Fairy tail: The protectors

Chapter 5

The next morning, all of them reported their findings. "They've been operating away from prying eyes," Maya added. "Hmm." Laxus hummed in thought, "Go after them and do whatever it takes to st-" "-no, they would've recruited much stronger members if they're still active." Laxus cut Erza off. "You have to be smarter to attack from the shadows." Jellal, being ever the wise man he is, said, "No, they would've gotten much stronger." Igneel said, "And last time we barely made it out alive." Luca added, "So what do you plan to do?" Freed asked Tsukime, the leader who'd been quiet this whole time, "Zeref." All of them stared at her. "He's our best bet," she said. "What?" Natsu raised a brow. "How do you expect to get stronger through Zeref?" The four shared a look with each other: "There's something I've got to confess." Laxus had a feeling no one was going to like what would come out of his daughter's mouth. "You remember when I was travelling?" they all nodded. "And I said I was training." Tsukime was starting to feel anxious. "Yes, go on." Freed looked at the group sceptically.

"I... um... was training with Zeref." The other looked guilty. "Yeah, we only took a bit of help from him," Luca admitted guiltily. "Most of it was from Gildarts though." Igneel tried to save their asses. "What?!" poor Makarov almost had a heart attack.

The four bowed their heads in guilt as Makarov Dreyar scowled lecturing them, "How dare you four go to him after I told you not to?!" Gildarts, who watched this, sighed.

Reiki raised a brow, wondering why Makarov Dreyar was yelling, "Has he finally lost it?" Ghale raised a brow.

"He trained great-great grandfather Yuri too," Tsukime reasoned, "if anyone can help, it's him." Igneel added, "Not to mention there's only so much I teach these kids." Gildarts chimed in much to the four's relief. "This is the only way, Dad," Luca said, turning to Laxus, "nobody else can match their power other than Zeref." Laxus sighed, giving in knowing that this was for the best.

Reiki watched his wife pack sadly, not wanting to part with the woman he'd spent most of his life with. "Do you have to leave?" He asked, not looking away from the woman who nodded, "Can't you stay? What will I do without you?" Tsukime stopped placing her bag down. "Reiki, my love..." she walked up to her husband. "I'm not leaving forever." The heavenly body felt tears sting his eyes. "The kids... what will I tell them?" Reiki asked as his wife cupped his cheeks, "Are you doubting your parenting skills?" Tsukime asked, amused, "Don't laugh at me." He sniffled out, "You'll be fine, Rei; don't worry." Tsukime wrapped her arms around her sobbing husband.

Erza comforted her daughter while waving to her son-in-law, who left with his ridiculously big sword tucked behind him. "He'll be back; don't worry." Jellal patted Kasumi's back, trying to calm her sobs.

All four mages met in front of the guild. Igneel was a bit late because the fire dragon slayer's son refused to leave his father. "Are you sure about this?" Evergreen asked generally concerned for Tsukime's well-being "I thought you felt sick after using your lightning to travel." Freed said, "I'm over it." Tsukime waved off their concern, "Bye have a safe trip, kids." The thunder legion waved their byes.

Zeref almost had a heart attack when the group suddenly appeared in front of him. "Give me a minute." Tsukime bent over one of the man's plant pots, throwing up her dinner. "I warned you," Igneel shrugged, patting the girl's back. "We are going to need to work on this lightning sickness," Zeref sighed, already having a feeling about how his days are going to go.