In a town called Magnolia, is an infamous building that is home to the Fairy Tail guild. Here is where wizards have grown together, they learn some of life's hardest lessons, and learn that they don't have to face their battles alone.

"Ah, Ace, I wasn't aware that you had made it back," came a voice from behind, "I presume everything had gone okay on your quests?"

This is Master Makarov Dreyar, third guild master of the Fairy Tail guild and a member of the Ten Wizard Saints. Despite his almost puny size, he is very well respected throughout the guild and much of Fiore.

"Well I'd meant to come and tell you I was back, but then I saw that Mira just waxed the bar, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a drink slid to me."

Makarov leapt up onto the bar and sat beside her, watching the other members' convers amongst themselves, laughter and happiness all around them. He was smiling, Ace always was one to make light of situations.

"So I take it the favor I asked of you, you weren't able to get the intel?"

She set down her glass and reached for her bag, digging around until she pulled out a small journal. "Oh, I completed the job," she answered, recalling what happened, "It just didn't go the way we'd figured."

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"Damn it all…"

With a heavy sigh she stopped struggling against the restraints, knowing full well that they weren't just going to come out of the wall with mere brute strength, at least, not until these drugs wore off that is. Looking up at her wrists she could already see the cuffs had cut deep into her skin.

"They just had to use magic restricting cuffs," she concluded aloud with a single glance around the cell, "Probably set up some kind of ruins throughout this entire place... pretty smart."

"Hey look, it's awake," came a new voice from outside the cell.

"It's a good thing they got it subdued before any more damage was done."

"Yeah I know. You should have seen what it did to the area. All but two men were found near death," added a third man, "Burned half to death."

"Salamander was always a vicious one."

"But thankfully Salamander only uses fire magic, so the restrictions are only for fire itself."

'So that's why the cuffs have the fire emblem on them, interesting,' they thought.

"Anyways, I always thought that Salamander was a man," he looked them up and down, "One that wore a scaly looking scarf and had pink hair."

"Who cares! This woman was using dragon slayer magic, she was breathing fire."

The same man lifted up the sleeve of her shirt, "And I'm pretty sure that Salamander has a red tattoo on his right shoulder. There isn't anything here."

She grinned at that, catching the three men off guard.

"She's awake?!"

"You're sure that those restraints will work right?" one asked nervously.

She tilted her head, "Why? What're you afraid of? Do you think I would burn you to a crisp?"

With a single pull she ripped the chains right from there anchors in the wall.

"You really think these damn chains can restrain Salamander?" she asked amusedly, ripping the other from her arm.

"Salamander is breaking free! Guards to sector seven, NOW!"

Wrapping her hand around the two remaining guards throats she slammed them up against the wall.

"W-who, who are you?!"

Throwing the pair aside she quickly leapt out of the way of the sudden spray of bullets. The narrow avoidance startled the armed guards.

"She's fast!"

"We need her alive!"

Frowning she inhaled deeply, "Dragon's Roar!"

The entire room quickly engulfed in flames. She stood there watching the men squirm in agony from the burns. Looking around the room she saw one of them was still conscious.

"W-who are you?"

"You're worst nightmare," she growled, pulling him forward and she squatted down beside him, "Now, you're going to explain to me what exactly you need Salamander for and what this place is or I'm going to kill you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes ma'am! I'll tell you anything you want to know!"

Her expression softened slightly, "Good. The come with me."

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"Then why did it take so long for you to return?"

Makarov watched as her expression darkened, "I ran into a complication on the way home, they told me everything…"

"WE MADE IT BACK ALIVE!"

"We're home!" cheered his cat companion.

Ace looked up at Makarov, "Meet me in my office later, we'll discuss what happened then," he instructed before hopping down and walking off.

"Glad you're back!"

"It's great to see you!"

"Welcome home, Natsu!"

"So I heard you went all out Natsu, had to go starting troub-"

"You lied about that wizard! I'm gonna kick your ass!" Natsu shouted angrily.

"Don't get mad at me, I'm not the one to blame here! I'm just passing along a rumor I heard!" Kev shot back.

"It was just a rumor?!" Natsu exclaimed.

"You wanna fight?"

"Let's go!" Natsu answered excitedly, popping his knuckles.

"Now now Natsu, I think you need to calm dooow-!" Happy's voice was quickly trailing off as he was smacked across the guild.

Muttering under her breath Ace turned around in time to catch the blue haired feline before he was hurt and set him down on the bar. With the fight on, many other guild members jumped in on the action or started up their own brawls.

"So, Natsu finally made it back, huh?!"

This is Gray Fullbuster, a very talented wizard, but he tends to… well… he has a bad habit of taking off his clothes.

"It's time to settle things once and for all!" Gray declared, marching over to join the fight in just his boxers.

"Gray your clothes?"

"I don't have time for that!"

This lovely lady is Cana Alberona, she holds the title for Fairy Tail's heaviest drinker.

"You see I don't date the men here because they have no class," explained Cana before picking up her barrel and chugging.

"Come here and fight me, Natsu," shouted Gray as he kicked aside another member.

"Not until you put some clothes on!" Natsu called back, punching Kev across the guild hall for a second time.

"It's already noon and you boys are whining like spoiled babies."

This brute of a man in Elfman Straus, a muscle bound wizard who believes that all you need to solve any problem are two strong fists.

"I'm a real man! You want me to prove it to you?"

Before Elfman could say any more both Natsu and Gray slammed their fists into him, sending Elfman across the room.

"Geez… it's so noisy around here, huh?"

This is the lady killer Loki. Ranked high on the most eligible wizards bachelors list.

"I'm gonna go fight," Loki said while untangling himself from the two ladies he was previously sitting with, "Only to protect you two."

"Good luck, Loki!" they called in unison.

Completely uninterested in the fight Ace turned back around and called to the woman working behind the counter, "Yo Mira, could I get two fish please?"

This is Mirajane Straus, a beautiful wizard who's known for her bikini clad photo spread in Sorcerer Weekly Magazine. She is also the elder sister to Elfman and an employee of Fairy Tail.

"Oh hello Happy," she smiled warmly, placing the fish down in front of the blue cat, "I guess these are for you."

His eyes grew wide with tears of joy before nodding and chowing down.

"Damn it gets so loud sometimes…"

Mirajane smiled at Ace, watching as Ace sipped from her glass, "It's always like this, let's just leave them alone. Bedside's its kind of fun don't you think?"

Gray's back suddenly slammed hard into the bar, knocking an unfinished glass of wine onto a very startled Happy. Natsu laughed obnoxiously as Happy repeatedly slapped Gray with the now drenched fish.

"You made me all sticky!" cried Happy once he landed on the bar again, "And you ruined my fish!"

Mirajane giggled and grabbed a damp cloth, helping Happy clean the wine off him.

"Gah… it's so loud… so much for having a drink to relax," Cana began while setting down her barrel and picking up a card, "That's enough you guys, I suggest that you knock it off."

"Oh yeah, says who?" Gray asked, taking a fighting stance.

"You punks can be such a nuisance," Loki muttered.

"I'm ready for ya!" Natsu agreed, fire on his fists.

Two gigantic feet suddenly slammed into the ground causing everyone to freeze exactly what they were doing.

"Would you fools stop bickering like children!" he roared angrily.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were still here Master," Mirajane apologized sweetly.

"Hahahah! Man talk about a bunch of babies! Looks like I won this round you g-!"

Master Makarov squashed Natsu like a mere fly before shrinking down to his normal size. Jumping up onto the second floor railing, he loudly cleared his throat.

"You've gone and done it again you bunch of clods! Just take a look at how much paper work the Magic Council sent me this time. This is the biggest pile of complaints yet! Have you lost your minds?! All you kids are good for is getting the higher ups mad at me!" he growled before taking a deep breath, "However, I say to hell with the Magic Council. Now listen up! Any power that surpasses reason still comes from reason, right? Magic isn't some kind of miraculous power. It is a talent that only works when the flower of energy inside of us and the flow of energy in the natural world are in perfect synchronization. To perform magic one must have a strong mind and the ability to focus. It should take over your being and come pouring out of your soul! If all we do is worry about following rules then out magic will never progress. Don't let those blowhards on the council scare you, follow the path you believe in! Cause that's what makes the Fairy Tail guild number one!"

The entire guild hall erupted with cheers, glasses were clanked together and alcohol splashed onto tables.

"So the rumors were true, you are back."

"Well hello to you too… Erza."

This armor clad wizard is Erza Scarlett, another of Fairy Tails few S-Class wizards. A very strict person and is known for criticizing the bad behavior of her other guild mates, with the exception of Ace.

"It's quite rare for you to stick around the guild this long, so what's up?"

"There doesn't always have to be some underlying secret to me hanging around," defended Ace, before adding with a smirk, "I am a member of Fairy Tail after all."

"You cannot hide things from me, Acelynn, what is truly going on."

Ace set the glass down and spun around, leaning on the bar. She never met Erza's demanding and questioning gaze.

"Ace – "

"I was running a few eearonds for the master. I just got a little caught up in something."

The scarlet haired woman was taken aback, "Was it a trap?"

"Yeah, Master and I are going to discuss it later tonight," she then gestured to Natsu, "After he leaves."

"I understand."

Ace smirked and got to her feet, "I'll be back in a bit, I assume you would like to be a part of this meeting as well?"

Erza nodded. She watched silently as her longest friend limped out of the guild hall.

"Ace! Where do you think you're going?!"

She continued on, ignoring Natsu.

"Hey! I'm talking to you! Fight me, Ace! Come on, you afraid to lose?"

The hall went completely silent when she dropped her bag. Cracking her neck she slowly turned around. Long blond hair swaying slightly, she didn't bother to pull it back.

"Alright, give it your best shot Natsu."

Everyone watched with excited anticipation, Ace easily avoided the punch and grabbed his blazing wrist. Slamming down he collapsed to the floor. Taken down in one shot.

"You gotta do better than that, see you later, Natsu," she called over her shoulder, smiling.

Erza and Mirajane smiled to one another. Mirajane laughed, "If he isn't trying to fight with you, it's Ace."

"She could have gone a little easier on Natsu though," muttered Happy, going over to help his friend.

Everyone distracted by Natsu and not a single member wanting to miss out on making fun of the young dragon slayer, Ace slipped out of the guild hall as unnoticed as she had entered.

"Hello…?"

This blond mage is Lucy Heartfilia, a fairly new member to the Fairy Tail guild and partner to Natsu and Happy. Lucy is a celestial mage who is currently trying to collect all 12 of the golden zodiac keys.

The young blonde looked around the entire apartment to find the only thing out of place was the small package sitting on her bed. Despite the uneasy feeling, she opened up the box and gasped in shock.

"This is…"

Lifting up the note with the gold key her eyes widened in surprise.

Dear Lucy,
Along my travels back to Magnolia I came across a man named Everlue. He mistook me for you and handed over this key in fear and as an apology. I hope you and your new friend get along very well, you'll have to show me which spirit that key is for too.
Much Love,
Acelynn

"I can't believe she just gave it to me like that," she whispered to herself, "But I'm glad she made it back safely."

Night had fallen and two wizards sat in the masters office, one sitting with their legs up and over the arm of the chair, the other sitting like a professional at a business meeting.

"… there's no way, how can you be sure that they're looking for Natsu?"

"Who else do you know nicknamed Salamander, Erza?" questioned Ace irritatedly, "They mistook me for him and now we've arrived to this point."

Makarov's gaze narrowed on the blond wizard. "And what happened to the ones who mistook you for Natsu?"

"Not really sure…" Ace answered vaguely.

The two waited expectantly.

Ace sighed. She got to her feet and headed for the door.

"What I told you was the extent of my knowledge on the subject, when I know more, you'll be the first to hear from me."