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*Magnolia Town - Three days after the Thunder Palace incident*
The festival decorations had been taken down, leaving Magnolia looking oddly bare in the morning light as Damian made his way through the familiar streets. The town bore no obvious scars from Laxus's Thunder Palace, though he could sense the lingering traces of powerful magic that had been discharged during the internal guild conflict.
He found Levy waiting for him at their agreed meeting spot—a small café near the town's edge that offered both privacy and excellent pastries. She looked tired but otherwise unharmed, though there was a thoughtful expression on her face that suggested the recent events had given her much to consider.
"Damian," she greeted him with a warm smile as he approached her table. "Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure if you'd still be in the area after... well, after everything that happened."
"I told you I'd be here," he replied simply, taking the seat across from her. "How are you feeling? That stone magic couldn't have been pleasant to experience."
"Honestly, I don't remember much of it," Levy admitted, wrapping her hands around her tea cup. "One moment I was taking my bow after the talent presentation, the next I was waking up with Master Makarov helping me stand. Everything in between is just... blank."
Damian nodded sympathetically, though he was careful not to reveal that he knew exactly how she'd been freed from the petrification. "And the guild? How are things settling after Laxus's... departure?"
Levy's expression grew thoughtful. "It's complicated. Laxus was exiled for what he did—attacking his own guildmates, threatening civilians, trying to force Master Makarov from leadership. But at the end, after Natsu defeated him and he realized what he'd almost done... he showed his true colors."
"How so?"
"The Thunder God Tribe wanted to follow him into exile," Levy explained, her voice carrying a note of respect. "But Laxus wouldn't let them. He told them that Fairy Tail was their real family, that they belonged with the guild, not wandering around with a disgraced former member."
Damian felt a flicker of surprise at this development. "He chose their welfare over his own companionship?"
"Exactly. Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen are still here, still part of the guild. It's awkward, obviously—they did participate in the Thunder Palace attack—but Master Makarov believes in second chances." Levy's expression softened. "Laxus may have been wrong about a lot of things, but in the end, he proved he really did love his guild family."
"A difficult kind of redemption," Damian observed. "Doing the right thing even when it costs you personally."
"It's made me think about loyalty, about what we owe to family versus what we owe to our principles," Levy continued. "Laxus believed he was doing what was best for the guild, but he was willing to hurt innocent people to achieve his goals. When he finally understood that, he chose differently."
"A cautionary tale about good intentions," Damian said. "Power without wisdom, strength without compassion—they can lead to terrible mistakes. But the ability to recognize those mistakes and change course... that takes real strength."
"Speaking of which," Levy said, her tone shifting to something more concerned, "there's something else I need to tell you. Something that might affect the entire kingdom."
Damian's attention sharpened immediately. "What kind of something?"
"The Magic Council—what's left of it, anyway—has identified a major threat. A dark guild called Oración Seis. Six incredibly powerful dark mages who've been operating in the shadows for years."
"I've heard rumors," Damian said carefully. "What makes them different from other dark guilds?"
"They're not just criminals," Levy explained, her voice growing more serious. "They're not after money or territory like most dark guilds. Intelligence suggests they're searching for some kind of ancient magic—something powerful enough that even the Magic Council is taking the threat seriously."
"What kind of ancient magic?"
"That's classified information," Levy admitted. "Even I don't know the specifics. But whatever it is, the preliminary reports suggest it could be used to cause massive disruption across multiple kingdoms. The kind of thing that could destabilize entire regions."
Damian felt a chill that had nothing to do with the morning air. Ancient magic powerful enough to threaten multiple kingdoms was exactly the sort of crisis the Magic Knights had been created to address.
"That's not just a threat to individual kingdoms," he said. "Something like that could affect the entire continent."
"Exactly," Levy confirmed. "Which is why the remaining Magic Council members have done something unprecedented—they've authorized a collaboration between multiple legal guilds to hunt down and stop Oración Seis before they can find whatever they're looking for."
"Which guilds?"
"Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, and Lamia Scale are all sending representatives," Levy explained. "The idea is to combine our different strengths and magical specialties into a force capable of handling this level of threat."
Damian's mind immediately began working through the political and strategic implications. A threat of this magnitude would indeed require coordinated response, but it also represented an opportunity—a chance for the Magic Knights to prove their worth on an international stage.
"When is this collaboration supposed to begin?" he asked.
"There's a meeting in two days to coordinate strategy and select the final team composition," Levy replied. "Each guild is sending their best available mages. For Fairy Tail, it'll probably be Natsu, Erza, Gray, and a few others."
"And you?"
Levy shook her head. "I'm not strong enough for this kind of mission. This is S-Class level threat assessment—they need people who can handle themselves against opponents who could level cities."
Damian wanted to argue, to point out that strength came in many forms and that her intelligence and magical versatility would be valuable assets in any operation. But he also understood the tactical reality—Oración Seis represented the kind of threat that required overwhelming magical power as much as strategic thinking.
"Levy," he said carefully, "I need to ask you something, and I need you to be completely honest with me."
"Of course."
"If the Magic Knights were to participate in this collaboration, would that be seen as helpful or as unwanted interference?"
Levy blinked in surprise. "You're thinking of joining the operation?"
"I'm thinking that threats of this magnitude are exactly what the Magic Knights were created to handle," Damian replied. "Independent dark guilds, ancient magic that threatens continental stability, situations where traditional authority structures are insufficient—this is precisely our mandate."
"But you'd be working alongside the guilds rather than directing them," Levy pointed out. "Are you prepared for that kind of collaborative approach?"
"The Magic Knights were never meant to replace the guilds," Damian said firmly. "We exist to handle the threats that fall through the cracks or exceed normal capabilities. If Oración Seis is as dangerous as you're suggesting, then pride and jurisdictional concerns become irrelevant."
Levy studied his face for a long moment, her brown eyes searching for something. Finally, she nodded.
"I think the guild masters would welcome Magic Knights participation," she said. "Especially if it meant having access to your World Magic and the Horsemen's capabilities. But you'd need official authorization, wouldn't you?"
"I would," Damian confirmed. "Which means I need to return to the capital immediately and make the case to my father."
*Royal Palace, Crocus - Later that day*
King Thomas E. Fiore listened to his son's briefing with the attention he reserved for matters of genuine importance. The private study where they met was filled with maps, intelligence reports, and the accumulated wisdom of decades of rulership.
"Oración Seis," the king mused after Damian had finished explaining the situation. "Six dark mages powerful enough to concern the Magic Council and threaten multiple kingdoms. And they're searching for some form of ancient magic."
"The specifics are classified even from guild members," Damian said. "But the threat assessment is clear—this could affect continental stability if left unchecked."
"Then you understand why this cannot be allowed to succeed," King Thomas said. "And I also understand why you want the Magic Knights involved. This is exactly the kind of threat you designed your organization to handle."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The king was quiet for several minutes, considering options and implications with the careful deliberation that had marked his reign.
"Very well," he said finally. "I authorize Magic Knights participation in this collaborative operation. However, I have conditions."
"Name them."
"First, you will operate under the overall strategic command of the guild coalition, not as an independent force. This is their operation—we are supporting, not leading."
"Understood."
"Second, you may bring only one of the Horsemen with you. I will not risk all of our elite forces on a single operation, no matter how important."
Damian nodded, though he had expected this limitation. "I'll need a few minutes to consider which captain would be most effective for this mission."
"Of course. But Damian," the king's voice grew more serious, "remember that this operation will be watched by every major magical authority on the continent. How the Magic Knights perform will determine our future relationships with the guilds and our standing in the international magical community."
"I understand the stakes, Father."
"I hope you do," King Thomas replied. "Because success could establish the Magic Knights as a legitimate force for continental security. But failure..."
"Failure is not an option," Damian said with quiet determination.
*Magic Knights Headquarters - That evening*
Damian stood in the main hall with all four Horsemen, the weight of command heavy on his shoulders as he prepared to make one of the most difficult decisions of his leadership.
"The situation is this," he explained after briefing them on Oración Seis and the collaborative operation. "I can bring one of you with me. The others will remain here to maintain headquarters operations and respond to any domestic threats that arise while we're away."
"Who are you considering?" Shiel asked with her usual directness.
"All of you," Damian replied honestly. "Each of you brings unique capabilities that would be valuable in different ways. Teal's status effect magic could neutralize enemy spellcasters. Rygon's Order and Chaos weapons could handle complex magical constructs. Shiel's sealing abilities could contain dangerous artifacts or magical effects."
"And Tycun's Wardens could handle direct magical combat against multiple S-Class opponents," Teal added with a slight smile. "Come on, Your Highness. We all know who the logical choice is for this mission."
Damian looked at his first captain, seeing the steady confidence that had made him such a reliable foundation for everything they'd built.
"Tycun," he said formally, "will you accompany me on this operation?"
"It would be my honor, Your Highness," Tycun replied with a slight bow. "When do we depart?"
"Tomorrow morning," Damian said. "We'll travel to the coalition meeting point and coordinate with the guild representatives. This will be our first major collaborative operation—everything we've trained for comes down to the next few days."
"We'll hold down the fort," Rygon said with his characteristic confidence. "Try not to save the world without us."
"No promises," Damian replied with a slight smile. "But we'll do our best to leave you something interesting to handle when we get back."
As the Horsemen dispersed to make their preparations, Damian found himself looking forward to the challenges ahead with a mixture of anticipation and concern. Oración Seis represented a threat unlike anything they had faced before, but it also represented an opportunity to prove that the Magic Knights could work alongside the guilds rather than in opposition to them.
*The next morning - Departure*
The morning was crisp and clear as Damian and Tycun prepared to depart for the coalition meeting point. Both wore their formal uniforms—Damian in his silver armor with the dark blue mantle, Tycun in his own magnificent battle gear with the six Wardens secured at his side.
"Ready?" Damian asked as he prepared to open a Space World that would transport them to the designated meeting location.
"Ready, Your Highness," Tycun confirmed. "Time to show the guilds what the Magic Knights can accomplish."
"**World Magic: Transit World!**" Damian called out, opening a shimmering portal that would carry them toward whatever dangers and opportunities awaited.
As they stepped through the dimensional gateway, Prince Damian E. Fiore carried with him the hopes of his kingdom and the determination to prove that sometimes the greatest strength came not from standing apart, but from standing together with those who shared your commitment to protecting the innocent.
The battle against Oración Seis was about to begin, and the Magic Knights were ready to face whatever darkness awaited them