Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Crocus. Was. Huge. Huge, and awesome, and they had all day to explore! Well, basically all day. They did have to be back at the hotel by midnight, but that still left plenty of time to see the sights! Gray and Juvia had split off quickly- well, Gray split and Juvia tagged along- and Wendy had flitted off not long after, chattering excitedly at Carla about going to see the castle gardens. Which left him with Happy and Lucy, wandering through the lively streets of the capitol.

It was called the Flower Capitol, according to Lucy, which he could totally understand because there were flowers everywhere. So many that the floral perfume actually made it difficult to suss out other wizards in the crowd by scent, an endeavor which wasn’t really helped by the flower necklaces they’d gotten. He could still pick them out by guild mark though, most wizards- himself and Lucy included- displayed theirs proudly. He didn’t recognize most of the marks he saw, which... wasn’t really that weird. It had been seven years, after all, and he’d never been the most attentive to these things besides.

The important thing was that none of the other wizards he saw tried to start anything, so he didn’t either. They’d be in the Games soon enough, and if he started something now Erza and Gajeel would both yell at him.

“It’s a fight!”

The shout rang out over the crowd, and Natsu’s head snapped towards it, a grin spreading across his face. Gajeel would still do that disappointed face of his, but Erza wouldn’t have any reason to yell at him if he just happened to get mixed up in an ongoing brawl! And Gajeel couldn’t disapprove too hard, because Natsu knew he would do the exact same thing given half a chance. Lucy yelled something after him, but her words were lost in the din of the crowd as he shouldered through them.

The crush of bodies grew too thick to press through a few rows from the front, and Natsu let his masking slip, just a little. Just enough to unsettle the non-wizards around him, so they jumped and squished together to get out of his way as he pushed through the final few rows of people. Just in time to see Sting and Rogue execute a perfect tandem takedown of a musclebound wizard who must’ve weighed as much as they did put together. Or, well, as much as they looked like they weighed. Dragons were denser than humans.

“Oh hey, it’s Fairy Tail.” someone from the other side of the crowd jeered. The crush of bodies behind him had dispersed some, allowing Lucy to catch up.

“Pre-show!” another bystander called, laughing.

“The twin dragons of Sabertooth are gonna take you down!”

“Should we give ‘em a show?” Rogue asked through the tome’mir [psychic bond], cocking his head just slightly and smirking as Forsch and Lector regrouped to stand between him and Sting.

“I think I’d rather save the beatdown for a bigger audience.” Natsu smiled back, all kal’edee [fangs] and wisps of smoke that trailed behind him as he entered what had clearly been a ring of combat. “It took both of you to take down this many nobodies?” he chided, and Sting laughed.

“Master Jiemma ordered us not to use magic in the city until the Games begin.” he shrugged, and Natsu eyed his shirt, fit snug and cropped to the bottom of his ribcage. No, right, he’d mentioned he got surgery. If he was binding in the Games, Natsu would’ve sicced Gajeel on him without hesitation. “Even for dragons, it takes a bit to down this many flies with only hand-to-hand.”

“Fair enough.” Natsu held out a hand, and Sting clasped it firmly, letting Natsu yank him in and smiling as they rubbed cheeks. Rogue followed, and Natsu slung an arm around each of their necks, careful not to kick the extra two cats underfoot.

“How about we all get dinner before heading back to our hotels?” Lucy suggested. “Give you three time to catch up.”

“Sure thing!” Sting beamed, and Rogue nodded, leaning just slightly into Natsu’s hold. When had these two dorks gone and gotten taller than him? It was so not fair.

“Master Jiemma won’t like it.” Rogue muttered, his presence in the kara’cika [nebula] seeping concern.

“Who cares what Master Jiemma thinks?” Sting scoffed. “And anyways, he can’t get that mad at us for having dinner with our big brother. He let us help with the search, after all.”

“So... where are we going?” Lucy asked, and Rogue melted out of Natsu’s hold, disappearing into shadow only to reappear two paces ahead.

“We know a place.” Sting said, straightening up as Natsu released him. “Our treat?” he offered, and Natsu almost turned him down on pure reflex.

“Please.” Lucy sighed before he could say anything. “We haven’t had a chance to get proper work since we came back, so we’re still pretty broke.”

“Well, I doubt you’ll be placing last this year, now that our vod’e [siblings] are back.” Sting said, tucking his arms behind his head. “So work should pick up for your guild soon enough.”

“Still can’t believe someone stole my food money.” Natsu grumbled, crossing his arms. Rogue chuckled, and they fell into an easy patter, grabbing street food at a few different carts and eating as they walked. That was a thing Sting liked to do now, apparently. Try the street food in every city they visited.

People gave them odd looks, probably due to their guild marks declaring they belonged to guilds so far apart in the public eye, but Natsu didn’t care. Rogue was largely silent, even in the tome’mir [psychic bond], but Sting talked enough for both of them. In fact, the longer he listened, the more Natsu got the impression that Sting talked for both of them, period. He told a story about Rogue being silly in front of the girl he had a crush on, then at some insistent needling in the kara’cika [nebula] he also told a story of himself getting in a little bit of trouble for sticking up for their own new girl, a celestial spirit wizard who could give Lucy a run for her money in raw power.

“Maybe we’ll get to go head to head, in the Games.” Lucy grinned, resting a hand on the pouch which held her key ring. “It’s been a while since I fought another celestial spirit wizard.”

“Oh yeah, that lady with the Seis right?” Natsu asked, and Lucy nodded.

“I’m surprised you remember that.” she gave him a sidelong look, and Natsu shrugged. He couldn’t rightly explain it himself, he just remembered that Pegasus guy talking about how he’d helped Lucy finish the fight, and the incomprehensible emotions which had roiled in his chest at the thought.

“I mean, you had more keys after than before.” he grinned, and Lucy sighed heavily as Rogue muffled a laugh.

“You sure that’s why?” Sting teased, and dammit Natsu recognized that smugness in the kara’cika [nebula]. Whatever it was that amused Gajeel so much about his friendships with Lucy and Lisanna, the twins had clearly been let in on the joke.

“I’m pretty sure that’s why.” Lucy interjected, as he shoved his irritation against Sting and Rogue’s mirth. “Natsu’s kinda an idiot, but he keeps good track of our friends in the guild.”

“Aww, thanks Luce.” he beamed, irritation fizzling out. Gajeel and Wendy prodded at them with gentle curiosity, and then Wendy- she didn’t quite vanish, the way Gajeel and the twins had when they first arrived in Edolas, but she went still and silent in the bond so abruptly Natsu stopped in his tracks. Sting and Rogue did as well, and Lucy froze a step and a half later, thumbing open her key pouch and looking around.

“What is it?” she asked, the cats clustering around her legs.

“Wendy.” Natsu gasped, pushing absentminded reassurance at Sting and Rogue when they jerked around to look at him with naked horror.

“She said she was going to check the castle gardens.” Lucy said, spinning and scanning the skyline. “That way.” she pointed, and Rogue whistled, sharp and short and piercing. Frosch lept to his back, and the pair of them took off.

“I’ll run back to our hotel, warn Erza-”

“No.” Natsu cut Lucy off, grabbing her by the wrist. “Until we know what happened, we stick together.”

“Safety in numbers.” Sting agreed with a nod. “Lector, give her a lift. We can’t move at tal’suum [dragon-blood] speeds if we want to catch up with Rogue.”

“On it!” Lector saluted, and Lucy didn’t even yelp as she was scooped up off the ground. A moment for Lector to gain altitude- Lucy finally had some decent muscle on her, but Lector was used to carrying around at least twice her weight in dragon- and the four of them were off, Natsu dropping his masking completely to get the crowded streets to clear for them. Lucy yelled directions from up above, and they reached the gardens as the sun painted everything gold. Natsu masked his aura again, bundling all that wild, unusable magic back into his chest and smothering it out of sight.

“That’s Wendy’s purse!” Happy cried, landing on all fours and running over to sniff at it.

“This way.” Sting said, and hurried past the bag, following Rogue’s frantic pulling in the kara’cika [nebula]. Lucy paused to scoop it up, then hurried after them, until they found Rogue on his knees next to Wendy, every shadow in the vicinity writhing.

“Is she hurt?” Natsu asked, the shadows parting to admit them.

“I can’t tell.” Rogue whispered in their tome’mir [psychic bond].

“She’s not bleeding.” Sting said hopefully, taking a knee at Rogue’s side, eyes narrowed as he scanned their immediate surroundings. Natsu stayed standing, magic roiling hot under his skin, ready to lash out the second Wendy’s attacker showed themself.

“Rogue, did you move her at all?” Lucy asked, kneeling on Wendy’s other side. “Either of them.” she gestured to Carla, curled up against Wendy’s hip. Rogue shook his head, and Lucy pursed her lips. “Not bleeding, nothing’s obviously broken, but I don’t have any spirits who know enough about medicine to-” she paused, and smacked herself in the forehead.

“What?” Sting asked, leaning towards her with wide eyes.

“I don’t have any spirits who are good at medicine or healing magic, but Wendy’s right here.” Lucy pulled a golden key from her pouch, the air going heavy with her magic for a moment before she channelled it. “Open, Gate of the Twins, Gemini!” she slashed the key through the air, and the two little blue spirits popped into existence with their usual piri-piri.

“Gemini?” Sting frowned, and Natsu grinned.

“Just watch.”

“Gemini, please copy Wendy.” Lucy gestured to his sister, and the twin spirits twirled into a single familiar form, standing among them with perfectly unruffled pigtails.

“Now that’s just unnatural.” Gajeel said, his boots hitting the ground just inside Rogue’s circle of shadows.

“If this works, I’m asking them to copy Wendy every time we split up on a job.” Lucy muttered. “Gemini, can you heal her please?” she asked, and the spirits wearing his baby sister’s face beamed.

“No problem!” they chirped in Wendy’s voice, and okay yeah Gajeel was right, that was creepy.

“I thought Gemini copied everything about a person.” he frowned, watching a familiar green circle light under Wendy’s still form on the ground.

“Yeah, they do.” Lucy nodded.

“So why aren’t they in our tome’mir [psychic bond]?” Gajeel finished his question, and pushed calm at the twins. “Little chicky here’s one of four people who know the truth.” he said into their tome’mir [psychic bond]. “The truth came out in Edolas, and they’ve sworn to keep our secret on pain of death.”

“Does that mean we can tell people?” Rogue asked, and Gajeel actually considered the question as Natsu looked around again. Still no sign, but if anyone was stupid enough to try to attack four dragons and a tal’suum [dragon-blood] with the ability to copy any one of them, then they’d be pasted as they deserved.

“She’s all healed up!” Gemini-Wendy chirped, then frowned. “I can’t do anything for her low magic, though, and I don’t think she’ll wake up until she’s recovered from that.”

“Low magic?” they all echoed, and Natsu crouched down next to Lucy as Gajeel took over scanning their surroundings.

“Really low. I don’t know how it could’ve happened.” Gemini-Wendy bit their lip, and Natsu had to resist the urge to draw them into a one-armed hug and cheek them.

“Me either, but once she’s awake she should be able to tell us.” he pointed out.

“Thank you for your help, Gemini.” Lucy smiled, squeezing the spirits on their shoulder. “Do you want to stick around a little longer?”

“No, we’re glad we could help with this!” the spirits beamed with Wendy’s face, then dissolved into motes of golden light as Lucy closed their gate.

“Freaky.” Sting muttered, and Natsu gathered Wendy up into his arms.

“I may be able to wake her up.” he said, and all eyes were on him.

“How?” Happy asked, seated next to Carla, with Lily on her other side.

“Little trick we worked out while we were training.” Natsu answered, shifting Wendy in his arms. “But we’ve never tried it with one of us unconscious, before.”

“It’s worth a shot.” Gajeel squeezed his shoulder, and Natsu nodded. Shut his eyes to concentrate. Pulled on his magic, coiling out a thread of fire in its purest form, and bent down to exhale the magical energy over Wendy’s face. She inhaled instinctively, a sharp gasp like a half-drowned person realizing there was air to breathe again, then groaned in his arms, twisting to bury her face in his sleeve.

“Holy shit.” Gajeel and Lucy muttered in unison, while Sting and Rogue simply stared in shock.

“Since when can fire magic do that?” Sting demanded, and Natsu chuckled as he let Gajeel- now kneeling next to him- take Wendy from his arms.

“It’s less about the type of magic and more about the intent.” he explained, watching Wendy slowly come to, nestled safe and comfortable in the arms of their alor’tiui [leader]. “We worked out during training that if I gave her my magic, instead of her trying to steal it from an attack, then it wouldn’t hurt her. Helped her keep up, when we were training magical stamina.”

“Oh, like with Laxus!” Lucy gasped, and Natsu nodded.

“Yeah, that’s what gave me the idea actually.” he smiled at her, then looked back to Wendy.

“It’s getting late.” Sting muttered as the golden light began to fade, lacrima lighting up along the garden paths. “We need to get back to our inns by curfew.”

“Go.” Gajeel nodded. “I’ll help get Wendy back to Honey Bone.”

“Wait, you’re not gonna stay?” Natsu frowned.

“In the same room as Erza?” Gajeel raised an eyebrow, and all four of their conscious cats giggled.

“Shut up!” Natsu snapped, which only made Happy and Frosch laugh harder. Lily picked up Carla.

“Thank you, Gajeel.” Lucy sighed. “Hopefully she’ll wake up by the time we get back.”

“Hopefully.” Gajeel agreed, as Rogue drew the writhing shadows back into himself. “And Rogue?” he called as the twins stood. “Solid ground level perimeter, but it’ll be more effective if it can also warn against approaches from above.”

Rogue nodded, and the twins peeled off to get back to their inn, cats following close on their heels. Soon enough, Happy was on his shoulder, and they were headed back to their inn as well. Now they just had to wait for Wendy to wake up enough to eat some air and get better, and then they’d know who to hit with Extreme Prejudice once the Games began.

Chapter Text

Wendy felt like shit, but in a new and somehow worse way than usual. Physically, she was fine. Gemini had healed her body perfectly, and she wasn’t feeling anything intensely enough to make herself sick, but her magic was so low she could barely stand. Even after sitting and doing deep breathing by the window for an hour, she still felt shaky and weak. It was like trying to get a proper breath in after being sucker punched, but with magic instead of air. She hated it.

And she had no idea who had done it. She'd barely gotten a glimpse of the wretched little creature before passing out, and Sting couldn’t provide a sketch based on her memories until tomorrow, since they all had to stay at their inns until the clock struck midnight. “I hate this.” she muttered, and Natsu rested a hand on her head for a moment.

“You’re doing fine.” he murmured, carding his fingers through her hair again, scratching his nails along her scalp and then dragging them down her neck and back, coaxing out tangles the way Lucy and Erza had showed him.

“It’s like- like someone stuck a straw in my tija’pan [magic organ] and sucked everything out.” she grimaced. Thankfully, whatever powered their tome’mir [psychic bond] was separate from their magic levels. If she couldn’t feel her vod’e [brothers] right now, she’d probably do something Natsu-worthy. Stupid, dangerous, and destructive.

Natsu poked her between her shoulder blades, and Wendy squeaked. “I’m not that bad.” he huffed, and went back to finger-combing her hair.

“I still wish I knew what happened.” Wendy sighed, tilting her head obligingly when Natsu picked up her hair ties.

“We will determine that tomorrow.” Erza promised, her voice promising that the hunt would be as bloody as necessary to rat out Wendy’s assailant. It was weird, having Erza and Gajeel so nearly on the same wavelength. Gajeel wanted blood because someone had attacked his tra’viin [flight], because he had sworn to protect them and would sooner sacrifice himself than see any of them hurt. Erza had no draconic reason to seek vengeance for her assault, but Wendy was a Fairy, and Erza took the safety of her guildmates just as seriously as she took the safety of her tra’viin [flight].

“Yo!” the door of their room popped open to reveal Elfman carrying a crate of soda. Two steps behind him, Lisanna had an oversized grocery bag full of snacks and- were those fireworks?

“It all starts tomorrow, right?” Lisanna smiled, kicking the door shut behind herself as everyone greeted them. Natsu practically teleported to her side, catching her up in a hug that just happened to plant his face in her hair. Skies above, Wendy hoped she wouldn’t be that oblivious if someone ever caught her eye.

“I didn’t realize you were back from your training in the mountains!” Natsu beamed once he removed his face from Lisanna’s hair.

“We got loads stronger.” Elfman grinned, flexing an arm that was definitely bigger than the last time Wendy had seen him. “We got stronger enough to get picked as reserve members for the Games!”

“Reserve members?” Erza frowned, and Lisanna squirmed free of Natsu’s hold, moving to deposit and unpack the snacks over the room's low table.

“Apparently our paperwork was missing a page.” she shrugged. “Each team is allowed a reserve member, in case injury or exhaustion renders one of the primary members unfit to compete.”

Wendy pursed her lips, and as soon as the thought crossed her mind Natsu’s eyes snapped from Lisanna to her. “No.”

“I haven’t even-”

“Nu draar. [No way.]” he snapped, and Wendy shot to her feet to stare him down. She only wobbled a little, but still had to grab the windowsill to steady herself.

“Ne’ganar ori’dralyc. [I’m not at my strongest.]” she argued, shoving the pervasive icky weakness in her limbs at Natsu through the tome’mir [psychic bond]. “Mevurel mhi narir naka’tuur, ni laandur. [Whatever we’ll do tomorrow, I’m weak.] Ni ven’nu’ivi, nu’ivyc anade. [I’ll be slow, slow everyone down.]”

“I may not be fluent yet, but I know that word.” Lucy frowned, doing an eerily good impression of Erza. “Laandur [weak] means weak, right?”

Everyone in the room nodded, and Wendy flushed, switching back to Fiori. This argument did involve the others in the room, and only about half of them here were fluent in draconic. “I’m not sure I'll be recovered enough to participate, by midnight.” she said, gesturing at the clock on the wall. Two hours was usually enough, when it came to regaining magic, but if she wasn’t back up to full power by now...

“We'll make that decision when midnight arrives.” Erza said firmly, and Wendy looked down at her feet, burning inside and out. Natsu slung an arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into him as he steered her away from the window.

“Let’s get some food in you, woor’ika [little wind].” he murmured, guiding her to kneel with him by the low table. “See? Lisanna brought sweet balls for us.” he pulled a pair of paper-wrapped balls of sweet puffed rice from the table, and Wendy smiled as she took one.

“This isn’t proper food, Natsu-nii.” she teased, unwrapping it and taking a bite. “Gaji-nii would be upset with us, having sweets first.”

“We just won’t tell him.” Natsu grinned, taking a big bite of his.

“I bought those for Wendy and Lucy.” Lisanna scolded, reaching across the table to rap Natsu on the head as everyone else began picking up food for themselves. “The heat-death hot wings are for you.” she pointed at a takeaway box, and Wendy giggled as Natsu dove for it.

“Best. Friend. Ever.” he mumbled around a mouthful of fried chicken that made her eyes water just from the smell. “Hey Gray, want some?” he offered, and shoved the container right in Gray’s face. Wendy caught the box when Gray rightly sent it flying, and relaxed some as Natsu and Gray fell into a brawl with far too many headbutts and elbows involved to be any kind of respectable. She was pretty sure Gray bit Natsu, just before Erza pulled them apart and ordered them to eat up.

Lisanna had bought something for everyone on the team, though Wendy was the only one who hadn’t eaten anything before now. The food did help, at least a little. She no longer felt quite so physically weak when the hands of the clock began to crawl towards midnight, but her magic still felt... muted, almost.

Carla hadn’t woken up yet, either, which wasn’t helping. Wendy wanted to heal her, but every time her hands twitched to start casting, Natsu pushed more food or another cup of tea- darjeeling, Carla’s favourite, with a hearty dollop of honey the way Wendy liked it- into her hands instead. She couldn’t even complain about it, because using magic while she was this low was liable to make her pass out, and Natsu’s fire wouldn’t do much to help her regain her own magic.

Midnight struck, and a tolling bell rang loudly. So loud it must surely be ringing through the whole city. Magic shivered over her skin, and Wendy found herself turning towards the balcony their room had. A balcony with doors wide open to enjoy the unseasonably warm spring evening. And in the sky outside... a giant child- or perhaps a really short old person like Maka-ba’bu [Gramps]- with a pumpkin on their head.

“To all the guilds that have gathered for our Grand Magic Games, good morning!” Pumpkin-head spoke, their voice distorted in a way Wendy could tell was the result of an enchantment. Perhaps on the pumpkin head itself? “We will now winnow down the hundred and thirteen teams competing to eight, and to do that... we will start our preliminary competition!”

“A preliminary?!” Gray exclaimed, taking a lurching step towards the open balcony doors.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.” Erza frowned sternly.

“Giant pumpkin!” Happy squealed, and Wendy giggled.

“You don’t even like pumpkin, Happy.” she reminded the cat. “It’s a vegetable, remember?”

“I thought it was a fruit.” Natsu frowned.

“Hush.” Erza scolded, and Wendy got the feeling she was wondering about the unannounced step of the competition.

“There are more and more guilds participating every year, and we don't want to spread the fun too thin!” Pumpkin-head explained, moving energetically as they spoke, practically dancing in midair. Or, wherever they were being projected from. Probably a kid in the costume, Wendy doubted many old people would be that lively at this hour. “So this year, the competition will be between eight teams only! The contest rules are simple: we wish you to engage in a race!”

Right on cue, the entire inn began to shake, and Wendy went to her knees, clapping both hands over her mouth and squeezing her eyes shut in an effort to not puke back up everything she’d eaten over the last two hours.

“Your goal will be the stadium, Domus Frau!” Pumpkin-head continued, and Wendy hoped Sting and Rogue were feeling just as awful as she and Natsu were right now. It was only fair, after all.

By the time the inn stopped moving and Wendy could focus on something other than keeping her dinner down, there was a wooden path sloping from the balcony railing up into the air above the city, leading into a giant orb which seemed to still be assembling itself. There were also other wooden ramps leading from other elevated buildings, presumably the inns other teams were staying at.

“You may use whatever magic you wish, there are no limits.” Pumpkin-head explained, which... made sense, sorta, but also seemed really dangerous. “The first eight teams to make it to the goal pass the preliminary contest! But if all five members are not present, you will be eliminated!” Pumpkin-head stilled, and somehow their mask became more menacing without actually changing shape. “One... More... thing...” their oversized head tilted to the side just slightly. “Should any of you lose your lives in the labyrinth, the organizers bear no responsibility!” they delivered the condition so cheerfully, Wendy almost didn’t believe her ears.

“Labyrinth?” Natsu asked, looking intently up at Pumpkin-head.

“Lose our lives?!” Lucy shrieked, looking appropriately horrified.

“We did sign waivers when we signed up.” Erza mused, requipping into her everyday armour.

“Let the preliminary contest of this year's Grand Magic Games, the Sky Labyrinth, begin!” Pumpkin-head declared grandly, and disappeared in an explosion of coloured bits of light.

“If it’s a race, we better get going.” Gray said, setting a foot up on the edge of the ramp.

“Wait.” Erza halted him with a word, and Gray squinted at her in something Wendy would never call a pout to his face. “We must decide, do we bring Wendy with, or one of the Strauss siblings?”

“Elfman, if we have to take one of them.” Natsu said, and Wendy raised an eyebrow at him. “If we take one of them, then I’m leaving you with the other.” he pointed out. “Gajeel would kill me if I didn’t pick someone I trust completely.”

“If it’s just a maze, I think I can manage.” Wendy squared her shoulders, and walked over to stand beside Gray. She may need Natsu to carry her, if they got lost too much, but she would do her best to keep up. Whoever had attacked her, she was going to show them that dragons were tougher than they looked. And Fairies didn’t let a slight like that sort of sneak attack go unpunished.

Chapter Text

Having been the dead last qualifying team in the preliminaries rankled, it really did, and the boos from everyone not part of their guild when they entered the arena was salt in the wound. One upside, though was definitely the fact that it meant they were the first ones out on the field. Lucy stood between Erza and Gray, Natsu and Wendy flanking their team leader on the other side, and watched the other teams coming out to applause and wild cheering from the stands.

Seventh place, Quatro Cerberos, a guild she’d not even contemplated when she set out due to their reputation as something of a Boys’ Club. Sixth place, Mermaid Heel, apparently a ladies-only guild, and one she’d never heard of before. It might be worth trying to make friends, if they weren’t the ones who’d attacked Wendy. Fifth place, Blue Pegasus, with the four members she’d met during the Oracion Seis job and a fifth wearing a bunny costume that hid their head. Fourth place, Lamia Scale, with four of the members she knew and- huh, the fifth wasn’t Sherry, but a clumsy girl with pink pigtails who looked about Wendy’s age. Sherry’s cousin, apparently.

“Don’t forget our wager, Gray.” Lyon called over with a smirk. “If we win, Juvia will become a member of our guild.”

“I never agreed to that!” Gray shouted back, the temperature spiking colder around them so sharply Lucy’s breath fogged. “And we’re not gonna lose to you anyways!”

“Plus, he’d have to fight Gajeel for her.” Natsu scoffed, flaring his own magic to balance out Gray’s frigid aura. “I’d watch that ass-kicking.”

“As long as we’re trading members, if Blue Pegasus wins we’ll take Erza.” Ichiya proclaimed, suddenly far too close for comfort.

“I- I do not think so!” Erza stammered, and Lucy spun to snap her leg out in a low kick.

“Back off!” she snapped, interposing herself between Erza and Ichiya.

“Lucy, it’s-”

“It’s not alright, Erza.” Lucy said firmly, glaring at Ichiya, who was still way the hell too close, still sniffing. Scent-based magic or not, that was damn creepy! “Touch her again and I’ll go for the family jewels.” she threatened, which finally got the creep to back off.

“My apologies for his behaviour.” the darkest of the three host club type boys said, not quite meeting her eyes. “For what it’s worth, I would have argued we pick you. But, not because I like you or anything, okay?”

“As if your guild has anything to offer me that beats what I’ve got with Fairy Tail.” Lucy rolled her eyes. She could understand playing tsundere if they were actually in a host club setting, some girls went for that type and work was work, but they were at a tournament. The rules of professionalism were different here.

“I’d vote for Wen-” the blond- Lucy felt sorta bad she couldn’t remember his name, after he helped her beat Scorpio’s previous holder- started, only to stop short when he caught sight of Natsu’s glare. “Oh come on, she’s adorable and badass! It’s a compliment!” he threw up his hands, and Wendy giggled.

“It’s alright, Natsu-nii.” she soothed, grabbing his wrist and dragging it down. “Gaji-nii would destroy any of them in a fight anyways.”

“As entertaining as this byplay is, if the Blue Pegasus team would please get back to their marks?” Jenny Realight called, audibly biting back laughter but still a damn sight more professional than her guildmates, and the darker wizard herded his coworkers back to the remainder of their team.

“Moving on!” Mr. Chapati declared, and Lucy turned her attention back to the entryway. “In third place... what’s this?! Who would have seen this coming?! It’s their first time in the Games, but this guild has taken third place!” the music swelled, and a guild called Raven Tail walked out to their own grandiose announcement.

“That’s the guild headed by Ivan Dreyar.” Erza murmured to her, as Natsu and Wendy tensed up. “Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] expelled him from the guild, shortly after I joined.”

“He was always a piece of work.” Gray muttered, eyeing the Raven Tail team with suspicion. “Wouldn’t put it past him to go after our team out of spite.”

“They’re a dark guild!” Makarov’s voice carried surprisingly well, even over the din of the crowd. “And you’re letting them compete in the Games?!”

Immediately, the tone of the crowd’s indistinct conversations shifted. Lucy ignored them, and looked over the Raven Tail members. Fairy Tail was the only guild who had bothered with a team uniform, it seemed. There was a redhead with a sleek red dress cut daringly low in front and daringly high up the sides of the skirt, a black-haired wizard with scaled pants, a blond with purple skin that Lucy guessed meant he had a non-human in his recent ancestry, a tall one with a top hat and blue mask, and one in golden armour with a full helm that covered his face entirely.

“According to the papers I have here, Raven Tail has been around for at least a decade, but only last year did they get approved as a legal guild.” Mr. Chapati said, his voice soothing the disquieted murmurs of the crowd.

“And if they’ve been approved by the League, they’re not a dark guild.” Mr. Yajima said.

“You.” Wendy gasped as a dark... thing scampered up onto the tall masked wizard’s shoulder. “You’re the one who attacked me last night!”

The arena erupted in shock, but only for a moment before an unholy screech filled the air, making everyone cringe. “Everyone, please be calm.” Jenny said firmly.

“That is a very serious accusation, miss Marvell, and one we will be discussing with both guilds after the day’s first event to be sure.” Mr. Chapati soothed, and Lucy almost actually believed him. “But for now, let’s get all our teams on the field and give these fine folks in the stands what they came for!” the crowd roared with approval, and Lucy couldn’t help but admire the man’s ability to sway their mood. “Now, we’re down to the top two teams! These fine wizards were the first ten to complete the preliminary maze, and earn their admission to this year’s Games.”

“If one of them’s Sabertooth, who’re the others?” Gray muttered, voicing the question probably on everyone’s minds.

“Perhaps they’re related to the strange magic we were asked to watch for.” Erza replied, just as quiet. “Be on your guard.”

“Now, taking second place in the preliminary round... this is a shocker!” Mr. Chapati exclaimed, and Lucy found herself getting drawn into the building anticipation of the crowd. “Will they be the key to restoring the fallen wings to the sky?! The guild none of us saw coming, it’s Fairy Tail Team B!”

Natsu and Wendy made sounds of shock which Lucy was sure weren’t human, while Erza and Gray simply stared with dropped jaws. Lucy was right there with them, of course. Team B had uniforms of their own, but instead of purple they all wore black and some amount of fur.

Gajeel had a fur mantle draped over his shoulder atop a sleeveless coat with ragged hems that Lucy was certain he’d worn around the guild before. Laxus and Juvia both wore sharp black coats on their shoulders with fur trims, Laxus’s over a tight blue shirt and red pants, Juvia over an equally fitted blue shirt- albeit one with a much lower neckline- and knee-length skirt of paler blue. Mirajane wore an off-the-shoulder dress with a full skirt, white ruffles along the skirt hem and fur trimming the shoulder and sleeve cuffs. Cana had, for once, traded her bikini top for something more suited to running and fighting in, wearing a cropped black running shirt and matching capris, and a furred headband holding her hair back from her face.

“What the fuck, Iron-face?!” Natsu yelled, and Lucy startled as she realized he’d spoken in Draconic. And she’d understood him! Those language lessons must really be paying off, she’d have to remember to thank Levy later.

Gajeel just cackled, Juvia giggling with him in unrepentant glee. Her, Lucy would smother with a pillow at the next opportunity. They’d been set to spend three months training together, and Juvia hadn’t said shit about being on a team for the Games!

“I see that many in our crowd are confused about the new rules for the Games this year, wouldn’t you say, Yajima-san?” Mr. Chapati’s voice dragged Lucy back from horrifying half-visions of Laxus Vs Natsu round two. Natsu had only won the first time with Gajeel’s help, and even with his months of training and second origin...

“Yes, thish year, each guild ish allowed to enter one or two teamsh in the tournament.” Mr. Yajima answered. Lucy thought she saw him nod, but he was too far away to be entirely sure.

“Master!” she turned towards Fairy Tail’s spot in the stands, and found Master Makarov standing on the wall which ringed the guild’s box, whooping and cheering like a man half his age. Ugh, what else had she expected?

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the announcers to explain the rules- every guild being allowed two teams did make the sheer volume of competitors in the preliminaries make a bit more sense- and then it was time for the final guild to join them on the field. Unsurprisingly, it was Sabertooth. The twin dragons she’d met yesterday were joined by a shirtless man with hair as wild as Gajeel’s, a more slender man with a flambouyant hat, and- Lucy found herself staring at the only girl on the Sabertooth team.

“Another celestial spirit wizard.” she breathed, glimpsing the glint of gold keys under the girl’s billowing white cloak. Even without that though, she could tell. Celestial magic clung to her, leaving the faintest blue-gold afterimage in her wake.

“You’re sure?” Erza asked, and Lucy nodded.

“She’s powerful, too. At least one gold key.” her hand rested over the trusty leather pouch which held her friends. “Maybe even two.” she murmured, feeling the keys under her palm resonate. How long had it been, since all twelve were in the same place in the human world? The Sabertooth wizard met her eyes, and Lucy found herself smiling. Maybe, if she was lucky, she’d get to fight that one. It wasn’t every day she met another wizard with the same magic as her, and rarer still to meet one with a gold key!

The Sabertooth wizard smiled back, the kind of practiced smile Lucy knew full well hid blades sharpened for polite society, and then by silent agreement they both turned back towards the center of the arena to listen to the introduction of today’s contest round. Hidden sounded perfect for Wendy, but she was still recovering. Luckily, Lyon stepped up, so Gray volunteered to match him, and Juvia jumped in from Fairy Tail’s second team, because of course she did.

Now to hope Gray’s years as a guild brat had made him exceptionally good at hide and seek.

Chapter Text

After the way Raven Tail had deliberately targeted Gray and Juvia during Hidden, Lucy was even more pissed than she’d expected about the way the organizers were handling the Raven Tail situation. Sting and Rogue had even showed up to make sure it was known they were present for the incident, and willing to have statements taken. And yet, Raven Tail was still being allowed to compete. And for some stars-forsaken reason, Lucy was being pitted against one of them for the first match of the Games. Still, so long as she had the chance...

“Leave this to me.” she gave her teammates a smile, all teeth and little cheer. “I’ll show them how Fairy Tail takes to having our own sneak-attacked.”

“Competitors, step forwards!” the pumpkin-headed mascot declared, and Lucy moved to the spot marked on the sandy field. Behind her, she half heard Natsu and Wendy debating again if pumpkins were fruit or vegetable as they returned to Fairy Tail’s team box. The time limit was set- half an hour was pretty long for any kind of fight, but better an overlong time slot than forcing the stupidly strong wizards to time-out draws- and Lucy evaluated her surroundings.

Aquarius was out of the question, and Loke wasn’t available today, which put her down two of her biggest powerhouses. Aries was a safe bet, but she couldn’t play defensive if she wanted to win. Capricorn... shit, she hadn’t actually wrote up a contract with him yet, out of the question. Virgo and Sagittarius would be poor fits for this particular battle, pitfalls weren’t the best when she needed to be able to dodge freely and archery wasn’t really meant for the kind of fight won by knock-out. So, four golden keys to choose from. She could make that work.

“Begin!” the announcers called, and Lucy grabbed the first key off her ring, slashing it through the air as she threw herself sideways. The less magic she had to spend protecting herself, the longer she could fight.

“Open, Gate of the Golden Bull, Taurus!” she called, and the first zodiac spirit she’d contracted on her own appeared between her and Flare with a bellow, axe raised high. Even after being a celestial spirit wizard for almost half her life, Lucy still didn’t know exactly how the Gates worked; how Taurus knew to appear already poised to attack.

Flare dodged, as light on her feet as Lucy had expected, and- yanked off the hair ties at the ends of her braids? Whatever, Lucy could worry about that later. “Open, Gate of the Scorpion, Scorpio!” she cut Scorpio’s key through the air, clutched between two fingers next to Taurus’s, and faintly heard murmurs of shock from the stands. Not many people would know just how impressive this was, how much power it took to keep open two Gates at once, let alone two from golden keys. Much more immediately impressive was how Flare’s braids came undone as her hair grew, becoming a prehensile length which lashed forwards to block Scorpio’s attack.

Well, she had more tricks up her sleeve than just dual-summoning. If one good thing had come of losing three months in the Celestial world, it was an increased understanding of just what her friends were capable of, alone or together. “Taurus, get Scorpio’s sand!” she commanded.

“Say no mooore!” Taurus swung his axe up, and Scorpio obligingly provided a fresh Sand Buster to wreathe it. Each spirit’s magic was different, but they all resonated with celestial energy, a shimmering golden thread which bound Scorpio’s whirling sand around the head of Taurus’s axe. “Sandstorm Axe: Aldebaran!” Taurus bellowed, the impact sending up gouts of sand like geysers and throwing Flare halfway across the arena. Clearly, Lucy wasn’t the first to figure this one out, if their combo move already had a name.

Flare twisted in the air, and Lucy flicked her wrist, closing Taurus and Scorpio’s Gates simultaneously. Defensive fighting wouldn’t win, but it would keep her up long enough to land a solid hit!

“Hellfire Hair: Wolf Fang!” Flare yelled, and Lucy bit back a curse as she moved her hand away from the key for the Gate of the Ram.

“Gate of the Crab, Cancer!” she yelped, swinging the key between her and the incoming hair attack. Flare stared in horror as Cancer- who was totally staying out for the rest of the fight, if Flare used her hair as a weapon!- cut the crimson wolf to shreds, and Lucy forced herself to take a deep breath. Evaluate the situation.

For an opening salvo, that had gone pretty well. She’d showed off her double-summoning, which would be impressive to anyone who mattered, and found the perfect spirit to fight alongside for the rest of the bout. Now to see what tricks Flare had up her non-existent sleeves, and figure out how to counter them.

“My hair!” Flare shrieked, and there was something odd about it, but Lucy didn’t have time to figure out what because Flare’s hair was plunging down into the sand below them. “You soulless-” she spat something Lucy couldn’t understand, and in the moment of confusion as she tried to figure out if it had even been a word, the Raven Tail wizard struck. Her hair sprung out of the ground, lashed around Lucy’s ankles, and shit that was hot!

“My parent gave me hair that moves however I want it to.” she hissed, crimson locks snapping free of the sand like a cracked whip as she sprang to her feet, the motion ripping Lucy’s feet out from under her. “Take that!” she crowed, and Lucy growled, grabbing the handle which hung from her belt.

“Well my Fleuve d’Étoiles moves however I want it to!” she snapped, lashing the magical whip out to snare around one of Flare’s wrists. It tightened at a thought, and she used the tension to spin herself back to her feet. Or to try to get back to her feet, at least. She only managed about two thirds of the flip she’d have needed, but at least she knocked Flare over and broke the lock of hair around her ankles. Hair which had apparently burnt right through her new boots! The uniforms all together were cheesy, but those had been nice boots!

The commentators and crowd were a dull roar at the edges of her awareness as Lucy got to her feet, taking a moment to breathe and gauge her remaining magic. Enough for the finishing move she’d been speculating on, but only if she moved quickly. She moved to grab the necessary key, only to freeze as Flare’s slumped form jerked, her head snapping around to fix her gaze on Lucy instead of the sand. Her hair writhed around her, all but one lock, maybe the thickness of Lucy’s wrist, which plunged straight down into the ground. Shit, she hadn’t been taking a breather at all, she’d been setting up a trap!

Lucy’s eyes darted over the sand as she kicked off the remnants of her boots, but a manic giggle drew her attention back to Flare. Flare who was pointing over towards the stands, towards a tendril of red which twitched just over the shoulder of her youngest guildmate. “Asuka!” she turned, Cancer’s key still clutched in her hand, and Flare caught her by the wrist, throwing her to the ground again.

“Don’t say a word.” Flare hissed, the air heating around her where she loomed over Lucy. If her magic hadn’t felt so uncannily like Natsu’s, it might’ve even been menacing. “I’m sure even a dumb goldy like you can figure out what happens if you disobey me.”

“Hut’uun. [Coward.]” Lucy spat, the worst curse her mother had ever leveled at anyone, and Flare jerked back as if struck. The hair wrapped around her wrist burned hot as any flame, but she found herself laughing anyways, the sound sharp and manic enough it might’ve scared her, if she could think past the blinding rage. “Go ahead!” she shouted, sitting up and slamming both her fists against the sand, her whip retreating into its handle, Cancer’s key burying to its hilt in the coarse grains. “Prove to everyone here that Raven Tail are cowards!”

“You dare-” Flare hissed, and Lucy screamed as the hair lashed around her wrist squeezed.

“Cancer!” she yelled, and his Gate opened at the edge of the stadium. He leapt up towards the Fairy Tail box, the one reserved for non-competitors, and his blades flashed mere inches from Asuka’s neck, scattering crimson hair across the stone. The stands exploded with noise, but Lucy barely heard them, ripping Cancer’s key from the sand and swapping it with the final one she needed.

“Open, Gate of the Twins, Gemini!” she called, as Cancer came shooting back to free her other wrist, burnt and possibly broken, but that was something to deal with after the fight. The two blue spirits appeared, their presence like a weighted hook through her magic container, and Lucy held her good hand out to them. “Cancer, buy us time!” she ordered, as Gemini copied her current state. “Sorry about the injuries.” she murmured as they took her hand.

“You’re the one who has to live with them later, Miss Lucy.” Gemini frowned, lacing their fingers with Lucy’s. This part, at least, she didn’t need to communicate out loud. Gemini copied thoughts along with everything else, the twins knew the plan as well as she did. It wasn’t something they’d practiced before, but the theory was sound, and what better time to test it than now?

“O stars far and wide that embody the heavens, by thy radiance reveal thine form to me.” she recited, Gemini’s voice layering over her own. “I implore Tetrabiblos, eternal ruler of the stars above:” Flare was raging, but Cancer’s blades flashed with impossible speed, keeping her hair from getting close, and the magic heavy in the air around her seemed to dampen all sound. “Now that the aspect is complete I ask that you lend your power to me. Let your unrestrained rage flow, and open the raging, tumultuous gate.” a deep breath, magic tingling on her lips and under her skin, and Lucy fixed her gaze on Flare.

“With all 88 heavenly bodies shining!” she and Gemini raised their linked hands, the magic circle igniting beneath their feet. “Urano Metria!” they yelled, and then- then Lucy was slumped on her knees, feeling almost as awful as she had after she cast that spell the first time. Cancer and Gemini were gone, not because she’d closed their gates but because at the very last second, even with Gemini’s help, she’d run out of power, the spell spiralling out of her control and, apparently, fizzling out.

“Wha-” Flare blinked, then began to cackle, hair whipping forward to grab Lucy by both wrists, yanking her up off the ground. “I’m going to make you pay for that!” she screeched, only to jerk and drop Lucy at the sound of a bell ringing through the arena.

“And it looks like that’s it for Miss Lucy Hart!” Mr. Chapati called out. “The fight is over! The winner is Flare Corona of Raven Tail!”

Flare snarled, a deeper sound than Lucy would’ve expected out of someone her size, and her hair snapped away from Lucy’s wrists so fast she fell to the ground in an ungainly heap. With the adrenaline rush fading, every injury she’d taken was making itself known in full, on top of the deep ache of magical exhaustion from trying to pull off a double-summon and Urano Metria at the same time.

Familiar magic enveloped her, heat and smoke and that strange inhuman scent which had grown so familiar. Natsu’s arms were warm as he helped her to her feet, and she scrubbed at the hot tears which stung the corners of her eyes. Between the pain of her injuries, frustration at the failed spell, and the humiliation of having an entire stadium of people laughing at her failure, she wasn’t even sure which thing was driving her to tears. “Can you walk?” Natsu asked, and Lucy nodded. Her first step wobbled, and Natsu wrapped an arm around her, pressing his face into her hair as he helped her off the field.

“Don’t cry, Luce.” he murmured, nuzzling the top of her head. “Save the tears for after we win.”

“It hurts.” she whimpered, cradling her burnt wrist to her chest. “And I- I failed. We’re still at zero.”

“So?” Natsu’s arm tightened around her briefly, a gentle comforting squeeze. “You were amazing. You showed everyone that Fairy Tail’s still got fight in us. And besides.” he pulled away just enough to grin down at her, bright and earnest. “The best stories are the ones with a come-from-behind victory, right?”

Lucy giggled, and leaned into his steady warmth a little more as they crossed into the hall which led to their team’s ready room and viewing balcony. Unsurprisingly, the rest of the team was there to greet her, Wendy’s arms wrapping around her waist in a tight hug. “I’m alright.” she promised, patting the little dragon’s head with her uninjured hand. “Or, I will be.”

“You fought well.” Erza said, requipping out of her uniform and into... her pajamas? Lucy couldn’t help but giggle as Erza scooped her right out of Natsu’s hold and walked her over to the room’s couch.

“Why the PJs?” Lucy asked, letting Wendy take her injured arm in small, cool hands.

“They’re the only thing I have ready at the moment which has no armor to make you uncomfortable.” Erza replied, as if anything about that statement was normal. Then again, for Erza, it was.

“Thanks, Erza.” Lucy smiled, and leaned in to meet her friend cheek to cheek before settling against Erza’s shoulder.

“Here.” Gray said, making her startle with how silently he’d appeared on her other side. “After a fight like that, you must be starving.” he held out a paper plate with a small sandwich on it. Lucy gave it a dubious look, and Gray chuckled. “Competitors get catering, apparently. Rest of the guild has to fend for themselves.”

“Food sounds great.” Lucy took the plate, and a minute later her wrist was healed, her team piled around her with their own cheaply-catered lunches. They would have to go back up to their booth soon, watch the rest of the fights for the day, but for now... for now she had her family, and that was enough.

Chapter Text

When the second fight was called, Lucy left the rest of them to shower and change into clean clothes. Wendy didn’t blame her, that Hellfire Hair had done a number on her clothes as well as her body, and Sky Dragon magic could only do so much. Blue Pegasus won their match against Mermaid Heel, and Sabertooth won theirs against Quatro Cerberus so fast their lightning wizard walked back out on the field after to ‘sing’. Wendy had a feeling Gajeel would get along with him, if Sabertooth weren’t so stiff about their ranking as number one in the Kingdom.

Lucy rejoined them as Olga was finally herded off the field, settling in between Erza and Natsu just in time for the final battle to be called. Cana Vs. Jura. Jura who was an actual literal wizard saint. Wendy remembered him, faintly, from the Oracion Seis incident. They hadn’t spent much time together, but he’d seemed nice enough, kind and level-headed. Cana put up a good fight, but against a wizard saint there was really no contest. Jura was a good sport about it though, and Cana was laughing as she shook his hand. She wasn’t smiling anymore when Wendy passed her on their way out though, and Lucy reached out to catch her hand, giving it a single quick squeeze before they parted.

Most of the guild would be headed back to Honey Bone, to unwind after the day’s events. Wendy, however, had a meeting with the Capitol’s Rune Knights to go to before she could relax. Or, well, Lucy and Makarov and Asuka’s parents had a meeting with the Rune Knights. Natsu and Gajeel were accompanying them as protection in case Raven Tail tried anything, and Wendy wasn’t going to wander off on her own to make a pretty little target for Raven Tail to attack again. The twins were there to provide unbiased- as far as the Rune Knights knew- confirmation of whatever they could.

“Nobody’s in there.” Gajeel frowned, once they reached the office where she and Lucy and her brothers had given testimony between the first event and the day’s fights.

“Then we wait.” Makarov declared, sitting down with arms and legs crossed. “Raven Tail cannot be allowed to get away with flaunting the rules of the Games like that.”

“And targeting little Asuka, too!” Bisca seethed, pacing back and forth in front of the door. “I almost wish I was competing so I could show her how a Fairy parent takes that kind of threat!”

“We can get them kicked out.” Alzack soothed, though he made no effort to actually stop her pacing. “Doesn’t ruining their entire guild’s reputation sound so much more satisfying than punching one woman in the face?”

“No.” Bisca huffed, and laughter rippled through the group.

“For what it’s worth... I heard Lucy yell Asuka’s name.” Natsu offered. “Cancer just got to her before I could.”

“Thank you, Natsu.” Alzack smiled, looking more exhausted than Wendy had expected of someone who hadn’t even been participating.

“What are all of you doing here?” a stranger’s voice asked, and Wendy spun to face a very confused Magic Knight.

“We’ve come to give additional testimony against Raven Tail.” Makarov said, popping to his feet. “Lucy, myself, and young Asuka’s parents have additional information now which will be relevant to whatever judgement will be made.”

“Well, currently the officers who took your statements this morning are taking statements and alibis from the Raven Tail members.” the Rune Knight said, recovering some of their composure. “You’re welcome to wait here for them to be done, of course, but I’ll have to ask that anyone not waiting to give testimony please clear out. This isn’t a waiting room, and we can’t have people blocking the halls.”

“Listen here you-”

“Gajeel.” Makarov shut up her alor’tiui [leader] with a single sharp word. “Take Natsu and Wendy back to the inn, assure the rest of the guild everything is fine. I’m plenty powerful enough to look after the members of my own guild.”

“And we’re no slouches, either.” Bisca smiled, requipping one of her guns and spinning it around her finger.

“Ma’am, no weapons inside please.”

“Of course.” she chuckled, dismissing the weapon and catching Alzack’s hand.

“No harm will come to your guildmates, sir.” the Rune Knight said, and Wendy giggled at the expression which pinched Gajeel’s face.

“Come on, Gaji-nii.” she said, grabbing his hand with both of hers and pulling him away from the Rune Knight. “We can go see if Juvia’s managed to cheer Cana up yet.”

“And our Master will be waiting for us to get back.” Sting added.

Natsu grumbled, looking at Lucy sidelong, and Wendy bit back a giggle. Her brother’s gaze snapped to her, irritation flaring in the bond, and she gave him a beatific smile. “C’mon, Natsu-nii.” she held out a hand to him. “I bet Gray’s bounced back enough to tease about being bad at hide and seek by now.”

Astoundingly, that actually seemed to make him reconsider. Gajeel huffed, and grabbed him by the scruff. “The Master is right, kih’tracyn [little flame (rude)].” he grunted, hauling Natsu close enough for Wendy to grab him by the hand. “Let’s get back to the inn.”

Natsu squawked in indignation over the jab, but let Gajeel drag him a few paces before turning to keep pace with them properly. “Tomorrow, I’m gonna compete in the first competition.” he declared as they left the arena proper. “And I’m gonna do better than that di’kut [idiot] did today!”

“Low bar.” Gajeel snorted. “But if you’re competing, I will too. Can’t let you have it too easy, after all.” he scrubbed his knuckles over Natsu’s scalp, making Natsu yelp in complaint while the rest of them giggled. Sting and Rogue shared a look, then Sting nodded his head slightly, their conversation so quick and quiet Wendy only even sensed it in the kara’cika [nebula] because she was looking for it.

“I’ll compete too.” Sting chimed in. “We’ll give those nobodies in the stands a real show!”

“I’m not healing you unless you have to fight after.” Wendy said, and her brothers chuckled, Gajeel ruffling her hair.

“When did you go and get all grown-up?” he teased as the twins split off for their inn.

Wendy shrugged, and skipped ahead a few paces before spinning on her heel, hands clasped behind the long tail of her skirt. “Race ya back to the inn!” she grinned, and it was on. The inn, when they tumbled through the door breathless with laughter, was empty. The nice lady behind the counter happily told them which bar their guildmates had gone to though, and after changing out of their uniforms- Wendy was definitely wearing hers again sometime, after a few modifications- they headed over.

Their guildmates, when they arrived, were in brighter spirits than Wendy had anticipated. Erza was in the middle of a rousing- if audibly tipsy- toast to Fairy Tail’s future success. Cana had drunk half of Laxus’s squad under the table, and was most of the way to getting Juvia right there with them. Levy and Romeo were keeping Asuka entertained, since her parents were busy, and Wendy bit back a laugh as Gajeel’s reflexive scan of the room caught on the solid-script wizard.

She was going to tease him about this forever. Constantly laughing at Natsu for not recognizing his crush and then failing to identify his own feelings in turn? He was bringing this on himself, honestly. Though, he could do much worse than Levy. She was bold, and kind, and powerful enough to have qualified for the S-Rank exam. Hell, she was already mostly fluent in Draconic!

The three of them drifted apart as they entered the crowd of their guildmates. Wendy found Mirajane and Lisanna, and Mirajane fetched her a juice from the bar as Lisanna helped boost her up onto one of the tall, spinny stools. Wendy spun, and picked out Natsu and Gajeel in the crowd as she sipped at her drink. Natsu looked about two exchanges from getting Gray to punch him in the face, while Gajeel was hauling a drunken, insensate Juvia over towards where Reedus and Levy’s boys were sitting, probably intending to get something non-alcoholic in her.

Laughter swept through the room as Erza broke off from her rambling toast to go clonk Natsu and Gray over the head for fighting, sending both of them through a table. The members who’d stayed behind to talk to the Rune Knights entered as Natsu shifted from brawling with Gray to an overdue rematch with Max, and Asuka slipped Levy’s hold to run over to her parents, pie smeared all over her face and hands and the word Bib hung around her neck. Lucy grabbed dinner and struck up a conversation with Lisanna, and Wendy shut her eyes to bask in the sounds of a lively guild.

Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] gave a speech, not dissimilar to Erza’s rambling toast save that it was much less drunken, and then the night really began. Romeo joined her over at the side counter with the tall stools around when Natsu challenged the two geezers to a match, and they sat in companionable silence, feet swinging as they sipped their drinks and shared the plate of fries Mira brought over. It was nice, sometimes, to just sit aside and watch.

“Oh, Lucy!” Wendy waved the celestial spirit wizard over when she spotted her heading to grab a drink refill, and Lucy diverted to come close enough for conversation. “How’d the meeting with the Rune Knights go?”

“Bisca and Alzack really laid into them.” Lucy chuckled. “Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] too. They promised they’ll have a verdict by end of day tomorrow.”

“Well, if they wanna target Fairy Tail during the competition tomorrow, they’ll be facing Natsu-nii and Gaji-nii.” Wendy beamed, and Romeo burst out laughing.

“I almost hope they do try something!” he grinned, all teeth and that half-feral viciousness the guild brats of Fairy Tail shared. “Natsu would kick their asses!”

“So long as he and Gajeel don’t get distracted fighting each other.” Lucy chuckled, looking over at where Laxus was preventing Wendy’s brothers from doing just that.

“They’ll be focused on beating Sting.” she said, and Romeo broke out into fresh peels of laughter, nearly falling off his stool before Lucy caught him by the shoulder and spun him to face the counter.

Someone swore, Wendy thought it might’ve been Gray, and Lucy’s hand flew to her keys as they both whirled towards the noise. Cana was laid out on the floor, groaning and half-conscious, while a stranger with a Quatro Cerberus guild mark stamped between his shoulderblades sat at the table where she’d bested Bixlow, Evergreen, and Juvia. A hush fell over the guild, disbelief thick in the air. Nobody beat Cana at drinking games, not even when she’d been going for hours! If she hadn’t been able to smell otherwise, Wendy would’ve sworn Cana wasn’t even fully human.

“Some monster.” the stranger jeered, swaying as he stood and stretched. Disbelieving whispers broke out through the crowd, and the hairs on the back of Wendy’s neck prickled. This Quatro Cerberus stranger was powerful, and power plus intoxication... well, she knew all too well why Natsu got cut off earlier than most in the guild hall.

“I think I’ll take this as my prize.” he drawled, bending down and pulling off the cute bikini top Cana had changed into. Macao and Wakaba began to protest, only to be drowned out by a veritable chorus of guttural snarls. Wendy stood on her stool, magic pooling in her palms, while Lucy next to her bared her teeth and clutched one of her keys in a white-knuckled hand. Laxus was halfway out of his seat, akan’edee [fangs] glimmering with magic, while Natsu and Gajeel broiled with rage, their elements already wreathing their fists.

“Oh, don’t be such sore losers.” the Quatro Cerberus stranger scoffed, twirling Cana’s top around one finger. “I’m sure she’s got half a dozen more in her hotel room.”

“Bacchus.” Erza’s voice quieted the low, almost rattling hiss which had been rolling from Lucy’s lips, but none of them relaxed.

“Erza.” the now-identified Bacchus grinned, wide and wild as his guild’s battle cry. “Still a knockout, I see.” his eyes very clearly flicked down the length of her, and Lucy snarled, taking a step towards the pair of them before Erza held up a single gauntleded fist. Hold.

“Your victory token is bragging rights.” she said, sounding much more sober than she’d seemed a few minutes ago. “Return Cana’s top at once.”

“You really haven’t changed a bit in seven years.” Bacchus laughed, tossing the bikini top carelessly at Cana’s prone form. Gray caught it, and crouched to slip it back on, his own shirt draped over her front as he worked.

“What brings you to our revelry?” Erza asked, cold and level and just a little bit terrifying. Wendy could almost see bladed dragon wings flaring from her shoulderblades, razor-sharp spines bristled up all down her back. Despite lacking any of a hatched dragon’s physical menace, Erza managed to radiate just as much threat as Wendy could ever recall feeling Grandeeny direct at things which wanted to hurt or eat her. “I’m sure your guild’s found a bar of equal or greater quality.”

“Ah, drinking with the kids ain’t really my style.” Bacchus waved a hand dismissively. “And... I wanted to see you up close. Deliver you a message.” he leaned in towards Erza, who didn’t flinch in the slightest. “After seeing what happened to Warcry, my manly spirit wouldn’t allow me to stand by.” he smiled, too wide and manic to be a leer but no more pleasant for it. “I’m their reserve member now. See you on the field for our final showdown.”

He straightened up in a single, unnaturally abrupt motion, and spun on his heel to stumble towards the exit. Only once he left did anyone relax, but not for long as Erza explained her history with the man. If he’d been equal to Erza seven years ago... even with second origin, Wendy wasn’t sure how that final showdown would play out, should it come to pass.

Wendy couldn’t see the face her alor’tiui [leader] made, but she sure felt his exasperated eye roll as a tense atmosphere settled over the previously-lively bar. “Oi, Reedus, think you can paint me up a guitar?” he called, and Wendy muffled a laugh in her juice as half the guild leapt to yell at Reedus to not do that. Trust Gaji-nii to know how to bring back the mood.

Chapter Text

Of all things, why did it have to be Chariot on the day the three of them had sworn to compete? Sting choked back his nausea, and steadfastly ignored Wendy and Rogue’s unified exasperation in the kara’cika [nebula]. He’d said he would compete today, and he was sticking to that! Sabertooth would make up any points deficit with their combat round, he was certain. Unless he or Rogue was pitted against one of their vod’e [siblings], then it was a toss-up.

Gajeel made a low, pathetic sound next to him, and Sting chanced a glance over his shoulder. Natsu was still moving, but only barely, a woozy shuffle which had him swaying side to side at least as much as he was stumbling forwards. Ugh, if only Lector could’ve come to help him! His cat deserved a share of the glory, after all, and together they could’ve smoked everyone else.

Unfortunately, this was a solo competition, and Lector wasn’t even on the roster for their team in the Games. So here he was, staggering forward, step by step, as the announcer listed off the rankings of every other participant and then turned to open mockery. Sting would’ve flipped him off, if it wouldn’t get Master Jiemma angry at him for unprofessional conduct later. Instead, he focused on keeping up his pace, one foot in front of the other, staggering ever closer to the leading edge of the platform. He’d have to figure out how to get from one cart to the next, but that was a problem for later.

“Dammit, can’t even- get a little power built up.” Gajeel groaned. Natsu flared with determination and stumbled up between them just in time to take the brunt of Gajeel’s weight when their alor’tiui [leader] lurched sideways with a jolt of the platform that nearly took all three of them off their feet.

“Gotta- keep going.” Natsu snarled, nausea almost masked by the stubborn determination blazing around him in the kara’cika [nebula]. He managed to throw himself forward hard enough to make it to the next platform, and after a moment Gajeel followed, sticking the landing a little better and continuing to slog after Natsu, their determination resonating, blazing outward more powerfully with every passing moment. It would be awe-inspiring, if it didn’t mean Sting was gonna come in dead last and get scolded by Master Jiemma for it.

“Shabuir [Motherfucker], getting all worked up when he can’t get any power going.” he muttered, digging deep and finding his own stubbornness, reaching out to resonate with his ori’vod’e [big brothers] and push away the nausea enough to make his jump almost gracefully. “Fine!” he called forward, raising his voice to be heard over the snarling roars Natsu was using to keep himself focused. “Fairy Tail can have this match, but from here on, Sabertooth will win every time! We won’t need a measly one or two points!”

Gajeel outright laughed, pausing to look over his shoulder with a grin full of kal’edee [fangs], his eyes sharpening despite the nausea which pulled at all three of them. “Don’t go crying over that missing point later, dral’ika [glowstick].” he teased, face beading with sweat from the effort of not puking long enough to deliver that boast on camera. Sting would’ve laughed, if he wasn’t worried about losing his breakfast on the wood floor of the chariot.

“Hey, Natsu.” he croaked half a platform later, choking back the need to hurl so he could ask his ori’vod [big brother] a question which had been needling at him for a while now. “Why did Fairy Tail even come to the Games?”

Natsu paused, looking over his shoulder with a confused frown, his face pale and lips pressed tight together against the ever-present nausea.

“I can’t imagine the old Fairy Tail doing that!” Sting continued. “It’s like, suddenly you care how strong everyone else thinks you are. The Fairy Tail I knew as a kid, they didn’t give a damn what anyone thought! They marched to their own beat, and damn the consequences to their reputation.”

Natsu stumbled, and rather than try to get back up he began to crawl. Even from several paces back, Sting could smell the smoke of scorched wood. Could see the charred holes Natsu was leaving as he clawed his way to the edge of the platform. “It’s for- our friends!” he panted, flaring with rage alongside his blinding determination. It was a familiar rage, fierce and fiery and protective, like wings billowed around them. “For seven long years... all that time, they waited for us!” Natsu shoved himself up, planting a foot firmly on the platform.

“It was hard- it was fucking miserable.” flashes of memory flickered across the tome’mir [psychic bond]. Twilight Ogre at the shabby little guild hall, Romeo crying, every change Natsu and Gajeel and Wendy had noticed in their guildmates since they returned. “They got humiliated, over and over, but they endured it. They kept protecting the guild.” Natsu took a firm, almost steady step, that protective fury blazing fiercer than Sting had ever felt, wings as wide as a fully grown dragon’s stretched over and around the entirety of Fairy Tail. “So I’ll keep going, for my friends. For my guild!” Natsu stood up straight, though he swayed dangerously for it. “I want to show them- show everyone- Fairy Tail’s still got a fight left in us!”

Natsu leapt to the next platform, and promptly collapsed again, tumbling off the side and across the finish line. Gajeel followed a moment later, and Sting crumpled in place as the damned chariots finally stopped moving. He’d come in last, and he was gonna catch hell for it later, but... well, Fairy Tail at least deserved second place.

Rogue met him just inside the gate to the arena, once his stomach finally settled enough to get down off the chariot without embarrassing himself further, and he leaned into the arm his twin wrapped around his shoulder. “Moving vehicles suck.” he groaned as they entered the hall which led to Sabertooth’s ready room and competitor balcony. Rogue’s mouth quirked up just slightly, but he was laughing on the inside. Sting jabbed at him sharply, through the tome’mir [psychic bond], but his twin was undeterred. Jackass.

“I don’t know why you insisted on competing, after we heard it was called Chariot.” Rufus drawled, pushing off the wall he’d been leaning against.

“Fuck off.” Sting scoffed, as Rogue flipped the memory-make wizard off with his free hand.

“I don’t know what I expected.” Rufus sighed, melodramatic as ever. Sting rolled his eyes.

“Nice job whiffing it.” Olga laughed as they entered the ready room, where lunch had been delivered. Rogue shoved him down onto the couch, and went to grab food for both of them.

“Fuck you too.” Sting hung his head back, squeezing his eyes shut. “I told bes’roan [iron-face] and tal’kovid [flame-head] last night that I’d compete. I wasn’t about to back out after they said they’d go ahead with it.”

“Minerva’s going to give you hell for that when she gets back.” Yukino pointed out. “Honour’s no good if it’s at the expense of effectiveness.”

“I knoooow.” Sting groaned. Rogue plopped down next to him, and Sting yelped and flailed as a slice of cheese landed on his face. Much to the amusement of the rest of the team, bastards. Rogue beamed, and Sting had to look away as he planted a hand on his twin’s face and shoved. Sneaky little shit knew how hard it was to stay mad at him when he smiled, after how hard those first years after Tenrou had hit them both.

“Anyways did you hear that fire idiot’s speech?” Rufus snorted. “Doing it for his friends? That’s just pathetic.”

“He couldn’t even keep it straight.” Olga nodded. “Was it for his friends, or the whole guild?”

“Doing it for sake of the guild’s reputation would at least make sense.” Yukino mused, gesturing aimlessly with the hand holding her half-eaten sandwich. “Doing it because his friends’ feelings got hurt, doing poorly in the Games these past few years? That’s just selfish and petty.”

Rogue seethed, and Sting picked up one of the black bean dumplings off his plate to shove in his twin’s mouth. “Natsu’s an idiot, is the thing.” he informed his teammates. “He really does think the whole guild are his friends. And with how their membership’s cratered, he probably actually does personally know all of the ones left.”

“Still.” Rufus sniffed, cutting another square out of his sandwich, like the weirdo he was. “When making a grand declaration, one should be consistent enough the audience cannot misunderstand their intent.”

“I’m not sure Natsu knows half those words.” Sting chuckled. At least, not without consulting their collective knowledge in the kara’cika [nebula]. Rogue, mollified by the turn the conversation had taken, rapped on the side of Sting’s head and pointed at the plate in his lap. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll eat.” he said, shoving at his twin’s shoulder with one hand and grabbing a sandwich with the other. It had nothing on the street food outside the arena, but it was convenient. They could go get something actually good later, after the day’s fights wrapped up.

Rogue provided a mental image of a stall with squid-ink noodles in pungent sauce, and Sting returned the impression of an eye roll. Rogue didn’t even recharge his magic with black food, he was just a weirdo. But, well, nothing said Sting had to get his dinner from the same cart. He was pretty sure he’d seen a place selling deep-fried flowers on their way in, that sounded interesting.

Chapter Text

Carla woke bleary and disoriented. It was loud, and whoever was holding her Wasn’t Wendy, though they smelled familiar enough she didn’t immediately panic. After a moment, her still-sluggish mind identified the one holding her as one of the younger Strauss siblings. Not Mirajane, of course. The one holding her wasn’t powerful enough to be S-Rank, and prickled less against Cana’s magical sense than the eldest Strauss did. Lisanna, she determined after another moment of thought. Not from magical deduction- Lisanna and Elfman felt very similar in that regard, their magic wild and bestial in a way not dissimilar to the dragon magic she was so accustomed to- but from the simple fact that the hand stroking through her fur wasn’t the size of her skull.

Carla stretched, claws flexing as she yawned, and sat up as primly as she could while cradled against Lisanna’s chest. “Where is Wendy?” she asked, and was promptly tackled clear out of Lisanna’s arms.

“Carla, you’re awaaaaake!” Happy sobbed, and Carla hissed, bapping at his face until he backed up and let her stand.

“Hey, hey.” the gunwoman- Bisca, Carla thought her name was- took a knee, setting a hand on each of their heads. “We’ve all been worried about you, Carla. Happy and Lily especially.”

Carla glanced around, and quickly spotted the elder Exceed perched atop... parapets? Yes, parapets. Ones which Makarov, Romeo, and even little Asuka were seated on, despite the fact that certainly wasn’t safe. Maybe that was why Pantherlily was on there as well, to catch anyone who fell?

“Happy, you don’t tackle people without warning.” Bisca scolded, her tone still soft and gentle. It seemed to work, at least. Happy’s ears drooped, and he pulled his backpack around to hug it to his chest, the very picture of dejection.

“Sorry, Carla.” he mumbed, and Carla huffed.

“Your turn.” Bisca prodded, and Carla crossed her arms.

“Carla.” Pantherlily’s tone was a warning in and of itself, and Carla winced.

“I apologize for hitting you with my claws out.” she muttered, looking away from both her fellow exceed. “It was unbecoming of me.”

“There, see? That wasn’t so hard.” Bisca scratched behind her ear, and Carla leaned into the pressure, purring softly until the hand on her head lifted away, Bisca going back to her daughter and husband.

“I’m still not used to Bisca being a mediator.” Lisanna chuckled, helping Carla up onto the parapet next to Pantherlily. “Suppose it comes with being a mom.”

“It comes with responsibility.” Pantherlilly huffed, resting a paw on her head, and one on Happy’s as well. “And to answer your earlier question, Carla, Wendy is in the Team A competitor’s booth, over there.” he removed his paw from her head, and Carla followed when he pointed. Natsu was flopped over the parapets there, with Lucy-

A knight in white armour, a magic circle bigger than any she’d ever seen, Mercurius crumbling. Lucy, singing in the ruins.

“Carla?” Happy’s voice jarred her back to the present. That... hadn’t been a vision, had it? No, no she’d dreamt that, definitely. Just a strange dream. Wendy had them after tough jobs and close fights, and they had been attacked just before she fell unconscious.

“I need to see Wendy.” she insisted, and Pantherlily nodded.

“Happy can escort you. He knows the way to the participant boxes.” he turned to Happy, who stood straighter and gave a little salute.

“It’s this way, Carla.” he gestured, and glided over to the doorway which led inside from the balcony the bulk of the guild had gathered on. Actually, come to think of it...

“Where is Gajeel?” she asked as they touched down on the floor of the hallway and started walking. “I’m surprised he let anyone else watch over one of his tra’viin [flight].”

“Oh, Gajeel is in Fairy Tail Team B.” Happy said, and Carla nearly stopped in place as she processed that.

“Team B?” she asked, and Happy launched into an explanation of everything she’d missed. Apparently Elfman and Lisanna had been trading off taking care of her while Wendy stood strong with Team A, and Carla was passingly grateful that her young dragon had yet to be called on to compete. Seriously, how could a competition which guaranteed combat allow underage wizards to compete? By the standards of most guilds, as Carla understood it, Wendy wasn’t even allowed to take combat jobs without a chaperone yet!

And Fairy Tail was currently losing, but the second day’s fights hadn’t even begun yet, so Carla wasn’t too concerned. Fairy Tail had a habit, she’d discerned, of only showing their fangs after getting their tails kicked by whoever was their enemy at the moment. Plus, two of Sabertooth’s competitors were part of their tra’viin [flight], which would certainly give Natsu and Gajeel an advantage. Somehow.

“Carla!” Wendy’s voice jolted her out of her thoughts, and Carla flew up to meet her dragon’s embrace, taking the enthusiastic cheek-rubs with grace and poise. Anything else Happy may claim to Pantherlily later was a damned lie.

“I’m quite alright, child.” she assured Wendy, casting Happy a stern glare which did nothing to stifle his giggles.

“Natsu-nii, I’m going for a walk with Carla.” Wendy called through the open doorway to the balcony where Natsu was now getting lectured by Erza. The fire dragon gave her a pleading look, and Wendy giggled. Her eyes flicked to the side, and she gave a barely-perceptible nod to whichever of her ori’vod’e [big brothers] had given her another restriction. Probably Gajeel. “I’ll be back before our team gets called to fight, promise.”

“Remember not to wander too far.” Erza said, and Wendy gave her a bright smile before turning to skip off a few paces. Carla moved to her shoulder, once the girl slowed to a walk, and for a few minutes they simply wandered the halls, Wendy pointing out various tapestries and murals which decorated the ancient, winding stone corridors.

“Are you not worried about us being attacked again?” Carla asked, and Wendy hummed thoughtfully, rocking back on her heels.

“Not really.” she shrugged. “We’re already dragging Raven Tail through the mud with legal osik [shit], they know that if they attack any of us outside of the ring again it’s going to result in immediate expulsion from the Games.”

“You assume they’re acting logically.” Carla pointed out, and Wendy made a soft sound of acknowledgement.

“Tomorrow, they’ll be out anyways.” Wendy pointed out. “And if something happens, we do have a-”

The bolt of magic which dropped her dragon came out of nowhere, Wendy collapsing like a puppet with cut strings, and Carla slammed her eyes shut, forcing herself to go limp. What she wouldn’t do to have the same link as Wendy right now, the ability to send a distress call to Natsu and Gajeel and the twins in Sabertooth. Hell, she’d take Happy!

Strong hands hoisted Wendy, and Carla recognized none of the voices, though she understood clearly what they were saying. These were not Raven Tail wizards, but mercenaries hired to do their dirty work. Mercenaries who thought their sleep spell had taken out Carla too, somehow. Idiots, but their idiocy was useful to her right now. She kept her eyes shut and her body limp as she was separated from Wendy, as they were carried through more halls, up stairs, into the open air atop the stadium.

Distantly, Carla could hear the crowd roaring, the commentators calling shots in a fight. How much longer could she afford to wait? If they left the stadium...

Magic power rolled over her in a blistering wave, suffocating in its intensity, the aura of a predator no mere mortal could ever hope to defeat or evade. The wizard carrying her stumbled, and Carla’s wings sprouted in a heartbeat, shooting her up to latch onto the man’s face with all four sets of claws and a frenzied, wordless yowl. One wizard fell behind even the one she was attacking, and Natsu took him down without even using his magic, just an arm to the throat and a clean follow-through carrying him down to crack his skull against the stones of the floor.

Carla shot up out of the way just before he unleashed a Roar at the one she’d been attacking, and soared overhead as he lunged to down the final pair with a Talon between one’s shoulderblades and Wing Attack to the side of the other’s head. The kidnapper holding Wendy staggered sideways, woozy from the head blow, and when his grip on Wendy slackened Carla swooped in to catch her before her dragon could hit the floor.

Natsu snarled, and Carla met his eyes, hissing right back, holding Wendy with her feet just above the floor. Natsu growled something in Dravic, and Carla flared her wings as large as she could, baring her kal’edee [sharp teeth]. Natsu may be Wendy’s ori’vod [big brother], but Carla wasn’t about to let him take her dragon from her.

One of the wizards on the floor around them groaned, and Natsu spun to loose a truly inhuman sound at them, the sort of noise which matched perfectly the oppressive aura which blanketed the rooftop. After that, though, Natsu seemed to come back to himself a bit. He reined in his magic, masking it down to the usual level, and when he turned back to face them his pupils were no longer thin, sharp slits. When he smiled, it was the smile Carla had come to know since they joined Fairy Tail.

“Thanks for catching her.” he said, stepping closer. “And for helping slow them down. I’ve got her from here.” he held out his arms, and for a moment Carla considered just... not doing it. Considered keeping Wendy close in her own arms, rather than hand her off to the young man who felt so much like a monster when he stopped pretending.

But no, she was being ridiculous. This was Natsu, second only to Gajeel in protectiveness when it came to Wendy. Even if he still prickled uncomfortably like a threat against her magic sense, he was Wendy’s ori’vod [big brother] and could be trusted to defend her with his life. Still, she hesitated, and the decision was made for her by several arena guards bursting through the doors as the conclusion of the match below was announced. Ten points to Raven Tail.

“Hold her.” Carla said, gliding closer to deposit Wendy in Natsu’s arms. “I’ll tell the guards what happened.”

“Does she need any healing?” Natsu asked, cradling Wendy close, her head lolled on his shoulder and deceptively slender limbs held with utmost care.

“It was only a sleeping spell.” Carla assured him, and the last of the horrible predatory pressure faded from the air around them. Only then did the guards approach, and Carla turned to face them with paws clasped and a demure expression firmly in place. After this stunt, Raven Tail was definitely getting booted. And perhaps her tra’viin [flight] had rubbed off on her more than she expected, since joining Fairy Tail, but she could hardly wait to see it happen.

Chapter Text

Erza was almost relieved that she was called in for the second combat of the day. And versus Bacchus, no less! She drew the straight sword she kept at her side, as she walked out onto the field, and noted Bacchus twirling a small gourd in one hand as he approached from his own team’s entrance. Full of alcohol, no doubt.

“Heya, Titania.” Bacchus grinned, standing loose-limbed in front of her.

“Bacchus.” she nodded to him. “I’m glad I’ve been given an opponent I can go all out against.”

“Oh?” Bacchus tilted his head, and Erza bit back a snarl at the memory of last night, Cana insensate on the floor and Bacchus fucking smirking as he twirled her bikini top around his fingers.

“The commotion at the end of the last match was one of my teammates being targeted by Raven Tail. Again.” she grumbled. “And I’d still like to kick your face in for last night.”

“Well, I look forward to your attempts.” Bacchus laughed. “What say we make this a little more interesting though, hm?” he turned, projecting his voice for the crowd. “I propose we wager, like the last pair.”

“Alright.” Erza agreed easily. “Place yours.”

“If I win, I want a night with one of the ladies of Fairy Tail.” Bacchus declared, and the growl that ripped from Erza’s throat was entirely involuntary, as was the way her fist tightened convulsively around her sword hilt. “What, jealous I might pick someone else?” Bacchus laughed. “It’s between you and the She-Devil, if that helps.” he said, his tone light. “All the others are too young, too weak, or too married.”

“Good to see you have some sense of decency.” Erza snarled, then raised her voice for the crowd. “In that case, once I defeat you, your guild will go by Quatro Perritos until the end of the Games.”

“Wild!” Bacchus cheered, and his guildmates echoed the cry as the announcers finally rang the starting bell. Erza requipped as she moved, her everyday Heart Kreuz armour disappearing in a flash and brief flare of magic, replaced by the flight armour and its twin rapiers. Bacchus was fast, but he wasn’t as fast as Racer. He was, unfortunately, much better at dodging and parrying, and when one of his strikes slipped past her guard Erza nearly lost her lunch. Downside to this armour, the only combat set she had with less defensive ability was the clear heart set, which had none at all.

“I didn’t think it was possible, but you’ve gotten even sharper.” Bacchus remarked, backing up to circle with her, both of them taking a moment to catch their breaths.

“You’d do well not to underestimate Fairy Tail.” she declared, planting her feet and pointing a sword at Bacchus, her chin held high. “After seven years, we’ve come to remind Fiore why Fairy Tail has long been considered one of the top guilds in the kingdom!”

Behind her, her guild cheered, and... was that some cheering from the crowd as well? It seemed Natsu’s speech on the chariots truly had moved them.

“Well, if you wanna put yourselves back on top, it’s hardly fair of me to not give it my all.” Bacchus chuckled, and as he turned Erza requipped again. This time into her heaven’s wheel armour, complete with the swords which matched it. It took a little more effort than most of her armours, since she had to keep using magic to hold the swords aloft and at a steady distance behind her, but she’d had the set long enough that it was second nature by now.

“Dance, my blades!” she slashed with the sword in her right hand, and simultaneously twisted the swords she held aloft. The primary one mirrored the positioning of the blade in her hand, while the others iterated at angles to form a wheel of sharpened metal which immediately began to spin. They shot forward an instant later, and she launched herself after them towards Bacchus as he dropped himself to the ground to dodge her circling swords.

The winglets of her armour granted a little extra lift, allowing her to close the distance in a single gliding leap, and the blades in her hands made contact as she soared over him. One hit to each of them, though with magic as powerful as his she doubted she’d left much more than a scratch. Plus, he’d scored a hit to her core, while she’d certainly only caught an extremity. Still, the crowd and announcers- which she’d largely tuned out- were going wild as she landed and drew her swords back to resting position, floating ready behind and above her shoulders.

“Hey, you opened my drink for me.” Bacchus drawled, and Erza spun to see him with two shallow gashes on his forearm, and the top sliced clean off his gourd of liquor. “Thanks, Scarlet.” he lifted his gourd to her, then threw it back in a few long swallows, effortlessly weaving out of the way of every blade in Blumenblatt as she tried to land another hit.

The next landed blow went to Bacchus, who caught one of the wings of her armour with a full-strength palm strike, crumpling the metal and sending her tumbling. It didn’t even hurt, but dammit now she had to get this set repaired again! And it left her prone, unable to roll to dodge as Bacchus descended on her. Alright, new strategy. She requipped out of the heaven’s wheel armour and into one of her newest sets, flinching away from the strike which threw sand up next to her shoulder and letting out a squeaky chirp of fear. This set had no magic to it at all, if it didn’t work, Bacchus could knock her out of the fight before she had a chance to requip again.

“Coooooool!!!” Jason howled into his mic, Mr. Chapati apparently stunned speechless. Erza didn’t blame him. She hadn’t anticipated actually using her seduction armour in a fight against anyone who wasn’t Mira. Actually, she hadn’t even had a chance to surprise Mira with it yet, and now her owning the set wasn’t a secret, damn. Still, she knew how she must look right now, one bare foot planted on the ground and the other leg splayed loose, hands up by her shoulders, one of them gripping the visibly blunt sword, thankfully with the provocative slogan facing down into the sand. The apron clung to her sweaty skin, the fabric barely thick enough to still be decent as she gasped for breath, her eyes watering just slightly from the dust getting in them.

Bacchus stared, eyes wide and stunned, and Erza was distantly aware of Mr. Chapati trying to stutter out an explanation for her, admittedly unconventional, choice of tactics. Well, she could make that explanation much simpler. She braced herself with the foot planted flat, and swung her other leg up swiftly, driving her knee into Bacchus’s groin. A twist, and she smacked him in the side of the head with the toy sword, spinning out from under him as he toppled onto his side.

“That. Was dirty.” he wheezed, eyes watering as he pushed himself back up. She hadn’t empowered her strike with any magic, so it hadn’t done much damage, but that was fine. She doubted that trick would work again though, so she couldn’t let him pin her.

“You’re the one who fell for it.” she quipped, requipping into her flight armour again.

“Alright, that’s it.” Bacchus cracked his neck. “No more playing around.”

“Good, I was getting a bit bored of our warm-up.” Erza spun one of her swords, and the instant Bacchus moved she requipped again. Instead of landing on her barely-guarded flesh, his seven-strike technique slammed palms-first into one of her strongest armours.

“The hell is that?” Bacchus yelped, shaking his hands, droplets of blood flying from them as he glared at her. Erza grinned.

“Until today, none who saw this armour lived to tell of it.” she boasted, planting the matching spiked club tip-down on the sand. “Witness the power of the Purgatory Plate!”

“Oho, you’re really not holding back.” Bacchus laughed. “Alright, then. Take this!” he rushed her, and Erza requipped back to her flight armour. It was a game of reaction time, now. She’d gotten it repaired to the best of her favoured smith’s ability, after the Tower of Heaven incident, but her purgatory armour wasn’t as close to invulnerable as it had once been. Plus, while its spikes were vicious, they didn’t cover every surface. Given time to study the armour, she didn’t doubt Bacchus would be able to destroy it before destroying his own hands.

Plus, standing there and letting her enemy hit her until they tired wasn’t exactly Erza’s idea of a good fight. So she traded off between flight and purgatory, taking a brief segue into the black wing and adamantine armours for an attack from above. She caught him in the leg, but he buckled her breastplate for it. Still, in the end, she was standing and Bacchus was not, and she had enough magic left- if barely- to requip into her preferred armour and raise her sword to the roars of the crowd.

Ten points to Fairy Tail A.

Erza sheathed her sword, and walked over to offer one gauntleted hand to Bacchus, helping him up off the sandy arena floor. “You know, when you’re not being a lecher and a nuisance, you’re a pretty decent opponent.” she remarked, giving his hand a firm shake.

“You’re not a bad time yourself, Titania.” Bacchus grinned wide. “Let’s spar again, next time our jobs cross paths.”

“And for those of you keeping score, which is most certainly everyone, that’s ten points to Fairy Tail and zero points to Quatro Perritos!” Mr. Chapati announced. Bacchus winced.

“Though, perhaps with different stakes.” he muttered, and Erza stifled a laugh in her fist.

“Loser buys drinks next time?” she offered, and Bacchus nodded. Kidnapping attempt aside, today was going pretty well. Now to hope Team B kept up the momentum.

Chapter Text

With two battle victories on their side- because of course Mirajane absolutely destroyed Jenny Realite once they actually got around to fighting each other- the mood amongst the guild members was much higher their second night than it had been the first. They’d somewhat split up for dinner, Gray getting dragged off by his brother- and Juvia tagging along- while the rest of the guild dispersed along a block of restaurants and food stalls. Lucy went with Gajeel’s tra’viin [flight] to a buffet place, but so did the Strauss siblings and Team Shadow Gear, so Erza wasn’t going to make a fuss about it.

Erza herself found a street stall which sold food she could eat while walking, and meandered away from the busy nightlife parts of Crocus, towards quieter streets full of shops which had already closed for the night. It didn’t take long to sense familiar magic, and she found Jellal waiting down at the edge of the canal, under a bridge. He looked good, healthy, and his smile when he saw her actually reached his eyes.

“Your girlfriend is terrifying.” he said as she settled against the opposite side of the bridge underpass, and Erza chuckled.

“She doesn’t pull out that takeover unless she wants you dead, usually.” she assured him. “I think she was showing off, today.”

“Showing off.” Jellal chuckled, shaking his head. “Fairy Tail really is something else.”

Erza made a sound of agreement, and then a solemn silence fell between them. “How goes your search?” she asked, and Jellal frowned.

“We haven’t sensed the magic yet this year.”

“Not at all?”

“Not at all.” Jellal shook his head. “In past years, that Zeref-like magic has been present for the whole of the Games. This year, zilch.”

“What does that mean, then?” Erza frowned.

“I can think of several possibilities.” Jellal said, crossing his arms, his eyes taking on a familiar calculating glint. “If the magic were connected to a particular person, they may not be attending this year. Or that person isn’t using the magic in Crocus.”

“Perhaps they’ve realized someone is on to them.” Erza noted, and Jellal nodded.

“It’s also possible that this wizard is part of a team, but has not yet participated in a match.”

“Has there been anyone who participated on the first day all previous years?” Erza asked, and Jellal pursed his lips.

“I’ll ask Ultear and Melody, later tonight.” he said after a moment. “But all that supposes the magic is coming from a person. If the magic stems from a magical device, or from a certain location...” he paused, and Erza almost reached out to tap him on the cheek when his teeth dug into his lower lip. But no, despite their conversation on the beach, they weren’t that close anymore. It was no longer her place to take care of him, as they’d all done for each other in the Tower. “This year, the device has not been activated, or some filter has been installed to ensure that no magic can seep out.”

“In any case, the fact that you aren’t sensing the magic means that nothing is going on right now, correct?” Erza asked. Jellal shrugged.

“I hope that’s true, but it’d be trying to prove a negative.”

“Point.” Erza huffed. “This would be so much simpler if there was a person or monster I could fight.”

“I suspect it’s a person, so you may get your fight yet.” Jellal chuckled. “Tomorrow, I intend to investigate the financial backers of the Games. If it’s one of them, you may even get to mow through some private security.”

“It has been a while since I had a good fight which wasn’t one on one.” Erza mused, and her chest warmed at the smile which graced Jellal’s face. “Be careful you’re not noticed, Jellal.”

“I know, I know.” Jellal rolled his eyes, but his fond smile remained firmly in place. “Ultear’s already beaten that through my skull.”

“An impressive feat, with one as thick as yours.” Erza teased, and when Jellal pushed off of the wall she did as well, catching him by the wrist before he could walk away. He made a questioning sound, turning towards her, and she pulled him close into a quick, tight hug, pressing her cheek to his. “Be safe, Jellal.” she whispered. “I’d hate to lose you again.”

“I will be, promise.” Jellal hugged her back, and when they parted Erza deliberately didn’t watch which way he went as he left. The less she knew, the safer he was. It stung, just a little, but she was mature enough to accept that her brother had found another family in Crime Sorcièr, much as she’d found one in Fairy Tail. And now that he was himself again, instead of a puppet blinded by dark magic and trauma, she would do everything in her power to keep him and his safe, even if it meant lying to the authorities eventually.

Erza wandered back in the general direction of the inn they were staying at, taking her time, enjoying the crisp night air. It was late enough now that even the taverns were mostly closed, the night’s revelries complete and contestants bedding down to be well-rested for the next morning’s events. If Lucy was amenable, perhaps they could share a bed again. It was always easier to fall sleep when she knew she wasn’t alone.

“Finally found you~” a voice sang out from up above, and Erza had her Heart Kruez armour and accompanying sword requipped before her head even finished whipping up to see a slender figure in a hooded cloak leaning on the rail of the next level of street.

“Identify yourself.” she barked, bringing her sword to bear. Dammit, if she got jumped while off on her own less than six hours after telling the others to stick to safety in numbers against potential Raven Tail retribution, she’d never hear the end of it.

The wizard up above laughed, hands curling around the rail. “Are you pumped up?” she teased, and Erza’s sword dipped as he eyes widened.

“Is it-”

“Long time no see, Erzy ♡” she cooed, flipping her hood back as she pounced up onto the rail, giving a jaunty little wave to accompany her bright smile.

“Milliana!” Erza beamed, sheathing her sword. A moment later she had an armful of cat-wizard, and Milliana purred as she rubbed their cheeks together, though she certainly didn’t understand the full meaning of the action.

“I missed you so much!” Milliana exclaimed, hugging her tight enough Erza could almost feel it even through her armour. Erza laughed, and swung her no-longer-little sister around before setting her down, hands moving to Milliana’s shoulders. She’d grown a little, since they saw each other at the Tower of Heaven. The last of her youthful softness was gone, replaced by lean muscle and sharp, stunning bone structure. But more than that, her growth was evident in the way she held herself, in the ease of her smile and casual confidence of her stance.

“You went and grew up.”

“It’s been seven years, Erzy.” Milliana’s smile went melancholy, and Erza dropped her touch from her sister’s shoulders to clasp Milliana’s hands between her own. Her claws were manicured now, painted as crisply as Lucy’s or Mira’s.

“You’ll have to tell me about it.” Erza said, which chased that shroud of darkness right out of Milliana’s eyes. “You’re in a guild now?” she asked, and her sister beamed.

“Yeah, Mermaid Heel!” she twisted, swinging her cloak aside to show off the mark on the left side of her lower back.

“And Sho and Wally with you?” she asked, and Milliana giggled.

“No, silly. Mermaid Heel is an all-girls guild!”

“Ah, so it is.” Erza chuckled.

“The boys are still off adventuring, but we keep in touch.” Milliana caught her hands and swung them side to side, too excited to be still.

“Is that so?” Erza sighed, relief flooding through her. Jellal hadn’t been able to tell her about the rest of their little family, when she’d asked on the beach, but at least now she knew they were all still alive. Though she may have to hunt down the boys herself to make sure they were actually alright.

Milliana stilled, and Erza took the chance to free her hands, dragging her sister into a tight hug, cheeking her properly as she did so. “I’m so happy to see you, Milliana.” she whispered.

“Me too, Erzy!” Milliana hugged her back, and Erza requipped out of her armour, leaving herself in just the plain clothes underneath which she’d worn out to meet Jellal.

“I’m overjoyed that you’re safe and healthy.” she sniffled, and Milliana pulled away to wipe at the tears beading hot in the corners of her eyes.

“Don’t cry!”

“You’re crying too.” she chuckled, wiping at Milliana’s tears. It didn’t take long to find a public garden with a bench to sit on, Milliana curling up against her as if nothing at all had changed.

“I was planning to surprise you after we won the Games.” Milliana said, nuzzling against Erza’s shoulder. “But after seeing you kick that Bacchus guy’s ass, I just couldn’t wait! I had to see you and talk to you again as soon as I could, so I could tell you how cool you are!”

“What ever shall we do with you?” Erza chuckled, running a hand through her sister’s hair. It was longer now, hanging thick and loose around her shoulders. Erza wondered if one of the other Mermaids brushed it for her, since she doubted Milliana had the patience to care for such a mane. Milliana just giggled, and cuddled closer as Erza settled an arm around her shoulders. “How do you like guild life?” she asked, and Milliana beamed.

“It’s lots of work, but lots of fun too! It’s like having soooo many sisters. Sometimes we annoy each other, or steal each other’s clothes and stuff, but Mistress Yoreni is really good at getting everyone to make up and be friends.” Milliana chattered, and Erza relaxed a little more. She knew the character of most of the established guilds, but Mermaid Heel was a newer one, and it was good to hear they were more like Fairy Tail than Phantom Lord.

“And you’ve got some powerful wizards in your guild, too.” she said, when Milliana paused to breathe. “Kagura’s strength is quite impressive, golden key Celestial Spirits aren’t easy to defeat.”

“Yeah, Kagura’s our best!” Milliana bragged. “Sword to sword, she might be even stronger than you, Erzy!”

“Well then, I hope to have a chance to face her.” Erza chuckled, giving Milliana a squeeze around the shoulders. “First Bacchus, now perhaps Kagura? These Games are an excellent place to find serious sparring partners for afterwards.”

“Oh, Kagura probably won’t get serious during the Games.” Milliana said. “Not really serious, at least.”

“Oh?”

“You saw her use her sword today, right?” Milliana asked, and Erza nodded. “Kagie won’t draw Archenemy unless it’s to cut down her nemesis. An enemy she hates so fiercely, it’s impossible to live in the same world as them.”

“That’s a powerful vow.” Erza noted. Oath-based magic wasn’t her forte, but something like that would produce a stupendously powerful weapon, so long as the oath was upheld. Powerful enough to force gate closures of two golden key spirits without being drawn. Downside, once the oath was fulfilled it would probably lose much of that strength, but if it took long enough that may not be much of an issue. “Who does she hunt? I can keep an eye out, perhaps send word if I encounter them in the course of my own work.”

“Kagie will only draw Archenemy for the man who stole everything from her.” Milliana said, her voice low and serious. “That sword is meant specifically to kill Jellal.”

Erza made an inarticulate sound of shock, or perhaps confusion. What connection did Kagura have to Jellal? Erza would’ve surely recognized her, if she was a fellow escapee from the Tower.

“I’m with her on that!” Milliana smiled, and for the first time Erza noticed her viciously pointed akaan’edee [fangs]. “You feel the same way too, right Erzy?” she turned her smile up towards Erza, but her eyes had gone hard, dark with hatred. “He made us into slaves again, after you helped us free ourselves. He murdered Simon, and he didn’t even have the decency to die! I will never forgive him, never forget what he’s done.” she giggled, the sound dissonant in Erza’s ears. “That’s why, when Kagie told me about her sword, I wanted to join her guild!”

Erza swallowed the rebuttals which sprang to her lips, shoved down the impulse to defend Jellal. If she did, she would surely lose Milliana’s trust, perhaps even her affection. “If I hear of his whereabouts after the Games, I’ll write to you about it. I promise.” Erza said instead, wrapping Milliana in a hug. She’d already made her peace with the fact that the less she knew about Jellal’s whereabouts, the safer he was. She just hadn’t expected to be protecting him from their own little sister.

Chapter Text

There was someone waiting at the door to their inn, when they came back from dinner. Wendy stopped the same instant he did, picking up on his wariness, and Lucy and their cats only went another few steps before turning with quizzical looks. “There’s someone waiting for us.” Natsu said, keeping his voice low so it wouldn’t carry. “Just outside our inn.”

Lucy made a confused sound, then turned back towards the building, squinting slightly. “Man, and I thought my eyesight was good.” she remarked, then gasped and broke into a jog. “It is you!” she exclaimed, catching the lady by the hands with a wide smile. “Your battle today was amazing. I never thought I’d get to see Ophiuchus in action, let alone in the hands of such a powerful wizard!”

Ohh, this was the celestial lady from Sabertooth! Yukino, the one who Sting liked because she would hand him the white feathers which fell off of her cloak. What was she doing all the way over here at this hour? Crocus Gardens was like, halfway across town.

“Not many have heard of the thirteenth zodiac key.” Yukino tilted her head slightly, her expression perfectly unreadable.

“I did my research before setting out to join a guild.” Lucy shrugged. “Anyways, what brings you here so late?”

“Could we perhaps talk inside?” Yukino asked, her voice soft, eyes dropping to the handle of the suitcase gripped tight in her hands.

“Of course.” Lucy said quickly, and waved their room-key lacrima in front of the door to unlock it. “We can talk in the lobby, if that’s alright? I don’t want to disturb our teammates, if they’ve already gotten back.”

“The lobby is acceptable.” Yukino nodded, and they quickly settled down on a pair of couches, Yukino on her own while Natsu sat between Lucy and Wendy, Happy and Carla curling up in his and Wendy’s laps. “Thank you for being so accommodating.” Yukino gave a shallow bow, hands folded in her lap. “I am here because I have some business with you, Lucy.”

“Business? With me?” Lucy blinked, audibly perplexed. If not for the fact that Sting considered her a friend, Natsu would’ve bristled at that. Sabertooth was the steepest competition they had this year, and were nearly as cutthroat in their ambitions as Phantom Lord had been. Natsu wouldn’t’ve put it past them to send someone to mess with their heads, but Sting wouldn’t be friends with the type of person who’d do that.

“Yes.” Yukino nodded, hands tightening around each other in her lap. No, tightening around something she held in her lap. “Of the utmost importance.”

“Well, what is it?” Natsu prodded, when Yukino fell silent. Wendy jabbed him with one pointy little elbow, and Natsu elbowed her right back. The faster Yukino got to the damn point, the faster they could get to sleep! After a nice filling dinner, bed sounded great, especially since he and Wendy could combine their sheets and blankets to make a nice enough nest for two dragons and two cats. It wasn’t the same without Gajeel or the twins, but it was better than nothing.

“I’m not here to fight.” Yukino assured him, and leaned forward to set the thing in her hand on the table. “These are the keys to the Gates of the Scales and the Twin Fish.” she said, withdrawing her hand to reveal two golden keys, just like Lucy’s. “I came here to relinquish them to your care, Miss Lucy.”

“That isn’t...” Lucy floundered, leaning forward, eyes flicking rapidly from the keys on the low table to Yukino’s placid face. “I can’t take these.”

“On the opening day, when I first saw you, I made a decision.” Yukino sat up straighter, lifted her narrow chin to meet Lucy’s eyes without flinching. “When the Games were over, I’d give the keys to you.”

“The Games aren’t over yet, child.” Carla pointed out.

“I’m pretty sure she’s older than you.” Wendy muttered, and Happy muffled a giggle against Natsu’s thigh.

“For me, they are.” Yukino sighed, gaze drifting to the window behind them. “I suppose that Minerva will take my place. That will place the five strongest members of Sabertooth on the same team.”

Minerva, Minerva... why was that name so familiar?

“That’s the girl Rogue likes.” Wendy whispered, and Natsu made a soft sound of understanding.

“So, wait...” Happy lifted his head, and Natsu dropped a hand to absently scratch behind his ears.

“You weren’t one of the five, then?” Carla asked, the tip of her tail flicking.

“No.” Yukino shook her head. “I was a mere novice. Serving as the reserve member while Minerva was away on a job was to be my A-Rank qualifier.”

“Then, why do this?” Wendy voiced the question they were all thinking. “They’re your precious Celestial Spirits, right?”

“That is exactly why I am entrusting them to an outstanding Celestial Spirit wizard.” Yukino clasped her hands in her lap again, but not quite firmly enough to hide how they trembled. “It will bring Libra and Pisces great joy, to be guided by Miss Lucy.”

“Did you ask them that?” Lucy asked, which seemed to startle Yukino.

“Well-”

“They’re your friends, aren’t they?” Lucy leaned forward, hands firm on her knees. “The way you fought together today, you truly care about them. So I can’t accept these keys unless it’s what they want, as well as you.”

“But, you already have the other ten.” Yukino blurted. “With my two, you would be the first wizard in centuries to hold the full set. And with them, the power to open the gate which changes the world!”

“The what now?” Natsu frowned, echoing Lucy’s confusion. What kind of gate needed twelve keys to open? That just sounded inefficient.

“I’m surprised you’ve never heard of it.” Yukino frowned. “It’s an old legend, passed down alongside the golden keys of the zodiac. That when the time is right, all twelve keys shall be gathered, and the gate which will change the world shall open to admit our saviors.”

“I-” Lucy’s mouth worked soundlessly for a moment, and Natsu made a low, comforting sound in the back of his throat, winding an arm around her waist and tugging her in to rest his cheek against the top of her head. “My first keys were my mother’s, but they only passed to me after her death.” she said, her voice barely trembling. Still, part of Natsu wanted to drag his claws and scales to the surface, to rend to pieces anything which would make her cry.

“My condolences.” Yukino murmured. “I lost my family young as well. It was my aunt who trained me, taught me the story.” she looked aside, jaw tightening. “She was among those lost in the Zentopia incident, this past February. I didn’t-” she stopped and shook her head, exhaling heavily. “Apologies, I came on business, that was grossly unprofessional of me.”

“It’s alright.” Lucy giggled, the sound just off enough to make Natsu’s arm tighten around her, even as Wendy rolled her eyes and filled the kara’cika [nebula] with exasperation. “But, what Zentopia incident? I’m afraid I was... away, when that happened.”

“Some religious cult got it in their heads to try to end the world.” Yukino sighed. “And part of it involved killing, or permanently draining the magic from, every Celestial Spirit wizard they could lay hands on.”

“Except you.” Carla said.

“The point is, Miss Lucy, you and I may well be the only Celestial Spirit wizards left in all of Fiore.” Yukino said, brushing past Carla’s pointed statement. “And it wasn’t a terribly common magic to begin with. If anyone is to hold all twelve keys of the zodiac, it should be you.”

“Well, the legend doesn’t say the keys all have to be gathered by one person, right?” Lucy pointed out. “After the Games, I’m sure our guilds can be professional enough to swap communication lacrima identifiers. If that prophesied time is within our lives, we’ll only be a call away from each other.” Lucy smiled, removing her hands from her knees to lean forward further and slide the keys across the table towards Yukino.

“If only it were that simple.” Yukino whispered, but she picked up the keys and held them to her chest.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Wendy frowned, and Yukino sniffled, raising her free hand to wipe at her tears.

“I am no longer a Sabertooth wizard.” she admitted, voice thick. Lucy made a sound that was almost a chirp of distress, and shot to her feet, rounding the table to sit next to Yukino and clasp both of the paler wizard’s hands between her own.

“What happened?” she asked, and Yukino’s breath hitched in a sob.

“I’m sorry, I’m-” she pulled back, freeing a hand to scrub at her eyes almost violently. “It’s just, been so long since anyone was this kind to me.”

Hm, Natsu just might have to smack Sting around a little, next time he saw that brat.

“Ever since I heard of them, I always- always wanted to join Sabertooth.” Yukino hiccupped, not resisting as Lucy drew her into a gentle embrace. “And just last year, I finally passed the entrance exam. But now, I can never go back there again!”

“How come?” Lucy asked, but Natsu had a sinking feeling he already knew. Knew from the flares of emotion which had rolled off of Sting and Rogue while the rest of them were having dinner. Flares Gajeel had called to ask about, and returned to say were due to internal guild matters.

“Master Jiemma made me- made me strip down, and erase my own mark.” she sobbed, fully collapsing against Lucy. “In front of the whole guild! Just because Kagura spared my life!”

Lucy hugged Yukino tighter, and when her eyes met Natsu’s they were hard as steel behind the tears brimming in them.

“And now, I- I have nowhere to go!” Yukino clung to Lucy, burying her face in Lucy’s shoulder, tears and snot soaking into Lucy’s jacket.

“I know somewhere you could go.” Lucy murmured, her gentle voice belying the fury in her eyes. “A place just as strong as Sabertooth, in spirit and everything else. A guild which will take in any wizard who wants to call it home, who’s willing to get adopted into the pack of hooligans that call each other family.”

Yukino pulled away, and Natsu grinned wide and sharp as Lucy’s hands slid to her elbows. “Come join us in Fairy Tail.”

“I-” Yukino’s breath hitched, and for some reason her gaze slid from Lucy over to Natsu and Wendy. “That’s right. You’re Sting and Rogue’s aliit [family], aren’t you?”

Wendy made a startled little sound, and Gajeel- listening in through the tome’mir [psychic bond] apparently- outright bristled at an aruetii [outsider] speaking their language. Natsu, however, just laughed. “And the twins trusted you enough to let you learn some of our language.” he pointed out, as much for Gajeel as for Yukino. “I trust their judgement. I’ll vouch for you, if Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] asks.”

“Thank you.” Yukino smiled through her tears. “Thank you.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Natsu scooped Happy up in one arm as he stood from the couch, rolling his shoulders. “I need to go teach Sabertooth that a guild which makes their friends cry isn’t worthy of being called a guild at all.” Happy hopped up onto his shoulder, and Natsu cracked his knuckles.

“You don’t-”

“Trust me, Yukino.” Wendy said, and Natsu glanced over his shoulder to see she was smiling with all the kal’edee [fangs] she had, a sharp and vicious thing nobody ever expected of sweet, innocent-seeming little Wendy. “My vod’e [brothers] who know you would definitely love to do exactly what Natsu is about to do. They’re just too sensible to go against their own guildmaster.”

“I’m not covering for you when Erza gets on your ass about this.” Lucy huffed, and Natsu flashed her a smile.

“It’ll be worth it.” he promised, and strode out the door before Yukino could compose herself enough to try to argue further. “Sting, Rogue.” he said once he was a good few paces away from the inn. “Find a reason to not be at your inn, and do it quick.”

“Whu?” Sting mumbled, then jolted in the kara’cika [nebula] as he registered the waves of anger rolling off of Natsu.

“That Jiemma bastard needs a lesson in how guilds are supposed to work.” he growled, magic swirling under his skin, itching to escape as tongues of fire, to drip from his fingertips and plume out of his mouth as thick, dark smoke.

“Natsu-nii, not every guild is Fairy Tail.” Sting groaned, but he was getting up and throwing his clothes on.

“I often go out late at night.” Rogue’s voice was a whisper even in his head.

“And with all that’s happened with Raven Tail, not even Master Jiemma can argue about us going together.” Sting agreed. Great, now the twins had an alibi and Natsu wouldn’t have to worry about roughing them up before he got a chance to fight one or both of them properly later in the Games.

“Good.” he said simply, and cut the call.

“Whatever stupid thing you’re about to do, you better not be dragging Wendy along.” Gajeel muttered.

“Left her back at the inn.” Natsu replied, and got a sense of a shrug before his ori’vod [big brother] faded out as well. Probably to get some rest.

Excellent. Now it was time to kick some ass.

Chapter Text

The third day of the Games, Wendy thought, was off to a better start than the previous two. Right at the beginning of the day Raven Tail’s disqualification had been announced. For ‘repeated and flagrant violations of the rules of fair play’ they got a three-year ban, which wasn’t half as much as Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] would’ve liked but at least made them a later problem. Sure it meant Fairy Tail Team B was sitting out today, until they could turn in a revised roster for tomorrow, but whatever. Erza absolutely destroyed the Pandemonium castle, and Fairy Tail’s balconies weren’t alone in going wild as she did so.

Then again, it was Erza. Erza was a badass, that was just fact. The only thing that could’ve made the morning better, Wendy thought as she gave Erza what little healing she needed, would’ve been having a new guildmate in Fairy Tail’s box. But Yukino had insisted that she wanted to enjoy the rest of the Games without any kind of pressure, now that she knew what she’d do after. According to Sting, this was normal for her, so Wendy wasn’t worried or anything. But it would’ve been nice.

After lunch, of course, were the battles. Mermaid Heel vs Quatro Perritos, Erza’s vod’ika [little sister] from Mermaid Heel won. Blue Pegasus vs Sabertooth, Sabertooth won in a single decisive hit. Between the twins’ pride in their guildmate and the eagerness of her ori’vod’e [big brothers] to battle him, Wendy couldn’t help but pay attention to Rufus as he swept his big fancy hat off his head and bowed to the roaring crowds.

“That’s two of three that they’ve won in a single hit.” she muttered.

“Huh, you’re right.” Natsu cocked his head slightly, then smiled. “Looks like Yukino and the twins are the only ones who know how to put on a good show.”

“By the way, has anyone seen Yukino since last night?” Lucy frowned.

“Sting and Rogue spotted her last night.” Natsu volunteered. “Some soldiers were helping her find an inn with a free room.”

“Oh yeah, I suppose it’d be hard to find a place in the middle of the Games.” Lucy leaned on the balustrade with a huff. “Good to know she’s safe, though.”

“Ooh, we’re up next!” Natsu realized, eyes lighting up.

“Yeah, Vs. Lamia Scale.” Gray smiled, cracking his knuckles. “I wonder if I’ll get to go all out on Lyon again.”

“Wait- dammit, I wanna fight Sting or Rogue!” Natsu complained, waving his fists in the air. “Dammit, producer guys, I wanna fight!”

A knock against the archway at the back of their box drew everyone’s attention, and the stadium employee gave them a smile. “Miss Marvell, you’re up next.”

Wendy grinned, and Natsu clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Ke’pirunir sur'haaise, woor’ika. [Make (her) eyes water, little wind.]”

“Oya! [Yeah!]” she pumped both fists with a wide smile, and hurried down to their hallway.

“The contestants in our third and final match of the day will beeeee...” Mr. Chapati’s voice rang from everywhere, it seemed, and Wendy bounced in place, shaking every limb to dispel the nervous energy. She was a dragon, just like her ori’vod’e [big brothers]. Anything short of a wizard saint- and Lamia Scale had already fielded theirs- she could beat. She had Grandeeny’s advanced teachings, and the move she’d developed with Natsu, and the ability to recharge on the fly. So long as she didn’t get hit, she could win any battle of endurance.

“Lamia Scale’s Chelia Blendy, and Fairy Tail’s Wendy Marvell!” the announcer declared, and Wendy jogged out with a smile, waving up at the Fairy Tail boxes. A soft gasp and thump drew her attention to her opponent, and she winced at the sight of the other girl face-down on the ground.

“Are you alright?” she called, but when she tried to hurry towards Chelia to check, her shoes slipped in the loose sand, and she went down the exact same way. She was never going to live this down.

“It seems like it’s going to be a battle of cuteness!” Mr. Chapati exclaimed, which was just plain insulting. It was totally possible to be cute and badass, and no way had Lamia Scale brought a literal wizard saint and then also a kid who couldn’t hold her own. Well, then again... they had brought Toby.

“Let’s have a good battle, okay?” Wendy said, pushing herself to her feet and dusting off her dress.

“Sure!” Chelia agreed with an easy smile, doing the same. “I hope so too!”

“Competitors, step forwards!” Mr. Chapati said, cutting off whatever byplay had been happening between the other two announcers. Wendy moved to the spot marked on the sand, and for a moment debated using daratiui’kadyc [dragon state of mind] right off the bat. But no, that would end the fight too quickly, and she sorta didn’t want to show that to a whole stadium full of people. She’d never actually fought someone her own age, and Chelia looked like she’d also fight quick and clever instead of rooting herself and throwing around crazy amounts of power. This was going to be fun!

“Begin!” Mr. Chapati called, and Wendy lunged forwards, tuning out the announcers, the crowds, everything that wasn’t her prey opponent. Chelia easily dodged the Wing Wendy threw at her, and Wendy leapt clean over the Boreas fired at her in return, with the aid of a burst of wind under her feet. Sky God, black wind... Natsu’s horror and fear were sharp, but distant, and as she landed back on the sand Wendy cocked her head, plucking at his memories of the fight against the God Slayer of Grimoire Heart. There was a way to eat that magic, but only as a last resort.

Well, if she was at a theoretical disadvantage... Wendy breathed deep, replenishing what little magic she’d spent, and two overlapping circles bloomed beneath her feet. “Arms, Vernier, Enchant!” she layered the empowerments on herself, and her opponent laughed in delight.

“You’re amazing!” she declared, and Wendy smiled.

“You’ve barely seen the least of what I can do.” she flicked a pigtail back over her shoulder.

“Well then.” Chelia’s answering grin was just as feral as any Fairy’s. “It’s only fair I give it my all too, huh?”

“Bring it.” Wendy brought her hands up in loose fists.

“Sky God’s Dance!” Chelia twirled, and Wendy grunted as the attack knocked her up in the air. “Not done yet!” Chelia leapt up after her, and Wendy twisted to flash her akaan’edee [fangs] down at her opponent.

“Gotcha~” she crooned, and Chelia had just enough time to try to twist out of the way before a Talon hit her center mass, throwing her down to the ground. Wendy landed almost as hard, but she landed on her feet, and was distantly aware of the crowd going nuts. Was this the sort of rush her ori’vod’e [big brothers] got when they were fighting for their lives on combat jobs? It was... well, it was fun! And she hadn’t even done anything fancy yet.

“You’re good.” Chelia laughed, picking herself up, eyes flashing dark and inhuman. “But let’s see you counter this! Sky God’s-” she leaned back, bringing both fists up, and Wendy did the same.

Her Roar met Chelia’s Howl dead between them, and the explosion of power threw both of them back. Chelia landed lighter, skipping backwards while Wendy skidded with a foot, knee, and hand dug into the sand to bleed off her momentum. Her vod’e [brothers] clamoured in the back of her mind, and she shoved all of them out. Their tactics weren’t hers. They had to worry about conserving magic, and they’d honed their bodies into weapons besides, trained for years to fight monsters and dark wizards alike. She fought only by necessity, but she didn’t have to worry so much about running out of power.

But her opponent could recharge just as easily, sky magic to sky magic. This wasn’t a battle she could win by attrition, or by tricking her opponent into overextending. She would definitely have to break out her new moves for this one. Well, they were supposed to give the audience a show.

“I’ve never met another Sky wizard.” Wendy said as she picked herself up, burying a wince. Her palm felt raw, and the sand had scraped a hole clean through the knee of her tights, not to mention bloodied the actual knee below. Maybe if she offered to heal up Chelia afterwards, Chelia would return the favour?

“Me either!” Chelia beamed. “Lyon told me there was a wizard in Fairy Tail with the same magic as me, but... yours is different.” she cocked her head, lips pursing in a small, cute pout.

“You may be a Goddess, but I’m a dragon.” Wendy grinned, wider than humans found comfortable, showing off every one of her kal’edee [fangs].

“Well then, since we’re here, let’s have a lot of fun!” Chelia clapped her hands, and Wendy chuckled, rubbing over her shoulder to soothe the low ache there.

“This’ll be my first time having fun in a fight.” she admitted, firming her stance and raising her fists. “But this is for my guild, so I won’t hold back!”

“Good.” Chelia’s smile matched hers, tooth for tooth, though she lacked so much as akan’edee [fangs]. “I’m giving my all for my guild, and for Love!” black wind swirled around her hands, and Wendy yelped as it coiled around her legs as well, throwing her off the ground and off balance, battering at the magic she was using to shield herself. It felt like a small eternity before she managed to ground herself again, the black winds throwing her every which way, but once she had her feet on the ground Wendy dropped into a crouch, digging her fingers into the sand for an additional anchor.

Despite herself, she felt a smile growing on her face. She didn’t love battle, not like her vod’e [brothers], but she couldn’t deny anymore. She was good at fighting, good at giving her all for the sake of her guild. And there was something about pushing herself to the utmost limit of her ability, reaching the end of her skill and then stretching beyond, proving to herself and her whole tra’viin [flight] that she was strong enough to stand on her own. She was strong enough to make Grandeeny proud, wherever her buir [mom] may be.

The swirling winds around her broke, and Wendy straightened up, springing into the air and using the last of the momentum from Chelia’s attack to push herself into a twisting backflip. “Was that supposed to hurt?” she teased, spreading her arms. Sure her skin may be covered in tiny cuts, her clothes a little roughed up, but she’d fought through worse. Oracion Seis, Bes’baverd Daratiui [Dragon Knight, Dorma Anim], Grimoire Heart... since she joined Fairy Tail, she’d learnt how to fight with her life on the line. Compared to that, this was downright mild. But she had burnt a lot of magic protecting herself, so she inhaled deeply, the air turning to fresh magic in her tija’pan [magic organ].

“Ah, you also eat air!” Chelia exclaimed. “In that case, I’ll have some too!” she sucked in air as well, and when Wendy reflexively dragged the back of her wrist across her lips- eugh, now there was bloody sand smeared over her mouth, bad idea- she couldn’t help but admire the Goddess’s form. Perfectly balanced, ready to bolt if Wendy tried anything. Well, she was going to try something, but not anything the other girl could block.

“I think it’s about time we gave these people a show worth watching.” Wendy declared, spreading her arms, a crimson magic circle igniting over each palm. “Sky Dragon’s Fire, Special Technique: Heatwave!” the wind which whipped up around them was tinged red, instead of her usual pale blue, and the temperature climbed rapidly within the barrier wind as the magic circle under her feet pulsed larger and larger.

“But- Lyon said you Dragon Slayers only have one element each!” Chelia cried, her own winds whipping around her but visibly not doing much. When all the air was this hot, a breeze could only do so much.

“We did.” Wendy giggled, pigtails lashing in the second barrier breeze which kept her from overheating. Downside to this technique, it took a lot of power, and a lot of concentration too. Wendy barely managed to dodge the bursts of magic Chelia threw her way, and when she did it meant stumbling directly into the furnace-like temperatures she’d created. The fire Natsu had given her helped, but she was still a sky dragon at her core, and she slumped in relief when Chelia collapsed. The heat began to dissipate as soon as she dropped the barrier, and as the pumpkin-headed mascot announced her victory Wendy took a moment to bask in the emotions overflowing from her kara’cika [nebula].

Natsu was proud, of course. Their combo move had worked exactly as intended, with the bonus of none of their tra’viin [flight] having realized what they were doing ahead of time. Gajeel was proud too, of course he was, but he was also astonished and mentally kicking himself for being an idiot. He’d seen Natsu give her fire, that first night in Crocus, and he hadn’t suspected a thing. The twins were awed, and elated, and Wendy could tell they were going to try exchanging elements as soon as they got back to their room at Crocus Gardens. Ha, good luck, it had taken her and Natsu a week of experimenting before they managed to work out how to use their combined powers effectively, and Sting and Rogue’s magics were about as opposite as they came.

“Ah, sorry!”

Wendy froze, eyes flying open. Chelia was pushing herself to her feet, the fevered flush to her skin fading unnaturally fast, bruises fading and cuts re-sealing.

“Wait a minute, Mr. Pumpkin Sir. This match is only just beginning!” Chelia straightened up fully, fixing one of her hair ties which had come partway loose. “I figured you were good, Wendy, but wow!” she laughed, eyes alight. Watching her stretch leisurely, as if she hadn’t been hurt at all, made Wendy all the more aware of her own injuries. “Oh, are you alright?” Chelia asked, doing that stupidly cute pout again and pressing a finger just under her pursed lips. “Feel like giving up?” she smiled, and damn a smile like that deserved akaan’edee [fangs].

“Not- on your- life.” Wendy panted, clenching her hands into fists. There was always that, if she couldn’t recharge fast enough, but if she could avoid getting hit for a few minutes she should be able to regain enough magic to land a Sky Drill.

“You’re outclassed, you know.” Chelia said, flicking her hair as if to push it back over her shoulder. “It only makes sense to surrender now.”

Wendy snarled, and Chelia huffed. “I’m only trying to be nice, you know.” she pouted, crossing her arms. “I don’t dislike fighting, but a one-sided battle that accomplishes nothing more than violence is hardly what I’d call Love.” Chelia un-crossed her arms and planted her fists on her hips. “So, I really wouldn’t mind if you quit, y’know?”

“I can’t.” Wendy said, and Chelia blinked at her in clear confusion. “The fact that I’m standing here at all means that I'm ready to give my all, fighting for my guild.” she said, squaring her shoulders and drawing herself up as tall as she could. “I don't need your mercy.” she lifted her chin, meeting Chelia’s eyes as she breathed deep. “And never, ever underestimate what Fairy Tail is capable of.”

“Wha-”

“We’re fighting until one of us can’t stand!” she roared, and launched herself at Chelia with a roar, forcing her to dodge a Talon with a squeal.

“You’re lots of fun, Wendy!” Chelia laughed, catching her Wing on one forearm, eyes alight with a fervour Wendy rarely saw in people who weren’t either her guildmates or trying to kill her. “Since you showed me a special technique, it’s only polite I return the favour, right?”

Wendy nodded, and they leapt back away from each other. Options, options, how could she make this work? “Strength that tears the sky, Arms!” she poured most of her power into the enchantment, strengthening her body as she rooted herself.

“God Slayer Ultimate Attack: Heavenly Cloud Swarm!” Chelia’s magic spiralled forth from a truly massive magic circle, like a horizontal cyclone of black feathers, and Wendy threw the last of her power against the ground, pitching herself up into the center of the spiral and twisting with it, letting Chelia’s power carry her. She shut her eyes, exhaled the last of her own magic, and breathed in the power of a Goddess.

It wasn’t fiery, like when Natsu had fought the Fire God on Tenrou, but cold. So cold it burned, searing like the coldest winter nights, like ice on bare skin, ice in her lungs, in her tija’pan [magic organ]. She landed in a tumble, breathing hard, and snarled as she forced herself to not enter daratiui’kadyc [dragon state of mind]. She’d never actually managed to use that technique in full, and to do so now... she didn’t want to maul Chelia, just kick her ass. “Like I said.” she laughed. “Don’t underestimate Fairy Tail.” she launched herself at Chelia faster than most humans could track, icy magic surging under her skin.

“Sky Dragon’s Shattering Fang!” she cried, and forced her opponent to stagger back a couple steps, though the gash on her forearm closed as quickly as Wendy opened it. Every move flowed from that, instinct driving her as much as the training her ori’vod’e [big brothers] had put her through. Chelia gave as good as she got, but so long as Wendy kept pressing her, she couldn’t break away long enough to refuel.

Chelia got a good solid kick in, sending Wendy flying, and when she landed she had to suck in a deep breath for reasons completely unrelated to magic. But she was running low on that too, and a quick glance up showed they were nearly out of time. “One last attack, winner take all!” she called, and Chelia nodded, gulping down air desperately. Wendy could’ve done the same, but this was as much a show as it was a fight, and she still had a trick she wanted to show off.

“Will that defies time, Morigaine!” she yelled, and yeah she would be useless tomorrow but she wouldn’t have to fight again tomorrow, so it didn’t really matter. Her guildmates were tough, they could deal with a few scrapes and scratches until she recovered. “Sky Dragon Secret Art: Shattering Light, Sky Drill!” she thrust her arm forwards, and whatever Chelia tried to throw at her, the Sky Drill pierced it like it wasn’t even there.

When the bell rang to mark the end of their half hour bout, Chelia was sprawled on the ground groaning, and Wendy- though she was swaying from both physical and magical exhaustion- was still on her feet.

Ten points to Fairy Tail.

Part of her wanted nothing more than to collapse right there on the sand and take a little nap, but she staggered forwards instead, falling to her knees at Chelia’s side. “Are you alright?” she asked, and Chelia giggled as she pushed herself up to sitting, her eyes bright and clear as they met Wendy’s.

“That’s usually my line.” she laughed, breathless and swaying in place slightly, even with a hand planted on the sand behind her. “I’m alright, Wendy. That was lots of fun!”

“Yeah, for me too.” Wendy smiled. “Here.” she held out her hands, and a green circle lit between her palms and Chelia’s battered body. “Heal.” she commanded, and the worst of Chelia’s wounds sealed up.

“Oh, no, let me!” Chelia exclaimed, twisting up onto her knees and turning her magic on Wendy, healing her in turn and even- oh, that was neat. Weird, but neat. She could tell, somehow, that the backlash of her Morigaine enchantment would be much less than expected tomorrow. “Say, Wendy...” she looked up from her healing, and Wendy couldn’t help but meet her eyes. Blue, dark and deep as the ocean, as the sky just before night fully fell. “Let’s be friends!” she smiled, and Wendy’s breath caught in her throat.

“Y- yeah!” she smiled, shoving down the feelings which threatened to surge out into the kara’cika [nebula]. “Friends!” she shook Chelia’s hand, and wished there were a mental equivalent of screaming into a pillow. Because there was no way in haran [hell] that Natsu and Gajeel would be able to be normal about her getting a crush on the girl who just almost kicked her ass.

Chapter Text

Once his team were drunk enough to not notice it, Laxus slipped out of the bar. He’d accepted his place as the reserve member for tomorrow, better than not being in the Games at all for the final stretch, but sitting and watching Natsu and Gajeel parade Wendy around on their shoulders had gotten old fast. And maybe it was a little petty of him, to not want to celebrate because he hadn’t gotten a chance to fight as part of Team B, but better he go sulk and be petty on his own than drag the rest of the guild down with him.

Crocus was a damn beautiful city, too. He’d been through before, usually taking a layover between train rides, but only ever while working. He’d never taken the time to actually just, walk around and enjoy the place. Maybe he should’ve brought his idiots (affectionate) along after all. Freed and Ever would’ve loved this.

Actually, the night was still young enough he could probably go drag them out of the bar, but the three of them had been having fun when he left. Freed had been giggling over something with Mira, Evergreen taking another shot at drinking Cana under the table- a futile endeavour, but the woman was nothing if not stubborn- and Bixlow had been challenging anyone who’d accept to arm-wrestling matches. He’d probably end the night with a sprained shoulder courtesy of Elfman, and Laxus would laugh at him while his team nursed hangover cures, but he’d needle Wendy into healing it before the Games started for the day.

He was in the middle of a maze-like garden of flowering shrubs when an oddly familiar scent caught his attention. It was faint, intermingled with the flowers, but undeniably familiar, even if he wasn’t as much a bloodhound as Fairy Tail’s three proper dragons were. He wandered the maze a little longer, tracking the scent as best he could, like following a sound. It wasn’t Natsu he found though, but the redhead who’d beat the tar out of Lucy on day one. She’d changed out of the red dress, but was still dressed uncommonly lightly for the brisk air of the early spring night. Then again, considering she had fire magic, she probably didn’t even feel the cold.

“I thought Raven Tail got the boot.” he said, and Flare Corona didn’t even have the decency to startle.

“I left the guild.” Flare said, her voice soft and, now that he was listening, accented slightly. “You’re lucky, though.” she turned to face him, and Laxus suppressed a wince at the bruises which still mottled her face. The sleeves of her shirt, while lacy, obscured much of the bruising which had appeared on her arms between the first and second days. Her face had no such protection, and she hadn’t covered it with makeup either.

“Lucky how?” Laxus asked, moving closer. She prickled against his magic sense much like Natsu did, which was just uncanny. He’d think they had the same magic, if not for the fact that Natsu openly used dragon magic and she’d used her hair for everything.

“Master Ivan wanted to fight you personally.” she said, scooting over to make room on the bench. “He wanted to interrogate you about your guild.”

“What, did he miss the memo that I got kicked out for a couple months last-” he grimaced. “Sorry, seven years ago.”

Flare shrugged, scuffing one heel against the flagstone path as he took the offered seat next to her and looked up at the stars. There weren’t quite as many visible here in the capitol as there were out in the wilderness, but the night sky was still beautiful. “He thought Master Makarov may have told you something. He was obsessed with Fairy Heart.”

“Never heard of it.” Laxus shrugged, and Flare hummed softly, a tune he thought he’d heard around the guild once or twice from Natsu, or maybe Erza? No, she wasn’t humming, she was singing. Just a few words, and ones that didn’t make any sense, but the cadence of them was weirdly familiar. A language he didn’t speak, but had maybe heard in passing?

Oh, she had almost the same accent as Natsu had, when the brat was first learning to speak proper Fiori. “Are you and Natsu related, by chance?” he asked, dragging his eyes down from the stars and twisting to face her.

Flare jolted, staring at him, then giggled. “Now why would you ask that?” she smiled, and Laxus felt a shiver run down his spine as the prickling against his magical sense grew stronger, Flare’s magic swelling in a silent threat. Was it just his imagination, or were her teeth too sharp, her incisors too long? “I’ve never met him before today.”

“Call it a hunch.” Laxus said, deadpan as he could manage. He was an S-Rank wizard, dammit. He wasn’t going to be intimidated by magic power that didn’t even come close to his own, no matter how unnatural it felt. “Your magics feel almost exactly the same.”

“Do they?” Flare tilted her head, the pressure of her aura against his dropping to almost nothing. Not masked, but not actively projecting either. “Odd, I thought he was fire, while I’m hellfire.”

“Well, Natsu’s always been a weird little shit.” Laxus shrugged, which startled a laugh out of Flare. “But enough about that idiot. If you need a healer, my guild’s got a damn powerful one.” he nodded at her bruises, and Flare pursed her lips, looking away from him.

“I may have left the guild, but I won’t forget what Master Ivan taught me.” she murmured.

“And what was that?” Laxus couldn’t help but ask.

“Never hesitate, when your prey is at your mercy.” she shook her head, braids swinging with the motion. “It is good advice, regardless of circumstance.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Laxus muttered, “But you shouldn’t have to learn that by having it beaten into you.” he almost reached out, but stopped himself. She wasn’t Evergreen, so why did he want to treat her as if she was? Part of him definitely did want to do that, to drag her back to the guild and make sure Wendy healed her and drop Ever on top of her to keep her down long enough she fell asleep. But Flare wasn’t one of his team, wasn’t even part of his guild, and he looked back up at the stars as she made a noncommittal noise. “Still, s’pose it’s good that you got out of there.” he muttered, scratching at the back of his head.

“It’s been quite a while, since anyone worried about me.” Flare said, sounding so damn vulnerable Laxus had to actively swallow the growl which wanted to rumble out of his throat.

“Well, Fairies specialize in breaking shit.” he muttered, keeping his eyes fixed on the sky above and hoping desperately his cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “Boundaries and expectations included, apparently.”

“You’re a far kinder man than your father, Laxus Dreyar.” Flare said, and that awful vulnerable tremor was thankfully gone from her voice. “I’m glad I met you, before leaving.”

“Where are you headed next?” Laxus asked, finally looking back at her. “If you’re comfortable saying, of course.”

“Home, I think.” she said, leaning back and stretching leisurely. “Spark and ember, it’s been far too long since I saw the mountains.”

“Got a guild there you plan to join?” he asked, and Flare shook her head.

“My town is... isolated, I think is the word in Fiori? I miss my family, and the view, and how simple things were before I left home.”

“Sometimes you need to leave the nest a bit.” Laxus chuckled. “Gods know I didn’t appreciate Fairy Tail half enough until Gramps kicked me out.”

“Do you ever regret it?” Flare asked, and Laxus cocked his head towards her slightly. “Whatever it was that got you expelled from your guild.”

“All the damn time.” Laxus sighed heavily. “I was being a shithead, too caught up in my own ideas of superiority to listen to anyone who knew better.” he shook his head with a disparaging chuckle. “Tried to take the whole damn town down with me and didn’t manage to take down anyone with the spell. Had to have the why spelled out for me, too, and even then I was too stubborn to back down. Got my ass handed to me, got kicked out... rest is history.” he shrugged.

“Is it bad that your story comforts me?” Flare asked after a moment, and Laxus couldn’t stop the bark of laughter that burst from his lips. Flare squeaked, and Laxus waved a dismissive hand at her.

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” he chuckled, taking a few deep breaths to master himself. “I’m glad someone can learn from my mistakes. And hey, your situation’s different.” he elbowed her, careful to be gentle so he didn’t jab any of her bruises hard enough to hurt. “You get to go home, hug your mom and dad, be all surprised how big the brats have grown while you were gone.”

Flare giggled, shoulders shaking more than he really thought the conversation warranted, but eh, who was he to judge? Maybe he’d reminded her of an old family joke, maybe she was finally unwinding from however long she’d spent in Raven Tail. It didn’t matter. “Thank you for the conversation, Laxus.” she said once her laughter abated. “I enjoyed your company.”

She stood, and Laxus managed to hold his tongue for all of three steps before sighing heavily. “Have you got a place to stay for the night?” he asked, and Flare turned to him with a confused sound that he’d definitely heard Erza make. “I doubt the place your guild was renting with is gonna let you back, and every other inn in the city is full up with spectators.” he explained. “Do you have a place to stay, before you set out in the morning?”

“I was going to sleep outside of town.” Flare admitted, catching one of her braids in her hands and... Laxus wasn’t sure if she was stroking it or wringing it, but if that wasn’t a nervous tic he didn’t know what was.

“My team’s bunked down in a double queen.” he said, standing and offering her a hand. “Two of them are so wasted they’ll probably pile in with the third, so you’ll have a bed to yourself.”

“I thought all teams were assigned all five competitors to a room.” Flare frowned, and Laxus facepalmed.

“Shit, sorry. My regular team, not Team B. The wizards I work with on jobs.”

“Ohhh. That makes more sense.” Flare giggled, and Laxus held out a hand to her.

“Not saying you have to join our guild or anything, but... aint right, leaving someone out in the cold.”

“I am in your debt, Laxus.” Flare said, taking his hand and letting him lead her back out of the flower maze.

“Don’t bother.” Laxus waved his hand. “Actually... it’s a bit of a walk back to the inn. Sure you’re not cold?” he shrugged his coat half off of his shoulders. Sure, her magic could keep her warm, but flaring your magic to preserve body temperature took practice and burned magic faster than most wizards realized.

“A little.” Flare admitted. “It’s nice, though!” she said quickly. “It’s a lovely night out.”

“Nicer with a coat than without.” Laxus shrugged off his coat, and it nearly dragged on the ground, with how much shorter than him Flare was. Damn, if he had a private room he might’ve invited her back for more than to give her a roof over her head for the night. She was pretty enough, if a bit scrawnier than the types he favoured when finding a partner for the night by appearance, but more than that she was powerful, and confident in her own ability.

Unfortunately, he was still rooming with the rest of the now-defunct Fairy Tail Team B, and getting a private room just for a one-night-stand was not something he fancied checking the price tag on. Still, it was... nice, he supposed, walking back to the inn in companionable silence, his arm around Flare’s slim shoulders and her humming snatches of that almost-familiar melody from time to time. The rest of the guild was straggling back in when they arrived, and Laxus shook his head with a chuckle at the sight of Bixlow trying to juggle Evergreen and Freed both.

“Here, let me.” he said, scooping Freed up and slinging the script mage over his shoulder.

“Who’s the chick?” Bixlow asked, and Laxus fixed him with a flat look. “Okay, better question, why’d you bring her back to the Fairy Tail inn?”

“Laxus said that if you three were willing, I could perhaps spend the night in the second bed of your room?” Flare said, making it sound like a question.

“These two are wasted enough they’ll both end up sleeping on top of you regardless.” Laxus pointed out, indicating Freed and Ever. “And every damn inn in the city’s full up. I wasn’t about to let her sleep on the damn street when we have an open bed.”

Freed, drunken mess he was, immediately started sobbing about how nice Laxus was. Laxus rolled his eyes, and watched as Bixlow distinctly tilted his head, making it clear he was looking at Flare’s chest. The lace which filled in the scoop neck of her shirt did nothing to hide the lack of a guild mark on the skin there.

“You don’t snore, do you?” he asked, and Flare frowned slightly, visibly considering the question.

“I don’t... think so?”

“Eh, Freed and Ever both do, so I doubt any of us would even notice.” Bixlow shrugged.

“I have earplugs you can use.” Laxus chuckled at the look on Flare’s face. “If all three of them get going it can be a bit much even for me, and I’m used to it.”

“Flare?” Lucy gasped, and Laxus turned to pin Natsu’s little friend with a hard look. Her hand wasn’t on her key ring, but it was nearby, and he shoved down the urge to bare his teeth at her like an animal.

“You gonna make this a problem, blondie?” he challenged, and Natsu shoved in front of Lucy with a full-throated growl. Flare made a soft sound of... distress? Surrender? Whatever it was, it snagged Natsu’s attention, and a moment later he nodded. Fucking weirdo, but at least he was herding Lucy off towards their team’s room. Disaster averted. Laxus thankfully got Flare up to his team’s room before Erza could spot her and make a scene, and only after getting back to the Team B room did he realize he’d forgotten to get his coat back.

Eh, whatever, Bix would return it to him in the morning.

Chapter Text

Natsu shook his head as soon as the name of the competition came up. Naval Battle sounded like something happening on boats, and he’d already subjected himself to motion sickness once in the Games. No way was he doing it again.

“I’ll pass too.” Gajeel said, thinking along the same lines. In the kara’cika [nebula], Wendy was laughing at both of them. Brat.

“If it’s water, leave it to me.” Lucy grinned, patting the pounch on her belt which held her keys. “Aquarius and I have this one in the bag.”

“Man, I almost wish we had Juvia on the team right now.” Gray muttered. “She’d be weird about it, sure, but she’s unbeatable in the water.”

“Huh, I wonder who’s stronger, her or Aquarius.” Lucy mused. “We’ll have to spar sometime and see!”

“I’ll referee when you do.” Erza chuckled, and patted Lucy on the back to step forward. Around the arena, the other guilds sent their competitors forward as well. Chelia again from Lamia Scale, the first day’s announcer lady who was apparently from Blue Pegasus, a sturdy-looking lady from Mermaid Heel, the guy with two huge hair spikes from Quatro Perritos, and-

“So that’s Minerva.” Gajeel mused, eyeing the woman as she stepped forwards. Natsu bit back a growl at the sight of her. He couldn’t deny that Sting and Rogue had a point about her preventing damage and injury by stepping in, but getting in the middle of someone else’s fight wasn’t cool, and taking Happy captive had been a cheap trick! Plus, he totally could’ve kicked that Jiemma bastard’s ass if she hadn’t stepped in.

“I kinda wanna fight her.” Natsu muttered. “But between her and the twins...”

“Well, today is the double battles, isn’t it?” Gajeel chuckled, resting an arm on his shoulder. “We might get her and one of the twins together.”

“Unlikely.” Lucy shook her head. “There’s a popular vote component to the battle match-ups, remember? Everyone’s going to want to see the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth in action together.”

“Point.” Gajeel conceded, and Natsu cocked his head as all of them were sent off the field.

“Why call us all out if we were just gonna get sent back in so the participating member can change?” Erza grumbled, producing a cute swimsuit from her armour storage for Lucy to wear.

“Why do you have- y’know what, nevermind.” Lucy sighed.

“It pays to be prepared.” Erza smirked, and herded them all up to their balcony. It was weird, having two of the competitor balconies empty now, but not really bad. Especially not when it meant Natsu got to have Gajeel all to himself for once, and without any weirdness between them this time!

“Oi, Scarlet.” Gajeel said, getting Erza’s attention. “What’s your measure of that Minerva chick?”

“Powerful.” Erza said, without hesitation. “She’s strong, and knows it, and is used to everyone around her knowing it as well.”

“She got in the way of me kicking the Sabertooth master’s ass the other night.” Natsu grumbled.

“I’m not sure if that’s fearlessness or foolishness, getting between you and your prey.” Erza sighed. “Then again, the two do often go hand in hand.”

“Case in point.” Gajeel chuckled, catching Natsu in a headlock and giving him a noogie, making Erza and Gray laugh. “But not Minerva, I don’t think. Rogue likes her, and he’s not the type to be that distracted by a pretty face.

“Oh it’s not her face that keeps distracting him enough to walk into tables.” Sting didn’t quite pop in, but his muttered words rang clear in the kara’cika [nebula], and Natsu bit back a laugh at Rogue’s flare of indignation. Gajeel snorted softly, and Natsu leaned against him as the competitors began to trickle out of their ready rooms. There was something else happening as well, down on the field. Water streamed up out of the ground, but instead of forming a puddle it hovered in the air as a ball, growing larger with each passing moment. By the time the competitors were all out on the field again, it was big enough to probably fill the guild’s swimming pool, and the stream of water from below-ground cut off.

Magic circles lit under each participant, raising them up towards the top of the ball of water, and once they stopped the sound-lacrimae came to life. “And now we begin the competition for the fourth day!” Mr. Chapati announced, making most of the contestants startle. Chelia almost lost her balance, even. “The rules of the naval battle are simple. If you fully leave the water, you lose! But don’t worry, it’s been enchanted for breathablility.”

“Thank you very much, no drowning today!” that damn theatre manager chimed in, and Natsu glowered at the announcers’ box. Why was that jerk even here?

“Now, everyone into the water!” Mr. Chapati declared, and all six wizards dove in. “Today we have a lovely array of competitors. Little Miss Chelia of Lamia Scale is first in, followed by the stunning Jenny Realight of Blue Pegasus. We also have Lislie Law of Mermaid Heel, let’s see if she can live up to her guild’s name, and Rocker of Quatro Perritos.”

“Damn, Ju would’ve been perfect for this.” Gajeel muttered, and Natsu had to agree. Aquarius was cool and all, but Juvia could turn into water. That was a huge advantage in a game like this!

“And finally, we have Miss Lucy Hart of Fairy Tail, and the competitor you’ve all been waiting for, Minerva Orland of Sabertooth!”

The crowd went wild, and Natsu actually saw several hand-painted signs bearing Minerva’s name alongside hearts and a few ambitious attempts at the Sabertooth guild mark. Minerva didn’t quite blow a kiss to the crowd, but she bobbed in place and spun with a hand out, clearly basking in their adoration. Well, Rogue could do worse than someone with that much power and confidence.

The starting bell rang, and everyone in the water moved. The Pegasus lady took Rocker out with a well-timed kick, heel to diaphragm, launching him out of the water as she used him as a springboard to get back towards the middle, where most of the others were brawling. Only most, because Lucy had gone high, and- yep, there was the glint of gold in her hand. Natsu leaned forward, then punched both fists in the air and whooped as Aquarius pummelled everyone else out of the water. Then she vanished again, because she was fickle, but whatever, Lucy had won!

Except the victory announcement didn’t come. Minerva had somehow avoided the attack, her dark hair swirling in a cloud around her head but doing little to disguise the rage on her face. “Should’ve put that in a ponytail, at least.” Gajeel muttered. “Braid would’ve been even better.”

“What a shocking turn of events!” Mr. Chapati cried as Lucy sank down towards the centre of the water and Minerva got her hair out of her face. “In a single move, Lucy has taken out three competitors, leaving only herself and Minerva still in play!”

“We will determine pointsh at the end of the match.” Mr. Yajima added.

“Yes, of course.” Mr. Chapati agreed quickly. “Because now that we’re down to two competitors, the five minute rule comes into play! If either of these lovely ladies forces the other out of the water in the next five minutes, the loser will not come in second. Instead, she will be shifted to the lowest rank, and receive zero points!”

“What’sh the reashon for thish rule, anyway?”

“So we can watch a tense battle to the very end, thank you very much!”

“You got this, Lucy!” Natsu yelled, though she definitely couldn’t hear him over the roar of the crowd.

“Idunno.” Gray said, watching the two wizards circling, Minerva scowling as she finished whipping her loose hair into a braid. “Lyon filled me in a bit, when he dragged me to dinner. Minerva’s supposed to be the ace of their guild.”

“And if Aquarius left so quickly, I doubt Lucy will summon her again.” Erza added. “This will be a difficult fight for her.”

“She’s got Loke though.” Natsu argued. “And that goat guy!” Grimoire Heart had only brought their S-Listers to the assault on Tenrou, and Loke had still beaten the goat guy, which meant that goat guy was strong but Loke was even stronger.

“Oh, point to flame-brain.” Gray chuckled as Lucy summoned Loke. In what looked, for all the world, like a stripper outfit, with the tight speedo and tie and nothing else.

“Aaand that’s more of him than I ever wanted to see.” Erza groaned.

“Ditto.” Natsu sighed, while Gajeel laughed. Maybe it was lucky, then, that Minerva managed to rebound herself off the edge of the bubble somehow and land a fist to Loke’s throat, forcing him back to the celestial spirit world.

“Lucy can’t win this head-on.” Gajeel said, and Natsu was forced to agree. If Minerva could take out Loke without any evident magic, then asking Lucy to fight her head on would be like pitting her against Erza in a bare-knuckle brawl. A foregone conclusion.

“She can still try to delay.” Erza said, a picture of focus. “If she runs out the clock, then Fairy Tail still gets second in this event.”

Minerva landed a hit to Lucy’s middle, and only Aries’s wool stopped her from rocketing straight out of the water as Rocker had at the very beginning. Maybe if she caught Minerva in the wool and shoved her out that way? Lucy clearly had the same thought, but the wool moved slowly underwater, and Lucy dismissed the ram spirit as she darted away, though from the glint in her hand she hadn’t fully stowed the key. Keep-away it was, then. Run out the clock, keep Aries on hand to stay in the water... it was a decent strategy. Better than he’d have come up with on the spot, that’s for sure. Then again, Lucy fought differently than him, having to keep track of her spirits and all.

Lucy yelped, struck by magic from behind, and her head popped out of the water before Aries managed to catch her this time. Minerva roared something that Natsu couldn’t hear over the crowd, and dove for Lucy, the fight going from magical to a plain old brawl. When they broke apart, Minerva held Lucy’s belt in her hand, and the key for Aries as well. A burst of magic, and they were on the sand, and Lucy was surely snarling in rage. She hated anyone mistreating her keys, disrespecting her hard-won friends.

“Kick her ass, Lucy!” Natsu yelled, but that... really didn’t happen. A celestial spirit wizard without their keys was about as defenceless as a wizard could be, and Minerva’s magic was a type which could apparently activate at range. No matter how Lucy tried to dodge, Minerva kept hitting her. And worse, the attacks kept pushing Lucy away from the edge of the bubble, stopping her from leaving the ring.

“Call the match, dammit!” Erza roared, and a moment later Natsu saw what had her trying to throw herself off the damn balcony.

Blood. Lucy’s blood, staining dark swirls in the water as Minerva kept attacking her, having completely overwhelmed Lucy’s magical defences. A snarl ripped out of Natsu’s chest, and Gray’s arms locked around him, holding him back from launching himself into the water to give that Minerva bitch a taste of her own medicine. “Let me go.” he growled, straining against Gray’s hold, snarling in synch with Erza as Lucy was batted around, that rotten bitch laughing as she battered Lucy further with every magic circle which flared to life against her palms.

“Release me, Gajeel!” Erza demanded, straining against the scaled arms his alor’tiui [leader] had wrapped around her waist, holding her up off the ground. “If they won’t stop the match, I damn well will!”

Natsu snarled his agreement, and the instant Gray’s grip slackened he wrenched himself free, a jet of fire launching him almost to the bubble. Minerva’s eyes met his, and she thrust Lucy out, a hand around her neck, blood dripping from where her clawed gloves dug into the soft skin. Natsu course-corrected with another blast of fire, and caught Lucy out of the air the second she began to fall, wrapping himself and his magic around her, bundling her up in as much protection as he could provide.

He landed in Erza and Gray’s arms, instead of on the sand of the arena floor, and for one long, horrible moment Lucy was perfectly still in his arms. Then she coughed, wet and pained, and Natsu uncurled as much as he could bear, nuzzling at her hair as their friends lowered them to the ground and Erza leaned in to cheek her. Lucy whimpered, tears joining the wetness already on her face.

“I can heal her!” Chelia said, stumbling to a stop, and Erza gave a single terse nod. Lucy jerked and gasped as Chelia’s magic began to work, and Natsu cradled her closer, rumbling low and soothing.

“Why do you look at me that way, Titania?” Minerva asked, and Natsu’s head snapped up to glare at the woman as she glided down the outside of the water bubble. “I broke no rules.”

The snarl that rumbled out of Erza’s throat was worthy of a hatched dragon in everything but volume, but Minerva wasn’t even phased. “You-”

“Allowed your pathetic guild to have second place.” Minerva scoffed, cutting Erza off. “Frankly, you should be thanking me for permitting such worthless trash of a woman the honour.”

Natsu shot to his feet, leaving Lucy to Gray and Chelia, but before he could punch Minerva’s fucking face in the rest of Team Sabertooth was in his way. Rufus and Olga he couldn’t read, but Rogue- Rogue was only unruffled on the surface. Inside, in their kara’cika [nebula], he was horrified, sickened by this new side of his beloved guildmate. Sting was the only one who showed his emotions, and he’d grabbed Minerva by the elbow, dragging her aside to hiss at her just quiet enough Natsu couldn’t make out the words over Erza’s low, savage snarls and his own racing pulse, the fire licking under his skin.

“You may be the strongest. You may be Fiore’s best, whatever such a title is worth.” Erza growled as Wendy and a team of official medics finally arrived on the field. “I neither know, nor care. But know this, Sabertooth. You have made a mistake today, in making Fairy Tail your enemy.”

“Oh, please.” Minerva shoved Sting away hard enough he stumbled, anger burning in his eyes, glinting in the hint of fangs as his lips curled. “Bluffing doesn’t become you, Titania Erza. Now that we’ve rid ourselves of the chaff, Sabertooth is unbeatable. That one dared to claim she couldn’t fail, all for the sake of your feelings. After such a declaration, of course I had to demonstrate precisely how outclassed she was.”

“You made us look like a bunch of sadistic bullies!” Sting snapped.

“The crowd loved it.” Minerva scoffed, shaking her hair free of its braid. “What do they, or you, care for the health of a single Fairy? Especially when there are two capable healers competing this year?” she gestured to where Wendy and Chelia were helping Lucy onto a stretcher.

“And here I thought Princesses usually bowed to Queens.” Gajeel said, his voice low and even and setting every hair on the back of Natsu’s neck standing on end. “Maybe you are a fool, if you think Titania’s warning is something to scoff at.”

Minerva rolled her eyes, and spun on her heel. “Come on, Sabertooth.” she said with a flick of her wrist. “We’ve lunch to eat, before the afternoon’s fights. I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”

Sting shot Gajeel a pleading look, his touch whisper-light when he reached out through the tome’mir [psychic link] for advice, and Gajeel shook his head the barest bit. “Later.” he murmured, and Rogue nodded, gravitating to Sting’s side and following their guildmates off the field. Dammit, and Natsu had almost liked Minerva despite himself!

Shaking himself, he turned to head off the arena floor with his own guildmates. Lucy would be in the infirmary, and he wasn’t about to leave her there alone, beaten and miserable and crying. Dammit, if he didn’t get called for a fight today he was going to hunt down Sabertooth afterwards and see how Minerva fared against a pissed-off dragon. He had to break something, and the face of the person who’d hurt Lucy sounded like a perfect place to start.

Chapter Text

Natsu barely registered the first two matches of the afternoon, too keyed up to sit and watch. Erza was similarly wound up, and as the Mermaid Heel vs Lamia Scale match started, Gray and Gajeel actually booted him and Erza out of the competitor box. The halls had more room to pace, at least, and Natsu did just that, flexing his masking, letting his presence fill the hall with stifling heat and the depths of his untouchable power before bundling it all back inside himself again. It was more than just wanting to kick Minerva’s ass, too. He’d seen the tension in Gajeel’s shoulders, felt the confusion from Wendy and the twins. Whatever this weird feeling in the kara’cika [nebula] was, none of them could identify who it was coming from. It sucked, and on top of what had happened to Lucy... yeah, no way was Natsu sitting still to watch two whole fights.

After the second match came to a time-out draw, an arena employee approached, and a minute later he and Gajeel were headed down to their gate. “Think I’ll get to punch Minerva in the face?” he asked, and Gajeel sighed.

“If you do, make sure you don’t go overboard.” he pointed out. “The last thing the guild needs is more bad press because you forgot to keep your reaction proportional.”

“I mean, if we’re fighting all-out, I think we’re gonna trash the place no matter what.” Natsu pointed out, and Gajeel laughed.

“Yeah, probably.” he planted a hand on Natsu’s head, ruffling his hair hard enough to make his head bobble side to side. “Think that’s why they put us last?”

“Maybe.” Natsu giggled, and took the chance to steal a quick hug before the gate in front of them began to open.

“And now, for our final match of the day!” Mr. Chapati’s voice echoed from everywhere. “Fairy Tail’s ‘Salamander’ Natsu Dragneel and ‘Black Steel’ Gajeel Redfox.”

Natsu mustered up a smile, and waved to the crowd in the stands as they walked out onto the field.

“Versus! Sabertooth’s very own twin dragons, ‘Whiteout’ Sting Eucliffe, and ‘Nightmare’ Rogue Cheney!”

Sting and Rogue kept their eyes forward, and to an outsider they may have looked calm and collected, but Natsu could feel them in the kara’cika [nebula], feel how Sting was buffering Rogue from the light and noise, supporting his efforts to appear unaffected.

“Folks, all four of these wizards are dragon slayers!” Mr. Chapati announced, and all five of them- Wendy included, though Natsu couldn’t see her at the moment- scowled as he kept going. Sure, their magic could take down dragons, but that wasn’t what it was meant for. That was just because only a dragon could permanently injure another dragon.

“And now, let the dragon battle... begin!” Mr. Chapati yelled, and the starting bell rang. Natsu didn’t even glance at Gajeel, they both just moved, Natsu low and Gajeel high, crossing each other to each take on the vod’ika [little brother] who’d looked up to them most fervently, before the seven years they lost to Tenrou and Acnologia.

Sting and Rogue went flying backwards at their first hits- rookie mistake, not already being rooted when the bell rang- and Natsu leapt after his vod’ika [little brother] with a half-formed Talon while Gajeel brought a Club against Rogue. Sting managed to recover first, and Natsu had to drop low to avoid his Roar. Sting twisted, his laser-like attack swinging around towards Gajeel, and when Gajeel leapt over it Rogue dove in with a Slash.

It would’ve hit, too, but Gajeel caught it on a smaller version of his God Sword and used the momentum to spin into a landing. Gajeel lashed out, and Natsu moved in tandem with him. The sword- blunted, of course, they weren’t going to give Wendy reason to yell at them- knocked Rogue off-balance, and Natsu caught him with an arm around the throat, his other hand grabbing the back of Rogue’s cape for extra leverage as the threw Rogue into Sting. And then, while they were both off balance, Natsu dove between them with both arms alight in a Wing attack.

The twins got up, of course, and Natsu shifted to stand at Gajeel’s side again, falling in line as easy as breathing. That was where the t’ad’yc altiui [second wing] belonged, after all, and if he wasn’t going to oust Gajeel as alor’tiui [leader] then he’d damn well step up as his second. Gajeel rumbled, low and pleased, and lifted a hand to beckon the twins to attack them again. “I know that’s not all you’ve got to show me.” he taunted. and the twins’ faces split with matching smiles.

“Not by a long shot.” Sting promised. “White Drive!” he declared, and the circle that lit under him was mirrored perfectly by Rogue. Shadow Drive, presumably. The twins dove at them, Sting roaring, and Natsu actually winced as he caught the fist his vod’ika [little brother] aimed at his head. That stung, even through the layer of magic protecting him!

“Have a taste of your Divine White Punishment!” Sting crowed, and the circle which lit around his free fist was almost entirely consumed by the near-blinding light which radiated from his skin. The uppercut to his jaw actually hurt, like it slipped right through his magic protections, and Natsu staggered back, forced on the defensive by a flurry of magic bolts and precision jabs, each one searing his skin directly, bypassing his magic like it wasn’t even there. No, destroying the magic that was supposed to be protecting him!

“I’ve always looked up to you, Natsu-nii.” Sting grinned, and Natsu saw familiar aka’shoy [battle-lust] reflected in his pale eyes. “So today, I’m finally going to surpass you!” he caught Natsu in the shoulder, and leapt back to light a new magic circle against his flattened palm. “White Dragon’s Claw!” he curled his fingers inward, and a beam shot out from his palm, wrenching a scream from Natsu’s throat as his body locked down.

It hurt, it burned, scorching him to the bone and deeper, burning in his lungs with every breath he strained to draw. Someone was screaming, their voices distorted- he couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, his whole body burning, the stench of dragon-fire and scorched stone thick in his nose, smoke in his mouth. Someone was crying, someone was yelling for him, he was supposed to run, to live, but he couldn’t move-

“Natsu!”

He blinked, and the wavering face before him changed. Darker skin, longer hair, but still his big brother, still safe, if he could just-

“Sting, drop the damn spell!” Gajeel snapped, and Natsu could breathe again, could tip forwards into Gajeel’s arms, could cling to him and burrow into the warmth of his alor’tiui [leader] as people shouted over each other in the background. “It’s alright. You’re alright, trac’ika [little flame (affectionate)].” Gajeel murmured, catching him by the back of the head and dragging him up until he could knock their foreheads together, their breath and souls intermingling in the scant space between them. “You with me?”

“Yeah.” Natsu rasped. Why did his throat hurt so much? “Wha- weren’t we fighting?” he mumbled, shaking himself as Gajeel stepped away, though one hand lingered on Natsu’s shoulder.

“You went blank.” Rogue whispered through their tome’mir [psychic link]. “You wouldn’t stop screaming and-” he shuddered, and Natsu grimaced. It had been a long, long while since he lost time badly enough to worry any of his tra’viin [flight] but Gajeel. And he didn’t think he’d ever blanked out while screaming. That would’ve gotten him some unwanted attention from the grown-ups in the guild for sure.

“I’m fine, prud’ika [little shadow (affectionate)].” he assured Rogue with a smile. “We can talk about it after the fight, alright?” he shook the last lingering icky feelings away, and knocked his knuckles together. “We’ve barely gotten warmed up, after all! I’m all fired up to see what you two can do!”

The twins looked at each other, nodded, and activated their Drive spells again, wreathing themselves in their respective magics. “No holding back.” Sting said firmly, raising his voice to project for their audience as he slipped back into Fiori. “Now that it’ll be an actual fight, I’m not letting this match time out!” he declared, and Natsu smiled.

“Bring it!” he roared, and the fight was back on. Sting’s White Drive not only made his hits harder, it also let him move faster, putting them on just about equal footing. But only just about. He closed in for his Secret Technique, an attack Natsu had never seen before called Holy Nova, but he wasn’t quite fast enough to stop Natsu from interrupting the circle before the attack could go off, nullifying it into a blast of raw draconic magic which threw Sting right off his feet. A moment later, Gajeel knocked Rogue right out of shadow form and sent him tumbling across the sand, the twins coming to a halt next to each other.

“That all you two got?” Gajeel huffed, and cracked a smile as Sting and Rogue pushed themselves to their feet.

“After all this, I gotta win.” Sting growled. “Lector would never forgive me failing here.”

“Eh, he’ll get over it.” Natsu rolled his shoulders. “Now come on, hit me with something that’s gonna hurt in the morning, dral’ika [glowstick]!”

“You asked for it!” Sting laughed, and his magic surged. So did Rogue’s, and Natsu whistled as the wash of power passed over him. The daratiui’kadyc [dragon state of mind] forms of his vod’ike [little brothers] looked badass, with their eyes gone fully draconic. Not to mention the claws and scales and... well, everything! Even shuttered from each other in the kara’cika [nebula], he could feel the flare of power coming from the twins, and it tugged at him, urged him to join them at the height of power. A few moments of concentration and he could add his claws and scales and wings of smoke to Sting’s majestic mane and Rogue’s lashing tail, could give the audience in the stands a real show.

“Rogue, you can power down.” Sting waved a hand dismissively. “I can handle these two all by myself.”

The look Rogue shot him needed no translation, and he didn’t power down, instead spreading his shadows in a wide circle. Clever, but it wasn’t like Natsu or Gajeel was planning to dodge. “Sure you’re not underestimating us, dral’ika [glowstick]?” Gajeel taunted, cracking his knuckles.

“Idunno, he is pretty strong.” Natsu admitted, and just as Sting started to grin he flashed his vod’ika [little brother] a smirk. “For a bratty little karya’diik [nestling]!”

Rogue’s amusement rang through the kara’cika [nebula] as Sting lunged at them, and Natsu took his first punch square in the face. Ow. Gajeel got a half-formed blast of power to his face after Sting dodged his kick, and then it devolved into an all-out brawl, and Sting was actually holding his own! Every attack they made he blocked or dodged, and returned in force. Rogue’s shadows crept in, tugging at elbows and ankles, unbalancing them, and Natsu actually laughed when Sting bodily threw him into Gajeel, sending them both toppling to the ground.

“You’re not half bad!” he called, and while Rogue glowed with pride Sting flared with indignation, leaping up into the air and bringing his hands up in front of his mouth.

“White Dragon’s Holy Breath!” he roared, and oh shit that was the biggest draconic magic circle Natsu had ever seen. The spell which shot down out of it was so big Rogue had to jump back, and Natsu screamed as Sting’s magic once more ripped through his defences like they weren’t even there. He must’ve blacked out for a second from the pain, because one moment he was burning, crushed under the might of Sting’s upgraded Roar, and the next he was falling. Sting hadn’t just broken the floor of the arena, he’d obliterated the ground beneath it, and now all three of them were falling and Rogue was projecting exasperation so clearly in the kara’cika [nebula] Natsu could practically see him rolling his eyes.

“I’m still just getting warmed up!” Sting yelled, and Natsu yelped as a string of blasts sent him tumbling through the air. It hurt like hell, and he was pretty sure he was bleeding, but the lateral motion let him get his feet on a big enough chunk of stone to at least sort of stand on.

“Warming up, huh? Here’s some heat for ya!” he pushed off of the rock, flinging himself back up at his vod’ika [little brother] with magic rushing through his whole body. “Fire Dragon’s Sword Horn!”

“Iron Dragon’s Roar!” Gajeel roared from above them, somehow, and Natsu barely managed to throw himself out of the line of fire with a burst of flame from his hands.

“Watch where you’re aiming, bes’roan [iron-face]!” he snapped, but before Gajeel could retort a flare of determination drew both their attention back to Sting, who now stood on the ground with fingertips pressed together, light building between his palms and magic circles dancing around his hands.

“The flare of the White Dragon will purify all things.” he declared, and the light grew so bright Natsu had to look away or be blinded. “Holy Ray!” Sting flung his hands apart, the light flaring out through each individual circle, forming missiles of power which swarmed them from every direction. Natsu hit the ground tumbling, and as soon as he found his feet again Sting was right there, in his face, coming in with a Wing Attack more powerful than Natsu had ever seen. He barely got his arms up in time to catch the punch before it hit him in the face, but that was nowhere near enough time to brace himself against the force of the impact.

Thankfully, his magic kept him from getting completely pasted when he slammed full force into a wall of large stone bricks, but he still had to take a moment to catch his breath when he dropped back down to the ground. Dammit, he hadn’t thought that white magic and fire magic were opposites, but that was the only reason he could think of for why Sting’s attacks were so draining to endure. Though, oddly, it didn’t seem like his magic had actually been depleted all that much? That was weird, and something to talk about later for sure. Later, though. Right now, Rogue had landed, and the twins left daratiui’kadyc [dragon state of mind].

“Seven years of training have honed us into more than dragons.” Sting said, the cadence of his words... oh, he sounded weird because he was speaking for Rogue. “We are the dragons who will slay Acnologia, and put an end once and for all to the old generation of dragons.”

Well, damn. Natsu could respect the hell out of that determination, even if he didn’t want his vod’ike [little siblings] anywhere near that abomination. Sting chuckled, and there was the sound of fabric and stone moving against each other as Sting shifted his weight. “This was fun.” he murmured. “I’d say we should do it again sometime, but I think our guild masters would throw a fit at the damage claims.”

“Damn right they would.” Natsu laughed, pushing himself up, smiling wide despite the stinging pain which covered every inch of him. “But if every S-Rank and S-Rank qualifier in Fairy Tail couldn’t do it, you won’t be able to.”

“Wha-” Sting’s mouth fell open, head twitching side to side as his gaze darted between them. “Can’t you just stay down?!”

“Nope.” Gajeel laughed, the kara’cika [nebula] welling with fondness and pride.

“You sure as hell delivered, though.” Natsu chuckled, rolling his shoulders one at a time. “I’m gonna feel this tomorrow, for sure!”

“Yeah, you’ve both gotten strong.” Gajeel smiled, and Natsu wondered if everyone could see the affection in it, or if that was something only his tra’viin [flight] knew how to spot. “But, now we’re all caught up on how you fight.”

Rogue threw his hands in the air in mute exasperation, and melted into shadows to flow down to the ground level with them from the structure he’d landed on. Storming past Sting, he crossed his arms and glowered at Gajeel, practically nose to nose. Gajeel just smiled wider.

“Good call, not jumping in.” Natsu said, pulling Rogue’s attention over to himself. “You’ve still got a chance to hit me with a surprise attack, if you’re lucky.”

“He’s got a chance to hit me, you mean.” Gajeel scoffed, and Natsu glared at him. “Oh don’t give me that look. You think I didn’t notice how hard you’ve been taking Sting’s attacks?” he rolled his shoulders, and gave Rogue a shove, making him back up towards Sting. “Your turn to play support, trac’ika [little flame (affectionate)]. Or just take a breather. I can handle disciplining these karya’diike [nestlings] by myself.”

“O’r haran![In hell!]” Natsu yelled, and closed the distance between them to give his alor’tiui [leader] a hard shove. Gajeel tipped sideways, arms flailing, and before he could catch himself toppled right into a minecart. Which began to roll down the tracks.

“Oops.” he mumbled, and Rogue’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.

“He’s gonna beat your ass for that, once he gets back.” Sting giggled, and Natsu whirled to face them.

“Whatever. I kicked his ass once, I’ll do it again!” he slammed his fists together, and when he drew them apart flared his fire into a taunt between them, naturally flowing into the sharp lines of the Draconic script. “Now, are you fired up for a two-on-one asskicking?”

“Bring it.” Sting grinned, and the twins flew at him in perfect synch, moving as two parts of a whole. Rogue’s loss, it would’ve been harder to keep track of him if they’d been moving independently. Natsu dodged easily, taking Rogue’s hits rather than Sting’s when he had a chance. There was no denying that the twins had earned their S-Rank. They were strong, and coordinated well, and knew just how to combine their powers against a stronger enemy. Having Sting blast through his magic and then Rogue swallow him into shadow while he was still reeling would probably have worked, on anyone else.

But in they end, they were his vod’ike [little brothers], and he was t’ad’yc altiui [second wing] of their tra’viin [flight]. No number of missing years would change that, even if it had taken a few solid months of dedicated training to make sure he was strong enough to deserve the title. They linked hands for a unison raid, bolstered by their newly-exchanged magics, and Natsu pooled his magic in his palms, letting it wreathe his forearms. “Triple Dragon Ultimate Attack: Exploding Storm Blade!” he ripped through their Divine Shadow Dragon whatever with raw power, his fire fused with Wendy’s wind and Laxus’s lightning.

The twins collapsed against each other, lightly singed all over, and Natsu roared to the sky as walls and pillars crumbled around them from the shockwave of the blast. The brats had never stood a chance.

Ten points to Fairy Tail. And with it, first place.

Chapter Text

“Sting, Rogue.” Master Jiemma’s voice was as heavy as his presence, stifling everything else in the meeting room of Crocus Gardens that they’d adopted as a guild meeting hall for the duration of the Games. Even Olga’s chuckles had been smothered by the oppressive atmosphere of their Master’s disapproval. “What the hell was that supposed to be?”

Next to him, Rogue flinched, and Sting shifted just slightly, resting his shoulder in front of his twin’s instead of side by side. “We have no words, Master.” he said, keeping his gaze down. “It was a complete failure. Natsu displayed power and abilities far beyond what we anticipated.”

“Because you allowed it.” Master Jiemma stood, the whole room trembling faintly. “Why did you not strike him down when he was frozen by your stigmata?”

“There is no honour in such a victory.” Sting snapped, and Rogue twitched, only not grabbing him by the elbow because it would draw the Master’s attention back to him.

“Nor is there honour in defeat!” Jiemma roared, steps heavy enough to shake the room as he stomped towards them. “Who told you to go out there and embarrass us with that half-baked wizardy? Who told you to go out and lose? Are these the actions of a member of Fiore’s strongest guild?”

“No, Master.” Sting bit out, unable to keep the tension from his shoulders, unable to bring himself to look Master Jiemma in the eyes.

“You have sullied the name of Sabertooth!” Jiemma’s magic flared so strongly it actually pushed them back, and before they could regain their footing Jiemma stomped forwards again, a blistering shockwave sending him and Rogue both tumbling backwards. Small blessings, at least it placed him more solidly between Jiemma and his vod’ika [little brother]. If this got physical, or magical, he could take the hit better. Master Jiemma’s magic was extra harsh on Rogue, and one of them would have to be in decent shape to get them both back to their rooms.

“You don’t have the right to call yourselves members of Sabertooth!” Master Jiemma punctuated his declaration with a foot to Sting’s gut, knocking him back into Rogue. When Sting tried to push himself up to kneel, he was met with a fist to the temple, knocking him back down to the floor. Rogue snarled at his back, cool shadows wrapping around him, and Sting growled back, shooting to his feet to catch the blast aimed for Rogue’s head in his own gut. It hurt like a bitch, but even if their ori’vod’e [big brothers] were back now, they weren’t here. So right here, right now, Rogue’s safety was still Sting’s responsibility.

“You dare defy me?!” Jiemma roared, and Sting met his Master’s eyes with akan’edee [fangs] bared.

“For my family? Always.”

“Remove your guild marks!” Jiemma ordered. “Strip and remove them, now! Sabertooth needs no weaklings, no losers! We have no need for insolent brats like you!” he kicked Sting in the chest, and Sting went down hard, topping over Rogue and landing hard on his elbows. Dammit, this was not how he’d wanted to leave the guild.

“N- Now, now, Master! Sting and Rogue did their best!” Lector piped up, and Sting’s heart leapt into his throat, choking him as his cat approached Master Jiemma. “He may have lost this once, but I’m very proud of Sting!”

“Lector-” Sting wheezed, faintly aware of Gajeel’s sharp attention in their tome’mir [psychic bond], of the welling, sourceless dread which filled the kara’cika [nebula].

“I think that knowing what it is to lose can make a wizard stronger.” Lector said, and it was touching, really, but Sting wanted to scream. Wanted to throw himself between his precious, perfect, oblivious cat and the man who could turn him to charcoal with little more than a flick of his finger. He managed to scramble back over Rogue, but it was like there was a disconnect between his mind and his limbs, like he was moving through tar, like Lector was a hundred miles away. “Sting has learned a lot, in this year's Games!”

“And who are you?” Master Jiemma rumbled.

“Oh.” Lector faltered, then turned and hiked up the back of his shirt, baring the mark he’d taken there, just after Sting got his. “Come on, Master. I joined Sabertooth with Sting. I’ve got a mark and everything!”

“The mark of Sabertooth is a mark of peerless excellence.” Master Jiemma snarled, rage twisting his face even further. “It is unfit for cats or dogs!” he raised his hand, and Sting couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even scream. “Begone!”

Behind him, Rogue made a low sound of distress, and his shadows lashed out to draw Frosch in close, hiding his cat in his arms. It did little to muffle how Frosch cried, though. Their hiccuping sobs that Lector was-

“What a blight.” Master Jiemma scoffed, turning away from the singed spot on the floor where Lector- “Having the mark of my guild on such a lowly-”

Sting broke, a desperate, keening cry wrenched from deep in his chest.

“Oh, shut up!”

“Lector!” he sobbed, curling in on himself, tears and snot streaking his face, every breath a stab in his lungs. “You- you just-”

“Shut your mouth!” Sting looked up, and Jiemma drew an arm back, hand open, every motion thrumming with magic. “Quit whining over one stupid cat and-”

It wasn’t even a proper spell. Sting screamed, the sound more draconic than human, and his magic flared. His hand, raised instinctively against the incoming threat, burnt bright.

Jiemma jerked, fell backwards. The stench of blood filled the air, and the oppressive crush of magic power vanished as Sting smelled death. His hand trembled, warm flecks on his palm cooling as cool arms wrapped around him from behind, a familiar presence wrapping around him in the kara’cika [nebula]. Ke’haalur [Breathe (order)].

He sucked in a breath, wheezy and shaking, and it escaped just as quickly. Around him there was light and noise, but nothing made sense. Only the familiar embrace, the chest pressed against his back, the presence in his mind... those were real, trusted, safe. Warm hands pressed his together, and power flared around him, smoky and familiar.

“Natsu-nii?” he choked out, and Natsu pulled him to his feet, Rogue supporting him once he was upright, so his wobbly knees couldn’t land him back on the floor.

“We’re getting out of here.” Natsu murmured. “C’mon.” he tugged gently on Sting’s hands, and Sting followed, tears still blurring his vision. They left the building, and shortly after Sting found himself pulled down into a seat. Into Gajeel’s lap, his alor’tiui [leader] and twin brother wrapping around him and rumbling gently.

Sting wasn’t sure how long they sat there, every distressed chirp answered with soothing sounds and gentle touches from his tra’viin [flight], but when his tears finally ran dry he was still curled up in Gajeel’s lap. He looked up, and Gajeel bent to rest their foreheads together, arms a protective cage around him. “I’ve got you.” he murmured, and Sting blinked hard, trying to clear away his lingering tears.

“I- what-” his breath hitched, throat still too tight with tears to manage breathing and speaking.

“Minerva promised to handle the matter internally.” Gajeel murmured, pulling back to swipe a thumb over Sting’s lower lashes. “You’re not in any trouble.”

“Lector-”

“I’m sorry, dral’ika [glowstick].” Gajeel murmured, leaning in again, this time to cheek him. “I’m so, so sorry. He deserved better than that.”

Sting sniffled, and leaned into the press of skin on skin, relaxing despite himself when Gajeel kneaded between his shoulderblades. “Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, [I am alive, but you are dead,]” Gajeel murmured, and Sting echoed the words a heartbeat later.

“Ni partayli, gar darasuum, [I remember you, and so you are eternal,] Lector.” he finished, and Gajeel rumbled quietly, the sound more felt than heard. A sound which had always calmed him, and perhaps always would.

“We were coming to pick you up.” Natsu said, smushing onto the bench behind Gajeel, leaning around their alor’tiui [leader] with a small smile. “Gajeel found something. Wanna get your mind off it for a minute?”

Sting nodded, and Rogue’s arms wrapped around him from behind. Damn, how had he missed his twin snuggled up against his back? “A distraction sounds good.” he mumbled, and Natsu leaned over Gajeel’s shoulder to give him a gentle mirshmure'cya [affectionate headbutt].

“There you are!” Lucy huffed. “What'd you three go tearing off... for...” the celestial spirit mage trailed off with a wince.

“The twins needed us.” Wendy said simply, and Lucy nodded as Gray jogged up behind her.

“Would it kill you to say that before running off?” Gray panted. “Damn, you guys can move!”

“Why are they here?” Rogue whined into the tome’mir [psychic bond], and Sting giggled wetly, ducking his head against Gajeel’s collarbone.

“They invited themselves along.” Gajeel shrugged. “Didn’t see a reason to keep them away.”

“Translation: he knew they’d grab Erza and tag along anyways if we said no.” Natsu snickered. Gajeel removed an arm from around Sting and smacked him across the back of the head.

“Anyways, do you guys need a little more time, or are we following Gajeel to this... whatever it is?” Lucy asked, and Sting unfurled from his spot on Gajeel’s lap. It was a little embarrassing, having aruetiise [outsiders] see him so vulnerable.

“I’m fine.” he assured her. “Just...” He shook his head and stood. “Let’s see what Gajeel found when Natsu-nii pushed him down a minecart rail.”

“Oh yeah, I never did get back at you for that.” Gajeel smirked, twisting in place on the bench, and Natsu yelped as he bolted to his feet.

“It was an accident!” he shouted, waving his hands frantically as Gajeel rose from the bench, leisurely stretching. “And I mean, I did do alright fighting both of them at once, so your argument-”

“Natsu?” Gajeel cracked his knuckles, and dropped into a crouch, pushing the mental image of their destination out into the kara’cika [nebula]. “Run.”

Natsu took off, and Sting laughed almost as hard as Wendy when Gajeel took off after him. Lector was gone, and just thinking about that hurt, but for the next little while he didn't have to think about it at all. He could just focus on his tra’viin [flight], on whatever it was Gajeel had found that warranted collecting him and Rogue in person instead of just calling them over by their tome’mir [psychic bond]. The grief would be there later, but his family would be too.

Chapter Text

Lucy couldn’t help but laugh at the sight that greeted them when they caught up to Natsu and Gajeel, following Wendy and the twins. Gajeel, fully covered in his iron scales, was outright sitting on Natsu’s back as Natsu squirmed and whined at him. It made Sting laugh too, and after what had just happened... well, Lucy was glad he had family around him to help with the loss, even as part of her ached at the oblique reminder of her little trip to Acalypha.

The grief stung, still barely two weeks old to her, but she swallowed it down. Buried it deep, as she’d learnt to do after Mother’s death. She could grieve her father later, in private. Now, they were following Gajeel down into an old tunnel, the floor sloping gently, carved and cobbled stone gradually giving way to craggy unfinished rock. They must be under the arena now, and Lucy pulled her notebook out of her pocket, along with a small light lacrima to fix to the end of her pencil so she could see enough to write. Natsu’s handful of fire up ahead was enough to walk by, but the little lacrima made writing so much easier. Lucy jotted down everything that came to mind as they walked; not only things about the caverns they were descending into but also notes about the tunnels they’d used in Edolas, as their surroundings jogged her memory.

“What’s that?” Gray asked, looking over her shoulder.

“Notes, in case I ever want to write something underground.” she explained.

“Don’t forget about the gho~sts.” Natsu sang from up near the front.

“Ghosts aren’t real!” Lucy snapped at him.

“The Nirvit would beg to differ.” Wendy retorted with a sly little smile, and Lucy gaped at the girl as Gray burst out laughing.

“So what are we down here to see, anyways?” Sting asked, no longer quite leaning into his twin’s embrace but not shrugging Rogue’s arm off from around his shoulders either.

“We’re almost there.” Gajeel said, which wasn’t an answer.

“How come it’s just our flight?” Happy asked, and Lucy raised an eyebrow. Did she and Gray count as family, now?

“It must be something to do with being a dragon slayer.” Pantherlily said, which seemed to be answer enough for Happy.

“If that’s so...” Carla huffed, looking over her shoulder. “Then why let the rubber-neckers tag along?”

“It’s not exactly state secrets.” Gajeel explained. “Just won’t be as interesting to them as to the rest of us.”

“I ain’t got a rubber-neck.” Gray muttered, and Lucy patted the back of his shoulder, though she couldn’t suppress a small giggle.

“We’re here.” Gajeel announced a moment later, and another few steps brought Lucy into a true cavern. Something bio-luminescent was growing in thick patches on the floor, under oddly hollow mounds. No, not mounds... those were bones. Skeletons of massive beasts, probably ones which had been extremely magical in life, if that was the species of lichen she thought it was.

“Dragon bones.” Natsu breathed, the flames around his hand guttering as he took a step forwards. “A dragon graveyard?”

“No...” Wendy whispered, and a chill ran down Lucy’s spine. “A mass grave.”

“Why here?” Gray asked, over the cats breaking into hushed whispers amongst themselves.

“Hell if I know.” Gajeel grunted, moving to stand in front of Natsu and Wendy, the twins coming up behind the three of them.

“What is all this?” Natsu asked, and Lucy swore she glimpsed his fingers hooked in the back of Gajeel’s... whatever the hell it was called. It wasn’t a shirt, more of a sash draped from shoulder to hip and held in place by a wide belt.

“This many dragons...” Sting murmured, tugging Rogue closer even as he pressed closer to Natsu’s back. Oh. As unsettling as this place was to her, it must be a hundred times worse for those five who claimed to have been raised by dragons.

“I wonder what could’ve happened here...” she murmured, stepping around the huddle of Gajeel’s flight and approaching the nearest skull. It was taller than her, the snout alone reaching her shoulders, teeth nearly the length of her forearm.

“Natsu, do you think...” Happy trailed off, and Lucy turned to see the little blue cat had stepped away from Carla and Pantherlily, towards his human. “Do you think Igneel may be-”

“Happy!” Pantherlily scolded, and Happy’s ears fell back, tail curling around his paws where he stood.

“Nah.” Natsu shook his head. “If he was here, I’d smell it.”

“It’s only been fourteen years since our parents vanished.” Gajeel added. “These bones are older than that.”

“Milky Way!” Wendy gasped, and a moment later Natsu, Sting, and Gajeel made near-identical sounds of understanding.

“Verbal explanation, for those of us who aren’t telepaths?” Gray asked.

“Remember how Porlyusica gave me those papers, when we went to see her before heading off to train for the Games?” Wendy asked, and Lucy nodded. They’d hoped to get something, anything, to make their training more effective. Wendy was the only one who’d actually gotten anything, but it had been a valuable trip nonetheless. “Milky Way was one of the spells on those sheets. I could never figure out how to use it in battle...”

“Because it’s not an attack.” Lucy gasped.

“Fro thinks so too!” Rogue’s cat piped up.

“It calls upon the voices of dragon souls as they flow with the heavenly river.” Wendy explained. “Or, that’s how it was transcribed, but I think...” Wendy bit her lower lip, and looked to Gajeel.

“It may have been a mis-translation.” Gajeel said, eyes fixed on Wendy. “Not gone, merely flying the star-path. That’s how dragons refer to their dead.”

“In Fiori, please?” Gray asked, tone dry.

“Not gone, merely flying the star-path.” she repeated, and he gave her a dry look. Gajeel repeated himself, and Lucy stuck out her tongue at Gray.

“The point is.” Wendy said firmly, drawing all their attention back to herself. “If that’s the case, then it isn’t an attack at all. It’s a way to hear the voices of the dragons’ souls. To speak to them, at least for a little while.

“Well then.” Gray cracked his knuckles. “Let’s find the one with the brightest glow.”

“Glow?” Sting asked.

“And here I thought Sabertooth wanted their S-Ranks to be all-rounders.” Gray teased, only to grimace as Sting flinched and Rogue pinned him with a glare. “The lichen glows because it’s feeding on magical residue.” he explained, and Lucy was proud to have guessed correctly. “So the brightest patch of lichen will be the one with the most magic left.”

“And thus the strongest lingering spirit!” Wendy clasped her hands together. “Gray, that’s brilliant!”

“Not really.” he demurred, as the three cats of Fairy Tail took off to do an aerial check. Lucy removed the light lacrima from the back of her pencil, and took a few more notes as they followed Carla’s bright little form through the cavern to stand before a dragon skeleton which, even so long past its death, radiated power.

Wendy set to work, and Lucy put away her notebook, looking around at the others instead. Gray was watching with interest, as were all four cats, but Wendy’s big brothers were all... twitchy, was the best descriptor Lucy could think of. Natsu fidgeted, Gajeel stood unnaturally still save for his head swivelling side to side, and identical odd expressions pinched the faces of the Sabertooth twins. “Something up?” Lucy asked, and even Wendy paused in her drawing out the magic circle to look at Gajeel. “You don’t have to explain, if it’s a tome’mir [psychic bond] thing.” she added hurriedly.

“It’s more like none of us know how to describe it.” Natsu huffed, stilling long enough to brace a shoulder against Gajeel’s. “It’s not the sort of thing we’ve ever needed words for, y’know?”

“I mean, so long as you’re not smelling something about to attack us, you don’t have to go into detail or anything.” Gray chimed in.

“That’s just it.” Natsu frowned, fingers carding through the fringe of his scarf as Wendy resumed her work. “It might be a threat.”

Rogue cocked his head, a subtle shift in Lucy’s peripheral vision, and Sting sighed. “Our working theory is that at least one of us is picking up on something subconsciously, and it’s filling the nebula with an emotional reaction none of us consciously control.”

“So, stay on guard. Got it.” Lucy nodded. If the self-proclaimed dragons were unsettled, whatever it was they were picking up on could only be dangerous. Well, that or they were just on-edge being in a dragon graveyard, but better safe than sorry. Loke should be available- oh, and she still had to hammer out a contract with Capricorn when they got back to their inn. Lucy pulled her notebook back out to write that down, and a minute later Wendy was done with her preparations.

“Wait.” Gajeel said, halting Wendy with her arms half raised. “We should know what we want to ask first, in case there’s more of a time limit than anticipated.”

“What happened here, obviously.” Natsu rolled his eyes.

“Why here, of all places.” Sting added, and Gajeel nodded to both of them.

“And after we ask that, maybe...” Wendy glanced up at Gajeel. “Maybe we could ask what happened to our parents?”

“Aren’t these skeletons a few hundred years too old to know what happened fourteen years ago?” Gray pointed out.

“Maybe, but it can’t hurt.” Gajeel shrugged. “Alright, let’s get this show on the road.”

“If everyone could take a few steps back, please.” Wendy said, and Lucy obligingly backed up. “O wandering dragon spirit, bestow upon me your voice.” Wendy raised her arms, and the circle sketched in the dust and thin dirt of the cave floor began to glow with cool green light. “Milky Way!” power surged through Wendy, making her hair ripple out behind her and exploding into a ribbon of twinkling stars overhead, illuminating the cavern ceiling as it wound and curled through the air. “I search for the soul of a dragon, and call the ancient one back to this cavern, from their long flight along the star-path.”

A moment of silence, as Wendy sank to her knees, magic building with every measured breath she took, until- “Found you.” she whispered, and brought her hands together, head bowing as the magic lights floating through the air began to condense, to take shape. Rogue gasped, and Lucy saw him clutch his cat tighter, though he stood his ground as she and Gray took instinctive steps back from the actual literal dragon which came charging out of the light with a bone-ratting roar.

Only to stop short of bowling them over and laugh, the sound deep as grinding stone but unmistakable as laughter all the same. “Humans make the funniest faces.” they chuckled, settling down comfortably on the ground in front of Wendy. “I am Zirconis, dragon of jade.”

Well, Lucy could officially no longer say ghosts weren’t real.

Chapter Text

For a long moment after Zirconis spoke, nobody replied. How did you address a dragon, let alone a dead one? Sure, he couldn’t injure them, but Lucy had a feeling that limitation was subvertible to someone clever enough.

“Gajeel, dragon of iron, child of Metallicana.” Gajeel said, stepping forwards and pressing a fist to his chest. “Leader of Natsu, Sting, Rogue, and Wendy.” he gestured at the others as he spoke, then gave Zirconis a shallow bow.

“Well, at least one of your parents bothered with manners.” Zirconis scoffed, and Lucy let out a quiet sigh of relief. “I take it this little one is of Grandine?” they lowered their head towards Wendy, viciously sharp teeth openly bared. “What a cute little thing. And perfectly sized for a snack!”

All four of the others snarled, Gajeel and Natsu taking active steps forwards while Sting and Rogue readied attacks. “How cute, that you nestlings think you could hurt me.” Zirconis crooned, and Natsu and Gajeel growled louder, Natsu’s aura rippling out in a silent threat. But the pressure which had sent Lucy to her knees the first time she felt it only made Zirconis laugh in earnest.

“You’d eat the one who summoned you back?” Natsu snapped, held back from outright lunging at Zirconis by Gajeel’s arm across his chest.

“It was a joke!” Zirconis chortled, lifting a... hand? fore-claw?- to swipe one claw directly through Wendy. Where it passed through her, it simply dissolved into green light, only to reform on the other side. “I expect such stupidity from humans, but nestlings should know better. How’s a ghost supposed to eat anyone?”

“You jerk!” Natsu shook a fist at the dragon, and Lucy slumped along with Gray.

“I can’t believe dragons have pranksters.” she groaned.

“I think if it’s a ghost it’s called a poltergeist.” Gray muttered, and Lucy giggled.

“Poltergeists can touch you.” she pointed out, and when she looked away from Gray she found the dragon in question staring at her. If not for the fact that they’d just established they couldn’t hurt anyone, she’d say they were eyeing her up as a potential meal.

“What happened here?” Carla asked, drawing Zirconis’s attention. “There are so many dragon bones here...”

“Wendy called your spirit back so we could find out why.” Happy finished, tail flicking as he stared up at the ghost. Behind the two of them, Pantherlily wore a look Lucy thought was maybe confusion. Or concern. Probably concern, actually. Maybe she should nudge him at Frosch and the twins, after they got out of here. Give him someone to fuss over who needed it.

“I have no words for humans.” Zirconis huffed, turning his head away. “Leave!” he commanded, and Gray’s mouth turned down in a pinched frown.

“We’re cats.” Happy said, raising a paw.

“I see.” Zirconis turned back towards them, and Lucy had to stuff her fist in her mouth to muffle the laughter which threatened to burst from her. “Well, it was some four hundred years ago.”

“You’re really not one for hard and fast rules, are you?” Gray deadpanned, and Lucy bit down on her hand to keep her laughter contained.

“Once, dragons ruled this world.” Zirconis sighed, head tilting up, eyes fixing on a memory instead of the cavern ceiling. “We did as we pleased, wherever we pleased. The skies were ours to dance upon, the land ours for gamboling, the oceans’ vast expanse ours to cross at our leisure. We lived in prosperity, for everything in this world belonged to dragonkind. Humans, demons, they were mere snacks to us!” he chuckled, eyes focusing on them again. “Well, once they got big enough. One this size wouldn’t even make a mouthful.” he gestured at Wendy, and her brothers all bristled in unison.

Lucy couldn’t help but bristle a little bit as well, all levity bled away. Wendy may not be part of Erza’s flight with her, but she was a Fairy same as the rest of them!

“But some foolish dragons objected to the rule of dragonkind.” Zirconis scoffed, before anyone had a chance to actually speak up. “They rallied together, blathering on about wanting to build a world where dragons could coexist with lesser beings. And not just the demons, whose arcane abilities were greater than the average beast’s, but humans too! Such idiocy could not go unchecked, but we dragons are a stubborn bunch, the fire dragons who were the core of these fools moreso than most, and it came to war. Those of us who wished to keep humans in their rightful place on the food chain, and the fools who thought them worthy of being our equals.”

“Watch it.” Natsu growled, smoke trickling from the corners of his mouth.

“Which side were you on?” Sting asked, and Zirconis chuckled.

“Which side do you think?”

“You fought against the humans.” Lucy breathed in horror.

“I can’t bring myself to like humans, Princess of All Stars.” Zirconis shrugged with his forelimbs and wings. “Well, except as dinner. You taste delicious, once all those pesky dead layers are removed.”

“So right now, you’re talking to your food?” Natsu giggled, undeterred by Gajeel’s immediate slap upside the back of his head.

“Quiet, you annoying little nestling!” Zirconis snarled, and Natsu actually balked, halfway flinching behind Gajeel.

“So... what happened with the battle?” Carla asked, drawing Zirconis back on topic again.

“Ahem.” the dragon cleared his throat- odd, that a ghost would need to do that- and settled back into his presumably-comfortable posture. “The battle hit a stalemate. The clash of dragon against dragon rent the very earth, but neither side could gain clear advantage over the other. Until an enchantress working with the faction of fools brought forth a truly reckless plan. The idea to bestow dragon magic unto grown humans, and use them as living weapons.”

“The Fiori word for us...” Gajeel whispered, eyes huge.

“That’s the origin of dragon slayers?” Happy asked, hunched in on himself and pressed up against Pantherlily’s side, Carla similarly tucked under Pantherlily’s other arm. Zirconis nodded, and Happy and Carla shivered, their fur bristling up in a wave.

“With both their innate magic and draconic magic, trained dragon slayers were nigh unbeatable. Even with how short a window each individual one had to work with, It was only a matter of time until the fools and their human pets emerged victorious.” Zirconis grumbled, eyes slitting as he glared off to the side. “But there... they made a miscalculation.” he chuckled, shaking his head. “A nestling may flail, when they grow into their wings, but they do so under the care of their parent. Slayers had no such guidance, no experience with their own power, their own senses. Those who lived long enough to grow up became feral, little more than beasts, slaughtering indiscriminately and shaming the dragons who made them.”

Zirconis paused, and Lucy snuck another glance at Gajeel and his flight. Wendy was still kneeling in the middle of her circle, bathed in green light, and Lucy could only see the back of her head. The boys, however... they were stunned, to be sure. Horrified, maybe, but not so much as she’d expected.

“Among these humans, one bathed in more dragon’s blood than any other.” Zirconis shuddered. “They slaughtered the ferals, and those who made them. I shudder to let their name pass my lips, so I shall call them what they were known as across every battlefield on the continent. Heart-eater, for their habit of consuming their prey. In doing so, they took their powers into themself, and with them, traits of the fallen. Claws and scales, fangs and wings, they became a patchwork abomination long before they grew up. And when they grew, there was no dragon or Slayer left with the power to defeat them.”

“You keep saying ‘grew up’. Do you mean-” Lucy trailed off when Zirconis fixed his gaze on her, and she went cold as ice when he nodded.

“They grew, as all slayers and nestlings do, into a body indistinguishable from that of a hatched dragon.” Zirconis declared. “Every dragon whose flight of the star-path began here was slain by that monster. Though once a human, that battle saw them born anew, and granted an unprecedented title. King of All Dragons, crowned in blood at the Dragon King Festival.”

Zirconis paused, and if he were alive Lucy was sure he’d be breathing hard, with how passionately he delivered that last part. “The King of All Dragons, the Wings of Darkness, the Heart-eater, the dragon who is not a dragon.” Zirconis swept his gaze over all of them, and Lucy shivered. “The last Slayer of the Dravic Civil War, Acnologia.”

“Acnologia?!” Gray exclaimed, recoiling slightly.

“That... thing-” Lucy gasped, words utterly failing her.

“It used to be human?!” Sting demanded, outright clinging to Rogue.

“No. No, that can’t be possible!” Gajeel protested.

Zirconis merely shook his head. “This all happened late in the x370s, by human reckoning. I know not what year it is now, but if dragons no longer fill your skies... then that monster is why. All that’s left, is to tell you-”

Almost mid-word, Zirconis... there was no other word for it, he dissolved, dissipating into starry little motes of green light. Natsu squawked something which was probably an objection, eyes still fixed on where the dragon’s head had been, and Gajeel lunged forward to catch Wendy as she swayed.

“We still had questions to ask, dammit!” Sting shook a fist at the now-empty air.

“It’s no good.” Wendy sighed, slumping into Gajeel’s arms. “Their spirit is completely gone from this place. They have joined the stars on the infinite path.”

“Okay.” Gray sighed, head dropping forward and one hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “I know that dragon just talked for like, five minutes straight, but could someone please summarize what he was talking about?”

“I would also appreciate a summary.” Pantherlily added. “I understood perhaps a third of it, but his voice was harder to understand than Gajeel’s.”

“It’s the accent.” Gajeel chuckled. “Zirconis has a heavy Dravic one, we lost that pretty quick once our parents went missing.”

“Lucy, you’re the brains of this operation.” Gray turned to her. “And clearly you’ve been paying more attention than me, if you actually understood that.”

“Levy’s been helping teach me.” she admitted. “But uh, highlights...” she glanced at the giant skull. Zirconis’s skull. “Dragon Slayer magic was invented during the dragons’ civil war, divided between the sides of ‘humans are friends’ and ‘humans are food’. Zirconis was on the food side, any human who’s given dragon magic eventually turns into a dragon, and Acnologia used to be one of those Dragon Slayer soldiers.”

“Oh, shit.” Gray muttered, glancing past her at Gajeel’s flight, huddled up together. “That... yeah, that’s a lot.”

“Especially for the ones who have dragon magic.” Lucy grimaced, then blanched at the realization that someone was going to have to tell Laxus. Shit, someone should probably warn Erza. “I hope it’s not a heritable condition.” she muttered, and Gray went pale too.

“Don’t even suggest that.” he stage-whispered. “Erza’s scary enough without the ability to bite limbs off!”

Lucy giggled, and some of the tension fled her shoulders. “But, yeah, that’s... about it. Any questions about the bits you did catch?”

“I only got like, every tenth word or something.” Gray huffed. “What does Annie mean? Because I got the rest of that phrase but not the end.”

“Annie?” Lucy frowned. “Oh, daratiui’alor be’ani [King of All Dragons]?”

“Yeah.” Gray nodded.

“King of All Dragons.” Lucy translated.

“Cool, and the thing he called you?” Gray asked. Lucy frowned.“It was uh... little-leader of something?” he hedged. “Sorta like what Gajeel calls Erza, but with the end bit he and Natsu use for Wendy.”

“It’s called a suffix.” Lucy informed him, wracking her brain. “And uh, I think it was Alor’tiuika ani be’ka’ra [Princess of Stars]? Princess of All Stars. He’s four hundred years and change out of date, it must be an archaic term for a celestial spirit wizard with a ton of keys.” she patted her key pouch.

“Are you sure you translated that right?” Gray frowned. “Word order is more or less the same as Fiori, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Lucy nodded. “Possessives are a little weird, but sentence structure overall is similar.”

“So wouldn’t that be Princess all of stars?”

“Well now I’m wondering if it’s possible for a ghost to go senile.” Lucy snorted.

“That entire thing was weird.” Gray shook his head, then looked past her. “Hey, dragon dorks, you doing okay?”

“I can’t believe Grandeeny never told me I’d grow up to be a dragon like her!” Wendy huffed and crossed her arms, cheeks puffing out as she pursed her lips in an adorable pout. “What if I like being small an’ cute and cuddle-sized?”

“Literally last week you were saying you hope you get taller than Rogue when you grow up.” Natsu rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, they’re fine.” Lucy sighed.

“She never told you, because it isn’t possible.” a stranger’s voice rang through the cavern, and Lucy whirled to face it, hand flying to her key pouch, fingers wrapping around Loke’s key. Next to her, Gray’s hands snapped into the starting form for all of his spells, and Gajeel’s flight sprang to readiness as well.

“Who’s there?” Gajeel demanded, planting himself between his little siblings and the newcomers approaching. Only two, that Lucy could make out, but the low light and scattered skeletons meant more could be loitering out of sight pretty easily.

“I’m afraid we eavesdropped on your summary of the dragon-spirit’s tale. I’d love a more detailed recounting, to see how well it matches our historical research, but the salient point is Acnologia.”

“What about it?” Sting demanded.

“I assume you’re familiar with the demons of the Books of Zeref.” the stranger said, ignoring Sting’s question entirely. At her side, Gray tensed, and Natsu let out a low growl, fingers flexing into claws. Lucy shuddered at the memory of her first job with Erza. Lullaby had been a hell of a gig to take, barely a week into being a guild wizard. “Acnologia is something very similar. Our best theory is that Zeref transformed a dragon slayer into Acnologia.”

“Zeref did?” Happy asked, leaving Pantherlily’s side to jump up onto Natsu’s shoulder.

“In other words.” the larger of the strangers finally came into view, a dark-skinned man with gleaming silver armour and a red cape which flared neatly behind him. “The first step to defeating Zeref, who caused all of this, is to capture Acnologia.”

While her friends were exclaiming about that, however, Lucy fixated on the second figure, now properly visible. What was Yukino doing in a military uniform?

Chapter Text

“I am Captain of the Crocus division of the Fiore Royal Army.” the armoured stranger said, and Rogue relaxed slightly despite himself. Even if they’d unknowingly trespassed, Sabertooth had enough reputation that the worst the Army would give them was a slap on the wrist. And Fairy Tail was Fairy Tail, they were used to having the authorities mad at them. “You may call me Captain Arcadios of the Sacred Cherry Blossom Knights.”

“And I am Provisional Sergeant Yukino Agria, of the same unit.” Yukino gave them a shallow bow.

“What happened to spending the rest of the Games spectating?” Lucy asked Yukino.

“What’s the Army brass doing here?” Gray asked a moment later, his eyes fixed on Captain Arcadios. Sting silently agreed that Gray’s question was better. They could always ask Yukino later.

“Allow me to explain.” Captain Arcadios smiled, and Rogue thought he was probably trying to look friendly and non-threatening. In this strangely lit cavern though, the hard angles of his face were thrown into sharp relief, giving his smile a sinister cast. “We need the assistance of a Celestial Spirit wizard for a certain top-secret project we are preparing. Miss Yukino is merely a contractor with us to that end, with her provisional rank allowing her to be fully informed of details we cannot share with civilians such as yourselves.”

“Oh, so like taking odd jobs when you’re between guilds.” Gajeel nodded, thinking of former guildmates from Phantom Lord while Wendy pondered what sort of project would need Lucy’s keys. There was something there, but she brushed off his curiosity when he prodded her in the kara’cika [nebula]. She wasn’t sure yet, and they’d find out if she was right soon enough, probably.

“Hold it!” Natsu snapped, stepping forward, just outside of Gajeel’s easy grabbing range. Rogue could’ve snared him with shadow, there were plenty to work with down here, but after today’s fight he doubted they’d do much. “I don’t get this at all.” he told Captain Arcadios, honest as ever. “If you’ve got another brain-twisting story for us, I’ll pass. Just tell us what you want!”

“Ah, Natsu Dragneel.” Captain Arcadios’s smile actually reached his eyes. “You were quite impressive in the Games today, unfortunate... episode aside.”

Sting flinched, just slightly, and Rogue shifted his weight to knock their shoulders together. It had been an accident, some unforeseen interaction of their magics and Natsu’s blanking out, and Sting had cut power to the stigmata as soon as they realized that was the problem. And Natsu wasn’t holding a grudge or anything, even. He was, however, getting right up in the Captain’s face, despite Gajeel’s warning snarl.

“I couldn’t care less about that.” Natsu hissed, his voice pure menace. In the kara’cika [nebula], he radiated familiar protective fury, and Rogue sighed softly. There was no reining in Natsu when he got like this, only damage control. “That thing you said about needing a Celestial Spirit wizard stuck in my head. You wanna say something, creep, then why don’t you come out and say it?!”

“Natsu...” Happy piped up, voice trembling, and Rogue held Frosch tighter. “I think you heard him, but that creep's kinda a bigwig...”

“If you think he's so important, then maybe you shouldn't be calling him a creep.” Pantherlily muttered, low enough Rogue doubted any of the humans in the room could hear it. Luckily, Captain Arcadios didn’t seem to take the insult personally. He chuckled softly, and spun on one heel, cape billowing with the motion.

“Follow me.” he said, and Yukino gave him and Sting an encouraging smile before turning her attention to Lucy.

“If I could ask for your help, Lucy?” she said, and Lucy cocked her head slightly. “I can’t give you details, obviously, but should this plan succeed, both Zeref and Acnologia will cease to threaten our world.”

Sting growled softly, his voice overlapping with Natsu’s, and Rogue idly wondered how loud they would have to get to make this cavern echo with their roars. It had decent acoustics, but with how high the ceiling was they’d probably have to get pretty loud to get it started.

“What kind of wizard would I be if I turned down a request like that?” Lucy smiled, and Yukino beamed back before turning to lead them after Captain Arcadios. The Captain was waiting at the end of a smooth-carved tunnel, and once they gathered up where Yukino indicated he activated a magic circle which raised them up a steep slope much faster than most of them could’ve climbed it.

“Convenient.” Gajeel remarked as they disembarked back at street level, into a small shed.

“It was necessary, when we were studying the cavern.” Captain Arcadios shrugged. They fell silent, and Rogue took the chance as they passed through sparsely lit gardens to pull a few of the darkest shadows to snack on. It never hurt to be topped off, and he was still a bit achey from Natsu kicking their shebe [asses] just a few hours ago. Soon enough though, the silence of a lack of conversational topics shifted to a silence of pure awe. The castle Mercurius towered before them, illuminated beautifully in the night, a beacon shining brilliant against the dark sky.

“What is this place?” Gray asked, gawking like a tourist. Then again, Rogue was staring too, and Sting... Rogue dropped his face into one palm, and smacked his drooling twin upside the head with his other hand as Wendy gave a brief explanation, presumably from one of those pamphlets she’d picked up while touring the public gardens the day before the Games began.

“What was that for?” Sting whined. Rogue caught the cuff of his sleeve, and wiped it across Sting’s chin. His twin at least had the decency to blush, as Natsu giggled. “Come on, you know how much I like marble!”

“Before we begin...” Captain Arcadios’s voice silenced the scattered chitchat with an ease Gajeel openly envied. “I believe I owe you an apology, Fairy Tail, for the attempt to kidnap Miss Lucy a few days ago. I accept full responsibility.”

“What?!” Lucy gasped, a hand flying up to cover her mouth.
”That was you?!” Natsu snarled, only Gajeel’s grip on the back of his scarf stopping him from outright lunging at the Captain. Huh, Gajeel was right, this was kinda funny to watch.

“Of course, it was never my intention to put you in danger.” Captain Arcadios continued, gamely ignoring the pissed-off dragon at his back. “But it turned out to be slightly too forceful a strategy, even with my orders that they were not to harm you. I was under the mistaken impression that I needed a Celestial Spirit wizard immediately, and that urgency impaired my judgment. For this, and for the effect it had on you and your guildmates, I apologize.”

“It’s kinda sad, but I can’t actually think of the last time someone outside our guild actually apologized to me for anything?” Lucy chuckled. “I’m not the one they grabbed, though.”

“I’ll accept the apology.” Wendy said, startling Natsu enough to actually stop glowering at Captain Arcadios. “It was honestly more embarrassing than anything else, and the sleep spell they used didn’t have any lingering effects worse than grogginess.”

“You keep growing up when I’m not paying attention.” Gajeel sighed, his fond pride filling the kara’cika [nebula].

“Also, it helped us get Raven Tail kicked out.” Wendy giggled, and Natsu held out a fist for her to bump.

“Attitude like that, anyone’d think you were in Fairy Tail from the start.” Gray teased.

“As for the reason we’re headed to the Palace... first, some background.” Arcadios said, grabbing everyone’s attention again. “This plan has been in the works for several years now, but we only began to make significant progress after instigating the Grand Magic Games. In addition to providing publicity for the guilds of our country, entertainment for the people, and an annual economic boost to the Capitol, the high concentration of wizards allows us to collect enormous amounts of magical energy without so much as inconveniencing them.”

“So you're saying you steal magical energy from wizards every year?” Gray asked, and Rogue glanced over his shoulder to see the Ice Make wizard frowning, eyes narrowed and trained on the back of the Captain’s head.

“Even if it’s not enough to be noticed, ‘s still dirty.” Gajeel agreed with a nod. Rogue pursed his lips. So long as nobody was hurt, how bad was it, really? It was maybe a little skeevy to not tell anyone about it, but top-secret Army projects got some leeway on that, he was pretty sure.

“You are free to criticize our methods.” Arcadios waved a hand dismissively. “The important thing is that it works, and with the abundance of magical energy collected we have completed construction of our project.” they reached the bottom of the staircase, and Captain Arcadios gestured towards the end of the hall they’d just entered. “Eclipse.”

“The gate which will change the world.” Wendy and Lucy said in synch. Ah, this was what she had suspected.

“I see you’re familiar with the legend.” Captain Arcadios chuckled. “To be expected, of a wizard who commands ten of the golden zodiac keys.”

“Actually, we only learned about it recently.” Lucy admitted as they approached. Depths of darkness, it was huge. Then again, the more complex an artefact, the bigger it usually had to be for all the enchantments to be properly inscribed.

“Looks more like a door than a gate.” Natsu remarked. “How’s a door supposed to help fight Acnologia?”

“Upon the alignment of the sun and moon, bring the twelve keys and open the door.” Captain Arcadios intoned, the cadence sounding like he was reciting a line from some ancient epic poem. “Upon opening the door, you may step through and travel not in space, but in time.” he explained, and Rogue’s eyes went wide. time travel?! That was an accepted impossibility on the same level as necromancy. A corpse could be reanimated, or a body put in magical stasis as the Disciples of Will Nevill had been, but true necromancy, true time travel, those were pure fiction!

“We intend to travel backwards by four hundred years, to defeat Zeref before he became immortal. Before he created Acnologia, or his demons, or any of the evil artefacts which plague us to this day.” Captain Arcadios said firmly. “That is the Eclipse Plan.”

Wait... Rogue frowned, and Sting voiced his thoughts for him. “Wasn’t the Dragon King Festival over four hundred years ago?” he asked, drawing the Captain’s attention. “Zirconis said that’s when Acnologia became the monster it is today, so you’d have to go further back than that incident to stop it from happening, right?”

“And time travel isn’t real, anyways.” Lucy interjected, before Captain Arcadios could answer. “Whoever sold you on this plan scammed you out of a ton of money for something that can’t work.”

“Actually, I’ve seen the schematics.” Yukino piped up. “The mechanics of how it works is a bit beyond me, but the theory is sound. The flow of time in the Celestial world differs from that of our own, or so the inventor of Eclipse posits.”

“Well, yeah, but that’s not-”

“Celestial wizards cross dimensional and temporal borders in summoning our spirits.” Yukino said firmly, and Rogue couldn’t help but smile at the flare of pride Sting felt to see her so confident in herself. “This gate opens using that power, filtered and purified to pierce time before space.”

“At first our plan was to use magic similar to celestial magic as a substitute for the real thing. Skeleton keys, if you will.” Captain Arcadios said, and Rogue made mental note of that. Holder-type magics were infamously hard to duplicate, and he swore Yukino had once told Sting that her keys couldn’t be duplicated. Then again, considering the Army had built this thing from scratch, it was possible they’d built it to be less discerning, giving themselves an out in case they couldn’t locate all the keys. “However, with all twelve golden keys gathered together, and in the possession of such powerful wizards as yourselves, the plan is even more assured of success. As of now, it could be said that you two celestial spirit wizards are a necessity for the plan.”

Lucy straightened up, and Rogue caught a twitch of a smile on Yukino’s face before she smoothed her expression back to professional neutrality. Good, she should be proud that a Captain of the Royal Army held her in such high regard. She may have been expelled for her highly public failure, but she’d made it into Sabertooth in the first place, and that was no mean feat.

“Will I have to wear a uniform too?” Lucy frowned. “No offence to your designers, but... that is not a flattering cut.”

“It’s not meant to be flattering, it’s meant to be practical.” Captain Arcadios sighed.

“Clothes can be both and look professional.” Lucy quipped, making Yukino giggle.

“I said the same.”

“Thank you!” Lucy threw up her hands, and Wendy laughed. Well, staying in Crocus a little past the end of the Games would hardly be a hardship. The longer they could put off the train ride back, the better.

Chapter Text

“That’s far enough!” a voice called from behind them, and Rogue threw his shadows out in a ring around their group as he spun to see- more Royal Army soldiers? Or at least, he tried to form a perimeter with his shadows. They flowed out just fine, even rose in the writhing barrier they defaulted to when he didn’t consciously choose a form, but didn’t last for even a second before something sucked at his magic. It was a feeling not unlike being hit with Light magic, his power draining away fast enough to leave him lightheaded and dizzy. Sting caught him with a yelp, and the rest of their vod’e [siblings] snarled, shifting protectively around him and Sting.

“What is this?” Lucy demanded.

“What do you want?” Gray snapped, slapping the head of a spear aside from where it had been pointed straight at his heart.

“I will ask you to come quietly, Colonel Arcadios.” an older man said, sounding like he was used to people obeying him. Wait... had the man given them the wrong rank when introducing himself? Rogue was pretty sure Colonels outranked Captains by at least a couple steps, though it was hard to remember when the officer in question didn’t have rank marks visible. Or at least, none that he recognized.

“Defence Minister.” Captain Colonel Arcadios said, meeting the old man’s eyes. “What is the meaning of this?”

“That is the question I should be asking of you!” the Defence Minister snapped. Natsu thought he looked like he should have a walking stick to tap for emphasis, and Rogue agreed wholeheartedly. “This plan is top secret, for you to leak national security secrets to civilians is an outrage!”

Ah. Right, the Colonel had said Yukino needed a provisional rank in the military to know this stuff, didn’t he? Ugh, the debrief for this was going to be ass, and Master Jiemma would chew them out for getting back so far past curfew. Or, he would’ve. Shit, had Sting really only murdered their guildmaster earlier this evening? Minerva had brushed off Gajeel’s offer to help dispose of the body as it being an internal guild matter, so Sting probably wasn’t gonna get arrested, but still...

“They are only civilians because I haven't filed the contractor paperwork, and you know it.” Colonel Arcadios argued. “Miss Lucy Hart has a vital role to play in Project Eclipse, and her guildmates needed to be read in so they understand how vital it is that she not be unduly injured during the final day of the Games.”

Sting ducked down a little lower, largely hiding the both of them behind Gajeel. If anyone was gonna get in trouble, right now it looked like it’d just be the two of them, and Rogue appreciated Sting’s efforts to keep the heat off of them. He hadn’t lost enough magic to black out, but he wasn’t fighting until he could recharge.

“That is not a decision you can take upon yourself!” the Defence Minister insisted, and wow he really should have a staff for dramatic thumping against the floor.

“You’re only doing this because you oppose the plan.” Colonel Arcadios accused. “I ask you to stop all this foolishness immediately!”

“Of course I oppose the plan!” the Defence Minister yelled, and Rogue noted the utter lack of reaction from the soldiers. They must be in on the plan as well, then. Or at least ranked high enough to know of it. “It would alter history! Just think for a second how dangerous that is, you whelp!”

Wendy grimaced, agreeing despite herself. If history was changed, if Acnologia had never existed as the threat he was today, how would the last seven years have gone? What about even earlier? Would their buir’e [parents] have adopted them, if there had been more dragons for them to have hatched children with? That was a chilling thought, and one Rogue pushed away as quickly as possible. He barely remembered life before Buir [Dad], but what he could recall was cold and pain and hunger. A life where Buir [Dad] had never found him... no. No, he wasn’t going to think about it. That was best relegated to the nightmares that Sting woke him from in the middle of the night. The sort that led to him slipping out of their room and carrying Frosch down to his darkroom to work, because sleep wouldn’t come.

“Colonel Arcadios, you are under arrest for suspicion of treason against King and Country.” the Defence Minister ordered, and Rogue forced himself to focus on the elderly man’s words, on what they meant. “Yukino Agria and Lucy Hart, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit treason.” Shit, that- Sting’s arm tightened around his back, his twin voicing their mutual disagreement with that statement in a low growl. “The rest of you...” the Defence Minister looked over their group as a whole, then heaved a heavy sigh. “This is a restricted area, and as the good Colonel is now under arrest, your access is revoked. You will be escorted out.”

“Treason?!” Lucy exclaimed in clear disbelief.

“You jerks, getting Lucy mixed up in this!” Flames wreathed Natsu’s fist, but even as Colonel Arcadios shouted a warning they flickered. Natsu grunted, shoving more power into his Iron Fist spell, and the Eclipse Gate let out a high, shrill tone. The flames guttered, then Natsu screamed, and Rogue lurched out of Sting’s hold to grab his ori’vod [big brother] before Natsu could hit the ground. Gajeel was there an instant later, and Rogue caught the barest flash of scales across his forearms before he grimaced and cut the spell half-formed.

“Didn't he tell you that there was a system in place to collect small amounts of magic during the Grand Magic Games and send it to the Eclipse Gate?” the Defence Minster tutted. “Of course, if you are this close to the system and try to use magic, it draws much more from you.” he straightened, and seemed to collect himself. “I would prefer no fuss here. We really do not consider wizards from such esteemed guilds as Sabertooth and Fairy Tail to be enemies of the state by default.”

Everyone was yelling, so much noise Rogue couldn’t process any of it, and it seemed a mere blink later that they were outside in the cool night air again, the Defence Minister gazing dispassionately at them as soldiers marched back inside through the open double doors. “I want you to understand that these are not my wishes.” he said, and Rogue once more got the impression of someone who was immeasurably tired. “This is done for the good of all Fiore. However, I will give you one piece of advice.” he smiled, and it even reached his eyes, looking almost paternal, for all that Rogue had no personal experience to base such a comparison on. “Whichever guild prevails in the Grand Magic Games will, as in years past, receive an audience with His Majesty. He is a big-hearted man, and may be convinced to expidite the trial of those two young wizards. They will not be free before the eclipse has passed, but they will go free.”

“And how can we trust your word, when you just had three people arrested for nothing?” Gajeel challenged.

“Return to your inns, all of you.” the Defence Minister said firmly. “Spend tomorrow preparing for the final day of the Games. Just, get out of my hair.” he waved a hand dismissively, and Rogue looked down at Natsu’s slack face.

“This makes three times I’ve had to feel this idiot get his magic drained by force.” Gajeel groaned, adjusting Natsu in his arms. “Next time I’m rolling him in bubble wrap, I swear.”

“You handled this better than the time in Edolas.” Gray pointed out, and Wendy dissuaded him before he could even try to prod Gajeel for details about that.

“I hate to agree with that shady geezer about anything, but it is late.” Gajeel sighed. “Let’s get back to our inns, and we can work out what to do about this in the morning.”

“Fro thinks so too.” Frosch mumbled into his chest, and Rogue cuddled his cat closer. The walk back to Crocus Gardens was made in silence, few to no thoughts directed across their tome’mir [psychic link], but despite the late hour the lobby wasn’t empty when they entered.

“You two look awful.” Minerva said, rising from the armchair she’d been reading in.

“It’s been a long night.” Sting grunted.

“Before you return to your rooms.” Minerva gestured, and Rogue’s breath caught as Sting realized what she was holding, his twin’s shutters slamming shut to at least muffle the powerful surge of emotion which raged through him at the sight of Lector’s vest. The very vest he’d been wearing tonight.

“Thank y-”

“He’s alive.” Minerva said, and Sting’s head snapped up so fast it would’ve been comical in any other situation.

“Vor entye. [I accept a debt]” Sting gasped, going weak in the knees. “Ori’vor’e [I accept many debts], Minerva. Where is he?”

“Safe.” Minerva smiled, sauntering closer and brushing Sting’s tears away with a gentle touch and wordless flex of her power. “I’ll return him after you win us the Games, in the final competition.”

“Thank you.” Sting gasped, sniffling pitifully. “Thank you, Minerva. I owe you-”

“Net us the victory we deserve, and I’ll call it even.” she smiled, and it was the sweet one Rogue loved so much, the one that actually reached her eyes. “No going easy on the Fairy Tail dragons just because they’re your siblings, this time.”

“I won’t let you down.” Sting swore, tears still pouring down his face as he straightened up, radiating determination. “After seven years dead last, Fairy Tail will be happy enough with second place. Sabertooth will reign supreme, as we always have.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” Minerva beamed. “Now, get a good night’s sleep, you three~” she flicked a hand, and Rogue couldn’t help but watch her walk away. So long as it was either Sabertooth or Fairy Tail who won, their friends would be just fine. And even if Sabertooth came second, Minerva wouldn’t keep Lector forever. She didn’t have the patience for keeping a pet, and she wouldn’t just let him starve.

Right?

Chapter Text

“Let me get this straight.” Erza frowned, looking between her guildmates. “Last night you collected your vod’ike [little brothers] from Sabertooth, Wendy briefly resurrected a dragon for you to interrogate about the mass grave beneath Domus Frau, after which a Captain of the Royal Army and Sabertooth's celestial spirit wizard brought you to Mercurius for Lucy to become a collaborator in some treasonous plan?”

“He was actually a Colonel I think, and you missed the bit where there’s a magic-siphoning artefact in the palace basement that they’ve been charging off participants in the Games, but just about, yeah.” Gajeel nodded.

“And unless we win, Lucy will be held as a material witness until the Colonel goes to trial, which could be months.” Laxus scowled. “For some shit she didn’t even do?”

“If they don’t put her on trial too.” Gray muttered darkly. “Idunno how much we can trust what that geezer said.”

“And I’m saying, who cares about that?!” Natsu raged, flailing ineffectively on the floor, pinned under Gajeel in full scales. “I’m gonna go rescue her right now!”

“Calm down, Natsu-nii.” Wendy sighed for what must’ve been the tenth time, though a smile still tugged at her lips.

“You’d be up against the entire Capitol military.” Happy pointed out, yet again. “Even if you get her out, you’d be up against the whole kingdom!”

“Master, can you please come up with something?” Gajeel grumbled, planting a hand on the back of Natsu’s head and smushing his face against the floor. “This brat’s getting annoying to keep pinned.”

“If we're up against the kingdom, no half-baked plan will succeed.” Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] muttered, rubbing his chin. “The Army has an image to maintain, so I don't think they'd abuse a citizen of Fiore in their custody, which is one less thing to worry about, but... until this Eclipse plan, or whatever it's called, is completely cancelled, we have to think of her as a hostage.”

“What I don’t get is, why let the rest of you go?” Laxus asked, looking genuinely confused. “You lot and the twins, you all know state secrets now. Why only arrest Lucy?”

“I’ve been wondering the same.” Pantherlily chimed in, and as ever Erza had to refrain from cooing over how cute he was with his tiny magic sword. “Why let witnesses walk free, especially when most of us belong to a guild known for flaunting every rule and regulation we can get away with?”

“Perhaps they don’t mind if the information leaks out?” Erza muttered, trying to consider the problem from the Kingdom’s point of view. “If the project is being shut down anyways, they may not care.”

“Or they realized they couldn’t arrest over half of Fairy Tail’s competitors without arousing suspicion.” Mira suggested. “As Pantherlily said, we’re known to flaunt the rules, and to utterly destroy those who go after our own.” her eyes darted to Gajeel, then to Laxus. “I think even the Royal Army would have a hard time fending us off, if we figured out they had arrested our friends for no reason.”

“Juvia agrees.” Juvia nodded, hands clasped demurely in front of herself. “The Kingdom would not wish to make an enemy of any wizard guild, least of all one led by a wizard saint.”

Erza hummed in agreement, and brought a hand up to rest under her chin as she thought. The charges were trumped up, but Lucy had been arrested, and it sure seemed like the only legal way to get her back was to win and petition the King for her pardon. But then, Fairy Tail had enough public approval now that censure would reflect worse on the Kingdom than their guild, so a jailbreak wasn’t entirely out of the question, provided they came up with a suitable plan. And they would need to alter their roster for the final contest tomorrow, as well.

Natsu roared, and finally managed to squirm out from under his alor’tiui [leader]. “Quit talking and let’s go rescue her!” he yelled, springing to his feet.

“Calm down.” Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] ordered, slamming a gigantified fist down on Natsu and knocking him back to the floor, where Gajeel and Wendy both flopped down over him. “This is no time to be frivolous.”

“Of course.” Laxus crossed his arms, his aura crackling along the edges of Erza’s armour, filling the air with ozone. “They took one of our family, so they’ll pay.”

“What happened to Mr. ‘make her my woman’, huh?” Mirajane scoffed.

“Mr. WHAT?!” Natsu roared, struggling anew to get out from under his vod’e [siblings]. Gajeel’s eyes narrowing was expected, but the thunderous look on Wendy’s face was a bit of a surprise.

“Please, she’s not even my type.” Laxus scoffed. “And Ever’d skin her alive if I dragged her in anyways. I just needed an excuse to not show up, so I could keep preparing the dumbass shit I pulled at the harvest festival.”

“Well, at least you acknowledge it was stupid.” Erza sighed. “Maka-ba’bu [Gramps], we’re all in agreement that something needs to be done.” she said, turning her full attention to Makarov.

“I know we always go in full throttle without a plan, but that’s not a good idea with this enemy.” Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] said gravely, his eyes shifting slowly from face to face. Even Laxus straightened up under the weight of that gaze. “Still... we’re no hut’uune [cowards]. We will not take this lying down, not Fairy Tail!” his voice raised to a roar at the end, and Erza roared with him, punching a fist in the air alongside her guildmates.

“I can ask Bix, Freed, or Ever to help, if you think they’d be useful.” Laxus offered. “They won’t even question it, if it comes from me.”

Oh, huh. That... actually made more sense than Erza was proud to admit. Though she didn’t think Natsu had noticed either, so at least she wasn’t the only one to have missed the fact that Laxus had his own little tra’viin [flight] within the guild. And each of them had joined already more or less attached to him, holding themselves apart from the rest of their peers, so she’d never even questioned her own lack of claiming instinct towards them. Well, at least that answered some of the long-standing questions she’d had about the nature of Laxus’s relationship with his team, assuming all tra’viine [flights] operated in a similar manner.

“And I doubt you could keep this di’kut [idiot] from participating if you tried.” Gajeel snorted, grinding his knuckles into the back of Natsu’s head.

“Mirajane, call Cana over would you?” Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] said, folding his hands together. “She’s one of our brightest, when it comes to strategy.”

“Aww, Third, I’m hurt.” Mavis’s voice echoed out of nowhere, and Erza startled as the girl just appeared before her.

“First Master.” Makarov inclined his head to the ghost. “To what do we owe the honour of your presence today?”

“Little Laxus said it.” Mavis grinned, too wide and sharp for her innocent face, utterly uncaring of how Laxus complained he wasn’t little. “They took one of our family. One of my Fairies.” she spun on the ball of her foot to face the wall, and folded her hands behind her back. “Mirajane, I’ll need an illusion of a whiteboard, and the ability to colour it with my touch.” she said, crisp and clipped, an order that had even Natsu going still. “Cana, I need all the information you have on the other competitors in the Games. Before we determine who’s doing the rescuing, I need to determine who we need to field to win, in case our rescue team needs rescuing.”

“It almost feels like cheating, letting you plan for us.” Erza chuckled, settling in against Mira’s side, wrapping an arm around her waist. “The legendary Fairy Tactician, laying strategy for a game.”

“Well, I am a member of the guild.” Mavis winked at her. “I was never expelled, after all, so as long as I’m around, all of you are mine.”

“Are we sure she doesn’t have some dragon in her?” Laxus muttered, and Gajeel snorted in amusement.

“No dragon.” Mavis’s smile widened by a degree, pushing the edges of uncanny. “But the blood of my magical ancestors runs thick in me, and they were worse than dragons by far when it came to what was theirs.”

“And what were they?” Erza asked despite herself, as Cana fetched her betting book. “Your ancestors.”

“I don’t actually know.” Mavis shrugged, drawing a street map of Crocus with her fingertip against the illusory board. “But I have my suspicions.” she clicked her fingers, and the map of the city completed itself. “Now, let’s plan us a victory.”

“Lead us true, First.” Natsu said, and Erza smirked.

The Army wouldn’t know what hit them.

Chapter Text

“If I had a five jewel coin for every time I’ve been thrown in a cell for no reason, I’d have ten jewel.” Lucy sighed, slumping against the bars. “Which isn’t a lot, but it’s damn annoying that it’s happened twice.”

“What was the other time?” Yukino asked, and Lucy chuckled, resting her temple against the cold iron bars.

“My father couldn’t be assed to come yell at me for running off to become a guild wizard, so he hired Phantom Lord to drag me home.” she explained, smiling despite herself. “Their guildmaster did it really stupidly though.”

“Ah, I heard about that.” Yukino nodded. “We- Sabertooth has a handful of ex-Phantoms in their ranks.” she giggled, and Lucy tilted her head in silent question. “I just remembered. One of Sabertooth’s A-listers who came from Phantom was badmouthing Fairy Tail’s dragons after the Games, a few years back. Rogue got so mad Sting had to stop him from mauling the man barehanded.”

“Damn.” Lucy laughed. “I met Wendy, their baby sister, during a multi-guild collaboration. She got abducted, and nearly took one of her captors’ eyes out before Natsu found her.”

“Dragons.” Yukino shook her head with a disbelieving laugh, and Lucy turned her attention back to the bars of their cell.

“After this is all over, I’m making Mira teach me some utility magic.” she muttered. Nobody ever expected holder-type wizards to have caster-type magic in reserve. She and Yukino hadn’t even been cuffed in sealstone, just had their keys taken. Silence fell between them, and Lucy glared out of their cell as a guard patrol passed by.

“I’m sorry.” Yukino said once they were alone again. “I never thought it would come to this. I... I always seem to attract bad luck.” she mumbled the last sentence, and when Lucy turned from the bars she found Yukino curled in on herself, face buried in her knees. Misery was a terrible look on her, and Lucy wished she’d had time to get to know her fellow celestial spirit wizard. Maybe then she’d know what to say to get back the pretty smile Yukino’d had when she left to find a hotel room.

Well, if joining Fairy Tail had taught her anything, it was that refuge in audacity worked more often than not. She breathed deep, and did her best to channel Natsu’s boundless confidence, Erza’s unshakeable authority. “What are you talking about?” she asked, getting Yukino to lift her head and meet her eyes. “If you’ve got time to be depressed, you’ve got time to help me brainstorm a way to bust out of here!” she smiled, and Yukino cracked a small smile of her own.

“Lucy...” she paused, as if forgetting what she’d meant to say, and one hand drifted down to her belt. “If we want to get out, we’ll need our keys back.”

Lucy grimaced. She could swear up and down she’d make Mira teach her some backups after this, but that didn’t change the fact that right now, even though neither of them was cuffed in sealstone, they had no useable magic between them.

“Please forgive me.” Yukino muttered, curling in on herself again.

“It isn’t your fault!” Lucy blurted, lurching away from the bars with a hand extended towards Yukino. “We both just got caught up in this power play going on between the Colonel and Minister of Defense. If anyone’s at fault, it’s one of them.”

Yukino made a noncommittal sound, and Lucy sat up a little straighter, getting as comfortable as she could on the cool stone floor. At least there weren’t any bugs like there had been in the Phantom Lord cell, and she wasn’t tied up on top of it all. “This whole mess, it all centers on that Eclipse plan, right?” she asked, tucking a leg up against her chest and wrapping both arms around it. Her tank top and shorts had been alright for going on a walk with the dragons, given Natsu’s fiery aura and her own preference for cooler temperatures, but in here she was freezing. “A lot of their argument flew over my head, but I don’t know if either side of the argument is actually in the right.”

“Down in the cavern, Sting said that the skeletons there were over four hundred years old.” Yukino said, eyes downcast. “I don’t know if the Eclipse Gate can be pushed to go much more than four hundred years back, but... they must try.”

“What makes you say that?” Lucy asked, resting her chin on her knee. That conviction sounded personal, which was odd considering Yukino hadn’t even joined the project until a few days ago.

“When I was young, I had an older sister, Sorano.” she began, and Lucy scooted away from the bars of their cell to sit against the wall next to Yukino. “I was a horribly clumsy child, I failed at everything I tried, but Sora-nee would always stand up for me when our parents got mad.” Yukino sniffled, tears beading in her eyes, and Lucy put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for a half-hug. “Sora-nee was so kind.” Yukino’s breath hitched, one of her hands moving to clasp Lucy’s free one. “I was awkward and pale and gangly, but she was adorable, everyone said she’d grow into a beauty.”

“Well, you two have that in common.” Lucy said, resting her cheek against the top of Yukino’s head.

“Please.” Yukino laughed, wet and choked. “I’m nothing special. If Sora-nee was here...” she trailed off, shaking her head. “I loved her, Lucy. She was the best big sister ever, she was my world. But then a cult of Zeref worshippers attacked our town. They killed our parents, and Sora-nee-” her voice broke, and Lucy held her tighter. “Sora-nee protected me, like she always did. They took her away, and I escaped. I went to live with my aunt and uncle, but we never heard if Sora-nee was alive or dead. The authorities couldn’t tell us anything.”

“I’m so sorry.” Lucy murmured into the crown of Yukino’s head. “I can’t imagine living with that not-knowing.”

“That’s why they must activate Eclipse.” Yukino whispered. “If Zeref is defeated in obscurity, if he never gains enough notoriety to be worshipped after death...”

“Then your big sister would never be taken from you.” Lucy finished, matching Yukino’s volume. “That’s the idea, right?”

Yukino nodded, and Lucy loosened her arm as she made to sit up. Even if Eclipse did work, even if it could reach far enough back to nip the legacy of the Black Wizard in the bud, there was no guarantee the ripples would play out as anyone expected. How many people’s lives had been irrevocably altered by Zeref’s worshippers, by his demons? If you removed those, how many people would be born who didn’t exist today? How many people’s parents would never meet, making them never have existed?

Time travel was impossible, but Lucy had read a few books which centered around it, and the general consensus seemed to be that it was a bad idea to try to alter history. Which was, of course, assuming the damn Gate worked in the first place. She still thought it sounded like a hoax. A shiver wracked her, and Lucy bit back a curse as she rubbed her arms. “Why are dungeons so damn cold?” she muttered.

“Better question, why are you wearing that in March?” Yukino asked pointedly.

“When Natsu’s around, you have to dress for at least ten degrees warmer than it actually is.” Lucy huffed, abandoning her arms and just tucking her hands in her armpits.

“Here.” Yukino said, pulling off the jacket of her uniform. “It may not be as cute as what you’re wearing now, but it’ll keep you warm.”

“Thanks.” Lucy smiled, pulling the jacket around herself. Yukino’s shoulders were a bit broader than hers, but her bust was smaller, so it more or less evened out. “This is actually pretty comfy.” she remarked, shifting so she was sitting on the tails.

“It’s meant to be easy to move in, in case of emergency.” Yukino shrugged, settling shoulder-to-shoulder with Lucy again and pulling off her gloves. Down to just a crisp button-down shirt and sturdy-looking pants, Lucy thought Yukino wouldn’t have looked out of place on the cover of a romance novel. Not that she’d ever actually seen any romance novels with military women as a main character, but perhaps she could write one. The genre wasn’t really her speed, formulaic and often bland, with far too many authors trying to cram smut in who had clearly never touched a member of the opposite sex, but she could throw one out under a pen name for a bit of extra money while Fairy Tail processed the inevitable influx of job requests after the Games and handled moving back to their proper guild hall.

“Could I ask you a few questions about being a military contractor?” Lucy asked, and Yukino gave her a confused look. Ah, right, that ... probably seemed like a total non-sequiter from the outside. “I write.” she said, then winced. “I’m writing a novel, and firsthand accounts from various professions are always helpful to have.” she shifted, pulling her pencil and notebook out of her back pocket. “Just last night I was taking notes on cave ambience.” she showed Yukino the relevant page.

“Oh.” Yukino smiled, and shifted to rest her head on Lucy’s shoulder, sending a thrill of warmth through her. “Ask away. We’ve got nothing but time in here, after all.”

And Lucy had gotten her to smile again. Two birds, one stone!

Chapter Text

Getting into the castle was surprisingly easy. Natsu really should ask Mira sometime if she could teach him some shapeshifting magic, it seemed super handy. Then again, it was rare that he had to actually sneak anywhere. Usually if there was a place he had to get into he just blasted his way in with fire and fought until he ran out of opponents. But then... shapeshifting could also be fun with Lisanna maybe? Something to consider later.

Nobody interrupted them as they headed down the spiral stairs into the dungeon, and Natsu flared his magic just a little, pushing his aura out to envelop Wendy and Mira and keep them warm. Somehow it actually felt colder down here than it had outside, and he was suddenly extremely glad that Erza had insisted they bring a change of clothes for Lucy and Yukino.

“Luuucy~” he sang softly as they entered a long hall lined with barred cells. It didn’t take long to find her, and when they did Natsu couldn’t help but smile. She was asleep, but only just, curled up on the bottom bunk with Yukino and both blankets. It took another few calls of her name to wake her, and when her eyes opened she lurched up so fast she slammed her head into the bottom of the upper bunk. Wendy giggled, and out of the corner of his eye Natsu saw Mira give a cheerful little wave.

“Natsu!” Lucy cried, scrambling out of bed, reaching though the bars. “And Wendy and Mira, too!” she beamed as Natsu reached back, wrapping one arm around her back and pressing his other hand over her mouth.

“Shhh.” he hissed as Happy drew Lucy’s attention with his own greeting. “Wouldn’t want anyone overhearing us, now would we?”

“Sorry.” she mumbled, and he pulled his hand away, resting his forehead against hers briefly through the bars. She was wearing Yukino’s coat, he noticed when he pulled back. Even by the standards of Lucy’s usual clothes, it was really tight in the chest, and Lucy reached out to flick him in the forehead. “Did you come to get us out of here, or to oggle?”

“Sorry.” he chuckled. “You’ll want to stand back.” he rose from his crouch and laced his fingers together, stretching his arms with his palms out. “It’s about to get hot in here.”

Lucy backed all the way up to the far wall, which was a bit overkill in his opinion, but Natsu still waited for Yukino to join her before he began. Pooling his magic in his palms was easy, but forcing it out into the metal really wasn’t. Still, it didn’t take long to soften the plain iron bars enough to wrench them apart enough that the girls could get out.

“We brought a change of clothes for each of you.” Wendy said, as Mirajane pulled them from inside her borrowed uniform.

“Oh thank the stars, something with sleeves that’ll actually fit me.” Lucy muttered, taking hers eagerly.

“I am fine.” Yukino said, her voice soft and- it almost looked like she’d been crying. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

“According to Natsu and Wendy, you’re a friend.” Mirajane smiled. “Think nothing of it.”

“Here’s your coat back.” Lucy held the uniform coat out to Yukino, who looked at it for a moment, then threw it in Natsu’s face.

“Remove that before Lucy is done changing, and I’ll make you regret it.” Yukino said, her voice much harder than before. Natsu froze with both hands fisted in the fabric, then snorted.

“Yeah, you’re gonna fit right in.” he chuckled.

“I’m decent.” Lucy said a minute later, and Natsu returned Yukino’s coat in time to see Lucy start pulling on her second sock. Before she finished, or Yukino finished putting her coat back on, the floor opened up beneath them. There was no warning, no flare of magic or grinding of gears, just solid stone one minute and a gaping chasm the next.

Everyone screamed as they fell, and Natsu bit back a curse. “Happy, Lily, grab the girls!” he barked, shoving Wendy closer to Carla as Mirajane activated one of her winged takeovers. “Firestorm roar!” he brought his hands up to his mouth as Wendy jerked up out of his peripheral vision, and the blast of magic not only illuminated the rapidly approaching ground, it also significantly slowed his fall, letting him land on his feet instead of having to tumble.

“Everyone alright?” Mirajane asked, landing next to him and releasing her takeover. Huh, when had she taken off the guard uniform?

“Could they not have waited until we were done changing?” Lucy grumbled, tugging her sock the rest of the way on. “Now I have to find where my shoes went.”

“I believe they’re over that way.” Pantherlily said, depositing Yukino gently.

“Happy, could you fly me over there?” Lucy asked, and as they glided off Wendy alighted next to him, Carla quickly scrambling up to perch on her shoulder.

“I guess they noticed us breaking in.” Wendy huffed, and Natsu valiantly resisted the urge to ruffle her hair.

“What do you think this place is?” he mused, almost wishing Gajeel and the twins weren’t all busy so he could prod them about it. They all knew lots of stuff, and a dark spooky place like this was right up Rogue’s alley.

“Welcome to the Palace of Hades.” a voice said from nowhere.

“Cool, a magic question-answerer!” Natsu laughed, then winced as one of Lucy’s shoes hit him in the head. “Hey, magic question-answerer, should I give this back?” he asked, and Mira stifled a giggle at Lucy’s inarticulate sound of outrage.

“It matters not.” the nowhere-voice said. “But thank you for falling directly into our trap. The Palace of Hades is merely the entrance to the City of the Dead, the final taste of freedom for the condemned.”

“Condemned?!” Lucy screeched, storming into view, Happy trailing behind her.

“However, no one has ever made it out.” the nowhere-voice continued, speaking right over Lucy as a picture bloomed in the air, like the one inside a communication lacrima. The person on the other side had short green hair, a floaty fancy-looking shirt, and some real shiny jewellery. “You have my leave to rot here, as punishment!”

“Who’s that?” Natsu asked, as the picture fizzled out again, and everyone gave him disbelieving looks. Even Happy!

“Natsu, that was the Princess.” Yukino said, sounding strained.

“Princess or not, what right does she have, claiming we’re condemned?” Lucy spat, kicking a stalagmite with the foot that actually had a shoe, then picking up the chunk she’d broken off and pitching it away into the gloom. “We never got tried for shit!” she yelled at the ceiling, and Mirajane sighed.

“Lucy, I don’t think they’re listening anymore.” she said, and snatched the shoe out of Natsu’s hand. “Put your other shoe on.”

Lucy did so, grumbling as she balanced on one foot, and Natsu spared a moment to wonder why she’d swapped her shorts for a skirt, before the fabric shifted and he realized she still had shorts on under the skirt. Or maybe the shorts were part of it? It was hard to tell, with how Lucy liked to wear clothes that were all matchy-matchy.

“So... what now?” Happy asked, alighting on Natsu’s shoulder.

“They’ve closed the floor behind us, for sure.” Mirajane muttered with a scowl to rival Erza’s. “We’ll have to search for another way out.”

“Carla, any suggestions on where to look?” Wendy asked, looking down at her cat , cradled in her arms.

“Why me?” Carla asked, which Natsu thought was a good question.

“Don’t you literally have future sight?” Lucy asked in return. “Even if you can’t see where the exit is, you’ve got the best chance of pointing us in the right direction.”

“Actually, I was going to ask Wendy.” Mirajane said, silencing Carla before she could retort. “The air’s not stale, despite how deep we are, which means there must be airflow. Wendy, when we were planning you said your senses are even better than Natsu’s, right?”

“Some of them.” his vod’ika [little sister] demurred, and Natsu slung an arm around her neck.

“Wendy’s the best.” he declared. “Give her some time, and she’ll be able to read the air currents in this whole cavern!”

“Not the whole thing, Natsu-nii.” Wendy protested, cheeks flushing. In the kara’cika [nebula] though, she glowed with pride. “But... maybe the whole ground level.”

“Same difference.” Natsu scoffed.

“Can’t believe I’m saying this, but Natsu’s right.” Lucy chimed in. “That’s really impressive, Wendy.”

“I am so, so glad I didn’t have to fight any of you.” Yukino muttered.

“Aww, even me?” Lucy mock-pouted.

“You have as many gold keys as I have keys in total.” Yukino said flatly. “Nobody would take that bet.”

“Sting probably would.” Natsu noted as Wendy wandered a few paces away to start doing whatever it was she did to read the air currents.

“Sting is an idiot.” Yukino rolled her eyes. “Everyone in Sabertooth knows Rogue is the more dangerous one.”

Natsu wondered how long it would take for anyone to tell her that Sting had murdered Sabertooth’s guildmaster the night she and Lucy got arrested. Well, at least until they got out of here, probably. That wasn’t a conversation to be had when people could listen in. Sting going to jail for murder would kinda suck.

“Well, we might as well get comfortable while we wait.” Mirajane clapped her hands. “Pantherlily, could you take Happy and Carla and see if there’s any wood around? It’s a bit chilly, and if there’s anything to burn Natsu can make a fire for us to sit by while Wendy works.”

“A fine suggestion.” Pantherlily nodded. “Carla, Happy, come along.”

Happy glanced at him, and Natsu gave his little buddy a nod. Pantherlily really was the perfect cat for Gajeel, all protective and affectionate with their cats as Gajeel was with them. “How’s it going?” Gajeel asked, and Natsu gave his ori’vod [big brother] a smile, nudging the call until they landed on Gajeel’s end, wandering the streets of Crocus.

“We got Lucy and Yukino out of their cell, but got dropped into some prison palace thing under the castle. Wendy’s finding us a way out, though.” he reported dutifully. “How’s things on your end?”

“Today’s event is an all-out brawl.” Gajeel smirked. “Perrito and Pegasus are already out, and we’re in a three-way tie for first with Sabertooth and Lamia.”

“Damn, and I’m stuck in a cave.” Natsu whined.

“I’ll check in when I can, but don’t hesitate to call me if something goes wrong.” Gajeel said, ruffling his hair.

“‘Lek, buir. [Yes, dad.]” Natsu snorted. Gajeel smacked the back of his head. “If things get out of hand, me or Wendy will call, promise.” he swore. “But we’ve got Mirajane with us. Who’d be crazy enough to attack her?”

“You’d be surprised.” Gajeel muttered, then his head snapped up, reacting to something Natsu didn’t see before the call cut. Well, nothing to do now but wait, he supposed.

Chapter Text

The exit Wendy and Carla found was tiny, barely a crack in the wall, the stone snagging on everyone’s clothes as they scooted through. Mirajane didn’t even fit at first, until she shapeshifted to look like Yukino, and even then it was a tight fit. Lucy only barely fit, and as Wendy and Yukino ran forwards to examine Colonel Arcadios Natsu hung back to help Lucy past the extra-tight squeeze at the end which had nearly taken one of Wendy’s pigtails out.

“He’s suffering from magical exhaustion.” Wendy reported as Natsu yanked Lucy free. “But before that...”

“R- run” he gasped, audibly still in pain despite Wendy’s assistance. “Just- run.”

“Were you dropped in here like us?” Lucy asked, taking a knee next to the Colonel with Wendy and Yukino. Mere seconds later, oppressive, overwhelming power surged against Natsu’s magic sense, and Wendy and Mira reacted in the same instant he did. Wendy threw herself and the Colonel back with a blast of wind, while Mirajane dragged Yukino into her arms and Natsu tackled Lucy. The cats, too, narrowly avoided the arc of hetiklyc [nose-burny] acid which carved a trench in the floor straight through where they’d all been clustered.

“Tai, tai, taiii.” an unfamiliar voice chanted, the magical aura smothering the room changing dramatically, and Natsu whirled to see a stranger far too close to Wendy. “Tai?” they bent sideways, then a wide grin split their face. “Huge catch!” they grabbed a flag out of nowhere, and when they snapped upright to wave it high the ground underfoot changed, throwing all of them up in the air. Thankfully Pantherlily caught the Colonel before he broke something landing wrong, but still...

“Who are these guys?” Natsu asked nobody in particular.

“There’s more of them.” Pantherlily warned, as the atmosphere of the room kept shifting, three additional wizards revealing themselves. Thankfully, none of those three attacked, and they were able to regroup around the now-sitting Arcadios as Wendy began to heal him.

“They’re an independent squad that supports the nation from the shadows. The country’s greatest executioners, the Hungry Wolf Knights.” Arcadios explained, each breath coming audibly easier. “They’re why nobody has ever escaped alive from this place.”

“By the special authority granted us as an independent enforcement squad of Fiore, the Hungry Wolf Knights will now see your sentences executed, law-breakers.” the wizard in full armour said, pulling a pair of fancy weapons from their back. Natsu couldn’t even tell if they were axes or scythes, they were so ornate, and after a moment of silence he couldn’t help it anymore. He cracked up laughing.

“Natsu, is this really the time?” Lucy snapped, and Natsu managed to swallow at least most of his laughter.

“I mean, you gotta admit it’s a little funny.” he beamed, turning just enough so she could see his smile. “Look at them! Aside from Mr. ceremonial-weapons, they ain’t what anybody’d call knights.” he gestured broadly at the group, then jabbed a finger at the fisherman-looking one in particular. “Especially that one!”

“Don’t be fooled by their looks.” Arcadios warned. “The magic they use is meant to kill.”

“That’s perfect.” Natsu cracked his knuckles, and at a prod from Wendy voiced the rest of his thought. “If they’re trying to kill us, we can go all-out. And once we kick their asses, we’ll just follow their trail back to the exit.”

“Oh look at that, you do have a brain.” Mirajane giggled, her magic flaring at his side. “It’s been a while since I was able to really let loose.”

“Lucy, Yukino, please stay back with the Colonel.” Wendy said, joining Natsu opposite Mira. “None of you can fight right now.”

“Carla, Happy, you stay back as well.” Pantherlily added, and Natsu heard the cat’s magic sword extend, heavy footsteps indicating he’d assumed his Edolas size.

“We can fight too!” Happy protested.
”We’re not helpless kittens, you know.” Carla snapped at the same moment.

“Your skill in battle is mobility.” Pantherlily said firmly. “Be ready to get the Colonel and our friends out of the line of fire, if needed.” he paused, and Natsu glanced over his shoulder to see the three cats making eye contact. Happy broke first, then Carla, and they retreated to where Arcadios sat, stunned.

“You do not fear the Hungry Wolf Knights?” the armoured one asked, and Wendy stuck out her tongue. “Ignorant criminals. All rejoin the land eventually, but you shall be reunited with the soil of Fiore here and now!” they swung an arm out, and the two ‘knights’ on the ends burst into motion.

“Let’s go, Cosmos!”

“We shall dance as beautifully as ever, Kamika.” Cosmos replied, but Natsu didn’t have time to focus on them. Kamika had moved to flank their loose formation, and the bloody red magic circle which lit in front of her hands was centred on a symbol that wasn’t quite fire.

“Paper Storm, Red Dance!” Kamika blew a piece of paper from her hand into the magic circle, where it multiplied into a swirling storm. Heh, dumbass, using flammable attacks against a fire dragon.

“I’ll just burn that stuff away!” he declared, fire flaring from his outstretched hands without even a magic circle. Not an attack, just a rush of pure power. The paper didn’t burn, and even as Lucy exclaimed in shock Wendy was moving, blasting the flittering red scraps away with a Roar.

“How clever, to scatter the flame-paper before it could scatter you like ashes.” Kamika purred, and Wendy rooted herself next to him, her determination blazing bright in the kara’cika [nebula]. “But a dance requires more than one.”

“So pretty.” Cosmos crooned behind them, and Wendy leapt towards where Lucy and Yukino were supporting the Colonel. “A pretty dancing doll~”

Happy grabbed the Colonel, Carla grabbed Lucy, and Wendy leapt straight into the mouth of the giant plant which bloomed beneath Yukino’s feet. Natsu screamed, but Mirajane got there first, a clawed fist rending the plant petal from petal, revealing Wendy and Yukino to be slightly damp but otherwise uninjured.

“Natsu, ke’daab [down (order)]!” Pantherlily snapped, and Natsu obeyed on reflex, dropping to the cave floor to give his brother’s cat a clear swing at the thorny vines which had been sneaking up on him. He had to roll a moment later, as the ‘knight’ with a bottle hanging from their mouth came in and swung at both of them, magic carving a trench in the stone floor.

“Paper Storm, Purple Dance.” Kamika said, and Natsu barely managed to get to his feet before the first scraps stuck to his skin, the muscles beneath them locking up.

“What is this?” he demanded, unable to even flare his fire to burn them away.

“I can’t move!” Mirajane yelled, and Natsu’s blood ran cold. If it could overpower Mira, this paper magic was something else.

“Purple paper bears the spirit of restriction.” Kamika purred, and Natsu could hear the others exclaiming as their bodies locked down.

“This will be a pretty liaison.” Cosmos tittered, out of sight behind him. “Grow flow!” a truly massive magic circle lit overhead, and the biggest flower Natsu had ever seen bloomed within it. “Now, eat those pretty criminals’ lives.”

The giant plant- possibly a summoned monster, if Lucy’s guess was right- began to draw them in, and Natsu flailed as the suction peeled some of the purple papers off of his skin. Mirajane managed to catch Yukino, while Carla frantically flapped herself and Happy closer to Pantherlily, who’d anchored himself with his sword.

“Release me!” Wendy demanded. “Spirit that cannot be stifled, Lese!” wind exploded from behind him, and Natsu laughed as Wendy repeated the enchantment, forcing the papers to peel off of him. They were still being sucked in, but a glance at Mira and Pantherlily confirmed they were all on the same page.

“Let’s do what Fairies do best.” Natsu grinned, launching himself off the ground. Fire wreathed his fist, and his felt Mirajane’s aura swell with power as she took off. “Time to break shit!” he roared, and Mirajane’s attack hit just at the same time as his strike, Pantherlily’s huge sword cleaving through both the plant monster and cavern ceiling behind it.

The resulting explosion might’ve knocked him out for a little bit, because it seemed like one moment he was in the air and the next he was buried in rubble, Wendy prodding at him worriedly in the kara’cika [nebula]. He pushed his aggravation at her, and with a little bit of squirming managed to get an arm free. The rest of him soon followed, of course, and he found himself in a hallway carved of the same dark, greenish stone as the cavern had been.

“Hey, everybody okay?” he yelled, and Wendy shoved aggravation back at him.

“You don’t need to be so loud, Natsu-nii.” she muttered through the tome’mir [psychic bond].

“It seems that blast has sent everyone in all directions.” the knight with the fancy ceremonial weapons said from behind him. “However, my knights are excellent. You have seen the last of your fellow criminals.”

“Mmm, nah.” Natsu bared his kal’edee [fangs]. “What’s the point of coming here to rescue Lucy if we don’t all make it home together?”

“Very well.” the knight folded their arms slowly, deliberately, and from Wendy’s spike of alarm Natsu guessed she’d just encountered one of the others. “Prepare to meet your end.”

“Bold of you to assume a hungry wolf can take a dragon.” Natsu grinned, raising a hand to beckon the knight closer. “Bring it.”

Chapter Text

All things considered, Gray would’ve preferred to fight in the open. But Rufus was in the library, so that was where they would fight. Mavis hadn’t been able to guarantee that he would win, but a loss here was unacceptable. He took a moment to size up his opponent, as the announcer blared his arrival over hidden lacrimae. Rufus looked relaxed, fully at-ease, sitting with his legs crossed and a book in hand, the brim of his big showy hat hiding his eyes.

“Let’s do this, you masked creep!” he yelled, his magic answering readily as he brought his hands together. “Ice Make Freeze Lancer!” the magic circle lit large behind him, spears of ice shooting out faster and thicker than his usual Lance technique.

Rufus scoffed something Gray didn’t quite catch, dodging gracefully. But nobody could dodge forever, and so long as Gray kept him on the defensive he had the advantage.

“You’re not getting away.” he told the Sabertooth wizard. “Ice Impact!” he Made a hammer several times larger than usual, the ice so dense it was blue instead of white. It slammed down when he brought his fist into his palm, and Rufus dodged again. Maybe he could even back the wizard into a corner? It’d be a rookie mistake, but wizards tended to make those when underestimating their opponents.

“What’re you mumbling about?” Gray asked as Rufus landed, as much to keep the wizard distracted as out of actual curiosity. Usually by this point he expected his opponents to be yelling a lot more.

“Memory becomes a weapon.” Rufus said, which made no sense at all. “I memorize any magic I see, and using that memory as a base, I make new magic!”

“What's that mean?” Gray asked, shifting and readying to Make a wall if needed. An opponent who felt confident enough to gloat usually had at least one or two tricks up their sleeve which would smack him in the face if he wasn’t prepared.

“Memories of your ice magic, memories of Olga's thunder magic, I remember it all.” Rufus smiled, a circle igniting under his feet. “Memory Make Frozen Black Thunder Sword!” he flung a hand out, and the floor erupted. Gray yelped, and only barely managed to deflect the spray of razor-sharp ice which burst from the ground next to him.

“That’d work better if you could remember how to aim.” he taunted. Or if he used both hands, as a Make wizard was supposed to. Man, he’d have to tell Lyon about this after; they could both have a laugh about this idiot’s overconfidence.

“No need to aim when you have nowhere to run.” Rufus bit back. “Shrine of the whirlwind fangs!” he gestured with his hand again, and a half dozen circles bloomed to life, each one spawning a vortex of magically charged air.

“Ice Make Shield.” Gray curved the ice around himself, to better deflect the gusts as they careened towards him, picking up the ice shards from the previous Make along the way.

“Shield, memorized. And, forget!” Rufus laughed, and for a horrible moment Gray’s mind went blank. The construct dissipated, his magic fizzling out without any intent to bind it, and he couldn’t help the scream that left him as he was flung into the air, shards of ice slicing at his skin until the tempest released him. He managed to shield himself from impact with the floor, but only barely.

“Neat trick.” he chuckled as he pushed himself back to his feet, grimacing as something in his chest twinged unpleasantly with the motion. “That all you can do?”

“My magic is the culmination of all I have seen.” Rufus bragged. “You should be honoured to witness it twice. Consider this battle as song, if you will. My requiem, just for you.”

“Yeah, no thanks.” Gray straightened up, rolling his shoulders.

“Burn this into your memory, little Fairy.” Rufus was smirking, the jackass. “You cannot defeat me.”

“We’ll see about that.” Gray grabbed his shirt- already hanging halfway off his shoulders, when did that happen?- and deliberately flung it aside, baring his guild mark for everyone watching. “Nobody who bears the mark of Fairy Tail would ever dare lose to the same enemy twice!” he declared, slamming a fist just under the mark in question.

“Oh?” Rufus cocked his head, smiling indulgently. Pompous bastard. “I suppose you have some sort of plan, then?”

“Yeah.” Gray grinned, stalking forwards with his hands in position for a Make. “How’s your memory work on things that aren’t magic?”

“Why would I-” Rufus moved to step towards him, and Gray grinned.

“Ice Make Maze!” he threw both hands out, Making walls and floors at the same time. Rufus yelped, all traction gone from underneath him, and Gray launched himself off the wall which had grown up under his feet, landing a solid heel to Rufus’s sternum just as the Sabertootth wizard regained his balance.

“You little-”

Gray ducked a flare of what was probably White magic and leapt backwards as the man forced his mind to blank again, the maze melting away. “I bet you can’t even throw a punch, prettyboy.” he taunted, and Rufus’s face contorted in fury. Bingo.

“Memory Make Holy God Slayer Ray!” Rufus roared, and Gray realized what was weird about this guy’s magic circles. They were different every time, echoing whoever’s magic he was copying. This one looked an awful lot like Laxus’s circles did, though what shot out was a bolt of white-black lightning that blasted him clean off his feet and left his ears ringing. Okay, he had kinda brought that one on himself.

“You impudent little brat.” Rufus spat, boots clacking loudly on the flagstone floor as he stalked closer. “You cannot defeat me. I wield the magics of every S-Rank in Sabertooth, and then some. And what do you have? Mere ice.”

“Nah.” Gray laughed- ow, he’d definitely bruised his ribs in that landing- and rose to his feet again. “I’ve got some memories of my own to draw on.”

“As if you could master my magic.” Rufus scoffed.

“Ice Make Armoury of Prince Frederick!” Gray grinned, and hoped Erza was free enough to curse his naming the technique after the worst job they’d ever taken. Two swords appeared in his hands, and ice began to spiral out from where he crouched, forcing Rufus to stumble backwards as weapon after weapon burst forth. Erza had so many, and Gray had known her so long, worked together with her so often, that there were far too many memories for blanking out any one of them to make a difference.

“Memorize this!” he yelled. “Dance of a thousand blades!”

Rufus shouted as the attack hit, ice encasing him almost entirely, but when Gray straightened up the Sabertooth wizard was smiling. Sharp and manic in a way that tugged at something deep in him to smile back, to bare fang for fang, bloodlust against bloodlust. “Mere. Ice.” Rufus spat, his laughter coarse and unhinged. “Memory Make Burning Earth Karma!”

Fire burst from beneath him, evaporating Gray’s ice instantly before rushing to engulf him. Gray threw his head back and laughed, power sparking along his limbs, each breath frigid in his lungs. “You call that fire?” he yelled, and slammed his hands together fist to palm, not extinguishing the flames but encasing them, preventing them from spreading to the books they’d knocked down in their battle.

“You- how-” Rufus’s face went bloodless, every limb trembling as Gray stalked towards him, breath fogging in the bitter air. Power surged through him, a head rush like no other, and he smiled wider as his prey tried to stagger backwards, only to slip and stumble on a loose book “M- monster! Stay ba-”

Gray caught him by the collar, and yanked him in for a headbutt. It gave him a headache, sure, but it knocked the Sabertooth wizard right out. “Fairy Tail’s got a dragon who eats flames like that for breakfast.” he smirked, dropping Rufus to lie in a groaning heap on the floor. His ostentatious hat fluttered down after him, and Gray snagged it out of the air, flicking the dust off before setting it on his head.

“I think this looks better on me anyways.” he quipped, and made sure to quench the flames and disperse his constructs before sauntering out of the library.

One point for Fairy Tail, and one exceedingly dangerous opponent off the board. Plus, he’d gotten to make up for that embarrassment during Hidden. This free-for-all was looking up!

Chapter Text

Wendy double checked that she was fully shuttered off from the kara’cika [nebula], and let out a little sigh of relief to see that her control hadn’t slipped when she spotted the Hungry Wolf Knight who’d wound up blasted into this side cavern with her.

Comos, the one with the plant magic. Possibly a summoned beast, but the only summoning magic she was actually familiar with was Lucy’s, and Cosmos hadn’t been waving around any keys. “I don’t suppose I can get a stay of execution for being twelve?” she asked, dusting off the skirt of her dress.

“Your guild paperwork says you were twelve seven years ago.” Comos smiled, sharp as any predator. “So no.”

“Damn.” Wendy huffed. “I was hoping not to fight today.”

“Then just hold still, little girl.” Cosmo crooned. “Spore Bomb, Rinka Renka!” Cosmos threw her hands up, motes of magic fountaining up from a magic circle under her feet.

“No thanks.” Wendy twisted her hands, the air in the cavern bending to her will, and Cosmos scowled as her spores dispersed behind her, blown by the breeze Wendy had conjured up.

“Resisting won’t help, you know.” Cosmos tutted. “Wolves such as we do not let our prey escape.”

“A lone wolf is a dead wolf.” Wendy fired back, dodging the giant flower which sprouted from thee ground to try to eat her. She could destroy it from within, sure, but the less magic she had to use the better. Carla had been on-edge ever since they got dropped down here, and Wendy knew her cat well enough to guess that meant they had a lot more fighting ahead of them. “Without your pack, you’ll fall quick enough.”

“Oooh, this little cutie’s got bite.” Cosmos giggled. “I’ll honour you with my full attention.” her smile sharpened again, and the air went close and heavy, thick with the smell of new growth. All over the cavern, colour rioted to life, moss and ferns and flowers alike, vines draping from the ceiling and scrubby trees clumping around the edges of the space. Some of the plants were certainly traps, but she couldn’t tell which, the air too thick with pollen to identify where the scent of danger was coming from. The biggest bloom, however, was directly beneath Cosmos herself, a massive black lily which formed a throne fit for a faerie queen.

“Spore Bomb, Absolute Absolution.” Cosmos purred, and Wendy barely had time to look down in shock at the magic motes rising from the moss around her feet before they detonated. She only barely managed to stop herself from slamming headfirst into the wall, but still fell into the prickly branches of one of the trees.

“What a lovely scream.” Cosmos laughed. “I think I’d like to hear some more of those.” she rose from her flower throne, and glided across the mossy floor, the tree itself binding Wendy tighter even as she struggled to get free. “I did offer you a quick demise, little one.” she purred, curling a finger under Wendy’s chin.

Wendy couldn’t quite stop herself from smirking, even as she gathered her magic. “That’s a nice chair you bloomed for yourself.” she said, forming a fist with one hand and wrenching her arm free, heedless of the long scratches left behind by the branch as it broke under the might of a dragon. “I think I’d look much cuter on it than a mangy mutt like you.”

Cosmos’s face contorted in rage, and Wendy could’ve laughed. Emotions made your magic stronger, but anger was like as not to make a wizard sloppy. “Sky Dragon’s Fire, Special Technique: Heatwave!” she spun the wind around them both with her free hand, not bothering to shield herself this time. Cosmos staggered immediately, gasping against the stifling heat, and Wendy managed to free herself fully as the plants within her small dome began to shrivel and brown, the light of her magic circle peeking through where the moss thinned.

She dropped to the ground, released the spell before the heat got to her, and blew Cosmos into the far wall with a Roar. “I may be small and cute, but I am a dragon.” Wendy grinned, baring her kal’edee [fangs]. “And a Fairy to boot. Don’t underestimate me.”

“You’re going to regret that.” Cosmos laughed, picking herself up. “Tree Shot, Fruit Forfeit!” she gestured with both hands, and Wendy yelped as she was pelted from all sides. After the first volley though, they were... not easy to dodge, but so long as she kept moving more of the projectiles missed than hit. “Flower Munition: Seed Shot!” Cosmos cackled, and smaller projectiles joined in, tracking her much better, targeting her legs.

Vines snared her feet, and Wendy went down with a yelp, only barely managing to struggle back to her knees. “Sky Dragon’s Talons!” she cried, flinging razor-sharp air at her bindings, but the vines just regrew, covering her whole body, burying her in plant matter.

“I should wrap this up, or the Captain will be mad at me.” Cosmos sighed heavily. “But I can still use my favourite execution technique on you.” she patted Wendy’s cheek. Wendy snapped at her fingers, and was grimly satisfied when the executioner snatched her hand away. “Eternal Repose: Makura Kamura.” Cosmo murmured, and flowers began to bloom from the vines pinning her down.

“The pollen of theses beauties is a soporific.” she bragged, gesturing to the flowers which now surrounded Wendy. “It’s making you drowsy already, isn’t it?” Cosmos giggled. “I know your magic, little dragon. We were warned that you Fairies might try something, after all. You can’t heal yourself, and there is no antidote your friends will be able to procure. Not even I can reverse a fatal dose of Makura Kamura pollen.”

Wendy blinked, opened her mouth. Closed it again as her head fell forwards. Sky magic healed everything, sure, but that wasn’t all she could do. Not by a long shot.

“Sky Dragon’s Fire, Special Technique: Heatwave.” she whispered, and this time the dome only covered her. The flowers shrivelled up immediately, but she still swayed as she stumbled to her feet, Gajeel’s concern a heavy drumbeat in the back of her mind. She dropped the spell as soon as she was upright, and immediately the moss and flowers grew back.

“It doesn’t matter if your limbs are free when your body and soul are trapped in eternal slumber.” Cosmos tutted. “Time for a nap, little girl.”

“Spirit that cannot be stifled, Lese.” she murmured, and her mind cleared. So did the air, actually. Even of the scent of growing things. She still had to test this enchant some more, to find its limits, but for now... “Nice try.” she told Cosmos, whipping the air in the cavern into a howling vortex. “But now it’s time for me to get serious.”

“Wha- how?!”

Wendy called all her magic to her skin, her senses sharpening, claws flexing free of her fingertips, and she knew from Carla’s accounts that her open mouth looked like something out of a deep sea nightmare. Her blood rushed in her ears, mouth all but literally watering at the prey before her, the stench of panic on its skin. She lunged forwards, closing the gap, and sunk a fist into its diaphragm hard enough she swore she felt spine. It didn’t go flying, but its magic flickered, and she struck again, this time to the centre of its forehead, making it stagger backwards.

“Sky Dragon’s Fire Roar!” she shouted, and her prey went flying into, and indeed through the cavern wall.

“Was that what I think it was?” Gajeel asked, staring down at her with wide eyes.

“Depends.” Wendy laughed, breathing deep, replenishing her magic enough she didn’t sway on her feet. “Do you think I just caught up to the rest of you?”

“Woor’ika [Little wind], I think with that you may be surpassing us.” her alor’tiui [leader] laughed, ruffling her hair. “Don’t forget to signal when you make it out, alright?”

“Of course.” Wendy nodded, picking her way through the overgrown plants towards the new exit. “How are the Games going?”

“Kinda boring, on my end.” Gajaeel huffed. “But maybe I’ll get lucky and find someone worth fighting.”

“Good luck.” Wendy smiled, leaning up into Gajeel’s hand.

“You too.” he smiled down at her, then returned to the Games. Now, if she had luck on her side, she’d be able to find her way to Natsu through this hole in the wall...

Chapter Text

When they got out of here and back to the guild, Pantherlily was going to get Gajeel to make Natsu actually listen to the lecture he had brewing on situational awareness vis-a-vis how much power to use in group attacks. Mirajane, he could give a talking-to on their way out, but Natsu wouldn’t listen without his alor’tiui [leader] having a hand in the conversation.

Of course, first he would have to actually get out of here, a task which the Hungry Wolf Knight who’d wound up in this side cavern with him seemed bound and determined to make as difficult as possible. Pantherlily hated being separated from his squad, especially when said squad included the kittens he’d taken under his wing, double especially when one of said kittens was his beloved little Princess. However, in this case, perhaps a brief separation was for the best.

His sword was sturdy, the metal permeated with protective enchantments alongside the spell which allowed it to change size on command, but holder magic such as his blade was vulnerable to prolonged attacks. The magic within it would run out, and then not only would he be defenceless, he’d also have to find a new sword. “You’re quite annoying to fight.” he remarked, and the acid wizard grinned at him around the bottle hanging from his lips.

“Annoying?” he drawled, eyes sharp and cruel, a look Pantherlily had seen more times than he cared to recall on the faces of his fellow soldiers back in Edolas. “That’s a first.” a fresh magic circle lit on the bottom of the bottle, and Pantherlily’s wings snapped out, carrying him up over the blast of acid which practically liquefied the stone he’d been standing on.

“I’ll ask you once, and once only.” he said, landing and pointing his sword at the acid wizard. “As a former Knight to a current one, please permit me to leave without removing your head from your shoulders. There are criminals who are worthy of your attention, but me and mine wish only to return to our guild with our unjustly accused comrades.”

“And who’re you to say their sentence is unjust, huh?” the acid wizard scoffed. “We’ve got our orders, and we’ll follow them. Boss Kama would drive us triple hard in training, if he caught us slacking.” the man smiled, and Pantherlily’s eyes snapped to the ground beneath him as it lit with a poisonous green circle. “But there’s no reason I can’t have a bit of fun, if you insist on putting up a fight.”

Pantherlily only barely dodged the geyser of acid, and had to shield himself with the flat of his blade to avoid any of the spray falling on him as it succumbed to gravity. “Very well, then.” he gave his opponent a terse nod. “Out of respect for your discipline, and loyalty to your superiors, I will give you the fight you deserve.” he straightened up, and flipped his grip on the sword in his hand so he could rest a fist over his chest, the blade pointed down at the ground. “I, Pantherlily of Fairy Tail, shall give my all to defeat you.”

“Well well, kitty’s got manners.” the acid wizard laughed. “I’m Neppa, of the Hungry Wolf Knights.” Neppa smiled, removing his bottle from his mouth and raising it in a mock toast. “I’ll enjoy defeating you, Pantherlily.”

“Don’t count on it.” Pantherlily grinned, spinning his sword back to a functional position and charging forwards. Neppa turned the ground around him to acid, and Pantherlily took to the air. Only for a moment though, before acid dripping from the damn stalactites forced him to land and dismiss his wings. They may have been a product of the innate Aera magic all exceed shared, but they were still part of his body, and they felt pain quite keenly.

“Come on, kitty.” Neppa taunted. “I thought you were gonna beat me.” he flung another blast of acid, forcing Pantherlily to dodge in a tumbling roll. “It’s no fun fighting a kitty cat who does nothing but run away.”

“Evasion and retreat are not the same thing.” Pantherlily retorted, forced to stay on the move by spouts and blasts of acid, as well as drops falling from above, sizzling in his fur. He would have to thoroughly groom himself, before he let the kittens near him after hey returned to the safety of the guild. “Say, is your acid toxic?”

“It melts stone.” Neppa deadpanned.

“Yes, but once it’s sat for a while. Is it toxic?” he asked, finding a patch of floor which wasn’t yet slick with acid and perching there. “I’ll have to groom myself, once I defeat you, you see.”

“Well, I’ve never exactly taste-tested it.” Neppa answered, looking bemused. “How about I give you some right now?” his smile widened to something near manic, and Pantherlily cursed as he was forced to leap from his mostly-stable footing. If he was small, he’d be able to dodge better, perhaps even to stay airborne, but he’d sacrifice his ability to attack. He couldn’t win this fight by dodging, not against an opponent of this calibre.

“I think I’d rather not.” Pantherlily said, finding another perch and using his sword to deflect an attack. He needed to close to melee range, without burning his own feet off in he acid. He dodged a few more attacks, at one point even lodging his sword in the wall to perch atop it, and observed Neppa’s rhythm.

“Aww, why’d you get all quiet?” Neppa teased. “I may as well just melt you, if you’re not going to be entertaining anymore.” the acid wizard made a sharp gesture, and Pantherlily launched himself out of the way of the attack, tumbling as he hit the ground to avoid breaking anything. Aside from the magic being aimed at him, and the killing intent, it was remarkably similar to his recent training with Gajeel.

“You would do well not to underestimate Fairy Tail.” he warned, spinning his sword to block another spray of acid.

“You’re still not scared?” Neppa cackled. “I’ll kill you with a bang, stupid cat!”

“I’ve faced down dragons.” Pantherlily snarled, and swung his sword to slice through the acid pooled between them, the magic in the blade carving a trench just wide enough for him to dash through. “And that’s forged my spirit into the strongest of iron!” his sword came back up, and Neppa went flying, his protective magic melting a hole through the stone which separated their side cavern from the main one. Or at least, he hoped that was the direction of the main cavern.

Scratch that, he hoped that hole led towards wherever the kittens had wound up. Gajeel’s vod’ike [little siblings] and their wizard friends could handle themselves againsts enemies of Neppa’s calibre, so long as Lucy and Yukino had each landed with someone who wasn’t a holder type wizard, but Happy and Carla... they had potential, but the current environment was ill-suited to the skills they currently had, and neither knew any offensive magic yet. Perhaps he should try to convince them to learn some.

Perhaps, if the twins joined Fairy Tail with the rest of their tra’viin [flight], he could rope Frosch in as well. Nothing complex for that one, but their innate Aera had a few creative applications. Applications he should probably brush up on himself, before he tried to teach anyone else. Maybe after the Games he should head out to the exceed’s new little kingdom, discuss plans with his former coworkers regarding the younger exceed of his guild.

Between Happy’s physical strength and Carla’s magical potential... yes, there was much he could work with. Once he reunited with them, of course.

Chapter Text

Mirajane picked herself up, and found herself alone. Well, almost alone. Alone save for a single Knight of Fiore who had already stated intent to kill her and her guildmates. No, her and her friends, including sweet Yukino who looked so much like her darling baby sister. Kamika, the one with the paper magic which had resisted Natsu’s fire and locked her limbs in place, dusted herself off with an expression of mild distate.

“You criminals are all the same.” she sighed, sounding more bored than annoyed. “Struggling futilely until your last breaths. Such an inelegant end to a pathetic life. At least let me grant you the mercy of a quick and beautiful demise.”

“Hmmm, nope!” Mirajane beamed. “If I gave up without a fight, I’d never see any of my guildmates again.” her siblings, her girlfriend, Freed and Gray and Natsu and everyone else. “I’ve several promises to keep, after all.”

“A pity.” Kamika sighed. “I suppose it was too much to hope that the famed she-devil would have brains to match her beauty and brawn.”

Kamika was damn lucky Erza wasn’t around to hear that, or she’d be dying a slow and bloody death. Before Mirajane could voice that thought though, the Hungry Wolf Knight raised a hand and lit a bright circle before her, the sigil in its centre unfamiliar. “Paper Storm: White Dance.” she intoned, flicking a piece of plain blank paper through the circle, and Mirajane's inhuman instincts screamed. She leapt out of the way, but didn’t quite escape the spell's course-correction. Several squares of the whirling paper tagged her in the leg, and Mirajane screamed at the sudden, searing pain which spasmed along the limb. When she hit the ground again she tumbled, barely controlled, and bit back a curse as every limb trembled.

“White paper bears the spirit of purity.” Kamika smiled, and on a face like hers it should have been a pretty thing. It was not. “The very antithesis of a devil like yourself.”

“Well played.” Mirajane grunted, shoving herself to her feet. “And quite bold of you to not hit me while I was down.”

“It’s been a while, since I had a chance to have some fun.” Kamika's eyes glinted with something wholly predatory, and Mirajane bristled at being on the receiving end of that gaze. She was the She-Devil of Fairy Tail, even after two years off the field she could match Erza blow for blow in a spar. She was the hunter, not the hunted, and this impudent paper doll of a wizard would find that out first-hand. “Entertain me, she-devil, and I will make your death painless when I tire of you.”

Kamika threw a hand forward, a pulsing rainbow circle blooming in the space of a heartbeat. “Paper Storm: Kaleidoscope Ballet.” she intoned, and paper in every colour sprayed out towards her, weaving in complex patterns. Purple immobilized, red burned with fire, white burned with holy magic. She had some guesses about the rest, but really didn’t want to test any of them.

“Devil Shower!” Mirajane threw a hand and a scattershot of raw magic ahead of her, buying enough space to dodge the worst of it. A few squares tagged her, but her magic protected her from most of the effects, so none of them had been white. “You don’t have to kill me, you know.” she said, debating the merits of activating a takeover form. Satan Soul was a poor choice for trying to negotiate in, too much emotional bleed from the soul to rely on being able to keep a clear head. Sitri was a bit overkill, and she had a feeling that murdering an executioner would get her more than a slap on the wrist. If the fight got serious, she’d have to rely on Halphas, which put a hard limit on how long she could stay transformed, since Halphas did poorly without water around.

“It’s nothing personal.” Kamika shrugged, gesturing with both hands, casually displaying a different coloured piece of paper between each finger. “We Hungry Wolf Knights are tasked with ensuring no criminals leave this place alive. To do anything less than my utmost to end your life would be dereliction of duty.” she tilted her hand, pretty painted mouth turning down in a frown. “Not that I expect a member of Fairy Tail to understand such things.”

“No, I do.” Mirajane shook her head with a deep sigh, head dipping towards the ground. She’d hoped, just once, that they could get out without having to hurt people. “As a big sister, I have a duty to my little siblings, to watch after them now that our parents cannot. As an S-Rank, I have a duty to my guild, to help keep the peace in our home and keep our home in one piece.” she squared her shoulders, then deliberately lowered them as she raised her head and her gaze. “I understand duty, Knight Kamika.” she said firmly. “And it’s my duty to use my power to protect those I love.”

“Well said.” a violently green circle bloomed in front of Kamika, glowing with power that stung her nose, sharp and chemical. “But, as my duty is contractual, please submit to your execution.” her mouth curved in a cruel smile. “Or don’t. It’s much more fun if you struggle.”

Mirajane dodged the worst of the paper storm, and almost laughed as a deep blue circle bloomed beneath her feet, letting the rest of the paper plaster itself to her. “I thought you knew who you were fighting.” she taunted, snaring the demon’s soul which rested alongside her own, pulling on its power until it bubbled to the surface, staining her skin a sickly blue-tinged grey.

“Everything which breathes can suffocate. Everything which bleeds can die.” Kamika scoffed.

“Who told you demons bleed?” Mirajane smiled. “Demon Soul takeover, Halphas!” she raised both arms, and magic poured from her palms, the transformation dripping down her wrists, to her elbows, across her shoulders. It swept over her from head to toe like cool water, and when she lowered her arms she stood several inches taller. The great stork demon had been a pain to subdue, and then an even bigger pain to nail down a sustainable takeover form for, but there was no takeover which could get the job done as quickly and precisely.

A pair of great wings flared from the backs of her shoulders, the pale blue feathers near luminous in the low light of the cave. The feathers which coated her forearms and made up her tail were largely the same shade, but tipped with the deeper blue which dominated the plumage now coating her from hip to chin. Her legs, while substantially longer, had thinned and twisted to mirror the fearsome striking appendages the great stork had nearly levelled a town with as she tried to weaken it enough to claim, and the talons on the end of her clawed feet dug into the stone of the cave floor as easily as if it were loose, wet clay.

“Green paper bears the spirit of poison, you foolish wretch.” Kamika laughed.

“And poison is one of a demon’s favourite things.” Mirajane laughed right back, drawing in the magic, neutralizing it and making it her own. “I should be thanking you, really.” she stalked forwards, flicking her tongue out, letting the tomia[tongue teeth, I shit u not] lining each side rasp against her razor-sharp teeth. Kamika stared up at her in naked horror, fumbling for the right colour paper as she backed up.

“You see, when I’m around my friends, around civillians, I hold myself back.” her wings flared a wide as the cavern would allow, reaching high enough to brush the ceiling. “I have an image to maintain, Knight Kamika.” she took another step forwards, talons biting through the rock like it was mere foam. “So thank you, for giving me a chance to use all of my power.”

Kamika stumbled, and Mirajane lashed out, seizing the wizard in one taloned foot and whipping her at the wall. Which she smashed straight through, scream abruptly cutting off as she continued through the hole and bounced a few times along the floor of the adjoining hallway.

“Well, that was a disappointment.” Mirajane huffed, releasing the takeover. She’d have to find an enemy worthy of Halphas later, hopefully before Maka-ba’bu [Gramps] could ‘remind’ her that she wasn’t allowed to use that one casually due to the simple fact that she could level a city with it, if she so wished.

But then, she could do that with any of her full takeovers. It wasn’t that hard, so long as you picked a small enough city.

Chapter Text

Lucy groaned into the dusty rock floor, letting her forehead rest against Yukino’s toned bicep. “That sucked.”

“Tell me about it.” Yukino grumbled, as they both pushed themselves up to sit and look around. Happy was nearby, whining softly as he pawed at the rockfall behind them. A little ways away, Carla was picking herself up from where she’d landed atop Colonel Arcadios, who was bleeding anew from several small scrapes and cuts.

“It seems like that explosion split us all up.” Lucy noted, taking stock of herself. Not having been in sealstone in the cell, she’d at least had plenty of magic to prevent herself from breaking anything when flung into this part of the cavern, but she was still a little sore.

“And it would turn out that everyone on our side without decent fighting power ended up together.” Carla sighed, bapping the Colonel’s cheek and making him groan, so at least they knew he was alive.

“If only we had our keys.” Yukino sighed, face pinched in irritation.

“Carla and I can try to find the others.” Happy volunteered, turning away from pawing at the rockfall with a determined look on his face.

“Don’t volunteer me.” Carla huffed, but she jumped down off of Arcadios’s chest anyways.

“We should-” Happy cut off, and Lucy couldn’t even blame him because the little cat was floating, drifting up off the ground without so much as a glint of Aera sprouting from his back.

“Happy!” Carla was the first to react, shooting forward on her own wings and grabbing Happy’s flailing paws, though she couldn’t budge him from his spot in the air.

“I caught one! Tai!!”

Lucy’s head snapped up, and she bit back a groan at the sight of one of the executioners seated on top of a nearby statue. Just their luck. No firepower, no significant muscle, and Arcadios was still injured which meant they’d have to protect him as well until backup arrived. This was going to majorly suck.

“I’m not a fish!” Happy complained, and the executioner’s smile didn’t quite go flat, but it dimmed.

“You’re right.” he said, and a flick of his wrist sent Happy and Carla both spinning, nearly crashing headlong into a pillar before Carla regained control of their flight.

“What is this guy?” Carla hissed, dropping Happy to fly on his own.

“I am Uosuke, the executioner.” Uosuke said, still smiling and okay that was going to get really unsettling really fast.

“What a... nice name.” Lucy said, for lack of any other reply coming to mind.

“We can take him!” Happy yelled, zipping over to hover just above Lucy’s shoulder.

“I agree.” Carla added, coming in to float above Yukino. “He seems like an underling.”

“Say things like that... and I’ll get mad.” Uosuke said, his voice perfectly placid and smile unwavering. Actually...

“Maybe you’re right for once, Happy.” Lucy smiled, raising a fist. “After all, it’s four on one.”

“And this cavern is large enough for you two to fly.” Yukino agreed, rooting herself firmly and lifting her hands to face height.

“No!” Arcadios coughed behind them. “You mustn’t fight him. The Hungry Wolf Knight Uosuke doesn’t even leave behind the bones of his victims!”

“What?!” Lucy yelped, Yukino’s voice echoing hers as they both twisted to look at Colonel Arcadios behind them. Stupid, really. A rookie mistake. She’d been a working wizard for months, fought for her life countless times. She should’ve known better than to take her eyes off of an opponent, especially one who’d just been declared to be so dangerous.

“Earth Effect: Lava Band.”

The words were said so casually, Lucy almost didn’t register them. When she turned, however, there was a deep red circle glowing under Uosuke’s feet, its light spreading out, suffusing the floor of the cave. “The ground...” Lucy shifted, looking down at her feet.

“It’s... changing?” Yukino frowned next to her.

“Burning.” Colonel Arcadios gasped, and the next moment the stone underfoot shattered. Lucy yelped as the ground dropped out from under her, but unlike on Galuna she didn’t freeze. Instead, she leapt for the edge of the nearest chunk of stone not collapsing into the sudden lava pit, catching the edge with both hands and hauling herself up with a grunt of exertion. Colonel Arcadios was yelling for Yukino, and Lucy scrambled back to the edge.

“Happy, Carla, get the Colonel to safety!” she ordered the cats, grabbing Yukino by her wrists and heaving. She didn’t weigh half as much as Natsu, but the sudden sweltering heat wasn’t helping any.

“Oh no you don’t.” Uosuke tutted. “Earth Effect: Gravity Band.”

Happy and Carla yelped, and Lucy gasped as she was forced to curl down to the ground, her hands and arms straining to keep hold of Yukino, who screamed as the heat of the lava began to char the leather of her boots.

“Both of you, hold on!” Arcadios yelled, struggling to stand despite his fresh injuries and magical exhaustion. “The two of you- are our best hope. Without you, Eclipse will not work!”

“You’re talking about that now?!” Lucy yelled, hardly able to belive her ears. Seriously, they were in a life-or-death fight and he was still thinking of that huge stupid gate?

“Colonel Arcadios...” Yukino tried to twist, only to let out a pained sound as her boots began to smoulder.

“Next to that, my life is worth nothing!” the Colonel declared, and Lucy damn near dropped Yukino in shock as the man walked out onto the lava. Lucy could only watch in horror, though a detached part of her noted that he didn’t wade through the lava, as adventure novels tended to decribe. Instead, his feet sank into it as if it were mud, digging deeper as he entered the gravity magic which pinned her and Yukino in place.

“Colonel Arcadios, no!” Yukino cried out, sobbing as Arcadios grabbed her around the legs and- in a feat of strength Lucy wasn’t sure even Erza would’ve been capable of- planted his hands under her feet and lifted.

“Hurry, climb up!” he grunted, and Yukino did. Lucy leaned down, and grabbed the Colonel’s hand.

“You climb up too!” she insisted, but the Colonel just gave her a tight, pained smile.

“If you survive... go see Princess Hisui.” he gasped, and as he started to topple backwards time seemed to slow down. Yukino was screaming, tears sizzling as they struck the hot stone floor. Happy and Carla were grounded. Lucy’s grip was slipping, and she couldn’t do anything, she didn’t have her keys-

Not all of her spirits needed a key to show up in the mortal world.

Lucy screamed, and shoved her magic out against the veil between their worlds. It was oddly nostalgic, for all that it was an act of utter desperation with the life of a man she barely knew on the line. Where a spirit’s key was a surgical incision to draw out the desired respondant, this was a cleaver hacking away at the barrier in blind desperation.

Last time she’d just needed a breach large enough to send Loke home, and she’d drawn not only her own spirits but the damn Celestial Spirit King down for her efforts. Today she needed more, needed luck on her side, needed to draw in a specific spirit. He kept an eye on her, more than any of the others. Had come to the rescue before, saving lives with his timely arrival more than once. He was watching now, he had to be.

“Open, Gate of the Clock, Horologium!” Lucy yelled, and magic burst blue-gold and dazzling across her skin, starry sky spiralling down her arms, the air behind Arcadios ripping open and snapping the gravity spell like an old hair tie.

Arcadios fell from her grip, and into the safety of Horologium’s compartment.

“Magnificent to see you, Miss Lucy.” Horologium gave her a little salute, and Lucy laughed. Between the surge of magic she’d just used and the blood rushing back to her head now that gravity was back to normal, she was a tiny bit dizzy.

“Isn’t lava supposed to kill people?” Uosuke muttered from behind them.

“You would do well not to underestimate Fairy Tail.” a familiar voice purred.

Lucy whirled around, and Loke was there, akan’edee [fangs] bared at the executioner in what could only technically be called a smile. “Loke!” she lurched to her feet as Horologium clambered out of the lava to deposit the Colonel somewhere safe.

“I was about to summon him myself.” Loke smiled, catching her hand and bending to kiss the back of it, before pressing a familiar leather case into her palm. “Your stars shine with you, Princess. Now and forever.”

“You’re... Leo.” Yukino said, sounding stunned. “Gate of the Lion, most powerful of the twelve Zodiac keys.”

“That I am.” Loke winked at her. Lucy rolled her eyes. “I brought yours as well.” he said, tossing Yukino a plain grey ring with two gold keys and handful of silver ones on it.

“Thank you.” Yukino choked out, clutching her keys to her chest.

“Now, I don’t know about you two lovely ladies.” Loke’s not-smile returned, all fang and menace as he spun on his heel to face the executioner above them. “But I think having all twelve of the Zodiac in the hands of such capable wizards as yourselves more than levels the playing field.” he cracked his knuckles, each pop like a gunshot. “Shall we make a counter-attack?”

“Let’s.” Yukino’s smile matched Loke’s tooth for tooth, and Lucy laughed as she snapped her key pouch back onto her belt. Time for a counter-attack indeed.

Chapter Text

Honestly, Leo thought as he pressed himself against the wall, he’d done worse for worse reasons. It was pretty much reflex by now, to summon himself to the mortal world when his key left Lucy’s presence for too long. This time he’d slipped through the veil behind a briskly moving guard, and something prickled against his magic sense behind him. When he looked over his shoulder he just saw a pair of doors, and though whatever it was felt familiar, it also... didn’t. Like seeing a clumsy copy of a painting he’d seen once before, long ago.

Much more important, however, was the tug of his key, moving with the guard. He shadowed the human through ornate halls, slipping back into the Celestial Spirit world as needed to keep himself from being spotted. There was something primally satisfying in stalking an unaware target, but he pushed that aside as the guard ducked into a room, and left again a minute later, this time not bearing Leo’s key. He slipped inside without being seen easily enough, and let out a low whistle when his eyes landed on the table bearing his key.

Not just his key, not just Lucy’s key ring, but a second ring bearing almost a dozen keys of its own. Two gold, seven silver, and one black. The rarest of all, numbering only two, and far pickier than any other spirit due to the nature of their existence. He picked up that ring first, and ran a finger down the mirrored serpents of the black key and its adjacent silver one. Good, Ophiuchus and Serpens should always be wielded by the same wizard, if not at the same time.

A quick, questioning pulse of magic and the pair of them returned impressions of their current master. Yukino, currently imprisoned. Well, so was Lucy, and if his years in Fairy tail had taught him anything it was that his guildmates didn’t know how to leave well enough alone. The pair of them would be together, wherever they were. Though... bearing all twelve zodiac keys made leaving the mortal world extremely inadvisable. Not to mention all the other keys on the two rings.

Two years playing at being a working wizard had given him quite a bit of practice in using his magic creatively though. His light manipulation was easiest in a straight line, with enough power behind it to at least put a dent in whatever he fired on, but that wasn’t all he could do with it. Pushing his magic out from his body in a rough ovoid, he exhaled slowly and bent the light which approached him, directing it to flow around him. If he were human he wouldn’t’ve been able to see out of this bubble, but there were perks to being a Celestial Spirit.

Thusly made invisible, he slipped back out of the room, key ring in hand, and let his magic sense guide him towards Lucy. Ever since she’d ripped open the veil between worlds to try to send him home, they’d had a bond, which certainly made it easier to keep an eye on her from the other side of the veil. The halls were largely empty, which made sense considering most of the staff were probably watching the final competition of the Games, and Leo found himself tracing the keys on Yukino’s ring as he meandered his way ever downward.

Libra and Pisces, of course, he knew by the feel of their magic alone, being as they were some of his closest friends. And only friends, though not for lack of trying on his part. Pisces refused to put anything above her duty to her son, and Libra just wasn’t spontaneous, it wasn’t in her nature. Ophiuchus and Serpens, likewise, he knew instantly, their keys an unmistakable matched set. There was a Nikola key, unsurprising given how common the little guys were, and none of the rest were spirits he knew particularly well.

Thankfully, he found neither Sirius nor Gomeisa amongst the silvers on Yukino’s ring. Leo had never gotten along with the major or minor dogs, on account of being a cat. Their absence also meant she likely wasn’t pursuing the other black key, Orion, as he would never agree to contract a wizard who didn’t also have the hounds with whom he shared a bond strong enough to see his figure written in the stars. If anyone could handle the hunter and his hounds it was probably the girl who had already mastered the snake and his charmer, but still... Leo would rather that particular triad stay well away from him.

Thinking of black keys, though... perhaps he should tell Lucy about them, once they all got back to the guild’s inn? Or rather, tell Yukino and let Lucy listen in. His wielder was clever, she could piece together the theory he would not voice. Not yet, at least. Not while she was still so young, decades left ahead of her. Upwards of a century, perhaps. The same inhuman genes which promoted magical prowess also promoted longevity, in most cases, and Lucy was powerful indeed.

Leo stepped into a wall of sweltering heat, and blinked in surprise to realize he was in a cave. A cave with magical lava coating the bottom of the crevices in the floor. One of which Lucy was leaning out over, straining to grab and reel in a man twice her size. Leo fumbled for Lucy’s key ring, but before he could find Horologium’s key by feel alone, something incredible happened.

Lucy screamed, and with a pulse of power so strong it made his back teeth tingle she ripped open the veil again, summoning the clock out to scoop the injured man up out of the lava. “Magnificent to see you, Miss Lucy.” Horologium said with a crisp salute, and Lucy laughed, breathless and half manic.

“Isn’t lava supposed to kill people?” someone else muttered, and Leo gave the stranger a quick once-over. Powerful, and brimming with killing intent. The one who’d conjured up the magic lava, he was sure.

“You would do well not to underestimate Fairy Tail.” Leo purred, and Lucy whirled to look at him, a beaming smile lighting her beautiful face as she called his name. “I was about to summon him myself.” he informed her as Horologium carried his cargo to safety. Leo caught her by the hand, and bent to kiss her knuckles, heart swelling in his chest at that simple contact. As he straightened up, he pressed the leather case containing Lucy’s keys up into her palm, gently wrapping her fingers around it.

“Your stars shine with you, Princess. Now and forever.” he murmured. She didn’t yet know the weight of that promises, but his explanation of Ophiuchus and Orion had just become far more pressing. He could feel the mark now burnt into her right forearm, could picture its delicate golden lines and precise little starbursts. It felt all too much like the mark on the back of her neck, the one which bore a pattern he couldn’t name. Too much like the sprawling designs which marked the backs of the charmer and hunter.

“You’re... Leo.” the other girl said slowly, eyes huge in her pale face. “Gate of the Lion, most powerful of the twelve Zodiac keys.”

“That I am.” he gave her a wink reflexively. Huh, actually... that hair, the shape of her eyes... well, if that bloodline was still going, it would handily explain how she’d gotten her hands on Ophiuchus in the first place. “I brought yours as well.” he said, producing and gently lobbing over her keyring. She snatched it out of the air, and cradled them close to her chest, shoulders shaking only briefly.

“Thank you.” she gasped, fingers white-knuckled around her keys even as the rest of her tremors stilled. He could’ve asked how she got Ophiuchus, but there was still an enemy in the cavern with them, and now both wizards were armed. Discussions could wait.

“Now, I don’t know about you two lovely ladies.” he bared his teeth as he spun to face the threat looking down at them. “But I think having all twelve of the Zodiac in the hands of such capable wizards as yourselves more than levels the playing field.” he cracked his knuckles, each pop sharp and loud and satisfying. “Shall we make a counter-attack?”

“Let’s.” Yukino agreed, and Leo’s heart soared as Lucy laughed behind him. It was a lovely laugh, but only the foolish and mad laughed running headlong into battle, and his Lucy was no fool. For her to laugh now, she must be devastatingly furious.

“I’ll lead.” Yukino said, drawing two keys with a flourish, the metal stems clinking against each other. “Open, gate of the snake, Serpens! Open, gate of the twin fish, Pisces!”

Pisces appeared in front of them, mother and son, glistening and scaled and bristling with threat. As ever, Mama Pisces was truly gorgeous, and Leo couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of her. “She hasn’t changed.”

“Nor have you.” a dry voice hissed behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder to see Serpens, also in human form. His was far less remarkable, a lean middle-aged man with crisp black slacks, an open white coat, and scales coating from his waist all the way up to his chin. Inhuman eyes stared out of his friendly face, but he had his fangs tucked away.

“Serpens.” Leo nodded his head to the old snake.

“Pisces, you know what to do.” Yukino said, and mother and son launched forwards on the offensive. “Serpens, Captain Arcadios is badly injured. Please, ensure he will recover, then return to the Celestial Spirit world.” Yukino gestured towards the man who Horologium had saved, and Serpens nodded, taking off on the roundabout route he’d need to reach the injured Arcadios.

“You have a healer spirit?” Lucy gasped. “Lucky!”

“He came with Ophiuchus.” Yukino shrugged.

“Well, if you’re going all out, I will too.” Lucy smiled. “Loke, can I count on you?”

“Of course, Princess.” he sketched a bow towards her.

“Open, gate of the maiden, Virgo!” Lucy drew Virgo’s key, and her magic flared in a blue-gold circle, permitting Virgo to enter.

“Earth Effect: Gravity Band.” their opponent said, calm as anything, and Pisces both grunted, staggering under the sudden increased weight.

“Loke, Virgo, break his concentration.” Lucy commanded, and he sprang into action. Virgo tunnelled down immediately, while he circled around so Pisces were no longer in his way, firing off a spray of shots at the strange bald man. Truly, what was it about wizards that made so many of them so odd?

The man yelped, and as his concentration flickered Virgo surfaced underneath him, throwing him off the head of the statue he’d been perched atop. The gravity distortion popped like a bubble when his face met the ground, and just as he staggered back to his feet Mama Pisces closed the distance and nailed him in the face with a kick that Loke knew from extremely personal experience hurt like hell, though at least this human had only been hit in the face.

“You guys! Tai!” their enemy complained, wiping water from his eyes as he leapt back, making distance.

“Should you really be using Tai like that?” Carla asked, dry as ever. Huh, he hadn’t even noticed her and Happy were here. They must’ve been pinned by that gravity effect until now.

“Earth Effect: Whirlpool Belt!” the bald man cried, a magic circle lighting blue beneath him. An instant later, a whirlpool spun to life around him, throwing water out instead of drawing water in, washing almost everyone off of the elevated ground and into what was now waist-deep water, rather than magic lava. “Fish like you should be thrown back into the sea!” he declared, as Loke leapt for dry ground, shaking himself to fling off the water which had splashed on him.

Pisces both cried out in alarm, then Lucy did as well when the pair were forced to revert to fish form. “What happened? Are they alright?!” she asked, and Loke’s heart swelled with pride. His Lucy was so thoughtful and kind ♡

“Water is Pisces’s weakness.” Yukino muttered grimly. “They must become fish, if they are submerged.”

“Fish!” Happy cried in delight, then squeaked as Carla swatted him.

“But, if I’ve got water.” Lucy’s smile went sharp and dangerous, and Loke laughed as she silently closed Virgo’s gate, swapping out the third strongest fighter in the zodiac for the second. “Then we’ve got this in the bag!” she pulled Aquarius’s key from her pouch with a flourish. “Open, gate of the water bearer, Aquarius!” she yelled, and the circle which lit under the churning surface cast a blue-gold glow over the whole cavern as Aquarius erupted out of the water at her side, already roaring and winding up a water throw.

Loke winced as the bald guy went flying into, then through, the wall behind him. It didn’t matter how much magic protection you had, that was never fun.

“Next time you lose my key like that, I’ll sweep you up too.” Aquarius threatened, barely seeming to notice as the water vanished into motes of magic and the massive rents in the cavern floor smoothed out into much more natural deviations.

“Now now, Aquarius.” Leo said, hopping down to join the three ladies. “It’s hardly Lucy’s fault she got disarmed when she was arrested.”

“You got Arrested?!” Aquarius screeched, and Lucy held up both hands with a weak chuckle.

“It was my fault, Ma’am.” the no-longer-injured Arcadios interjected, hanging awkwardly between Happy and Carla. “These two got caught up in a disagreement between myself and one of the royal advisors. Please, do not hold it against young Lucy.”

“Hmph.” Aquarius crossed her arms, but her glare did soften. “Don’t do it again.” she warned, and closed her gate.

“Here, let me take him.” Leo offered to the cats, who happily laid the grumbling Captain across his back. Serpens had clearly healed him, there were no wounds visible on his body at all, but the man was almost critically low on magic, and would need at least a few minutes to recover before he was fit to stand or walk on his own again.

“Well, we should see if that hole leads us any closer to the others.” Lucy sighed, rubbing her right forearm, and the three of them headed after their fallen enemy. What an interesting day this was turning out to be.

Chapter Text

“Very well.” the knight folded their arms slowly, deliberately, and from Wendy’s spike of alarm Natsu guessed she’d just encountered one of the others. “Prepare to meet your end.”

“Bold of you to assume a hungry wolf can take a dragon.” Natsu grinned, raising a hand to beckon the knight closer. “Bring it.”

“Your life is but a fleeting dream.” the knight intoned, aura swelling to fill the hallway around Natsu. It might even have been intimidating, if Natsu hadn’t personally fought and beaten people who felt plenty stronger than him. “Now, weep for your sins.”

“Weelllll, I can’t really remember doing anything wrong.” Natsu pursed his lips, tilting his head as if considering his actions when he felt the mental swat from Gajeel. Honestly, he was only halfway yanking the guard’s chain. Sure he may have broken the law sometimes, and busted up some buildings in the process of doing jobs, but just because it was illegal or inconvenient didn’t mean it was wrong.

“Guess I’ve got no choice.” he shrugged, rolling his shoulders and pooling magic under his skin there to dispel any lingering aches from the cave-in. “If you wanna stop us from meeting back up, I’ll just have to take you down first.”

The hungry wolf knight- Natsu really needed something better to call him- drew both ceremonial-whatevers from behind his back, and if he didn’t have the reflexes of a dragon Natsu would’ve rather literally lost his head. Those things weren’t ceremonial, those were live weapons! Well, maybe they were ceremonial too, but now wasn’t the time for asking about that. Now was the time for dodging the knight’s second swing, folding over backwards to avoid the glinting blade which would’ve cut cleanly between his fourth and fifth ribs.

A third swing, and he leapt up, twisting in mid-air to avoid having the blade nick any of his extremities. “Y’know.” he landed atop a smallish statue, flashing the knight-executioner a fanged grin. “Usually by now my enemies are ranting about how I’ve fucked up their plans, or swearing to kill my family, or both.”

The knight’s eyes narrowed slightly, but they didn’t say anything as they swung their blade again. “Say, is this an axe or a scythe?” Natsu asked as he dodged, doing his best to keep his tone light and casual despite how his heart was racing. This knight was crazy strong, and fast too, their blades swinging so quickly Natsu’s senses could only barely keep up. One slip and he’d be down a limb, if not worse.

“Not one for banter, are you?” Natu quipped, bounding backwards down he hall as soon as he had the clearance behind himself.

“I seek only to remove the heads of sinners.” the knight-executioner intoned, and a mirthless laugh bubbled up past Natsu’s lips.

“You’re a pretty scary guy!” he informed the knight, who firmed their grip on their weapons and lunged straight at him, swinging both at once. Well, he supposed it was time to stop playing with his food.

Two weapons of that size and speed was a terrible disadvantage to be at, forcing him to stay on the defensive or risk getting chopped up. But they were only lightly enchanted, and from the way the knight had been swinging them around probably only for durability and to cut through magical defences. Natsu leapt over the horizontal slash at his legs, spinning in midair and channelling magic down into his foot. Not quite a full Talon, but enough to blaze with power as he kicked the haft of the weapon just under the weird hand thing sticking out the back.

The knight bit out a hiss as the weapon flew out of their hand, embedding deep in the wall, and Natsu used the kick to backflip out of the way of the vertical swing which otherwise would’ve caught him mid-jump. The knight-executioner swapped to a two-handed grip, barrelling in for another overhead strike, but this time Natsu didn’t evade. When his heel met the other weapon, he hadn’t felt any magic resistance. The enchantment was focused on the blade itself, and maybe the palm on the back as a blunt striking surface. He wreathed his hands in fire, planted his feet, and caught the weapon by its flats, baring his akan’edee [fangs] in a sharp smirk.

“It’s about time I had a turn beating you up, don’cha think?” he laughed, flaring his magic and pushing. The blade between his palms shattered, and the knight-executioner let out a certainly involuntary yelp as they suddenly had zero resistance against their weapon, the haft slamming into the ground as Natsu darted inside their guard and shifted all that fire to one hand, magic circle blooming around his fist as he planted his feet and drove it into his enemy’s middle.

“Fire Dragon Iron Fist!” he roared, and the knight-executioner went rocketing back into one of the fancy bits of the wall, armour ringing loud against the stone and clattering as they shoved themself up to sitting, eyes wide in the shadows between their mask and cowl.

“What are you?” they gasped, and Natsu smiled wider, baring all his kal’edee [fangs] as he let his masking slip just a little. This jackass wanted them all dead just because Mr. Important had asked Lucy for help. He was justified in putting the fear of Fairy Tail in the bastard for that.

“Haven’t you been paying attention?” he laughed, heating the flames around his hand enough to stab them straight through the knight’s breastplate and hoist them up off the floor. “I’m a dragon.” he threw the knight-executioner up into the air just a little, and as they came down spun out to snap a Talon against their midsection, sending them tumbling down the hall. “And dragons don’t take kindly to what’s ours being threatened.”

“How dare you?” the knight-executioner hissed, magic finally flaring to life around them. Natsu had honestly sorta been wondering if the idiot was even a wizard, with the barely-enchanted blades and completely mundane armour. “I am Kama, leader of the royal executioners, topmost independent squadron of our country. To defy me is to make an enemy of the Kingdom of Fiore!”

“Making enemies?” Natsu let his masking slip a little further, magic flickering around his shoulders as tongues of fire, sending shadows jumping up and down the hall as he stalked closer to his prey. “I should be the one asking you about that.” he cracked his knuckles, channelling magic down into his fist as he did so, little flames spurting out with each pop. “Are you prepared to make Fairy Tail your enemy?” he picked up the pace, each step coming faster until he was sprinting headlong at Kama, fist drawn back, the knight-executioner frozen in the face of a charging, pissed-off dragon.

“To protect our guild, our family, we’ll make enemies of a country or the whole world!” he declared, picking his target and snapping his masking back up at the last second. “That’s what Fairy Tail is!” he roared, his fist meeting Kama’s face right as their body instinctively relaxed in the sudden absence of his overwhelming aura. It wasn’t a proper Wing, but the power gathered in his fist burst with a satisfying bang against Kama’s stupid mask, and despite going flying they never hit the rockfall at the end of the hallway.

Because halfway there, in a perfect show of Fairy Tail’s timing, the walls on either side exploded inwards as the other four knight-executioners came flying through them, colliding in midair and tumbling to the ground in a groaning, mostly-unconscious heap. Natsu laughed, and a moment later had an armful of Wendy, their cats divebombing them mere seconds behind.

“What a coincidence.” Lily said wryly, shrinking down to cat sized once he was through the hole his opponent had left behind.

“That’s Fairy Tail for you.” Mirajane giggled, looking utterly unscathed. Because of course she was, she was Mirajane.

“All of us... lost?” Kama croaked, sounding utterly baffled. Whoops, that might be a concussion. Magic protection was great and all, but he’d still knocked the idiot up and down the hallway a fair bit, and it was easier to get your bell rung with a helmet like that.

“Looks like it.” Lucy chirped. Loke was with her, carrying Mr. Important on his back. She and Yukino looked a little roughed-up, their shoes scorched and clothes drenched, but they weren’t bruised or bleeding, so it could wait.

“Now, as your punishment...” Natsu smirked, dropping a knee on the indent his fist had left in Kama’s lower breastplate and lowering his masking again, keeping his aura reigned in as tight as he could when it was unbound like this. “You’re gonna tell us where the exit is.”

Kama made a noise of pure, animal fear, and Wendy let out a deep sigh. “He can’t answer anything if you scare him into passing out, Natsu-nii.” she pointed out, and Natsu reapplied his masking with a soft huff.

“Spoilsport.”

“You people are crazy.” Yukino murmured, and Lucy snorted.

“Welcome to the madhouse, sister.” she said, clapping a hand on the back of Yukino’s shoulder.

Natsu would’ve been offended, if Wendy didn’t think it was so funny.

Chapter Text

Occasionally, in the scant time since learning of the bond between Fairy Tail’s dragons, Erza had wished for a similar connection. Never moreso than now, when they were reliant on the plan Mavis had drawn up with Cana’s help, unable to receive corrections on the fly from the famed Fairy Tactician. Gray had taken out Sabertooth’s Make wizard, as promised, which boded well. Juvia would be getting into her own fight about now, though only victory and defeat announcements were broadcast to the entire playing field, so Erza couldn’t be sure just yet.

She entered the plaza Mavis had indicated, and reached out with her magic sense, trying to pinpoint- there! She whirled, sword coming up to block the sheathed blade aimed at her centre mass. Not Minerva, but Kagura, dark eyes alight with fury. Familiar eyes, for all that Erza knew as fact that the woman hadn’t been a captive in the tower with her. No time to think about that though, or about what this might mean for the First Master’s greater plan. Kagura recovered from the block admirably, and continued to press the attack, keeping Erza on the back foot, giving ground with every exchange of blows.

She overextended on perhaps her sixth volly of strikes, and Erza’s second blade darted out, scoring a slice so shallow it only cut Minerva’s jacket sleeve, not the shirt beneath. “That’s first strike to me.” she grinned, teeth bared as she sank into the battle rush only a good swordfight brought on, the clarity of focus where only herself, her opponent, and their immediate surroundings existed. For anyone who wanted flashy magic, this would surely be a disappointing bout, but Erza had a feeling that this fight would match her round against Bacchus.

Kagura said nothing, only redoubled her attack, and Erza bit back a laugh as she matched her opponent’s intensity. It was something of a shame she’d never get to see the full potential of Archenemy, really. With how the sword was matching her blades blow for blow even while sheathed, it would surely be a sight to behold in the fullness of its power. A mountain-cutter, perhaps, like the legends from east of Bosco told of. Kagura timed a thrust perfectly, and Erza choked as she was forced to stagger back from the sheer force of it, the blunt tip driven clean into her sternum. Dammit, her plan to show off by only armouring herself with her own magic was feeling rather foolish now.

Still, at least that was proof that the protective enchantments the organizers laid on them were working. Minerva had sliced Yukino’s spirits into pieces with that same sheathed blade, but since the blow would have been pretty much immediately fatal if the same sharpness was applied to Erza’s heart, the damage turned blunt instead. Not a perfect protection spell, but it kept everyone alive long enough for emergency medics to be dispatched if needed.

“You should consider your situation, Kagura.” Erza noted, once she could breathe right again. “This is as much a performance as a fight.”

“I don’t care.” Kagura hissed, her magic flaring. “I don’t even care about winning, I just want you to lose!”

Well, that sounded personal. Shit, had someone spotted her meeting with Jellal? If Kagura knew they were in league, that would be plenty of reason to turn on her with such vicious killing intent. Erza gave ground again, leading Kagura towards the centre of the plaza, mind awhirl as she tried to work out how to ask why Kaugra was so mad without getting herself arrested for collusion with wanted criminals. That would be... less than ideal.

“If Fairy Tail has slighted Mermaid Heel, I apologize on behalf of my idiot guildmates.” she said, parrying Kagura’s strike and wincing slightly as it clipped her shoulder anyways. First blood to Kagura, it seemed.

“You think this is a matter of guild pride?” Kagura laughed, a whip-crack of a thing, sharp as any blade. She caught Erza’s swing, moving one hand to brace against the back of Archenemy’s saya. “This is a matter of family, and what yours did to mine.”

Well, shit. She definitely knew that Erza didn’t hate Jellal the same way Milliana did. Probably knew that they were in contact, as well. “Well, then.” Erza shifted her footing, and forced Kagura to leap back with a kick at her abdomen. “Let us settle this grievance with our blades.”

“Gladly.” Kagura snarled, but before they could close to melee range again a swirl of magic blotted the air between them, radiating such power they both instinctively halted in their approach. Two gloved hands emerged in a flash, and Erza bit back a curse as she found herself blinded by a palm pressed over her eyes. A moment later the hand on her face shoved, and with the angle of the force she had to turn it into a tumble.

Well, perhaps it was a good thing Mirajane had convinced her to wear her Eastern-style top as a shirt with hakama pants instead of as a super-short kimono. With her designated opponents being fellow women, the distraction advantage would’ve been negligible, and if she’d flashed her panties to half the city with that tumble Evergreen and Cana would never have let her live it down.

“I hope you don’t mind if I join in too.” Minerva purred, brushing some dust off of her dress as Erza came up in a crouch, Kagura positioned similarly on the Sabertooth wizard’s other side.

“Minerva is in the mix too!” the audio lacrimae blared, the announcer audibly as surprised as she and Kagura both were. “It’s become a three-woman free-for-all!”

“I don’t care who my opponent is.” Erza said firmly, lifting her right sword to point at Minerva’s heart as she rose to her feet. “I’ll cut you both down, for the sake of Fairy Tail!” for Lucy, imprisoned below the castle due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For Yukino, who Natsu so adamantly insisted was just as important to rescue.

“People have begun to lose faith in Sabertooth.” Minerva said lightly, inspecting her glove as Kagura rose, both hands on Archenemy’s hilt. “It goes without saying that this is the fault of your guilds.” Minerva’s magic flared, an oppressive weight in the air, pressing against Erza’s magic where it wrapped as invisible protection around her body. “Mermaids, Fairies. Such weaklings are merely prey for the strongest of all, Sabertooth!”

“That’s quite a boast.” Erza firmed her footing, and her grip on her swords. “Are you prepared to back it up?”

“I have no need of pompous words.” Kagura scoffed, bringing Archenemy to bear once more. “Fight, or stand aside.”

“Well, let’s give our audience a show.” Minerva flicked her hands, and Erza moved on reflex and honed instinct, the air in front of her exploding before she could even complete a single thought. No incantation, no circle, that wasn’t even a spell, just a flex of her power. Erza felt a smile spread across her face, all teeth and menace, blood rushing hot under her skin.

Time to show Fiore what Fairy Tail was made of.

Chapter Text

Even with all the information Cana had gathered before and during the Games, Erza wasn’t entirely sure what Minerva’s magic was. It was versatile, and capable of inflicting massive damage with unformed power, both at range and in close quarters. Without knowing what it was, Erza had no way to counter it, and only her reflexes to rely on to dodge. So, the only way to win was to go on the offensive. It would’ve been nice if she and Kagura could’ve cooperated, but she could see the other swordsman’s eyes darting between herself and Minerva, sharp and calculating. There would be no truce between them, not even to defeat their mutual enemy.

She and Kagura moved almost as one, blades coming to bear against Minrva, who deflected their attacks into each other with ease. Kagura tried to strike at Erza’s back, as she pressed the attack against Minerva, but Erza snapped one of her swords back to block the blow, even as Minerva deflected the blade aimed at her arm. Another flare of power blew Erza off her feet entirely, and she barely managed to get them back under her in time to control her skidding stop. Kagura somehow managed to avoid being blown back by the same blast, and actually landed a kick to the side of Minerva’s head, making the Sabertooth wizard visibly wince as it snapped sideways.

The move left Kagura wide open though, and Erza flung herself forwards, landing a kick to her opponent’s jaw which sent Kagura flying back into a nearby arch. Another flare of Minerva’s magic kept her from sticking her own landing, and she pushed herself up with a groan. Some armour would be really nice right about now, whatever it was Minerva was doing left her skin feeling raw and the muscle beneath it aching. But armouring up now, when neither of her opponents wore anything more than plain clothes and their own power, would be an admission of weakness.

Fairy Tail could not afford to be seen as weak, not now. And Erza would sooner fall on her own sword than besmirch her guild by appearing any less than the immovable bulwark the world believed her to be. Minerva closed to melee range, and as Kagura lifted her head to stare down another fearsome blast of power Erza threw herself into motion. The paving stones buckled under the blast which enveloped Kagura, and Minerva had to shift against the recoil of her own might. She hadn’t actually cast a single proper spell yet, which would be worrying if Erza had time to worry about anything.

Erza leapt, and Minerva spun to smirk up at her. “I see you!” she crowed, lifting a hand, but before she could flex her magic towards Erza, Kagura barrelled into her, the tip of Archenemy’s saya driving into her side and sending Minerva sprawling. Erza flourished her blade, then drew it back at the last moment. Kagura, poised to block an overhead swing, didn’t quite manage to dodge or deflect Erza’s whole body weight driving heels-first into her hip. She staggered, but didn’t fall, not even when Erza used her as a springboard to backflip and find her feet again.

And then Minerva finally cast a spell.

Erza had no idea what language it was in, certainly not Fiori or any majority language from their neighbouring countries. She was far from fluent, but she knew enough to distinguish them by ear, and what left Minerva’s lips resembled nothing at all that Erza knew. Minerva’s magic engulfed her, in the moment of confusion, and Erza shaped her own magic into a dynamic shield to deflect whatever Minerva’s incantation would do. And good thing she did, because as soon as Minerva finished the spell a bolt of raw power like nothing Erza had ever seen speared down from the heavens, whiting out her view and battering at her defences.

Her cute top tore under the onslaught, and several chunks came out of the voluminous fabric of her pants, but when the assault finally let up no blood or burns decorated her skin. Kagura looked similarly tattered, but unharmed, and Erza was distantly aware of the announcers shouting over the speakers. Shock, perhaps alarm, it didn’t matter. What mattered was winning.

“I see.” Minerva lowered her hand, barely even breathing hard. Just how powerful was she, to do so much damage with unformed magic and use a spell powerful enough to destroy half the plaza as an opening volley? “That you’ve come this far against me means I miscalculated.” she chuckled, and Erza thought it almost sounded reproachful. “As things stand, we will not see a quick resolution. So a slight change of plans is in order.”

Minerva flicked her wrist, and her magic warped the air in a silent flex of power, not even a circle to give a clue what she was doing. Not that Erza was thinking of that for long, as a floating bubble of magic appeared behind Minerva’s outstretched arm. Containing one all-too-familiar Mermaid.

“This is a kitten I captured a short while back.” Minerva purred, and Erza nearly lunged for her little sister, crying Milliana’s name in tandem with Kagura, who made the same aborted motion.

“You see the situation, the pain this child is suffering.” Minerva smiled, pleasant as anything, and Erza did nothing to stifle the snarl building in her throat. “The space she’s in right now is stealing her magic. No need to worry, though.” Minerva’s smile sharpened, eyes alight with predatory glee. “I have no intention of using her as a hostage to force your surrender.”

“Get to the point.” Kagura snapped, hands clutching Archenemy’s hilt so tight they trembled. Erza bared her akan’edee [fangs] and let loose her best growl in agreement.

“I did mention a change of plans, did I not?” Minerva’s eyes shone with a light that Erza was well used to seeing in her enemies, sadistic glee edged sharp with madness. “Yes, those are the looks I wanted to see.”

“Let Milliana go!” Kagura snapped, and though her hands shook with rage, Archenemy stood steady where she held it at her side.

“I want you two to show me a battle royale.” Minerva said, with the air of a decree. How presumptuous, to assume that either of them would listen to her.

“Let me guess.” she said, doing her best Laxus impression she could manage off the cuff, disinterested and slightly superior. “Sabertooth’s S-Rank test is pure martial prowess, isn’t it?”

“And I passed it at fifteen.” Minerva bragged. Erza scoffed. There was a reason Fairy Tail’s S-Ranks were a benchmark, and it was precisely because they didn’t test anything so simplistic as raw might.

“Explains why you don’t know what battle royale means.”

“Enough of this!” Kagura yelled, though the ugly look of utter fury which twisted Minerva’s face was quite satisfying. “I will not say it again. Release my fellow Mermaid while you yet live!”

“Come take her from me.” Minerva smirked, and Kagura took the bait, charging forward with nearly inhuman speed. Erza couldn’t even blame her, she would’ve done much the same had it been any one of her guild-sisters in Minerva’s clutches.

“You’ll be the second tiger I eat.” Kagura hissed, swinging for Minerva- and between one blink and the next that sword was coming at Erza’s face instead, so fast she was only barely able to get her own blade up fast enough to save herself from a shattered jaw. That would’ve been damn inconvenient, not to mention embarrassing. Kagura let up some pressure on her blade as both their eyes widened, taking in the situation. Minerva had just swapped herself and Erza on the battlefield, without a verbal focus or a circle. Teleportation, as an expression of raw might.

What the hell was her magic?! In literally any other situation, Erza would’ve suspected some sort of foul play.

“You two come to some sort of conclusion.” Minerva said, lofty and dismissive. “I will take on the winner.”

Tactically sound, trying to make them weaken each other and then picking off the one who was still standing after. Cowardly, though. “For someone who interrupted our fight in the first place, you’re awfully keen to leave it, Princess.” Erza loaded Sabertooth’s title for their guild’s ace with as much disdain as she could manage.

“It is the provenance of royalty, to move pieces according to their will.” Minerva said, making Milliana disappear with a casual wave of her hand. “You should consider this an honour, really. I see that I could not beat you both in a two-on-one, therefore, I admit a miscalculation in interfering with your battle.”

Well, that was more good sense than Erza had expected of the woman who beat Lucy senseless before Fairy Tail and half of Fiore.

“And royalty must win.” Minerva continued, calm and self-assured. If not for Kagura’s continued pressure against her sword, Erza would’ve turned and attacked the Sabertooth wizard while she was standing there talking. “Any tactic is permissible, in service of this goal.”

“Let Milliana go.” Erza called, and Kagura twitched violently, her aura sharpening with killing intent.

“How dare you.” Kagura snarled, eyes blazing with rage. “How dare you speak of her as if she’s yours?” she shoved Archenemy harder against Erza’s blade, forcing her to lean more into her block.

“Well, it seems you two already have things to work out.” Minerva chuckled, as if this were a casual chat. “Forgive the interruption.”

“On one condition! You set Milliana free!” Kagura spun to look at Minerva, but the Sabertooth wizard was already gone.

“Well, that was a cowardly tactic.” Erza huffed, lowering her sword.

“I’ll cut you both down.” Kagura whirled back towards her, and Erza centred herself.

“You’re welcome to try.”

Chapter Text

“Shall we begin our showdown?” Erza asked, steadying her stance, keeping her sword loose but ready.

“I’m serious this time!” Kagura yelled, and Erza snapped her blade up to block a strike from Archenemy aimed at her centre mass.

“That’s just the way I want it!” she shouted back, and Kagura screamed as she shoved harder, breaking Erza’s stance and forcing her back. The sheathed sword clipped her chin, knocking her backwards, and Erza flicked her sword away in a burst of magic, stowing it with the rest of her requip weaponry. A magic circle lit under her hands as she pushed off the ground, twisting as magic flowed over and through her.

“Requip, Heaven’s Wheel Armour!” she called, and it swapped seamlessly with her cute- but not terribly protective- outfit. The swords settled into her magical grip behind her as she landed, the entire process a span of mere seconds, and Erza lunged forwards the instant her boots had proper traction. “Pentagram Sword!”

Kagura went flying, and it was a testament to her skill that she didn’t flail in the air one bit. Just oriented herself, shifted her grip on her sword, and... there was no circle, but Archenemy lit with magic sigils as Kagura named the kata she was using. She really should have read up on oath-based magic, after Milliana revealed that was how her guild’s Ace fought.

Archenemy only clipped her, but Erza couldn’t choke back a scream of pain as the oath-bound sword smashed clean through her physical and magical defences both. An instant later it struck the ground, and the impact threw her backwards so hard she nearly lost control of her hovering swords. “Requip, Adamantine Armour!” she shouted, foregoing the shield for better manoeuvrability. Her purgatory plate would’ve been better still, but it was still banged up from the fight with Bacchus.

“Slice kata!” Kagura called, and the symbols on Archenemy shifted the instant before she lunged. It was a movement faster than Erza could track with her eyes, so fast that she only felt the sting of the blows as the wake of Kagura’s rush past her whipped through her hair. All over, her armour chipped and buckled, gashes opening up along her sides and whole chunks snapping off her gauntlets and cuisses.

Pain stung under the damage to her armour, she could feel blood seeping from the cuts, feel her ribs protesting as she fought to breathe past the vicious dents in her cuirass. She felt, more than heard, the raw, guttural sounds rasping from her throat with every gasping breath.

“Not enough?” Kagura’s voice sounded very far away, but still snapped Erza’s focus back to the fight. If she couldn’t tank the hits, then she just had to avoid being hit.

Her magic flared, and she could breathe again as her damaged cuirass exchanged for the top she’d been wearing earlier. Another breath- she’d need to ask Wendy to look at her ribs, once the rescue team returned with Lucy and Yukino, breathing wasn’t supposed to hurt like that- and a proper magic circle lit under her. “Requip, Flight Armour!”

The armour’s magic flooded her as soon as it appeared on her body, and Erza threw herself at Kagura with all her enhanced speed. “Sonic claw!” she yelled, magic circles flaring around the guards of this set’s twin swords. She felt the resistance of her blade meeting flesh, of her opponent’s magic deflecting the bulk of her blow, of her own magic buffering her against a return attack. Only after she blew past Kagura did the pain hit, three fresh wounds opening up across her stomach, left thigh, and right bicep. Shallow, but deep enough to bleed freely as she crashed to the ground. Deep enough to hurt, as Kagura landed heavily near her.

“That- was surprising.” Erza panted, pushing herself up onto hands and knees. Her wounds were already clotting at least, deep enough to bleed freely when fresh but not deep enough to keep bleeding for long. That was good, dealing with blood loss during a fight sucked. “I never suspected- such power- could come from a sheathed blade.” she let her head hand, breathing heavily, and stopped projecting her magic as a shield. Her magic container seemed to refill faster, since Ultear unlocked her second origin, and she would need every last bit of power to defeat both Kagura and Minerva. “So that strength of yours... stems from your grudge against Jellal?”

Oath magic, she recalled as she spoke, shared one important facet with the more common types of magic. It was empowered by emotions. The more strongly someone felt about the oath they were swearing, the stronger the resulting magic would be. For Kagura to be able to demolish two of her most reliable armours without so much as drawing her blade, grudge was probably too small a word for her feelings.

Kagura’s boot connected with her diaphragm at high speed, the kick coming too quickly for Erza to do more than instinctively shield herself, and she choked as she tumbled across the flagstone floor. Thankfully there was no magic behind the blow, so she was able to drag herself to a stop with hands and knees on the floor. “You know- I really don’t care- about your vendetta- against Jellal.” she panted, every limb trembling without the strength of her magic to ease the sting of her many cuts, the ache of still-forming bruises. “But Milliana- is trying- to start over.” Erza raised her head, just enough to glare at Kagura. “Leave her out of this!”

“This was her own will.” Kagura said, cold as ice, and Erza only barely managed to pull her magic back around herself as a shield before the tip of Archenemy’s saya caught her in the temple, the force sending her reeling backwards. “And my will is the same! I will kill Jellal,”

“What-” Erza coughed, her ribs and every muscle around them protesting the sudden movement. “What happened to you?”

“You, of all people, should know what that man has done.” Kagura spat, as Erza drew her magic up around her chest to brace her battered ribs and ease the wracking coughs. “Simon, one of the men Jellal killed, was my brother.”

Erza’s mind, for one long, awful second, went perfectly blank, her mouth open but somehow unable to draw in air. Simon’s little sister. Simon’s little sister.

They had the same eyes.

Kagura kept talking, but Erza only half heard her over the rushing in her ears. On the bad nights in the Tower, the ones where the pain and hunger were stronger than the pull of sleep, some of them had talked about Before. Wally about his brother and their farm, Grandpa Rob about his guild and the wonderful, mad people within it, and Simon... Simon had talked about his sister, stubborn and wilful and so bright he couldn’t keep up with her.

“That was when I made my vow.” Kagura’s voice finally cut through the roar of Erza’s blood in her ears. “Only at the moment I took vengeance for my brother’s death would I draw this sword, and strike his killer down. I will see Jellal slain by my hand if it’s the last thing I do!”

Erza’s breath caught in her chest all over again, tears pricking hot at the corners of her eyes. “It wasn’t his fault.” she choked out, and Kagura gave her a look of such utter disdain any lesser wizard would’ve flinched.

“Milliana told me what transpired, that night at the Tower of Heaven. How could the blame possibly not be on Jellal’s head?”

“Milliana wasn’t there.” Erza shook her head, eyes dropping back to the ground between them. “She- they were supposed to be evacuating. The rest of them did.” her throat ached, tight with the strain of keeping her voice from breaking around the sudden welling of grief. “The only ones left in that place were Jellal, Natsu, myself... and Simon. And yes, perhaps it’s true that the hand which killed him was Jellal’s, but... he should not have been there to be struck in the first place.”

“You would go that far to protect that monster?!” Kagura snarled, and Erza’s hand clenched into a helpless fist against the flagstone floor.

“It’s the truth!” she cried, tears carving down her cheeks as she lifted her head to meet Kagura’s gaze, those dark eyes- the same eyes Simon had turned on her as he died- widening with rage beyond words. “I am to blame for Simon’s death. The blast which killed him was meant for me, and if not for my weakness he would have escaped safely with the rest of my-”

Kagura screamed, raw and primal, and Erza swallowed the rest of her sentence. Bowed her head, as Archenemy’s steel rang loud in the wrecked plaza. “I’m sorry.” she whispered, and the blade came down.

Chapter Text

“But it doesn’t mean I must die!”

Erza raised her blade to meet Archenemy’s vicious swing, deflecting the metal so it only clipped her shoulder, rather than taking her head clean off. Its magic burst out in a line of destruction, mostly past her but some rebounding from her deflection, a trail of destruction as far as the eye could see in either direction. Not that Erza was looking at that. Her eyes were locked on her opponent, on the tears cutting pallid tracks through the battle-grime which coated Kagura’s face.

“Simon allowed me to live.” she rose to her feet, every motion steady and sure. “Grandpa Rob allowed me to live.” her magic swirled and pulsed around her, a circle burning bright under her feet, all weariness washed away by surging memories of the people who’d died for her, and the ones who refused to let her die for them. “My friends allow me to live!”

“Requip, Clear Heart Armour!” familiar fabric settled around her, the battered blade in her hand exchanged for Benizakura, still clean and freshly sharpened, its hilt warm in her hand as she focused her magic power into its blade. “Giving up my life now would dishonour everyone whose words and deeds have let me live to see this day!” she levelled her blade at Kagura, whose eyes were wild with manic rage.

“I’ll kill you and Jellal!” she screamed, Archenemy’s blade a blaze of magic which threatened to overwhelm even the protective enchantments laid on them by the game runners. “I’ll slaughter you both!”

“If that- is what gives you strength- I will not complain!” Erza panted, only barely dodging Kagura’s brutal, vicious swings. Archenemy was an incomparable blade, infused with so much magic its steel cutting edge would not even touch her skin if Kagura took off an arm. But swordsmanship was about more than brute strength, and Kagura’s rage made her sloppy. Archenemy’s power, too, was likely a factor.

A weapon that forceful was unwieldy, difficult to control without practice. It had taken her weeks to get the hang of using Benizakura at full force, and that had been when she was using the blade regularly. Archenemy’s sheer might was like nothing Kagura had ever wielded before, and it was throwing her off. Not by much, not by enough for the audience to tell, but it was enough to keep Erza alive.

“I do not intend to crush your feelings-” Erza grunted, her blade locking with Archenemy’s, unfamiliar magic bludgeoning at her defences. “But neither do I intend to lose!” she twisted her body and blade, sending Archenemy cleaving past her shoulder as she brought Benizakura around and struck Kagura, sending her opponent sprawling. Kagura didn’t stay sprawled on the floor though, and Erza resisted the urge to growl as she sat up, fumbling for words.

Knelt there on the floor, swaying in place with Archenemy laying some yards behind her, Kagura looked far younger than her twenty-some years. She looked, Erza realized with a jolt, like the girl she’d helped hide just before the men from the Tower caught her. And if she was Simon’s sister...

Kagura opened her mouth, but before anything coherent came out a tremendous rumble came from somewhere up above. Erza looked up, and for a long, horrible second she didn’t truly comprehend what she was seeing. Part of the column was missing. Part of the column was in the air. Part of the column was falling.

Erza shouted. She wasn’t sure if any actual words came out, but she felt the pressure of it in her throat as she lunged forwards, Benizakura falling from her hands as she raised both to catch Kagura by the shoulders. To shove her away, as chunks of marble far heavier than either of them crashed to the floor. The world went white, as stone pummelled her, knocking and pinning her to the floor. Black ate at the edges of her mind, but Erza clung to consciousness. Fairy Tail could not afford to lose her, she still had a part to play in the First Master’s plan.

“Why?” Kagura’s trembling voice filtered through the haze of pain as if from very far away, and Erza dragged her eyes open. Made sense of the mess of colours and shapes and pain by sheer force of will. Kagura was okay, that was the important thing. “You- I- Why?”

“Because- I remember you.” Erza panted, forcing her mouth and tongue to form the words. The pain wasn’t lessening, but she was well used to fighting through injuries which would fell most other wizards. Some deep-tissue bruising and whatever was up with her right leg were nothing she couldn’t adjust to. “You were always- always following Simon around. Ever since you could walk.” Erza groaned, squeezing her eyes shut and pressing her forehead to her forearm. Pain was a signal, pain was temporary, she could ignore the signal until it ceased to be a problem.

“Y- you’re kidding.” Kagura blustered, and Erza laughed. It was short and sharp, breathless with pain and nearly devoid of humour, but it burst from her throat regardless.

“I would never.” she lifted her head, and found Kagura staring at her in naked shock. “I was also born and raised in Rosemary. Just like you and Simon.” even just saying the name of her hometown brought back flashes of memory; fire everywhere, the stench of death heavy in the air alongside smoke and burning flesh, and her own small hand wrapped around an even smaller one. A pale-faced girl, no more than three or four, staring out of a lidded bin behind someone’s house, asking for Sai-nii as Erza hushed her.

“You’re from then.” Kagura clutched a hand over her mouth, tears cutting fresh tracks through the grime on her cheeks.

“Simon told us about you, though never by name.” Erza managed to twist, but only a little before fresh pain stabbed up her pinned leg. “I always worried about you.” she admitted, and Kagura let out a choked sound which may have been a sob. “I always hoped, that you were able to live on. I still do.”

Kagura curled in on herself, breath hitching loudly as her tears flowed faster. Erza wasn’t sure how long it was before Kagura wobbled to her feet, but the tears only stopped as she heaved the fallen stone up enough to help Erza pull herself out from under it. The floor shook, as Kagura dropped it again once Erza’s feet were both well clear, and Erza took a moment to compose and take stock of herself. The pain in her leg was rapidly fading to the same deep ache as the rest of her, which suggested nothing was fractured or dislocated. Except her foot, but that felt more scraped raw than outright crushed.

She was still battered, drained physically and magically as well as emotionally. She would need medical attention when the Games were done for sure, and possibly a stopgap measure about that foot, but... she was alive. She was alive, which meant Fairy Tail was still in the running.

“I have not made sense of this in my heart.” Kagura murmured, voice remarkably steady for someone who’d been on the verge of outright sobbing mere moments ago. “However, this particular match... is my-” she cut off with an awful choked sound, and Erza’s head snapped up to see Archenemy’s blade jutting from Kagura’s abdomen. Well aside of the spine, but still positioned to deal horrible levels of damage to her organs.

“Loss.” Minerva purred, and ripped Archemeny free, sending Kagura tumbling to the ground. Erza shouted, and scrambled to her opponent’s side to press her hands to the wound. Minerva was talking, was gloating, and Kagura was lying there with wide eyes and shallow, gasping breaths, blood pooling under her. Not as much as there would have been without the gamerunners’ protective enchantments, but still far more than Erza was comfortable with!

Erza grabbed Kagura’s hands, and pressed them both to the exit wound, pressing down hard enough Kagura grunted. Her eyes narrowed, and Erza pushed harder again. “Keep pressure.” she said, fully tuning out Minerva’s innane chatter. “There must be medical personnel already en route.”

Kagura gave a tight nod, and when Minerva began to laugh, Erza found rage surging the last dregs of her magic back up to a tidal wave, an inferno, a storm howling inside her begging to be unleashed in a hail of bladed fury upon the wizard who dared interfere in a duel between swordsmen. “You.” she snarled, as Minerva tossed Archenemy carelessly aside.

“Me.” she smirked.

Chapter Text

Her darling Gray had, of course, succeeded in his initial part of the First Master’s battle plan. Juvia had never doubted him for a second, it only made sense to entrust such a crucial opponent to her beloved’s incomparable skill. When it came to Make magic, none surpassed Gray, he was a master of his craft and no other on their team could have performed his role in the First Master’s plan. Once that announcement was made though, she forced herself to focus.

Gray. Gajeel, Cana, everyone in the guild was counting on her to do her part. First Master had designated her opponent as one to delay, not defeat, but it was still a daunting task. She would need every bit of advantage she could get, to keep her part of the plan on track.

“Sky God’s Boreas!” a young voice called from above, and Juvia stifled a curse as she leapt backwards from the piercing black winds. Just as Mavis had predicted, the little Godslayer had been in this area, ready to pounce.

“You’re the woman that Lyon loves!” she accused, landing as lightly as Wendy ever did.

“Juvia didn’t ask for Lyon to love her!” Juvia retorted, and Chelia’s face screwed up in a fearsome pout. She wasn’t, in Juvia’s opinion, quite as cute as Wendy. It was close, though.

“Then just-” a circle lit in front of Chelia, and Juvia braced herself. “Go away!” Chelia’s scream was punctuated by a horizontal whirlwind, broad and tall enough that Juvia had nowhere to dodge, no choice but to take the hit. It hurt like hell, but she was an ex-Element Four, she was sister to the dragons of Fairy Tail, she wouldn’t go down so easily as that.

“Not bad.” she huffed, when the whirlwind stopped. “For a runt.” she smiled, channelling Gajeel’s smug menace, and Chelia screamed in inarticulate rage. Black wind whipped around the girl’s ankles, launching her forwards with a fist drawn back for a punch. Water Body let her dissolve to a puddle the instant before the blow landed, then pop halfway back out to land a Water Slicer point blank in Chelia’s middle.

The girl stumbled on landing, and Juvia sprang fully out of her puddle, magic circle blooming under her feet as soon as they hit the ground. “Water Jigsaw!” she cried, magic flaring to turn her Water Body into a weapon.

“Trailing Sky Arrow!” Chelia snapped a kick at her, circle igniting against the sole of her shoe, and Juvia screamed as the magic ripped through her Jigsaw, knocking her right back to physical form. “And this! Sky God’s Blizzard!” Chelia didn’t let up long enough for Juvia to catch her breath or regain her balance, instead flying into a flurry of punches and kicks with her hands and feet wreathed in spiralling black wind, nimbly dodging when Juvia tried to retaliate.

Dammit, she needed space to launch a counterattack! Sure, she was technically doing her job, keeping the brat occupied, but getting beat up by someone who had been defeated by a twelve year old mere days ago was just embarrassing. And with an audience, no less! Juvia deflected one of Chelia’s incoming punches, stepped with the motion to get around to the girl’s side, and she had meant to display this technique for her darling Gray but needs must.

“Wings of Love!” she yelled, and water poured out from her in a spiral similar to her Water Cyclone, but more tightly controlled, her magic forming shimmering hearts and snowflakes upon its surface in tribute to her beloved.

Chelia let out a howl of inarticulate rage, and the black winds around her fists died down as Juvia’s whirlpool did. The ones around her ankles flared a mere moment later, and faster than Juvia could blink the girl was in front of her, eyes wild. “Stay away from my guildmates!” she screeched, and drove a fist into Juvia’s gut hard enough to knock the wind out of her. “Sky God’s Dance!”

A black circle lit under Juvia’s feet, and she screamed as harsh winds tossed her up to roof height, slicing viciously at the magic which buffered her. “Quit trying to seduce Lyon, you hussy!”

“Water Nebula!” Juvia cried, and her spell only clipped the young wizard but it stopped Chelia from closing to melee range while Juvia was in midair. She landed awkwardly, and hard enough several joints complained, but nothing was sprained or broken so she pulled herself back to her feet and glared at Chelia. “Chelia is ten years too young to speak to anyone of love.” she spat, meeting Chelia’s eyes. “If Chelia knew anything, she would see Juvia's heart is already one with her darling Gray!”

“Shut up!” Chelia stomped her foot, wind whipping around her. “You made Lyon love you, don’t pretend you didn’t!”

Juvia opened her mouth, but she genuinely could not think of a response to that. How did you refute something so patently untrue it should never have crossed any reasonable mind?

“Sky God’s Zephyr.” Chelia said, and magic glowed all over her body. She straightened slightly, and the smile she turned on Juvia afterwards was empty of anything but menace. “I just have to wear you down, and beat you, and Lyon will remember where his heart is supposed to belong.”

“Juvia never did anything to him!” Juvia snapped. “You can have him back, he is the brother of Juvia's beloved and Juvia will not betray her darling Gray in such a manner!” or any manner, so long as she had a say in it.

“Sky God’s Blizzard!” Chelia screamed, throwing herself at Juvia again.

“Water Claw!” Juvia retorted, water wreathing her hands the way Gajeel had shown her. For a kid, Chelia packed a hell of a punch, and Juvia couldn’t afford to hold back. That being said... when the brat grabbed her hair and yanked, Juvia did the same in return. No such thing as dirty in a fight, after all.

“I never expected you to have such a hard time, Chelia.”

Chelia pulled back, face splitting in a beaming smile as she twisted to look behind her. Lyon, somehow, looked utterly unruffled, which was patently unfair.

“Ah, dammit.” Gray sighed. “Well, things are still going to plan at least.”

Juvia released Chelia entirely, twisting to see her beloved. He was battered, covered in bruises and the sorts of small injuries accumulated in a wizard fight. His shirt was gone, but the sleeves remained, and he’d picked up a wonderfully fancy hat. Rufus’s hat, she thought. It looked good on him.

“What’s with you, Gray?” Lyon taunted. “You’re looking a little worn out.”

“Well, I’ve already handled two.” Gray chuckled, cracking his knuckles.

Gray could handle two... Gray could take care of two... Gray would protect her and their eventual child? Juvia spun to her feet, grabbing Gray’s arm and shoulder with a delighted giggle. “How forward of you, darling!” she laughed, pressing her cheek to his shoulder. “And before we’re even married!”

“What did I say?!”

“My dearest Juvia, I must bring you to your senses!” Lyon declared, like the fool he was. Did he not understand that Gray was better than him in every way? “Ice Make Eagle!” razor-winged birds sprang one after another from the circle which lit in front of his hands, and Juvia dodged to the side as Gray bounded backwards. Except, she and Chelia had rather destroyed the bridge, and loose stone sent her tumbling into the river below. It was shallow, small mercies, but before she even got back to her feet Gray was calling for her.

Not in concern, his eyes were still fixed on their opponent, which meant- “Here!” she called, and raised her arms to throw a dousing spray of water just in front of her darling.

“Ice Make Shotgun!” in one clean motion, Gray turned her water into head-sized chunks of ice, barrelling at the Lamia wizards. Chelia blocked, and Lyon retaliated with a sea serpent made of ice, spiralling through the air and attacking Gray. That was a powerful spell, and an extremely precise one too! To use it so casually... Lyon was stronger than she’d realized. Not as strong as her darling Gray though, and when Juvia launched herself back up out of the river Lyon’s construct vanished in a shower of shimmering magic.

“Lyon, you have to attack Juvia too!” Chelia whined, stomping her foot. How old even was she? Cana had said, but Juvia had been a bit distracted by her darling absently removing his shirt at the time.

“That’s your job.” Lyon said, dismissive. “However, be sure not to injure her.”

“What a ridiculous demand, in a fight.” Juvia frowned as the pair of Lamias began to bicker.

“He’s always been weird, but this takes the cake.” Gray sighed, and a moment later a smirk crossed his handsome face. “But, we can exploit this. They’re not working as a team, we need to target the gaps that leaves.”

“Understood.” Juvia nodded firmly. “Juvia will support her darling Gray!”

“We should finish them both off right now!” Chelia stamped her foot, and Gray gave Juvia a smile that sent shivers through her whole body.

“Or, we combine our strength.” Gray said, looking so handsome and determined. “Hit them with all the magic we have, right now.” Gray held out a hand towards her, and Juvia beamed as she took it. His magic mingled readily with hers, a beautiful circle lighting before them, swirling and shimmering with ice and water magics both, like an arctic sea under a beautiful moon. Even Chelia was entranced, too busy staring at their magics together- perfect together, Gray was truly the only one for her- to follow Lyon's orders and heal or shield them.

“Unison Raid, Ice Field!” they called, and Gray’s Ice Geyser combined with her Water Nebula to form a torrent of water dotted with large pieces of ice, sweeping their enemies off their feet and pummelling them with ice. Neither of them got back up, after the spell ended, and Juvia beamed at Gray, lacing their fingers more firmly together. Gray smiled back at her, and all was right with the world.

Chapter Text

Gajeel growled under his breath as he came up to the highest point of the tower he’d found. He’d volunteered to tackle both his vod’ike [little brothers] from Sabertooth, and First Master Mavis had predicted they’d split up. Rogue, quiet and watchful, would find somewhere to wait and then strike when the opportunity presented itself while Sting, brazen and self-assured, would seek out powerful opponents to defeat for the glory of his guild.

Only, Sting had yet to be part of a single announcement, and none of the places Gajeel had checked held any trace of Rogue using them to lie in wait for prey to wander near. So, tower. With the height advantage, and the walkway which wrapped around the whole structure, he could at least keep watch for movement and chase down whoever was still active. It wasn’t part of the First Master’s plan, but it was better than wandering around blind.

“Gajeel.” Rogue’s voice- his actual, out loud voice- was so soft Gajeel would’ve missed it if he didn’t have a dragon’s hearing.

“Rogue.” Gajeel nodded, noting the way his vod’ika [little brother] wavered around the edges, the shifting shadows around his feet. “Here for a rematch?” he rolled his shoulders, more for show than out of any actual need to warm up. “I won’t go easy on you like Natsu did.”

Rogue’s eyes narrowed, and only the fact that all their Roars used the same base stance for casting gave Gajeel enough time to dodge the spear of darkness Rogue threw at him. Silently. Because he was a skilled enough wizard now to not need a verbal focus for his spells. Stars, Gajeel was proud of him. Fighting his own vod’ika [little brother] did come with some benefits, though. Not only had he trained the brat, he’d also learnt most of Rogue’s newer tricks and quirks during their two-on-two match. Rogue knew his fighting style in turn, but since it was still light out, Gajeel had the superior firepower.

And for all that he’d claimed he wouldn’t go easy... well, he’d let Rogue decide when they pulled out the fancy techniques. If they escalated to that point at all. Talons and Wings and Roars were plenty showy enough on their own.

Gajeel closed to melee range, and Rogue intercepted his Clubs with expertly placed Talons of his own, knocking Gajeel’s blows aside. His footwork was alright, but Gajeel was unquestionably the one controlling the flow of the fight, pushing Rogue back, working him from side to side of the curved walkway. “Is this all one of Sabertooth’s S-Ranks can offer?” he taunted, and Rogue’s akan’edee [fangs] flashed in a silent snarl. Gajeel landed a Club directly to his sternum, sending him tumbling ass over teakettle, and couldn’t help but chuckle as he strode over to where Rogue knelt on the flagstone floor.

“Give it up, prud’ika [little shadow (affectionate)]. You ain’t gonna close the power gap in just a day. If the two of you together couldn’t beat Natsu, you don’t stand a chance against me on your own.”

Rogue’s pupils slitted further, and he swayed to his feet with a low, almost inaudible laugh. “Natsu-nii beat you before.” he whispered, lifting a hand to tap his right bicep. Where dark swirls of ink decorated Gajeel’s skin, incorporating and concealing the Phantom Lord mark which had resisted any and all attempts at dispelling it.

“You little shit.” Gajeel grinned despite himself. “You wanna say that again?”

Rogue grimaced, and Gajeel shifted his weight back as he rooted himself, giving his vod’ika [little brother] some space to compose himself. He’d have to work with the brat after all this was settled, get him used to speaking up again. Not being able to call for help in an emergency was a tactical weak spot, if Sting was too far to help or somehow incapacitated. Then again, Frosch probably would yell for help without much prodding. Maybe he’d ask Levy if she could recommend some books on sign language? Thoughts for later.

Rogue got back to his feet, and Gajeel raised a hand to beckon him to make the first move. Rogue squared his shoulders, and a circle lit under his feet that Gajeel recognized from their bout in the arena. Shadow Drive gave Rogue a hefty speed boost, letting him dodge Gajeel’s Roar with ease, and Gajeel bit back a curse as Rogue went partway into his shadow form, wrapping around him and igniting a circle beneath them which was both black and white. Holy Shadow Waxwing Flash hurt like a bitch, and it took scaling up to get a hold of the brat by the scruff and fling him against the wall.

Rogue bounced back, of course, and Gajeel wondered if he maybe should’ve demanded in on that whole multi-element deal his vod’ike [younger sibligns] were all getting up to. Rogue’s attacks being of two elements with such sharp contrast made it much harder to block them effectively, and Gajeel found himself on the back foot, Rogue battering him up and down the walkway, eyes alight with unfettered aka’shoy [battle lust].

Good for him, that he was enjoying himself, but Gajeel wasn’t about to just let the brat win. He intercepted Rogue’s next punch with a scaled palm, and drove a Club into his diaphragm, breaking his concentration and dispelling Shadow Drive as Rogue made an undignified wheezing sound. “I can do this all day, kid.” Gajeel chuckled. “You throw a decent punch, but you’re still just a brat.” he stretched, easily dodging Rogue’s wild swipe at his temporarily unguarded ribcage.

“Yield now and I won’t have to break you.” he offered, then prodded Rogue in the kara’cika [nebula]. “Neither of us want to make Wendy mad by hurting you more than we have to, right?”

“I hate it when you’re right.” Rogue whined across the bond, grimacing externally. A moment later though, he held up a single finger. “One last attack, or I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“One last attack.” Gajeel repeated out loud, shuttering the bond again so he didn’t knock himself out or give himself a migraine, being connected to Rogue when knocking him out. Dragon force was off the table of course, that technique ran more on instinct than anything else, so either he’d fail to attack Rogue completely or he’d go in with full killing intent and take an arm off or something.

Rogue lit up white and black, shifting lights gathering in his palms, and Gajeel backed up a few paces. This technique worked best when he had a literal drop on his opponent, but verticality was at a premium, so a running start would have to do. “Karma Demon: Iron Spiral!” he yelled, and flung himself full force at Rogue, twist-flipping his body in midair as iron formed a swirling, bladed vortex around his legs.

Rogue dropped, the magic in his hands detonating aimlessly as the circle around his hands flickered out, and Gajeel gasped as the blast threw him up into the stone rafters. Ouch. A normal human wizard would probably have bruised their ribs from that, if not outright broken them. Even with his scales, he felt tenderized. More than that, though... He couldn’t sense Rogue anymore.

Even shuttered, it was impossible to fully ignore the presence of one of his tra’viin [flight] so physically close. And Rogue, though he was writhing on the ground, was gone. The noise that left Gajeel’s throat was inhuman, a thing of raw panic as he scrambled his Rogue’s side. Something was wrong, something was deeply wrong, and he couldn’t- he didn’t know how to fix this!

Rogue slammed back into place with a pulse of grief and terror so powerful it would’ve made Gajeel physically stagger if he hadn’t already been kneeling, and white-edged shadow exploded out from his vod’ika [little brother] as Rogue screamed. Gajeel grunted as the flare of magic shoved him back, and hurled himself to his feet as Rogue- no, as whatever was controlling Rogue rose in jerky, unnatural movements.

“Rogue, snap out of it!” he yelled, and Rogue jolted closer to him, no magic circle flaring to warn before he backhanded Gajeel into a wall with a Wing attack that easily matched Natsu’s in brute strength. What the fuck was going on?! Gajeel wrenched himself free of the wall, and had to immediately dodge as Rogue flew at him in a blaze of power. “The hell happened to one last attack?” he yelped, ducking a swipe at his head and kicking out at Rogue’s knees.

Rogue, or whatever was controlling him, didn’t answer, just made a deeply unsettling dravic sound and lurched at him again, and again. And all the while, he was wrong in the kara’cika [nebula], his eyes- when Gajeel could glimpse them through the cloak of light and shadow- rolled up and white. Literal blinding terror, grief so deep it threatened to crush him, all coming from nowhere, pouring out of Rogue with the force of a lifetime of repression uncorked all at once.

“Whatever you are, you’re going to regret that.” Gajeel snarled, swiping a smear of blood from his cheek where Rogue had tagged him. “Nobody fucks with my family and gets away with it.”

Rogue Roared at him, and the white was gone from it, burnt out perhaps? Whatever the cause, it made it that much easier to slice apart with a quick Sword, and when Rogue lurched in to try another Waxwing Flash on him, Gajeel caught his vod’ika [little brother] by the scruff and slammed him down against the floor. A deep snarl rumbled up out of his chest, the sort he’d turned on Natsu plenty of times when the tal’tracyn [hothead] was pushing the limits of what Gajeel could allow as alor’tiui [leader], and Rogue screamed again, piercing and inhuman as he flailed harder.

The wordless cry speared through him in the kara’cika [nebula] as well, terror and grief and something terribly vulnerable, a nestling crying out for the protection of a buir [parent] long gone. Rogue caught Gajeel in the throat with an elbow, and when Gajeel recoiled, gagging, shadows lashed him to the floor, so tight around his neck he felt lightheaded. And still, that awful keening kept ringing in his ears, pulling forth memories long buried. Metalicana, blood decorating the self-satisfied smirk on his muzzle as he promised Gajeel he was safe now. Draconic iron stinging through his brow, balancing his reflection, hiding one brand under another.

Rogue, young and thin and filthy, his tiny hand reaching through the bars across the aisle, his little voice one of the endless chorus of pleas for someone, anyone to save them, to take them from the cold tables and dark cages and white-coated grown-ups who didn’t care about anything but their numbers and machines. Crying for Gajeel to save him, because that was the burden Gajeel had shouldered, the mantle he’d taken up because there was no one else to do it.

Rogue’s keening cry cut him to the core, grief and terror all too familiar, and Gajeel dug his claws into the shadows which bound him. It was all about intent, that was what Natsu and Wendy had said. Rogue was incoherent, he didn’t know what was going on, only that he was hurt and scared. Gajeel was no Metalicana, no Skiadrum, but he was still Rogue’s alor’tiui [leader] and dammit, he wasn’t about to let his vod’ika [little brother] hurt when there was something he could do about it!

Gajeel opened his mouth, and bit clean through the shadows his bindings anchored in. The magic was cold, burning like ice, but as he swallowed a second mouthful his tija’pan [magic organ] didn’t cramp and reject it. It wasn’t comfortable, but he could feel the foreign power bleeding into his limbs as he inhaled the rest of his bindings. “Rogue.” he growled, pushing himself to his feet, shadows wisping from his skin as black scales crawled up his forearms. “No, you’re not Rogue.” he reached out in the kara’cika [nebula], and grabbed the foreign presence which had eclipsed that of his vod’ika [little brother]. “And you’re about to regret what you’ve done to him.” he hissed, slipping into Dravic.

Rogue melted into shadow, and Gajeel followed, Rogue’s own instinctual knowledge smoothing the awkwardness of using a new element for the first time. They raced up the columns, and back down, until Gajeel managed to get a grip on Rogue through the shadows and rip him out into the physical world again, flinging him up into the ceiling and nailing him with an Iron Shadow Dragon Roar.

The foreign presence dissipated as Rogue hit the floor in front of him, and Gajeel dropped to his knees to gather his vod’ika [little brother] up and hold him close, a low rumble vibrating through his chest, easing the last dregs of fear from the kara’cika [nebula], though the sourceless grief remained.

“Gaji-nii?” Rogue mumbled, his lips barely moving, his voice faint even through the bond.

“I’ve got you.” Gajeel murmured back in Draconic, shifting so he could rest Rogue against the wall. “Fight’s over, you’re safe.”

“I was- I was so scared. I couldn’t feel any of you.” Rogue clutched at his shirt, and Gajeel deepened his comforting rumble, resting his forehead against Rogue’s. “I was all alone and there were-”

“We can talk about it later.” Gajeel said firmly. “Call Sting, walk to him if you can.”

“Rogue!”

Gajeel looked over, and chuckled at the sight of Frosch scampering towards them on all fours. “Or you could get this little kitty cat to fly you there.” he shifted, giving Frosch a clear opening to climb into Rogue’s lap and position themself in a loaf along Rogue’s torso, immediately purring up a storm.

Rogue teared up, and Gajeel knocked their foreheads together before standing. “We’re all in one piece, prud’ika [little shadow (affectionate)].” he switched back to Fiori, and Rogue gave a weak nod. “At the end of the day, that’s what matters most.”

Rogue nodded again, more firmly, and turned his attention to his cat. Gajeel did his best to wrap Rogue up in his protectiveness, in the kara’cika [nebula], and turned his attention outwards. The number of other wizards still in play was rapidly dwindling, and after this... he really hoped he didn’t have to fight Sting. As worn out as he was right now, he might actually lose, and that would just be embarrassing.

Chapter Text

The leader of the Hungry Wolf Knights did, after some good cop bad cop from Natsu and Mirajane, point them in the direction of the exit. Loke adjusted his grip on Colonel Arcadios, and their group silently fell into an almost orderly two-by-two procession. Natsu and Wendy led the way, Natsu’s fire a much-needed light and Wendy’s sense of air flow ensuring they didn’t stray off the correct path. Their cats accompanied them, while Pantherlily ranged out ahead, scouting for enemies or obstacles.

Behind the dragons, Mira walked alongside Loke, her steps light and energized in a way Lucy rarely saw. Right, her moniker was She-Devil, she’d probably had fun with her fight. Lucy and Yukino brought up the rear, and Lucy found herself tapping her fingers over each key in her pouch in order. At her side, Yukino did something similar, fingers dancing over the collection of keys which hung from a beautiful white ring clipped to the belt of her uniform coat. Listening to the same thing as Lucy, she was sure. The keys sang, in their own way, a hum too soft to hear but strong enough to feel, resonating deep inside her, interlinked with her magic just as Yukino’s keys would be entwined with hers.

Aquarius and Cancer, passed down from Mother, tones she’d known as long as she could remember. Taurus, the first golden key she’d contracted on her own. Virgo, who had chosen her after that disastrous job with Everlue. Sagittarius, who had helped even before she could work out a contract. Leo, Loke, the exiled Prince returned to his throne at the head of the Zodiac. Aries, Gemini, Scorpio, technically spoils of conquest after defeating Angel but contracted of their own will. Capricorn, whose contract was still so new, but who might have been like an uncle to her, if not for the Grimoire Heart wizard who’d enslaved him after Mother’s death.

It had been tempting, to arrange them according to their order in the sky after the Nirvana incident was over, but it would have felt wrong. The order they hung in now was a song, the song of hard-won friendships and her own growth as a wizard. Also, changing where each key sat was just asking for a mis-draw at the worst possible time. She’d always hung her key the same way, Aquarius and Cancer in front, and silver keys behind, with gold added behind gold and silver added behind silver. Her pinky swiped over them too, all of their contracts well-set and their tones familiar.

Silver keys Crux and Horologium, inherited from Mother alongside her first two golden keys. Horologium’s tone felt odd, but not in any way she could define, so she’d just have to summon him later and ask about it. Lyra, the first silver contract she’d written herself, transferred from her magic tutor at Lyra’s own request. Pyxis, loyal and dependable, if not particularly helpful in a fight. Plue, a dear companion, happy to simply spend time with her in the mortal world.

Her friends, one and all. Friends she had nearly lost, who would have had no idea what happened to her if not for Loke’s timely arrival. “Hey, Loke?” she spoke up, and Yukino’s hand stilled, palm flattened over her key ring. “How did you find us, anyways?”

“Better question, how did you know we needed to be found, and how were you able to arrive without Miss Lucy’s summoning you?” Yukino frowned, fingers tapping at the black and silver keys which hung next to each other near the middle of her ring.

“Well, my situation is a bit unique.” Loke chuckled. “I’ve spent so much time in the mortal world, I can summon myself if I feel like it. Not an easy trick to learn, though I’m sure Ophiuchus could manage if she tried.” he inclined his head towards Yukino’s key ring. “As for how I knew...” he looked forward, humming his key’s tone softly as he considered his words. “When celestial spirits form a strong bond with a wizard, we can tell if they have our key nearby. Lucy and I have a stronger bond than most, due to how I wound up contracted to her, and... let’s just say this isn’t the first time we’ve played this particular game.”

“If you mean the Phantom Lord incident, you weren’t even contracted to me yet.” Lucy huffed. It wasn’t like she ran around getting her keys stolen every third job!

“And I never would’ve had the chance, if not for Sagi.” Loke smiled over his shoulder at her. “So now, if my key is away from you too long, I come to make sure you’re okay.”

“My knight in shining armour.” she giggled, and he beamed.

“For you, my Princess, always.” he paused, then chuckled. “I’d bow, but I’m afraid the good Colonel isn’t quite up to supporting his own weight just yet.”

“I can take him for a bit, if you’d like.” Mirajane offered, and... shapeshifted to look just like Loke had, when he was still exiled from the Celestial Spirit world.

“That’s just uncanny.” Yukino muttered.

“Tell me about it.” Lucy agreed, as Loke and Mirajane traded Colonel Arcadios between their shoulders.

“You still haven’t said how you found them, though.” Natsu chimed in from the front of the group.

“With a bond as strong as the one Lucy and I share, I can just follow it.” Loke shrugged. “Had to jump down a hole at one point, but it got me there.”

“And just in time, too.” Lucy smiled, gripping her key pouch.

“How is Colonel Arcadios doing?” Yukino asked, and Loke gave her a smile.

“Better, that’s for sure.”

“But not yet well enough to question.” Yukino frowned. “He was so insistent about us activating Eclipse, but...”

“What I wanna know is, how come he's still got his feet after wading in lava?” Natau chimed in from the front, arms behind his head. A moment later he made a sound of understanding, and Lucy bit back a giggle as Carla and Lily pointedly cleared their throats in tandem, even doing the same thing with holding a paw in front of their mouths as they did so.

“It’s the jade amulet he’s wearing.” Wendy explained out loud. “Jade has properties which amplify protective enchantments.” she paused, and gave a gusty sigh, the air stirring around all their legs. “Since he’s not a wizard, that amulet is probably how he survived long enough for us to find him in the first place.”

“Anyways.” Loke said, taking Arcadios back from Mirajane, who promptly reverted to looking like herself. “Everyone is alive and together, so now our job is to get out of here and let our guildmates fighting in the Games relax a bit.”

“Well, Wendy has led us true.” Lily said, and when they all followed his pointing paw Lucy raised an eyebrow. Those were awfully fancy doors for a glorified oubliette.

“The exit!” Happy whooped, wings springing from his back as he leapt for joy, letting him swoop in circles over Natsu’s head.

“Leave it to me!” Natsu crowed, and charged forward with magic flaring around his fist. The doors began to groan open when he was halfway there, and he tried to backpedal with a yelp, only succeeding in sending himself tumbling forwards instead of charging.

“Someone waiting for us?” Wendy guessed, fists coming up and brow pinching in frustration.

“Did those knights call for backup?” Mirajane muttered, looking more calculating than truly concerned, which was scary in its own right.

“Who- are you?” Natsu groaned, when he finally thumped to a stop at the feet of the lone, cloaked figure who stood in the narrow opening between the towering stone doors.

“Oh...” the half-sob from the cloaked figure sounded uncannily familiar, and Lucy couldn’t help but step closer, leading her friends up towards the doors as if drawn by a magnet. “I’d thought- I hoped...” they shifted to flick back the hood of their cloak, and Lucy’s breath deserted her as surely as if she’d just caught a sucker punch from Erza. Those eyes, that hair...

“Mom?”

Chapter Text

The woman before them looked at her, wide-eyed, then collapsed to her knees with a horrible wheezing sound. Lucy wasn’t alone in lurching forwards, or in freezing when it became clear the newcomer was trying to stifle laughter. “I’m sorry.” She gasped out after a moment, the cloak hiding her hand as she lifted the fabric from within to dab at her eyes. “I just, wasn’t expecting that.”

“You smell like Lucy.” Natsu frowned. “But... not.”

“It’s me.” the woman knelt in a puddle of her own cloak laughed, . “Natsu, Leo, it’s been so long.”

“How?” Wendy asked, which was more than Lucy could scrape up the brainpower to ask at the moment.

“Can’t be Gemini, they can only make exact copies.” Yukino muttered.

“Are you Edo-Lucy?” Happy asked, which... that would make sense, wouldn’t it? Lucy Ashley would be seven years older than her now.

“No.” Loke said, handing the Colonel back over to Mirajane, who muttered a curse and scrambled to keep him from slumping too far against her. “She has celestial magic. Even more than you do, Princess.”

“Princess?” Mirajane raised an eyebrow, and Lucy waved a hand dismissively. They could talk about her spirits’ eccentricities when they weren’t in the middle of a jailbreak.

“Thanks for the confirmation, Loke.” she crossed her arms and stepped forwards to stand next to Natsu, looking down at the stranger wearing her face. “Now, who are you?”

“I’m you.” the stranger smiled, and Lucy had thought she was used to seeing herself outside of a mirror after practising with Gemini but that... that was just weird. Uncanny, even. Did she really look like that when she smiled?

“A little more explanation, please.” Wendy chimed in. “Because you don’t smell like Lucy.”

“I’m you, from seven years in the future.” her double explained. “If you’re leaving the Palace of Hades, then you’ve heard about Eclipse.” she glanced at Arcadios, mouth pressing thin, and Lucy found herself mimicking the thoughtful look unthinkingly. That was weird.

“It works?!” Yukino gasped, hands flying up to cover her mouth.

“Yes, but at terrible cost.” Lucy watched her double shudder. “The things I’ve seen, the things I’ve done-” she choked on a sob, and Natsu reacted faster than Lucy could. In an instant he was on his knees at her double’s side, drawing her into his arms, burying his face in her hair with one of those low, inhuman sounds he made sometimes.

“It’s alright.” he murmured, as Lucy’s double sagged into his hold. “It’s alright, you’re still Lucy. You’ll always be Lucy.”

Lucy determinedly blinked back the tears which welled in her own eyes as her double broke down. “We should find somewhere less conspicuous than the exit of the oubliette.” she found herself saying, sounding far more steady and confident than she felt.

“Good call.” Mirajane nodded. “Future-Lucy, can you walk?”

“I- yeah.” she hiccuped, and Lucy couldn’t help but feel a flare of sympathetic embarrassment. She’d always known she was an ugly crier, but seeing it from the outside was different. Natsu helped her double to her feet, and Lucy swallowed down a completely irrational desire to shove the woman away. She and Natsu were teammates, nothing more, there was no reason for her to think of her older self as any sort of threat.

“So...” Lucy said, casting around for something to talk about. “Are cloaks the hot new fashion trend in seven years?”

Her future-double laughed, and again it was that awful, gasping sound. Like she’d forgotten how laughing was supposed to work. “Fashion is so far from being a concern.” her double shook her head, leaning readily on Natsu’s offered shoulder. “No, this is- the future I’m from is one I’m trying to prevent.”

“Caused by opening the Eclipse gate?” Yukino frowned.

“It’s a long story.” her future-double said, trembling in Natsu’s hold.

“And whatever it is, we’ll handle it together.” Natsu said firmly, tightening his grip on her double. “We gotta get out of here and send up the flare.”

“Right!” Mirajane clapped her hands. “Wendy, you and I will take the lead. Natsu, join Loke in the middle. Lucy, Yukino, you two bring up the rear. Let’s get out of here and let our guildmates know we’re safe!”

“And with a bonus Miss Lucy, to boot.” Loke smiled. Her future-double giggled, sounding almost normal, and Loke’s smile brightened with clear pride. Lucy viciously squashed the completely irrational urge to get between them. Loke was her spirit, contracted to fight alongside her, and her friend besides. It only stood to reason that her future self would still hold that contract. Though, the way she’d reacted on seeing them...

“Do you have your keys?” she asked as they headed out into normal castle hallways, and her future-double flinched.

“No, they- they couldn’t come back with me.” her double shook her head, seeming to shrink in on herself. “I haven’t even been contracted to them for years”.

“Oh.” Lucy grimaced. Now she felt like even more of a jerk for wanting to get between her future-double and Loke. “How long?”

“Six years, five months, and twenty eight days.”

Lucy pressed her hand over her keys, and was briefly, selfishly glad she and her future-double weren’t looking at each other. To spend that long apart from her friends, to endure the future this older her had come from... “I’m so sorry.” she whispered after a moment. Her future-double didn’t reply, but leaned a little further into Natsu’s support.

Ever since she could remember, she’d had celestial spirits around her. Sure, she’d only gotten her first keys after Mother passed, but... they had always been there. Cancer had done her hair for literally her entire life! To be without them when captured was one thing, a few nerve-wracking hours or days apart. To have to give them up entirely, let someone else take up their contracts, for years on end?

She could hardly imagine it. Normally she’d say she couldn’t possibly survive such a thing, but... her future-double obviously had. And she may have been changed by it, may have been scarred, but Lucy couldn’t bring herself to think of the woman leaning on Natsu as weak. She was a Heartfilia, and in the sheer fact of her presence Lucy saw the truth of what Mother had told her, all those years ago.

Heartfilias did not break, they did not crumble. They bore the weight of the stars on their shoulders, and just like those stars, pressure only made them shine brighter. And when that pressure let up, when the world fell apart around them... Her future-double may be slumped and trembling, but she still walked on her own two feet, she had bent time itself to her will to ensure what happened to her didn’t happen to anyone else. And if that wasn’t a spirit forged to diamond, Lucy wasn’t sure what was.

Chapter Text

Laxus glanced up at the clock tower, checking the time on its face. He was running behind, but only a smidge. Still within tolerances for the First Master’s plan, hopefully. If he was the one to throw it off, he’d never live it down.

“So we finally meet, Laxus.” Olga drawled, drawing Laxus’s attention back down to his own level. Well, that was one worry settled, though the fact that his opponent could mask his aura well enough to go completely unnoticed was disconcerting to realize.

“Black Lightning.” he acknowledged, crossing his arms.

“I’m sure you’ve put it together by now, after seeing that Lamia runt in action.” Olga smirked, dark sparks dancing in the air around him.

“Thunder-element God-slaying magic.” Laxus nodded. Natsu had confirmed that the black elemental magic was a hallmark of that sort of slayer magic, and Wendy had explained the trick behind eating said magic. That was why the First Master had given him this matchup, in the end.

“The most powerful type there is.” Olga boasted, and Laxus chuckled.

“You may be primed to kill a God, but so far your kind are 0 for 2 on killing Fairies.” he smirked lifting a hand and beckoning Olga to make the first move. “Bet you can’t break that streak.”

“Now that’s a bet I’ll take.” Olga laughed, and black lightning wreathed his form. “Lightning God’s Discharge!” he crowed, and shot forwards with speed that belied his size. Lightning magic did tend to make a body faster, but there were limits to that sort of thing, and Olga was far past those.

Laxus caught the attack on his forearms, and found himself smiling even as black lightning crackled over his skin, making his muscles tremble and spasm. “Gotcha.” he chuckled, twisting his arms to grab Olga by the elbows, digging his fingers in hard enough the other wizard couldn’t pull away even if he tried. “Lightning Dragon Gong!” he called, and when the magic circle lit across his forehead Olga’s eyes went wide.

Laxus headbutted his opponent, and when Olga’s grip slackened he twisted from the hips, swinging Olga up over his head and down into the cobbles at his feet. Olga, unsurprisingly, was barely phased by the assault. He wrenched himself free of Laxus’s grip, spun low to force him back a couple steps, and popped up with his hands raised in an all-too-familiar position. Laxus mirrored it, and his Roar met Olga’s Howl in an explosion of light and sound which dazzled him momentarily.

“Not too shabby.” Olga smirked. “But not good enough to beat me. Try this on for size, Lightning God’s Flash!” Black lightning crackled all over Olga’s body, then all at once flared white, a shockwave of heat and pressure rolling over him with a crash of thunder. Laxus flinched despite himself, eyes squeezing shut instinctively even as his ears rang.

“Lightning God’s Falcon Funeral!” Olga roared, loud enough to make out even over the ringing in his ears, and Laxus swore as he felt a magical construct slam into his side. That voltage probably would’ve killed an unprepared wizard of any other magic type. Still, lightning was lightning, and even with his vision spotted and ears ringing, Laxus knew his own element.

The birds felt strange against his magic sense, but he could at least tell when one was closing in on him and react accordingly. Lightning magic, as Gajeel had so aptly demonstrated when they first met, largely followed the same rules as regular lightning. It only took about half of a Halberd to force the Godslayer’s constructs to ground out in the cobbles under his feet, though he had to be quick with how he handled it. His vision, thankfully, was more or less recovered by the time he dispatched the last of the birds, and as Olga planted himself for another attack Laxus threw himself forwards. Magic to magic, Olga may have an advantage, but Laxus had grown up in the Fairy Tail guild hall. Bare knuckle brawling was second nature to him, really.

“Lightning Dragon’s Iron Fist!” he roared, and drove his knuckles into Olga's jaw. The Godslayer staggered, and Laxus wasted no time, following up with a series of punches and kicks. They were only barely imbued with magic, but with the kinetic force behind his strikes that didn’t matter. Olga recovered quickly, despite his best efforts, and soon enough met him blow for blow.

“Well, you certainly live up to your reputation.” Olga quipped, and Laxus couldn't help but chuckle.

“You, on the other hand, haven't been.”

Olga outright snarled, and Laxus twisted away from where each of them had blocked the other's strike to kick out at Olga's knee, forcing him to leap back. Hm, they were too closely matched in ability for him to guarantee a win on this without fighting a little dirty. It was risky, especially not having seen his opponent in a fight before, but anger made most people sloppy, and pissing off the wizard he was fighting had only failed him once recently.

“Is this really all Sabertooth's S-Ranks can bring to bear?” he taunted, and Olga threw his head back to laugh.

“Who knows? Maybe, maybe not.” Olga cracked his knuckles loudly. “Wanna find out?”

“Yes.” someone else said, and Laxus instinctively spun to get the newcomer in his line of sight. Jura, one of the very few opponents the First Master had been unable to devise a strategy to beat. The one Laxus had volunteered to fight, because despite the mismatch in their magical power he was better suited to this fight than any other wizard they were fielding today.

“Perhaps I'll even ask you to spare some for me.” Jura continued, casual as anything. “I haven't been so excited in a long time.”

“Wizard Saint Jura.” Olga whispered, and when Laxus glanced at him he saw the Godslayer had paled. Understandable, really. Jura's aura pressed down on them, heavy as the stone he commanded, impossible to ignore. Some ancient instinct clawed at the back of his throat, a pressure that wanted to emerge as an inhuman sound of supplication. Laxus swallowed it down, buried it with the rest of the side effects of his magic, and managed a smirk.

“So there you are, monster.”

“Hey, Mr. Neekis.” Olga said, clearly having regained some of his composure. Though not all, given how weirdly respectful he was being. “I want to see you get serious.”

“Is that so?” Jura... it wasn’t quite a smirk, more indulgent than smug, but Laxus hesitated call it a smile with the Wizard Saint's aura still blanketing the square.

“Yes.” Olga rooted himself and squared his shoulders, raising both arms forwards with his palms turned towards each other. The same posture he'd used when firing on that magic tester lacrima, after Erza soloed Pandemonium. “Do you have the guts to take my strongest attack?” he challenged, black lightning building between his hands. “Well, Wizard Saint? Think you can block this?!” the dark, sparking magic crawled up to his wrists, then further to his elbows. Laxus found himself holding his breath.

Was this a trap of some kind? There was no way Sabertooth had a non-Ace who could match a Wizard Saint in power, especially when at a disadvantage by magic type!

“As you wish.” Jura chuckled, and just as Olga's magic circle bloomed for his Charged Particle Canon attack the older man moved. He did... something, and the beam of black lightning veered upwards, carving a circle clear out of one of the buildings which bordered the square. A heartbeat later, Jura was in front of Olga, fist bearing down into the Godslayer’s face. Olga went down like a sack of bricks, and Laxus couldn’t help but flinch. But, at the same time... had that dumbass really expected anything different, challenging a Wizard Saint outright like that?

“If I remember correctly, during your battle on the first day, you made a point of...” Jura looked down at Olga’s prone, clearly insensate form with a smug little smile. “Finishing the fight in one attack.”

Aaaand, he still had to beat this guy to ensure Fairy Tail’s victory. No pressure, or anything.

Chapter Text

For a moment, their little plaza was silent. Jura wasn’t even breathing hard. Despite having just taken out an S-Rank Godslayer in a single hit, he was exactly as composed as he’d been when he walked up.

For just a moment, a few racing heartbeats, Laxus considered listening to that animal instinct screaming at him to submit. It wasn’t that he was worried Jura would seriously injure him, the man had a reputation as a levelheaded and precise wizard, but... discretion was the better part of valour and all that, right? Yielding to a clearly superior opponent showed maturity and self-awareness and all that shit.

“I have long hoped for a chance to cross fists with you, Laxus Dreyar.” Jura said, turning from Olga’s prone form and pinning Laxus with a heavy stare. “I am glad we have this chance. Since you are my colleague Makarov’s-”

“Hold it.” Laxus snapped, anger sparking down his spine, prickling in the back of his throat, scouring away every last bit of hesitation and uncertainty. “Don’t finish that sentence.” he ordered, and Jura’s mouth quirked up in that smirk-smile again. “The two of us standing here aren’t an old guy with some big title or somebody’s grandson.” he shrugged his coat off his shoulders and flicked it back to drape over Olga’s body, where it wouldn’t trip him and probably wouldn’t get wrecked, since neither of them was going to target an unconscious opponent. “Just two guys facing off.”

He met Jura’s eyes, and the stone wizard’s smile widened, eyes glinting. “I like that look. Very well then, Laxus. Let us meet each other, wizard to wizard.”

Laxus didn’t waste another moment after getting that invitation. Lightning engulfed him, but rather than fully give himself over to his lightning form he wrapped the magic close to his skin and launched himself full force at Jura. Attack and defence in one, and it boosted his speed to boot. And still, somehow, Jura was faster, chopping a single hand down and striking him on the back of the head with such power all of his momentum went straight down.

“However high you get, there's always somewhere higher.” Jura said, tone so painfully level it couldn’t be anything but condescending.

“Nobody knows that better’n me.” he bit out, lightning crackling through every limb, sparking against his molars as he swallowed the animal growl that wanted to crawl out of his throat. “But you should look down sometimes, too. There might be someone at your feet!” he launched himself up, and his knuckles met Jura’s jaw, snapping the older wizard’s head back. And most of his body, though he didn’t quite fall over.

Laxus saw a circle flash under him, but there was no time to dodge the pillars which speared up out of the ground. He flung a Halberd down at Jura, who blocked it with a pillar of stone. Not a very sturdy one though, because as it absorbed the last of his Halberd it exploded. Good, the smoke would hinder Jura more than him.

Laxus cloaked himself in lightning, and shot down with a fist forwards, aiming to knock the Wizard Saint out with a blow to the head. Magical power didn’t do much against regular old blunt force, so long as you could get past their shielding. One good knockout strike, and this fight would be over.

Jura managed to block him, somehow, and Laxus flipped backwards fast as thought, swerving wildly to build distance without flying headlong into one of the new pillars Jura was raising in his way. Veering up got him free of those, and he curved back around as sharply as physics would allow. Jura caught him with a chop to the back of his head before he could make contact to drag the Wizard Saint up into the air, but Laxus didn’t let himself be caught on the ground.

A howl burst from his chest as he surged back to his feet, fist leading the way. It connected, which was a bit surprising honestly. What kind of wizard let an opponent get the same drop on them twice in a fight? One he could beat, that was for sure.

He caught Jura’s retaliatory strike forearm to forearm, and pivoted on one heel to swing the other one up for a lightning-infused kick to the head. Jura somehow spun the impact into a punch that clipped his temple, and Laxus roared as he drove a half-formed Demolition Fist into the ground under Jura’s feet. Bastard barely even stumbled.

“I am. Astonished.” Jura said, and at least he was breathing heavily, if not quite panting. That he’d had to exert himself at all meant Laxus wasn’t raging against an unbeatable enemy. If this came down to a matter of endurance, he was a good couple of decades younger than Jura, and in peak physical condition after his months of training. He’d give himself even odds, if he was being honest.

“I have not had such an impassioned fight since...” Jura huffed out a laugh, short and breathy, and straightened up. “Since I last fought alongside your guild.”

That would’ve been the Oracion Seis job. Laxus had only heard about it fourth-hand, but Freed and Mira were both pretty professional about passing intel, and Erza wasn’t prone to exaggeration. So yeah, that tracked.

“You sure are a monster, just like folks say.” Laxus forced himself to straighten up, breathing deep despite the dull throb which had spread through his whole body. “What is it Natsu always says at a time like this?” he muttered, and a moment later a smile spread across his face. It was the one that unnerved people, he could tell. Too wide, too sharp, with an edge not unlike the way Freed’s aura had grated against his magic sense at first. For once, he didn’t give a damn.

“I’m all fired up.” he growled, raising his fists and wrapping himself in crackling lightning magic again.

“Come at me.” Jura challenged, eyes alight with a fervour Laxus knew all too well. “We’ll do this until one of us reaches his limits!”

For a moment, a mere heartbeat, Laxus considered using Dragon Force to strike the Wizard Saint down. But after the showings of Fairy Tail and Sabertooth’s dragons, it would pale in comparison. No, better to finish this on his own terms, with his own techniques. “Lightning Dragon’s Ultimate Attack: Roaring Thunder!” the circle which bloomed before him spun up so fast that to mere human eyes it was simply there, and Jura visibly startled when instead of firing off a bolt of magic from it, Laxus propelled himself through the circle.

All the magical potential it held in balance warped down to a single point, bundled around his right fist, and he drove that fist dead into Jura’s sternum. Wizard Saint or no, rooted or no, the combined physical and magical impact knocked the man off his feet and left him gasping for air as he went down. Laxus knew just how hard that one hit, by how much effort it had taken Freed to make a construct capable of withstanding the damage to get a good record off it. So it was a bit of a surprise when Jura hit the ground still conscious.

“Heh.” he wheezed, faintly smoking as he stared up at the sky. “You got me.” he mumbled, and as his eyes slid shut Laxus had to smother the urge to whoop and punch the air like a moron. That was five points to Fairy Tail for sure, and so long as Erza won her fight... Fairy Tail would win. Would show the country that they weren’t a guild to be underestimated.

It felt good to be on the winning team again.

Chapter Text

“Well, we’re screwed.” Natsu huffed, crossing his arms as Lucy leaned Future Lucy off of him. Normally, he had a great sense of direction. Igneel had taught him how to find his way with nothing but the world around him and his senses. Normally, Wendy could navigate anywhere with her eyes shut given a couple minutes to read the air currents. She was amazing and only getting cooler as she grew into her power. Normally they weren’t stuck in a damn maze of a castle! All the hallways looked the same, and none of the air currents made sense to Wendy, and Natsu was seriously considering just smashing walls until they found an exterior one.

Future Lucy- who smelled weird, but would probably kick him if he said so- had zoned out hard shortly outside of where they met her, and he hadn’t wanted to rouse her from whatever reverie it was she’d fallen into. Not with the way her aura shivered against his, like a chained beast only barely held in check. Whatever she’d gone through in the future must’ve been really bad, but Lucy was smart. If she’d come back, then it was with a plan to fix things. Natsu wasn’t great at following plans, for but Lucy he’d try.

The others chimed in their agreements to his statements, disbelief and annoyance all around, but Natsu barely paid attention. Lucy had guided Future Lucy to a chair, so the older wizard’s aura was no longer invading his magic sense, but he still found his attention drawn to her, to the sharpness of her face, the way her heavy cloak fell over a much leaner frame than he’d expect. And Lucy was already a damn lightweight!

“Why are we even bothering with all this?” Natsu asked, when chitchat between the others lulled. “Let’s just find some soldiers, knock some heads, and make them show us the way out!”

“Natsu, no.” Wendy, Mira, and Carla chorused.

“We have injured here.” Carla pointed out, and Natsu grimaced. True, he couldn’t really fight while propping up Future Lucy, but he was far from their only powerhouse.

“With all these wizards, we can manage something, right?” Happy chimed in. Good cat, best kitty, Natsu would fight Rogue on that any day.

“We could.” Mirajane admitted. “But, the situation is complicated.” she sighed, crossing her arms with a thoughtful frown. “Our guild is in the spotlight, with our team kicking ass in the Grand Magic Games. If we fail, we’re relying on their victory. We need to leave the best impression possible on the royal military, just in case.”

“We may be a bit late for that, Miss Mirajane.” Yukino’s shoulders slumped. “We did eliminate the Kingdom’s squad of executioners.”

The chatter between everyone else picked up again, and Natsu’s attention drifted back to the Lucys. Having two of them was weird enough the first time in Edolas, when they looked and smelled nearly identical. Somehow, Future Lucy being years older and smelling almost completely different was even weirder. Maybe because Lisanna wasn’t here to distract him from it?

“Princess.” Loke murmured, taking a knee at Lucy’s side and sliding his hand into hers. “There’s no need to look so forlorn. Whatever future your double has come from, I will help the both of you prevent it from coming to pass.” he bent his head, and Natsu rolled his eyes as the dork kissed the back of Lucy’s hand. “And now I get to say that I love both of you!”

Lucy sighed, and Natsu rolled his eyes harder. Loke’s whole ladies-man schtick had always been kinda annoying, with him dragging random girls into the guild hall all the time, and having all that aimed at Lucy wasn’t really an improvement. Future Lucy groaned, stirring in her chair, and Natsu’s attention snapped to her immediately, all thoughts of Loke falling from his mind.

“Are you okay, Future Lucy?” Happy asked, flitting up in front of her, planting his paws on her shoulder and nuzzling against her jaw.

“Where are we?” Future Lucy groaned, arms shifting under the cover of her cloak to hug herself. The fire which had kindled behind Natsu’s breastbone earlier at the state Future Lucy was in flared anew, and he swore to himself that once they got out of here, he was going to drag her into a nest with as many of his siblings as he could manage. And maybe Current Lucy too, she didn’t deserve to be left out.

“So, we’re still in the castle?” Future Lucy frowned, responding to something Natsu hadn’t heard. Wendy rolled her eyes at him in the kara’cika [nebula], and filled in that they’d told Future Lucy they didn’t know, then given their collective best guess.

“If I remember right...” Future Lucy frowned, teeth worrying her lower lip like Natsu usually saw Lucy do while writing in one of her novel notebooks. “After we escaped the Palace of Hades, we were all caught by the palace guards again. So I should tell you now-”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Pantherlily said, and Natsu turned his head to glare at Gajeel’s cat. “But just to clarify, Future-Lucy, you’re about to tell us a sequence of events you experienced firsthand?”

“Yeah, what’re you talking about?” Natsu huffed. “No way I’d let a bunch of lame, non-magic guards catch me.”

“For once, Natsu’s right.” Mirajane chuckled. “I know I wouldn’t want to be arrested again.”

“You weren’t arrested, though?” Yukino frowned, and Mira flashed their newest recruit a sly smile.

“Not today.”

Both Lucys looked surprised by that, and Natsu chuckled. “I’ll get Erza to tell you later. Mira leaves out all the fun bits.”

“I could always stop cooking Happy’s fish, you know~”

“Natsu!”

“Could we get back on track?” Carla snapped, tail lashing in time with Pantherlily’s, but Future Lucy was smiling and this time it looked real. Sad, but genuine in a way it hadn’t been before.

“Thank you, Carla.” Future Lucy nodded. “And we got caught because, in trying to escape, we wandered too close to Eclipse. Without being able to use our powers, we were easily rounded up.”

“Well, we just won’t do that this time.” Wendy nodded firmly, and Future Lucy smiled for a moment before sombering again.

“Because of that, when everything went wrong, we were all in prison.”

“Future Lucy...” Wendy piped up, and when Natsu’s attention flickered over to her presence in their tome’mir [psychic bond] she was all worry and focus. “You said you’re trying to prevent the future you came from. What happened?”

“Dragons.” Future Lucy whispered, curling in on herself where she sat. “Thousands and thousands of dragons. Mercurius was the last place in the city to fall, I don’t even know how many died that day, let alone in the years since.”

Natsu could barely hear past the rush of blood in his ears. Dragons weren’t social creatures, not like humans. For thousands of them to descend on a city at once, someone had to be leading them, had to have a reason. “Where did they even come from?” Wendy asked, her voice thin and frightened, and Natsu felt more than heard the snarl that ripped from his throat as he stormed over to the armour and racked weapons by the wall. A full metal suit would only slow him down, but head protection never went amiss.

Weapons... most of these were garbage, decorative pieces with flimsy cheap metal used for the pointy bits, but a few would be serviceable with a bit of help from Wendy and whatever other enchanters they could scrounge up from other guilds. “Uh, Natsu?” Happy’s voice broke through the frantic drumming in his ears, the half-remembered crackle of flames, and Natsu glanced over his shoulder to see his cat hovering there. “What are you doing?”

“Aint it obvious?” he frowned, looking from Happy to the rest of their group. “We gotta prepare for battle!”

“You’re going to fight?!” Lucy and Yukino yelped.

“Not possible!” Happy wailed. Natsu nudged him out of the way, bundled the spears he’d grabbed under one arm, and marched them over to Wendy, who was still shaken but at least understood the gravity of the situation. Only dragons could hurt dragons, which meant the five of them- six, Wendy insisted, because Laxus was probably close enough to count in this if nothing else- had to be prepared to defend against countless enemies.

“Did you really expect anything else of Natsu?” Future Lucy laughed softly, and Natsu turned to beam at her.

“You don’t need to worry about a thing, Future Luce. We’ve got a warning this time, we won’t get caught, and we won’t lose to some dragon attack!”

“I do have some questions for you, though.” Mirajane said, as Natsu set the spears down in front of Wendy and returned to the Lucys. “You said all of us were re-captured, we were together in the castle when it fell. What happened to the rest of us?”

“It was... it was hell.” Future Lucy shivered, hugging herself again under her cloak. “I barely remember the first few days.”

“Hey, don’t push yourself.” Lucy murmured, resting a hand on her double’s knee.

“We were separated from Natsu’s tra’viin [flight] early. Six months and three days in, I-” Future Lucy shuddered, holding herself tighter. “I relinquished my keys, and bought time for the rest of our group. I didn’t expect-”

“Okay.” Mirajane said, gentle but firm as she laid a hand on Future Lucy’s shoulder. “Okay, we get it. Now, how did you come back to us?” Mirajane’s fingers squeezed Future Lucy’s shoulder gently. “In the worst case scenario, if we fail this time, maybe we can send someone back earlier. Give the Kingdom more of a warning.”

“Eclipse.” Yukino and Future Lucy said at the same time.

“No way.” Lucy gasped.

“It truly works, then?” Yukino demanded, stepping in closer. “It let you travel back in time?”

“It does. Did?” Future Lucy moved to push a hand to her forehead, but stopped before her cloak fell open. If not for the lack of blood or medicine smells on her, Natsu would’ve suspected her of hiding serious injuries. “I didn’t know how to work it, not really, but it dropped me here just at the start of the Games. I’ve been working to prevent my future from occurring ever since.”

“Alright.” Natsu planted himself in front of Future Lucy, and gave her his widest smile. “You’re the one with a plan, Luce. What do we need to do?”

“First things first, we need to get out of the castle.” Future Lucy staggered to her feet. “I’ll explain the rest once we get that done.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Loke chimed in, sweeping up to Future Lucy’s side and offering her an arm. “I’m happy to assist you, M’lady.”

Future Lucy giggled, and it actually sounded almost like normal. She set a hand on Loke's proffered arm, and when Natsu glanced at the lifted hem of her cloak he found a pair of short, sturdy boots visible, with socks or tights or something covering what little was visible above them.

“Natsu.” Future Lucy calling his name snapped his attention up to her face immediately, any thoughts about what she was wearing under that cloak falling from his mind. “Could you join Mirajane in front? If we run into any guards, we’ll need your firepower.”

“Course!” he beamed, and joined Mira in leading their little group out the door to the nearest hallway. They had a future to change.

Chapter Text

“You’re next, Erza.” Minerva declared, utterly unruffled. “However... because of your wounds, I can now predict my victory with certainty.”

“Mi- lli- anna.” Kagura choked out, fingers digging into her own side. Erza looked over, and found Kagura’s eyes locked on hers with a shocking clarity of focus. “Millianna- is in- your hands.” she rasped, and Erza gave her a single, solemn nod.

“Right.”

“Milliana?” Minerva chuckled, casual as if they were discussing the weather and not a little sister she’d taken hostage. “Oh, you mean the kitty?” Minerva giggled, and with a wave of her hand Milliana appeared from nowhere, collapsing facedown on the ground. “She is already unable to battle. I take that point as well.”

“Milliana?” Erza dragged herself over, careful not to use her bloodied foot, and thankfully her little sister’s head turned at the sound of her name.

“Erzy?” she mumbled, eyes hazy and unfocused. “Erzy, shhh. They’re mad today.” she mumbled, and Erza’s blood ran cold as she spotted the wet sheen to Milliana’s cape. Shoving the fabric aside made Milliana let out a barely-audible whimper- one which had accompanied Erza into troubled dreams on far too many nights, back in the Tower- and the sight which greeted her sent rage blazing through her entire body, burning away the chill of horror.

Fresh wounds, left by blade and bludgeon and whip alike, criss-crossed Milliana’s back, overlaying the old, healed wounds from their brutal childhood imprisonment. “What’s this?” Erza’s voice sounded far away to her own ears, barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

“I find waiting to be intolerably dull.” Minerva sighed. “I had to find some way to entertain myself, while you two fought.”

Every fibre of Erza’s being ached to lunge at Minerva, to tear her limb from limb, with her bare hands if necessary.

“The only thing which would’ve improved it is if she were a screamer.” Minerva purred, and the last thread of Erza’s self-control snapped. Her ankle screamed with pain as she staggered to her feet, but she didn’t care. There was no room for anything but rage, not after seeing the state this monster had left her vod’ika [little sister] in. Not after hearing Milliana silencing her pain the way she’d had to do far too often when they were young.

A roar ripped from deep in her chest as she threw herself at Minerva, who merely clicked her tongue and gestured with one hand. Something indescribable wrapped around her good ankle, and she looked down to see a dark glow of magic she couldn’t identify connecting her to Minerva. A gesture, and the magic wrapped around her ankle yanked her up into the air and sideways, bashing her bodily into a nearby pillar.

Minerva said something, but her ears were ringing too badly to make it out. Thankfully, the Sabertooth wizard dropped her a moment later, and Erza was able to prop herself up on her forearms to catch her breath and try to block out the pain. It hurt, yes, but she’d been hurt before. She’d fought hurt before. She wasn’t about to crumble when her guild needed her just because of a little pain!

“I don’t suppose you’ll be able to stand on that leg again.” Minerva tutted, and Erza snarled.

“I’ll stand up as many times as it takes.” she declared, pushing herself up to one foot and one knee. Her injured ankle hurt like hell, and she would be getting an earful later, but that didn’t matter right now. Nothing mattered but this fight, and the victory she had to wring from it. “As long as I have a battle that must be won, I’ll stand again and again until it is.” she pushed up onto both feet, and her breath hissed out through her teeth at the stab of pain which ran up her right leg.

Block it out, put it away for later. She could hurt after she won this fight.

“I already told you, Princess.” she spat, forcing herself to stand straighter despite how her body screamed at every motion. “You have made an enemy of the one guild you should never anger.”

“Anger is bad for your looks.” Minerva chided, which only incensed her further.

“Look at what you did to Lucy!” she snapped, taking a step forward. “To my friends!” another step, her ankle screaming but not buckling. “To Kagura, to Milliana! You have made me angry!”

“And you think I’d flinch at that anger?” Minerva smirked, pointing two fingers and causing a pair of explosions in front of Erza’s feet. The blast pushed her back, but she at least managed not to fall on her ass. “Anything I can see is within range of my magic, Territory.” Minerva bragged, a sweep of her hand making the ceiling tremble above them. “Space and time bend to my will. The greatest of magics, fit only for the greatest of guilds!”

Dust and debris rained from above, and the moment her opponent’s view was obscured Erza requipped a pair of shortswords. Six quick steps and she was out of the obscuring dust, poised to strike and deflect at once. “I see through you!” she slashed down Minerva’s front, carving a bloody gash across the other wizard’s arms as she raised them in an instinctive shield. Another slash, and blood spilled from her skin in a long line, hip to shoulder.

Minerva spat something in that strange language she’d used earlier, but Erza didn’t bother trying to make it out. “My anger is the anger of the guild!” she clenched her fists, dismissing her swords as she reached deep into her magic container, deeper than she ever had before. “Second Origin, release!”

Power flooded through her, sweeping away every prickle of pain, sharpening the world around the rush of blood in her ears. “Requip: Nakagami Armour.” her tattered Clear Heart set- shit, she hoped her usual tailor was still in business after seven years- vanished, replaced in a swirl of magic by the one requip she’d never been able to use in a fight before now. But that didn’t mean she hadn’t been deliberate in her choice, or that she’d never practised with wearing it to solidify how it would appear on her person.

To any scholars of magical warfare, she would look like she had just stepped out of a history book. Burnished gold lion pauldrons with matching greaves and hair clips to hold her front locks in front of her shoulders while the rest flowed free, dark metal gauntlets and chain leggings to compliment the petalled headpiece with its amethyst stones, and a long navy tabard with gold trim and a white sash, the Fairy Tail symbol embroidered large over her chest in that same white, edged with gold. Most impressive though, in her opinion, was the halberd. Magic-eater, as she’d named it, stood half again her height and boasted a wickedly sharp blade of metal even darker than her chain and gauntlets. The purple cloth tied below the blade didn’t quite match the rest of the set, but she’d never gotten around to finding one that did, and really that didn’t matter.

What mattered was that the Nakagami armour hadn’t been worn in ten years, because the relic demanded more power than modern wizards could give, until now. Until her. Minerva’s eyes widened, and she screeched in that strange language again, magic burning bright between her hands. “This will be the end!” she declared, and with a single swing Magic-eater lived up to its name, dispelling Minerva’s spell before it could reach its target.

“Not- not possible.” Minerva stammered, taking a step back. “How can you have power like that left?”

“You’ve caused too much pain to the ones I love.” Erza growled, taking a step forwards, halberd held out to the side as she poured her own rapidly-depleting magic into it. “Now, receive retribution.” she said over Minerva’s increasingly panicked stammers. “Nakagami Starlight!” she lunged, and what would’ve been a fatal bisecting blow in a true battle was negated by the Game-masters’ enchantments to instead inflict a debilitating amount of damage spread across her whole body. More painful, to be sure, but she was still alive.

Erza requipped back to her Heart Kreuz armour, and tilted her head back in the waning sunlight as she lifted a fist to the sky. If everyone else had done their parts as well, then Fairy Tail was now in first place. They just had to find Sting, and hope that five exhausted Fairies could match a single fully-prepared dragon.

Their friends were still counting on them, after all.

Chapter Text

Future Lucy directed them back down into the undecorated basement hallways, and Wendy couldn’t help but wonder, as they hurried along taking seemingly-random turns, just what this older version of her friend had been through. She smelled wrong, her magic too sharp, and getting Natsu to actually listen to her? Regular Lucy couldn’t even do that! She prodded at Gajeel, but he wouldn’t open up to the kara’cika [nebula], his presence a throb of pain dulled by the shutters keeping the rest of them out.

Rogue was out, which meant Gajeel had found him and beat him in a fight, just as he’d promised First Master Mavis he would do. Seemed like Rogue had given as good as he got though, if Gajeel was hurting too bad to let her in. Sting, though, responded instantly when she poked at him.

“You doing okay?” he asked, falling into step alongside her. “Oh, you’ve got Yukino!”

“We’re all fine, Sting.” she replied with an eye roll, borrowing Rogue’s trick of talking directly through the tome’mir [psychic bond] so nobody would overhear her. “Could use another brain on this, though.” Sting prodded at her mind as she thought over all the oddities around Future Lucy, humming as he turned the facts over in his own head. The way she smelled, the way she moved, the cloak, how Natsu was acting about her...

“She called him Leo.” Sting muttered, and Wendy glanced up at her brother. “The celestial spirit you’ve got, she called him Leo. Lucy has always called him Loke.”

Wendy opened her mouth, then shut it again. That... was weird, wasn’t it? “But what does it all mean?” she grumbled, and Sting shrugged.

“Beats me. Might want to keep an eye on her, though. Maybe the time travel messed with her somehow?”

“Do you think she’s lying?” Wendy asked, a creeping chill crawling up her spine. “About the dragons.”

Sting frowned. “I think you asked a good question.” he said after a moment of thought. “Rogue and I have been looking for seven years, and Natsu for seven years before that. If there were thousands of dragons somewhere, where have they been hiding that we couldn’t find them?”

They lapsed into silence, Sting easily keeping pace with them, until Gajeel reached out through his shutters and prodded him. “Ah, time to wrap things up on my end.” he smiled, and Wendy couldn’t stop moving to hug him but she projected the intent as hard as she could over their tome’mir [psychic link].

“Try to keep Gaji-nii busy for at least a few minutes before he kicks your sheb’ika [butt]!”

“No faith in your ori’vod [big bro], huh?” Sting laughed, and ruffled her hair before vanishing completely. If their competing guildmates were following the plan, then Gajeel wouldn’t be alone. And between Gajeel and everyone else on the Fairy Tail team, Sting didn’t stand a chance!

Their group rounded another blind corner, and Wendy had to backpedal hard to avoid running dead into Lucy’s back. The hall ahead, despite Future Lucy’s assurances that she knew how to get them out safely, was filled with palace guards. Natsu pounded his fists together, and Wendy glanced over her shoulder to where Yukino and Arcadios were bringing up the rear. Surely the Captain- or whatever his actual rank was- should be able to order them to stand down, right? Only...

“Mr. Arcadios and Yukino aren’t here!”

“What?!” most of the rest of the group yelled, half of them turning back to look at her.

“Why’d they go off without a word?” Lucy groaned.

“I don’t know about that Knight Captain, but I’m worried about Yukino.” Mirajane said, turning and heading back the way they’d just come. “I’m going back for her!”

“Mira, wait!” Lucy yelled, reaching after her.

“Mirajane can take care of herself.” Future Lucy said, her voice hard. “And we may need Yukino, before the night is out.”

“Besides, we’ve got this!” Natsu boasted. “We’ll take ‘em right here,” he lunged, fire wreathing his fists, Loke close on his heels. “And break through!”

“Well, if we’re fighting our way out.” she raised a wind around herself, and tried to picture how Chelia’s Boreas had taken form. It wasn’t easy, she remembered the Sky Goddess’s smile much more clearly than the motion she’d used or the circle which the spell had originated from, but she was at least able to blast a cannon of wind down the corridor, curving with the stone walls, and knock the opponents Natsu and Loke missed off of their feet.

“Somehow, I always forget how terrifying you can be.” Future Lucy muttered half under her breath.

“Thanks!” Wendy chirped, flashing her widest smile, and they were off again. The Lucys fell to the rear this time, accompanied by Happy and Carla, while Pantherlily grew to his full size and unsheathed his sword, keeping pace with Wendy behind Natsu and Loke. Not that their order made much of a difference, when they didn’t have the numbers to stop troops from getting around them, but at least it proved Future Lucy had arranged them with some sense.

Someone called for an anti-magic squad, and Wendy almost laughed. An anti-magic squad, against them? These guys had seen what Natsu did to their arena, right? What she and Lucy were capable of when they applied themselves? Not to mention they had one of Lucy’s strongest spirits onboard, plus whatever new tricks Future Lucy had picked up to survive in the future she came from.

Someone caught Natsu from behind with a bolt of magic so weak he actually began to laugh, and when he turned the look on his face was all menace, kal’edee [fangs] bared and eyes wide. “You really wanna take on a dragon with magic like that?” he taunted, and flung the regular guard he’d been beating up into the magic-using ones.

After that it got... hectic. Wendy fought, but not as hard as she’d done against Chelia, or against any of the dark guilds she’d faced since joining Fairy Tail. These people were just doing their jobs, after all, and she didn’t want to kill anyone!

“Heat wave!” a deep voice called, and Wendy glanced over her shoulder to see Pantherlily throwing himself in front of an attack which would’ve taken out Happy and Carla, deflecting it with his sword.

“You again!” the big exceed hissed, fur bristling up as the crowd of guards parted around one of the executioners they’d just beat up. And if one of them was back up...

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t underestimate the kingdom’s greatest executioners.” the one with the paper magic purred, and Wendy narrowed her eyes as the plant magic wizard at her side tittered an agreement.

The weird-looking guy Natsu had laughed at was carried up a moment later on a platform held by several soldiers, chanting away like this was business as usual, and finally the armoured one emerged from the crowd. He’d lost his helmet, and carried different weapons now- less ornate ones, but they looked sharper- but it was definitely the same guy.

“I fully understand your doctrine.” the lead executioner said as they all turned to face him. “Now, I’m going to impart my doctrine unto you.” his eyes blazed with fury and purpose as he lifted a blade to point directly at Natsu. “We never allow the guilty to leave this palace alive!”

“You’re stubborn bastards, dammit!” Natsu groaned, and Wendy breathed deep, eating as much air as she could. The executioners would be hindered by having this many royal guards in the melee as well, but that didn’t make them any less dangerous. It just meant that none of them knew what attacks to expect. Wendy tightened her fists, rooted her feet, and set her eyes on the nearest executioner. No more holding back, this was a fight with her life on the line once again.

She sorta hated how common those were becoming, really.

Chapter Text

Gray’s everything hurt. Rufus hadn’t gone down easy, and Lyon had put up a damn good fight, if a short one. His arm over Juvia’s shoulders had been most of what was keeping him upright for the last few blocks, and now she was leaning on him in turn, clearly drained after fighting Lamia Scale’s little Godslayer. What was it with pint-sized sky wizards? Wendy and Chelia both packed a way bigger punch than their appearance or usual attitude suggested, and they both used Lost Magic variants of the element to boot.

Maybe something about Sky magic made it easier to learn if you had a certain sort of personality? Ur had said elemental magics were like that, way back when he was first starting out. Solid elements took a strong will, while less-solid ones tended to lean into a specific emotion. Fire was closely tied to anger, that much was common knowledge, maybe Sky magic was tied to cheerfulness? Something to look into, later. He should ask Laki and Laxus about their elemental training as well, for broader reference.

Something bright flashed overhead, and when Gray glanced up he saw the Sabertooth guild symbol shining white in the rapidly darkening sky. Sting’s magic, no doubt. He’d seen Natsu do similar stuff with his fire during festival parades, it was hardly a surprise one of his little brothers knew the same trick. Still...

Gray hung his head back with a groan, and pivoted to head down the correct street. He and Juvia were spent after their fights, and if everyone had stuck to the plan... Gajeel had fought the other Sabertooth dragon, Erza taken out Minerva, and Laxus brought down Jura. Of the three of them, Gajeel was the only one likely to have enough magic left to actually fight all out, and he’d boasted during the 2v2 combat round that he knew how Sting fought. So, the rest of them would provide backup while Gajeel won them the Games. Hell, Erza may even be able to power Gajeel back up, if she had a blade or two she didn’t mind parting with, which would further cement their win.

Sometimes Gray kinda envied the dragon dorks, even if they were weird and tended to freak out non-wizards unintentionally. The ability to recharge magic near-instantly just by consuming your own element was a hell of a trick to have up your sleeve. One that Godslayers shared, apparently. Pitting Juvia against Chelia had been a hell of a gamble, on that front, but she’d been S-Rank before she came to Fairy Tail, and Gray knew firsthand just how hard she could hit when she got serious.

“Juvia does not think she will be of much help, fighting Sting.” she mumbled, as they limped ever closer to the flare.

“Yeah, me neither.” Gray sighed. “But we can support the others.”

“Moral support, maybe.” Juvia grumbled, and Gray snorted. Instantly regretted it, as his sides promptly reminded him of the beating he’d taken fighting Rufus, but Juvia was giggling instead of being weird. He’d take his wins where he could get them.

They arrived at the... plaza? Garden? It was hard to tell, honestly- right about when the rest of their guildmates did, and Gray had to fight not to wince in front of their opponent. Erza wore her everyday armour, which meant that she’d been in a fight fierce enough she had to both ditch what she’d been wearing at the start of the day and the armour she’d used in the fight. More worrying, though, was the fact that she’d picked up a stick somewhere and was visibly leaning on it, heavily favouring her right ankle. That had definitely been a fight to remember, and he’d missed it being busy with his own battle. Did video lacrimae have the ability to store and re-display data yet? He’d have to check after the Games, see if he could find videos of his guildmates’ fights.

Gajeel, on Erza’s other side, didn’t have the benefit of crisp clean clothes to distract from how much of a beating he’d taken. More than that, he looked emotionally exhausted from having to fight his little brother, and Gray wasn’t entirely sure he’d be up for another round with the other Sabertooh dragon. On the far side, Laxus wasn’t limping, but his movements were stiff and precise. He’d also gotten smacked around, though considering his opponent that was hardly surprising, and was probably sporting banged-up ribs same as Gray.

Man, fuck rib injuries.

“What a sight.” Sting laughed, standing from the rim of the fountain he’d been sitting on. “And to think, I practically worshipped you people seven years ago.”

“Cut the chit-chat, dral’ika [glowstick].” Gajeel growled, the low sound adding an inhuman edge to his voice. “We’re the last ones standing.”

“We’ll even let you pick who to fight.” Gray added in, because of course Sting would pick Gajeel, since Gajeel didn’t get to finish that 2v2 match and from everything the dragons had said, the Sabertooth twins wanted nothing more than to prove to their ori’vod [big brother] just how much they’d grown. “Make it an even match, like the rest of our battles have been.”

Erza snorted, but when Gray glanced at her she shook her head. Eh, he’d ask later, if he remembered.

“Please.” Sting scoffed, crossing his arms. “If you really want a fair fight, all five of you come at me at once.” he smirked, fangs flashing as the lanterns around them lit up. “With your wounds, beating you down one at a time would hardly be a show worth watching.”

“You shouldn’t underestimate Fairy Tail.” Juvia warned, straightening up from under his arm, eyes narrowing in anger.

“Of course not.” Sting rolled his eyes. “I know exactly who’d track me down for a ‘spar’ later if I did that.”

From Gajeel’s chuckle, the answer to that was Natsu. And considering Natsu had kicked Sting and Rogue’s asses in tandem... yeah, one on one he’d hand the White Dragon his ass on a platter.

“This is me respecting you enough to make your failure entertaining to our audience down to the last.” Sting chuckled, uncrossing his arms and rolling his shoulders one at a time. “I’ll crush all of you at once. Wasn’t sure of Minerva’s orders to stay out of the fighting all day, but taking you all out so close to the finish line? That’ll be worth it. That’ll show you, and Minerva, and Lector. You’ll all see how strong I am!”

Lector? His cat? Hadn’t the guy been grieving that furball the other night, just before they went down to the mass dragon grave and Lucy got arrested? Then again, most cultures believed in some sort of afterlife the dead could look on from. And Wendy had brought a dragon back from it to talk to, so... eh, not the dumbest thing he’d heard someone say before kicking his ass.

“I ain’t got a clue what you’re saying.” Laxus sighed, because he hadn’t been there for the dragon graveyard thing. Shit, one of them still had to warn him about that. Gray had completely forgotten, what with everything else going on. “You’re serious, though?”

Sting nodded, hands curling into not fists but claws, just like Fairy Tail’s dragons did when they sparred out back behind the guild hall.

“Very well then.” Erza tapped her walking stick, and all of them straightened up, nearly as one. “If you are prepared to accept whatever outcome may be, then we will fight you as a team, Sting Eucliffe.”

“That’s just how it’s gotta be.” Sting spread his arms in a mockery of a magnanimous shrug. “I’ll let you all see it, the true heights of my power!” white, nearly blinding magic wrapped around his body, the air swirling around him, dust and motes of sparkling magic defining its curls. A circle began to pulse beneath his feet, but before he declared whether he was activating White Drive or daratiui’kadyc [dragon state of mind]... he froze. His eyes flicked over the five of them, standing tall despite the fact that only Gajeel stood half a chance of actually winning, before settling on either Erza or Gajeel.

His fists began to tremble, the light of his spell flickering and going out, and when he made to step forwards he instead collapsed to his knees on the cobblestones. “I- I surrender. I can’t-”

Gajeel stepped forward, but whatever noise he started to make was cut off by Erza limping right up to Sting. “Sting.” she drew the White Dragon’s attention up from the cobblestones. Gray swayed on his feet, and found Juvia at his shoulder again, propping him up even as she leaned on him for the same support. “Why did you not attack us?”

“Because...” Sting’s face twisted, though Gray didn’t know him well enough to read him by that alone. “I got the feeling... I’d never see him again. Minerva promised that, if I won, she’d give him back, but... for some reason, I got the feeling...” his voice hitched, and Gray winced as he put the pieces together. Sabertooth’s queen bitch had baited Sting with hope that his cat was alive. Win the Games, get your cat back, and he’d seen through it at the last moment. That had to hurt, like losing him all over again.

“I don’t get it, myself.” Sting admitted, doing an admirable job of keeping the tears brimming in his eyes out of his voice. “It’s like... like you were too bright to look at, and... as I am now...”

“Don’t.” Gajeel interjected, shouldering past Erza and dropping to one knee in front of Sting, drawing him in to knock their foreheads together. “Alive, dead, Lector would never be disappointed in you.”

“Erzy!” someone called from behind them, and Gray turned to see some chick with cat ears and a smile, waving at them with the arm not holding a small red cat. Wait... wasn’t she one of the people from the Tower of Heaven?

Sting made a wounded, animal noise, and Gajeel chuckled as the younger dragon scrambled to his feet, staggering forwards at a run. The cat met him halfway, leaping into his arms, and Gray smiled as he leaned further against Juvia’s steady warmth, watching the two embrace. Fairy Tail got first place, and Gajeel’s Sabertooth brother got his cat back. Wins all around.

Tonight was looking up.

Chapter Text

“Give up, convicts!” the annoying executioner knight guy yelled over the din of battle.

“We’re not convicts, dammit!” Natsu howled, throwing back the latest wave of palace guards. They’d managed to get up a flight of stairs into a hall lined with huge paintings of the Fioran countryside from around the kingdom, but every foot was hard-won “Execution this, criminals that, how about I execute you, huh?!”

Between the sheer numbers of the guards and the raw power of the executioners, they were all on their last legs. Lucy was using just her whip, Wendy was clawing her way through a thicket of vines trying to tie her down, Pantherlily had that damn purple paper stuck to him, Happy and Carla were... floating? Whatever it was, the fisherman guy seemed to be doing it, so it couldn’t be good. Even he and Loke were running out of steam, especially after their earlier fights.

“Tai?” fisherman-guy cocked his head, then yelped and... fell through the floor? Happy and Carla dropped a little before sprouting wings and darting back over to him and Wendy, but at the far end of the mass of guards, people were starting to scream, and a strange smell reached his nose. Familiar, but not, muddled by the myriad scents around him.

“What’s happening?” the annoying executioner asked, raising his voice to be heard all down the hall, kinda impressive for someone without a dragon’s lungs. “Report!”

“Shadows!” paper-lady yelled back, sounding panicked. “There are shadows, swallowing the troops!”

“Shadows?” Lucy whispered, and a moment later Natsu saw them for himself, their enemies sinking into a blackened floor, screaming until odd, colour-rimed tendrils of darkness reached up to gag them.

“Everyone, behind me!” Natsu barked, meeting Loke’s eyes. Loke nodded, and placed himself firmly in front of the Lucys, while Wendy and the cats huddled up just behind him, Pantherlily crouched in front of Happy and Carla and all bristled up. The guards opposite the shadows fled, screaming in terror, and darkness bubbled up to fill the corridor, a haunting, cracking laugh rolling out of it.

“Someone’s in there.” Loke muttered.

“Only one of you has to die tonight.” the voice rasped, and the shadows began to recede. No, to condense, all drawing in towards a single form. And when it finished, Wendy’s gasp eclipsed the shocked breath Natsu drew through his teeth. The man before them was too old, too lean, with hair too long and unfamiliar scars. One eye was still slitted red, but the other burnt a violent yellow, and patchy scales in an assortment of horrifically familiar colours decorated his chest, bared by a large tear down the front of his bloodied shirt.

Still, it was impossible not to recognize his own vod’ika [little brother].

“Rogue?” he stepped forwards, reaching out with his soul, but he couldn’t sense the man who stood before him. “What’s going on?”

“Natsu.” Rogue choked out, eyes watering as he staggered forwards, leaking light of all things, like Sting used to do when they were little. “Munit’nara! [It’s been so long!]”

“Monster.” Future Lucy hissed behind him, and Natsu’s attention snapped to her in an instant. “Kar’t’epar! [Heart-eater!]”

“Alor’tiuika ani be’ka’ra. [All-Princess of Stars]” Rogue hissed back, his tone just as venomous.

“Hey, hey. Udesii [Easy], you two!” Lucy yelped, stepping between her future-double and... Future Rogue, Natsu guessed? “We can talk this out like grown-ups, yeah?”

“Y- yeah!” Happy chimed in, alighting on Natsu’s shoulder. “Thanks for saving us, Future Rogue!”

“What did you come back in time to do?” Carla asked, cutting straight to the point.

“To prevent the end of the world.” Future Rogue said, his voice rough and the skin around his eyes a painful-looking pink. Natsu glanced down at Pantherlily, and a moment later the cat was full sized. Natsu stepped slowly forwards, reaching for Future Rogue in the kara’cika [nebula] again.

“Then we’re all on the same side, prud’ika [little shadow].” he said in Draconic, keeping his voice level, trying to project the air of confidence and control that Gajeel had carried as long as Natsu had known him. “Luce has a plan, we’re not gonna let things go bad like they did for you two.”

“No, no!” Rogue shook his head, but didn’t back away as Natsu took another step closer. “You can’t!” a sob wrenched out of his throat, and Natsu took another step as his vod’ika [little brother] collapsed to his knees, magic crackling around him which smelled more like ethernano than his usual shadows. “You can’t.”

“What can’t I do, prud’ika [little shadow]?” he asked, taking a knee in front of Rogue and slowly, carefully, taking his little brother’s face in his hands. Sting and Rogue called themselves twins, but Rogue had always been smaller, quieter, happy to be the shadow hidden behind Sting’s light. He’d always been Natsu’s youngest brother, and seven extra years thanks to time travel didn’t change that, not the first time and not the second.

“Tell them.” Future Lucy said, her voice demanding Natsu’s attention. “Tell them what’s become of our world.”

“In seven years... the world is ruled by dragons.” Rogue choked out, his voice strained. “Humanity is a bare fraction of what it was, and above them all rules the All-King, King of every dragon.”

“Acnologia.” Wendy whispered, her horror a chill in the kara’cika [nebula].

“He captured us, forced us to fight for their entertainment.” Rogue shivered, and Natsu flared his magic, straining the tome’mir [psychic bond] he shared with his tra’viin [flight] to try to reach the man trembling before him. “All to kill as many dragons as possible, to hone one into a blade with which to slaughter the rest.”

“That’s horrible!” Lucy gasped, and Future Lucy made a sound of surprise.

“You can follow this?” she asked, and Natsu didn’t have to look to know Lucy nodded. “Huh. It took me years to get fluent, and that was after dragons became the dominant species. You must’ve picked it up from me somehow.”

“Time travel.” Lucy shrugged, and Natsu bit back a laugh.

“See, Rogue?” he soothed, running a hand down the back of Rogue’s head, over his unwashed, snarled hair. “Lucy is Lucy. She’s a friend, we can trust her.”

“No, we can’t!” Rogue shot to his feet, just as Natsu finally grasped the sense of him in their tome’mir [psychic bond], and the wave of rage-grief-terror which met him nearly knocked him on his ass. “Die!” Rogue howled, and a multicoloured circle bloomed before him.

“Run!” Future Lucy yelled, cloak swirling as she slashed a hand under it, a circle lighting in front of her and deflecting Rogue’s attack.

“Lily, get them out of here!” Natsu yelled, and from the yelps which followed the cat had scooped Wendy and Lucy both up.

“I don’t need you to fight for me anymore, Natsu.” Future Lucy snapped, expertly dodging Rogue’s next attack- and why were his circles so fucked up? Why were his shadows edged with lights, his scales a patchwork of so many colours?

“I’m not leaving my vod’ika [little brother].” he snapped right back, even as Loke dragged him out of swiping distance of Rogue. “He’s scared, he needs-”

“Fight, or leave!” Future Lucy ordered, and for one horrifying second Natsu’s mind went blank. He looked at Future Rogue, his vod’ika [little brother], and saw a stranger, an enemy, someone who wanted to hurt his Lucy for no reason at all.

Rogue’s terror spiked like ice against him, and Natsu staggered away from Future Lucy with a gasp, clutching a hand over his racing heart. “Wha-”

“Don’t you dare touch him!” Rogue screamed, and a barrage of multicoloured shadows flew at Future Lucy, a separate one snaring Natsu around the waist and jerking him off his feet.

“Princess!” Loke yelped, but he didn’t manage to pull her entirely clear of the swarm of projectiles. Two caught her cloak, and the enveloping fabric billowed away on the bladed shadows until they struck the far wall. Future Lucy wasn’t bare underneath, was actually dressed rather sensibly, with a vibrant blue skort and darker blue halter top, both decorated with white embroidery. Somehow, Natsu thought he might have prefered if a wardrobe malfunction was all she’d been hiding.

Her skin was covered in swirling blue designs, marked all up and down her limbs, peeking through the sliver of a gap where her shirt had ridden up past the waistband of her skort. Markings that looked entirely too familiar to be a coincidence. “I’m going to kill you for that.” Future Lucy said, and her voice was far too level, far too cold for the words which had just come out of her mouth. “Both of you.”

“Lucy, wai-”

Future Lucy’s hand snapped out, caught Loke by the neck, and crushed. He dissolved in a spray of golden light, and she inhaled deeply, drawing it into herself. Eating it. Like a dragon. “Stay.” she ordered, and her voice had weight, had power.

Natsu could do nothing as she turned and fled, scooping up her cloak as she ran and clasping it around her shoulders again. Rogue hissed something under his breath, and a moment later he could move again, collapsing to his knees at his brother’s side.

“What in the ever-burning fuck was that?” he panted, trembling in every limb despite himself.

“That was Lucy Hart, All-Princess of Stars.” Future Rogue said, his voice as level and firm as Natsu had heard it yet. “Celestial dragon, arena champion, and heiress to the All-King.”