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Natsu attempted to blast his way through the doors of the guild. His shouts sounded like roars as fire spat out of his mouth. The dragon slayer's desire to beat up Tartaros was so powerful he moved before any human could react. Luck was on their side because Fawkes was a phoenix.

The firebird latched onto the back of Natsu's scarf, causing him to stop and swing his legs out. The dragon slayer caught himself and turned to glare at the bird. Harry was sure he heard him choke at the sudden stop, but the angry growl covered it up. Natsu demanded that Fawkes let him go.

"You're not going anywhere, Natsu," said Gramps.

Natsu spun his head to glare at the master. "What?! But I gotta! They attacked Fairy Tail members and will do it again because…. I say we bring the fight to them."

Harry noticed how Natsu trailed off. The dragon slayer looked to the ground when he did before he returned his gaze and continued his speech.

"I understand how you feel, Natsu. But you're not leaving the guild. Besides, we're not the only ones they're attacking."

"Oh yeah, they're going after the magic council," said Hermione and Lucy.

Harry scowled. Are they going to protect the former Magic Council members? Sure, it's the right thing to do, but these guys tried to shut them down for years.

"We need to find the former members of the council and protect them from the enemy. While you're at it, find out why Tartaros is attacking them," Makarov confirmed his suspicion.

"But how do we find them? Aren't their locations sealed away, or something?" asked Max.

Fawkes sighed in Harry's ear, causing him to turn his focus onto him. {What's up?}

{Why don't we ever ask the other guilds to help? Sure they can't help us find the Council members - not that I care about them - but they can help with fighting,} said Fawkes.

{This is our fight, Fawkes,} replied Harry. {Tartaros is after us, not the other guilds. We shouldn't get them involved.}

Fawkes shook his head. {That's stupid. We both know that if we don't win this fight, the whole world will be affected.}

{You might be right. So we'll just have to make sure we don't lose.}

Harry got poked on his shoulder. He snapped his head up and saw Hermione.

"Harry, did you hear anything?" she asked.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Hear what? Did I miss something?"

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "What was the last thing you heard?"

"Max was asking where we were going to find the former members of the Magic Council."

"Okay, so you didn't miss much. Loki, or Leo, showed up and informed us that he knew someone who knew where they were. Master Makarov is forming teams now."

Harry's eyes scanned the room, examining everyone running with books and papers. He searched the sea of faces. 'Where is Natsu?' A shade of pink entered his field of vision. Natsu lay on the floor with Elfman sitting on his back.

"Did Natsu try to run off?" he asked the bigger man, standing closer than when he found them.

"Harry, get him off!" Natsu demanded, struggling to pull himself out.

"Yeah," Elfman replied. "As soon as he saw the location of one of the council members, he tried to sneak away. But Master saw this and had me sit on him."

"I was just going to the bathroom," muttered Natsu, but he wasn't looking at any of them.

Harry looked down at Natsu. "We all know that's a lie," he said with a deadpan expression.

"Harry!" The wizard turned around, seeing Makarov waving him over. He left Natsu and Elfman and stood beside the small, old mage. He asked what he needed. "I originally wanted to send you in Natsu's place on the team to protect Michello. But I think it would be best if you stay here to keep Natsu on a leash."

"I see. Then who's going?"

"Erza will go, along with Lucy, Wendy, and Carla."

Harry hummed. "I see. Who are the other teams?"

"Gray and Juvia" That explained why the water mage looked like she was on cloud nine. "Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna; Gajeel, Levy, Panther Lily, Jet, and Droy."

Harry bit his lip. 'That's all our heavy hitters. Only Natsu, Makarov, Fawkes, and myself are the only powerful fighters left. Why couldn't Gildarts still be around?'

"I know, Harry. But it's the best we can do," said Makarov, reading the wizard's expressions like a book.

"I know…" Harry said, getting a nod in reply.

"Think you can keep Natsu here?" Makarov asked.

Harry bobbed his head. "Yeah, I can do it."

"Good. Go take Elfman's place so I can send the teams off."

Harry returned to his friend and got him out from under Elfman. He informed Natsu of the situation, much to the dragon slayer's displeasure. But Harry reminded him of earlier. "You can't go because Tartaros is after you. Besides, only you, the master, Fawkes, and I are the remaining powerhouses of the guild. We need you here because there is a strong chance they'll attack us once they know you aren't among a team."

Natsu's eyes remained on the double doors, grumbling under his breath.

Harry sighed, "If they do, you'll be here to fight them off." He hoped to sweeten the deal. Natsu blinked and a grin formed on his face, showing his sharp teeth.

"Yeah, you're right. That really gets me fired up. Now, I can't wait for them to show up so I can kick their butts."

TBC

Enj/Dark: Hmm... It's almost 1,000 words. It's still pretty short.

Zeref: Don't worry. I'm sure your next chapter will be longer.

Natsu: Yeah, I can't wait! Tartaros should show up in the next chapter. That way the readers can see me beating them up!

Harry: A fight would make the chapter longer.

Enj/Dark: I'll have to think about that. Anyway, Harry, it's your turn.

Harry: Please review!