It's been two days since they were lost on the Canyon and came back to the guild. It was another day and Lucy plops down on her usual seat at the bar counter. Mira approached her, a smile on her face.

"The usual, Lucy?"

Lucy smiled back, "Yes, please."

"Coming right up!"

She turned to her left side, preparing to have a conversation with the person who's eating a piece of strawberry cake while her eyes were sparkling.

"Good morning, Erza. It's too early to be eating a cake, don't you think?"

The mage raised her fork, and Lucy thought that Erza was going to throw it at her. But surprisingly, she only pointed the fork at Mira who was holding the beverage that's similar to Erza. "I could say the same to you."

She glanced at her sides to look at someone but found none, "Where is Aira?"

Lucy chuckled, "Still sleeping peacefully, I left her at my house."

Erza nodded in understanding as Mirajane also took a seat in front of them. Erza puts down her fork, "I've been meaning to ask, how did you meet Mirajane if she joined later than me?"

"Oh that?" Lucy and Mirajane smiled at each other before Lucy continued, "It was like this..."

A few years ago

Lucy was walking on her way, a couple of logs between her arms. Celestial was ordering her to gather logs for her strength endurance. She was passing to a house near the forest when she spotted a few townspeople surrounding it. They had weapons in their hands and seemed to be shouting something at someone who's inside the house.

"You're a family of monsters! Ever since you did that this town has been receiving bad luck!"

"Get out of here!"

They began to throw stones at the front of the house, and Lucy can hear muffled sniffles from inside the house. She neared the townspeople, dropping her logs loudly to gather their attention. They all turned to an 11 year old Lucy. "Why are you throwing stones to a house?"

A 40 year old man stepped out, "Those kids who live there are abominations to the society."

Lucy slightly tilts her head, curiosity in her eyes, "Why?"

"Their eldest has a demon living inside of her body... but yeah, a little girl like you can't understand that yet." The old man says nonchalantly, before throwing a rock again on the house.

"I understand you perfectly." Lucy says, her eyebrows now furrowing. "What I mean is why would you throw stones to a bunch of kids who are defenseless?"

Lucy had never felt so angry in her life, those kids in there surely never felt more scared in their lives, and to see these grownups inflicting horror to them snapped something inside Lucy. Before she knew it, she began to emit a dangerous aura that is familiar to Aira. Uh oh, she's angry, more angry than before.

The cat who was silently flying behind Lucy spoke, "Uhm, excuse me. But I suggest you all go away now."

The townspeople gasped, whispering to themselves again. "The cat speaks! Is the little girl also one of them?"

Lucy's voice became venomous and boomed amongst the whispering villagers, "And now you say that to my friend?!"

"Just go, everyone." Aira pleads, scared of what Lucy is going to do.

The villagers gulped when they sensed something peculiar on how the young girl acted, and they reluctantly went away, led by the man who spoke to Lucy still whispering to themselves. When they were all gone, Lucy hesitantly knocked on the door. She heard footsteps shuffling on the other side of the door and when it opened, she was greeted by a child a few years older than her, her face hidden with a cloak and two kids hiding behind her.

"W-what do you want?" A tall white-haired girl asks, stuttering, her hand formed into a fist to protect her siblings if the stranger tries to do something.

Lucy sees the action, and smiles at the girl. "They're gone so you can stop crying."

"W-what?"

"Onee-san, you know her?" The little girl that also has white hair asks, still cowering beside her older sibling.

"No, but she saved us from the townspeople." She opens the door wider, "You can come in if you want, but it's dirty inside."

Lucy shakes her head and smiles, "That's fine by me, since I live in a cave and all."

"Oh."

Lucy turns to the girl who looked the same age as her, "What's your name?"

"I'm Lisanna."

"Elfman."

"I'm the oldest, Mirajane." The girl who opened the door earlier answers.

So she's the one who was silently crying earlier. "I'm Lucy and this is my friend, Aira." The blonde says, and points after to her cat.

Lucy asks, "I don't mean to pry, but where are your parents?"

She saw how Mirajane's stiffened before clearing her throat, "They aren't here, so I'm the one who's taking care of them."

Lucy nods, "I see."

Lucy wanted to intrude more, but she observed that they were becoming uncomfortable. "I just happened to pass around here and I saw what happened. So, I'll be taking my leave. See you around!"

"Thank you for what you did." Mirajane says, her hand hesitantly holds Lucy's hand to at least show her sincerity.

"It was nothing, don't worry."

She opened the door and closed it, and went to the side where she left the logs and began picking them into her arms. With one last look at the house, she went back to the cave.

"Why did you take so long?" Celestial asks, "You've been gone for an hour already. You just have to pick logs, you know."

"I helped someone!" Lucy replies, dumping the wood on the side of the entrance of the cave. "Some people were surrounding a house and were throwing stones everywhere."

"Were you hurt?" Lucy's mentor inquires, as she checks Lucy's body for any sign of wound.

"She wasn't." Aira answers this time, "She scared them off."

"With what?"

"The usual," The cat shrugs, "It was more dangerous than before."

Celestial flicks Lucy's forehead. "You should really learn how to control your temper."

The young blonde rubs the sore spot, "It's not my fault! They were saying bad things to onee-san and the two kids."

Celestial sighs, "Are they alright then?"

"Yeah. I checked them before I left."

The older woman smiles, "Then let's train some more."

"Okay!"

Few days later, Lucy finds herself again in the forest, picking up logs in the ground to use for firewood. She bent to pick the wood when a familiar smell entered her nostrils. She immediately forgot what she's going to do and trailed to where the scent is coming from.

She spotted the familiar cloak holding a bag behind her shoulders, two figures who were usually hiding behind her back were gone. She wanted to follow the older girl, but curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn't help but to say something. "Going somewhere?"

The girl obviously jolted in surprise, turning slowly to face where the voice came from, "Lucy?"

"Hello," Lucy greeted and continued, "Why do you have a bag?"

"I-"

Before Mira can even explain, Lucy did something. She clapped her hands. "Elfman and Lisa-chan, you can come out now."

"What?"

"Uh. And we were planning to surprise her. Why did you call me Lisa-chan?" The short-haired girl emerged from one of the trees, Elfman following after.

Lucy shrugged, "Cause it's cute? Can I call you that if it's okay?"

Lisanna beamed, "Sure!"

"Lisanna! Elfman! Why did you follow me?" Mirajane says exasperated. They're going to be in trouble if they're coming with me.

"But oneesan, we were worried about you! Never make a decision again without consulting us!" Elfman hissed.

"But I was doing it for your own good a-"

The older girl sees Lucy shake her head, "Sorry to interrupt but they are right Mira-san. They have to know what your decisions are and what your feelings are. They're your family after all."

Mirajane heaved a sigh, "Good grief, now we need to camp then, it's getting dark."

She was right, the sun is already halfway on sunset, its orange and red rays displaying on the atmosphere, the night insects also starting to make noise and owls emerging from trees.

"You can use these woods that I picked." Lucy suggests, "We don't really need firewood for now."

Mirajane smiles, "Thank you."

Lucy leads them upon a clearing, "You can camp in here."

Lisanna asks, "Why do you seem to know more about the forest?"

"I train here." Lucy answers, setting rocks in a circle so she can stack the wood.

"Of what?"

"Magic." The blonde says.

"Awesome!" The white-haired girl replies, "What's yours?"

"Well, I'm a celestial wizard, but also practicing something different at the same time" She stacked the woods and turned to Mirajane this time, "You know how to make fire?"

Mirajane hums,"Yeah, you rub those two twigs together until it goes warm and start producing smoke."

"I know that," Lucy laughs, "I can make fire too by using magic."

"Show us!" Elfman beams, sitting beside Lucy.

Lucy put out her palm, a small fire dancing on top of her fingers.

"I thought fire was supposed to be red?"

"It is, but mine's another variation." Lucy continues, "It gets hotter than the usual fire at night, that's where my strength is coming."

"What about morning? Don't you get weak or something?"

"I do, but only a little bit. Because the sun is also a star."

"That is awesome!"

"It is."

The woods crackled as the fire engulfed it. It was now really dark, and the moon was slowly coming to the center of the night sky, Mirajane searched something in her bag and when she pulled out, it was homemade sandwiches. She cut it in halves before giving each one of them a piece, hers was the smallest one. Lucy refused when it was her turn.

She waved her hands dismissively, "I'm good, thank you. You should eat it for your strength."

Mirajane didn't say anything more and quietly bit into her sandwich, her siblings doing the same.

After half an hour of eating, they talked a little bit about stuff and before they knew it, Mirajane was setting up their blankets as they lay down on the cold ground. Lisanna and Elfman went to bed, while Lucy and Mira stayed up to guard for any dangerous animals who could go into the camp. It was silent, and Mirajane was fidgeting in her seat while staring mindlessly on the fire in front of her.

Lucy tries to make a conversation. "Umm, I know this isn't my business but why did you try to run away?"

"I don't want to lose you as a friend if I told you."

"You won't!" Lucy assured her.

"It's because of this." Mirajane reluctantly shows Lucy her other hand, which was covered into something that Lucy doesn't know.

"What happened?"

"I saved those villagers from a demon, and this happened after I defeated that damn creature. Instead of being thankful, they chose to curse me more and humiliate my siblings." A tear slipped from her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away, "I didn't wish this to happen."

"What are your plans?"

"I don't know."

"I'm actually from a guild, I'm just only taking a break to train." Lucy offered, "Since you're planning to leave this town, you can try to go there and ask if it's normal for you to have that." Lucy smiled, "It's in the town of Magnolia, right across the church. A guild named Fairy Tail. I'm sure they'll be happy to help!"

Mirajane returned the smile but was replaced quickly by a frown, "But what if they can't do anything?"

"They can. I think yours is similar to Aira, but I can't pinpoint on what kind it is."

Mirajane could only nod in response, "Should we go to sleep too?"

Lucy shakes her head, "You can go first, I'll stay up to guard some more."

Mirajane made herself comfortable first on her rolling bed before smiling tiredly at Lucy, "Good night, Lucy."

"Good night, Mira-san."

The sound of birds chirping resonated through the forest, Mira slowly opened her eyes to adjust to the sunlight that was seeping on the branches that were above them. She turned to her side, seeing her siblings were still sleeping peacefully. She quickly shot up, remembering that Lucy stayed up to guard for them. Panic flashed on her features as Lucy wasn't on her spot last night, did she chase a wild animal or something?

She heard a rustle, she picked up a log that wasn't used last night as a weapon if it happens to be a wild animal. She didn't know that she was holding her breath when it was just Lucy, who appeared between the bushes carrying different kinds of fruit.

"Did you think I was a wild animal?" Lucy joked as she saw the log that Mira was holding.

"You scared me for a second." Mirajane replies then puts down the log that she was holding.

"The pleasure's mine." Lucy laughed, "Here are some fruits that I plucked out of the trees, you can at least eat this for breakfast and pack some if something is left for travelling, or I can get more."

"You don't have to, you know."

"It's okay, wake them up so you can start getting ready. The day is going to be ahead of you."

Mirajane nodded before proceeding to shake her siblings lightly to wake them up. They started eating and after half an hour of getting ready, It was time to leave.

"I'll see you guys when I get back!" Lucy waved.

"Bye Lucy!"

End of flashback

"That is what happened?" Erza asked.

"It is." Mira beamed, "Then we went here to look for the master to ask about my hand, and he said it was normal. I just need to learn how to control it so it can disappear if I chose to. At first I was reluctant, but then I remembered Lucy's words before we departed.

"You, having that something in your hand isn't an abomination. It's those people who judge you for what they see is. Don't let them down you, and instead turn it into motivation to prove them wrong. For the sake of your peace of mind and your siblings too."

Lucy chuckled lightly, "I blurted the first thing that came to my mind. I can't believe you still remember it."

"Of course, I would." The white-haired girl teases, "Then by the time that we got here, I asked the master if he knew you, to make sure you weren't kidding."

"Hey!"

Mirajane ignored Lucy's whine and continued, "And he said yes, he knew a blonde little girl who was wise at her young age, and that she took a time off to be more stronger. He was surprised at first but when he asked where I was from, I told him that you mentioned that you transfer places from time to time so I thought you would move places after we met."

"It was true. But I'm here now!" Lucy answers as she beams.

"Amazing." Erza said while sipping her tea, her plate now void of any piece of cake. "That's why when she got here, she was only on the side of the guild, hiding her face and not associating with any of us."

"I was shy!" Mira laughs, "And I was still afraid of anyone seeing my hand."

"Heh." Erza chortles, "You eventually warmed up when we really tried hard to talk to you."

"And I'm thankful for that," Mira said, now standing up. "If you may excuse me, I'll get back to work."

"It's okay." Both girls simultaneously said.

They watched as Mira went to the back, her figure retreating. When they were sure they were alone, they both started talking in hushed whispers.

"Her smile isn't the same as before." Erza started.

"I know, her smile radiates some sort of good energy when I first see it. And now, her smile doesn't even reach her eyes. It's like she's functioning as a robot." Lucy clenched her fists, "If only I was here, I should've gone with them. And maybe, Lisa chan wouldn't have died. It was the first time that I saw her so vulnerable when I got back, she bawled her eyes out. She cried on my shoulder and I can only engulf her in a hug."

"Hey relax," Erza said, now having her hands unclenching Lucy's tight ones, "It's not your fault, we didn't know that it would happen. I admit it hurts too - until now - but we can only stand beside her, and as long as she knows our presence, she'll be fine."

"I wish." Lucy mutters.

Erza tried to lighten the mood, "How was Giltena?"

"It was," The blonde was glad that the scarlet-haired woman tried to take her mind off of things. Lucy pauses, choosing the right word, "fun?"

"What?" The whole guild now turned their attention to the two female wizards at the bar counter, their ears perking up at the mention of the other continent, and the said reputation that Lucy has which was discovered when the group fought Eisenwald.

"I mean defeating dark guilds brings relief to me, but I was also searching for someone, in hopes of finding them there. Even just a glimpse is enough."

Erza can't help but to ask. "Who's that someone?"

Lucy smiled, but her eyes held sadness, "It was my mentor, a friend and a second mother to me."

Erza sensing that it's a topic that shouldn't be talked about with many people, tried to cheer her up instead, "I believe you would see her in the future."

The blonde nods, "I hope so."

"Lucy!" One of the guild members said, "What's your magic?"

Lucy turned where the voice came from, "I'm a celestial wizard."

"But they said you also have a scythe or something? What is that? Do you have a second magic?"

"You mean this?" The scythe appeared out of nowhere on Lucy's hand, the others gasping on its appearance. It seemed as if there's some yellow rope surrounding the half handle, her blade shining even without the need of sunlight hitting against it. "I am also a Dragon slayer like Natsu, it's my second magic."

"That's amazing!"

Whispers resonated throughout the guild.

"Thanks?" Lucy answers. She spent the day talking and laughing with them. She tried to catch up for all the things that she missed, events that happened where she wasn't there. But before she retired to the comfort that her home brings, she couldn't help but to think about the two pairs of eyes that watched her throughout the time, one with admiration and another emotion that she can't comprehend.

In Era, the magic council was having one of their regular meetings. Arguments flied across the room, until a loud voice boomed, immediately shutting them up. "Eisenwald's defeat does not solve the main problem in any way."

"The number of dark guilds is as many as the stars in the sky."

"Fairy Tail had caused wreckage again!"

"Why can't they settle down!"

"But they also defeated Eisenwald, so there's one less powerful dark guild from all the major ones."

"The people would think that we can't control those bunch of wizards! They would lose respect for us!"

A blue haired man who stayed silent the whole time finally spoke, "Then at least choose one of them to take the blame."

"Good point."

He chuckled inside, "I will see you again."

The next day, Lucy was awakened when Aira gave soft pats against her cheek. She grunted, and snuggled more to the comfort of her pillow. "Let me sleep more."

"I would," The cat said calmly, but then her voice grew louder, "But it's Erza and Natsu's fight today!"

Lucy asks, her voice groggy from being tired. "Huh? When did they decide to do that?"

"When we were on the train!" Aira shouts this time, "Now get your lazy ass up!"

"Fine." Lucy cursed under her breath, stretching her arms a little bit before standing up.

After an hour of getting ready, Lucy walked lazily to the direction of the guild, her eyes still half shut while Aira gave her a push from time to time. "Walk faster!"

"I am!"

"You don't, so move faster!" The talking cat complains, "We'll miss the fight!"

Before Lucy could say something, they saw the front of the guild, people surrounding something that seemed to be where the fight was going to be held. "Hurry up!"

Lucy said a few excuse me's before she could reach the front. Erza and Natsu were standing across each other, the latter having a huge grin in his face and the former showing no emotion.

The crowd cheers the person who they placed their bets on.

"Get him!"

"You can do it, Natsu!"

Lucy stares at them with a bored gaze, "They're really serious?"

"Oh, Lucy!" Mira greets, "You arrived at the right time, it's just about to start."

Lucy nods, "They are two of the strongest wizards in our guild right? And for them to fight here, it's gonna get messy."

She hears Gray snickered at her side, "Who told you they are the top wizards in our guild?"

"Mira." Lucy answers.

Gray freezes at the answer then proceeds to apologize to Mira who was near in tears. Lucy laughs at the sight. They were interrupted when they heard the duelers speak again.

"I was a kid since we last fought," Natsu starts, "This time is different, I'm going to beat you."

Erza closes her eyes, "Then I'm going to fight for real, too." The scarlet mage opens her eyes and smirks. A blinding light engulfs her, and when it disappeared, her armour changed.

The crowd was booming again with whispers.

"It's her Flame Empress Armor!"

"It cancels out fire!"

"Natsu's going to lose as usual!"

Master Makarov signals the fight, "Begin!"

The two started their attacks, for every flamed fists that Natsu hits, Erza cancels it out with her sword. But before Erza's sword hits Natsu, a messenger from the Magic Council appears from the mass of people surrounding them, hitting its hands as if it's a gong. The sound echoes across the crowd, including Erza and Natsu. When the attention is focused on the stranger, they clear their throat. "Stop whatever this is. Everyone do not move.I'm an emissary from the Magic Council."

Levy wonders, "What is a messenger from the Magic Council doing here?"

"It's a frog though?" Lucy points out.

The messenger glared at her, and she closed her mouth quickly. "For numerous crimes that have been committed during the Eisenwald incident, and destruction of property, I'm hereby to arrest Erza Scarlet. "

"But we did it as a group!" Natsu snarled. The messenger ignored him, "Take us with her!"

"Natsu," Master Makarov spoke, "Stop, the council only wants her. Be thankful."

Natsu grunted, but said nothing anymore. They watched as Erza returned to her original attire before she got taken away.

Lucy watched silently on the sidelines, a smirk replacing her stoic expression.

"You are planning something that is probably stupid, aren't you?" Aira asked, sighing.

Lucy shrugged, "Maybe, you have to find out."

She laughs, and Aira wants to punch Lucy for her insane plans. Trust Lucy and her mind, sometimes.

The guild was surprisingly gloomy, Gray had his clothes on as he was sitting, Mira was looking down as well when usually a smile is on her face and Elfman twirled the drink on his hand.

A high-pitch voice shouted in the quiet guild, "Let me out! Let me out of here!"

Mira glared, annoyed at where the voice came from, "Be quiet, Natsu."

Natsu continued shouting and Mirajane stared at him. "You will go into a rampage if we let you out."

Natsu, who is in a lizard form replied, "No, I'm not going to! Let me out!"

"If we do, you'll save her."

"I would not! Like I'd help her!" Natsu shouts again, flailing his arms, "Turn me in my original form!"

Gray crossed his arms, "This is the council. There's nothing that we can do."

"I'm going to give them a piece of mind! I don't care if they are the council! They are the ones who are wrong!"

Gray only sighed, pretending to not hear Natsu's hundreds of complaints.

Erza walked through the halls of the Fiore branch of National Council, her wrists were cuffed, the messenger who arrested her was in front of her. As she neared their trial room, she saw a familiar figure leaning on one of the beams of the building, his arms crossed, his blue hair can be seen even from afar.

"Siegrain!"

When she reached him, the man smirked, spreading his arms as to greet her while the messenger bowed, "It's been a while Erza."

He waved his hand to dismiss the messenger in front of Erza. When they were gone, the man stepped forward, going to the side of Erza, who can't help but to clench her teeth. "Erza."

"Siegrain. What are you doing here?" She asks, her teeth clenched as to stop herself from saying strings of curses.

The man puts his hands up in defense, "Relax. This is just a projection. My body is in Era right now. All the officers that are now in the trial room are projections too. This trial is only for publicity due to the damages that wizards do."

"So this was your doing?" The scarlet mage says furiously, "I should have known. They need someone to fully take the blame. A scapegoat. That is me."

"Smart. It's nice to see you. It's been a long time."

"I don't want to see you." Erza retorts,

Siegrain shakes his head but a smirk remains in his lips. "That's not nice. I stood up for Fairy Tail."

"And you offered me?"

Siegrain ignores what she said and only chuckles, "Remember, Erza. Not a word or else."

"I will."

The hologram disappeared slowly, and Erza formed her hands into fists. She took a deep breath before proceeding to the door, her shaky hands gripping the door handle tightly.

"I can't take this anymore! We have to go testify!" Gray grumbled.

"Hold on, now!" Makarov shouted while sitting at the bar counter.

"She was unlawfully arrested!" Elfman butted in.

"It's too late for that even if we hurry!" The master concluded, his eyes closed.

"Let me out!" Natsu shouted once again.

The master snickered, "Are you sure that you want to be out?"

Natsu tensed, now becoming quiet. The others stared at him, confused.

"What's the matter? You suddenly grew quiet."

Natsu shook, but grunted loudly when the master shot his magic into his direction, breaking the glass that served as his cage.

When the smoke disappeared, it was Macao instead of Natsu.

"Macao?!"

"What the?!"

Macao scratched the back of his head, "I apologize. I owe Natsu a favor so I transformed into a lizard to pretend that I am him."

"Don't tell me he went after Erza!" Gray sneered.

"I think so." Macao trails off.

"All of you shut up! We'll just wait and see how things turn out." Makarov's voice resonated in the guild.

They went quiet, but not before the sound of the guild doors being opened garnered their attention. It was Natsu who was rubbing his eyes as if he fell asleep.

"Natsu's here?" Gray asks, confused.

"I thought he's going to the council?"

"Well that was my plan," He answered, "But I met Lucy on the road with the same plan. Before I knew it, she knocked me out."

They only stared at him, waiting for him to tell them what truly happened.

He was following the carriage where Erza was in, he was hiding in the bushes, but his attention was divided when someone appeared behind him. It was Lucy and Aira.

"What are you doing here, Luce?"

The former only smiled, "I could say the same thing. Are you perhaps going to follow Erza?"

"I am. She's unfairly been arrested when she did nothing wrong!"

"I agree with you." She smirked, "But that's going to be my job."

Before Natsu knew it, Lucy hit the part of his neck where it immediately knocked a person unconscious. Natsu's body would have hit the ground roughly if Lucy hadn't caught his limp body.

Before he went completely unconscious, he heard Lucy say, "Sorry, Natsu" before he blacked out.

"And that was it, I woke up in her apartment and a letter on her desk saying she apologizes for what she did." He trails off, "And also said not to follow her."

"Natsu fainted with just one hit," Gray laughed.

"I didn't!"

"Be quiet!" The master put a hand on his chin, "Let's see on how Lucy would handle this."'

They all sat and waited, thinking of what Lucy would do.

At the gates of the Fiore branch, guards stood at the entrance, Lucy appeared in front of them in a flash and they jolted in surprise.

"How did she appear out of the blue?"

"Teleportation?"

"I don't think so."

They crossed their spears in an attempt to block Lucy, but she still stood there, grinning like an idiot, Aira watching behind her back. "Move aside."

The guard gulps before standing straight, "State your business first before we let you in, otherwise you have no choice but to leave if you don't have any."

Lucy muttered something under her breath, and before the guards knew it, they were knocked out unconscious. "I told you to move aside, bastards."

"Are you really sure we're doing this, Lucy? You can get arrested for damaging properties." Aira says, "I bet they will release Erza after a day."

"I'm sure," Lucy answers, her tone firm. "That's the point of doing this."

"I can't believe I'm letting you do stupid things." Aira glared.

"Cause you love me." Lucy grinned.

She continues walking until she arrives at the centre building. She peeked through the hallways, "Where do you think they're holding the trial?"

Aira suggests, "Just follow Erza's scent if you still can smell a bit in the air."

"You're right."

"This wizard hearing will now come to order." The speaker said. "Defendant Erza Scarlet. Please take the stand."

Erza went to the platform, her head low. Siegrain laughed inside his mind.

"Defendant Erza. You are accused of the partial destruction of Oshibana Station during the recent Eisenwald incident because of Lullaby. As well as the damages to the Ryusika Gorge Railway, and the destruction of Clover properties. Witnesses say that the person who is responsible is a mage with a well-clad armor –"

Before he could continue, sediments flew across the room as someone burst through the doors behind Erza, the council members were shocked but quickly regained their composure and waited for the smoke to disperse to see the culprit. When the smoke was gone, they saw a blonde girl standing at the hole that was the result of earlier, a cat behind her. Her eyes were ridiculously shining red, a low growl went out of her.

"Why did you arrest my comrade?"

"Lucy?" Erza asked in a whisper, scared that the blonde's eyes were still red. She remembered Aira's words during their fight with Eisenwald. "Lucy gets mad if they accuse something that isn't really true to someone who is innocent. Specifically if it's her comrade." She also recalled when Lucy went mad at the townspeople when she saved Mira and her siblings and almost did something that she regretted. Good thing that Aira was there.

She exchanged eye contact with Aira, who immediately understood what Erza meant. She nudged Lucy in an attempt to calm her down, but the blonde's attention was still transfixed at the council members sitting at the higher row.

"Who are you?" The spokesperson said.

"My identity is not needed. Release my comrade right at this instant even though this is just for publicity. It is your fault in the first place that Eisenwald got a hold of Lullaby." Lucy snarled, her eyes still glowing dangerously red.

"Who are you to accuse and place the blame on us?! Take them to a cell!" A council member ordered.

Erza quickly stepped out of the platform, now shaking Lucy's hand to really calm her down. "Lucy it's okay. They are supposed to release me after this is done."

"I don't care." The blonde's firm tone made Erza close her mouth. "I won't shut up just because this is for publicity or whatever you call it. Just because your power would be in question does not mean that you have the right to involve someone who has done nothing wrong but save this town and the guild masters."

Siegrain only watched their interaction. Is Erza scared of her? Impossible.

"Take them to a cell! Or do you want Fairy Tail to be erased and be blamed?" A council member threatened, now chuckling slightly as if knowing that the mysterious person would be scared.

But she wasn't. Her face showed that she was more annoyed. In a blink, the walls that made the trial room were eradicated, and smoke seeped into the atmosphere. A powerful magic force made Erza, Siegrain and another council member get down on their knees just by only how strong it was. The other council members' projections slightly twitched, but they still stayed silent nonetheless.

"Try doing something to Fairy Tail and I won't think twice to erase you. That was only a surge of my magic power and is already enough to put two of your members on their knees. Do I need to say more?" She turned once again at the council members. "We're leaving. If you try to follow us and do something to my guild, you know who you'll be facing."

She cut the restraints on Erza's hands who was still shaken on what she felt and witnessed. Lucy crouched down in one of her knees and smiled warmly to Erza, her eyes now turned into its normal color. "Let's go?"

Erza nodded stiffly, before they were gone in a second.

The council members' projections only stared at each other, "Who was that?"

A second had passed and they were in front of the guild. Lucy had a slight sheen of sweat trailing from her neck. Erza blink rapidly as if not believing what is happening. We were in the council and now we are back in the guild already?

She stood up shakily, her knees had hurt from being forcefully kneeled because of the strong magic power. Lucy who returned in her calm state was now being scolded by Aira beside Erza.

"What did I tell you about controlling your temper? What's going to happen now? And you really transported from there to here!"

"I'm sorry," Lucy fidgeted on her fingers, "They wouldn't do anything, not on the way that I threatened them. Besides, Erza's now back, right?"

Erza dumbly nodded, still unable to say anything. Why can't I?

Aira only sighed, "You really scared me there. Are you alright? Tired?"

Lucy giggled, "I'm tired a little bit. But let's go inside."

She pushed on the doors of the guild, and a series of noises is what greeted them.

"They're back?"

"What? But only a few hours had passed. They should be back at night." Master Makarov questioned, not believing that the 'trial' was done so fast.

"Well, something happened." Aira started, now they were listening to her. "This dumbass here," she points at Lucy, "Scared them off. Probably Erza too."

Erza denied, "I wasn't! Just surprised."

"What happened?!" They all shouted simultaneously.

"Well…" Aira proceeded to tell them everything that had happened, but she didn't say some details knowing that they would be nervous of the possible consequences of her actions. They all stared at Lucy in disbelief who was now sitting on one of the stools, sipping her milkshake.

"She did that?! I can't believe it."

"Maybe that is why they are really here early. They do not really have a choice."

"Well at least she gave some justice to Erza."

"I could have handled it just fine," Erza whispered, sipping on her tea.

"Lucy's amazing!" Natsu cheered, "But you knocked me out!"

"Sorry, Natsu." Lucy paused, "I really didn't mean to."

"Well, whatever!" Natsu smiled, "Just don't do it again."

"I will."

Natsu only laughed in return before going to where Gray is to have one of their usual fights.

"Lucy? Come here." Makarov called.

Lucy went to the side of the bar counter where Makarov is sitting, "Yes master?"

"What really happened? I know Aira left out some details."

"Uhm…" Lucy chuckled nervously, "I kinda went actually mad, and I may have threatened them back when they said something about the guild."

"What did they say?"

"That they would erase and blame Fairy Tail if I don't stop."

"And?" Makarov asks, urging Lucy to continue what she's saying, "What did you reply?"

"I said that if they do something to the guild, I won't think twice but to erase them instead."

"Do you think they would be really scared? What if they really do something to the guild, Lucy? I can't let that happen!" Makarov said, exasperated. "What will happen now?"

"I don't think they would do something to the guild, Master. Given that I showed an ounce of my power to them. But I think they would do something to me to keep me in check and so they could control me."

"I wish, my child. But what would you do if what you think happens?"

Lucy shrugged. "Embrace it, I guess. For now, I just have to let the events unfold."

"I positively hope so."

Elfman started, "Now that Erza's here, aren't you going to continue your fight?"

"You're right!" Natsu cheered, ecstatic. "Let's continue our fight, Erza!"

"No, we should save it for another day." Erza said nonchalantly, sipping quietly on her tea.

"No way!" Natsu disagreed, "We're continuing it!" He attacked Erza but before he could land his attack, Erza stood up, punching his gut hard in the process. Natsu was down quickly.

"Then let's start." Erza answers, dusting off her skirt.

"Natsu's down!"

Rambunctious laughter exploded in the guild, but not before Makarov felt something weird.

"What's wrong, Master?"

"I suddenly felt sleepy, it's him."

Mirajane suddenly felt dizzy, and before her head could hit the bar counter, Lucy supported her head, laying it softly. The others also felt the same, now clutching their heads. They tried to stop it, but they know they can't since it is stronger than what they can do.

"This is! -"

"I'm sleepy."

They all fell softly on to the ground, except Lucy who's wide awake and Makarov who's half conscious.

"You're awake, Lucy? How?" The master asked, confused as it doesn't work even just for a little bit on Lucy who was now starting to get confused.

"I'm wondering the same, master. What's happening?"

Both of them stared at the masked man who entered on the guild, his steps padded lightly at the wooden floor.

"Mystogan." Makarov greets.

Mystogan? Lucy felt the name seemed familiar to her, where did she hear it from? The masked man tore one of the jobs on the request board, now turning to where Makarov sat, "I'll return back."

"Hold on!" Makarov stopped him, "Lift the –"

Before he could say more, Lucy appeared in front of the mysterious man, removing his mask that covers the half of his face. The latter was surprised, because no one had been able to do it to him, and also because of the secret that he keeps that's why he can't let anyone see his face.

Lucy only stood there in shock, along with Makarov, "Myst? Is that really you?"

"Lucy?"

"It is me." Lucy smiles, "It's been so long! So you have joined here after all! Where is she?"

"She is somewhere else," Mystogan took his mask from Lucy's hands and put it back to cover his face again, "It's good to see you again, Lucy. But I have to go."

"I understand." Lucy waved him off, "Now, lift the sleeping spell before you leave."

"Five."

"Four."

"Three" He got past the unconscious bodies of his guild members.

"Two."

"One." He was now out of the guild and disappeared.

The guild members started to regain their consciousness one by one.

"My head hurts."

"This feeling," Macao starts, "Mystogan's sleeping magic is as powerful as ever."

"So Mystogan is his full name." Lucy whispers to herself. Then she asks Elfman, "So he's powerful?"

Elfman nods, "He's one of the running candidates for the strongest man in Fairy Tail."

Gray also agrees, "For some reason, he doesn't want anyone to see his face. So he puts everyone to sleep whenever he comes to take a job." Gray trails off, "No one but master knows what he looks like."

Master Makarov and Lucy exchange glances in which Gray catches on, "Don't tell me you know his face?"

The blonde mage scratches her ear and chuckles nervously, "Let's say I met him during one of my travels. Don't ask anymore questions about him."

Gray only nods. But before silence is present, an arrogant voice echoed in the guild. "No, I also know him."

The guild members were surprised. A man with also a blonde hair was in the second floor of the guild, his arms propped in the railings.

"Laxus!"

"You're here?!"

"This is rare!"

Laxus laughs, a bit dryly. "He's just shy. Don't get too nosy."

The voice was enough for Natsu to wake up, Lucy notices. "Laxus, fight me!"

Gray butts in, "Erza just gave you a beat down!"

The ice mage whispers to Lucy, "I don't know if you know him but he's also one of the candidates for the strongest member."

He hears Lucy scoff, "Oh, I know him. I'm just gonna be silent and watch things turn out."

Then they hear the lightning mage chuckling as if mocking. "You don't stand a chance against me if you can't even beat mere Erza."

Lucy grips the teacup that she is holding when she hears the comment and feels her ears going red. It was an insult, and she wasn't going to let anyone downgrade her friends.

"Just friends?" She hears Aira ask in her mind.

The blonde furrows her eyebrows and turns to Aira who was across her. "What are you saying?"

She sees Aira shrug, "Nothing. Just calm down, okay? If he says one more insult, just do whatever you're gonna do."

The blonde mage nods in response.

"What does that even mean?" Erza says, slightly furious.

Laxus raises his arms, "I'm the strongest."

"Come down here, you jerk!" Natsu shouts.

"Then go here." Laxus challenges, a smirk plastered on his face.

"Hell, I will!" Natsu jumps on the top of the tables, and when he arrives at the top of the bar counter to hop on the flights of stairs, Master Makarov's hand enlarges and he pounds it to Natsu. "You're not yet allowed to the second floor."

He turns to Laxus, "Stop it."

The latter only laughs, "I won't let anyone take the title of Fairy Tail's strongest! Not even Erza and Mystogan."

A loud scoff resonates in the guild, and they all turn to the source. It was Lucy, who was stirring her tea. "Don't get ahead over yourself, Lax." She emphasizes on the nickname that she gave him that she knows he hates. "I just came back and you still haven't changed."

A flash of recognition fleets in his eyes because of the use of the nickname. There was only one girl who called him that. It was only the girl a few years ago who newly joined the guild that gave him that nickname to get on his nerves. He composes himself quickly. "Lucy, it's good to see that you're back. But I wished that you hadn't."

The other members that are present can only stare at Laxus and Lucy. They were anticipating what would happen.

The blonde takes a sip at her cup before answering, now staring at Laxus. "And miss the chance to tease you like old times? I wouldn't pass that opportunity." She scoffs again, "But I see that you're still arrogant as ever, I really hate your guts."

Laxus clenches his fists. "Likewise."

Makarov only facepalms, "Oh, Dear Mavis, here they go again."

Lucy was on her way home from the guild. She was exhausted given that there were many things that happened today. The arrest, Myst, then Lax. Lucy sighs, then pats Aira's head who is sleeping already while Lucy cradles her in her arms. She arrives in her apartment, and she twists the knob to her door. After she closed the door behind her, the sight of Natsu and Happy exercising in her bed makes her scream, and causes Aira to wake up.

"Welcome -"

Before Natsu can continue, a kick makes contact in his face.

"You guys stink! And you had the audacity to workout in my bed!" She sighs and rubs her temples, "Shouldn't you do your workout in your house?"

The fire mage chuckles, "What are you talking about? We're a team, remember?" He passes her a dumbbell, "You like pink, right?"

Lucy's eyebrows twitched as she stared at the object, incredulous. "What am I going to do with that?"

Natsu ignores her and resumes doing pushups, "We're gonna get stronger if we want to beat Erza and Laxus."

Lucy stays silent. "You did something stupid, right?"

Natsu doesn't answer but she sees Happy getting nervous. She glances at Aira - who's now awake because of the noise earlier - and she nods. "They stole an S-Class quest."

Happy stutters then began to sweat bullets. "H-how did you know?"

"You're hiding it on your back. I can see the mark S on the side." Aira points out. I actually read your mind, sorry.

The blonde sighs then puts out a hand, "Can I see?"

When Happy gives her the poster, she opens it and scans the details. "Lift the curse of Galuna Island?"

"We should go," Natsu says, "They're not going to believe that we are strong if we don't prove something to them."

Lucy hums, then turns to Aira who shakes her head. When the cat sees that there's a mischievous glint in the blonde's eyes, she knows that she can't change her mind. "It says that there's a golden key as a reward. We'll go then."

"Huh?" Natsu asks dumbly, "You're not going to refuse or complain?"

Lucy snickers, "Do you want me to do that then?" When she sees the fire mage shake his head, she continues. "Besides, I've been looking for the gold keys, there wasn't one in Giltena. And it was a while since I had fun, this can spice things up."

"You think they're not going to get mad at us?"

Lucy chuckles, "We're not technically breaking guild rules. I'm an S Class so we're good. We just didn't inform the master that we're taking the job." She stands up, and packs a little bit of food. She glances at Natsu who was still sitting on the floor. "Aren't you coming?"

The latter rises to his feet and hastily exits to the window of Lucy's room. Happy grabs his shoulders and they fly out of the window. "First one that arrives at the port can decide our way of transportation to the island!"

Lucy laughs, and Aira sits on her shoulder as she closes the door to her apartment. "It's on!"

The next day, a panicking Mirajane comes down from the stairs. "Master! A poster of an S-Class quest is missing from the second floor!"

Makarov stirs his coffee and puts it in his mouth to drink. When his mind finally registers what Mirajane said, he spits out his coffee.

I got a writer's block after I updated last time i- anyways, this was too long AHAHA thank you for the comments on the previous chapters. They motivate me to write more excitingly and properly. I enjoyed writing this chapter because we get to see Lucy being mad for Erza :) But will her actions cause consequences? What's going to happen after they stole the S-Class? Let me know your thoughts! See you guys in the next chapter :)