Hey guys, another chapter before the other major arc start.

Enjoy and review.

Chapter Sixteen

Shadows of the Past

The moon hung low in the sky above the city of Magnolia. All the lights were turned on inside the houses as people entered inside from a long day of work. Seating upon the Fairy Tail guild's roof, was Harry.

The girl was watching the city that extended beside the guild. The city of Magnolia surely had changed last time she was there which was almost…two centuries ago now that she thinks about it.

Well Mavis, I had come back again, she thought, Except…last time….you didn't even recognize me as your friend…

She tightened her fist as a memory came up in her mind.

Flashback

Harry walked toward the city of Magnolia. She was still dealing with the fact that she was once a young man. She know what the Curse will do to her but even so…she had to find out on her own.

She shouldn't have forgotten about me, she thought, we've made a promise two years ago…I have made a promise that I would come back…

She reached the familiar wooden building that had become Fairy Tail. She stared toward the banner that hung in the air and couldn't help but smile as she remembered her and Mario putting it up there alone with Michelle's help and Daphne.

"It's really been two years since then," Harry murmured.

Then two familiar voices reached her ears causing her to turn around. There were Michelle and Kleve. As usual the two were arguing about something and walking with them was Mavis Vermillion herself. She seemed to be enjoying talking to the other two, after all, the trio had been a family before Fairy Tail was even created.

As they get nearer, Harry turned fully toward them and then it was at that moment that Mavis's eyes found her. Harry had expected to see her eyes widen in surprise at seeing her here, and even a spark of recognition about her familiar appearance…but they had been nothing in those green eyes that showed any familiarity.

"Wow, a new member?" Michelle said, taking her in, "Do you want to join our Guild?"

Harry can only feel shock running through her. Michelle didn't even recognize the familiar outfit she was wearing. Could the curse had really remove him from their memories?

I have to find out, she thought, I have to know…

"No, it's not that," she said, "I…I'm looking for a friend of mine, his name is Harry…I've heard he was part of this guild…"

She trailed off, waiting to see if any of them showed any sign of a spark at the name.

"Harry?" Michelle said, thinking, "Can't say I know anyone by that name in the guild…but I am not that good at remembering new members name, what do you think Mavis?"

The golden haired girl simply shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but there isn't anyone by that name in the guild," Mavis told her.

Harry stood there, the shock cursing through her heart.

No…No…

"You must have mistaken then," Kleve said, "So bye."

He walked past him and Michelle ran after him.

"You didn't have to be so rude you know," she said.

Mavis stayed there, watching Harry. She then stepped forward.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I…," Harry started, "I…It's nothing."

She walked past the young girl, feeling her eyes blurring a little. As she walked away from the guild, Harry stared at the chains on her arm. They were looking as harmless as normal chains but she knew better…

She was cursed.

And there was no escape from it.

End of Flashback

Harry shook her head as she stood up swallowing down whatever feeling she had growing within herself. She doesn't want to stay here any longer than necessary. Tomorrow, she'll speak about the Master and leave Fairy Tail behind.

She had already done so before.

That way, I won't care for them as I done for Mavis, she thought, That way, leaving this place will be easier than last time…

She pulled up her sleeve as she stared down at the white Fairy Tail mark there. It looked exactly the same as it had looked the day she had received it. Not aged and since her skin hadn't changed since then…

She jumped down from the roof, landing on the ground in a crouch.

"I didn't expect to find anyone here this late," a voice said.

Harry glanced at the voice.

An armored girl stood there, and she was also wearing a skirt. Harry recognized her from earlier today. She had long red hair, and her face was quite beautiful if not a little…scary.

"Your name is…Erza right?" Harry asked, remembering the name Makarov had addressed the girl.

"That's right," the girl called Erza said, "Erza Scarlet. I am an S-Class Mage."

Harry simply nodded.

"That level of skill you displayed today," Erza asked her, "It's nowhere near as strong your real power is, is that correct?"

Harry blinked at her.

"So you've noticed?"

"I won't be an S-Class if I couldn't," Erza told her, "I am sure, most of the S-Class even Master could see it. But still, what are you still doing out here?"

"Thinking about the past," Harry answered her, "You?"

"Merely taking a breath of fresh air," Erza told her, "Would you like to accompany me?"

Harry was going to refuse but something within her stopped the words from coming out. She had spent a number of years alone since she had left Mavis who hadn't recognized her. She had hardly talked to anyone since then except that old man she had buried at the Temple of Apocalypse…

She was craving for someone to talk to…

"Sure" she said.

Erza gave her a slight nod and the duo started to walk through the streets of Magnolia. It was a comfortable silence as the duo walked through the streets until Erza broke it.

"Harry is a strange name for a girl," she said.

The black clad girl gave her a glance.

"It's not my real name," she said, "I'm mostly wearing it out of respect for the one who taught me Crystal Magic."

"Wearing a name out of respect?" Erza repeated.

Harry raised her hand and then pinkish light started to appear on her palm until it formed a stone shaped like Crystal.

"It's a lot similar to Ice Magic," the armor mage said.

"Ice Magic is created out of Water Magic," Harry told her, "Just as Crystal Magic is created out of Earth. They are mostly different branches of magic of the main element."

"You seem to know quite a lot," Erza told her.

"I had time to kill," Harry told her as the Crystal Stone dissipated, "Erza, tell me…why is the Fairy Tail building so large. Compared to before, it used to be so small."

Erza gave her a glance.

"I'm surprised you didn't hear about it," she said, "Well, it went something like this…"

She told Harry that another guild; named Phantom Lord had damaged their guild Hall during a full straight assault, so they had to be rebuilt it.

"Of course, all of this happened seven years ago," Erza told her.

"You don't look that old," Harry said.

"Well, things got complicated," Erza told her, "We were caught in a stasis like state for seven years because of a powerful spell known as Fairy Sphere. Our sacred lands were attacked by a dragon called Acnologia."

Harry suddenly stopped drawing Erza's attention.

"What is it?"

But the girl was shocked.

"Acnologia, the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse," she said.

Erza nodded.

"That's how Master called it," she said, "You know about that dragon?"

Harry stayed silent as she mulled over thoughts.

Why Acnologia would simply appeared there…what was the reason? I know only one person that could summon that dragon…?

"Was there someone else other than Fairy Tail where you faced Acnologia?"

Now Erza raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Harry gave her a glance.

"I know that Acnologia doesn't show up anywhere without a reason," she told her.

Erza was staring at her now, fully confused.

"Without reason?" she said, "Are you saying something attracted that Dragon to Tenrou Island?"

Harry was once again surprised, "Tenrou…Island?"

"Fairy Tail's Sacred Grounds," Erza told her.

"Oh," Harry said.

"But back at the subject," Erza reminds her, "About Acnologia's appearance on Tenrou Island."

Harry sighed.

"Look, I've…studied something about dragons before," she said, "They hardly show themselves to people in the past and most of the world believes that they are a myth. A dragon doesn't show up at a place with peoples without something, or someone attracting their attention. They are highly intelligent creatures of pure magic. You shouldn't underestimate them."

"I wasn't," Erza said to her.

Harry walked toward the bridge they had reached.

"Only one man I was aware could do such feat," she said.

"One man?"

"Zeref," Harry told her.

Erza feel a chill at the name.

"The black Mage Zeref?" she said, "Isn't he long dead? I mean, it had been 400 years since he was last seen."

Harry could feel the irony of it.

"Just because he is out of sight, doesn't mean he is dead," she said.

Erza stared at her.

"Are you telling me that the Black Mage himself was on that Island on the day Acnologia showed up?"

Harry turned toward her.

"It's possible he was," she said.

"But it's been 400 years," Erza said, not able to understand how that was possible, "There is no way that anyone could live that long, black Mage or not."

I am living proof of that Erza, Harry thought, I have been alive for longer than you can even think of.

But instead she said.

"The days that Zeref had become feared as a powerful Black Mage, he was no longer considered human."

Erza stayed silent as she let out a soft sigh not saying anything else. Harry herself leaned forward looking at the water that was flowing in the canal.

"You don't have to believe me if you don't want to," she said, "I am simply mapping out my theory of possible case scenarios that could have caused Acnologia to appear."

Erza didn't say anything.

"Well, I am not saying I don't believe you," she said, "It's just…really unbelievable."

"Yeah," Harry said softly, "So it is."

The duo continued to walk, as silence fell in between them.

On a cliff that overlooked the city of Magnolia, four people stood together. They were all wearing long cloaks as they watched the city lights below them. The one in the middle spoke up.

"We have finally found you," he said, a smirk appearing on his face.

"So, this is where you've been all this time, Fifth General," a woman said, a light chuckle in her voice.

The one who spoke before said.

"Well, let's make sure that our old friend won't slip in between our fingers again," he said, "Sanath, you know what you will have to do."

The smallest one said, "Of course sir."

"I wonder how this reunion will go after such a long time apart,"

Next time: Old Friends, New enemies.

Harry`s past come to light

Jacques0 out.

R&R.