Two days until the Guild Gala, and Kayla found herself on a train with some others of the guild heading to Crocus, the capitol of Fiore and the place where the Guild Gala was going to be held. They were going to get there early so they could have something time to relax and wonder around the city before the gala. And Kayla was very excited to go to Crocus, she's always heard of the 'Flower Blooming Capitol' but she had never been to it herself.

Glancing at Evergreen, their eyes met before Kayla quickly looked away and out the window. Ever since the incident where Evergreen saw her scars, the older mage had tried to get more of an answer out of her— asking about Kayla's past before she joined the guild, trying to trick Kayla into giving her an answer, and even threatening to tell the others about the scars. But Kayla was sure not to spill anything, just repeating the same thing each time. It's a reminder.

Aside from the slight tension between her and Evergreen, the train ride was bearable, and they arrived at Crocus safe and sound. As she was walking with the rest of the Thunder Legion out of the train, Natsu ran by, pushing past them with his mouth covered. Behind her, Kayla heard Laxus scoff and mutter something about Natsu 'not being able to hide his weakness'.

Stepping off the train, Kayla took a breath of fresh air, the slight stomach churning she was feeling fading into nothing. The air held the sickly sweet scent of the flowers that were on almost ever street and in front of practically ever shop. The scents of wizards mingled with the flowers, the diverse scents making Kayla feel relaxed.

"Let's head to the inn." Laxus said, stepping off the train and started walking straight out of the station.

The walk was quiet, as all of their walks were, but it gave Kayla the chance to admire her surroundings. Crocus did live up to it's nickname as the 'Flower Blooming Capitol', everywhere she looked stunning flowers were sprouting and adding color to the town, making it overflow with color and life.

The inn they were going too wasn't too far from the station, they were staying at the Honeybone inn with some other members of other guilds. Getting rooms for each of them was simple. They did their usual arrangements, Kayla and Evergreen, Freed and Bickslow, and Laxus in his own room. Once their rooms were payed for and they set their stuff down, they all moved to do their own thing.

Kayla decided that she wanted to wonder the capitol a bit and see everything she could. Strolling down the street she watched the people passing her by, she watched the children running around with each other, laughing without a care in the world.

"People might see us." A familiar hushed voice said.

"Aw, come on. There's nobody around." Someone else answered, the voice familiar to Kayla as well.

"B-but we- I- you-" The first person stuttered.

"Wow. Get a room you two." Kayla said, turning into an alleyway and seeing two familiar girls standing there.

"K-Kayla!" April squeaked, her face turning redder than it already was.

"Still as sneaky as ever, Kay." Valorie said with her arms crossed and her cheeks turning slightly pink.

Kayla chuckled as she walked up to the two, "Sorry, but I couldn't help it."

April covered her face in embarrassment and Valorie just grinned. "Yeah, well I guess I forgive you."

"Aw, thanks. I feel so forgiven." Kayla teased, "How about we get out of the shadows and talk somewhere more suited for a conversation." She suggested.

April and Valorie agreed and the three of them headed to a nearby cafe, sitting at a table outside. They had each ordered a drink for themselves.

"So, Fairy Tail, huh?" Valorie said, leaning forwards, "How'd you manage that feat?"

"Well I passed out in the forest, this cranky elderly woman found me, called the master of the guild, and then he offered." Kayla said simply.

"So you passed out?" Valorie asked. "And here I thought you were strong."

"Didn't you pass out the moment we stepped through the doors of Lamia Scale?" April asked, looking at Valorie with a raised eyebrow.

"Shh. I did no such thing."

"Sure you didn't," April rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to Kayla, "how's life in an actual guild?"

Kayla laughed at the change of topic before answering. "Everything's good, there are four dragon slayers in the guild— I've only seen two in action, but they all radiate with a lot of magic, even the youngest— Wendy I think her name was."

"Do they all get motion sickness~" Valorie teased.

"From what I know, they do." Kayla said in a matter-of-fact tone, her cheeks slightly puffed up in annoyance.

"How nice. So it's not just a you thing."

"Oh shut up."

Valorie laughed as she leaned back in her chair. "Well, glad you're doing well— at least glad that you're alive."

"Yeah. Though, I guess I do have a small warning." Kayla said, looking down at her drink. "I wanted to tell you guys sooner but when I tried to get a hold of you you guys were all on jobs."

"What do you need to tell us?" April asked.

"The last job I went on, it was a request to take down the Storm Bringer. I mean, I knew it was a fake, but the team I was on didn't know that so I just went along with them. Turns out the person we were going after was hired by Death's Storm."

Both Valorie and April tensed slightly at what Kayla said.

"What are you saying?" April asked with a low voice.

"There was someone there who was in Death's Storm, Master's right hand man. He saw me, but nothing has happened since then."

Valorie placed her hand to her chin in thought, "What could they gain from not going after you when they know where you are?"

"That's the thing. I don't know why he didn't just go after me. He just watched as I got away."

"It has been bothering me." April piped up, getting the attention on her. "It's been months since we made our escape, they have wizards who can track us down so why... why haven't they come for us?"

"Because they have a plan." A new person said, and Kayla turned around to see a ginger haired girl standing behind her, with a taller brown haired boy next to her.

"Mel, Fin!" Valorie exclaimed.

"A plan?" Kayla asked as Melody pulled up a chair and sat down next to her, Fin pulling up a chair and sitting next to April.

"Of course. Do you think it's a coincidence that they all of a sudden decided to take all five of us on a job when previously they were so cautious on not having us all together? The joined group mission was planned. Our escape was planned. Everything is planned by that damn bastard." She narrowed her eyes as she slammed her fit on the table, causing some of the other people in the cafe to glance over at them before turning back to mind their own business. She took a deep breath to try to calm herself before writing runes on the table. "We don't want anyone overhearing us." She said under her breath.

"So, what you're saying is that they've known where we were since the beginning?" Valorie asked. "But why would they let us escape and risk their whole plan?"

"I though of that too— after I met up with Melody here yesterday, we've been talking." Finnian started. "Back in the guild, it seemed as if we had all stalled with the training they were giving us. It was like we weren't getting any stronger. And when I joined Blue Pegasus, one of the members said something. 'Strength comes with Experience'."

"They let us escape so we would get stronger." Valorie said in realization.

"Exactly." Finnian said.

"Amiol." Kayla said, "The demon they're trying to resurrect requires the power of five wizards, enough power to kill those said wizards."

"So we didn't get strong enough in that hell so they let us have false hope of actually escaping just so we could get stronger for them? That's bullshit." Valorie snapped, before slumping down and placing her head in her hands. "So. We aren't actually free, are we?"

April placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. She glanced towards the others, a frown on her face. "Is there anything we can do?"

There was a silence, and Kayla let out a sigh. "The only idea I have is telling the guilds, but we don't know how they would react to that."

"Exactly. We might just be thrown in jail before we can explain our situation." Melody said, "Anyways, it's getting late and my guild mates are probably wondering where I am. If you all can, stay in groups and don't wonder around at night alone— in fact, don't go anywhere alone, Finny and I are staying at the same inn, so we should be off."

"Right. We'll see you at the Gala." April said.

"See you there." Melody said, walking off beside Finny.

"Where are you staying, Kayla?" April asked as she got Valorie to stand up.

"I'm staying in the Honeybone inn, not too far from here." She responded, motioning behind her.

"We'll walk with you, our inn is in that direction too."

The group left the table they were staying at after they paid for their food and left a tip. The walk was quiet, and after the conversation Kayla couldn't shake off the feeling that there was somebody watching her. When they got to the door of the inn, Kayla said goodbye and watched as April and Valorie walked off to their hotel, hand in hand.

Kayla let out a sigh before she opened the door to the inn and stepped inside, walking to her room. Once she got back from the Gala, she was going to tell the Master everything.