Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! Read at your own risk. There's still original stuff in here, but if you haven't gotten to this point in the anime/manga, then some things may be ruined for you. I advise catching up to the anime/manga if you haven't already (for more reasons than just reading my story)! Thank you and enjoy!

Fairy Tail—The Master and the Dragon

Chapter 102

"Master Org, thank you for all of your hard work at the Council meeting." Lahar offered his compliments as he stood before Org. He and Doranbolt had been walking the outer halls of the Magic Council building when they happened upon Org, who had just wrapped up a Council summons. "Has the Guild Amity and Trade Treaty reform bill been decided on yet?"

Org sighed. "It was discussed amongst other topics. With so much going on, it's a miracle we even broached the subject."

"Other topics, Master Org?"

"Yes. By now I'm sure you've already heard, haven't you? After all the commotion, I'd be surprised if you haven't."

Lahar nodded. "If you mean the return of Fairy Tail's lost members, then yes. Do you mean to say that Fairy Tail was discussed?"

"Discussed at length. They've been a common theme of our meetings ever since they returned, starting with the issue with the Half-Dragon and his detainment. Today was different, though. For political reasons, Chairman Gran Doma intends to tie the affairs with the Infinity Clock and the return of the Oración Séis on the return of the main members of Fairy Tail rather than with Zentopia." Org looked out the large archway overlooking the city. "Well, I suppose it's no matter. As long as the case is closed. The magic world may very well be in troubled times once again. What happened with the Infinity Clock may have simply been a harbinger for what is to come. After all, it's already been 7 years since Zeref and Acnologia awoke."

Lahar bowed his head. "My deepest apologies. We've yet to locate either of them. On top of that, Angel of the Oración Séis still remains at large as well."

Org walked closer to the open archway. "We may need to look into augmenting our expeditionary force. Their numbers may be too small to properly prepare, especially if we stretch ourselves too thin."

"I'll inform the captain of the expeditionary force of your recommendation," Lahar said.

Org stroked his beard. "It's been far too quiet these past 7 years. Having no information on Zeref or Acnologia causes great unease. It's far too eerie. Then there's the matter of the other guilds. We've been monitoring Sabertooth's ascent up the ranks. Meanwhile, Tartaros hasn't been making any noticeable moves. Neither has Grimoire Heart and their remaining members." Org looked towards the sunny sky. "On top of all this, the Council still finds itself far more concerned with the Half-Dragon Nikolias and his actions than what could happen in the future from other sources. But is it truly darkness that seeks to shroud the world like they believe? I wonder…will it become a great dawn for the magic world?"

"This great dawn you speak of…do you think the Half-Dragon and Fairy Tail will bring it about?" Doranbolt asked.

Org laughed heartily. He folded his hands behind his back and began to walk off. "Who knows? And to think, I despised Fairy Tail before and here I am expecting something of them. I must be getting old."

Lahar and Doranbolt watched Org leave. Doranbolt reflected on Org's words and their meaning.

"Welcome back, darling! I missed you so much!"

"You know we were only gone a few days, right? Now, can you get off? I can't move."

Nikolias and Mira had returned from their vacation. The moment they opened the doors, Angel flew across the room and embraced Nikolias, nearly knocking him off balance.

"Just let me hug you a bit more." Angel sighed contentedly, wrapping her arms tighter around Nikolias's body.

"Alright, that's enough out of you," Gracie said as she grabbed Angel's sweater dress and forcibly yanked her off Nikolias. "Yo, Niky! Hiya, Mira! How was your vacation?"

"Lovely," Mira said with a bright smile. "The hot springs in Kurokate were simply divine!"

"Hoh? Hot springs, huh?" A mischievous grin crept onto Gracie's face. "How romantic."

"I don't like that look on your face," Nikolias said, eyes narrowed. "Can you not let your imagination run wild for once?"

"I'm not wrong though, am I?"

Nikolias looked away with a huff. "Shut up."

Gracie blinked, her impish smile vanishing. "Wait a sec…Kurokate?" She turned towards the request board. "Hey, that mission regarding the disappearances was in Kurokate."

Nikolias looked towards Mira. "Lily did say she sent out requests to every guild in Fiore. I guess there was one here, too, but we just didn't know about it."

"I suppose so," Mira said. "Still, I'm glad we were able to help her."

"Wait, so you completed the request without realizing it?" Natsu asked.

Nikolias scratched the back of his head. "It's a bit more complicated than that. We didn't know about the request when we went, but once we were there, we got mixed up in it. We couldn't leave her be, so we helped out."

"So you solved the case of the disappearances then?" Erza asked. "What was the cause?"

"A Snow Maiden," Nikolias answered.

Everyone looked puzzled. No one had heard of a Snow Maiden before.

"So this Snow Maiden…did you stop it?" Gray asked.

"The problem was taken care of," Nikolias replied. "There will be no more disappearances in Kurokate."

Gracie pouted and crossed her arms. "Man. That sounds like a really cool mission. If only we had taken that one, we could have had a really cool adventure. And we could have joined you at the hot springs!"

Nikolias glared at her. "If you had come to Kurokate and bugged us at the hot springs I would have killed you."

"I would have loved to go to the hot springs with my darling!" Angel cooed.

"You're not helping."

"Well, all that aside, we're glad you're both safe," Macao said. "And you finished up a tough request, so that will help our reputation, even if only a little."

"Yeah, but we're still nowhere close to Sabertooth," Romeo grumbled, arms folded behind his head.

"Sabertooth?" Natsu repeated.

"Oh, that's right. I guess you haven't heard of them yet," Romeo said. "They passed Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale to claim the title of Fiore's strongest guild."

"Never heard of them," Gray shrugged. "They can't be all that impressive."

"They hadn't made a name for themselves seven years ago before you all were trapped on Tenrou," Alzack said.

"I guess they took advantage of our absence and did some climbing up the ranks," Gracie said. "Still, that much of a change in seven years is a little odd."

Max nodded. "They ended up getting a new guild master. But what really sealed it was the induction of five extremely powerful wizards to their guild."

"Five people made that much of a change?" Lucy asked.

"Think about how much stronger Fairy Tail became after Nikolias, Gracie, Ash, Sky, and Angel joined," Erza noted. "It seems very possible for five new members to make such an impact."

Natsu smirked. "Well, they've got guts for sure."

Sky raised her hand. "Where is Fairy Tail ranked?"

"Bottom-ranked," Romeo stated. All the guild members who had been present to see the guild's descent from glory hung their heads in shame and sorrow.

"Officially the weakest guild in Fiore," Bisca sighed.

Sky lowered her hand and stared at the floor. "Sorry," she sobbed.

Ash put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Hey, it's not like we could've known. We're new additions after all."

Natsu laughed. "Bottom, huh? That makes this even more fun!"

"The hell are you talking about?" Gray asked.

Natsu pumped his fist. "Think about it! How fun is it gonna be climbing back up to the top? I'm fired up!"

"That's the spirit!" Gracie cheered.

"I'd expect nothing less from you, Natsu," Lucy smiled.

"Hey guys." Everyone turned to see Cana enter the guild hall. She was looking around as she approached. "Have any of you seen Gildarts?"

"Gildarts went with Master Makarov to the original Fairy Tail guild hall," Erza replied.

Cana gave a relieved sigh. "That's good."

"I think she's had enough of Gildarts fawning over her," Carla said.

"Maybe so," Erza chuckled.

Gracie hummed in curiosity. "The old guild hall, huh? Wonder what Master Makarov and Gildarts are doing there."

Below the old guild hall, underneath a hidden entrance, Makarov led Gildarts down a long, winding set of stone stairs. Candles illuminated the path, casting shadows on the old, stone walls.

Gildarts looked around. "You sure we can just come down here like this? This building isn't ours anymore, after all."

"No need to worry. Besides, we will get it back soon I'm sure," Makarov replied.

Gildarts shrugged. "Well that aside, I'm not sure how I feel learning that there's been a deep underground passage below the old guild hall. How come we haven't known about it?"

"Because I haven't told anyone about it."

"Why not?"

Makarov stayed silent for a moment. "You'll understand shortly."

At the bottom of the stairs there was a tall set of steel doors. Makarov gripped the handle and grunted as he pulled the heavy door open. A small room was revealed on the other side.

Upon entering the room on the other side of the doors, Gildarts could see countless engravings on plaques and banners bearing the Fairy Tail insignia as well as a giant insignia built into the center of the floor.

"The hell is this place?" Gildarts muttered as he followed Makarov to the other side of the room where yet another tall set of doors lay waiting.

Makarov said nothing. He stopped before the tall doors. Silently, he lifted his hand while holding up two fingers and swiped his hand to the right. A massive, golden magic circle appeared over the door, spinning slowly as magic poured into the door. The magic circle then suddenly burst apart in a flash of light and the doors began to slowly open.

Gildarts could only stare in shock as intense, blinding light erupted from the other side of the doors. An intense pressure surrounded him. He was left speechless by what he was seeing.

"This is our guild's greatest secret," Makarov said, his face filled with seriousness. "Lumen Histoire."

Gildarts's mind was blank. He could find no words to describe or explain. He could only find questions. "What is this? What does this mean?" Reflexively he took a step back.

"Mavis wrote that this is Fairy Tail's true nature."

"I can't find the words…"

"I don't blame you. When Precht showed this to me long ago, words failed me as well."

"But why? Why would something like this even be below the guild?" Gildarts turned to Makarov. "And why show me this?"

Makarov looked towards Gildarts. "Because you will be Fairy Tail's next master."

"Me?!" Gildarts gasped. "But…what about Macao?"

"I spoke to him about it. He agrees that handing the role of master over to you would be the best for turning around Fairy Tail's fortunes."

Gildarts looked down. "I don't know what to say…"

Makarov returned his gaze to the intense light. "It's a great honor. Congratulations, Gildarts. Wear the title with pride."

Natsu punched his palm over and over, flames burning brightly. "I can't wait to get started! We'll be number one again in no time!"

"I think it's going to take more work than you think," Lucy giggled.

"What?" Natsu gasped. "No way! We've got the whole guild back together again! There's no way anyone can be better than us!"

"It's impressive how little you've changed, Natsu. Even after seven years," Max shrugged.

Natsu turned to Max. "What was that? You trying to say you've changed?"

"We've actually lived through seven years. Of course I've changed." Max pointed to himself and smirked. "And not just physically. When it comes to ability, I've improved a hell of a lot."

Natsu returned the confident grin. "That's what I like to hear! How about we fight and see if that's true?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Wha—? Is that really necessary?" Lucy asked.

"I like it!" Gracie cheered, pumping her fist in the air.

"You're all quite fight-happy, aren't you?" Angel sighed.

Max pointed behind him to the door. "Let's step out for this. With our financial state, we can't afford to be wrecking the place."

Natsu nodded. "Wherever's fine with me! I'm fired up!" He bolted outside with the rest of the guild following behind him. He slid to a stop on the small grassy field and waited for Max to take his position. His body trembled in eager anticipation.

Max stood opposite him and beckoned him. "Come on then!"

Natsu needed no further encouragement. Flames ignited around his arms as he charged forward. He was on top of Max in a matter of moments, swinging his arms with a fierce battle cry.

Max ducked to avoid Natsu's attack and landed a fierce kick to Natsu's chest. Natsu was put off-balance by the blow, allowing Max to gather sand in his hand and blast Natsu. The force from his sand sent Natsu flying back.

Natsu spun in the air to land on his feet. He looked at Max with surprise. "Whoa!"

"I've never really gotten to watch Max fight before. Pretty impressive," Nikolias commented.

"He was able to react and counter quickly," Angel observed, arms crossed over her chest.

"Amazing," Sky breathed.

"He's stronger than he looks," Ash commented.

"Wow, Maxy! You're going toe-to-toe with Natsu! How did you get so strong?" Gracie called out.

Max chuckled. "C'mon, Gracie. Did you really think we were sitting on our hands these past seven years? We all trained in our own way."

"Still, I can't believe Natsu's losing to Max," Lucy said, stunned.

Natsu cracked his knuckles. "Nice, Max! You got a lucky shot. Let's try again!" With even more speed than before, Natsu lunged at Max, covering the distance between them even quicker than before. He threw out a series of punches and kicks, but Max evaded each strike with ease.

Once he saw an opening in Natsu's offensive, Max summoned sand around his fist. "SAND REBELLION!" He thrust out his fist, summoning an intense blast of sand that struck Natsu like an explosion.

Natsu put up the best block he could, but it was like trying to defend against a sandstorm in the middle of a desert. He gritted his teeth as he summoned his flames. "Burn!" His flames caused an even greater explosion, dispersing the sand and sending it flying at all the spectators.

"Blegh! I ot han in eye ouh," Gracie complained with her tongue out as she tried to spit out all the sand.

"Careful, Natsu," Lucy coughed.

Natsu was too focused on the fight to hear. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" he shouted, his fist ablaze as he attempted to land a fiery punch.

"SAND WALL!" Max cried, waving his arms in front of him in an arc. A wide, thick barrier of sand appeared around him, completely blocking Natsu's attack. He chuckled. "What do you think? I got the idea from seeing countless Shadow Walls from Nikolias. Pretty solid, huh?"

Veins were throbbing in Natsu's arm and forehead as he pushed with all his might against the Sand Wall, trying desperately to break through. "Damn it!"

"This isn't seven years ago!"

"Unbelievable! Max has Natsu on the ropes!" Warren cried.

"Maybe even we have a chance against Natsu and the others!" Nab said with hope.

The two continued to hold to their attacks; Max kept pouring more sand into his Sand Wall while Natsu pushed with his flaming fist.

A tick mark appeared on Natsu's forehead. He leapt back as fire encased his body. "Enough! I'm breaking that damn wall!" He channeled his power, intensifying his flames. Suddenly, lightning began to crackle and dance among the flames. "LIGHTNING FLAME DRAGON MODE!"

Everyone gasped, their eyes wide.

"No way," Lucy breathed.

"It's the same thing he used against Hades!" Wendy said with surprise.

"But how? Wasn't that only because Laxus gave him his magic?" Gracie asked as she tried to wrap her head around what she was seeing.

"I've never felt magic power like this before!" Angel cried in amazement.

Nikolias was stunned. "Just like before…two elements in one…"

Max took a reflexive step back. "Wh…What is that?"

Natsu took a deep breath. "LIGHTNING FLAME DRAGON ROAR!" From Natsu's mouth, a massive beam of fire and lightning burst forth. The entire ground shook from the force of the attack as dirt was blasted into the air. The sound of a mighty dragon's roar echoed on the wind.

Max didn't have time to dodge or block. Fortunately for him, the attack just barely missed, instead rocketing into the cliffside behind the forest.

The Roar died down. Dirt still hung in the air. Max's face flinched, a stunned smile on his face as strands of his singed hair floated down to the ground. "S…Seriously?"

Natsu was panting, thin streams of smoke billowing from the corners of his mouth. "Damn it! I missed! I guess I'm not as powerful as I was back then."

"Natsu…since when can you do that?" Lucy asked.

"Now," Natsu answered simply.

""Wow,"" Sky and Ash both breathed. Their bodies were still shaking from seeing an attack of that magnitude up close.

Max put his hands in the air. "I give up. You win. If you had actually hit me with that, I'd be dead right now."

Natsu smirked. "Hell yeah!" He turned to the spectators. "Who's next?"

"Natsu, I think you need to rest," Nikolias said. "Two elements at once isn't something your body can naturally handle."

"What are you saying? I still feel great!" Natsu laughed, his hands on his hips. And then, as if flipping a switch, he fell forward onto the ground.

"Natsu!" Lucy cried as she ran to his side. "Are you okay?"

"He must have burned through all of his power with that last attack," Gray said.

"I think you should hold off on using that in a real battle, Natsu," Happy added.

"Leave it to Natsu to do something crazy and unexpected, then pass out," Gracie snickered.

"Gracie, you said Natsu used this 'Lightning Flame Dragon Mode' once before after Laxus gave him magic power?" Nikolias asked.

Gracie nodded. "Yup. It was while we were battling Hades of Grimoire Heart. Why?"

Nikolias didn't answer. He stared at Natsu's unconscious body. 'So then that means…Natsu is now able to store two different elements within his body? All on his own, without getting it from an outside source? But…that shouldn't be possible.'

"Darling?" Angel whispered.

"Are you okay?" Mira asked him. "You seem really bothered."

Nikolias's eyes narrowed. "It's nothing. Just shocked, I guess."

Wendy walked up to Max and smiled brightly. "You were great, Max! You've gotten really strong!"

Max scratched the back of his head. "You don't have to flatter me, Wendy."

"She's right," Carla said. "You have gotten much stronger. But I don't understand. If you're this strong, how did Twilight Ogre push you around?"

Warren sighed. "We may have gotten stronger, but that wasn't the issue. The problem we had was money."

"It wasn't something we could solve using force, you know?" Nab said with a shrug.

"I think we're all missing the big picture here," Gray said.

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.

"Aside from Nikolias and Gildarts, who were monsters to begin with, all of our magic is behind the times."

"How dare you call my darling a monster!" Angel snapped.

"Pretty sure he meant it as a compliment," Gracie said.

"But he could use more poetic words instead!" Angel's eyes sparkled. "Something like how my darling has strength on par with the mightiest divine beings!"

Nikolias sweatdropped. "You're definitely overexaggerating."

"Back to Gray's point, I believe there is merit in his concern," Erza said. "Normally, Natsu's magic power would help him defeat Max handily."

Happy scratched his chin. "I wonder if there's a way to boost our magic power all at once."

"Yeah, like something that convenient exists," Gracie laughed while waving her hand dismissively.

Natsu sat up suddenly, causing Lucy to jump. "Hey, I know!"

"Geez Natsu, you scared me! And you should be resting," Lucy scolded.

"I'm fine! Nothing to worry about! Anyway, why don't we ask Granny Porlyusica if she has anything that could help us!"

"That's not a bad idea," Gray nodded.

"Yeah, I bet she has something, like a medicine!" Lucy said.

"I'd like to ask, too!" Wendy said excitedly.

"Who's Granny Porlyusica?" Gracie asked.

"She's the Medicinal Advisor for the guild," Erza explained.

"Really? She's a member of Fairy Tail? How come we've never met her?" Gracie asked.

"She's not a full-fledged member. She lives in East Forest and helps us out on occasion," Mira replied. "She never visits unless we ask her to come for medical purposes. And even then the reason has to be significant enough."

"She sounds…interesting," Nikolias said cautiously.

"I'd like to meet her!" Gracie cheered. "I bet she's actually a lot of fun! Niky, wanna come with?"

"I'll pass," Nikolias said. "Not much point in me asking someone for help with magic power."

Gracie hummed. "Okay, I guess that makes sense. Sky and Ash, what about you guys?"

"Nikolias is right. We don't use magic, so it doesn't make all that much sense," Ash answered.

"No thank you. Thank you for thinking of us, though," Sky said while slightly bowing her head.

"Angel?" Gracie asked.

"If my darling isn't going, I'm not particularly interested," Angel replied, twirling her hair with her finger and looking away in indifference.

Gracie sighed. "Okay, so Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Wendy, and I are going. That's it?"

"Anymore than that and she'll probably get irritated," Mira giggled.

"Okay then." Gracie pointed in the direction of East Forest. "Well let's get moving! I can't wait to meet her! This is so exciting!"

"Go home!"

The aggravated shout from Porlyusica was followed quickly by the slamming of her front door. Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Wendy, and Gracie all flinched.

"Well that's not what I expected," Gracie mumbled. "She seems kinda crabby."

"Please, Porlyusica!" Lucy called out. "Don't you have something to help us, like a good medicine?"

"Something that can suddenly boost our magic power a whole lot!" Natsu chimed in.

There was no answer.

"I guess getting her help was too convenient after all," Gray sighed.

Wendy looked longingly at the door. Gracie noticed and clapped her on the back. "Hey, don't let it get you down, Wendy! We'll find another way to boost magic power!"

"It's not that," Wendy said while shaking her head.

Gracie blinked. "It isn't? Then what's got you looking down?"

Wendy's eyes were fixed on Porlyusica's door. "It's just that…"

Suddenly, Porlyusica's door opened and she poked her head out. Her stern expression seemed cemented on her wrinkled face. Her thin, pink hair was tied up neatly atop her head in a bun. Her red eyes glared at her visitors. "Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to go home?" she snapped. "I hate humans, so get lost!" She pulled a broom out from inside her house and began swinging it in front of her. Everyone leapt back to dodge and took off running.

"What the hell? That seems excessive! We're not rats!" Gracie exclaimed.

"Sorry for bothering you!" Lucy cried.

"What the hell is with her?" Natsu asked.

"She used to be Gramps's girlfriend. Maybe she's bitter?" Gray offered.

"You moron! Everything about that is wrong!" Porlyusica shouted after them.

Wendy froze. She turned around, her eyes locked on Porlyusica. It was as if she were looking for something, desperate to find it. After a while, she turned back around and took off after the others.

Once they were far away from Porlyusica's house, they stopped to catch their breath.

"That woman really is something else," Gray wheezed.

Gracie wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "She claims to hate humans, huh? With that attitude, I'd buy it. Though she's not as bad as Niky used to be." It was then that she noticed tears forming in Wendy's eyes. "Wendy? What's wrong?"

"Why are you crying, child?" Carla asked with concern.

Natsu gritted his teeth. "That old bat made Wendy cry! I gotta go give her a piece of my mind!"

"No!" Wendy cried. She covered her face with her hands. "Please, don't do that. Porlyusica didn't do anything. It's just…seeing her felt so nostalgic."

"Are you saying you've met her before?" Carla asked.

Wendy shook her head. "This was definitely the first time I've met her, but…seeing her gave me such a familiar feeling."

Gracie scratched her head. "Your first time meeting her, but she feels like someone you've met before, huh? What exactly was so familiar?"

"Her voice. Her smell." Wendy removed her hands. Tears were streaming down her face. Her small body was trembling. "They were the same as Grandeeney!"

Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Carla, and Happy all stared at Wendy with shock. Gracie raised an eyebrow. "Grandeeney? Where have I heard that name before?"

"Grandeeney was the name of the dragon that took care of Wendy when she was small," Carla explained.

Gracie's eyes widened. "Whoa! So you think Porlyusica is really Grandeeney? That's wild! Maybe dragons can transform into humans?"

"I can't say anything for sure," Wendy rasped. She sniffed. "All I know is that her voice and smell are the same as my mother's; Grandeeney, the Sky Dragon."

"Well now we have to check this out," Natsu said. His face showed concern for Wendy, but also a burning desire for answers. If what Wendy said was true, perhaps it could lead him to Igneel.

"Hold on," Gray said. "Even if what Gracie said is true—that Grandeeney somehow turned into a human the way Nikolias can turn into a dragon—it still doesn't add up."

"Gray's right, Natsu," Lucy said. "Your dragons disappeared seven years ago…actually, fourteen years ago, back in the year 777. But hasn't Porlyusica known Master Makarov a lot longer than that?"

Gracie put a finger against her chin. "So what you're saying is that Porlyusica and Grandeeney existed at the same time, which would be a contradiction. They can't exist at the same time if they were in fact one and the same."

"Not much to go on there regarding any kind of reincarnation or transformation," Gray said.

"You're right," Wendy said as she wiped her eyes. "Now that I feel a bit calmer and have thought it over, it really doesn't make any sense. Even though her voice and scent are identical, her tone and mood are completely different."

"I do recall you mentioning how much Grandeeney liked humans," Carla said.

"Yes. Grandeeney is a kind dragon. Like Nikolias."

"Though Nikolias isn't 100% dragon," Gray said.

"Still, it's good to know there are other kind dragons, especially after running into Acnologia," Lucy added.

"Hey, Igneel's nice too!" Natsu said.

"Well excuse me for not being nice!"

A gruff voice caused the group to turn. Standing there was Porlyusica, her expression the same as when she chased them all off her property.

Gracie took up a defensive stance. "We left! Please don't hit us with your broom!"

Porlyusica ignored Gracie and looked at Wendy. She sighed. "I have nothing to hide. I'll speak with you. I'm not Grandeeney, the dragon you're looking for. I'm completely human. I always have been."

"But you hate people," Natsu said.

Porlyusica glared at him. "And? What's wrong with a human hating other humans?" She sighed to try and regain her composure. "I also don't know where your dragon is. I have no direct relationship with dragons of any kind."

"But you know something?" Lucy asked.

Porlyusica nodded. "There is another world, different from this one yet connected. Surely you know about Edolas, correct? From what I hear, you've even met your Edolas counterparts."

"Wait, you're from Edolas?" Lucy gasped.

Gracie sighed. "There's that 'Edolas' again. One of these days, you're all going to explain this a lot more fully. So, Porlyusica, if what I'm hearing is correct, you're claiming to have come from this parallel world?"

"Yes, that is correct. And from an Earthlander's perspective, I could be considered the Grandeeney of Edolas."

"So then how did you get here?" Gracie asked.

"It happened decades ago. I got lost and somehow ended up in this world. I was confused. But in my greatest hour of need, Makarov was there. He helped me. And as I spent time here, I grew very fond of Earth Land. Even when an opportunity arose for me to return to Edolas, I would choose to remain here."

Natsu stepped forward. "What about Igneel and Metalicana? Are they humans over there, too? Are they here in Earth Land now also?"

"What about Niky or Dagor?" Gracie asked.

Porlyusica shook her head. "I don't know. I've never met any of them. However, I did speak with the Sky Dragon."

Wendy gasped. "You did? You met Grandeeney?"

"No, we've never met. She spoke to me telepathically, probably through magical means."

"That's how Niky communicates in dragon form," Gracie said softly. "But he doesn't use magic. Maybe dragons can communicate either verbally or telepathically? Maybe magic enhances that ability? So much to learn…"

"When she spoke to me, she said you all wanted to become stronger. However, I believe this will only be possible for the girl named Wendy." From beneath her red robes, Porlyusica pulled out a stack of old parchment paper bound together with ropes of leather. She held it out to Wendy. "I wrote down this book of magic exactly as the Sky Dragon dictated. There are apparently two types of Sky Magic; Milky Way and Light Burst: Sky Drill. They are two secret Dragon Slayer spells that the Sky Dragon failed to teach you."

Wendy cautiously took the stack of papers as if she feared they would dissolve away if she held them too tightly. She looked at the book. "Grandeeney told you…for me?"

"She wanted me to give that to you if you came by. But be warned; that magic is extremely advanced. Be careful you don't overdo it and damage your health." Having delivered the book, Porlyusica turned and began walking away.

Wendy bowed low until her body was parallel with the ground. "Thank you so much, Porlyusica!" She straightened up, her face glowing with happiness. "Grandeeney!"

Porlyusica stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot." She looked over her shoulder. "I had one more message to relay. The Sky Dragon wishes to express her gratitude to someone she called 'Prince Nikolias'. Would you tell this person that she gives her sincerest thanks?"

Wendy blinked. "Huh? Oh, yes. I can do that."

Porlyusica nodded and continued walking. She smiled to herself as she returned home.

Wendy tilted her head. "I didn't know Grandeeney knows Nikolias."

"Alright everyone, gather around. I have an important announcement to make."

Makarov, having returned with Gildarts from the old guild hall, stood on top of the bar counter and called for the attention of everyone in the guild. They all gathered around and awaited the news. Macao stood beside him, his eyes closed and arms crossed.

Seeing everyone in front of him, Makarov began. "I had a conversation with Macao and he wished to return the title of guild master to me. However, after discussing the future of the guild and what would be best for Fairy Tail, I have decided that I will officially retire instead of becoming guild master. However, I will announce the next guild master."

Everyone waited with bated breath.

Makarov cleared his throat and gestured to his right. "The fifth guild master of Fairy Tail…Gildarts Clive!"

Everyone followed Makarov's gesture. Standing there with a smile was Mira. Everyone blinked in confusion. Makarov's face froze.

"Mira is Gildarts?" Sky breathed, looking up as she tried to comprehend the situation.

"Obviously not," Ash sighed.

"Wh…What in the hell?!" Makarov shouted, snapping out of his stupor. He bounded up to Mira. "Where the hell is Gildarts?!"

Mira held out a letter to Makarov. "He left a little while ago, but he wanted me to give you this letter."

Makarov snatched the letter, unsealed it, and opened it up in a matter of seconds. He began reading aloud the contents of the letter.

"To Master, and everyone in the guild. Sorry, but I'm just not cut out to be a 'Master'. I don't have those qualifications. However, since I have the title of fifth guild master, I will take that chance to give an order; naming my successor. I hereby name Makarov Dreyar the sixth guild master of Fairy Tail."

"ME AGAIN?!" Makarov shouted at the ceiling. The entire guild burst out laughing.

"After all is said and done we're back to normal," Alzack chuckled.

"There's nothing wrong with that," Bisca said. "I mean, the Master is incredibly strong."

Makarov glared back at the letter.

"I'm going to travel for a while. But don't worry. I'll be back when I feel like it. Fairy Tail is my home after all. I'm sure that, by the time I return, Fairy Tail will be Fiore's number one guild once again. But it's not my duty to guide you there. It's all of yours. Master, that's your final task; making Fairy Tail number one! Anyway, until I see you all again, take care."

Makarov crinkled the letter. "What the hell do you mean 'last job'? Alright, jackass! If it's come to this, I'm not letting anyone else become master! I'll be this guild's master until I die! Now bring out the booze!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

Mira walked up to Cana and handed her a letter. "Gildarts left one for you as well."

Cana hesitated for a moment but took the letter. She opened up the envelope and emptied the contents into her hand. There was a letter along with a magic card with Gildarts's face.

'Cana. Sorry for taking off again without any warning. If ever you want to meet me, make a wish on that card. It will connect to the card I have and I'll rush right over.'

Cana smiled. She took the card in both hands and tore it in half. "Geez. I don't need this. I already told you that things were fine the way they were, old man."

Makarov took a massive swig of his drink as he sat at the bar. The final words of Gildarts's letter played in his mind; the words that he did not read aloud.

'P.S. I swear that I won't tell anyone about what you showed me in the basement.'

"That goes without saying, idiot," Makarov mumbled into his mug.

"Still, Gildarts must be crazy if he thinks we can get back the number one spot that easily," Warren shrugged.

"Yeah, that may be a bit too optimistic," Max sighed.

Erza smiled. "No, I think it's good to be ambitious."

"Look Erza, things are different now," Max said.

"There's Sabertooth, but also Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus," Bisca said. "Those two guilds are incredibly powerful and can't even be compared to seven years ago."

"And the fact still remains; the Tenrou group is no stronger than they were seven years ago," Laki said. "Natsu said as much himself fighting Max."

Nikolias clenched his fists. 'No stronger than seven years ago…'

"There's no way to make up for that gap," Macao said.

Wakaba nodded as Mira refilled his mug. "Whether it be individual power or the whole guild's strength, becoming the number one guild in Fiore is just not possible."

Erza calmly turned towards the two. "I see. It sounds like getting back to how we were will take some time."

"Yeah, but I can't wait any longer!" Romeo shouted. He leapt on top of one of the tables and smiled. "There's one surefire way to get back the number one title in a hurry!"

"Forget it!" Macao snapped. "I've already told you that we won't be participating in that!"

Sky cutely tilted her head. "'That'? What's 'that'?"

"Yes, I'm curious about that as well, former Number Four," Makarov said.

"Please don't call me that, Number Six," Macao groaned. He cleared his throat. "Look, we're not discussing this, Romeo!"

"We're gonna be in it!" Romeo barked.

Macao's temples throbbed. "WE ARE NOT! I'll never give permission! Never again will we ever participate in that!"

The guild doors opened. In walked Natsu, Lucy, Gracie, Gray, and Wendy.

"We're back!" Natsu called out.

"Hey guys. Did you get the medicine you were hoping for?" Ash asked.

"Only Wendy," Lucy giggled, gesturing to the young girl who had not stopped smiling.

"So uh…what's going on in here?" Gracie asked. "We could hear shouting from yards away."

"These two are bickering about something, but we have no clue what about," Angel said, pointing a finger at the shouting match.

Nikolias sighed. "This is getting old."

The argument was not dying down.

"You can't make this decision, Dad! You're not the master anymore!"

"As a member of this guild, I'm voicing my opinion! Hell, I speak for everyone most likely!" Macao looked around. "All those who do not wish to participate, a show of hands!"

"I'd rather not do that again."

"We'll just be ridiculed."

Alzack and Bisca raised their hands and offered their insight. All other guild members, minus the Tenrou group and Romeo, raised their hands in support of Macao.

"Things will be different!" Romeo pleaded. "We have the Tenrou group now! We have Natsu! And Erza! And Gracie and Nikolias! Plus, Ash and Sky joined, as well as a former Oración Séis member! How could we possibly lose?"

"Other than Sky, Ash, and Angel, the Tenrou group lost seven years!" Warren added. "Are you forgetting that? How many times have we said it?"

Nikolias's eyebrow twitched. "Seriously old." He stepped up to Macao and Romeo. "If you're all done with your little skit where you conveniently stay as vague as possible with your words, I'd appreciate being enlightened. What the hell are you all talking about?"

Romeo turned to him. "Sorry! See, while you all were gone, a festival started up to decide the number one guild in Fiore."

Sky's eyes sparkled. "Festival?" She thought back to the first ever festival she experienced to celebrate Natsu and Laxus's fight and how much fun she and her sister had. "Oooh!"

"Sounds like fun to me!" Natsu exclaimed.

Romeo's face lit up. "Mhm! All the guilds in Fiore gather and compete using their magic. It's called the Grand Magic Games!"

"Grand Magic Games?" Lucy repeated.

"It really does sound fun!" Wendy agreed.

"Now that's my kinda party!" Gracie cheered.

"I've never heard of it," Angel said. "Though they don't tell you much in prison."

"I see. Right now the number one guild is Sabertooth, yes?" Erza said.

"Yeah, but if we beat Sabertooth and win the games, we'll be named Fiore's number one guild!" Romeo said.

"That's one way to get back on top," Nikolias smirked.

Makarov hummed. "Interesting. However, as has been previously mentioned, I'm not sure you all are strong enough to pull off a victory."

"Exactly!" Macao said.

A small smile crept on Romeo's lips. "You know, if we win, the guild gets 30 million Jewel as a reward."

"We're participating!" Makarov's decision came swiftly with this new information revealed.

"But Master, it's impossible!" Droy cried. "Between Sabertooth, Blue Pegasus, and Lamia Scale, we don't stand a chance!"

"It's also worth mentioning that every year we participated, we placed last," Jet said.

Makarov punched the air. "We'll take that record and destroy it!"

Natsu lit his hands on fire. "I'm fired up! Tell me, when is this tournament?"

"Three months from now," Romeo replied.

Natsu grinned. "Plenty of time! By then, we'll be much stronger than we are now! Then nothing will stop us from taking back the number one spot!"

"Sounds good to me!" Gracie chirped.

"If we all work together, we can't be beaten!" Lucy said.

Wendy looked at the papers she carried with exuberance. "That's how long I have to learn the magic from Grandeeney!"

Ash and Sky clasped hands. ""This should be fun!""

"This guild really does love its fighting and parties, huh?" Angel giggled. "Ah well, at least it's never a dull moment!"

Nikolias closed his eyes and crossed his arms. 'Three months…not as much time as I'd like, but it'll have to do. I wonder…maybe I should go there to train. It could prove useful in finding some answers, too.'

"Looks like Gildarts's wish will come true sooner than expected," Cana chuckled.

All the guild members who knew of the Grand Magic Games groaned.

"I've decided we're in it, so there's no point in complaining!" Makarov shouted. "Let's aim for the 30 mil…I mean, aim for the number one spot in Fiore! Fairy Tail is going to join the Grand Magic Games!"

And thus, we begin the Grand Magic Games arc! I'm excited to get started-I've got a lot of ideas I've been toying with for years! Thanks for reading!