2

The first thing Gajeel realizes is he is not in his and Levy's apartment, actually far from it. The room is white with speckles of black and gold. But he isn't alone either. He can spot Rogue sitting in another bed in the room, knees to his chest. He seems anxious before sensing Gajeel and looking over.

"Gajeel. . ."

"Rogue what is going on?" Gajeel frowns, noticing he can't see Lily either, or Frosch.

". . .I don't know. I woke up only a little while ago myself. I tried the door but it won't open and my magic won't work in here either."

". . .damn." Gajeel tries to turn his arm into iron, but Rogue is right. His magic won't work at all. "I don't remember anything that happened other than that…. woman hitting me with something."

"Yes, similarly I remember that as well." Rogue nodded, "I remember her ambushing us outside of our guild. But I don't remember anything else. . .we were going to look for Sting, but then she came."

"Sting? He's missing?" Gajeel doesn't like the sound of it.

"Yes, suddenly about a month ago. He sent me a letter saying I was in charge while he was gone. But…he just didn't come back." Rogue looks down. "I don't know what happened to him after that. We were going to try and find him, bring him home."

". . .Natsu's missing too." Gajeel replied, frowning, "he disappeared months ago, left Happy behind too."

"Similarly, Lector was left behind too." Rogue looked over, "you don't think they're related, do you?"

". . .maybe. And maybe whoever took them, finally grabbed us too." He tenses when there is a click at the door and it opens.

Gajeel feels sick almost immediately, "Mest?" He breathes, seeing the male there with two trays in his hand. He steps inside and someone closes the door. But Mest's eyes aren't black. He notes, tensing some as the other comes in further.

"Yes, Gajeel?" He asks, setting the trays down on a little table in the middle of the room. "You can ask me whatever you'd like." He looks over at the other, but he doesn't seem. . .right. Gajeel just can't get over the feeling that something is wrong with him.

"Where are we?" Rogue asks, and Mest hums. Pouring some kind of liquid into cups for them both.

"The Alvarez empire, of course." The way he says it almost makes Gajeel sick and he can see Rogue's eyes grow wide.

". . .why?" Gajeel says slowly then and Mest pauses. He tilts his head for a moment.

"Because the Emperor demanded it." He says then, "you're not prisoners but you need to understand your position here."

"And why are you working for him?"

Gajeel watches Mest for a moment as he grabs the trays and gives one to each of them. ". . .because I'd be dead if it were not for his generosity." He smiles at Gajeel. "Now both of you eat and drink. I'll come back later." He is close enough that Gajeel can get a good whiff of the smells around him. And one of them. It has to be some kind of joke, right?

"This drink smells weird." Rogue seems hesitant and Mest walks over to him.

"Don't worry, it's just medication." He replied, calmly. "Mixed with water of course. You can't take the actual dose until you get used to it or you'll get sick. After all, it's very potent."

". . .medication? For what?" Rogue whispers, frowning.

". . .those blackouts." Mest tilts his head again and for some reason, it just really bothers Gajeel. But he comes to realize what Mest said and his stomach clenches. He had only told Lily about them, not even Levy. And Mest knows?

". . ." Rogue bites his lip and without another thought he drinks down the entire beverage. Gajeel can see him almost gag before shuddering. Yet, a moment later he looks fine. He seemed desperate the moment Mest said it could stop his blackouts.

They were bad, Gajeel had almost hurt Levy when she was sleeping once. But he didn't. He hadn't. Yet, could he promise it wouldn't happen again? He wasn't sure.

". . .this can stop them?" Gajeel smells it. He hates the smell but. . .It's not poison. And if I am right, he has Salamander's scent on him. I have to play along. So, he drinks it.

x-x-x-x

"Mest!" The excited voice is always something he is happy to hear. He keeps walking.

"I'm coming," He states when he hears the other call out again to him. But the other male meets him half way, coming and wrapping his arms around him. A kiss is pressed to his neck and Mest isn't complaining.

"My lord, you should be in bed." The other's eyes are bright and curious, holding onto Mest.

"I couldn't rest, I was told there are others here now." He replies, nuzzling against the older man without hesitation. "I couldn't wait to see them."

"Of course not," Mest sighs, "lunch first. And your medicine."

"And yours." The other huffs out, taking Mest's hand. "I wanted to try something in the city, can we go?"

". . .alright. You have been good this week." Mest agrees as he starts to walk down the long hallway. "I'm assuming you want to go to that noodle shop you were told about?"

"Yes, I do." The hand holds his a little tighter. "And after, we can see them or I can hold you, right?"

"Yes. Whatever you'd like my Lord." Mest feels his heart twinge. This relationship wasn't supposed to exist, but it did. It was a need, but neither male minded it. And so long as his Lord was happy, Zeref wouldn't say anything otherwise.

x-x-x-x

The realization was startling for all of them. All four of the remaining older dragon slayers had gone missing, suddenly the night before. Wendy had been sleeping with Erza in her bedroom and been undisturbed. But, Laxus, Rogue, Gajeel, and Cobra were gone as if they never existed. Mest's body was gone as well, despite Porlyuscia having stated he had magic deficiency syndrome. She had been with him the night before too, but could not remember anything. She remembered going to bed after sending Gray home.

Instead, outside of the Fairy Tail and Sabertooth guild buildings were four large footprints. . .a dragon perhaps? But how did it sneak in and out with all of their members?

". . ." Makarov swallows hard, realizing this may be the same reason Natsu vanished. Maybe why Sting was gone for a month. They had been alone mostly, and it could have been all this person or dragon needed

It is only later in that day, when Juvia comes to the guild worried because she can't find Gray.

x-x-x-x

"I can't believe you betrayed us." Gray clenches his fists, seeing Mest come into his cell with a smile on his face and food in the tray he carried.

"Betrayed?" He repeats as he walks over. Sitting down in front of him and reaching to fix Gray's bonds so he can eat. "I didn't betray anyone. In fact, I wasn't the one who did this." He sighs. "But some people are so impatient." He catches the fist that comes for his face. "Now come on, our Lord picked this meal out just for you. So, you should eat it."

". . ." Gray can see its cold soba noodles and. . .well he only told one person he liked that. He didn't eat it often; it was a special meal. ". . .and how did this Lord of yours know what foods I'd eat?" He muttered.

Mest blinks, and its only now Gray realizes his eyes are black. Those aren't his eyes. Is someone controlling him? "Oh, because he knows you as well as I." He answers, calmly. Sitting down in front of Gray. "Now drink and eat. You need to gain your strength back."

". . .I'm not going to, you already know I'll refuse."

". . .if you eat, then I'll answer your questions. One question per three bites." Mest smiles calmly, and Gray swallows. He glances at the food.

"Not poisoned?" He asks, but he sees Mest's horrified face.

"Of course not." He replies, reaching and he touches Gray's cheek. Gray feels how cold he is and he shudders, unable to help it. "He'd be upset if we did such a thing. Now that was a question so eat up."

Gray hesitates but he starts to slowly ear. It tastes good, and damn does he feel betrayed by how hungry he is. Mest watches him, letting out a sigh.

"What do you want to know Gray?"

". . .why are you here?"

". . .I owe Zeref my life." Mest looked at him calmly, sighing. "I was caught, when I came here with letters from the Council. A warning about starting a war. However," He frowned a little bit. "Zeref decided to grant me a pass." He said slowly. "And he had something else that made me say yes."

"And you can't tell me what that is?" Gray asked.

". . ." Mest sighs a little bit. "No, not yet. I wish I could." He admitted. "But the time for that is later." He leans back on his hands then.

"Okay. . .so then, what is that medication you take?"

"Oh yes. About that." Mest tilted his head some, "I don't know. Zeref gives it to me, and it makes me feel better. When I was here, I was so sick I couldn't move. But after he made that for me, I started to be able to move and use my magic again." He watches Gray finish the bowl of food and smiles. He drinks the available beverage slowly.

". . .so, it saved your life too."

"Yes." Mest confirmed. "But it helps others too. It has special properties." He smiled a little bit. "You just drank some yourself." Gray looks alarmed, putting down the empty cup.

"I-I did?"

"Yes. It's okay Gray. Don't be afraid." He stands up, grabbing the empty tray. "Soon, my Lord will come to see you."

". . ." Gray tenses, looking at him. "I. . .why me?" He whispers then. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Well, truthfully I wasn't the one who decided it. Miss Irene did, I could barely erase Porlyusica's memories back at the guild. My body was too weak. So maybe she did it because I couldn't erase yours." He holds the tray. "I don't know for sure." He answered. "But I have to go now, Gray." He glances outside of the cell bars. "Don't even think about trying to escape. You'd get killed." He leaves, closing the cell door and leaving Gray there alone with his thoughts.

The ice mage leans back a little, sighing. How did this happen? He wants to know more. He wants to know why Mest would be okay with all of this. He betrayed Fairy Tail, but his eyes. Something just bothers me about them. Is Mest really in control of his own body? His eyes were turquoise when he came to see Erza at the guild. They had been, when he was Doranbolt. But now, they were a dark black. Almost empty, soulless.

Gray feels terror in his very soul. That medication Mest was taking. . .was it allowing Zeref to control him?

"He's not being controlled." Gray looked up quickly, seeing Zeref on the other side of the cell bars. He holds a book in his arms, and he smiles a little. False kindness. "But his soul has changed since he began taking that medication."

"What the hell are you giving him? What the hell did I drink?" Gray hissed out, not caring if this was the dark wizard or not.

". . ." Zeref smiled a little bit. "It doesn't affect you as much, not with that slaying power of yours." He answered, "it's a special potion. Mixed with herbs and demon blood." He replied.

Demon blood? Gray swallows, and Zeref sighs.

"You heard me. I've crafted it myself for those who wish to have it. It seems to have a positive affect on all sicknesses, even…dragon slayers." The way he says it, it makes Gray feel sick all over again. He wants to make himself throw up, but he doesn't even know where to begin. "Now, I will be leaving you." Zeref said gently, "you are the one I am most worried about being here. But. . .I will allow you to stay." He walked away then, not allowing Gray to say anything else.

Gray swallows hard, leaning back against the wall. Does Mest know what is in it? Is that why his eyes are changing colors?

x-x-x-x

Gray isn't sure how much time has passed since someone has come to see him in his cell. There is nothing he can do but sit there, hoping something or someone saves him. Mest wasn't the one to deliver his meals for a while. But Gray ate and drank whatever he could get. Even though he knew what was in the water, he had to stay alive long enough to get back to the others. Maybe to tell Mest. Maybe then he'd do something…he'd free him.

"You're looking terrible." Gray lifted his head, seeing Mest there. His eyes are soft, but this time. . .They're turquoise.

". . .Mest."

Mest sighs and sits down, putting the tray down. "Here is dinner, Gray. Eat up."

". . .your eyes are normal."

"Oh yes, they tend to change depending on how long I've been without my medication."

". . ." Gray feels sick, "it's not medication Mest! It's demons' blood!" He looks at him, and he expects shock. But he sees Mest's eyes soften.

Mest doesn't speak, but he reaches and removes his shirt. There are markings, pitch black ones that are all over his chest and arms, appearing slowly. He swallows hard and then smiles weakly. ". . ." He looks down at himself and sighs. "Gray, it's a little too late for that isn't it?" He slowly hugs his arms, "I'm a little too far gone to worry about that."

". . .Mest." Gray reaches, and Mest does let him touch his skin. He doesn't flinch back, and instead puts a hand over Gray's.

"We can't win Gray. Zeref will destroy everything unless we obey him. After all, he brought back from the end of my life." Mest is shaking a little bit, "and we can't win against his best weapon. We'd never win. Which is why I will stay here, protecting the people who let me."

". . .what do you mean?" Gray feels Mest grasp his hand a little tighter.

". . ." Mest shakes his head a little bit, "I." He hesitated, "you'll hate the truth Gray. But we were never going to win, we never had a chance. I knew that the moment I knew who END was."

"END?" Gray swallowed. That's who my dad told me to defeat. I promised him.

". . .yes. But END isn't a normal demon, Gray." Mest looks down, "and there is no way you could kill him."

"I promised my dad, I sure as hell could! That's why we have to keep fighting Mest-" Mest reaches and puts his other hand on Gray's shoulder.

"You don't understand." The look in his eyes, that hollow fear. "Gray END is-"

"That's enough." Mest stops immediately and Gray is overwhelmed by the magic power from behind him.

Zeref.

Mest turns, and he looks afraid for a moment, but Zeref's eyes are soft.

"Mest, take your medication." He orders, and hands it through the bars, "And breathe. After all, this is your home now, isn't it?" He asks calmly.

". . .yes sir." Mest stands, and he takes the vial when he walks close enough.

"Mest-"

But, without hesitation, he consumes it. The marks on his body seem to grow and Gray clenches a fist. Mest. No what are you doing? Why are you allowing this to happen to yourself?

"Now," Zeref is looking at Gray. "Mest is one of my soldiers now. Because he has a job, and he must attend to that job. After all, my little brother needs to be taken care of."