Welcome to Chapter 15 of RDK! Now this chapter will be the remaining events that occured on the night of the second day. Now I know some of you missed Natsu's speech, but I promise it'll appear, but it'll just be in a different context when it occurs. I just hope I can make it work.
Now Erza will learn of her mother and a surprise guest appearing. Well then enjoy the chapter!
Confessions and Assault on Sabertooth!
[Meanwhile at the Fairy Tail Lodgings]
"You said you had business with me?" Lucy asked politely. Yukino nodded.
"Yes. I have something of the utmost importance to speak with you."
"How do we know this isn't some trick from Sabertooth?" Natsu said with a distrustful tone. Wendy tapped him on the back.
"C'mon Natus let's hear what she has to say. She hasn't done anything to warrant our distrust." the bluenette said.
'While I agree with Natsu, I also want to see what the lady wants.' Dark thought.
Yukino then took something out of her pocket before placing them on the table. It was her golden keys.
"If I may be so bold. I would like you to have my two zodiac keys." she said. Everyone's eyes widen in shock.
"WHAT?!" they all shouted in shock.
'Damn I was not expecting that.'
"But I can't do that! They belong to you!" Lucy exclaimed in shock. Why would anyone willingly give up their celestial keys so easily like this. Especially since these were gold zodiac keys, which are even harder to acquire. She can vouch for how difficult it was to find them. Hell the only reason she got so many was due to her having SEVERAL lucky breaks. So why would a fellow Celestial Spirit Mage give them up, so easily?
Yukino shook her head.
"When I first saw you competing in the games, I decided then that after the games ended; I would give you my keys." she explained. Natsu looked confused at that explanation.
"Wait, the games have not ended yet." Natsu said.
Yukino slightly flinched from that statement, something that Natsu and Wendy noticed. Yukino sighed before she said,
"The games have ended for me. Minerva-san and Rufus will soon replace me and Dobengal-sama. With this, Sabertooth's strongest team will be formed. I only entered as Minerva's substitute until she returned from a last minute mission with Rufus."
'Wow, Wendy/I/you was/were right.' thought everyone in the room.
"But I don't understand. Why do this to your spirits? Aren't those spirits, your precious partners?" Lucy asked.
Everyone saw her facial features waver as a look a sorrow appeared on her face before it was covered up again. But they could tell from the eyes it was still killing her to do this.
"It's exactly for that reason I am giving the spirits to you, Lucy. The Zodiacs spirits would be much happier with a much more outstanding Stellar Mage." Lucy soon began to wave her hands.
"Wait, hold on. I appreciate the offer-"
"Please do this." Yukino pressed.
"With this, the twelve Zodiac spirits will be together after centuries of being separated. With the twelve together, the gateway that will change the world shall finally be opened." Yukino explained.
"The gate that changes the world?" Lucy repeated.
'Yeah like that isn't omnius at all.' Dark retorted.
'I wonder if that has anything to do with the Eclipse Gate.' Wendy thought.
"Its an old story I heard a few years ago. You may have not noticed, but there have been a scarce amount of Stellar Mages. This is due to a incident with some zealots of Zentopia. The Magic Council got rid of them, but the damage was done. They have done their best to erase as much as possible on Stellar Magic and its sub-variants. In all honesty, there are probably less than 10 Stellar Mages left in all of Fiore." Yukino explained before looking at Lucy again.
"I can tell you truly love your spirits. I can also tell that you are adored by the Celestial Spirits. You should be the one to carry all twelve."
Lucy looked at the keys for a minute. For a long time, collecting all twelve keys was her goal. She wanted to do this to honor her mother and her family line. But her adventures with Fairy Tail made her value the bonds she had than getting those keys would ever mean. Lucy knew the right choice as she pushed them back.
"I can't accept these keys afterall." she said with a smile.
"Celestial Spirit Magic is a magic based upon our bonds and trust, right? There's no way that the owner can be switched so easily."
Yukino sighed. "I thought you would say something like that." Yukino said as she stood up.
Lucy blinked in confusion.
"Eh?" Yukino just gave her a small smile.
"Eventually, the twelve keys will be united once again."
'Probably sooner than you all think.' Dark thought with Wendy mentally nodding in agreement.
[Back with Erza]
[Naruto Shippuden Ost: Despair]
"How? How can this be? I was always alone for my entire life. And you just come out of nowhere and tell me you're my mother?! While I can believe your claim since you look like an older version of me, I need to know is why?! Why were you not there for me? Did you not want me? Did I mean so little to you?! Did you hate me that much that you left?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALL MY LIFE?! TELL ME! TELL ME WHY, DAMMIT?!"
Erza ended her rant huffing and puffing. Her voice cracked on several occasions and her eyes were misty as she felt tears fall from them. She had no idea where all this anger, and bitterness came from all of all sudden.
Maybe it was the suppressed emotions that she kept bottled up for years finally exploding. Maybe she wanted this woman to feel guilt for the shit she has been through all her life and feel the same pain she felt for all those years. Whatever the reason she just wanted to get it all out of her.
Erza expected a lot of reactions, but she did not expect to receive a strong hug from her look alike. She was stupefied until she felt Irene begin to shake and realized that the woman was sobbing hard on her shoulder.
She could hear her muttering apology after apology, and the all while Erza could do nothing, but rub Irene's back as the two cried everything out.
Irene finally calmed enough to look back at her daughter.
"Erza I know I don't have a right to call myself your mother, but please give me this opportunity to explain myself, and you can decide what you want to do afterwards. Please Erza, just give me this chance to explain myself. I swear a blood oath to the dragons that I just truly want to reconnect with you, again." Irene said as thunder crackled in the skies above.
Erza's eyes widen remembering what the oath meant before she looked down wondering what to do. Should she really give this woman an opportunity. But then she remembered Kagura's words. The ideals of her guild and her master. Everyone deserves a second chance. This would probably be the only chance she'll get to learn about her biological family. She sighed before she wiped her eyes before she looked seriously at Irene.
"Alright I will give you this opportunity. I want to know the truth and if I leave I know I will regret it for the rest of my life."
Irene nodded in gratitude.
"Thank you." she said before sat back down and offered Erza a seat with a cup of tea.
"Now you have to understand this goes back to when I found out I was pregnant with you. You can't imagine how happy I was. To have the opportunity to be a mother. Your father was also happy. He couldn't keep his excitement at having another child. His other wife was also happy-"
Erza spat her tea out in shock.
"WAIT?! WHAT?!"
"What do you mean his other wife. Are you saying dad had an affair with you?! I am child out of wedlock?!" Erza shouted in mortification.
Irene shook her head.
"No my dear, you were not born out of wedlock. Your father and I were very much married when you were conceived. It's just that he was already married prior to this."
"So my father has-" Erza started.
"More than one wife yes. I am his third wife."Irene finished with a smile.
"My father has harem….Ugh why can't anything be simple with me?" Erza groaned as she facepalmed.
"Oh come on, Erza. You should know that simple and normal are overrated."
"*SIGH* Can you explain how my father got this harem and who are his other wives?"
"To answer your second question, his first wife, Hinata, has sadly passed on a VERY long time ago. His second wife was my best friend, Anna."
"The two of us were practically raised together and played together all the time. When we learned magic, we would compete with one another to see who could one up the other."
"Despite the rivalry, we never let it ruin our relationship or our friendship. We were sisters first and rivals second. Those were good times." Irene explained with a nostalgic tone.
"Then we met your father." Erza leaned in to hear more of her father.
"He was by far the most interesting man we had the pleasure of meeting. When we first saw him, we were immediately drawn to him. At the time we didn't understand this. We were like a moth to a flame. As we got to the time to know him more, the more this attraction grew. He was so cute when we first met him. But he was also charming, kind, strong, and charismatic. He attracted many followers not only with his words, but also his strength. He was also a man to never abdomen his comrades. He would risk everything even his own life to save everyone he could. Many found him naive, but still respected his abilities. All this, we couldn't help but fall in love with him. What we didn't know is that Naruto felt the same way for both of us, and felt conflicted on what to do. He couldn't choose one without hurting the other. He couldn't choose both of us, since he didn't want to be seen as a womanizing playboy." Irene giggled remembering those times. Naruto was so cute back in the day.
"So what happened?" Erza, couldn't help, but ask.
"Well, Anna decided to make the first move, and Naruto accepted. Of course everyone was happy for them."
"Everyone, but you."
"No, I was happy, but at the same time I was jealous because I wanted to be with him as well. Then one day while looking for them I caught them in their….activities."
Erza blushed.
"Then Anna managed to see me spying on them, and dragged me into the room. I honestly expected her to give me a verbal lashing for what I was doing, but she just smiled and asked me what took me so long to find them. So I kinda joined them and the rest was history."
Erza's face was now resembling a boiling lobster with how red it was and all the steam coming out of it.
"H-how does that work? How did you even make it work?" An incredulous Erza asked.
"Oh my dear Erza love can conquer many barriers and let's just say your father had some very convincing ways to keep us satisfied. He even showed us many ways we could satisfy each other." Irene said with a perverted giggle.
Erza's blush now matched the color of her hair. "Hentai!" she shouted. But Irene just shook her head in amusement.
"Now, now my dear. There is nothing wrong for a spouse to show their love and affection to their significant other as long as they don't go overboard. Well….most of the time anyway."
Erza just shook her head to cool herself down. "Can we back to our discussion, please?" she asked. Hoping to get back to why she was here.
"Ah, yes. The three of us for some time were the happiest trio you would ever see. Then our lives changed for the better when his first child was born. You should have seen his face. I had never seen him so happy with tears in his eyes as he thanked Anna over and over as he held onto to his new born child. They even went as far as to name me the girl's godmother/aunt. That girl was a ray of sunshine to our lives, and she was just a bundle of energy we adored with all our heart and souls."
Irene smiled remembering those peaceful years with her family. She hoped when this was over, maybe things can be like they were or at least something close to it.
Erza smiled as her mother (still not used to saying that). She truely sounded happy. But she was curious about her sister.
"Can you tell me about my sister?" Irene just giggled in amusement.
"Silly, dear. You've already met your sister." Erza just blinked.
"Eh?"
"She is, afterall, a member of your guild." Erza's eyes widen.
"WHAT?! But that's impossible! I don't-"
Then Erza froze as she remembered something Wendy told her.
"She told me she had two half-sisters. That they were members of the guild. That we knew them personally. W-Wendy is-"
"Yes Erza. Wendy Marvell is your half-sister, which means that her father, Naruto Marvell, is your father."
Erza just sat in frozen shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Wendy was her sister! The sister that Wendy was talking about! And the man that she has been suspicious of this entire time was her own father! It was quite the shock to the system.
"Erza?" Irene asked in concern.
"Gomen, it's just a lot to take in all at once for me."
Irene nodded.
"I understand just give it some time to digest it."
"Hold on, how can Wendy have been the first born if I'm older then her? I don't understand." Erza asked, very confused on this whole situation.
She got more worried when Irene's face gained a grim look.
"There are some things that you are not ready to hear or understand, Erza. It's also not place to tell you this. At least not yet, unless you want to ask Wendy, yourself."
Erza sighed. She wanted to pry more, but like Irene said. She can wait till Wendy told her.
"Then can you tell me, why you weren't there for me? Why Naruto...Why father was not there for me?"
Irene's face darken remembering those dark times.
"It is quite simple, my dear. War."
Erza gulped. "War?" she asked.
"Yes. War is hell, my dear. It changes people. In ways that you and your friends could never understand."
"Wait does this have to do with my father being a shinobi? A child soldier? And what war did you partake in?" Erza blurted out.
Irene seem taken aback by Erza's question.
"Wait how do you know your father was a shinobi?"
Erza bit back a curse for that slip up before she reluctantly gave a brief, but vague explanation of what Wendy told them about her…..their….. father. The training in the Makai, him being a dragonslayer, and being from another world. She did decide to leave out everything else that Wendy told them until she was sure she could trust Irene completely.
Irene was left stun. She had suspicions that Naruto trained Wendy, especially after the incident before the games and the games themselves. But Erza confirmation proved that Naruto was changing. He was acting to like he used to be. Although he was a lot more mysterious with his methods. Speaking of methods, she and Anna will have a word with him about taking Wendy to the Makai to train.
Elsewhere, Naruto felt a chill go down his spine. Somehow, he knew he pissed off his mates in some form or fashion.
"I see. Well I am glad to know he is changing to how used to be. Or at least something close to it."
As much as she wanted Naruto to go back to how he used to be. It wasn't that simple. None of them could ever go exactly to how they used to be. Not after everything they have been through.
"Can you tell me about this war? Like when did it occur? I The most recent war that occurred in Fiore was 100 years ago during Mavis's time on Earthland."
Irene sighed knowing the next bombshell she was about to drop.
"The reason you never heard about this is because it happened over 400 years ago."
Erza's eyes widen.
"WHAT?!"
"Yes, you heard right. Myself, your father, and Anna are not from this time period. We are all from the past."
"But how are you still alive? You don't look over thirty."
Irene giggled.
"Why thank you. I am actually in my late thirties, technically. As for how we are still alive. I can't explain Anna or Wendy, but I can tell you about myself and your father. The reason is because both of us are dragonslayers."
"You're a dragonslayer too? Are you a fourth generation like him?"
Irene's eyes widen at the mention of the fourth generation.
"Wait how do you know about the fourth generation?"
"Wendy told us. Although she didn't say much. All she did say was that they were the strongest of all the dragonslayers, but that's it. She said she promised tou-san that she wouldn't say alot about it."
"I see." Irene said.
'Why would he mention them to her. Unless….' Irene's eyes widen in horror. 'Unless he realized that Wendy was also one as well. Damn it all to hell! After everything we did to prevent them from turning did we still fail?!' she thought with an understandable of frustration before sighing. She shouldn't jump to such conclusions until she talked to Naruto about it. She really prayed it wasn't the case.
"Yes Erza, I am a fourth generation as well. And yes we are the strongest generation. But that power came at a price that was not worth all that power."
"What do you mean?" Erza asked with some fear.
"Erza when the war started, all we wanted was to protect the people close to us. We wanted to spread our ideals to the world. We wanted to unify the people to be able to understand one another. But those ideals can sometimes blind us from the reality that is around us. War is a cruel mistress, Erza. One I pray you never have to witness. The smell of fire that fills your nostrils everyday. Sometimes sleeping on the ground, waiting in anticipation for an enemy attack. You being forced to see many of your comrades get blown to bits or vaporized into ashes. You may also see some of them lose their minds and all that's left is for you to put them out of their misery. The stench is what never leaves you. The stench of rotting flesh from the corpses piling and the odor they release when you burn them to give them some kind of proper burial. Seeing comrades you trusted stab you in the back and kill their fellow nakama for more power, and to go as far as to kill children no older than five. Seeing my Naruto get consumed by his rage as he slaughtered all of those traitors and ostracizing himself from all his friends as they all feared him. That is what war was for us, Erza."
Erza gulped after hearing all this. She wasn't sure what to say to all that. What could she say? She has never been in such a conflict, so what right did she have to judge the actions that her father took. Especially since he had a legitimate reason to be so filled with rage.
"What happened next?" she asked quietly.
"Naruto, while clouded, still wanted to end the fighting so that a world without conflict existed for you and Wendy. He went to someone to end the war, and it would be a decision that probably still hunts Naruto to this day."
"When I saw Naruto again on the battlefield, he was different from the last time I saw him. He was a blind berserker that attacked anyone that came into his line of sight. He spilled so much blood on both sides that many tried to join forces to stop him. But it was futile. No one could stop him, and no one was spared his wrath. Even his draconian father was not spared his wrath."
"What?! He killed his own father?!"
"*SIGH* Yes he did, and he still probably holds great shame for his actions towards his fellow dragons, and especially Anna. Even though we don't blame him; he probably still holds great resentment against himself for what he did to Anna."
Erza got concerned when she saw tears fall from Irene's eyes as she took a few deep breaths as she wiped her eyes. She took another sip of her tea to calm herself.
"What did tou-san do to Anna-san?" Erza asked, but Irene shook her head.
"I'm sorry Erza, but I can't tell you. I don't have a right to tell you about it. If you want to learn the truth, you would have to ask Anna or Naruto."
"Do you think Wendy knows?"
"It's a possibility. But you would have to ask her, but don't be surprised if she's reluctant to tell you."
"In the end, Naruto got what he wanted, the war ended. But not the way he wanted. He then disappeared and I have not seen him since."
"What about Wendy? Where was Acnologia in all of this?" Erza asked. She wondering what Acnologia was doing this conflict. What side was he on?
"That is a story for another time. You would have to ask her. As for Acnologia, that's for your father to explain." Irene said. She did not want to explain that Naruto and Acnologia were one of the same. Not only would that bring a lot of more questions, it was Naruto that had to say it. Not her. Not Anna or Wendy. But him.
"What about you? How did you get here?"
"After the war, I was imprisoned by the very people I protected. They began to see me as a monster and Naruto's actions fueled their fears even more. I was viciously beaten and tortured for months on end. Eventually they tried to rip you out of me, and that's when I snapped. I broke myself out and for centuries went into hiding. However, the damage they did was extensive. I suffered from numerous nightmares and could never fall asleep without breaking out in a cold sweat."
"PTSD."
"Indeed. I even noticed that I lost my ability to taste food. Everything I swallowed had no flavor. During that time I wasn't really living. I became desperate. I wanted to do anything to feel anything again. Then I remembered you. I became obsessed and disillusioned that by transferring myself into you I could live again. Since you were in my womb, the transfer would be so simple for me to perform. "
Erza's eyes widen in horror at what Irene wanted to do to her.
"For months as you developed I planned the spell and everything to allow the transfer, but when the time came, I froze. All I could hear were your joyful cries as you stretched your arms towards me. Soon I felt tears fall from my eyes. You for that moment, brought me back from my insanity. And for those few moments, I felt great shame for what I was trying to do to you. So with a heavy heart, I left you in the Rosemary Village, and left without ever looking back."
Erza stayed silent, not knowing what to say yet. "Please continue." she asked quietly.
"For some time I stayed in soculison. That was until Anna found me and took me to her secluded home. It took a few years, but she managed to get me back to my former self. She even managed to heal my tasting capabilities. It was a few months afterwards, she convinced me that it was time to see you. I was hesitant, but Anna's instance, convinced me it was time to see you. But when we arrived all we saw was a destroyed village burned to the ground. We found several masks and knew it was those bastard cultists of Zeref. But there was no way to track where they went, even with the nose of a dragon. I fell into a deep depression, because of this. I blamed myself for this, thinking I should have been there for you. Anna was there for me all of the way, and helped me during those dark times. I will always be indebted to her for saving me."
"All come on, it wasn't just my doing." a voice said. The two red heads turned to see a golden seal appear on the floor. From the seal came a beautiful, busty blonde woman. This was Anna Heartfilia. Wendy's surrogate mother and Naruto's second wife.
Erza looked at the woman in confusion as she looked like a more mature version of Lucy.
"Wait, who are you?" she asked politely. Anna giggled in amusement.
"I'm Anna."
Erza's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates.
"Wait, your Anna?! Why do you look like Lucy's mother? Are you related her? Is Lucy my other sister?"
Both woman giggled, which annoyed Erza even more.
"Please take this serious." she said in a annoyed tone.
"Forgive us, dear. You just looked so cute with that facial expression (Erza blushed at the compliment). To answer your questions. Yes I am related to Lucy and yes she is your sister, technically."
Erza blinked in confusion.
"Technically?"
"As you know I have lived for over 400 years. Wendy was not my only child with Naruto. I've had others with him. One of my children would follow my family line and continue on to this era."
Erza's eyes widen in understanding. "You mean..." Anna nodded.
"Yes. Lucy is my descendant, but for simplicity I am sure calling her your half-sister would be easier."
"Does she or Wendy know about this? Erza asked.
"I can guarantee that Lucy knows none of this, but Wendy was trained by my husband, so he probably told her everything." Anna said as Erza nodded.
"I see." she said.
"Erza, I would like to ask a favor. Please don't tell Lucy any of this yet. I don't think she'll be ready to hear any of this." Anna said.
"I understand. This is a lot to take in. Even I am having trouble taking all this in. When do you plan to tell her?" Erza asked.
"I will tell her by the end of the games, and that includes how I came to this time period unless Wendy or Naruto say something prior."
'Everything goes back to them I suppose.' Erza thought before nodding. "Alright."
"Erza, what do you take about all this?" Irene asked with some trepidation. Erza took a deep sigh.
"I don't know what to feel. I can't judge you for actions during the war or the lives you took, since I have never been in a war. So I don't think I have a right to judge any of the choices you made. Those decisions may be the very reason I am here today. I understand what you went through during your time imprisoned. When I was captured I was turned into a slave by the cultists to work on something known as the Tower of Heaven. Everyday was a nightmare and I was forced to watch as I lost many good friends, because of it. So I understand how it can damage a person, and I understand your desperation to rid yourself of all that pain."
Erza bit her lip as she focused the next words out of her mouth.
"That's why I am willing to give this a chance." as she slowly stretched her arm out.
"To have you in my life again...kaa-san." she said.
Erza was soon enveloped by a fierce hug by Irene.
"Thank you Erza." The two stayed in a tight embraced before Irene released to look at Irene directly.
"Now then, I think it's time for you to head back to your guild. You have a lot to think about, and I know you'll need time to adjust to all this, right?"
Erza nodded. "Thank you." Irene smiled.
"For you my dear, anything." she said. Erza was about to leave before Irene put a hand on her shoulder. Erza looked curious.
"Something wrong, mother?" she asked.
"Before you go, let me do something for you. Something I should have done long ago for you."
Irene tapped Erza's forehead as she was enveloped in a bright pink aura. Erza felt herself fill up with a new found energy. It was like something deep within her was awakened, and she felt more powerful than ever. Soon as the aura appeared, it disappeared and Erza, physically, looked no different than before. Erza looked at her mother curiously, but also confusingly.
"What did you do to me?" Irene smiled.
"Why my dear I released your dragonslayer magic." like it was simplest thing in the world. For the second time tonight, Erza felt felt her brain shut down. And she felt it reboot as she comprehended what her mother told her as her eyes widen to size of dinner plates and her jaw dropped to the ground.
"YOU WHAT?!" she shouted in complete and utter shock.
"You heard me. You are a dragonslayer. Afterall, both of your parents are one. Its stands to reason you would be one as well."
"But how? I understand that both of you are dragonslayers so its more than likely I would be one, but I have never shown signs of being a dragonslayer."
"My dear how can you show signs if you never knew you were one. But the main reason you never showed any PHYSICAL signs was because I sealed off your dragonslayer capabilities."
"You sealed it away. Why?" Erza asked. Irene gave a sad sigh.
"Because I wanted you to live without the burden that comes from being a dragonslayer."
'Thankfully, you never have to worry about dragonfication. Since I made sure to destroy any ability of the dragon seed growing in your body as I observed your development, while you were still in my womb. The only good thing that came from my obsession to possess your body.' Irene thought to herself before refocusing on Erza.
"Besides even with the sealing you still showed signs of your dragonslayer attributes."
Erza looked up, curious.
"Tell me Erza, did't you wonder how you could take several beatings and still be able to stand up and keep fighting? Didn't you wonder where all that durability and enhanced strength came from?"
Erza contemplated some of the toughest fights she's been in. She withstood the Jupitar Canon and still was able to fight one of the Element 4 and even hold off Jose, a wizard saint, for some time. In the fight with Ikaruga, she was cut multiple times, but she noticed how little permanent damage was done to her. Then the battle with Azuma and Hades of Grimoire Heart. All those battles, her body was literally thrashed, and yet she still was able to fight.
"I guess, but does this mean all my accomplishments were because of me being part dragonslayer." Erza said feeling a bit down. Where all her accomplishments due to her genetics?
Irene playfully tapped on her forehead.
"Now dear don't think like. While your biology gave you an advantage, its you that trained your body to the prime state it's in now. It's you that pushed yourself past your limits to defeat the enemies you have faced. Do not let your biology hamper the feats you have accomplished in such a short life, Erza. The biology is nothing more than an advantage you have. But that advantage showed itself through your dedication and hardwork. So be proud of yourself, my dear."
Erza blushed before nodding in appreciation. "Thank you mother."
"No problem, my dear. I think it's time for you to head back to your guild."
Erza looked up to see how late it was. Time really flies before you notice.
"Yes, it's time." she said as she began to walk away before she paused. She wanted tell them what she's heard, but she was hesitant since her master told her to keep the conversation to themselves.
"What's wrong?" Irene asked in concern. That concern grew for the two women as they saw the serious expression in Erza's eyes.
"There has been a malevolent magical force appearing in the games. We don't know the source, but it has to do with Zeref. There was also a warning father gave to Wendy."
Erza decided to give the most vague explanation she could muster, but getting the point across about was was discussed. Erza was concerned when saw the grim looks on their faces, and knew the two knew something about the warning.
"Erza we thank for this information, but for now leave it alone. Until you have definitive proof, do you understand?"
Erza nodded. "Hai, I understand."
"I will see you soon, and good luck to your team."
"Thank you mother." Erza then left to go back to her guild's lodging. Irene sat back on her chair, looking winded.
"*SIGH* I'm exhausted. All of that talking of the past brought up some old feelings I thought I buried long ago."
Anna then brought Irene to a tight hug.
"Its okay, you're beyond that. You are stronger than that. They can't hurt you again. Plus there is a plus side to all this."
Irene looked up at her.
"You finally made a connection to Erza, and now we can safely say our husband has returned."
Irene felt some tears in her eyes.
"Yes. Yes he has." she quickly wiped her eyes before looking up at Anna with a serious expression.
"Do you think this has to look with the Elicpse Gate?" Irene asked.
"More than likely. But Naruto has made a move yet, and so we will do the same. We wait and act when he does." Irene nodded with this. The red head sighed before she stood up and stretched.
"I need to get all this tension out of my body."
Anna turned her head and gave Irene a soft kiss on the lips.
"I think we both need a nice hot bath, and then some TLC to relax ourselves."
"Well then, lead the way Anna-chan~." Irene purred. Anna giggled.
"Of coarse." Anna then took hold of Irene's arm and lead her to their bedroom. It was gonna a LONG night for both of them.
Naruto sneezed as he felt he was missing some amazing sexy time with his wives.
As Erza was walking down the path she noticed at the front was a familiar sight. It was Gray with Carla.
"Gray! Carla!" the two turned in surprise to see the red haired mage.
"Erza? What are you doing out this late?" he asked.
Erza just gave a small smile.
"Let's just say I was meeting an old acquaintance of mine."
Gray nodded. "I see."
"What happened to you?" she asked as Gray dropped his head in exasperation.
"I got suck in another crappy situation with Juvia and Lyon."
Erza just shook her head in amusement.
"Crappy? C'mon Gray it's only crappy you've let get to this point. You know about Juvia's feelings right?"
"Uh…."
"You should just be honest with her." Gray just turned his head away.
"Hmph." Erza just shook her head in amusement.
"It would make things easier you know." Carla said.
"Speaking of easy, how are things with Wendy, Carla?" Gray asked. Carla's face dropped as she looked down.
"She still won't speak with me, and is keeping her distance from me. The master has talked with her, but she more than likely does not want to speak with me for a while, if ever." she said sadly.
The two members exchanged some worried glances, before Erza walked up and gave Carla a soft patt on her head.
"Just give her time, Carla. I'm sure she'll come around eventually."
Carla nodded, but was still not sure if Wendy will ever open up to her again.
"Let's get to the guild's lodge." the nodded as they decided to get some sleep.
[Fairy Tail Lodging, few minutes later]
Natsu was absolutely pissed. After the talk with Lucy, Natsu had chased after Yukino to apologize for his attitude towards her. This resulted in Yukino breaking down in tears and explaining that she was no longer part of Sabertooth and what the master did to her. Natsu was pissed off to several degrees. He told Happy to take Yukino back into the lodge, while he went off to cool off his head.
And by cooling his head, he meant storming Sabertooth Lodging to beat the shit out of the master. However, Natsu was forced to stop when the master's daughter, Minerva, showed up with a tied up Happy, who had followed Natsu after he left Yukino back with the guild. Natsu was forced to retreat, but not before telling Sabertooth that Fairy Tail won't lose to them and that they should take care of their nakama.
Now Natsu was being shouted at by an annoyed Erza.
"You idiot, what the hell were you thinking?!" an irate Erza shouted.
"They deserved it for what they did to Yukino." Natsu said stubbornly.
"Natsu-san, you didn't have to go so far for me." Yukino pleaded.
"Yes I did. A nice girl like you did not deserve that crap. You never treat your nakama like that."
Yukino blushed. "Arigato, Natsu-ku-san." She blushed for the near slip of the suffix.
Erza continued to glare before she sighed in exasperation. Thankfully, most of the guild had gone to sleep except for the members of team A. Wendy and the master thankfully shut the room off, so no noise could escape. Makarov was also exasperated by Natsu's action, but he understood all too well why Natsu did what he did. After all he was like Natsu back in his younger years in the guild. However, that was then and Natsu's action still needed to be addressed.
"Natsu I understand why you did, but that was still reckless for you to do that against a guild that is still in the games. If they wanted to, they could easily take this to the officials and get us kicked us out of the games."
Natsu flinched. "I will let this slide, but next time there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
Natsu nodded. "Yes, gramps." Makarov sighed before looking at everyone.
"Well then since the rest of you are still up. I believe we should all go greet our additional guests." the group nodded, before they walked in to find the three girls that Wendy wide awake and looking around their surroundings. Upon seeing the group, the three occupants became guarded, especially the brunette.
"Evening ladies, no need to be so suspicious of us. Now, how do you feel?" Makarov asked politely.
"We are doing well, thank you very much." answered the blue-haired girl.
"Can you tell us your names?"
"My name is Katja." the Wendy look-alike said. She then pointed to the brunette. "This is Eclair, and her partner Momon." which explained the yellow bird. Makarov nodded.
"Well it's a pleasure to meet all of you. Can you tell us what happened to you?" Makarov asked. This time Momon began talking.
"Well we were just traveling when we came across the news about Fairy Tail entering the games. Katja was always a fan and begged for us to make a stop at the games for at least one day (Katja blushed at this). The city was in our stops so it wasn't a problem for us. However, as we entered the stadium we got lost trying to find a way to the stands."
"That's when we noticed we were being followed. We managed to lose them for a few seconds and ran in a random direction, which happened to lead to your guild's infirmary. We tried finding a place to hide inside, but that's when Porlyusica came and asked what we were doing. Those goons heard her and then jumped us and you know the rest."
Makarov and the rest were quite concerned at this. Because of their tensions with Raven Tail, innocent people got dragged into this. They were glad that Wendy was passing by at the right time.
"I see, it's a good think that Wendy was passing by, otherwise you would still be in their clutches."
"Thank you, Wendy-san." Katja and Momon said in appreciation. Wendy blushed before she scratched the back of her head.
"Aw its nothing. I just wanted to help." Eclair just looked disinterred with all of this, and still kept herself on guard unlike her campions.
"So are we allowed to leave?" she rudely asked. The others were confused by her attitude, while Katja and Mamon glared at her for her rude attitude.
"Eclair." the two chided, but were ignored.
"Unfortunately that might not be the best idea." Makarov said. Katja and Momon were confused, while Eclair glared at Makarov.
"Why?" she demanded, but Makarov just waved at her.
"Now, Now. No need to get so distrustful. I am doing this to protect you." Eclair did not relax, so Makarov continued,
"You see, the people that hired those goons are one of the participating guilds and they were targeting a Stellar Mage, and unlucky for you, you were caught when they were looking for one, Katja. And this guild isn't going to let this slip up stop them. Meaning Katja will be targeted again the moment the three of you are probably alone."
Makarov then turned to Yukino.
"This also means you will also be endangered as well, Yukino."
This concerned the four mentioned. What are they supposed to do now? They can't stay locked up forever.
"What do you propose then, Makarov-sama?" Yukino asked. Makarov gave a smile at the novel idea he had.
"I have a simple solution." this got everyone listening.
"You can stay with us for the duration of the games. You get a nice roof over your heads and front seats to the games. Then after the games, we can help you get supplies and you can be off to your journey once more."
Katja and Momon had stars in their eyes. That was the best deal ever! Katja was especially happy, since she could be with her favorite guild. Eclair was the one still not happy about this.
"That sounds awesome! What do you say, Eclair?!" an excited Katja asked.
"C'mon, Eclair. It will only be for a few days." Momon reasoned.
Eclair looked between the two and saw nothing she said will change their minds. She sighed in defeat. It's a few days and hopefully nothing bad will happen.
"Fine. Its better then being captured again." she muttered. Makarov nodded.
"Yukino?" Makarov asked.
"I would be honored Makarov-sama." she said in appreciation, but Makarov waved her off.
"Think little of it. Now then let's all get some sleep."
Wendy was about to walk to her room, but was stopped by Erza.
"What's up Erza?"
"Can we talk in private?" she asked. Wendy could tell this was something serious and nodded. Once they entered an empty room and put some privacy seals, Wendy sat across from Erza.
"So what's wrong?" she asked cutely. Erza bit her lip and as she tried to find the right words to say.
"I-I met with Irene."
Wendy's eyes widen before they returned to normal, but her eyes gained a bit of excitement. 'Well that's another secret gone.'
"I see. So you know."
"Your my sister."
Wendy nodded happily. "Yes."
"Wendy, why didn't you tell me?" Erza asked. While she was happy to have an extended family. She was still confused, why Wendy never said anything.
"Erza I really wanted to, but it was not my place to tell you about Auntie or us having the same father. They needed to be the one to tell you. They needed to be the ones to admit their mistakes and own up to them and accept the consequences. Both the good and the bad."
Erza nodded. "I guess I can see your point."
"So how much did she tell you?" Wendy asked.
"She told me about how she met father, and…..their relationship." Erza blushed still not able to say that with a straight face. She also saw Wendy's cheeks gaine a noticeable pink hue.
"I see. Yeah it takes some time to get used to that. Took me months before I could listen to that without steaming. What else did Auntie say?"
"She told me that she was a dragonslayer from 400 years ago like father and the war they participated in. His descent into madness, and why neither of them were there for the two of us. I also spoke with Anna-san."
Wendy perked up at the mention of her surrogate mother.
"How is kaa-chan?" she asked. Erza could tell Wendy was excited to hear how her mother was.
"She's doing well, and hoping to speak with you and Lucy soon." Wendy gained a big smile at this.
"So you know about her too."
"Yes, both asked me to not tell her until the end of the games." Wendy nodded.
"I understand. I honestly was hoping to tell you both then when everything had calmed down, but I guess that lann out the window." Wendy said with a small giggle.
"That seems to be normal with us." Erza retorted. Wendy giggled again.
"Yeah it is." Wendy mused. The two shared a laugh at this. Erza then got serious as she looked at her sister. Yeah still felt weird to say, and yet felt so right.
"Wendy, there are some things kaa-san wouldn't tell me about. Like how are you older than me, but still look so young. Also what happened between our father and Anna's other child?"
Erza could see Wendy's face fall a bit as her eyes got filled with sorrow, but before she could speak Erza raised her hand.
"I won't force you to tell me, Wendy. Honestly, I don't think I can handle any more hard truths for the night. I can wait. I just want to let you know, I will always be here as a friend and as a sister to hear what you have to say."
Wendy then gave Erza a fierce hug.
"Thanks, Erza. I'm glad to have you as a sister." Erza smiled as she returned the hug.
"Me too, imouto." Erza kindly jokes. Erza then released the hug to look at her.
"Wendy do you mind if I stay with you, tonight?" Wendy nodded before the two quickly took a bath and changed into their pajamas, and go to their shared room. Thankfully everyone else was asleep. The two quickly got into bed as they cuddled together.
"Night, nee-chan." Wendy whispered as Erza kissed her on the forehead.
"Night imouto." she replied back.
The two went into a blissful sleep in eachothers arms with smiles on their faces.
It was a good night for these two.
"HAHAHAHAHA! To think there not one, not two, but three potential stellar mages in the games. This working better than I expected. Soon Zeref we will meet as the gate will soon be opened and the future will be in the palm of my hand."
Only Four Days remain till the promised time.
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