The rune knights suddenly appeared. Gajeel angrily stalked toward the people in charge. He accused, "You guys didn't deal with these people for 3 years after I was kidnapped!" A person on the Counsel said, "To be frank, we thought it was a sensational story made up by a dark mage. We didn't think it was real." Gajeel snarled, "Why, you son of a bitch!" Gray grabbed Gajeel to keep him from killing the guy.
Gray defended, "We know the Magic Counsel disbanded Phantom Lord. They were still considered a legal guild three years ago, so your dark mage accusation is ridiculous!"
Rufus angrily stated, "So this whole situation could have been avoided, but you chose to ignore Gajeel's report from 3 years ago? Since that time, Rogue, Natsu, and our guild head Sting were all kidnapped. This cult kidnapped virginal girls so they would be tortured and murdered. In that time, they had enough influence to manipulate people in nearby villages to willingly give up to 8 young men for sacrifice a year!"
Gajeel hissed out, "Those poor bastards were painfully converted into dragon slayers, drugged to be wild, and thrown in death matches. Then they'd throw some poor virgin girl in there with the surviving wild men. I told you they raped a girl and ravaged her to death in my report. That wasn't serious enough for ya? Some of the drugs they put on them were so horrible, they were cannibalizin' each other!"
The Magic Counsel representative went pale and sweat poured down his brow. He reluctantly asked, "How long have these people been operating?" Orga said, "We've had a local young man named Ethan helping us. He told us they've been doing this ritual for 10 years."
Rogue explained, "They wanted to do something extreme for their 10 year anniversary. They targeted Lucy and Erza of Fairy Tail, Yukino of Sabertooth, and Kagura of Mermaid Heel, because this cult wanted them as virgin sacrifices. They were featured in a Sorcerer Magazine spread, which had an article where they had positive messages about going against peer pressure. The ladies in question talked in depth about being virgins."
Gray added, "We think they targeted Rogue and Sting, because they were the twin dragon slayers. I guess capturing Natsu was sheer luck. The cult fully intended to kill them all."
The Magic Counsel representative looked confused. He asked, "On our way here, we just saw some flying monsters go off with 2 girls. Were those flying monsters Natsu of Fairy Tail, and Sting of Sabertooth?" Gray nodded, reporting, "We know they were given some sort of potion that changed their traits to that of dragons. I don't know what drug they were given. You're going to have to ask the cult leader what was in it."
The representative inquired, "Drugs? Did they just do that to the dragon slayers?" Rufus stepped forward, "I was drugged by them, as well. I think it was related to scopolamine. They have a plant mage who can manipulate his plants to produce poisons. They also have a hypnotist who can alter your memories. I acted like a brainwashed fool!" Rogue butted in, "We overheard a guard tell the leader in the white cloak that they bribed a person to drug Kagura's food in her hometown. We know they drugged Erza and Lucy as well. There were multiple types of potions used. The one for capturing us felt like you were going to choke to death. Other drugs appeared to knock people out."
The representative nervously announced, "As a representative of the Magic Counsel, we will apologize for this oversight." Gajeel roared, "Oversight?! Can you apologize to a single person that's died over the past 10 years? No! Have you apologized to all the parents and family members who have lost loved ones, 'cause you couldn't be bothered to look into this?" The man looked ashamed. "We will do the best we can to make amends. I am sorry we didn't take this seriously. How did you get the people to stop their ritual?"
Loke suddenly appeared in a puff of colorful smoke in front of the representative. He greeted, "Hello, I'm Loke of Fairy Tail, also known as the Celestial Spirit Leo the Lion. I had talked with Draco, the spirit these people worship. These people were not doing anything Draco desired, so he needed to intervene. I had my master, Lucy of Fairy Tail, and Sabertooth's Celestial Mage, Yukino, call Draco into the Earth realm in front of this huge crowd. He put a stop to their fighting and made them promise to never do their ritual again."
The representative was bewildered to be speaking with a Celestial Spirit. He spoke, "I see. And what proof do I have of that?" Rufus walked forward with the projector. He handed the projector to him and answered, "I happened to record the exchange, if you would like to see." The representative nodded, and a huge projection of Draco showed up. The Magic Counsel representative was almost scared.
He stammered, "Lucy and Yukino called him up?" Loke smiled proudly and answered, "Yes, they did. I admit calling him forth is a huge drain on their magic, so they have Magic Depletion Disease right now. We thought it would be good to have Natsu and Sting escort the two ladies home, so they could rest. They can talk to you after they've recovered."
As soon as the representative went back to questioning others, Loke walked away. Gray yelled, "Hey, wait up!" Loke asked, "What's up?" Gray inquired, "Where are Lucy and Yukino in reality? We saw Natsu and Sting just pick them up and fly away from here."
Loke thought for a moment and grimaced. He admitted, "Uh, well, I can't say about Yukino, but Natsu flew Lucy back to her apartment in Magnolia. I could go see, but I don't think it would be appreciated if I bothered them for the moment."
Gray's eyebrow quirked up and asked,"And that would be because she's sleeping?" Loke replied, "Yeah, let's go with that answer."
Gray's eyes went large. He whispered, "Flame Brain and Lucy are having sex? I saw him kissing her, so I guess they're dating. It just seems weird. I got the impression they're either the best at hiding their relationship from everyone, or they just started dating and jumped into a sexual relationship. Frankly, I can't see Lucy wanting to do the second option."
Loke exhaled, "I can understand why they did it. Natsu and Sting convinced Lucy and Yukino, respectively, to mate with them. Those two guys were so scared they would do something terrible under the influence of those potions. Dragon slayer mating magic makes it so those guys cannot ever hurt their mate. I'm amazed they managed to convince the girls to do that in a dank cave."
Gray mentioned, "There was a point where we were organizing our plans for a long time after getting Kagura. I know Sting went to talk to Yukino about something. But that doesn't seem right. We were all still in there." Gray's eyes brightened in recognition. He continued, "Come to think of it, Natsu and Lucy disappeared for 20 minutes too. Eww! We were in the freaking room!"
Loki had an annoyed expression. Loke huffed, "At least you don't feel your master climaxing. Natsu really needs to calm it down a little. She's exhausted." Gray snorted and mused, "No wonder you made that disgusted face in the beginning. Do you feel Natsu inside?" Loke defended, "I can't feel it like that! It's just I feel strong emotions from my master. You have a dirty mind, Gray." Gray quipped, "It takes one to know one."
Gray mentioned, "I still can't believe Yukino and Lucy let those guys do any of that." Loke explained, "I know both of these ladies. They're actually rather uptight when it comes to that kind of stuff. I'm a ladies man, but I have to give credit to those guys. I can say I've never seduced a virgin in a cave while people are trying to kill me. Oh, and there's a little audience precariously nearby. Damn! I'm impressed. I'm going to have to figure out how to one up Natsu, now."
Gray chuckled, saying, "Only you would be impressed with those guys trying to get into Lucy's and Yukino's pants in a dangerous cave with their teammates in the room. They're lucky Erza didn't notice it. She would have killed Sting and Natsu." Loke exclaimed, "Erza was in the room, too? That's even more death-defying than I thought! I'm even more impressed they managed to get it up in the first place." They laughed together.
Gray asked, "Loke, are you really okay with this? You flirt with Lucy all the time." Loke sighed, "If I'm honest, not really. I thought I had a chance with Lucy. Sure, I saw her admiring Natsu's physique quite a few times. I know he has a lot of positive personality traits, as well. Still, I thought he wasn't even in the same league as me. Gray, in all the years we've known Natsu, has he ever said he loves Lucy or done anything perverted to her?"
Gray responded, "Well, I guess he would occasionally join the other guys in trying to stare at the women in the bath, so he could stare at Lucy. Other than that, not really. Natsu did seem a bit overprotective of her, but he can be like that for all of his friends. He didn't seem overly flirtatious around our team. Although, he would certainly tease Lucy when she got naked. He's seen her naked quite a few times."
Loke answered, "Lucky bastard! I haven't even managed to see that." Gray replied, "It's a wonderful sight. " Loke incredulously replied, "I guess you're lucky, too." Gray grinned back.
They observed the Rune Knights replaying the Draco projection on the wall. Gray noted, "It was funny seeing Draco teasing the two girls about dating dragon slayers." Loke rolled his eyes. He pouted, "It's frustrating when your fellow spirit encourages your rival."
Gray responded, "Of course! Draco likely saw Natsu as a fellow dragon. He even had horns, wings, and a tail! It's like seeing the dragon win the princess over the knight." Loke smiled softly, stating, "I can see that. Still, this loyal lion knight will occasionally have to keep the dragon in check, so the princess is happy." Gray and Loke chuckled together.
Fairy Tail's and Sabertooth's extra rescue teams arrived. Levy observed the situation. She realized, "I guess we came for nothing." Rufus walked up to her. He said, "You're Levy of Fairy Tail, correct? I'm Rufus of Sabertooth. We may have finished the fighting, but I suspect your expertise will be needed."
A Magic Counsel mage greeted, "Long time no see, Levy. I agree with Rufus. We need someone to translate their religious book. We also would like your partner Droy to give input on the plants involved in this case. Maybe Rufus and you can also look into the chemical composition of the drugs involved." Levy replied, "Sure! We'll see what we can do."
The representative inquired, "When can we see Natsu and Lucy of Fairy Tail, and Yukino and Sting of Sabertooth? We still need their statements." Rogue walked up to the representative. He informed the man, "Regrettably, you won't be able to get their statement for a few days. Trust me; it's a dragon slayer thing." The representative looked annoyed, affirming, "Fine. I shall go visit them in a few day when we have some free time. We have a lot more questioning to do. Why don't you introduce us to the men who were forcefully changed into dragon slayers by lacrima?"
Seven men came forward. Kai asked, "What are you going to do with us? Or more specifically me?" The representative smiled gently and stated, "We are aware you were not in control when you killed your friend. Unfortunately, Kai, we do need to charge you for involuntary manslaughter. I suspect you won't have a very serious ruling. You will need counseling for post traumatic stress disorder. I'm so sorry about what you went through. I am very happy Gajeel of Fairy Tail convinced you men not to throw your lives away. All of you will register as new mages. I would like for you to look into all of the guilds. It would benefit you all to train with your new powers."
Kai decisively announced, "I'm giving myself up." Rogue ran forward, yelling, "Wait!" Rogue looked at the Rune Knights: "Just give me a minute to talk with this guy." They walked over to a clearing. Rogue said, "I know you feel like crap right now. I know they plan on charging you, but I guarantee it's more like house arrest stuff. You had no intent and were drugged. I would like to visit you. Is that okay?"
Kai nodded. He looked distressed, saying, "Yeah, you can visit me. I think I'll probably be in jail." Rogue asked, "Would you be open to letting me teach you shadow magic?" Kai answered, "I don't know." He looked down in contemplation. Rogue asked, "You okay?" Kai responded, "I never thought giving my soul up for Draco would be like that. A fight to the death, like a tournament? What the hell?! Those people...enjoyed our suffering. I know when I bled, they cheered louder. I must be an unlikable prick."
Rogue put his hand on Kai's shoulder. "Kai, you're not unlikable. I've done some shitty stuff in the past, too. I once took pride in assisting in my own ill dragon father's death. Guess what? My own dragon hid his soul in me and manipulated my memory to make me think I killed him. When I saw Skiadrum, my dragon father, reappear, I was relieved to see him. I stupidly bragged about killing my majestic dragon father in the past. There is nothing honorable about murder."
Kai wondered, "Did you ever kill anyone?" Rogue shook his head no, continuing, "But I might as well have. You know that white haired girl that was with us? She lost in a battle in the Grand Magic Games a couple years ago. Our former guild head made her strip in front of everyone and take her guild mark off with her own magic. She had nowhere to go."
Kai asked, "What did you do?" Rogue scoffed, "Jack shit. We used to do that to other mages who had a minor setback. Even her mate now realizes he was a dick, saying comments like 'We don't need weaklings on our team.' Well, that so-called weakling saved Natsu, Sting, and me multiple times. She's ridiculously strong...and smart. I think I've got a new appreciation for gravity."
Kai blurted, "She rescued you?" Rogue said, "Yeah. Those cages and cuffs we were in depleted our magic. We couldn't use our magic to break out. She got her spirit to destroy the cage locks, picked the locks of our cuffs with her hairpins, and ordered our exceeds to fly us up to a ledge. Later, we were blocked by about 20 guards in a flooded tunnel. When those guys followed us, she used her spirit Libra to put our environment in zero gravity. Have you seen water in zero gravity?" Kai shook his head no.
Rogue continued, "The water violently flies up into an enormous bubble. Those guards floated up with the water. I think many of those guys came close to drowning. She grabbed all of us and walked right past the bubble. I only knew those people survived when I heard coughing after she released the bubble. That was the moment I realized that sweet, kindhearted teammate could be terrifying. She also summoned Draco with the blonde girl." Kai gasped, "That cute girl did all that? I'm surprised she was seen as weak!"
Rogue responded, "Yeah. Things changed in our guild after Sting took over as the guild head. We actually appreciate our members now. I am so glad Sting fought to get her back to Sabertooth. Incidentally, when you get done with all this legal stuff, I want to ask you to join Sabertooth. I would at least like to make you my apprentice." Kai smiled. He softly uttered, "I would like that."
Kai and Rogue walked back to the Rune Knights. Kai announced, "I'm willingly giving myself up." The Rune Knight replied, "To be honest, you really didn't have to do this for a while." Kai responded, "I just want to get this part of my life past me. I want to have a future." Rogue stated, "Alright, Kai. I will be coming back to visit you next week." Kai said, "I'll see you." Then he walked into the Rune Knights wagon.