Long time no write!
First things first, I want to apologize to the people who were following this and supporting me. I don't really have an excuse for not writing. I can be a pretty lazy guy sometimes I guess.
I know this is a shorter chapter than usual but I just felt like I needed to get started again. Well, I'm back!
That is until I get distracted by something else.
Love you guys!
Johnny Valentine.

I don't know what I was expecting. To look out the window and see the Guild in flames? Encased in ice? Our friends fighting for their lives? Or worse?

Nope. The sun rose and, big surprise, Magnolia didn't suddenly turn into a warzone.

Somehow, that was worse.

After rushing to my apartment, showering and throwing on some fresh clothes, Lucy, Natsu, Happy and I made our way down the river towards Fairy Tail. I had traded my regular white coat for a black leather duster, a white shirt, black jeans and combat boots. I slid my hand into my coat and felt the sharp edges of five small stones. Lacrima. After the fiasco at the Grand Magic Games, I had taken steps to be more prepared in the future. I couldn't know when danger would show, so I had filled some Lacrima with magical energy, just enough to feed off should I need it. Lucy raised her eyebrows as I jogged down the stairs and began striding beside them.

"Very dashing Gray," she said appreciatively, "that look suits you!"

Natsu scowled.

I grinned wryly and fished a couple of Lacrima crystals from my pocket and handing one to the two mages.

"Appearances are everything, right? Take these, just in case." They did so, their expressions turning dark as we turned the corner and strode towards the gates of Fairy Tail. My heart skipped a few beats as I grasped hold of the situation. Daro was dangerous as a mage sure, but his powers were what really worried me. He could drive an accomplished mage such as myself to near suicide and not break a sweat. I was terrified about what he could do to the other guild members.

What he could do to Juvia.

"This could get messy guys. Are you ready?" I wasn't sure who I was asking, them or myself.

"Let's do it," Natsu grinned.

"Of course we are." Lucy flicked her hair over one shoulder.

"Aye!" Happy cried.

"Here goes nothing," I said, and together we entered.

Let me tell you about appearances. I chose my outfit for a reason and it wasn't just my stellar fashion sense. You see, it's a mental thing. Daro had the advantage in that category obviously, but I was planning to have every advantage possible. If I showed up looking A. Stylish and B. Confident, that would rattle Daro. Or at least, I hoped it would. The cocky bastard thought he had the upper hand and I wasn't going to let that continue.

As expected, it was business as usual at the Guild. Macao and his entourage, heckled occasionally by Cana, had already begun drinking and were engaged in a heated debate about something. Knowing them, it was perverted. Romeo and Wendy were sitting nearby with Levy. I watched for a second as she shook her head and leaned down next to Romeo, correcting something on his workbook. Ah, lessons. I also noticed Romeo going red in the face, which I couldn't help but grin at. Even funnier was Wendy's reaction, something between rage and envy. Oh youth.

"Hey, look who's back," Natsu said under his breath. I followed his gaze to the second floor and caught the rigid blonde hair and muscular outline of Laxus. The dragon slayer was staring hard at the second floor notice board. I felt tension creep in between my shoulder blades. If things came to violence and the Guild were controlled by Daro, we wouldn't stand much of a chance with Laxus throwing down as well. Hopefully it wouldn't go that far though.

Somehow, I wasn't convinced.

"Go act natural," Lucy said, "Report back if anything seems off."

"Telling me to go act natural is like being ordered to relax," I said, "It's a paradox. What do you want me to do, whistle?"

"Alright wise ass," Lucy sneered, "See you later." She made her way over to Levy, Wendy and Romeo. Natsu decided it was time to not be there and had disappeared to the second floor. I could hear him harassing a tired sounding Laxus as I made my way to the bar. Mira looked me up and down appreciatively and poured me a cup of coffee. Lots of cream. Lots of sugar. Just the way I liked it.

"Nice threads Gray," she said, sliding the steaming drink over to me. I nodded my thanks and turned to gaze at the main hall. I was looking for anything. Anything at all out of place. Granted, I had no idea what I was going to do when I found that something, but it would be a starting point. I also measured the chance of Daro showing up. I decided he probably would and promised myself that I wouldn't do anything. Starting a fight here would be the worst possible decision I could make.

Saying it to myself, I almost believed it.

I obviously looked troubled, because I was suddenly accompanied by a surly Gajeel, who scowled at me. I scowled back. It was kind of our thing.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked. I suddenly contemplated telling him. There was nothing stopping Daro from getting into his head, or Natsu's or Lucy's for that matter, but knowing the truth would lessen the chance of being manipulated. I decided not to. I needed to play my cards right for the rest of the day or my friends could be hurt.

"Nothing. Just..." I trailed off because the guild doors had just opened.

And Daro walked in.

Then something happened. It was the last thing I had expected. I should have known something was wrong as soon as I entered the guild, but naturally, I didn't. Because I'm stupid. I'm a big dumb stupid freaking idiot.

"Daro-sama!" cried a familiar voice and Juvia, who had not lunged at me that morning, raced across the guild hall towards Daro. He smiled warmly at her and dodged the flying hug she sent his way. She sidestepped and pushed herself up against him. I'd never seen her act like this before.

At least, not towards anyone else.

The most disturbing thing about all of this was the reaction of the other guild members. Or rather, lack thereof. A few grinned over at it knowingly. Several glowered in annoyance while the majority ignored it.
As if it was normal.
"What the hell?" Gajeel and I said at the same time. I looked sharply at him. He was staring at the unfolding scene with a mixture of disgust and total confusion. Then I noticed Wendy. She was also staring at Juvia with total bemusement, then glancing sharply at me.
Natsu landed beside me, hit a bar stool and swore, then scrambled to his feet. He look at me, looked at Juvia, then to Gajeel, then laughed.

"Aha! Plot Twist!"