Moonlight pierced through the vent, illuminating the tear stains on the faces of the rescued.
"The Council and the guard… will be here soon." Lucy put down the communication Lacrima. A sense of relief filled the air.
"Mission… complete." Christian hovered beside Lucy, its core light steady.
"Aye! 3 million Jewel! That's enough to buy lots and lots of fish!" Happy excitedly flew around the rescued crowd.
"Nice job, Lucy!" Natsu grinned, small flames flickering from his fists.
"Hmph, at least it wasn't a wasted trip." Gray said, his hands in his pockets, the Cold Air still lingering.
One week later.
Fairy Tail Guild.
The clamor shook the heavens.
Clinking glasses.
Magic flying everywhere.
The newly replaced tables and chairs were on the verge of collapsing.
"Cheers! To 3 million Jewel!" Natsu raised a giant wooden mug.
"To punching that fat pig duke!" Gray, for once, clinked his mug.
Lucy smiled, sipping her juice.
Christian hovered next to the bar, its deep blue gelatinous body absorbing the chaotic light of the Guild. Its core operated steadily, recording the data of the commotion.
Bang!
The Guild's main door was violently slammed open!
"That's not Natsu's style."
Three cloaked figures burst in.
Their faces hidden by hoods, their magic cold, and a murderous aura instantly froze the clamor.
The leader revealed a badge. A golden scale was engraved on a black background.
"Magic Council envoys! On official business!"
All eyes focused.
"Fairy Tail Guild! Members Natsu Dragneel! Gray Fullbuster! Lucy Heartfilia! And… Slime Christian!" A cold voice called out their names.
"You are suspected of: One, illegal entry into a noble's residence! Two, excessive use of violence! Three, causing significant property damage! Four, harboring a dangerous magical creature! We are ordered to bring you back to the Council for investigation!"
"What?!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Illegal entry? We were on a mission!" Gray retorted angrily.
"Dangerous magical creature? Who are you calling a bastard?!" Natsu's hair caught fire.
"The evidence is conclusive! Duke Everl's letter of accusation is here!" The envoy flung a scroll of parchment, its magical seal flickering.
"And footage of the destruction at the scene! Those who resist… will have their crimes compounded!"
The two people behind the envoy's magic surged, and phantom chains appeared.
"Bullshit!" Natsu roared in fury. "That bastard imprisoned and abused his servants! He's the criminal!"
"Is the Council blind?!" Gray radiated Cold Air.
Conflict was imminent!
"Seize them!" The envoy barked!
The two Council members attacked simultaneously! Magical chains shot out like vipers towards Natsu and Gray!
"Fire Dragon's—"
"Ice Make—"
Natsu and Gray roared back in counterattack!
Boom!
Flames and ice clashed with the magical chains! The shockwave overturned the bar! Liquor splashed everywhere! The crowd gasped and dodged!
"Fairy Tail! Are you rebelling?!" The envoy shouted, taking action himself! Stronger magical chains grabbed at Lucy and the hovering Christian!
Lucy frantically fumbled for her keys. "Open, gate of—"
A blue blur flashed! Christian had already blocked in front of Lucy!
'Predator'! Activate!
Buzz!
An invisible suction field opened! The magical chains crashed into it! Like falling into a quagmire! Energy was frantically drained and analyzed!
[Alert! Absorbing binding magic… Analysis complete… Acquired 'Restraint Resistance'…]
The envoy was startled! "This magical creature?!"
"Lucy! Summon!" Christian's voice was calm.
"Open, gate of taurus! Taurus!" Lucy summoned a golden light!
"Moooo—! Miss Lucy! Who should I smash?!" Taurus's giant axe landed with a thud.
The scene was chaotic! Natsu and Gray tangled with the two Council members! Christian devoured the chains! Taurus forced back the envoy! The Guild was a mess!
"Enough!!!"
A clear shout! Like a thunderclap! Carrying immense majesty and a biting sword aura!
Rumble—!!!
The Guild's heavy main door! Along with the walls on both sides! Was neatly cleaved open by a terrifying scarlet sword aura! Debris and dust filled the air!
A figure! Stepped through the ruins and moonlight!
A tall figure! Heroic and dashing! Her scarlet hair burned like flames! Silver armor covered her entire body! The half of her face that was exposed was striking, her eyes sharp as blades! Several giant swords of different forms were crossed on her back! With every step she took, the ground seemed to tremble!
The fairy queen! Erza Scarlet! Had returned!
Erza Scarlet is an S-Class Mage in the Fairy Tail Guild, specializing in Requip Magic. She is known as the "fairy queen" because her strength makes her the strongest female Mage in Fairy Tail. She is the most respected Mage in the Fairy Tail Guild, second only to the Master, and everyone listens to her at critical moments.
All fighting instantly stopped! As if a pause button had been pressed! The Council envoys froze in place! Natsu and Gray's flames and ice solidified! Even the noisy air quieted down!
Erza's gaze, like electricity, swept across the entire scene: the shattered door, the collapsed tables and chairs, the opposing sides, the hovering blue Slime, the giant Taurus… finally landing on the three Council envoys.
"Coun—! Cil—! !" Erza's voice was cold, "Who gave you the nerve… to cause trouble in my home?"
Pressure! Immense pressure enveloped the entire scene! Sweat beaded on the envoy's forehead.
"Er… Erza Scarlet?!" The envoy leader's voice trembled. "We… are on official business… to apprehend suspects…"
"Suspects?" Erza's gaze shifted to Natsu, Gray, and Lucy. "Them?"
"Yes… they violently resisted arrest…"
"Resisted arrest?" A cold, humorless sneer played on Erza's lips.
She took a step forward, her hand resting on the hilt of a giant sword on her back.
Clang—!
The giant sword was drawn half an inch! The biting sword aura pricked their skin!
"I'll give you three seconds." Erza's voice was not loud, but it was filled with Cold Air.
"Scram."
The envoys' faces were ashen, sweat pouring down. Erza's fearsome reputation was known throughout the magical world.
"…Retreat!" The envoy leader gritted his teeth, leading his subordinates to flee in disarray, not daring to look back.
"Yay, as expected of Erza." The Guild members cheered.
The Guild instantly came back to life!
"Erza!!!"
"Queen!"
The cheers almost blew the roof off!
Erza sheathed her sword. Her gaze swept over everyone and landed on Makarov (who had appeared on the second floor at some point).
"Master. I'm back."
"Hmm… good to have you back." Makarov nodded, looking at the broken door with resignation. "Just… a bit of a commotion."
Erza then looked at Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and the hovering blue Slime and Taurus. "Natsu. Gray. Causing trouble again." Her gaze stopped on Lucy. "A new member?"
"Yes… yes! I'm Lucy Heartfilia!" Lucy stood up straight nervously.
"Greetings, Erza-senpai!" Taurus put away his giant axe, bowing respectfully.
"Moo…"
Erza's gaze finally landed on Christian, sharp as a blade, filled with scrutiny.
"A Slime? Its magic reaction… unique, feels like a very strong character." She directly assessed.
"Individual name: Christian. Guild member." Christian's core responded, its voice steady.
"Nice to meet you. Erza."
"Analysis: Combat power… off-the-charts. Threat level: extremely high."
"Interesting." Erza's lips moved almost imperceptibly.
She reached out a finger and poked Christian's bouncy, cool blue gelatinous body. "Feels good."
Erza raised her hand to quiet the commotion.
The Guild members caught up.
"On my way back, I discovered an urgent mission." Her expression was serious.
"The Dark Guild Eisenwald… has stolen the Council's forbidden magical tool—lullaby (the Cursed Flute)!"
"lullaby?!" Makarov's face changed drastically. "That… cursed flute that can instantly take away the listener's life?!"
"Yes." Erza nodded.
"Target: The Guild Masters' Alliance Meeting hosted by Chairman Crawford!"
"Location: Oshibana Station! Time… today!"
"What?!" Everyone exclaimed.
"We must stop them! If it's played in a crowded station… the consequences would be unimaginable!"
Erza's gaze swept over Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and finally landed on Christian. "You few, plus me. Depart immediately! Form a special operations team!"
"Eh? Us?" Lucy pointed to herself.
"Of course! The trouble you caused (with the Council), you'll fix yourselves!" Erza's tone was unquestionable.
"Slime Christian… your ability (devouring)… might be able to counter the curse. Come along."
"Understood." Christian's core flickered.
"Happy! Aerial reconnaissance!"
"Aye!"
"Lucy! And your Celestial Spirit…!"
"Yes!"
"Natsu! Gray! Put aside your differences! Cooperate fully!"
"Tch… I know." "Hmph."
Erza was decisive. "Requip!" A flash of golden light! Her heavy armor changed into a light blue trench coat and trousers! "Move out! Target! Oshibana Station! Stop Eisenwald!"
The team rushed out of the dilapidated Guild door.
Under the setting sun, Erza's scarlet hair flew, Natsu and Gray's fighting spirit burned, Lucy was nervous yet excited, Happy flew ahead, and the blue Slime Christian hovered, its core recording data on its new teammates.
"Erza Scarlet… combat style prediction… generating…"
"Eisenwald… Dark Guild… threat assessment…"
"Cursed Flute 'lullaby'… analysis priority: highest!"
…