"What do you mean the orb's gone?!" Gray demanded.
All eyes were locked on their guild master, Makarov. The old man wore a look of fear and regret in his eyes. His posture alone was slumped and defeated as he spoke.
"The second master of Fairy Tail entrusted me with the omnicore. He did not know of its purpose other than the fact that it was to be hidden or destroyed. Since neither he, nor I, could find a way to destroy the orb, we hid it. I'm afraid I am realizing my mistake too late. When I went to retrieve the orb this morning, it was gone."
"You don't think the dark guild found it already, do you?" Erza interjected.
"That must be why everything was out of place here," Mira stated.
Makarov nodded. "I fear that may be the case. I ask that you all would be alert, and continue to try and find the whereabouts of this dark guild. In the meantime, I'd like to speak with those of you that I talked to yesterday in my office."
The guild fell back into a constant chatter, people throughout the hall wondering what would happen. Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and Wendy stood to follow Makarov to his office. He shut the door behind them.
"I apologize for my dishonesty in our last conversation. I shouldn't have taken it upon myself to figure this out," Makarov began.
Erza was quick to respond. "We understand, master. Please, don't be so hard on yourself. I doubt it was an easy decision to make, regardless of whether it was right or wrong."
Her words were met with nods from the rest of team Natsu. Makarov smiled lightly at the requip mage.
"I appreciate your words, but let it be clear that my actions were a mistake and I regret them. However, since you five have been dealing with this since it first started, do you know anything that would help us find this guild?"
They took a moment to answer, pondering the question even though they already knew the answer. And so did Makarov. The guild had been spending each waking minute trying to find intel on the dark guild, but to no avail. Any information they had led them nowhere on their whereabouts.
"We haven't been able to find anything on them. It doesn't make sense," Gray said.
"What if they've already used the staff?" Wendy murmured.
Lucy shook her head, a finger to her chin. "I have a feeling we'd know by now if they did. Besides, I'm sure Levy can keep an eye on some history books. If they do end up using it, then the text should change."
"How much could change if they altered history?"
All eyes turned to Makarov.
"There's no telling. Even the simplest difference can adjust our time now. We need some sort of plan to find this guild and put a stop to their plans!"
Natsu punched his fist into his hand, cracking the knuckles. With a grin, he said, "me and Gajeel were up on their ship, long enough to catch a few of their scents. I bet if we really looked for 'em, we could sniff 'em out!"
"And while they're doing that, we can stay prepared for any kind of attack and keep trying to find out where they'd go next," Gray said.
"But what if they do end up getting the serum and using it? How will we stop them?" Wendy shrieked.
Erza placed a calm hand on the girl's shoulder. She smiled softly at Wendy, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
"They defeated the person who consumed it in the past, so I'm sure if it cams down to it we could do the same."
Wendy nodded with a 'right!' She blinked away the tears that pricked at the corner of here eyes, a smile now replacing her sullen look. Makarov coughed so to gain their attention before he spoke.
"We ought to not waste any more time. Natsu, find Gajeel and search for this guild at once. The rest of you, do your best to prepare and find out anything else that could prove useful. Perhaps what went into the cure to the serum."
They exchanged nods before exiting the room. Natsu asked Wendy to find Gajeel for him, and she agreed. He trailed behind Lucy, who grabbed one of the many books Levy had already gone through. She took a seat at a table and he followed suit, sitting across from her.
"Aren't you supposed to find Gajeel?" She eyed him.
"Wendy's doin' it for me," Natsu waved her off. "You think you'll be okay while I'm gone?"
"Okay? Wha— do you mean because of earlier?" Lucy asked. Natsu answered with a sheepish grin. "Yes, of course I'll be okay, Natsu. Besides, Wendy's here now. Though I don't think she could do a better patch up job than you."
Natsu smirked. "You're right about that."
Lucy couldn't help but laugh at him. She thought about him going out to track down the guild, and her smile faltered. She reached across the table to lay her hand on top of his. He looked confused, eyes meeting hers.
"Be careful out there, Natsu. I know you'll wanna head straight for them if you manage to find them, but don't be reckless. Don't do it alone."
He turned his hand around so it was holding hers. Lucy felt heat rise in her cheeks, but when she looked at Natsu it looked like he had the same ordeal. His cheeks nearly matched his hair.
"I won't," he accepted, "don't worry, Luce. It's gonna be okay."
She gave his hand a light squeeze. "I just hope my spirits are okay. I really wish I had my keys."
"We'll get 'em back for you, and make those guys pay for what they did while we're at it."
Lucy chuckled lightly, but she was grateful for his words. Natsu was always itching for a fight, but this time was different. This time people had hurt someone very close to him, and they were crazy if they thought they could get away with it. Not if he had anything to say about it.
"Hey, Natsu," Wendy walked up, exclaiming cheerfully, "I found Gajeel!"
The iron dragon slayer followed behind her, and Lucy and Natsu quickly pulled their hands away. Gajeel scoffed while Wendy freaked out.
"Oh my gosh! We totally interrupted something!" She squealed.
"Ain't no we! You walked up first," Gajeel grunted.
"He's right! I'm so sorry—"
"It's okay, Wendy. You didn't interrupt anything. It wasn't like that." Lucy defended.
Natsu stood up. "Thanks for finding him for me."
"It was nothing."
"C'mon, the sooner we find these guys and pound 'em, the sooner I can finally have a break from history class. Let's get our cats and go," Gajeel said, turning and heading out.
"Sure thing," Natsu said, about to follow before he stopped and turned back around. "Oh, Wendy, can you keep an eye on Luce? I'd tell you about earlier today if I had time but she might really need you."
"Oh, uh, of course," Wendy answered, taking Natsu's previous seat.
Lucy smiled but rolled her eyes at his overprotectiveness. "Be safe, Natsu."
"You know me," Natsu responded with a salute, turning and jogging to catch up to Gajeel and calling out for Happy.
"Why doesn't that make me feel any better?" Lucy groaned.
Wendy laughed. "Because it's Natsu."
Her words were simple but they couldn't be more true.
The sun had set and night had fallen. Natsu groggily walked the streets of Magnolia. He and Gajeel spent the entire day looking for any traces or leads on the dark guild, and they found nothing. He hadn't seen Lucy since this morning, and he wondered how she was doing.
That was exactly why he was heading towards her apartment. Happy tired out a couple hours before he did, leaving the search and the dragon slayer alone. Natsu just hoped Lucy would tell him that in his absence they found a cure and clues on where the dark guild was camped at.
He rounded a corner, Lucy's apartment finally in view. His tiredness disappeared at the sight of it. His walk turned into a light jog until he made it to the building. Quietly and swiftly, he scaled the wall and lifted Lucy's window open.
The lights were all off, which Natsu found odd. Maybe he should have checked the guild first? She might not even be home yet. Throwing himself in through the window, Natsu turned to shut it. He squinted in the darkness, trying to see if Lucy was home.
Realizing he could instead call out for her, Natsu had to keep himself from smacking his forehead. Before her name could leave his mouth, Natsu heard a sound to the right. He spun, squinting and adjusting to the darkness before making out Lucy's figure sitting at the edge of her still stripped bed.
He smiled at her before noticing she looked unusually still. He walked closer, calling out a 'Lucy?' Her head turned his direction, and once Natsu reached her side he saw an unfamiliar look in her eyes. For a second, he wondered if she was having a different type of episode. She still hadn't answered him, and it made Natsu worried.
"Are you okay, Luce?" Natsu asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Lucy shook it off like the touch seared her body. Natsu looked confused, moving and crouching so that they were eye to eye. Her eyes looked unfocused, and they lacked their usual shine.
"Lucy?" Natsu called out once more.
Her gaze fell down to her hands. Natsu's followed, now finding she was holding something. His eyes widened in realization. He didn't participate in any of the study or search about the staff, the omnicore, or the history of the serum's origins.
But there was no mistaking it. He saw a picture that Levy had showed him at one point, and Natsu was sure that was exactly what he was seeing now. He just didn't know why Lucy had it. He had to ask.
"Lucy… why do you have the omnicore?"
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