I watched silently as Natsu and Happy amble up to the table I was sitting at and plop themselves next to me. Natsu had his chin flat on the table as he grumbled. I was nursing a beer, not paying attention to them. My whole focus was Lucy, who was standing next to us. her scent the only thing I was keeping track of. "I guess we should probably try to find another job." Natsu muttered.

"Aye, we're running out of food money." Happy added, pausing from chowing down on fish to comment.

"If we'd taken that two-million jewel reward, we'd be sitting pretty." Lucy commented. "And I can't let myself forget that rent's gonna be due next week. I guess I'd better find work too…" Lucy walked over to the Request Board. I stood, taking my mug with me and standing next to Lucy at the board. "Finding a magic bracelet...Breaking a spell on a cursed cane...Reading someone's love horoscope...Hunting a Volcano Demon?" Lucy turned to me, "Jeez, I had no idea Wizarding jobs were so varied."

"Yeah." I sighed, "And what happens during those missions is a gamble as well. One time I went on a mission to hunt down a Monster and came back with a bag of rare flower seeds. They lasted throughout winter, surprisingly."

"I didn't know you liked flowers so much." Lucy commented. My cheeks flushed.

"W-Well I need a hobby don't I?" I defended, looking away. "I can't spend all my time fighting Monsters."

"Well, if you find a job, let me know." Mira said, walking towards us. "The Master's away at a conference, so I'm covering for him."

"What kind of conference?" Lucy asked.

"One for Guild Masters. Every once in a while, they all get together to talk about the state of things. It's like the Magic Council...but not…" Mira turned to a man behind her, "Excuse me Reedus, could I borrow a Light Pen?"

"Oui." Reedus Jonah, our resident artist, responded. He handed Mira the item she wanted. Mira then whipped up a diagram. At the top was the Government, then directly under that was Era, the headquarters for the Magic Council. Then, three lines from Era which were the Local Guild Master's Leagues. Then, under those were individual guilds.

"The Council, Era, is the most powerful organisation in the Magical World." Mira started to explain, "It's only one step below the government. It has ten members, and it's their job to uphold all magical rules and regulations. And if a Wizard breaks Magical Law, they would be tried by the Council. Then, there's the different Guild Master Leagues which are local groups who work together. Then the Individual Masters. It's their job to pass on the decrees of the Council. They also communicate with other Guild Masters on a regular basis. I guess you could say they're the glue that holds all of us together. Which is a pretty stressful job."

"Wow, I never realised that all the different Magical Guilds were interconnected like that." Lucy said.

"Cooperation between Guilds is really important. If there wasn't any the entire system would fall apart."

"And then the guys in black would show up." Natsu said scarily, slipping up beside us. After Lucy's scared shriek, and a heated glare from me, Natsu dropped the act. "That was almost too easy!" Natsu laughed.

"You trying to scare me to death?" Lucy questioned.

"But seriously, the guys Natsu's talking about exist." Mira said. I extended my hand to her, and Mira placed the Light Pen in my hand. I took it and drew a separate circle from the diagram. My somewhat scratchy letters much different to Mira's more printed writing. I wrote the words 'Dark Guild' into it.

"Dark Guilds are considered the black stains of the Magical Guild Society." I explained, indicating my bubble with the light pen, "A good portion of them are closely involved with Magical Crimes. They've chosen not to join any of the leagues, so they're not bound by the rules of the Magic Council."

"Woah…" Lucy muttered.

"Would you just go and pick us a job already?" Natsu asked.

"You have got to be kidding me." Lucy turned to Natsu, "What makes you think I'd do that?"

"Well, we are a team now, are we?"

"Yeah, and we picked a job last time!" Happy added. "It's your turn to pick. So get to it!"

"Just forget it cat." Lucy stated, crossing her arms, "As far as I'm concerned, our 'team' has been disbanded. And besides, you guys didn't actually want me, you just needed Yami and I last time because we're blonde."

"Don't be ridiculous." Natsu scoffed, "That's not the only reason we chose you. We picked you because you're so nice!" Lucy gave the pink-haired boy a look of distrust.

"I was the one to request you be on the team." I said, looking at Lucy, "I knew you'd be a great fit for our team, and you are."

"Hey Lucy!" Gray called from a table a little bit away, "I wouldn't stay with those losers if I were you. You'll get plenty of offers from other teams."

"Your clothes Gray." Cana muttered.

"Ah!" Gray exclaimed, looking down at his almost naked body.

"Jerk." Natsu stated.

"Did you just call me a jerk Dragon Boy?"

"And what if I did? What are you gonna do about it?"

"You mouth breather!"

"At least I'm not a coward!"

"You're a spineless wimp!"

"Looks like they're at it again." Happy commented.

"Why don't you join the team of love with me Lucy?" Loke asked, sliding up to Lucy. "Later tonight, just the two of us? You're just so stunningly gorgeous. I have to keep my shades on when I look at you, or I'll be blinded by your dazzling beauty." The mug in my hand turned to splinters, and luckily there wasn't much beer left so I didn't lose much money on that.

"Girls really fall for this?" Lucy wondered.

"You're not a Celestial Wizard, are you?" Loke exclaimed, backing away.

"Yeah, she's got cows and crabs and stuff." Happy told the glasses-wearing man with a mouthful of fish.

"Oh, curse you fate! Why must you toy with me so!" Loke wailed. He then ran off, still calling back to Lucy. "I'm sorry, but you and I can't be together my dear!"

"What got into him all of a sudden?" Lucy wondered.

"No one really knows." I told her, "But word is he used to date that Celestial Wizard, Karen Lilica, from Blue Pegasus. And we all know how that turned out." Suddenly, Lucy was knocked over by a flying Natsu.

"Would the two of you knock it off already." Lucy groaned.

"Natsu started it, I'm just following through." Gray commented.

"Put you clothes on you stripper." I snapped, yanking Natsu off Lucy and throwing him at Gray.

"You were the one who was provoking me, you dirty slimeball." Natsu stated.

"Oh yeah and what exactly did I do to provoke you, you fire clown?" Gray retorted.

"You pervy flasher!"

"Pink haired punk!"

"Lame insults guys." Lucy commented.

"They start to run out." Happy told her. The entire guild started to laugh. I even cracked a small smile but it soon fell when I smelt the familiar scent of iron and strawberries. My suspicions were confirmed when Loke burst through the Guild doors again. Everyone turned to him. His petrified look spoke volumes, and the entire guild went quiet.

"I've got bad news!" He shouted. "It's Erza! She's on her way here!" Everyone let out petrified screams.

"Wow, just mention Erza and the whole place freaks out." Lucy said.

"Well, she is the second strongest female Wizard we've got in Fairy Tail, and more than a bit intimidating." Mira informed her. Heavy, clanking ootsteps were heard approaching the Guild, the silence of the members making it echo loudly.

"That's gotta be her." Laki muttered.

"Those sound like her foosteps." Wakaba added.

"Even the air's gotten completely still." Macao commented.

"Jeez, with these reactions you'd think she was some demon or something." Lucy said. "I'm so scared!"

"She's not that scary." I told her, crossing my arms as I stepped up next to her. "But I'll talk to her, I'll make sure she doesn't harass you." Pretty soon, Erza did appear. She was wearing a set of Heart Kreuz armour, designed specifically for her. Under the cross, was the Fairy Tail Guild mark. She also had two gloves made of the same material and shoulder pieces. She also wore a blue skirt and brown, knee-high boots. Erza slammed down a large tusk of the beast I assume she was tasked to slay.

"I have returned." Erza declared. "Where is Master Makarov?"

"Welcome back Erza." Mira said, "The Master's at a conference right now."

"I see…"

"So um...what's that humongous thing you got there?" A member asked wearily.

"It's the horn of a monster that I defeated. The locals were so thankful they decorated it and gave it to me as a souvenir. Do you have a problem with it?"

"No! Not at all!"

"I bet she's heard about what happened at Mount Hakabe." Cana muttered through her barrel of beer.

"You think so?" Macao replied in the same tone, "Aw man, I'm a gonner."

"She's not like anything like I imagined." Lucy commented to me.

"Listen up!" Erza shouted, getting everyone's attention. "While I was on the road, I heard a few things. Word is Fairy Tail is causing nothing but trouble as of late. Master Makarov may not care, but I most certainly do. Caa, you need to start controlling your drinking. Vijeeter, please take the dancing outside. Wakaba, get rid of that filthy habit. Nab, I suspected I would find you dawdling in front of the request board. Just pick a job! Macao…" Erza turned her sights on the Fire Mage.

"Please just say something!" Macao pleaded when Erza didn't comment.

"I don't even know where to begin with you. You cause so much trouble. I've almost given up."

"She's really tearing into everyone." Lucy whispered to me. "It's like she's taking over!"

"I've learned to just roll with it." I told her, "What Erza wants with the guild, she gets."

"Even if she is kind of bossy she's still saner than anyone else here. I don't understand why everyone's so afraid of her."

"Are Natsu, Gray and Yami here?" Erza asked.

"Yeah, we're here." I said, stepping forward. I turned to my side, and let out a heavy sigh when I saw Natsu and Gray. The two of them were sweating bullets, their arms around each other.

"Oh...hey there Erza." Gray said shakily. "We're just hanging out like good friends tend to do."

"Aye!" Natsu agreed.

"Why is Natsu talking like Happy!" Lucy cried.

"That's great. I'm quite pleased to see the two of you getting along so well." Erza said with a definitive nod, "However, it's only natural for even the best of friends to lock horns every now and again."

"I don't know if we're the best of friends…" Gray trailed off.

"Aye…" Natsu muttered.

"What's gotten into Natsu?" Lucy questioned,

"He's scared." Mira explained. She picked up the Light Pen from the counter and drew an image of Erza beating the crap out of Natsu. "A few years ago, he challenged Erza to a fight and she beat him up pretty bad."

"That was a stupid thing to do."

"After that she found Gray walking around naked, so she decided to beat him up to." Macao added.

"And let's not forget, she also beat up Loke for trying to hit on her." Cana commented. "He totally deserved it though."

"I can't say I blame her." Lucy said.

"Natsu, Gray, Yami, I need you to do me a favour." I turned to Erza, waiting to hear what she had to say. "While travelling, I overheard something that has me worried. Normally I would consult with the Master before acting, but he's not here and this is a matter of utmost urgency. The three of you are the strongest Wizards here. I could really use your help." I lifted an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Did that just happen?" Someone asked.

"Erza asked them from help?" Another questioned,

"Definitely a first." Someone muttered.

"Especially with Yami, she rarely joins others on missions."

"We'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning." Erza stated. Seriously… I thought, my eyebrows pinching together, Me, Natsu and Gray...Erza must either be out of her mind or desperate. I crossed my arms. What could cause her to actually ask for help,

I looked over to Minnie who was watching me. She gave me a nod, and I returned it. This was surely going to be interesting.

TIMESKIP

I sat in between Lucy and Happy, bored as I watched Natsu and Gray fight. "I hate this!" Natsu groaned. "Teaming up with you is the worst idea ever!"

"Yeah, tell me about it. Erza made a huge mistake asking a looser like you to come along." Gray retorted.

"Fine then! Why don't you just take care of it yourself, I don't wanna go anyway!"

"Sounds like a plan to me then I'll get to watch her beat you senseless."

"Let's just sit here and pretend we don't know them." Lucy muttered.

"I've been meaning to ask Lucy, is there any particular reason you came with us today?" I asked her, crossing one of my legs over the other. My bag was resting at my feet, a black duffle bag with all my essentials. "This mission might be dangerous."

"Mira asked me to tag along. She asked me to keep an eye on Natsu and Gray to make sure they don't fight."

"You aren't doing a very good job." Happy commented.

"They're hopeless. And don't worry about this mission being dangerous." Lucy turned to me, "You'll protect me, won't you? Just like you did with Everlue." My cheeks turned red.

"Yeah...I'll always protect you Lucy." I muttered.

"Sorry I'm late, have you been waiting long?" A familiar voice asked. Erza had arrived, pulling along her massive cart of supplies.

"No, not really." Lucy said.

"Woah! Look at that luggage!" Happy exclaimed.

"All those belong to you?!" Lucy cried.

"It's time to go good buddy!" Gray said in fake-cheery voice.

"Aye!" Natsu agreed.

"Listen, one happy's enough." Lucy groaned.

"Good, I really love to see the two of you getting along." Erza commented. "And what was your name?" Erza turned to Lucy and I as we approached. I held my duffle bag by the shorter straps and had the bag itself slung over my shoulder. "I believe I saw you at the guild yesterday."

"My name's Lucy, and I just joined Fairy Tail." The other blonde explained. "Mira asked me to come along with you guys so I could learn a thing or two. I hope that's ok with you."

"The more the merrier. I'm Erza. Wait you're the girl I heard about. I was told you defeated a mercenary gorilla with only your pinkie finger. It'll be great to have a wizard like you on board, thanks for your help."

"Oh no, it's my pleasure." Lucy said.

"Hey Erza." Natsu called, "I'll come with you but only under one condition."

"Shut up!" Gray hissed.

"Oh? Well then let's hear it." Erza said.

"Ok. I want a rematch when we get back to Fairy Tail." Natsu declared. I sighed, my hand coming into contact with my forehead.

"You got some kind of death wish?" Gray asked.

"I'm a lot stronger than I was last time. This time it'll be way different. 'Cause I'm gonna beat you."

"Yes, I can tell you've improved." Erza commented. "As to whether or not you can beat me, I suppose we'll have to see. I accept your challenge."

"Oh yeah, I'm fired up!" Natsu shouted, flames erupting from his mouth. In a very short time, we were on the train on the way to where Erza needed us to go. However, due to Motion Sickness, Natsu was practically blue as he sat on the seat next to me. I had to lean away from him, scooching closer to Gray because I know what would happen if Natsu couldn't handle it. Thank the heavens that the train booths were quite large. Natsu, Gray and I sat on one side, while Happy, Lucy and Erza sat on the other, Lucy's spirit Plue was sititng in her lap.

"I swear, you're totally pathetic Natsu." Gray commented, "One minute you're picking a fight, and the next you're like this."

"It's gotta be tough on him getting from place to place." Lucy said. "Hey, Yami, you're a Dragon Slayer too, why don't you get motion sick?" I looked down, crossing my arms.

"My Father hated weakness." I started, "He berated me every time we travelled by carriage or boat, so I taught myself to use the Ethernano I consumed in the air to settle my stomach."

"Oh…"

"Don't worry, he'll be fine." Erza assured. "Natsu, come here and sit with me." Lucy and Natsu switched places. "Now just relax." Erza said as Natsu leant on her shoulder.

"Aye." Natsu groaned. Erza then punched Natsu in the gut and knocking him out.

"There, that should make the trip a little easier on him."

"Erza, I think it's about time you started filling us in." Gray commented, "I mean, what kind of mission are we going on here?"

"Of course. I have reason to believe the Dark Guild Eisenwald is planning something big. I'm not sure what exactly, but it has to do with a magic item called Lullaby." Lucy and I exchanged looks.

"Lullaby, you're sure that's what they were talking about?" I repeated, looking directly at Erza.

"Wait, that thing from before?" Lucy wondered.

"What do you mean 'from before'?" Erza questioned.

"The other day, when we were all coming back from a job, a group of Wizards tried to eat Happy, they mentioned Lullaby before something pulled them into the ground and disappeared." I explained.

"I see, so you've run into the Eisenwald Guild before."

"Well, I'm not positive they were part of Eisenwald." Gray said. "But they did mention Lullaby."

"It sounds like they were members who dropped out of the guild and gone into hiding. Perhaps they wanted no part of whatever it is that's coming."

"So this thing is so bad it even scares Dark Wizards?"

"I'm only hypothesising. But whoever you saw dragging off Happy's kidnappers that day must have been from Eisenwald. It's obvious that they didn't want their plans getting out."

"What do you think they're gonna try?" Lucy wondered.

"Let me start from the beginning." Erza said. "Just the other day, I was heading home after completing a job. I stopped by a pub in Onibas that I knew was a gathering spot for local Wizards." Erza then went onto explain that she overheard a group of wizards talking about Lullaby, and someone named Kage was to return to Eisenwald with it in three days.

"Lullaby?" Lucy muttered again. "That's like a song you sing kids to sleep."

"Yes, and the fact that it had been sealed away means that it must be very powerful magic."

"You sure the guys you saw at the Pub were with Eisenwald?" Gray checked.

"Yes. I can't believe I was such a fool that day. I didn't recognise his name. Erigor."

"He's the best Wizard at Eisenwald, isn't he?" I wondered. Erza nodded.

"What's his deal?" Lucy asked me.

"Erigor is like the angel of death. He only accepts assassination jobs. His brutal murders have gained him the moniker of 'Erigor the Reaper'."

"He kills for money?!"

"The Council outlawed assassination requests years ago. However, Eisenwald believed that money was more important than the Council's rules and regulations. So, their Wizard Leauge kicked them out six years ago, and as a result, they were ostracised from the greater Wizarding Community. However, that didn't stop them one bit. They've constantly disobeyed orders and they're still active.:

"Ok, I should be getting back home now."

"Lucy's slimy all of a sudden." Happy commented.

"It's sweat!"

"How could I have been so careless!" Erza demanded, slamming her fist so hard into Natsu's head I thought he was gonna get a concussion. "If only I had recognised Erigor's name that day, I could have pulverised them. I could have forced them to reveal their scheme to me."

"So if I got this, Eisenwald's planning to do something with this Lullaby, and you wanna stop them. Because after what you overheard you're sure that it's gonna be something bad."

"That's correct. And I'm not foolish enough to believe that I can take on an entire Magical Guild by myself. That's why I asked for Natsu's help, as well as both of yours." Gray and I shared a look. "We're storming the Eisenwald guild."

"Sounds like fun to me."

"Just another day in Fairy Tail." I added.

"I shouldn't have come along!" Lucy whimpered. Soon after, we all managed to purchase lunch, and much to my dismay, Lucy used her womanly charms to get us a discount. "If you don't mind, what kind of Magic do you practice Erza?" Lucy asked, once we had started eating.

"That's a good question." Erza muttered.

"Erza's magic is really pretty!" Happy complimented. "She makes her enemies bleed a lot."

"I don't know if I'd call that pretty…" Lucy trailed off.

"Personally I think Gray's magic us much more beautiful than mine." Erza stated.

"Oh, like this?" Gray wondered. He put his fist to his hand, and a cold blast of air emitting from where his skin made contact. When he lifted his fist, a small ice sculpture of the Guild crest rested delicatly in his palm. "I use Ice magic."

"Now I understand why you and Natsu don't get along." Lucy said. "He's fire and you're ice. Talk about not mixing very well."

"That and the fact they almost started a bar fight when Natsu first joined the guild." I added.

TIMESKIP

"You think the Eisenwald guys are still gonna be in this town?" Gray asked as we stepped off the train at Onibas Station.

"I have no idea." Erza admitted, "That's what we're here to find out."

"I'm still thinking maybe I should go home." Lucy commented.

"Hold on. Where's Natsu?" Happy questioned. That caused me to pause, turning and watching as the train continued on to the next station.

"We were so busy talking I forgot about him." Erza said. "I am such a fool! Natsu hates all forms of transportation. This is all my fault. I need one of you to come and hit me for my penance." Erza then walked up to one of the emergency stop breaks and pulled the leaver.

"What do you think you're doing lady?" A conductor questioned, "You can't pull the Emergency Lever without permission."

"It's for our comrade, please understand." Erza said.

"Are you kidding me?!"

"Now, I would like you to take our luggage to the hotel."

"Do I look like a bellhop?"

"I'm starting to realise that all of the Wizards in the Fairy Tail Guild are just a little insane." Lucy stated.

"Well, not all of us." Gray argued.

"Say's the man not wearing any clothes." I sighed.

TIMESKIP

Erza had acquired us a Magic Mobile and was racing down the train track to get Natsu back. Gray was sitting on the roof, Erza was driving, Lucy was leaning out one of the windows, Happy was safe sitting inside the main part of it. I was leaning out the opposite window, keeping close to the cabin to stay on. "Natsu!" Lucy shouted as we neared the train. Coincidently, Natsu flew out of the cart, whacking Gray off the Magic Mobil and causing them to crash. Erza parked and we all exited the vehicle and stood together.

"That hurt you idiot!" Gray stated.

"Shut up you icy freak, how come you guys left me on the train!" Natsu retorted.

"I'm just thankful you weren't badly injured." Erza said. "I apologise Natsu." Erza grabbed the pink-haired boys head and slammed it onto her chestplate.

"It's ok." Erza released him. "Well, I'm shaken up pretty bad. I got attacked by a weirdo on the train."

"Are you serious?" Lucy asked,

"I think it's the dude that dragged away the guys who were gonna eat Happy. Said he was with Eisenwald." Natsu commented offhandedly.

"You fool!" Erza declared, slapping Natsu across the face with a gloveless hand. "That's exactly who we're chasing after on this mission! Why did you let him get away!"

"What the…? This is the first I heard about it!"

"I explained everything on the train! You should listen when people talk to you!"

"She already forgot that she knocked him out, didn't she?" Lucy questioned, "This woman is unbelievable."

"Yep." Gray agreed.

"That's Erza for you." Happy chirped. Erza then sat in the driver's seat of the Magic Mobile again, clipping the SE port onto her wrist.

"So he was on the same train we were on." Erza wondered, "Let's find him."

"So, what did this guy look like Natsu?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"He didn't look like someone from a Dark Guild." Natsu admitted. "But he did have this strange flute thing. It looked like a skull, except it had three eyes!"

"A three-eyed skull?" Lucy repeated.

"That's creepy." Gray muttered. I noticed Lucy who seemed to have an inquisitive look on her face.

"Luce, everything alright?" I asked her, worried.

"It's just...I've heard about that flute before." Lucy told us, "Lullaby, the Cursed Song. It's Death Magic."

"What?" Erza whispered.

"Cursed Song?" Gray repeated. "Like an incantation?"

"I've only read about them in books before, but...there are some deadly spells out there that are forbidden to be used by Wizards."

"That's right." Erza agreed, "There are Cursed Black Magic Spells that will kill the person they're used on."

"Well, if I'm right, Lullaby is even worse." At that, everyone piled back into the Magic Mobile. Everyone was in the same spots as last time, with Natsu leaning against the window opposite to me, trying not to puke.

"Hey! Slow down Erza!" Gray shouted, "You're using too much of your power driving this thing!"

"I have no choice but to press onward!" Erza replied, "We're running out of time! If Erigor gets his hands on this Death Magic, trust me, lives will be lost."