~*****~

"Welcome! I'd be so happy to take your order!" Lucy chirps. I glance over and grimace.

"Do I have to wear this thing?" I ask irritably, my fingers tugging at the skirt on the dress we'd been made to wear.

Natsu grunted at me, his hands holding a tray full of food. "Yeah, we're working a job. Remember?"

"Yeah, and I'm all fine with that but..." I trail off, trying again to make my skirt longer. "I'm really uncomfortable in skirts like this..."

"You look great!" Natsu beams with a mouth full of food. "Besides, you said you owed us after goin' after that Dark Guild!"

I sigh outwardly and take the tray from him. "I'll got get more food." I mutter as I cautiously walk back to the kitchen. "Stop eating the food, that's the third plate you've eaten."

"Quit frowning, the uniforms aren't all that bad if you ask me." Gray mentions as he strides up to me with a tray of drinks.

"But you took yours off." I mutter.

"Don't you forget why we're doing this." Gray comments.

I grumble irritably. "Lucy needed her rent paid too, so it's not like it's entirely my fault..." I sigh.

"Would you quit bringing it up?" Lucy complained.

I sighed loudly again and walked off; my fingers completely attached to the front of my skirt.

"That's cool..." I hear Gray murmur.

"Eyes to yourself, Gray!" Ballad chanted. I hear a metallic thwack as I enter the kitchen.

After the shift ended, I was never going to part with my beloved fleeced lined pants ever again. I sighed in delight as I sat down besides the over gorged Natsu. "Top notch job today, kids!" Yajima cooed. "Got to say, I'm most pleasantly surprised by all your hard work. You're welcome here any time."

"Thank you." Erza smiled. "We've learned much from this experience."

"And what was that? You love clothes?" Happy muttered.

"Now I know how tired Mira must be after work," Gray sighed loudly.

"And how stuffed her belly must be." Natsu complained.

"I think that's just you, Natsu," I laugh. "She serves the food instead of eating it all."

"Well, that's her loss," Natsu groaned.

"And your weight gain." I hum as I pinch his side. "It's a good thing you can lose it fast, because you'd be less cute as a balloon."

"If I may ask you, sir, what is the state of the magic council these days?" Erza questions.

Yajima hummed. "Well, of course I stepped down some time ago."

"The magic council?!" Gray and Natsu exclaim.

I sigh through my nose. "Didn't you know that? Master Makarov mentions it quite frequently when he's completely wasted."

"After Zieg-- or wait, was his name Zellal?" Yajima trailed off.

"You mean Jellal?" Erza asked.

"Ah, yes. After he and that other interloper Ultear threw everything into disarray, I parted ways with the organization." Yajima explained. "I'm not usually one for gossip, but there have been rumors going around lately that a plan to reestablish the Magic Council is in the works. Our ignorance and misguided actions caused you a great deal of trouble. I am truly sorry."

"It's fine. They say you stood your ground in opposition to firing the Etherion right until the very end." Erza mentioned. My nose crinkled as I remembered the awful taste of Etho-Nano-- strangely enough, the aftertaste never did leave. "Your conviction is admirable."

"Politics just isn't my thing. But cooking..." Yajima suddenly got fired up. "Oh boy!" He laughed excitedly. "That was what I was born to do! By the way, you boys listen very carefully." Yajima hummed as he approached Natsu and Gray. "Now I expect this new council to be quite different. I will no longer be there. I took a lax attitude toward Fairy Tail's hijinks. Do you understand?! Don't test their patience with your careless destruction!"

Natsu and Gray swallow quickly. "No, we promise we won't sir!" They both chant while nodding violently.

I flinch as Yajima shoves his finger in my face. "That goes for you, too!"

I wave him off. "I think the council wants to forget I exist after that bull hearing with Coop." I mention teasingly.

Yajima hummed thoughtfully. "Yes, that it true." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, thank you all for your help! Say hello to Maki for me, will you, huh?" Yajima cheered as we piled onto the carriage. I swallowed my bitter motion sickness potion and made a face as the cart took off. Natsu, however, refused to take the potion.

"We certainly will, sir! And thanks again for the work!" Lucy cheered.

~*****~

The next day at the guild, there was a large list put up, and I immediately recognized most of them. "What's all this?" Lucy asked.

"It's a chart listing out the Dark Guilds," Mira hums as I peer closely at all of them.

"Oui, she had me draw it up for her." Reedus explained.

"A troubling sight. There are far more than I'd realized." Erza stated.

"Like cockroaches. You kill three, and ten more take it's place." I mention irritably. "So, what brought this on?" I ask.

"Unfortunately, they've been noticeably more active as of late." Mira explains. I hum in agreement. "That means we need to strengthen relationships with our fellow guilds."

Lucy hummed. "What's the big circle in the middle supposed to be?" Gray asked.

"That's the Baram Alliance of Dark Guilds," I explain. "The three major players in that alliance are Oracion Seis, Tartaros, and Grimoire Heart. They're powerful by themselves, but combined? They're a living nightmare. Each controls lesser guilds that carry out the dirty work they don't want to do themselves. There is, however, one guild that remains independent. Raven Tail."

"Oh, man! I recognize Eisenwald." Lucy murmured irritably.

"I'm sure," Erza nods. "That's the guild Erigor belonged to."

"So Eisenwald was actually just a kind of sub-guild that worked up Oracion Seis?" Gray asked.

"I've seen lot of these names before," Wakaba commented.

"I think some of them even used to be legit." Macao hummed.

"There was one more, Ghoul Spirit, which the Thunder Legion took out." Mira hummed.

"Most of the guilds, Gajeel and I destroyed when the two of us were members of phantom lord were under Oracion Seis." Juvia explained. "Except for Fairy Tail, of course, but we're all great friends now, right?"

"I wouldn't remind 'em of that if I were you," Gray mentioned.

Lucy grasped onto my overcoat, shuddering. "Creepy. Hey, you guys, do you think they'll take it out on us?"

"Probably," I laugh. "Tartaros have tons of hits on me, but the hit men they send are easily defeated." I scratch at my face as Lucy panics even more.

"Ah, relax!" Wakaba laughed. "Don't worry your pretty little head about them. From what I hear, they've only got six members in the guild anyway!"

"Yeah, they sound like small potatoes if you ask me." Macao hummed.

"Don't underestimate them." Mira said seriously. "Those six wizards make up one of the most powerful guild out there."

"Speaking of the Oracion Seis," Makarov's voice echoed out. We all glance back immediately. "Word has come down. We must destroy them."

"Awesome!" I hiss excitedly. The others, well, did not share in my enthusiasm.

Mira, the lovely woman she is, just greets him fondly. "Welcome back, Master!" Everyone fell to the ground. "I hope you had a good time at the conference."

"Mira, I love you," I laugh as I lean against her.

"But master, what do you mean by that?" Erza asked.

"Oracion Seis' recent activity was the focus of much discussion at the conference. They pose an urgent threat that can no longer be ignored. Therefore, they must be dealt with immediately. We will take them down before they can harm any of our fellow guilds we are sworn to protect." Makarov explains.

"And we got to do all the heavy lifting, right?" Gray asks. "Typical."

"Fairy Tail will be taking them on by ourselves?" Juvia asks.

Makarov descends the stairs. "This enemy is far more powerful than any other we have faced before. To fight them alone would be too dangerous. Our attack would surely incur the wrath of the entire Baram Alliance in no time. Which is why Fairy Tail will join a coalition of Magical Guilds."

"A coalition?" We all echo.

"Fairy Tail. Blue Pegasus. Lamia Scale. And Cait Shelter." Makarov listed out. "These four guilds will select members to represent them in the allied force. Together, we will work to bring down the enemy!"

"But we can handle it ourselves, Gramps!" Natsu chirps, suddenly distracted from his eating. "In fact, I could probably even do it alone!"

"Don't be a fool!" Erza snaps. "The master is wise to consider the long-term consequences."

"Whoa, just hold on a second, you guys!" Lucy stammered. "We're only talking about six people, aren't we? I mean, are they seriously all that scary?"

~*****~

It was no surprise that we were chosen to go. And don't get me wrong, I was excited. I just hated the carriage. "I can't believe my potions were--" I stop a heave. "Spoiled..."

Once we arrive, I feel much better to be out and about. "Great, another creepy old mansion," Lucy murmurs as she holds onto my overcoat.

"It's Master Bob's second home," I mention fondly. "Man, I remember running around these halls all the time when I was younger."

"I forget he took you in," Gray murmured. "He makes me feel funny."

"You be nice, he's a friend," I laugh.

"Just tell me when we're there, guys," I hear Natsu groan.

"Okay, we're there!" Happy and Ballad chirp.

"Yes! They're here at last!" I hear someone call.

"At last!" Two voices chant.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey-- Hello! Fairy Tail Wizards!" Three men cheer as they appear in a spotlight. "We're so glad you came! We are... the Blue Pegasus... Elite Crew! The Trimens."

"Hundred nights, Hibiki." Hibiki starts.

"Holy night, Eve." Eve follows.

"Still night, Ren." Ren finishes.

"The Trimens from Blue Pegasus." Lucy gasps. "That is so cool... those guys are like the hottest wizards around now! Hibiki Laytis is always near the top of Sorcerer's Weekly most eligible bachelor's list. He's been in the top-three for the last few months!"

"Would you believe it if he wasn't that pretty when he was younger?" I ask impishly.

"Don't you dare!" Hibiki cried. "You're as mean as ever, Aria!"

I giggle and go to greet him. "How have you guys been? It's been a hot minute, hasn't it?"

"You know, it could pass a thousand years, and you would still be the most beautiful woman on this planet." Hibiki purrs.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tangia," Eve hums as he kneels before me. Eve and Ren, I had no clue who they were. Must've been new additions after I left.

"Please, come with me," Ren hums as he loops an arm around my shoulder.

"Touch me again, and you'll lose your hand." I mention to him over my shoulder. "Now stop the shenanigans, will ya?"

"Calm down, men, give the lovely lady some breathing room," I hear an almost too familiar voice.

I grimace. "Whoa, that voice, it's silky smooth!" I hear Lucy whimper.

"Yes, Ichiya, sir!" Ren immediately agrees.

"Not this guy..." I whine.

"It's been far too long, Miss Tangia." Ichiya greets.

"Not long enough," I grimace.

From his short little legs to his cleft chin, Ichiya was the literal embodiment of all Master Bob's secret whims. "Oh, how I've missed you, my sweet honey. But don't cry. I'm here."

"My sweet honey?" Ballad echoes while Happy and Lucy scream.

"A surprise." Ichiya states.

"A surprise!" The Trimen exclaim.

"A reunion." Ichiya continues.

"A reunion!" The Trimen echo.

"Oh yes!" They all chant.

"We didn't know she was your girlfriend, Mr. Ichiya!" The Trimen chant. "Please forgive our rudeness."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "I'm telling Bob you're being a perv again." I mention irritably. "You know he hates that as much as I do."

"You idiots!" Ichiya barked at the Trimen. "We have work to do!"

"Right boss! Right Boss!" They chant as they clean up.

"Boss, huh I think that's like the third thing they've called him." Lucy hummed.

"They're a bunch of mixed nuts," Happy comments.

"And not the good kind," Ballad nods.

"It seems that destiny has brought us together. "Miss Tangia, Miss Erza, Miss Lucy... you two, not so much." Ichiya dismissed Gray and Natsu. "Sweet Parfum!" Ichiya leaps towards Lucy.

"That's enough." I snap immediately.

"He's creeping me out," Lucy whimpered, diving to hide behind me.

"Yes. I'd never chose to be in his company," Erza sighed. "However, he is a gifted wizard."

"Listen up, you Blue Pegasus Playboy Wannabes, you'd be wise to keep your hands off these ladies," Gray snaps. "We clear?"

"Clear as crystal. Now take your leave." Ichiya hummed.

"Thanks for dropping by~" Hibiki bowed.

"Thanks for dropping by~" Ren and Eve bow.

"We're here on some serious business, you know!" Gray snapped. "Can you pretty boys even fight?"

"You wanna find out?" Ren asks.

"Yeah, we're real tough, pal," Eve hummed.

"FIGHT!? Well, count me in!" Natsu cheered, suddenly full of life.

"Will everyone cool it? I swear--"

"My honey~" I flinch as Ichiya's voice brushes past my ear. "Your sweet parfum, it still drives me crazy." Ichiya sniffs at my overcoat. I feel his hand on my coat, and I launch my leg back, kicking him across the hall.

"Keep your hands off of me!" I shout.

"Man~" Ichiya sighs as he flies.

"Nice Mule Kick." Lucy stammered.

Although, I didn't expect him to be caught in someone's grasp and have his head freeze over. "You dare to greet us with this flying buffoon?" I hear a familiar voice chant. "Lamia Scale deserves more respect. We insist on it."

"It's you!" Gray gasps.

"It's you!" Lyon huffs.

"Nice to see you, Ice Princess! So you went and joined a guild after all?" I ask.

Lyon doesn't respond. He simply chucks Ichiya back across the hall. "Oh no--" Ichiya gasps once the ice is broken. "Don't hurt the face!"

"What is wrong with you?!" Gray snaps.

"He was the one who attacked me, Gray," Lyon retorted.

"Watch it, that's our leader you're messing with, pal." Ren growls.

"How dare you!" Eve snaps.

"You and your men should just turn around and go home." Hibiki exclaims.

"I suppose that means women can stay and fight?" I hear Sherry's voice. "Marionette attack! Carpet doll!"

I leap off of the rug and grimace. "What did I do?" Lucy whines as the rug is pulled out from under her feet. "Wait, I recognize that magic. Sherry?! No way! You joined the guild, too?"

Sherry just giggles. "I was hoping you Fairies hadn't forgotten who I am. But, please, do try to forget who I was, okay?"

"Still crazy..." Lucy murmured.

"I have been born anew by the power of love!" Sherry sighs.

"More! I must breathe in more of your parfum!" I hear Ichiya gasp.

I pinch at the bridge of my nose as everyone gets a little fired up for a fight.

"Enough!" A booming voice echoes through the hall. "We're here to work together as a group to destroy the Oracion Seis This is not the time for us to fight among ourselves."

"Yes, Jura." Lyon smirks.

"That's Jura?" Erza gasps.

"So, that's really him?" Ren murmurs.

"Lamia Scale's top-man." Hibiki nods. "Iron Rock Jura."

"Who?" Natsu asks, his fingers tugging my overcoat.

"That guy is one of the ten wizard saints," I mention.

"Yeah, which means he's kind of a big deal." Lucy hums. "So, five from Fairy Tail and Four from Blue Pegasus?"

"Ha! Funny, our guild only needed to send three members." Sherry taunted.

"Aw man, why do they always forget about us?" Happy whined to Ballad.

"It seems we have representatives from three guilds. The members from Cait Shelter have yet to arrive." Jura hums.

"Yes, and about that guild, I hear they're only sending one." Ichiya mentions.

"Just one?" I tilt my head.

"That's insane! We're supposed to be up against a powerful group here!" Gray shouts.

"One? If that's true, how crazy intense is this guy gonna be?" Lucy stammers.

I flinch when I hear a girl's scream and a thud. I turn and gaze at the small girl on the ground. "Ow..." She whines. She dusts off her knees as she gets up before speaking. "Hi, I, uh... I'm sorry I got here so late. I've come from the Cait Shelter guild. My name's Wendy Marvell. It's nice to meet all of you."

"She's a kid?!" Lucy gasps. I just stare at her. Something about her was familiar. I just couldn't place it.

"A little girl?" Lyon hums.

"Wendy?" I trail off.

"She's not handsome." I hear very close to me. I mule kick him again.

"Nor is she a man. Why should it matter?" I snap.

"Wendy." Ren trails off.

"Marvell-ous." Eve hums.

"Cute~" Hibiki tilts his head.

It doesn't seem to bother Jura in the slightest. "Now then, since all guilds are present, we can begin."

"He's not even fazed by this?!" Gray exclaims.

"Obviously not," Lyon shrugged.

"What in the world is Cait Shelter thinking, sending a little girl on this kind of mission?" Sherry comments. "They must really be hurting for members if they sent her here on her own."

"She isn't alone!" A new voice pipes up. Ballad perks up, her ears twitching as if she recognized that voice. "You shouldn't jump to conclusions, Gaudy Trollop."

"Whoa!" Ballad coos as a small white cat trots in after Wendy. "Aria, she's like me and Happy!"

"No kidding," I chuckle.

"Oh, Carla. You followed me here" Wendy asked.

"Of course I did. You're far too young to be travelling unaccompanied, child." Carla retorted.

"Pretty kitty~" The Trimen chirp.

Happy, lost his marbles at the sight of Carla. Ballad was more curious than anything. Carla just turned her nose up at the both of them. Ballad begins to wail before flying straight into my arms.

"Sorry, I'm probably not what you expected. I know I'm much smaller and younger than most of you, and I may not be much of a fighter, but I can use all kinds of support magic. So, please, let me join the group!" Wendy sobbed. "I'd be so embarrassed if you sent me home!"

"You'll never gain their respect if you can't show confidence, child," Carla scolded her.

"I'm sorry, Carla!" Wendy fretted.

"I swear, you'll drive me to catnip." Carla huffed.

"I can't help it!" Wendy cried.

I just giggled. "Forgive me, I was caught off guard," Erza apologizes as she approaches the girl. "But rest assured, no offense was meant. We're glad to have you aboard, Wendy."

Wendy beams at the sight of her. "Oh, wow! You're Erza, right? I can't believe it's really you!"

"You're not quite the monster I pictured," Carla commented.

"Surely you've heard of Happy the Cat-Mander? Brace yourself, 'cause he's right here!" Happy tried boasting.

Carla just turns her nose up at him. "That girl's going to be gorgeous when she grows up," I hear Ren mention.

"I don't think Hibiki is willing to wait." Eve says.

"Would you please come with me, lovely lady?" Hibiki hums as he presses a hand to her back.

"Hibiki." I snap in a threatening tone.

Hibiki flinched at my glare and backed off. Eve and Ren try to back him up. "What's happening?" Wendy stammers.

"They're being weird, that's what." I huff irritably. "Quit it!" I hiss at them. I hear Wendy giggle behind me. "Honestly, you forget we're here on business! So stop the shenanigans and let's get down to it!"

Ichiya literally takes the floor. "Okay, now that all the involved parties are present, I think it's about time to get the mission briefing underway."

"You gonna brief us through interpretive dance?" Lucy drones.

"Our first order of business, is determining the location of Oracion Seis." Ichiya starts, ignoring Lucy's comment. "Right after I make a letter of the alphabet."

"That's disgusting! Don't say it like that!" I shout after him.

"Yeah, if he's making the letter poop, I'm outta here." Gray complains.

"We're rooting for you, teacher!" The Trimen chant.

"Pick a title, would you?" Lucy snaps.