AFTERMATH

Two weeks had passed and the guild was still mourning the tragedy that fell upon them. Gajeel had not been seen since Levy's funeral and Erza had not stopped blaming herself for the capture of Wendy.

"Master Makarov…I know the guild has been hurt but….we still need to prepare for what's to come," Lee explained.

"Yes I know," Makarov sighed. He looked at Mira and said "My dear would you please gather those we spoke about the other day."

"Of course Master," replied Mira.

Within a few hours Lee, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Juvia, Lucy, and Happy met in the master's office.

Makarov looked at his group and asked what everyone else was thinking. "Has anyone seen Gajeel?" he asked. No one replied as the air in the room became to feel thinner and the somber feeling of those in the room became more obvious. Within seconds Natsu lifted his nose and slightly smirked.

The door cracked open and Gajeel walked in. He looked as he had not slept in days, his eyes were bloodshot and puffy. He seemed thinner and ignorant to his own appearance as he quietly walked to the end of the room to hide his appearance in the shadows of the room. No one spoke to him, there were words that everyone wanted to say but no one could utter a word.

"Um…I don't have the words to express my sympathy," Lee started. "I know this guild and all of you have gone through a horrible lost and I know you all are still grieving the loss of a family member but….there is still a real threat out there and this threat will continue to devastate families unless we do something about it." Lee explained.

Gajeel walked out of the shadows with fierce red eyes and started walking towards the door.

"Where are you going boy?" asked the Master.

"Where do you think?" Gajeel replied scornfully, "I'm going to kill every one of those bastards".

"Gajeel attacking them as you are and without a plan will only get yourself killed," Lee tried to explain.

"So What!...So Goddamn what!" Gajeel yelled on the verge of tears. "They took…" now with soft tears coming down his cheeks. "They took Levy from me…they took my savior the love of my life…they killed her right in front of me and I couldn't do a God damn thing about it" he said slamming the wall with his fist. "I only came here because I though you guys knew their location," he said as he headed towards the door.

"Hey," said Natsu as he grabbed Gajeel by his wrist and stepped in front of him. "Stop man even I know you're not thinking straight". Gajeel quickly slapped Natsu's hand away.

"Get out of my way Salamander, if it wasn't for you and your damn brother none of this would have happened" Gajeel uttered at Natsu.

"Gajeel don't be stupid…Levy's death has nothing to do with Natsu or Lee Levy would never have-," Erza tried arguing but was cut off.

"Shut up Erza!" Gajeel yelled. "Levy and your friend from Mermaid Heel are dead because Natsu and his brother dragged us into their problems. If it wasn't for them Levy would never...Levy would…..would not be dead." Why….Why are we suffering over these bastards dead parents-"

SLAP

"Gajeel…" Lucy muttered. "Listen to yourself….do you think Levy would agree with what you're saying?" She said now in Gajeels face tears falling down her cheeks. "I miss her too Gajeel but don't think Lee and Natsu are not suffering from all this either".

Gajeel could only stand in silence as Lucy's words pierced him, the pain in his cheek subsided and were replaced by his tears.

"Gajeel you have the right to be angry with me and I do not expect you for forgive me but….please…here me out…" Lee said as he approached Gajeel with a stern approach. "I promise you we will avenge her"

Lee approached the middle of the room to garner everyone attention and once he knew all eyes were on him he started. "Listen everyone….the Sons of Zeref guild are still out there…but their weak right now. As fearful and as one sided our battle was with them, they are not at full strength."

Master Makarov held a thick old black book with silver letters 'Dark Guilds of Dismay' was its title. "The Magic Counsel let me barrow this book and has some information regarding the magic the SOZ guild used. They used Death Magic."

The room was astonished by the news but not surprised considering what they have already seen from the SOZ guild members.

The Master cleared his throat and began explaining. "Death Magic is forbidden magic that was created by Zeref. Death Magic allows the caster to break the barrier between life and death. It allows the caster to summon the spirits into animated corpses. It was a spell used by Zeref himself who was apparently trying to resurrect someone, its unknown if he succeeded or not. Hanzo was not powerful enough to complete the resurrection, but in practicing this forbidden spell, he discovered that the casters would be able to than feed off a soul to gain power instead of resurrecting it. The stronger the soul the more powerful the mage would become."

"Thus the real reason Hanzo is after Acnologia. He wants to kill Acnologia and harvest its soul for himself," explained Lee. "After all Acnologia is the only know being to battle Zeref and survive. He figures with the soul of Acnologia he will gain the power to defeat Zeref and become the new King of Dark Mages."

"Looks like you've done your research on this extensively Lee," stated Erza seeming impressed.

Lee smiled and looked at Gajeel. "Actually we know this much because of Levy's brilliance. She discovered all this by deciphering the second part of the scrolls. She thought it was better for the Master and me to keep this part of the scroll to ourselves before she could confirm her finding. With the help of the Magic Counsel, the Master was able to confirm her deciphering….Gajeel," Lee continued and as Gajeel look down with tears flooding the floor beneath him. "We will forever be indebted to her and as I said….we will avenge her!"

Right….I'm….I'm sorry you two…"Gajeel uttered. Lee and Natu just smiled at Gajeel who stopped crying and stood firm in his resolution in vengeance.

"We have two years," Lee proclaimed with such a tone it took the room by surprise. "We have two years to be ready for the SOZ. And trust me they will be much more difficult to defeat this time. Which is why, with the master's permission, we must all train and be ready when the time comes."

This took everyone in the room, except for the master, by surprise. "Lee what do you mean train?" asked Natsu.

"Is there something specifically you had in mind?" asked Erza.

"Your all strong mages there is no doubt about that. However, all of you lack the training and power to defeat Hanzo and his guild". Everyone was astonished by Lee's statement, but considering most recent fight, no one could argue with Lee.

"As I said, when fighting Hanzo I could tell Hanzo was not at full strength and considering the recorded battles between the Magic Counsel and the SOZ, the other guild members seemed weaker as well. Which would explain why they decided to leave the battle when they did. As we speak they are preparing for the blood moon and I assure you…they will be ready and much more stronger next time we see them." Lee explained.

"What do you propose than Lee," asked Erza.

Lee looked at the master who responded with a head nod.

"As of tomorrow we will make two teams that will make the force that will meet the Sons of Zeref in two years. The first force will consist of Natsu, Gajeel, and myself. We will also be accompanied by two other Dragon Slayers.

"Two others Dragon Slayers?" asked Natsu. Wait….you don't mean?"

"Yes…Rogue and Sting will be joining us…"Lee proclaimed.

"What about Laxus," asked Natsu.

"With you lot out training our forces will be weakened, "explained the Master. "He will stay here to re-inforce our defenses in-case of another attack. "But fear not my boy…we won't be sitting waiting for you all to return, we too will intensify our training. You have my word on that". The team that will stay here for training and will join the coalition against the Sons of Zeref are Erza, Lucy, Gray, Juvia, Laxus, and Kagura of Mermaid Heel."

"Wait…stay here? Where are the others going?" asked Gray.

"In order to truly bring out the true power of Dragon Slayers there is only one place in this entire we can train….and that's Heaven's Island…the land of Dragons." The room stood in silence and shock with the news.

"Wait…so…your taking Natsu to Heaven's Island for two years" asked a distraught looking Lucy.

Lee could only apologize with his eyes," I'm sorry Lucy…but if Natsu has any chance to fight and win the coming battle he needs to get stronger and I promise you when he returns…he and all the other dragon slayers…will be more than ready".

"But…", before Lucy could utter another word Natsu embraced her and wiped the soft tears from her.

"I'm sorry it has to be this way but you must understand the importance," Lee bowed towards Lucy. Lucy could do nothing but continue to embrace Natsu knowing Lee was right.

"For those coming with me please make your arrangements and prepare to travel at dawn tomorrow." Lee explained.

The Next Morning, Fairy Tail Guild

"Hey Fairy Tail it's been a while," smiled Sting with Rogue standing next time to him. "Thank you Natsu and Lee for letting us join this coalition we promise not get in your way," Sting said as he and Rogue bowed to the rest of the gang.

"Thank you Sting and Rogue for agreeing to join us," Lee returned.

SMACK

"Alright you guys ready for some serious training," Natsu smiled smacking Sting's back leaving a burnt mark feeling excited.

"Oww..." Sting said rubbing his back. "Seriously! Why do you need more training?" smirked Sting, as the rest of the gang just laughed.

"Ok everyone…were off," declared Lee.

"Natsu," whispered Lucy with a depressed tone.

"We'll be waiting outside Natsu," said Lee leading the rest of the dragon slayers out the guild doors.

"Wait…so Natsu really hooked up with that hottie? That lucky bastard" whispered Sting at Rogue.

Rogue smacked Sting, "Show some respect moron," he scolded.

"Natsu…I don't know what to say…I don't want to say Goodbye," Lucy whispered to Natsu fully embracing him trying to take in as much of him as possible.

"It's not a goodbye Lucy I'll be back and when I do….I'll be strong enough to protect everyone in the guild and make sure no one else dies…I promise" Natsu reassured Lucy. Natsu than leaned and embraced Lucy with soft kiss.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," Lucy replied fighting to urge to not let Natsu leave her embrace.

A few moments Lucy stared at the back of her love as he waved and said good bye to everyone in the Guild. He stopped before opening the guild doors and looked back at the guild.

"Get Stronger!….so our family never has to hurt like this again!" is all Natsu said as we walked out the guild doors.

Moments Later

It has been about an hour since the dragon slayers had left and the guild seemed quite yet determined by Natsu's last words. The group that had been assigned to stay and train at the guild gathered with the master.

"Master, you mentioned we would go through training as well," Erza said, "May I ask when we will start?" She asked.

"Today," said the master as he sat on the bar. "But…I am not the one who will be training you," he said. This took the rest of the group by surprise.

"Master…if I may ask…who will be training us?" asked a confused Gray.

RUMBLE

Just than the entire guild started shaking as if the core was being rocked. Tables were moving, drinks were spilling, and people were falling off their seats.

"Mph….he's always trying to show off," the Master uttered.

"He?" the group responded. But before they could finish their thoughts the guild doors busted open and a blast of wind swept the guild blowing away what little drinks and food survived the quack. A figure stood at the door with such bright blinding light that no one could make out the figure. Than everyone in the guild felt such an overwhelming pressure of magic it made the air in the guild heavy and hard for anyone to breathe.

"Master!" Erza yelled with concern"…whats going on?"

"Ok we get it you're here" the master told the bright figure. And just as fast the pressure in the room started rescinding and the figure at the door started coming into focus until finally everyone could see who stood before them.

"No way…you're…" is all Erza could say as she stood in shock at the person in front of her.

"For those who don't know…may I introduce the man who led the attack on the Sons of Zeref all those years ago and you're new Master for the next two years" The master proclaimed as he pointed the figure who was a male, medium built, with neck length dirty blond hair and a large scar that covered his forehead, wearing a white and gold vest that covered his upper chest exposing his toned abs. He wore a golden coat around him with a golden Wizards Saint patch. On his back was an octagon of blades that were black as a dark night.

"The number of one Mage of Fiore, Leader of the Four Gods of Ishgar, God Serena."