ElekTroz: You're welcome!

Happy frowned a bit when he noticed an annoyed Natsu huff nearby. Not that he didn't understand the reason behind his partner's bad mood, the cat thought as he looked around.

They had returned from Galuna late two days ago, only to discover that someone had attacked the guild building that same night. They had discovered their HQ impaled with huge metal rods the very next morning. Thankfully, no one had been around so no one was hurt and they were now operating from the basement until they could everything rebuilt.

In the end, they realized who the culprits were: Phantom Lord.

Happy knew that Natsu's annoyance was due to the fact that Makarov had point blank refused to retaliate against the guild, believing it to be cowardly. He was just thinking of a way to cheer his partner up when Lucy, Belle, Riku, Elfman and Erza arrived.

''Is Natsu still sulking?'' Erza asked, unimpressed.

''Aye,'' Happy returned, because really there was no other way to describe it. No matter how much they tried to talk to him about this, he simply wouldn't hear it. Happy privately thought Natsu was being too stubborn but the boy would never let him the end of it if that was known.

Happy then noticed Riku, Lucy and Belle had new first wore a black and purple jacket with a white trim, a white shirt underneath, blue pants and black shoes. The second had a cream colored dress with a gold colored ribbon on the back along with yellow shoes while the third wore a pink shirt, a white sweater over it as well as a blue skirt and brown boots.

''So you guys went on that shopping trip after all?'' He clarified.

''Well, it was such a good sale that I couldn't miss it.'' Lucy returned brightly. Thankfully, even after dealing with the repercussions of their theft, they went on another job. It gave a decent sum of money which she gladly used on the venture. ''Natsu and Gray missed out big time. We got some nice stuff.''

''Indeed, I believe it could've been a good opportunity to bond for our team too. They were being entirely ridiculous.'' Erza stated.

''Says you. Why the heck would I wanna go do something as boring as shopping for clothes? It's only something girls would enjoy.'' Natsu returned. ''Besides, I bet you would've just made me carry the bags like last time.''

Erza gave him an unimpressed look ''You seem to be forgetting that the last time was punishment for damaging Evergreen's dress. She was perfectly in her right to do as much.''

'Besides, it was either that or she'd petrify you.' Riku added.

''And you really, really don't want that.'' Elfman chipped in. ''It could wind up in...some unmanly consequences.''

Lucy gave him an odd look ''...Why do I get the feeling you're speaking from experience here?''

''...No comment.''

Belle figured it was best to just change the subject ''Well, it was fine. Three of us know Requip magic, remember? There wasn't exactly much carrying done, besides, it's something you just have to do.''

''Probably not anytime soon. Natsu's got a whole bunch of the same clothes, remember?'' Happy reminded as Cana approached them.

She blinked ''Oh, yeah...'' It had been something Makarov and a few friends of their guild had made sure to prepare fire proof garments for the teen. Since Natsu seemed so fond of these clothes, they had prepared a number of similar ones for him.

''Oh, looking good, guys!'' Cana stated, leaving the girls and Riku to thank her. She grinned slyly and leaned near Erza. ''Of course, I bet I'm not the only one who thinks Riku really looks good over here, right?''

The redhead spared her a dark look, already having an idea of where this was going. ''Cana...''

The brunette didn't even blink at her warning tone, already too used to it. ''That didn't sound like a no.''

Okay, so maybe it wasn't a no but Erza really didn't want to give her the satisfaction by admitting it. She was just glad Riku was distracted talking to their friends or otherwise he would've heard them. Erza wanted to know why Cana always got a kick out of such comments, they were rather vexing at times...

Belle stared at the pouch of berri being offered to them ''Is that okay, Sara-san?''

''Of course.'' A middle aged woman with honey colored hair and green eyes smiled. ''We had this ready but you two had left on that job. It slipped my mind after all the chaos that attack on your guild. You deserve the extra, even the mayor agrees that the produce you've turned over to us is excellent.''

Sara and her husband Alex were the owners of one of the biggest general stores in Magnolia. Riku and Belle had met them around the time they got their house and had befriended them with ease. The couple even treated the dragon slayer and his partner as if they were their own children.

They had been pleasantly surprised to learn about Riku's farming and were glad to help him along. In the end, the four had made a deal where Riku and Belle would turn over some of their produce for the couple's store and they would get a fee in return. Their results had gotten so good that Sara had decided to give them a surplus. It occasionally came in the form of food or something she thought they could use, which usually turned out to be helpful down the line.

Riku took the bag 'Thank you.'

''Not at all, you've earned it.'' She assured. ''Anyway, I hope you two haven't been overdoing it. Hard work is good but you have to watch yourselves.''

''We know, we know.'' Belle assured with a little laugh while Riku smiled. It was hardly the first time they received a similar talk but they appreciated the sentiment, knowing the woman truly cared about them.

The three were startled by the sound of some squealing and it brought their attention to a young man with messy ginger hair and sunglasses. He was surrounded by three girls who were fawning at him. Strange as it may seem, this far from an unusual sight in Magnolia.

''I thought so...Loke's at it again.'' Sara said, having noticed the four wandering around earlier.

''How does he keep getting so may girls to fall for him?'' Belle wondered. Loke was a known playboy after all and his fame ensured that many would know as much. ''It's like they just see good looks and that's that. I don't get it.''

Sara laughed ''You'll understand someday, Belle-chan. Perhaps, when you find a handsome knight of your own?''

Belle merely scoffed, pouting when she noticed Riku watching her with clear amusement as Loke walked over. ''Not you too. Fat chance of that happening anyway.''

''Yo, Riku, Belle. It looks like you're quite the busy bodies as always.'' He smiled.

'Same to you.' Riku returned. 'What, you on your way to a date?'

The latter's smile widened ''Glad you asked. It just so happens...''

''So we're still going to be pairing up for the night?'' Levy clarified as she walked through a street alongside Mira, Erik and Cubelios.

''Yeah, it's for the best.'' Mira returned.

The girl nodded back, they still couldn't be sure if Phantom Lord would return or not so they had taken to staying in groups since the attack. At least this way they could help each other somehow and hopefully things wouldn't get any worse. It was hard to believe they would stop at this after all.

''I hate letting them get away with this but Master's right that it's probably for the best.'' Erik grunted, at the girls' curious looks, he added. ''I've seen Phantom's Master before, the guy's as sneaky as they come. I wouldn't be surprised if his idea was to possibly try to get Fairy Tail in trouble with the Council. He'd probably manage to weasel his way out of any involvement around that incident.''

One of the rules set by the Magic Council was that fighting between guilds was strictly prohibited. Phantom Lord's guild master was a Wizard Saint like their own guild's master Makarov. It wasn't hard to imagine such a man having enough influence and clout to pull off the scenario Erik had in mind. This also might explain why they had yet to take any action after that night.

''Anyway, you sure about not coming to Riku's place, Levy? You know you'd be welcome.'' He added.

The girl smiled, knowing he was right ''That'd be nice but I've already made plans with Jet and Droy, they decided to have it be a Team Shadow Gear night so we're staying at Droy's place.''

''Figures...last we need is them having another breakdown.'' Erik deadpanned.

''Ara...'' Mira looked amused. Jet and Droy would be welcome as well but when those two set their minds to something like this... ''...you mean like when you two spent all that time studying about sound magic in the archives and they wound up thiking you had a crush on Levy?''

''Exactly like that.'' He returned flatly. It had been a while after Erik joined the guild and Levy had been curious at his mention of looking into sound magic and since she knew a couple of the books that could help, she had offered to help. It had been thanks in a big part to her that Erik grew as proficient as he was with it now.

Levy looked as exasperated as he felt at the mention of that day. As much as she loved her teammates, she just did not understand them sometimes.

''Well, we already know how you feel about them, Levy. Didn't you set them straight?'' Mira asked.

''I tried...'' The girl admitted. She was well aware that Jet and Droy were crushing on her and thus she had tried, gently to explain that she saw them as her best friends, or like her brothers. ''...but they refused to give up. I think they're trying to figure out how they can make it work.''

''Good grief...'' Erik trailed off, shaking his head. Cubelios's flat hiss proved that she more than shared the sentiment. He didn't see Levy that way either but it took a couple of days to convince her teammates as much. Those two could be rather annoyingly stubborn at times.

Mira looked curious as their reptilian companion came to a halt ''Is something wrong?''

Cubelios pointed to their left with her tail and they realized she was indicating Riku and Belle's house, which wasn't too far away. Knowing the snake's excellent hearing, they figured she had heard something that stood out to her.

''You think there's trouble?'' Mira wondered.

''Well, Riku did set up wards to stop intruders and those who mean harm...'' Levy trailed off. Knowing what she did of the runes powering the ward, she was aware that they were very effective so she couldn't imagine who could break in now.

When they approached the house, the four came across Lucy, who seemed relieved to see them.

''We made plans to stay the night before and then when I came by, there was all this noise. But it doesn't look like anyone broke in either...'' Lucy explained, not sure what to make of this.

''...That's because they didn't.'' Now that they were this close, Erik had a very good guess of what was going on.

He proceeded to take the spare key from where he knew Riku kept it before opening the door. The rest followed him, noticing the dragon slayer stopping near the hall as he sighed.

''So it was you...''

''Oh, hi guys!'' Happy greeted.

Lucy almost fell over when she saw Natsu, Gray, Erza and Happy all sitting comfortably around the area.

''Honestly, you guys...'' Levy sighed, shaking her head. No wonder the ward didn't activate. As hard as it may seem to believe now with them being so cavalier about breaking in, they didn't mean any harm.

''...So breaking in houses is apparently the norm for them, huh?'' Lucy deadpanned. Erik nodded, looking just as unimpressed.

They had acted a lot like this at the celestial mage's apartment just the previous night. Natsu and Happy had even done it earlier when Lucy first joined the guild.

Erza gave them a look ''I did not break in, thank you very much. I was early and I know where the spare key is, that's all.''

''Again, you could've let us in. We could've avoided all that.'' Gray groused.

''It serves you right.''

Mira seemed amused by the whole thing ''Do we want to know?''

''They were fighting, again by the time they arrived.'' Erza returned. ''I have no idea what happened before, nor do I care to find out. It somehow lead to them being hurt by the runes.''

''You guys probably got off lightly too. Riku and Belle would've kicked your butts again if they found out you had another of your fights here.'' Happy stated.

''Oh, there's no need to worry about that. After all, we won't be having any fighting here, am I understood?'' Erza demanded.

Natsu and Gray stiffened at the dark look she gave them. There was only one answer they could give under that tone and expression. ''...Y-yes, Ma'am...''

When Riku and Belle came back home, they weren't too surprised to find their friends present.

''Sooo...any chance you can set one of those runes up at my place?'' Lucy wanted to know.

Riku seemed amused 'I was wondering when you'd ask. Sure, I'll do it next time I come over.'

''Awesome, thanks!'' She beamed.

''Aw, you too? Riku's already paranoid enough to do it here.'' Happy stated.

Belle gave him a dry look ''It's about being sensible and given the way you guys act sometimes, I think a little paranoia is entirely justified.''

''You took the words out of my mouth.'' Erik agreed.

Soon, some of the group started talking about various things, like Lucy explaining how she promised that Levy would be the first to read the novel she was working. They, in turn, began telling her a few stories from their past.

''Ah, so that's why Levy-chan was sure she had to leave...'' The girl looked amused. ''...but wait, the way Happy was talking before...did Fairy Tail actually people who fight as often as Natsu and Gray?''

'Sure did. You wouldn't believe who it was though.' Riku stated.

She seemed skeptic ''Try me.''

''It was Erza and Mira.'' Belle informed.

''Ehhh?!'' Lucy's jaw dropped. Imagining the strict, stern knight mage and the sweet and happy go lucky waitress like that was proving to be a stretch. Which lead her to ask. ''...Are we talking about the same people here?''

Gray snorted in amusement ''You know how Mira was called the Demon? It wasn't just because of her magic.''

''Wow...just wow, how did you go from that to being as friendly as you are now?'' Lucy wanted to know.

''Simple, we grew up.'' Erza stated. ''The two of us apologized to each other and chose to make amends.''

''...Too bad the chances of that happening again are looking so slim.'' She muttered, looking at Natsu and Gray, who were glaring at each other.

''How long do we gotta keep this up anyway? I bet we could make sure Phantom doesn't come anywhere near the town again!'' Natsu stated.

''Don't start again. The consequences of fighting them aren't nearly worth it.'' Gray thought of what Erik concluded about the matter. ''Besides, I think Erik's right. For all we know, they could easily be goading us to fight.''

''So do I. Phantom's strength is not to be underestimated either, they have the Element 4 and Gajeel Redfox. At this rate, our guilds' strength is likely equal.'' Erza stated.

''I think I heard of the Element 4 but who's this Gajeel guy?'' Lucy wanted to know.

''A powerful iron dragon slayer who is said to be at S-class level.'' She replied. ''The Element 4 are powerful adversaries as well.''

''So what? We got 3 dragon slayers here, 4 if you count Laxus.'' Natsu amended. ''We can take 'em!''

''Look, we don't like this anymore than you do. Master's just as pissed off at this situation but it's for the guild's sake.'' Erik stated.

'Yeah, we're just going to have be to careful. We all agreed that they're probably not leaving things at this.' Riku reminded, Natsu grunted in annoyance.

The brunet's gaze traveled out the window. He didn't know much about Gajeel but he could agree that the dragon slayers he did know were certainly powerful.

Riku could admit that he felt the same couldn't be said about him. He was training to grow stronger, he hadn't given up on that. Still...there was that and he had no earthly idea how to deal with it.

Shaking his head, he decided to leave the matter aside for now. He would be sure to defend himself and his friends to the best of his ability, that was all he could do.

Things seemed to be peaceful for a while the following day, but then...

A large crowd had gathered in the park, most looking disturbed and more than a little horrified. The group headed over to find out what was going on, only to freeze at the sight of Levy, Jet and Droy pinned to the tree. All three were seriously beaten up and were held up by iron clamps.

No one missed the Phantom Lord guild mark painted on the tree.

''Levy!''

''Jet! Droy!''

People quickly started helping helping them down and tending to them. Makarov made his way over after a few minutes, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

''...They smash our headquarters to pieces? I can put up with that...'' He hissed. ''...but harming my children?''

Golden light shone around him, many of those present could sense the mass of power he released in his rage.

''THIS MEANS WAR!'' He declared.

Over at Phantom's HQ, everyone knew what happened to Team Shadow Gear and had found it quite amusing. They had wasted no time praising the one behind that attack, who was none other than Gajeel. In fact, many of them were wondering what else they could do against Fairy Tail.

Suddenly the front door was blasted by a fiery explosion, blowing it away. This revealed a furious Natsu standing out, with Makarov and many other Fairy Tail members behind him. Mira, Lucy, Reedus, Max and Loke had stayed behind on Makarov's request to keep an eye out for Team Shadow Gear and Magnolia. He wouldn't put it behind Phantom Lord to pull off another scheme while they were here.

A number of Phantom Lords immediately jumped at them. Elfman used his take-over magic to transform his arm before striking the three of them at once. The rest were taken care of Gray and Cana, who struck hard and true with ice and cards that released a lightning blast respectively.

Natsu blasted several Phantom wizards with his flames. A few tried to gang up on Cubelios, who easily slammed them aside with her tail. At the same time, Erik beat up a couple of particularly large enemies with his Poison Dragon's Roar.

Likewise, several of their friends used their magic to attack the Phantom members. Macao trapped some with Purple Net, allowing Wakaba to take them down with Smoke Crush. Alzack took down a number of attackers with Spark Shot. When another enemy tried to sneak up on him, he was shot down by Bisca.

A group of weapon wielding enemies surrounded Riku, thinking they had him. They were surprised when he merely requipped his great sword and leveled it at them. A moment later, he launched into a spinning motion, this created a dark spiral that created a force which pulled them towards Riku and resulted in them all being taken down by Riku's sword. This was Black Vortex.

He saw a few who tried to attack him from the building's second floor and jumped up, surprising them by using a gate to teleport him closer before he gathered darkness into his hands and thrust them onward, this was Dark Dragon's Wing Attack. Like his friends, any reservations he had about this were long gone. Phantom Lord had crossed the line and they would pay.

Other members of Phantom try to stop Makarov but he activates his Titan magic and takes care of them with ease.

''This guy's a monster!'' One of them cried.

''Guess what? You messed with this monster's children! Don't think a human law would protect from me!'' Makarov snapped.

A few of the enemies began to step back in fear, finally seeing how strong Fairy Tail and its members were. Makarov headed upstairs but no one dared to get in his way.

As it so happened, this frightened group spotted Happy and Belle nearby and decided to hone in on them, believing it to be a safe idea.

The two cats quickly proved them wrong. Belle quickly cast a spell, a golden spell circle manifesting as she called ''Starlight Revolution!''

A big sphere of light was created, releasing multiple glowing bursts that took the enemies by surprise before the sphere burst, releasing a powerful wave that knocked them over.

Happy grinned, knowing there was no need to worry about her as he whipped out a pan and struck a few unsuspecting enemies nearby. ''Think I'm weak? I'm a Fairy Tail member too!''

Erza attacked with the Black Wing Armor, defeating many enemies in her wake. Laki took down others with her Wood Make magic.

Elfman's assault was forcefully stopped by none other than Gajeel, who had appeared shortly after Makarov had left. Elfman shifted his arm into a Stone Bull and punched the dragon slayer, who blocked it with his Iron Dragon's Club.

Suddenly, Gajeel's arms and legs elongated to long iron rods which he used to strike but Elfman quickly dodged, finally having to block one that came near him. The takeover mage was surprised to see that Gajeel's attack had hurt some of the Phantom members nearby.

''Gotta say, you're not half-bad, Beast Arm Elfman.'' The dragon slayer smirked, creating an iron pillar that almost hit his opponent and making him quickly dodge, only for that to leave him vulnerable to Gajeel's oncoming punch to his gut and then face.

He was about to continue attacking but then he was blasted by a torrent of flames that made him reflexively jumped back. A second later, Natsu landed in front of Elfman.

Meanwhile, back in Magnolia...

Loke ran as fast as he could to the guild, wincing at his injuries. He had really thought he could help but he had completely messed up! He had to do something about it now.

Attacking Team Shadow gear was a set up, as he found out the hard way. He and Lucy had been ambushed by two of the Element 4 near the hospital and the confrontation went rather badly. The Phantom mages reveal that they had already defeated their other friends and used their surprise to attack. It had taken them a few moments to recover but even then, they had been in trouble. One of their enemies quickly resorted to using their friends as hostages to stop them in their tracks. Before Loke knew it, the other had knocked him out and they were soon gone.

They had to know...the others had to know that Makarov had been right to be suspicious. Phantom Lord did have other motives at play, their target had been Lucy all along!

Riku used Dark Dragon's Roar to defeat a few enemies nearby, looking around to see that the second floor was taken care of. As it so happened, the fight had taken him closer to a far away room he hadn't seen before. The enemies had mentioned something about a projection lacrima and Jose setting up for something and all this was just a phase of their plan...

He knew most of the fight was downstairs but Riku felt that he couldn't leave just yet. The enemies had unknowingly mentioned a few odds statements, leaving him with the sinking suspicion that something wasn't right.

His eyes narrowed as he glanced in the direction Makarov had taken earlier, deciding that it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye out for the guild master.

Jose Porla gave a smug smirk when Makarov crashed into his office. As expected...

''You've come at last, Makarov.''

''Jose, you bastard...'' He ground out. ''...you're going to answer for all you've done. Did you think I'd let you get away with this?''

The man remained calm ''Oh, far from it...'' He didn't miss the large figure of Aria of the air, one of his best mages appearing behind Makarov and reaching out a hand towards him.

A moment later, a dark gate materialized behind the third presence in the room, leaving him to cry out in shock. Startled, Makarov whirled around, surprised to see the man who was currently being restrained by the gate.

''What the-?'' Jose spluttered as Riku entered the room.

Just then, the trapped Aria managed to get out of the gate somehow, disappearing and reappearing behind the new arrival. He held out a hand towards Riku, who stiffened a moment later and managed to force him back by throwing his sword.

Makarov looked alarmed as Riku fell to his knees, looking pained ''What's wrong?!''

He didn't miss the faint aura around Riku or that his eyes turned black for a moment. The thing was, Makarov knew exactly what this meant but how did that man cause it?

Riku wasn't sure either, he had luckily avoided the worst of what that Phantom mage just did. Whatever it was, it caused quite a disturbance to his magic power and that had prompted his immediate reaction.

''So sorrowful...all that will remain is a fallen dragon.'' Aria stated.

''Not on my watch!'' Makarov snapped, stepping in front of Riku. Having seen what happened to the darkness dragon slayer, Makarov knew it was best not to let the man near them again so he quickly enlargened his fist and struck hard. Aria teleported, only to be surprised when Makarov blasted him with a powerful beam of light. This gave him the chance to strike hard a second later with two powered up fists, slamming the man into the wall and knocking him out.

''As expected, even my Element 4 cannot match up to you.'' Jose remarked. ''But no matter...''

Makarov's eyes widened as he realized something, leaving him to smash Jose's desk then. This revealed a hidden lacrima, which had been projecting the man's image. ''That lousy little...I bet he was never here all along!''

'Don't you think he was a little too calm back there, Master?' Riku frowned.

''Yeah...I don't like it. Something's up.'' Makarov scowled.

Fairy Tail left shortly afterwards, when they received a warning from Mira via a communication lacrima they had left behind, part of the group changed their destination to find the girl. Natsu had made sure to get said location out of one of their enemies, leading him, Happy, Belle, Riku, Erik and Erza to head over and get her back.

Around the same time, Lucy awakened to find herself in a tower, faced by the real Jose. When she demanded to know the truth behind his actions, he was all too happy to tell her.

''W-what...?'' Lucy breathed. ''No...it can't be...''

''I'm afraid that it very much can, Lady Lucy Heartfillia.'' Jose all but purred, he was clearly taking glee in her shock and distress at the news. ''Your father hired us to retrieve you, Fairy Tail was just...a bonus.'' He smirked. ''How does it feel to know that all what happened to your precious guild is all your fault?''

Lucy lowered her head, she had avoided telling anyone her last name because she had run away from home almost a year ago. She didn't even want to think about the life she left behind and was perfectly happy about the one she had with Fairy Tail.

Her father had only been one in name only for years, it was because of him that she couldn't take staying in that house anymore. It hadn't felt like home since her mother died.

''I'm not...I'm not ever going back! I hate that place and I don't want to see him again!'' She cried.

''The choice is quite out of your hands, my dear.'' Jose smirked. ''I'm not about to fail now.''

Lucy glared and stepped back, leaving him baffled. ''What're you doing?'' His eyes widened when she continued towards the window. ''Stop, you can't! This is...!''

The words died in his mouth as Lucy had already jumped, to his shock.

She closed her eyes 'I heard them...they're coming for me.'

And she was indeed correct, for moments later Natsu ran and jumped up to catch her. The momentum would have sent them to hit a wall had Cubelios not caught them both then. Natsu's head landed between breasts but he really didn't care at the moment.

''Just in time, huh?'' He chirped.

''Yeah...I knew you'd save me.'' Lucy returned.

She saw Riku, Belle, Erik, Happy and Erza all arriving as they landed. ''Good going, Natsu!'' Erza praised before she cut the ropes on Lucy's wrists and legs.

'Are you okay?' Riku inquired.

''Did they do anything to you?'' Erik demanded, similarly concerned.

Lucy lowered her head ''...I'm fine. I think so...''

She didn't miss that none of them looked convinced. They obviously knew something had happened while she was up there.

''We came when we heard the word from Mira and Loke. Glad you're safe.'' Belle smiled. She could tell that Lucy didn't want to talk about whatever was bothering her so she asked ''You ready to go back?''

''Wait, what? We're right at their base, why are we leaving?'' Natsu demanded.

''Natsu, we came for Lucy.'' Erza reminded. ''Also, many of the others need time to recover. It would be unwise to push this battle further.''

''Master's the only one who can stand up to their boss, remember? We can't keep this up.'' Belle stated and Cubelios nodded in agreement.

''Riku's the only reason things didn't go badly for Master back there. Phantom's always full of tricks, remember? We've got to make sure we're ready.'' Erik added.

'I know you want revenge and we understand. Look, we've won today. Keep that in mind.' Riku offered.

''...I'm sorry...''

Everyone looked at Lucy in surprise but she went on ''...it's all my fault. I just...I don't want to leave...I'm really happy in Fairy tail. Happier than I've been in the longest time...'' She looked up, her eyes shining with tears. ''...I want to stay with everyone.''

''Well, of course you can stay. Why are you crying?'' Natsu inquired.

''Lucy...'' Happy frowned in concern.

Riku let out a breath '...Give her some time, guys. Let's go back, okay?'

''Yes,'' Erza smiled at Lucy. ''No need for those tears, I'm sure everyone will be glad to see you. Now shall we return home?''

And that's that.

I thought about just how to handle this chapter for a while. I wound up changing a few things from my original plans when inspiration struck so I hope it was good.

The thing about Riku's magic? There's a very good reason Darkness Dragon Slayer magic is actually more troublesome than other elements and it's the same thing Ultear hinted about before. It's what's giving Riku trouble about handling his magic to a point and leaving him with those doubts about himself. There's a fail safe of sorts to halt the problem but given how they're dealing with a Lost Magic, information is scarce so there's not much else they can do. You're going to see what it is soon and I'm going to be explaining about it shortly. There's a bit that Riku doesn't know either. For now let's just say, Acnologia really made quite a problem by forcing him to learn that magic.

Well, that's all I had to say. If there are any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks for reading and I hope you keep it up, till next time!