Vacation

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…

— Start of Dark Fairy Arc—

…

[X784, Margaret Town]

— Mirajane Strauss —

"I've never gone to one of these before." Dannis admitted as they walked through the streets of Margaret Town, which were alive with color and laughter. Mirajane could smell the scents of roasted chestnuts, fresh pastries, and warm cider wafting from the numerous stalls set up all over the road.

Mira smiled, squeezing his hand. "Neither have I."

Streamers of gold and crimson fluttered overhead, suspended between the buildings that lined the parade route. Crowds bustled through the cobbled streets, children running ahead with wide-eyed excitement, while performers in extravagant costumes twirled and leaped for entertainment.

It was currently the Thanksgiving Parade, an event held once a year as celebrations by the local wizard guild, Lamia Scale.

Mira walked hand in hand with Dannis, her fingers curled around his as they meandered through the celebrations. While she travelled a lot due to the nature of her work, as both a wizard and a model, she's never actually gone out and enjoyed herself like this before. Most times, it's always for business. Dannis was the same, as he was much busier than her, being one of Fairy Tail's premier S-Class mages.

But for once, they had managed to carve out time for themselves. A real vacation. Just the two of them

They've been dating for a little over a year now, and while they've had many dates, this was the first actual vacation they've gone on together. She was determined to make the most of it.

She had participated in Fantasia plenty of times, of course, but it had always been for the guild—never just for fun. And even then, Fairy Tail's parades were wilder, more chaotic, more them. Lamia Scale's Thanksgiving Parade was different. It had a slightly subdued vibe to it, with a certain refined elegance to its performances. Not better, just… different.

"That reminds me," she said, glancing up at him with a teasing glint in her eye. "Do you have anything planned for this year's Fantasia Parade?"

Dannis shook his head. "Not really. I usually just help the Master set up. I don't get on the floats often."

Mira gasped dramatically, stopping in her tracks to face him. "What?!" She placed a hand on her hip, feigning offense. "Okay, it's settled then—you're joining my float this year!"

He blinked at her. "I am?"

"Yes, you are," she said with a firm nod. "Elfman, Lisanna, and I usually use transformation magic to create a constantly shifting float, but with you there, I'm sure we can make something even more unique! Ooh, maybe we can make a horror themed one! With my Satan Soul and your Darkness magic, I'm sure we can make something up. It'll be fun!"

He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "That sounds horrifying."

Mira beamed. "Which means it's perfect!"

They continued through the festival, stopping at food stalls and watching the performances put on by Lamia Scale's members. At one point, they found themselves seated among other spectators watching a play. The actors were guild members, with magic enhancing the production with illusions and elemental effects. Mira leaned into Dannis's shoulder, enjoying his warmth.

As the performance went on, snippets of nearby conversations drifted to her ears.

"You're saying three members of Lamia Scale ran away?"

"Yeah. No one knows why. Sherry, Yuka, and Toby just up and left one day. Saying there's something they needed to do. I heard Jura went after them, but even he couldn't find them yet."

Mirajane perked up, her brow furrowing. She turned to Dannis, who had clearly been listening as well.

"Jura?" She murmured. "Like Iron Rock Jura? The Ace of Lamia Scale?"

"Has to be." Dannis replied, he tapped a finger against the side of his leg in thought. "Must be pretty serious if even a member of the Ten Wizard Saints couldn't find them. I'd imagine the Master would also send Gildarts or any of us S-Class mages running if a member of the guild just ran away. Good to see Lamia Scale takes care of their own."

"True." Mira hummed in agreement, resting her chin on her palm. "But I wonder what made them leave in the first place. Lamia Scale is one of the strongest guilds, right behind Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord. It's not exactly the kind of place people just walk away from."

"Must be a damn good reason," Dannis said, though his tone was casual. He wasn't one to speculate too deeply without evidence.

Still, the thought lingered with Mira, even as the festival continued around them.

…

[A few days later]

The trees whispered softly in the night breeze, their rustling leaves blending with the chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl. In the middle of a clearing, one willow tree stood alone. Beneath its branches, two graves lay side by side, their tombstones worn but well-kept.

Mirajane knelt, her fingers brushing over the cool stone, tracing the names engraved upon it. She had been here once before, when Dannis took her just a few months after they started dating. 

They made it a habit to visit each other's parent's graves at least once every few months. It was their way of remembering the people who had given everything for them.

She glanced up at Dannis, watching as he placed a single white rose upon his mother's grave with a small smile. Mira knew him enough to see the quiet sorrow behind it, but there was also peace.

She didn't say anything. There was no need to.

Instead, they worked together in silence, tending to the graves as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Clearing away fallen leaves, wiping dirt from the stone, making sure everything was just as it should be.

Only once they were finished did Mira finally speak, her voice gentle. "I think she'd be happy to see you like this."

Dannis quirked an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Happy." She smiled, resting her hands in her lap. "You don't always show it, but I see it. You smile more. Laugh more. Socialize more. And you actually take breaks now."

He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "That last part's mostly your fault."

"And you love me for it."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "I do. Thank you, Mira."

Mira shifted so that she was leaning against his side, her head resting against his shoulder. The night air was cool, but he was warm, and that was all she needed.

They spent the next few hours simply talking. Sharing stories, reminiscing about their time at Fairy Tail, about the ridiculous missions they had been on, about their future plans.

"I was thinking of trying out my Lullaby Takeover again soon," Mira mused, gazing up at the stars. "I've gotten better at controlling it, but I still have a bit to go before I'm comfortable using it during missions."

Dannis nodded. "We'll find a spot. I'll help you anyway I can."

She smiled. "I know you will."

They sat together beneath the willow tree, the night stretching on, the past and the present intertwining in quiet harmony.

For once, there was no need to fight, no looming mission, no expectations weighing on their shoulders.

Just them.

And for Mirajane, that was more than enough.

…

[x784, Fairy Tail, a week later]

— Makarov Dreyar —

"Master Makarov, I received some reports from Rune Knights stationed in Oak Town. They said some suspicious activity is coming from Phantom Lord. I don't know if this is urgent news, but I thought you should know." 

Makarov folded the paper that contained a missive he received from Mest. The boy was certainly correct in his suspicions, but Makarov grimaced at the lateness of the news. For just yesterday, early in the night, their guild building was riddled with iron spears.

However, the damage was barely of note. Mystogan's runes of protection that he had inscribed back after the attack by Alvarez had done its job. For now, there were only a few cracks on the walls and a few broken windows. None of the foundations were damaged, nor the support beams broken.

Natsu and Gray had wanted to take the fight back to Phantom, but Makarov managed to dissuade them from it. Sitting now at the confines of his office, Makarov pondered the news. The rivalry between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord had gotten worse in recent years, mostly from Phantom's side. 'But would Jose risk a guild war for mere petty grievances?'

Makarov rubbed his forehead. 'Draculos already gave a warning to all Wizard Saints to keep out shit together. We can't risk an inner conflict when the situation is as perilous as it is.'

"What do you think, Master Mavis?" He asked his predecessor. If anything, he at least takes solace in the fact that the Fairy Tactician is on their side.

Master Mavis went quiet in her thoughts for a second before speaking up. "You know the master of Phantom Lord better than I do. Is he the type to be stupid enough to try anything?"

Makarov grunted. "Jose is a powerful man. But with that power comes pride as well. He's always been too obsessed with being known as the strongest, taking in as many willing wizards as he can to the guild and buffing up their numbers. Even now, they outnumber us by quite a large margin, with all their branch offices." Makarov then rubbed his chin. "But, truthfully, yes. His pride could easily blind him to the bigger picture."

Mavis nodded, already thinking of many precautions just in case an attack actually comes. "Then we need to prepare just in case. Two S-Class mages at the minimum must be present within the guild at all times. Aside from Dannis, Mystogan is the only other S-Class mage capable of advanced subtlety. Have him monitor the situation in Oak Town himself and to report to us if he finds anything damning. Otherwise, all members of the guild should at least travel in groups of three and to not live alone in their homes or apartments. The girls who live outside of Fairy Hills should stay in for about a week, the guild will take care of their rent. The boys can rotate around either Dannis', Macao's, or Wakaba's houses."

Makarov nodded in agreement at the assessment as took a swig of his drink. "While all these precautions are necessary. I still have hope that Jose grows a conscious suddenly. With his power, he could easily become a role model for the future generation of mages."

Mavis studied him for a second before nodding with a small smile. "You and I both, Makarov."

Makarov continued working late into the night on that day. He let out a slow exhale as he set his mug down on the desk. The weight of a guildmaster pressed heavily on his shoulders, as it always did in times like these.

Fairy Tail had always been a rowdy guild, reckless even—but that recklessness came from passion, from love. Phantom Lord's aggression, on the other hand, was different. It was a danger that was only mirrored by Jacob's attack on the guild years ago.

A sharp knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Come in."

The door creaked open as Erza entered the room. "Master," she said. "I've spoken to the others. We'll make sure everyone follows Master Mavis' precautions. I've also asked some of the more experienced members to take turns patrolling the town. Just in case."

Makarov gave a nod of approval. "Good. The last thing we need is for those hotheads to go off on their own." He glanced toward the parchment on his desk, at Mest's missive. "You're staying at Fairy Hills, correct?"

"Yes. I will make sure the others do the same. I've already told Lucy and Levy, and they agreed. Though convincing Jet and Droy to separate from her definitely took effort." she affirmed. "But Master…what about Laxus? With Dannis and Mira still on vacation, we might need him."

At that, Makarov's expression darkened ever so slightly. Laxus had grown more distant lately, more impatient. The boy had inherited his great grandfather's strength, no doubt, but there were times when Makarov feared he had also inherited too much of his stubbornness.

"I will speak to him," Makarov said simply. "You just focus on keeping the others safe."

Erza hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Understood." With that, she turned on her heel and exited the room, leaving Makarov alone once more.

The old guild master sighed, sinking back into his chair. His gaze drifted to the stained glass window behind him, which held a symbol of Fairy Tail etched on it.

"Jose…" Makarov muttered under his breath, closing his eyes. "Don't be a fool."

Because if he was, if Phantom Lord truly intended to start a war, then Makarov Dreyar would show them just why he was named the fifth strongest Wizard Saint.

____________________________

AN: The precursor for Phantom Lord. I've got some pretty fun things planned for this one. Get ready and tune in.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter

Cheers lads.