Several days passed since the initial incident at Magnolia. There was no word on Juvia which made Fairy Tail only worry about her whereabouts. It was nightfall in Magnolia now and any search was called off for the evening. Lucy sighed, falling back on her bed while staring at the ceiling. "I'm really worried about Juvia…vanishing without a trace. I can't begin to imagine how worried Gray and Gajeel are."

Mii sat at Lucy's desk, fiddling with a pen. "I imagine how scary it is for that girl out there…all alone with no one to help you." Mii's tone suggested she was speaking from personal experience.

"We're goinh to help her." Lucy sat up and stared at Mii, noticing the somber expression on the red head's face. "…Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Mii blinked before shaking her head. "Yeah, I'm fine. Anyway…worrying about Juvia now won't do us any good. So how about we relax and unwind with a nice hot bath~?"

"You know, you're only just narrowly better than Zelos. Don't ruin it…and stop raising my water bill!" Lucy pouted.

"Oh come on…!" Mii whined. "I haven't even tried touching you yet..! …Ignore that last part."

With an irritated sigh, Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why do I let you stay here again…?"

"Because you want me to keep quiet about that unsightly mark. You know as well as I do that my mouth is big and is excellent for spilling secrets." Mii pointed to Lucy's arm, chest, and neck. "So can I get a little compensation for keeping quiet on something? My mouth has other uses too you know~"

"…It's scary that even though you've kept your hands to yourself, your words alone make me feel violated." Lucy shuddered while rubbing her arm. "But seriously…! What are we going to do? I can't keep hiding this forever…plus I'm really worried about Juvia. Isn't there anything we can to try and hunt her down?"

Mii huffed at Lucy's subtle method of changing the subject. She crossed one leg over the other and actually gave the situation some serious thought. "For Juvia, all we can do is keep looking. I can't imagine any motive they'd have for keeping her alive, though…maybe for ransom, if that's the type of person they are. But for some reason I doubt that's the case. As for you…you gotta come clean eventually. Since you've made the strange option of entrusting this secret to me, I won't say anything."

"You can be insightful when you want to be…" Lucy offered a smile, but clearly Mii didn't want to hear it. "You'd be much more likable if you took things seriously."

"But that's such a draaaag!" Mii complained. "A girl like me just wants to have fun, yeah?" Her hands then began to move in an eerily groping motion, a sinister twinkle in her eyes as she began to inch forward. "My roommate should stop being such a stiff and have a little fun too…~"

"Ah, no, Mii! You stay away from me with those things!" Lucy waved her hands in front of her rapidly. "No touching!"

.

Back in Wendy and Cynthia's place, Wendy and Carla sat Cynthia down to question her about what happened the other day. Wendy wasn't exactly sure where to start so Carla took control of things. "So…are you going to tell us what's going on? Or are you going to keep hiding things from us?"

The way Carla was speaking made it sound like Cynthia was the bad guy! Wendy had to object. "Carla…!"

"No…it's okay…" Cynthia shook her head while rubbing her arm. "I've been…hiding Rose from you guys…as best I could. It happened shortly after you brought me back…she's still in my head. Sometimes she talks to me and it makes me feel like I'm going crazy…and we're both still fighting for control and it…it hurts." Lifting her sleeve up, she revealed a large mark This was the result of her body tearing itself apart with both Cynthia and Rose fighting.

Wendy gasped, taking Cynthia's arm and began to look it over. "A-Are you okay…!? What can I do…!?"

"It's fine…" Cynthia offered a weak smile. "It just hurts sometimes…and I feel a little sick. I'm sure she feels it too. That's why she hasn't done anything like pick a fight. She knows it wouldn't end well. But don't worry…"

"How can I not worry…!" Wendy huffed. "You're still suffering because I couldn't protect you. I'll fix this, I promise…!"

"I don't even know how to fix it…" Cynthia laughed resting her head on Wendy's shoulder. "But I'm fine…I promise…"

Carla frowned. After learning what she just did, she felt she was too harsh with Cynthia. "I'm sorry for my tone. I'm sorry, Cynthia."

"Haha…it's okay, Carla. I don't plan on dying again, that much I promise. I also won't let her hurt either of you." Cynthia smiled while keeping close to Wendy. "But for now…I just want to stay like this…"

Wendy placed her hand over Cynthia's, eyes closed as she leaned against her. "Mm. Me too." It was only a few months since Tartarus. Wendy didn't want to lose Cynthia again, and she wouldn't lose her to Rose either. "No matter what happens, I'll bring you back...always."

.

Erza and Mira took another patrol around Magnolia. They were searching for something in town that could lead them to Juvia, while Natsu and Gajeel were probably back in the forest to track her scent. "Still nothing…I do hope she's okay on her own…' Mirajane expressed her worries to Erza. "I know she's strong, but we still don't know what we're dealing with here."

"I know." Erza responded. "We'll find her soon and make sure this person pays dearly for what they've done. I've already asked that Fullbright man from the Council to lend us a hand in the search. He's surprisingly willing to help out…"

"It's nice to know that the Council has people like that…" Mira managed a small giggle. She then stumbled into someone. Taking a step back, she bowed apologetically. "I-I'm sorry…I didn't mean to bump into you…" Looking up, she noticed it was that strange witch from the holiday festivities. "Oh…!"

It was Takeba. Upon spotting Mira, she gave her a warm smile. "Hello, Mirajane. How lovely it is to see you again."

"Hello, Takeba." Mira offered a small smile in turn.

"Do you know this woman?" Erza questioned. She vaguely remembered Takeba from the meeting in Joya, but that was about it.

"This is Takeba. She actually showed up here in Magnolia just before the new year." Mira replied with a somewhat fond smile.

"A pleasure to meet you officially, Erza Scarlet." Takeba gave a polite bow. "You can call me Takeba or Vermillion if you want."

"We'll stick with Takeba…" Erza said with a soft chuckle. "But what are you doing out here? It's dangerous around this time."

"You needn't concern yourselves with my wellbeing, although it is very appreciated." Takeba was evading the question but it didn't matter too much. "The magic of this town has drawn me to it. It's rather beautiful, even during this time of misfortune. If only I could cast a hex to remove the bad luck from this town. It's the fastest solution for putting that beautiful smile on your face, Mirajane."

"If only it were that simple..." Mira was appreciative for Takeba's concern. That did make her smile slightly. "Have you seen Juvia around?"

"The water mage with you in Joya?" Takeba shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I haven't."

"A hex…?" Erza was curious, but now wasn't the time for leisurely conversation. "Never mind that…if you see our friend Juvia, please let us know."

"Ah, right…" Mira nodded. "Sorry to cut this conversation short. I'm sure we'll see you around, Takeba…!" With that, Erza and Mira went off to continue their search.

As the females walked off, Takeba lifted up her witch hat to watch them. "Hm…If they're all looking like they are, I suppose the fair lady will have a field day when the time comes…~"

.

"Ah….ahhhhhhh…." Juvia panted heavily with broken breaths. Ophelia was really going to town on Juvia. The water mage had serious injuries all over her body, not just from the halfbreed's talons, but various other items such as the whip Ophelia was currently holding. There was a somewhat dull look in Juvia's eyes as all she could do was plead at this point. She had been through enough after the first day, but after several… "Please…stop…Juvia can't…."

"Mother always did say I break my new toys so quickly…" Ophelia let out a sigh as Juvia pleaded for her to stop. Really, this had been going on for the last few days, but it was only apparent to Ophelia now. Looking at Juvia's body, she eventually sighed. "I was having so much fun with you too. I'll be right back; I know something that'll fix you right up." Normally that would sound pleasing, but considering Juvia's condition it was only something that would plunge her deeper into this nightmare. Ophelia left the dungeon, walking the empty halls of Fukomakura while thinking to herself about what to do with Juvia. "Humans are just as frail as I remember…strip away their magic and they're just insects waiting to be crushed. It's sad…perhaps I should…."

"Move in to Tartarus with me?" Marde's familiar voice made Ophelia stop in her tracks. With a false smile, the demon king faced his kin.

Ophelia turned, scowling at Marde, although the scowl quickly turned into a smarmy smile. "Well, well, look at the dead cat dragged in. I didn't realize old, worthless books were being reprinted."

"If there's anything that's worthless here…" Marde began with a click of his tongue. "It would be you…but I'm sure you're aware of that already."

Ophelia let out a disgruntled sigh. Such remarks were always ones that riled her up to no end. "Well fuck you too then. At least I can do my job."

"I was wondering what stench was intruding my home…." Desdemona soon appeared in the hallway, garnering both Opehlia and Marde's attention. "And of all people…it had to be you. I don't recall sending you an invitation into my home."

"Oh, but after seeing little Ophelia hard at work, I couldn't help but peek in and see just what was going on here. From what I recall, she's not the type to do something so interesting without being told." Marde glanced at Ophelia and just got an ice cold glare.

"Ah…you do have a point there. This little one is quite the lazy lout…it's a shame her behavior reflects on me sometimes…" Desdemona agreed with Marde.

Meanwhile, Ophelia was just standing there taking offense to well…everything being said. "What!? Excuse me, I…!"

"Hush." Desdemona used her hand to silence Ophelia. "The adults are talking now."

"…!" Unbelievable. The one time both of her parents met up with each other after a long time, not only did they slander her, but she got kicked out of the conversation too! This is why Opehlia resented both of her parents to some degree; Marde more so than Des.

"So what is your real reason for coming here?" Des questioned. "You've no place here, as I'm sure you're aware of."

"As if I would need one in this hole of rejects." Marde quipped. "But alas, my curiosity has gotten the better of me. Lord Zeref has no longer entrusted Master ENDs book to me…but when I heard of what was happening around this country, there was only one thing that came to mind. Only one being I know would enjoy the idea of toying with those insects known as humans. I can only wonder what it is you have in store."

"That doesn't concern you." Des' voice was calm, but it was also dripping with a calm venom with each word she spoke. "You are not welcome here. So why don't you scurry back to your human insect and watch from your lack of a throne."

"I would enjoy having a front row seat to this. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to see your efforts crash and burn just like that mistake over there." Marde offered a smile, but it was false in all meaning of the word. "If you play with your food, you're bound to choke on it."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ophelia waved her hand, intruding on the conversation without caring what either parent of hers had to say. "That human that took you out? Child's play. I can't believe you got your ass handed to you by a little insect! The hilarity and irony of it never fails to make me laugh. I'm just barely over a century and I've done more damage than you have in all your years of existence, Demon King."

Marde kept his smile and placed his hand on Ophelia's head, ruffling her hair slightly much to her annoyance. "I suppose I've failed twice then."

It was no surprise that Ophelia was often sassy and had her tongue ready for a sharp remark. But there was only one thing in the world that could make her go silent: both parents constantly reminding her that her existence was nothing more than a mistake. With an annoyed grumble, Ophelia smacked Marde's hand away and began to stomp off. "…Stupid son of a…" She had some anger she had to work out now…and unfortunately Juvia was going to be the recipient of said anger.

"It appears that I'm done here. I'll be watching your endeavors to see if they're fruitful or not." With that, Marde made his leave.

Des sighed after Marde left. "The real mistake here was my curiosity letting it lead to you. There was another much more deserving…" Was that…bitterness? "At least I know where Ophelia gets her incompetence from…"

.

.

Next Time: Pain Game.