Fairy Tail: Master of Deceit

Cana approached Aurelius with slow, hesitant steps. She fiddled with the cards in her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. The guild hall, still in disarray from their recent return, seemed to grow quieter with every step she took. Those who weren't tending to the injured stole anxious glances at her, understanding that whatever she was about to say wouldn't be good.

Aurelius stood over the map spread across the table, his sharp eyes scanning it with an intensity that seemed to burn through the paper. His jaw was set, his entire posture radiating frustration. When Cana stopped beside him, she lingered in silence for a moment before clearing her throat softly.

"I've… finished," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aurelius straightened but didn't look at her immediately. The air grew heavier as his silence pressed her to continue.

"I couldn't get a reading…" she began, her words slow and hesitant, as if trying to delay the inevitable. "I mean… I can't find any of our guild members. Except… except for those who are here." Her voice cracked on the last word, and she clutched her cards tighter as if they could shield her from the weight of her revelation.

The tension in the room was suffocating, everyone waiting for her next words. Aurelius finally turned his piercing gaze on her, and the intensity of it made her shoulders stiffen. She swallowed hard, closing her eyes briefly before continuing.

"And… Lucy. I… I found her." Her voice dropped lower, heavy with reluctance. "She's seemed to be with Natsu and Happy."

The hall seemed to freeze, the weight of her words settling like a heavy fog. The clattering of supplies being sorted stopped, whispers ceased, and every gaze turned to Aurelius.

His reaction was immediate and sharp—a sigh of relief that echoed through the silence. His expression, previously dark, relaxed as the the disappearance of Lucy can be put aside.

Then, suddenly, a soft glow broke through the heavy atmosphere. Mira gasped as the communication lacrima in her hands sprang to life. All eyes turned to her as the translucent image of Laxus appeared above the lacrima.

"Finally connected, huh?" Laxus's voice rang out with his usual cocky indifference. His smirk was almost infuriating in its contrast to the mood of the room.

The room shifted, the oppressive tension now mixed with anticipation as everyone focused on the lacrima. Mira's grip on it tightened, her expression a mix of relief and apprehension. For a moment, no one said a word, waiting to see what Laxus would say—or if Aurelius would respond.

Mira quickly stepped forward, holding the communication lacrima tightly, her expression a mix of urgency and desperation. "Laxus," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "the situation is bad—really bad. Master Makarov is down, and many of our members are injured. Mystogan is nowhere to be found. We need your help. Please…"

Her words carried a weight that silenced the room, every injured and exhausted member looking at the flickering projection of Laxus with hope.

Laxus, however, simply crossed his arms, a smirk creeping onto his face. "The old man's down?" he drawled, his tone dismissive. "Figures. The old man should've seen this coming. Cleaning up after his mess isn't my job, Mira. Maybe it's time he handed the guild over to someone more capable. You know, someone like me."

The guild erupted in anger.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Gray barked, his fists clenching tightly. "You think now is the time to make this about yourself? The guild needs you, Laxus!"

"Damn right!" Cana chimed in, her bruised arms crossed as she glared at the lacrima. "If you're so capable, why don't you prove it and help us fight instead of running your mouth!"

Macao and Wakaba, though battered and injured, joined in. "We've been holding things together here, Laxus," Macao snapped. "The least you could do is step up!"

"You call yourself a Fairy Tail mage?" Wakaba growled. "A real member wouldn't abandon us like this!"

But Laxus remained unfazed. His smirk grew wider, and his tone was drenched in mockery. "You think I care what any of you think? This isn't my problem. I'm not gonna waste my time bailing you all out because you couldn't handle a simple guild war. If you want to cry about it, take it up with the old man when he wakes up—if he wakes up."

The room seethed with anger, voices rising, but before the argument could escalate further, Aurelius's calm, cutting voice sliced through the noise.

"Leave him," Aurelius said, his tone icy and authoritative.

The guild fell silent, turning to look at him. He stood near the map, his eyes locked on the lacrima. His face showed no emotion, but the weight of his words was enough to quiet even the angriest voices.

"Laxus has made his position clear," Aurelius continued, his voice sharp as a blade. "He's too much of a coward to face Phantom Lord."

The guild collectively froze, stunned by Aurelius's bluntness. Laxus's smirk vanished instantly, replaced by a furious glare.

"What did you just say?" Laxus growled, his voice low and dangerous.

"You heard me," Aurelius replied, his gaze never wavering. "You'd rather sit back and watch your so-called family struggle because you're too scared to get involved. It's pathetic, really."

Laxus's face twisted with anger, his fists clenching. "Say that again, you little—"

Before he could finish, the lacrima projection suddenly split in two with a sharp crack. Gasps filled the room as everyone's eyes darted between the shattered lacrima and Aurelius.

Aurelius stood there, his sword drawn, the faint glow of its edge dissipating as he sheathed it with a swift, deliberate motion. The room was dead silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

"That's enough out of him," Aurelius said coldly, turning back to the map without sparing the broken lacrima another glance. "We have more important matters to deal with."

Aurelius's presence dominated the room, the weight of his words hanging in the air. He didn't wait for anyone to respond to his earlier remarks; instead, he turned to face the guild members, his gaze sweeping across them, ensuring he had their full attention.

"Listen up," Aurelius began, his voice steady, but there was an edge of urgency in it. "If Phantom Lord were to attack, we will be on the defensive. Phantom Lord is not going to rest after today. They'll bring the fight to Magnolia, and when they do, we need to be ready. I don't care if you're injured, or tired, or angry. We fight as a guild, or we die as individuals."

The guild hall fell silent, the tension in the air palpable. Every injured member, even those sitting with bandages or crutches, listened closely. They knew what was at stake.

Aurelius's eyes never left the group as he continued, "I'm going to need everyone's cooperation. If Phantom Lord were to enter Magnolia, Gray and Cana, you two will lead the defense on the outskirts. If Phantom Lord manages to break through, we need to make sure they don't get into the heart of the town. Reedus, start reinforcing the buildings around the guild hall. Mira, I need you in charge of organizing the healing efforts, ensuring that our wounded can be treated swiftly. The rest of you—" he paused, his eyes briefly scanning the room, "—get ready. Prepare whatever you can."

The guild members, despite their exhaustion and injuries, nodded and began to move into action. Some made their way to the bar to gather materials, while others shuffled off to the back rooms, their expressions focused, determined.

But just as the room seemed to settle into a rhythm of preparation, the doors to the guild hall were thrown open with a crash.

The force of it startled everyone, and before anyone could react, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy burst through, breathing heavily and disheveled, as if they had fought their way through a storm. For a brief moment, the guild members' faces lit up, relieved smiles breaking across their faces. Lucy was safe. She was back.

"Everyone!" Happy shouted, his voice full of excitement, "We got Lucy back! We—"

But the sudden cheer died in the air. As their eyes shifted, they caught sight of Aurelius standing at the center of the room, his expression a dark storm. The joy that had filled the guild hall evaporated as quickly as it had come, replaced by an unsettling silence.

Natsu, Happy, and Lucy froze, their expressions shifting from hope to confusion as they noticed the intense look on Aurelius's face.

"Did you really think you could just walk in here and everything would be fine?" Aurelius's voice cut through the silence, cold and accusatory. He didn't move, but every word he spoke carried the weight of his disappointment.

The guild's attention shifted from Lucy, who was still catching her breath, to Natsu and Happy, who stood awkwardly by the door. Lucy's eyes narrowed as she saw the tension, sensing the atmosphere shift dramatically.

"W-What's wrong, Aurelius?" Natsu asked, his usual boisterous tone absent, replaced by uncertainty.

Aurelius took a slow, deliberate step forward, his eyes never leaving Natsu or Happy. The way he looked at them was enough to make even the hardest of Fairy Tail members feel a chill.

"You've been gone for so long," Aurelius's words were quiet but sharp, "and in that time, Phantom Lord is most likely getting ready to destroy this guild and every one of us. You disappeared without a word, leaving us with no idea if you were dead or alive. Now you come back… and expect to be celebrated?"

There was a tense pause. The silence between the guild and Natsu was deafening. Lucy, standing close to Natsu, felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She could sense that something wasn't right.

"Why didn't you even tell Erza or anyone?" Aurelius pressed, his voice growing louder. "Do you think we can afford to chase you down while we're fighting a war? You, Happy—both of you left. Do you know what that could have cost us?"

Lucy's eyes widened, her heart sinking as she took in the full meaning of Aurelius's words. Natsu, for the first time, seemed unsure of how to respond.

"I… we…" Natsu stammered, then clenched his fists, frustration flaring in his chest. "We were going to save you, Lucy! We had to get you out of there—what else were we supposed to do?!"

Aurelius's expression hardened, his gaze piercing as he took a step closer. "You didn't think about the consequences, Natsu. You didn't think about the guild or the bigger picture. All you did was chase your own sense of heroism and leave us in the dark. If something happened to you, who do you think will be responsible?"

The room felt colder. Every single member of Fairy Tail knew that this moment was critical. Aurelius wasn't one to show his anger openly, but now, it was clear he was deeply disappointed. And that was a weight heavier than any punch.

Lucy wanted to speak, to explain, but she felt caught in the middle, torn between Natsu, Happy, and Aurelius. Her eyes flicked from one to the other, noticing how everyone was waiting for Natsu's response.

Natsu looked down, a rare moment of self-doubt washing over him. But before he could say anything more, Aurelius's gaze softened, if only slightly.

"Just don't do it again," Aurelius muttered, his voice quieter now but still filled with the gravity of his words. "We can't afford mistakes like this."

For a moment, no one spoke. The guild hall was heavy with the tension of the unspoken truth: the battle was far from over, and the consequences of their actions were piling up.

Natsu finally nodded, his usual fiery spirit dampened by the weight of Aurelius's words.

"Understood," he muttered, his voice quiet but steady.

The guild members exchanged uncertain glances, the storm of emotions slowly settling. But the atmosphere had shifted; the stakes had been raised. It was clear now: there was no room for failure.

...

After a few more heated discussions between the members, Aurelius turned to Erza, his voice calm but decisive. "Erza," he called, catching her attention. "I need you to take charge of the guild for a moment. Handle things here, keep the members focused and prepared. I'll be back soon."

Erza nodded as she took her place at the front. She knew the burden of leadership well, but the trust Aurelius placed in her was clear, and she would not falter.

Without a word, Aurelius turned and walked toward the guild hall's exit. His mind was racing as he stepped outside, needing a moment of space. He needed to connect with someone who could offer assistance, someone who would understand the urgency of the situation.

He then stood outside the guild hall as he gripped a communication lacrima tightly in his hand. His mind was already racing ahead, planning the next steps, but he knew he couldn't afford to tackle this alone. Mystogan had always been a reliable ally, and with the situation growing direr by the second, Aurelius needed him more than ever.

He focused his ethernano into the lacrima, feeling the familiar surge of energy as the crystal pulsed, ready to connect. Moments passed before a quiet flicker of light emerged from it, followed by the stoic face of Mystogan.

The familiar figure of Mystogan appeared in the crystal. "Aurelius," he greeted, his voice calm but laced with an underlying tension that suggested he understood the gravity of the situation. "What is it?"

"I need your help," Aurelius replied immediately, his voice sharp with urgency. "Phantom Lord will be making their move soon. I need every hand we can get." His eyes narrowed, his thoughts focused. "We need to act quickly, and I trust you more than anyone for this."

Mystogan's expression remained unchanged, but there was a brief flicker in his eyes that showed he wasn't surprised by the request. "I've been eliminating Phantom Lord's branches. I've been working in the shadows, weakening them from the inside," Mystogan said, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's been slow, but effective. And I've also gathered something of importance…" He paused for a moment, looking directly at Aurelius. "I managed to gather Master's lost magic power."

Aurelius's eyes sharpened at the mention of Makarov's lost magic. "You what?" he asked, his voice softer, surprised by Mystogan's revelation. "How? Where?"

"When Aria of the wind drained Master's magic power, there was a brief moment where it was released, and I simply took it." Mystogan explained, his gaze unwavering. "It will not fully restore master, but it's enough to give him some strength. He's in a stable condition now, but he'll need more time to recover."

Aurelius's mind immediately went to the next issue. "He's in Porlyusica's care right now," he said, his voice firm. "We don't need to worry about the branches anymore. The Thunder Tribe will handle it."

Mystogan blinked, a brief moment of surprise flickering across his face before he composed himself. "The Thunder Tribe?" he asked. "Did you manage to get Laxus's help?"

Aurelius's expression was unreadable. "I didn't. But I'm sure Laxus will take care of it. He'll be the one to deal with the branches. He's got his own part to play in all of this, and I won't waste time on it."

Mystogan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Aurelius's confidence. "Are you possitive?"

Aurelius gave a sharp nod. "Yes. Laxus is unpredictable, but can be easily controlled by his emotions. I don't need to babysit him. We've got bigger issues to focus on." His gaze turned serious again. "It will be nice if master can recover before Phantom Lord attack, but that would be unlikely so I need you to be ready for the next stage of this fight."

Mystogan took a long pause, processing everything. "Understood. But what if Jose decides to intervene personally?"

Aurelius's face darkened. "That's why I need you to promise me something. If Jose joins the battle, you will help."

Mystogan stared at Aurelius for a moment, as if measuring his words. Finally, he gave a single nod. "If Jose enters the fray, I will act. You have my word."

Aurelius's expression softened slightly, the tension in his shoulders releasing just a fraction. "Good. Time is against us, Mystogan. I'll leave the rest to you. Get to Master, and make sure he's ready when the time comes."

Mystogan's image flickered one last time before the lacrima's glow began to fade.

Aurelius tucked the lacrima back into his pouch, his mind already shifting to the next part of the plan. With Mystogan on his way to Porlyusica and the Laxus and his thunder tribe provoked, they now had a fighting chance. But Aurelius knew that the battle ahead would be nothing short of catastrophic.

Bonus Chapter:

31 more power stones for a bonus chapter(this resets after the week which would be today for me)

1 more review for a bonus chapter

Chapter titles:

28: March of Destruction

29: A Guild's Resolve

30: Through Shadows and Storms