Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

Hello friends! It's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry about that :( I hate that work has demanded so much of my time. But I feel like I've FINALLY found a good balance that works for me.

So with my other story reaching its end (about two more chapters to go probably), I think that this story will be my ONLY focus for a long time (it's hard to balance two stories; go figure). That will step up update time even more, which is good!

Anyway, this chapter took some time to figure out a sequence of events that made sense, but I really like how it turned out! Let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Read at your own risk. There's still original stuff in here, but if you haven't gotten to this point in the anime/manga, then some things may be ruined for you. I advise catching up to the anime/manga if you haven't already (for more reasons than just reading my story)! Thank you and enjoy!

Fairy Tail—The Master and the Dragon

Chapter 92

Inside one of the towers in Zentopia's main building was a small meeting hall. There were rows of arced desks positioned on rising platforms and tall chairs for seating. The entire back of the room was supported by pillars and there were no windows so the strong, high altitude winds blew in.

Seated in this room were priests of the Zentopian church. They were muttering to themselves as Cardinal Lapointe looked out at the clouds.

"There isn't a moment to waste. News of the Archbishop's madness is beginning to spread," one of the priests said.

"We must elect the next archbishop quickly and hold the inauguration," another said.

"Silence!" Lapointe demanded as he spun around. "Now more than ever, with Zentopia's secrets being exposed, you must realize that the Archbishop's personality will be the only support for the confused, powerless lambs."

Lapointe could hear uncertainty in the soft mutters of the priests. He clicked his tongue quietly and turned back around. 'Imbeciles. Replacing the Archbishop at this time would change nothing.' He smirked. 'The end is in our grasp.'


Mest groaned and scratched the back of his head. He was in one of the many Fiore libraries with Lahar, who was currently leafing through several books.

He had been transporting him from place to place and it was always the same; Lahar would gather books that he was looking for, read through them, and then nod silently to him. Then he would take him to the next place and start the process all over. However, after doing the same thing over and over, he was beginning to get a little restless. Still, after Lahar explained everything to him, he knew the importance of gathering as much information as possible.

"Geez. You're gonna make me drunk without having to drink," Mest said. "So did you find out anything?"

Lahar closed the book he was reading. "Things are starting to make sense. The pieces are fitting together, but there are still some gaps that need filling." He turned to his friend and smiled. "It's all thanks to your help, Dor…I mean, Mest."

Mest sighed and put his hand on Lahar's shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. Where to next?"

Lahar hummed. "I think I've gathered all I can from texts. I want to check a certain church." He reached down and picked up another book. He swiftly flipped through the pages and stopped at a map. He pointed to a specific spot. "Do you think you can take us there?"

Mest looked at the map and nodded. The two instantly teleported out of the room, allowing the book to fall to the floor.

The two stopped a few miles outside of the desired location. Mest's ability had never allowed him to go vast distances all at once, but he was even rustier after having not used his ability for so long. Now he was using his ability repeatedly and it was taxing. He took a deep breath.

Lahar spoke while Mest rested. "The new Oración Séis is responsible for the serial destruction of all the churches. In some of the churches they attacked, there were signs that someone had been taking shelter there."

Mest used his magic again and this time, they ended up right where Lahar had pointed on the map; directly in front of an abandoned, broken church building. He let his hand slide off of Lahar's shoulder. He wiped sweat from his brow while remembering the attack victims that Lahar had shown him and the state that they were in. "Those victims…there's no record of them in any of Zentopia's documents, right?"

Lahar began walking through the old church grounds. "At first, I thought they were corpses, but…"

"But they're not dead," Mest interrupted as he followed. "I could sense faint biological activity coming from them."

Lahar nodded. "It must be some kind of suspended animation. It's almost like…," he paused and shook his head. "No, never mind. Anyway, the Zentopia headquarters and the underground organization that exists among some of the local parishes are directly connected to those that were being secretly harbored."

"And we need to find the identity of the targets, right?" Mest guessed.

Lahar made his way to a set of stairs along the side of the main building. He could see a doorway at the top and assumed it led inside. He began to climb the steps. The boards creaked with even the smallest amount of weight. "Exactly. If we can discover who they are then we can determine the true motives of the new Oración Séis."

The two reached the top and opened the door. It squeaked and groaned loudly. After stepping inside, they discovered that they weren't alone.

Staring up at them with wide brown eyes was a young girl with short, dark blue hair. She was sitting at an old, simple table with a small green animal-like creature, but quickly leapt up with a gasp when it registered that she didn't recognize the two men. "Who are you?" she demanded.

Mest wasn't sure what exactly the strange green creature was, but he knew for sure that it was a Celestial Spirit, so he posed a question of his own instead of answering the young girl's question. "Are you a Celestial Wizard?" The girl remained silent as if she were afraid to answer. Mest looked closely at the girl when he realized that she looked familiar. He staggered backwards. "W…Wendy?"

The girl turned on her heel and ran away. "Nico!" she cried. The small green creature grunted softly and hopped off of the table to follow her.

Mest grabbed onto Lahar's shoulder and teleported them both directly in front of her. Lahar reached out and grabbed onto the girl's arm. "Wait a moment!" he pleaded.

The girl tried with all her might to yank her arm free. "Let go of me!"

"Please, just calm down! My name is Lahar. I'm the Captain of the Enforcement and Detention Corps of the Magic Council. This is my comrade, Mest."

The girl stopped struggling. "The Magic Council?" she breathed.

Lahar nodded. "I'm here for an investigation."

Mest stared intently at the young girl who was listening to Lahar's explanation. He couldn't stop seeing Wendy in this girl. They looked so much alike. 'It's been seven years. She would probably look like this now. If only she had lived…'

"Would you mind if I asked a favor?" Lahar said. The young girl nodded. "If you truly are a Celestial Wizard, do you have a Spirit who could keep watch? What we have to talk about is not for public ears."

The girl nodded again and took out a gate key. "OPEN! GATE OF THE CHISEL! CAELUM!" In a flash of light, a metal, silver ball appeared. It glowed red and opened into a floating sentry turret. "Please keep watch." Caelum silently began to float around the room.

The young girl put the key away and shyly looked at Mest out of the corner of her eye. "Ummm…is there something that you wanted to say?"

Mest snapped out of his thoughts. "Huh?"

The girl fidgeted slightly. "You've been staring at me. Is it because I'm a Celestial Wizard? Is that strange?"

Mest shook his head. "No, sorry. I didn't mean to stare. It's just that you…sorry, what was your name?"

"My name is Katja," she answered.

"Katja. You remind me of someone I used to know. That's why I was staring. I'm sorry."

"I remind you of someone?"

Mest nodded. "Yes, a young girl. She died seven years ago." He looked away. "If I had done things differently back then, maybe she would still be alive."

Katja smiled softly. "I'm a little envious." She bent down and scooped Nico into her arms. "Even though she died years ago, you still care so much about her. I don't have anyone like that." She shook her head. "Even if I did, 100 years is…" She paused to look at Mest. She was surprised to see a befuddled look on his face. Perhaps what she was saying was strange in some way. "I'd given up. One church after another was attacked and most of my friends had passed on."

"What do you mean by 'given up'?" Lahar asked.

Her smile faded. "I'd given up on living now."

"Now?" Mest repeated, curious by her choice of words.

Katja continued. "So I thought I'd at least remember even a little of this age's landscape."

Mest clenched his fist. "It's okay. We'll…we'll…" He wanted so badly to say that they'd protect her, but he couldn't believe his own words.

"Tell me," Lahar interrupted. "Are you the one who's been given shelter by this church?"

Katja nodded. "Yes."

"Who are you?" Lahar asked softly.

Katja turned to him, prepared to answer, but it was then that Caelum raced in front of the three and sounded an alarm. A green laser shot from its turret, blasting the back wall of the church. Rubble fell to the ground.

However, a split second later a streak of light ripped through Caelum. The spirit broke apart and vanished in a flash of light.

"Caelum!" Katja cried as she began to run to where her spirit fell.

"What the hell was that?" Lahar demanded.

"Katja! Behind you!" Mest cried as he ran to the girl.

As if appearing from nowhere, Racer appeared perched on the wall. A glowing, crimson red crystal kunai blade with a base of red crystal shards was gripped in his hand. "I found you," he chuckled darkly. He leapt at the girl and swung his blade, but Katja was suddenly gone.

Mest appeared on the old wooden staircase, having teleported with Katja in his arms. "Hold on!" he shouted as he teleported again before Racer's next attack could land. A split second after he teleported, the staircase broke apart as a streak of light struck it.

"Be careful, Mest!" Lahar shouted at the wind. He was struggling to follow his friend or the streak of light with the speed in which they were moving. "He's…!"

Mest crashed into one of the tables, Katja still in his arms. He slid across the top. "Yeah I know!" he growled, staring down Racer across the room. "He's Racer, one of the members of the new Oración Séis!"

Racer smiled from his spot on the ceiling. "Destroy the vessel." He lunged forward again.

Mest was able to teleport away at the last moment. "Bastard!"

"You're very quick," Racer said.

Mest grit his teeth. He knew that he could barely avoid Racer's attacks. Sooner or later Katja would get harmed and he wasn't about to let that happen. He put the girl down and stepped in front of her. "Lahar! Get her out of here!"

"Understood," Lahar said quickly.

"But I…," Katja began.

"I said get the hell out of here!" Mest snapped. He didn't turn to look at her. He couldn't afford to. Racer could vanish any second.

"Mest," Katja breathed.

"There's nothing to worry about. Mest can handle this," Lahar said comfortingly. "He may not look like much, but he's quite skilled. Moreover, deep inside he has a passion for justice."

Katja clasped her hands in front of her. "Mest…thank you!"

Mest chuckled. "I've thrown away a lot, but at least I didn't throw away my humanity like you did," he called out to Racer.

Racer slowly walked over on all fours. "Destroy…"

"Alright you monster. Let's have a showdown to see who's faster!"

The two disappeared. Blurs dashed from place to place, colliding every once in a while. With Racer currently distracted, Katja and Lahar ran out of the church building.

Racer managed to grab hold of the constantly moving Mest's shirt and pushed him through the fragile stone wall and outside of the building. They were now inside of an empty, overgrown courtyard. Mest pushed himself free and the two continued their battle. They dashed about, attempting to land blows to each other.

However, Mest's rusty fighting style was no match for Racer's speed and evasiveness. Racer landed a blow that struck Mest in the chest. He flew back into the roof of a gazebo in the center of the courtyard. Racer stopped on top of one of the church roofs.

"Shit…he's really fast," Mest groaned, pushing himself off of the roof. He slid down to the ground below. "But this ain't over!"

Racer laughed at Mest's comment.

"DIRECT LINE!" Mest cried, instantly disappearing. Racer followed suit as soon as Mest vanished. From inside of his Direct Line, Mest analyzed the situation. 'This guy moves so fast that it's easy to be fooled, but most likely he runs in a simple zigzag pattern. If my guess is right, then using my Direct Line's simple straight pattern to surround him will let me…'

Mest's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden presence he felt behind him.

Racer had somehow gotten behind him.

"I can see your movements," Racer mocked. He swung his leg, kicking Mest into a short stone stairway before disappearing again.

Mest's whole body was screaming from his injuries. His muscles and movements were too out of shape to keep up with Racer. "Damn it. Those seven years of doing nothing but drinking are really kicking my ass."

Racer reappeared on top of the gazebo. "Am I too fast? My apologies." He chuckled. "No one can catch up to me." The red lines on his full body suit began to glow.

Ignoring all pleas from his body to stay down, Mest pulled himself to his feet. He was panting heavily, racking his brain for an answer of how he could beat Racer. 'I have to protect her. I can't be beaten here!'


After running for a long time, Katja and Lahar stopped in front of a tall, thick, solitary tree on a hill. The green, yellow, and red leaves were still very bright even in the twilight sky.

"Will you explain now?" Lahar asked after the two had caught their breath. They had ran quite some distance without stopping, so he wanted to make sure the girl had some time to rest before looking for answers. "You know what the new Oración Séis is after, don't you?"

Katja looked at the large tree and nodded. "Yes. What the new Oración Séis is after is the destruction of regional churches and the Anti-Link."

"Anti-Link?"

"Ever since the formation of Zentopia, there's been a secret underground organization operating from within," Katja explained. "We, the Neville Celestial Wizards, have been sheltered by them."

"Neville?" Lahar repeated. "Isn't he the Celestial Wizard who also wrote Key of the Starry Heavens?"

"We're the descendants of Will Neville's disciples," Katja answered. "And at the same time, there's also a biological link to a certain…something."

"What? What do you mean?"

Katja turned towards Lahar. "As long as we live, we have to protect it," she continued on. She smiled sadly. Suddenly, strange markings appeared all over Katja's body. They glowed white and then faded to solid black. They appeared like block-shaped circuits. "These markings testify to that. But while we have to protect it, they double as an abominable curse." The markings faded as Katja closed her eyes.

"What is it you're protecting though?" Lahar asked. "The victims up to now are neither dead nor alive. What in the world happened to them?"

Katja opened her mouth to respond when suddenly, Mest appeared on the hillside. She turned towards him. His body was badly beaten. "Mest!"

Mest looked up at her, his entire body shaking. "You need…to run…Wen…dy," he rasped. As the last word left his lips, he fell forward.

And once his body had toppled forward, both Lahar and Katja could see that Racer was behind him. The man's bodysuit was glowing red. He chuckled darkly.

"Bastard!" Lahar shouted as he charged Racer.

Racer shot forward, landing a kick to Lahar's face. Once the man had been hit, Racer appeared in an instant in front of Katja. He grabbed the girl's face and held her in the air against the tree trunk. Nico tried to save her, but he was easily batted away.

Racer held up the red crystal blade. The crystals glowed brightly. "I'm going to activate the Anti-Link amplitude limiter." He brought the blade up to Katja's neck.

Katja stared at the blade, her body trembling. 'This is the end for me,' she thought to herself, accepting her fate. She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for whatever came.

Racer drew back and swung the blade down.

Before the blade could reach Katja, Mest teleported in between the two. The blade plunged into Mest's chest. The second it entered his body, bright red rays of light illuminated the entire area.

Mest could feel a strange power coursing through his body. It was numbing, but there wasn't any pain. His legs feeling weak, he fell back onto the grass.

The light faded and Mest looked at his hand.

"What happened?" Lahar asked, running over to his partner.

"Nothing," Mest said in disbelief. He was stabbed by that strange weapon, it clearly activated, but nothing happened to him. He turned behind him looking for Katja, only to see her lying on the ground. Her eyes were closed and thick, black markings covered her entire body. However, the markings were beginning to break apart and float off of her body like particles of dust. "Katja! Hey, answer me!"

Racer sat back, watching Mest and Lahar hovering over his target. He laughed evilly. "The Anti-Link is complete. Mission success." And then he disappeared without a trace.

Mest lifted Katja gently into a sitting position, supporting her with his arm. "Please, open your eyes!"

Katja's eyelids fluttered open. A soft groan escaped her lips. She looked up at Mest's blurry face. "M…Mest?"

Mest released a heavy breath. "Thank God. You're okay?"

Katja shook her head. "Forget about me. I'm more concerned about you," she said softly. "You were the one fighting."

"Don't worry about me. I'm honestly not sure what the hell happened, but I'm fine."

"The Anti-Link," she explained. "It was activated. Once it was, the biological link was severed." She lifted her hand with confusion. "At least, that's what I think happened. But I'm not cursed like I should be."

"That may be true," Lahar spoke up, "but at the same time, it would appear that your magic has disappeared."

Katja was confused by Lahar's comment, but once she noticed that he was looking elsewhere and not at her, she turned to look. She gasped. Nico was disappearing, a smile on his face as he waved. Tears swelled up in Katja's eyes, but she tried to smile regardless. "Nico, thank you for everything! Tell that to everyone else, too!"

Nico grunted softly and nodded.

"That's right," Katja said sadly, wiping away tears. "It won't be 100 years from now. But I'm sure that we'll meet again someday."

"You can understand him?" Mest asked.

"Yes. I couldn't pick up all of it, but he wanted to say thank you to you too," Katja said. "He also said 'get your paws off of her'."

Mest looked down to where his hand was still on Katja's shoulder. With a yelp and a blush, Mest tore his hand away. "S…Sorry!"

"You're no longer a Celestial Wizard," Lahar said.

Mest bowed his head. "I'm really sorry."

Katja looked at him. "Mest? Why are you apologizing?"

Mest refused to look at her. "In the end, I couldn't protect you."

Katja smiled at him and stood up. "No, you did protect me. You saved me from a terrible curse. Now I can live thanks to no one but you. Thank you."

Mest looked up at her in disbelief. Had he really saved her? Had he managed to protect her, unlike Wendy who he had abandoned? His lips began to quiver. He hung his head and squeezed his eyes shut. The tears that he had held back were beginning to come forth like rushing water. "I…I…"

"You need to live for the present, too," Lahar said. "Letting yourself be forever trapped by the past only leads to missing opportunities that could teach you important things, Mest."

Mest wiped his face of tears and stood up. "Huh? What the hell are you talking about?" His face was completely serious. "My name's not Mest. It's Doranbolt."

Katja and Lahar both smiled at him. For Lahar, he felt relief. 'That's right, Doranbolt. Break loose from the past and learn with your own eyes and ears that the people you thought you failed are safe. That's the beginning of your new path.'

Lahar's smile faded as he reached into his cloak. He pulled out a communications lacrima and activated it with his magic.

"What's that for?" Doranbolt asked.

"We may have saved Katja from an ugly fate, but our mission is not done," he replied. "We must tell the Council what we've learned here."


At the Magic Council, the Rune Knights received Lahar's message and spread the word.

"Important message from the Detention Corps! The new Oración Séis's aim is not just the destruction of churches! They're after Celestial Wizards who are being sheltered there! Our top priority is finding them first and protecting them! Move out!"


"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up, Laki!" Warren screamed through Cana's communication card. It was given to Laki and Gildarts in case they needed to communicate with the guild. "What do you mean by what you just said?"

Laki looked at Gildarts. They had left the strange building and its zombie-like wood doll guards behind. Gildarts was carrying the unconscious Michelle Lobster in his arms. A bed sheet was wrapped around her to keep her warm since all she had on were thin bandages. "The Michelle who we've known may not be an imposter for sure, but it's highly probable. We've got the real Michelle Lobster right here with us."

"Understood! I'll pass that along to Master and Lucy!"

"We're going to take this girl to a nearby hospital to get treated properly," Laki added. The card went silent and Laki put it back in her pocket. "I'm done filling everyone in."

"Good," Gildarts said. "I don't want to keep this poor girl waiting any longer. Let's get moving."

"Just watch where you're putting your hands. Pervert."

"Is now really the time for this?!"


Warren let his hand fall from his head. "What the hell is going on?"

Everyone who was left behind in the guild was standing around Warren. They were shocked by the news, to say the least.

"What does this mean?" Bisca asked.

"We can worry about that later. Right now we've got to contact Natsu and the others and let them know!" Alzack said. He turned to Cana. "Do they have long-distance communication cards, too?"

Cana nodded. "Yup. I made sure that every team had one just in case. I believe Elfman has it for Natsu's team."

"Terrible news!" Vijeeter cried as he ran into the guild. Normally he was dancing about, but he was too distracted at the moment. "I just heard that Oración Séis's Six Generals are attacking Kardia Cathedral!"

"This is bad," Warren said. "We don't have anyone over there."

"Bisca and I will head over," Alzack offered.

"Right," Bisca agreed. "Please keep an eye on Asuka for us." She and Alzack ran off as fast as they could out of the guild and towards Kardia Cathedral.

Warren put his hand back up to his head. "Natsu! Lucy! Elfman! Listen carefully! Michelle is an imposter! You need to be careful!" He waited for a response, but none came. "Hey! Can you hear me? Somebody please answer!"

But no answer would come.


Deep beneath Kardia Cathedral was a tomb. It wasn't anything unusual; it was where some churches buried the deceased. Hundreds of coffins rested on small rock ledges along a winding path carved out of the stone ground. There were many different levels of ledges so it seemed like a congress of coffins. Candles were set up in groups by the hundreds all over the ground, brightly illuminating the area. Brass statues of horse heads stood watch.

Maneuvering this path was Midnight. He was searching for a particular person's remains, and said person's remains could only be found at Kardia Cathedral.

He stopped in front of one of the coffins in the farthest space at ground level. "I found you, Will Neville. You did pretty well, sleeping for eternity in this moldy underground lair." A smile crept on his lips. "However, there aren't many of your disciples left. The cruel, cursed vessels…but there's no need for concern. I'll accept the entirety of the nightmare that you saw."

He lifted his hand and used his magic to try and break open the coffin. However, it was protected by a magical barrier. "How befitting of the well-known Celestial Wizard. Even in death, he's protected by powerful magic. However, that effect will soon run out. Once they've all been severed…"

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

Midnight turned towards the voice.

Alzack looked down at Midnight from atop the highest stone level. "I don't care what your goal may be. We will not allow you to see it through!"

Midnight chuckled. "So you've found me out already? How amusing."

"You're Brain II of new Oración Séis, correct?" Alzack asked rhetorically as he summoned his magic guns. They floated in the air, all barrels pointing at Midnight. "Here I come!" All of the guns fired rapidly at the same time, unleashing a hailstorm of magic bullets.

Midnight raised his hand and summoned magic to surround his body. His shield easily deflected all of the bullets.

"How about this then? OMNIDIRECTIONAL EXPANSION!" With a wave of his arms, Alzack's guns moved to surround Midnight.

Midnight smirked. "Utter garbage." Without another word or movement, Midnight used his magic to swap his position with Alzack.

Before he even knew what hit him, Alzack was assaulted by his own magic bullets. He roared in pain as his body was beaten and scratched. He fell to the ground as the onslaught subsided. Try as he might, he couldn't move his body.

Midnight leapt down behind Alzack. "How foolish. No one can hope to stop me."

"ONE SHOT, ONE DOWN!"

A screaming magic bullet sped towards Midnight. However, without missing a beat, his magic deflected it off to his left. He turned slightly and looked towards the shooter positioned high up on one of the horse head statues. He said nothing and didn't lift a finger as his magic ripped through the statue, breaking it apart. His magic then wrapped around the shooter and tore into her body. She screamed in pain as she plummeted to the ground below.

"Bisca!" Alzack coughed.

Midnight closed his eyes and played casually with his white braid. "She's a good shot. However, she lacks any resolve to shoot anyone, especially for the kill." He opened his eyes and spoke with confidence. "In order to achieve something, you have to pay a high cost." He dropped his braid and looked down at Alzack's trembling body. "You both are lacking in the readiness to lose something. Therefore you cannot hope to achieve anything."


"What's that about?" Natsu asked quietly.

All of a sudden, a small army of Rune Knights began marching towards the church in the distance.

"Let's not worry about it," Lucy said. "With Elfman down from that lightning strike, we're the only ones left to keep this freak from reaching the church. Let the Rune Knights protect it while we take care of things here!"

"Right!" Natsu leapt through the pouring rain, right fist drawn back and enveloped in flames. "Take this, you bastard!"

Jackpot pulled down on his lever. His slots spun and all three showed a picture of a purple fist. "Woo! Super! Hot! Punch!" Out of nowhere, several mechanical gloved fists shot out of the ground and air. They all lashed out at Natsu and crashed into his body three at a time. "What a jackpot!" One final fist appeared and launched a punch that sent Natsu flying back towards Lucy and Michelle.

Natsu hit the ground hard, but rolled to a stop just in front of Lucy. "Damn it."

Byro watched on from the sidelines. 'If they go down together, it's convenient for me. Still, something about it doesn't sit right. Why?'

"Natsu, are you alright?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah, I'm good," Natsu said as he rose to his feet.

Lucy nodded and looked behind her towards Michelle. "Just stay behind me, Michelle! I promise I'll protect you!"

Michelle looked sadly at Lucy and silently nodded.

Jackpot cackled. "I've been having so much fun playing with you all that I forgot the important job I have to do!" He turned on his heel and ran off. "Excuse me for a moment!"

"Hey, come back here damn it!" Natsu roared as he took off after Jackpot.

Jackpot, however, was fast for his size and soon reached a small cliff next to the church. He looked down and could see Rune Knights standing at the ready. He laughed. "Alright! Let's do this all at once!" He pulled down on his lever. The slots spun.

All three slots showed a picture of a bomb.

"Bombdrop Bonus! Boom boom!"

The church was suddenly engulfed in a massive explosion. The building blew apart. Stone bricks and glass rained down from the sky. The screaming Rune Knights were caught up in the intense flames and burned alive.

"Damn it! No!" Natsu cried as he came to a stop. He watched the smoke billowing into the rain soaked sky.

"But why? Why destroy the church?" Lucy breathed.

Jackpot pulled down on his lever again. The slots spun and stopped on a picture of a key in a red no circle. "Alright! Three in a row! Anti-Link activate!" A glowing, crimson red crystal kunai blade with a base of red crystal shards appeared in mid-air. The handle was wrapped in old cloth.

As quickly as the blade appeared it suddenly vanished in a streak of red light. The light darted into the now destroyed church and exploded in a mass of bright crimson light.

Byro leapt from his perch, a look of horror on his face. "What did you do?" he demanded.

Jackpot turned back around and laughed. "That doesn't concern you I'm afraid, Lord Byro. All you have to do is carry out your mission, right?"

Byro glared furiously at Jackpot. "What?"

"Oi!" Natsu roared as he leapt at Jackpot with his fire enveloped fist. "I'm your opponent here!"

Jackpot's slots spun and landed on the picture of the lightning bolt. "Oh, it's your old friend Lightning Bonus!" However, nothing happened.

And for the first time, Natsu's punch connected. His fist caved in Jackpot's squishy, bear shaped head. "Alright!"

"How?" Jackpot wheezed as he stumbled backwards.

"The sin of attacking a church is too serious!" Byro shouted. His staff was raised high in the air and was glowing bright pink.

Byro had neutralized Jackpot's Slot Magic.

"Now take this!" Natsu cried as he spun his body. His feet were now covered in flames. "FIRE DRAGON TALON!" He swung his feet, landing two powerful kicks to Jackpot's body and shattering his slots.

Jackpot screamed in disbelief and leapt back. "You idiot! Look what you've done! Now I can't use my Slot Magic!"

Natsu grinned proudly. "I'm finally getting some hits in, asshole. Now I'm gonna pay you back for everything you've done up to now!" Flames spun around Natsu's body. He leapt at Jackpot, an orb of flames collecting in his palm. "FIRE DRAGON PULSE!" he roared, pushing his palm into Jackpot's body and firing his attack point blank. The force of the discharge sent Jackpot skyrocketing high into the air.

Natsu took a deep breath. "And FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" The column of flames that poured from Natsu's open mouth swallowed up Jackpot. His mechanical body broke apart from the power and heat of the flames. He fell to the ground, steam and smoke pouring from his motionless body.

Lucy fell to her knees, but not from relief. She felt a strange heaviness in her chest. "What…is this? Why do I have a bad feeling?"

Michelle was immediately by her side. "It's okay, Big Sister Lucy. I'm here for you."


The eyes of the horse statues within the Kardia Cathedral tomb began to glow. Midnight noticed this and his eyes widened. "Yes, there it is! The Celestial Wizards' Anti-Link is finally complete!"

Behind him, the magic barrier surrounding Will Neville's coffin evaporated. This made it all too simple for Midnight to use his magic to destroy the coffin.

"What?" Alzack rasped. He still couldn't move his body. All he could do was watch. "What are you talking about?"

The skull of Will Neville floated up and hovered into the air as Midnight replied. "The severing of the biological link." Strange, black marks appeared on the skull and began to disintegrate into the air. "Great Neville, the amplitude limiters have all been unleashed." Once all of the markings had vanished, Midnight used his magic and obliterated the skull. "The nightmare you saw is now going to blanket the world."


"The chaos that had been sealed away is now unleashed upon the world! It is the beginning of the nightmare that can never be awakened from!"

The Archbishop of Zentopia shouted this to the ceiling of his bed chambers and laughed. His eyes were completely white as he kneeled amidst a sea of burning candles.

And throughout the world, a loud, deep ringing sounded. It originated from Zentopia's main building.

"The end is in our hands! The end is in our hands! HAHAHAHAHA!"

A dark, swirling vortex of thick smog poured out of Zentopia's main building. Lightning crackled in the purple and red clouds. A large shadow began covering all of the neighboring towns. Citizens looked up in horror at the massive object that was now flying overhead.

It was an enormous air ship that was shaped like a fish. It was brass and large clock gears could be seen covering its body. Its fins were made of straight, long, golden rods that were shaped like clock hands.


"What…is that?" Sky breathed, looking up at the airship that sailed through the dark sky.

"There was a ringing sound before," Erza noted. "It couldn't be…"


"The Infinity Clock has been unleashed?" Wendy asked.

"Is that giant ass thing really the Infinity Clock? It's way too damn big," Bickslow said.

"Was it always shaped like a fish?" Ash asked. "And where did it come from? It just kind of appeared."

"The Infinity Clock was hidden right over Zentopia Cathedral," Erigor replied. He wouldn't even look at the large ship.

Bickslow narrowed his eyes at him. "What do you mean by that?"


Gatman's dark chuckle echoed in the minds of a stunned Gracie, Gajeel, and Juvia, who were all surprised to hear loud ringing followed by the appearance of something bizarre. "See that? That's the starting point of the doctrine that was sealed away from Zentopia history; the intersection between the beginning and the end of goodwill and malice. Everything has gone as Cardinal Lapointe and the Archbishop have commanded. I don't care what their real intentions are and I don't need to know." Gatman slowly rose into a sitting position. "For the sake of the doctrine, for the sake of Zentopia…we won."

Gracie pouted and stomped her foot. "Man I hate that thing! Rubbing it in like that…This so bites."


"Whoa! What is that? It looks like a giant, inedible fish!" Happy exclaimed. All four Exceeds couldn't believe what had suddenly appeared in the sky to their left.

"We were too late," Samuel said sullenly. "Because I wavered, this had to happen?" He quickly turned his body and sped off towards the Infinity Clock.

"Sammy, where are you going?" Panther Lily called out over the storm.

"To the Zentopia Cathedral!" Samuel called back. "I must confirm the truth with my own eyes!"

"Wait!" Happy cried. He, Carla, and Panther Lily all stopped and hovered in the air. "You haven't told us what kind of order you and Byro got!"


As the Infinity Clock continued to slowly fly through the sky, from deep within its body hundreds of heavy, glowing, golden chains shot out. On the end of each chain was an anchor shaped like the Zentopian emblem. The chains rained down all over Fiore. Frightened citizens screamed in panic and dove for cover as the anchors crashed into the ground. Buildings were destroyed. Streets were shattered. People were knocked away by the force of the impact.

It was pure and utter chaos.


"What the hell is this?" Natsu muttered. His eyes scanned the thick chains that had attached themselves to the ground nearby and in the distance in every direction.

"The Infinity Clock has begun to work," Byro replied.

'Could this be my bad feeling?' Lucy wondered as she rose to her feet. "We have to stop it!"

Byro tightened his grip on his staff. "That…is not my mission. I must see my mission through." He turned to look at Lucy.

Natsu instinctively leapt in front of Lucy. "I don't like that look in your eye, octo-geezer."

Byro ignored him. "My mission is to bring you back to Zentopia with me, Lucy Heartfilia."

Heat boiled off of Natsu's body. "Asshole!"

"Why?" Lucy asked. "What could you possibly still want with me? You already took the clock hand from me."

Byro shook his head. "I don't pretend to know what it's all about. However, I was given the order and it is my duty to obey."

"YOU AIN'T GONNA TOUCH HER!" Natsu bellowed.

Lucy put a comforting hand on Natsu's shoulder. "Look, we don't have time for all this right now!" She pointed above her at the Infinity Clock. "Can't you see what's above us?! How can any mission you have take precedence over stopping that?! Even someone like you has to know what really needs to be done right now!"

Byro clenched his jaw. "I…"

"Byro, why are you hesitating? Stop thinking," an unknown, deep voice demanded. Everyone looked over to where Jackpot was defeated. The bear mask was moving around like something was trying to get out. The large zipper on the mask began to unzip. "All you need is the doctrine and loyalty. All you have to do is what you were ordered!"

From inside the opening in the bear mask sprung a strange skull mounted on a stick wrapped in bandages. In its mouth was a large blue orb. On top of its head was a feathered headdress.

"You…I remember you!" Lucy exclaimed.

"That's right!" Natsu said, snapping his fingers. "Back when we were fighting Nirvana!"

"My name is Klodoa," the skull answered. "I was then and am now the seventh member of Oración Séis and the brains behind the group."

"Seventh member?" Lucy asked, confused. She thought about the Oración Séis members they'd seen back in the tomb. They'd seen Midnight, otherwise known as Brain II. They had seen Cobra. They had seen Angel. They had seen Racer. They had seen Erigor, now going by Grim Reaper. They had seen Jackpot, who was now revealed to be Klodoa.

Then who was the seventh member?

Klodoa turned towards Michelle. "There's no need to hide anymore. The time is ripe! Throw away your temporary form and reveal your true name right here and now!"

Both Lucy and Natsu turned around, shocked. "Michelle," Lucy breathed. She shook her head and snapped back towards Klodoa. "What the hell are you talking about? Stop trying to confuse us! This is Michelle Lobster! She's just like a little sister! She's family!" She looked over her shoulder at Michelle and smiled. "She went on a journey to search for me so that she could deliver my father's memento."

Michelle looked at Lucy with sadness as the blonde walked over to her.

"Don't worry. This skull on a stick can't trick me," Lucy said, taking Michelle's hands.

Michelle couldn't bear to look at Lucy. She turned her gaze away.

Lucy forced herself to keep smiling, but she felt like crying. "Michelle...Come on. Tell me he's lying. Please."

Michelle's head hung. She refused to answer. She tore her hands away and pushed Lucy back. Tears streamed down her face as she lifted her head. "Big sister Lucy…I'm sorry," she rasped.

Suddenly, Michelle became engulfed in a pink magic power. All that could be seen through the aura was a single red light where one of Michelle's eyes was. When the magic power faded, Natsu took a step back. "What the hell?"

Michelle had changed drastically. She no longer wore her pink, old-fashioned dress with a white sash around the waist. She no longer had a frilly, pink bonnet atop a head of long, wavy, dark blonde hair. Her eyes were no longer cheerful.

Michelle now wore a strapless dark green top that consisted of large petals and only barely covered her chest. She had a short skirt made of dark green petals as well that pointed sideways like spikes. Long, dark green gloves reached all the way up her arms to about the middle of her upper arm. On her feet she wore tall, dark green boots that separated from her legs around mid-calf and stretched up to her knees, looking almost like large pouches. The exposed skin of her left arm and both of her legs were wrapped by thorny light green vines. Her dark blonde hair stood out as if electrified, except for two bangs that framed her face. Her right eye was covered by a rose eyepatch, held in place by a thorny vine. Her left eye quickly flashed the character for Oración Séis for just a moment before changing to an emotionless blue.

"Mi…Michelle," Lucy whimpered.

"No," Michelle replied. "I am a member of the new Oración Séis. I am Imitatia, mistress of mimicry and deception."

Tears filled Lucy's eyes. She couldn't believe it. Had it all been a lie?

"To gather the scattered pieces of the Infinity Clock, we needed all of you," Imitatia said. "That's why I came to you, big sister Lucy, as 'Michelle Lobster'."

"What are you saying?" Lucy managed to say through her tears. "I don't understand."

"We attacked those churches to destroy the biological links that were spread all over and to release the sealed up Infinity Clock," Michelle continued. "With that accomplished now, all we need is you, big sister Lucy."

Lucy laughed quietly. She slowly walked towards "Michelle". "I get it. You're being manipulated by magic, right? Then I'll—!"

Natsu grabbed onto Lucy's shoulder and pulled her back. He moved in front of her protectively. "Get back, Lucy," Natsu said calmly but sternly. He engulfed his fist in flames. "So it was all a lie?" he spat at Imitatia.

Imitatia lifted her left arm and closed her fist. A symbol appeared and a dull silver shield appeared on her hand in the shape of a symmetrical flower. Out of the shield appeared maroon and gold trim blades shaped like flower petals, rotating like a circular saw. "Who knows?" she replied emotionlessly.

Natsu gritted his teeth and leapt at Imitatia. "Answer me, damn it!" he cried.

Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, tears leaking down her face. She couldn't watch Natsu hurt "Michelle". She refused to believe that it was all a trick. "Stop it, Natsu!"

Natsu heard her plea and froze, his fist just a hair's width away from Imitatia's face.

Imitatia took advantage of Natsu's weakness. She threw her bladed shield at Natsu, striking him across the chest with the flat of her shield. A thorny vine was attached to the back of the shield like a rope, giving Imitatia control over it from a distance. She used this vine to arc her shield upwards as soon as it struck Natsu's chest, guiding it to then strike him in the chin. Natsu flew back and landed roughly on the ground.

"NATSU!" Lucy shrieked. She ran to his side and kneeled beside him. His eyes had rolled back into his head and he wasn't moving. She lifted his head into her lap. "I'm so sorry, Natsu."

"Hoh! A sneak attack!" Klodoa cheered. "That's our girl!"

"Byro, carry out the order you received from Cardinal Lapointe. Take Lucy Heartfilia back with you," Imitatia ordered as her shield returned to her hand.

"I don't need you to tell me my orders," Byro growled. "I'm loyal to Zentopia's—!" He was interrupted by something hard striking him in the face and falling to the ground. When he looked down, hand covering his nose where the object struck him, his eyes widened. "It can't be!"

On the ground was a small golden lock. It was square in shape with a key carved into each side. The locking mechanism was decorated with the Zentopian emblem. It was Imitatia who had thrown this piece at his face.

"Whoever holds that gold seal has the same authority as the Archbishop," Klodoa said with glee.

"Be aware that my orders are the Archbishop's orders," Imitatia said calmly.

Byro fell to a knee and bowed. "Your wish is my command."

Klodoa looked down at Natsu's unconscious body. "It would be dangerous to let that man live. We should kill him while he can't fight back."

Lucy's eyes widened. She was about to plead, to beg for Natsu's life to be spared, but then…

"No. We're going to bring him back as well," Imitatia said. "I'm sure he will be of some use, as a hostage if for nothing else."

Klodoa scratched his head with the bottom of his stick. "If that's what would please you. However, remember that mercy is forbidden, Imitatia."

Imitatia reached behind her bladed shield. It glowed pink and she slowly pulled her hand out. In her grip was a massive iron sword. She walked over to where Lucy was kneeling.

Lucy hugged Natsu's head close to her. "Michelle, please wait! I—!"

Imitatia cut her off by swiftly striking her in the back of her head with the hilt of her sword. Lucy's eyes widened for a split second before drifting closed. She slumped forward on top of Natsu.

Klodoa sighed. He scanned the area and hummed. "I could have sworn that there was another one here. Did he escape?"


From behind a rock, safely concealed from the eyes of the Oración Séis members, Elfman watched everything unfold. In his hand was one of the communication cards. It was glowing as Warren's voice came through.

"Elfman, you're not coming through clearly! Explain it one more time. What the hell is going on?"

Elfman tightened his jaw. If he spoke any louder, he might be discovered. And besides, all he could do was describe what he'd seen. He couldn't fathom what had just happened. 'Damn it. What the hell is going on here?'