"Mi… Mira…?"

Elfman woke with a groan as he felt something cold and warm pressed against his forehead. Opening his eyes, he looked up and was surprised to see Mirajane holding a wet towel on his head, with Lisanna, Meredy, and Yukino alongside her.

"Big Brother Elf!" Lisanna cried. "You're awake!"

Meredy breathed with relief, "I thought he was done for."

"Lisanna… You're here… Meredy and Yukino, too. And…" He slowly turned to Mirajane, "Mira?"

Mirajane gently shushed him, removing the rag and placing a hand against his cheek. She said, "It's alright, Elfman. It's me. I'm home now."

With tears of joy falling from his eyes, Elfman pulled Mirajane in an even tighter hug, with Lisanna joining them. He breathed, "Oh, Big Sis… I thought I'd never see you again."

"Me too," Lisanna nodded.

"I miss you both, so much," Mirajane sniffled. The three Strauss siblings managed to hug for some time before they released each other.

"Hey, has anyone seen Chelia?" Elfman asked.

"I'm over here," Chelia called out, and she was sitting on the bed next to Elfman's, happily waving her hand, "All I needed was a good nap. Nap did the trick, body feels fine."

"That's a manly relief," Elfman grinned. He turned to Mirajane, "How'd you get out of that castle? You know, the place run by that Lightning Beast?"

"I didn't escape," Mirajane explained serenely. "He let me go."

Lisanna, Elfman, Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino gasped at that reaction. Lisanna spoke up, "That horrible monster?!"

Meredy questioned, "The Lightning Beast actually released you from the dungeon?"

Yukino asked, "But how?"

Elfman added, "How can that unmanly beast of a beast let you blow the coop?"

Mirajane answered, "I know it's strange, everybody, but it's true. The Lightning Beast is much more different then what we first met him. He's changed now. He's become so kind, gentle, and a truly wonderful person."

"Is it true?" Lisanna asked in concern. "Did he really let you go?"

"You're not saying it because that lightning dude threatened you, did he?" Elfman crossed his arms. "Or did he do something to your mind?"

Mirajane shook her head, "It's the truth. Laxus has changed for the better."

Meredy's face widened with shock at the mention of Laxus and the Lightning Beast being of the same name. She exclaimed, "Huh? Laxus is the name of the…"

Lisanna interjected, "…Lightning Beast?"

"Of course he has," Mirajane nodded. "Laxus used to be a bully, but now he's become a great friend of mine. We have so much in common, which is why he let me go find you. I value our friendship as much as I value you two."

"Well, that's our big sis for ya," Elfman remarked with a grin. "She's always honest and not afraid to speak her mind. Your manly attitude must've gotten a big effect on that lightning dude before he'd tear your head off." He turned to Mira, "Mira, you're not just the big sis in the family, but a big genius as well."

Mirajane smiled back, "Why, thank you, Elfman. It means a lot."

"And you're asking why those three girls came to our house a few days ago," Lisanna said to Mirajane. "It's a long story…"

"No need to explain," Mirajane assured. "Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino told me everything." She turned to the three girls, "I want to thank you all as well for taking care of my brother and sister. For a second there, I thought you were fangirls drooling over Zancrow."

Chelia chuckled, "Oh, it was nothing. All in a day's work."

"Wait a minute! Hold on!" Meredy interrupted. "Before we get all touchy and stuff, there's something we need to talk about. Now that it's just the six of us…" She cleared her throat, "It's time we talk about how Laxus and the Lightning Beast are one and the same."

"One and the same?" Mirajane wondered. She was about to speak, until a loud clanking noise came from behind. Everyone turned to where Mirajane's satchel was and saw it moving around on its own. It fell off the chair and onto the ground, causing the Mirror Lacrima to fall out along with the teacups, Wendy and Romeo, who looked slightly dizzy, but cheerful.

"Hi!" the two teacups said happily as they leaped towards Elfman's bed.

Chelia, Yukino, and Meredy were extremely surprised at seeing the two teacups moving and talking right in front of their eyes. They exclaimed in unison, "WHOA! TALKING TEACUPS?!"

Mirajane giggled, "Oh! A couple of stowaways from Fairy Tail Castle."

Meredy's face was struck with confusion again. "Fairy Tail… Castle?"

Elfman chuckled, "Hey, hello there, little guys."

Lisanna smiled, "Didn't think we'd get to see you again."

Romeo replied, "Same here, Mr. Elfman and Miss Lisanna. Glad to see you're feeling better, though. Remember the cup of tea we gave you?"

Wendy giggled playfully, "Technically, Romeo, WE'RE the cup of tea."

Romeo laughed in agreement, "I know, right?"

Mirajane asked, "What are you two doing here?"

Romeo countered, "We were about to ask you a question."

Wendy began, "Why do you have to go away? I thought you liked staying with us. With me and Romeo and Natsu and Miss Erza and everyone…" A single tear fell from her eye, "Don't you like us anymore?"

Mirajane smiled warmly, "Oh, Wendy, of course I do. It's just that…"

"Wait, w-w-w-w-what did you say?" Chelia asked in surprise, the mention of Wendy's name catching her attention.

Mirajane replied, "I said that I like Laxus, Natsu, Erza, and the others. It's just that..."

"No, no, no! You said something about Wendy! How did you know Wendy? Was she in the castle?" Chelia cried hopefully, standing up from her bed and shaking Mirajane's shoulders.

"Yes," Mirajane nodded. "She's one of Erza's assistants along with Romeo. Most of the time, she serves tea. Wendy is a very sweet and kind girl."

"YOU MADE FRIENDS WITH WENDY?!" Chelia exclaimed at the top of her voice. She then began jumping up and down excitedly. "So she's okay! I can see her again!"

"You know her?" Mirajane asked.

"Yeah!" Chelia nodded. "Wendy's my best friend!"

During the conversation, Wendy turned her head towards Chelia. Her eyes widening in shock, she hopped on top of the mirror closet and approached Chelia, looking her over in disbelief. "I don't believe it… Chelia? Is that you?"

Chelia turned her attention to the teacup standing on the closet. Her voice was trembling, and her eyes were starting to form tears, "Is it… Is it really you…? Wendy…?"

Wendy was about to cry as well, "C-C-Chelia…?"

Soon, there was stunned silence. The tears on both girls' eyes never ceased to flow. And then…

"WENDY!" Chelia screamed tearfully.

"CHELIA!" Wendy sobbed. "I've missed you so much!"

Unable to contain her happiness and joy any longer, Wendy leaped on top of Chelia's hands, and Chelia lifted Wendy up her face for the teacup to nuzzle her cheek. Both girls couldn't help but let their emotions of anxiety and doubt overflow in the form of tears. Mirajane, Lisanna, Elfman, and Yukino could only watch and feel touched by the moment of this heartfelt reunion between two childhood friends. Meredy, on the other hand, was confused.

"That's a manly reunion…" Elfman remarked with tears falling from his eyes. "WHY MUST IT BE SO CUTE?!" Mirajane and Lisanna patted him at the back, calming him down.

Yukino smiled delightfully, "Isn't that cute?"

"Yeah…" Meredy said unsurely. "Cute."

Chelia sniffled, "Oh, Wendy… Where have you been? What's happened to you?"

"You're not upset with me?" Wendy asked. "Even with what happened to me?"

"It doesn't matter," Chelia said with immense joy. "All that matters is that we're back together again."

Flabbergasted by the revelation that Wendy and Chelia were friends, Yukino shook her head, "I'm sorry, I'm confused. You mean, all this time, you and that teacup were…"

"Yeah, I wish I could've told you sooner," Wendy said bashfully. "Chelia and I were best friends. We played together seven years ago. But our time together ended when my family decided to move to Fairy Tail Castle. That's when I met Romeo, and I became friends with him and all the people in the castle."

"Why didn't you let me know you were okay?" Chelia asked Wendy.

Wendy answered, "I've been living in the castle for so long, I don't know if I can let you know anymore. But I'm okay this whole time. Everyone in Fairy Tail Castle is so nice and friendly."

Chelia smiled contently, "I'm glad to hear that. But I'm glad most of all to see you." She nuzzled Wendy with her cheek, making her giggle.

"Wait just a minute!" Yukino snapped, interrupting everyone. "First, you told us that Laxus and the Lighting Beast are the same guy, then this teacup says she's friends with Chelia, and she came from Fairy Tail Castle?! Somebody's gotta tell us what's going on! This must be a trick or something!"

"I think you're right!" Chelia nodded in agreement. "Why did Wendy turn into a teacup? Last time I saw her, she has short blueberry hair and she's smaller than me." She turned to Wendy, "I think it's time you tell us the truth, Wendy. Why are you a teacup?"

That caught Romeo's attention. He protested, "No! No, Wendy! Don't tell them anything! We'll get in big trouble for this!"

Ignoring Romeo, Chelia smiled teasingly at Wendy, "Come on, Wendy. You want to tell us the big secret, don't you? You know what they say, 'the truth will set you free.'"

Wendy sweated nervously. She knew she wasn't going to get off so easily. For the sake of her Fairy Tail Castle friends, she didn't want to tell them about how she was cursed, but there was nothing she could do at this moment. Even Romeo's protests won't help.

"Out with it, Wendy," Chelia threatened with a giggle. "Or prepare to take some extreme tickling!"

Wendy cried bravely, "You wouldn't dare!"

Chelia smirked and turned Wendy upside down, rubbing her downside with her fingers. Wendy laughed hysterically and tried to resist the tickling, but it was too much to take. Chelia was winning over her best friend. Eventually, Wendy screamed, exhausted from the battle. She couldn't take it anymore.

"Alright, alright!" Wendy shouted. "You win! I'll tell you!" She then sighed and turned to Mirajane, "How can you deal with that, Mira?"

"Oh, a little truth won't hurt," Mirajane responded with a smile. "You can tell us anything. We won't get mad. We promise." Lisanna, Elfman, Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino nodded in agreement.

"We're doomed," Romeo groaned, and he repeatedly hit his head on the wooden side of the bed.

Wendy took a deep breath, ready to confess her secret…

…until she was suddenly interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Both Wendy and Romeo sighed with relief, and they turned to each other smiling. They were glad that their secret is still safe… for now.

"I'll get it!" Mirajane offered. She went downstairs to answer it, and was surprised to see Jose Porla, the owner of the Phantom Lord Asylum, standing there. "May I help you?"

"Hello, Miss Mirajane," Jose said formally. "I am Jose Porla of the Phantom Lord Asylum for Loons. I've come to collect your brother, Elfman."

Mirajane asked confusedly, "Elfman?"

"Oh, don't worry, my dear," Jose smirked. "We'll take good care of him." He then gestured to his guards standing before the asylum carriage, along with dozens of villagers who had shown up to watch.

Realizing what was happening, Mirajane angrily protested, "My brother isn't crazy!"

Kain Hikaru emerged from the crowd and said, "Elf-Boy was at the tavern earlier this week, raving like a lunatic! We all heard that, didn't we?

"Yeah!" the crowd yelled in agreement, waving their torches. From the side of the house, Zancrow smiled devilishly as his plan was being set in motion.

"No! There has to be some mistake!" Mirajane shouted.

"Big Sis?" Elfman called, coming out of the house with Lisanna, Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino.

"What's going on?" Lisanna asked.

"Hey, look, everybody!" Kain shouted with fake enthusiasm. "It's Elf-Boy and Lizzie! Haven't seen you two in a while." He turned to Elfman, "Say, Elf-Boy, why don't you tell us again just how big and terrifying WAS the 'Lightning Beast?'" He then turned to Lisanna, "And he said you were in on it, too, Lizzie. Go ahead and testify for your big brother."

Elfman began, "It's just like I told you all. He has long fangs, big claws, dragon-like scales, and his body's buzzing like a battery! And he's yellow!"

Lisanna added, "Yeah! We were on our way to the talent show, but the Lightning Beast caught us, and Mira saved us! That beast is enormous! He's at least ten, no… fifty feet tall!"

Chelia placed a hand on Lisanna's shoulder, "We believe in you guys."

Meredy gave a thumbs up, "You've got us for backup."

Lisanna smiled, "Thank you, Chelia, Meredy, Yukino." She turned to the crowd, "You have to believe us. There a real Lightning Beast in a castle! And moving furniture, too!" Elfman nodded in agreement.

Immediately, the crowd bursts out laughing, much to Lisanna and Elfman's dismay, and the three girls' annoyances.

"Here we go again," Yukino rolled her eyes.

Kain laughed smugly, "Well, you don't get much crazier than that!"

Lisanna protested angrily, "It's true! The Lightning Beast was real! So were his servants, like that talking clock and the teapot!"

Elfman added, "A real man always tells the truth! When did we ever lie to you?!"

"Get the tall guy outta here! And that girl too!" Kain ordered. On cue, Jose waved his hand, motioning the four guards to advance. They grabbed Lisanna and Elfman by both arms and dragged them towards the carriage. "Lizzie's got herself her first trip to the asylum, paid by us!" Kain stated.

"Hey! Let us go!" Elfman shouted, fighting and kicking against the guards. One of them punched Elfman in the gut, causing him to lurch over.

"Let us go! Please, let us go!" Lisanna screamed, trying to break from the guards' hands to no avail.

"No! No! Stop it!" Mirajane pleaded with Jose. "You can't do this!" Jose, however, just shook her off and walked away.

Chelia said sadly, "Poor Mirajane…"

"Who could've done this to them?" Yukino asked.

As Mirajane and the three girls looked on in disbelief, Zancrow walked up from behind, clicking his tongue in disappointment. He said, "Poor Mira… It's a shame what they're doing to your bro and sis."

Mirajane turned to Zancrow, "You know they're not crazy, Zancrow. Right?"

Zancrow replied, "Now that you mention it, I might be able to clear up this little misunderstanding, if…"

"If what?" Mirajane asked.

"If you marry me," Zancrow said, smiling down at her.

"What?" Mirajane asked in shock. As she looked at his smug face, a realization struck her. He was the one behind this whole thing! Even the three girls were quick to realize it!

"Wait, so this whole thing was just a set-up to force Mirajane into marrying Zancrow?" Chelia exclaimed.

"He fell for Mira when he should've fallen for one of us!" Meredy pointed out.

"For a tall, dark, strong, and handsome brute, that was downright dirty!" Yukino stated angrily.

Chelia and Meredy agreed, "Yeah!"

"C'mon, Mira, one little word. That's all it takes," Zancrow smirked, running his finger down her cheek. But before he could plant a kiss on the lips, Mirajane slapped him across the face.

"Never!" she shouted.

"Have it your way," Zancrow scoffed, as he turned and walked away.

The asylum guards, still restraining Lisanna and Elfman, were almost reaching the carriage. Knowing she had to do something to prove her siblings' sanity, Mirajane quickly ran back into the house and picked up the Mirror Lacrima from the floor. She reemerged and screamed, "My brother and sister are not crazy and I can prove it!" She held up the Mirror Lacrima, "Show me the Lightning Beast!"

The lacrima lit up brightly and Mirajane turned it towards the crowd. Shown in the reflection was Laxus the Lightning Beast, roaring towards the sky in a torrent of thunder and lightning. The crowd shouted and recoiled in fear upon seeing the image of the terrifying creature. Kain lets out a frightened squeak and hid behind Zancrow, who seemed to have gone a little pale.

"You see? He is real! My brother and sister weren't lying, so let them go!" Mirajane demanded.

Instantly, the asylum guards released Lisanna and Elfman and jumped hastily back into the carriage. Jose, particularly, was shaking with fright. He turned to Kain, "I'm sorry, Mr. Hikaru, our time is up. Here's my bill." He frantically handed Kain the bill, and jumped into the carriage after his guards. With the crack of the whip, the horse sped the carriage down the road and back into town.

"I don't believe it…" Yukino said as she and the other girls stared at the reflection. "There really was a Lightning Beast. The Strauss siblings were right."

Meredy chuckled sheepishly, "Well… that explains a lot."

"Is it dangerous?" Belno asked from the crowd.

"Oh, no," Mirajane said, trying to reassure her. "He'd never hurt anyone. I know he looks vicious, but he's really kind and gentle. He's my friend." She looked affectionately at the Mirror Lacrima, "My very best friend."

"Your very best friend?" Chelia gasped, and she borrowed the Mirror Lacrima from Mirajane, staring at Laxus's image with sympathy and pity. She cooed, "Aww, look at the poor kitty! He's so cute and all alone! Poor kitty needs to find a place to be loved! We need to help him!"

Elfman interrupted, "Uh, just for the record, he's scaly, not furry."

"I know," Mirajane nodded, taking back the Mirror Lacrima from Chelia. "But I still like him all the same." She turned to Laxus's image with a compassionate smile.

Seeing the look on Mirajane face, Zancrow was overcome with rage and jealousy. He frowned, "You know, Mira, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you had feelings for this monster."

"He's no monster, Zancrow," Mirajane snapped, backing away and clutching the Mirror Lacrima. "You are!"

Zancrow's face was wrought with absolute shock at Mirajane's reaction. No one in his life has ever called him a 'monster' before, for all his handsome good looks and physique. Frustration and rage rose in his body like he never felt before. Breathing rapidly, Zancrow sneered angrily at Mirajane, raised his hand, and gave a stinging slap across her face, causing her to fall backwards and drop the Mirror Lacrima on the floor. The crowd gasped loudly, with Elfman, Lisanna, Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino taking it the hardest. Chelia fainted and collapsed to the ground, the cruelty too much for her to handle.

Lisanna said, completely stunned, "Mira… How… How could he…"

Elfman shared Lisanna's expression, "Did he just…"

Zancrow's anger continued to fester as he pointed an accusing finger at Mirajane. "You're just as crazy as your brother and sister!" he yelled. He snatched the Mirror Lacrima from the ground and turned to the crowd, "The Lightning Beast is a murderous monster with bizarre magical power! He'll destroy our town, burn down your houses, and make off with your children!" All of the villagers gasped in panic as frightened mothers grabbed their children. "He'll come after them in the night!"

Mirajane cried, "No!"

"We're not safe until his head is mounted on my wall!" Zancrow declared. "I say we kill the Lightning Beast!" The mob yelled angrily in agreement and began getting their torches and pitchforks.

Org: We're not safe until he's dead

Michello: He'll come stalking us at night

Belno: Set to sacrifice our children
To his monstrous appetite

Ichiya: He'll wreak havoc on our village
If we let him wander free

Zancrow: So it's time to take some action, boys
It's time to follow me!

He threw a torch onto a haystack, igniting it and creating a bonfire.

Through the mist, through the woods
Through the darkness and the shadows
It's a nightmare, but it's one exciting ride

He then chased Kain around.

Say a prayer, then we're there
At the drawbridge of a castle
And there's something truly terrible inside

It's a beast
He's got fangs, razor sharp ones
Massive claws, killer claws for the feast

Hear him roar! See him foam!
But we're not coming home till he's dead
Good and dead! Kill the Beast!

Mirajane pushed past the crowd and grabbed Zancrow's arm, yelling, "No, I won't let you do this!"

Zancrow grabbed Mirajane by the arm and said, "If you're not with us, you're against us. Boys! Bring her brother and sister, and lock 'em all up in the cellar! We can't have them running off to warn the creature!"

Kain interrupted, "One problem, Zancrow. They have Take-Over Magic. They can easily bust out."

"Darn," Zancrow snapped his fingers in disappointment. "Then I guess we'll just have to throw them in the inventor's basement. The front doors have anti-magic metal around it."

Kain nodded in agreement, "Sounds good to me."

Zancrow turned to his crew, "Alright, boys, let's get this over with." With the snap of his fingers, all the members of his group ambushed and grabbed Mirajane, Lisanna, and Elfman. Before they could take the Strauss siblings to the inventor's house, they were stopped at their tracks by an angry Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino.

"NO!" the three girls shrieked furiously in unison.

"Stay away from Mira and her sibs, you big bully you!" Chelia screamed. "They've been through enough already!"

"Mira was right about you!" Meredy yelled. "All this time, we fell in love with a totally handsome murderous moron!"

"If you want them, you'll have to go through us!" Yukino shouted adamantly.

The three girls stood tall against the crowd, ready to take on anything Zancrow and his cronies can throw at him. Just then, a smirk formed around Zancrow's lips.

Chelia asked her friends nervously, "Uh, why is he smiling at us?"

A few seconds later…

Mirajane, Lisanna, and Elfman, along with Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino, were already tossed into the cellar of the inventor's house.

"That should keep them quiet for a while," Zancrow smirked. "I never liked those three fangirls, anyway," He turned to Mirajane, "And as for you, my future wife… I'll give your regards to your Lightning Beast friend. I'll give him a personal invite to our wedding… his head would make a great centerpiece."

"Zancrow, you monster!" Mirajane screamed angrily. "You won't get away with this!" Elfman, Lisanna, Chelia, Meredy, and Yukino shouted in agreement.

"Just try and stop me," Zancrow smiled evilly. "See ya later, fiancée." Instantly, the cellar doors, fitted with anti-magic metal, were closed and bolted.

"Let us out!" Mirajane cried, futilely banging on the doors.

Back outside, Zancrow turned to Kain and the rest of his cohorts with the Mirror Lacrima in hand. "Now, if there are no interruptions, let's get down to business, boys!" he announced. "We'll rid the village of this Lightning Beast! Who's with me?"

"I am!" the mob yelled, while unknown to them, Wendy and Romeo were outside, looking out worriedly.

Mob: Light your torch, mount your horse!

Zancrow hopped onto his horse.

Zancrow: Screw your courage to the sticking place

Mob: We're counting on Zancrow to lead the way

Through a mist, to a wood
Where within a haunted castle
Something's lurking that you don't see every day!

The mob walked through town, and the townspeople in their houses waved good-bye and wished them good luck.

It's a beast
One as tall as a mountain
We won't rest till he's good and deceased

Sally forth, tally ho
Grab your sword, grab your bow
Praise the Lord and here we go!

"We'll lay siege to the castle and bring back his head!" Zancrow yelled.

Back in the inventor's cellar…

Elfman struggled fiercely to punch the windows with his fists. But no matter how many times he punched, the window doesn't seem to break, and it only strained his hands. He remarked, "Those are some really manly windows! They don't break like they used to!"

"The cellar doors are preventing any of us from using magic," Lisanna stated. "If only I had my automatic knife, I can bust the lock and get us outta here!"

"We have to keep trying! I have to go warn Laxus!" Mirajane shouted. "This is all my fault. What are we going to do?"

Meredy assured, "Don't be hard on yourself, Mira. We'll think of something."

Chelia agreed, "Yeah! You gotta stay positive!"

Outside of the cellar, Wendy and Romeo looked from the basement window and gasped when they saw Mirajane and the others trapped.

"Oh, no! Mira!" Wendy cried. "They're trapped! We gotta do something, Romeo!"

The two hopped over the cellar doors and tried to open them, but failed. As Wendy and Romeo tried thinking of ways to bust them out, a glint caught Romeo's eye in the distance. He turned to see an automatic wood-chopping machine attached to four wheels sitting atop a hill. Catching a glimpse of the axe, Romeo's eyes widened in excitement. "Oh!"

Wendy turned to Romeo, "Romeo?"

"I have an idea! C'mon!" Romeo said, and he hopped his way to the machine, with Wendy following him.

Meanwhile…

In the woods, the mob was getting closer and closer to Fairy Tail Castle, chanting about their determination to destroy the Lightning Beast.

Mob: We don't like what we don't understand
In fact, it scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least

They chopped down a tree and cut off half of it to use as a battering ram. Together, they all lifted it up and proceeded to the castle entrance.

Bring your guns, bring your knives
Save your children and your wives
We'll save our village and our lives!
We'll kill the Beast!

Meanwhile at Fairy Tail Castle…

By this point, the whole castle knew about Mirajane's departure and everyone had wallowed in self pity following the depressing news, yet they were blissfully unaware of the coming danger. At the library, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Lucy were sharing some lingering concerns.

"I knew it," Gray frowned. "I knew it was foolish to get our hopes up."

"Now things are worse than before," Lucy sniffled.

Natsu crossed his arms angrily, "Maybe it would've been better if she'd never come at all."

"Guys! Guys!" Happy cried, suddenly entering the room and catching everyone's attention. "You gotta check outside!"

Natsu gasped, "Could it be?"

"Is it she?" Erza said hopefully, before they all hurried over to the window. But it wasn't who they thought it was. Instead, they saw the angry mob carrying torches, pitchforks and other weapons, along with the large tree trunk.

"Holy meatballs!" Natsu gasped. "Invaders!"

"Intruders!" Gray exclaimed.

"But how did they get here?" Lucy asked.

Erza saw Zancrow gripping the Mirror Lacrima in his hand, "They've gotten ahold of the Mirror Lacrima!"

"Warn Master Laxus," Gray shouted, as Natsu, Lucy, Erza, and Happy quickly hurried out of the room. "If it's a fight they want, we'll be ready for 'em! Who's with me?" He then turned around and was surprised to see everyone had left and the doors were closed.

Outside the castle, the mob stood before the large doors, and the sky darkened and began to rain. Zancrow ordered his group, "Take whatever booty you can find. But remember, the Lightning Beast is mine!"

Back inside, all of the servants made their way to the main hallway door.

Servants: Hearts ablaze! Banners high!
We go marching into battle
Unafraid, although the danger's just increased!

Outside, the mob picked up the battering ram.

Mob: Raise the flag, sing the song
Here we come, we're fifty strong
And fifty people can't be wrong
Let's kill the Beast!

They rammed the door hard, while from the other side, the servants stopped in front of it, struggling to resist the continuous loud bangs.

Meanwhile, Erza had arrived at the West Wing. She faced Laxus, who wallowed in misery and stared aimlessly at the rose and its last remaining petals, and was now wearing a purple shirt, black pants, and his usual velvet cape.

"Pardon me, Master," Erza asked urgently.

"Leave me in peace," Laxus said sadly.

"But, sir!" Erza cried. "The castle is under attack!"

Outside, the mob continued ramming at the door.

Mob: Kill the Beast! Kill the Beast!

Inside, the servants were trying to barricade the door, but they were starting to fail as they were losing their footing and were gradually being worn down by the force of the battering ram.

"This isn't working!" Juvia yelled. "We can't hold on much longer!"

"C'mon, Natsu!" Lucy cried. "We gotta do something!"

Suddenly, Natsu got an idea, "Wait! I got it!"

Mob: Kill the Beast! Kill the Beast!

Back in the West Wing, Erza asked Laxus, "What should we do, Master?"

"It doesn't matter now," Laxus said grimly, ready to accept whatever fate was handed out to him. "Just let them come."

Mob: Kill the Beast! Kill the Beast! Kill the Beast!

They finally broke in.