Fairy Tail, Guild Hall.
The worst-case scenario everybody didn't want still became reality in the end. Other than the man Natsu rescued, there were no more survivors. It affected the atmosphere during their return, seeing nothing but lifeless corpses out in the middle of the sea.
As soon as the group arrived in the guild, the dragon slayer immediately went towards Porlyusica's home for assistance. They needed to stabilize the man's dire condition first...
"We'll wait for him to wake up before proceeding any further." Warren informed the rest.
The others simply nodded in silent agreement, still processing to what had transpired. Macao was sitting with a Communication Larcima at the ready, following up with assurance.
"I've already notified Master Bob and Master Ooba." He said. "They contacted the council to take care of the scene, so getting any type of context for what happened is the priority."
Natsu crossed his arms as he grumbled by the table. "I can track down their scents if you give me enough time." His emotions were all over the place, eager to beat the crap out of the culprits.
"Aye! It will spare us the hassle." Happy went along with his partner's idea with no hesitation. The dragon slayer's suggestion has merit due to his above average senses.
Kagura expected the duo's response and gently tapped both of their heads with her scabbard. "Don't be so hasty, you two. Charging in blindly would put us at a disadvantage." She had experience with various situations that were similar to this during her travels.
Losing one's composure will bring about consequences, no matter how small. There were a few close calls during her travels that she triumphed through sheer luck, or by leveraging external factors.
Which is why she would never forget her routine for meditating daily.
"I understand your anger, Natsu-kun. But Warren and Macao are right, information is a valuable source to outline on how to approach with efficiency." Ichiya interjected in a serious tone.
Lyon was leaning on a pillar as conjured ice on his palm "Well, it can't hurt to be patient once in a while. After we gain a clearer picture, that's when we could let loose." He clenched his fists as he destroyed it afterwards.
"I'm all for it." Ren agreed with the Ice Make Wizard, then glanced at the dragon slayer. "We also feel the same, Natsu. So you should hold onto that anger instead, saving it for the right moment." The Trimen was currently holding hands with Sherry beside him.
Natsu comically dropped his head on the table, relenting after some gave their opinions. "Alright, alright. You guys don't need to team up on me, sheesh." He was a bit annoyed, making them chuckle at his reaction.
Two hours have already passed after Fairy Tail's Medinical Advisor entered the rest area, so it was no surprise that Natsu was itching for action. They don't dare to disturb the elderly lady who hated to interact with fellow humans, and could only wait for her update.
Conversations were hushed to give respect to Porlyusica's wishes, hoping that the survivor from this incident would recover smoothly. Nobody was sure on how he was gonna act when he wakes up, since this tragedy was something he experienced personally.
Creak!
After another hour, the door of the rest area opened. A stern pink-haired old woman stepped out, looking around the hall as she announced loudly. "His condition is now restored to acceptable levels, he will regain his consciousness in a few minutes."
A collective sigh of relief sounded across the guild, the gloomy atmosphere lightening up a little. Natsu smiled as he gazed up towards Porlyusica. "Thanks for the help, granny! You're nice when you ain't cranky and stuff." Such words really reflected his straightforward personality.
Although the small jab wasn't necessary… Numerous jaws dropped after hearing such oblivious courage from the young man. Happy shifted his position closer to Kagura, not wanting to be implicated.
Surprisingly, Porlyusica only clicked her tongue. "Did you hit your head somewhere, brat? One does not usually include both gratitude and an insult in the same sentence." She rolled her eyes while walking towards the entrance.
"Uh… my bad?" Natsu sheepishly scratched his head. Well, getting whacked by a broom skewered his impression of her a little bit.
Porlyusica sighed and shook her head, but paused before exiting the place. "You lot did well to uphold the existence of Fairy Tail." She didn't face Fairy Tail's Wizards and simply closed her eyes, remembering her earlier days.
Memories flashed within her mind as if they happened recently. Time passed like a river ever since her decision to stay in Earthland, followed by her joining the guild and all that jazz.
Porlyusica never expected a crisis like this, prompting her to take the situation seriously. The battle with Phantom Lord nor Laxus' childish tantrum didn't stir her heart to such an extent, only caring for that old fool's health.
She was aware of Natsu's unwavering determination to deny the possibility of disbandment. Additionally, she also acknowledged the others' roles in protecting the dignity of the Fairy Tail with their own methods.
"Contact me if another similar situation arises that requires my expertise. I… also cherish this rowdy, barbaric, and chaotic mess of a guild." Porlyusica huffed and opened the doors to instantly leave, then slammed their poor frames afterwards.
It was quiet for a moment, before an amused voice broke the tranquility.
"Lady Porlyusica has a gentler side, eh? Looks like giving compliments isn't her strong suit." Macao chuckled.
"I'd say it's a thousand time more meaningful than the usual ones." Wakaba puffed smoke in relief, being able to breathe again thanks to the false alarm. He really thought the careless dragon slayer would get the scolding of the century.
Natsu tilted his head at their remarks. "Why the hell are you guys so afraid of her? The worst she can do is to smack you with a broom anyway." Nothing is scarier than Kagura chasing him with her sword.
"You're only saying that because Kagura is scarier." His Exceed completely read him like an open book while happily munching on his fish, although he realized that he said it out loud.
He felt his fur stand on end as he turned towards the one in question. Kagura glanced at him wordlessly, urging for him to continue. The suffocating look of annoyance bore down on him as he surrendered in peace.
"I'll enter first. Overwhelming him with a group is not really a great idea." Macao spoke up after everyone's mood improved. He stood up and made his way towards the room.
"Men~! Just call out to us when it's okay already." Ichiya didn't mind the suggestion. In fact, all of them displayed silent agreement. The priority of a patient's well-being is above inquires for the most part.
Don't take too long, Macao! I'm rearin' to go bash some heads in!" Natsu grinned like the ever-loving battle maniac that he is.
"Natsu-san…"
"Aye! That's just typical Natsu."
"Haha! It's no wonder he was considered as destructive for the most part."
"Hmph! Maybe this kinda mindset could be applied for Blue Pegasus. N-Not that I respect him or anything."
Liveliness slowly returned to the guild as they waited for Macao's signal. No individual backed out from the issue at hand, because they knew that they were all in this together.
It was hard to ignore the brutal and tragic scene they witnessed. Bringing the culprits to justice is their duty as a legal guild.
Only a short period of time has passed before Macao showed himself again. He gestured in a positive manner, gathering those who were in the search party.
As soon as they entered, a man covered with bandages looked at them with gratitude. "I'm truly in your debt, esteemed wizards." He took a deep breath then asked with a trembling tone.
"Since there's no one recuperating here other than me, does that mean…?" His question stumped the group, not knowing how to reply. The man closed his eyes in sadness at the silence that spoke louder than words.
"This is my fault… my fault…!" He gritted his teeth as he tightened his fist, wincing in pain after doing such a sudden action.
Macao quickly tried to calm him down. "Please do not push yourself more than intended, sir! We have contacted the council to investigate the scene in advance." Making sure that he wouldn't open up his fresh wounds.
Once the man finally relaxed, The purple fire wizard formally introduced himself. "My name is Macao Cobalt, Fairy Tail's Fourth Guild Master. I'm pretty sure you have heard of our guild at least once, so you can be assured that we will get to the bottom of this no matter what." He solemnly declared on the spot.
"Blue Pegasus shall also offer assistance! Helping those in need is our specialty." Ichiya posed flamboyantly.
"Our specialty!" The Trimens went alongside their Ace's antics.
Lyon shook his head in amusement while Sherry was just admiring Ren. "Lamia Scale has the same stance. Nobody can just get away by doing such atrocious crimes in broad daylight."
The man was touched by their determination and recognized the guilds' names due to their reputation across Fiore. "How lucky it is to encounter powerful individuals of your stature." He smiled in relief, then glanced at Macao.
"Especially yours, Guild Master Macao. The past month of Sorcerer's Magazine was mostly related to Fairy Tail's current situation."
Natsu and Kagura's mouths twitched after hearing that. Happy held back his laughter with all his might, not wanting to embrace darkness at the moment.
Macao wryly chuckled as he waved his hand. "Let's not go there. I get headaches just thinking about it." He seamlessly switched to the main topic that needs to be addressed.
"First things first, may we know your name?"
"... Mack Devala."
"Hm?" Half of the group were a bit startled. The ones who didn't react that much noticed their surprise and became curious, wondering if the man was some big shot.
"Is this guy actually famous or somethin'?" Natsu asked.
"Indeed, Natsu-kun. He's the one who founded Devala Commerce: A Manufacture that focused on developing high-quality magical weapons." Ichiya nodded and gave a basic description.
"They basically make all kinds of deals that could expand their network. Although I've only heard it from Sir Jura when he was given a task as a Wizard Saint." Lyon added.
Eve also joined in. "Dozens of Craftman Guilds chose to work under the organization, which elevated his status as a genius in business." He tried to recall his experiences from his time in the council.
"Ah!" Eve smacked his fist on his palm. "He's even partnered with the strongest guild within the southeast region of Fiore, Paramount Tide. It made headlines that cemented the commerce as a top-tier organization."
Natsu crossed his arms as he listened attentively, his expression was quite serious. "I see… that's cool." His response was direct opposite of how he looked currently, which made the others drop in speechlessness.
"Eh, that sounds impressive and all. But it's still too many words to process." Happy shrugged as he was on the same wavelength with his partner. They truly are a unique duo.
Kagura coughed lightly as she giggled softly, expecting such reactions from them. They rarely read news outlets, courtesy of their dislike towards Sorcerer's Magazine.
Macao sighed in amusement, then glanced back at Mack. "Given your status as a founder, I've heard that you're usually settled on Welbor Island. Not that it's surprising that people take vacations from time to time…" He paused for a while, recalling the details of the cruise from that the council shared.
It was unnatural for someone to reproach themselves for an incident they have no control over. "Why were you blaming yourself for their deaths? Is there context that only you are aware about?"
Mack's figure trembled as he showed guilt and anger. "Yes… I'm ashamed for having such an oversight by trusting them. My reputable intellect is nothing more than a cruel joke!"
"Take deep breaths, Sir Mack. We are all here to listen." Macao hastily remarked, which calmed the injured patient again. "Who are these people?"
"Paramount Tide."
Now that caused a chain of reactions, not expecting that a legal guild was the culprit. The air around the room changed, understanding that this was a possible scenario of a new dark guild being listed.
"Men~! The increase of activity from various dark guilds was already a huge headache. Are you sure about your conjecture, Mr Devala?" Ichiya solemnly asked for clarification.
Mack unfortunately confirmed it with his response. "I'm aware that it may incite doubt at first, since I also believed them when the deal was made." Looking down as he gripped his blanket tightly.
"They displayed sincerity during the partnership, as if it was genuinely for the prosperity of the commerce." Closing his eyes while remembering those days. "Then, I noticed a slight change in my employees' attitude towards me, which I shrugged off because I thought it was just minor disagreements."
"The disagreements continued to pile up quickly, which was unbelievable to me at the very least. It got so bad that I relocated my wife and daughter without garnering any attention, so that they wouldn't be implicated." He shared his experience with a despondent tone.
"The next few years after that was purely a mental battle. I still made sure to make trips to my family discreetly to calm my nerves. Yet the issue went beyond more than I imagined, and after I called their Guild Master… Well, you discovered what happened." Mack finished as he sighed.
The group took a moment to process the information, before Macao nodded and activated his Communication Lacrima that was resting on his side. "I will contact my fellow Guild Masters regarding this matter, verifying your testimony shall be treated with caution."
The device rung as he waited for them to pick up. "I hope you understand, Sir Devala, these are huge accusations against a legal guild with solid foundation and merit."
Mack nodded. "Of course. I have no complaints with your decision, since it's indeed complicated." Although there are cases of legal guilds deemed as illegal by the council, substantial evidence is still needed.
If they blunder and pin false judgement, public opinion will hold them accountable with keen interest. These mistakes had already happened in the past, which is one of the reasons for their damaged reputation among Wizard Guilds.
"Guys, you can go ahead and wait outside. I don't think you'd want to see the rigid faces of the council, no?" Macao suggested as he glanced at Natsu while chuckling.
"Hell no! Sorry, Macao, but that's your job. I'm always down for fights, though." Natsu replied with annoyance.
"Aye! I can't wait for your bald spot, Macao. It's only a matter of time." Happy used this as an opportunity to tease him.
"Hahaha! You've got that right, Happy! It will be glorious to see that!" Max laughed loudly as he walked alongside Warren who was also wheezing.
Kagura shook her head as she bonked the dragon slayer and cat like usual, accompanying the duo in exiting the room.
The Exceed's words lightened up the atmosphere, which was something that Mack needed currently, for he was still burdening himself with self-blame. It was the same with the rest, who looked at him with giggles.
"I swear those two…!" Macao wryly smiled. He was afraid that it might actually happen.
"As stated in Sorcerer's Magazine, Fairy Tail Wizards has quite the set of personalities, Guild Master Macao." Mack managed to smile even with his current state.
"That's just how they are, making sure that things don't get too gloomy for the most part."
"A great mindset to have… I'm envious of your harmonious chemistry."
"You flatter us, Sir Devala. But I'm pretty sure you've heard of our infamous deeds." Macao stated with amusement as heard the sound of his lacrima being answered.
"Let's focus on the matter at hand, you need to explain the situation to other representatives as well." Macao watched his item form the silhouettes of Bob and Ooba.
While the Guild Masters were having a meeting with the council…
The guild hall became lively again thanks to the recovery of Mack, and the search party who exited the room were patiently on stand-by for new updates. Well, one individual wasn't exactly the type to wait.
"Are they done yet? It's been an hour!" Natsu tapped his feet on the ground, already ready to smack the lights out of some bad guys. He was complaining as he rested his hand on his cheek.
"I assume that meeting with certain higher-ups within the council requires formal procedures, even if it's just a call." Kagura ate ice cream as she replied, currently sitting down beside the dragon slayer.
"Huh? Glasses wasn't like that?"
"Aye! I don't think so. He called himself a captain of uh… whatever unit."
"Heh~ He acts like those weirdos with sticks up their asses, so it really is hard to tell the difference." Natsu scoffed.
Everybody just chuckled at his remark. Natsu wasn't afraid to voice out his thoughts out in the open, especially when it comes to things or people he didn't like.
"I agree with Natsu-kun! They aren't pleasing to the eye at all." Ichiya shared with no hesitation.
"Ever since their stunt during Nirvana, it opened my eyes to their incompetence." Hibiki frowned. "How are you still normal after leaving, Eve?" Glancing at his friend with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey! That was uncalled for, you know!?" Eve shouted indignantly while the others laughed. "But you guys aren't wrong about them anyway. It was a mix of personalities that came from bribery or genuine hard work… Ugh, just remembering it pisses me off." He sighed.
"Hmph! It's irritating enough to see them act high and mighty when we do most of the work for them." Ren held Sherry's hand to calm down.
"Criticism is also a form of love! Even I can see the truth in that while me and Lyon are still new in this guild business." Sherry was leaning on Ren's shoulder.
"We just need to tolerate them in the end, it ain't that hard to do." Lyon was absentmindedly creating miniature ice sculptures.
As they were taking turns in insulting the council, the door of the hospital room swung open. Macao went towards their direction with a satisfied expression.
"How did it go? They weren't being stingy or anythin'?" Natsu sat up as he asked instantly.
The Foruth Master grinned. "Our opinions hold more weight now after you guys took down Oracion Seis. So…" He slowed down for a moment.
Macao took a deep breath, then announced in anticipation. "They gave permission for forming another alliance!"
Those who were chosen in the previous one widened their eyes.
"Alright! It's nice to be workin' with you guys again!" Natsu gazed at the Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale Wizards.
"MEN~! Likewise, Natsu-kun! I shall give it my full effort!" Ichiya posed with great enthusiasm
"Full effort!" The Trimens also did the same as they posed alongside their Ace.
"Bonds are truly a sight to behold." Sherry had stars in her eyes while only looking at Ren.
"I'm ready for anything." Lyon was oozing with battle intent.
Macao didn't really mind the excitement, coughing to get their attention. "Let me finish my explanation first. We can't make this a complicated issue similar to what happened with Phantom Lord."
"Ehhhh? They were the ones who started it!"
"Calm down, Natsu-san. Let Macao talk."
Macao couldn't argue against that since it was true. "You can't go in guns blazing! The council branded it as an investigation. We need to be one hundred percent sure about his testimonies." He reminded.
"This means that fighting will be the last resort if things go south."
"Then what if they take the initiative to attack us?" Kagura inquired.
"They have accounted for a situation like that. You're free to engage and capture."
"Hehe! As long as I taunt them, they'll take the bait!" Natsu cackled deviously, which made the rest sweat drop.
Macao just face palmed after hearing Fairy Tail's resident dragon slayer. "Yes, yes." Sighing as he continued. "We need a plan before moving forward with this operation. Mack is also included, since his goal is to update his family about his current status."
…
The Next Afternoon, Calio Village.
After a good rest and discussion for a whole day, the ones who chose to participate for this investigation began to move.
The scope of their probe spread out across three key locations.
The first one is Welbor Island, where Max, Ichiya and the Trimens are to find out about recent events after Mack's sudden tragedy.
Next is Welbor Town, a town that was connected with the island through a bridge. It was also where Paramount Tide is stationed. Lyon, Sherry and Warren were tasked with gathering information about the members' movements, and anything suspicious must be noted immediately.
Lastly is Calio Village, a peaceful village where Mack's family is currently living in. It was a distance away from the other two, a precaution that was genuinely necessary for safety measures. Natsu, Happy and Kagura were assigned to escort the man in case a problem presents itself.
"Man… That road was bumpy as hell!" The dragon slayer complained while swaying side-to-side.
"I apologize for the uncomfortable travel, it's still a work in progress for the most part." Mack scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
"Nah, I ain't mad at you. I just hate transportation in general!" Natsu clicked his tongue as he grumbled.
Kagura did the usual and gently rubbed his back. "He's right, Sir Devala. This is an issue that's continuously affecting him."
"Aye! He'll recover in a jiffy, so you don't need to worry!" Happy floated behind the two of them.
"Alright…" Mack had an expression of pity while sweat dropping. The man looked back at the place in front of him as he smiled. "We're here. Although it's a far cry from the usual life I have, my wife and daughter likes it very much."
"Yeah, the breeze and silences makes me wanna take a nap actually." Happy yawned while admiring the modest village. People were going about their daily activities as they greeted the arrivals with surprise and respect.
"Does the village rarely accommodate visitors?" Kagura looked around as she responded to their greetings.
"No. They aren't that isolated. That's usually how they present themselves, not prying too much as they live in unity. This was the case for a long time now, so my presence as a so-called founder is useless." Mack explained in a proud tone.
"Must be a relief for all of you, then. I don't think I can handle a formal business with mumbo-jumbo over the place." Natsu had his hands rested on the back of his head, recovering from his motion sickness just in time.
They walked by the houses as Mack laughed loudly. "You truly are a straightforward young man, Young Dragneel."
Once the four were in front of a specific home, Mack took a deep breath and knocked. His posture was tense, as if he was ready for a great scolding. The trio behind him looked at each other, then took a step back to handle his affairs.
"P-Please wait a moment!" A shaky woman's voice spoke out, her steps getting closer and closer towards the door.
After it was opened, they saw a woman who looked disheveled, yet still looked presentable. She had tear stains on her face as if she just finished crying, while clutching a crumpled newspaper on her hand.
Mack's face softened and gently said. "I'm sorry for worrying you, Lyra… I'm back."
"D-Dear? I'm not hallucinating, am I?" Lyra froze in disbelief and wondered if she finally started to hallucinate.
"Here in the flesh!" He tried to crack a joke. "Although my body is a wreck, I've recovered enough to move normally."
A pair of little footsteps followed as a little girl glanced at him innocently. "Daddy, you're back! Mommy has been sad since yesterday because she kept on saying your name."
Mack smiled and smoothly carried his daughter. "Well, I came here to cheer her up!" He played with her as they both laughed. "It's to see my little princess. Have you been a good girl, Chloe?"
"Yes! I also colored a lot of pictures, do you want to see it?"
"Of course!"
Lyra was still not moving, absentmindedly staring at her supposed dead husband in front of her. She was aware that he was determined to solve his ongoing issue in his commerce, visiting or updating her frequently.
She already had a bad feeling when Mack told her he was forced to move to a moving hotel temporarily. There were times when she tried to convince him to start anew, moving on from a near impossible situation.
Mack rejected her suggestion because he thought there was a chance to turn things around. Lyra could only respect his choice and stopped pressing any further, wishing that he would be safe as he navigated through this ordeal.
Then, news had struck, displaying the name of the cruise he told her he was in. It was an agonizing two days for her, and she didn't know how to talk with her three year old about such a topic. Emotions were rampant as she did her best to hold herself together.
Yet by some miracle, he survived and showed himself during her mourning!?
"We need to stand further away, you two. This is a private moment between them." Kagura turned around and went towards the small forest beside the house.
"Yeah… Her face is switching up like crazy, I think he's the only one who could deal with that." Natsu mentally saluted Mack with a heavy heart.
"Maybe he'll die for real this time." Happy wanted to add some sprinkle of dark humor, although he got swiftly knocked out by the swordswoman in return. The dragon slayer sweat dropped at his partner's unfiltered mouth.
They didn't mind the wait, since Lyra was pouring her heart out to express the feelings she's bottled up. Mack received her scolding with no protest, because he knew he was in the wrong thanks to his stubbornness.
Natsu was sitting on a stump that Kagura created, while hearing Lyra's voice that echoed out through the tranquil greenery. He really was impressed by her lungs, shouting non-stop without break.
"Hm?" Natsu picked up on a scent that was unfamiliar, glancing at Kagura and Happy. This got their attention as he frowned. "That's strange. There's somebody who is also here other than us."
"We were being followed?" Kagura manifested her sword as she became alert. Anyone who could stay undetected under Natsu's sharp senses made them a decent foe. She cautiously scanned the surroundings.
"Do you think that person's focusing on us?" Happy floated beside them.
Natsu closed his eyes for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't think so… The focus is on Mack and his family." Standing up while circulating his magic.
The dragon slayer simply grinned, hitting his fist with his palm.
"Let's greet the intruder, shall we? I'm fired up!"