Chapter 41: Avatar!

In the far dark regions of the kingdom of Fiore, there was a forest. A forest the locals had named Mikage Forest, due to it constantly being surrounded by dark clouds and lack of sunlight. Rumors has it the forest thrives off of the dark arts of magic, and thus is a place where dark guild wizards would hide. The Rune Knights have attempted to enter the forest in the past to arrest these dark guild wizards. But due to the density of the forest with its overgrown trees and branches that overlap and ends up covering most of the area's structure. It makes it hard for an army to navigate through. And followed with the thick foggy mist surrounding the forest, it gives the dark guild wizards plenty of hiding spots to pick off the Rune Knights walking in one by one.

It is rumored that once upon a time, the Black Wizard Zeref walked through these woods and laid a curse upon it. And that's why the sun never reaches this forest making it constantly covered in darkness. Although what most likely happened was that the Black Wizard lost control and with his curse accidentally killed all life in the forest. Rumors also has it he built a castle deep in the forest, where he would spend his time in peace and solitude. Before eventually getting sick of life, and moving on to the next spot. However, the mere fact Zeref was once connected to this forest is what caught many dark guild wizard's attentions in the first place. And with that, a cult made base within this forest using the very same castle Zeref built as a base for one of their many branches of operation. This cult's name, was Avatar.

And to this day, the cult still operates within the forest. And with the fall of the Balam Alliance following Tartaros destruction. Many of the previous subordinates of Grimoire Heart, Tartaros and Oracion Seis have joined up with Avatar. As the new big organization within the criminal underworld.

Within this very, many cultists were now gathered for Avatar's grand plan. Including some of the cults most elite members. Armed guards cladded in armor walked through one of the many hallways of the castle. Whispering amongst themselves about the upcoming event. When suddenly they came to a halt as the gentle summer breeze in the air shifted to winter. And on que the guards lined up in two rows, clearing a pathway through the hallway. And as the sound of footsteps that grew ever so closer reached their ears. As if on instinct they went down on one knee and kneeled. And all together chanted. "Gray-sama!"

Walking by these guards, with a tired look on his face, his eyes showing a look of disdain towards the guards. Was none other than Gray Fullbuster. He looked darker than his usual self, the air around him was completely different. His mere presence and power lowered the room temperature. And, he actually wore clothes. And not just his usual black pants, but also a black open coat with a high collar sticking up. His hair was standing slightly up while also slicked backwards with a bang going over his forehead. And stained on his body like a tattoo was his Devil Slayer powers showing. A mark of darkness covering the right half of his upper body. The darkness stretching beyond his neck and over his right eye.

Not bothered to give a reply, or a look of acknowledgment, Gray merely walked past the guards. Gray let out a sigh, the chilling air surrounding him making his breath visible. For these past months he has worked his way up in Avatar, trying to gain their trust. With his power, it was relatively easy for him to become the strongest member of the cult. Truly their members weren't much to brag about, but they did have the numbers to back them up.

Gray couldn't help but think back on it, how did it come to this? Things had always been difficult for Fairy Tail. There were some bumps and forks in the road on the way every now and then. But they would always overcome it. But then Tartaros happened last year, and things haven't been the same ever since. Fairy Tail was disbanded out of nowhere, everyone was officially unemployed and had to go out and find work. The one thing, the only thing that remained the same for Gray. Was Juvia, she had been there for him every step of the way. And continued to do so even after Tartaros.

For months they lived together, worked together, trained together. It was a happy time honestly. There was a time when Gray would find Juvia overbearing, and too stalker-ish for his taste. But ever since the ordeal with Tartaros and his father, he has started to see the rain woman in a different light. One thing was still certain, Gray had no idea what their relationship was. Were they lovers? No, they haven't even officially been on a date, or kissed, or any of that romantic stuff. Friends? No, it felt like they were more than that. 'Whatever, got other things to worry about now… I will figure that stuff out later.' Gray pushed the idea and thought of Juvia aside for now, and focused on his goal.

Flashback several months ago

In a small clearing over a hill, there was a village. Gray and Juvia had made this village their home for the past six months. Having cleared up a few jobs for this village and been welcomed by the locals. And for the duo, this day started of like any other day.

Gray slowly opened his eyes as sunlight shined through the curtains. He let out a yawn and rose up from the bed, completely nude. "Ah man, I stripped in my sleep again…" Gray groaned seeing his pajamas scattered around his bed. And he also noticed something else, his bed was a twin bed. He looked beside him and saw Juvia's sleeping face. With a gentle smile on her face as she slept peacefully. "And of course, she moved her bed closer to mine again." Gray sighed seeing the empty spot in the other corner of the room, with some skid marks on the floor from Juvia pushing her bed closer to Gray's.

Gray sat on the corner of his bed, taking in a couple of deep breaths to wake himself up. "You are awake, aren't you?" Gray without needing to look, could feel Juvia's gaze on his back.

As a reply, he merely heard her sweet giggle. "As always Gray-sama looks so wonderful in his sleep. Juvia's sense tingled feeling Gray-sama passionately gaze on Juvia's sleeping body. It's the best way to wake up!" Without a doubt Juvia had her misunderstandings.

"… I'm guessing it's useless to tell you to look away while I put my clothes on."

"Gray-sama knows Juvia well~" Juvia squealed at the sight of Gray's naked body. It had become a regular routine at this point, so Gray merely attempted to ignore her while putting his clothes on.

Gray's cheeks were a tint of red as he was fully dressed, and turned around to see Juvia excitedly staring at him. Although something was different today, let's just say Gray wasn't the only one who woke up in his birthday suit. Gray gawked as he noticed Juvia was naked the moment the covers fell from her body. Revealing her pale silky-smooth skin, and her bouncy mountains of breasts. "P-Pink…" Gray's face flushed red with steam coming from his head as he eyed Juvia's breasts, and her pink pointy nipples. "J-Juvia! W-Why are you naked?! Don't tell me you not only picked up my stripping in public habit, but also my sleep-stripping?!"

Juvia merely smiled seeing Gray fall into a state of panic over Juvia picking up his weird habits. "After Juvia stripped Gray-sama in his sleep, Juvia wanted to experience skin ship with Gray-sama. So, Juvia stripped as well." Juvia lightly blushed as she cupped her face and acted all bashful.

"Argh! What should I do if she starts taking off too much in public-?" Gray halted his panic for a moment. "What did you just say?" Gray looked on at Juvia with a stoic gaze.

"Juvia said nothing. Teehee~" Juvia playfully stuck her tongue out and winked at Gray, whom stood in silence while processing things.

"It was you!"

After that, the day continued on as normal. Gray and Juvia took any job involving monsters near town, and received praise from the locals for their efforts. They continued with a training session. Where Gray explored more of his Ice Devil Slayer abilities. Where something that worried Juvia occurred, Gray started growing these black markings on his body.

"Gray-sama… those markings. They are like, Itachi-" Juvia's worries were quickly silenced as Gray gave her a smile.

"Juvia, relax, I'm fine." Gray assured, as in reality he actually was fine. He was just getting more used to his Devil Slayer powers. Although, Juvia didn't seem totally convinced. As she, like all members of Fairy Tail remembered how Itachi got like when those black markings started appearing on him.

After training, they had a nice dinner at home. And then they both did their chores, which was basically the only time they were separate from each other. While Juvia took care of the chores in the house. Gray was out in the yard chopping wood.

The ice wizard finished the last log in his pile and wiped the sweat from his forehead. 'We need more wood…' Gray took the axe with him and headed off into the woods to look for more. After finding a perfect looking tree, he readied the axe. But just before he could begin the chopping.

"I must say, I wasn't counting on running into you out here." A familiar voice made Gray stop dead in his tracks. Usually whenever he heard that voice, he would cower in fear along with a certain pyro. But after having gone six months without hearing it.

"Erza?" Gray looked stunned as Erza came out from between the trees riding on a horse. He gave a joyous smile. "Well, this is a surprise." Erza dismounted her horse and Gray walked up his hand held up awaiting a high five.

"Come here, I've missed you dummy." Erza instead grabbed Gray by the back of his head, and hugged him to her chest. To which Gray's head clanked together with her armor.

"Argh… And I've missed you." Gray uttered, although he hasn't missed Erza's hugs that's for sure. But he decided to keep that to himself. Erza blissfully smiled, unaware of Gray's discomfort from the hug. They pulled back from each other and suddenly they just burst out into laughter.

They had taken a moment to sit down and catch up. "You and Juvia living together?! I must say that is quite the surprise." Erza looked absolute shocked at learning of this. She always knew Juvia had feelings for Gray, but since Gray always used to be so distant about his feelings, she hadn't expected this. "I must say, you've grown up quite a bit. Congratulations on your relationship."

"Huh? Relationship?" Gray questioned as Erza clearly misunderstood something here. "Oh no, Juvia and I aren't dating or anything like that." Gray blushed a little while rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh? Is that so?" Erza gained a sheepishly smile. "But you have feelings for her, no?"

"Agh! Th-That's…" Gray looked frantic and unsure how to respond. What is more he was wrapping the idea of Erza teasing him just now. Since when did she start doing that?

"If that's the case, what's holding you back?"

"… If I had to say. All those that are close to me… seems to end up hurt. My parents, my teacher… all died." Gray clenched his fists recalling the loved ones he had lost.

"You are worried if Juvia gets too close, she might die." Erza concluded for him, and Gray just gave a small nod. "Huh, not sure how to take that. Does that mean you didn't feel close to the rest of us?" Erza gave a scary look just now, making a shiver run down Gray's spine.

"N-No it's not like that! O-Of course you are close to me! Everyone in Fairy Tail were close to me! B-But… just not in that way. I'm not sure how to explain it."

Erza merely gave a light chuckle, and "lightly" punched Gray in the shoulder. "I know, I'm just kidding."

"Owch… Jeez, since when did you start teasing people like that?" Gray gave a nervous smile as he rubbed his shoulder. "And, you, Itachi, Mira, Elfman and Lisanna have been hanging around with that Jellal fellow and his crew? How is that going?" Gray smirked at Erza, thinking on getting some payback. "Have you and Jellal been busy hiding your make-out sessions from Itachi?"

Erza's face turned into the same shade has her hair. "N-N-No! Why?! What have you heard?!" Erza pounced on Gray, her hands grabbing onto his neck.

"W-Wait, you mean I was right on the money just now?" Gray looked dumbfounded.

"N-N-No! Sh-Shut up!" Erza slammed her fist straight into Gray's face, the impact creating a small crater underneath Gray's head.

"S-Sorry…" Gray managed to utter through Erza's fist. After cooling off, Gray decided to change topic. He didn't want to get punched by Erza again. Although for some odd reason, her punches didn't hurt as much as they used to. Could it be, he had caught up to her level? Gray quickly dismissed that idea, recalling all the times he and Natsu had gotten their asses beat by this woman. "Anyway, how's Itachi? Everything good with his… powers?"

Erza regained her composure, and pretended like nothing happened. "He's been getting help from his three former associates. He has mastered his demonic powers quite a bit actually."

"I see… that's good to hear. I thought he would be a mess after what happened with Tartaros and Madara." Bringing up that name, shifted the feeling in the air. 'Damn, just bringing up that bastards name gives me chills.' Gray trembled slightly at the memory of that monster.

"We have heard nothing of him since that day… Him, nor Zeref." Erza's eyes were serious, filled with worry and concern for her brother.

"… I honestly hope we never run into them again." Gray really didn't want to fight that. Normally he wouldn't be afraid to fight anything, but Madara changed all that. Of course, if it were to happen, he wouldn't hesitate to fight. But he honestly hoped it wouldn't come to that.

"Anyway, as for the reason I'm here…" Erza stood up and looked down on Gray, her eyes looking serious. "I was hoping for your help with something."

"Name it." Gray without hesitation, or any need for further details accepted. If his friends needed help, he would.

Erza smiled at Gray's instant response. "With the Balam Alliance gone, the dark guilds have scattered. For the past months we have been hunting them down one by one. Although we have discovered that several of those dark guilds have joined up with a cult. We think they might attempt to build up a new criminal empire. And from what we can tell, they are without a doubt plotting something. I would have asked someone of my group. But they already know our names and faces, seeing as we have taken so many dark guilds down already. So, I've come here to find you, and ask you to infiltrate this cult as a spy."

"Okay, but why me? Infiltration ain't one of my strong suits."

"Those markings on your body is why. Devil Slayer magic is the one that is most unknown amongst the slayer types. No one is sure of what side effects it might have. So, you can convince them that the power of demons has corrupted you. You can convince them that with this power that you seek Zeref. They are highly unlikely to turn away someone as powerful as you. And with any luck, you can figure out what they are planning so that we can stop it."

"I see, okay I'm in. I will go tell Juvia so we can get going." Before Gray could go, Erza grabbed onto his shoulder preventing him from moving.

"Actually, I think it is best we keep Juvia out of it."

"What? Why?" Gray looked confused, why wouldn't they bring Juvia? She was strong, she could help.

"This mission is likely to last several months. I care for Juvia just like you, but I'm not blinded by her faults. She is too protective of you. If you stay away for too long, and she knows you are in danger. She would put the mission at risk. And whatever this cult has planned… hundreds of lives might be at risk. Therefor it is best not to fill her in, to avoid causing any unnecessary harm or attention." Erza gave her reasonings, and Gray didn't show any form of outrage. In fact, he understood what Erza was saying, that would likely happen. He didn't like the idea of leaving Juvia alone without saying anything. But, if his friends needed help in saving people, how could he turn them down?

"Are you still in? Or out?" Erza asked.

"… When do we leave?" Gray with a slight regretful look answered almost immediately. And Erza smiled at his response although looked saddened as well over what she was asking of Gray.

'Forgive me, Juvia.' Gray thought, taking one last look to their house in the distance. 'Wait for me. I swear I will be back.' And with that, Gray headed off with Erza on her horse.

Flashback end

'Just where are you now? Erza?' Gray walked over to a window, and looked out into the distance. His gaze fixated on a hill beyond the forest surrounding the castle.

Gray gave a tired sigh upon hearing a stammering guard walking up to him. "U-Umm, si-sir… the meeting has started." The soldier gulped with a cold sweat running down his forehead.

"Relax, I'm not gonna hurt ya just for interrupting my thinking." Gray smiled on the inside at the guard's stuttering. He had to admit, it was a little fun to have the bad guys fear him. Gray patted the guard on the back, making him shiver in fear upon Gray's ice-cold touch.

Without any care, Gray walked up to a giant wooden door pushing it wide open. Inside there was a round table, where seven people had gathered. And on the wall, there was the cult's insignia. "You are late, Gray." Sitting at the head of the table, was a man. A man dressed up in black robes, decorated with insignia patterns. He looked like a priest. Yet his most distinguished feature was an ornate metallic mask. In his hand he wielded a magic staff that resembled a trident to a degree.

"Sorry, Alok. But I'm here now, aren't I?" Gray presented himself arrogantly, just like most dark guild wizards he had encountered in his days. He took the empty seat at the table and leaned back.

"Hmm, well, now we can begin." Alok rose from his chair. "Oracion Seis, Grimoire Heart, and Tartaros… The age of the dark guilds ended with the collapse of the Balam Alliance. Now begins a new era. The age of Avatar. Our faith. It is the world of the Black Wizard, Zeref. The time has come at last. We must purify the world of the mages who oppose Zeref. All in the name of Zeref."

"In the name of Zeref." Repeating after Alok's speech, was a young man with orange eyes and unkept shoulder-length blond hair. He dons a multi layered armored breastplate. He wore black pants with black shoes. Over this he had an open, long, grey coat with a large collar, and completed with black shoulder plates. This man's name was Jerome. In Gray's opinion, Jerome was the strongest member Avatar had to offer. An S-class level wizard that could have offered maybe Natsu a run for his money back during the Lullaby incident.

"All in the name of Zeref." A petite girl that resembled a pink haired, golden eyed version of Lisanna, only with a smaller chest. She was dressed in a simple dress with a turtleneck. Her most striking feature was her black headband with cat ears. Her name was Mary. She wasn't in any way what some would call powerful. But her magic made her a rather complicated foe.

"All in the name of Zeref." Gray followed up with the rest of them. Yet Jerome gave a suspicious glance at him. Jerome was one of the few that clearly didn't trust Gray.

"Before we begin, priest. Do you intend to implement our purification plan as is?" Jerome spoke up earning everyone's attention. "There is a possibility that the Magic Council has caught wind of our doings." Once Jerome said that, Alok turned towards Gray. The ice mage couldn't see the priest's eyes, but he knew he was glaring right at him.

"What scruffy here is trying to say. Is that we ought to remove any elements of uncertainty from our plans. Although I don't necessary agree with his accusation." A young dark-skinned woman with a curvaceous body. Her white lipstick covered lips spread into a smirk. Her hair white as snow, and long flowing freely down her back. Her bangs slicked upwards with a single lock over her forehead. Clad in a polka dotted cloak, and underneath she wore a blue bandeau with tassels. And around her waist was nothing but a loincloth. This was Briar, whom was probably the strongest woman of Avatar.

"Hehe, I do wonder… maybe someone really will come for us." Mary gave an innocent laughter in responds.

"Silence poison-tongue." Briar spoke down to Mary.

"Briar, you're such a meanie! Why are you always giving everyone such weird nicknames?" Mary pouted at Briar's remark.

"If the council has become aware of our purification plan… we might be in real trouble." An older looking bald man with bushy eyebrows and a thick goatee, dressed in dark blue robes spoke out. And he also had something written in kanji over his forehead. This was Gomon. Gray wasn't really sure if the old monk trusted him or not.

"Which way shall fate turn." Possibly the biggest guy in the room, going simply by the name D-6. A giant muscular man from the looks of it, covered from top to toe in black armor. With massive silver shoulder plates and a mask similar to Alok.

"As long as I get to have some fun I don't really care." Then there was the shortest person in the room, barely reaches to Gray's kneecap. A little freak named Abel whom looked like a clown with his makeup. His most prominent feature was a giant headpiece that looked like a turban. And in his gruffy little hands, he played around with a little doll that used to belong to a certain member of Grimoire Heart.

"Yeah, yeah. It seems we got a mole amongst us. And you guys think it's me." Gray leaned back with a smirk spread across his face. "Just come out and say it."

"Ice…" Briar uttered looking somewhat disappointed

"Well you did come from the number one guild on the continent." Mary giggled.

"We've done a background check on you. Gray Fullbuster. Your family was slaughtered by a Demon of the Books of Zeref. Then your master gave her life fighting that monster. Getting involved with a creature that was created by Zeref ended up with them paying with their lives. You have absolute no reason to worship Zeref." Jerome glared dangerously at Gray, his hand held onto a sword hilt.

"Now hang on, he may come from a suspicious background. But he's been with us for half a year now." Briar stepped up to defend Gray, it was obvious she had a thing for him.

"Look, I'm going to make things crystal clear to all of you… I am after the Book of E.N.D. That is the only reason why I'm here. As long as I can get that book… I couldn't give two shits about anything else!" Gray's eyes burnt with a strong fiery hatred. He made a promise to his father after all, destroy E.N.D, that was his main goal in life. "I exist to crush E.N.D. And to do that I am willing to do anything, even team up with a bunch of scrubs like you." Gray openly declared with a devilish smile spread across his face.

"There is no way someone with such a pitch-black type of magic, would spy for the council." Mary showed confidence in Gray allegiance, same with Briar and D-6.

"Enough of this. Let's continue with our plan." Alok having had enough of all this bickering slammed the end of his staff into the floor.

Meanwhile, on the top of a hill overseeing the forest. Stood Itachi, Erza, Mirajane, Ultear, Meredy, Elfman and Lisanna. Their gazes focused on the castle's towers sticking out from between the tall trees in the distance. "So, Gray is in that castle there huh?" Ultear appeared somewhat worried for the safety of her mother's student, whom she had begun viewing like a little brother.

"Yes, although he was supposed to meet with me here." Erza scanned around the area for any sign of the ice wizard. And gave a frown when it became obvious Gray wasn't going to show up. "Guess he's not coming… he must have left a message." Erza moves over to a pile of rocks at the edge of the hill, kneeling down and lifting up a rock. The rock hid a dug-up hole underneath containing a lock box. Everyone looks to Erza as she lifts the box up from the ground, brushing off the dirt on top of it.

Erza opened up the lock box finding a note in it. Erza's eyes scanned through the content of the note, her eyes looking somewhat troubling at what she read. "This is usually how Gray and I exchange intel without meeting face to face. That way we don't compromise our plan."

"What does it say?" Itachi looked to Erza, whom in responds began summarizing the content of the note.

Erza looks with a warm smile at looking over the contents of the note once again. "Well, first thing he mentions is Juvia. He sounds worried about her and looks forward to this mission ending so he can see her again. Although he doesn't directly say it." The rest of them smile at hearing that Gray has started warming up to Juvia. Mira was in particular delighted. As Erza had informed them earlier that before Gray began working with her against Avatar, he had been living with Juvia alone for a few months.

"Good for Juvia, I knew Gray would come around." Mira giggled and clapped in joy. Itachi smiled being fully aware of his fiancé tendency to ship people together. Yet he also thought. 'And yet, you also said Lucy and Gray would be good together as well.'

"Anyway," Erza continued on with telling them the content of the note. "he also says he is gaining more trust amongst some of the main members of Avatar. Although the leader still doesn't seem to trust him. And although he knows the basics of their plan, he wasn't sure what their secret weapon was. Whatever it is, Gray knows it is going to take place tomorrow afternoon. And he has also given an anonymous tip to Rune Knights, to come and arrest the Avatar members a few hours before the plan is supposed to go down. He also says, we need to strike an hour before the Rune Knights arrive."

"Does it happen to say where the attack will take place?" Itachi inquired further for more information.

"Malba City, a small city with a population of 30,000 people. It is the main target of Avatar's grand plan." Erza replied, moving onto their horses to head off to Malba City and prepare for the upcoming battle.

"These Avatar chumps are supposed to be a bunch of small fries, right? Can't we just storm the castle and take them down?" Elfman sounded impatient, and eager for a fight.

"No, this castle is the base of just one of the cults many branches. Malba City is the one place where they will all gather for their big plan. And our best chance to take them all down." Erza dismissed the idea of attacking the castle directly. "Besides, taking them all on at once would prove to be far more challenging." Erza nudged towards Elfman, whom smirked in agreement while cracking his knuckles.

"It's going to be a battle worthy of a true man!" Elfman could picture it now, the whole group greeting the army of Avatar at the front gates of the city to take them down.

"So what? We prepare an ambush and take them out quickly." While Itachi suggested a far more complicated delicate plan. And as a result, it brought Elfman's excitement down.

"That's the plan. We ambush them, and then Gray takes action and attacks them while they least expect it." Erza seemed to have thought of a similar plan, which brought Elfman further down in the dumps. Although unbeknownst to them, a certain pink haired dragon slayer menace would spoil their plans.

And even further away, there was a battalion of Rune Knights. Armed and ready for action. "Captain. We will reach Malba city on schedule at this speed. Although… our informant has confirmed… Gray Fullbuster is a part of Avatar. And…"

"Gray? Heh. Like I give a fuck. We're gonna arrest every last one of 'em. That's our job." The so-called captain the Rune Knight spoke to, was none other than Gajeel. Accompanied by his trusted lieutenant Pantherlily.

And then there was a fourth group making their own plans. Having made their way through Mikage forest. "Get ready to rumble, guys!" A pink haired menace marched through the thick dense forest. With his little blue companion.

"Aye sir!"

"Hold it right there!" A blond celestial mage latched onto the duo and yanked them backwards.

"What was that for, Lucy?!" Natsu glared back at Lucy.

"This time around, we have no idea who our opponents are. We can't just burst through their front door." Lucy scolded the hotheaded duo.

"Lucy is right, Natsu-san." Pushing their way through the tree branches, and the vines. Was the tiny little blue haired dragon slayer, Wendy along with her companion Carla. And a little further behind, a concerned looking Juvia.

"Yeah, but Gray might be in there!" Natsu pointed to the castle before them, the hideout of one of the branches of Avatar.

"And that's exactly why we have to be careful! First things first, we need to gather some intel." Lucy studied the structure before them, seeing no way in without getting caught.

"Gotcha…" Natsu nodded.

"With Virgo's powers, we'll infiltrate their base from underground." Lucy suggested picking a golden key from her pocket.

"Ooooh….!" Natsu looked in awe and intrigue, and together with young Wendy wooed Lucy's plan.

"Open gate of the maiden! Vir…" Lucy summoned although left in absolute silence and confusion seeing Virgo appear although tied up. "…go?"

"V-Virgo?!" Wendy looked stunned at seeing the pink haired maid celestial spirit tied up.

"Wh-What happened?! Are you okay?!" Happy frantically asked.

"Who messed you up?!" Natsu went to burn away the ropes restraining Virgo's body.

"Do not worry. I was bored so I was punishing myself." Virgo replied with a straight face and an honest looking smile.

"You've got issues!" Lucy was getting headaches from all her spirits weird personalities.

"Lucy sure inspire weird perverted antics to her spirits. Juvia is shocked." Juvia backed away from Lucy, much to the blond mage's annoyance.

"I don't want to hear it from you…" Lucy groaned.

"Long time no see, Natsu-sama, Happy-sama, Wendy-sama, Carla-sama, Juvia-sama." Virgo greeted each of them with a smile, standing straight up having freed herself from her ropes.

"Now then…" Lucy's body glowed in a brilliant light similar to when she summons her spirits. "Star Dress Form, Virgo!" Lucy's attire changed into a maid uniform, with the star insignia of Virgo on her right shoulder.

"She transformed?" Natsu looked in awe at Lucy's new power.

"Reminds you of a certain scary woman in armor doesn't it?" Happy also looked in awe, as clearly Lucy had taken inspiration from Erza's magic.

"Not only can she now use a bit of my magic. Her own magical power has increased." Virgo pointed out.

"Let's do this, Virgo!"

"Understood, princess!" The two began using their powers to dig a hole that would lead them into the underground level of the castle.

"Wait for me, Gray-sama… Juvia shall rescue you." Juvia prepared what she thought would be a rescue mission. To rescue her beloved that was trapped by these evil cultists.

Within the lower levels of the castle, in what appeared to be a dungeon seeing there was cages and torture devices laying around. A part of the floor collapsed and out flew Virgo, standing ready to greet her master as Lucy came crawling out after her. "Infiltration successful." Lucy crawled out.

"We appear to be in some sort of dungeon, princess." Virgo looked with a starry gaze at the torture devices placed around her.

"We need to stay out of sight and gather information about Gray." Coming out after Lucy were Natsu and Happy. Followed by Wendy, Carla, and Juvia whom frantically looked around the dungeon to see if she could spot her beloved in one of the cages. Yet all she could find were bones of Rune Knights, judging by their clothing and the insignia, that had attempted to infiltrate Mikage forest.

Natsu took a short look around, before growing tired of the lack of action. "Gray, if you're in here, show yourself!" Natsu's voice roared through the dungeon, going like an echo through the entire castle. Everyone gawked at Natsu's actions.

Natsu's booming voice reached every one of Avatar in the castle. "From inside the castle?" D-6 sounded stunned that someone was able to infiltrate their hideout.

"Intruders? How interesting." The little Abel laughed with joy like the clown he was.

"… Natsu?" Gray looked in disbelief at hearing the familiar voice of his friend.

And back in the dungeon, Lucy slapped Natsu in the face, leaving a red handprint on his face. "What the hell are you thinking?! That totally negates our stealthy infiltration plan!" Lucy cried as she pounced on Natsu shaking him violently back and forth. Natsu looked stunned and shocked, his eyes staring perplexed at Lucy with a look of wow.

"Princess… this calls for some punishment. This happened to be lying around. Please, allow me." Virgo pointed to a wooden horse.

"Shut it!" Lucy retorted to her spirit.

"He's here. This place smells like Gray. He's definitely here." Natsu picked himself up, and lightly pushed Lucy off of him.

"Juvia agrees. She can feel Gray-sama's presence." Juvia held her hand to her heart, she knew Gray was here.

"Oi! What are you guys doing in our hideout?!" Crawling out from between some bars up in the ceiling of the dungeon appeared a little clown. Holding a tiny little cursey doll.

"An enemy! Wait… that doll?" Lucy gasped recognizing it belonging to a certain Grimoire Heart member.

"Mr. Cursey?!" Happy panicked.

"Oh my, how fun that you know Mr. Cursey! I got him from this black market. It was found washed up on some beach. Found out it belonged to some big-shot member of Grimoire Heart. A very terrifying black magic indeed." Abel laughed as he played around with the doll. He jumped down to face the former Fairy Tail wizards. "Now… who's first-" Abel was instantly slammed into the wall by a powerful stream of water.

"Tell Juvia, where is Gray-sama?" Juvia glared dangerous daggers of killing intent at Abel. A trickle of blood ran down from the little clown's forehead. He looked close to passing out. Juvia had purposely not knocked out Abel in order to interrogate him about the whereabouts of her beloved.

"Ah… aah…" Abel uttered in awe. "How fun… you are friends of Gray?" Able laughed considering how they suspected earlier that Gray was a spy. This boosted up their claims of Gray's treachery.

"Abel!" Coming rushing in was the mon Gomon. He gasped upon seeing his restrained comrade. "A pity! Intruder! How dare you do that to Abel! But, the fact that you're in the great Gomon's training room is a blessing for me! Face the wrath of my countless, dazzling tools of punishment!"

Natsu rushed Gomon. "I ain't got time you! Where is Gray Fullbuster?!" Gomon ignoring Natsu's question sent an iron ball smashing towards Natsu. Natsu unleashed such body heat from within him. And before the iron ball came close, it melted from his intense heat.

"H-He?! Melted them?! Iron Maiden!" One last desperate attempt, Gomon summoned forth an iron maiden. The steel casket that was the iron maiden closed its doors in on Natsu.

"What is this painful looking thing?" Natsu looked in awe having never seen something with spikes inside it. However, before the steel spikes could penetrate Natsu's flesh they melted away.

"The steel… is melting as well?" Gomon stood there gawking with eyes as wide as saucers. Natsu rushed to Gomon landing a solid punch into his face, sending Gomon flying into a wall.

"Two down…" Natsu peeked to the corner of his eye, seeing the big shadowy form of D-6 hovering over him. The eye on his mask glowing. "Three down." Natsu flung his right leg backwards delivering a fiery kick straight into D-6 eye. D-6 was flung into the air and sent rolling into one of the cages of the dungeon.

"T-This guy… Took down high ranking black mages like Gomon and D-6 like nothing…" Abel looked with fear upon seeing Natsu demonstrate his strength.

"He's… strong." Virgo looked in awe at seeing Natsu's improved strength. It was clear as day it was only a fraction of what he had in store. Seeing as Natsu claimed his bandaged up right arm held a secret weapon.

Suddenly, the heat from Natsu died down. As a chilling air filled the dungeon. "This guy ain't someone you bums could ever hope to beat." Juvia flinched upon hearing this voice, she quivered. "I'll take care of him." Appearing in the walkway leading down to the dungeon, was Gray.

"Yo. What'ca been up to buddy?" Natsu greeted his friend with a smile, despite the scornful look Gray shot back at him.

"Gray-sama…" Juvia looked on the verge of tears, seeing Gray with his devil slayer markings so she reached a conclusion. "No… it can't be…"

"Juvia…" Gray's expression softened upon seeing the water mage. For each step he took down the staircase, the water from Juvia restraining Abel began to freeze into solid ice. Juvia backed up separating herself from the water restraining Abel before she would begin to freeze as well.

"Be careful! Gray-sama is not himself! Those Devil Slayer markings have changed him!" Juvia warned Natsu whom approached Gray.

"Yeah, I figured…" Natsu ignited his body in a blazing fire to counter Gray's ice.

'Erza was right… these marks really do make me look evil. Although can't say I blame them, seeing what happened with Itachi and all whenever he used those markings.' Gray clenched his fist, he was angry. 'Damn, what do I do? Do I follow Erza's plan? Or am I compromised?' Gray scanned his surroundings, seeing Abel, Gomon and D-6 weakly look upon him. They seemed suspicious of him, but not convinced he had betrayed them. The plan hadn't changed.

"Gray-sama! Please, listen to Juvia! Don't do this! Please, come home." Juvia cried pulling at Gray's heartstrings. Gray couldn't conceal his emotions, a single drop of tear running down his cheek.

"Damn you pyro." Gray growled and with a wave of his arm, followed by a gasp from the water wizard. Juvia froze into a solid ice statue. Gray took a few deep breaths, staring at the frozen Juvia, his body trembling. Gray regained his composure, standing still. The tear that ran down his cheek froze into a tiny ice crystal that fell to the floor.

"Juvia!" Lucy and Wendy looked in horror seeing Gray freezing Juvia in ice. While Happy and Carla gasped in shock.

"Wh-What the? Gray!" Natsu glared at Gray and jumped him. Fire whirled around Natsu's fist, throwing a punch towards Gray. Gray caught Natsu's fiery punch, cooling Natsu's fire with his ice devil slayer powers. Gray was angry, he glared at Natsu in anger for bringing Juvia here. Gray swiftly kneed Natsu in the chin.

Ice Make: Lance!

Gray unleashed a series of ice lances blasting into Natsu. Natsu with a ferocious roar unleashed a blazing fire countering Gray's ice lances. "Hey! Knock it out you two!" Lucy getting over her shock turned to the two rivals sludging it out.

"What are you guys even doing here?!" Gray threw a devastating right hook. Natsu blocked the strike with his arm, the power behind Gray's punch feeling strong enough to shatter bones. Yet Natsu with his newly trained up body only suffered a bruise.

"Right back at ya! What the hell are you doing with scummy people like them?!" Natsu shot back at Gray with a swift kick. Gray barely managed to dodge, feeling the intense heat tickling his cheek.

"I do what I want." Gray shot back and took a leap backwards.

"Oh no you don't! Not if it means leaving Juvia behind waiting for you! I've been waiting too!" Natsu jumped at Gray throwing a fiery punch, that Gray countered with his fist covered in an ice gauntlet. "In order to revive Fairy Tail… we need you!"

Gray fell silent, he knew this was Natsu's reason. The reason all of them came here. "Cut the bullshit. Fairy Tail is long gone!" The words hurt him more than Natsu could realize. Gray unleashed giant ice geysers exploding into Natsu's face.

Natsu grunted and unleashed a mighty fire dragon wing attack to burn away the ice. "Just in name. All the memories we shared… and our bonds with each other… they haven't gone anywhere." Natsu pounded his fist to his chest, to his beating heart. "Fairy Tail has always been right here. And it always will be."

"…" Gray agreed, more than anything. "So why can't you just leave it at that? If Fairy Tail really is right there, could you do me a favor and quit pestering me? I've got my own path to follow." His friends all looked in disbelief at hearing his words. If Lucy had to describe it, it kind of reminded her of Itachi's brother Sasuke. From what they all saw in Itachi's memories. "Fairy Tail doesn't exist inside me anymore. So, please spare me all this phony buddy-buddy crap."

Lucy ran up to him with tears running down her face. She slapped Gray without a second thought or concern for what might happen to her. "Phony buddy-buddy crap?! You know none of this is phony! We are all friends!" Gray struggled to keep his composure seeing the Avatar members still around them.

'Couldn't they just knock them out first and be done with it? Then maybe I could explain.' Gray placed his hand onto Lucy's shoulder, pulling her closer causing Lucy to gasp in shock at this sudden action from Gray. "Sorry." Gray whispered and before Lucy had time to react, he froze her in ice just like he had done with Juvia.

"Lucy!" Natsu trembled with rage at the sight of Lucy frozen in an ice statue. And as a result, Virgo vanished into thin air.

"O-Oh no!" Wendy gasped, finding the strength to move. She charged straight towards the Avatar members that were beginning to stand up. "Nngh!" Wendy suddenly fell to the floor, growling in pain as she clenched her arms over her stomach.

"W-Wendy?!" Carla flew to her friends aid with Happy by her side.

"… That must be you, Mary…" Gray looked to the corner of his eye, seeing the pink haired Lisanna look alike.

"Who are these people? Your old friends, Gray? Friends from that crushed guild?" Mary giggled as she walked over to Gray, putting her arms lovingly around him. Gray merely shrugged her off and glared at Natsu.

"What did you do to Wendy?!" Natsu was suddenly restrained by chains, so was Wendy and Carla.

"These are made of magic seal stones?!" Carla looked in surprise, and Natsu groaned in frustration. Remembering the chains from Tartaros when he and Lisanna were trapped in a cage. He tried to focus on bringing his magic out, but nothing came.

"Natsu! Ngyaaah!" Happy was flung backwards and put into a yoga position, as Abel managed to grab a piece of Happy's fur for Mr. Cursey.

Mary tauntingly stood over Wendy. "Why would they bring a weak little thing like you here? Does it hurt? It hurts doesn't it? It's my black magic."

"Gray!" Natsu roared and despite the chains restraining him, he charged towards Gray. Halted merely an inch away from his friends face thanks to the chains and Gomon holding him back.

"Even with the magic seals! What savage strength!" Gomon struggled to hold Natsu back.

"Do not move." A blade was directed towards the ice statue of Lucy, making Natsu halt in his struggle. Jerome held the blade mere inches away from Lucy's neck, threatening to shatter her like the ice sculpture she was.

"Always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong… Natsu." Gray looked down upon Natsu. He felt the suspicious looks the Avatar members sent him, in particular Jerome.

"Open your eyes, Gray you've been possessed by Demons!" Natsu tried to reason with him. Of course, he wasn't possessed, there were no such consequence from Devil Slayer magic. Although it was easier feeling hatred and anger with this power.

Gray hoped he could just keep a straight face with what he was going to do next. "This is who I really am now." Gray removed his coat, revealing the Avatar emblem in place of his Fairy Tail one on his chest. "I erased the mark of our family with my own hands. In order to find the answers, I seek."

"He actually erased his guild mark…" Happy uttered in disbelief.

"Gray…!" Natsu growled in anger.

Natsu was chained to the wall with magic seal stone chains, same with Wendy, Carla and Happy. While the frozen statues of Lucy and Juvia remained where they stood. "Well… I suppose we can trust you after all Gray. Let's go." Jerome called out as he and the rest of the Avatar members made their way out from the dungeon.

"… Yeah, just give me a moment. Just need to make sure he is properly restrained." Gray hoped they would trust him enough to leave him be. And to his luck they did, even Jerome. Guess the way he treated his so-called friends was enough to convince him.

"Gray, you bastard!" Natsu growled the moment the Avatar members stepped out.

"Just shut up." Gray kicked Natsu in the jaw, annoyed that Natsu almost spoiled his and Erza's plan after all the hard work they had put into it.

"Gray-san… please try to resist." Wendy cried, although to her surprise Gray gently stroked her cheek.

"There is nothing to resist." Gray turned around and walked towards the frozen Juvia. And to further confuse his friends, he just stood there. Looking into the frozen expression of Juvia. She looked, hurt. Gray's expression softened. He then gently placed his forehead up against Juvia's. 'Forgive me…' Gray's thought was interrupted as he heard footsteps coming from the staircase.

Gray backed up and turned around and saw Briar walking in. "Ice, I heard from poison tongue you were down here. Is everything alright?"

"Fine, everything is fine." Gray casually replied and walked up the staircase before anything else happened. He hated seeing his friends captured, but he needed some time to think about his next move. Should he follow the plan? Or act "early" on stage 2 of Erza's plan?

"What was that about…?" Natsu questioned, perplexed at Gray's actions.

"It must mean Gray-san is still somewhere in there. And Juvia is the key to bring him out." Wendy suggested, looking rather hopeful.

"And yet, he still froze her." Carla pointed out, fully thinking Gray had betrayed them.

"He must have a hard time struggling against his devil slayer powers. Itachi had it the same with his demon powers, remember? And let's face it, Itachi is much stronger than Gray in mind, body and spirit. If this is anything like that, then Gray must be in a lot of pain." Happy pointed out.

Natsu looked in deep thought for once. "Nah, I can't explain it. But it somehow felt… different."

Gray rubbed his temple. Shit, he was tired of this mission. He just wanted it to be over. Almost all in Avatar had gone to begin the purification plan, everything was proceeding as planned. Well, only that Gray still had no idea what the ace they had up their sleeve for this plan. There was no way they would just march into the town and massacre the townsfolk themselves. Would they? Nah, that is too simple. All the preparation, all the hard work and hush business that he had been kept out of because they didn't trust him enough. They had to be planning something big. To use something big. Big enough that they are confident the magic council can't stop them. If only Natsu hadn't butted in, Gray would have found out exactly what it was by now during the meeting.

Gray was disrupted from his train of thought as Gomon walked by while humming. "Hey, aren't you going with the others for the purification plan?" Gray asked as he noticed Gomon carried his torture devices and was headed for the dungeon.

"Hmm? No, I have been tasked to torture our prisoners and find out what they know. And just who sent them." Gomon replied.

"… Is that so?" This wasn't good. Gray couldn't just attack him either, there were still guards around. People packing up their things and getting ready for the attack. "Alright, well I will go with the others then." Gomon bowed to Gray before continuing on his way to the dungeon.

Gray steadily followed after Gomon, lagging behind just far enough for him not to notice. 'Sorry Erza, but the plan's a bust. I can't let this maniac get to our friends. I know you understand, and would do the same thing if you were in my shoes.'

Once Gomon reached the staircase to the dungeon, Gray waited a few seconds, counting the steps. Then he heard the door open. This was his que, he sneakily walked down the steps so no one would hear him. Especially Gomon. He could hear the monk ramble on about torture, and what he was going to do to Natsu and Wendy.

"Now, prepare for bondage torture." Gomon was heard saying as Gray quietly opened the door. Gomon gave a few sadistic laughs as he neared the frightened Wendy.

"Oh hell no." Gray spoke up.

"Hn?! Gray-dono?" Gomon turned around only to be frozen ice solid by Gray.

"Gray…" Wendy uttered as they all stared at him in awe, and before they could ask any questions. Gray released both Lucy and Juvia from their ice prisons. The two female mages gasped, looking around and looking rather frantic. Until they spotted the frozen Gomon, and then Gray.

"G-Gray-sama?" Juvia questioned looking rather hopeful that Gray had returned to normal.

"Aagh! Damn it! You idiots have gone and ruined everything." Gray sighed as he ruffled his hair back down to its normal look.

"Huh?" Lucy blinked in confusion. Everyone looked confused as Gray froze the chains on Natsu, Wendy, Carla and Happy causing them to shatter.

"You just had to show up, at the most critical moment. And you just had to bring Juvia along to almost blow my cover." Gray continued on with his rambling, as even the black devil slayer marks on his body faded. He brought out a device from the pocket of his coat, and then stripped himself of said coat. Revealing the Avatar emblem fading away with the black marks, and being replaced by the Fairy Tail mark.

"Gray-sama, your marks…" Juvia was just as confused as the rest.

"Code Red, this is Code Blue here." Gray spoke into the device. "We've got trouble, our plan is compromised."

Meanwhile, with Itachi, Erza and the rest. "Compromised? How? Did you give yourself away?" Erza talked into a similar device to Gray. "Then, what? You asked too many questions?" Erza asked leaving her group to assume Gray said no to the first question. "… Natsu?" Erza asked while rubbing the bridge of her nose. To which everyone in the group had a look of understanding as to why Gray failed his mission. Natsu wasn't a stealth type of guy after all. And Itachi managed to overhear a "Yeah" as a reply from Gray.

"Why is he even there? Ask him myself? Is he there now? Well put him on!" Erza demanded, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground. "Natsu, is that you?!" Erza asked hearing a familiar frighten yelp as confirmation. "My, my, seems Gray's infiltration mission has gone up into flames."

"Did you just make a pun?" Itachi raised his brow in surprise.

While Gray was filling Natsu, Lucy, Juvia, Wendy, Carla and Happy in on the infiltration mission. And why it had taken so long, and Avatar's many branches across the nation. And why all those branches were only gathered in one place today.

"Let's go, we are meeting up with Gray and the others in Malba city." Erza mounted her horse, and Itachi followed with the rest mounting their horses.

"So, no ambush?" Itachi asked seeing as the plan for ambush might as well be pointless with Natsu involved.

"No ambush." Erza replied with a light sigh.

"Oh well, we don't have time to think of another plan. We'll just meet them at the front gate." Itachi shrugged. And Elfman's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

Meanwhile, the entire Avatar cult have gathered their forces just outside of town. "Where is Gray and Gomon?" Jerome scanned their army for any sign of their two comrades.

"Probably dealing with our prisoners." Briar shrugged.

"Gomon I can understand… but Gray? There must be…"

"You know, at this point it doesn't matter. Even if what you suspect about stripper boy having betrayed us. He and those friends of his are not enough to stop us, and our sheer number of worshipers. Not to mention our priest's secret weapon." Briar assured, to which Jerome seemed to agree.

"Today, we implement operation purification! In this town, thirty thousand sinless souls shall be our sacrifice! To our lord Zeref! All so that we may walk alongside him! All souls in the city shall be purified!" Alok's speech caused thousands of cheers to erupt from the worshipers. And so they all charged straight ahead.

"There is a man at the front gate! No matter he shall be purified as well!" The worshipers declared all was in the name of Zeref.

The army of cultists were quickly blown away by a massive explosion. "Wh-What the?!" The cultists in the far back stared in confusion and fear, as all they heard were screaming of hundreds of their own. "I-It's just one man? Isn't it?" They quivered in fear.

"Who is that man?" Jerome narrowed his gaze upon the lone figure, whom didn't even appear to be moving in his eyes. Yet their army of worshipers fell in massive numbers.

Standing there, right at the front gate with his hands in his pockets. Was Itachi, looking stoic as he stared at the charging cultists with his sharingan. All of the cultists falling one by one to his illusions. 'Hmm, sooner or later they are gonna reach me…' Itachi thought, although he didn't look worried in the slightest.

Evil Explosion!

A radiating blast wave of darkness scorched through the armada from the sky, blowing them away. Flying over them was the She-Devil herself, Mirajane. Followed by floating crystal balls sending beams raining down upon the cultists, and energy-based blades coming raining down. Ultear and Meredy stood on a hill overseeing the battle. "Go…" Ultear called, and coming running down from the hill was a gigantic beast.

"Oh yeah!" Elfman leaped into the sky, and came crashing down into the center of the cultists. Beating them one by one. "Go sis!" Slithering around Elfman's arm flew the now lamia transformed Lisanna, and with her bother tearing through the cultists one by one. "Just like old times!" Elfman and Lisanna both smiled, especially since coming charging into the crowd was a blazing pyro they knew.

"Oh yeah! Fairy Tail is back!" Natsu roared as he threw a fiery punch that knocked over several cultists at once. Followed by ice geysers exploding rapidly through the armada, freezing many of them into solid ice. Followed by massive currents of wind and water from Wendy and Juvia.

"Lucy kick!" Coming down with a drop kick, was the celestial mage Lucy. Her kick causing the ground to explode into a massive crater. Her hair tied into buns, and dressed in and black pants that left the right leg exposed. She also wore a cow patterned bra and sleeves. In her Star Dress Taurus. Natsu and Gray both paled a bit at witnessing Lucy's enhanced strength from her Taurus Star Dress.

"Gray! You traitorous bastard!" Jerome cursed as he and the rest of Avatar were left in shock.

"Sir! Our forces from the rear are being torn apart!" A distressed cultist ran up to them.

"The Magic Council?!" Jerome questioned with a slight look of panic.

"No sir, just one lone rider!" The cultist reported, as at the rear end Erza was tearing through their forces.

"What are they?! Beasts?! Monsters?!" Mary looked troubled as she with the rest of the members regrouped.

"I shall deal with the rider at the rear. You guys deal with Gray and company." Jerome ordered, however the moment he turned around he bumped into someone and fell onto his ass. "What?"

"Seeing as your main members are all here. I figured I might as well deal with all of you now." Standing towering over Jerome while looking down on him, was Itachi. Briar, Mary, D-6, Abel all backed away in terror. Shocked that they didn't notice Itachi until now. Alok was the only one who seemed calm, merely focused on his plan of purification.

"Who is this?" D-6 growled underneath his mask, all of them fully on guard.

"Tall dark and handsome…" Briar looked at Itachi with a curious gaze.

"Like who the hell does he think he is?" Mary tilted her head, looking with a sadistic smirk. Her eyes lingering with killer intent.

"What fun can I have Mr. Cursey make him do." Abel giggled while playing around with the Mr. Cursey doll.

"…" Without uttering a single word, Itachi flared his sharingan the moment his eyes met with whom he considered the biggest threat amongst them. Mary froze as her mind went blank.

"Huh? What's happening?" Her hands, no her entire body was as flat as paper. "What did you do?" In Mary's vision Itachi appeared as this black figure, his silhouette only visible through his glowing sharingan. Mary suddenly began to feel hot, her very body burning. "Argh! What?! N-No!" Mary panicked as she began to burn, her now paper like body burning from her feet and making its way upwards. "Hot! Hot! Argh! Briar! Jerome! Gramps! Help me!" Tear streamed down her face from feeling this intense burning pain coursing through her very being.

Mary held her hands to her head, gasping for air. "Ahh… aah…ahh" Droll ran down from her mouth, sweat pouring down her face, and tears endlessly streaming from down her eyes.

"Mary, uses a black magic known as Virus. Can create a flesh-eating virus anywhere in her opponents' body. A complicated enemy indeed. Thanks to Gray's intel I know everything about all of you." Itachi revealed his knowledge of Avatar. Although before anyone could react, Itachi moved to his next target.

Wielding a kunai, Itachi charged at Jerome. Jerome quickly countered with a black sword, releasing a malicious dark energy. "Jerome of the Black Sword… your black magic item sword rots anything it touches…" Itachi's kunai began rusting and rotting away at the face of Jerome's sword. Yet Itachi used his momentum, utilizing his upper body strength to push Jerome's blade down. And then proceeded with a neck chop to Jerome's throat causing the knight to gasp for air.

Jerome's eyes widened like saucers as Itachi at lightning speed, delivered a devastating drop kick to Jerome's head knocking him face first to the ground. "Your skill is specialized in a singular weapon. Me? I am a weapon." Jerome was knocked out cold, blood trickling from his forehead.

Itachi flinched seeing the remaining Avatar members surrounding him, in particular he noticed four of Briar. "Clones? I'm not impressed." Itachi made a single hand seal, and in an instant appearing out of a smoke screen walked out dozens of Itachi's. All of the Briar's despite their different emotions judging by their facial expressions, paled at seeing Itachi and his clones that made hers pale in comparison. The clones surrounded the four Briar's, D-6 and Abel. It was over in a second, all of Avatar's main members were defeated. "Now then… it was just you." Itachi looked to Alok, whom had been silent this whole time.

"… My rear forces have been annihilated. And the frontal assault has left us unable to invade the town." Alok smiled from ear to ear underneath his mask, he began laughing confusing his still conscious cultists. "Things are unfolding exactly as I have prophesized. When the earth trembles before Ikusa-Tsunagi, the purification shall begin."

Alok waved his staff around, generating a current of magical energy in a destructive form. And with a swing, Alok tossed a fully concentrated ethernano blast attack. Itachi tilted his body backwards, avoiding the blast by an inch. Alok kept swinging his staff, unleashing an endless barrage of energy blasts.

Itachi without any need for his sharingan, avoided each blast with grace and no difficulty. This was nothing to him. Itachi advanced towards Alok, wanting to get answers as to what this Ikusa-Tsunagi was. Alok pointed his staff to the ground, forming a magic circle. Alok raised his staff, and coming in Itachi's path was a magical energy barrier.

Itachi to test the barrier, tossed shurikens towards it. The shurikens fried up and shattered upon contact with the barrier. Alok then once more swung his staff and unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, and the blasts passed through the barrier like nothing. "I see… so anything can pass through the barrier from your end." Itachi clenched his fist, and threw a punch straight into the barrier. The lighting energy of the barrier tickling against his skin. Yet it didn't hurt him one bit. The barrier shattered from the weight of Itachi's punch.

Itachi continued his assault, and Alok in panic raised a row of barriers before him. Itachi flashed a few hand seals at blinding speed, and inhaled his breath.

Fire Style: Fireball!

Itachi spat out a massive ball of blazing fire, burning straight through the barriers and blowing up straight into Alok's face. "Argh!" Alok screamed with pain as his mask melted away.

"Now tell me, what is this Ikusa-Tsunagi?" In responds to Itachi's question, Alok just laughed as he rolled over in pain.

"The price has been paid… my face is burnt! Now! Ye war god of the contract! Pay forth the compensation for my sacrifice! Wield thy power for our cause! Ikusa-Tsunagi, come forth!" Alok's chant formed a massive dark storm over them. Thunder roaring from within.

"I see… this is Ikusa-Tsunagi." Itachi remained stoic, even as a gigantic monstrous foot appeared out from the black clouds. The foot came crashing down upon many of the cultists, crushing them all.

"This! Is operation purification!" Alok declared as he laughed manically through his melted mask. "The souls I offer up are the fervently worshipping ones of Avatar believers! The humans of the town mean naught! The souls of those who die believing in Zeref are the ultimate sacrifice to him! And in responds to such an offering Zeref shall show himself, and lead us!"

"Heh…" Itachi actually started to laugh, the sound of his laughter was like seeing a mythical beast. Rare. Alok seized his laughter.

"What's so funny?!" Alok grew annoyed at hearing Itachi's laughter.

"The fact that you think Zeref will show up. He couldn't give a damn, no matter how many people you kill. You are all a bunch of misguided fool, whom views a cursed man as a God. He won't come, because he doesn't care for your ambitions. Or belief." Itachi merely looked as the giant beast came down from the heavens, through the dark clouds. A behemoth of a monster. "And now, we shall crush your monster."

"Ikusa-Tsunagi is one of the eighteen war gods of Yakuma! He is not something the likes of you could beat!" Alok declared.

"God? If a God only has that much energy… Then Gods must not be that much to brag about." Itachi could see the amount of energy, and how fierce this god's aura was. "My guess, since this is one of eighteen war gods… they are more like lower level gods."

Ikusa-Tsunagi, a muscular gigantic beast with black armor-like skin, with a face resembling that of a lion. With bone-like horns. His hair was wild like a lion's mane shooting up straight. Despite being a god, his hands looked like demonic claws, and his feet bestial-looking. And in his grasps, he wielded a massive sword.

Ikusa-Tsunagi raised his sword, preparing an attack. The wind gathering to the tip of the blade. "He's going to attack!" Erza shouted a warning.

With a swift swing of the sword, the very earth itself beneath them split in half. A major dust cloud blew up on the battlefield, luckily the town was out of range for the attack. The laughter of Alok echoed upon witnessing the power of Ikusa-Tsunagi. "You cannot win against a God!" Alok glared mockingly at Itachi.

"… I'm not going to fight it. They are." Itachi hinted towards the massive dust cloud left by Ikusa-Tsunagi's attack. The so-called god, stared down upon the settling dust cloud before him. Seeing four shadowy figures walking out through it. Up front walked the pink haired scarfed dragon slayer. The black-haired shirtless ice devil slayer. The red head armored fairy queen. And at last, the blond-haired celestial wizard.

"You know… this kind of reminds me of the first job we ever did together." Gray looked nostalgic as he stared at the giant behemoth of a God. Black demonic spots growing on his body from him activating his devil slayer power.

"Only this time, instead of a demon… we're fighting a God." Erza requiped into her Ataraxia Armor. A beautiful white revealing gown with a hem sprouting from it and a red collar, being tied with a red and gold belt that resembled an obi. The upper part of her dress included red and white shoulderless sleeves and a rose decoration on her left hand. She also wore a pair of red and gold knee-high heel boots. And like her Heaven's Wheel armor, she had swords floating around her like wings.

"And just like Lullaby! It is going down!" Natsu slammed his right fiery fist into his left palm. And following his flames, came a violent flicker of lightning as he entered his Lightning Fire Dragon Mode.

"Yeah, although only this time… I'm fighting with you guys." Lucy smiled brightly, as more details were added to her Taurus star dress. Ram horns grew out from her head. Her arms covered in pin wool arm warmers, and a woolen scarf wrapped around her neck. And now along with the Taurus zodiac sign on her right shoulder, she also now had the Aries zodiac insignia on her left shoulder. "Star Dress Mix: Taurus and Aries!" Her comrades looked slight in awe at Lucy's new power.

"What's this?" Erza asked.

"Star Dress Mix, my trump card. Although it is a last resort, it consumes too much of my magic power." Lucy replied. Images of the past going over in her mind, the Lullaby incident and Eisenwald. The first official job Fairy Tail's "strongest team" had together. Back then she was so weak, all she could do was stand and watch her friends fighting the deadly demon of the book of Zeref. But now she was strong enough to fight with them.

"Natsu, do what you do best. Charge right into danger." Gray shrugged as he took a stance, preparing an attack.

"Don't need you to tell me, popsicle!" Natsu charged straight ahead, his speed boosted up by the effect of the lightning.

Lightning Fire Dragon: Iron Fist!

Natsu jumped towards Ikusa-Tsunagi with his fist raised, with the God looking to crush Natsu in his grip. Then flying like eight speeding bullets around him, were Erza's swords, circling around Natsu. The blades split into separate directions around Ikusa-Tsunagi. Ikusa-Tsunagi moved its giant hand to Natsu to grab him, when suddenly his hand was blown back from Erza's swords despite not being directly touched.

"My swords in this armor, are capable of landing blows without making direct contact." Erza advanced with Natsu, her blades dancing around Ikusa-Tsunagi bombarding it with the swords mighty indirect blows. Preventing it from grabbing Natsu, and then Natsu landed his destructive fiery punch to the God's gut. The punch from Natsu sent Ikusa-Tsunagi skidding backwards a few feet. His massive feet dragging up the ground with him.

Lightning Fire Dragon: Sword Horn!

Natsu followed up by shooting up like a bullet to the behemoth God's chin, tilting its head back a little. "Waiting for you! Gray!"

"Just waitin' for you to get out of the line of fire! Pyro!" Gray called out as his ice devil slayer powers formed a line in rows of light purple ice cannons.

Ice Devil's Zeroth Fortress!

"Bang." Gray with a flick of his fingers, blasted a bombardment of cannon balls into Ikusa-Tsunagi. The God growling in annoyance as the cannons blasted into his armor like body, leaving their marks and tiny cracks in its body.

As the God was being bombarded, Itachi looked to the nearby town that was in danger from Ikusa-Tsunagi's wrath. "We need to finish this quickly…" Itachi then looked to the surprised Alok, surprised over the fact that they were able to fight the God. Itachi grabbed onto his neck, looking straight into his eyes. "Tell me, does that thing have a weak spot?" Alok grunted, trying to resist as he felt Itachi prying into his mind.

"Urgh! Argh!" Alok grunted in pain from resisting, and then his eye visible from his melted mask looked to be in some sort of trance. "… The top of its head. It is the one place on Ikusa-Tsunagi's body that is not protected by his armored skin." Alok fell under the control of Itachi's sharingan. And was released the moment Itachi got the intel. "No! No!"

"The top of his head! It's the weak spot!" Itachi called out.

The bombardment from Gray's ice cannons ended, and Ikusa-Tsunagi released a bone shackling roar that brought anyone within hearing distance to their knees. The so-called God raised its blade, to deliver another strike. Swinging its massive arm, to swat the incoming Natsu away like a fly.

"Happy!" Natsu called out, and coming in on que was the blue furred feline. Catching Natsu in his grasp. "Get me closer will ya?!"

"Aye sir!" Happy flew Natsu in towards Ikusa-Tsunagi. The dragon slayer inhaling his breath, gathering a massive amount of fire and lightning from his belly.

Lightning Fire Dragon: Roar!

Natsu unleashed a mighty breath attack of fire cloaked in flickering lightning. The attack aimed at the head of the beast. The fire burning and lightning crackling through the top of Ikusa-Tsunagi's head. The inside of his skin cracking open, with glints of fire and lightning sparking through. The God roared in pain, backing up while shaking its head around violently.

The War God latched both of its demonic like claws onto its gigantic blade. "It is preparing another attack!" Erza warned and all gasped seeing this time, the nearby town was in the line of sight. If Ikusa-Tsunagi unleashed an attack like the one that split the ground up again, then the town would end up destroyed.

"Wendy! I need you to use your enchantments to boost up my strength!" Lucy shouted to the youngest dragon slayer, while she rushed up towards the town.

"R-Right! Enchantment: Arms!" Lucy summoned a magic circle underneath her, sending a surge of wind towards Lucy and around her arms. Lucy could feel her muscles tense up. "W-Wait… What is Lucy-san going to do?" Wendy ended up too caught up in the moment, that she didn't really think through what Lucy was planning.

"Lucy!" Natsu couldn't help but worry for Lucy, seeing as he almost always had to rescue her. Now she was heading straight into danger.

"Go! Take it down! I will hold it back!" Lucy halted, calculating the angel of the incoming blade of Ikusa-Tsunagi. And positioned herself directly where the tip of the sword would land. Lucy raised her hands, generating the wool from her arms creating a massive cloud of wool.

Then coming smacking down like a wrecking ball. Lucy flinched with her knees shaking, feeling the weight of the sword despite the blow being softened by Aries' wool. And with Taurus strength boosted by Wendy's enchantments holding it back. Lucy could feel Ikusa-Tsunagi adding more weight upon the blade, and it was visible as the ground beneath her began to sink into a crater under the weight of the blade. Yet Lucy would not fall, she increased the amount of wool to hold back the blade, and stood firmly to hold back the blade. Sweat began running down her face, and her body began trembling. "Hurry!" Lucy shouted to her teammates, whom stood there shocked at this feat from Lucy. They were only woken up by Lucy's shout, and without wasting anytime they jumped onto the blade and began running upwards.

It was a race, Natsu, Erza and Gray had to reach the top of the head of Ikusa-Tsunagi. Before Lucy would fall to the pressure of the God's blade. "Let's go!" Natsu roared as they made their way up Ikusa-Tsunagi's arms.

Lucy despite her strength, and Wendy whom kept enhancing Lucy's strength and magic through enchantments on the sidelines. Lucy couldn't hold Ikusa-Tsunagi and its sword back forever. She began feeling the pressure more and more. Falling onto one knee, with sweat beginning to run down her face and in her palms. Her grip on the blade starting to slip. Suddenly the weight of the blade felt lighter, way to light actually. almost like she was holding nothing. Lucy looked up, seeing a spectral skeleton hand holding Ikusa-Tsunagi's blade back. "Go and join them." Itachi stood there surrounded by the ribcage of his Susano'o, from the ribcage stuck out a gigantic spectral skeleton arm. Itachi nudged towards Natsu, Gray and Erza whom were making their way up alongside Ikusa-Tsunagi's arm.

"Can I get a little boost?" Lucy smiled, and Itachi generated a second skeleton arm from the ribcage. Lucy jumped into the second hand of the Susano'o, and tossed into the air towards her teammates.

Lucy prepared for her landing, and firmly planted her feet onto Ikusa-Tsunagi's bicep, joining her teammates in the race up to the God's head. Natsu smirked seeing Lucy with them. "Alright, let's get 'em!" Natsu jumped up with his hands held up, for Happy whom came swopping in to grab him.

"All together now!" The four jumped up from Ikusa-Tsunagi's shoulders, hovering over his head. "Lucy Dropkick!" Using the enhanced strength from her Taurus Star Dress, and Wendy's enchantments boosting up her physical strength even more. Lucy delivered a dropkick onto the top of Ikusa-Tsunagi's head. Cracking up the God's head even more.

"These blades deliver powerful strikes despite not directly touching you… imagine how powerful a direct strike is!" Erza sent all eight blades stabbing into the top of Ikusa-Tsunagi's head. Cracks bursting open all around the Ikusa-Tsunagi's body, pieces of its body already falling off. Its left horn falling off and landing before Ikusa-Tsunagi's feet.

Gray was next, hovering high above them, wielding an ice bow and arrow in hand. "Ice Devil's Zeroth Destruction Bow!" Gray shot the ice arrow straight into the center of the God's head, the ice bursting to life with ice exploding through all over his head. "Natsu! Let's finish it!" Gray called out, as Happy came with Natsu soaring over Gray and dropped the pink haired dragon slayer like a bomb.

"Right!" Natsu's skin turned somewhat scaly, red dragon scales appearing on the sides of his face and arms. "Fire Lightning Dragon: Iron Fist!" Fire and lightning all gathering around his right fist. The fire and lightning around his hand morphing into the shape of a gigantic dragon's head. "AAAARRRGGGGGHHHH!" Natsu gave a war cry, and smacked his fist straight into Ikusa-Tsunagi's head. The God freezing on the spot as he felt the lightning and flames soaring through its entire body. The light vanishing from his eyes as all the combined attacks from Fairy Tail's strongest team. Caused Ikusa-Tsunagi's body to burst open in an explosive fashion. There was no blood, no flesh, it was like watching a gigantic statue crumble into rubble.

Ikusa-Tsunagi's body came crumbling down, the so-called mighty War God was reduced to a mere pile of rubble. And landing onto the top of that rubble, came Fairy Tail' strongest team. Standing tall and looking over the bewildered frightened crowd of Avatar cultists.

All of the Avatar cultists stared in disbelief. "The war god! The war god has been defeated?!" The cultists shouted in panic, trembling in terror before the might of Fairy Tail's strongest team. Natsu, Gray, Erza and Lucy stood victorious over the rubble that was Ikusa-Tsunagi.

"Impossible… this cannot be…" Alok trembled in fear, staring in disbelief at the remains of Ikusa-Tsunagi. This was a nightmare, it had to be.

"R-Run! They are all a bunch of monsters!" The ones that could still stand of the cultists, rushed with adrenaline attempted to run. But then suddenly massive pillars of iron popped up around them preventing them from running away.

"Place 'em all under arrest! Don't let a single one get away, ya' hear?!" Gajeel, Pantherlily and Levy arrived with an army of Rune Knights charging in.

"Gajeel?!" Wendy questioned in shock.

"And Lily?" Carla in her human form looked just as perplexed.

"And why is he arresting them?" Juvia looked confused, normally Gajeel would just beat them up and leave them there for the magic council to arrest them.

"It's a long story… but basically he is working for the council now." Gray revealed the shocking truth which brought a look of disbelief on the faces of everyone that knew Gajeel.

"Huh? Levy-chan!" Lucy looked ecstatic as she saw her dearest friend.

"Lu-chan?!" Levy beamed with a brilliant smile, and the two ran up to embrace each other in a hug. "I heard you became a reporter, why are you here?"

"Oh, you know, Natsu. But what about you? I heard rumors, but you really started to work for the magic council."

"Ah! Levy! And Lily!" Natsu greeted his friend, although the moment he looked at Gajeel he seemed like he was looking at a stranger. "And… a council Gajeel look alike? Twin brother maybe?"

"Keep it up and I'll smack you upside your head!" Gajeel butted heads with Natsu.

"But there's no way Gajeel would work for the council." Natsu hid a smile on the inside.

"I was out lookin' for a job to pay for my next meal. When that old tree guy hit me up."

"Warrod, eh?" Itachi thought back on the Wizard Saint that resembled a tree.

"And that's how I got where I am! By the way! I hereby place you under arrest too Salamander! For the crime of having a stupid ugly face!" Gajeel pointed to Natsu, and then looked to Lucy and Lisanna. "You two are going down for indecency!" Gajeel declared considering her Taurus Star Dress, and Lisanna's lamia form to which the two let out an insulted gasp. "Juvia! You are too clammy!"

"I am?"

"Yup!"

"Happy! You are eating too much fish!"

"So, it's deliciousness is a crime."

"Eflman! You are under arrest for abusing the word man too much!"

"T-That's actually manly…"

"Mira! You are under arrest for… for being a klutz!"

"Oh my…"

"Itachi! You are under arrest for being too emo!"

"Say what now?"

"And Wendy Marvel! You are under arrest because eh… because… because reasons!"

"But I didn't do anything…" Wendy uttered looking completely shook up.

"And as for you…" And finally, Gajeel turned towards Gray. "I'm pretty sure I don't even need to tell ya' do I Gray? You won't be getting' off so easily." Just as Gajeel was about to cuff Gray, Erza smacked him in the back of the head.

"Just because you look like Gajeel doesn't give you the right to act like him." Erza glared down at Gajeel.

"What are you talking about?! I am Gajeel!"

"No, not buying it. The Gajeel I knew would never work for the council."

"Is that so…?"

"He really is the actual Gajeel." Pantherlily confirmed to which Erza and Natsu gasped out of surprise.

"Then that makes things easier. Avatar was stopped, thanks to us." Erza then went on to explain the nature of Gray's infiltration mission, and how he was spying on them and giving intel to Erza whom gave intel to the council.

"Well, then things have resolved themselves. Haven't they Gajeel?" Levy patted the slight disappointed Gajeel. He had grown to like arresting people it would seem.

"Well, time for Fairy Tail's revival." Itachi said and they all gathered around him. Together Itachi, Mira, Erza, Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, Elfman, Lisanna, Levy, Lucy, Pantherlily, Wendy, Carla and Happy all raised their hands/paws and gave a victory shout. "Next stop, Magnolia…" Itachi looked up at the hill, seeing Ultear and Meredy looking down at them with a smile. Understanding that this marked the end of their journey together. Ultear and Meredy headed off on their own back to Jellal and the rest.

'Thank you…' Itachi thought as he gave the two a look of farewell.

After all of Avatar was arrested, Gajeel, Levy and Pantherlily had to go and give their report. While Itachi, Erza, Mirajane, Lisanna, Elfman, Natsu, Happy, Wendy, Carla, Lucy, Gray and Juvia. All headed back to Magnolia. After a whole year, a year of neither of them setting a foot in the town since Tartaros. And now here they were. Walking through the rebuilt town, all taking a trip down memory lane as they were brought on by a sudden feeling of nostalgia. They had walked through these streets many times, the only thing that was missing was the sight of their guild on the horizon.

"Just a year ago… everything was destroyed. Now look at it. Good as new." Lisanna happily skipped through town. All ready to begin rebuilding the guild.

"I'm glad… we got to come back here." Itachi and Mira walked hand in hand, the diamante on Mira's engagement ring sending a flash of sunlight to Lucy's eyes.

"Huh? Hey Mira, that ring… is that?" Once Lucy had brought it to attention all gazed upon the ring on Mira's finger. Erza, Elfman, Lisanna smiling as they were already filled in on the news.

"We got engaged." Mirajane grabbed onto Itachi's arm and pulled him close, her smile warm and loving. Lucy, Juvia and Wendy all gasped upon seeing the ring. While Natsu and Gray looked taken aback.

"Engaged?" Natsu tilted his head. "Does that mean… Itachi and Mira are gonna be husband and wife?"

"Yeah, that's what it means idiot." Gray laughed, seeming happy for Itachi and Mira.

"Oh my gosh! Congratulations!" Lucy congratulated Mira, the girls surrounding Mira to get a good look of the ring.

"Marriage… really brings up a lot of memories, doesn't it Natsu?" Lisanna pumped her fist into Natsu's shoulder, thinking back to their childhood.

"Oh yeah, you asked me if you could one day be my real wife." Natsu looked nostalgic at the memory.

"Yeah. Although… something tells me things have changed." Lisanna smiled as she peeked a look to Lucy. Yet Natsu looked confused as to what she was implying.

"I can't wait to celebrate with everyone." Mira's expression softened as she leaned her head onto Itachi's chest, while viewing the ring on her finger.

"… Will we though? I mean, Fairy Tail fell apart… everyone parted their ways." Lucy look saddened, thinking many of their former comrades had moved on. And had just left Fairy Tail in the past of their lives.

"Hah! Yeah right!" A new voice came in, giving Lucy a quick spank on her behind causing her to yelp with a small moan. "Hey Luce, long time!" It was the guilds number one drinker, Cana. "Whoa! That is a big rock!" Cana grinned as she saw Mira's engagement ring. "Congrats!"

"C-Cana?! Wh-Why are you-" Cana stopped Lucy from speaking any further.

"Come on, let's talk more with the others. They are all waitin'!" Cana declared walking in the direction where the guild used to be.

"Waiting?" Lucy questioned in surprise, while Cana lead them to the destroyed rubble that used to be their guild.

"Yeah. As if we would just forget after one year. Now come on, everyone is waiting. Thanks to you, Lucy." Cana dragged Lucy through the streets and over to the ruins on the guild. And there, they were all waiting. Well, Laxus and his group were still missing. But everyone else, was here. Carrying smiles and tools to begin rebuilding their long-lost home.

"Welcome home you guys!" Everyone greeted them with open arms, their greeting brining Lucy to tears. She was finally home. They were all home. And quickly their roars of celebration went like an echo through town, and sticking out from the top of the rubble. Was a slightly burnt torn flag carrying the proud Fairy Tail guild mark.

They not only celebrated their reunion, but also Itachi and Mira's engagement. They received mix reactions. Some of the men whom were "fans" of Mirajane cried in jealousy. Some women did the same for Itachi. But one thing was for sure, they all were happy for them.

And the next days that would follow, was the rebuilding of the guild hall. And in the middle of the rebuilding, one question popped up. "Who's going to be the seventh guild master?" And the discussion began. They couldn't wait for Makarov to return, they needed a master if they were to officially bring the guild back. And right now, no one knew where Makarov even was.

"Umm, maybe Gildarts?"

"We don't need a deadbeat that just comes and goes as he pleases!" Cana quickly shot down that idea.

"Laxus?"

"The guy isn't even here yet!"

"Erza?"

"Hmm, maybe… Erza is scary and would make a good master."

"Why not just make Itachi master?" Gray suddenly suggested out of the blue bringing everyone's attention to him. "I mean, it's no secret gramps always thought he was suited for the job."

"Wait, really?" Itachi questioned, seeing as everyone seemed to be in agreement.

"Can't argue there." Levy giggled as she filled out the forms to give the magic council. "The Seventh Guild Master of Fairy Tail will be, Itachi Uchiha!"

"I'm the master?" Itachi looked in disbelief, he knew Makarov thought highly of him and meant he was suited for the position. But Itachi honestly never thought he would become the master. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to become master, but seeing as everyone was counting on him. "Very well, I accept… at least until we locate Makarov."

"Couldn't have agreed more. You are very competent and highly qualified for that position." A new figure appeared out of thin air. They recognized him, but some struggled to remember.

"You're!" Natsu gaped in shock.

"Mest…" Itachi uttered.

"I've been biding my time for this very moment. When everyone would once again gather together." Mest, carrying a Fairy Tail insignia on his upper right shoulder. Dressed in a red shirt with a turtle neck, and with his hair having grown out and looking messier. "Because, you are the only ones… that can save Master Makarov." And with those words, everyone went silent.

That's the end for now!

So, it has been quite some time since I last updated. My reasons, well are personal. Life happened basically. But I'm back, and ready to continue. Also another reason this chapter took some time, is that the Avatar arc isn't really an arc I was too hyped to write about. I could have made some massive changes to it, but I decided to keep it short and have the biggest change be that instead of Natsu just stomping on a so-called god. I decided to have Natsu, Erza, Gray and Lucy team up and take it down. Not only as a throw back to the Lullaby arc and the fight against the Lullaby demon (even though I didn't include that arc in the story XD), but also to show Lucy's growth. From standing on the sidelines watching Natsu, Erza and Gray fight, to fighting with them.

Anyway, next chapter will be the last chapter before we start the Alvarez Empire arc. An arc I have been working on for a long time now.

Now make sure to leave a review! Or PM me!

-Later!

(Responds to reviews):

Singing Dove: Glad you liked it. Yeah, controlling the darkness in him will be quite something for him to learn and control. I thought that was a cool way for Kisame to enter the fray. And I'm glad to hear so many of you like the proposal moment. And that was quite the accurate description of Mira's personality XD And that will be quite the problem wouldn't it? They might need to speed up the wedding because of the war, or put it on hold even. And I have something I consider more of a pure moment that will make Itachi gain control over E planned.

keybladelight: Wow, thank you! And I am leaning in for a more like western style. Just by judging over the fact that western style weddings seem to be the thing in Fairy Tail (with that flashback image we had of Alzack and Bisca wedding after the seven year time skip) And as for their children, I have decided on if the first born is a boy or a girl. And sorry, but I didn't make Erza the seventh guild master. Even though her becoming the guild master in the series was a good moment. I feel like Itachi seems more the logical choice to be made guild master. He is older, and more experienced than Erza. And yeah, for A Fresh Start we actually have something like that planned.

Shadow Joestar: Thanks!

andresskorskiruiz: They will have a son, but also a daughter. The question is, who will be the first born? And yeah, we will update A Fresh Start one day. We're not sure when though, sorry.

silverhawk88: If so, then I am sorry for taking so long. Went through some personal problems. And soon we'll have our Madara and Ultear moment, as well as some backstory for Madara's time in Fairy Tail verse.

Emn93: Thanks, really appreciate the support. And yeah, the whole darkness thing in Itachi and him overcoming it was slightly inspired by Naruto overcoming his own. You all watch out for that virus as well, you hear?

Shinobi420: Cool, you do that :)

NightBlood5404: I feel fine, thank you.

Ultimatrix bearer: He is, sadly he won't meet them.

Mr. Haziq: Could be, I wouldn't be surprised in fact if Seilah had something to do with it XD. Then again it could also just be Mirajane's hidden sadistic side showing.

Guest: Thanks for the support! Mira and Itachi's wedding will bring quite the attention. Although will they have a chance to have it before the war?

Guest: Thanks! Sorry for taking so long.

BingxooBoy: Thank you for the support. And as for the Sasori vs Kyouka and Seilah, Sasori wasn't just talking to them, he was guiding their movements. Erza said her body was moving on its own, didn't she? But yeah, I guess Kyouka's powers are kind of confusing.

springtony: Thanks!

schintzelman: Yeah… I really gave up on the adding songs in the chapter thing XD

Guest: I don't see why the story needs an art cover.

castieltuang002: I'm human, I make mistakes, I make typos what can I say XD You didn't like the sickness thing? Well too bad, it happened, we got over it and past it long ago.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH: It showed Itachi having grown tired of hiding the truth, and realized his faults in lying after what happened with Sasuke and all. And besides, he only told one person. I understand why some people weren't fans of this moment, but this is what I decided on.

Mariah: XD We'll see.

Guest: You are welcome. All of you make sure to stay safe.

genxdell: LOL, what was I supposed to do? Have them meet bandits and monsters along the way?

10: Thanks!

zRyan: Well, I am planning on a bunch of changes to the final arc. Mystogan has his role as well.

KadeBear: Huh, I will see if I can find the time to fix it. And thanks!

Kira no Shinigami: Thanks!

RunOnSentences: I don't know, do I? I doubt it. Not sure how to explain, but if you feel it is clunky then for you it probably is. But I don't see anyone else pointing it out so… maybe it's just you. People have different opinions on these things after all.