Re:Freezing Chapter 54: Eve to Final, a fairy tail fanfic

With the victory against Sabertooth flooding their veins, a celebration at the pub was a must. The members of Fairy Tail were quick to order drinks and food to immediately start their victory celebration. The pub owner didn't waste any time in serving them as they felt the guild was well deserving after a great battle. A few civilians and mages who happened to be drinking in the same pub for the night somehow also became part of the celebration, cheering for Fairy Tail.

In just a few days, the public opinion has already turned into a positive one. That's one way to do a comeback.

For the night, Karissa was wearing navy blue fitted pants and black high cut shoes with a teal t-shirt underneath a blue plaid long sleeve shirt that she kept open. She was sitting at a table by herself while eating a meal that she ordered from the owner, some fried rice and stir fry flat rice noodles. She wanted to at least sit away from most people because she knew her guild very well. There was a high chance they were going to start a brawl and maybe throw a shoe into her food. No thank you. Her meal was looking delicious and she would like to keep it that way.

Her brother was talking somewhere with Lisanna and Elfman while her sister was talking to Evergreen. Her brother seemed to be enjoying that alcohol in his hands with that silly smile on his face. He seemed okay enough to enjoy himself like this. And Pandora looked like she was talking about clothes with Evergreen with how she kept tugging her top as if to emphasize something.

I wonder if Clavis is having a fun night too…

When her thoughts went to her twin, she couldn't help but recall the question he asked her.

Was he important to her?

That question felt so heavy despite being so simple.

With a sigh, she shook her head and shelved away the memory for now. It could wait. Right now, a good meal is underneath her nose just waiting to be devoured.

Armed with a fork, she started happily eating her dinner.

This is so good!

Anyone could see little flowers swirling around Karissa's head with how she ate her food with a grin.

"Don't forget your drink."

A glass of water was set in front of her. She looked to the side with her fork in her mouth and saw Gray walking past her to the side on the other side of the table. As usual, he was without a shirt. He only had a pair of jeans on. He glanced at her for a second when she looked at him with question mark in her eyes. He pointed his thumb behind him towards the counter. "Old man said you left without it."

Karissa looked over to the counter and saw the owner nod with a smile. She gave her own nod with a sheepish smile in response. Then she looked at Gray and gave him the same look. "Thanks."

He rested his cheek in his palm and eyed her food. "That looks good."

Karissa grinned and leaned her to the right and left side lightly. "It is. Do you wanna try some?"

Gray took the fork she offered. She sat there waiting for his reaction as he tried it and wasn't disappointed when he let out a pleased sound. He handed the fork back to her and lifted his thumb to swipe off the sauce from his lower lip. She handed him the napkin she had with her so he could wipe his mouth.

"What are you doing for the day off?" Karissa crossed her legs under the table.

"Probably going to start the day by sleeping in a little." Gray gestured to the clock hanging behind the owner. "We've been waking up early so I'd like to sleep a little more before the final day."

"Yeah, I guess we could use the rest since. Are you going to look around the capital too?"

"Yeah. I'll probably wander around the capital and find something to do. Who knows, maybe I'll go buy some clothes." Gray looked at his pants and tugged it with. "I don't wanna ruin any of the clothes I brought from home in a fight."

Gray was average when it came to shopping for stuff to wear. However, due to his odd habit he had to drop by clothing stores more often than most guys. And because of his profession, his clothes tend to get ruined in fights. Two combinations that made him drop by stores a lot. So… he wasn't exactly average… just above it.

Karissa scoffed and gave him a playful look. "Yeah, knowing you? Your wardrobe is dehydrated."

"It is not." Gray flicked her hand when it poked his arm. It made her smile in amusement as she resumed eating. "What do you plan on doing?"

"Hmm… not sure. I'll figure it out tomorrow. But I'll most likely check out Crocus a bit more since… y'know it's our first time here."

"True."

"Could we, uh, hang out together during the day off then?"

What's this? Why was she getting all timid about it all of a sudden? "Why are you getting all shy about it?"

This made Karissa scowl childishly. "I was just asking!" She pouted when he just plopped his hand on her head to have her look at him in the eye.

"I told you we'd go around when we had time, remember?"

"I know, I know! I was just making sure in case you had any other plans…!" Karissa defended.

"I just told you I didn't, dummy." Gray set his arm back on the table. "We'll go around together."

His eyes caught the way she was unable to contain her creeping smile. For a second, she tried to hide it by brushing her knuckle against the tip of her nose to hide her mouth behind her hand, but she set her hand down and resumed eating happily. With softened eyes that took in her smile, his heart swelled when he saw the simple happiness she had over the idea of spending time with him.

"By the way, what's that called?" he nudged his chin towards her plate. "I'll make that my dinner tonight."

"Hm? Oh, It's number–"

She was interrupted by Natsu's loud screeching about his victory against Sabertooth. Gray flinched and looked over his shoulder with an annoyed expression. Karissa raised a brow at the volume. Apparently, the pink haired wizard was retelling the fight to the other members, his personal point of view. He was too loud.

Ignoring the loud fire mage, Gray turned back to face her. "What?"

"The fourth–"

"AND THEN I WHOOPED THEIR BUTTS!"

"For fuck's sake." Gray clicked his tongue. "Why are you so freaking noisy, fire-ass?!"

Natsu's ear twitched when he heard Gray's voice. With an irritated expression, he whirled around and stomped over to their table and planted a foot on the table behind Gray. Karissa whined and gave Gray an annoyed stare. In response to Natsu's presence, he shook his head and sighed exasperatedly.

"What was that, jackass?! Say it once more!"

"Really? Right in front of my dinner?"

Gray rolled his eyes and looked at the pyro behind him. "I said you're freaking noisy, Natsu! Now beat it, you're stifling us!"

"Wanna make something out of it?!"

"Do you wanna make something out of it?!"

"Boys, please. Not in front of my dinner. I like the temperature of my food right now."

Natsu scowled and pointed at Gray when he heard Karissa. "Blame ice dick over here because he started it!"

"Come again?!" Gray snapped. "You're the one making a big deal out of it! You're the reason Karissa has to take cover to eat food in the first place, rocks for brains!"

Natsu acted first by shoving Gray's face. "Exhibitionist!"

Karissa shielded her food when she sensed Gray's irritation meter reach the peak. He shot up from his chair and grabbed his scarf, causing Natsu to grab his hair. They both stumbled away from the table while yelling profanities at each other.

Typical Natsu and Gray behaviour.

At least they're out of the way.

Seeing the boys fight, all the times Fairy Tail destroyed something flashed before Lucy's eyes. She rapidly tried to intervene but the Master simply dismissed her worries and encouraged Natsu and Gray's lively spirits. He would tell off anyone that would try and complain about their fights.

Karissa snickered behind her hand as she chewed. The Master was really out of it now. She cupped her hands around her mouth. "Yes, go ahead, fight! And when we win, the Master can use the money to pay for all the damages done in the capital!"

For that comment, Master Makarov actually stiffened and stopped mid drink when Karissa's words sank in. He looked over to Sinclost and saw looking at him with and rubbing her fingers together, referring to money.

Maybe it would be better to avoid damages to infrastructures after all…

"You don't gotta tell me that! I'm gonna make you cry, Gray!"

Makarov looked uneasy. "Wait, hold on a second…!"

"Fight to your hearts' content!" Mavis cheered with a clap. Perhaps she forgot what kind of damage these boys were capable of?

"Shut up! You're the one who's gonna cry, Natsu!"

"10000000 jewels for the amusement park!" Karissa cackled. "Who knows how many more!"

"NATSU, GRAY!" Makarov hollered just as the two dashed towards each other with their own elements activated. Karissa laughed in her corner when she saw the Master appear to have horrible flashbacks to endless paperwork and financial recompenses.

Fortunately, the fight was avoided when Happy, somehow, got caught in the middle. Master Makarov used that chance to warn Gray and Natsu to keep the fight to bare fists lest they want to be crushed under his giant fist. At least that would prevent the natural calamities from Fairy Tail.

As Karissa ate and finished her food, she was watching Erza try to dice up Natsu and Gray for apparently ruining her strawberry cake during their brawl. The whole chase was an entertaining thing to watch. It was kind of like watching a lacrima movie while eating. By the time she finished, she saw Gajeel enter the pub with a peeved attitude.

Karissa sputtered her water when she saw him. She couldn't but recall the pathetic display when Natsu shooed him away and left him to plummet to what looked like death.

"Gajeel basically got tossed away like a ragdoll." Karissa laughed to herself when she collected her plate. Gajeel actually heard her comment and pointed at her as he slammed the door closed.

"I heard that!"

Caught, Karissa exaggerated a grimace before laughing as she went over to the counter to leave her plate and glass.

"Oh! Gajeel!"

"Where have you been?"

…

"What exactly is down here, Gajeel-san?"

"Just be quiet and follow me."

Natsu gave the man a side eye. "Why only us?"

Happy, Carla, and Lily were accompanying their partners by following them from behind.

"Does it have something to do with Dragon Slayers?" Happy guessed.

Carla looked to the side where three regular humans were following behind them. "Although we do have spectators…"

Gray lolled his head while he walked with his arms crossed. "Spectator? Is that someone's name?"

Karissa shrugged with her hands. "Isn't it nice to take a walk after a nice meal?"

Lucy smiled sheepishly with her arms behind her back. "We're curious, is all."

Earlier, when Gajeel came in the pub he wasted no time in roping Wendy and Natsu into a little late night trip which made the six others follow after them out of curiosity. They were currently underground in the capital. Gajeel said it was a place he found after wandering around and looking for an exit. Thankfully, they didn't have to enter by going through the coliseum and falling into the hole created by Sting. Instead, they were kind of like rats sneaking into the underground by using a small entrance located in the east of the capital.

It was really dark down here.

Soon enough, the sight that Gajeel wanted to show his fellow Dragon Slayers came into view. They were sort of able to see since moonlight was shining through the cracks from above.

Bones.

Everywhere.

Giant bones.

Dragon bones.

It was a graveyard.

Karissa frowned and shifted closer to Gray to hold the back of his shirt. He noticed the way she cautiously looked around. The capital must have known something like this was hiding under their noses. What else could possibly be hiding under here?

"Do you think maybe Igneel could be one of…"

Carla nudged the fellow Exceed with her elbow. "Happy." she sharply reprimanded him.

"Ah! Sorry!"

"No." Natsu replied. "He's not here. I know that for sure."

"Yeah. Just look at 'em." Gajeel pointed at some nearby bones. All the extra dirt, dust and earth covering part of the white bones said enough about the time. "It's been fourteen years since our dragons vanished. It looks like these ones have been buried here much longer than that."

"Milkyway!"

Everyone looked at Wendy when she suddenly exclaimed. Her voice echoed in the graveyard.

According to Wendy, Porlyusica had taught her a spell called Milkyway among many others. It was a spell meant to call upon the voices of the dragon souls as they flow with the heavenly river… or whatever that meant.

"That's… a pretty creepy spell." Gray commented while Karissa released him to stand next to him. She was still sticking close to him out of paranoia.

"And almost too convenient if you ask me." Karissa added. Odd. What would a dragon need to someone other dragon souls for? Could Wendy's dragon make an army of dragon souls fight for her?

"If we listened to the soul of a dragon buried here then we might be able to find out what this place is! And maybe even what happened to our dragons when they vanished…"

Gajeel and Natsu looked at each other. As people raised by dragons and basically abandoned by them… how can they not be curious about what happened?

"Well, it's worth a try." Lucy decided to be optimistic on Natsu's behalf.

Happy nodded with a smile. "Yeah, let's do Milkyway!"

"Alright!" Wendy fist pumped. "First, I'll need something to draw with."

Gray easily created an ice stick for Wendy and held it out for her. "Here. Use this."

"Ah, thank you, Gray-san!"

…

Wendy actually summoned a dragon.

As unbelievable as that was, she seriously did.

The first thing it did was straight up roar in their faces which scared off most of their lifespans into the netherworld. Their collective screams echoed together in a dissonance. Karissa was now hiding behind Gray's back. But he started pushing her forward so that he could hide in the back.

"Don't hide behind me!"

"Don't hide behind me!"

They opted to just hold onto each other's arms as they stared up at the dragon that now laughed at them. It was amused by their reactions, saying that shocked looks on humans never get gold. Gray and Karissa deadpanned at the dragon.

This bitch—

"I am called Zirconis, the Jade Dragon! Somebody called my soul back… that's the Sky Dragon Grandine's magic, right? Where are you? Hm…? Oh! What a cutie! Did this tiny Dragon Slayer manage to revive me?!"

The dragon that was mostly green was half transparent due to him being nothing but a soul. He leaned his head on the floor to peer at Wendy very closely. Natsu was quick to tell the dragon to back away from his friend before it got any funny ideas. Yes, because that was enough to tell off a freaking Dragon.

"No way! I'm gonna eat this girl!"

"Hell no!"

Natsu was trying to block Wendy from his sight with a growl, appearing almost like a protective guard dog.

"I'm kidding, of course, you stupid human." Zirconis flicked one of his fingers at Natsu and Wendy. His sharp nail just passed through the two Dragon Slayers harmlessly. "Look at me! I'm a damn ghost! How the hell am I supposed to eat anyone, dumbass?! Ahaha!"

Gajeel, Gray, Karissa and Lucy looked upset with the dragon. They were not appreciating his dragon humor.

"Dragon trash." Karissa commented, fearless.

"Who said that?!"

At the sound of his booming voice, Lucy whipped her head with a whimper towards Karissa who averted her eyes away. Gray wrapped an arm around Karissa's shoulder to hold her against him so he could cover her mouth with his other hand. It was best she didn't add any witty comments lest she made it angry enough to leave. This was a dragon. It might be lying to them and could actually do harm if it wanted to…

He can fucking take a hike! The era of dragons is over anyway!

"What happened here?" Carla decided to ask, getting straight to the point. They didn't need to derail from their initial purpose. "We called your spirit back to find out why so many bones are lying around here."

"I have nothing to say to humans. Begone!"

Karissa removed Gray's hand from her mouth. "Just talk! You got no pride to lose anyway! You're dead!"

"Karissa!" Lucy shrieked.

"Chill!" Gray bonked her head.

Zirconis gave the Sinclost a distasteful glare. "You wouldn't be saying that to me when I was alive."

"I wouldn't be alive in the first place." Karissa shot back.

"Your fearless disposition reminds me of that arrogance. I find it annoying, human."

"Okay, but can you use your memory to tell us what happened, thanks."

Gray sweat dropped at how easily she was conversing with the dragon. It was like the fear she had early never happened. He freed her from his hold and crossed his arms over his chest. The truth is, Karissa was just over the initial shock and was no longer impressed. They wanted information and she wanted to get it fast while Wendy was concentrating on keeping the spell intact.

"Fine, then. If you must know, it happened over 400 years ago. At one point, we dragons were the rulers of the world! We danced in the sky at will. We gamboled upon the Earth. We crossed the oceans and lived in prosperity. Everything in this world belonged to Dragonkind. Humans were nothing more than a snack to us!"

Karissa arched a brow. "At one point? So, is it safe to believe you weren't the rulers before?"

The big dragon huffed in annoyance at the question. His eyes narrowed when he remembered fragments of a time from yore. "Pah! The Gods left the world to us after making us suffer under their iron thumb! We automatically became rulers in their stead!"

The Gods, huh?

Dragon Slayers and Zirconis over here were proof of the existence of Dragons.

But, what about the Gods? What was their proof other than the words of this dragon soul?

"But like always, there's always that one foolish dragon. That one objected to the rule of Dragonkind! He blathered some idiocy about wanting to build a world where we could coexist with humans. Now that I think about it, I think that one fool wanted nothing more than to copy the system when the Gods still coexisted with us. So, a war erupted between the dragons that agreed with him, and those who opposed him. I fought against him. I can't bring myself to like humans aside from being my dinner."

"So? What happened with the battle?" Carla tried to make him continue his historic tale.

"Well, the battle hit a stalemate. The clash of dragon against dragon tore the earth apart! We repeated the history of war! But eventually the faction that wanted peace with humans struck on a very foolish strategy. They bestowed upon the humans magic that could slay dragons… and had them join the battle."

"That's the origin of the Dragon Slayers." Happy concluded.

The faces of Sherria and Orga appeared in Karissa's mind. They used God Slaying Magic. What was the story behind that?

"Those dragons took inspiration from the Gods. The power of the Dragon Slayers was unbeatable. It was only a matter of time before the Dragons who wanted peace with the humans would emerge victorious… But that's when they made a miscalculation. They had given the Dragon Slayers too much power. And the Slayers started killing even those dragons who wanted peace with mankind. And among the humans was one who bathed in far too much dragon blood."

"And suddenly the story turns dark." Karissa muttered.

"Power hungry, as usual. Those types span across history forever." Gray sighed.

"I shudder to let that humans' name pass my lips. This 'man' murdered more and more dragons and bathed in their blood! Eventually his skin turned to scales… his teeth turned to fangs… and his human body became physically changed into that of a pure dragon."

Lucy shuddered at the mental image. She could only picture something horrific. Blood raining on a single man and then his body transforming into something grotesque before ultimately becoming a roaring dragon.

"That is the end of the path of Dragon Slayer magic. All of the dragons that lay here were slain by that man. Though once a human, he became the Dragon King! That battle gave birth to him. The Dragon King Festival! The king's name is Acnologia! A dragon, and yet not a dragon. The Winds of Darkness!"

Needless to say, they were in disbelief to discover that the beast that nearly killed them was actually a man. The monster that mercilessly tried to kill them was once a human like them and he showed no hesitation to wipe them out.

Unfortunately, Zirconis disappeared just as he was about to continue. They couldn't ask him anything else. He was gone.

Wendy informed them that his soul was no longer lingering around. It vanished. It moved on to the next life, basically.

"That was," Gray tilted his head for a second and then scratched his head. "a pretty overwhelming story."

"Yeah." Karissa exhaled loudly. "Dragons technically messed up and earned what they gave." She looked over to the Dragon Slayers of their guild. They weren't doing so well after digesting the story.

Natsu grabbed his head and freaked out. "If we use too much Dragon Slayer magic, we become a dragon?!"

"That's messed up!" Gajeel snapped. "I don't want that!"

Wendy held her face as she stared at the ground, panic evident on her body and face. "What do I do?!"

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice cut through the Dragon Slayers' panicked discussion. He dismissed their worries of their supposed inevitable dragon transformation. Alert, they all turned back to find two figures walking towards them. The striking one was a tan-skinned and black haired knight who admitted that they were listening to their conversation. The second one was Yukino dressed in a military uniform.

"I assume you are familiar with the demons from the Book of Zeref. Acnologia is close to that. The theory is that Zeref transformed a Dragon Slayer into Acnologia. In other words, the first step to defeating Zeref, who caused all of this, is to capture Acnologia."

The Sinclost narrowed her eyes. Theory, he says. And how exactly does he plan on achieving such an impossible goal?

…

Captain Arcadios of the Sacred Cherry Blossom Knights was a captain division for the Fiore Royal Army in Crocus. Yukino was a Provisional Sergeant for the same unit. Apparently, after she was removed from Sabertooth, Arcadios recruited her into his service for a top-secret project. The project was in need of Celestial Mages. In other words, Lucy.

He escorted them all into the interior of the Royal Palace, a more proper location to give them information. He started off by telling them the truth of the festival. To their shock, the Grand Magic Games' true purpose was to collect enormous amounts of magical energy from mages. It was thievery disguised as a festival.

"So every year, you stole magic from mages?" Gray summarized the plain truth.

"That's low." Gajeel spat.

"You may criticize as you like. We do it to aid us in a particular plan. But I have to admit, this year in particular has allowed us to collect more magic power than usual." Arcadios looked over his shoulder to look at Karissa. Why was he looking at her? The second their eyes met she blankly stared back at his smirk. "Your magic power was a great help in boosting our resources for the plan. You have my thanks, Karissa Sinclost."

The black haired girl wasn't sure if she should be glad that she indirectly took part in some secret plan. The way she narrowed her eyes at him gave away that she was slightly displeased. She didn't think she'd been seen as a tool to siphon magic from.

"Don't talk to her like she's a tool." Gray fired back with sharply narrowed eyes, irked. He didn't like that tone.

Karissa just held his arm to whisper to him that he didn't need to say anything. It was okay. She didn't want to get into some pointless conflict with an official from the capital. In response to that, he just exhaled audibly through his nose.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to offend." Arcadios looked in front of him when they neared stairs that were descending. He didn't say anything else. The air was a little tense around the Fairy Tail mages. Soon, they were beginning to see the lower floor and what it had at the end of it. "It's just that the Eclipse, the door, will change the world. We needed an abundance of magical power for its construction."

Indeed, it was a door. A giant door that looked almost machine-like with its cog-like designs. Its colours were mostly green and gold. And it had different emblems on it which no one understood.

"What is that?!" Natsu gaped at the size of the towering door. "It's freaking huge!"

"Upon the alignment of the sun and the moon, bring the Twelve Keys and open the door. Upon opening the door… you may travel four hundred years in time to defeat Zeref before he became immortal. That is the Eclipse Plan!"

"T-Travel through time…?!" Lucy couldn't believe such a thing could exist.

The reveal of the plan, the method, the Celestial Mages, the date to enact the plan, all of it was being told so suddenly. They were barely able to wrap their heads around it all before the Royal Army arrived to apprehend Arcadios along with Yukino and Lucy, the rest would be ejected from the palace.

Natsu could not stand the idea of Lucy being unreasonably arrested. He was forced to take action by using his magic to try and forge an escape route. Just as he summoned his fire, the Eclipse Door let out a strange sound before emitting a bright light. It was taking away Natsu's fire and source of his fire, his magic power. His body was rapidly drained of his magic and he collapsed on the floor.

Outnumbered and powerless against the Royal Army, Fairy Tail was kicked out of the palace. The man who kicked them out encouraged them to gain the King's favour by winning the games if they wanted to get back their comrade. That was all he said before shutting the doors and leaving them out.

...

Gray and Gajeel glared up at the door.

"This is ridiculous!" Gray growled and kicked his foot into the door. "They can't just do stuff like this without a reason!"

Karissa got up from her crouched position. She and Wendy were looking over Natsu with the Exceeds. She made her way to the two upset mages and took their arms in each hand.

"Banging on their door isn't going to do anything. Let's not do anything that might get us disqualified and possibly ruin our chances to get Lucy back." Karissa tugged their arms once to have them look at her.

"What the hell..." Gajeel spat, taking one last glance at the door. "You really think we can believe them after what they did?"

"It doesn't matter what I think." Karissa said, tugging on their arm just enough to have the two step away from the door. She let go and focused her attention on Natsu. They needed to get back and get Natsu some of that magic recovery concoction from Porlyusica. Hopefully, she had still more remaining from her last brewing. "For now, we ask the Master."

Gray inhaled audibly through his nose and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "She's right. He needs to know what happened. Let's head back."

They went straight to Master Makarov to report what happened. The old man sobered right up when he heard one of his children was arrested unjustly. Mavis was nowhere to be found when they gave the news. By then, most were out of the pub and resting in their beds. The only people present at the pub were the Master, Mirajane, Laxus, Gray, Erza, Karissa, Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, Juvia and the three cats.

"So, what's the deal? If we don't win the Grand Magic Games, we won't get back Lucy or something?" Laxus crossed his arms and leaned his weight on a crate behind him.

Gray shook his head. "I don't know if we can trust what that guy said."

"What I'm saying is who cares about that…?!" Natsu weakly roared from his spot. Everyone looked at him. He was tied to a beam courtesy of Gray and Karissa. The fire mage was still suffering from magic deficiency but was slowly healing thanks to Wendy who went to fetch one of the spare bottles of magic restoration that Porlyusica made for Van and Karissa.

Gray watched his teammate throw a fit the best way he could. It was amazing how hard headed he could be. The moment he woke up and gathered his bearings, he tried running out the door until he realized he was tied down to a beam. That chaotic behaviour of his was too predictable for Karissa and Gray to not to tie him down. Thankfully, his tantrum was controllable thanks to having his magic suddenly siphoned away.

"Natsu-san, please calm down."

"I gotta go rescue her… right now!"

"If you go now, you're not going to be able to do anything because you're weak." Karissa reminded him, frowning at his insistence. Why couldn't he think reasonably and not think like a child that got his favourite toy confiscated? He needed to calm down.

"Yeah, do you want to be egg yolk on the pavement?" Gray asked with his arms crossed.

"But If I don't go now… ahhhrgghh–!"

"You'd be up against an entire country!" Happy pointed out, hoping he'd see reason. "This isn't like Phantom Lord where we can just barge in without consequences!"

"Happy is right." Makarov exhaled loudly and placed a thoughtful hand under his chin. "If we're up against a kingdom, no half-baked plan will succeed. I also don't think they'd abuse one of their own citizens, either. Until this Eclipse Plan, or whatever it's called, is completely canceled, we have to think of her as a hostage."

"But why did they let us go?" Karissa asked no one in particular as she walked to the table near Laxus and sat on it with her legs in criss cross on them. She was trying to think. There had to be a reason for their freedom. "The old guy was reprimanding Arcadios for spilling top secret information and yet he lets us walk free while giving us incentive to win?"

"Yeah, what's up with that?" Gajeel grunted.

Erza looked down thoughtfully. "Perhaps they decided it could remain hidden no longer."

"If they had just locked us up, it wouldn't have spread, though." Gray remarked.

Karissa hummed and shook her head slowly. She was starting to see something. "No… if they locked us up, Fairy Tail would lose their new team members out of the blue. Public opinion is actually important for these games. If we tell everyone the truth of what happened, the public would probably start boycotting the Games out of disappointment and displeasure. Other guilds would react the same way since they want to compete against Fairy Tail. Master Bob, Master Goldmine and maybe Lamia Scale's Master wouldn't like it and would probably support Makarov if he chooses to not to participate, leaving only Sabertooth and Mermaid Hell to duke it out. That's not exactly a fun game to watch. People want entertainment."

"Yes, Goldmine and Bob would take my side on the matter. I've been friends with them for a long time. Yajima would be a supporter that would help because of his previous influence with the Magic Council." Makarov carefully thought of the possibility of things shifting in his favour if things turned out as Karissa said. He was very tempted to just do it.

"What's more, if they lose guilds, or should I say… magic power… they won't be able to reach their deadline for July 7th. Either way, the public or other participating guilds would ruin their plans." Karissa brushed a finger against her nose. "So, I think it would be in their best interest to let us participate in the Games. The old guy basically telling us to win was kind of proof of that."

Her words sank in for everyone. It made sense. Their Eclipse Plan relied on the Celestial Mages and the magic power emitted during the Games. They needed the Grand Magic Games to continue.

Juvia was surprised at how quick Karissa was able to piece all the information and predict the outcome to understand the hidden answer. "That would make not just one, but three guilds as the kingdom's enemies." The rain woman concluded.

"It would be safe to believe that Lucy would not be harmed in that case." Carla spoke up.

"They need both." Gray figured. "Otherwise, there wouldn't be a Grand Magic Games this year. They could have arrested Lucy the second they learned she returned from Tenrou Island."

"If we wanted to be devious, we could start spreading rumours to have all mages probably start a revolt. No festival for the kingdom." Laxus placed a hand on Karissa's head, silently praising her. Blinking, she looked at Laxus's profile just before his hand slipped off.

"Karissa's guesses and hunches are usually correct." Erza nodded. "An unjust arrest is not consistent with the Royal Army. Many of our fellow mages would be upset."

"I'm already upset! Let me go!"

"Be quiet, Natsu!"

Natsu let out a squeak when Makarov's giant hand hovered over him threateningly.

"When a member of our family is taken, it's no time for a festival. I assume… you all feel the same?" Makarov looked at the faces of the young members. They all held his stare with silence. "I know we always go in full throttle without a plan… but that's not a good idea against this enemy. Still… we're not so cowardly that we can remain silent about this. Not Fairy Tail!"

"So, what do we do in the meantime?" Mirajane asked.

"For now, you will all act normal while I come up with a plan tomorrow. After that, you will all enjoy your day off and not do anything suspicious. We don't know if the Royal Army has decided to keep an eye on us. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Fine."

"Understood."

"Good. Now, go get some rest. Today was a long day. Erza, I trust you won't let Natsu do anything stupid?"

Erza nodded with a verbal reply and made her way towards Natsu who was grumbling. She was personally talking to Natsu to convince him to be patient for a few hours until the Master is ready to tell him the plan. For now, Natsu needed to concentrate on getting his strength back.

Karissa hopped off the table and approached Gray while Wendy and Erza untied Natsu from the beam. Thankfully, Gray was more reasonable than Natsu so they didn't have to worry about two people trying to escape their room tonight.

Much like the others, Karissa was worried about Lucy. The younger mage went through enough during the Naval Battle. Being on the receiving end of some harsh treatment from the Royal Army was not needed.

How vexing.

Gray put a hand on her shoulder as they started walking out of the pub. "We'll get her back. Don't worry." he reassured her when he saw her being quiet.

"Yeah, I know. We just have to be patient…"

Gray held the door open for her as they exited the establishment. They were ahead of everyone else. They would most likely arrive at Honeybone first since Erza and Wendy had to take care of the weakened Natsu.

On the other side of the street, there was a restaurant with a big terrace for people to dine on. Many people enjoying their dinner. They were laughing and talking about the festival, completely oblivious to the schemes behind the shadows and the unlawful arrest of an innocent mage.

Ignorance was bliss.

"To think they plan on using Lucy and Yukino for some crazy time traveling plan." Gray said, still in disbelief by the door's purpose. "It's absolutely insane that they made something like that. Like, how the hell did they make that? There's no way a guide to making a door connecting to the past exists out here…"

Gray made sure to keep his voice in check so that any passerby wouldn't listen in. It would be a much better idea to discuss this within the walls of their room at the inn though. The building wasn't that far from where they were.

"If you change the past then you change the future. And if you change the future, you also change the past." Gray looked up at the starry night with a subtle frown. "Who knows how many effects ripple up and down the timeline."

"Yeah, even the smallest detail can alter the present. There probably wouldn't be a Fairy Tail or a Magnolia. I probably wouldn't be friends with Cana." As Karissa thought about every comfort in her life, she imagined it all fading away into nothingness, she stared at the ground with a single thought that was selfish. Forget rationality and the good it brought. She didn't have the room in her heart to care about that.

"You might think this is twisted or selfish… but I don't care about going back in time and killing Acnologia or Zeref. They can stay alive and cause destruction in our future if it means not taking a risk to change what I have." She slowly looked at Gray with solemn eyes. "Like you said, who knows how many effects will ripple the timeline. I probably wouldn't have met you either. And I don't think I can imagine a life without you."

The taller mage blinked at her honesty. To imagine removing a constant in one's life was hard. It would involve trying to learn how to live without something. They were each other's constant. After meeting and becoming friends, there was actually only one time they parted ways. But when they found each other again, they stayed together because they needed it. Within each other was a piece of history that they were unwilling to part with, a comfort.

They didn't want to learn how to live without the other.

Silence fell between them. He understood where she was coming from.

Gray stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah. There's no need for the past to change. We need the past to fix mistakes and learn from it. It's the reason we are who we are. Everything is what led to this moment." Hearing those words, she turned her attention to him and looked at his side profile. "But if the past did change then I feel like I don't need to worry. Once a bond is made, I don't think it can disappear just like that. We'll still be connected somehow again in another future."

"You think so?"

"Just ask me to play tag with you again."

Karissa's face deadpanned. "I think you'd find it weird to see a grown woman asking you to play tag in the middle of the street."

"I found it weird back then but still ended up being your friend, right? You never know." Gray shrugged while they rounded the corner of the street. Just ahead was the inn. He pulled the door open and held it open for her so that she could pass first. "All I know is… I'd probably find you first."

Tipping her head, she looked at him curiously. "Why do you sound so confident about that?"

"..."

He simply slipped past her and started going on ahead.

"Graaay?"

Instead of replying, he just went up the stairs. It made her give him a look from behind. Why was he leaving her on a cliffhanger now? "Wow, leaving me hanging like that? Alright."

He stopped halfway up the stairs. For a second, she wondered if they were going to stay under a flickering light that the owner didn't fix. How many lights were going to be busted in this place? He then turned around and she could see his face turning a little red.

Oh?

"Why do you think? I can't imagine a life without you either."

Oh.

…

"D'aww…" Karissa quickly climbed up the steps with a laugh, running after him when he retreated by quickly going up the rest to escape her teasing. He could sense it coming for his ass. But running away from her was just a ruse. When he felt her trying to reach for his hand, he just snatched hers in his while going up the rest of the way, surprising her into a giddy smile.

"Don't tease me. I didn't tease you."

"I'm not teasing you! I'm just happy~"

"... Then that's fine."

He tightened his hand around hers.

If she thought she was selfish or twisted then he was the same just as equally.

…

The world kept moving even after Lucy's arrest. The moon took its turn to shine its light on the world before passing the baton to its counterpart.

Gray and Karissa flinched.

Erza had abruptly ripped the curtains open and had the sun attack the two sleeping ice mages. All that was good in the world was ruined. And they did not appreciate it.

The scarlet haired mage turned around and put her hands on her hips. "You two need to wake up and enjoy your day off. We need to act normal."

"... The fuck?" Gray, with the most squinted eyes, rubbed his forehead when he propped himself up on his elbows. He went to bed shirtless last night. He felt the cool air brush his skin, making him shiver. No cold resistance could prepare him for that.

What the hell was Erza on about? Was sleeping not considered normal? He looked towards Karissa's bed and found her burrowing her face back in her pillow. She was clearly not going to entertain Erza's early nonsense.

"Wendy and Natsu have already gone for breakfast." Erza informed while marching to the door. "I would expect you two to eat naturally as well. Don't stay in bed too long."

Eat naturally? What the?

Gray watched her open the door. His hopes were dashed when Erza didn't leave. She turned around again. "Remember: act natural. Don't let the Royal Army think we have any funny ideas. Understand? Karissa!"

"Hmmm!" Karissa nuzzled into her pillow as if it would mute Erza's annoying soldier-voice. She was so close to telling Erza to beat it. Gray just answered with a weak 'yes' before flopping his head back on the soft pillow right as she decided to close the door behind her. The two ice mages had no plans on getting anytime soon. With the sunlight burning his eyelids, he decided to face Karissa and go back to sleep. The sun could shine on his back instead.

For a moment, he stared at her. He was admiring how peaceful she looked in her bed. Her bangs were tilted in the opposite direction. Her cheek was squished on the pillow as she took in even breaths. Cute.

The longer he stared at her, the more he started getting lulled back to sleep.

It was quiet.

Sudden rustling.

Gray peeked his eyes open when he saw Karissa getting out of bed. She was just wearing navy blue pajamas pants that had light blue smiley face outlines patterns, and a blue t-shirt. Her hair was all over her face. He watched her stumble away from her bed and hastily make for the door.

"Where're you going…?" His voice was groggy and laced with sleep.

Click.

She locked the door.

No more disturbance.

Someone doesn't have a key? Too bad.

His cobalt eyes followed her figure that was now marching to the curtains. It was clear that she was grouchy after being so rudely woken up. The room instantly darkened with how she violently closed the curtains and blocked out the sun. The thumping of her heels against the wooden floor was the only sharp sound in the room until she bumped on the corner of Gray's bed mid yawn. She groaned irritably. It made him chuckle a little.

"Careful."

Without a word, she fell back in her bed and dove under her blanket, nuzzling her face back into her pillow. Gray could see how she was trying to ignore that small ray of light that was shining directly at her eyelids. Even with the curtains closed, the morning light still found a way into their room.

1… 2… 3…. aaand–

The female ice mage let out a whine as she opened her eyes again. "Stupid morning…! Go away!"

At this rate, sleep was going to pack its bags and leave.

Gray snorted in his bed. He used his hand to knock on his pillow while looking directly at her. He was trying to tell her something. The sleepiness kind of slowed down her brain. It was taking a while.

Karissa's sleepy eyes stared directly at Gray's own tired eyes.

But she eventually got it.

Why not?

Eagerly, she slipped out of her bed. Gray lifted the covers and let her dive inside. He grunted when he felt her knock her forehead into chest. The sun was immediately blocked by Gray when she tucked herself closer to him after he made room for her to rest her head on the warm pillow. To keep her away from the edge, he put his arm around her and tugged her closer.

"We'll eat breakfast later." Gray murmured, slowly falling back into sleep with his arm still slung over her.

She didn't verbally reply and instead moved a bit closer to the crook of his neck.

Two hours later, they finally woke up and went out to eat their breakfast.

In reality, it was Gray who woke up.

Karissa did not.

...

Gray took the initiative to get out of bed and get ready for the day. In only a pair of shorts, he scratched his stomach while watching the way she kept sleeping even after feeling the bed shift when he climbed out.

"Wake up. We gotta eat something." He said mid yawn in a gravelly voice while using his other hand to pull the covers away from her face. She refused. Her head stayed flat on the pillow and she pulled back the shield of dreams, making him sigh.

She was mumbling about a dream that Gray didn't understand with how she was basically talking into the pillow. He yawned again, jaw stretched so wide that he was actually concerned about the crack he heard. His hand flew to his jaw with squinted eyes. That helped to wake him up at least.

Shaking off the little surprise from his jaw, he set his palm against the mattress and reached for the blanket again to throw it off her body. Instantly her body produced an annoyed groan. Ignoring that, Gray moved her body onto her back and pulled her up into a sitting position.

"Don't you want to go around Crocus?" Gray plucked the blanket away from her grabby hands. "Come on, let's get dressed and eat something." Her dark hair fell on her face when she tilted her head downward with a hum. Why was she so sleepy? They didn't even sleep that late!

He smoothed her messy hair back while tilting her head back up.

"I don't even remember what I was dreaming about…" Karissa shook her head to shake the hair out of her eyes. Then she looked up at him. She was looking at him with her natural morning face: lost and almost innocent. Her dark brown eyes were looking at him expectantly. Gingerly, she took his hand as if to plead. "Yeah. I wanna go."

"Then get dressed."

Her stomach started growling on cue.

Gray snorted.

"But first," Karissa blinked, looking more awake. "Food." She shuffled to the foot of the bed where he was and literally bounced off it to head to the bathroom, leaving the taller ice mage somewhat baffled at how quick she was to wake up despite having no desire to get up just moments ago. She shifted gears quickly just like the bounce she just did.

"The power food has on a hungry person is amazing." Gray mumbled to himself while reaching for his bag to fish out some clothes.

Luckily, they found a cafe still serving breakfast. On the way there, they'd actually notice officers from the Royal Army just patrolling the area. It made them feel a little restless after the events of last night came back to them. They still heeded Master Makarov's words and acted naturally though.

Gray and Karissa found a window to sit by to eat their breakfast sandwiches. A biscuit, with cheese, egg, and sausage. While chewing, Karissa saw the way he was discreetly eying the officer outside the cafe with another officer, conversing about something. She nudged his hand to bring his attention back to her.

"Stop it. You might give them the wrong idea."

Gray just breathed through his nose and gave one last discreet stink eye to the officer outside. "I just can't tell if they're actually keeping an eye on us or just doing their job." He finally started unwrapping his breakfast from its paper confines. "I'm actually convinced they're watching us and it's irritating."

"Let's just talk." Karissa decided. "Let's talk about tomorrow."

He chewed his food and gave her a look of resignation. Fine. He swallowed and gestured his sandwich towards her. "You go first. Think you can win against your brother?"

"I already answered that question when Erza asked. I have no idea. I'd have to find out and see…" then she looked at her free hand. "But I have no choice but to win now that Lucy was arrested."

The chance to get back Lucy legally was one that Master Makarov and the others weren't willing to dismiss so easily. If it came down to her fighting Clavis… then she was going to have to win no matter what.

"Shh." Gray lightly tapped his lips with his finger. Lucy's arrest wasn't made public. They couldn't be careless and expose the truth. Realizing this, Karissa stuffed her mouth with her sandwich. When they ate in silence, they noticed that the officers were actually walking away now. It made Gray scoff and shake his head lightly, muttering something she didn't quite catch. She just knew he was mildly annoyed.

Karissa put down her food to start uncapping the bottled apple juice. "But you know… Clavis said something to me that has me thinking a lot. He once asked me if I was important to him and I couldn't help but feel how heavy that question was."

"Important?"

"Mhmm. I wonder what was his reason for asking that…"

Gray leaned back in his chair when she looked thoughtful with her bottle pressed in front of her mouth. Clavis was someone taken away from his family after the doctor fooled his parents into thinking he died. From then, he suffered under the thumb of a magic facility before making his escape. And then, years later, he found out his family was alive and wanted to connect with them.

Despite it all, he was a ray of sunshine.

To be honest, Gray found his happy innocence charming. But there was just something that was bugging him. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. He just knew that he was starting to sense something off about him when he fought against the Raven Tail member a few days ago.

He didn't know if Karissa sensed it though.

But maybe it was all in his head?

"I think you should have asked him when he asked you that question."

"Yeah, I probably should have asked…" She mumbled and took another bite out of her food. "I will next time. Anyway, What about you? Do you think you can win against Rufus?"

Hearing the Sabertooth's molding mage's name made him think back to that pathetic performance. He scoffed. "No way am I gonna lose to that guy again. If I get the chance, I'm definitely paying him back for that first day. I'll make sure of it."

Karissa smiled and nodded. She liked that answer. "Well, I've been by your side long enough to know you keep your words. I believe in you. Let's just hope this won't break your streak of never losing twice though."

"Trust me, it won't."

He took one aggressive bite of his breakfast.

"What about Lyon?"

"I'll kick his ass." He replied without missing a beat. Hearing him say that made her choke out a laugh. "I did it once. I'll do it again."

"You sure that wasn't a one time thing?" She teased. He was definitely still annoyed about the encounter and the stupid bet Lyon tried imposing on him when they first arrived in the capital.

"Don't believe me? Alright, just wait and see." He nodded to himself and gave her a side look. She was grinning at him. All of a sudden, Gray spotted something in his peripheral. Double taking, he paused his meal and gaped at what was outside the window. Karissa blinked. What was wrong? She turned to look outside to try and spot what he was seeing. It wasn't hard to see it.

How could you miss seeing a big guy carrying some shopping bags for a familiar light brown haired woman? Elfman was carrying Evergreen's shopping bags!

"What, did he lose a bet or something?" Gray blinked several times. "When did they get close?"

"I.. uh, I don't know… I guess during the S-Class Exam?" She guessed, watching the two interact.

The way Gray and Karissa observed them was like watching someone try to lick their elbow. Not impossible but surprising.

"Damn, they're actually good at hiding. I didn't suspect a thing!"

Evergreen said something that had Elfman turning red and moving his arms in a flustered manner. He looked a little peeved. When she marched off with annoyance, he desperately ran after her with her bags hanging on him.

Oh man, they really weren't expecting this pair. Elfman was the last person Evergreen would be matched with! They thought for sure that someone like her would be matched with someone like Hibiki from Blue Pegasus. Perhaps it was Elfman's heart of gold that got her?

Karissa grinned to herself when she pictured another pair in her mind. She was actually rooting for that one. "I wonder if Laxus and Pandora'll get closer too."

After hearing her words, the wind mage noticed Gray giving her a look of disbelief in utter silence. He stopped mid bite when her words registered in his brain. She only smiled mysteriously before taking a sip of her apple juice.

"WHEN?!"

"Oh, you sweet summer child."

"No, seriously? When?"

"You got a little crumb on your chin." She poked his chin with a smile. He grabbed her finger.

"Don't change the subject."

…

With breakfast out of the way came Gray's need for final day attire. Karissa tagged along in the search for a clothing store. They went through several before actually staying in one. The store they chose was huge. It was mostly Gray looking for something nice while Karissa went browsing for fun.

Compared to Pandora, Karissa was a novice at swimming through the isles. If Pandora was here then she'd somehow knew where to look. She could step into a store for the first time and during the first minute she would manage to rip off twelve pieces from hangers that were suited for whatever she needed them for. Maybe it was all that time modeling for Sorcerer Weekly that gave her that black magic.

There was a quiet humming tune coming from her when she searched around. Her eyes scanned around to try and spot something nice. Something did catch her eye. Her feet skidded to a stop and she made a beeline for it. It was the same kind of clothes she bought from that one store she Evergreen visited, the one with the flower patterns on the sleeve and the horizontal diamond patterns on the lower half. This store had green and purple ones! More cold colours!

Oohhh!

Karissa immediately fished out the ones that were her size and looked at them with starry eyes.

She took another blue one and ran off to find a changing room, excited. She might as well just check if they fit before actually buying them. No need for an extra trip to return them.

On her way there, she spotted Gray near a rack of clothes, looking through them with a pensive face. He was certainly taking this little shopping trip seriously. With a bounce in her step, she fell into the spot next to him and peeked at the clothes he had on his arm. He took a brief glance at what was hanging on hers.

"Found something you like?"

"Yep. You?"

"I got a few in mind. I just need something for tomorrow though." He found a purple sleeveless top. Along with it hung pieces of the attire which consisted of matching sleeves. "Something easy to move around with."

"Don't forget easy to strip off." She added innocently.

Pausing, Gray gave her a look from the side while she pretended to rip off her own shirt in a dramatic way before pretending it never happened when she realized he was looking at her. They held each other's stare, waiting for one of them to respond. Then, with a silly smile, she leaned her head on his shoulder, cheek squished against him, playing innocent while also admiring his looks. This brought out a chuckle from him and she felt it against his shoulder as she watched him drape the purple top on his arm.

"What? You can't tell me you won't strip it off anyway."

Gray used his free hand to pinch her cheek. The fragrance of her hair that smelled like green apple was pleasant to him. "Some things are better left unsaid."

"I didn't say it was bad. You focus more when you're without a shirt, right?"

"Juvia, what are you doing?"

Like deers, they both looked towards the voice as they perked up. They saw Cana in her usual revealing attire with a bottle in hand as she followed Juvia. The rain woman was several racks away from the ice duo with her index and middle finger pressed to her forehead. Upon hearing the Card Mage, Juvia turned around in surprise.

"Cana-san! I didn't know you were here."

"I was looking for lingerie when I spotted you." Cana's tone was dripping with curiosity. "Shopping too?"

"Juvia is trying to see if Gray-sama is nearby! Juvia is testing the powers of her love!"

Gray jolted and quickly crouched down behind the rack. When he saw Karissa still staring at Juvia, he grabbed her wrist, causing her to look down and see how he was gesturing for her to get down next to him. Slowly she did.

"I'm not surprised she's here." Karissa whispered. Truly, there were very few things that Juvia could do to shock her now. "Do you think she was following you?"

Gray ran a hand across his face, sighing into it. "I wouldn't be surprised if she did."

"How do you know if Gray is even here?"

"Juvia spotted him entering the store!" The rain woman giggled. "Juvia wants to help him pick clothes… and, ahh, maybe help him get dressed! Together! Alone! In close proximity!"

The two ice mages were listening together in disbelief. She didn't realize how thirsty this woman was to actually see him naked inside a confined space. And Gray turned pale at the idea of Juvia trapping him in a box and taking his clothes away.

"Good lawd." Karissa commented apathetically. "She wants that Gray skin."

"Is she crazy?!" Gray freaked in a whispered shout. The hair on the back of his neck was standing now. The mere idea of being defiled in who knows what way had him desperately searching for an escape. "No way am I letting that happen!" He discreetly peeked in between the clothes to find an escape route. Karissa was also trying to avoid attracting attention from Juvia.

Because if Juvia saw her… well, it was going to get needlessly annoying.

And if Cana saw her… there might be an interrogation.

The other customers behind them were giving them odd looks.

Smoothly, Gray slipped around Karissa without getting up and started going around racks while keeping track of Juvia's movements. When he noticed that Karissa was watching him as if he was some mythical creature, he urged her to follow after him. The Sinclost snapped out of it with a quick jolt. Nimbly, she followed his lead and started maneuvering around racks with him, avoiding the other customers who were completely out of the loop of what was happening.

Why was this stealth three times harder than any other stealth mission they had been on?

While they were moving towards the back of the store, Juvia somehow ended up going the same way and was one second away from spotting Gray and Karissa huddled behind a rack. To avoid her, they dove underneath a circular rack to hide within the clothes hanging from it. Gray ended up slamming the back of his head against the metal and nearly cried out loud if it weren't for Karissa shoving the clothes she was carrying on his face. His sounds were blocked. When she was sure he wouldn't cause a fuss, she stopped muffling him and saw how he was nursing the back of his head. Gray's eyes, which looked noticeably teary, expressed all the annoyance he had towards the damn rack.

"Son of a—!"

"Shh!"

As soon as Juvia went in the opposite direction, Gray and Karissa quietly bolted out of their hiding spot and kept moving further back. At the end, they could see four stalls that were designated as changing rooms. Oh, Gray knew where he was going to hide now. That stall that just opened? That's his. That lady over there on her way to get in? She can forget about it.

He let out a strangled cry as he took a risk to stand up straight to bolt into that changing room, pulling Karissa along with him with a hand around her elbow. The woman who was almost there screamed in fright as Gray and Karissa all but flew in and slammed the door shut.

Cana quirked a brow as she looked to the back where the scream came from.

"Weird."

"Gah, my head."

Gray looked at himself in the mirror as he sat on the bench to look in the mirror in front of him. It was hung up on the back of the door. She could see his grumpy look in the reflection of the mirror. She patted his thigh and sighed while he nursed his head again.

"You have to be more careful."

Gray looked at her with a frown at her chide. "Sorry, I was too busy protecting my dignity!"

With a roll of her eyes, she moved as far as she could before shifting on her knees so that she could be taller than him. Confused about what she was about to do, he looked up and tried to see what she was up to. But she just held his head and turned his head to have him face the mirror again.

"Eyes in front, Fullbuster. I wanna see something."

"See, what?"

"Your boo-boo. Is it here? Here?"

"Ow!"

Karissa looked at the mirror and gave him a flat look. "Come on, I barely grazed it."

"If you couldn't tell it's pretty sensitive!" He flinched when he felt something cool on his head. In their reflection, she was grinning while waving her other hand that wasn't busy icing his bump. He sighed audibly and let her be. They might as well since they were probably going to have to wait out the Juvia storm.

Through the reflection, he was watching the way she tended to his head. She was being delicate with him. Even he knew that despite his protest. His eyes drifted to notice how their frames obviously differed. She was smaller than him. But he was reminded of just how strong she was in different ways, her body and her heart. In his own right, he was just as strong.

But even after all that happened there were still moments of self-doubt.

It's just not that easy.

The shadows of self-doubt still want to keep hold of him.

But when he stands by her side, watches her, smiles with her, laughs with her, he remembers what she said about his self-confidence and it gets easier to shrug off the shadow that is trying to sabotage him. He remembers how he's always, all these years, want to keep this precious light of his burning bright. That won't ever change.

"You're staring." She cut through his thoughts and brought him back. Being caught red handed made some light pink dust his cheeks.

"And you're thinking of me." He accused fast.

She tried to find something witty to say but she ran out of ideas this time. "Obviously. I'm icing your head!"

"Forget about it. I'll be fine."

"But I'm already doing it anyway."

"It's fine," he took her hand in his to take it off his head. "just sit back down, will you?"

Without objecting, she obeyed and sat back down next to him. But that lasted only two seconds when she let her impulsive thoughts take over. She just wanted to check if Juvia and Cana were still outside, feet already moving to have her check outside the door.

Gray pulled her back into the spot next to him, chiding. "Stop moving around and sit still."

"But I was just going to check if they were still outside."

"They still are. Just sit here next to me."

"But—"

"It's fine."

He cut her off by taking her hand again and interlacing their fingers together, making her freeze with surprise. She stared at their hands, slowly succumbing to the flush that was coating her face. When she looked at him, he found her staring at her with a frown that was almost a pout. They were so close. And seeing the way she was visibly blushing from the proximity was contagious.

Gaaaaah! He's so attractive! Damn!

Karissa buried her face in her free hand. Her fluster translated into a noise of embarrassment.

Ah geez…

After sharing their feelings and talking it out, she felt safe knowing that he understood what she felt and was willing to wait. But while knowing this and being with him, she was noticing that her heart was not on the same wavelength as her mind.

There is a want to be with him already.

If she loved him and he reciprocated, then what was she waiting for?

This hesitation that stemmed from the worry of not being compatible as a couple and her lack of knowledge of having a relationship were clashing against what her heart wanted.

And what was it that her heart wanted now?

Easy. To love and be with him.

If it's that easy...

Then if there were bumps that she wasn't prepared for, then she should just face them. Better to learn now than never, right?

I think… I just made my choice.

"Hey, everyone, it's Warren. The Master is asking everyone to regroup!"

But I guess it'll have to wait until after we win.

In one of the deserted taverns due to the current daytime hour, the representatives of the Fairy Tail Team for the games were gathered for a strategy meeting. The individuals present were everyone but Natsu. He was replaced with Erza who was replaced by Juvia as the back up member. Natsu, the one most eager to rescue Lucy, was removed from the team so that he could participate in rescuing Lucy in secret with Mirajane, Pandora, Wendy, and the Exceeds.

Master Makarov devised a two-front battle plan. He couldn't trust the unjust Royal Army to free Lucy and he couldn't dismiss the chance to retrieve her through the legal way. So, he divided his trust into two groups: the front, the Fairy Tail Team, and the back, the Rescue Team. There would be nothing left to chance.

The Rescue Team was consulting with Master Makarov while the Fairy Tail Team was meeting with Mavis.

They were using a board with a map that illustrated the entirety of Crocus for their battle plan. Prior to the meeting, they received intel that the game was going to be held within the entire capital. Mavis was leaving nothing to chance as well. She was arranging plans in case Juvia needed to participate in case of whatever emergency. Fairy Tail would not be put in any kind of disadvantage.

It surprised everyone that Mavis was making up all these plans after being informed off all their skills.

They were starting off with the most likely opponents they would have to face to win.

"First off, we will discuss the first problem: Rufus Lore from Sabertooth. I observed the way he attacked us during our first day with those lights and understood how the spell worked. It's a homing attack. He is able to pinpoint your location and send those falling stars your way without fail.

"So, what're you saying? That this Rufus guy knows all our locations?" Gajeel scowled. What a cheap move.

"Precisely. However, no spell is entirely impossible to evade."

"How so?" Erza crossed her arms. She was standing near the table where Gray, Juvia, Karissa and Gajeel were sitting. Gray and Juvia sat together while Gajeel and Karissa sat in the front to be close to the map.

"The instant you see light in the sky, you need to move within two seconds to avoid the attack. But," Mavis looked to Laxus who was leaning back against the counter near the window. "The spell has an lightning aspect. You alone should be able to simply put up your guard and take it."

"Gotcha." Now that Rufus' grand spell was exposed, it didn't seem like a big deal anymore.

"He will be confused once his attack fails. In his confusion, there is a sixty-eight percent chance that Rufus will attempt to close in one one of us. A thirty-two percent chance he will stand by where he is. If he chooses the latter, he will have no effect on our plan."

In other words, he will be easy prey if he comes near them if he doesn't get his wits together.

"However, we cannot leave him even after he recovers from the shock. His Memory Make Magic can be troublesome if left unchecked."

Erza nodded. "So, it seems taking down Rufus is a priority."

"So, who do you think is most suited to taking him down?" Gajeel asked, curious. If he was chosen, he could probably track him down with his scent and take him out.

As if answering his question, they heard a thump on the wooden table followed by Gray's ask to be the one to take him down. Gajeel and Karissa turned around to see him standing from his seat. Juvia was surprised at Gray's volunteer.

"Is that alright, First Master?" Gray asked, looking directly at her eyes.

Mavis didn't say anything. Her eyes narrowed and she looked away from the young ice mage. "My calculations show that a match-up between you and Rufus will put you at a disadvantage. The probability of your winning…" she trailed off.

But before she could even give a number, Gray cut her off when he raised his voice. "I don't give a damn about the odds!" The spirit looked at Gray's fiery resolve in his eyes. "I want to help save Lucy, and I've got a score to settle with him! I'm asking as a Fairy Tail mage! Please let me do this!"

Karissa observed the stare off between Gray and Mavis. He was trying to get his feelings across, to show his determination, to make her understand that it was also a matter of pride.

Right now, everyone was expected to follow the battle plan for tomorrow. Master Mavis' plans were the most logical way to operate to win when she revealed that was a strategist for wartime in the past. However, as much as Karissa had faith in the little Master she also had faith in Gray. Nothing could shake that faith.

"He can do it." Karissa spoke up quietly, cutting through the silence. The two looked at her as she glanced over to a picture of a feather on the board that represented Rufus. "The thing about Gray is that he won't lose twice. He just won't. You can trust him to win."

The First Master did not have any proof to believe her or Gray. She only had their words.

"If I allow him to go against Rufus, then we are going to be adding a variable that could ruin the battle plan. If we fail to take down Rufus, then it will cause problems, maybe even our loss. We might not be able to save Lucy. Knowing this, will you go against my calculations and bet your emotions instead?"

"Yes." Gray answered with clear conviction in his tone. "I will be the victorious one. I swear on my pride as a Fairy Tail mage."

There was another pause. Everyone else was curious to hear what the First Master was going to say in response to his feelings. Would she dismiss his wish in favour for her calculations, or would she give him a chance to prove his words?

The small Master closed her eyes and sighed. "Very well… I suppose there are times when emotions will have to outweigh calculations." Mavis took a picture from the side. It was an illustration of an ice cube. She pinned it next to the picture of the feather before turning to face Gray again. "You will have to show it to me, the strength of your emotions."

Nothing else needed to be said now that he had her trust. He nodded his head and sat back down, thanking her. Now, everyone was counting on him to get rid of the annoying piece on the board. He definitely couldn't fail now.

With Rufus out of the way, they continued with the plan.

"Minerva will go after Karissa." Mavis pointed at the most likely place she would try to encounter her. "Her movements are predictable thanks to Karissa's provocation. Her personality makes it obvious. We'll use it against her."

"Look at that," Gajeel scoffed, nudging Karissa. "You pissing her off is working in our favour."

"She's doing it to herself." Karissa shrugged in blasé manner. "So, what? I fight her?"

"No." Mavis shook her head, making Karissa tilt her head. She directed her green eyes at Erza. "She will be the one to fight Minerva since your strengths lie somewhere else."

Erza paid close attention to her instructions now that the First Master was speaking to her directly. She was to engage Minerva by cutting off her path so that Karissa would be free to move against more demanding opponents. Laxus was next. His opponent was going to be Orga from Sabertooth, a fellow Lightning user.

"Gajeel will encounter Rogue after defeating his enemies while heading towards the south."

Gajeel grunted as he saw how far he needed to travel to get to Rogue. At least, this time, he could fight until the end.

"As for Karissa…" Mavis looked over to the said mage who was awaiting her orders curiously. "I want you to face off against key players from another guild."

"Not Sabertooth? What about Sting?"

"I considered it. But Gajeel and Laxus can take him down if they encounter him."

Karissa blinked at her reasoning. Well, she didn't really have any complaints about that. Sabertooth or not, she cared more about winning strategically than trying to one up Sabertooth on her own. The female ice mage pulled her legs up and sat criss cross on the wooden chair, bumping her knee against Gajeel's thigh.

Mavis smiled knowingly and pointed at Karissa. "I've noticed that you carry a great amount of magic power in your body. And Makarov has told me you also use wind magic."

"Oh, yeah. I was hiding it during the games."

Gajeel snorted at this and gave her a sly look. "Trying to surprise the competition?"

In response to his words, Karissa just chuckled in amusement. She already showed off her fuel. Now that the final day was here, she was going to be free to go all out and catch whoever wasn't expecting it off guard. It was exciting!

"It's good to never show all your cards to your opponent." Mavis agreed with Karissa's decision. "The element of surprise can turn the tides."

"Right?" Karissa tilted her body lightly from left to right and then from right to left with her hands holding her ankles, pleased that the very first master of Fairy Tail agreed with her idea. No point in going gung-ho in a competition and letting the others plan against your moves. She already gave others reason to be wary. If they were being careful while taking in consideration her versatile ice magic then she could use her wind to take them down when they least expected it.

The only people who would know about my wind would be some of Blue Pegasus, Lyon… and that's about it.

But then she realized something too late.

And Laxus voiced it out.

"The ones you did the alliance with probably blabbed to their team about your second magic though. Surprise failed, I guess."

Upset that she forgot to account for that probability, she scratched her neck in annoyance.

"No matter." Mavis gingerly turned in her spot. Her bare feet barely made a sound. Her hand rose to touch two pictures: a falling apple and a dark sky. She held up an image of an ice storm and placed it in between the two pictures. "Your task is going to be a bit trickier."

…

THE 6TH OF JULY, THE FINAL DAY OF THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES

It was just after noon.

Fireworks lit up the sky and the cheers of the crowd reverberated in the coliseum.

"Finally! The day has finally come! The Closing Day of the Festival of Wizardry! The Grand Magic Games! Whether it be through smiles or tears, today we will know which guild is the ultimate winner!"

The Fairy Tail Team stood in the shadows, awaiting their cue to come out. Karissa stood on Erza's right side in front of Gajeel when she heard Chapati talk.

It made the wind mage scoff.

"Whether it be through smiles or tears, today we will siphon magic from our players for our hidden plan." Karissa mocked apathetically with her hands in her pants' pockets. She was wearing that garment she bought with Evergreen on top of a blue t-shirt with a white collar. Her pants were navy blue, and she wore black slip ons with white soles. An easy attire to move around in.

"It does feel weird to hear it like this when we know the truth." Gajeel huffed, annoyed by everyone's ignorance.

"Makes the festival feel more like a joke." Laxus commented behind Gray who was standing on Erza's opposite side. They could hear Quatro Chihuahua and Blue Pegasus being called out.

"It does, doesn't it?" Gray sighed. He wondered if the truth would ever come out.

"Festival or not, our main focus today is to become number one and get back Lucy." Erza reminded everyone as Mermaid Hell came out of the shadows.

"Yes, ma'am~" Karissa rolled her shoulders back, listening to the crowd boom with cheers for Sabertooth.

With Erza's cue, they walked forward when their guild name was about to be called.

"Next, the rising phoenix, the guild that seven years ago they called the best! Will this be the day it completes its return?! Fairy Tail makes its entrance!"

The crowd immediately erupted into louder cheers followed by some confusion when they noticed Natsu was replaced with Titania. He put up quite the performance two days ago, so it was a wonder why he decided not to take part. However, most of the crowd didn't mind since Titania, the winner of the Pandemonium game, was participating for the final day.

As long as they get to see interesting things, then the crowd would be satisfied.

Once Lamia Scale, the current number one in the games' ranking came out, the guilds were instructed to step on the giant platform that began glowing in the center of the coliseum. A tingly sensation touched their bodies before a light engulfed their vision. By the time they came to, they were standing somewhere in Crocus. Fairy Tail found themselves in a district where a statue of a lion was situated.

Their starting locations were shared to them before today so they already knew they were going to be moved here. Also, the rules of the game were shared with them this morning. All information shared with them was kept from the other guilds who were given their own information regarding their own team.

"So, they used teleportation to put us here, huh?" Laxus looked around, trying to remember where exactly they were in the capital.

"It's going to be a literal maze." Gajeel remarked. Maybe he should have explored the capital a little more before today.

"No kidding." Gray crossed his arms and frowned. "And now that I'm here, this place is huge! Aren't they concerned about the destruction we're about to cause?"

Karissa scoffed and placed a hand on Gray's shoulder. She gestured to all the fancy looking buildings. "Money. Money everywhere. I'm sure they got plenty for rebuilding. So, just forsake everything. We have an excuse for it this time."

"Don't look at me like I'm the Salamander." Gajeel scowled at Karissa's stare.

"Well, you can't deny you're not an exception to it." Gray chuckled with Karissa still by his side, now with her elbow on his shoulder to place squish her cheek on her knuckles while she carried a little grin on her face. The truth was, anyone in Fairy Tail was liable to cause destruction. The crowd was going to remember that soon enough.

"Ah, shut up."

To avoid deviating from their focus, Erza clapped her hands, making her teammates look at her. "Focus. I'll remind everyone one more time: we have no choice but to win. This is to get Lucy back!"

"Unless the Salamander gets her back, but we can't pin our hopes on that." Gajeel looked towards the castle of the kingdom. By now, Natsu and the others were on their way to infiltrate the place.

"We could have just told everyone the truth and ruined the Grand Magic Games to get her back." Karissa grumbled. That would have been one clear way to deny the kingdom's unjust treatment.

"That would have been easier." Gray agreed, and looked at her as she gave a look of disdain towards the castle. Hearing him talk made her look at him. "But we have another reason to win the Games."

Laxus dropped his big hand on her head and lightly shook it, making her deadpan for a good second. "And that's to make up for the seven years of humiliation our guild has suffered."

"True." Karissa puffed her cheeks and nodded once. She'd never forget the booing and the rude remarks when Fairy Tail was in the capital. Scaring half of the audience during her fight with Bacchus only managed to satisfy her a little bit.

"I know you'd rather prefer the chaos route." Laxus sniggered as she semi-pouted. Even if it was the royal family, he figured Karissa would prefer to level the playing field by taking something away from them when they desperately need it. It was only fair. They took a member from them. "But this time, it's going to be the long and hard way. So, suck it up."

"Yeah, yeah."

The wind mage looked up at the sky. It was looking like a nice day for a fight. The weather was just right and there didn't seem to be any dark clouds anywhere.

"Who will obtain the honour and stand at the pinnacle of the magic world?!" Team Fairy Tail huddled together and looked at each other. The time was coming to begin. "Let the final Grand Magic Game… BEGIN!"

As soon as the gong went off, they let out a team cry. They were ready. And the crowd screamed in excitement as the players final began moving.

However, Fairy Tail simply dismantled their circle after the signal went off and they stood in the formation that Mavis instructed them to be in. Laxus, Gray, Erza, Karissa and Gajeel stood next to each other. All of them closed their eyes and stood straight in silence as if to pray.

Do not lose sight of the goal.

Calm your nerves.

Steel yourself.

Those who come first to war will win a battle. Those who come last after preparing for war will win thousands of battles.

"Lamia Scale has taken out one Quatro Chihuahua! They now have 51 points!"

Patience.

Gajeel's finger twitched.

"Blue Pegasus instantly earns two points from Mermaid Heel! 32 points!"

Wait.

Laxus breathed in deeply.

"Lamia Scale again! So fast! 52 points!"

Erza felt the wind blow her long scarlet hair.

"Orga has taken a point! 45 points! Now at a tie with Fairy Tail!"

Gray's foot shifted slightly on the pavement.

"Whoa! Sting Eucliffe instantly takes out Bacchus from Quatro Chihuahua! There's only one more left from that guild! And with Bacchus being the leader, it brings five points! 50 points for Sabertooth!"

Karissa's lips parted and she raised her head a little.

…

"Kagura makes her appearance! Lamia Scale's first member is down! 41 points!"

Fairy Tail finally opened their eyes.

Lamia Scale's first defeated member was the cue.

Now, they were to disperse and proceed to their objectives. Without another word to each other, they all ran off in different directions. Karissa lifted two fingers and halted for a moment so that her teammates' backs would be in her sight. Wind swirled at the tip of her fingers. With a flick of her wrist, four wind arrows flew directly towards their backs and struck them in the center of their spine. A wind stigmata appeared briefly before bursting and disappearing. Once that was done, she picked up the pace to continue down her designated path.

Karissa disappeared between an alleyway when she took a shortcut. In the darkness, she created a small piece of ice for her to hold in her hand. A simple rock of ice. Nothing special. When she exited the narrow alleyway, she spotted Laxus nearby. With his hearing, he heard her footsteps and looked at her too. As the First Master told them, she and Laxus were going to nearby since their shortcuts to their destination were close to each other.

"Hi." Karissa grinned, waving the hand with the ice rock. She came a bit closer so that she could remain within earshot. She knew what was coming soon. There's no need to give Laxus too much work to deal with.

Laxus rolled his eyes at her carefree attitude. "If you lose, I'll put a lizard down your shirt again." He warned her, remembering how she and Cana screamed over it when he did several years ago.

"Then I'll just drop it in your underwear when you're not looking. Maybe it'll crawl up your ass."

They both noticed light reflecting on the ice in her hand. Laxus and Karissa immediately stopped in their tracks. The first simply put up his arm to guard against it while Karissa back stepped and slid down to a kneeling position. The light that crashed in her spot only gave her a small breeze.

"Bitch." Karissa mumbled. Yeah. That attack was not at all impressive now that she knew how to deal with it. His spell just looked like some cheap move to take out opponents that he was too lazy to take on face to face. Not exactly her style of fighting. If you want to make sure an opponent is done, it was better to see with your own eyes as they fall.

Rufus' lights had no effect on them. It just harmed the cobblestone.

Maybe he can be proud of that.

"See ya." Laxus left her with that when he finished dealing with Rufus' spell that barely tickled him.

"Bye." Karissa ran down another street when at the intersection up ahead.

Don't need this anymore. She tossed the ice over her shoulder

"Alright… time to move on to my objectives."

After writing that last line, I was like 'OKAY ENOUGH! WE STOP HERE! NO FURTHER THAN THIS!' or else I was going to be writing 25k words x_x. I know I stated before that I would only write canon stuff, but that celebration after Natsu (and Gajeel) won against Sting and Rogue seemed okay to write even though it's not canon.

Now that I reached the 2014 series, I remember missing how Fairy Tail used to look with A1 Pictures ;,). Big sad.

Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you have a nice day/night!