I'm back! XD Oh my god, it's been a while. I planned to start this sooner but was crocheting a Halloween blanket. It took all of October to finish. I need to stop giving myself deadlines. It was going to be a cloak, but it wasn't wrapping around me right. So, it's a blanket.

Anyway, enough about that. If you haven't read the notice: you'll see I've deleted what I wrote for the Tartaros Arc. I didn't like how it was playing out, so I'm starting over. Some things are the same, but now I remember the key factors of the cannon arc. Don't worry, it still won't play out the same as canon, but the plot is the same.

Now, enjoy the chapter!

PS. I wrote a short story called "Prayers to the Sea". I published it on Amazon in hopes people would enjoy it. Also, if anyone could tell me what episode the Tartaros arc starts on, that would be great. By the time I upload this chapter, months have gone by. So the details are fuzzy again.

One more thing: Please stop attempting to gain money from me. Many people have been asking to create artwork or other elements for my stories, but as an artist myself, I don't need it.

If my stories inspire you, great! You can do whatever you want as long as you don't ask me to pay you. NOW ONTO THE CHAPTER!

125

Recap: He pulled out the letter and began to read the familiar handwriting.

Coils,

I've got grave news. Tartaros is planning to attack Fairy Tail. I don't know when, but it could be any time now, so I'll be brief. Their guild moves through the sky on a giant cube. So warn everyone and keep an eye out.

Cerberus.

Harry had reread the letter before clutching it in his fist and spun on his heels. He needed to find the master. He remembered seeing him sitting on a table near the stage. Harry exhaled, relaxing his shoulders a tad. Makarov was still there. He quickened his steps.

The wizard was 10 feet from the master when the entry doors banged against the wall. Harry jumped, feeling his heart enter his throat. He cracked his head around. In the doorway, Freed stood heaving with his team and Yajima atop his shoulders. The guild grew silent as they turned toward the door with wide eyes. Harry wanted to move, but his legs refused. He needed to help them, but his mind went blank.

Freed's body shook as he lifted his head, revealing his tired, dark-ringed eyes. As his eyes rolled back, a soft "help" left his chapped lips. The young man dipped forward, crashing onto the wooden floor.

Like a switch, Harry sprinted into action. He was beside the team, helping to remove Laxus' heavy build from the pile. Elfman, Natsu, and Mira began to help carry the rest to the infirmary.

"Someone call Porlyusica. Now!" Makarov ordered.

The main force of Fairy Tail stood in the infirmary, waiting with bated breath for the results. The pink-haired healer hovered over the sickly guild members. Her frown deepened. Harry's hands tightened around his arms. Ever since he met Porlyusica, he had never seen her smile. She always wore a frown or glare. But this time, the thinness of her lips was telling. His friends' lives were in danger. She didn't need to say it. Their life force shrunk with each passing minute.

'They won't survive the night,' Harry thought with gritted teeth.

Harry balled his fists. His teeth grinding against each other, causing Natsu to look at him. The dragon slayer's confused expression turned to anger. Harry knew the young man figured out what the news would be.

Porlyusica straightened her back and turned to face everyone. Her sharp eyes pierced through them. Harry stood straighter, giving the healer his full attention as he prayed.

"They are infected by Bane Particles," she began to explain. "I can't treat them without the blood of the one who caused this."

Harry turned his eyes down to the floor. "This is Tartaros' doing," he muttered. The dragon slayers and Makarov turned their eyes at him.

"They have attacked the Magic Council before," said Wendy.

"Looks like they're going after former members too," said Gajeel, looking at Yajima.

"Yes, it does make sense. But explain how you came to this conclusion, Harry," Makarov requested, but there was an edge to his tone.

Harry pulled out the letter Mira gave him earlier and handed it to Makarov. "A friend of mine sent me a warning about Tartaros planning to attack Fairy Tail. He didn't say why because he felt he didn't have time. Besides the warning of an attack, he wrote that their guild is on a giant, flying cube."

"It flies?" asked Gray with wide eyes.

"That explains why no one was able to find them before," said Erza, her expression grim.

A groan brought everyone's attention to the green-haired man on the bed closest to them. Freed struggled to open his dark-ringed eyes, which flapped like hummingbird wings.

"Freed, are you okay?" Mira asked, her hands clenched to her chest. Her eyes held the same level of concern she gave to her siblings. Harry's heart squeezed at the sight. So he laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Not really," he answered the young woman. "I heard you talking. I can confirm it was Tartaros who attacked us. But I think I know why they want to attack the guild."

{Are one of the demons so stupid they talked about their plans?} asked Fawkes. {Wait… yes, they would be. Many bad guys always say what they plan when they believe they have won.} Harry nodded.

'It made sense, but how much did the demon reveal?' Harry wondered.

"While we were fighting the demon," Freed continued, "he mentioned Natsu."

Harry felt his body tense. 'Does Tartaros know?'

"It was right after Laxus appeared and mentioned picking a fight with Fairy Tail. The demon said that Fairy Tail is the guild Natsu Dragneel is from."

Natsu grinned, but it was feral. He punched into his other hand and flames shot around them. "So they see me as a threat, huh?" he said like an excited child.

"I'm not sure if that's the case," Freed replied. "All I know is that they wanted you for some reason."

"Wanted?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm s-sorry," Freed stuttered, "but that's…all I know." His voice was weakening, and the light in his eyes dimmed. "Master…Laxus swallowed the bane particles to save everyone. Please tell me: is everyone okay? No one died, right?"

Harry balled his fists and turned away. Not long after Freed returned with everyone, he felt lives blip out of existence. There were many, and too far away to count. Harry's teeth began to hurt.

'Laxus's sacrifice was for nothing,' Harry thought with a growl.

Makarov's voice brought the wizard's focus back to the discussion. "Yes, everyone is just fine," the old mage said, patting Freed's limp hand. If Harry hadn't already known, he would have bought the lie. A relieved and shaky smile formed on Freed's face. He said a soft 'thank goodness' before passing out.

TBC

This is short, but I am getting back into it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Natsu: We're finally back! XD

Harry: It has been a while. Got your writing-kick back?

Enj/Dark: Kind of. I've been crocheting so I can start a business. I finally found my calling. :D

Voldemort: That means you won't be writing as much, right?

Enj/Dark: I'll make time. -_- But you're right. If I need to get a project done, fanfics are taking a backseat. Right now, I just want to finish this story.

Zeref: Great idea. You got overwhelmed last time because you had too many stories to write. This one is your longest-running, so it's time to end it.

Natsu: Did you make a pun?

Zeref: Wha- oh, no. That wasn't intended. O_O

Enj/Dark: Please review. ^-^