~~~16~~~

Once at the guildhall, Juvia and Erza parted to join Levy and Lucy with their research. With so many people in the library, the first master knew something was wrong. Her spirit lifted from the crystal that held her body and she floated into her beloved guild to find out what the trouble was. Levy and Lucy in the library was no surprise but they were hard at work and Erza barely went into the room unless they were cleaning. Suspicion ran through her non-existent veins.

The ghost of the First Master of Fairy Tail walked around the guild, waving hello to the members that noticed her. She was listening carefully for anything that sounded like trouble but she heard nothing from the weaker members. It wasn't until she spotted two Gray Fullbuster's when she realized what the problem was. The spirit walked towards the table of rambunctious friends and wondered to herself, 'He could not have duplicated himself, could he?'

"There are two Gray Fullbuster's now, that is odd," Mavis made her presence known as she stood above the table.

"That coming from a ghost," the original Gray chuckled. "He came from the future. We have to figure out how to send him and Ariana back, while saving the future from a God. Any suggestions, First Master?"

"Well that's a new story. I'm not sure," the blonde replied, looking at the now apparent older Gray whom was looked at her strangely.

Future Gray cleared his throat and apologized, "Sorry, Mavis. It's been some time since I last saw you… I'm not used to a ghost hovering around anymore. Not since Zeref… Nevermind."

Mavis hummed, "You know, then. If that's so, then you already know that I don't know anything about Gods, let alone defeating them. Even immortal beings are not gods, and the power is unfamiliar to me."

He nodded, a look of sympathy in his eyes. She felt uncomfortable at how he knew everything she kept secret from her beloved guild. How she became a ghost in the first place being Zeref's doing. How she wished nothing more than to stop Zeref, yet could not bring herself to harm anyone even if she told herself that she hated them. How she fell in love with Zeref and that was her undoing. Everything she held sacred and closed away from the guild she raised and loved so much was an open book from this future person to read.

He knew her end, and he knew her new beginning. Gray was probably there to watch first hand how it happened as well. Every struggle of her life flash right in front of him because he was always up front in the battles next to Natsu. He knew about Natsu as well, and everything Zeref did to them.

"Why are you not angry with me?" she blurted out to the familiar future person she wanted to call stranger.

"You saved Fairy Tail, why would I be angry with you? Because of your… Affiliation with Zeref?" Gray questioned in return. He added below his breath, "You suffered a lot for us. You lost one hundred years of your life. Why would I be mad at someone that was the reason I was saved more times than I could count?"

The table went into silence and Wendy decided to break the ice by announcing to Mavis, "Gray came from the future with the help of Ariana. She has time magic. I think Juvia and Erza went into the library to help her to learn her magic better. Do you think you can help?"

Mavis nodded to the young bluenette, "Yes, there have been time mages in the past but they become more and more rare with time, ironically enough. Similar to that of celestial wizards. I will go and help them right now. Thank you, Wendy."

"No problem," the girl replied with a smile, happy to help her friends. Ariana silently slipped from her chair and followed the strange blonde ghost into the library. The table watched the two leave their sight before conversing again.

Mavis silently studied the new girl beside her and noted at how she was a stranger, not a descendant of any mage she had met before. The mention of her having time magic concerned Mavis slightly. The only mage she had come across with recently had cursed time magic and that was Urtear Milkovich on the island of Tenrou. Urtear was power-hungry and constantly on the search for Zeref. The power of time consuming her to the point that she needed more of that power. Although, Urtear had strived for redemption before taking her life for her friends to live. Urtear had strong will-power, but Mavis was unsure if this girl had the same to overcome the strength of her magic.

Ariana stood silently in a corner, reading a book she stole from the shelves. Juvia, Erza, Lucy, and Levy busied themselves with reading different sorts of books. Lucy was studying a book on time travel. Levy was taking notes of a book about Gods. Erza was reading about training theories. And Juvia was searching the shelves with three books in hand: God and the Devil, Magic Theory, and Magic Control How To. Mavis had read the last too but the first was unknown to her.

The ghost decided that after questioning the four young women what they found, she should understand the situation first before trying to help them. She stepped up to Ariana and politely asked about what book she was brunette replied with the title: The Curse of Time. Mavis wondered how the book ended up in Fairy Tail's library, having it contant lost magic would make Fairy Tail a target for the council should they ever raid the guild. Then again, if the guild got raided they were already in enough trouble that the book would mean nothing.

"Lost magic, Arc of Time. That was Urtear's magic. How did you find this book?" Mavis began.

"Mom told me about it, and I guess the title just stuck out to me. This is how Mom helped me learn my magic, after all. It has to be full of stuff that can help me master my magic," Ariana replied.

"Who is your mother? In the future, I am guessing," Mavis inquired.

"Merdy Vastia, er I mean, Merdy Milkovich. Miss Urtear raised my mom as a child," came the answer, explaining to Mavis how the girl knew time magic at all. Time magic was forbidden around the world in this day and age. Too powerful of a magic to master, and too much at risk with error.

"Urtear was a very powerful time mage. She was one of the few who discovered the magic after it was banned from being taught again. It is a dangerous magic, and rightfully rare. Urtear turned back time an entire minute in order to save most mages in Fiore a few months ago. It was one of the greatest acts ever performed. Only done once before, and that was only for fifteen seconds."

"I never heard that before. I knew she turned back time, but that is a lot," Ariana pondered in awe.

Mavis stated, "Well, she did not got back in time. There has only ever been two people to understand the concept of time travel in recorded history, and performed the magic for a group of people. But that was with the help of the Eclipse Gate they created. You are the makings of history."

Ariana pouted, "If I can bring us back, that is."

Mavis reassured, "In Fairy Tail, we can find way to do anything."

The girl nodded her head, considering the ghost's wisdom, "Yea, I guess." She shifted the book in her hands unsure. Mavis studied her closely, silently worrying that the girl did not have enough strength to overcome the huge wall ahead of her. She seemed like she lost hope of returning to her family, but desperate enough to try from peer pressure.

The blonde ghost needed to tell the girl of the risks of her magic, but would the truth be too much for the brunette to stand? It did not sound like they had time on their side, so could Mavis afford to not tell the girl? The information would destroy any hope she had left, but would it make this Ariana determined to break fate like Natsu would encourage anyone of Fairy Tail to do?

No, Mavis determined she should not risk the stress the information would cause the girl. Any chance she had of success would disappear with the knowledge Mavis knew. Ariana had a lot of weight to carry the burden of, she did not need more on her chest. So the ghost decided to shoo the girl away, back out into the guild dining hall. It was best that she let the older women to research for her.

Ariana wondered why the ghost of the first master of Fairy Tail rushed her out of the library after she just got there to help, but sighed and returned to the table the group was sitting at to find that only a few people remained. Her uncle and Gray were the only two at the table but when she sat down, Mira had called F Gray over so she was left alone with the past version.

The conversation with Mavis got Ariana thinking, and she decided to ask Gray quietly, "What was Urtear like before she died?"

Gray looked to her confused before answering, "Well, I didn't know her too well, but she was like a half sister I never really knew I had. When we met, she was a bit lost. Power hungry, looking for Zeref and revenge on her mother, Ur, who she thought abandoned her. But seven years passed during the time skip from Tenrou Island. She wanted to correct her sins, but in the end I guess she just thought that saving everyone else for her life was her way of redemption. It was stupid, but she saved my life, like her mother did before."

"Using the lost arc of time magic. She turned back a whole minute of time. Mavis told me about that just now," Ariana finished. In a much more hushed voice she questioned, "Did you love her?"

"I…" Gray blinked, not knowing how to answer. "Yea. She was like my sister. I loved her mom like she was my own."

"Urtear raised my mom, but Ur raised my dad. So I guess they both are my grandmothers. It's kind of weird, when you think about it. I've never felt in touch with Gran Ur, but my magic is so similar to G Ur's. Mom's always worried about my magic and how powerful it can be. She'll be worried sick when she knows what I did."

"I can imagine."

Ari got up from her spot, circled the table, and sat next to Gray so she could talk lowly into his ear, "You think if I did something like G Ur did, that Mom would ever forgive me?"

Gray looked surprised to the girl with eyes watery with tears she refused to shed. He hated girls crying and he quickly answered: "Of course she would. She's your mom, she could never be mad at you."

She squeaked even quieter, "What about you?"

Gray's mouth gaped open, struggling to reply. He would be spiteful. She is just a girl. His niece at that! But yet… He wouldn't be able to be mad for long, only towards himself.

"No… But even though I say this, never ever try to do something like that. There is always another way. So don't throw your life away, in any circumstances," Gray ordered strongly. "And your uncle and dad would say the same thing."

Ariana nodded her head innocently before leaning her head on Gray's shoulder. The ravenette was not used to being touchy with anyone, but he let the girl be. His mind raced on why she asked such serious questions. He knew he had to protect her from doing something dangerous. From then on, he would keep an eye on her. It was the least he could do for himself, even if he did get on his nerves sometimes.