The note read:

"Dear Members of Fairy Tail,
I assume you have awoken from your little nap! And you have surely also noticed the absence of your friends! Don't worry, they're in good hands!
The curse you were put under made those with pure pasts and clean hearts only fall into a slumber, but those with hearts that were once tainted by evil did not have the same luck! They now belong to The Wings of Roaring Justice, and they will not be returned to you! They're hearts now are held by us, and you cannot free them.
Consider this a debt repaid. Your crimes have been atoned for, and your wrongs righted! If you come looking to free your guild-mates, I'm afraid we will have to take our payment another way.
Sincerely,
Venus Martima of The Wings Of Roaring Justice"

Master read the note aloud to the guild, and was greeted by shocked gasps and confused whispers amongst those gathered.

"I'll kill her." Gray's voice conveyed unadulterated rage.

"Ditto." Elfman replied.

"How dare someone come into our Guild hall and betray us like this?" Erza demanded.

Master let the noise simmer down, anger bubbling in his gaze as he stood in silence for a moment. "Alright! We all know what we have to do, right?"

"Find them!" Gray yelled, his voice laced with anger and determination.

"But what about what the letter said?" Wendy squeaked, tears brimming in her eyes. "What will they do to the guild if we go after them?"

"Are you suggesting that we just let them take our friends?" Gray asked, a bit too sharply. Wendy flinched at his aggressive tone, and shook her head frantically.

"Simmer down Gray." Master warned, "I understand the threat that has been made, but if we can catch and eradicate them before any damage can be done, we can bring my children back home!" Master Macarov declared, which was met with cheers of agreement from the guild.

"On the quest, I will send... Lucy, Gray, Levy, and Elfman." Master announced. Those chosen looked around at eachother and nodded, each wearing an expression of determination.

"Something tells me that Master has a reason for choosing who he did!" Mira chuckled lightly with a wink.

"But Master!" Pantherlily flew up, speaking in a deep, serious voice, "Gajeel was taken, as well as Natsu. Should Happy and I be allowed to go?"

"Aye..." Happy added sadly.

"Yes, you may go." Macarov replied, "As well as Erza, Wendy and Carla."

"But.." Wendy started, shaking with fear.

"We will fight as hard as we can to save them Master." Erza declared.

"Go my children!" Macarov called out, his voice full of emotion, "Go and save them!"

•••

Somewhere in the rocky hills North of Magnolia...

The sun was just begging to rise in the pale, early morning sky.

Two men slept in the a makeshift camp. A small fire in the middle of the clearing was hardly more than a few embers that lightly burned.

A figure approached the two sleeping travelers, followed by a stiffly moving group behind her. "Wake up boys." She called in a muffled voice.

The two awoke with a start and rose to greet her, with looks for satisfaction on their faces.

"Dais- I mean Venus, you've returned... and you did it..." The younger man with light blue hair spoke, his voice shaking. "You brought them..."

"You doubted me?" The masked girl chuckled, leading the four Fairy Tail wizards that followed her. She pulled the mask off, revealing a pretty face with a jagged scar across her left eye.

"Not for a second." The boy, Diamond, answered, with pride in his voice.

The older man approached, eying each Wizard with awe and excitement. He paused, his black and gold cape shimmering in the dim sunlight. He pointed his long staff at each Wizard as he spoke. "We have Juvia the Rain Woman and Black Steel Gajeel of Phantom Lord, but only Evergreen from the Thunder Legion?" He asked, his voice quiet and stern. "Tell me girl, were you unable to capture Laxus and the other members of the Thunder God Tribe?"

"They weren't around sir. Or else I would have." Venus answered truthfully. "But look, Golden Sky, sir, I was able to trap one who I hadn't planned on." She gestured to the stiff figure with pink hair.

The older man, Golden Sky, approached the one she was referring to. "Is that, Natsu Dragneel?" He sounded almost dumbfounded.

"Yes indeed!" The girl bounced over to Golden Sky and Natsu. "Who woulda guessed the Salamander had darkness in his heart?"

"Don't get too excited." Golden Sky warned, his deep voice rumbling like a growl. "The Fairy Tail Wizards were properly warned, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Good." Golden Sky nodded, "But they are foolish Wizards, and will most likely attempt to track us. Don't let your guard down. I will send Cornelius out to scout for Fairy scum at daybreak." He spoke, glancing at the bird skull that adorned his long staff.

Diamond and Venus nodded in agreement, straightening up and looking serious.

"We must get moving. Fairy Army, march!" Golden Sky commanded with a booming voice. The evil versions of the Fairy Tail Wizards began to march forward, led by the three Wizards of The Wings Of Justice trio.

Golden Sky paused.

"Also, Venus." Golden spoke. She looked at him curiously.

"Hand me the keys that hold their hearts, I feel I will protect them best."

(To be continued...)