Down in a darkened area with a large table sat four characters. All four of them were in dark clothing. One had yellow linings, another in blue linings, one had green linings, and the one at the end had purple.

"Our time draws near." The one on the end said and he sounded like an old man. "The time for darkness to rise and our lords to take control of this world."

"So what are we waiting for?"

"Patience. There's still the threat of the dragons."

"It is time for those endangered species to become erased from this world and vanish into the wind."

"Not yet. We must gather a few more recruits, but our time is at hand."

…

Natsu

Ever since Ultear called for Natsu and the others, she said that she held the answers they were looking for about their marks. All four of them were placed in a fancy car with Ultear and they were being driven away. All of them were a little anxious about where they were going.

"This is nuts. We're not even in Magnolia anymore." Gajeel said.

"Where are we going exactly?" Wendy said.

"There's no reason for any of you to be worked up." Ultear said. "We're simply heading towards the home of my boss."

"You sure this jelly guy has answers for us." Natsu said.

"Yes and his name is Jellal." Ultear said. What none of them were aware of what was in the trunk of the car was Lucy, Gray, and Erza with it being a hard ride for them.

"This is ridiculous. Why are we riding back here?" Gray said.

"Don't ask me. This is Erza's idea." Lucy said.

"I don't' remember asking you two to come along." Erza said. "It's just that I have to do this."

…

Flashback

"Hold on. Are you serious?" Natsu said after just being told that they can find answers about their marks. "How?"

"Here." Ultear said as she handed them her card. "I represent a powerful man named Jellal Fernandes." Hearing that name spark something inside Erza. "He would very much like to see you, Natsu Dragneel, Gajeel Redfox, Wendy Marvell, and Laxus Dreyar."

"How do you know our names?" Laxus said.

"Excuse me, but did you say Jellal Fernandes." Erza said. "I would very much appreciate it if you take me to see him."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that." Ultear said as she pushed her with Lucy and Gray away. "He only asked for these four. The three of you must go."

"I see." Erza said as she walked away with Lucy and Gray following. When she saw no one was looking, she opened up the trunk of the car and got inside.

"Erza!" Lucy said.

"What are you two doing?" Gray said.

"I have to see him." Erza said. The two tried to talk her out of it, but they saw the others were about to come, the two of them jumped inside.

End of Flashback

….

"Erza, why is this such a big deal?" Gray asked, but Erza refused to answer. The car drove up to a fabulous mansion. The gates opened up and the car pulled up with Jellal and Meldy waiting for them. The car opened up with all five of them stepping out.

"Welcome." Jellal said as he shook each of their hands. "My name is Jellal. It's a pleasure to meet each one of you. You've already met Ultear who is my assistant and this is Meldy, my secretary."

"So what's this all about? Do you really know what these marks on our arms are?" Natsu asked.

"Yes, actually, but this is of great importance." Jellal said. "Let us talk about this inside. I would like to show each of you something." Before any of them could do anything, they all heard some sort of noise.

"Gray, watch your hands!" Lucy said.

"There's barely any room in here." Gray said.

"Quiet." Erza said.

"I think we have a few stowaways." Meldy said. She opened up the trunk and all three of them fell out….or rather the girls fell on Gray.

"I thought I told you three you couldn't come." Ultear said.

"You mean…this isn't the mall?" Lucy lied to try and avoid trouble, but she knew that was bad.

"Get off." Gray said. Jellal looked and spotted Erza.

"Erza, is that you?" Jellal asked. Erza spotted him and stood up.

"Hello, Jellal." Erza said.

"Hold up. You two know each other?" Lucy said.

"Yes. We're old friends back when we were children." Erza said. "When I heard your name, I felt like I had to come over and see you."

"I'm actually glad you did." Jellal said. "Ultear, it's fine that they are here. From what I heard, Erza is a good friend of Natsu and Wendy as well."

"Jellal,we really should get down to business." Meldy said.

"You're right." Jellal said. "All of you come with me. You'll find the truth inside." Wanting those answers, everyone followed Jellal inside his mansion. "Let me be clear about something. I happen to be 542nd direct descendent to a royal king."

"You royalty?! So you're a prince or something?" Gajeel said.

"That's right. I'm telling you that because my ancestor had a role in what I'm about to tell you." Jellal said as he led them all to an elevator. He opened a hidden number keyboard and input a code. The elevator opened up and all of them stepped inside and headed straight down.

"Whoever's hand that is better move it." Lucy said.

"Lucy, that's your own hand." Laxus said. The elevator opened up and were inside a pathway.

"Where is he taking us?" Gray said.

"Just trust him, Gray. Jellal might be a little mysterious, but he's a good man." Erza said.

"Erza, was this guy your boyfriend or something?" Lucy asked and it seemed like Erza's body almost went stiff.

"No! Of course not!" Erza said.

"Then why is your face turning as red as your hair?" Lucy taunted, but the look Erza gave her got her to shut up. Jellal led them all to a large doorway.

"Behind this doorway lies all your answers…as well as your legacy." Jellal said. He opened the door and all of them saw something unbelievable. The area looked like the night sky with a dragon designed archway and behind it lied a giant staircase.

"What is this?" Natsu said. It was then that all of their marks started to glow and all of them could feel some sort of energy coming from them.

"What you're looking at is the Dragon Stairway." Jellal said.

"Dragon Stairway?" Laxus questioned.

"It's an ancient staircase designed by a tribe over thousands of years ago that is now considered extinct." Ultear said.

"What I'm about to tell you all is a story that involves a battle as old as time." Jellal said. "A battle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. Long ago, a great evil from the underworld once sought out to control our world and destroy all of humanity."

"Great evil? Underworld? This is all obviously some sort of joke." Gray said.

"It's no joke. You be wise to hear this." Meldy said.

"Yes. This darkness spread across the land where souls were lost and many people have suffered." Jellal said. "In order to vanquish this darkness, my ancestor and his people seek guidance from the stars and their prayers were answered. What arrived was the rainbow dragon: Quataru."

"Rainbow dragon?!" All of them said as they remembered the dragon they all saw the other night.

"That's right. The dragon you all saw that night is the very same dragon." Ultear said.

"Quataru fought back this evil and helped save the world." Jellal said. "In order to do so, he brought to life seven mystic and powerful dragons."

"Wait just a minute. This story you're telling us doesn't explain what any of this has to do with us." Gajeel said. "Would you get to the point already before I leave?"

"Stop interrupting and you'll get your answers." Meldy said.

"You see, Quatarur lent his power to us humans for the dragons were stronger knowing they had a human alliance." Jellal said. "Sort of like how you all use your duel monsters in your duels. The dragons chose their human partners and they were all branded with marks of the dragon. The same marks the four of you have."

"These things?" Natsu questioned as they all looked at their marks.

"That's right." Jellal said. "The dragons were victorious in their battle and sealed the darkness away. As thanks for aiding them in their time of need, the people created the Dragon Stairway for if the time came that they need the dragon's power again, they could seek its guidance. However, though the darkness was sealed away, it wasn't lost forever. Knowing that the darkness would once again return, the dragons continued to give their power to people. Those with the marks are the chosen ones."

"You mean us?" Laxus said.

"Why us? We don't even know what these dragons are." Wendy said.

"You do. You four are actually holding them in your decks." Ultear said.

"Our decks?" Natsu said. "Do you mean my Igneel?"

"Yes. So are Metalicana, Heavledge, and Grandine." Jellal said. "Those are four of the seven dragons that fought alongside Quataru. It wasn't by chance that all of you have those dragons. It was fate. For you see, the darkness is returning once again and you all are meant to stop it."

"Is he saying Natsu and the others are meant to save the world?" Lucy asked.

"Come on. Joke's over and it's not funny." Gray said as a few of them were still thinking this wasn't true at all. Erza on the other hand was leaning towards it.

"Jellal, are you serious?" Erza said.

"There's no way any of this is true." Laxus said.

"I understand that this is a lot to take in and hard for all of you to believe, but everything I am telling you is true." Jellal said.

"Hang on for a minute. Does this mean that Cobra guy is one of us too?" Natsu said.

"What's that? Are you saying you saw the fifth, Natsu?" Jellal said.

"Yeah. He had a purple mark on his arm like the rest of us and he did had a dragon on him." Natsu said.

"I see." Jellal said. "If there are already five of you found out, that's good."

"There must be some mistake. I'm no superhero or anything like that." Wendy said. "I get too nervous to actually duel right."

"There is no mistake." Jellal said. "The dragons are lending their power to all of you. Each of you were chosen to face the threat that is to come."

"So let me see if I have this alright." Laxus said. "An evil from thousands of years ago is seeking to destroy our world and our dragon cards, that apparently existed around the same time, are saying we have to be the ones to save it?"

"That pretty much sums it up." Meldy said.

"So we're meant to save the world." Natsu said.

"I know this is not something all of you asked for. I know this is all sudden, but the world needs you. If Quataru has revealed himself, that means the darkness is starting to return." Jellal said. "You are the chosen ones. You are the dragons. If this Cobra truly holds the same mark and one of the dragons, you must convince him to join us." They all sought out answers to what the marks were and they found them, but it was nothing like what they were expecting. All of a sudden they're being told that they need to save the world from some coming darkness. Now they all have a new question. Are they ready for what is about to come.

…

Levy

It became dark outside and Levy was out on her own. She was on her way home, but she still seemed really upset with what Gajeel said to her. All she wanted was to get close to him and help him if needed it. He didn't need to be a jerk about it. Levy kept walking, but stopped when she felt she was being followed. She looked back and saw two cloaked figures.

"So is she the one we're after?"

"It is our leader said."

"What's going on?" Levy asked as she was backing away.

"Such a small flower she is." She looked behind her and saw there was another. "Wondering down a path that is bound to have her end up in a world of darkness."

"Who are you people? What do you want?" Levy asked.

"There's no reason to be afraid." Levy looked behind the third one and saw the leader of this group came out from the shadows. "There's no reason to be afraid. We just like it if you came with us." Levy had no idea what was going on, but she could tell that it wasn't going to be good.