New Friends, New Foes
Wendy was ecstatic to wake up to a quiet, early morning with the sun peeking through the gaps on the frosted, snow-covered windows. She took a deep breath and shouted, "Everyone! Get up!"
Carla, who was sound asleep beside her, woke with quite a start; leaping from under the covers and onto the nearest bedpost on all fours, her back arched and every hair on her body standing on end.
Wendy quickly apologized before hopping off the bed. She shuddered the instant her bare feet touched the cold, tiled floor of the Training Building's infirmary, which had been temporarily converted into a bedroom for seven people and two Exceeds.
Natsu had also jumped out of bed in alarm, nearly stumbling over the sheets that had tangled around his legs. He was down in his stance once he regained his footing, fists engulfed in fire and head whipping around in search of danger. "What is it, Wendy?! Are we being attacked?!"
"No, silly!" said Wendy, giggling. She pointed to the windows and smiled. "It's over! We can finally go home!"
"Really?" Romeo yawned as he sat up, stretching his arms high above his head. Sitting next to him was Link who was busy rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The moment the boys saw the sunlight, they practically launched out of bed in excitement.
Cheers of joy and sighs of relief soon filled the room coming from Wendy, Carla, Romeo, Link, Gray, Natsu, and Happy. Missing out of the seven people were Erza and Jellal, the early-rising pair likely having breakfast in the hall, but no doubt relieved to finally be able to head back to town.
For the past three days and three nights, the group had hunkered in the Training Building due to a terrible blizzard raging throughout Magnolia. The extreme weather had trapped all the townsfolk indoors and stopped all forms of travel. It wasn't a naturally occurring storm either, but one conjured by powerful magic that had gone completely out of control, thanks to Erza and Jellal.
The incident started on the day Erza wanted to test out her new dragon gear against poor Link and Romeo.
Wendy had known things were going to take a terrible turn the instant Erza decided to have her 'fun'. Behind the safety of the runed fence, Wendy, Natsu, Gray, Carla, and Happy had helplessly watched in horror when Erza began to charge a devastating attack beneath a thundering, blizzard sky. At that same moment, Link was protecting himself and Romeo within his magical crystal barrier and Jellal was busy stirring up his own storm in hope of countering Erza's.
Unfortunately, Jellal's brilliant plan didn't work. In fact, his efforts ended up making the situation ten times worse; when Erza had struck down like a bolt of judgment cast by the hand of an almighty deity, she obliterated the entire battle ring; her collected power far too strong for the enchantments to contain.
The blinding, deafening explosion had reduced the ring into a giant crater and blasted Wendy and the others right off their feet. And, with the invisible barrier gone, the storms Erza and Jellal had both summoned were released to the outside world, merging together to form a mega thunder snowstorm instead of cancelling each other out.
While battling the awful conditions, Wendy and the others had to quickly scramble around in search of Link, Romeo, Jellal, and Erza and carry their unconscious bodies inside the Training Building before they could freeze to death.
Jellal and the boys suffered injuries, none of which Wendy couldn't heal. Erza, however, had passed out from expending so much magical energy at once, resulting in minor symptoms of Magic Deficiency.
Fortunately, Wendy had no trouble treating Erza back to health with the remedies she had on hand. The instant Erza was awake, Wendy had given her a very angry and very stern scolding; one that rivaled Porlyusica's ferocity, as Carla had jokingly stated.
Erza apologized to Jellal and the boys afterwards, claiming she had not expected to inflict so much harm with that single blow. "Felt like I was only using a quarter of my power... and yet it drained all of my magic," she had said. If she could somehow fully control the magnificent power of her dragon gear, she believed she could pull off something far greater (and much more deadly) than what they had witnessed that day.
It was frightening to think how much collateral damage Erza would achieve at maximum power. Thankfully, she had promised to be extra careful next time because she – as well as Jellal – had been slapped with all repair costs for every structure in Magnolia damaged by their mega snowstorm; a responsibility strictly enforced by both Makarov and Ultear upon learning what had truly happened.
Being stuck in the Training Building for three days straight wasn't too bad overall. There were proper facilities to use and plenty of food and necessities stocked up so it felt like they were just camping in a big, fancy cabin they couldn't leave. They had passed the time doing little chores and playing games; merrily spending hours together to forget the storm outside.
One of the many games played was the evil card game poker, or 'pokey' as Link loved to call it. It began as a friendly round, with Link and Romeo walking Wendy and Carla through on how to play using candies as poker chips. But after a few beers and bragging victories, the game became so viciously competitive between Erza, Gray, and Natsu that many brawls had broken out, forcing Jellal to intervene each time before they could destroy the hall. (Jellal eventually got fed up that he incinerated every deck of cards so they could never play again...)
Even though they had a (mostly) wonderful time, they couldn't wait to go home. Everyone grabbed a quick bite to eat in the kitchen and got ready to head out.
Because of the buildup of ice and snow, Natsu had to smash open the front door with a fiery kick. The winter air rushed in, feeling like an icy slap to Wendy's partially covered face. Blinding white snow as high as her head awaited them, but Natsu engulfed his body aflame to melt a path forward as well as provide them warmth. When everyone was outside, Gray sealed the gaping hole in the building with ice.
The aftermath of the storm was both beautiful and ugly. Surrounding trees were frosted white and drooping, their limbs heavy with snow. Some had lost their branches and a few unlucky ones had completely toppled over.
Drifts that looked like sparkling white ridges reached as high as the main roof where, unfortunately, batches of shingles had been ripped off, exposing the wood beneath. Banners that once draped down the front of the building had disappeared, but most disheartening was the missing windmill atop the tower, likely blown somewhere far away because the blades were nowhere to be seen.
"At least the windmill didn't take the whole tower with it on its journey," said Erza, jokingly. "It'll be an easy fix."
"Another cost tacked on to whatever we have to pay out of our pockets," Jellal grumbled miserably beside her. He looked between the roof and the shattered pieces of the front door, probably estimating the price in his head.
Erza shrugged and smiled teasingly at him. "Won't be too difficult. We'll just have to pick some high paying S-Rank missions to pay off everything."
Jellal groaned and crossed his arms. "That's going to take months..."
Again, Erza shrugged as if paying off hundreds of millions of Jewels in damages was no big deal. Knowing her reputation, it likely happened every so often. "Depends on the total cost."
"I dread to know..." Jellal muttered with a sigh. "Ultear chewed me out this morning at the number of damage reports already flooding her office."
"It's that bad, huh?" remarked Gray, raising his brow. "Looks like our guild's gonna be busy helping the town dig out."
They continued on, walking through slippery slush and deep puddles with a flaming Natsu leading the way. Happy and Carla stayed in the air to avoid the wet and hazardous trek below.
It was a mess of fallen trees, broken branches, and piles of debris along the trail back to Magnolia. Once the town was in view, Wendy was in awe seeing every building seemingly painted a glistening white from the layers of snow and frost.
Shortly before passing through the town gate, Jellal paused and quietly grunted to gain their attention. "We have some visitors at the guild," he stated, sounding displeased. "Link, you better head home and stay there."
"Is it the Magic Council?" demanded Natsu, his flames burning a little brighter to reflect his annoyance.
"I wouldn't be surprised if our disaster of a storm attracted their attention, but no, it's Sabertooth."
"Sabertooth? What are they doing here?" asked Happy, the tip of his tail twitching anxiously.
"Probably to deliver the last shipment of our stuff," said Gray before he hardened his expression, "and maybe they have news on Succubus Eye."
"Very possible," said Erza, furrowing her brow. "Is Minerva and Rufus among them?"
"I believe so," answered Jellal. He narrowed his gaze towards the heart of town where Fairy Tail was located. "There are six of them waiting in the hall. Makarov and some others are keeping them entertained for the time being. See what they want and keep me informed. I'll stay close. And Link, remember what I told you."
"Understood," the boy murmured, clearly disappointed that he had to hide.
"Hey, don't be sad. I'll stay with you," said Romeo, nudging Link with his elbow. "Dad was supposed to be back yesterday so maybe he's waiting for us at home if his train was able to make it through."
Wendy reached over and gently squeezed Link's shoulder. "It wouldn't hurt to get more rest too," she added, giving him a cheerful smile. "When it's safe, we'll let you know right away, okay?"
He nodded and placed a hand over hers. "Okay. Be careful."
"They're on our turf so they'd be stupid if they plan to mess with us again," Gray growled, cracking his knuckles and glaring ahead at nothing; "But if Rufus still hasn't learned his lesson by now, he's going to need a bigger mask once I'm done with him."
Natsu sneered and started to crack his own knuckles menacingly. "Save half of his face for me, will ya?"
"I'm sure Sting brought them along for good reason other than to stir up more trouble," said Erza, resuming their trek. "Let's hurry and find out."
They split up as planned. Link and Romeo attempted to race back home, which was amusing to watch since they had to trudge through snow up to their waists. Wendy, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and the Exceeds followed the main roads towards Fairy Tail while Jellal took an alternate route, staying in the shadows and out of sight.
Every street was just as bad as the countryside with snowdrifts piled high, burying carriages and blocking entryways. As they ventured deeper into town, they encountered plenty of townsfolk out and about, working to shovel and clear away the roads and walkways with their fellow neighbours. Despite the weather and labour, the people were always happy to exchange kind greetings with Fairy Tail as they passed by, oblivious to the cause of the three-day snowstorm.
With the team helping out the people in their path, it took about an hour longer than usual to walk back to the guild. Tired and hungry, Wendy couldn't be happier to finally step foot inside the pleasantly warm hall of Fairy Tail.
Familiar faces welcomed them inside; friends, allies, and former enemies.
"Good morning," Makarov was first to greet them with a smile. He sat atop the edge of one of the tables in the middle of the hall that Lucy, Bero, Gajeel, Pantherlily, and Levy had also occupied. Over at the next table was Sabertooth, with Sting, Lector, Rogue, Frosch, Minerva, and Rufus settled and cared for by their hosts. Mirajane and Kinana were serving them breakfast and drinks, both delighted to help their guests. Meanwhile, Lisanna was tending the bar where Cana, Elfman, Laxus, and the Thunder Tribe had taken their seats.
"As you can see, we have some visitors this morning," continued Makarov, gesturing politely to Sabertooth's table.
"Yo, I've been wondering when you guys would get here," said Sting with a lighthearted chuckle as he waved at the new arrivals. He stood up when Natsu approached, his smile turning into a cocky grin as he held out a clenched fist towards the Fire Dragon Slayer.
Grinning in return, Natsu lightly smacked the back of Sting's arm with his. "Hey, didn't think you'd come all the way here!"
Sting ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Wanted to surprise your guild with the last shipment of your stuff, but man, you guys had a crazy-ass storm last night or what?! Our carriages got stuck just outside of Magnolia and we had to walk the rest of the way here!"
"Yes, it seemed quite unnatural. Never seen anything like it in all my years in Magnolia," Makarov remarked, discretely giving Erza a pointed look.
Titania stiffened and shifted her eyes to the side in an attempt to hide her guilt. "Yes. It kept us snowbound for a few days. You said your carriages are just outside of town? We can go retrieve it for you."
Makarov cleared his throat and held up a finger before she could make a move. "In due time. The Mayor is currently making arrangements with every guild in town to help clear the streets and other emergencies. We'll be contacted soon enough. In the meantime, let's welcome our friends to Fairy Tail!"
Happy fluttered above Lector and Frosch who sat atop their table, munching on sausage and strips of bacon. Paws on his hips and face all smug, Happy boasted, "So how'd you like our guild? Told you it's a million times better!"
"Pah! Not even!" Lector exclaimed, flicking a greasy paw at Happy. "It's a million times smaller than ours! No cool fountains? No giant statue on your roof? That's so sad!"
"Very sad!" Frosch agreed, mumbling with his mouth nearly stuffed full.
Natsu groaned and threw his arms in the air. "Augh! See, Gramps! I told you we should've gotten one! Would be so cool to have a giant fairy on the roof!"
Sighing, Makarov gave Natsu a stern look. "For the hundredth time, boy, no."
"Heh, you don't need fancy statues to stand out. I like your little guild," said Sting, speaking the honest truth.
"What?! Sting, you actually like this place?!" Lector cried, flabbergasted.
Sting smiled as he looked around the hall, admiring the decor and layout. "Yeah, I really like it. It's cozy and practical. Got a certain charm to it too. And not to mention they have a pool at the back! Wonder why our guild never had one?"
There was a sharp scoff coming from Minerva, drawing everyone's immediate attention. She kept her eyes on her steaming mug of coffee that she had cupped within her hands on the table. "Because my father despised anything that was considered 'fun'," she spat, suddenly shifting the mood in the hall.
Tension between Team Natsu and their former enemies had been rekindled.
Wendy stood by, stiff and wary like most of her friends.
Erza made the first move, rounding Sabertooth's table to stand in Minerva's view. "Minerva," she addressed, calm and firm.
Minerva shot her an even look. "Erza," she returned in kind.
Hands on her hips, Erza glanced between Minerva and Rufus who both sat across one another, judging them carefully with narrowed eyes. "You both seem to be doing better."
Smirking, Rufus leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He looked sideways at Erza under the brim of his hat. "Well observed," he replied coolly, his sarcasm not at all subtle. "I've seen better days, but I suppose I have no right to complain."
"Yes, we're... fine now," said Minerva, dropping her gaze back on her drink. Shadows hid her face, but not the nervousness and hesitation in her voice; "Hmph. I suppose you're waiting to hear a 'thank you' coming from me, aren't you?"
Erza stared for a moment almost as if taken aback. Having experienced the worst of Minerva, it truly was shocking to see her lacking that sharp edge she once possessed. Such a drastic change in attitude brought a sense of relief in Wendy and her teammates.
"No, I am not the one to thank," said Erza, slowly shaking her head and easing her guard. She nodded at Wendy, wearing a broad, proud smile. "You both owe it to Wendy for saving your lives. She was able to stop the demon's curse before it was too late."
All eyes fell on Wendy, making her blush profusely under her warm winter clothes. She was so used to seeing Rufus's and Minerva's cruel sneers and mockery that it felt so strange to receive their looks of genuine gratitude. They were like two completely different people.
Overheating, Wendy unraveled her scarf and anxiously stuttered out, "I-I'm glad y-you've both recovered! Um, have there been any complications since? With the curse?"
"None. What you did was enough to cut the demon's connection entirely, allowing us to exact our revenge," Minerva replied, giving Wendy a small, fleeting smile. She slid back her chair, stood up, and lifted her blouse to show her bare stomach. The sealed mark of Succubus Eye was gone, replaced once again by the crest of Sabertooth. "The curse has been lifted, dear girl. We are free... thanks to you."
Wendy's eyes widened. "Free? So then, Succubus Eye..."
"We took care of them," said Sting, grinning triumphantly as he held up a fist. "It's the main reason why we're here. You wanted to know what they were up to, right? We've got the answers."
"Before you begin, how about we all get settled first?" suggested Makarov, motioning for Natsu and the others to find a seat and get comfortable.
Five minutes later, Wendy was out of her winter gear and sitting at the same table as Erza, Natsu, Gray, Happy, and Carla. Breakfast had just been set before them by Mirajane and Kinana. As the two guilds ate their meals, Sabertooth spoke of their personal mission while Fairy Tail listened.
Over the past month, Sabertooth had been actively on the hunt for Succubus Eye. The Dark Guild never stayed in one location for too long, and after technically losing four members in one night, they were wise to destroy all evidence and move somewhere else. Little did they know, they couldn't hide all traces of their existence from the noses of Dragon Slayers.
"They covered their tracks in the snow, but they couldn't hide their stench," said Sting with a smug grin. "We followed their trail for weeks and ended up near the north-eastern border. They made a temporary base there. We ambushed them – took 'em by surprise. Tough fight overall with half of them demons ugly as sin."
"But you didn't think that lady one was ugly," Lector pointed out. "You wanted to fight for her, remember? I had to bite your ankle to – uff!"
Face as red as a tomato, Sting slapped a hand over Lector's mouth and hissed, "Lector! Shut up! They don't need to know that part!"
Natsu and Gajeel howled with laughter.
"What was that? You fell for a demon woman?!" Gajeel mocked.
"Rogue and Rufus too!" said Frosch, happy to share the embarrassing tidbit.
Rogue awkwardly shifted in his seat and looked off to the side, his cheeks slightly red. Rufus pulled his hat down over his face to hide away.
Natsu and Gajeel guffawed even louder, both repeatedly pounding their respective tables and rattling the dishes. Others soon joined in their mirth, making the hall seemingly vibrate with their collected voices.
Once they managed to calm down, Makarov wiped the corners of his eyes and commented, "I assume the demon possessed the same beauty as Mirajane's transformations if she was able to sway your alliance so easily!"
"Oh, I'm flattered," said Mirajane, a playful smile gracing her lips. She sat at another table with Lisanna and Kinana, all three taking a break and wanting to hear Sabertooth's story. "However, it sounds like it was more than just looks that turned the men to her side."
"Hmph, you're not wrong," Minerva scoffed, rolling her eyes at her fellow teammates who were wallowing in their own shame. "Zenitra the Succubus. Obviously the Dark Guild was named after her. She was the Guild Master and the one in control of the wretched curse. Every man in Sabertooth was dumbstruck by her power of seduction. It was goddamn ridiculous. They made damn fools of themselves drooling and lusting for a demon wench."
"Lady Minerva, please, you don't need to share that detail..." Sting groaned into his hands as he shrank in his chair, dying from embarrassment. There was snickering and snorts of laughter coming from Lector and a couple of amused Fairies.
Minerva sneered at Sting's reaction, seemingly enjoying the torture. "Good thing her power was useless against me, Frosch, and Lector. Gnawing their ankles and kicking them hard between the legs brought these idiots back to their senses."
Wendy noticed all the men in the hall grimace and shift in their seats.
"In the end, Zenitra got what she deserved," Minerva continued with a satisfied smirk; "With her out of the picture, the rest of Succubus Eye stood no chance against us."
"Yeah, so glad that's finally over," said Sting, running his hands down his reddened face and heaving a sigh of relief. As he regained his dignity and composure, his expression turned dark and serious. "But now, there's another problem looming ahead. A huge one that you've brought up before: Tartaros. They're the largest and strongest Dark Guild known and they're planning something big. Smaller Dark Guilds under their command have been pretty busy, Succubus Eye included. We found a whole stash of Lacrima and other odd stuff packed away at their base. Looked like they were transporting it somewhere."
"From what little we know, Tartaros is gathering resources and raising an army," said Minerva, anxiously wringing her hands atop the table; "Recruiting those they deem worthy into their elite ranks. My father was one of the chosen. He used to be a member of Succubus Eye, but was quickly promoted and sent away to Tartaros when his ruthlessness was recognized. He told me, right before he left... if I was truly his daughter, then he expected me to soon join him among the elite.
"I didn't want to disappoint him again..." Minerva slowly shook her head, angry at herself, "So it became my ambition to be as strong and merciless as my father. I wanted to make him proud. I did everything Zenitra desired, not caring what it would entail nor the risks involved."
There was a hint of regret in her eyes as she turned to Wendy's table, meeting their stares. "Our latest mission took us to the mountain mine. We were in search of raw Lacrima, tasked to harvest whatever was left inside. But we were not prepared for the maze that awaited us nor the ground to collapse under our feet, trapping us at the bottom of the cave."
"Didn't expect a bunch of Fairies to suddenly drop in on us either," said Rufus with a half-smirk. "Perhaps, we should consider it our lucky break in spite of the outcome. Had you not have found us, we would surely be long dead by now, rotting deep inside a mountain, long forgotten."
"You guys were stuck? Then what the hell were you thinking when you attacked us?" Gray demanded, slamming down a fist on the table.
"We had a few good reasons," Rufus returned, maintaining his cool as he looked at Gray, "'The Eye sees all,' or so we were warned when Zenitra placed her mark on us. We had to keep our mouths shut and our intentions in her favour. You had demanded answers, none of which we could give – nor were we willing to tell you anything at the time, mind you.
"Doriate was another main reason. That dumb oaf was loyal to a fault. Any mere suggestion of a truce and he would have likely considered that betrayal. He would not have hesitated to kill us alongside you Fairies. Little did we know that you brought along that Fairy brat – pardon – that boy who was somehow immune to Doriate's Law of Retrogression. I presume it has to do with the boy's strange power? Nevertheless, it was ironic that Doriate was defeated by a child." Rufus smirked in amusement at that.
"Huh?" Sting raised an eyebrow as he glanced from Rufus to Wendy's table; "What kid with strange powers?"
"The one who gave me this scar," said Rufus, slightly pulling back his long sleeve to reveal some of the bandages around his wrist and arm. "A punishment well deserved for my foolish mistake. Goes to show that boy should never be underestimated if he can take down the likes of Doriate. Though I question what poor choices were made for him to end up with 'Bacon' as his name."
"'Bacon'?" Sting repeated under his breath as recognition flashed across his face.
Frosch looked at the strip of half-eaten bacon he was holding. "'Bacon' like this bacon?" he asked.
"Yeah! It's an awesome name!" said Natsu as if proud. He got incredulous looks and eye-rolls from almost everyone. "Oh, c'mon. Bacon loves it."
"And 'Bacon' sounds a lot better than 'Link'!" Happy added cheerfully.
Sting shot to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair, and pointed a wavering finger at Happy. "Wait a minute! Bacon? 'Seven-years-from-the-future Bacon'?! That very same Bacon?!"
"I beg your pardon?" Rufus questioned. Both he and Minerva stared at Sting like he had gone mad.
"Th-That guy! You know! That guy from the future!" Sting tried to explain, waving his hands around in a failed attempt to make it any clearer. "Nevermind, you two weren't there with us at Domus Flau when dragons were swarming out of this time gate thing! Anyway, this kid named 'Bacon' is the same dragon-slaying guy from the future, right? With the sword and yellow mask?"
"Yes! I mean, no? Forget I said 'yes'!" Happy corrected himself when Carla vigorously shook her head.
"So it is him!" Sting exclaimed, easily seeing through Happy's lie. He was dumbfounded as he plopped back into his chair, rejoining his equally shocked or bewildered teammates. "If the kid version of him is here... then what happened to the future Bacon? I've been wanting to ask you guys about him, but never really had the chance."
"He's..." Happy started to say, but trailed off, ears and tail drooping.
Wendy bit her lower lip and turned away, staring sadly at her unfinished plate of food.
A stiff silence hung in the air for a moment until Lucy spoke up, "He fell in battle against the Evil King..."
"Oh, damn... I'm sorry..." said Sting, his enthusiasm completely gone.
"Now I understand why you're so determined to go after that demon," said Rogue, sympathetic.
"Hold on just a minute," Minerva cut in on the moment, looking rather annoyed; "Care to elaborate on all of this? There was a future, dragon-slaying... Bacon?"
"With a sword and yellow mask," Rufus murmured, sounding quite intrigued. He closed his eyes and raised one hand to the side of his face, appearing deep in thought. "That night in Crocus," he began, lightly tapping a finger against his head; "My memories of that incident are muddled at best – tampered with, I can only assume – but, I do recall a certain detail as clear as day. The angel that saved us from those surrounding dragons, he wielded a great blade of shining silver and wore what may have been a yellow animal mask atop his head."
"Huh? What are you getting at, Rufus?" Sting asked, furrowing his brow.
Rufus opened his eyes, giving his Guild Master a confident little smile. "The pieces are starting to fit together. Although I am unable to memorize Bacon's strange magic, I can, however, remember the peculiar sensation that comes from his spells. The 'angels' we were to believe from the gossip passed among the gullible; their extraordinary power was exactly like Bacon's. Thus, the angelic saviours of Crocus must be him. Am I close to the truth, Fairy Tail? Or am I mistaken in my deduction?"
"For real?! Is that true?!" Sting looked throughout the hall, gaping at every Fairy.
"Now that sounds absolutely absurd," huffed Minerva, her face twisting with utmost skepticism.
Makarov laughed and applauded. "As ridiculous as it sounds, Rufus was not far off the mark," he said, bringing stunned looks across all of Sabertooth's faces. Sighing, the old man shrugged his shoulders and held up his hands as if surrendering. "Since you've come to that conclusion on your own, we have no reason to continue guarding our secret."
"Master, are you sure about this?" asked Lucy, voicing the same concern Wendy had on her mind.
Makarov nodded and smiled kindly at Sabertooth. "We can put our trust in them now that we've come together as allies and friends. I know you have many questions," he said to Sting and his team, "but before we can answer any of them, I would like to know if there is anything else you can tell us about Tartaros. Why are they amassing an army and resources? Where is their base of operations?"
Everyone's attention shifted to Rufus and Minerva who both needed a moment to process what they had just learned.
Rufus leaned forward on the table, one hand cupping his chin. "We were not told of the end goal, but I had heard whispers among the demons in Succubus Eye. Rumours of the like. They spoke of Tartaros wanting to obtain a greater, evil power through force. I'm sure you can all guess what that they were implying."
"Their headquarters is unknown," said Minerva, scowling at her food; "Not even Zenitra knew where it was. When my father was sent to Tartaros, I heard he was supposed to meet with a representative from the guild who would then take him to their base. Come to think of it..." She furrowed her brow and looked at Rufus; "I overheard Doriate grumble about Tartaros being... 'unreachable even if you saw it'."
"Hmm. 'Unreachable', you say? A mobile base, perhaps?" Makarov surmised, scratching the bottom of his unshaven chin. "Like an enormous aircraft?"
Minerva shrugged. "If it is something like that, it must be massive to accommodate a growing army."
"An aircraft would explain why no one knew of Tartaros' exact location either," Rufus concluded.
"I'm beginning to suspect that they may have crossed into the Kingdom of Seven," said Minerva, turning to Sting; "Succubus Eye relocated at the northeastern border for a reason, with everything we had collected packed and ready for transport."
Erza straightened in her seat, realization dawning on her face. "Northeast? Master, on Christmas night, wasn't that the general direction you last sensed the Evil King?"
"Indeed it is," Makarov replied in a gruff tone, his brow deeply furrowed and his mouth a grim line. "So Tartaros is after the power of the Evil King? Or are they drawn to it, I wonder? Either way, it is not looking very good..."
"Master, sorry to intrude, but incoming call from the Mayor's office!" said Mirajane cheerfully. She pointed at the Communication Lacrima glowing on her table.
Inside the large, teal crystal globe was the top-half image of the Mayor's personal assistant, Ultear. She was transformed and professionally dressed in business attire as her alter ego, Matilda. It appeared she was seated at her desk, with a clipboard in hand and a pair of slim, silver, reading glasses resting atop her blonde head.
Mirajane picked up the Lacrima and moved to stand in front of Makarov so he was at eye-level with Ultear.
"Hello again, Matilda," Makarov greeted with a warm smile; "Has the Mayor already decided on which parts of town he wanted us to help clear first?"
"Yes, he has prioritized your duties," Ultear replied in her deep, firm voice. She slipped on her glasses and began to read off her clipboard; "Guild Master, Makarov, we would like Fairy Tail to focus on clearing the south, central, and east areas. If possible, please include clearing the roads at least a mile out of town in those sections. Will this–"
She suddenly paused and turned her head slightly to the side, glaring over the rim of her glasses at someone mumbling off-screen. She nodded curtly. "Yes, of course, Mayor."
As she removed her glasses, her pointed gaze fell back on Makarov. "Magnolia Station should be the first priority on the list. Free up the station and rails so there are no more delays. Now, is it feasible for Fairy Tail to complete these assigned areas today or shall we delegate one of the areas to another guild? Keep in mind, the Mayor will compensate your guild for your share of the workload."
Makarov lit up at the sound of a reward. "Why yes! It will hardly be a problem for us! Why, allow Fairy Tail to do the entire town! We'll even finish before sunset!" he promised, unable to hide his greedy grin.
"Gramps! No!" Natsu protested.
"We can't clean the whole town in one day!" Happy cried.
Wendy and her fellow guild mates also groaned or openly complained about the crazy amount of work that would be.
"How kind of you to offer your guild to take on such a responsibility," said Ultear, giving Makarov a pointed look, which Wendy had a feeling it was supposed to be directed at Erza and Jellal; "However, that is not necessary. It wouldn't be fair to the other guilds who are willing to help, now would it?
"Please get started on your assigned areas right away. Oh, and Fairy Tail," she leaned forward, her calm expression morphing into a frightful glower, eyes boring like daggers; "That freak storm has caused some heavy damages to older structures in the south and east areas so be careful around there. If there are any new damages resulting from your – ahem – guild's recklessness, your calculated reward of three-hundred thousand Jewels will be deducted by the total cost in damage fees. Exceed that amount, then your guild will be paying for the remainder. Is that clear, Makarov?"
Makarov nervously cleared his throat and nodded vigorously. "O-Of course! We'll be extra careful! You have my word!"
Always did Ultear's manner of speech brook no argument no matter whom she spoke with. (Which included the Mayor, according to Jellal.) She was back to her calm, professional self as she put on her glasses and scribbled something on her clipboard. "Excellent. The Mayor expresses his thanks. Call me back when everything is done and we will arrange payment – if there is anything left for you to collect by the end." The Communication Lacrima blinked out.
Sighing in relief, Makarov ran a hand over his smooth, bald head, a little shaken from Ultear's strict attitude. He stood up on the table and raised a fist in the air, sweeping his eyes across the hall. "You heard her! All hands on deck! Someone get a hold of everyone who isn't here yet and tell 'em they've got a busy day ahead of them! We've got lots of work to do so get moving, Fairy Tail! And Natsu," he pointed a warning finger at the Dragon Slayer, "refrain from blasting, burning, smashing, and outright destroying anything while you're out there, got it?"
Natsu threw his arms in the air. "Hey! Why are you only telling me that? I ain't that careless, Gramps!"
No one believed him, not even Sting and his companions.
The hall erupted with noise as members of Fairy Tail started to get ready to head out. Before Sabertooth could make a move, Makarov motioned for them to stay seated.
"Apologies for the sudden interruption," said Makarov, hopping off the table. He sauntered over to Sting and his guild and offered a kind smile and gesture. "Why don't you all stay in town for the night? I can make some arrangements and provide what you need. Join us for dinner this evening as our honoured guests where we can discuss everything you still want to know."
Sting exchanged looks with his teammates and nodded. "All right, you bet there's a lot we want to ask you guys. We'll take on the offer. Hey, how about we give you guys a hand with all the snow?"
"No need. You didn't come all the way here to work! Please, sit back and relax. This is our town, we should be the ones to take care of it."
"I insist," said Sting, getting out of his chair and making the rest of his team follow; "In return for your hospitality and everything else you guys have done for us. Besides, our carriages are still stuck outside of town so we'll handle that problem. Allow us to demonstrate how we get things done the Sabertooth way: Fast, efficient, and flawless." He dabbed a thumb to his chest, his grin wide and cocky.
"Oh really? Is that a challenge?" Natsu snorted, returning the smile with one of his own. He soundly cracked his fiery knuckles as he shot a friendly glare at Sting.
"You know it. Maybe we'll even win over some of your devoted fans when they see us doing a much better job than you Fairies!"
And so began an unofficial competition between Fiore's two top guilds. Rivalries that were formed during the Grand Magic Games were reborn anew, leading into fierce match-ups out on the streets that had quickly filled with cheering crowds. Natsu and Happy versus Sting and Lector; Gajeel and Pantherlily versus Rogue and Frosch; Erza versus Minerva; Gray versus Rufus.
It was a wild and fun spectacle to watch for everyone in town. The two teams worked together, but at the same time, also against each other, clearing snow and debris in a seemingly hectic frenzy, somehow avoiding hurting nearby bystanders and damaging buildings with their respective spells and strength.
While the rivals handled Magnolia Station and the main, heavily affected business areas, Wendy and the rest of Fairy Tail focused on the residential roads and neighbourhoods.
Everything was going smoothly for Wendy until she had decided to help an elderly couple dust off some loose snow off their front porch. It was late in the day and she was exhausted. In her haste, she had forgotten she was still wearing her dragon jewellery Lupus had crafted for her: golden hair clips in the shape of small, layered horns, pearl earrings that dangled from her ears, and solid runed bracelets and anklets, both sets studded with pretty gems. Each beautiful piece combined granted her some protection from storm-based spells and greatly boosted her Sky Dragon wind magic. So instead of breathing a puff of air to blow away the snow, what came out was a powerful tempest as strong as her roar attack!
Wendy stood aghast when the elderly couple's little home – and five other houses lined up on the same block – were accidentally blasted off their foundations by her breath.
The sound of collapsing wood seemed to echo far and wide as plumes of snow and dust flew in the air.
Carla was first to snap out of her shock. "Well, you've certainly blown away the Mayor's reward..."
Hands over her mouth and her face burning red, Wendy slowly turned to the stunned elders standing behind her. She apologized to them profusely, feeling absolutely the worst for wrecking their property and neighbourhood. Fortunately, no one was home in the other houses, saving her the guilt from accidentally hurting someone.
News got around quickly and employees working for the Mayor came by to investigate. They had Wendy fill out a tedious amount of paperwork, but, thankfully, they went and took care of her mess afterwards.
Embarrassed and guilt-ridden, Wendy slunk back to the guild with Carla at her heels. She hung her head as she stepped inside, expecting to be yelled at by a furious Makarov.
Instead, she was happily greeted by Link and Romeo. The boys were alone in the hall at their usual table, waving at her and Carla.
"What are you two doing here?" Wendy asked when she took her seat next to Link. There was a plate of sugar cookies on the table that she couldn't resist helping herself to one.
"Master said it's okay for Link to meet Sabertooth, now that they know the big secret about him," Romeo answered, a little anxious. "We can trust them, right? Rufus and Minerva?"
Wendy nodded as she took a bite of her cookie. "They're a lot nicer, if you can believe that. They're even helping with the snow clearing. If Master can trust them, so can we."
"That's good, I guess. I know Dad wouldn't be too happy having them around. You saw how angry he got when you guys talked about the crazy stuff that happened in the mine. He was so mad. Like Natsu-on-fire mad, but with the fire raging on the inside."
"Dad hasn't come home yet so he won't be fire-mad," Link pointed out while grabbing another cookie. He started to smile at Wendy, brimming with excitement. "Master said we're having a big party with Sabertooth tonight!"
"Yeah, it'll be fun," Wendy agreed, although her enthusiasm didn't quite shine through.
Link frowned. "What's wrong? Is the party with Sabertooth a bad idea?"
"No, I'm not upset about that..." Sighing, Wendy buried her head guiltily in her arms atop the table and proceeded to tell them how she accidentally destroyed a couple houses, lost Fairy Tail's share of the Mayor's reward, and racked up a hefty fine in damage fees.
By the end, Romeo burst out laughing instead of feeling sorry for her, his voice echoing throughout the empty hall. "Hey, don't feel bad!" he assured, waving a dismissive hand. "As the saying goes around here: you're not really a Fairy until you've accidentally caused some major property damage! Link almost burned down a bar in Crocus, remember? And I nearly sank our old house. Breaking valuable stuff is what Fairies tend to do."
"Wouldn't be Fairy Tail otherwise," Carla remarked, giving her partner a humorous smile. "Who knows? Perhaps one day it will be my turn to demolish an entire neighbourhood block unintentionally."
Wendy giggled at the thought of Carla toppling buildings with the strength of Erza. It made her feel a little better.
"Here, Wendy." Link grabbed her hand and dumped the contents of a little red pouch into her palm.
She gasped at the sight of his Rupees sparkling back at her, two of each colour. "Why are you giving me these?" she asked, furrowing her brow.
He smiled. "To help you pay your fees."
"Oh, that's so sweet of you, but I can't take this!" Wendy tried to give back his valuable jewels, but the boy just looked confused at her.
"Why not? You said you didn't have the money to pay for everything... Oh, is this not enough? I can get you some more Rupees to sell." He was about to leave, but Wendy grabbed him by the arm.
"No! Link, you don't have to help me pay! That's what I'm trying to say!"
"But I want to help you, Wendy." He smiled again, his blue eyes bright with determination. It was a look he always gave her whenever she was having a rough day. Nothing was going to stop him from trying to take her worries away.
Knowing Link would keep refusing to take his Rupees back, Wendy sighed in defeat and carefully tucked them away in her pocket. "Oh, fine... But I'm going to pay you back, okay? I'll have to do a bunch of extra little jobs around town when I'm not training."
"Can I come too?" Link asked, leaning towards her with a hopeful expression.
Wendy blinked. "You want to join me on some jobs?"
He nodded. "Yes! I want to help people too, like everyone in the guild. So can I come? You can have all the reward money."
"But the money is for paying you back!" Wendy told him. He obviously didn't care as he continued to stare pleadingly at her. Suppressing her groan, Wendy shrugged and finally conceded. "Oh, all right. I guess you can come with me and Carla on a few simple jobs, but I'm still splitting the reward with you, okay? Oh, wait... We can't register your name for any of them though, since you're not an official member of Fairy Tail. Clients might wonder who you are."
"Just tell them Link is a 'Fairy-Tail-mage-in-training'," Romeo suggested with a teasing grin.
Carla snorted and crossed her arms. "They would definitely question the 'training' part if they see what he is truly capable of. Link, you would need to limit the use of your magic to avoid drawing suspicion."
"I know," the boy grumbled, having been told that many times. His pout quickly turned into an eager smile. "So when can we do a job together? Tomorrow?"
"Well, tonight's party will likely run pretty late," said Wendy, pursing her lips to the side as she pondered over the plan; "How about the day after? In the meantime, we can check the board and see what jobs are available."
"I'll help you guys find some fun ones!" offered Romeo.
The boys bolted out of their chairs and rushed to the Request Board with Wendy and Carla following in a calmer manner. They sifted through the hundreds of postings in search of simple, easy-sounding jobs within Magnolia. Mirajane usually kept track of all the requests, but without her around to help, looking through all the postings was a long and arduous task. By the time they found a few promising ones, it was already close to evening and people began to gradually return to the guild, all exhausted and their clothes frosted white.
Within the hour, all members of Fairy Tail and Sabertooth were accounted for, including Jellal. Preparations for the big welcoming feast were well underway the moment the sun was set. While waiting, both guests and hosts enjoyed appetizers, desserts, and liquor – all of which Sabertooth had provided with their last and final gift for Fairy Tail. The two guilds heartily ate and drank, starved and thirsty from the day's tiring events.
Many were shocked to find out it was Wendy – and not Natsu, as expected – who was responsible for losing Fairy Tail's reward. Even Makarov was so surprised that he couldn't be angry. Especially when he saw how guilty she felt.
Shortly before it was time for the feast, all six members of Sabertooth approached Wendy, Link, Romeo, and Carla at their table.
After a brief introduction and a few handshakes, Sting was in disbelief as he stood with his hands on his hips, looking Link over. "So, it's really you, huh? That guy from the future was – is – you." He frowned. "You're a lot younger than I thought..."
"Very deceiving," said Rogue, studying the boy intently. "Hard to believe you defeated the demon in Crocus..."
"No way, it can't be him!" said Lector, circling above Link's head. "This kid doesn't look like an angel! Where's your shiny halo?"
"'Shiny halo'?" Link repeated, raising an eyebrow as he followed the flying Exceed.
Lector swooped down to hover in front of the boy, arms crossed and a smug, incredulous look on his face. "Haven't you seen a picture of an angel before, kid? They have golden rings right over their heads and you've got none!"
"You don't have wings either," Frosch added, hopping up beside Link to peer at the boy's back. The Exceed brought a paw to his mouth like a curious child. "What kind of angel are you?"
Before anybody could say anything, Makarov soundly cleared his throat as he came over, one hand raised in Sabertooth's direction. "All of your answers will be explained over dinner," he said to Sting and his friends; "Please, why not take a seat and relax until then?"
"Wait," Minerva spoke up. She gave Rufus a quick sideways glance and together they took a step forward.
Rufus pulled off his hat like a gentleman and gave a slight bow of his head, his eyes shifting between the children and Carla. "I suppose we owe you four an apology for our... misconduct back in Crocus. Before the Preliminary."
"There is no excuse for the harm we've caused you," said Minerva, stiffly holding her body, eyes downcast. "The things I had done to your guild was unforgivable and yet you people were still compelled to help us. I don't quite understand why you did it..."
"Because we couldn't leave you both to die," said Lucy, coming from the side to join the conversation. "Saving your lives was the right thing to do."
Minerva scoffed, seemingly repulsed by that notion, but only for a fleeting moment. Frowning slightly, she met Lucy's gaze before turning back to Wendy and the others. "It'll take some time before I understand what that really means. All I want to say is... I'm sorry... for hurting you all. Especially on the very first day of the Games before it even began."
"Yes, we went after children," Rufus added with a regretful shake of his head. "At that time, we thought nothing of it. Only saw easy targets to bring down your morale and numbers. But now, I can see it was truly a disgraceful act. My sincerest apologies." He took a deep bow, bending low by the waist. When he stood tall once more, he returned his hat upon his head and looked directly at Link. "Boy, your sacred flames have left a permanent scar that pains me still. It will forever serve as a reminder of my past foolishness."
"It still hurts? Maybe Wendy can heal it," said Link, turning to her.
Wendy knitted her brow and shook her head. "I'm sorry! If it's already a scar, my magic would have no effect since your body naturally healed itself. I can make you a salve that would ease the pain though."
Rufus blinked for a moment, seemingly taken by surprise by their concern. He slightly tilted his head forward to hide his eyes behind the brim of his hat, but not his quaint smile. "How kind of you, but that will not be necessary. The pain is tolerable most days. I will survive."
Being a healer, Wendy couldn't take 'no' for an answer. She secretly planned to make the salve later in the night and give it as a gift in the morning.
It was time for the party to begin. It started as a celebration for Sabertooth for defeating Succubus Eye. The Grand Hall was filled with chattering, laughter, and friendly banter between the two guilds. Midway through, things had calmed, and the true story of the Legendary Hero was told.
It felt like eons ago since the five of them were altogether, reunited yet not quite.
He was the only one who stirred from deep slumber, drawn to the joyous cries resounding in the realm on the other side.
Nourished by the eternal flames of his departed brother, it would not be long until he was fully recovered.
He could sense the others were close to waking. With the outside world rich in Ethernano, their wounds were naturally healing and their magic nearly restored. Some more time and some more rest and they would all be ready for the ultimate terror waiting in the realm beyond.
The desperate plan that was made long ago was still in motion, but the final course had changed. No longer was the Black Apocalypse the main threat to the world, but another; an evil being – a true nightmare – far more dire than anything he had ever seen through the eyes of his son.
But he was grateful to know that there was still hope for the world. The evil was not invulnerable; weak to the heavenly light wielded by a courageous child, one who was chosen by the Long Lost Dragon King known only in spoken legends.
Yorenthall, The Last Ancient One. King of All Aether. Seer of All Worlds. He did not perish from age and time as told in lore, but had hid away to watch over the world. He saw our future and set us down this path to follow. Even knowing he would be slain and his power taken and misused...
Fate has brought us together under the same sky, but this moment of peace will not last for long. A great danger looms...
One day it would threaten the lives of their children and their world once more, but he would be ready to fight when that time came. He swore upon his life.
It was a moment he greatly anticipated, not just for the battle his soul craved, but for the chance to see his son again, face to face.
Old wounds ached and sleep was beckoning. It was time for a little more rest. His mind drifted and filled with fog. He dreamed, catching glimpses of his son's next adventures.
Three weeks ago, six scouting parties of five had been sent to Nuseptima, the capital city of Seven. Only one scout had returned from the mission.
Silver couldn't help but cringe the moment he laid eyes on the demon scout grovelling and bleeding on the floor of the Throne Room.
Once a man, but turned into a winged, demonic servant by the handiwork of Lamy, the poor scout was somehow still alive with an arm, a leg, and a good-sized chunk of flesh from his lower torso missing, spilling blood and guts on the royal blue carpet. Clearly, he should be thrown into a rejuvenation tank, but instead was tossed before Mard Geer who sat on his throne upon the altar, waiting impatiently for answers.
All Nine Demon Gates had assembled on either side of the carpet that lined the central walkway. Each was just as impatient as their King as they eyed the lesser demon in the middle.
"Well? Speak," Mard Geer demanded of the scout, not caring that his own minion was suffering. The King appeared uninterested as he leaned to one side in his royal seat, resting one elbow atop the armrest with his knuckles supporting the side of his head. However, he was far from being bored; his dark eyes pierced into the dying fiend with much fervour, anxious to hear what happened.
The scout wheezed and sputtered blood, further staining the carpet red. He managed to croak, "Dra... Dragons… guarding the c-city..."
Mard Geer's eyes narrowed to slits. "How many? Did you see a black one among them?"
The scout twitched, struggling to draw breath. He coughed up more blood before he could reply. "S-Saw only th-three… before… the largest... Huge... dark scales... a gold horn... Its many wings... brought t-tornadoes... Torn us up… Happened so fast..."
"That does not sound like Acnologia," muttered Mard Geer.
Still not good news, Silver grumbled to himself, keeping a stoic face. He tightly clenched his jaw at the dreadful thought of battling against three powerful dragons, one of which could summon tornadoes. Their odds of winning were definitely not very high.
"... You and the Etherious should tread lightly, lest you fall far from grace..." The hooded stranger's cryptic warning rang loud in Silver's mind.
Silver hadn't told anyone of that mysterious encounter, nor did Keyes suspect he was hiding it. It didn't matter since it was next to impossible to sway Mard Geer off his current course of action, especially if it was advice coming from an undead human. If His Highness wanted to march them right into the dragons' den, Silver had no choice but to obey.
On the bright side though, they didn't have to worry about Acnologia, the infamous and feared Black Dragon known across the land; as far as Tartaros was aware, anyway.
"What else?" Mard Geer pressed, disregarding the scout's pained efforts to stay alive.
Gasping, the scout trembled, eyes wide as if overcome with fear. "A... shadow..." he rasped.
A displeased look flashed across Mard Geer's face. "What nonsense do you speak of?"
"A shadow... a shadow..." the scout repeated, barely able to form words.
Standing to the right of Silver, Jackal crossed his arms and scoffed, "He's lost it. This idiot's scared of his own shadow!"
"He fears the shadow of his death," said a voice; deep, male, and seemingly coming from the scout. But the demon wasn't the one who spoke.
The scout's shadow suddenly moved with a life of its own; twisting, shifting, and rising like pitch black smoke beside the wounded demon. The darkness gathered and changed into a tall humanoid form in an instant.
The smoke dissipated and in its place was a knight heavily armoured in shiny, black plating. A twin-horned, full helm completely hid his face and a flowing cape of flickering shadow draped down his back. Clenched in his right hand was a long and broad, double-edged sword, dark and gleaming like his armour.
The scout didn't even have time to blink when the knight slashed his blade, severing the demon's head from his neck and quickly ending his misery. The body crumpled and the head landed with a soft thud, rolling half a foot away, the wide, dead eyes staring disturbingly in Silver's general direction.
Silver flinched into a defensive stance, magic gathered in the palms of his hands. The other Demon Gates were also instantly poised for battle, baring claws, fangs, and holding spells at the ready. However, they hesitated to move closer as the knight casually flicked his sword free of blood.
Mard Geer seemed unfazed, still sitting as if bored, but his expression told another story. He was like a cat, eyes focused intently on the intruder, his mouth curling into a predatory smile.
"Eh! What's this?! You're just a soulless phantom!" Franmalth spat at the shadow, peeling back his huge lips in disgust. He smacked his cane within the palm of his hand as if brandishing a club. "Worth absolutely nothing!"
"Which means it shouldn't be hard to kill," said Jackal, taking a step forward with a sharp-toothed sneer. He paused when Mard Geer slightly raised his hand.
The King was calm as he straightened his posture, meeting the phantom's shadowed gaze. "Looks like a vile parasite has invaded my castle. Before we eradicate you from existence, explain why you would dare show yourself before Mard Geer, King of the Underworld."
"Your little fly has led me to its lair. And now, its King," answered the phantom evenly. He turned his head from one side to the other, taking note of each Demon Gate that nearly surrounded him.
The black knight was outnumbered and his power, lacking, and yet, when his hidden eyes swept over Silver, the mage felt a sudden chill run down his spine. He broke into a nervous sweat, his gut telling him not to let up his guard. It was like meeting the hooded stranger all over again, except this time it was a sword-wielding shadow knight.
"This is all you rule?" the phantom scoffed, sounding very unimpressed whilst gesturing around the room with his free hand; "Your kingdom is a floating rock and these weaklings, your army? How pathetic."
There was an outburst of anger coming from Jackal and Ezel, but another raised hand and a stern eye from Mard Geer kept them back. They couldn't just eliminate their only source of information just yet, now that the scout was dead.
There was the slightest twitch in the corner of Mard Geer's eye, but he maintained his composure. "You judge only what you see. A foolish mistake."
The knight roared in laughter, his voice booming in the chamber and riling every Etherious even more. "That mistake is yours," he shot back, pointing the tip of his sword at Mard Geer; "You have entered my domain, leaving your little kingdom here free for me to take. I could use a flying fortress."
This time Mard Geer's calm was broken. He leaned forward, his face twisting with a wild grin that bordered on insanity. His hands were like claws, gripping the ends of each armrest as if he wanted to crush them to dust.
"You want to take what is mine?" he snarled. He let out a short, derisive laugh before switching back to his normal demeanour, a hand partially covering his face. He peered between his fingers to glare venomously at the knight. "A bold proclamation, coming from the mouth of your disgusting parasite. So you see, speak, and move through this puppet while your true, cowardly being hides behind your dragons."
Silver stared in disbelief, unable to refrain from showing his shock. The shadow of the Great Evil itself... And not just a lowly minion as Silver had first thought.
"Hiding, I am not," said the phantom, immune to Mard Geer's glower. He took one stomping step forward and kicked the decapitated head of the scout like a ball. The head landed with a wet thud in front of the altar, splashing blood on the platform and on the King's boots.
Mard Geer seethed.
"You sacrificed your own forces to my dragons," the shadow continued, a smirk evident in his tone; "I know you have come this far in search of me. If you deem yourself worthy of my audience, then do not get eaten before showing your wretched face within my castle."
That was the moment Mard Geer completely snapped.
Silver had never seen His Highness truly angry before; the King's expression twisted with hideous rage as he shot up from his throne. Hands shining white with power, he swiped sideways as if slashing the air with claws.
A multitude of thick, thorny, green vines suddenly sprouted from the floor, moving as quick as lightning to ensnare the phantom.
The shadow cut down the first wave of vines, followed by the second, only to be overtaken when the vines instantly regrew from their severed ends. They snagged every limb and wrapped around his body and head, crushing and tearing into his armour with ease.
However, instead of feeling agony, the shadow was laughing in spite of the thorns strangling and ripping into its throat. "Have I made His Majesty angry?" taunted the knight, his voice unhindered. His eyes shone red within his helm as he glowered maliciously at Mard Geer. "I shall be waiting so do not disappoint me and die before we meet, Demons of Zeref."
The phantom started to laugh, but was quickly silenced from Mard Geer's vines crushing him like an empty tin can. The shadow burst into black flames, leaving no trace of him behind.
Mard Geer's vines retreated back into the floor that was undamaged by the Etherious's Curse. Snarling, His Highness turned his back to everyone and demanded, "Out. All of you. Get out. Now!"
Without a word, the Nine Demon Gates quickly filed out of the Throne Room to leave the King to fume in silence.
Once they were all halfway down the hallway, Seilah was first to make a teasing comment; "Been awhile since His Majesty has lost his cool like that. That shadow pushed all the right buttons."
Kyoka was not as amused as she huffed alongside the other female. Her mind was on another important matter as she snarled out, "A coward! That's what this damn 'Great Evil' is! He's obviously setting up a trap if he's going to wait for our arrival."
"Does not even need a trap if he has three dragons and who-knows-what-else fortifying the city," said Seilah, calmly.
"Whatever the hell gets in our way, I can just blow them up to pieces!" Jackal exclaimed, baring his sharp teeth in a cocky grin; "Dragons, phantoms, whatever dumb shit he's got!"
A grunt of disapproval came from Torafuzar as he gave Jackal a stern, sideways glance. "Your overconfidence will be your downfall. There is a giant dragon that can summon tornadoes on a whim. You'll be ripped apart before even getting close."
Silver was nearly deafened by Ezel guffawing right behind him and Keyes. "Who cares what'll happen to Jackass?" bellowed the hulking, eight-legged Etherious; "If this idiot wants to die first, let him be the distraction while the rest of us hunt down that Great Evil bastard!"
Wouldn't be much of a distraction, Silver wanted to say, but kept his smirking mouth shut upon seeing Jackal sharply turning around to snarl at Ezel.
Before Jackal could literally explode with anger, Tempester, strolling in the lead with Franmalth, stated firmly, "Plutogrim. Using it against the dragons would be our best approach."
"Mard Geer would no doubt agree," said Torafuzar with a nod.
"Oh! Imagine the worth of a dragon's soul!" shouted Franmalth, bouncing in glee with every step; "A single one would fetch billions – or even trillions – of Jewels!"
Keyes made a wheezing rasp as his shriveled mouth formed a grotesque smile. "Hm, a dragon corpse..." he mused aloud to himself, "Curious to know if I can revive it under my Curse. That is if Plutogrim leaves the body intact."
What is this 'Plutogrim'? Silver questioned the Necromancer personally.
It is Cube's true form, the Alegria Demon awakened only by Mard Geer, replied Keyes, tilting his head slightly to peer at the mage with his hollowed eyes. These stone walls will turn to living flesh and bone when the Curse is cast. It has been nearly a hundred years since Plutogrim has been called upon. It should be well rested to be able to transform when the time comes. Considering its size and sheer power, Plutogrim will have no trouble against the dragons no matter how large they come.
Silver raised a discrete eyebrow. Cube is alive? What's going to happen to us when it transforms?
Nothing. Those bearing the mark of Tartaros will be spared when Cube awakens.
And those who don't?
Consumed. Used as fodder to feed the Alegria Demon.
Well, wouldn't they be lucky? Silver was rather grateful there were no prisoners currently in their dungeons, otherwise he would have felt sorry for them. He turned his attention back to the ongoing discussion between the rest of his guild as they continued down the hall.
The focus had shifted to planning and strategizing for the upcoming battle, led by Torafuzar, Kyoka, and occasionally the more reserved, but well-spoken Tempester. The three were acting as commanding generals, listing ideas that either supported or clashed with one another. While Silver and Keyes only listened, the other remaining demons sometimes added their own thoughts, with Jackal and Ezel constantly bickering between each other.
Throughout it all, the only concern on Silver's mind was whether or not he wanted Tartaros to actually survive in the end.
A/N: Plutogrim versus some dragons plus Acnologia. Who would win? Place your bets now!
I'm happy to share that I commissioned some cute fanart for this story. Please take a look at my profile pic, which only shows up on Desktop site only, unfortunately. To see the full picture, search 'kirbystar50' on deviantArt (and ignore all my crappy old artwork).
Thanks for reading!