Atem POV

Natsu smelled someone in Liliana's place so I called Dark Magician to confirm. Once he did, we all jumped into action. Currently, Lucy and I are taking Liliana back to the guildhall. Lucy kept looking back with worry in her eyes.

"Lu, Natsu can take care of it. He will be fine."

"I'm more worried about the intruder. You know how Natsu can go overboard in times like this."

"But that is why you left Loke with him. Loke will make sure Natsu does not hurt the intruder too much. Mahad too." We arrived at the guildhall. "GRAMPS!?"

"What's wrong Lili? Lucy, where's Natsu?" The red-haired woman from the other day- I don't recall her name- walked up and asked with concern in her eyes.

"He stayed behind at the apartment with Happy, Loke, and- what was his name, Atem?"

"His given name is Mahad, but a spell went wrong and permanently bonded him with his Ba, so he goes by Dark Magician."

"Anyway, they stayed behind because Natsu smelled a stranger inside the apartment and Mahad- Dark Magician- confirmed it. I summoned Loke-" Before she could finish, her crystal ball thing started beeping. "Your Highness, what did you find out about Yukino?"

"She, Rogue, and Minerva went on a mission to investigate the disappearances of multiple elemental magic users- Naturals, Makers, and Holders. They left a week ago. Rogue and Minerva returned two days ago, battered and bruised. They said they feel better- health wise- today, but they asked that if you can, come pay a visit so they can explain what they found out."

"I don't know if or when, but can you pass on my lacrima number to them? They can call me and tell me."

"Will do, Lu. Take care and if you need any extra assistance or protection for Lili, let me know."

"Of course. Thank you, Your Highness." Lucy hung up. "Well, that's not good. Where's Master? Surely he heard Lili yell for him."

"I am here and I heard what the princess said. We are going to need to protect our elemental wizards, including the dragon slayers. We have Gajeel downstairs in the magic dampening cells, Wendy stays at Fairy Hills with half the female members. And then there's Natsu, who does the protecting and hates being protected."

"And me, who is currently being hunted by some unknown being to be used for my incarnation's Siren Song magic." Just then, out of reflex, I gave her hand a squeeze. She never released my hand once since we arrived back at the guild.

"And you have me, all my skill with my Shadow magic, the creatures I summon, and your whole guild here to protect you. And the help of the princess, should we require it. Nothing and no one will use you for world domination while we are here in your corner, understand?" She started to cry and let go of my hand to hug me. A second later, the door burst open to reveal Natsu, Loke, Mahad, and Happy. Loke was carrying someone on his back.

"Natsu! Thank gods you are okay." Lucy ran to hug and kiss her husband, who caught her like it was the easiest thing in the world. And she ran at full speed, too. Once they broke the kiss, Lucy turned to Loke and opened her mouth to say something, but didn't.

"Why is Yukino here and injured? What happened?"

"She doesn't smell right, Lu. I don't understand why. Last time we saw them, she smelled like sunshine and linens. Today, she smells like rotten fish and sea water." Wendy nods, agreeing with Natsu before walking over to Loke and placing a hand on her head. Wendy's started glowing a soft blue and stayed like that for a minute before fading, signaling that she had finished healing the girl.

"I healed her injuries, but there is a block on her mind that I can't get rid of."

"What kind of block?" I spoke up, curious as to who is able to put that strong of a block on someone's mind.

"What do you mean, young man?"

"Each type of mind block has a specific feeling, just as each person has a different magical aura. Can you tell me what you felt?"

"It felt like sadness personified, covered in slimy, cold, dark evil. No joy. No positive feelings."

"That means whoever put the block on her had a traumatic childhood and the block itself is one of mind control. She is a pawn in a greater scheme, and -more than likely- doesn't know it."

"Who is capable of such magic?"

"Someone well versed in Shadow Magic." I stated it as if it was the most obvious answer, and a collective gasp went up. Natsu stood in front of Lucy protectively.

"Lili, come here. Get away from him."

"He's not evil, and I am staying by his side." I looked at Liliana with shock. ' She trusts me? Even though she just met me'

"He uses Shadow Magic and he just said that whoever did this-"

"I KNOW WHAT HE SAID! He has never left my side for the past four days and Yukino has been missing for a week."

"Where was he before that, Lili? None of us know that."

"That's true, but then again, Gahiji and Bakura were resurrected before Atem was, and they are our foes. So why would Atem resurrect his enemies- who tried to rape me before I knew who I am- only to save me from them. Think back to the moment you first met him, Lu?"

"He mistook me for you and looked genuinely shocked that I was alive."

"Because he did my final rites when I was Kamilah! I was dead the last time he saw me because I used a forbidden spell with Siren Song- the ultimate spell that takes life. I did not have a choice because Gahiji was trying to make me- a queen at the time- submit sexually to a man that was not my husband. I feared for my life and he had blocked all my previous spells. I had no choice." Lili was visibly shaking and I could see in her eyes what she was feeling. "Because of that decision, I could not protect my Pharoah, my love, my best friend and I will not let anyone harm him. So if that makes me an enemy of Fairy Tail, then so be it."

"She speaks the truth." A voice rang out through the hall. Liliana steps closer to me as fear takes over the rage she had just felt.

"Who's there," Makarov asked.

"My name is Thoth, god of time. I have watched over Fairy Tail and Atem since the beginning." A man shimmered into existence. He had platinum blonde hair, green eyes and a kind but firm face. Next to him, a young girl shimmered. She had the same blonde hair and green eyes.

"Master Mavis, what calls you here?"

"This man here," Mavis points to the man of similar appearance. "I know him somehow."

"Yes, child. You are my daughter, Mavis."