11

Natsu woke bright and early, the sun only just peeking over the mountains to bathe Magnolia in its warm radiance.

He'd actually had a rather enjoyable afternoon, minus the obvious. Seeing Ur and Erza return with a nice bed for the Ice Make Mage was certainly nice, even if they made him put the thing together. And Elise's reaction upon learning who Ur was, he also found highly amusing.

But now, the time had come for him to help out Mira with her stalker situation. His Magical Core felt sufficiently full, and would likely settle as the day progressed. But, just in case, he'd spent the remainder of his free time yesterday stocking up on some essentials, should he need them.

Wearing a similar outfit to what he wore yesterday, only swapping the white t-shirt for a black one, he made his way out into Magnolia.

There weren't many people out, which made getting to Mira's house a breeze, taking him less than five minutes. Arriving right as the sun finished ascending over the mountains, he knocked on the door to the Strauss Manor, a rather lavish home not too dissimilar to his own in terms of how upper class it seemed.

The door opened, and he wasn't greeted by Mira, but rather, her Brother.

"Damn, Mira said you were weirdly prompt," the muscular man joked. "Gotta admit, being right on time is pretty freaking manly!"

A Member Of The Fairy Tail Guild

One Of The Take Over Siblings

Fairy Tail's Beast Arm

Elfman Strauss

"Believe me when I tell you that when you're part of a military, they drill in punctuality," Natsu chuckled in reply. "How are you Elfman?"

"Doing good man! And yeah, I heard Mira mention that you did time over in Scarlione while you were away with Gildarts," Elfman replied as he motioned for Natsu to enter the Strauss Home. "So, you're like a war vet, right?"

"That would be correct, yes."

"You're a man's man Natsu, respect," Elfman grinned as he offered Natsu a fist bump, which was immediately reciprocated. "Thanks for agreeing to take Mira to her shoot. Normally I'd do it, but gramps apparently needs my help with some heavy lifting over at the Guild Hall?"

"I think its probably going to buy the pool supplies," Natsu replied, not actually having a clue what excuse Mira had concocted, but deciding to roll with it anyway. "You know, like those bags of salt and shit?"

"Ah, yeah. I think I remember gramps going on about that stuff a little while before he went off with Gildarts?"

"Sorry if I made you wait Natsu," Mira chirped as she came down the stairs, wearing a rather lovely black dress with dark purple frills around the pleated skirt. She also wore matching-colored high heels and a sleeveless glove on her right hand that had a small Lacrima at the center of her palm.

"My Lady Strauss," Natsu teased, dropping into a half bow with his left hand behind his back, the right outstretched for her hand. "Your Knight has come to escort you…"

"Oh my, how charming," Mira giggled as she gently took his hand. "Lead on my brave and noble Knight!"

"You think he's joking, but I heard Elise say the other day that he actually is a Knight," Elfman smirked, prompting Mira to blink in surprise as she looked between her Brother and Natsu.

"Since when was this a thing!? And Elfman, why was I not informed of this juicy piece of gossip!?"

"I thought you knew," Elfman shrugged, grinning at Mira's genuinely shocked face. "Have fun Sis!"

Elfman used Mira's shock as his chance for an easy escape, fleeing out the door and down the road toward the Guild Hall. The sounds of him chanting variations of 'Man' and 'Manly' could be heard as the pair stood on Mira's front porch.

"You know, I actually kinda like how he turned out," Natsu chuckled, bringing Mira back into reality as she puffed up her cheeks and swatted his arm. "What?"

"You've been hiding juicy gossip from me!"

"I hide things from everyone, I'm a mysterious individual who you all can't help but gravitate toward due to my secrets…"

Leaping from the porch, he landed on one of the ornate stone pillars lining her garden, landing on one foot as he covered his face with his right hand.

"This world just isn't ready for my secrets, don't you see? Even I'm being pulled every which way, stuck on this never-ending roller coaster of misery and intrigue …"

"The Rogue Knight by L.J Entimoly," Mira smirked as she strode toward where he posed dramatically. "Normally, I'd tell you to stop being an absolute goof, but I actually appreciate that reference, since it almost threw me off."

"Almost," Natsu grinned, hopping down and landing at her front gate. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," Mira giggled as the pair strolled down toward Magnolia Station. "I'll admit, as serious as I should be about what we're going to do, I'm rather excited."

"Excited?"

"I've got to hear what doing a job with you is like through Erza, Elise and Gray. Now, I get to see you in action firsthand!"

The pair stopped at a nearby corner as a cart slowly rolled by, Natsu shaking his head in amusement.

"Let's hope this doesn't get as hectic as my last few outings into Fiore?"

"Fair point," the white-haired Mage giggled as they arrived at the station. "By the way, I forgot to mention it to you yesterday, but you should have your payment from that Decade Quest in by this afternoon."

"Oh yeah," Natsu hummed as they bought their tickets and boarded the train. "Was wondering how quick that tool Doma would see me paid out?"

"Erza told me about him, and about how corrupt he seems to be," Mira replied with a frown as they found a compartment and took a seat. "Apparently the two of you have a history?"

"A history is putting it lightly," Natsu huffed in response. "If I could, I would legitimately kill that bastard… But enough about all that, right?"

"Right," Mira agreed, seemingly perking right up again. "How long has it been since the two of us did anything like this together?"

"I'm getting vivid memories," Natsu muttered, dramatically holding his head, eliciting giggles from Mira at his antics. "I'm seeing … the two of us in a forest, and you using me as bait for a swarm of giant wasps …"

"Wait, what?"

"You don't remember," Natsu asked, clearly surprised, as Mira shook her head. "You took me along, saying you wanted to teach me something, only to use me as live bait for these man-eating hornets in a forest, though I don't remember which one it was…"

"I can't believe I did that," Mira sighed sadly. "You must have thought I was a real jerk?"

"I did," Natsu replied bluntly. "But then again, most everyone in the Guild kind of treated me like a beat stick."

"Wait, so it wasn't just me?"

"Nah, you actually weren't too bad, even if people called you a Demon all the time. Sure, you'd use me as live bait, or pick on me for being a little too close to … Lisanna," Natsu replied, both of them avoiding each other's gazes momentarily at the name of the youngest Strauss sibling. "But Erza used to kick the shit out of me all the time. Gray did as well once he gained some confidence. Laxus has, and still does, hate my guts. He put me in the hospital once…"

"WHAT!? WHEN DID HE DO THAT," Mira gasped loudly, nearly shooting up out of her seat in shock.

"About a year before I left with Gildarts," Natsu sighed as he looked out the window. "I was wandering around in the woods and came across him training by himself. Me, being the brainless and naïve child I was, walked right up to him and asked if I could train with him?"

Mira waited with baited breath, knowing full well that she wasn't about to like what she heard at all.

"I found out from Freed about a month after that Laxus had lost a fight to some random Mage in a bar in a back-end town. Apparently, the guy literally took him out back and thrashed him, completely and utterly destroyed him."

"Even if that did happen, he shouldn't have taken it out on you," Mira replied angrily, shaking her head. "What did the Master say?"

"…"

"Natsu? What did the Master say about what Laxus did to you?"

"Nothing," Natsu replied plainly as he met her now rapidly increasing glare.

"Nothing? What do you mean he said nothing!?"

"Never told him about it."

Mira was floored by his response, yet Natsu didn't even seem to care. Instead, he looked at her, almost as if he didn't understand why she was getting so worked up over it.

"How long were you in the hospital for?"

"Around a week and a half."

"And you didn't tell Master Makarov anything?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Heh. I honestly can't really answer that," Natsu chuckled in reply as he watched the countryside go by. "Was it because Freed begged me not to? Was it me feeling sorry for Laxus getting his pride ruined? Was it because I was genuinely an idiot, and Laxus' lightning fried my brain worse than it already was? I honestly couldn't tell you…"

Mira took a deep breath, and sighed, before opting to also look out the window like Natsu was. After several moments, she finally looked back in his direction, surprised to see he'd done the same.

"I don't want to hear you've let Laxus walk over you ever again," Mira said quietly, eliciting only an intrigued raising of Natsu's right eyebrow. "If he ever does anything to harm you, or another member of Fairy Tail, ever again … I expect you to dish out what he did to you."

"Believe me, I have no intention of letting Laxus, or anyone else for that matter, walk all over me. You've already gotten to know me as I am now, right? Surely, you don't actually think I would let Laxus do that, considering I literally scuffled with him because he hit you?"

"Oh, right," Mira replied with a faint blush, recalling that moment. "I actually forgot about that…"

"I'll make that promise regardless," Natsu continued as she looked back up at him, noticing the stern gaze he held. "Laxus has only gotten worse since I left, and I have no intention of letting him go as far as he did with me."

"That's all I can ask for Natsu," Mira smiled, leaning forward and placing her hand over his. "We've still got around another hour before we get to Elira Town, so we should probably change the subject."

"Agreed," Natsu replied, smiling slightly. "How about we talk about your upcoming shoot?"

"Actually, I'm keeping that a secret for now," Mira smirked in reply, her usual cheery attitude returning.

"Why?"

"Let's just say that I've got something special planned for this one, and I think you're going to like it!"

"Will I actually like it, or are you just saying that to get my hopes up," Natsu asked, only receiving a cheeky smile in response. "Don't go getting my hopes up only to dash them Mira, I'll mope for ages if you do!"

The pair laughed and quickly moved onto other topics, as the train made its way to Elira Town.

***POTD***

"Welcome to Elira Town Natsu," Mira grinned as they got off the train, the white-haired Mage skipping ahead, twirling around to gesture to the view from the station platform.

The town was certainly different from many of the others he'd seen in Fiore. Unlike most others, which were built either along the coast, or on large expanses of open land, Elira Town was built within a tropical sort of environment.

The only truly artificially constructed buildings were the train station, and the tracks that brought said train here. Everything else appeared to be grown, or molded, into buildings and infrastructure of all kinds.

The buildings seemed to be expertly blended with mangrove trees, the roots forming the base of the structure with sizeable trunks all wrapped together to create a home for someone to live in.

The larger buildings appeared to be made from older mangrove trees that had grown so large, they loomed over the area. It was rather strange to look at, seeing what would ordinarily be a skyscraper, only its partially sideways.

Looking down at the ground, he noticed most of it was actually water based, which made sense considering all the mangroves. People seemed to be standing on mobile lily pads that gently moved them between the buildings at a calm pace.

All in all, Elira Town was certainly a unique place, and not one Natsu had really encountered before.

"I'm surprised a place like this can exist without the Magic Council ruining it?"

"I doubt they'd get away with it, considering one of the Wizard Saints made Elira Town themselves."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It was around thirty years ago, Saint Warrod was supposedly walking through this place, when he got inspired by the strange ways mangroves formed, and decided to see what would happen if he made a town here using his Magic," Mira replied knowingly as they descended the station steps and gently stood on a lily pad. "You can see the result."

Mira placed her hand over the stem sticking out of the center of the lily pad, as Natsu watched it glow briefly, before slowly beginning to move.

"You can command them to take you to a specific location within Elira," Mira supplied, seeing Natsu's curiosity. "I asked it to take us to Sorcery Weekly's Headquarters."

"Right," Natsu nodded, more focused on soaking up the scenery than paying full attention on what Mira was saying, not that she minded, however.

They enjoyed the ride over to one of the largest mangrove trees in Elira Town, and Natsu could see that Sorcerer Weekly had been somehow perfectly grown into the trunk of the mangrove itself.

Humming in interest, Mira led him inside, and again, his curiosity was roused as it looked just like a regular building.

"Magic," Mira giggled, flicking Natsu's ear, snapping him out of his musings as she gently took his arm and led him to the front desk.

"Miss Strauss," the pretty, young receptionist smiled warmly. "We've been expecting you! Oh, and is this the special guest you mentioned?"

"Yes. This is Natsu, a really close friend of mine," Mira replied cheerily, as Natsu fought tooth and nail not to show any sign that he was extremely happy to hear her introduce him like that. "The usual room?"

"Yes. Your photographer is in, so I'll give her a buzz now," the receptionist nodded, before walking off into a backroom.

"This way," Mira smiled as she led Natsu toward a small looking elevator. Mira was about to click on the button, only for the doors to swing open and reveal a stunning young woman.

Standing at six foot six, the woman in question had the body of a supermodel, her voluptuous form certainly drawing Natsu's eye for a moment, before he returned his gaze to her bright blue eyes.

"Mirajane Strauss," the young woman purred, flicking back her long blonde hair and smirking in their direction. "Back for another shoot, I see? But, before that, who's the hunk?"

"This is Natsu, another S Class Mage from Fairy Tail, and a really close friend who only recently returned after being gone for a decade," Mira replied with a warm smile.

"Any chance I can convince you to run away with me for a decade," the woman purred as she strode sensually toward him, running a well-manicured finger across his jawline, as she licked her lips. "Mama likes … rawr~!"

A Model For Sorcerer Weekly

S Class Mage of the Blue Pegasus Guild

Mira's Friend And Arch Rival

Jenny Realight

Mira was stunned at the forwardness Jenny was showing toward Natsu, not having expected it from the woman whom she'd worked with for so long. However, it was Natsu's response that completely floored her, as she watched him do a complete one-eighty in his personality.

"Jenny, was it," Natsu asked, running a hand through his hair, before looking at the young model through half lidded eyes. "To have a pretty little dove such as yourself think so highly of me … well …"

Mira's jaw dropped as Natsu purposely blushed whilst giving Jenny a shy, yet clearly flirtatious smile. He then gently took her hand, and brushed his lips over her knuckles, causing the blonde bombshell to fiercely blush, unable to even stutter, clearly not prepared for his response.

"I see you've got the Guild Mark of Blue Pegasus on your shoulder," Natsu continued, his voice somehow seeming slightly deeper, and more masculine, as he spoke. "I do so love a woman who can be both a lover, and a fighter…"

"I-I am," Jenny squeaked, giggling like she were a giddy schoolgirl. "I'm one of the S Class Mages of Blue Pegasus!"

"S Class? Truly? Well … just another thing we have in common then, isn't it," Natsu smiled as he gently reached out and booped her nose with his index finger. "Alas, Mira and I have an important meeting to attend…"

The moment she was booped on the nose, it seemed to snap Jenny out of whatever Natsu had done to her, as the beautiful blonde model desperately tried to compose herself, failing horribly.

"Perhaps we can speak another time, Jenny…"

The sound of a ding snapped Mira out of her shocked stupor, as the doors to the elevator closed. She blinked rapidly and looked around, not having noticed that they had somehow swapped places with Jenny in that brief exchange.

"Well," Natsu sighed, before chuckling softly. "That was fun."

"Natsu…"

"Yeah?"

"What the actual hell was that!?"

"What was what?"

Mira narrowed her eyes, seeing the cheeky grin and twinkle in his eyes as she crossed her arms, glaring up at him.

"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about! Where did … THAT come from!?"

"I do not understand the question being posed to me?"

"Where did that ridiculous charm and charisma come from," Mira huffed. "I've never seen Jenny so flustered in the entire decade I've known her, and you pulled it off in under three minutes!?"

"Oh, that," Natsu chuckled. "I mean, can you really say I haven't been charming and charismatic since I returned? I can walk right into Era and bully the Chairman of the Magic Council and turn the others against him, so I'd call that charismatic?"

"You know damn well that isn't the kind of charm and charisma I'm talking about," Mira replied, unable to help herself from giggling slightly. "You could have asked her to find a room with you, and she'd have easily said yes."

"Oh, you mean THAT kind of charm and charisma," Natsu grinned. "I mean, I wouldn't say its any kind of special skill or anything? I guess I was just fortunate enough to have some women give me a few pointers here and there…"

Mira shook her head as the elevator stopped on the level they needed to go, the doors swinging open with Mira stepping out first. Motioning for him to follow, she led them to a room at the end of the hall and opened the door.

The pair walked in, and Natsu immediately recalled the room from the photo Mira had shown him from the magazine, which was identical in every way. With that little but of knowledge, he looked around curiously, noticing a bunch of props like the heart-shaped pillow with the devil horns.

"Now that we're here, I want to lay this out before the photographer gets here," Mira said, snapping his attention back toward her as she seemed to be fiddling with the frills on her dress.

"What is it?"

"Remember how I said I didn't want to talk about the shoot because it was going to be a surprise?"

"A surprise you said I'd like, if I recall?"

"Yeah," Mira replied with a small smile. "When I called up my photographer, and told her I'd be doing a shoot, and that I'd be bringing you along instead of Elfman… I might have suggested that we could … both … do the shoot?"

Natsu stared blankly at Mira, her words not quite computing for a moment as the gears in his head slowly wrapped their head around what she had just told him. Slowly, his eyebrows began their ascent, his eyes catching up.

"You wanna run that one by me again Mira," Natsu replied slowly. "I didn't hear what I think I just heard, did I?"

"I suggested to my photographer that we could both do the shoot … together," Mira repeated, as Natsu searched Mira's eyes for even the slightest hint that this was a joke.

"You aren't kidding, are you?"

"No, I'm not," the white-haired Mage replied quietly. "Are you mad?"

"I'm not mad," Natsu replied immediately, realizing it probably seemed that way. "I'm just … shocked, I guess. Like, does this photographer even know what I look like?"

"I may have shown her a photo of you from the recent Eisenwald and Lullaby Incident…"

"Right," Natsu sighed, running a hand through his hair as he paced back and forth on the spot. "And the photographer thinks it would be a good idea?"

"She said that it would probably sell faster, because you'd immediately pull the female readers in. And honestly, after what I just saw you do with Jenny just now, I think she's right."

"You know what," Natsu asked as he stopped pacing and looked down at Mira. "I'll do it."

"You will," Mira replied, genuinely shocked at how quickly he came around to the idea. "I had this whole speech planned on how to convince you to do it and everything-!"

"The fact you trust me enough to do something like this with you, is enough," Natsu smiled, before the innocence was quickly corrupted. "Besides, can you imagine the reactions of everyone in the Guild when they see it!?"

Mira couldn't help but laugh, already imagining the chaos it would cause. She decided not to mention the fact that he would become quite famous from being featured alongside her, for what would be his debut, no less. That was a little detail they could discuss later.

"Well alright then," Mira grinned. "I have to say, I really like how eager you are to just go with the flow of things Natsu."

"I know this will probably make me sound like a broken record by now, but I suppose I have Scarlione to thank for that," Natsu replied with a slight chuckle. "When I wasn't fighting or doing official duties for the crown, I often had to just embrace whatever I could do, whenever I could do it. You sort of learn to just let loose and have fun with whatever you're doing, especially when any day you could die."

"Well, I'm glad you have such a good outlook on life Natsu, despite what you had to go through to achieve it," Mira replied warmly, as the door to their room slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a woman who stood at around eight foot three, and appeared to be in her mid to late thirties. Natsu would certainly still call her beautiful, with her rather voluptuous, almost motherly figure, that also retained some serious muscle. A rather stunning combo.

She had slightly dark skin, short, sky-blue colored hair that was rather tomboyish in its appearance, and her face seemed to mimic such, as she sported a wide, toothy grin, a prominent fang jutting out far more on the left side of her mouth than her right.

She wore what most would consider to be rather intimidating clothes, consisting of a pair of long, navy-blue baggy pants that had grey fur lining the edging, and a matching sleeveless overcoat that had the Mermaid Heel Guild Mark prominently displayed at the center of her back. Her actual Guild Mark was located on her upper chest, which was quite visible since aside from the overcoat. She wasn't wearing anything else aside from some bandages to cover her breasts, which essentially left her front mostly exposed, showing off a solid six pack and numerous scars.

"Mira," the woman laughed as she rushed the white-haired Mage, pulling her into a hug that she eagerly reciprocated. "I've been waiting for you to call me for ages!"

"I know, I know," Mira giggled in reply as the larger woman gently ruffled her hair playfully. "Things at the Guild have been rather hectic the last week or so, mainly thanks to him."

"Oh yeah," the woman replied, still grinning as she eyed Natsu up and down. "That damn photo did not do you justice, let me tell ya! I assume Mira filled you in on what we're shooting here today?"

"She did … about a minute before you showed up," Natsu replied, shocking the photographer briefly before she burst into laughter.

"Ah, man! Guess that's why they call her a Demon, eh!?"

Chief Photographer For Sorcerer Weekly

S Class Mage Of The Mermaid Heel Guild

The Wild Beast

Kiara Lynnes

"Nice to meet you," Natsu grinned, quite liking Kiara's friendly demeanor as the pair shook hands.

To his surprise though, they shook the old-fashioned way, by clasping each other's lower forearms. It was an action Natsu was accustomed to in Scarlione, and he did it immediately on instinct when Kiara had gone for it, and it seemed to have made the already cheery photographer even happier.

"Ah, would ya look at that? A real man's handshake," Kiara grinned. "Been spending your time out in the wilds, have ya?"

"Scarlione, actually."

"No shit? No wonder you've got some beef on ya then," Kiara smirked as she gently squeezed his right bicep. "Yep, this right here is gonna make us all rich!"

"What do you mean by that," Natsu asked, not really sure about any of this, as Mira chimed in to answer.

"Basically, Kiara is saying that we're going to make a lot of money off of this photo shoot because so many people will buy it."

"Oh…"

"Right then! Now, since I assume this is your first time doing something like this, we've got to run through a few things?"

"I would hope so," Natsu replied, still feeling slightly awkward about the whole thing. "So, what's the first thing I should know?"

"Well, the first thing you should know, which I presume that ya do, is that this is essentially erotica we're making here," Kiara replied casually. "In a dual shoot, I'll be having the two of you in some pretty risqué positions, ya understand?"

"I kinda figured that, yeah."

"Good. You'd be surprised how many I've worked with get right through this talk and still haven't nailed down that tidbit. Moving along though, we've got to talk about the theming of a shoot!"

"This is her favorite part," Mira giggled, eliciting an eye roll from the woman.

"Themes are important, as it helps me better make a set that will sell really well. Using some past sets I've done with Mira as an example, a set might be The Teasing Girlfriend, or the Seductive Succubus, or even the Maiden Of The Night. When shooting with two people, however, I can pick from a wider variety of themes that will appeal to a greater audience."

"I get it. Basically, its like playing a character, right?"

"That's right! I've picked out a few themes we could go for today, the two of you just have to agree on one ya both would like to do?"

Kiara put her bag down and began to sift through, pulling out a folder and opening it up to reveal several photos based on particular themes.

"First up, we have the Strangers To Lovers theme. The photos start off with ya both appearing intrigued by one another, despite not even knowing each other. As the shoot progresses, the passion will increase, as you can no doubt see here…"

Natsu and Mira both nodded, fully understanding the idea behind it. After all, it wasn't exactly rocket science how an encounter like that would go, was it?

"The next theme I have is rather cutesy, and with Natsu's involvement, will likely draw in a significantly large number of sales from the female crowd."

"I can see why," Natsu chuckled as he looked at one of the photos.

"The Passionate And Playful theme is a rather lighthearted one, basically designed to capitalize on both the horny crowd, and the crowd that go wild for pairing Mages together."

"Can we pick this one," Mira asked, looking over to Natsu curiously. "I think it would be quite fun to shoot, and it's pretty easy to do for a first timer since half of it will just be us goofing around anyway?"

"I won't lie, I'm actually pretty damn nervous about doing this," Natsu admitted, blushing slightly. "I've spent more time fighting people than … well, being intimate, I guess, so I'll just trust Mira and go with it if she thinks it's a good idea?"

"We've got all day Natsu, there's no rush," Mira replied, placing a hand on his arm. "You're doing me a real favor by agreeing to this, since the higher ups at Sorcerer Weekly have wanted me to pair with a guy for a shoot for awhile now. I'd rather it be with someone like you than … certain other men that they keep suggesting."

"All right then Mira, I'll do it," Natsu nodded, eliciting smiles from both girls. "So, how do we start this thing?"

"I think the answer to that one is rather obvious," Kiara grinned toothily. "Strip."

***POTD***

Several hours later, on the border of the tropical zone, where the endless sea of mangroves ended, a figure sprinted across the water toward a looming, dark building in the distance.

The figure panted as they arrived, the doors to the building slowly opening as they were admitted entrance. Before they managed to get even a few feet inside, they were grabbed and dragged up the central stairwell.

"I'm sorry I'm late, I swear I have a reason," the panting figure gasped as they were forcibly dragged into a sizeable throne room of sorts. "I wasn't slacking off!"

"He's grown impatient," a deep, rumbling voice responded as the now scared figure was thrown over thirty meters ahead, hitting the stone floor and skidding to a stop before a shadowed figure who sat gracefully on the throne at the far end of the hall.

"M-Master!?"

"You are late," a fair, almost melodic male voice replied gently. "I have waited an extra four hours, thirty-seven minutes, twenty seven seconds and four microseconds … for your report. Why is that, my faithful subordinate … why?"

A Member Of The Second Circle

A Demon Loyal To The Tartaros Guild

An Expert In Reconnaissance

S Rank Dark Mage

Zashily

Standing at around six feet tall and possessing a lean frame, smooth purple skin and two tiny wings and horns upon his body, Zashily was a rather effeminate looking Demon, despite being a Male.

They looked up at their Master's intense gaze, their bright orange eyes forced to look away from their Master after several moments as they shook their head rapidly and prostrated themselves before their Master.

"Great Master, I beg forgiveness," Zashily cried. "It is indeed true that I was late, but I merely acted in order to provide you with only the most vital of information!"

"You are my greatest scout Zashily," the shadowed figure replied gently. "You serve me faithfully, and can be afforded ONE chance to explain yourself."

"Oh … A thousandfold whispers of praise and gratitude to you, my Great Master! I have indeed discovered something that I knew the Great Master would need to know the full details of! Only the most important of information that trounces all others, Great Master!"

"Is that so," the shadowed figure purred. "And pray tell, what is this information that has you so fearful, Zashily?"

The Demon visibly flinched, feeling the full force of their Master's glare down upon them, as they audibly gulped.

"G-Great Master…"

Do you fear my reaction may lead to yourself befalling some sort of harm, Zashily? Do you believe my anger shall be so great by this discovery that I would lose myself in a great rage, befitting the Lord of the Second Circle?"

"Y-Yes," Zashily squeaked, eliciting the faintest raise of an eyebrow from the shadowed figure as they hummed curiously.

"Are you in some way responsible for this information becoming relevant, Zashily?"

"N-No … Great Master …"

"Then I give you my word that I shall not strike you down, should your word prove true," the shadowed figure replied neutrally. "If you did indeed dedicate time to ensuring the information is accurate, then I cannot fault my scout for doing their duty, can I?"

"Very well then, Great Master," Zashily sighed, still shaking slightly as they dared meet the gaze of the Great Master. "It involves … your future Queen, Great Master … Mirajane Strauss…"

The atmosphere of the entire room completely changed the moment the last letter left the lips of the Demon. The tall, hulking Demon that had tossed Zashily up to the end of the room, picked him up again and pulled him back slightly.

Etherious flooded the throne room, quickly escaping into the rest of the foreboding building as they slowly rose from their throne.

"My … beloved … Mirajane," the shadowed figure asked slowly. "What about her, Zashily?"

"Sh-She's in Elira T-Town," the Demon squeaked as it struggled to spit out the rest of what it had to say. "W-W-With another man-!"

"…"

"Th-They d-did a sh-shoot … f-for th-that m-magazine together!"

"…"

"Great Mas-?"

"WHAAAAAAAAAT!?"

The large Demon holding Zashily nearly fell over as the entire building, as well as part of the surrounding area, began shaking violently. The shadowed figure's eyes glowed bright yellow as a monstrous flood of Etherious Aura flowed from their enraged form, all traces of the melodic voice completely vanishing.

"IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME DOING THAT WITH MIRAJANE! ME!!!"

"Great Master, control yourself," the larger Demon barked out as the enraged figure glared at them for a moment, the sound of something cracking being audible for several moments, before the Aura flow ceased entirely.

"Zashily," the figure muttered as they slowly resumed their seat. "You mean to tell me … that MY … my Mirajane, has been touched by someone that isn't ME?"

"Yes … Great Master," Zashily replied shakily as the figure tapped their index finger on their throne, a slight vibration flowing throughout the room.

"This cannot stand. I cannot sit idly by and allow my Queen to be tainted by another," the figure muttered quietly. "I know she's read my letters, and she knows we are destined to be together … Ah, now I see …"

"See what, Great Master," Zashily asked as the figure started chuckling softly.

"My beloved Mirajane would never betray me in such a way, this I know to be true. No, it is clearly the fault of this … this disgusting Human, who has twisted my beloved's mind against me!"

Both Zashily and the larger Demon looked at each other, silently agreeing to not say anything as the figure before them continued their rant.

"We must make haste, my subjects, for your future Queen is in danger! Dispatch my Legions to Elira Town, secure my Queen, and KILL THE HUMAN WHO DARES STAND IN THE WAY OF OUR DESTINED LOVE!"

"It will be done, my Lord," the larger Demon replied firmly, bowing and dragging Zashily away, who was on the verge of having a heart attack.

"Wh-what the hell are we gonna do," Zashily asked shakily as he looked up at the larger Demon, who merely shook their head.

"We do as we are told, as Lord Mard Geer ordered us to. We are in service to the Second Circle, and cannot disobey."

"Ah … shit, you're right."

"But," the Demon continued. "That doesn't mean we can't think of something…"

Zashily blinked as the pair lumbered down the hallway, the sound of the entire building slowly waking, becoming a deafening chorus of monstrous cries.

The Second Circle, was roused.

***POTD***

Night had fallen on Elira Town, with Natsu, Mira and Kiara, all having gone out to the town's most luxurious restaurant.

"Listen man, you've gotta agree to come back! Once this shoot gets published, we're gonna be raking in the cash," Kiara grinned heartily, tearing through half a ham with a single bite. "And you've gotta make me your photographer too! No way I'm letting someone else steal the next hottest thing!"

"Kiara stop," Mira smirked, smacking the muscular woman playfully on her bicep. "Look how embarrassed he is!"

"Eh," she shrugged, grinning over at Natsu who was smiling, but also looking away to try and hide his rosy cheeks. "Nothing a good fuck won't fix-."

"KIARA," Mira squealed, blushing herself somewhat as the trio began to laugh. "My goodness, you're so worked up tonight!"

"And why wouldn't I be!? You two are about to get me a freaking award!"

"It couldn't have been that good," Natsu mumbled, still avoiding their gazes. "It was my first time doing something like that…"

"Good? Natsu, that shit was excellent! You're about to smash your way onto the celebrity scene with this!"

"Oh boy," Natsu replied, shaking his head as Mira slowly rose from her seat.

"Try not to embarrass him for a minute, I just need to go to the bathroom."

"Come on Mira, let me get it in while I can," Kiara whined back. "He's gonna be used to it by the next time, so I've gotta get as many shots in now as I can!"

Mira shook her head and made her way across the restaurant, heading into the bathroom, leaving Natsu and Kiara alone.

"Hope ya actually don't mind the teasing? I know I'm pretty forward, but its just kinda how I am?"

"Ah, its fine," Natsu replied with a wave of his hand. "Its just all new to me, and not something I ever pictured myself doing before, let alone with Mira of all people?"

"Fair. I can tell you're built for battle, so this is definitely a whole tier away from being just outside of your element. Its like comparing barbecue sauce to relish, right?"

"That's … actually a weirdly apt comparison," Natsu chuckled. "You said you were an S Class Mage earlier, right?"

"For the Mermaid Heel Guild, yeah," Kiara nodded proudly as she pointed to the Guild Mark on her upper chest. "We're an all-female Guild, which usually attracts all the weirdos and pervs of the world to the town our Guild operates out of."

"I'll bet. If even half of your Guild is full of women even as half as beautiful as Fairy Tail, you guys would be swamped with them!"

"Hah! Yeah, it does happen from time to time. Still, we've got plenty of power to chase them off if they do show up! Like this one girl, literally has a sword yet never draws it. She's gonna be an S Class soon, I can tell. Fights all her battles with her damn scabbard and wins!"

"Wow," Natsu replied, genuinely interested. "What's her name? She sounds like someone to watch out for?"

"No harm in telling ya, since I know I won't catch ya skulking around," Kiara grinned. "Her name's-."

Both Natsu and Kiara flipped out of their chairs as their table was struck by a bolt of lightning. Kiara landed on all fours, with Natsu landing in a crouch on a nearby table.

"What the fuck was that," Kiara snapped, only for both to snap their attention toward the bathroom upon hearing a scream.

"MIRA," they both shouted in unison.

Natsu immediately launched himself from the table, smashing right through the wall just in time to see a Demon slinging her unconscious form over its shoulder.

"A fucking Demon," Kiara snarled. "And it's got Mira!"

Natsu didn't even respond, rushing toward the Demon as it leapt out of the window. Natsu shot past it, slamming into the tree across from the restaurant, noticing the Demon was quickly running across the water.

"Fucking thing," he hissed, preparing to dash after it, only for twenty Demons to suddenly drop down from atop the restaurant.

Without even thinking about it," Natsu ignited his body in flame and smashed right through them, much to the shock of the Demons themselves, with many being roasted alive on the spot.

Rocketing through Elira Town, he was like a blur as windows shattered from the force of his movement speed. As he rapidly analyzed the now hundred plus Demons that seemed to be flooding the town, he was surprised to see Kiara bounding on all fours, her hands and feet bloodied as she also chased down Mira's kidnapper.

A powerful blast of golden light rocketed past him, striking a horde of approaching Demons, as another familiar face appeared near Kiara's position. Though she had mentioned she was an S Class Mage when they'd met, he didn't actually think Jenny Realight was a fighter, yet there she was, wearing some sort of combat suit, her arm in the shape of a cannon.

The trio landed at the edge of Elira Town at the same time to see the Demons from within the town, turn back and move to engage them.

"Can one of you tell me what the HELL is going on," Jenny snapped as her other arm also turned into a cannon. "One minute, I'm having a nice, relaxing shower, and the next I'm hearing screaming and there's LITERAL DEMONS invading Elira Town!?"

"Long story," Natsu replied sharply. "One we don't have time for right now!"

"Natsu's right Jen, they got Mira!"

"Wait … you don't mean they-!?"

"She's been taken," Natsu snarled, gritting his teeth. "Should've seen this coming…"

Both Kiara and Jenny seemed confused by the last bit, but were forced to ignore it as the Demons reached their position. All three prepared to fight them and protect the town, when suddenly, the unexpected occurred.

Right as the Demons were about to reach their position, the roots of the mangroves shot out and ensnared a good portion of them. From within the water, more roots shot out and pierced through many of the Demons that managed to avoid being crushed into bloody husks by the mangroves.

Natsu, Jenny and Kiara were stunned, as a hundred strong horde of Demons was completely torn apart by Elira Town itself.

"We should use this opportunity and chase after the one that took Mira," Kiara said suddenly, prompting an immediate nod from Natsu as they both turned to Jenny. "Jen, we could use your help?"

"These gross Demons kidnapped Mira, of course I'm gonna help! She may be my Arch Rival, but we're like besties too!"

The three nodded and turned to chase after the fleeing Demon, only for a colossal root to suddenly rise up from the water, blocking their path.

"Huh!?"

"What the hell!?"

"Hey, what gives!?"

The mangrove was the largest they'd seen in Elira Town, clearly one of the eldest, and was thicker that four trains put together. Before they even had a chance to consider what they were seeing, something casually stepped right out of the mangrove, causing Jenny and Kiara to freeze in place.

Before them was a strange humanoid who looked like a tree trunk with bushy leaves as hair on top of their head. They wore a basic kimono and cheap looking sandals, complete with what appeared to be a gardener's smock wrapped over his kimono.

"My goodness, it is rather late to be gallivanting about the place and causing a ruckus," the figure muttered in an aged voice. "Can a man not tend to his garden in peace!?"

Despite the rather silly first words from the man, absolutely no one dared to move. Even Natsu, who normally had little issue moving around in the presence of strong Mages, remained where he was.

Jenny was visibly sweating, Kiara faring only slightly better. All of them knew that it was this man who was responsible for mercilessly ripping apart the Demons in seconds.

"Oh? I feel like I was about to say something," the elderly man mused, adopting a thinking pose before looking at the giant mangrove. "What was I meant to be doing again?"

The mangrove, naturally, didn't respond, leaving the trio quite confused. However, the man was nodding anyway, as if actually hearing it speak to him.

"Right … Right … Yes … Hmm … Alright," the elderly man hummed before turning around an facing the trio. "Hello there!"

Jenny and Kiara immediately bowed, though Natsu managed to refuse doing so, with significant restraint on his part. His refusal to do so had the strange man chuckle in response, seemingly amused by it.

"So, you must be that youngster Doma was complaining about? Natsu Dragneel, was it?"

Jenny and Kiara's eyes widened in shock as the old man mentioned Natsu by name, and that the Chairman of the Magic Council didn't like him.

"I am," Natsu replied slowly. "No disrespect, but we need to get past your giant mangrove …Sir."

"You realize if I let the three of you go, you would be committing a crime, right?"

All three Mages quickly realized what the old man was getting at, and that he was correct. Natsu, however, naturally didn't care about that, and took a step forward.

"Even if that's the case, let me go on alone."

"Oh?"

"I promised Mira that I'd help her, and keep her safe from the Demon that had been stalking her! You might be someone I genuinely can't beat … but if you're going to stand in my way, and stop me from saving Mira … I will fight you."

"Natsu," Kiara hissed. "What are you saying!?"

"Do you realize who this is," Jenny added sharply. "You can't fight someone like him!?"

"I don't care who he is," Natsu replied, his tone much firmer. "I made a promise to Mira, and not even someone like him will stop me!"

The old man looked at Natsu, his strange looking mouth curling into the approximate of a grin, as he started chuckling.

"Ke he heh … So, that is the kind of Mage residing at Fairy Tail, eh? I like your spunk, young man!"

All three did a double take as they felt the tension in the air rapidly vanish, the elderly man now resigned to laughing like he'd just won the lottery.

"Oh my, you certainly haven't disappointed, Natsu Dragneel! The last meeting of the Ten certainly became rather lively when your name was brought up," the old man cheered as he stepped up and shook Natsu's hand, with the Dragon Slayer comparing his skin to that of bark. "So glad to finally meet the boy that tore the Fioran Government a new asshole! Ke he heh!"

One Of The Ten Wizard Saints

The Lord Of Nature

One Of The Ishgar Four

Wizard Saint Rank Four

Warrod Sequen

"Uh … thanks, I guess," Natsu replied awkwardly, unsure how to respond to why the Saint liked him so much. "Not to be rude, but can I go after Mira or not?"

Warrod's laughter died down, as the tree-like man slowly turned and looked back at the giant mangrove currently blocking their path.

"Tell me, what do all of you know of the Second Circle?"

Kiara and Jenny seemed confused at the question, and were surprised when Natsu answered it without hesitation.

"They're a Subsidiary Guild of the Tartaros Guild, right?"

"Correct. But, do you know what it means to attack them?"

"No?"

"To do so, you would likely draw the ire of Tartaros itself," Warrod replied slowly, before pointing to the sky. "Then, they would surely swoop in on their Cube, and attempt to punish you for your transgression against them!"

"I'm sensing there's more to what you're saying though," Natsu replied, eliciting a faint chuckle from the elderly man.

"Attacking them would be considered a crime, as it would be unauthorized by the Magic Council," Warrod nodded. "However, I could authorize it myself, if I wanted to?"

"Will you?"

"I very well might," Warrod replied with a slight grin. "Three S Class Mages from three separate Guilds, coming together to put an end to one of the Nine Circles… Yes, I think I could spin that quite well indeed."

"But…?"

"But, I'm curious how you'll fare against their Guild Master? You see, he's not like your average, run of the mill Etherious. He's one of the stronger ones, much like the Nine Demon Gates and the Guild Master of Tartaros. All the Guild Masters of the Nine Circles are like them, and it would take an extraordinary individual to deal with a foe like that…"

"Didn't Natsu already deal with two powerful Demons," Jenny chimed in curiously. "Lullaby and Deliora, right?"

"I've killed another one as well, in the Scarlione Empire, by the name of Skkard."

"Hmm… I see," Warrod hummed. "I suppose I can sanction the three of you going out to defeat the Second Circle. I forbid the two of you from facing the Guild Master, however."

"Huh!?"

"But why, Lord Warrod?"

"I have my reasons," Warrod replied cryptically. "I'll scrounge up an equal reward for the three of you if you actually pull this off. I'm sure Doma won't mind parting with more money…"

"If you do that, we're definitely friends," Natsu chuckled lightly.

"Just for that, I'm definitely going to do it," Warrod grinned, the four of them suddenly being lifted up off of the ground by a small mangrove that had grown beneath their feet. "I shall take you to the location of the Second Circle's Guild Hall, before going and informing the Council of what we're doing."

"Thanks," Natsu replied, before looking out into the dimly lit marsh in the distance. "I just hope Mira will be alright until we get there…"

"She'll be fine," Kiara replied gently, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "They don't call her The Demon for nothing!"

"Kiara's right Natsu," Jenny agreed. "Besides, she's gonna have the three of us come swooping in to save her! We're gonna kick some serious Demon ass!"

Natsu couldn't help but chuckle softly as the mangrove began making its way through the marsh. He had to admit, he was glad Kiara and Jenny would be with him. Both seemed like they'd be able to help a great deal, at least to keep the underlings off his back.

Because, the Guild Master, was his to kill. Even just thinking about those letters he'd been sending Mira brought another scowl back to his face, as he sat down on the mangrove. Jenny and Kiara were about to ask him what was wrong, but Warrod shook his head.

"Don't speak with him right now."

"Why not?"

"Yeah, shouldn't we, like, I dunno, support him," Jenny asked, clearly not understanding why Warrod didn't want them talking to him.

"He's preparing himself for the coming battle, preparing himself to do whatever he has to, in order to save Mirajane. Let him prepare, as you both too, should prepare…"

Both girls looked at one another, before nodding, and taking Warrod's advice to heart. After all, if a Wizard Saint suggested it, then why shouldn't they do as he says?

The pair also sat down and mentally began to prepare themselves for the coming battle, Warrod silently transporting them to the Second Circle's Guild Hall, a look of curiosity on his face as he stared down at Natsu's back.

'I look forward to seeing the young sapling you spoke so highly of in action, Makarov