This chapter was written very quickly. I was able to write while waiting for something XD.

Chapter 8: The Mysterious Mage

Lucy and Gray were busy observing Tsuna and Erza ever since they returned from the Magic Council. On the surface, nothing had changed for Erza whereas Tsuna was feeling restless.

They watched as Tsuna stormed over to Erza. He was mad at her and her grandfather for poking their noses on his family's affair.

"Why did you have to stop me? I need to wake that idiot up. He is just wasting our time." Tsuna demanded.

"You have no respect to your elderly. Are you going to scold my grandpa as well?" Erza sipped her tea as she responded.

"You can't stop me unless you defeat me!" Tsuna charged at her who just landed a punch on a stomach knocking him out instantly shocking everybody on scene.

"THAT'S IT?!" Lucy and Gray exclaimed in unison.

Erza stood up looking down on Tsuna in a stern expression. "This punch is for your brother. Do you realise that what you had said to Natsu had hurt his pride. Even if your intention is good for his well-being, how do you expect him to accept it? You better make sure you apologise to him the next time you see him, you hear me?"

"Yes... madam..." Tsuna could not believe that he had lost. Everybody just could not stop laughing. Lucy was loss for words. This should be expected as Tsuna was just too inexperienced.

Meanwhile, Makarov was deep in thought as he watched the two in silence. Even though they were summoned to the Council, but not much details was given to them. Just what had happened to Jellal?

Suddenly, people in the guild had fallen to the ground one by one.

"It's him." Erza thought struggling to stay awake as the mysterious mage in mask, Mystogan had passed by her approaching Makarov. She tried to listen to their conversation.

"This is not funny. If you are here, that means..." Makarov was cut off by Mystogan before he could finish. "What are both of you up to?"

Mystogan handed Makarov some thing. "These are some of the information I had found. I will continue my investigation and will return when I find him. Meanwhile, please be careful of what is to come and take care."

The mysterious mage Mystogan left as soon as he finished his business with Makarov undoing the sleep spell casted on the guild.

Lucy went on a mission with extras tagging along the next day. Apparently it was Tsuna who invited everyone along when he heard that she was going on a mission even Erza.

"I don't understand why you guys are following me for a mission I can handle alone." Lucy whined pulling her luggage hugging Plue. They were on their way back way earlier than expected as they had more people.

"Because we are the strongest team!" Happy exclaimed.

"I'm worried about my sister going out with the ice cube." Tsuna explained.

"Hey, what does it got to do with me when you are the one inviting me along?" Gray demanded. Turning to Lucy, "When are you going to clear this misunderstanding up?"

"I'm sorry, this is my fault. You may punch me." Erza who had been quiet all along spoke up suddenly. Lucy waved at her, "Erza, are you ok?"

At least all of them seemed normal to Lucy. Lucy was glad. She was worried about Erza when they heard about Jellal. Jellal was just missing, not dead. Who knows they would make up as soon as they were reunited. True feelings would reveal in times of trouble.

Lucy could understand as she had been in her shoes except that she was given another chance. Her grandpa's words etched in her mind when the news about Jellal was made known to them. Her granny was the one who granted her wish so there were reasons why she would believe his words: to treasure what was in front of her.

It was not that she did not want to inform Tsuna and Happy about her relationship with Natsu. Natsu had been avoiding this issue since he had woken up from his coma whenever she brought it up. Lucy could not do anything except to respect his decision. She would leave it to fate. She wondered how was Natsu doing now. He had not written her a single letter since he left for the Magic Council.

Her sister, Ciel could see very clearly that Natsu had lost his confidence since he was losing his magic power. Natsu obviously felt that he did not suit her. Because of that, Ciel urged her to take the initiative for the sake of their happiness.

Turning around, Lucy noticed that there were crowd pointing at them whispering to one another.

"They still don't know. Their guild is under attack." Lucy narrowed her eyes after making out their words.

The group was shocked to see that their guild was in ruin. As soon as they charged in, explosion occurred and Makarov fell from the top. He was drained of his magic power and was badly injured. Before he lost his consciousness, he advised Erza and warned against Tsuna not to be rash in their actions no matter what happened.

A figure appeared jumping down to the ground as the smoke dissipated. He was the one who attacked the guild and ambushed Makarov. Both Tsuna and Erza's eyes widened in horror. A man with blue hair with a strange tattoo over his right eye appeared in front of them. They could not believe their eyes.

The culprit was the man who disappeared days ago.

"Jellal?!"