Fate's Forsaken, Death's Intervention

by Starian NightZz

Hallie Potter had lost everything once before. When Death gave her a second chance in a world of magic, she vowed never to let Fate control her again. But the past never stays buried, and Hallie must decide whether to run from her bloodline or use her power to protect those she loves. Rewrite of Lightning Skies.

5. The Love Potion Debacle

I swear that my fingers are going to fall off. I never wrote such a long chapter before. To the point it took me three days just to finish it.

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Chapter Five: The Love Potion Debacle

The atmosphere in the Fairy Tail guild hall was unusually quiet as the newest member stood before them, introduced by Makarov with his usual enthusiasm. But the gathered children and teenagers—Mira, Erza, Cana, Jellal, Meredy, Ultear, the Lightning Tribe, Natsu, Gray, Levy, and even Hallie and Laxus—weren't reacting with their usual rowdy greetings or playful antics.

Instead, they were all staring.

Because the teenage mage standing before them, Mystogan, was almost completely covered—from his high-collared cloak to the bandages and scarf wrapped around his face. Only his eyes were visible—cool and unreadable beneath the shadow of his hood. But that wasn't what caught their attention.

"Is it just me," Mira muttered, arms crossed, "or does this Mystogan remind me of someone?"

Gray, standing beside Natsu—the newest person to join the guild, squinted. "Yeah… Doesn't he kinda look like Jellal?"

At those words, all eyes turned to Jellal, who had been silently watching Mystogan since he arrived. He, along with Ultear, Meredy, Erza, Hallie, and Laxus, had been quiet for an entirely different reason—the nagging sense of familiarity that had been creeping up their spines the longer they looked at Mystogan.

Hallie's gaze flickered between Mystogan and Jellal. "I thought I was imagining things. But yeah, they do. Something about the way they hold themselves…"

Laxus, with his typical bluntness, walked over to Jellal, and grabbed him by the arm. "Come on, stand here."

Jellal blinked, caught off guard by Laxus' sudden command. "What—"

"Just do it." Laxus tugged him forward, guiding him to stand next to Mystogan. Jellal stumbled a little as he was dragged along, clearly unprepared for the impromptu arrangement. Mystogan, who had been eerily quiet, turned his masked face toward them, blinking in silent confusion.

"Now, you two, stand next to each other," Laxus said, his voice laced with an odd mix of curiosity and amusement.

Jellal looked at Laxus as if he had lost his mind. "What are you—"

"Just stand there," Laxus insisted. "I'm not crazy, I swear."

The rest of the guild was watching with amusement—watching as Jellal exchanged a look with Mystogan, his brow furrowing in confusion. The masked teen didn't move, but his stance seemed to stiffen, as if aware that something was happening.

Laxus crossed his arms and looked back and forth between Jellal and Mystogan, a smirk slowly tugging at the corners of his lips. "Is it just me, or do you two look real similar?"

Natsu, standing next to Gray, scratched his head, looking between the two. "Now that you mentioned it… Yeah."

"Are you twins? Brothers?" Laxus continued, his tone almost playful now, as if trying to rile up the two into reacting.

Jellal and Mystogan looked at each other, their expressions blank, but for a moment, it was as if a fleeting recognition passed between them. Mystogan's gaze was unreadable behind the mask, but Jellal's eyes widened just slightly, the suspicion in his chest growing.

"No…" Jellal finally said, shaking his head. "No way."

"You're not going to tell me you don't see it?" Laxus laughed, his confidence growing, as the guild members looked from one to the other, curiosity piqued. "I'm not the only one, right?"

Hallie chuckled under her breath, raising her hand. "No, Laxus. You're definitely not the only one who sees it. There's something about you two… I can't put my finger on it."

Ultear stepped up beside them, her voice deadpan, but with a teasing edge. "It's probably because you're both brooding loners, with that whole mysterious, 'I'm so important, I must hide my face' thing going on."

"Are you implying I'm mysterious?" Jellal asked, a rare hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Not mysterious, exactly," Ultear quipped, "but you do have the brooding part now."

"Fine," Laxus sighed, shaking his head in mock frustration. "If you two are so adamant about not being related, then I guess I'm wrong. But c'mon, you can't deny the resemblance."

Mystogan finally moved, shifting slightly and turning to face Laxus. His voice, muffled through the mask, was quiet but firm. "I assure you, we are not related."

Jellal shot a quick glance at Mystogan, then back at Laxus, his face showing just the slightest hint of unease. "You're serious? You're really asking if we're related?"

Laxus shrugged. "Hey, I just thought I'd ask. There's no harm in testing a theory."

A moment of silence passed before Jellal looked at Mystogan again, his expression softening. Despite the mask, there was something about the teen standing next to him that felt…familiar. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, or perhaps it was something deeper.

Whatever it was, Jellal couldn't shake the odd feeling gnawing at him.

"I'll take your word for it," Jellal said, a chuckle escaping his lips despite himself. "But if we were brothers, I think you'd be the quiet, brooding one who doesn't talk much."

"And you'd be the one who doesn't know when to shut up," Mystogan replied dryly, though there was no denying the slight humour in his voice.

Hallie couldn't help but laugh. "Well, that's a family dynamic I'd love to see."

Laxus, still trying to wrap his head around the situation, threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. No twins or long-lost brothers. But I'm telling you, there's something off about this guy."

Jellal, his tone suddenly serious, turned to face Mystogan. "Why are you really here?"

Mystogan's eyes locked with Jellal's, his usual indifference replaced by something more solemn. "I have my reasons," he said simply.

The guild grew quiet for a moment, the humour fading, but it didn't last long. Laxus, seeing that the mood had shifted, slapped Jellal on the back with a loud laugh.

"Relax, Jellal. The guy's got his secrets, just like the rest of us," Laxus said. "But hey, we've got a guild full of weirdos. You're in good company."

Jellal smiled faintly, his gaze flickering back to Mystogan. "I guess I'm starting to realise that."

Even as the rest of the guild went back to what they were doing, Jellal stayed where he was, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. Now that it was pointed out, Jellal can't help but notice the similarities.

The resemblance between them was uncanny.

Same height. Same striking blue hair—even if Mystogan had most of his hair covered. Even their eye shape was similar. If not for the fact that Mystogan covered most of his face with a scarf and carried himself with an air of quiet detachment, they could have been mirror images.

Despite what Mystogan said—that he and Jellal aren't brothers, just maybe…

Maybe…

Jellal swallowed hard even as everyone returned to what they were doing before Makarov had introduced Mystogan as their newest member. Hallie, Erza, Meredy and Ultear have returned to their usual table in a corner.

"I know what you said earlier. But… Tell me the truth. Are you my brother?"

Mystogan was silent for several moments. And for a moment, Jellal can't help but feel hope. Then, Mystogan sighed, and looked at Jellal before shaking his head.

"No."

It was a simple answer, but one that made Jellal deflate ever so slightly. He had hoped… Maybe—just maybe—Mystogan would say yes. That he'd have someone tied to him by blood, someone who could tell him who he really was before the cult. Before everything.

But if Mystogan wasn't his brother, then Jellal would just have to look at this another way.

"Then," Jellal said, forcing a smile, "can we be friends?"

Mystogan hesitated, eyes flickering toward Jellal's outstretched hand before finally reaching out and shaking it.

"…Alright."

Jellal's smile turned genuine.

Not far from the duo where Laxus stood with his arms folded, he watched the interaction with a deep frown. It had been bothering him since it was pointed out, how much those two looked alike. And if there was one thing Laxus hated, it was not knowing something.

With a grunt, he turned on his heel and headed straight for Makarov's office.

XXXXXX

Makarov barely looked up when Laxus pushed open the door, striding in with his usual heavy steps. The old guild master had seen that expression on his grandson's face before—an annoyed, brooding look that meant he was about to be grilled for answers.

"Gramps," Laxus started without preamble, "is Mystogan Jellal's brother?"

Makarov sighed, closing the book he had been reading. "What makes you think that?"

Laxus narrowed his eyes. "They look exactly the same. Same height, same hair, same face. That's not normal. Are they related?"

Makarov stroked his beard. "Not everything is as simple as it seems, Laxus."

Laxus' frown deepened. "That's not an answer."

The air in the room grew heavier.

Makarov looked at his grandson carefully before sighing again. "It's not my place to say."

Laxus slammed his hands down on the desk, his lightning magic sparking faintly at his fingertips. "Jellal doesn't know where he came from, Gramps. He doesn't know his real name, if Jellal is even his real name. The only memories he has before Fairy Tail are from that cult. If Mystogan is his family, don't you think he has the right to know?"

Makarov remained silent for a long moment before smiling. "You're strangely protective of someone who isn't Hallie."

Laxus scowled. "Tch. Shut up."

The old man chuckled, amused by how easy it was to rile his grandson up. "For now, it's best to leave things as they are."

Laxus didn't like that answer, but he knew he wouldn't get anything more. With a frustrated sigh, he turned and left.

XXXXXX

Later that evening, Jellal sat at a table in the guild hall with Erza, Ultear, Hallie, and Meredy. He was trying his best to shake off his disappointment, but it was hard.

"I thought maybe he could have been family," Jellal admitted, stirring his drink absently. "But I guess I was hoping for too much."

Hallie nudged him playfully. "You're not alone, you know. We're your family now."

Erza nodded firmly. "Fairy Tail is your family."

Ultear leaned on the table with a smirk. "And since Mystogan is part of Fairy Tail now too, that makes him family. Just…distant family."

Jellal chuckled. "…I guess that's true."

Meredy, always the one to lighten the mood, grinned. "Besides, you can still ask him to be your brother. Family isn't always about blood."

The idea made Jellal pause before smiling softly.

"Well, there is still something weird about how much they look alike," Ultear said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "It's too much of a coincidence."

That was all the encouragement the group needed. The next few minutes turned into a flurry of wild theories.

"Maybe Jellal lost his memory, and Mystogan is actually his lost-lost twin!"

"Or maybe Mystogan is Jellal's future self who travelled back in time!"

"Or Jellal travelled forward in time!"

"Maybe Mystogan is a magical clone of Jellal!"

Ultear, amused by how ridiculous their ideas were getting, snorted and said, "Or maybe Mystogan is Jellal's doppelgänger. Like, from another world or something."

She was joking, but from across the room, Mystogan—who had been sitting quietly—visibly tensed.

Only Hallie noticed. Her green eyes flickered towards him, studying his stiff posture and the way his grip on his staff tightened slightly.

Huh.

How interesting.

XXXXXX

The evening at Fairy Tail's guild hall was a peaceful one—at least, as peaceful as Fairy Tail ever got. Makarov, Gildarts, and Macao were seated together, enjoying their drinks after a particularly long day. The topic of the night? The rapid growth of the younger generation.

"Hallie's thirteen now," Makarov sighed, swirling the ale in his mug. "She told me today she plans to move out of the Dreyar residence."

"Really?" Macao raised an eyebrow. "She's been living with you and Laxus for what, seven years now?"

"She says she doesn't want to impose any longer," Makarov grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "That she's a Fairy Tail mage now, so she wants to be independent."

"Well," Gildarts mused, "she's got a point."

"I know that, damn it!" Makarov snapped. "But it doesn't mean I have to like it! What's next? Laxus moving out too?" He groaned. "I'll be all alone in that house."

"Oh, come on, Master, you knew this was coming," Gildarts smirked, taking a swig of his drink. Then, after a moment of consideration, he added, "Speaking of which, you do realise Hallie is thirteen now, right?"

Makarov shot him a look. "Yes, Gildarts, I am aware of how old they are, thank you very much."

Gildarts ignored his grumpy tone. "And Laxus is sixteen. The others are all in their pre-teens or teens." He paused, setting down his drink. "Don't you think it's about time we give them 'The Talk'?"

Makarov choked. Beer sprayed from his mouth, and he coughed violently while Macao pounded his back, barely holding in his laughter.

Gildarts, completely unfazed, continued, "I mean, we've got a bunch of hormonal teenagers running around, spending all their time together. You really wanna wait until they figure it out on their own?"

Makarov paled when several images appeared in his head of said teenagers 'experimenting'.

Macao grinned. "Oh, I volunteer for this."

"Over my dead body," Makarov wheezed.

"Oh, come on, Master," Gildarts teased. "We'll be doing them a favour. And besides, wouldn't it be hilarious to see Laxus squirm?"

Makarov groaned, rubbing his temples. "I already have enough headaches as it is."

XXXXXX

The next afternoon, Macao took his place at the center of the guild hall, arms crossed and an absolutely wicked grin on his face that sent alarm bells ringing through Hallie's head. As she looked at the resigned expression on Makarov's face and a similar grin on Gildarts, that bad feeling came back ten-fold.

Seated in front of Macao in a semi-circle was a group of teens—Laxus, Hallie, Cana, Ultear, Meredy, Jellal and Erza. Even the two oldest of the Strauss siblings were present, as well as the Lightning Tribe.

Whereas the younger kids—Natsu, Gray, Lisanna, and Levy—sat nearby, intrigued but utterly oblivious.

"Alright, brats," Macao began, cracking his knuckles. "You're at that age now, so it's time we have 'The Talk'."

There was a moment of silence.

"The talk?" Meredy tilted her head.

Ultear was the first to clue in, and her eyes widened in horror. "Oh no."

Jellal, sensing something terrible was coming, stiffened. "Macao, you don't need to—"

"Oh, but I do," Macao interrupted, grinning. "Now listen up, kids, because I'm about to educate you on the wonders of adulthood."

Laxus frowned. "This isn't necessary."

"Oh, but it is," Macao insisted, eyes gleaming. "Now, where do I start? Ah! Let's talk about the birds and the bees."

Laxus groaned. Hallie immediately turned bright red. Ultear facepalmed. Meredy looked absolutely lost. Jellal seemed to be contemplating whether he should bolt. Erza was determinedly looking away from everyone. Cana had her eyes screwed shut. Elfman had both hands covering his face, whereas Mira looked torn between running or just covering her ears and pretending she heard nothing.

"See," Macao continued, undeterred, "when a man and a woman—or a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, or really any consenting adults—love each other very much…"

"Macao, no," Laxus hissed.

"Macao, yes," Macao shot back. "They—"

"I'm out," Jellal said, standing up.

Macao grabbed his sleeve and yanked him back down. "Oh no, you don't. You're staying right here, buddy." The grin he gave the rest of the teens in the group told them that it might just be better for them to stay very still.

The watching adults from the sidelines—Makarov, Gildarts, and even a few other amused guild members—chuckled in the background, watching the horror unfold. Cordelia who is nursing a cup of ale in her hand only chuckled, shaking her head. "Poor things. I did give Hallie and the other girls the Women Talk, but I didn't exactly give them The Talk," she commented. "From the look on Macao's face, they're going to be traumatised."

"They're not going to be able to look at each other in the eye for weeks," Another guild member added.

Macao continued with his 'lesson', going into excruciating detail. For some reason, a chart came out of nowhere.

Ultear had turned an alarming shade of red. Meredy buried her face in her hands. Hallie, completely frozen, stared at Macao as though he had grown another head.

Meanwhile, Laxus…

Laxus had gone completely still. His face was bright red, and his eyes were locked on the ground. His jaw was clenched so tightly that it looked like it might snap.

"Why are you so red, Laxus?" Hallie asked, blinking at him innocently.

Laxus snapped his head toward her, horrified. "Nothing!"

The guild all burst into laughter.

Macao grinned. "And this is why we have The Talk," he said cheerfully. "So you don't go around making fools of yourselves when the time comes."

Jellal groaned. "I don't think I'll ever recover from this."

Ultear whacked Macao on the arm. "Why would you be so graphic?!"

"Oh, please," Macao said, clearly enjoying himself. "You lot needed to know this sooner or later."

"I vote for later," Meredy muttered, her face still buried in her hands.

"Same here," Cana, Erza, Mira and Elfman all raised their hands. The Lightning Tribe said nothing—they were all frozen in shock.

Makarov sighed, rubbing his temples. "Macao, you are a menace."

Macao only grinned. "You're welcome, Master."

Laxus, still red-faced, pointed a finger at Macao. "I hate you."

Macao chuckled. "Love you too, kid."

As the older mages continued laughing, the younger kids—Natsu, Gray, Lisanna, and Levy—watched in complete confusion.

"What was all that about?" Natsu asked, tilting his head.

Gray shrugged. "Dunno. But Laxus looked like he was gonna die."

Lisanna giggled. "Maybe it's a secret magic technique?"

Levy frowned. "I feel like we're missing something important."

"Oh well," Natsu said, grinning. "I'm sure we'll figure it out when we're older."

From the looks of horror on the teens' faces, they were all silently hoping they wouldn't.

XXXXXX

The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and Hallie Clairmont was one step away from throttling Laxus Dreyar.

"No."

Hallie exhaled through her nose. "Laxus."

"Nope. Not this one." Laxus crossed his arms, looking at the modest, perfectly reasonable apartment Hallie had just found. "The landlord is a guy."

Mira let out an unholy snort, covering her mouth with her hand. "And?"

"And he looks shady." Laxus narrowed his eyes at the innocent elderly man tending to his vegetable garden out front. "Shifty eyes."

Hallie groaned, pressing her fingers to her temples. "He has cataracts, Laxus."

"Shifty," he insisted.

Mira was barely containing her laughter, while Hallie rubbed her temples as if warding off an incoming migraine.

This was the fifth apartment Laxus had vetoed. The first had a male landlord. The second was 'too far' from the guild despite being a ten-minute walk away. The third had stairs that were apparently 'way too steep', and the fourth had 'weird energy'.

At the rate that they were going, they were going to go through every single available apartment in Magnolia and still find nothing. It almost seems like Laxus didn't want her to move out.

"I will drown you in the nearest river," Hallie threatened, eyes twitching.

"I'd like to see you try," Laxus smirked, knowing full well she could control water with precision deadly enough to slice through steel.

Mira wiped at her eyes, having laughed so hard that she cried. Hallie only shot her best friend a dirty look, and Mira only grinned back at her, unrepentant. "Okay, okay, let's check the next one before Hallie decides to commit murder."

Thankfully, the next apartment was perfect.

The space was cosy but not cramped, with big windows letting in plenty of light. It was close enough to the guild that Laxus couldn't complain, and the landlord was a kindly woman who ran a florist shop on the ground floor. She had cooed over all three of them, pinched Hallie's cheek, and given Laxus a look so unimpressed that he had no choice but to behave.

Hallie turned to Laxus with a withering look. "If you veto this, so help me, Laxus."

Laxus glanced around as if scrambling for an excuse. Then he met the florist's gaze, and thought better of it. The look the smiling florist is giving him seems to almost dare him to say something bad about her rental space.

"…I guess it's okay," Laxus said reluctantly.

Hallie threw her arms up in victory, while Mira outright cackled.

XXXXXX

Moving day arrived, and with it, chaos.

The entire younger generation of Fairy Tail had gathered to 'help', which mostly consisted of Natsu trying to race everyone while carrying furniture, Gray antagonising Natsu, and Levy being the only useful one by actually organising Hallie's books.

"Natsu, put that down before you break it!" Hallie shouted as Natsu attempted to carry her desk with one arm.

"I got it, don't worry—" A loud crash interrupted him. "…Oops."

Gray smirked, "Smooth."

"Shut up, Ice Block!"

Meanwhile, Laxus was carrying an entire couch by himself, looking deeply unimpressed with everyone else.

"If you guys actually tried instead of screwing around, we'd be done already," he grumbled.

Makarov, meanwhile, was sitting on a crate, bawling his eyes out. "She's grown up too fast!" He sobbed, clinging to Gildarts, who looked amused. "It seems just like yesterday when Bob just brought her to Fairy Tail! Now, here she is, moving out! Before I know it, she's going to be married!"

Not far away, Laxus almost tripped over his own feet when he heard that part, and Mira cackled like a witch.

"You do realise she's just moving down the street, right?" Gildarts asked, very amused.

"It's not the same!" Makarov wailed.

Macao took a sip of his drink and chuckled. "You know, somehow I can see Hallie and Laxus leading the guild in the future. They're already cleaning up all of Fairy Tail's messes and doing the 'apology tours' in town since Hallie was what, ten?"

Wakaba nodded sagely. "They're scarier than Master when they're mad, definitely. Especially Hallie." He sighed dramatically. "What happened to the adorable little girl that used to sit beside me and listen to all my stories?"

"She got tired of your bullshit," Hallie deadpanned as she passed by, carrying a stack of paperwork. "I seriously wonder how Romeo puts up with you at home."

Macao clutched his heart. "You wound me."

Laxus snorted. "She's not wrong."

Hallie dropped her paperwork onto her new desk, and turned back to the chaos, hands on her hips. "Alright, you lot, enough messing around! Get back to work before I start assigning tasks!"

The younger guild members scrambled into action. Even Natsu got the hint.

Mira watched, shaking her head fondly. "She's really going to be a force to be reckoned with."

Gildarts grinned. "Oh, definitely. Give her a few years, and she and Laxus will be running this place."

Makarov sniffled loudly. "My little girl is growing up so fast!"

Hallie rolled her eyes at the dramatics. "Master, I'm not moving to another continent, I'm literally down the road."

"It's not the same!"

Laxus just sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We're never gonna hear the end of this, are we?"

Mira beamed. "Nope!"

XXXXXX

Days and months went by, with the usual chaos that Fairy Tail takes pride in occurring on an almost daily basis. The townspeople of Magnolia are starting to get used to seeing Hallie and Laxus hurling some random guild member down the road by their collar for one of their 'apology tours'. Even the gift shop in town is starting to get used to their visits to stock up on 'apology gifts'.

For Fairy Tail, however, missions and requests went on as normal—with Hallie and Laxus dealing with their usual duties as a Fairy Tail wizard along with the paperwork, and even being the guild's 'disciplinary squad'. If not for the extra payment that comes with dealing with all the headaches, Laxus would likely have something more to say about it.

Hallie too had taken on the recent duty to teach Natsu how to read and write when she realised his skill in that is…questionable at best. Laxus however was in a bad mood for days whenever Hallie huddled down with Erza as well as Natsu and Gray to ensure the two younger boys could read and write properly. The Lightning Tribe was very amused by Laxus' bad mood, and he was the butt of jokes by the trio for days.

Everything was as normal for Fairy Tail, with it being as rowdy as ever until the doors to the guild burst open one day with a loud BANG!

"I FOUND AN EGG!"

Natsu came tearing inside like he'd just unearthed the greatest treasure in the world, holding a large spotted egg above his head as if it were some kind of legendary artefact. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his entire face was stretched into a massive grin.

Most of the guild's members turned toward him, half-curious, half-exasperated. Some groaned, knowing that this would mean more chaos, while others genuinely pondered what kind of creature could hatch from the oversized egg.

At the bar, Hallie and Laxus sat side by side, casually nursing their drinks after returning from a joint mission with Sabertooth. They exchanged looks, bemused by the fire Dragon Slayer's antics.

"Is it just me, or does he look like he's about to hatch it himself?" Hallie mused, watching Natsu cradle the egg protectively.

"I'd bet on it," Laxus muttered, smirking into his glass.

Meanwhile, Jellal, Meredy, Ultear, and Erza had gathered around Natsu, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. Ultear tilted her head, inspecting the egg with a scrutinising gaze. "I've never seen an egg like this before."

"Is it a dragon's egg?" Jellal wondered aloud.

"That would be amazing!" Meredy clapped her hands together.

"No," Erza interjected, crossing her arms. "If it were a dragon's egg, it wouldn't be this small."

Before anyone could come to a conclusion, a sharp voice suddenly rang out, startling them all.

"PUT THE EGG DOWN. GENTLY."

The entire guild stilled. Hallie who is still at the bar with Laxus paused, turning towards the source of the voice only to realise that it was Mystogan.

Natsu nearly fumbled the egg in shock at the harshness of the voice. "W-What?"

Mystogan, who had previously been seated in his usual silent corner, had suddenly stood up. His voice, normally so quiet and composed, was firm, almost urgent. His piercing eyes—one of the few visible parts of him—were locked onto the egg as though it were the most dangerous thing in the room.

Natsu shivered with the look Mystogan gave him, and took a step back.

"You're scaring him!" Erza bristled, seeing how scared Natsu looked, stepping between Mystogan and Natsu, who clutched the egg tighter to his chest, huge eyes scared.

Mystogan didn't argue. He simply turned on his heel and strode out of the guild, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.

Hallie and Laxus exchanged another glance.

"Well, that's new," Laxus muttered.

Hallie sighed and stood. "I'll go talk to him."

Outside, she found Mystogan standing in the quiet alleyway beside the guild, staring at nothing in particular. He didn't flinch as she approached, though he did exhale slowly, as if gathering his thoughts.

"You were never this harsh, especially with the kids," Hallie said gently. "You recognised that egg. You know what it is."

Mystogan was silent for a long moment before finally responding. "It's an Exceed egg," he admitted. "From my homeland. Edolas."

Hallie blinked in surprise. "Exceed?"

Mystogan nodded. "They're a race of winged cat-like beings that live in Edolas—my home. I don't know how the egg ended up here, but it definitely came from my home."

Hallie frowned, processing the information. "So… What does that mean? Is it dangerous?"

Mystogan shook his head. "No. Exceed aren't dangerous. But it's unusual for an egg to end up here. If it hatched in Earthland, it would likely be different from those in my world."

Hallie hummed in thought. "You're not going to take it, are you?"

Mystogan shook his head again. "No. If it's here, then it belongs to this world now. I have no right to interfere." He looked toward the guild hall. "It will be in good hands with Fairy Tail."

"With Natsu?" Hallie raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin on her lips, and Mystogan's eyes crinkled with amusement. There was a pause between them. "Tell me about Edolas."

And so, Mystogan told her about Edolas—his homeland, the Exceeds, and the reason he left. He explained why he covered his face, how every person in Earthland had a counterpart in Edolas, and how his own counterpart happened to be Jellal. But then, he told her something else—something passed down through his family for generations.

"Edolas is artificial," Mystogan said quietly. "It was created by the Ancients thousands of years ago in a last attempt to save magic. Or, to be more exact, to save the few surviving magical creatures at that time. Over the generations, only the Exceeds remained."

Hallie was entranced, her eyes shining with fascination, though something about that story seemed awfully familiar to her. "That's…incredible."

Mystogan chuckled. "For as long as I've known you, you've always been drawn to stories of the Ancients. Maybe because you can wield their magic." Hallie only smiled in response. "If someday, I get to return to Edolas, I'll give you all the ancient records of my ancestors."

Hallie smiled. "That's a promise."

"Yeah."

XXXXXX

A few days later, the entire guild gathered to witness the newly hatched Exceed try to fly.

It had been a whirlwind of a few days—what with the Exceed egg first going missing, and Natsu turning Fairy Tail upside down to find said egg only to then realise Elfman had protected the egg when it had gone rolling down the hill where Natsu had taken a nap. The egg had hatched then, with a tiny blue cat with wings hatching from it, and immediately taking a nap on Natsu's head.

The tiny blue Exceed was flapping his little wings now, trying to lift himself off the ground while Natsu and the younger kids cheered him on.

"Come on, Happy! You can do it!" Natsu yelled excitedly.

Jellal, Ultear, Meredy, Erza, Mira, Hallie and Laxus stood nearby, watching with amusement.

"He's adorable," Meredy cooed.

"He's trying so hard," Mira chuckled.

As they watched, a casual conversation sparked between them.

"You know," Hallie mused, "I kind of want to make something that lets us fly too."

"Like what? A spell?" Ultear asked.

"No, something mechanical," Hallie said, tapping her chin in thought.

Laxus smirked. "A magic-powered bike," he chimed in, making Hallie's eyes lit up with excitement, and the others to blink.

"…That sounds dangerous," Erza said flatly.

"That sounds amazing!" Meredy squealed.

"Imagine zipping through Magnolia, dodging buildings, weaving through the streets at insane speeds—" Hallie's eyes lit up with excitement.

"And crashing into everything," Jellal muttered.

Hallie ignored him. "With the right enchantments, we could even make it hover. Or even turn it invisible for covert missions."

"Think of the speed!" Laxus was grinning now, just as invested. "No more waiting for trains!"

"Oh no," Mira giggled. "They've gone into 'mechanic mode'."

The others watched in horror and amusement as Hallie and Laxus started furiously sketching out blueprints with whatever scraps of paper they could get, talking over each other excitedly.

"We could add a lightning propulsion system!"

"What about stabilisers?"

"We need shock absorption—"

"WE NEED A NAME!"

Jellal groaned, rubbing his temples, even as the older mages were all looking over at their group with amusement and curiosity, wondering what had the normally composed Hallie and Laxus so excited. "This is how disasters happen," Jellal said flatly.

Ultear shook her head. "They're going to build it whether we stop them or not."

"I give them two weeks before something explodes," Mira said cheerfully.

Hallie and Laxus were too absorbed in their schematics to notice their friends staring at them with a mixture of awe, dread, and resignation.

"Should we tell Master?" Meredy whispered.

Jellal sighed. "Let's… Let's just wait and see how bad it gets first."

XXXXXX

It was nearly two months since the sudden suggestion and idea of the 'magic-powered bikes', and just as Hallie and Laxus' friends all thought they had either forgotten about it, or scrapped the idea completely, Jellal, Erza, Meredy and Ultear all walked into the guildhall one afternoon only to see Hallie and Laxus occupying their usual table—covering it with papers, blueprints, and mechanical parts.

The pair were absorbed deep into their work, sketching out intricate designs, and using tools to measure and mark components for what could only be described as some kind of machine.

"Oh no," Erza deadpanned.

Jellal sighed, massaging his temples. "And here I thought they've forgotten about it," he muttered.

Ultear gave Jellal a look. "It's Hallie and Laxus. Do you really think they would have forgotten about anything at all?"

Jellal grimaced. "Good point."

At the table, Laxus was leaning over the blueprints, tapping a pencil against the page as he muttered to himself, making adjustments to the designs. "We need to reinforce the frame here, add some extra support in the rear wheel axel… If we're gonna make it faster, we need to make sure it's solid."

Hallie, sitting across from him, nodded in agreement as she adjusted the measurements on her own part of the blueprint. "Exactly. And the suspension has to be more flexible, or the shocks will be too much on rough terrain. We'll need a lighter material for the body too, maybe something with a stronger tensile strength, like mithril alloys."

Laxus grunted in acknowledgement and then looked up, meeting Hallie's eyes. "Right. The weight needs to be distributed evenly to keep the bike balanced. If we add too much to the front or back, we'll lose stability."

"Exactly," Hallie replied, tapping her pencil against her chin as she studied the design. "And we need to make sure the engines are properly calibrated. If we use lightning-infused runes for the power source, it'll be faster and give us more energy."

From across the room, the rest of the guild watched with a mix of confusion and amusement. Natsu, ever the curious one, squinted at the papers, trying to make sense of the designs. "Uh… What exactly are you two talking about?" He asked, scratching his head in confusion.

Gray leaned over to Natsu, equally baffled by the conversation. "I have no idea. Something about wheels and engines…and lightning?"

Mira, who had joined Jellal, Erza, Ultear and Meredy at a table, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, they're talking about those motorcycles they've been building, right?"

"Motorcycles?" Lisanna cocked her head to one side in confusion.

"They've been working on it for months now," Mira explained, "Every time they get some new part or material, they go into 'engineer mode'. It's like a whole other side of them."

Meanwhile, Laxus and Hallie continued their discussion, now delving into more technical jargon. "We'll need a modified spark gap here for the ignition, and if we wire the circuits correctly, we can use the lightning to power the front headlight," Hallie explained, as she jotted down some more calculations.

Laxus nodded, then added. "I'll take care of the wheels. The tyres need to be wider for stability, but they have to have just the right grip. Too much, and we'll lose speed. Too little, and we'll be sliding all over the place."

The guild members, still trying to process what they were hearing, exchanged confused glances. Gray muttered, "I just heard something about 'grip' and 'stability'… Are they seriously building something that complex?"

Natsu, ever eager to understand, leaned over toward the table where Laxus and Hallie were working, trying to get a closer look at the blueprints. "What kind of bike are you two even making? You talking about some kind of super-fast machine or something?"

Laxus didn't even glance at Natsu as he kept his focus on the blueprint. "Not just any bike. We're building a magic-powered motorcycle, one that's fast, durable, and can handle pretty much anything we throw at it."

Hallie, without missing a beat, added, "It'll also have stealth capabilities, so we can use it for covert missions. We're integrating illusion magic into the body to make it blend into its surroundings."

At that, the guild went silent for a moment. The implications of what they were talking about were sinking in.

Makarov, watching from his usual spot by the bar, chuckled softly to himself. "Those two are something else," he muttered, shaking his head in amusement. "When they're serious about something, they go all in."

Gildarts, sitting beside Makarov, leaned back with a grin. "I'm honestly impressed. It's not every day you see a couple of kids thinking of something that complicated. They might just pull it off."

Wakaba, who had been quietly observing, nudged Macao beside him. "What do you think, Macao? Should we start placing bets on whether or not they actually finish these things?"

Macao grinned. "I'm putting my money on Laxus. He's got that look in his eye that says he won't give up until it's perfect."

Mira, exchanging looks with Erza, Jellal, Ultear and Meredy, looked back towards the table where Laxus and Hallie were. "Are you two seriously going to try to build magic-powered motorcycles? What about all the supplies you'll need? Are you planning to get all of that yourself?"

Laxus glanced at her with a smirk. "Of course. We've already started gathering parts. It's just a matter of time before we're ready to start building."

Hallie looked up from her notes, a faint smile on her lips. "And besides, we have access to enough resources to make this happen. It's not just about speed or power—it's about creating something that represents us, something unique to Fairy Tail."

Natsu finally grinned, his earlier confusion giving way to his excitement. "Hey, if you guys can pull it off, I'll be the first one to take it for a spin!"

Hallie raised an eyebrow. "You think you can handle it?"

Natsu puffed out his chest confidently. "Of course! I've got this!" He declared, causing a few chuckles to ripple through the guild.

Hallie and Laxus exchanged amused glances before Laxus spoke up, "You'll be lucky if we let you near it, flamehead."

The guild hall erupted into laughter at the playful banter between the two teenagers, who, despite their seriousness about their work, were still very much a part of Fairy Tail's lively and unpredictable atmosphere. Even as they worked on something as complicated as building their own magic-powered motorcycles, they still had time for lighthearted teasing and camaraderie.

But for now, Laxus and Hallie remained focused on their task, their blueprints slowly taking shape. And as the guild watched them from across the room, one thing was certain: whatever they were building, it was going to be something extraordinary.

XXXXXX

The lot near the guild entrance had been cleared out to make way for the much-anticipated project. The space was now a makeshift workshop where Laxus and Hallie had set up their tools and supplies. Their blueprints were laid out, and the two teens were already hard at work, assembling various components. The other guild members watched from a safe distance, both intrigued and apprehensive about what was unfolding before them.

Hallie was the first to make a move, pulling out a chisel and a set of intricate runes she had been sketching earlier. "This part's crucial," she explained, her eyes focused on the work ahead. "The frame needs these runes carved into it to stabilise the magic-infused engine."

Laxus stood nearby, holding up a large, metal piece of the frame, his hands steady as he used his magic to help shape and mould the metal. "We'll need the reinforced frame to handle the impact when we put the engine in," he added, his voice focused by confidence. "It's not just about looks. This thing's gonna take a beating."

The guild members stood a few paces back, whispering amongst themselves in quiet awe. Natsu, Gray, Lisanna, and Levy were at the front, all of them staring at Hallie and Laxus with a mixture of fascination and nervousness. They'd never seen the teens so serious about something before.

Mira leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed, eyeing the work closely. "Do you think they're really going to pull this off?" She asked Jellal who was standing next to her, eyes wide as he watched Hallie carve runes into the metal with precise movements.

Jellal looked uncertain, exchanging looks with Erza, Ultear and Meredy. "I mean, they've been at it for days now… I don't doubt them, but with all that magic and machinery? It feels like they're pushing things pretty far."

Gray, with his arms folded across his chest, glanced at Natsu. "You sure we should be standing this close? One wrong move, and we're all toast."

Freed and the other members of the Lightning Tribe had set up a cautious perimeter around the lot, their eyes trained on the two teens. Freed was ready, his hand near his sword as he prepared to protect the guild if anything went wrong. Bickslow and Evergreen stood close by, their usual playful banter replaced by tense silence, each one of them waiting for something unexpected to happen.

"I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing," Freed murmured, watching Hallie carefully as she activated a magical rune on the frame. "But just in case, we'll be ready for anything."

As Hallie carved the last rune into the metal frame, she stepped back ,wiping sweat from her brow. "That should do it for the first part," she said with satisfaction, her eyes scanning the completed work. "Now we can start on the wiring for the engine."

Laxus joined her, his expression focused but with a faint smile. "We're getting close," he said, inspecting the carved frame. "Next step is to work on the engine assembly, and that's where things are going to get tricky."

A low murmur of apprehension ran through the crowd. Even Makarov, who had wandered out to watch the process, looked on with curiosity, but also with a hint of concern. He had faith in his grandson and Hallie, but this was uncharted territory. Magic and machinery combined in such a delicate way was always such a gamble.

"Are you sure you want to go this far?" Makarov asked, his voice carrying over to Laxus and Hallie.

Laxus looked back at his grandfather, his expression stern. "This is the only way. We're not just building a bike, we're building something that's going to represent what Fairy Tail is about. We'll make sure it's safe."

Hallie nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing as she carefully set up the magical components. "We're integrating lightning-based runes into the engine, which should give it an extra boost of power. But it also means that the energy output could be unstable if we don't do it right."

Makarov chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "You've always had a flair for the dramatics, Laxus. Just make sure it doesn't explode in my face."

The rest of the guild laughed nervously, though they couldn't help but watch with fascination as Hallie and Laxus worked together seamlessly. They were a well-oiled machine, their teamwork impressing even the most sceptical of guild members.

As the afternoon wore on, the sounds of clanking metal, the hum of magic, and the occasional crackle of electricity filled the air. The guild members had gathered in a loose circle around the lot, some of them starting to chat among themselves, while others continued to watch in silent awe.

Eventually, Laxus gave the signal. "Alright, we're ready to start the engine calibration." He pulled a small device from his pocket and inserted it into the bike's control system, feeding it the necessary energy to begin the process.

Hallie stepped back, her eyes flickering between the bike and the growing magic energy in the air. She placed a hand on the machine, her fingers tracing over the runes she'd carved earlier. "It's time," she muttered to herself.

The engine began to hum softly, and the air around the lot crackled with magical energy. There was a pause, a tense silence as everyone waited for the next step.

And then, with a burst of power, the engine roared to life.

The guild members gasped as the bike's engine sparked with magical energy, the frame glowing with the ethereal runes Hallie had inscribed. For a moment, the energy seemed to pulse, as if testing its limits.

The ground beneath the bike vibrated with the raw energy of the engine, and Hallie's hand instinctively reached for the handlebar, her expression intense.

"Easy there," Laxus said, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

But before either could react further, the energy from the bike shot up, causing a small shockwave that sent everyone scrambling to keep their distance.

"See?" Natsu said, grinning. "I told you guys they were going all out!"

Freed was on high alert, his hand now gripping his sword, ready to step in if anything went wrong. "Watch out, everyone! It's getting more volatile by the second."

But Laxus and Hallie, as if anticipating this moment, immediately began to work in tandem, channelling their magic to stabilise the energy surging from the bike. Slowly, the excess magic started to dissipate, and the engine settled into a low, steady hum.

With a satisfied sigh, Hallie and Laxus exchanged a brief look of triumph. "We've done it," Hallie said, her voice steady but filled with relief.

The guild members, who had been holding their breath, erupted into applause. Even Freed, who had been tense moments ago, let out a relieved sigh.

"Not bad," Makarov said with a grin, though his eyes still held a touch of wariness. "Just try not to blow anything up next time, alright?"

Laxus grinned, before meeting with Hallie's eyes. "Let's try a test drive," he suggested, and excitement surged through all the guild members present, before Hallie grinned back and nodded.

With a twist of the handlebars, both bikes geared to life, and soon, Laxus and Hallie were weaving around the guild's front yard with a smooth, effortless ease. Both bikes were glowing with a mix of magic-infused runes and sleek design.

Laxus was grinning widely, his hands expertly controlling the bike as he leaned into a turn, the lightning-powered machine surging forward with each burst of speed. Hallie, riding right alongside him, looked equally as pleased, her bike seeming to hum with energy as she shifted effortlessly between gears. Her magic-infused bike was equally impressive, the stealth magic woven into it creating a blur of movement that made it appear as though she was gliding.

"They did it," Mira had a grin on her face even as the rest of the guild watched with stunned silence, watching the two teens zip around the lot before coming to a graceful stop in front of them. The roar of the engines died down as both bikes came to a halt, and the guild was left in awed silence.

"Not bad, huh?" Laxus called out, his grin wide and confident as he hopped off his bike and walked over to join his friends.

Hallie followed suit, dismounting with the same smoothness, and then smiled proudly at the bikes, clearly pleased with their handiwork. "They've got a lot of power behind them, but we made sure the magic's stable," she said, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "No blowing up today."

The guild members slowly circled around, eyes wide with awe at the two bikes that had come to life before their very eyes. Mira, always the one with an eye for style, was the first to speak up. "I can't believe you two actually built these," she marvelled. "It's like something out of a dream. Can you build one for anyone else?"

Hallie and Laxus exchanged a quick glance before answering in unison, "No."

Laxus' voice was firm, and Hallie's tone echoed the same determination. "These are our bikes. We put work into them. Not something we'd just sell off."

Mira laughed lightly, shaking her head in amusement. "Fair enough. But… What if you put your own mark on them? Some kind of symbol, you know, so everyone knows who made them."

Laxus raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, like a logo?"

"Yeah, exactly!" Mira grinned, clearly already full of ideas. "Something to make them yours."

Hallie looked thoughtful, tapping her chin. "Hmm… Maybe we could make it something simple, like a lightning bolt or maybe something that represents both of us."

"You mean something like…a combination of a flame and a lightning bolt?" Natsu chimed in, stepping forward with a bright grin.

Gray shot Natsu a sideways glance. "Yeah, great idea, Natsu. Because, you know, they totally want their bikes to look like a tribute to you."

Mira chuckled, ignoring their banter. "It's a great idea, really. A symbol that represents both of you. Something unique."

"Hallie uses water magic, doesn't she?" Meredy spoke up, smiling nervously when every pair of eyes in the yard swung towards her. "I know you don't just stick to water magic, but it's the one you use the most." There were nods from all around. "Why not make it a lightning bolt with something to represent water?"

Laxus was about to open his mouth to say something, but he shut it quickly, thinking over Meredy's suggestion. It is true that while Hallie can use more than water magic, being an Ancient Magic user—water magic is something she uses more than anything else. She never said anything, but Laxus privately suspects that it might be in tribute to her mother.

"That's a good idea," Laxus said at last, before turning towards Hallie. "What do you think?"

Hallie only smiled at that. "We need a good design."

Meanwhile, Natsu and Gray were growing increasingly frustrated. "You guys got to take us on one of those joyrides," Natsu grumbled, his arms crossed. "I wanna see how fast it really goes!"

Gray nodded, his competitive nature kicking in. "Yeah, let's see if they're really as great as you say they are."

Laxus smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Sure, but only if you can keep up."

At that moment, a small, familiar figure darted out from behind the guild and into the lot. It was Happy, his wings flapping excitedly as he flew over to the bikes. "Take me! Take me!" Happy shouted, grinning widely. "I want a ride too!"

Hallie and Laxus exchanged a knowing glance, and before Natsu or Gray could protest, they both got on their bikes, one by one, and gestured for Happy to hop on.

The little Exceed didn't need any further encouragement. He gleefully fluttered over to Hallie's bike and climbed onto the back of it, while Laxus gave him a quick nod before revving his engine.

With a quick look to the others, Laxus gave a nod to Hallie, and the two teens took off again, this time with Happy perched happily on the back of Hallie's bike. Natsu and Gray stood there, watching as the three sped off down the road. Happy was laughing, his wings fluttering as the wind whipped past, while Laxus and Hallie clearly relished the thrill of their creations.

The rest of the guild watched in stunned silence before Ultear broke into a laugh. "Well, that's one way to break them in."

Natsu and Gray's expressions soured as they crossed their arms. "I can't believe they took Happy first," Natsu muttered, glaring at the dust trail left by the bikes. "I was gonna ride first, not him."

"Guess he's just faster than you," Gray teased, leaning back with a grin.

Mira chuckled, and then turned to the rest of the guild. "I think we've all learned a valuable lesson today: don't mess with Hallie and Laxus when it comes to their bikes."

Laxus and Hallie returned shortly, slowing to a stop in front of the guild, Happy still grinning on Hallie's bike.

"Well, that was a blast!" Happy cheered, his wings still flapping excitedly. "I want to do it again!"

Natsu, his jealousy now bubbling over, stomped his foot in frustration. "You took Happy first?!" He yelled.

Gray laughed and nudged Natsu. "Tough luck, buddy."

Hallie and Laxus dismounted, and they both looked around at the guild, still clearly buzzing with excitement. "Yeah, Happy's got the first ride," Laxus said, his voice filled with amusement. "But don't worry, we'll take you guys for a spin sometime."

Natsu and Gray wanted to complain, but deep down, they knew they'd get their turn eventually. For now, though, it was clear that Laxus and Hallie's bikes were the talk of Fairy Tail—and not just for their speed. Their skill, determination, and ingenuity had made them a true testament to what Fairy Tail was all about.

And the guild, as always, was proud.

XXXXXX

~Year X778~

The sun had barely risen when Hallie and Laxus arrived at the meeting point, their magic-powered bikes kicking up dust as they skidded to a stop. Sting and Rogue were already waiting, lounging against a rock with their arms crossed. The moment they spotted the pair, Sting broke into a grin.

"Well, well, if it isn't Fairy Tail's youngest S-class mages," Sting said, pushing off from his spot. "I knew you two would make it. That just means we have to celebrate after the mission, right?"

Rogue, ever the quieter of the two, nodded in agreement. "It's impressive. Few make S-class at your age." He then grinned. "We'll catch up soon. We can't let Natsu and Gray beat us, after all."

Laxus almost snorted with that comment.

Sting and Rogue have this friendly rivalry with Natsu and Gray since Fairy Tail and their allies have the annual training session for the younger members of their guilds earlier that year. Sting and Rogue were undeniably drawn to Natsu for the fact that he's also a Dragon Slayer like they are, and not to mention that all three are close in age. Sting for some reason, seems to idolise Natsu after the training session.

All three Dragon Slayers had their own personal chat after the training session had wrapped up. Hallie had no idea what was said, but she had a feeling it had something to do with their dragon parents.

While Hallie didn't know the details, she had heard from Minerva that Sting and Rogue arrived at Sabertooth in as much the same manner as Natsu—with their own dragon parents suddenly vanishing on them over a year ago. The trio have been exchanging letters constantly since, and Hallie won't be surprised if they would be pairing up often for future joint missions that Fairy Tail had with Sabertooth.

It's been a whirlwind of a year since Hallie and Laxus have made their bikes.

Their allies have almost all drooled over the bikes when they first saw it during their joint missions or during the few missions when Hallie or Laxus had to deliver something from Makarov to the other guild masters.

There were even quite a few inquiries about their bikes, and while their allies were disappointed that they don't plan to produce more of it, they understood. Though from the looks on Sting and Rogue's faces, Hallie honestly won't put it past them to try to make their own—if not try to at least get help or a copy of the original blueprints from them.

Makarov, too, had decided that Hallie, Laxus and Mira were good enough to be nominated as candidates for the S-class promotion exam less than three months ago, despite the fact that Hallie and Mira were fourteen, with Laxus being three years older. While Erza and their other friends were disappointed to not be considered good enough yet, they were all more than willing to train with them in the days leading up to the examination, where Makarov, as well as Gildarts, have taken them to Tenrou Island, where Fairy Tail held the S-class promotion exams. Not only is it territory belonging to Fairy Tail, but it is also where Mavis' grave is located.

Thankfully, all three of them have passed the S-class promotion exam and have joined the ranks of the few S-class mages there are in the guild—of which currently, there is only Gildarts. While Jellal and all their other friends held a celebration when Hallie, Laxus and Mira returned from Tenrou Island with Makarov and Gildarts, proudly holding the ranks of S-class mages, Mystogan wasn't able to return.

In the past year, the masked mage had been taking more and more missions that he was hardly ever around in the guild hall. He did however leave a letter behind for Hallie, Laxus and Mira, congratulating them for their promotion during one of his rare returns back to Magnolia before leaving again.

Hallie grinned at Sting and Rogue, adjusting the gloves on her hands. "You guys say that like we haven't been handling Fairy Tail's messes since we were kids."

Laxus snorted. "She's not wrong."

Sting laughed, about to launch into a story about one of Sabertooth's recent escapades when the air shifted. A bird swooped down from the sky, a scarlet-coloured missive clutched in its talons. The colour alone made Hallie's stomach drop.

She reached out, catching it as the bird released its grip and flew off. The moment she saw the rushed handwriting, her breath hitched.

Jellal.

"There's been an accident," Hallie read aloud, her voice unusually shaky. "Lisanna is dead. Come back immediately. Mira needs you. The guild needs you."

Silence followed. Sting and Rogue exchanged glances, but their usual playful banter was nowhere in sight. Laxus went pale beside her, his fists clenching.

"Go back to Fairy Tail," Sting said, his tone serious. "We can handle this mission ourselves. Keep us updated."

Hallie swallowed thickly. "Thanks."

Neither she nor Laxus wasted another second. They mounted their bikes, pushing them to their limits as they tore down the road, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake. The wind stung at Hallie's face, but it couldn't compare to the dread curling in her stomach.

"What on earth happened?" Hallie muttered, her voice barely carrying over the roar of their engines. "Wasn't Lisanna out on a job with Mira and Elfman?"

It was only in recent months that Makarov had allowed the younger generation of Fairy Tail—Natsu, Gray, Lisanna and Levy to take on missions outside Magnolia, but only if they were accompanied by a more experienced mage to get at least a year of experience before they are then allowed to take on solo missions.

Lisanna, to no one's surprise, normally followed Mira or Elfman for missions outside Magnolia, though the Strauss siblings normally take missions together as a trio. Kinda similar to how Hallie normally takes missions with Laxus or the Lightning Tribe.

Natsu and Gray on the other hand are often paired with Jellal, Ultear and Meredy to get some experience under the trio if Laxus and Hallie aren't available—though often, the team returned with Jellal looking like he needed a headache cure from the younger boys' constant bickering, though Jellal admitted that Natsu and Gray worked like a well-oiled machine when they need to.

Despite their constant arguments, it seems like Natsu and Gray's abilities and fighting styles complement each other.

Whereas Erza and Cana normally take solo missions, they sometimes team up with some of the others when the missions call for it. As for Levy, surprisingly, Jet and Droy have approached her to team up together as an official team. After Freed had gotten his claws into Levy, and had taught her the ins and outs of Script Magic, Levy can be one fearsome opponent if she needs to be. And the truth is that someone sensible needs to keep an eye on Jet and Droy.

Hallie had visions of them accidentally destroying something or coming back injured or worse when she first heard that they were planning to team up together.

Laxus didn't answer Hallie, his jaw tight as they sped towards Magnolia.

XXXXXX

The skies above Magnolia were threatening rain when Laxus and Hallie finally returned to the guild, leaving their bikes in the front yard without bothering to park it in the attached garage that they'd built not long after finishing their bikes.

The air in the guild hall was heavy with grief. The usually lively and rowdy guild was eerily quiet, the atmosphere suffocating. Members sat in clusters, whispering amongst themselves, their faces etched with sorrow.

Erza was seated in between Gray and Natsu, one arm around each boy who had grief all over their faces. Natsu's eyes were red-rimmed—like he'd been crying. Happy, the tiny little Exceed was seated on Natsu's lap, trying to cheer him up, but the Exceed looked to be crying as well. Without making it look too obvious, Hallie noticed that Gray had his pinkie hooked around Natsu's on Erza's lap—a silent show of support.

"It's fine…" Erza was telling Natsu and Gray, though her lips trembled and her voice shook.

Jellal was waiting for them by the side of the entrance, looking more exhausted than Hallie had ever seen him. The moment that he had spotted them, he pulled them aside, his expression grim.

"There was an accident," Jellal said, rubbing his temple and speaking in hushed tones. "The mission Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna took… Elfman lost control of his magic. He—" Jellal's voice hitched. "He accidentally dealt a fatal blow to Lisanna. By the time he realised what had happened, it was too late."

Hallie covered her mouth, her heart lurching. It was the worst fear for any mage—losing control of their magic.

Jellal continued, "Mira's locked herself in her room. She won't see anyone. Elfman… He's been tearing up half the forest. Freed's keeping an eye on him, making sure he doesn't hurt himself."

Hallie exhaled sharply, exchanging looks with Laxus. "I'll go to Mira."

"I'll handle Elfman," Laxus said firmly.

Jellal nodded, his eyes filled with something close to relief. "Be careful."

XXXXXX

The apartment that the Strauss siblings lived in was just three buildings away from Hallie's, and she had been over there often for 'slumber parties', or just to hang out. Thus, she had a spare key to the apartment of the Strauss siblings in case of an emergency.

Hallie rarely had the opportunity to use the key, but she used it now to let herself into the apartment. The apartment that the Strauss siblings rented is a small two-bedroom apartment with a small living room with a portion of it being turned into a small kitchen area. Mira and Lisanna shared one bedroom, whereas Elfman had the other bedroom.

Hallie didn't bother knocking the moment she'd arrived in front of Mira's bedroom door. She pressed her palm against the locked door, and with a flick of magic, disengaged the lock. The door creaked open to reveal Mira curled up on her bed, clutching a pillow, her body wracked with silent sobs.

"Mira."

"Go away." Mira's voice was hoarse, but Hallie stepped inside anyway, shutting the door behind her.

Mira sat up suddenly, eyes burning with grief and anger. "I said go away!"

Hallie didn't flinch as Mira shoved her, her strength faltering. Instead, she caught Mira's wrists, pulling her into a tight embrace. Mira fought at first, weakly pounding against Hallie's shoulder, but then she broke, sobbing into Hallie's chest.

"I know it's not Elfman's fault… He didn't want this to happen. He loved Lisanna. He dotes on her. He was so…broken up when it happened. But…" Mira sobbed into Hallie's shoulder. "Lisanna… Why her? I want her back… I'd do anything to bring her back…"

Hallie held her tighter, tears pricking her own eyes. "I know."

XXXXXX

Meanwhile, Laxus found Elfman in the forest, his fists bloodied from punching trees. Freed stood nearby, tense but watchful.

"Elfman," Laxus called out.

Elfman turned, his eyes wild. "I killed her." His voice was broken. "I killed my own sister."

Laxus stepped forward. "Apologies and regrets won't bring her back."

Elfman let out a strangled sound. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

Laxus exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "You get stronger. If you're scared of your magic, then you learn how to control it. I'll help you."

Elfman stared at him, eyes filled with pain. "Why?"

Laxus stared at his hand for several moments. He recalled when he first started using his magic, and how much it scared him in the beginning. Not only is he a lightning user, but he somehow has Dragon Slaying abilities as well? It took him a lot of trial and error to learn how to control it.

"Because," Laxus said at last, "I know what it's like to be afraid of your own power."

XXXXXX

It was at least a week later before Mira felt that she was ready to return to the guild and face the outside world once more.

A week of Hallie constantly bringing food or cooking for Mira and Elfman and making sure that the two siblings are eating properly, and taking care of themselves. During that week, Hallie had all but moved into Mira's apartment, and had even taken some of the paperwork with her to the apartment to work on when Mira was asleep. A week of waking Mira from nightmares when she started screaming about Lisanna in her sleep. A week of staying with Mira throughout the night just so she could have a restful night.

And now, a week later, Hallie found herself sitting behind Mira as the other girl sat in front of the full-length mirror in her room, running a comb gently through Mira's long, platinum hair. The strands, usually tied back in a high ponytail or left in a wild wave, felt unnaturally smooth and lifeless in Hallie's hands.

Mira sat quietly in front of the mirror, watching her reflection, and Hallie's reflection doing her hair for her. Her hands rested on her lap, her expression distant.

Mira had always been beautiful, even when she dressed in her usual punk outfits and spoke like she was about to fight every moment. But now dressed in a simple dress in a soft shade of blue and with her hair let down, her beauty really stands out. It is a stark contrast to her usual punk-like outfits.

"Lisanna bought me this dress for my birthday last year," Mira murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "She said I should wear things that show how beautiful I am, not just what makes me look tough. I always laughed at her. Said it wasn't my style. But now…"

Hallie paused, letting Mira's words settle. "It looks good on you," she said sincerely, resuming the slow strokes of the comb. "Lisanna wasn't wrong."

Mira let out a soft, choked laugh, pressing her hands against her face. "I just want her back, Hallie. I want to wake up and hear her teasing me again. I want to go downstairs and see her scolding Natsu or Gray for making a mess. I want her to be here."

Hallie put the comb down and wrapped her arms around Mira from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder. "I know," she whispered. "I know. But she wouldn't want you to stop living because of her. You can grieve. You can cry. But don't lose yourself."

Mira sniffled, but nodded slightly. They sat there in silence for a long time before Mira finally pulled away and wiped her face. "Let's go to the guild," she said softly. "I think it's time."

XXXXXX

When Mira stepped into the guild hall, the usual rowdiness came to an abrupt halt. Every pair of eyes turned to her, taking in the unfamiliar sight of the once fearsome Take-Over mage dressed in something soft, her hair neatly combed, her presence quiet.

Erza was the first to approach, looking unsure of what to say. "Mira, you…" She hesitated before continuing, "You look beautiful."

Natsu, standing beside Gray and Levy, rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, you do. But uh, more than that… We're here for you."

Gray crossed his arms, looking away awkwardly. "Whatever you need, just say the word."

Levy stepped closer and reached out hesitantly, touching Mira's arm. "We love you, Mira. And we'll always be here."

Mira gave them a small, trembling smile. "Thank you," she whispered. "That means a lot."

At that moment, Makarov approached, looking up at her with the kindness of a father. "How are you feeling, child?"

"I'm fine, Master," Mira tried to smile. She looked at Hallie who nodded to her encouragingly. Mira then inhaled deeply. "I've been talking with Hallie," she admitted. "And I think I know what I want to do. I'd like to take a step back from missions for a while. I want to support the guild in other ways—helping at the bar, handling paperwork for Laxus and Hallie, things like that."

Makarov nodded solemnly. "This isn't forever, Mira. I'll wait for you until you're ready to return as an active mage."

Mira smiled faintly. "I appreciate that, Master."

XXXXXX

Meanwhile, in the training grounds outside Magnolia, Elfman hit the dirt hard for the fifth time in a row, coughing as the breath was knocked out of his lungs. He pushed himself onto his hands and knees, panting heavily.

"You're still hesitating," Laxus growled, standing over him. "You think too much. You hesitate, and that's why you lost control. You want to be strong? Then stop doubting yourself!"

A few feet away, Freed, Bickslow and Evergreen watched with varying expressions of concern.

Evergreen winced as Elfman was sent flying once more. Poor guy is likely going to end up with bruises everywhere at this rate. "Laxus was never this harsh when training us."

Freed sighed, arms crossed. "This is different. Elfman doesn't just need training—he needs to break past the fear that's holding him back. This is Laxus' way of helping."

Bickslow hummed. "Well, it's definitely gonna be painful."

Elfman pushed himself up again, gritting his teeth.

His body ached, his muscles screamed in protest, but something about Laxus' words struck a chord in him. If he wanted to control his magic, if he wanted to ensure he never made the same mistake again, he had to become stronger.

He wiped the blood from his lip and stood. "Again."

Laxus smirked. "Good. Now come at me like you mean it."

Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen exchanged glances. Maybe, just maybe, this was exactly what Elfman needed.

XXXXXX

~Year X779~

The rhythmic clatter of the train's wheels against the tracks filled the quiet cabin, lulling more of its passengers into a state of drowsy contentment.

Luna Evermere and Neville Ashford however, remained alert, gazing out the window as the scenery gradually shifted from the quiet countryside to more bustling settlements. The two of them sat side by side, their bags placed neatly at their feet, containing everything they owned in the world.

They had never travelled far beyond their small village before, and anticipation mixed with apprehension as they ventured into the unknown.

Neville absently ran his fingers along the spine of his leather-bound potion journal, the pages worn from years of note-taking. His thoughts drifted to the orphanage where he and Luna had been raised, a humble building tucked away in the heart of their village, surrounded by fields of wild herbs.

"I wonder what the headmaster would say if he knew we were moving all the way to Magnolia," he mused aloud.

Luna, who had been watching the passing scenery with dreamy eyes, turned to him with a soft smile. "He'd probably tell us to be careful and to send him a letter when we arrive."

Neville chuckled, nodding in agreement.

The orphanage head had always been a kind but practical man, never one for dramatic goodbyes. He had told them the story of how they were found as infants, each with only their first names scribbled on a note pinned to their blankets, requesting that the orphanage take them in. It was the orphanage head who had given them their last names, and while it had never truly bothered them, it had made them wonder, on quiet nights, where they had truly come from.

Their village was known for its herbs, attracting apothecaries from across Fiore. Neville and Luna had always found solace among the plants, their natural affinity for herbs leading them to an apprenticeship with the village's local apothecary. He was a master of his craft, and under his guidance, they had spent years honing their skills.

And yet, there had always been something…different about them.

Neville had often woken from strange dreams filled with intricate potion recipes that no one in Fiore had heard of. Luna, too, had dreams—visions of a faceless friend named Hallie, a presence so warm and familiar that it left an ache in her heart whenever she awoke.

When their mentor admitted that he had nothing more to teach them, he had taken them to the Apothecary Guild Headquarters for their certification exams. Even he had been shocked when they passed with flying colours, awarded the title of First-Class Masters. Their original potions—many of which came from their mysterious dreams—had stunned the guild examiners. They had been urged to set up shop anywhere they pleased, but Magnolia had called to them.

As if it was where they were meant to be.

The train gave a gentle lurch as it neared its destination. Neville took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Are you ready for this?"

Luna simply smiled. "Magnolia is waiting for us."

XXXXXX

The mayor of Magnolia was a kind yet pragmatic man, well aware of the bustling life his town held. When Neville and Luna arrived at his office, he regarded them with curious eyes before breaking into a welcoming smile.

"We don't have an apothecary here," he admitted, looking over their certifications and even the recommendation letter from the Apothecary Guild. "You've come to the right place."

He signed off on their shop deed with a flourish, along with a dedicated plot of land behind the shop space big enough for them to build a greenhouse for the plants and herbs that they would need to brew their potions. The shop too comes with an attached apartment above, so there is no need for Luna and Neville to seek lodgings. The mayor then muttered, "As long as Fairy Tail doesn't destroy your shop, you'll do just fine."

Neville and Luna exchanged amused glances. They had heard of Fairy Tail's…lively reputation.

Stepping out of the office, Luna stretched her arms above her head. "Now all that's left is choosing a name."

Neville, without hesitation, murmured, "The Whomping Willow."

Luna tilted her head. "Why that name?"

Neville hesitated, a flash of something—an image? A memory?—flickering in his mind. A towering tree, its branches thrashing wildly. A voice, familiar yet distant, warning him, This is the Whomping Willow.

"I…don't know. The name just pops in my head."

Luna studied him with a knowing look before saying gently, "It's not really suitable for an apothecary and fortune-telling business. How about The Whispering Willow instead?"

Neville smiled. "Yeah… That feels right."

XXXXXX

A few days later, they found themselves standing inside the famous Fairy Tail guild, potions in hand. The energy of the guild was overwhelming—chaotic, loud, and vibrant. Makarov, seated at the bar, raised a brow at their presence.

"Young ones, what brings you here?"

Neville stepped forward. "We're setting up an apothecary shop in Magnolia and wanted to establish a partnership with Fairy Tail. We can supply you with monthly potions."

Makarov's eyes twinkled with interest. "That's quite the proposal. Hallie!"

Hallie?

At the sound of the name, Neville and Luna froze.

A young woman with shoulder-length dark hair and emerald green eyes stepped forward from the back—probably around Luna and Neville's age.

She was smaller than Neville expected, but there was something about the way she carried herself—relaxed, yet undeniably alert. The noise of the rowdy guild seemed to wash over her without truly touching her, as if she existed just slightly apart from the chaos, despite standing at its very center.

Her coat, a deep denim blue, flared slightly at the hem as she shifted her weight. The coat's sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, revealing toned forearms that spoke of someone accustomed to combat, though she gave no outward signs of aggression. The drawstring at her waist cinched the coat snugly, accentuating her lean frame, while black leggings gave her the freedom to move at a moment's notice, with dark brown boots on her feet, with a black choker around her neck.

Then Neville's gaze caught on the dark blue Fairy Tail guild mark stamped proudly on her left shoulder, partially visible through the open lapels of her coat. The colour was nearly the same shade as her coat—almost blending in, yet still standing out, as if the magic within it pulsed faintly beneath her skin.

Something about her felt familiar, though he couldn't place why.

Then she looked at him.

Sharp, emerald green eyes locked onto his own, and for a split second, Neville felt an odd pull in his chest—like the echo of a memory he couldn't quite grasp.

Beside him, Luna made a soft sound, her fingers twitching slightly—a subtle sign that she, too, felt something strange about this encounter.

And then, just like that, the tension broke.

Hallie picked up one of the potions on the table in front of Makarov, popping open the vial and sniffing the contents, swirling the liquid inside before nodding in approval. "These are stronger than most I've seen," she commented.

Makarov chuckled. "I've heard of two prodigies at the Apothecary Guild, already making original potions before even becoming masters. I assume that's you?"

Luna and Neville hesitated.

Sensing their discomfort, Hallie smoothly changed the subject. "These potions will be of great help and use to us. Besides, Mira and I have been discussing a system where each Fairy Tail member carries a set number of potions to minimise the risk of severe injuries."

Makarov frowned, looking down at the glass vials that contained the potions, and then back at Hallie. "Potions tend to break in battle," he added wryly. Not to mention that with how certain members of their guild are, they'll likely break everything that can break.

Levy, who had been listening, chimed in. "Freed, Mira, and I have been working on enchanted bags. We were thinking it'd be a nice thing to give to new Fairy Tail members and even existing members so our members can stop bringing oversized backpacks or luggage on missions. Those bags will be damage-resistant—or at least, as resistant as we can make them, and have expanded storage space. We've almost figured out the runes and spells needed. And with Hallie's help, we think we can make them about palm size so our members can wear them on belts or something, and it won't hinder them in battle."

Mira and Freed who have been listening in as well nodded enthusiastically. It had been a side project that they'd been working on with Hallie and Levy when Mira had overheard Jellal complaining for the umpteenth time that Natsu had lost his luggage again on one of their last missions.

Makarov sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. In that case, this partnership makes sense. I'll have Jeremiah draft up an agreement and send it to you," he told Neville and Luna who both smiled. "What's your shop called?"

"The Whispering Willow," Neville answered.

The moment the words left his lips, Hallie stiffened. A vision flickered across her mind—familiar figures in an ancient world, laughter beneath the shade of a massive, magical tree. Her breath hitched.

Luna met her eyes knowingly.

Laxus, who had been watching from the sidelines, frowned slightly. Something was off. The way these two newcomers looked at Hallie… The way she reacted to them. He didn't understand it yet, but he knew something deeper was at play.

And he didn't like not having the answers.

For now, he would keep watch.

Something told him this was only the beginning.

XXXXXX

The morning air in Magnolia was crisp and carried the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery as the Fairy Tail mages stood outside the soon-to-be apothecary shop, surveying the task ahead.

The building was solid, but its interior needed serious work before it could function as a proper apothecary and fortune-telling shop. The wooden sign above the door still read its previous occupant's name, and Luna and Neville had a list of renovations that needed to be completed before they could officially open for business.

Another team had already been hired to construct and build the greenhouse that the apothecary needed in the empty lot behind the shop a few days before, with Freed and even Levy being hired to construct runes and wards for it, layering weather runes and even security runes to ensure that no one but Luna and Neville or those that they keyed in would be allowed to enter.

Greenhouses that belonged to apothecaries, not to mention masters of their craft, would hold a lot of valuable plants after all—something enticing to robbers. But not all plants are safe, and they can be dangerous to those who don't know what they are doing.

"I still think we should've brought Natsu," Meredy muttered as she adjusted the sleeves of her coat, eyeing the project with interest.

Laxus snorted. "And risk this place turning to rubble before they even open? No thanks."

Jellal, who was standing beside Meredy, nodded in agreement. "Natsu has many talents, but patience and delicate work aren't among them."

Ultear chuckled, arms crossed. "Smartest decision you've made all day, Laxus."

Luna and Neville exchanged amused glances, watching the interactions of the Fairy Tail mages with quiet interest. Their new acquaintances were nothing if not lively. It was a refreshing contrast to their more reserved upbringing in the countryside.

Hallie, who stood nearby, exhaled softly as she glanced toward the shop. "We should get started."

That was enough of a signal for everyone to move.

Jellal and Laxus immediately set to reinforce the structure itself, ensuring the building was sturdy and secure. Meredy and Ultear tackled the cleaning and organisation, while Hallie helped Neville and Luna sort through their supplies, preparing for the layout of their workspace.

As they worked, the easy camaraderie between Hallie, Luna, and Neville became more and more apparent. Despite Hallie's usual reserved nature, she spoke easily with them, discussing potion formulas, plant properties, and even the best ways to store certain volatile ingredients. It was the most open many of the mages had seen her with non-Fairy Tail members.

"You know," Ultear noted, dusting off a shelf, "Hallie usually isn't this talkative with people outside the guild."

Laxus, who was reinforcing the wooden beams along the ceiling, cast a look toward the trio. "Yeah, I noticed."

Meredy, who had been quiet up until then, paused mid-step. Her senses had been buzzing ever since they had arrived, and now that she had taken the time to focus, she realised why. "Their magic… It feels odd," she murmured, her brows furrowing. "It's there, but it's—unclear. I can't quite grasp it."

Ultear glanced over at Neville and Luna. "They're not part of a guild, though?"

"No," Luna answered, having overheard them. She smiled, her gaze distant. "We are apothecaries. We don't deny having magic, but we don't intend to join a wizard guild. Our magic aligns more with our craft—potions and plants."

Neville nodded in agreement. "We work best with what we know."

Meredy narrowed her eyes slightly. "Still… It reminds me of how Hallie's magic felt when I first met her. Familiar, but not entirely recognisable."

The conversation was left at that as the work continued, with plenty of laughter and bickering as the day went on.

At one point, Jellal who had been balancing on a ladder to secure a beam, nearly lost his footing when the wood shifted unexpectedly. Laxus caught the ladder with one hand, effortlessly steadying it.

"Don't die, Jellal," Laxus said dryly.

Jellal sighed. "Noted."

Meanwhile, Hallie and Luna debated over the placement of a large cauldron, with Neville playing mediator.

"I think it should go in the back," Hallie said, arms crossed.

"But then we'd have to carry all the ingredients further," Luna countered. "It would make more sense to have it near the middle."

Neville sighed. "Or we could compromise and put it here," he suggested, pointing to a spot between their two choices.

Both girls stared at him for a long moment before simultaneously nodding.

"Smart man," Ultear commented as she walked by, smirking.

By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, the shop was beginning to take shape. The counters were polished, the storage units were in place, and the workstations were set up. It was still a work in progress, but it already had the makings of something special.

Luna wiped her hands on her apron, looking at their work with satisfaction. "Thank you all for helping."

Neville nodded. "Yeah, we really appreciate it."

Laxus waved them off. "Don't mention it. Just don't go making any potions that blow up half the town."

Luna chuckled. "No promises."

Hallie looked between the two of them. Something about their presence was still stirring something deep within her. It was as if she had known them before—in another time, another life. But for now, she simply let the thought settle, choosing instead to focus on the moment.

Magnolia had gained two new apothecaries, and if today was any indication, they would fit in just fine.

XXXXXX

The steady hum of Magnolia's morning bustle was a familiar comfort to Luna and Neville as they went about their daily tasks in The Whispering Willow. Six months had passed since they set up shop in this lively town, and it had become home in ways they hadn't expected.

Magnolia, as always, welcomed newcomers with open arms. The town had taken to them quickly, with friendly visits and endless gifts. Their next-door neighbour, the baker, often brought over baskets of warm bread and pastries, claiming they had simply 'baked too much'. Their shop, which offered far more than the standard fare of healing potions, had earned steady patronage.

Not just the townspeople, but Fairy Tail wizards, too, frequently came in for everything from strength-enhancing draughts to their popular line of beauty potions, which had surprised even them with its popularity among both women and men.

Their most notable customers, however, were their new friends—Hallie, followed by Laxus more often than not. Despite Hallie's usual guarded nature, she had taken to them immediately, and the three had formed a bond that felt older than the mere months they had known each other.

But today's peaceful morning was rudely interrupted when Jet burst through the shop's doors, panting and wild-eyed.

"Laxus—love potions—help!" He gasped, bending over to catch his breath.

Neville froze mid-step, his heart lurching. "A love potion?"

"Those are banned for a reason!" Luna snapped, already reaching for their emergency kit.

The only reason apothecaries would brew love potions these days is when a master is teaching their apprentices, like how Luna and Neville's mentor have taught them during their apprenticeships. They, after all, need to know what a love potion looks like and how it affects people to know how to counter it and develop an antidote.

"We know!" Jet wheezed. "Some merchant's daughter—Celeste Renard—she spiked his drink at the cafe. He was with the Lightning Tribe, and they barely managed to stop him from running off. We have him restrained at the guild, but—" He thrust a cup into Luna's hands. "This was the drink."

Luna took one look at the disposable cup and recognised it immediately—it was from one of the more popular cafes in Magnolia that Fairy Tail frequented. Without another word, she turned and set to work.

Neville's hands were already moving, testing the remains of the potion. His stomach turned cold at the result. "It's a strong one," he muttered grimly, his grip tightening. "Jet, you said they had to pin Laxus down?"

"Half the guild is sitting on him," Jet confirmed. "And Hallie—she's pissed. I've never seen her like this before."

Luna and Neville exchanged a look before redoubling their efforts. Cutting corners wasn't an option, but they brewed as fast as they could without compromising the antidote's effectiveness.

When they finally finished, Luna handed the vial to Jet. "Give him the whole thing. No delays."

Jet nodded, bolting out the door.

Neville and Luna hesitated only a moment before making the unspoken decision to close shop early. This wasn't just a serious situation—it was personal.

They followed Jet straight to Fairy Tail.

XXXXXX

The guildhall was utter chaos when they arrived.

Laxus was restrained on the ground by at least a dozen guild members, including Freed, Bickslow, and Gray, while Jet and Macao wrestled to get the antidote into his mouth. Jet was forcing Laxus' jaw open while fighting to keep him still as Macao struggled to get the antidote into Laxus.

Laxus' usual confident smirk was nowhere to be seen. There was a glazed look in his eyes that Neville and Luna immediately recognised as one of the signs of someone being under a love potion.

Neville's jaw tightened, and next to him, Luna exhaled lowly.

Love potions are banned and even regulated by the Magic Council and Apothecary Guild for a reason. It was especially detested by the mages, as to them, love potions are no different from mind control. Even the dark guilds loathed love potions with a passion. To the mages of Fiore, it is worse than murder.

Both apothecaries barely had time to take in the situation before their eyes landed on a noble-looking girl with a bruised cheek, standing frozen in shock as Mira, Erza, Ultear, and Meredy all fought to hold Hallie back—though by the looks on their faces, they looked as if they wanted to let Hallie go and join her in pummelling the girl.

"—COME NEAR LAXUS AGAIN AND I SWEAR I WILL END YOU!" Hallie's voice rang through the hall, filled with unrestrained fury.

A hush fell over the guild. Hallie had always been one of the most composed among them. For her to snap like this—

It was then that Neville noticed the singed edges of Hallie's coat. Laxus had hit her with lightning.

Jet and Macao finally succeeded in forcing the antidote down Laxus' throat—neither of them letting go of the teen before Laxus swallowed it entirely. For several tense moments, nothing happened—then his entire body convulsed as the potion's effects were purged from his system.

The first thing Laxus did when he came to was look for Hallie.

But Hallie refused to look at him. Her hands were clenched so tightly that they trembled, before she turned on her heel and walked out of the guild.

"Hallie!"

"I'll go after her," Mira said quickly, following her best friend out of the guild.

Neville and Luna finally stepped forward. "We're here because of this," Luna announced, her voice calm but firm.

Makarov turned to them, his expression serious. "We appreciate it, but we have things under control."

Neville shook his head. "No. Love potions aren't just some minor prank. As licensed apothecaries, we can't let this slide when someone has been dosed."

Celeste scoffed. "It was just a joke! Love potions wear off—"

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Neville's voice was like ice.

Evergreen looked ready to turn Celeste into a statue. "Love potions strip away a person's free will. It's mind control," she hissed.

Makarov's face darkened. "Some victims never recover."

Celeste paled but still tried to wave it off. "I didn't mean any harm! Laxus is—"

"Who sold you the potion?" Luna interrupted, her voice sharper than anyone had ever heard it.

Celeste flinched.

"Tell us," Neville demanded. "Or we'll escalate this beyond just the mayor's office."

Celeste hesitated before finally whispering a name.

Luna and Neville stiffened when they recognised that name. It was one that their mentor had told them about during their apprenticeship. And when they got their certifications, they were also given a list of blacklisted and exiled apothecaries by the guild so they know who to be careful of.

"That's a blacklisted apothecary," Luna said darkly. "He was exiled over a year ago for brewing and selling banned potions. He's ruined lives."

Makarov's expression turned thunderous. "And you bought a potion from him?"

Celeste stammered, "I—I didn't know—"

"Then you should've thought twice before playing with things you don't understand," Neville snapped.

The air in the guild was thick with tension. Finally, Makarov sighed heavily. "We'll be reporting this," he said. "And that apothecary will be found."

XXXXXX

Outside, Mira found Hallie sitting on a bench near the river, staring into the water.

"Hallie," Mira called softly, sitting beside her. "Laxus wasn't in his right mind."

"I know," Hallie whispered, her voice shaking. "But… To see him look at me like I didn't matter—it scared me."

Mira reached over and gently squeezed her hand. "You matter more to him than anyone."

Hallie swallowed hard, her eyes glistening, before nodding. "I know."

And with that, she let Mira pull her into a comforting embrace as the tension of the day slowly melted away.

XXXXXX

Makarov sat at his desk, a deep frown etching lines into his face as he stared down at the papers scattered across the wooden surface.

The guild had been tense ever since the love potion incident. What had once been a source of humour—watching Laxus grovel and flounder as Hallie steadfastly ignored him—had quickly turned into something far more concerning. Hallie refused to even be in the same room as Laxus, leaving the moment he entered. Laxus, in turn, had spent days trying to apologise, to no avail. Even Natsu and Gray had attempted to get a smile out of Hallie, but she remained distant, the usual warmth in her eyes gone.

Laxus had also become downright paranoid about his food and drink, refusing to consume anything he hadn't personally prepared or that wasn't made by someone he explicitly trusted. Freed and Levy, between them, had crafted enchantments on the chain Laxus always wore, ensuring it would warn him if his food or drink were dosed with anything unnatural. While Makarov was glad his grandson had learned a lesson, the damage done to his relationship with Hallie cut deep.

Then there was Celeste Renard. The girl had fled Magnolia shortly after the incident, but the anger in the guild remained. Even now, Natsu muttered about burning her house down.

Makarov, however, was furious over how little could be done to punish her. The most they had been able to achieve was a fine from the mayor due to her family's influence. But justice wasn't done, and Makarov feared the day she would return.

A knock at his office door pulled him from his thoughts. He straightened as Luna and Neville entered, both wearing serious expressions. Neville held an official-looking letter in his hands, the emblem of the Apothecary Guild stamped on the seal.

Makarov's eyes narrowed.

"Master Makarov," Neville greeted, voice grim. "This is an official request from the Apothecary Guild. They want Fairy Tail to track down the blacklisted apothecary who sold Celeste that potion and ensure he can't harm anyone else."

Luna's usually dreamy expression was gone, replaced by something sharp. "This isn't just about Laxus and Hallie. The Apothecary Guild has been trying to reverse the effects of his potions on multiple victims. Some of them…"

She trailed off, but Makarov understood. Some people might never recover.

He exhaled heavily and took the letter, reading through the details.

"Alright," he said at last. "We'll handle this."

XXXXXX

Makarov made the mission a joint effort between Fairy Tail and Sabertooth after much consideration.

Hallie and Laxus were too emotionally involved, and Natsu and Gray were too young to be undertaking such a mission. Erza too can be considered emotionally compromised, due to her close friendship with Hallie. Instead, he sent Jellal, Ultear, and Meredy. From Sabertooth, Jiemma assigned Minerva, Sting, and Rogue.

The Sabertooth trio were acting as usual when they arrived at Fairy Tail—with the two Dragon Slayers joking about as usual and Minerva looking as if she wanted to throttle Sting. While the trio were surprised their joint mission wasn't with Laxus and Hallie this time, they understood why immediately the moment they heard about the details.

The air in the meeting room that Jellal had commissioned for the briefing filled with tension immediately the moment Sabertooth was filled in on the details of the mission. Jellal leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled as he watched Minerva, Sting, and Rogue digest the details he had just shared. Their expressions darkened with every word.

Jiemma had given them only the barest information—track down a blacklisted apothecary and bring him to justice. But now that Jellal had filled in the gaps, explaining exactly why the apothecary was blacklisted, the three Sabertooth mages looked absolutely livid.

"He's probably afraid they'll blow up," Ultear muttered dryly from beside Jellal, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall.

She wasn't wrong. Jiemma valued control above all else, and knowing how Minerva in particular reacted when those close to her were harmed, it made sense that he had kept the details vague.

Minerva's fingers drummed sharply against the wooden table, her lips curling into a sneer. "A love potion? That little bitch drugged Laxus and tried to get away with it? And she's still walking free?"

Jellal nodded grimly. "Master did what he could, but Celeste's family's influence protected her from any real punishment. The mayor's fine was the best they could do."

Sting scoffed—the young pre-teen looked furious, with his arms folded tight across his chest. Looking at him and Rogue now, Jellal can totally believe they are Dragon Slayers and could be just as deadly as Natsu is in a fight—even though Sting and Rogue are both about a year Natsu's junior.

Even their two new Exceed partners—Lector and Frosch looked angry and upset respectively.

"And that's supposed to be justice? She's out there, living her life, while Hallie's been miserable for days?" Sting exhaled sharply, his canines bared in anger. "That's bullshit."

"Fro thinks so too," The tiny little Exceed wearing an adorable frog outfit said quietly. Next to Frosch, Lector nodded angrily.

Rogue was quieter, but his eyes burned with fury. "Laxus and Hallie are our friends. Fairy Tail is our ally. I don't take kindly to people hurting them."

None of Sabertooth would.

After Blue Pegasus, Sabertooth did the most joint missions with Fairy Tail, partly because they're the one guild that had more children and teenagers than the other guilds, and it is the guild masters' way of fostering closer friendships and partnerships.

Minerva's gaze was like steel. "Neither do I."

Jellal sighed. "For now, our focus is the apothecary. The Apothecary Guild wants him found before he can sell more of his potions. We need to track him down quickly."

"We can worry about Hallie and Laxus later," Rogue muttered, seeing the angry look on the faces of Sting and Minerva who both nodded reluctantly.

The room fell silent as everyone mentally prepared themselves for the task ahead.

XXXXXX

Tracking the apothecary proved to be no easy feat.

The man—Barlow Crane—was a ghost, slipping in and out of towns, using fake names and covering his tracks. Every lead they uncovered felt like it had gone cold just before they got there. He had been blacklisted for selling unethical potions, some of which caused irreversible damage. Love potions, memory-erasing draughts, forced loyalty elixirs—potions that took away free will. The more they uncovered, the angrier they became.

Ultear used her Arc of Time magic to rewind traces of his presence in a few locations, catching glimpses of him through the past. From the images, they saw a wiry man with greasy dark hair and beady eyes, always hunched over like he was expecting to be caught.

In one of the villages, an informant mentioned he had been selling illicit potions under the table in the backrooms of shady taverns. When Minerva, Sting, and Rogue stormed into the latest bar rumoured to house him, they found only frightened patrons and an abandoned storage room filled with empty vials.

Jellal clenched his fists. "We need to corner him before he vanishes again."

It was Rogue who finally caught his trail, using Frosch's enhanced nose to pick up the lingering scent of potion ingredients. They traced him to a rundown shop on the outskirts of a forgotten town, the sign barely legible from years of neglect.

Ultear smirked darkly. "Found you."

XXXXXX

The confrontation was short but brutal.

When they kicked down the door, Barlow barely had time to react before Sting had him pinned against the wall, the sharp glow of his Dragon Slayer magic illuminating the dim room.

"Selling potions people 'want', huh?" Minerva's voice was sickly sweet, but her eyes were deadly as she sauntered towards him. "Do you have any idea how many lives you've ruined?"

Barlow spluttered, trying to wriggle free. "I just make what sells! People want love potions, I provide them—"

Minerva's boot connected with his stomach, sending him crashing to the ground with a pained gasp. She crouched beside him, her voice venomous. "And what about the ones who don't want them? The ones who wake up and realise they've been violated? Do you think about them, Barlow?"

Barlow coughed, wheezing. "I—It's not my fault what people do with my potions—"

Sting cracked his knuckles. "Wrong answer."

Jellal finally stepped forward, his tone icy. "You're coming with us. The Rune Knights will take it from here."

The Rune Knights have been waiting for the call from Jellal after receiving the details from the Apothecary Guild. Thus, a squad of Rune Knights arrived within minutes after Jellal had made the call, taking the protesting Barlow away.

Jellal glanced at Minerva who had her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're not going to let the girl off, are you?" He asked knowingly.

Minerva smirked. "You bet your ass I'm not."

Jellal sighed. "Don't get caught."

Minerva scoffed. "Who do you think I am?"

XXXXXX

Laxus had never been good at apologies. Hell, he barely apologised for anything. But this time, he knew he had to. He had to fix this.

For days, he had tried everything.

At first, it had been small things—setting aside Hallie's favourite snacks at the guild, making sure the rowdier members didn't bother her, even letting her take the last helping of Mira's special dessert (which had resulted in Natsu staring at him like he'd grown two heads). But Hallie still wouldn't look at him. And every time she turned away, something inside his chest twisted painfully.

It wasn't until Gildarts sat him down one evening, a tankard of ale in his hand and a knowing look in his eyes, that Laxus finally got some perspective.

"She's not mad at you, kid," Gildarts said, watching him over the rim of his mug. "She's hurt."

Laxus frowned, leaning back against the bar counter. "I know that. I just don't get why she won't even let me fix it."

Gildarts sighed, setting his drink down. "Look at it from her point of view. You, the one person she trusts more than anyone, turned on her—even if it wasn't your fault. You didn't just reject her, Laxus. You hurt her." His face is grave. "Take it from someone who's lived a little longer than you did, kid. When you seek power, you need to control it too. Because someday, you might just find yourself hurting the very person you wanted to protect."

Laxus flinched. The memory of Hallie recoiling from his lighting—his lightning—flashed in his mind. He clenched his fists. "I didn't mean to," he whispered.

"I know that. And she does too," Gildarts said patiently. "But knowing something logically and feeling it emotionally are two different things." He patted Laxus on the shoulder. "Keep trying. But also give her time and space."

Laxus exhaled sharply, nodding. He hated waiting. But for Hallie… He'd do anything.

XXXXXX

Sting, Rogue and Minerva didn't return to Ironfang immediately after the wrapping up of their joint mission with Jellal and the other two for the arrest of the blacklisted apothecary.

No, the trio opted to stay for a few days for reasons of their own. And when asked, the trio only said something about taking a break, which none of those in Fairy Tail believed at all, but they didn't press further.

The streets of Magnolia were eerily quiet at dusk, the golden glow of lanterns casting long shadows along the cobbled pathways.

Celeste Renard strode through the market district, her chin held high with the arrogance of someone who had never faced consequences in her life. Her family name had shielded her for years, ensuring she could act as she pleased without fear of reprisal. She had heard whispers of Sabertooth mages lurking nearby, but they did not concern her.

That changed when a wall of shadows blocked her path.

Celeste barely had time to yelp as Minerva Orland stepped out from the alley, her golden eyes gleaming with menace. Behind her, Sting Eucliffe cracked his knuckles, while Rogue Cheney remained silent, his crimson gaze locked onto Celeste with something dangerously close to contempt.

Celeste took an instinctive step back. Despite the fact that the two boys were mere children—probably around eleven years of age at most, they seemed intimidating to Celeste.

"Excuse me—"

Minerva's smirk was sharp as a dagger. "Oh no, sweetheart, there is no excusing you. We need to have a little chat."

Celeste scoffed, crossing her arms. "What? You think you can intimidate me? Do you have any idea who I am?"

"If I got a jewel for every time someone says that to us…" Sting muttered beneath his breath, but Minerva ignored him—her gaze never moving from Celeste, and the girl felt anxious beneath the other teen's intense gaze—almost like the bug under a microscope.

Minerva rolled her eyes. "We know exactly who you are, Celeste Renard. We also know that Laxus likely wasn't your first victim. You have a history of using love potions on men, and thanks to your family's influence, you've always walked away scot-free." Her expression darkened. "But you made a mistake this time. You went after someone we care about."

Celeste laughed, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Please. It was a love potion! It wears off. You're acting like I committed some crime."

Celeste conveniently forgot about how the two local apothecaries in Magnolia actually told her that love potions are a banned substance for a reason, and is akin to mind control, and that some people never recover from it.

Sting snorted. "That's where you're dead wrong, princess. Among wizards, love potions are treated as a crime worse than murder. They strip away free will, and some people never recover." It's also normally why the Magic Council turns a blind eye if the wizard guilds take matters into their own hands when it comes to love potions. "What you did could have destroyed Laxus. And we don't take kindly to those that hurt our friends and our allies."

Celeste huffed. "So what? It's not like they got hurt. It was a joke—"

Minerva's hand lashed out, gripping Celeste by the collar and yanking her forward until their faces were inches apart. The air around them crackled with Minerva's raw fury.

"Listen very carefully, little girl," Minerva hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "I don't usually care who you drug. But the moment you touched Laxus, the gloves came off. When you hurt Laxus, you hurt Hallie. And when you hurt Hallie, you make an enemy of me. That was your first and last mistake."

Celeste struggled, trying to pull away. "You can't do anything to me! My family—"

"Your family won't protect you from us," Rogue interjected smoothly, his voice like a dagger wrapped in silk. "You don't seem to understand the relationship that Sabertooth shared with Fairy Tail. We are allies. And in the world of the wizards, that counts for a lot. When you hurt Fairy Tail, you make an enemy of all their allies."

"And even if Hallie and Laxus never ask for it, there are plenty of us who would do them a favour and take revenge on the person who hurt them," Sting added, grinning, but there was no warmth in it. "And guess what? We made sure word got around. Every guild in Fiore knows exactly who you are now. If you think we're bad, just wait until some of the less…morally inclined guilds decide to take matters into their own hands."

Celeste's smug expression finally wavered. "You wouldn't—"

"Oh, but we would," Rogue spoke. There was something in his voice that sent chills down Celeste's spine. "You should be grateful we're giving you a chance to walk away. Because if you ever step foot in Magnolia again, if you ever think about pulling something like this again, you won't just have Sabertooth after you." His smirk turned wicked. "You'll have every mage in Fiore hunting you down. Even those from the dark guilds."

Minerva shoved Celeste back, watching with satisfaction as she stumbled, her face pale. "Our advice? Leave Magnolia. Leave Fiore. Find a nice little hole to crawl into and never show your face again. Because if you don't…" Minerva leaned in close, whispering in Celeste's ear. "I will personally make sure you disappear."

Celeste scrambled backwards, her arrogance shattered. Without another word, she turned and fled down the alley, her footsteps echoing as she vanished into the night.

Silence followed, until Sting let out a low whistle. "Damn, Minerva. Remind me never to piss you off."

Minerva smirked. "Too late for that. But lucky for you, you're one of mine."

Lector and Frosch cheered. "You're so cool!"

Sting then watched Celeste's retreating form. "Do you think she got the message?"

Rogue chuckled darkly. "Oh, she definitely got the message."

XXXXXX

Days later, Hallie sat at the bar, looking miserable. The guild had been watching her struggle, but no one knew what to do. Laxus had tried apologising, but she refused to hear it.

Then, the doors swung open, and Laxus entered, carrying a bouquet of Hallie's favourite flowers. Gray muttered to a wide-eyed Natsu who was next to him, "He looks like he's about to propose."

Makarov nearly choked on his ale.

Hallie stiffened when she noticed Laxus' presence, and started to leave, but Laxus moved quickly, blocking her escape. "Please," he said. "Just hear me out."

Hallie hesitated but stayed.

Laxus exhaled. "I never meant to hurt you. And I swear, I'll never let it happen again. I'll watch what I eat and drink. Freed and Levy even put enchantments on my necklace." He took a deep breath, holding out the flowers. "I'm sorry. Really sorry. Please forgive me."

Hallie hesitated for a moment, with the entire guild all holding their breaths with anticipation. Finally, Hallie reached out, taking the flowers. Her fingers brushed against Laxus', and for the first time in days, she actually met his gaze.

"…Thank you."

And then—finally, finally—she smiled.

It was small, barely there, but it was enough. Relief crashed over Laxus like a tidal wave. The guild erupted into cheers, Natsu whooping, Gray smirking, and Mira looking as smug as ever.

Makarov, sitting at the bar, merely snorted. "When the hell are you going to confess?"

Laxus nearly dropped dead on the spot.

Hallie blinked. "Confess what?"

"Nothing!" Laxus all but shouted, ears burning as the guild laughed.

Hallie looked at him curiously, but didn't push. Instead, she shook her head with a soft chuckle, the tension between them finally easing.

Maybe things would be okay after all.

"Come on, drinks on me tonight," Mira smiled, sliding two glasses of beverage towards Laxus and Hallie. "As celebration. And Hallie? You might be interested to know that the Renard family left Fiore."

Hallie blinked, and Laxus looked surprised next to her. "Just like that?"

"Good riddance," Laxus muttered. He was terrified of the girl returning to Magnolia and drugging him again. It had kept him up for nights.

Mira grinned, sliding a letter over the bar surface towards Hallie. "Minerva left this for you before Sabertooth left Magnolia a few days ago."

Hallie flipped open the letter, with Laxus leaning over her shoulder to get a good look. It contained only three words:

You're most welcome.

Hallie laughed.

XXXXXX

The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtain as Hallie stepped into her apartment, the delicate bouquet of flowers cradled in her arms. A small smile tugged at her lips as she glanced down at them—the unexpected gift from Laxus still felt surreal.

He had never been one for gestures like this, and yet, he had sought her out, face burning with guilt, and handed them to her with a quiet, gruff apology.

Hallie's fingers brushed over the petals as she crossed the room, selecting a simple glass vase from the cabinet. She filled it with water and placed the flowers beside her bed, where their soft fragrance would lull her to sleep. For a moment, she simply stood there, gazing at them. A warmth curled in her chest, a sensation that felt foreign yet oddly comforting.

With a quiet sigh, Hallie took a quick shower before changing into her nightwear, the loose fabric draping over her shoulders as she pulled back the sheets and slipped into bed. Her fingers idly toyed with the choker around her neck—a constant, familiar weight against her skin. Hallie still remembered her mother's dying words when she had put this choker around her neck.

"There's only one other like it. Your father has the other."

"Will I ever meet you?" Hallie whispered.

With a soft exhale, she closed her eyes, letting the day's exhaustion pull her into slumber.

The night deepened, the wind stirring outside, slipping through the partially opened window and rustling the curtains. The sound was almost imperceptible, a whisper against the silence. A figure moved in the shadows, slipping through the opening with practised ease.

Zeref's steps were soundless as he approached the bed.

His dark eyes softened as he took in the sight of the sleeping girl before him. His daughter. The child he had never known. The child he had made sure would survive, even if it meant she would never know him.

Slowly, he knelt beside her, reaching out with a hesitant hand. His fingers brushed against a stray curl resting on her cheek. The strands were soft between his fingers, just like Isolde's had been. A ghost of a smile touched his lips, fleeting yet filled with something deep, something aching.

"I'll always protect you, Hallie," he whispered, voice barely louder than the rustling of the leaves outside. His fingers lingered, tracing the curl before letting it fall. "Even if you believe me evil, and hate me, I don't mind. As long as you're fine. Safe and happy, I'll be satisfied."

His gaze flickered down to the choker resting against her throat. The same one he wore beneath his robes. The ones he had made as a pair long ago—for himself and Isolde. A promise, a bond, and now… A connection to the daughter he had never been able to hold.

The distant caw of a raven made Zeref's entire body tense. He turned his head sharply, his gaze snapping to the window where the dark bird perched, its beady eyes locked onto him.

A warning.

"They're onto me again, huh?" Zeref murmured, the moment of quiet shattered. His jaw tightened, and with one last look at Hallie, he rose to his feet.

Silent as the night, he moved to the window, slipping through the opening just as Hallie stirred, her brows furrowing. Her eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep, and she pushed herself up slightly, rubbing at her eyes.

"Was someone here?" She mumbled, her voice thick with drowsiness.

Silence greeted her, the only sound the rustling of the curtains as the wind stirred them once more. Hallie frowned slightly but shook her head, lying back down. Perhaps it had been a dream. Just the wind, nothing more.

As her breathing evened out once more, the raven let out another low caw before spreading its wings, vanishing into the night after the dark figure that had disappeared into the shadows.

---

(P.S. If you're interested to know, Hallie would be fifteen during the love potion debacle, with Laxus being three years older. Natsu and Gray are about 2-3 years Hallie's junior, whereas Rogue and Sting would be a year younger than Natsu. I did mention that some characters would be aged up, and some would be younger than they really are for certain reasons as I don't plan to include the seven year timeskip)

Though does anyone feel Zeref is being a tad bit...creepy here? :)

I realise that the number of comments doesn't mean that no one is reading my story, but I do appreciate every single one, and it does give me inspiration to update when I see someone commenting. It wouldn't take you very long to comment, and I do appreciate every single one, considering my story is still in it's early phase.

If you've enjoyed this chapter and story, do leave me a review on your way out! Reviews give me inspiration to update!