Here we are with the new chapter of Celestial Bonds. I've rewritten the first two chapters, so I advise old viewers to reread them so the new names don't confuse them.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Fairy Tail series. I only own my OCs, including any guilds or types of magic I make up.

Now, let's begin.

In a land far, far away lies the Kingdom of Fiore–a small, peaceful nation of seventeen million and a place filled with magic.

Found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace, for most, magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice.

These are the wizards.

Banded together into magical guilds, they client their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore.

But there is a guild not found in any town that makes a statement all its own—one whose legend is just beginning.

Its name is Dragon Heart.

Natsu: Previously on Fairy Tail…

Enjin: Looks like we all took the same job.

Kaby: The reward has been raised to 2,000,000 Jewel.

Virgo: Flying Virgo Attack!

Sky: (Counterattack)

Everlue: Oy, yo, yo! So, you want to steal the Daybreak?

Lucy: I knew this book held some sort of secret!

Ash: Nice try, boys.

Vanish Brothers: (Scream in fear before the windows of the mansion are blown out)

The Vanish Brothers lay defeated on the floor, smoke coming off their bodies. "Wh… Were we beaten by Fire Wizards?" The older brother whispered in pain.

"Hey, Bro, tell me when the room stops spinning," the other replied as the Wizards examined their handy work.

"That'll teach 'em," Ash said.

"Now then," Enjin turned to leave. "'Guess we better go and find Lucy and Sky."

"Yeah, these merchant fairies are toast," Natsu agreed as they walked away.

"We're mercenaries…" The brothers groaned, no one noticing Virgo's eyes glow to signal she was awake.

(In the sewers)

"'Enemy of literature?' My massive collection of books and art only proves I'm culture's greatest friend." Duke Everlue dismissed Lucy's earlier comment.

"But that ugly maid collection of yours proves you don't know squat about beauty!" Lucy retorted as Sky sent the book to his requip space.

"How dare you mock them?! They are the very definition of beauty!" Everlue tried to attack the duo, but the Dragon Heart leader was able to keep Lucy out of harm's way with his speed. They were now behind him after he busted out of the wall. "What secret does it hold?" His eyes gleamed greedily. "Let me guess, he buried his fortune, and there's a treasure map hidden inside."

"Like we said," Sky glowed again before giving Everlue a kick to the face. "None of your business!"

"Lucy! Sky!" Happy finally caught up to them.

"Happy!" Lucy smiled as Sky reappeared beside her.

"Hey, cat!" He smirked.

"What's this? A flying cat?" Duke Everlue looked disgusted at the blue cat as he dropped down behind the wizards.

"The name's Happy!" He declared proudly.

"Now," Sky turned to the man, requipping one of his silver keys. "Since you went to all the trouble to follow us like a dirty old man, you better give me a good fight. Or at least a decent warm-up."

Lucy held up one of her gold keys. "Looks like the tables have turned, but let us keep the book, and we'll think about going easy on you. Although, I'm tempted to give a good smack!"

"Oh? Celestial Wizards," Everlue taunted. "But for readers, one of you seems to be a bit deficient in your terms of phrase. 'The tables have turned' implies that the weaker party has rallied to claim victory," He smirked vilely. "but there's no way you two and that cat could ever defeat me and my Diver Magic… Boy, oy, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo!" He declared as a magic circle appeared on his back before diving into the earth.

"So, he does that using magic? I had no idea Everlue was a wizard, too." Happy commented.

"I'm not impressed," Sky remarked.

Everlue popped out of the ground to strike the wizards, but they were able to dodge around him. Sky used his speed to evade him easily while Lucy showed off some surprising agility as she jumped and flipped out of Everlue's reach.

The blond Celestial Wizard glared at the man as they paused the fighting. "Look, we know the whole story now. Daybreak is a horrible novel about a trashy little character named Duke Everlue."

"You serious?" Happy asked.

"As a heart attack," Sky replied.

"I don't know if I'd call the protagonist trashy… but yes," Everlue dived underground. "The story itself is crap!" He ranted as bricks were blown out of the ceiling. "And to think it was written by the great Kemu Zaleon!" Lucy turned around just as Everlue burst from the floor. "Inexcusable!" She flipped out of the way as he dove back under before jumping again as he came back up. Reaching the ceiling, he grinned and drilled his way back into the bricks.

"I can't believe your arrogance! You forced him to write it!" Lucy argued.

"Arrogant? Moi?" Everlue questioned as the wizards looked around, on guard for when his next appearance. "The word doesn't begin to apply! To tell my story is an honor, no matter what the circumstances!"

"If that's true, then why'd you have to blackmail him into it?" Sky countered.

"Blackmail?" Happy questioned.

"What's the big deal?" Everlue popped out of the wall, surprising them. "He just needed some extra encouragement to take the job."

Their eyes narrowed at him. "Oh, really?" Lucy asked sarcastically.

"Any fool would have jumped at the chance to have me as their muse, but he had the audacity to say no," Everlue swam through the floor before going back under. His hand popped out on the other side of them as he continued. "So, I gave him the added inspiration in the form of an ultimatum: Write the novel, or his family would be stripped of their citizenship."

Happy gasped. "But… then none of them would be able to join any of the guilds and make a living. Do you really have the power to do that?"

He pulled his hand back under. "I have the power to do anything!" He declared, tunneling in front of them. Sky quickly grabbed Happy and Lucy and zapped out of the way as he burst out of the ground. "I got him to write it, didn't I?"

The Celestial Wizards glared at him.

"But I didn't like this attitude, so I decided he'd do best writing from a prison cell. Oy, yo, yo! He went on and on about being a brilliant novelist who would never give in to threats, but in the end, I got what I wanted!" Everlue cast a new spell, and a magic circle appeared behind him. Spinning into a ball, he quickly ricocheted around the tunnel repeatedly, forcing the trio to retreat.

"I can't believe you'd go that far just to boost your own stupid ego!" Lucy lectured him as they ran. "He was in solitary confinement for three years! Don't you know how hard that must've been?!"

"Three whole years?" Happy questioned in horror.

Everlue burst from the ground before them, making the wizards stop and jump back. "Perhaps it took him that long to appreciate me, boy, yo, yo, yo."

"No," Sky denied. "It was more like he couldn't bear to spread your lies. But he had to satisfy your vanity. If he didn't write your character as a champion of justice, his family would pay the price."

"Tell me… how exactly do you two know all this?" Everlue questioned.

"It's all written in black and white," Lucy stated.

"Daybreak?" He asked, knowing what they were talking about. "I've read that book from cover to cover, and Kemu Zaleon isn't in it."

"If you read it normally, then yeah," Sky explained. "But a little-known fact about Kemu Zaleon is that long before he was an author, he was a talented wizard."

"He was?" Happy said.

"What did he do?" Everlue growled.

"After he finished the book, he gathered all his remaining strength and cast a spell on it."

At this point, the duke was shaking in anger. "What a dirty trick! He turned a book about a great man like me into a hatched job?! The nerve of that fool!" He yelled before going on the attack again.

"Oh, get over yourself!" Lucy yelled at him as she and Sky dodged his attacks. "It's true he wrote about all the pain and torture that you put him through." They landed a few feet apart before saying, "But the chapters that focus on what you did to him are only a small part of the book. In fact, its secret has nothing to do with you."

"Tell us, Lucy." Happy drooled in excitement.

"What the devil do you mean?" Everlue demanded.

"There's no reason for you to know," Sky replied as he and Lucy held up their keys. "Now, let's finish this!"

"Open, Gate of the Giant Crab!" Lucy swung her key. "Cancer!"

"Open, Gate of the Little Lion!" Sky did the same. "Leo Minor!"

The two magic circles appeared, bringing forth their celestial spirits. Lucy's spirit was a man who looked like a cross between a crab and a human. He had six crab legs on his back and hair styled like crab pincers. He was dressed stylishly, wore sunglasses, and held scissors in both hands.

Sky's spirit was a young man about his age, give or take a year. He had spikey, slicked-back burnt orange hair and amber-gold eyes behind sunglasses. He was dressed stylishly yet simply: in skin-tight leather pants with matching black shoes and a navy blue silk shirt, the top of which was opened to reveal a solid gold medallion with a lion symbol on a leather tie. On his right hand was an ornate silver ring with a blue gem in the center.

"A giant carb!" Happy yelled in joy at the sight of Cancer. "Oh, yeah! Nothing says I'm going to kick your butt like a crab man with razer claws and tough guys sunglasses!" He laughed happily, believing they'd won.

"Shut up and let me concentrate, or I'll have him pinch your little lips off!" Lucy growled without looking at the cat.

"Easily excitable, isn't he?" Sky commented.

"What's with the weird blue cat, Boss?" His spirit asked.

"Long story, Kion."

"Hey, Lucy," Cancer looked at his summoner. "How'd you like your hair done today… Baby?"

"WHAAT?!" Happy cried in shock.

"You've gotta be kidding." The boys said together.

"I don't need styling. I need help," Lucy huffed before pointing at Everlue. "It's that guy! Take care of baldy over there!"

"Whatever you say, Baby," Cancer responded.

"Ah, so he just makes the bad guys cooler before they kill us. That's useful," Happy said sarcastically. "Yeah, you should send him back, Lucy."

"I should send you back," She growled in response.

"Getting back on point," Sky turned to Kion. "Kion, we need to beat up the short, fat guy."

"You got it, Boss."

Suddenly, Everlue brought out a celestial key of his own. "Open! Gate of the Maiden!" He swiped the key towards the ground. "Virgo!"

"What the–?" Lucy and Sky gasped.

"He's using your guys' trick!" Happy said.

After that, Virgo, the maid from before, burst out of the ground. "Did I hear my master summon me?!"

"Virgo, destroy the long-haired boy so I get my book back," Everlue demanded, pointing at Sky.

"Hold up, she's a celestial spirit?!" Lucy questioned in surprise.

"I thought there was something familiar about her magic," Sky commented.

Just then, Sky, Lucy, Happy, and Everlue gasped in shock when they noticed Virgo wasn't alone… "Natsu!" The Celestial Wizards and cat gasped when they saw the Dragon Slayer holding onto Virgo's shoulder.

"Yeah?" He responded, sounding disoriented.

"Hey, guys," Ash suddenly sped in. "Natsu suddenly–Oh." He stopped when he found the Fire Wizard. "Never mind."

"What is the meaning of this?!" Everlue demanded.

"What are you doing up there?" Lucy asked.

"Well, I saw her getting up, so I jumped on her, and then, all of a sudden…" Natsu explained from on top of a confused Virgo. "I ended up here."

"So, you grabbed a hold of her inside the house?!"

"But that would mean…" Sky started.

"He was able to pass through the spirit gate with here." Kion finished for him.

"That's impossible!" Lucy gasped in disbelief.

"Lucy, Sky? What the heck do I do know?" Natsu called to them as Virgo tried to grab him.

Sky snapped out of shock and said, "Get off her and let us finish the rest!" He then looked at Ash and said, "Ash, you and Enjin, meet us outside!"

"You got it!" The cat boy said before running back the way he came.

"Virgo! Clean up this rubbish!" Everlue demanded.

"As you wish, Master!" Virgo said as Natsu jumped off her, getting ready to punch Kion.

"Praecipua! Lend me your strength!" The lion spirit called as he started to glow. "Ready when you are, Boss!"

"Let's do this! Combination attack!" Sky commanded.

"Right!" Kion nodded before unleashing an attack from his ring. "Praecipua Impact!" A compressed beam of light shaped like a lion struck Virgo, forcing her back. Once that was done, Sky appeared before her, unleashing a powerful punch combination enhanced by his magic.

While that was happening, Lucy grabbed her whip. "You dirty little bald man!" She yelled at Everlue before attacking as well.

Sky finished up, and Virgo fell on her back, defeated. At the same time, Everlue was wrapped in Lucy's whip as his celestial spirit flew over him. "Can't dig yourself out of this!" She said before pulling hard, launching him off the ground. "You make me sick!" He cried out as he tumbled through the air, Cancer's scissors gleaming as he jumped to meet him. With precise speed, he slashed him multiple times, finishing him off.

Lucy landed as she said, "You're just another greedy villain." Cancer landed behind her as Everlue fell to the ground in defeat between them.

"Okay, I'm done," He said, revealing he had shaved off Everlue's hair and mustache, leaving him completely bald. "Is this look fabulous or what, Baby?"

Kion laughed heartily as Sky slowly smiled in amusement. "Now that's funny." Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Virgo's key next to the fallen duke. He walked over to him and took it. "You won't be needing this anymore where you're going. Besides, I doubt you've been treating her well anyway." He said to him in disgust.

Natsu and Happy ran up to Sky. "Man, that was awesome, the way you sent her flying like that!" The pink-haired wizard grinned. "You gotta fight me sometime!"

"Aye! I wanna see you guys fight, too!" Happy said.

"Yeah, let's not," Sky sweatdropped before looking at Kion. "Thanks for the help, Kion. You can head back now."

"Call me whenever you need, Boss," Kion smiled before disappearing in a flash of light.

"You should head back, too, Cancer," Lucy told her spirit. He nodded and did the same.

Sky then walked over to the fallen spirit and knelt beside her. "Sorry for having to get rough with you, Virgo. You should head back to the celestial world now. You've been out here way too long already."

Virgo opened her eyes and looked at him. "I thank you, Celestial Wizard. I entrust my key to you, " she said before fading into a shimmer of gold light.

Sky smiled, looking at his new gold spirit key before sending it to his requip space. "We'll work out the contract details once you've rested, " he said as he stood up.

The Fairy Tail Wizards looked at him with smiles, but those soon disappeared when they felt their surroundings shake. "What's going on?" Lucy asked in worry.

"All that drilling Everlue did caused the mansion's foundation to become unstable! We need to move! Now!" Sky said as he led them back the way they came.

"Right!" The other wizards agreed, following him.

Once outside, the two groups watched as the mansion collapsed. Lucy and Happy looked horrified, while Natsu had his hands behind his head with a smirk, and Dragon Heart watched indifferently.

"I like your style, out with a bang! You guys will definitely fit in at Fairy Tail!" Natsu praised.

"But, aren't we supposed to not destroy stuff?" Happy asked in confusion.

"Like I said, if his place comes down, who cares?" Sky remarked.

"I hope I don't get blamed for this!" Lucy worried fretfully.

When the villagers saw the destruction, many cheered at the thought that Duke Everlue would no longer be a problem.

(Back at Kaby's house)

"When we read Daybreak, we couldn't believe it was written by Kemu Zaleon," Sky said.

"Yeah. There's no way he would've done something that bad," Lucy said.

"Yeah, so?" Natsu asked.

"So, that's how we knew there must be a spell on it." Sky summarized.

Kaby was surprised when the Dragon Heart leader handed him the book and took it from him. "But I requested this book be destroyed. Why on earth are you handing it back to me completely unscathed?"

"We found out some information you should know before you do that," Sky said.

"Information?" He looked at the young wizard in confusion.

"I should start by saying that I know Kemu Zaleon is a pen name. His real name was Zekua Melon…" He stared into Kaby's eyes with wisdom beyond his years, saying, "He was your father, am I right?"

Everyone except Lucy blinked in surprise.

Kaby lowered his head as emotions ranging from sadness to shame showed on his face. "Yes, it's true."

"I think I know the reason behind your request, but you should be allowed to tell your side of the story."

Their client was silent for a minute before nodding. "Very well. After all the trouble you went through to get it, you deserve an explanation." The wizards were all quiet as Kaby began recounting what had happened. "As you discovered, this book was my father's final work, but all it's done was cause our family great heartache and shame."

"What do you mean?" Natsu asked.

"It was thirty-one years ago…"

Kaby explained how his father suddenly came home after three years. When asked where he had been all those years, all he said was somewhere he wouldn't return as he tied a rope tightly around his arm. Before Kaby could stop him, his father declared he would never write again and proceeded to chop his arm off with a cleaver.

The wizards flinched back in fright at that. Even Sky seemed disturbed but tried to maintain his composure. "And then?" He asked.

Kaby explained that after taking Zekua to the hospital, they had a one-sided fight, and Kaby told him off for taking that job for the duke. He called him a sad excuse for a writer as well as a father before storming out of the hospital. "Not long after that, my father passed away. However, the anger and betrayal I felt towards him lived on," He explained sadly, his wife offering him some comfort. "But as the years passed by me, that anger slowly turned into remorse, and now… it's too late for me to ask for his forgiveness."

The watchers said nothing, looking at the man with varying degrees of sympathy, while Natsu leaned more toward disapproval.

"And so, you thought destroying the book that caused so much unhappiness would be the best way to make amends." Sky deduced.

"Yes," Kaby said. "I'm sure this is what he would've wanted."

"I understand your reasoning behind it, but like I said, we found some information during the job you should hear. Information that may change your mind on the matter."

"What do you mean?"

"Let me start by asking how much you know about your father's work before he became a novelist."

"Before?" Kaby questioned before thinking briefly. "I'm afraid not much…"

"Well, before your father became an author, he was a powerful wizard."

"A wizard?"

"Yes," Sky nodded. "He specialized in a type of Letter Magic known as Writing Magic. He was considered a genius at this magic, which made him a master cryptologist and cryptographer."

"Cryp-whats?" Natsu blinked.

"Cryptology is the study of codes, so a cryptologist studies codes," Ash answered back in cat form on top of Enjin's head.

"Meanwhile, cryptography is the art of writing and solving codes," Lucy added.

"Sounds like this Zaleon guy was really smart," Happy commented.

"I had no idea…" Kaby said, amazed by his father's past.

"His past gave him a unique way with words, which is why he became such a famous novelist when he came to this country," Sky went on. "However, his skills attracted the wrong kind of attention."

"Duke Everlue…" The man's eyes narrowed, knowing who he was talking about.

"Your father initially refused his offer, but the Duke isn't exactly a man you say no to without consequences."

"He threatened to have your family's citizenship revoked if he didn't write the novel," Lucy explained.

"What?" Kaby was horrified as his wife gasped sharply in horror.

"Does he really have the power to do that?" She asked fearfully.

"Given the amount of illegal business dealings this man had his fingers in, I wouldn't be surprised," Sky answered thoughtfully.

"What a creep," Enjin commented in disgust.

"Oh, it gets worse," His leader continued, returning his attention to Kaby. "The Duke was still mad that your father had gaul to say no to him, that he had him write the novel from a prison cell in solitary confinement. That's why you didn't hear from him for three years."

"How horrible!" Kaby's wife gasped.

"That coward!" Natsu growled, wanting to go beat the jerk up himself.

Kaby looked down at Daybreak, heartbroken now that he knew the truth. "All these years… I was angry at my father for something that wasn't his fault."

"And yet, your father got the last laugh in the end," Sky revealed.

"What?" Kaby questioned.

The Dragon Heart leader smirked. "There's a reason I brought up your father's past as a wizard. One of the main spells in Writing Magic is rearranging the words in a text. It's how he did most of his coding," He explained before pointing to the book. "There was a message hidden in this book, so your dad cast a spell to hide it by scrambling the words around."

"A message? For who?" Kaby asked. The mage smiled and pointed at him for the answer. "Me?"

"Now that the book is in your hands, the spell should be breaking right about… now."

As if hearing his words, the glowed purple, nearly blinding Kaby. "What's happening?!" He yelled. A magic circle flashed from the book as the title lifted off the cover.

"It's a spell by the great wizard Kemu Zaleon, or should I say Zekua Melon," Sky said.

The letters in Daybreak rearranged themselves back onto the cover, spelling out, "Dear Kaby…?" Kaby read in confusion.

"That's right," The male Celestial Wizard smiled as everyone watched the book float in midair. "This book is his letter to you. Disguised behind a spell that rearranged all the words so no one else could read it."

The book opened as the pages flipped rapidly before all the letters emerged and surrounded them. The wizards watched in wonder as the spell came undone, revealing the late author's final story.

"Wow…" Natsu breathed.

"Pretty…" Happy said.

"He didn't stop writing because he was ashamed," Lucy explained. "He stopped because he had finished his masterpiece. A novel containing everything he ever wanted to say to his beloved son." Kaby and his wife watched the display of magic in surprise and amazement. "And when you read it the way he intended, it's easily his best work ever."

Kaby's eyes began to water as he remembered his father's final words. "I thought about you the entire time I was gone." The book then closed and descended towards his open hands.

"And now that the spell's been broken, you can read it for yourself." Sky smiled along with the rest of the team.

Kaby dropped to his knees and hugged the book closely. "Thank you, Father. I swear I will never let any harm come to this book."

Natsu turned away from the scene, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I guess we won't be collecting that reward."

"Aye?" Happy agreed.

"Huh?!" Lucy turned to him in shock, the Melons equally confused.

Sky smiled. "I guess we won't, Natsu."

"We're not?" Enjin and Ash looked at their leader.

Natsu turned to them. "We were supposed to destroy it. We didn't finish the job."

"Even so, let me do something." Kaby insisted.

"Yeah, it's not our fault he decided not to burn the book after we got it back for him!" Lucy agreed, sounding desperate.

"Lucy, don't be so greedy," Happy chastised her sadly as Natsu walked towards the door. "You're totally ruining what was a touching moment."

"I need the cash!" She snapped at him, causing him to flinch.

Sky placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, causing her to look at him in confusion. He smiled fondly at her before turning to Kaby, pointing at his book. "If you really want to do something, promise us you'll keep that book close to you and cherish it. After all, it was your father's final gift to you, someone he loved very much." He said before leading Lucy to the door, Happy and the rest of his team following him.

"Sky's right," Natsu waved his hand. "Thanks for the offer, but we don't want it."

"Um, yes, we do! I need to pay rent!" Lucy protested.

"Are you guys sure?" Enjin asked.

Natsu paused at the door. "I think it's time we all go home," He then turned to the couple with a smile. "That means you too, Mr. Melon. Go back home."

Mr. and Mrs. Melon stared in surprise, while Lucy was stunned by Natsu's words. Sky smiled, not surprised that the Dragon Slayer figured it out.

(On the road home)

After parting ways with Fairy Tail, Dragon Heart made the trip back to Azolla Town. Night had fallen as Auriga drove them home.

"That was a fun job," Enjin smiled as they rode along.

"Yeah, and it was nice to see those guys from Fairy Tail again." Ash agreed from the backseat, Zahira sleeping beside him. "Though, it was kind of a bummer that we couldn't take that two million Jewel reward."

"It would've been in poor taste to take it after what we uncovered," Sky said. "Besides, they weren't actually wealthy, so I don't think they had that kind of cash anyway."

"Think we should've tried to explain that to Lucy?"

"Eh, she's new to guild life. She'll learn."

"How do you think Natsu figured out it wasn't their house?" The young Fire Wizard asked.

"It's a Dragon Slayer thing." His leader replied.

"Oh, right."

"Honestly, I'm still thinking about that book," He smiled at the thought of what he read. "Zaleon was a great writer, but that was definitely his best book."

"Should we have gotten you a copy?" Ash teased, laughing along with Enjin.

"Funny, guys," Sky rolled his eyes partially. "No, that was meant for Kaby. It wouldn't have been right for me to shoehorn in on that."

"You're a nice person, Sky."

"'Think you'll have enough energy to make dinner when we get back?" Enjin asked.

"Knowing Preston, he probably already made it when he realized how late it was."

"Maybe you should just go buy groceries instead," Ash suggested.

Enjin yawned as he shifted in his seat, trying to get more comfortable. "Wake me when we get home…"

"G' nite, Enjin," Ash did the same.

Sky smiled at his friends before turning to Auriga. "Auriga, auto-pilot, please." The car's headlights blinked to show they heard him. He leaned back in his seat as the steering wheel moved on its own. "Let us know when we reach the airship." Closing his eyes, everyone dozed off as they enjoyed the ride home.

(The following day)

The team returned to the airship late that night, enjoying a small dinner before heading to bed. Preston made breakfast for them the next morning as they told him about the mission.

"I see. That was quite a story you uncovered." He commented.

"Yeah, and now Kaby can finally have some closure with his dad," Ash said.

"As for Everlue, we handed him and any evidence we found in his office to the authorities," Sky added. "He won't be destroying any more families now."

"That is a relief to hear," Preston agreed. "By the way, Master Chase returned from Boscoe a few hours before you returned."

"How'd the job go?"

"The operation was rather successful from what he told me. They were able to rescue many of the girls and return them home, and shut down the trafficking ring permanently."

"That's great news."

A few minutes later, everyone looked over as another teen shuffled into the dining room with a yawn. He was the same height as Sky, at 5'9", with a slim yet muscular athletic build. He had a light, warm peach skin tone, teal eyes with long, thick eyelashes, a rigid scar that just missed hitting his right eye, pierced ears, and short, spiked, messy, dark reddish/orange hair with some bangs covering his left eye but not enough to ruin his ability to see or to cover his eye fully. His guild mark was black on his lower left leg, covered by his pants leg, and a dark blue and black shield was tattooed on his shoulder. Since he had just rolled out of bed, he wore his pajamas: gray sleep pants and a navy blue tank top with a bright pink "X" on the front.

"Nice bedhead, Chase," Sky smirked at the other teen.

"Bite me, ponytail," Chase quipped, making the other boy laugh as he joined the others at the table.

"And how are you this morning, Master Chase?" Preston greeted him pleasantly.

"Give me an hour to think of an answer," He responded before sipping his tea.

"Preston told me the mission was a success," Sky mentioned.

"Yup," Chase nodded. "Any idea when Willow and Tiger are getting back?"

"Ah, that reminds me," Preston remembered something before turning to the leader. "Master Sky, Miss Willow contacted me this morning. She and Young Master Tiger are on their way to our location and should be arriving within a day or so, but she has a pressing matter to discuss with the whole group once they return."

"What's going on?" Sky asked.

"She didn't say many details, but from the serious expression on her face, I would say it is something important," Preston said before returning to the kitchen.

"What do you think's going on, Chief?" Ash turned to Sky.

"I don't know, but I have a sneaking suspicion we're going to be cutting our stay in Azolla Town short," he said, concerned over what their teammate heard.

(Meanwhile)

Elsewhere, fluttering wings were heard in the skies over Fiore as a girl with white angel wings flew towards her destination.

She was younger than Sky and Chase and an inch shorter than them at 5'8". She was a beautiful young lady with a slender frame, normal-sized breasts, and slightly wide hips. She had light azure eyes, fair skin, and long brown hair that reached her mid-back with soft curls, bangs, some light azure highlights, and partly pulled into a ponytail. On the back of her right hand was a Dragon Heart mark in the same shade of blue as her eyes. She wore a white tank top under a black short-sleeve mini-jacket, dark blue jean shorts, and black and white sneakers. As for accessories, she had a simple necklace with a rose charm, black and white Lacrima headphones dangling on her neck, a gold bracelet with a diamond on it, and goggles on her head.

Flying alongside her was a cat like Happy and Ash, with ginger fur and white around his green eyes, nose, mouth, chest, and paws. He wore a khaki-green vest, a blue scarf like Ash's, only without designs, and a pair of steampunk goggles.

The two didn't say anything as they focused on their destination: Azolla Town.

(Epilogue)

Enjin: *Sigh* I know it was the right thing to do, but I still wish we could've taken the reward.

Preston: Don't despair, Young Master, there's always next time. Besides, think about how happy you made him.

Enjin: Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Preston.

Preston: Of course.

Both: Next time, Wings Of An Angel

Preston: Perhaps you'll have better luck with the job Miss Willow brings back.

Enjin: What do you think the problem is?

Preston: We'll find out next time.

And that's that. I'm almost done with the next chapter of Adventures of the Sun and Moon, so I'll probably post that in the next hour or so. I'll see you guys soon.