Chapter 28

The Opportunist- I've watched Fairy Tail up to the Tartaros arc, though my memory is a bit fuzzy with certain arcs like the Galuna Island arc so I have to rewatch them again, but the main ones I know about and how they went about. It's changing them in a way that makes sense is the challenge. As, right now, I plan to have only Tzeentch having influence in Earthland as he only knows about Diederick/Archaon being there for a while until the others figure it out, but that is only happening after the Tenrou Island arc, where Chaos Warriors of Tzeentch come to invade Earthland. (At the moment. That's subject to change.) I'm open to changes and suggestions, of course. After all, I would be an awful fanfic writer if I don't, at least, take other people's suggestions and think about them.

Like for example, I was originally just going to skip the Galuna Island arc completely with only a few mentions here and there, but then a friend of mine pointed out that it would be literally impossible for Naestra and Arahan not to be sent after Natsu, even if they're out on a job because of Gwindalor and Ceithin-Har. And even then, Erza arrived late to the arc and she still played a role in it. Plus, it's an important part to Gray's character so it doesn't make sense to just skip it as that would be a disservice to Gray, who doesn't get much spotlight compared to Erza, Natsu, and Lucy, let's be honest.

As for the whole big Chaos invasion thing, who's to say a future version of Archaon doesn't come and start an End-Times event through the Eclipse Gate.

Ren64- Well let's put it this way. Who wants to eat a skinned Exceed?

Makarov

Makarov was currently drinking a cup of beer when Mirajane came towards him with a worried look on her face.

"Master!" Yelled Mirajane with worry. "I just checked the S-class job board and one of the jobs is missing!" Makarov stayed silent for a few moments before drinking his beer and spitting out its contents.

"What!" Yelled Makarov as he turned to face Mirajane. "What do you mean that one of the jobs is missing!?"

"I was out checking on the job board on the second floor when I saw that one of the job fliers was missing." Explained Mirajane. Upon hearing that declaration, everyone began talking amongst themselves, wondering who in the right mind would take a job without getting it approved by either Mirajane or Makarov. The second floor contained all the S-class jobs and having one of those missing was no joke.

S-class jobs were some of the toughest jobs out there for mages, only surpassed by jobs that were up for years. Only the best of the best, usually S-class mages, were allowed to take such jobs. The only exceptions to this were Naestra and Arahan, who, while not S-class mages themselves for obvious reasons, were skilled and competent enough to handle such missions. So far, those two only did one S-class job and it was, according to Naestra, one of the toughest assignments they've done so far, something that Arahan found great pleasure in. Another exception was if lower-class mages were accompanied by S-class mages, though that was rarely ever done in Fairy Tail after what happened with Mirajane and her siblings years ago. But since all of their S-class mages were either in the guild right now or on jobs, then it had to be someone else.

Before anyone could speculate any further on the culprit, they all heard an arrogant voice from the second floor of the main hall.

"I know who took it." Said Laxus, Makarov's grandson, as he leaned on his chair with a cocky grin on his face. "Some flying cat came here last night and took one of the flyers from the board. Saw it took one and just fly away from it. That sound familiar to anyone?" Upon hearing that Mirajane gasped out loud. There was only one flying cat in Magnolia and that was Happy.

"Happy took it!?" Yelled Mirajane as she made her way towards Laxus on the second floor. Meanwhile, everyone else was talking amongst themselves about this.

"That means that Natsu put him up to it!" Said Wakaba as he pieced together what happened.

"No doubt about that." Said Macao with a grim expression on his face. "He's the only one in the guild stupid enough to do something like this while also being strong enough to think he can handle an S-class job."

"I'd say he's more stupid than strong." Said Alzack, a black-haired mage in Fairy Tail that focused on something called gun magic, a type of magic that was built around magical firearms.

"Yeah, especially since it could get them kicked out of the guild." Said Bisca, a green-haired mage that had similar magic to Alzack.

"Why didn't you stop Happy from taking the flyer Laxus!?" Demanded Mirajane as she glared at Laxus, who just shrugged.

"How was I supposed to know it was Happy." Said Laxus as he looked at Mirajane with a smirk. "All I say was a flying cat. I didn't know it was ours." Mirajane gave a death glare at that, making Laxus raise an eyebrow in amusement. "Oh? Been a while since you gave me that look." While Mirajane was making that look towards Laxus, Makarov was grumbling at all this.

"Regardless, we need to deal with this." Said Makarov, disappointed at what Natsu did. The boy was going to face a big punishment for this. If not from him then from Arahan and Erza for this stunt. "What job was taken from the board?" Mirajane, while still glaring at Laxus, spoke up.

"It was the job around lifting the curse from Galuna Island." Said Mirajane, causing Makarov to widen his eyes in shock.

"What!?" Yelled Makarov, eyes bulging out of their sockets upon hearing that it was the Galuna Island job. Everyone else was gasping out in shock.

"Galuna Island!?" Yelled Macao in shock.

"Does Natsu and Happy have a death wish!?" Questioned Wakaba as everyone was talking amongst themselves.

"Got to if he's taken a job he's not ready for." Said Laxus with a smirk before looking down at his grandfather. "Of course, even if he completes the job and survive, he'll get kicked out of the guild for this. Right, gramps? After all, this is a big offense." Makarov pursed his lips at that, knowing that was what Laxus wanted as he disliked Natsu, seeing him as weak, despite his growing power. Although punishment would be given out to Natsu once he gets back, he will not expel the boy from the guild, even if some in his position would do so. The boy, despite his faults, was a good man and he will not abandon Natsu for this affront, though he will give that boy a wallop for this. Regardless, he needed someone to get Natsu back here, and right now the only one available that can reliably do it with force was his own grandson.

"Laxus, gather the Thunder Legion and bring Natsu back!" Ordered Makarov, causing Laxus to scoff.

"No way, I got better things to do than drag that pink-haired idiot back here." Said Laxus, causing Makarov to glare at him along with everyone else in the guild. "Besides, a member of Fairy Tail has to be strong, right?"

"You have to!" Yelled Makarov. Arahan and Naestra were out spending time with their son and Erza was out on a job. Their other S-class wizards, Mystogan and Gildarts, were also unavailable so that left Laxus. "I don't care how you feel about Natsu. The fact of the matter is, you're the only one here right now strong enough that can bring Natsu with force!" Upon hearing that, Gray, who had been overhearing everything, decided that enough was enough and stood up.

"With respect, gramps, I got to disagree with that." Said Gray, causing Makarov to turn to him. "I'll bring him back along with anyone else he's dragged into this whole mess."

"Are you sure, Gray?" Asked Makarov. "You may have to fight Natsu in order to get him back here."

"I know." Said Gray with a smirk. "And I'm looking forward to it." Makarov hummed at that before nodding.

"Alright." Said Makarov, knowing that he didn't have time to argue. "Go after him and Happy immediately! I'll be sending Erza, Naestra, and Arahan as soon as possible in case you need their help." Much as Gray wanted to do this all by himself, he knew it would be pointless to argue with Makarov on this matter. Besides, if he got lucky, then he can beat Natsu before any of those women arrive to help him out. Not only would he get the satisfaction of beating Natsu, but he'll also get the satisfaction of seeing him get beat up by Erza and Arahan for this. And that was something he was itching to see. A double win for him. So, with that, Gray immediately took off, causing Makarov to sigh.

"Alzack. Bisca." Said Makarov, causing both wizards to look at Makarov. "Go and find Naestra and Arahan for me. Tell them about the situation and convince them to help Gray out in this situation."

"Understood, sir." Said Alzack, happy that he was paired up with his crush, while Bisca nodded.

"Boy, Natsu is going to get such a walloping from Arahan for this." Said Bisca as the two left the guild.

"Walloping from just her? I'm pretty sure even Naestra would take a swing at Natsu for this." Said Alzack. "Heck I wouldn't even be surprised if she would raise her voice against him if Galuna Island is as bad as the rumors make it out to be." Bisca nodded at that before they began running, hoping to find the twins quickly so that Natsu wouldn't do anything stupid. Well, anything more stupid than he already did.

An hour later

East Forest

Naestra

"Take aim." Said Naestra as she watched Diederick aiming down an arrow at a target made out of paper that she purchased from a store to help her, Arahan, and Diederick for archery training. "Try to relax and keep calm. It'll help your aim." Diederick did what he was instructed and calmed himself. After a few moments, he let loose his arrow and managed to land a hit on the 2nd inner ring of the target.

"Excellent." Said Naestra as she eyed the target, seeing that the arrow was only slightly off the bullseye by a few inches below it. "You're improving. Try not aim directly for your target. Wind and the weight of your arrow can cause it to drift away from your intended target. Even then, your own strength may be an issue as well."

"Understood." Said Diederick as he notched another arrow and aimed for the target again. Naestra hummed as she watched Arahan, sharpening her spear, keeping one eye on Diederick for reasons that she kept to herself. Naestra relaxed as Diederick let loose his arrow and misses the bullseye again.

"Keep practicing. You'll get it eventually." Said Naestra. Diederick nodded at that as he kept trying to get a bullseye. Naestra and Arahan, deciding to not work for the day, decided to spend the day with Diederick, who was having a holiday break along with Daxter. Right now they were practicing Diederick's archery. Next would be his swordsmanship and after that, they would just spend the day alone with each other.

Rare did they spend time alone with each other as they were all busy with either school or their jobs, but when they did have time for each other they cherished the moment. Naestra, in particular, loved them. To not have to worry about anything and just enjoy time with her loved ones was something she wished she could experience more back at Athel Loren, but rarely ever did on account of the number of threats attacking it that required her and her sisters' aid. Then there were the times their queen sent them on assignments she trusted to no one else but them. It made things like this rare for the Sisters of Twilight and Naestra was thankful this assignment gave her more of these opportunities, especially with her son.

As she watched him train, she could see that he would be a fine soldier in the Fiore army. His archery skills, while not as skilled as those bowmen from an elven warrior or hunter, were good for a human and his swordsmanship was above average for his people. She can say, without a doubt, that he would be a fine soldier for the army to have. Although Arahan was reluctant to have him join the army when he grew older, Naestra was fine with it.

He needed to develop his own destiny, one that put him far away from the grasp of Chaos. And if he became a warrior, then perhaps it would help him fight against the Chaos Gods. Sometimes the discipline of being a warrior can help one avoid the temptations of the Chaos Gods. Although sometimes it just gave the Chaos Gods a trained warrior instead of untrained cultists, so Naestra could see where Arahan was concerned. And if they converted those that fight alongside Diederick, then that would be even more of a disaster for everyone. It was a risk, but so was everything about their son.

Naestra was about to comment on Diederick successfully managing to get a bullseye after only the fifth try when she heard the voices of Bisca and Alzack nearby, calling out for both her and her sister. Curious, Naestra excused herself and went to meet with the two gun mages. Upon seeing them, she spoke.

"Is there something afoot?" Asked Naestra upon seeing the worried looks on Bisca and Alzack.

"Yeah, there is." Said Alzack before explaining the situation. "Natsu had Happy took one of the jobs from the S-class board and now they're on their way to do it without any support from any S-class mage." Upon hearing that Naestra widened her eyes in shock.

S-class missions were no joke. She and Arahan went on one before and it was one of the toughest fights in their lives. Granted, they didn't have Gwindalor or Ceithin-Har with them and they thought, at least Arahan, thought it would be easy, but it turned out to be quite a fight for them. Arahan found it quite fulfilling, having killed many of their opponents with glee and her usual sadism, but Naestra found it quite dangerous. So many enemies coming at them from all sides with no chance for even a moments' respite. The reward was substantial and Naestra was willing to do another, but she saw that those deemed S-class jobs were a challenge for those unprepared for such things. She can safely say that had they not been as skilled as they were, they would have died in that job. One of them at the very least, which isn't really that bad for them, given their…unique nature. To hear Natsu taking on without substantial help was something truly foolish, even for him.

"Do you wish for me to bring him back before he could embark on this quest?" Said Naestra, causing Bisca to nod.

"Gray went in alone to get Natsu back and anyone else dumb enough to go with him on the job, but the more the merrier." Explained Bisca, causing Naestra to nod in agreement. Natsu was powerful and unpredictable. He had the potential to become even more powerful than he already was, but until that day, he wasn't prepared for the difficulty and hardship that came with being on an S-Class job.

"Agreed." Said Naestra, disappointed that she'll be taken away from her son when they were supposed to be bonding with each other. So would Diederick and Arahan, the latter especially as she disliked Natsu for his stupidity. Oh, she would have to hold her sister back from hurting the boy too much for this. "I'll get my sister and talk to my son. We were supposed to spend the day bonding with each other, but this is a far more important task." Bisca and Alzack nodded with sympathy. They may not have any children of their own, but they know the importance of family and it made them slightly angry with Natsu for pulling this stunt he did with the S-Class job.

"Good luck." Said Bisca. "I got the feeling you'll need it." Naestra thanked her before telling them to head back to the guild to inform Makarov that she and her sister will try to get Natsu back. They did so, but not before telling her where the S-class job will take place and where Natsu will likely go in order to head there. Thanking them again, Naestra took off to find Arahan and Diederick while Bisca and Alzack did the same, heading for the guild hall so they can inform Makarov of Naestra and Arahan taking the job of bringing Natsu back from his most recent blunder. Running back, Naestra saw Diederick and Arahan about to spar with each other. They were about to clash when Naestra interrupted them. "Forgive me, Diederick, but an important task had just come up that requires both Arahan and I to do." Upon hearing that, Diederick looked at her in surprise.

"What is it?" Asked Diederick, disappointed a bit while Arahan looked at her sister in suspicion.

"Natsu…took an S-class job without permission." Said Naestra, deciding to tell them the truth. "Makarov asked us to bring him back before he can get himself killed along with whoever else he brought along with him." While Diederick was reacting in shock at this, Arahan narrowed her eyes in disgust at Natsu's actions. The one time that she wanted to have a whole day alone with her son and that idiot decided to jeopardize it with his stupidity. Oh, she was going to kill him for this. "Given the severity of a typical S-Class job, this, unfortunately, places precedent over us spending time with each other. I'm sorry." Though Diederick was more than a little disappointed at this turn of events, he wanted to spend more time with his mothers, he understood.

"I…understand mother." Said Diederick, kind of hurt that one of his closest friends did something like this and put a wrench on his plans to spend time with his mothers. "Do what you have to get him back. There's always a next time we can spend the day with each other, right?" Naestra nodded at that, pitying her son for this turn of events. Promising to spend another day with him later on, both she and Arahan ran towards their home to acquire all the weapons and supplies they may need to both get back Natsu as well as in case they needed to deal with whatever the S-class mission wished for Fairy Tail to deal with.

"I'm going to kill Natsu for this." Said Arahan as they ran. "Or at the very least disembowel him for this latest stunt." Naestra sighed at that as she heard the anger and venom from Arahan. She may need to convince her sister to hold back on punishing Natsu for this latest stunt. And, if failing that, hold her back from hurting or even killing Natsu for his stunt. She may be also disappointed at Natsu's reckless actions, perhaps even slightly angry with him, but he didn't deserve death for going on an S-class job without permission. At least in her mind. Finding their home, the two climbed the trees and went to their armory to grab whatever they needed and wanted to help deal with Natsu's latest insanity.

Meanwhile

Lokhir Fellheart

"Move you maggots!" Yelled Vestea as she watched her fellow Druchii forcing a string of Cathay citizens and soldiers towards their fleet, where they would start their new lives as slaves to the Dark Elves. She heard the cries of children and she smiled sadistically. Children were good to have. They could be used to break even the most strong-willed individuals if used correctly and Vestea was skilled in using children to break the will of Men. Standing next to Vestea, was Lokhir Fellheart, who was currently watching another line of Druchii carrying crates and barrels full of looted goods they acquired from their most recent plunder, a city deep within Cathay itself. And it was full of goods, both in gold and in potential slaves. After defeating the defenders, the Dark Elves began to plunder the city for all its wealth and found that there was much more than they anticipated. Enough that, Lokhir was confident that the Witch-King will be satisfied with what he brought from Cathay, meaning he can arrive back home to Karond Kar to speak with his sister regarding the Dreadwaters and how they survived their father's purge. With that in mind, Lokhir told Vestea that they'll be heading back to Karond Kar as soon as the last spoils and slaves were on board their ships. Smirking at that, Vestea bowed her head slightly before forcing the line of slaves to move quicker through force. Watching one of his most loyal officers motivate their new slaves with fear, Lokhir thought about the Dreadwaters and how much his swords wished to stain themselves with the blood of his family's most hated rivals.