To the Forest

Night soon fell upon the land, as the Sabertooths fell back, knowing that they could not guard their quarry with the beast present.

Minerva broke away from her pack, and placed a black crystal on the ground. A black mist then emerged from the crystal, and writhed around Minerva. She hung her head, trying to avoid looking at it.

"My power grows," a dark voice echoed, "The time to act is soon. You must join the ranks."

"But what of the Fairies?" Minerva said, as the mist circled her, "What of Dreyar?"

"Irrelevant," the voice answered. Finally working up the courage, Minerva faced it directly.

"You promised me his head!" she said.

"And you shall have it," the being said, "Be patient my dear." With that, the mist moved through Minerva, and faded away. Minerva took a breath, and picked up the dark crystal, glaring at it.

"What now?" Rufus asked, as he and Orga approached their leader. Minerva turned them, still eyeing the crystal.

"For now, we will remain in the shadows," she said, before grinning darkly, "I still have not lost my thirst for Fairy blood."

(outside the house)

The beast itself, soon began to convulse, and writhe, as its body began to change. Like a tree shedding its leaves and bark, it fell away, and the beastly form, gave way to a more human form. It looked towards the house.

(inside the house)

Most of the group, including Mavis, are asleep, but Lucy was awake. For some reason, she couldn't sleep, no matter how hard she tried. She reached into her bag, and pulled out the ring she got from the Oracion Seis' tunnels. In the pale moonlight, it glimmered ominously, in a way that gave Lucy a bizarre feeling. It was not really of fear, but not truly that of comfort. Almost as if there was a voice whispering soft words into her ear.

She was suddenly broken from her thoughts, as she heard the door opening. A tall figure then entered, though in the shadows, Lucy could not see who it was. She quickly turned over, and pretended to sleep. But something about that being's presence, seem to wash over her, and before Lucy knew it, she was sleep.

(next morning)

Lucy woke up to the smell of pine, oak, and some trees she never heard of before. She leaned up, and saw that it was day light. The Fairy Tail members are assembled around a table, eating, save for Mavis, who, as always was sitting overhead, this time on a beam. Lucy quickly hopped to her feet, to join them. As she did, she noticed the figure she saw during the night. Now in the light, she saw that it was a man, who Mavis said was called Woflheim. The difference was astounding, he was even shorter than Mavis, had a short beard, and wore a big. Lucy was somewhat unnerved by the fact that such a tremendous beast was in such a small form, but she joined the others nonetheless.

"So you are the infamous Laxus Dreyar?" Wolfheim inquired, as he circled the table, "Which in turns would open the question why Sabertooth is pursuing you?"

"I take it you have encountered them?" Laxus said.

"Once," Wolfheim answered, as he ran his hand along his arm. Lucy caught a glimpse of a few scars.

"Sabertooth descended upon my land like a plague, during which Minerva's father stole my comrades and I away as if we were leaves in the wind," Wolfheim explained, though he clearly did not like the subject, "We became his amusement devices, mocking and torturing each other as seen fit."

"There used to be more beasts mages?" Lucy asked.

"At one point there were many," Wolfheim said, "We guarded the forests against those who sought to harm it."

"What about now?"

"Now, only one guardian stands watch." Lucy sullenly sunk back into her chair. Cana patted her shoulder.

"Rest cannot be afforded, if you are to reach the ruins before the end of Autumn," Wolfheim said, as he looked out the window, his arms folded behind his back.

"Indeed, so we must travel through the Woodsea," Mavis said. Wolfheim cringed.

"That place is diseased," he said, "Strange, dark forces crawl under those trees."

"Then we will take the primary road," Mavis said, "It is in within Mermaid Heel's territory, few dark forces dare trespass there." Laxus stood up from the end of the table, and turned away, not liking the option clearly.

"Mermaid Heel is not as it once was," Wolfheim said, "The darkness has caused the women to become bitter. It is becoming dangerous on the instant. Not that it matters.." All eyes fell to him.

"Sabertooth's claws extend far," he said, "You will never be able to make the journey from the forests, all the way from here."

"If we had help we might," Gildarts said, as he stood. Wolfheim turned, staring out into the wilderness.

"There is a reason I choose this life of solitude," he said, "Nature is unbiased, and fair, unlike humans, which are at the heart, selfish and greedy." An uncomfortable silence fell upon the table.

"But Fairy Tail may be the exception," Wolfheim said, "What do you need?"

(outside)

"You will have to travel quickly, if you are to reach the forests without being run down by your enemies, now go!"

The entire company was soon charging across the fields on horseback, much to Lucy's displeasure. She thought after the experience with Phantom Lord, she would not have to worry about riding anymore, but there she was, clinging to Erza's back, struggling not to go tumbling to the ground.

They were soon upon the edge of a large forests.

"It looks like we've given Sabertooth the slip," Evergreen said.

"Maybe our luck is finally beginning to turn," Gray suggested. Mavis looked into the distance, and saw the beast on top of a rock.

"Set the horses loose," she instructed, not taking her eyes off it, "Now!" The mages quickly did as told.

Lucy expected the Woodsea to be green, and lush, except it was now withered, and wilted. It as if…

"Its sick," Levy said, looking over the trees. That was the best way to describe it, if not the only way.

"Can we go around?" Juvia asked.

"It take is twice as long if we did," Mavis answered, looking around. Lucy clicked her tongue nervously at that thought of passing through the forests, but she knew Mavis was right. She reached into her satchel, and ran her fingers across her ring. The same voice began to whisper in her ears.

Mavis slid into the entrance of the forests, which was a single path, with an arch over it. On top the arch, was the carving of a mermaid. Mavis ran her hands along the trees, feeling something dark. It almost felt, familiar, like something very old, that she had not felt in a very long time. There was the suddenly a flash of darkness, with a red eye. Memories of her talk with Jura and Purehito came back, as did the horn Warrod presented. If that horn did truly come from a demon of Tartarus, she had to know.

"Don't set my horse loose!" she instructed, as she hurried back. Everyone looked at her.

"Are you leaving?" Lucy asked.

"Only because I have no choice," Mavis answered, as she moved over to them.

"What are we supposed to do?" Laxus demanded, "You cannot just leave!"

"I already said I have no choice," Mavis said, "Wait at the foot of Tenrou, where I should meet you. But do not enter Fairy Tail without me!" She then looked to Lucy.

"As for you Lucy," she said, "You have changed. You are no where near the same girl who ran out her door." Lucy ran her fingers across her ring again.

"I've been meaning to tell you," she said softly, "I found something in Oracion Seis' mountain."

"And what would that be?" Mavis said, leaning forward. Lucy opened he mouth to tell her, but instead, snapped her case shut.

"My courage," she said with a weak smile. Fortunately, it satisfied Mavis, who nodded.

"Very good, you will need it," she said, as she turned her horse around," Remember, don't enter without me!" With that, she road away, leaving the others standing at the gate.

"Nothing to do now, but enter," Laxus said, as he lead the way in.

Note: Here we have part 2, and they're going into the equivalent of Mirkwood. I'm trying not to just do word for word, so if things seem awkward, I apologize.