How can two care members vanish just like that without any plausible reason? And why were their clinicals hidden? The system should've had the patient's medical history with all his attendants in here, not just his current one. He pushed away from the desk to look over at the patient. Either way, this can't keep going on. The patient's in danger of renal impairment or worse, sepsis. I need to talk with the supervisor to get permission to change medication. Obviously, the current physician won't listen to reason if they haven't been carefully administering it.

CLICK!

The doorway opened.

"Daan, ik wil dat je iets voor me doet. Ik moet bij de patiënt blijven, maar kun je de nachtbegeleider halen?"

Three beats.

"And why"—Freddie froze at the feminine voice—"would Daan do that?" A light giggle.

Freddie tensed, but he did not turn around. "My apologies, ma'am, but I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave." A bite in his tone, an edge. "This is a private sector reserved for cleared medical staff."

HEEL-CLICK! HEEL-CLICK!

"Don't worry," came lofty laugh. "I have the clearance to be here."

Freddie tried not to shake when he felt a hand smoothen over his scrubs.

"See…" A husky whisper. "I'm this patient's primary doctor."

It was like Freddie could not get to the ground fast enough when a sharp-shooting pain hit his temples that made him want to scream. A redness coated his face as he clawed at the floor, anything for relief. Even the dim lighting in the hospital room felt like Hell as he tried to keep his tormented groans inside. Nausea swayed and he could not help it when he threw up. But even that was not enough to alleviate the excruciating pain. He clutched his head with blood vessels popped in his eyes and tears streaming down his face. "Wh-What"—another bout of nausea hit him—"did you do to me?"

HEEL-CLICK… HEEL-CLICK…

"I have a silent alarm when people like you get too goody-goody," came bored drawl. "I was hoping you weren't like the others, but you were. You were smarter than them, weren't you? First night on the job and it only took you nine minutes to figure it out. Impressive." A soft hand came over to touch his temple. "Does it hurt? It hurts, doesn't it?"

All that firing pain vanished in an instant and left Freddie breathless, embarrassed, and empty-stomached. He kept himself to the ground to regain everything he lost. His dignity, his breath—all of it. "What…?" he panted. "What happened…t-t-to me?"

A wide smile. "You felt that, didn't you? That's my Virus. It hurt, didn't it?"

Freddie rubbed his temples, too wary of the relief he felt. "H-How could you do this to your patient?" he coughed. His throat felt overwhelmingly dry now. "Our job…is to treat the ill to the best of our ability. How could you…try to…kill him?" He coughed again. "He's the…king… That's…treason…"

A wider smile. "All the more reason to test my Black against him." Delicate fingers fluttered to the back of Freddie's neck. "Should I test more on you? Maybe go for your spine this time?"

Freddie could not believe this doctor. "Patient…safety…is vital to our jobs," he gasped. He looked up—

—and saw the most disturbing large eyes in his life.

Freddie swallowed. "Why?" he whispered. "Who are you? You're not a doctor."

"You're right. I'm not," came happy-go-lucky reply. "But I was hired as one. All because of my Black." Another giggle. "Want me to show you more? I can make your life at my mercy if you don't behave. I got to test my Black on all the others. They died." A squealing laugh of delight. "I got to target the brain on the last doctor. He was getting a little too suspicious."

"You won't get away with this." Freddie moved away from her touch and scooted until his back hit the medical bed. "They'll find out. Someone will find out about this—!"

"Who?"

Freddie shrunk when those large golden eyes were in his face with not a trace of fear.

"Who will?" Another giggle. "They wanted me here. Don't you see? They wanted to see my Black. They wanted to see my Virus."

Freddie looked into her eyes to desperately search for a glimpse of her humanity. "Who are you?" he whispered again. "What do you want from me?" He flinched when such soft hands stroked his cheek.

"I want you to be good," came whisper back. "I want you to walk away tonight and pretend you never saw anything. I like you. Your eyes remind me of him. Black and knowing and full of wonderful ideas. I want to keep you around. But I can't if you go running your mouth."

Fear might have made Freddie shake, but his resolve was absolute. "You won't get away with this."

A scowl. "Good-bye then."

Freddie did not know what overcame him, but he knew it a second letter. His right lung had burst and his liver had ruptured. Blood had trickled from his nose and he knew it when his lips tasted metallic. A clot was coming. He could tell. Shakily, he looked at his skin to see spider angiomas were rapidly appearing all over like someone was drawing on him.

HEEL-CLICK…

He looked up, but he knew he only had a few minutes to live. A body could live temporarily with one lung, but none could survive without a liver. Impending death was embracing him and it would be soon when his body jerked to catch one last breath. He let his glassy eyes look at this figure, this sham of a doctor, this woman who singlehandedly caused his demise in her lab coat. Lengthy pink hair traveled down her back, but it was peculiar she had cat ears on.

SNAP…

She was looking down at something in her hand. "You have fifteen more seconds until I speed the process. So make these last fifteen count."

"Who are you?" Freddie listlessly asked. His thoughts were muddled. He could feel his body jerk and convulse at the loss of vital organs. It was trying and fighting so hard to live.

The woman turned back to him with her large golden eyes, irises cut into diamonds. "You can call me 'Mother Mary'. Tell Zeref I miss him."

SNAP…

And the last thing Freddie had seen before his body violent convulsed for his last breath was a pocket watch and a symbol that inked onto his dead carcass' forehead. An upside pentagram.

---

The Kardia Hospital was not too busy at the moment, at least not with visitors. It looked like the rush had died down and now people and unrestricted patients were interacting on the common area as they shared meals and memories. A page went off for one of the on-call residents to report to the OR. A few facility therapy dogs came to cheer up those in the wound healing center. The Magia Princess program was going strong as Snow White and Cinderella were going up the elevator to go to the pediatric wing to brighten a child's day. A young lady with a cane was getting assistance in a wheelchair as well as an oxygen tank.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Crocus Clinic – Kardia Hospital. It specializes in psychiatric care, surgeries, rehabilitation, pain management, and has its own emergency department. Many patients are transferred here due to the advanced technology and resources implemented in recovery. This hospital also has many practitioners. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Igneel's eyes darted around nervously as he waited in his seat with a humming Luna. Mary Jane's gift had settled to Luna's left (a stuffed animal, flowers, and her favorite snacks) while Luna rocked her head back and forth as she texted. Icarus wore a harness at this time with his collar and tags, laying on the ground. Lelantos and Actaeon were seated on either side on Lucy, unwilling to part from her for more than a few seconds.

Igneel suddenly got up to pace. "Maybe this isn't a good idea," he blurted. "I-I mean I just think that we should wait a little before seeing her. She might still want her space or maybe she's busy with therapy or something or—"

"Igneel, relax," Luna soothed, not breaking contact with her Compact. "I'm sure she's just as excited to see us as we are her. Auntie Mira said she seemed so, at least."

He's pacing is driving me mad, Icarus grumbled, tail thumping. Tell him to be a good boy and sit.

Igneel fidgeted with his scarf to get to his thimble charm. "She could just be lying to make us feel better," he muttered. "Maybe Auntie M just didn't want to hurt our feelings or…" His eyes drifted over to Luna's Compact to catch a glimpse of a name he had not seen before. Sneaking closer, he took a peek at her screen and his eyes darkened. "Who the Hell is 'Bleu Charming' and why does he have a heart by his name?"

Luna squeaked and hid her Compact with a blush on her cheeks. "Igneel…" she growled, irritation and embarrassment lacing his name. "Shut up, okay? And not so loud—"

Igneel did not even have to try to snatch the Compact out of her hand. He easily kept her at bay with a hand shoving back her forehead as he read the thread. "'Thanks for last night. I really needed someone who would listen'. 'No problem, Treasure. By the way, you look hella cute when you snore'—what the fuck?"

Luna leaped up and down with heated cheeks to reach her Compact. "Igneel, gimme my Compact before Mama comes back—!"

"Who the Hell is this asshole?" Igneel demanded to know, fighting her off. "And why the Hell does he know what you look like when you sleep, Luna?"

Luna stamped her foot, hands on her hips. "Give it back!"

"Answer the question!"

Luna huffed and blew out her hair. "What's it matter to you anyway?" she snipped. "He's no one you need to know about."

"Uh, I think the fuck I do!" Igneel retorted scathingly. "Stop talking around me. Who is he?"

"Ugh…!" Luna groaned. "God, you already met him! He was at the festival in Margaret, but you were too busy being Mary Jane's puppy to even notice him and me!"

"Well, I'm noticing now," Igneel countered. "Luna, who the fuck is—?"

"Igneel Zeref!"

Igneel flinched and turned to see his mother glaring down at him. He smiled sheepishly and tried to hit the Compact. "H-Hi, Mom."

Lucy crossed her arms, eyebrow arched and clearly not amused. "Do I even want to know why you have your sister's Compact and why you are swearing at a hospital?"

Igneel's eyes flashed with triumph when he saw the panic in Luna's eyes. "Actually, Ma, funny you should say that." He held up the Compact and was fully ready to spill it all. "Luna—!"

"Igneel's trying to text Gale and make it sound like I did something wrong and ruin everything," Luna blurted rapidly.

Igneel gaped and Lucy gasped, both turning to her and cried, "What?!"

He shook his head. "No, Ma, she—!"

"He's being so mean to me," Luna whined, forcing her bottom lip to tremble. "Gale and I finally figured things out last night, but now Igneel's going to ruin everything." Chocolate shimmered in unshed tears. "I thought you were supposed to be my supportive brother, Igneel?"

Igneel's jaw dropped while Icarus' ears flattened, unimpressed at his mistress' theatrics. In unison, they thought, No one is going to believe this—

"Oh, Lu…!"

Both man and dog fell over when Lucy embraced her daughter with such a soothing maternal aura radiating around her. She fell for it!

"Oh, honey, Igneel's just being an overprotective brother type," Lucy soothed her daughter in such a doting tone. "I know it's hard and he was wrong to take your Com away, but I get it. Gray was the same way with Natsu and me. Always interrupting our com-calls and messages." She sighed at the memories. "There was this one time…"

Luna froze, her eye twitching. Oh, crap. She's going to go into a flashback about nasty days with Papa! Waving her hands, Luna cut in, "Th-That's okay, Mama! I get it! Igneel was just being a good brother." She forced a pout. "But he didn't have to be so mean to me…"

Lucy straightened. "That's right, baby. He didn't have to be." Her head snapped towards her son at such an alarming speed with a deathly aura raging off of her. "Igneel…"

Igneel sweated bullets underneath the heat of his mother's glare. "M-Ma, she's obviously lying—!"

"Give your sister back her Com, young man."

Igneel did so as he muttered under his breath, but when Luna went to grab it, he put a grip on it and whispered, "This isn't over."

"For you, it is." Luna pulled back with a beam. "Thanks for being such a caring big bro, Igneel, but maybe you shouldn't be so overprotective of me when I know what I'm doing."

Igneel flashed fang at her, a growl coiling in his throat. But when Icarus growled back and snapped his teeth, Igneel flinched and yelped.

Lucy clapped her hands with a peaceful air about her. "Now then. Shall we go to Mary Jane's room? The staff member said she's in two-seven-four. Mira made sure we have access so we're clear to go."

Luna cheered. "Yay!" She grabbed Icarus' leash and got the presents. "Off to Mary Jane we go!" She marched on to the elevators with Icarus happy to trot at her side.

Lucy caught the look on Igneel's face and softened. "Igneel?"

Igneel took a little while to speak. "I really don't want to make her cry." He looked up at his mother with such uncertainty, it was heartbreaking.

"Then, don't," Lucy murmured. She nudged him forward. "Make her smile."

With a deep breath, Igneel followed the bouncing Luna and Icarus to the elevators with Lucy bringing up the rear. The ride was quiet for him while Luna raved over a patient's freshly dyed hair. The floor they went to held some silence to it. Not too many patients were on the floor and the ones there were older, wiser, and content in quiet. Lucy shouldered passed her children when she saw the two Fairy Tail staff guarding a door. The moment they saw her and her guild mark, they stepped aside.

Lucy slid the door open and went in with Luna to follow, calling for Mary Jane. Icarus bounded next with a welcome huff. Actaeon and Lelantos guarded the doors.

Igneel stood outside. Eyes pinned to the floor. Fists clenched. You can do this. Inhale. Exhale. Summoning the courage, he took his steps into the room. A scent teased him before the clinical stink forced it to submit. Mary Jane had slept in this room. Other scents came and went and Mira and Peter's were stronger, but it was Mary Jane he was immersed in the most. But the room itself seemed void of her. No personal touches marked it besides an updated chart board of her attending physicians. Icarus leaped up so his front paws touched the counter to see out the window. Lucy hugged Mira with words of murmured comfort. Luna's eyebrows furrowed as she went to search the bathroom.

Igneel took his time to look. His nose scrunched up when he smelt Peter had spent the night in the closest chair. "So," he muttered gruffly, "he spent the night."

"Are you talking about Peter?"

Igneel continued to scowl at the chair and did not answer.

Mira slid a hand onto his shoulder as she approached him. "He did spend the night," she explained. "Took a little bit to convince his parents, but they let him. He just left for the cafeteria. Poor boy. He needed to eat, but he wanted to feel useful. I sent him on a mission to get lunch for Mary Jane."

Fists tightened. "How…nice of him," came frosty hiss.

Luna came out of the bathroom to set down her presents and look thoroughly disappointed. "Where's Mary Jane? I thought she was here?"

"She is," Mira assured, "but we've been revolving through doctors. They're letting her take an hour break before they want her back in additional therapy and another evaluation. Then, hopefully, we can all go home."

Luna still did not look happy. "Well, where is she now if she's on break?"

Mira's next words were chosen with care. "She just wanted a little time to herself and went to where she could feel like she never has to grow up."

Onyx widened. No… The words felt hollow and shaken. No… She can't…

Luna confusedly muttered, "Well, that's weird, but…" She shrugged. "Well, I'll just wait for her. Won't we, Igneel?" Her head turned to see Igneel dart out of the room. Bewilderment ensnared. "Igneel? Hey! Wait!" Her shouts stopped when her mother held out a hand. "But, Mama, he…!"

"It's all right." Warm milk chocolate flashed with cerulean as understanding swept between them. Lucy side-hugged Luna and rubbed her back. "Just give them a few minutes alone."

°•°•°•°

SLAM!

Igneel did not care the door to the stairwell nearly broke off the hinges. The elevators would have taken too long and the staff slowed him down. Two steps at a time, he bounded, with no regard to himself or to others. He knew he was exuding his powers and a crack slathered onto one of the steps under his foot, but he did not care.

MJ… I know I could've taken this out. I could've taken this as my sign that I should just leave.

Two surgical residents came out as one harped about unable to do a procedure since the patient had breakfast. Neither one saw Igneel use the railing to swing in their direction up the steps until it was too late. Before Igneel could crash, he shot Purple Flare from his palm to yanked on the cord to get to a wall. The surgical residents were gobsmacked when he ran the wall, leaped off, and kept up sprinting the steps like it was nothing.

But I couldn't do that to you. Not when you went to that place…

Cerulean and scarlet twinkling with the sky's stars.

Igneel bypassed signs warning him that he was entering an authorized personnel zone. But as he dashed up the steps, a faded inscription on the wall only a foot or more so from the floor came to life.

KENSINGTON GARDENS

I know I made you cry. I know I will again. I know I will hurt you again.

Igneel flinched and held up a hand to keep the glare of the light. But when he realized what he was doing, his hand came down and he ran for the light head-on.

But I just… I just need you to know…

And was consumed by it.

…that I—!

SLAM!

Winter winds whipped around Igneel as the outdoors spread for him. The wind traveled through the rooftop garden. It ruffles the petals of the primrose and the pansies. The bluestars swayed to the wind's dominance, though the sedum could not give a damn. Bronzed Bergenia and frosted over creeping phlox were unmoved by the winds, but their dried-out leaves were susceptible. The wind carried them as it carried all things until it ruffled the back of a low hanging bleach blonde ponytail. It ruffled around her until it found an acorn button and shook it gently.

A hitched breath.

A prick.

Some would shy away. Some would not be able to handle the pressure of such a weighted stare, especially in a hospital gown as a robe, old sweatpants, and an IV pump pole as their accompaniment. But she was not one of those. Her hand (her wrist carried her hospital bracelet and colored bracelets for her risks) came up to brush back a stubborn lock of hair as the wind blew. The light shown in cerulean-scarlet pools as she turned to face the wind instead of giving it her back.

An acorn button gleamed.

A thimble glinted.

Onyx and scarlet-cerulean collided.

Neither said a word. Something in the air made it too tense to say a word. Or maybe the air was too fragile to break. The wind did the talking and whistled and moaned, but it eventually quieted down when it realized no one wanted to pay it attention.

"MJ." His voice came out rough and low like his father's went Natsu would call for Lucy after a long and tedious mission.

"Igneel." Her voice came out breathless. No surprise, no question about it.

Then something changed. Something triggered a change within Mary Jane. Something emotional. "You're here." Tone thick. "I thought… I thought you…" Her hand clasped her charm.

Igneel took a step towards her. "You thought what?"

Mary Jane swallowed. "I thought…something bad happened to you." Whispers came at the end of her sentence, less confident and more embarrassed. "That you…" She shook her head as her eyes went to her feet. "I don't know what I thought. I just—I… I don't know, I…"

DRIP.

A tear came down.

DROP.

"Why are you crying?"

Mary Jane sniffled and waved him away. She was not even startled Igneel had come to her that fast the second her tears had shed. "These are just ha-ha-happy tears," she told him in a watery tone.

Igneel ducked down his chin and wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "Weirdo. How can you cry and be happy?"

Mary Jane sniffled and shot him a feeble smile. "B-Because… You're still here and with me." A laugh-cry escaped her. "I had such a feeling when I woke up this morning about you, but you're here with me right now. You're okay." She could not help herself when she fell into him and hugged him tightly. He could feel her shaking.

Igneel hugged her back, but his eyes were pained. "Yeah," he murmured. "We're okay."

"I felt"—SNIFF!—"so awful when I woke up and you weren't there," Mary Jane confessed through her cries. "But now that you're here, I know nothing bad really happened."

Guilt tore him up inside in such a God-awful way. The compelling need to tell her something—anything—hit him so hard in the gut, he could not refuse it. "MJ… There's something that I—"

"Will you stay with me?" came whisper. Mary Jane pressed into him more as her tears dried. "I-I know it's a lot to ask and you probably have better things to do and…" That was when her embarrassment caught up for her and regret. Her hands pulled away and she withdrew from him completely, eyes averted. "Actually, I don't know why I even asked that. I'm sorry. You can forget I said anything. I-I-I-I was being stupid anyway."

Igneel looked down at this girl. This girl who singlehandedly controlled his thoughts. I can't tell her. I should just tell her, 'no' and walk away. I should remind her about Peter. But I just…

"Igneel?"

Vulnerable scarlet-cerulean peered into onyx. "D-Did I say something not okay?" she worried. Then, as if it all hit her, she backed away. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have said anything! I'm such an idiot! I didn't mean to—!"

"Okay."

Mary Jane paused. "Um… 'Okay' what?"

"Okay." Onyx softened unconditionally. "I'll stay."

She wanted to beam, but she was hesitant to do so. "Are you sure?" she asked. "I don't want to force you. And it'll be boring anyways with us going through a bunch of medical stuff and I'll probably be tired afterward and not be up for hanging out and—"

A finger pressed upon her lips.

A wan smile was all Igneel could give her. "We're in this together." A bittersweet reminder and the guilt he felt at the gleam in her eye made him want to hide his eyes.

"Right. Together." Now Mary Jane could full-on beam with no remorse. "Isn't this place amazing? I don't know how it's up here. I was just getting so tired from all my exercises and went to the stairwell to calm down, but then I found this!" She laughed as she moved around him to bask in the glory of the garden. "Look at this!" She giggled to herself as she spun around. "Goodness, it makes me feel so happy seeing such happy plants and I…!" She stopped spinning to catch a look on Igneel's face. "What? What is it?"

Igneel had to keep himself in check and grin. "Nothing. Just wondering how you're not freezing." He jogged over to her. "Because someone's a total freeze baby."

Mary Jane mockingly gasped as she shoved him. "Am not!"

Igneel snickered as he unraveled his scarf.

The fun drained from Mary Jane's face when she saw that. "W-Wait! Igneel, wait, please I—!" It was too late. He was wrapping his scarf around her, regardless of the pink on her cheeks. "Igneel, please, I'm not cold. I-I'm fine! We could just go inside or something, I don't mind!"

"And…there." Igneel patted his scarf and observed it on her. "Looks better on you than it did on me."

Mary Jane swallowed back her protests to weakly tease, "Then, maybe you should knit me a scarf instead."

"Or you can just take mine." At how pale Mary Jane had gotten, Igneel forced a laugh and nudged her arm. "C'mon, MJ, it was just a joke. You can have it as a token to remember me by when I'm gone."

Righteous anger coursed through Mary Jane for a moment. "Don't even joke like that!"

Now Igneel was stunned. "MJ…"

"Don't joke about leaving," Mary Jane insisted with passion. "It's not funny. You kept saying you'd never let me walk away. Well, I'm not letting you walk away, okay? No leaving." Her hand slipped into his and she ignored the dutiful redness of his cheeks and the pink flames tipping his hair. "We're in this together. No more running. Okay?"

Igneel chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Geez, MJ, I didn't know how assertive you are. That's a major turn-on to guys, y'know."

And just like that, all of Mary Jane's dominance evaporated as she sputtered and turned red. "Wh-Wh-What? What do you mean? Oh, goodness, just forget what I said!" She dug her face in her hands as she bemoaned how she believed she sounded idiotic and too forward.

Igneel could not stop watching her. MJ… I know by doing this I'll break everything…but for this one time, let me be selfish with you. He took back her hand and made a dash for the door. "Come on! The sooner you get finished with the boring stuff, the quicker we can have fun!"

Mary Jane laughed in disbelief and also at the thrill of it all. "Igneel! Where are we going?"

Igneel grinned when he tugged a little harder on Mary Jane's hand. "We still have maybe fifty minutes until your next therapy, right?"

Mary Jane stumbled a little. "Well, yes, but—!"

"Then, hang on!"

Mary Jane was completely taken by surprise (her face turned completely red) when Igneel had forced her into his chest. On instinct, she wrapped her an arm around his neck while a hand came to his chest to steady herself.

Igneel took hold of her waist as Purple Flare shot out from his hand. Mary Jane screamed-laughed when Igneel yanked them into the air, holding onto him tight. She could see the hospital garden speeding past her. "Igneel!" she giggled over the rush of the wind. "Where are you taking me?"

Igneel grinned down at her as he kept hold of his string of Purple Flare. "Second star to the right….!"

A flash of innocent scarlet-cerulean.

Birds fluttering into the wind.

The sun catching onto a thimble and acorn button.

If anyone can hear me… Please… Let me show her…

"And straight in till morning!" He released and threw out another string of sticky flame while Mary Jane whooped and laughed.

…how much she means to me…before I make my Wendy cry.

---

Kotoba ja umaku ienai omoi wo

Kimi ni uchiakeru to shitara nante

Tsutaeyou?

Saisho de saigo

•

Itsuka issho ni kaetta michi wa

Watashi ni totte tokubetsu na omoide

Wasurenai yo

Sayonara memoriizu

•

Haru ga kitara sorezore no michi wo

---

TO BE CONTINUED…

Aw… Igneel, I really hope you do the right thing. No one wants to see Mary Jane cry. I just hope Skade will be okay. It seemed to be going a little rough with Mammon. And poor Lance! But who was that figure in his dreams? To find out, tune in to the next Fairy Adventure!

---

Luna groaned from the front seat of Lucy's Lacrima Car. They were winding down the secret driveway through the forest to get back to the house. All three dogs had piled into the back of the car with Actaeon sticking his head out to feel the wind. "It's totally not fair," Luna whined. "I wanted to see Mary Jane too and Igneel just sweeps her away?" She crossed her arms. "He's being selfish." Her pout broke when Icarus reached from the backseat to lick her cheek.

Lucy smiled. "Don't get too upset," she pacified. "You'll see Mary Jane soon enough once she's finished with her therapy and out of the hospital." She glanced over at her daughter. "Anyways, are you sure you didn't want me to drop you off at the Redfox's? I'm sure Gale would like to see you."

Luna froze. "Uh…" She swallowed and glanced back at Icarus. What should I tell her?

The truth, Icarus thought back pointedly. Unlike your littermates, Queen Mother will be much more of a comforting figure.

Luna blew out a breath. "Yeah, right," muttered she.

"What was that?"

Luna averted her eyes and tried to gather her courage. "Mama?"

"Yes, baby?"

"There's, um… There's something I need to tell you," Luna confessed slowly. "And I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell Papa yet."

Lucy frowned. "Well, as long as it's something you will tell your father, then okay." She looked over at Luna. "What is it?" She noted how tense Luna became. "Luna, what's wrong?"

Luna rubbed her arm. "Well… I might've, sort've…lied to you…"

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Okay…? What about?"

"I…wasn't telling the truth when I said I spent the night at Granny Porlyusica's house," Luna confided, sinking a little in her seat. "I went somewhere else."

"I see." Tone clipped. "And does this have anything to deal with a certain boy Loke mentioned to me who you not only came home with but you kissed this person on our porch?"

Luna shot up, panic overtaking her. She was not prepared for that. "Mama, I can explain—!"

"Oh, I'm sure you can," Lucy said coolly. "I'm disappointed in you, Luna Anna. I was hoping you'd at least tell me the truth of your whereabouts. I hoped you would correct me when I teased you about Gale. I was waiting for you to say something. But you didn't. Instead, you lied."

Luna gripped her arm. "Mama, I'm so sorry," she apologized. "I-I didn't mean to lie or anything, but I just—! Well, I—!"

"You can explain everything to me when we get home and your Com privileges are limited, young lady. Which means no mysterious Com calls late at night."

Luna sunk even lower while Icarus whined on behalf of his mistress' misfortune. "Yes, ma'am."

Lucy sighed. "Honestly, I do get it," she murmured in admittance. "I know your father's been on you a little harder than usual."

Luna snorted. "More like he's being a cranky butt."

Lucy's lips twitched. "Mind your papa," she excused. "He's just worried is all. You're still his little girl in his eyes. He wants you trained and prepared for the world, but at the same time, he doesn't want you to grow up."

"But Nashi—"

"He treats her the same." Lucy chuckled. "Oh, boy, does he ever. Even now, he still dotes on Nashi like she's five-years-old again. He can't help it. Your father…" She trailed off when the house came in view and something did not feel right. "What in the…?"

Luke was sitting on the porch with his glasses resting atop his head, a disturbed and somber look in his honeyed amber eyes. His ears twitched and he perked when he heard the engine close in and lifted his head to see the Lacrima Car pull in. Standing up, he could not wait another moment. The car came to a stop as Luke jogged to his mother's door and opened it for her.

"I didn't think you'd be home until dinnertime," Lucy remarked, tone painfully confused. "What's going on? Is someone hurt?" She quickly felt Luke's forehead. "Are you sick?"

"No, Mom." Luke glanced over at the equally puzzled Luna. "It's just… You really need to hear this."

°•°•°•°

Luke held the door open for Lucy, Luna, and their spiritual hounds to cross the threshold. As Lucy took off her shoes, she commented, "I really don't understand why you can't tell me. What's so important?"

"Just trust me, Mom," Luke asked for. "I think you need to hear this from someone other than me." He headed down the hall with Lelantos and Actaeon bypassing him, all of a sudden eager.

Icarus followed, curious. Lucy and Luna exchanged looks before taking off. As they got closer to the living room, they heard murmured coos and a thunderous purr. Into the living room they went to see a perplexing scene. Charla was in her Battle Mood Shift. It had changed over the years. She maintained a womanly figure closer to Wendy's, but she had not grown any taller. Her cat ears were down and she was clearly agitated, her twin eggs in her lap as she sat on one of the couches. Happy stood in front of her, unafraid to protect his mate and eggs. But the Celestial Spirit dogs were…

…nuzzling a fat white tomcat?

"What's going on?" Luna asked. "Seriously, Luke, a stray cat? You know how Mama feels about strays."

Luke looked over at the cat.

The cat finished rubbing against Icarus' side before turning its head towards Lucy and Luna. Then, it did something neither expected.

It shifted.

Magic coated it as it transcended into a bigger form that stood on two legs. Without hesitation, Lucy covered Luna and her magic whip was in hand. Magic shattered off the transformed cat for Lucy and Luna to be surprised with a large and dressed version of tom. It wore a white kimono and a straw hat and you could see the gray in its eyes, tail a-twitching. It looked like…

Luna whispered in awe, "That's an Exceed… You're an Exceed."

The Exceed took off its hat to bow its head towards them. "My apologies for intruding." His accent roughened his words, but he meant no harm. "I didn't mean to disturb, but this is highly important."

Lucy was not convinced. "Who are you?" she demanded to know. "What are you doing in my home?" To her son, she ordered, "Get behind me, Luke."

"Mom," Luke tried to argue.

The Exceed held up a large pawed hand. "No, Son of Moon," he grunted. "You don't need to defend me." The Exceed looked straight at Lucy. "High Priestess-Queen Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel… My name is Muta. I'm an Exceed who was on an assignment. And my assignment involved your daughter, Nashi."

Lucy loosened at that. "My daughter?" Her eyes widened. "Please, what happened to my baby—?"

"She's resting," Muta assured. "She's in good hands. She's being looked after by her Celestial Spirit, the Leo Minor."

"It worked." Luna broke into a beam and tapped her mother. "Did you hear that, Mama? Uncle Loke's brother is with Nashi! It worked! She's okay!"

Lucy wanted to look relieved, but she was not quite sure of the situation. "I heard, baby, and that's wonderful news." She dismissed her whip to stand tall. "But it still doesn't explain who you are or why you're here."

"I'm here in part to deliver the news to you about your daughter, Your Majesty," Muta explained, "and set your mind at ease. But I'm also here to deliver a warning. I'm to understand the Etherious Demon King's territory is enchanted to not let in any malevolent beings in?"

Lucy tightly nodded. "Yes." She hugged Luna to herself. "We've had issues in the past during my first pregnancy. Many people want my kids or Natsu or me." She brushed Luna's hair back. "Natsu made sure we wouldn't endure anymore sneak attacks."

"Good." Muta put back on his straw hat. "Because you all are in grave danger."

---

Chibi-Luna welcomes the class with a silly grin and fake glasses. "Hi, class!"

"Hi, teacher!"

"Are you ready for today's Fairy Lesson?"

"Yes, teacher!"

"Okay!" Chibi-Luna pulls down the screen and clicks on the projector to show the terms CONTRACT, SERVICES, SETTLERS, and POLICY. "Okay, class! Today, we're going to talk about one of the ways guilds make money: jobs! They also make money through stock investors, their own investments, foundations, and so on, but we'll go through that another day." She points to the first term. "Okay! So everyone should know what a contract is, right? It's a binding agreement outlining the services, charges, and consequences between the contractor and the provider."

She clicks to the next slide to show a sample. "Contracts are how we take our job requestor. Our two Guild Contractors set up physical or Com appointments with people who want to use Fairy Tail for a good or service. Most requests are accepted, but it is possible for some to be turned away if they are dealt with something illegal or immoral. Our contractors review the terms, let the requestor set the payment amount, and the consequences for failure to comply with the rules, failure to complete the job, or any property destruction which happens often. Once we decide to take the mission, we have to read the contract before we can sign-off. Once we sign, it goes to the Guild Contractors and Master Erza for approval and our managers get it for HR and PR purposes. Then, we go on the job."

A hand comes up. "Teach, I've always wondered. How do the people know you're from Fairy Tail? Couldn't anyone say that?"

"Good question!" Luna flickers through a few slides until she lands on Nashi modeling Fairy Tail outfits. The first is a spring jacket with the Fairy Tail insignia on the back. The front had the Fairy Tail insignia and Nashi's own personal symbol along with her Mage Name and Rank. The second was a winter jacket that had done the same thing. The third was a t-shirt that had Nashi's personal symbol and Mahe Name and Ranking like it was a jersey.

"For Guild Mages to be officially recognized for a job, they have to wear the standard issued Guild Uniform as part of the Magic Council Uniform Policy. It lets people know we're the real deal," Chibi-Luna explains. "But say you forgot to wear your uniform." She goes to another side to show an identification card for Luke. It shows his legal name, his Magic Name, his Guild, his ranking, his Magic Council Guild Mage number, his own signature, his join date, the year he was born, and, when looking at it closely, it reflects with the Ishgar Magic Council stamp. "This is a MagID," she explains. "It has all the information a person needs for the credibility of that Mage. These IDs allow Independent Mages to take job since Legal and Independent Mages are eligible for MagIDs. What's cool about the MagID and contracts is that if you downloaded your contract through your Guild's app? To confirm anything, you just bring up the contract and tap your MagID to it."

The students oooh and aaah over this and murmur amongst themselves

Chibi-Luna turns back to her SERVICES slide to show a list of services. "Okay, so, Mages provide many services. Some services might be waitressing or maybe landscaping or even doing home health care if the Mage is licensed and registered. But the jobs people see us do normally involve monsters and gang-busting. Guild services have a wide range. We're requested for celebrity appearances or modeling agencies that need one of us for a cover. Maybe someone needs a pet-sitter. But those types of jobs like babysitting or being pest control aren't missions we get from random requestors. Those are services we get from our Settlers."

"What's a 'Settler'?" a female student speaks up.

Chibi-Luna beams. "Glad you asked." She goes to her next slide. "Settlers are contracted clients who sign up for our services monthly or annually. Those clients can request a variety of services Guilds provide. If they want to request a specific Mage, they would still have to pay that individual Mage or they can go to a service plan that lets them request a Mage in specific. Settlers are a great source of revenue and can sign-up any time throughout the year!"

Chibi-Luna ends her slide show. "Now, then. Any questions?"

"Yeah." Chibi-Gary pops in with a cheeky grin. "How much do have to put down to request Angel for an entire year?"

"I heard that, you perverted dog!" comes Nashi's agitated scream in the distance. "I'm not for sale!"

Chibi-Luna giggles. "Well, that's all the time we have. Next time, on Fairy Adventure, THUS SAITH THE LORD!"

---

Voices in Order of Appearance

Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill

Bleu/Lucifer – Xander Mobus

Levy McGarden – Kristi Kang

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Eloa Shuusei-Thompson – Taylor Ann Ramsey

Bowie Thompson – Nicholas Guest

Bleu/Lucier's father – Leo Fabian

Robert – Tony Azzolino

Captain Brika Sterling-Armstrong – Kimberly Brooks

Defense Minister Aaron Marignano – Kevin M. Connolly

Rescue Chief Xakaryeh West – Chris Ryan

Fire Chief Cheshire Archer – Lipica Shah

Captain Angelo Sterling - Marc Swint

Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Wan - Jim Meskimen

Hisui Fiore – Morgan Mabry

Arcadios – Gabe Kunda

Madelia – Philece Sampler

Skade – Griffin Burns

Mammon – Paul St. Peter

Bael – Paul St. Peter

Dagon – Kevin Michael Richardson

Hadad – Kaiji Kang

Hammon – Micah Solusod

Kyler – Ray Chase

Mirella – Edie Mirman

Lucy Heartfilia-Dragon – Cherami Leigh

Igneel Dragneel – Bryce Papenbrook

Icarus – Christopher Sabat

Laxus Dreyar – Patrick Seitz

Dazzler Lafayette – Kristi Rothcock

Pazuzu – Patrick Seitz

Mary Jane Dreyar – Erica Lindbeck

Peter Shuusei-Thompson – Joe Zieja

Mirajane Dreyar – Monica Rial

Aine Fernandes - Carrie Keranen

Lance Dreyar - Johnny Young Bosch

Forneus - Jonathon Freeman

Lieutenant Adrien Cotheran – Matt Mercer

Býleistr – Scott Freeman

Talia – Serena Varghese

Etherious Nashi – Lauren Landa

Nashi Dragneel – Lauren Landa

Mother Mary – Dani Chambers

Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee

Muta the Exceed – Jason Douglas

Additional Voices

Opening and Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Recap Narrator – Melissa Fahn

"Uncle" – Travis Willingham

Nurse – Marisha Ray

Silhouette Giant Voice - Frank Welker

Nurse Frederick/Freddie – Ricco Farjado

Patient Sitter – Ty Mahany

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Translations

"Ah! Hoe gaat het met onze patiënt?" – "How's our patient doing?"

"Rustig, zoals gewoonlijk. Geen piepje. Ik neem aan dat u l'infirmière Frederik bent. De verplegingssuperviseur vertelde me dat we vandaag een nieuwe infirmière van het résidentieprogramme hebben." – "Quiet, as usual. Not a peep. I assume you're Nurse Frederick. The nursing supervisor told me we'd have a new nurse from the residency program in today."

"Oh, het spijt me. Ik heb eigenlijk een deel van mijn résidentie in de USM gedaan. Ik ben klaar met mijn résidentie in Bellum omdat ik hier een infirmière wil zijn." – "Oh, I'm sorry. I actually did part of my residency in the USM. I'm finishing my residency in Bellum since I want to be a nurse here."

"Ik weet dat ik het niet mag vragen..." – I know I shouldn't ask…

"Neem je vijftien, Daan. Het is oké. Ik ben nog steeds aan het système aan het wennen, dus er zijn nog een paar dingen die ik grondig wil controleren." – Take your fifteen, Dan. It's okay. I'm still getting used to the system anyways, so there's a few more things I want to thoroughly check over."

"Dank u wel. Ik ben zo terug." – "Thank you. I'll be back soon."

"Daan, ik wil dat je iets voor me doet. Ik moet bij de patiënt blijven, maar kun je de nachtbegeleider halen?" – Dan, I need you to do something for me. I need to stay with patient, but can you get the nighttime supervisor?