A/N: Okay, a bit of an explanation first, due to my being unable to think of anything for the birthday party chapter and my dwindling time, I'm putting the birthday party chapter on hold for a while but I will come back and do it as an omake later on since I only have four days to get out three chapters due to college and there are a few important little scenes in there that expand on different characters relationships with each other. And for those of you who read Thunder Stone, you are aware of the fact that I challenged MyDearWatson to post as many chapters as possible by the 5th of October and they managed to get three, so that's why I have to get three chapters posted by the 14th. So I'm moving on to the start of the next story arc (which is the third arc, the introduction arc and the first missions arc being arcs one and two) which I have titled as the Mix'N'Match Arc! Oh, and the idea for this story arc originally came from WrittenWhim, so thanks to them for that!
I'd like to thank GhostOfOnyx, WaterDragonMaverick, Guest, WrittenWhim, MyDearWatson, LightandDarkHeart, ManhattanTheory, lexlovesya, and FrozenBlast13 for their reviews last chapter!
GhostOfOnyx- I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the omake! And yeah, they've been keeping me busy for the past month, although I have had time to work on one of my other stories which is Fate/Star Island (shameless self-advertising I know).
WaterDragonMaverick- Well, I'll try and work on my stories as much as I can, but college... but yeah, the omake was pretty action and information packed, although there's still more to learn about Emil Gunvor and Corbin Llewellyn before they became Euclid and Proclus. And yeah, as a lost magic, Spirit Tracker magic forces it's user to pay a heavy price, being the near complete loss of emotions. And well, since Norman is very much a large part of Zander's past, that particular event happened in this story's Zander's past as well (for anyone who's curious about that, go check out Thunder Stone! In which that gets addressed), but with some different people in it obviously. And at least Cathair and Zander had enough sense to get the monster to the edge of the city before causing said collateral damage. And yeah, Euclid doesn't like the Ealdwines much, they seem to have this habit of getting in his way.
Guest- Wow! I'm flattered to hear you say that! I hope you enjoy all of the chapters/omakes as much as the ones that you've read so far! That's if you haven't already gotten up to this point, in which case, I hope you enjoy the chapter! Oh! And if you haven't already, go check out Thunder Stone, Angel's Breath, and Phoenix Refuge by MyDearWatson, Master of Anime224, and lexlovesya respectively!
WrittenWhim- I'm happy to hear that you found the omake so interesting! And yeah, Camille and Euclid have a "sort of" connection. Although Camille doesn't connect the name Euclid to Emil Gunvor at all, she might recognize him if she sees him though (which is why they probably won't meet face to face for a while). And yeah, I didn't fully explain how and why Proclus is a cat most of the time in this last omake, simply because Camille had nothing to do with it. Her parents were still alive when that happened. A Historical Omake for Lynn would explain what happened, but since she's not a part of Undine's Cove, we probably won't be getting one of those this story.
MyDearWatson- I'm happy to hear that you loved the omake so much! To the point of leaving you a bit speechless even! Yep, when Euclid was younger, he was a bit more reckless, Proclus is more or less the same though since he's the older of the two, being middle-aged if his body was still alive. And yep, the memories Quinn took from Emil weren't entirely pleasant ones, still better than Norman's though and by this point she knows how to deal with the memories. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
LightandDarkHeart- Yep, I shed some light on how Euclid came to be Euclid, although what he was up to afterward and before is still a large mystery to you all for the most part. And well, we can just say that Euclid is basically the root problem of all of Lynn's troubles, as for what exactly happened to her, I'll save that for later. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
ManhattanTheory- Yeah, 11,000 words took me quite a while to write out, but I think all the hard work and effort I put into that omake was worth it, plus it helps that it was a historical omake since I really enjoy writing those. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the chapter!
lexlovesya- Yep, that's how it typically works, you get one question answered, but it just leaves you with 10 new ones. And I've been kept rather busy, especially as of late, but I am at least determined to not fail a challenge that I've initiated. After all, how hard could it be compared to the Seven Day Challenge? Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
FrozenBlast13- Yeah, although it's more like Euclid has a history with the Ealdwines more than Camille, although she might recognize him if she saw him (which like I said, is probably why they won't meet face to face for a while). But I suppose Emil did not get what he wanted, Euclid however, saw a way to make it work without having what he wanted close by. And yeah, in that omake, those three were all in their early/mid-thirties, so they're quite experienced. In the present, they're in their mid/late-thirties. Although Cathair is the only one of them that's still a fully active mage out of all their old team.
I don't own Fairy Tail!
I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Story Arc 3: Mix'N'Match
Chapter 23
May 4th, X790, Undine's Cove
"The Grand Magic Games," Salina mused as she looked out at the waves from behind the bar. The Games were about two months away and she still wasn't certain if she was going to enter her guild into the event, "Who would I even choose?"
"Choose for what?" the Guild Master heard someone ask, Light Hikari walking up to the bar with Rakki, Varic and Haru behind her.
"Oh, Light," Salina muttered as she noticed how the four of them had been going on missions together ever since she had forced them all onto a team a few months ago, "That's it!" she exclaimed suddenly, surprising her mages, "Wait here!" Salina ordered as she ran out from behind the bar to see how many of her mages she could find.
"Where's she going?" Varic asked with a shocked look on his face.
"I'm not sure," Haru sighed, "But I'm worried that she has a strange idea in her head," she added as Light, Varic and Rakki all nodded in agreement with a sigh.
. : + : .
Salina was very pleased at the moment. She was looking at every last one of her mages from the platform on the second floor of the main building, although getting some of them to come to the meeting was a struggle, but that was beside the point.
"All right everyone, listen up!" she called out, silencing the conversations happing between the mages, "I'm certain that all of you are aware that the Grand Magic Games are about two months away and I have decided to enter the guild for the first time this year!"
There were many cheers from the mages upon hearing this. Several of the members had been asking for the past few years when Salina would enter the guild into the games, although she had always either said that she was still concerned for Hargeon or that she felt that the guild wasn't ready yet.
"However!" Salina shouted, silencing the cheering, "In order to prepare you all for the games I've decided to start a team building exercise. I'm going to put you all on random teams of three and then send you on missions. Also, I won't be separating you from your Exceed partners, or wolves," she added as she looked over at Styles before continuing, "After all of the missions are complete, I will be selecting five of you to form the team and then one or two of you to act as reserves. So don't worry if I don't pick you right away. Okay, the teams are as follows! So listen up!" she shouted in order to silence the conversations, "Camille Arturia, Jace Maverick, Rave, Light Hikari and Rakki! Rayner Casimir, Kiyeda Hasanari, Ajax Cruz and Leon! Miriam Krozenbell, Ziv McSolas and Jayne Satsuki! Reno Lozier, Zain McSolas and Wilhelm! Aspen Weathercroft, Kaiyo Atasume, Sean Clement and Jean! Malon Qoun, Jewul Poe Andi and Alistar Thorn! Horace Quinn, Kimi Kaizu and Reginald Ladon! Arashi Cage, Yuuna Mirunaka, Styles Kaizu and Nina! Jezabelle Justine, Fareth Keylian and Haru Curio! And lastly Hughes Franklin, Varic Tesla and Roseala Grimmtear!"
"You want me to work with him!?" Rayner shouted after Salina had finished.
"You took the words right out of my mouth!" Ajax added as he stood up.
"You stay out of this!" the Forge Mage yelled.
"Hey! I was agreeing with you for once!"
"I don't want your help!"
"Are you two fighting again?" Salina asked sweetly, an innocent smile on her face as Rayner and Ajax quickly backed down.
"No! Not at all!" Ajax stammered, "We're just really excited is all!"
"A-Aye!" Rayner added nervously.
"Good," Salina smiled as the two men sat back down.
"What's wrong with humans?" Styles sighed, although he wasn't too happy about the team arrangements either.
"Now then, the teams are final so I hope there will be no further questions about the arrangements. When you're ready, come and see me to get your mission!" as Salina said this, the different teams began to meet up with each other, "I hope you don't mind not getting the chance to participate," Salina apologized as Caleb walked up to her.
"I don't mind," Caleb stated, "My responsibility to keep the contestants healthy is more important than the chance to participate in the games. It should be interesting to see how everyone will do though."
"I just hope they don't get themselves hurt too badly on these missions though," Salina added softly.
. : + : .
"Hey Camille!" Jace called out as he and Rave ran up to the swordswoman, "Looks like we're on the same team," the Dragon Slayer grinned.
"Jace. It's been a while since we've gone on a mission together. I'm looking forward to it," Camille responded with a small bow, "Now where is Light?"
"Here," Light grumbled as she and Rakki walked up to them.
"C'mon Light," Rakki pleaded, "At least try to have a good time, I know you like Jace well enough."
"I know," Light sighed, "So what do you think our mission is going to be?"
"I already got it from Salina," Jace announced happily.
"We're going to Rosary Village!" Rave chirped.
"Rosary…" Camille mumbled, "I believe you mentioned that you stayed there for a time when you were younger, Jace."
"Yep, they've got a bandit problem it looks like. So we've gotta get over there ASAP," he explained, "After that I'd like to spend some time with my friends there if you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all if it's all right with you," Camille answered as she looked over at Light and Rakki.
"Fine," Light sighed as the team set out to prepare for their mission.
. : + : .
The forest outside of Freesia Town was eerily quiet. The birds stayed quiet in their nests, the small burrowing animals stayed hidden in their burrows, and even the predators were unseen. Agni stood in the shade of a tree that overlooked Freesia Town. Not far behind Agni stood his master, who was presently wrapping his bandages back around his head and Agni dared not to look at his master while his face was uncovered. The man had unwrapped his bandages so that he could accurately receive the information from the pendant he had provided the Information Broker with by using his own matching, bronze pendant.
"Agni," the bandaged man called out as the Nightmare began to form, "Edina has been causing trouble in the nearby town as of late. Watch over her," he commanded.
"Of course, master," the silver haired Nightmare responded, "Master," the Nightmare called out.
"What?" the man asked coldly.
"Are you certain that you can trust that Information Broker to carry out his end of the bargain? After all, that man took in the demon, Rhiannon. He must know how dangerous she is to us Nightmares."
"You should not worry. I fully expect him to both carry out his end of the bargain and to oppose us all at once," the bandaged man stated, "I expect him to play both sides."
"Hm… So if I find that any of his agents are opposing us…"
"Kill them."
"As you command," Agni stated with a deep bow.
. : + : .
"Rhia!" Euclid shouted into the communication lachrima, "Rhia! Hey pick up!"
"Tch… What is it?" Rhiannon asked through the lachrima, "I was about to take a shower, so if this is about my last report I'm hanging up."
"It isn't," Euclid smirked, knowing that he had caught Rhia's interest, "And Aurora and Proclus are the ones who have problems with your reports. Anyways, I just thought that I ought to inform you of something."
"Eh? What?" Rhia asked, "You don't usually tell me anything."
"You know about Nightmares, correct?" Euclid questioned, fully knowing the answer to the question, but smirking nonetheless when he saw a serious look cross Rhia's face, "An agent of mine has confirmed that the recent abductions in Freesia Town are the work of a powerful Nightmare, not your run-of-the-mill kind that indiscriminately eat people, but a highly intelligent humanoid Nightmare."
"Why are you telling me this?" Rhia asked, "Are you changing my assignment?"
"No, I just thought that I'd tell you is all. You can do what you want with the information," Euclid chuckled, "That's all I had to tell you," he added as he cut off the communication in time to see his three guests enter the room, "Welcome! What do you want to know today, Myrick?"
. : + : .
Rhia looked down at the lachrima in her hand, a solemn look on her face as she mulled over what Euclid had told her. She could never escape this fate of hers. Since day one her purpose had been set and nothing she had done could change that fact.
"My purpose is to fight the Nightmares… My Curse was created to attack them at their core," she muttered as she continued to look at the orb in her hand, seeing her distorted reflection in it before she shattered the orb with a black mist, "Zeref… Tartarus… and even Euclid… They all see me as a tool to kill them… and him," she hissed while baring her fangs and filling the word 'him' with all the hate and disgust she could manage, "I am the Demon created to destroy Nightmares, so that's what I'll do. Once I finally do that, I can be free," Rhiannon announced to no one but herself as she left her hotel room, leaving the building so that she could head to her new destination… Freesia Town.
A/N: And there it is! The beginning of Arc 3. Sorry that it's kinda short, I'm still getting back into the flow of writing Undine's Cove and Fairy Tail in general and I had meant for this chapter to be longer and for there to be a few more scenes with different teams, but yeah... It takes small steps in order to get back up to speed, so please bear with me. And just so you know, some of the missions this story arc will be incredibly light-hearted in nature, while some... not so much as you may have been able to guess due to the three-way deadlock I've established between Undine's Cove, Euclid, and the Nightmares. Also, I'll be rotating through the different missions this arc, so I'll start with three groups, switch to the next three, then so on and so forth until I come back to the first few teams that I started with and then I'll keep rotating through until I finish all of the missions. Anyways, I hope that you all are looking forward to it!
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