25

The pride of Scarlione, the grand Ichor Palace, shone brightly amidst the darkness of the otherwise chilling night. A sprawling palace crafted from a combination of countless biomes. From dirt, grass, rock, gemstone, wood and more, all manner of biomes lent themselves to the formation of the grand structure. One would call it a technological marvel, and yet, the Ichor Palace could not claim to be the work of the labors of mankind.

Indeed, the pride of Scarlione, despite being a structure stretching higher than any other building in the Empire, with its tallest towers being able to survey all four corners of its borders, was merely at the foot of another titanic natural wonder of the known world.

And it was thanks to that wonder, the Ichor Palace gained its namesake.

For the palace shone brightly, not due to any kind of artificial light, but thanks to the veins that ran through its entire structure that were said to give life to the natural wonder it sat before.

The lifeblood of Scarlione, the Ichor Throne.

Within the palace, situated ironically at its heart, lay the most important room. It was a room that provided lodging to the Queen of the Empire. She who ensured that the lifeblood would continue to flow freely.

A loud crash could be heard from this room, though none of the Guards even reacted. The sound of something being thrown, followed by shattering glass, and something exploding. The Guards had heard this many times, and knew it was best to merely remain at their posts, knowing full well that inside, someone had just received a message with ill tidings.

Within the room, standing before a shattered mirror and broken desk, was a woman with long, silky gold hair. She appeared to be middle aged, slight lines marring her otherwise flawless features, and she was dressed in an elegant red formal dress with the Scarlione Crest etched proudly into its back.

Queen Of The Scarlione Empire

Former Member Of The Century Quest Team

The Seventh Seed Of The Ichor Throne

Illyandra Scarlione VII

With a wave of her hand, the entire room righted itself instantly, as a dull hum filled the room. Illyandra closed her eyes, and allowed her mind to focus solely on the dull hum for a few minutes, before she was forced to face reality once more.

Sighing, the Queen slowly opened her eyes, and held her right hand outward, as a letter flew off of her table. Snatching the letter with nothing but the utmost grace her subjects knew her for, the Queen went and flopped on her bed in only the most ladylike manner possible.

The loud, muffled groan of annoyance into her pillow was someone else. Assuredly.

"Of all the times for something like this to happen… It just HAD to be when we've got a war on," Illyandra huffed, as she rolled onto her back and sighed. "Still …"

The news she had received was indeed grim, and was something she would need to inform her closest allies about immediately. The only issue with this, was that some of them were an entire country away, and she'd promised not to summon them back unless it was strictly necessary.

"What to do … what to do," Illyandra hummed, as she felt the dull hum throughout the room begin to slowly thump, not so differently than that of a heartbeat. "Perhaps I should send Frollo?"

Mulling over the idea in her head as her clothing slowly melted into her bed, merging with her sheets to leave the Queen fully in the nude, she slowly rocked back and forth, with her eyes narrowed in deep thought.

"Perhaps I shall simply inform the others and leave it at that? I made a promise, after all, and it wouldn't do to break it, even if it were for Felix," Illyandra sighed, as she sat up and waved her right hand.

From the roof, a single sheet of paper appeared, and gently dropped down into her lap, where Illyandra plucked it up. She then placed it on the bed in front of her, before flopping onto her stomach, and idly pondering who to write to first.

She thought about writing to Gildarts, but then she remembered that she was naked right now, and the man was a complete pervert. And so, she wouldn't even conceive of writing a letter to the man at her most vulnerable.

The horn dog would somehow figure out she had done so, and no doubt do something illicit. The man was a menace.

Therefore, that left either Natsu or Shrikke to write to first. Initially deciding to leave it to a game of eeny meeny miny mo, she paused, as her eye caught onto a certain photo on her bedside table.

It was a photo of herself and Natsu, taken not long after she'd warmed up to the kid. He was barely into his teens by that point, and was clearly uncomfortable being made to rest his head on her knee for the photo.

Just recalling the events of that day brought on a fit of giggles, as she held out her hand for the photo, as it zipped toward her. After having watched him break one of the statues in her garden, she feigned righteous fury, and forced him to join her for the day. She ended up spending the rest of the day putting him in situations that were well out of his comfort zone.

Case in point, face being scarily close to the forbidden zone.

"Oh Natsu, I miss nervous child you," Illyandra whined, as she rolled around on her bed holding the photo. "You grew up way too fast!"

Her mind was made up the more she thought about the pink-haired Dragon Slayer. She missed all of the crew that had left Scarlione, but she missed Natsu the most out of the lot of them.

With that in mind, she sent the photo back to her desk, and rolled back over to the piece of paper, and snapped her fingers twice to summon a rainbow tipped pen. Dipping it into the air for seemingly no reason, Illyandra stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth and began to write.

Dearest Natsu,

I pray that the mere arrival of this letter has not alarmed you? I know that the last thing you probably wish to see is the emblem of Scarlione, isn't it? However, there has been a development that I wish to make you aware of.

I am afraid, however, that it is not good.

Approximately twenty minutes before writing this letter for you, I was informed that our dear friend Felix has escaped the psychiatric facility he was confined to, following our defeat at the hands of the Black Dragon Achnologia.

This comes upon the heels of his most recent evaluation report, where it was deduced that his mental state continues to deteriorate. Gods only know where the poor man will be mentally by years end if he already fails to perceive reality at present?

I want to assure you that I shall be dispatching Frollo to retrieve Felix as soon as day breaks, and we shall do everything within our power to aid in his recovery. Failing that, it shall be as we discussed before your departure.

I take no pleasure informing you of these events, however, I shall never break my promise to you all. The truth shall be made available to you at the earliest possible convenience.

Moving on from those matters, I must also express my relief that the rumors of the deaths of both yourself and Gildarts were greatly exaggerated. Your encounter with Achnologia again struck fear into all of us, and Serenity wept for weeks believing you to have been devoured whole by the beast.

That infernal beast has taken much from all of us. Even I was unable to drive the vile monster out of the kingdom, despite my power. So do not judge yourself for that which is far beyond the likes of mortal men.

Some beings are simply beyond us, Natsu.

Beyond humanity.

The origins of that beast are certainly shrouded in mystery, but I can say for certain that it suffered a descent to reach its current state. If your tales are to be believed regarding Igneel and his word on others of Dragon-kind, then this one sacrificed the compassion the others possessed for power.

When we last spoke, we parted under the shadow of an argument over this very same topic. Although I know you wish to believe Achnologia might hold clues to Igneel's disappearance, it would be suicide to even contemplate conversing with it. Felix's mind was shattered after a mere moment gazing into its depths. Any secrets the Black Dragon bears are not for our eyes or ears!

I implore you, do not ever seek out that foul beast again, Natsu, in order to try and glean answers that it may not even possess. I could not bear to lose another of my closest confidants to that thing when it could be easily avoided.

And lastly, I would ask that you make your way to the Scarlione Embassy in Crocus at your earliest convenience. I wish to speak with you face to face, or as close to it as possible. The staff will be expecting your arrival at any time, as will the comms staff back here in the Ichor Palace.

Peak of the day or the dead of night, I shall ensure time is made available in my schedule for us to converse. I am afraid that the contents of our discussion are not appropriate for mere paper correspondence.

I am sure you can understand what I refer to.

May the radiant leaves guide you down a greater path, my dearest Knight Commander.

Your Queen,

Illyandra Scarlione VII

Reading over the letter several times, the Queen sighed, and contemplated shredding it, before shaking her head. There was so much to say, and hardly the room to put it to paper, and it was getting rather late.

"This will have to do I suppose," Illyandra sighed tiredly, as she let the letter float out of her hand and into the air as she rolled onto her back. "Sacred Script – Thought Fantasy!"

Pointing at the letter with her index finger, Illyandra fired a golden beam of light at it, which seemingly erased its contents entirely. This, however, was a security measure all official correspondence from Scarlione used during wartime. A fail-safe designed to ensure the enemy would glean nothing from their physical forms of communication.

"I think I shall dispatch this in the morning along with Frollo," Illyandra hummed, as she started melting through her sheets until she was firmly entrenched into her mattress, suddenly bouncing back up so that she was tucked in firmly. "I only hope tomorrow brings greater tidings …"

With a wave of her hand, all the light in the room dimmed, as the letter flew toward her desk that had repaired itself instantly. As the light dimmed, the change moved outside as the entirety of the Ichor Palace dimmed to the same opacity, which signaled a time for rest for the Kingdom of Scarlione.

Though for the Queen, it would no doubt be a sleepless night.

***POTD***

As his sense of reality returned, Natsu blinked several times, before exhaling audibly through his nose. This drew the attention of both Eliza and Makarov, who sat quietly, waiting for him to return to awareness.

"Judging by the look on your face, the news wasn't good," Makarov asked, as Natsu shook his head.

"The letter itself is about what I expected from her," Natsu replied with a slight scoff. "No one else I know can be formal, loose and doting, all at the exact same time."

"Tell it to me straight Natsu, are you being called back," Makarov asked, as he set his mug down on the table audibly, and locked eyes with the Dragon Slayer. "If you and Gildarts are being called back to fight, I'd at least like some sort of advance warning this time?"

"Heh. Luckily you for, we're not," Natsu replied dryly, as he banished the letter to his Requip Space. "The letter was news regarding one of my old war buddies who lost his mind. She was also telling me what Gildarts kept telling me before the incident at Sacred Mount Zonia, and her asking me to head to the Scarlione Embassy to speak with her face to face."

"Do you need to head out now?"

"No," Natsu replied lazily, as he stretched and laid himself out over the couch he was on. "Honestly, I don't know when I'll go over there to be honest?"

"Come now, Natsu dear? Surely you must realize that Illyandra has a reason for wanting to speak with you," Eliza replied smoothly, as Natsu rolled his eyes with a huff.

"I've barely been back a month, and she already wants a meeting! It's ridiculous!"

"I suppose I should be honest and say it upfront, but I read the contents of the letter whilst you were in the trance of Illyandra's spell," Eliza admitted, with Natsu not even showing the slightest bit of surprise.

"And?"

"You know what that last bit referred to Natsu. You can't just ignore that?"

"I don't plan on just ignoring it outright," Natsu replied, as he slowly got up off the couch, and started making his way toward the stairs. "I'd at least like a few days to recover from my injuries, and spend time with Erza, who is undoubtedly somewhat traumatized after what happened to her! Is that permitted, War Goddess!?"

"I understand that the letter wasn't something you wanted to hear Natsu, but you don't need to speak to me that way," Eliza countered calmly, as Natsu sighed, and ran a hand across his face, demonstrating just how worn down he truly was.

"Sorry Eliza, you're right. You don't deserve me acting like a prick," Natsu replied tiredly before looking over toward an understanding Makarov. "Sorry to you too gramps."

"Quite alright Natsu. I'm honestly shocked you can even walk with those injuries?"

"You know how it goes old man, no rest for the wicked," Natsu joked bitterly, before shaking his head. "I think I'm gonna head home and try to rest up now. So, if you need me for anything, you know where I'll be."

Makarov nodded as Natsu turned and walked down the stairs, and straight out of the Guild Hall. Many of the members members noticed the scowl on his usually calm and composed face, and wondered what had happened. All eyes quickly moved up to the railing, where Makarov and Eliza stood, the pair looking down over the rest of the members lazily.

"You know what's really bothering Natsu, don't you," Makarov asked, which brought the expected nod in response. "And I assume you won't just tell me, right?"

"Naturally. I very much doubt that if it were you down there, that you'd want me to air your dirty laundry to half the Guild, correct?"

"You already know the answer to that question Eliza," Makarov replied tiredly, as he hopped up onto the railing and sat down. "But when I was younger Eliza, the concept of becoming that powerful never even crossed my mind …"

"Are you certain? I distinctly recall a younger and taller Makarov Dreyar leading his team around Fiore to fight basically anything that even appeared evil, no?"

"Heh, true. I was something of a firebrand back in the day, I won't deny that," Makarov chuckled softly in response. "However, power was still the last thing on my mind back then."

"Really? Then what was it you were searching for then?"

"Much like Laxus, I too lived under the shadow of a Father whose legacy seemed too great to surpass," the aged Guild Master sighed. "In that respect, I can fully understand where Laxus is coming from. That being said, however, I chose a different route than he appears to be heading down now."

"Ah, I see. You wanted to try and steer Laxus down the same path," Eliza hummed in understanding. "It is a wonder that Laxus fails to understand that you can sympathize with him, isn't it?"

"Everyone is different, and Laxus is also an entire generation separate from me," Makarov pointed out, as he took a sip from his drink. "Many of these kids see me as nothing more than an old man with power they'll never attain. I'm a Wizard Saint, a powerful figure in the political sphere of Fiore, and Guild Master … I'm far too distanced from them, and that is likely why Laxus refuses to listen to me."

"Perhaps confrontation is inevitable then," Eliza mused contemplatively, as she tapped her fingers on the hardwood railing. "I can feel something brewing here, though it is not yet set in stone."

Makarov simply eyed the War Goddess for a few moments as he pondered her words. It appeared that Laxus would take that next drastic step at some point, but the question was … would he be capable of stopping his Grandson?

"Have faith in them, Makarov Dreyar," Eliza muttered, as the Guild Master snapped his attention to the War Goddess once again. "They might surprise you, despite all you've seen?"

And with that, Eliza vanished, leaving the older man alone to ponder the only family he'd ever known and its clouded future.

***POTD***

Having departed from Porlyusica's after being patched up, Gajeel couldn't help but grumble in annoyance as he kicked some stones along the dirt road into town. His mind kept going back to the two idiots who attacked him before Laxus, Jet and Droy, and how they'd come to apologize for what they'd done.

He knew Salamander was the one who sent them over, that much was obvious, but why were they so sincere?

That's what really rubbed him the wrong way about this Guild, and everyone in it. Why were they so nice to him, despite all he'd done to them? He'd literally trashed their Guild Hall, and hospitalized a bunch of their members! How could most of them forgive that?

Of course, he knew that there were certain exceptions to that rule. Natsu and Makarov had killed his old Guild Master Jose without really appearing to lose sleep over it, and he knew about Elise Faulkner's past in the Rune Knights, her tendency to kill Dark Mages regardless of how strong they were.

And that other old timer, Gildarts, was a clear-cut monster. He'd seen the man once and received a look that communicated one simple message.

Don't do that again, or you're finished.

And Gajeel knew that Gildarts would follow through on that too. Everyone knew who Gildarts Clive was. He was a Grand Wizard who was said to have turn down the position of Wizard Saint dozens of times, from his early twenties, to the present day. The man was one of the strongest Mages on the continent, and no one could debate that he'd seen things very few veterans had.

"Tch. This Guild is so damn weird," Gajeel huffed, as he stopped and looked around, having wandered aimlessly as he thought about his current situation. "Back here, huh?"

He'd somehow wandered into Magnolia Park, a place that he seemed to constantly find trouble in. Be it he who caused the trouble, or another dishing it out. Gajeel knew he'd rather not stick around for more to come his way, however.

Turning to leave, he stopped when he saw a familiar tree. Feeling something stir within him, Gajeel grit his teeth, before sighing, and slowly walking toward the base of the tree where pieces of metal still found themselves lodged into its trunk.

His mind flashed back to the day he'd brutalized Team Shadow Gear, and pinned them up on the very same tree he stood before now. He remembered feeling nothing but sadistic glee as he pinned Jet and Droy onto the branches, how they cried out in pain as the metal crushed their arms.

But then, he remembered the blue-haired bookworm who was with them. Her desperate pleas for him to stop, how his smirk had slowly faded and a cold, almost robotic motion, overtook him in that moment, and he pinned her to the tree like her friends.

Placing a hand on the tree, he narrowed his eyes at the faint reddish stain on the brown bark and sniffed twice, before clenching his other hand into a fist. The smell of the blue-haired girl's blood still lingered here… The stain being an eternal reminder of what he'd done.

"Damn it," Gajeel hissed, as he felt himself growing angrier. "The hell am I doing!?"

Removing his hand from the tree, he moved it closer to the bloodstain, and traced two fingers across its dried surface, as memories of a time before Phantom momentarily pierced through his already clouded mind.

"Gajeel?"

As the voice pierced through his momentary recollection, Gajeel shook himself back to reality, as he spun around to face the one who'd interrupted him. He almost wished he hadn't done so.

There stood the very girl whose dried blood now stained the tree, a curious, or was it worried, look on her face, as she stood a respectable distance away. Eyeing her for a moment as he calmed himself, he spoke.

"Yeah, what do ya want?"

"I-I went to Porlyusica's to see if you were alright. But apparently, she sent you off a little while ago …"

"And?"

"And … well … I wanted to make sure you were alright," the girl stuttered, as Gajeel felt those same feelings from earlier come back, a slight scowl beginning to appear on his face.

"Why would you care?"

"Why wouldn't I care," the girl countered, in a brief moment of confidence or stupidity, Gajeel couldn't honestly tell, as she immediately reverted back to her awkward stuttering. "I-I mean, Jet and Droy were one thing, but Laxus is really strong, and-!?"

"You thought I couldn't handle a little pain?"

"NO! I-I mean, that's not what I meant at all," the girl cried awkwardly, as she shook her hands out in front of her quickly. "None of them should have attacked you to begin with, and I wanted to apologize for it!"

"…"

"Y-You don't have to accept it or anything, I just-!?"

"Why the hell would you be apologizing to me," Gajeel managed to growl out, as he fought to keep control over his emotions.

"Well Jet, Droy and Laxus-!"

"Aren't you, for starters," Gajeel huffed as he cut her off. "If anything, I'm shocked you didn't join em?"

"What!? Why in the world would I want to do something so-so horrible!?"

"Well gee, I can't possibly think of any reason for ya to wanna to do something like that," Gajeel scoffed, as he fully turned to face the girl. "Why are yout being so nice to me after what I did? You should hate my guts!?"

The girl seemed taken aback by Gajeel's rough tone, but quickly realized where they were standing, as she noticed the metal grafted onto the tree and gasped slightly.

"Y-You're talking about when you attacked us," the girl muttered, prompting Gajeel to huff in acknowledgement. "Well, I've forgiven you for it."

Now THAT drew Gajeel's full attention, as he looked at the girl in varying degrees of shock, and complete disbelief. She didn't back down though, the same neutral gaze on her face from the moment she said she'd forgiven him for what he'd done.

"You … forgive me?"

"Yes."

"The fuck is wrong with you," Gajeel snapped, as the girl seemed to twitch slightly in response. "You should hate me!? You should want to beat me up and pin me to this damn tree!?"

"And just what good is that going to do Gajeel," the girl replied, her voice only cracking slightly, which showed the Dragon Slayer that she was still somewhat afraid, but masking it well. "What good does holding a grudge like that do for me, other than make me a terrible person?"

Gajeel simply stared at the girl for several minutes, neither one of them speaking so much as a single word, as the various residents enjoying the park kept their distance. It was obvious to all of them that something was happening, though none could have guessed what it was.

"Say," Gajeel said after the tense standoff, shaking the girl to attention as she gasped in surprise at his voice. "What's your name, shrimp?"

"My name is Levy, not Shrimp, Gajeel," Levy replied with a slight huff, which, to her surprise, actually got a small chuckle out of the Dragon Slayer. "Why?"

"Just askin, that's all … Shrimp."

Turning to the right, Gajeel started walking out of the park, leaving a stunned Levy to watch his slowly retreating figure. Shaking her head quickly, she ran over toward Gajeel, and moved around to block the larger man's path.

"What?"

"My name is LEVY, not SHRIMP, Gajeel!"

To Levy's utter shock," Gajeel actually chuckled again, as he placed a hand on top of her head, ruffling her hair, which quickly brought her back to reality, and the annoyance of what Gajeel was currently doing.

"Whatever you say Shrimp, whatever you say," Gajeel continued to chuckle as he sidestepped the much smaller girl, and continued on his way out of the park.

"IT'S LEVY YOU JERK!"

Gajeel simply grinned as he continued to walk, feeling much better than he had in a long time.

Perhaps Fairy Tail was his kind of place after all?

***POTD***

Having spent the last few hours in the forest pondering the letter he'd received, Natsu had sufficiently calmed himself down, and was ready to head home and do the same for Erza. After all, it wouldn't do to try and calm someone like her down if he was in a foul mood. Magnolia likely wouldn't survive the ensuing battle.

Making his way through the front door, the first place he went to was the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he was disappointed at the lack of food present and sighed.

"Figures there'd be nothing left…"

Deciding that eating dinner was a lost cause, he decided to make his way toward his and Erza's shared room. Natsu quietly opened the door, and slipped inside. Banishing his clothes into his Requip Space, he made his way toward his bed, and couldn't help but snort in amusement.

"Really Erza?"

Staring back at him was Erza, and a box of cake that had been deposited on his side of the bed. It didn't take a genius to know that the box was empty, as he picked it up, and placed it on his bedside table.

"You know I was sad Natsu… I eat when I'm stressed," Erza huffed, as she pulled Natsu's side of the bed covers back and he slipped in easily, with the scarlet-haired Mage surprisingly clinging to his side. "I still can't believe you can be so warm…"

"I'm starting to wonder if I spoil you too much with that ability of mine?"

"You mean not enough, right," Erza asked lightly in response, as she ran a hand over his bare chest, surprising him with her forwardness.

"Erza-?"

"What?"

"Are you…?"

"You don't like it," Erza replied playfully, as she drew circles over his chest with her fingers.

"I-It isn't that…"

"Then what is it," Erza teased, as she nuzzled into his neck. "Are you scared of me, Natsu? Do you fear this Knight, just like how real Dragons fear Knights?"

"Wha-That's definitely not true, and just a story," Natsu scoffed, before blushing as he realized Erza was intertwining her legs with his left one. "Uh…?"

"What is it," Erza smirked, her fingers moving from his chest to his stomach. "I'm just trying to get extra close tonight…"

"Erza… You do realize what you're doing, right?"

"What am I doing Natsu," Erza replied in a slightly breathy tone that had him blushing profusely.

"Erza," Natsu sighed. "You've just been through a traumatic time, and-."

"Are you seriously doing this," Erza cut in, her flirty tone receding, and being replaced with a slightly annoyed one.

"You've just been through something that's haunted you for most of your life, Erza," Natsu countered gently. "I'm just worried that you're doing this because-."

Natsu was cut off abruptly, as Erza rolled fully on top of him, grabbing both his wrists, and pinning his arms above his head as her thighs held his legs firmly in place.

"Erza-!"

"Just shut up and listen to me, Natsu Dragneel, and listen good," Erza snarled, her face so close to his, that their noses were touching. "I'm a direct woman. I've waited ten years for you to come back, and now you're an absolute hunk who's still the same wonderful person I liked all those years ago…"

"Erza … Erza, are you-?"

"I didn't really get what I wanted at first," the scarlet-haired Mage continued. "I felt all weird in my stomach whenever I'd look at you, and I often found myself dreaming about you… I never really knew what like liking someone actually was … until now."

"You … like me? As in you like me as … more than friends?"

"As in, I masturbate thinking about you, kind of like," Erza half growled, half panted in response, as Natsu felt himself grow thoroughly embarrassed.

"I'm … I'm genuinely surprised you managed to say that without stuttering, or even being embarrassed…"

"I'm not playing games here Natsu," Erza replied quietly. "When you came in and saved me from Jellal, basically doing what I considered the impossible, and freeing me from my past … All of my bottled-up feelings have burst out …"

"Meaning…"

"Meaning that I'm done waiting, and screwing around with my own feelings like a dainty maiden," Erza replied as she fully laid herself atop him, Natsu feeling her body against his own. "I want you to take me … Now."

"Erza," Natsu muttered, as he wrestled with how he should handle this situation. "You want sex?"

"What'll it be, my brave and dashing Knight? Are you going to fuck me, or will you be sleeping on the couch?"

"Banishment from the bed if I refuse? You drive a hard bargain, but I'll choose the bed tonight," Natsu replied breathlessly, as what little clothing Erza was wearing shimmered away into her Requip Space. "Before we go any further though Erza … I wanna make sure-?"

"I want this Natsu," Erza replied, as she cut through the obvious red flag to her behavior like a knife. "I've wanted it for a long time but after all of that back at the Tower … I just know."

Instead of a response, Erza gasped as she felt the tip of his cock pressing up against her entrance. Returning to meet his gaze, she could tell that he was waiting for permission to enter her, a mixture of lust and concern present on his features.

"Give it to me Natsu, I need it," Erza pleaded, as she pressed against the head of his cock a bit more so that it had begun to penetrate her. "Just be slow and gentle, okay?"

"Don't worry Erza," Natsu replied gently, as she released his arms to steady herself, placing her hands on his chest. "We'll go to your pace."

Slowly, Natsu pushed into her, as Erza moaned approvingly. Natsu knew she wouldn't have her virginity intact thanks to their lifestyle, but it didn't matter in the slightest, as she was tightly squeezing his member with a warmth not even he could hope to replicate.

"F-Fuck … Erza-!?"

"So big-!"

"So tight," Natsu panted, as he sat up fully, wrapping his arms around Erza's midsection, as the scarlet-haired Mage wrapped her legs around his torso.

Placing a hand on the back of his head, Erza gently pressed his face between her modestly sized breasts. She'd never been self-conscious about her bust size, knowing full well that they were on the larger side, but they weren't the largest in the Guild.

Even still, his head fit snugly between them, as the pair panted., neither of them moving so much as a muscle with Natsu's dick fully sheathed within her. Both were content with the intimate embrace, as Erza gently stroked the back of Natsu's head lovingly, whilst the man gently ran a hand across her back.

"Do you want to …"

"You sure," came the muffled response from Natsu, with Erza humming in approval, as she felt a slight thrust from him, the head of his cock momentarily pressing up against the entrance to her womb, before retreating just as quickly.

"Just remember Natsu, you have to pull out if you think you're going to … y'know …"

Natsu grunted in acknowledgement of what Erza had said, as his slow thrusts rapidly gave way to a steady rhythm. The sounds of their panting, and Erza's slick yet tight walls gripping onto Natsu, was only spurring the couple on, as their arousal continued to rise.

Natsu grit his teeth as Erza slowly started to push back against his cock after his most recent thrust. The sensation of the girl manipulating him with her vagina alone was something he desperately wanted more of.

"Y-You think you can do that a bit faster, Erza?"

In response, her next motion was much rougher, yet also much quicker, which had the immediate effect of Erza letting out her first loud cry of pleasure. Just as she moved to clamp a hand over her mouth, Natsu's lips captured hers as the pair engaged in a long, drawn-out kiss.

Their tongues battled for dominance, as Erza continued to rock back and forth faster and faster, until the Dragon Slayer was forced to pull away and grit his teeth.

"Erza, I'm gonna-!"

Ceasing her motions, Erza slipped him out of her as she pushed him onto his back once more, rubbing the lips of her clean-shaven pussy against his length. Being able to see all of this, Natsu didn't last any longer and, with an audible growl, started to shoot rope after rope of thick cum onto his stomach and lower chest. The sensations of his dick coming to orgasm appeared to be enough to give Erza one of her own, the rapid pulsations causing her to let out a loud cry of ecstasy.

After both of them had cum, they remained in their final positions for a few moments, merely panting hard before Erza rolled off of him and laid down at his side. Neither said a word as Natsu's cum began to evaporate, using his Magic to clean himself off, rather than get up and find something to clean himself up.

Once he was sure he was clean, he returned his body temperature to normal, and snaked an arm around Erza's exposed waist, and pulled her tightly to his body, which the scarlet-haired Mage eagerly reciprocated, as she half draped herself over him.

"So," Natsu said after several minutes of silence. "Was the pay sufficient to remain here within the confines of my bed tonight, ma'am?"

"It all appears to be in order Sir," Erza replied softly, as she closed her eyes and snuggled back into Natsu again. "Might need to double check later though."

"Of course," Natsu chuckled lightly as he felt himself begin to slowly drift off.

"Night Natsu," Erza mumbled before fully drifting off.

"Night Erza," Natsu muttered in reply as he kissed the top of her head gently.

***POTD***

Natsu and Erza had woken rather early to help Makarov prepare for the day of the Harvest Festival. The two had woken up in each other's arms, before quickly separating upon remembering what they had done the night prior.

Now seated in the kitchen, the pair refused to look at one another, both thoroughly embarrassed. After some failed attempts to start a conversation by Erza, Natsu finally decided to take the hit, and began the inevitably awkward talk.

"About last night…?"

"I'm sorry," Erza sniffed, clearly on the verge of tears. "I-I shouldn't have-!"

"Hey," Natsu replied gently, getting out of his seat and moving to Erza's side of the table. "No need to apologize…"

"But I was so forceful, and threatened to kick you out of bed if you didn't give me what I wanted, despite everything you did for me-!"

"Erza," Natsu replied with a slight blush. "I-I actually quite liked that."

"Y-You did?"

"The way you pinned me down and gave me that ultimatum… I liked it."

"Oh…"

"That being said, we really do need to talk about what last night meant," Natsu continued, as the awkwardness returned. "Where do you want to go from here?"

"Well," Erza sighed, taking a sip from her coffee. "I wouldn't mind going on a date…"

"Its funny you actually say that," Natsu replied with a soft chuckle. "I actually had planned to take you on a date while we were at Akane, but then all that stuff went down."

"Really!?"

"Yeah. But listen, I have to be honest with you about something," Natsu continued, as Erza fully turned to face the Dragon Slayer.

"What is it?"

"You remember how Mira and I went to Elira Town?"

"Yeah…"

"I got roped into doing a dual shoot with her," Natsu explained, surprising the scarlet-haired Mage.

"Wait, you mean you did one of Mira's shoots for Sorcerer Weekly with her?"

"Yeah. I'm expecting they'll be published within the next week or so," Natsu explained. "The shoot was one of … those ones, if you catch my drift?"

Erza knew exactly what he was referring to, having read all of the issues of Sorcerer Weekly that had Mira in them. Natsu's involvement certainly shocked her, as she slowly rose to her feet.

"Let me guess, you slept with her afterward?"

"I did, yes."

"And, have you slept with Mira since then?"

"Yeah…"

Natsu expected Erza to get mad, or worse, jealous. What he didn't expect, however, was for her to chuckle and shake her head, before smiling in his direction.

"Well, that makes two of us then."

Natsu, who had just taken a sip of his coffee, proceeded to spray it all over the kitchen window, eliciting an amused smirk from Erza, as she slowly strolled toward the stairs.

"Clean that up, and I'll be back in a minute."

Doing as she instructed, Natsu quickly got to work cleaning the window with a wet sponge. After around five minutes, and one clean window, Erza returned with an issue of Sorcerer Weekly.

"Here."

Confused, Natsu took the issue, his eyes widening as he saw the front cover.

"You aren't pulling my leg with this, are you?"

"Nope," Erza smirked, as she opened the issue. "See for yourself…"

Natsu could only gape in shock as he examined the images before him. It was a dual shoot of Erza and Mira, both girls in all manner of risqué positions, and wearing either alluring outfits, beings scantily clad … or, wearing nothing at all.

"This is where I actually got the moniker of Titania, Queen Of The Fairies from, if you can believe that," Erza giggled, noticing Natsu's completely gobsmacked expression. "I wouldn't be surprised if you get a new one after being seen with Mira?"

"I'm honestly shocked you actually did this with Mira," Natsu admitted, as he handed the issue back to Erza. "What prompted the two of you to do this shoot together?"

"This isn't the only one we've done," Erza replied, smirking in his direction as he actually had to sit down. "But if you're wondering what spurred on the first one, it was my having lost a bet."

"What was the bet?"

"If I didn't do as many pull-ups as Mira within a five-minute period, I had to attend her next Sorcerer Weekly shoot with her."

"Wait… You lost to Mira in a pull up competition!?"

"I'd easily beat her now, but this was a few years ago, back when she still trained regularly."

"Even still, its crazy to think you'd lose to Mira in a contest like that," Natsu replied, eliciting a small giggle from Erza. "So, you and Mira hooked up at one point?"

"Like I said, we're very close friends. So, I'm not mad at all that you've been with her, since I'm just as guilty."

"Wow," Natsu muttered quietly. I suppose at least its good to know you haven't got an issue with either myself or Mira for doing that…"

"Just keep what Mira and I have done to yourself, aside from the Sorcerer Weekly thing, of course."

"Yeah, obviously," Natsu replied with an amused nod. "So, I assume you and Mira are gonna have a big old chat about me now, huh?"

"Oh yeah."

Natsu chuckled at her response, summoning his usual attire from his Requip Space as he rose to his feet.

"Well, can't say I have any kind of issue with that. But, getting back on topic, you want me to take you out on a legit date?"

"It doesn't have to be anything overly fancy, just something nice that you and I can enjoy together?"

"Well, I might have an idea of something I can whip up on short notice? Though, it'll have to wait until after the festival…"

"That's fine," Erza replied easily. "Gives me time to gossip about you with Mira."

"Seriously?"

"Oh yeah, there's so much to plan for now," Erza replied with a nod. "Just imagine how much Jewel the three of us could make if we all did a special edition for Sorcerer Weekly? I'd be able to buy this new Armor from Heart Kreuz I've had my eye on for a good while now…"

"Heh. Well, I must admit that, as weird as it felt the first time I did the shoot with Mira, it was actually a lot of fun. So, if Mira is down for it, I wouldn't mind doing a shoot with the both of you?"

"One thing at a time Natsu, because all that hinges on how successful our first date will be," Erza replied teasingly, as she used her own Requip Magic, and summoned her usual Armor. "Now, we should probably head over to the Guild Hall? We can talk more about this tonight."

"I'm gonna go find Eliza and meet you there," Natsu replied as he made his way to the front door. "I want her to experience the Harvest Festival with us."

"All right then Natsu, I'll see you there," Erza smiled as she walked up to him, pulling him into a gentle hug. "And Natsu?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks for making sure last night was something I actually wanted, and not just letting me do as I pleased in the heat of the moment. I'm glad that even in a situation like that, you were thinking of my well-being…"

"I'd never take advantage of you like that Erza," Natsu promised as he hugged her back. "I knew you'd been through a lot, and wanted to make sure you were alright. I didn't even imagine last night would have gone where it did…"

"But it did, and you acted like a good man," Erza smiled as she kissed him on the cheek. "Now go on, go get Eliza. I'll see you at the Guild Hall."

Natsu smiled as he left his home, feeling the happiest he'd been all week.

***POTD***

As the Guild prepared itself for the Harvest Festival, and the many things associated with it, Eliza spent her time doing something far more productive.

The War Goddess was currently on the edge of the nearby forest that overlooked the town. She was currently in a crouched position, and watching her targets closely. Keen eyes studied their movements, observing every slight ripple in their bodies so that the God wouldn't miss a microsecond of their behavior.

"Almost there," the War Goddess muttered under her breath, as her targets inched closer and closer to her hiding spot. "Just a little more …"

"Hey Eliza-."

Spinning around with an attack already fully formed, the War Goddess smashed the one who had managed to sneak up on her in her moment of complete concentration. To her surprise, Natsu had managed to sidestep her strike at the last moment. However, as he did, it stripped the leaves and bark from every tree and shrub in the path of the attack.

"Holy shit Eliza!?"

"And just WHAT do you think you're doing, Natsu dear," Eliza snapped back, as she grabbed the man by the coat, and dragged him close. "I am in the middle of vital fieldwork!"

"Vital fieldwork," Natsu repeated, as he looked over to Eliza's Vital Fieldwork that were currently gaping at the pair. "Watching a pair of bunnies eating greens is … vital?"

"Be silent. I refuse to discuss this topic any further," the War Goddess huffed in response, before narrowing her eyes at him. "Why are you out here?"

"Uh … I wanted to come find you, so that you could join us for the Harvest Festival," Natsu replied slowly. "I figured it would be nice for you to be there, you know, since you and Elise are part of Fairy Tail?"

"And what, pray tell, does one do at this Harvest Festival, exactly?"

"Well, I haven't been to one since I was a kid, but its pretty much got your usual festival stuff. You know, like floats, games, rides, heaps of food, and all that stuff?"

"Wait… So, you were all serious about me attending this event," Eliza asked in genuine surprise. "I can understand Elise, but I'm just-?"

"You're part of Fairy Tail too, Eliza," Natsu cut in, before looking over at the two bunnies that were still looking at the pair. "Right guys?"

Both the bunnies nodded, as Eliza turned back to Natsu with the strangest look, before shaking her head in defeat.

"I shall attend this festival, but only so that I may learn how to better acclimate to the mortal realm," Eliza agreed, as she started walking back toward Magnolia itself. "However, both yourself and Erza are to assist me in this endeavor, so that I do not make a fool of myself!"

"Understood," Natsu replied with a mock salute and a cheeky grin, one that had Eliza rolling her eyes. "Right then, back to the Guild Hall!"

As Natsu and Eliza left, the two bunnies watched them go, as the fatter one looked toward its friend, before looking back to the two rapidly retreating figures.

"You have any idea what the hell any of that was about Craig?"

"No idea..."

***POTD***

His mission of dragging Eliza into joining the festivities completed, Natsu arrived back at the Guild Hall, with said War Goddess in tow. Both walked into a cacophony of cheers and drunken catcalls, which had Natsu shaking his head.

"Guess we missed the first part," Natsu sighed, as Eliza raised an eyebrow in response.

"What have we missed?"

"The Miss Fairy Tail Contest. It seems to have started without us," Natsu replied, as the pair forced their way to the back of the seating area, and sat down.

"You'll have to forgive me, but what exactly is this contest," Eliza asked confusedly, only for Natsu to motion toward the stage where several members of the Guild, some Eliza knew, were currently standing. "Why are they poorly dressed?"

"Poorly dressed," Natsu snickered as he took a mug from one of the passing servers, and took a sip. "They're participating to see who the Guild thinks is the hottest girl."

Natsu wished he had something to record Eliza's reaction, as the Goddess' face morphed through so many different emotions so quickly, it almost looked like she was on the verge of having a stroke. What he didn't expect however, was the follow up question.

"You mean to tell me that every year, the women of this Guild parade around on stage dressed scantily … just so the men can decide which of them is the most attractive?"

"I mean that would be the boring way of saying it, plus, it isn't just the men voting, but yeah, that's basically it."

"And Elise could have participated in such an event without anyone stopping her?"

"Uh, I mean yeah," Natsu replied confusedly, as the War Goddess seemed to be contemplating something. "I assume you don't approve?"

"It is less that I do not approve dear, and more I simply don't understand the appeal behind parading around wearing almost nothing for the sheer spectacle of it?"

"Look, I'm probably the last person who should be explaining this," Natsu sighed, as he fully turned to face the God. "The girls aren't being forced to be up there and show themselves off, they want to do it. The girls are confident in their appearances, and that the rest of us down here are going to cheer them on for doing so."

"So, this is a voluntary thing that they choose to do of their own accord? There's no rule stating that they must participate in something like this?"

"Of course not," the voice of Makarov cut in sharply, as he appeared from behind one of the tables and leapt up onto theirs before sitting down. "The Miss Fairy Tail Contest was started BY the women of our Guild during the time of the First Master who, might I also add, was a woman. And she fully approved of it."

"I don't mean to criticize, I merely cannot understand the concept," Eliza replied, as she watched several more girls dance around on the stage, before retreating behind the curtains. "Perhaps it is merely due to my upbringing, but the War Class never had any kind of event that celebrated the female form specifically. The closest we had was showing off our battle scars, or our gains, following a rigorous training regimen."

"Perhaps another day I could explain more regarding the history of Fairy Tail to you Eliza," Makarov asked in reply, as the War Goddess hummed in approval.

"I think I would very much enjoy that," Eliza agreed, as a strange sense of unease started to spread throughout the room. "I want Elise to know that I'm committed to learning more about how mortals work, and this is clearly something I need to learn more about."

Natsu was distracted from Eliza's words as he looked around the room, and noticed many of the Guild were looking around, speaking in hushed tones, and acting rather fidgety. It was then that he noticed no one had come out from behind the curtain in some time, and even the announcer had gone silent.

Before he could act, however, a voice cut through the room like a knife, silencing them all.

"Imagine the audacity!? Holding a contest to decide the most beautiful Fairy, and not including me!? Well, luckily for you all, I have arrived! And with that, I claim victory!"

The curtains suddenly snapped open, as many gathered down in the crowd gasped. Some dropped whatever they were holding in shock, others cursed, and some were left gaping like a fish.

"What is the meaning of this," Makarov snapped as he stood up on the table, and pointed toward the newcomer. "Just what do you think you're doing, Evergreen!?"

Member Of The Thunder Legion

Self-Proclaimed Queen Of The Fairies

Member Of Fairy Tail

Evergreen

A rather beautiful and voluptuous woman with long, light brown hair and a pair of stylish oval glasses smirked smugly down at the entire Guild, before settling her gaze on Makarov himself.

"Ah, hello there Master," Evergreen grinned, as she extended her arms outward to either side of her. "Don't mind me, I've just been doing a bit of redecorating!"

"You're playing a very dangerous game here Evergreen," Natsu's voice cut through the murmurs, as the Dragon Slayer slowly rose from his seat. "You'd better have a damn good explanation for what you did to the girls …"

Behind Evergreen were the majority of the girls of Fairy Tail. From Mira, Juvia, Cana and Levy to even Erza. All the girls had been turned to stone. Evergreen was clearly the culprit, soaking up the attention, as she basically showed off what she had done to them, with little more than sadistic glee on her face as she looked down at the horrified faces below.

"Come now Natsu, there's no need to be like that," Evergreen replied mockingly, as she placed a hand on her bust. "Why would a rather delectable man such as yourself settle for such … second rate goods like Erza, when you could certainly aim much high-?"

Within moments, every Guild Member between the stage and Natsu scrambled out of the way as the S Class Mage started storming his way forward. Crash Magic ripping apart anything in his path, as his raw Magical Power started crushing the rest of the room, with only the strongest of the Guild managing to even stay upright.

Evergreen's entire act was turned on its head, as the woman backed away in fear, clearly not having anticipated such a reaction. Just before Natsu reached the stage, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck the center of the stage itself. The lightning strike was accompanied by a loud bang, that had Natsu halt in place, his eyes narrowed to slits as the real one behind all of this made his appearance.

"Now now Natsu, can't have you ruining the game before its even begun," the newcomer taunted smugly, as Natsu grit his teeth. "Isn't that right old man?"

"Laxus, what is the meaning of this," Makarov roared, as the smirk on his Grandson's face had many in the crowd seriously unnerved with how unhinged it appeared.

"Nothing to worry about old man, I'm just spicing things up this year," Laxus smirked, before looking back down at Natsu in an almost challenging way. "You like stuff like that, don't you Natsu? You love to cause chaos just as much as me, right?"

"You have one chance to let all the girls go Laxus," Natsu's steely voice responded, as many in the Guild looked between the standoff, and Makarov, worriedly.

"Or what," Laxus shot back in a challenging tone, as he dropped down onto one knee, and got right into Natsu's face. "One wrong move, and I'll have them turned to dust."

"If you even so much as think of doing that Laxus …"

"You'll what," Laxus scoffed, as he stood back up, before jumping off of the stage to land mere inches away from Natsu, as Makarov watched on with a myriad of emotions on his face.

"I'll kill you," was the calm response from the pink-haired Dragon Slayer, as many struggled to hide their shock at such a statement.

But for Evergreen and Laxus, who actually could see Natsu's face, it was another matter entirely.

The face they were looking at now wasn't the one Natsu normally wore, the one Laxus had seen the last few times he'd scuffled with Natsu. No, this one was the face of a man ready to tear them limb from limb, an almost maddening gleam in his eyes, as they darted from where Laxus was to the statues of the girls.

"What is it that you want Laxus," Makarov's voice cut in, as the yellow-haired man backed off slightly and recomposed himself.

"You know what I want old man," Laxus shot back, as many in the know openly scowled in his direction. "This Guild has become a cesspool of the weak and useless, and I'm gonna put an end to it! Make me the Fourth Master of Fairy Tail old man!"

"You would dare to use the lives of the girls behind you in order to wrest control of Fairy Tail from me?"

"Like it or not old man, this Guild is gonna change," Laxus replied as he leapt back up onto the stage. "So why not make a little game out of it? A game that'll decide who gets to stay when I take over, and who gets the boot!"

"You're way out of line Laxus," Natsu cut in, voicing what basically everyone else was thinking. "You don't have the authority to make yourself the Master, let alone decide who gets to be in the Guild."

"Like I just said, things are changing, regardless what you weak minded fools think," Laxus laughed in response. "The only way you'll be able to stop me is with strength, and that's where the game gets good!"

"What game," Makarov growled in response, prompting Laxus to chuckle darkly.

"The rules are so simple that even a kid could figure it out," Laxus began, as he motioned toward the stone statues of the girls. Beat myself and the Thunder Legion, and the girls go free. Fail to beat us by nightfall however …"

A bolt of lightning struck one of the nearby stone pillars, shattering it into dust, as many looked utterly horrified at what Laxus was implying. Natsu in particular was now shaking on the spot, his fists clenched so tightly that he'd cut into his palms as blood dripped onto the wooden floor.

"Laxus, how could you," Makarov cried out in clear hurt and disbelief. "How could you stoop so low as to threaten the lives of your fellow Guild Members!?"

"Maybe if they weren't so weak, Evergreen wouldn't have caught them off guard," Laxus smirked evilly in response, as his entire body started to glow a bright yellow color. "Get ready losers, change is upon us!"

Laxus vanished within a bolt of lightning, Evergreen vanishing in another that followed mere moments later. Everyone in the Guild Hall looked between one another, as righteous anger began to grow amongst them, and they quickly charged out of the building.

Natsu, Gray, Eliza and Makarov watched them go. They all knew that none of them stood even a ghost of a chance against the Thunder Legion, let alone Laxus himself. The game was a trap, that much was certain.

"So, what the hell are we supposed to do now," Gray asked, with Natsu immediately turning toward the defeated Makarov.

"You know what Laxus has done, right?"

"I know …"

"Then you know what the penalty is?"

Makarov looked up toward Natsu, as he studied the man before him. He then looked toward Eliza who seemed as aloof as always. A plan slowly began to form in his mind, as he then looked toward Gray.

"Laxus and the Thunder Legion must be stopped, I can't deny that. Natsu, only you and Eliza are capable of stopping Laxus, so I want you both to go and beat him down."

"Without killing him," Eliza asked with a raised eyebrow. "A rather tall order, considering what he's done?"

"Its fine Eliza, I'll deal with Laxus myself. I've about had it with his shit, and now that he's threatened the lives of the girls …"

You can count me in on this too Salamander," another voice cut in, as Gajeel popped his head up from behind one of the counters, mouth full of metal. "I owe that blond prick a good beat down after what he did to me."

"You'll fight for us too, Gajeel," Makarov asked, as the Dragon Slayer nodded stiffly. "With all of you here, we stand a good chance of stopping Laxus and whatever it is he's planning."

"Come on Salamander, we've got enough firepower with the four of us," Gajeel said, as he motioned for him to follow. "Let's just focus on taking down that blonde bastard, eh?"

"Fine," Natsu sighed, as the four started walking toward the exit, only for Natsu, Gajeel and Eliza to run into an invisible wall.

"The hell was that," Gajeel grunted, as the three started feeling the wall before them. "How come the stripper wasn't affected?"

"Interesting," Eliza hummed as she gently felt the wall, before snapping her fingers to reveal a complex set of runes barring the path forward. "Very interesting indeed."

"These would be the work of Freed," Makarov noted, as he also came over to inspect the barrier. "It says here that no one over the age of eighty may pass."

"You sure that's what it says," Gajeel asked as he pressed against the wall. "I get Eliza, since she's got the whole God shtick, but me and Salamander aren't over eighty?"

"Honestly, we don't have time to figure out the specifics of this," Natsu growled as he took several steps back, as everyone felt his power flare. "A rather rookie move of Laxus to think this would be enough to hold us."

With no effort whatsoever, Natsu coated his body with Crash Magic, and walked right through the runic array, shattering it in the process, and allowing the others to pass unimpeded.

"I wonder if you do that purely for the spectacle of it," Eliza mused, more to herself than anyone else. "Regardless, let us be off."

"Hold on a moment you lot," Makarov called out, as everyone turned back to face the old man. "Take a look at this runic array up here."

Pointing up into the air above them, the four was surprised to see the runic array appeared to be telling them about a currently active fight. That lone fight was then joined by several more, as Natsu felt himself growing angrier and angrier.

"Elfman vs Evergreen was to be expected, but what the hell is up with these ones," Gray asked, as he pointed to the one directly below. "Why are Alzack, Max, and Nab fighting?"

"Again, no doubt the work of Freed and his traps," Makarov sighed tiredly, as he felt himself growing rather faint. "Hardly a surprise, given what Laxus is doing."

"Seems splitting up is our best option then," Gray suggested, as the others all nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Better to avoid being forced into a confrontation with one another early on in this game," Eliza agreed, with Natsu humming his agreement as well.

"It says that over twenty-five percent of the Guild are already out of the game," Natsu noted, as more and more names vanished by the minute. "Splitting up definitely is the best course of action."

As they spoke, Gajeel noticed that the counter on the Fairy Tail side went back up by one. This drew a raised eyebrow, as it was clearly a game of elimination. Yet somehow, someone managed to get into the game on their side.

"Oi Salamander, the counter just went back up by one?"

"Looks like a key player just entered the game," Natsu replied with a small grin. "Another powerful ally that can hopefully end this mess before anyone gets really hurt."

"I believe our best course of action is to find Evergreen first and defeat her. Doing so would free the others from her Petrification Spell, and give us even more allies to fight with."

"That's a good point too Eliza," Natsu nodded approvingly, as he turned toward both her and Gray. "You two reckon you can find her?"

"You can count on me Natsu, I'm not about to let Laxus get away with this," Gray replied with a scowl, as he turned and ran toward the exit. "I'll see you guys out there!"

"Indeed, I'll depart as well. Hopefully I can find Evergreen before too many get hurt from this pointless charade," Eliza added, as she vanished in a burst of speed, leaving Makarov alone with the two Dragon Slayers.

"You gonna be alright here by yourself gramps," Natsu asked as he turned toward the aged Guild Master, who simply widened his eyes slightly in response.

"You can tell?

"I can, so just rest easy, and let us handle Laxus for you," Natsu replied softly, as he placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "And for what it's worth … I'm sorry."

"Thank you Natsu," Makarov replied with a grim smile. "Truly."

Turning on his heel, both Natsu and Gajeel started making their way into the city. The weaker Dragon Slayer knew he was here more as support, but he also knew that he'd certainly learn something from the stronger Slayer during all of this. And so, he followed without protest.

As they descended the steps, explosions went off all around the city, indicating the many ongoing battles between the members of the Guild.

The Battle Of Fairy Tail had begun