Over a century ago, a Dark Guild called Blue Skull seized Magnolia, slaughtering and persecuting any legitimate guilds and ordinary folk who dared resist.
Yet toward this Dark Guild that murdered in broad daylight, the Magic Council—self-proclaimed guardians of magical order—seemed blind, taking no action whatsoever.
The pleas of Magnolia's citizens were ignored not only by the Council but also by the Kingdom of Fiore itself, which simply looked the other way.
After all… Blue Skull paid its taxes on time while occupying Magnolia.
Only when the four founders of what would later become Fairy Tail appeared did Blue Skull's terror end, returning peace to the townspeople.
Later that same year, as the four built Fairy Tail in Magnolia, Blue Skull's surviving guild master also came ashore and went legitimate, establishing Phantom Lord.
From then on, wiping out Fairy Tail became the wish of every successive Phantom Lord master.
Yet for nearly a hundred years Phantom Lord remained forever a step below Fairy Tail, beaten or humiliated at every clash.
Only after the Council enacted the ban on armed conflict between legal guilds did the situation improve slightly.
Six years ago, after Jose became a Ten Wizard Saint and was defeated by Makarov at a masters' gathering, he shut himself away.
Jose hadn't been cowed; he realized Makarov was aging and his power waning, so he bided his time, waiting to strike Fairy Tail a fatal blow.
And now, six years later, that opportunity had walked right up to his door.
Jude Heartfilia, famous head of the Heartfilia Consortium, came to Phantom Lord with a job: bring back his runaway daughter, Lucy Heartfilia.
Learning Lucy had recently joined Fairy Tail, Jose was overjoyed; using the commission as pretext to attack Fairy Tail would earn only a scolding and perhaps a fine from the Magic Council.
But Jose's ambition didn't stop there; Phantom Lord's accumulated strength convinced him he could finally fulfill his predecessors' dream.
He would wipe Fairy Tail out in one fell swoop.
The biggest obstacle was Makarov—old, yet still formidable.
So Jose dispatched his ace, Gajeel, to Magnolia to wreck Fairy Tail's hall and assault its Mages, provoking the protective old man into rushing to Phantom Lord.
If successful, Makarov would fall into the trap Jose had laid; even a Ten Wizard Saint would be doomed once caught.
Without Makarov, Fairy Tail would have no one who could stand against Jose.
Whether under the excuse of "retrieving Lucy" or "retaliating for guild strife," Phantom Lord would seize the chance to annihilate Fairy Tail.
That was Jose's entire plan.
Having revealed everything, Gajeel exhaled slowly; he had betrayed Jose, yet somehow felt a weight lift from his heart.
"Hope, thank you."
Makarov's voice was heavy; had Hope not happened by tonight, Levy and the others would have been gravely hurt by Gajeel.
And to avenge his kids, Makarov would have stormed Phantom Lord that very day—playing straight into Jose's hands.
From Gajeel's intel, Phantom's "Four Elements" leader Aria the Air had a spell that could rip every ounce of magic from a person's body.
In this world, all humans contain magic, Mage or not; only the amount differs.
Once all magic is stripped, life itself is in peril.
If an enraged Makarov were distracted by Jose, Aria's wind magic could easily land that fatal sneak attack.
Makarov dared not imagine the guild's fate if he fell; Fairy Tail's other Hope against Jose hadn't been seen for three years.
"Master, we're family—no thanks needed. Without you taking me in, who knows where I'd be drifting now."
Hope grinned. "How about we repay them in kind? Hand Lucy over to Phantom Lord, then use her kidnapping as pretext to thrash them properly."
"Not a bad idea."
Erza spoke up: "But even if Lucy agrees, who could deliver her without arousing suspicion?"
Makarov glanced at Gajeel. "How about him? I sense he's not rotten, just led astray by Jose."
"No way." ×2
Hope and Erza vetoed it in unison; the old man's instincts were usually spot-on, but they wouldn't gamble on Gajeel's corrupted nature.
Makarov knew it was a lousy idea and sighed. "If only Mirajane hadn't had her accident—she's a master of Transformation magic. She could pose as Gajeel, escort Lucy, and guard her in secret."
Erza said calmly, "Let's not risk Lucy; we're strong enough to face Phantom Lord head-on."
Makarov nodded. "In the end, Hope's plan lacks the right person."
"I disagree."
Hope stood, facing Makarov and Erza. "Since it's my plan, I'm the best one to carry it out."
Erza eyed him skeptically. "Don't tell me you know Transformation magic."
Hope shook his head, smile fading. "Actually… I came tonight to confess something to the master."
Makarov frowned. "What is it that you must see me alone this late?"
Hope drew a deep breath. "I am Earth of Phantom Lords Four Elements—Sol—the spy they planted inside Fairy Tail."
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