Erik was gone.

That was the simplest way to put it. The poison dragon slayer had just up an left. Everyone reassured themselves that he had gone on some job and had simply forgotten to tell Acnologia. Acnologia knew better; Erik never forgot.

Acnologia had narrowed it down... he was certain that on Erik's last job something had come up. Something significant about the dark guild he had exterminated. His second eldest drake had returned deathly pale and unusually silent and the following day had disappeared without a trace.

There was another problem on the horizon. Acnologia had been asked to assist in the destruction of a particularly strong dark guild that had consisted of a mere six members. Acnologia hadn't accepted the offer yet because he was certain that if he declined then the magic council would offer it to the other members in Fairy Tail... the idea appealed to Acnologia but it made him nervous at the same time... if the magic council asked for him specifically then the guild was a problem and would give Fairy Tail a hard time. Acnologia however had a missing child problem that he had to resolve as quickly as possible.

Acnologia gave the request to Makarov before leaving to search for Erik. Fairy Tail could deal with it, he had confidence in his guild.

His search for Erik took time and left Acnologia in poorer spirits. Wherever Erik had gone he was hiding it well. It wasn't until a week later that he was given a call from home; Natsu had called.

Acnologia was listening to the lacrima in front of him for a mere two minutes before he reassured Natsu of his coming and flew as fast as his wings could take him.

(A few hours later)

"Run it by me again, one more time," Acnologia sighed.

"Okay, we were sent to catch these bad guys," Natsu began.

"I know that part," Acnologia growled.

"Me and Natsu's gang have been tracking them for a few days," Laxus intervened.

"They met up with us on their travels and we joined them seeing as we are to work together. Meeennn," Ichiya nodded.

"AFTER THAT!" Acnologia snapped.

"We found their hideout-" Natsu began.

"But it was all wrecked and stuff!" Happy interjected.

"Yeah, it looked like some sort of cyclone went down, the place was a dump," Sherria sighed.

"Whoever got to those guys first did some real damage," Ren nodded.

"Blood, sweat, fear, the whole place reeked of it," Laxus said darkly.

"And of something else too," Natsu gritted.

"Erik," Acnologia finished.

"I can't tell whose blood is whose, the place is a war zone," Laxus explained.

"I don't understand why Erik would be here," Erza pondered.

"Yeah, didn't he go on a job or something like that?" Lucy asked.

"It isn't like him to act all alone like this," Gray pointed out.

Laxus looked down as if in thought. The room descended into silence.

"Laxus," Acnologia began, "Erik... he said he had friends when he was younger."

"Yeah," Laxus nodded, "but... there are thousands of dark guilds."

"It's possible I suppose," Acnologia pondered quietly.

"But he isn't that stupid, he would have-"

"Would he?"

Laxus was silent, "No... not if he thought we were going to try and stop him. He would have gone by himself once he found out where they are."

"That dark guild he destroyed... it worked for the Oración Seis... he probably got this info from there."

"And he thought it over and then set out before us," Laxus finished.

"What are you two talking about?" Lucy asked.

"Erik was part of a dark guild when he was younger," Natsu translated, "they implanted him with a dragon lacrima... then cousin Serena stopped em'... and then Uncle found him and took him home."

"Erik always talked about these friends he had left behind and how he was gonna find them one day and bring them to the guild," Laxus pondered.

"If the Oración Seis is indeed these individuals then Erik would have walked into a fight of his life to try and save them," Acnologia growled.

"What do we do?" Natsu asked.

"We find Erik... we get him out of here no matter what," Acnologia said softly.

"And what about the Oración Seis?" Eve asked.

"We save them if we can... and kill them if it comes to it," Laxus answered.

(Elsewhere)

Erik's face stung from where Angel's celestial spirit had grazed him, he had a broken rib from Racer, a nasty bruise on his leg from Hot Eye, some wounds from Midnight's sucky magic, a chest wound from brain and a headache from Klodoa... he should have been scared but he wasn't.

He was chained to the floor with magical prevention cuffs and couldn't stand, the five mages watched him warily as they nursed their own wounds. Klodoa continued to rant to Erik about his impending doom and certain demise but Erik had eyes only for his previous comrades.

"What are we going to do with this guy?" Racer asked Angel in a whisper... Erik heard it.

"I don't know... I think we should've killed him back at the base," Angel answered.

"Kill me? Oh come on, then we wouldn't have this enlightening time together," Erik smiled shrugging his shoulders an informing the parties present that he could still hear them.

"You still smile, are you not aware we are going to kill you?" Midnight said darkly with a smile on his face.

"Kill me, aww but Macbeth, I was having so much fun living," Erik smiled.

Midnight looked ready to murder the dragon slayer.

"What did you call me?" Midnight snarled.

"Your name," Erik responded in a low voice and with a smirk.

"That is not-" Midnight began.

"Midnight," Brain called, the nightmare mage turned and walked towards his superior.

"Oh come on, never turn your back against an opponent, you taught me that," Erik scoffed.

"Klodoa," Brain ordered, "shut him up."

The stick bounced over and prepared to give Erik a good whack upon the head,

"You so much as touch me, Stick, and I'll snap you in two," Erik snarled.

"I am one of the Oración Seis! One of the most dreaded mages in the-" Klodoa began.

"Shut up, you're only counted because I'm supposed to be dead and am no longer in your little group," Erik snarled.

"He reminds me of him," Angel pondered.

"It can't be," Racer denied.

"I am not certain," Hot eye pondered.

Midnight and Brain were talking about what to do with the mage in question while the other three watched the dragon slayer's interaction with Klodoa.

"He does know our names," Hot eye pondered.

"Big whoop, he's just informed," Racer scoffed.

"And he does act a little like him," Angel said softly.

"He looks nothing like him," Racer hissed raising his voice.

"Well, what do you expect when someone's given a freaking dragon lacrima!" Erik called.

"Shut up!" Klodoa yelled whacking Erik. Erik snarled and began to yell at the stick many profound curse fords.

Angel and Hot eye watched him intently.

"Oh for goodness sakes I'm putting this to rest," Racer snarled. He walked forward and faced Erik. "What is my favorite color?" he yelled.

Erik gave him a glare, "really all the questions to test me with and you ask me the one that changed every week!?"

"What's Angel's greatest wish?"

"Besides wanting to die? She has some profound reason about wanting to be an angel but all I really care about it the death part," Erik scoffed.

"If you are Erik, then whose your  best friend?"

"Cubellios hands down, you suck at providing emotional support," Erik smiled, "Macbeth was a close second only cause I liked how he would burst into tears whenever someone mentioned death... obviously he's outgrown that but still... close second."

"When we were in the tower, when did you meet Cubellios?" Angel asked walking up.

"I met her in the boat on my way to the tower and I wasn't with you guys so you wouldn't know," Erik snickered.

"What is my wish?" Hot Eye asked.

"You want to find your brother and somehow that translates to you need money," Erik shrugged.

"What was Erik's favorite game when we were kids?" Angel asked intently.

"My favorite game, that's rich. I hated playing anything with you people, the only fun thing we did was train and then I guess sparring was my favorite pass time," Erik scoffed.

Angel's face hardened and she turned her back to Erik.

"That's wrong," she spat.

"Is it now?" Erik grinned, "or do you just want me to be wrong?"

(Meanwhile)

"North!" Natsu yelled from his viewpoint atop a tree.

"Are you sure!?" Acnologia called.

"Yeah!" Natsu called down.

"We're coming, Erik," Laxus vowed under his breath.

(And back with Erik)

"I understand father," Macbeth nodded darkly. Then there was commotion behind them.

"WE THOUGHT YOU DIED!" Sorano cried snuggling Erik.

"Okay, that's great, get off me," Erik said.

"Love has triumphed," Richard smiled and embraced Erik as well.

"Can't breathe," Erik wheezed.

"IT'S A MIRACLE OF LOVE!" Richard cried out.

"What happened to you, you went lovey-dovey and Nirvana hasn't even been found yet?" Sawyer asked skeptically.

"LOVE!" Richard cried.

"Uh-huh," Erik said raising an eyebrow.

"Children, what is the meaning of this?" Brain asked.

"I  tried to tell them, sir, really I did but they wouldn't listen. I tried sir but they just-" Klodoa began.

"What do you all mean?" Macbeth snarled.

"It's him, Macbeth," Sorano smiled as she gave Erik another hug, "it's really him!"

"Erik is dead," Macbeth spat, "the operation killed him."

"Evidently not," Racer said gesturing to Erik.

"Come on Macbeth, I get you're supposed to be all scary now, but even you have to admit that it's me," Erik grinned.

"He is manipulating you, children, he is not the boy you knew," Brain said grabbing Klodoa and pointing it at Erik, "we've assessed the danger of his information and know he is of no use to us.

"What the hell!" Racer cried coming in between Klodoa and Erik.

"You can't kill him, it's Erik," Sorano objected.

"No, it is not," Brain answered.

Then the roof came down on them. The alliance of light guilds started attacking the dark guild. It was utter chaos. In the confusion, Erik managed to break free of his restraints and leapt between the two parties before and serious damage could occur.

With a lot of yelling and snarling, he was able to separate the fights.

"Can we not kill each other?" Erik snarled.

"Oh, they're gonna be fine, you best watch yourself cause I might kill ya," Natsu roared.

"Shut up," Laxus sighed grabbing Natsu by his scarf before he could do anything.

"What the hell is going on?" Sawyer cried.

Then Acnologia jumped into the cave. The dragon slayer was an impressive figure that struck fear into the hearts of the dark guild.

"It's Acnologia sir! The Dragon of the Apocalypse! We have to get out of here!" Klodoa cried

Acnologia scanned over the dark mages but his eyes rested on Erik. Erik's eyes widened.

"Before you strangle me, I swear, I knew what I was doing!" Erik defended quickly. Acnologia stepped forward and grabbed Erik by his collar.

"I knew that you knew what you were doing, but I think you gave Laxus heart palpitations," Acnologia said finally. Erik visibly relaxed. Acnologia looked at the dark mages and sighed, "Well, are we gonna fight and be enemies or are we going to make Erik really happy and all be friends?"

The dark mages didn't want to argue with the dragon king so Sorano, Sawyer, and Richard all put their hands up and surrendered very quickly. Brain, Macbeth, and Klodoa were all steadfast. Erik sighed and walked up to Macbeth.

"Come on, this is... this doesn't have to be your life," Erik pleaded quietly.

"This is my life," Macbeth responded.

Erik gritted his teeth, "I don't want to do this... you realize that if we go our separate ways again next time you meet we'll be enemies, damn it, we're enemies now!"

"What's so wrong with that," Macbeth said darkly, "I don't know you, and don't care for you... I've never known you."

Erik clenched his fist.

"Come here my son, we will find Nirvana together," Brain smiled.

"Macbeth, he's using you, just like the tower heaven, just like Jellal, he doesn't think of you as a child, he thinks of you as a pawn, I heard him think it," Erik warned as Macbeth turned to Brain.

Macbeth gritted his teeth, "Stop acting as if you know me."

"Macbeth it's him!" Sorano pleaded.

"You traitors!" Klodoa cried.

"Watch it stick!" Sawyer snapped.

"I'M A STAFF!" Klodoa cried.

"You are all traitors," Brain growled, "and traitors are-"

"Guys, move," Erik growled; he pushed the others behind him.

"No, Erik we can help," Sorano said.

"Yeah, I call first hit on the stick," Sawyer laughed.

"STAFF!" Klodoa yelled.

"It's not the stick or Brain that I'm worried about," Erik said.

"STAFF!" Klodoa cried.

Then Erik's clothing began to constrict him... Macbeth.

"Midnight, what are you doing?" Sorano cried.

Midnight closed his eyes as if he could block out the objections of his comrades.

"Macbeth, I... am... Erik... I've... never lied to you," Erik gasped.

"Erik!" Natsu yelled.

Acnologia held a hand out and stopped Natsu and Laxus from surging forward and committing murder.

"He's gonna kill him," Laxus snarled.

"Have faith," Acnologia growled.

"Macbeth, stop this!" Sawyer growled... almost inhumanely.

"Cubellios," Erik breathed. There was a blur of purple as the snake dove through the hole in the room.

The snake rushed forward and slammed into Macbeth, Erik's clothing immediately went back to normal as Macbeth hit the earth. Cubellios prepared to strike.

"No Cubellios," Erik panted catching his breath. Cubellios gave him a confused look. "Don't hurt him."

Macbeth breathed from the floor looking at the snake in shock.

"Failures, all of you," Brain scoffed.

Macbeth growled and pushed Cubellios off of him. He looked up and sighed, "That enough time for you?"

"It was a decent amount," Erik nodded.

Then Macbeth and Erik faded away leaving Cubellios to look around in shock.

"Where'd Erik go?" Natsu cried.

"Chill Natsu, Erik knows what he's doing, why do think I'm just standing here?' Acnologia chuckled.

"POISON DRAGON TWIN FANG!" Erik yelled from behind Brain. Brain and Klodoa didn't have time to dodge.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Brain yelled stumbling away.

"You should know father," Midnight chuckled from the sidelines. He was leaning on the rock of a cave and smiling.

"Midnight, your nightmare magic was at work?" Klodoa yelped.

"You should know... if Erik says something, then it is the truth," Macbeth said.

"The whole thing was an illusion?" Gray asked.

"Very clever," Erza nodded.

Erik landed on his feet, Cubellios wrapped herself around him and gave him a look that could have terrified Acnologia... she wasn't very pleased with the trick, "Leave Brain, the Oracion Seis is dead. They all are coming with me. Leave and I'll spare your life," Erik ordered.

"NEVER!" Klodoa shouted for Brain.

Then Klodoa was gone.

"You really get on my nerves stick," Sawyer teased holding Klodoa.

"UNHAND ME!" Klodoa yelled.

"Okay," Sawyer shrugged, then he snapped Klodoa over his knee and dropped the two pieces.

Brain, realizing that he was greatly outnumbered stumbled back and fled down one of the passages.

"You're seriously letting him go?" Sorano cried.

"No, he's running straight for a patrol from the magic council. He's going to involuntarily turn himself in," Erik chuckled.

"Man, I missed you, little buddy," Sawyer teased rubbing Erik's hair.

"Don't touch me, I'm taller than you now," Erik growled playfully.

"But you're still younger than me," Sawyer chuckled.

Erik shoved him playfully. The two former enemies came together, Natsu playfully punching Erik, and then was sent flying by the said poison dragon slayer. 

  The group left the caves and enjoyed the forests each one sharing their past experiences and livelihoods. Without the shadow of Brain there the Oración Seis members seemed to flourish and become more human.  

Sawyer and Gray talked, and Richard compared Jura's head to a potato... also shared that he was Wally's brother and had an emotional breakdown when he realized Wally was alive. Macbeth and Erza were a little awkward, but Erik never looked so happy.

Acnologia lowered his senses for a second, a bloody second. He watched as Erik reunited with his old friends that he had been searching for so long for, and then there was a magic blast. Erik was too enthralled with his friends to listen; the dark capriccio hit him in his back.

There was mass chaos. Natsu, Macbeth, and Sorano all knelt down to check on Erik. Sawyer was gone, and Brain was fleeing once more. He must have come back to exact his vengeance on the one man who had torn his guild apart.

Acnologia was gone in a second, he moved past Sawyer who had attempted to go after Brain, but had been injured by as well the dark wizard. Acnologia took only moments to catch up to Brain. He slammed him into the ground before Brain had a moment to understand what was going on.

"You hurt my family," Acnologia growled.

"He destroyed my prayers," Brain groaned.

"And I will destroy you," Acnologia growled picking Brain up by the neck. Brain struggled and wheezed.

Acnologia didn't remember much of what happened after that until a familiar voice rang out.

"Acnologia," Serena's voice rang out. There was Serena, with an army of magic counsel soldiers behind him.

"Serena," Acnologia growled.

"Put him down, you've won," Serena said cautiously.

Acnologia looked back, Brain was out cold. Acnologia let him go and the dark wizard hit the earth.

"What are you doing here?" Acnologia growled.

"The magic council heard you were coming to this area so they sent me to do surveillance," Serena said emphasizing on the 'me' part.

"They sent you to babysit me?" Acnologia asked.

"If you want to see it that way," Serena shrugged as the guards lugged Brain away.

"Where are the other dark wizards?" Serena asked.

"The others?"

"Yeah, Racer, Angel, Midnight, Hot Eye, and Klodoa?"

"Klodoa is snapped in two, and the others are... not for you."

"Come again?"

"The others are not your concern."

"Of course they are."

"Fairy Tail will deal with them." Acnologia gave Serena the look.

"No... No...Don't tell me that you are all good and want them to join?" hissed Serena in a whisper.

"We're all good and want them to join."

"*input word*, they are under arrest, everyone wants them arrested, they are under arrest, no ifs ands or buts.

"Serena, why are you here again?"

"It's God Serena."

"Don't care; you should leave, right now."

"Are you gonna do something that's gonna be a pain for me to deal with?"

"You're not even on the bloody council!"

"They still send me SO much work; you think an independent mage could find freedom."

"Stop making this about you, go, I have work to do."

"Don't do something stupid Dragon King."

Acnologia huffed and watched Serena walk away; he very quickly directed the soldiers in the opposite direction of the group and then he rushed towards the ex-Oracion Seis.

Erik was still unconscious, Natsu was on fire, and the Oracion Seis members seemed on edge. Acnologia came, explained, and set up a plan. Erza contacted Mr.-Blue-Haired-Redemption-Tattoo-Face over lacrima and the plan was set into effect.

Sorano took Lucy aside and gave her her keys claiming that she had no use for them. Acnologia had a feeling that it was something else too. 

Then they waited.

Erik came to just as the magic council appeared. Acnologia was forced to keep a firm hand on his shoulder. Erik threatened to burst, and Cubellios mirrored him. 

The Oracion Seis members were put in chains and loaded onto the prison cart, none of them looked overly concerned. The cart began moving and Acnologia tightened his grip.

Finally, when the cart was out of sight, Erik spoke, "I can't let them go."

Acnologia smiled, "Listen a little longer."

Minutes went by.

The two stood there waiting, Erik listened intently.

The ex-Oración Seis members sat in their prison cart but none of them despaired. They instead looked to each other in anticipation.

Jellal broke through the defenses, easily made his way to the cart. He threw it open and looked inside.

"Hello,"  Jellal greeted.

"Hey," Sorano waved.

"Let's get you out of here before Erik comes and kills me for taking so long," Jellal sighed.

From afar Erik's eyes widened.

"He agreed to help them out. Have them join his guild, they'll be safe, and they'll be together. You can visit them, and they can visit you.... we also have no idea what's happening and know nothing when the magic council asks us, understand?" Acnologia smiled.

Erik smiled as his friends ran into the woods, the soldiers on their tails.

"I didn't even get a full day with them," he said sadly at last.

"They will return," Acnologia nodded.

Erik sighed and put a hand on Acnologia's shoulder, "I suppose I never did finish my chess game with Wendy."

"No, you did not. She's none too happy with you," Acnologia chuckled.

Erik sighed and looked to the sky, his thoughts on his four friends which were now miles away. Once again beyond his reach.