All rights to Hiro Mashima

~Eleventh~

-Gray-

Erza and I arrived at Era later than what we would have liked. Train maintenance or some bullshit. I am currently sitting in a relatively comfortable office and having a childish staring contest with Doranbolt and Lahar.

Erza is sitting next to me drinking chamomile tea. The fact that she is so calm is putting us all on edge. It's like she is waiting for someone to crack.

"What did you want to see us for?" I smirk at Doranbolt and collect my petty victory against them.

It was so worth the dry eyes though.

"We would like to know about your breakout three months ago. You know the one from cell block B?" My grin widens at their stricken faces.

Both men quickly compose their features into blankness once again. Lahar then asks "How did you know about that breakout? It was never publicized."

"The dark guilds are in a riot over it. It wasn't that hard to find the information if you know how to listen." Erza's quip came fast, as if she had been waiting for the question. "What we would like to know is how they escaped?"

They both look super uncomfortable again, all shifty eyed and awkward glances. "Uhm…they? Only one broke out…"

I decide to jump in and win another point against the council asshats. "We know about the Seis as well as Ivan Mest, don't try and bullshit your way through this. We also know that Ivan only escaped because the Seis did, so let's get all the crap out of the way and talk straight. We want to know how they escaped. Who helped them? They don't have many friends on the outside."

Doranbolt bristled, an angry retort obviously crawling up his throat, ready to fling in my face. However, Lahar cut him off. "We…don't…know."

I cross my arms over my now bare chest – I wonder where my shirt went – and roll my eyes at the men on the other side of the desk. "You don't know? You're telling us that you don't know how or why the two most notorious prisoners disappeared from your cells? Seriously?" I stare incredulously at these guys. "Just how stupid are you?" I get why Lucy has such an aversion to the council now, honestly, I can't believe these people are the ones looking out for the security of the citizens of Fiore.

"Now hold on just a minute! We didn't just let anyone go! They escaped!" Even I can tell that Lahar's argument was weak.

"You absolute idiots! This was months ago? Why didn't you let us know at least? Ivan tried to kill Laxus the last time he was out, and the Seis have come after us multiple times almost sacrificing one of my best friends to a gigantic fish for Mavis' sake!" What a bunch of bastards.

"ENOUGH! This is getting us nowhere!" Shit, Erza's pissed, I think I should have kept my mouth shut. "I agree with Gray, did you not think it merited a lacrima call to Master Markarov about this? Did the council think that everyone would be better off not knowing?" She narrowed her eyes at the pale men and scoffed. "Fairy Tail is always the ones you turn to when you need to clean up your messes, then blame us for the after math. This time we won't allow it. We will figure out what is going on without you interfering. Then we demand a formal apology from the council about all this. The fact that you have absolutely no information on how they escaped is incredible. You are all a bunch of idiots."

She re-quips a sword and points is between them. "Doranbolt will use direct line to get us back to Fairy Tail quickly so that we can start to right your stupidity." She is absolutely seething, but I don't mind at all. It's nice to have her wrath directed elsewhere for a change.

Lahar sneers. "The council will not stand for this you know."

I whip off my pants in my frustration. "We don't care! You put us all in danger because of this! It's been months! Get us home, we need to start the search. You should have never put one of my family in danger, if she is hurt again, we will come for all of you."

Erza sheaths her sword in its scabbard. "Doranbolt, get us out of here. NOW!"

-Lucy-

"Gods Cobra, could you be any more disturbing? Move the fuck over, why were you the first one to the door?" Oh Mavis! Is that Angel? I don't have time to fight her again. I'm starting to panic.

Backing up from the door, the other half swings open. I can see eight mages in blue cloaks standing just within the doorway. "My apologies, Lucy, I should have been the first through."

"Mystogan? What…?" My question is cut off as I feel the magic pressure of Master come up behind me.

"Please, come inside out of the rain." Master is cordial, but I can tell by his body language that he is just as wary as I am. "I must ask though, what are the Seis doing here?"

Thank you. I want answers. Cause I really don't want to get sacrificed again. It was much too tiring and I had a bad sleep last night, what with Natsu right beside me. Somehow he always ends up in my bed. Must be left another imprint from before his magic was taken.

Cobra let's out a bark of laughter. "Really, that's what you're worried about? We shouldn't sacrifice you again because you're tired?"

I just shrug. "It's the truth."

"You know what? I like you. Sugar tits." He grins. I hear growling behind me again.

Ah crap. Not another nickname. I pout and puff my cheeks out.

All of a sudden I can feel familiar heat behind me. "Wait, Luce, these are the guys that sacrificed you?" Uh oh. I forgot about Natsu. "What the fuck are you doing here?" Natsu wraps his arms protectively around my waist. Which makes me melt. Into a puddle.

Cobra looks dumbfounded, but doesn't answer his question. But 'Mystogan' speaks again. "Master Markarov. You called me on my card that Cana gave me. I can only assume that there is some type of emergency?"

"Yes, but you being here does answer some questions that we ha-" Master is interrupted as a glowering Erza and a half naked Gray along with Doranbolt shimmer into existence beside Wendy and Charles.

"Master we have news. And it isn't good."Doranbolt nods to Master and zips away to Mavis knows where. Erza finally looks around and notices all the new mages in the guild hall. "M-mystogan…"

OH! She just stuttered! And she's blushing. The mighty Titania has fallen. Because of a boy. I lock my eyes on Mira who is in full on demon shipping mode. There is no hiding anything from that monster.

Which reminds me. Natsu is still holding on to me and I haven't made a move to get out. No wonder I am getting weird looks from everyone. Shit.

I try to wiggle out of his arms but he just holds me tighter. "Where you going Luce?" He purrs in my ear.

My legs almost go boneless. He is just so…sexy. Damn his stupid voice straight to the pits of Tartoros. I've turned into a puddle again.

I have decided that I'll just stay in his grip awhile longer. Mostly because he is the only thing holding me up at this point and a tiny bit but because he smells so deliciously masculine.

Master coughs. "Yes, well. I believe everyone is back except for Gajeel. And we can just get his information later. Everyone… into the library. Freed, please place the runes on the door. Cana and Juvia, please join us as well."

Gray stiffens and glances over at the two women. 'Oh, this should be a pleasant conversation.' I can feel Natsu's laughter through my back. "Gods, this is going to be so funny."

At least Natsu agrees with me.

"Gramps. Why did you call Cana and Juvia in with us?" Really Laxus? You want to start the meeting off with rain woman drama? It's like he doesn't remember what happened last time.

"I invited Cana because I want her to make calling cards for all mages present, as a precaution. And I asked for Juvia, because she would just sneak in anyways and she was a former S-class mage. Her help is invaluable."

Juvia is glowing from the praise as she clings like a leech to the side of gray's naked torso.

"Yo, Ice Prick. Any reason why you're only in your boxers?" Gray tries to push away Juvia's wandering hands and yelps as they grab a lower cheek.

"Shut the fuck up Flame Brain! Goddammit Juvia, stop pinching!" Oh Mavis this is just too good. I smile inwardly.

But I want answers, so I elbow Natsu in the ribs and hiss at him to be quiet while Erza smacks Juvia away from Gray and clamps a gauntlet down on his left shoulder. "No fighting. You and Natsu will be civil for the duration of this meeting or so help me I will rip you both to shreds."

The fact that she is saying this while perfectly calm and collected is super creepy and gives us all the shivers. She is stepping into the realm of 'Scary Erza.'

"Alright, seeing as all people present know the identity of you, I might as well just call you Jellal. So, please tell us, why are you with a group of people that has tried to kill some of my children?" Thank you Master. Getting right to the good stuff.

"I have offered them all a spot in Crime Sorciere to atone for their crimes. They have all accepted." Jellal looks at the Master steadily, here shows no outward signs of lying. Master nods and accepts the answer quickly.

If Master is on board than so am I. I look around the room and notice most everyone's stances are changing into a more relaxed position.

"That's it? You just accept like that?" I nod at Angel.

"Yes, just like that. Even though you all tried to kill us, and most specifically me in the past. We can move forward and forget everything. Some of my family have gone down the wrong path before, but we all forgive and forget as time passes."

I remember all the other times. Juvia putting me in a water lock. Gajeel's relentless torture. Laxus' Thunder palace. Evergreen turning me into stone. Bickslow's fight against Loke and me.

Cobra looks incensed and troubled. I can tell he doesn't trust us yet. All in time I guess.

"Thank you Lucy. Alright! Erza what is the bad news that you need to share?" Master jumps onto one of the tables and sits with his pipe in this mouth, unlit.

"The council doesn't know anything. They are incompetent fools to say the least. They don't know how or why the Seis and Ivan got out or they are still unwilling to tell us even though I threatened their lives for putting our family in danger again. Because of their attitudes one of our enemies escaped a high security prison. Rest assured the council is not happy, but they will not interfere or they will deal directly with me." Gods I love when Erza brings down her righteous anger on someone other than my team. It is just so gratifying.

The door slams open and a hulking figure strides into the library followed by a floating Exceed.

Gajeel's red eyes flash in the dim light. "We have a problem. We miscalculated." He is grinding his words out through clenched teeth. We can all see his knuckles are a bit bruised from a recent altercation. "They made a mistake when they collected the magic. Which is bad for them because it puts a kink in their plans. It's good for us because it gives us a little more time to figure all this out. But it's terrible because they have to try again to get the correct magic."

I have a super bad feeling about this.

"Ivan's after Bunny."

I groan. "Not again..."