Coven Fairy

"I'm sorry, I realize that I should have asked this while we were still at Fairy Tail. But why am I to see the King?" Kali asked, being escorted by Arcadios and several Royal Knights through the doors of the Crocus Castle. "An' why the hell am I chained up?" She questioned, Sapphire sitting in a cage next to her.

"I'm afraid we've had a rather troubling report brought to our attention by the Magic Council involving you and your plot of land. We're escorting you to the Kingdom's Capital Crocus, to plead your case." Arcadios said. "The chains and cage for your beast are merely just a precaution. You understand I hope."

"I understand that it's a precaution, but what exactly am I being charged with?" Kali questioned.

"You will learn soon enough." Arcadios stated, as they stopped in front of a set of doors. Raising his hand, Arcadios knocked on the door three times, and after a moment of waiting, they began to open, allowing for Kali to enter.

"Oh great, he's here." Kali groaned, seeing Org standing next to the throne and the King. "I should have known he had something to do with this."

"You're aware of your charges?" Arcadios asked.

"No, but I can assure you, if Org is the Councilman you told me had reported the charges, then the allegations against me have been fabricated and falsified." Kali stated. "I Kinda botched his plans on trying to turn my property into weapons."

"Enough talk." Org stated as they neared the throne. "You are here under the court of law to be judged for your crimes."

"Kali Dreyar." King Toma E. Fiore, a short graying haired man said. "You are here by charged with…"

"Clawthorne." Kali stated.

"Excuse me?" Toma asked.

"My full name is Kali Dreyar Clawthorne. Granddaughter of Makarov Dreyar and Edalyn Clawthorne." Kali explained.

"Ms. Clawthorne." Toma said. "You stand here accused of treason on the highest order, terrorism, and plotting to overthrow the royal family. How do you plead?"

Kali's eyes widened when she heard these accusations towards her, but she didn't let that get to her.

"Innocent." Kali stated. "Not once, have I ever plotted, or even thought of terrorizing my home land, or taking the throne by any illegal means to claim the Kingdom of Fiore as my own."

"Blatant lies." Org said.

"Silence Org. You do not speak for the King." Arcadios stated.

"Kali, please explain to the court, what you mean by, illegal means to claim the Kingdom of Fiore." Toma said.

"To specify your Majesty, what I mean by claiming the Kingdom, is claiming it as under my protection, as its Guardian." Kali said. "I know that I could never claim the Kingdom as its Sovereign Monarch."

"Your ambitions are high, and seem quite honest. But there are a few things that are not adding up." Toma said. "Exhibit A."

Kali turned to a set of doors next to the throne, as they opened and brought in several images of her Palistrom Wood forest, and Bessie, as well as the sealed off cave.

"You have planted an entire forest of these purple tinted trees, and one of the creations that can be produced from carving a hunk of the wood, is currently sitting in the cage next to you." Toma said. "Do you deny these facts?"

"No, I do not. I admit that I planted a forest of Palistrom Trees. But I did so on my own property." Kali defended. "Is there a law against growing trees and other plants on your own property? If so I'll gladly tear the trees down."

"No such law exists." Toma said. "But I had been informed that the intention of these trees, is for you to create your own monster out of the wood, capable of tearing down nations within a single night."

"That is false." Kali stated. "I have no intentions of making such a beast. I only planted those trees, on my property, to have them stand as an offering to the grave that resides on those mountains. The grave of my mother."

"Then how do you explain the beast that roams those woods?" Arcadios questioned.

"Bessie is a gentle giant. She only gets aggressive when defending the forest from anyone who wishes it harm. A security measure I put in place after the Magic Council's numerous attempts at stealing my trees, despite being given warning after warning, not to trespass on my property." Kali said.

"Can you prove this?" Arcadios asked, giving a side glance to Org.

"Master Warrod. One of the four main founders of Fairy Tail, and one of the Ten Wizard Saints. He's interacted with Bessie, he's even played with her like she were a puppy. Call on him, and he will tell you I speak the truth."

"Very well." Toma said, signaling for a guard to call on Master Warrod. "As for the sealed off cave. What is it?"

Kali just looked at the image, her heart pounding as she could recall the events that took place in that cave.

"I cannot answer." Kali said.

"You can't, or you won't?"

"I cannot answer."

"You can, and you will." Org said. "Is that where you carve your weapons of doom?"

"The cave has been sealed off since I was ten years old, and has not been opened since." Kali stated. "But I cannot tell you who… what resides in there." She said, catching her slip up a bit too late.

"Child you will answer our question of what is in there, or I will…"

"Org, that is enough. This is a respected and dignified court of the Kingdom." Arcadios said, stopping the Councilman from threatening Kali. "My King, the hour is late. I ask that we resume court in the morning to make a proper judgement on her case."

"Agreed." Toma said. "Guards, take her and her pet to the dungeon. But don't mistreat her."

"Sir." The guards standing next to Kali said, one of them putting the caged Sapphire in her arms.

"Sapphire isn't a pet." Kali said. "She's a friend. A member of my family, and a mother-to-be."

"That beast is nothing more then a hunk of wood brought to life." Org stated.

"If you want proof, bring a veterinarian to examine her, and make that decision themselves." Kali said, as she was escorted away. "Because I care for all in my family, more then you could ever know."

Toma and Arcadios just looked at Kali as she was taken away, through the doors to the dungeons.

"I thank you for bringing this to our attention Sir Org." Arcadios said. "However, there's something that troubles me. If she were truly guilty, then why would she cooperate so smoothly with our forces?"

"She knows she has no chance in fighting the Royal Knights and winning. So she simply gave in and…"

"No." Toma said.

"Sire?" Arcadios questioned.

"That girl, she's stronger then all of our knights combined. Dormant within her, is a power. A power the likes of which no one has ever seen, since the Great Dragon King Festival, over four hundred years ago." Toma said, as he recalled looking at Kali, and standing behind her was a black empty void, with the red silhouette of an unstoppable monster roaring, comprised of pure unfiltered rage.

~Kali~

"Shh, it's okay Sapphire, it'll all be okay." Kali said, holding Sapphire in her arms as the Palisman was in fear. "We're gonna be all right Sapphire, don't you worry." She reassured as Sapphire gave off a slight purring sound of comfort.

"You honestly believe that hunk of carved wood, is alive."

Kali looked up, and glared at Org, standing in front of her cell, as if he did nothing wrong.

"This is low, even for you Org." Kali stated. "Accusing me of plotting terrorism and treason. Do you know, the penalty for that if I am found guilty of these false allegations? I will be executed."

"You left me no other choice." Org stated. "The Palismen we could create with those trees, could put Fiore at the top as not only having the strongest guilds in the world, but also the strongest Military Might in all of Earthland. You only have yourself to blame for all this."

"That won't happen if I'm dead Org." Kali growled.

"That's not up to you anymore."

"Oh but it is." Kali stated. "When I created the barrier around my forest, I used Link Magic, to connect my soul to it because I didn't trust you would stop just because I put up an impenetrable barrier and ruined your plans for producing weapons of warfare and mass destruction. If I die, the entire forest, will be destroyed within seconds as if at the epicenter of a nuclear strike, burning down all the trees, and ruining all your plans."

"You… you little bitch." Org said, reaching through the bars and grabbing Kali by her top, slamming her into her cell. "Unbind the Link Magic this instant. If you don't, so help me I'll…"

"You'll what, kill me?" Kali questioned, Sapphire growling and hissing at the man. "Do that and you'll just quicken your own downfall."

Org just glared at Kali, before he looked at Sapphire, and a menacing smile formed on his face.

"Unbind the magic from your soul…" Org paused in his threat to grab Sapphire by her muzzle and pull her through the bars, causing the dragon Palisman to whimper in pain as the bars were a bit too thin for her. "…or I'll dissect your pathetic Palisman for research and studying in an attempt to grow our own forest of Palistrom Wood."

"You can't do that." Kali said, reaching through the bars to grab Sapphire, but Org just stepped back out of her reach. "Sapphire."

"What's it gonna be girl? Your forest, or your Palisman's life?" Org questioned.

Kali just looked at Org and continued to glare at him, before she sighed, knowing what she was about to do next might cause her to be in more trouble.

"Sapphire." Kali said softly. "Formation Delta: Lightning/Shadow."

Sapphire growled in acknowledgment as her eyes began to glow, and she let off an electrical charge, causing Org to drop her in reflex, before the Palisman merged with the shadows, and returned to the cell, setting herself in Kali's arms.

"You're never gonna get your hands on my forest, Org." Kali hissed, pulling a small heart shaped crystal from her cleavage, the thickness was that of a maple leaf.

"What is that?" Org questioned.

"Something I hoped to never use." Kali said, snapping the crystal in half, opening two small rifts in front of her.

"Don't you dare try to escape." Org growled. "You'll only be making things worse for yourself."

"Do these look like I can fit my whole body through them?" Kali asked, reaching into one and pulling out her Portal Blade. "Took me a month just to make one of these things, but it was worth it." She said, putting the blade under Sapphire's wing as the first portal closed. "Now return to Eda, and explain to her I'll be okay."

Sapphire let off a soft whining sound, like she was asking to stay with Kali, even giving her saddened eyes.

"Don't give me that look. If you stay, Org's just gonna use you and your babies to try and recreate a Palistrom Wood forest for the Council to exploit." Kali said, holding Sapphire up to the other portal.

Reluctantly, Sapphire knew Kali was right, and had no choice in the matter, before turning around and jumping through the portal, right before it closed.

"Where did you send your Palisman?" Org questioned.

"I sent her to the Boiling Isles." Kali stated.

"Bring her back to Earthland, this instant." Org demanded.

"I sent her off with the Portal Blade. I can't." Kali exclaimed. "I'm stuck on this side, which means even if I die, you won't be able to make your way to the Boiling Isles with my Portal Blade. Not that you would, since it would have gone straight to Luz the instant my heart stops beating."

"You think you've won, but all you've done is delay the inevitable." Org growled. "The Council will get their hands on your Palistrom Wood forest, and if you have to die to get that done, then so be it."

"So long as Sapphire, and her babies are safe. I don't care what happens to me." Kali stated. "But remember. I'm a Sorceress of Fairy Tail. If I am to die, then you and the entire Kingdom will become our enemies for wrongfully executing an innocent member of our Guild. Not even the Cherry Blossoms will be able to save you from the wrath of Fairy Tail!"

Org just looked at Kali, a glimmer of fear washing through him momentarily, before he composed himself.

"Mark my words girl. You are gonna pay for your insolence, and you will do so with your blood." Org stated, before marching off.

Kali just sat back in her cell, hugging herself with Sapphire gone, imagining she was still there. But she knew it would never come to be. Her thoughts on her final wishes were disrupted as a shadow loomed over her.

"Did you forget to make another threat? Or did you come to abuse me some more?"

"I have done neither of the sort."

Kali's eyes widened, and she looked out of the cage, her sight landing on Arcadios, instead of Org, who she was expecting to see.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else." Kali said.

"Ms. Clawthorne. The King has said, that he senses great power within you, a power that hasn't been seen in 400 years. You could easily break free and destroy the Kingdom with that kind of power. Why don't you?" Arcadios questioned.

"I'm not sure what you're saying Arcadios." Kali sighed. "But if you came here to taunt my imprisonment, then you're doing a good job reminding me how powerless I am in front of the Royal Guards."

'She honestly has no idea about the dormant power within.' Arcadios thought, as he knelt down to be eye level with Kali. "Ms. Clawthorne, I want you to answer me, and I want the truth. What is within that sealed off cavern?"

Kali looked at Arcadios, expecting to find some sort of deception or magic that was used for espionage, but she found neither, and saw only the face of a man who was offering a shoulder to lean on, in her hour of need.

"You promise this stays between the two of us?" Kali asked.

"I give you my word, on my honor and my title as a Holy Knight." Arcadios said.

Kali just looked at him, finding it hard to believe that the man who arrested her was putting his career on the chopping block to learn a truth that no one else knew.

"Very well." Kali said. "But I'm thirsty and…"

"Hungry?" Arcadios asked, removing his cloak to reveal Kali's favorite foods, plus a bottle of her favorite soda. "I had the Head Royal Chef use his telepathy magic to read your mind and find out what dishes you liked most. Though I gotta say, I never would have expected a 23cm bowl of Katsudon, with a 19cm bowl of sweet and sour meatballs on rice to be your favorite." He said sliding the food towards her. "Had a servant run out to get the soda as well."

"Thank you." Kali said, taking the chopsticks and digging in.

"So, now that I've earned your trust."

"Some of it, not all." Kali said.

"Of course." Arcadios said. "Now that I've earned some of your trust, what is in that sealed off cave that you cannot speak of it?"

Kali looked down at her food, before looking at Arcadios, a look in her eyes telling him, that this was a painful subject for her.

"Before I can tell you that, I have to tell you the story, of how I became a Dragonslayer." Kali said, her words piquing the interest of the Holy Knight.

~Throne Room: The Following Morning~

"Kali Dreyar Clawthorne." Toma began. "Once again, you stand here accused of High Treason, and plotting to overthrow the Kingdom. How do you plea?"

"I plea innocent." Kali stated firmly.

"Very well, since you wish to continue pleading innocent, I shall question you one more time." Toma said as the illustration of the sealed off cave came into the throne room once more. "What is within this cave that you have sealed away on your property?"

Kali just looked to the image, before looking to Arcadios, who nodded his head in approval, as if signaling for her to say something to plead her case.

"I…"

"OBJECTION." Eda's voice rang out through the throne room, with the witch herself barging in through the doors with Makarov, Natsu, Grey, Erza, and Mr. Yajima and Dumpling accompanying them. Even Luz, Gus, Edric, Emira, Amity, Willow, and King had joined the group, with Sapphire in Amity's arms.

"I demand all the false charges be dropped from my granddaughter's name, immediately. It was one thing with Phantom Lord pinning the blame on her for starting the war between those two guilds, but I will not tolerate this abuse of power in claiming her as a terrorist." Makarov declared.

"Kali is a good person." Amity stated.

"She would never do anything malicious to harm anyone." Erza stated. "She helped to destroy the R-System."

"She and Sapphire both took down Lullaby while keeping the damage to a bare minimum." Grey stated.

"She…"

"ENOUGH." Arcadios shouted, interrupting Natsu from what he was gonna say. "Ms. Clawthorne was just about to speak. All of you can stay to hear the rest of the trial, and after hearing her story, you can all give your testimonies on her character before the King makes his decision."

That booming voice shut them all up, and while grumbling, they all went to one side of the throne room, while the royals and nobles who'd been present for the trial since yesterday, had moved to the other side, not wanting to be near their group, as if they were disease ridden.

"You there, unhand that Palisman and return it to the court." Org said, pointing to Amity.

"I will do no such thing." Amity stated. "Sapphire relaid to us what was going on, and you have no right to claim her, or her babies."

"That beast is nothing more then a hunk of wood. She is incapable of…"

"SILENCE ORG." Toma stated. "We initially had the Palisman brought in with Ms. Clawthorne, as a means to avoid any ill fated escape attempts. But if she is in the custody of a child from the Boiling Isles, there is nothing to be concerned about, and she can remain with the child until they do something to attempt freeing Ms. Clawthorne."

"But my King…"

"I have spoken." Toma stated. "Ms. Clawthorne, you may proceed."

Kali just looked to Toma, before looking back to her friends and family who came to her aid. She hadn't expected them to just come barging in, to defend her. But now that they had, she was stuck and had to decide to either keep quiet and face the death penalty, or tell the truth and face their judgement.

"Ms. Clawthorne." Arcadios said.

Kali looked up at Arcadios, and saw the gentle look of the man she poured her heart out to the previous night, after he treated her so well when locked up. Taking a deep breath, Kali sighed and made her decision on what she had to do.

"The cave that is sealed off… is a tomb." Kali said, shocking most of those in the court, all except for Arcadios. "In it, are the remains of the dragon who raised me as her own, the dragon, who for four years, I knew as my mother. Saphira."

The court was filled with murmuring, everyone wanting to know what Kali meant, before Toma raised his hand, silencing them and allowing for Kali to continue, but Natsu spoke up first.

"Kali, what do you mean Saphira's remains are in that cave? I thought you said she vanished one day without a trace, just like Igneel had." Natsu said.

"Silence." Toma said, before motioning at Kali. "Proceed."

"The story I told you, was a lie." Kali continued. "I only told you that, because I didn't want you all to know what really happened. Not even Gramps knows, and I've been carrying this secret all alone, for the last several years. Saphira hadn't vanished that day, she and I were enjoying the day together, as a mother and daughter should."

~Flashback~

"Oh dear, you've got a little something right there on your nose Kali." Saphira smiled, wiping some sauce from Kali's dirty face, and wiping it away.

"Thanks Mama." Kali smiled brightly.

"No, thank you dear child. For being the light of my life." Saphira said, kissing Kali's forehead.

"Mama… can you come and live with me in Magnolia?" Kali asked.

"Oh Kali, we've been over this." Saphira said softly, pulling Kali in for a hug. "I cannot remain in Magnolia with you. When it is time for you to return to your grandfather, I must remain here. I cannot maintain my human form forever, and I cannot take my dragon form in the middle of town."

"But I don't wanna leave Mama." Kali said.

"I know you don't sweet child. But I'm afraid that our departure is inevitable." Saphira sighed, laying her cheek on top of Kali's head. "But I know you're a strong warrior, and I know you can survive without me there to guide you."

"I love you Mama." Kali said.

"I love you too." Saphira smiled.

"How touching."

Kali and Saphira looked up towards the entrance of the cave, and saw a man standing there, with long messy dark blue hair, wearing raggedy pants, and a cowl with the hood down, revealing the blue marking on his face, similar to Saphira's.

"A filthy dragon and her spawn enjoying a heartfelt moment." The man said, walking towards them.

"Kali… run." Saphira said, getting up, her body trembling in fear as she stood her ground.

"Mama, what about you?"

"Don't argue with me. Just go."

"Listen to her little one. You'll only get in her way. Besides, I'll get to you soon enough."

"Leave her out of this, she has nothing to do with your vendetta, Acnologia." Saphira growled, her eyes glowing with power.

"Oh, I disagree." Acnologia growled, charging at them in, his hands interlocking with Saphira's as she pushed back against him, intent on protecting Kali. "She is your vile spawn, and thus she must be eliminated."

"Mama." Kali cried, scared at the sight of the man overpowering Saphira.

"Go, run Kali." Saphira ordered her.

Kali looked at Saphira and Acnologia, before she grit her teeth and ran towards them.

"No, don't." Saphira cried.

"Look at that, she's loyal to her mother, even when facing immanent death." Acnologia smirked evilly.

Pressing down on Saphira, Acnologia threw the dragoness to the ground and into the wall, before swinging his hand at the charging Kali, slicing her face with his nails that had turned into claws, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Guess I should take care of the spawn first." Acnologia stated, before he cried out, as a chunk of flesh from his arm was torn off, and his blood splattered all over the place, even hitting Kali in the face, drenching her in his blood, while Saphira stood in front of him.

"Don't you dare lay hand on my daughter." Saphira growled, her own claws soaked in Acnologia's blood.

Acnologia's eyes turned white as he glared at Saphira, and in an instant, his hand ran through her chest, tearing out her heart through her back, causing Kali to look in horror at the sight, before he pulled his arm back, and dropped the organ in Saphira's hands.

Like an injured animal, Acnologia let out a roar of rage, clutching his arm before he ran out of the cave, and vanished from both sight and sense.

"Mama." Kali cried, running to Saphira as she was now on her back. "Mama."

"My dear… sweet Kali." Saphira wheezed, coughing up blood as she was choking on it.

"Mama, why didn't you take your dragon form?" Kali asked.

"If I had… done that… then he… would have… too…" Saphira choked out. "I didn't… want you… to… perish… in the… crossfire…"

"Mama, I would have been fine." Kali sobbed.

"Don't cry… my child…" Saphira wheezed, trying to comfort Kali. "Though I… may leave… you behind… I will… always be… with you… in… your heart."

"Mama."

"It's fine… Kali…" Saphira coughed. "I'm just… happy you're… still…"

~End Flashback~

"After that… Saphira died right there in my arms, unable to finish her sentence, and leaving me with a hole in my heart." Kali said, tears running down her cheeks. "So… I used my wild magic to seal up her injuries, and return her to her dragon form, like she showed me. I then proceeded to build a nest of flowers and vines under her, before sealing the cave entrance and putting a tombstone in front of it, with a carved image of her human form on it."

Toma just sat in his throne, moved by the story, the truth that Kali had kept to herself for years, while being one of many who were crying at hearing this story, including those who came to support her. She reached up to her ear, and removing the gold cuff earring under the gem encrusted earring, Kali revealed, to Ed at least that she was wearing more then one illusion charm, as it hid the scar Acnologia's attack left on her face, going over her right eye, the bridge of her nose, and part of her lips.

"After I took care of my injuries, I created this illusion charm, and kept this scar hidden from everyone when I returned to Magnolia and Fairy Tail. An' when I was able to, I purchased that land, because it is the gravesite of my mother, and the Palistrom Forest, is my offering to her as a means to remind myself, that life is fleeting and we only get one." Kali finished.

"You cannot believe a single word she says." Org stated. "That story is obviously fabricated, and is an attempt to clear her name, to hide her intentions as a terrorist."

"I've heard enough." Toma said. "Ms. Clawthorne, would you be able to prove to us, that the remains of the dragon are indeed in that cave you've claimed to be a tomb?"

"I can, and all I need, are these chains removed, and my Portal Blade." Kali said, holding up her wrists.

Arcadios stepped down from his place beside King Toma, and unlocked Kali's restraints, before Luz came up, returning the Portal Blade to her, before embracing Kali in a hug, tears in her eyes.

"You've suffered with the trauma of that truth for so long. Please, don't do anything like that ever again." Luz said. "You're important to me, to all of us."

Kali just hugged Luz back, before they separated as Toma came down from his throne, with Arcadios and Org at his sides.

"Let us proceed." Toma said.

Kali nodded, and opened her Portal Blade before using it to tear open a rift in the fabric of space, taking all three of them into her Palistrom Forest in front of the tomb.

"Here we are." Kali said, before the ground began to shake, and from around the trees, came Bessie.

"It's the beast." Org said.

"Easy Bessie, easy now." Kali shushed, the golem dragon's head lowering to her, giving Kali a chance to pet her snout. "The only one your should be weary of, is Org. Make sure he doesn't do, or take anything."

Bessie growled in confirmation as she looked from Kali to Org, causing him to shutter in fear.

"How do we enter the tomb?" Arcadios asked.

"Well… for a few years now, it's been inaccessible, even to me, as my brother stole the key and sold it for bail money to get Ivan Dreyar out of prison." Kali said, pulling the gold encrusted heart pendant off from around her neck. "But thanks to Council Woman Belno, I have the key once more."

Brushing away the built up dust from the stone dragon's mouth, Kali revealed the hole in the maw, shaped just like the pendant, and inserted the gem. There was a few seconds of waiting as nothing seemed to happen, before the pendant began to glow, and the stone wall sealing off the tomb, began to move, splitting into five different sections, revealing the inside.

"I haven't been inside here, since the day she died." Kali said, praying in respect for forgiveness, due to desecrating the tomb's sacred burial sight.

"Get a move on girl. The sooner the truth comes out, the sooner you can face your penalty." Org said, hitting her in the back with his staff, pushing her forward and causing Bessie to growl and take on a predatory stance, ready to pounce.

"Org." Arcadios said, pushing the Councilman away from her. "That's enough. She's trying to be respectful to her mother, because we're making her desecrate this sacred ground."

"Can't you see she's just trying to buy time for her plan to deceive us?" Org questioned.

"That's enough Councilman Org." Toma stated, putting his hands in the prayer motion alongside Kali as she corrected her posture and continued. "Let her pray."

Arcadios joined in the prayer, showing respect and his apologies to Saphira for disturbing her eternal rest. It wasn't until Bessie snarled that Kali opened her eyes and turned to see Org backing away from her, while holding something in his hand.

"Org, what is that you're holding?" Arcadios questioned.

"It's nothing. Just a seed I found on the forest floor." Org stated, showing it was indeed a seed.

"That is a Palistrom Seed. Drop it and any others you've pocketed." Kali demanded.

"You are in no position to make these demands of me, you little…"

"Do as she says Org." Arcadios said, drawing his sword and pointing it at the man. "Drop the seed, and relinquish any others in your possession."

"You cannot be serious. She is the one on trial here, not me." Org said.

"Are you sure about that?" Toma questioned.

"Your Majesty?" Org asked.

"I was there last night." Arcadios said. "I was coming to bring Ms. Clawthorne her food, when I overheard the conversation you two had. I must admit, I had my suspicions about the accusations you made against her. An' when she told me the story of what was truly in this cavern, I informed his majesty, that there was a strong possibility that you were lying about the accusations, and I told him about what I had overheard between you and Ms. Clawthorne."

"I must admit, I had my suspicions when I saw Ms. Clawthorne cooperating with the guards, despite knowing she was being falsely accused." Toma said. "But when Arcadios told me what was going on, and Master Warrod had reached out to confirm Kali's story and purpose for Bessie, I knew something wasn't right."

"This is outrageous." Org declared. "I am not the villain here, she is. She's the villain for depriving our nation of a great military resource."

"Then prove it; drop the seeds and follow her into the tomb." Arcadios stated.

Org just glared at him, before growling as he dropped the seed in his hand, and let the others spill out from his sleeve, showing he managed to grab quite a few of them, before Bessie stopped the Councilman.

"Now follow her inside the tomb." Arcadios said, putting his sword away.

Org grumbled and followed Kali into the cave, with Toma at her side and Arcadios following closely behind, his hand on the hilt of his weapon, ready to act if Org tries anything.

"I hope you realize, you'll hang for this." Org said, talking to Kali.

"I'm not the one who lied to the King, and made some rather serious false allegations on an innocent victim." Kali said, before stopping and bringing her hands up in prayer once more. "Here she is."

Toma, Arcadios, and Org all looked in aw at what they saw.

There, curled up in the middle of the cavern like a sleeping feline on a bed of vines, flowers, and fruit plants, was Saphira's withered and decaying body. Over the years, the vines from the nest grew, and wrapped themselves around the leathery body of the dragon. Her sleeping form looking at peace, as the vines that encased her body into the nest turned cage, were covered in flowers, with sunlight filtering through the hole in the ceiling of the cave, making the image before them, look even more majestic.

"Ms. Clawthorne, you are hereby free to go." Toma said. "All charges and accusations against you shall be dropped immediately."

"Thank you, your majesty." Kali said.

"King Toma, please reconsider. This is obviously just an illusion she made with her wild magic." Org said raising his staff to attack Saphira's sleeping corpse.

"Don't even think about it." Arcadios said, pushing Org's arm down. "You attack that dragon, and I will execute you myself, here and now!"

"Councilman Org." Toma said. "We're gonna have a lengthy discussion about what you've done, and what your punishment shall be."

"No, this cannot be happening. This was a foolproof plan. How could things have gone so wrong?" Org questioned as he was dragged out of the tomb.

"You accused an innocent child, of the most heinous crimes imaginable." Arcadios stated.

"Ms. Clawthorne, might we return to the castle at once?" Toma asked as they all left the tomb.

"Just give me a second." Kali said, removing the pendant from the stone dragon's mouth, making the doors close, and sealing Saphira away in her eternal resting place once more. "There, now we can go." She said, pulling out her portal blade.

"Once we return to the castle, Arcadios will take you to the royal kitchen, and you can have the chefs make anything, and as much as you like." Toma said.

~Later in the Throne Room~

"For the crime of falsely accusing an innocent civilian of high treason, and for attempting to steal her property via the death penalty, I King Toma E. Fiore, make my judgement upon Councilman Org." Toma stated, Kali now standing with her group of friends who supported her.

"I am not the villain here. I am a man who is just trying to keep his fellow countrymen safe." Org stated. "That girl is the villain, she should be on trial for refusing to protect her country by creating weapons for the military out of those Palistrom Trees."

"You're a deceitful and cold hearted man, who doesn't care who gets hurt, so long as he gets what he wants in the end." Arcadios stated.

"Your punishment is this." Toma said. "You shall perform 500 hours of community service, and you shall do so, working in the sewers."

Org just looked at King Toma in disbelief, but he was thankful he hadn't gotten worse.

"Be grateful, Ms. Clawthorne was the one who talked the King out of the normal punishment for the crimes you've committed." Arcadios said.

"Guards, take him away." Toma called out. "An' get him fitted for his sewer worker uniform."

"Ms. Clawthorne." Arcadios called.

"Yes?" Eda and Kali questioned, before looking at one another.

"I'm talking to the victim." Arcadios chuckled. "Please step forward."

Kali looked to her friends and family, before stepping up to the throne to which Toma hopped down and made his way to stand in front of her.

"I know that nothing I do, can make up for the pain we've caused you these past two days." Toma said, surprising everyone by getting on his hands and knees, and bowing to her. "You suffered through emotional distress, and were forced to open the tomb of the dragon who raised you. For that, I am truly sorry."

The doors on either side of the throne opened and in came a dozen servants, carting in different treasures and valuable items.

"I know this can never make up for it, but I would ask that you take your pick and choose from any of the items shown in front of you, to compensate the distress we've caused." Toma said.

Kali looked at all the treasures that were in front of her, and considered what she might want, but one treasure caught her eye the most.

"What's this?" Kali inquired, picking up what looked like a quill.

"That is a magic quill. Supposedly the power it wields is capable of altering reality itself." Toma said. "Though no one knows where it came from, it's origins are a complete mystery to us all. The second King of Fiore was the one who discovered the quill and its powers. Though it hasn't been able to work since then."

"I think there's some lore about this thing on the Boiling Isles." Kali said. "A quill, carved from the marrow of the Titan's bones, with the power to rewrite reality itself."

"By all means take it, if the quill is the rightful property of the Boiling Isles, then I insist you take it with you." Toma said.

"Thanks." Kali said, putting the quill in her bag. "As for the other treasures… I think I'll take this circlet, it looks so nice."

The circlet Kali chose, had a slim gold ring as the main body, with a pair of silver edged golden wings adorning either side of it, as an angelic bird made of gold, adorned the main headpiece, with four rubies in the main body of the bird, and smaller gems adorning the ring of the circlet.

"Oh, a fine choice Ms. Clawthorne." Toma smiled. "That circlet belonged to the Sorceress who was the first Dragonslayer, and had founded the Fiore Kingdom. It no longer holds any significant power, but it would look good on you."

"Thanks. I do like it." Kali smiled, putting it on, only for it to slip down around her neck. "Seems a little big though. Oh well." She said, pulling her hair out of the circlet and putting it back up on her head. After holding it steady for a few moments, the circlet began to glow, and shrank down to fit on her, with the main headpiece of the bird, changing shape, and taking on the form of a dragon's head with the silver edged wings going from feathery to bat like, and two of the four rubies, moving from the center of the dragon, to being on one of the wings each. "Well that's a bit concerning."

"If I understand the lore behind the circlet correctly, the main headpiece, will take on the form of the wearers spirit." Toma explained.

"Is it not supposed to come off either?" Kali questioned, struggling to take the circlet off.

"Oh dear, that is very troubling." Arcadios said.

"If it's not coming off, then I don't know what could be the cause. The lore of the circlet never spoke of anything like this happening before. But do not worry, I shall have my best scholars dig into this matter, and we shall get to the bottom of it." Toma said.

"Fine, I guess this situation can't be helped." Kali said. "But I do have a favor to ask of you, King Toma."

"Hmm? What do you wish of me?" Toma inquired.

"I'm almost finished with writing my novel, and my illustrator is complete with all the illustrations for it as well. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind investing in my book?" Kali asked.

"An aspiring author such as yourself? I'd be delighted to invest in the book. I'll even sponsor it, and make sales skyrocket in Fiore, after reading it myself that is. Can't make any promises until I see what I might be investing in, and sponsoring." Toma said.

"Fair enough." Kali smiled.

~Boiling Isles, The Following Week~

"I've finally completed it." Kali said, holding up the manuscript for her book. "I've finished with all the writing, and I've placed all illustrations in their proper places. Now I just gotta send it to King Toma."

"That's good, do you think you'll be selling it at the book fair today?" Luz asked.

"Mmm, I think I could. Just gotta get it bound and have copies made. Thankfully, the quill has that power." Kali smiled, pulling out the magic quill, as it began to light up.

Drawing a magic circle around her manuscript, Kali made a copy of the book, before putting the copy down on the coffee table, and began work on the original. Spinning the quill around, Kali channeled her magic through it to create covers and bind the pages into an actual book, made with a leathery red velvet material, and wrote the name of the book on the cover in gold.

"Ooh, can I try?" Luz asked.

"Sure." Kali said. "I charged it with enough of my magic to last for a while, or to do some heavy duty… stuff?" She questioned as Luz trapped her in a bubble. "Luz, what are you doing?"

"Just hold on a sec Kali." Luz smiled.

Using the quill, Luz removed Kali's earrings, including the illusion charm she wasn't aware of, revealing all her scars to the human girl.

"Oh, I wasn't aware the damage was this bad." Luz said.

"Luz, what are you doing?" Kali inquired again, sounding a little more angered this time.

"Just bare with me on this." Luz said.

Using the quill, Luz thought of it like a mouse for a computer, and with each scar on Kali she pointed at with the silver tipped feather, they began to vanish, clearing up Kali's skin of the blemishes, and markings.

"Luz what the hell?" Kali questioned.

"Almost done." Luz said, before finishing off with the scar left by Acnologia. "There we go." She smiled, as the bubble around Kali vanished.

"Luz, why did you do that?" Kali asked looking herself over.

"Because your cursed by those scars." Luz said. "I'm aware of how Laxus treats you. Ed told Amity about it, and Amity told me. I even know that you're strong enough to beat him with ease. But those scars were just painful reminders that were weighing you down, so I thought the only way for you to move forward, was to get rid of them."

"Luz…" Kali began before she sighed. "I appreciate you saying that, but don't do it again unless I ask you to, alright?"

"Deal." Luz smiled, giving Kali a hug.

"Thanks Luz." Kali said, ending the hug. Picking up the manuscript, Kali noticed Luz pick up the actual book, and look it over.

"Dawn of the Sorceress Athena." Luz read aloud. "Using a name from the mythology of my world huh?"

"Actually, Athena was a real person. She was just worshiped as a Goddess of War by the people of Ancient Greece, due to her magical prowess and skill on the battlefield." Kali said, as the circlet on her head began to glow. "But despite being worshiped as one, she wasn't an actual Goddess. She was a witch from the Demon Realm who had somehow managed to travel to both the realms of Earthland and the humans. On Earthland, she learned some powerful magic, and in the human realm, she learned martial arts and fighting skills that turned her into an unrivaled Amazonian Warrior, thus earning the title of Athena, Goddess of War."

"Whoa, how do you know that?" Luz asked.

"I… don't know." Kali stated. "It's like the information was just downloaded into me."

"Creepy." Luz shivered. "You don't think the circlet could have something to do with it, do you?"

"I'm not sure… but I think that's how I know this stuff." Kali said, putting a hand on the circlet. "Whatever this circlet is… I don't think we should risk it falling into the wrong hands."