How Long Had It Been?

Chapter 22

A/N: Hi. Please enjoy

It had been a week and Lucy finally recovered from her initial shock when her father decided to pay her a visit. Other than that, everything else has returned to normal.

Despite the physiological trauma, Lucy was determined to enjoy life, especially with Erza. The two girls were currently situated at the guild, obviously enjoying each other company.

A week had passed, and things were truly normal when Natsu and Gray has started a riot.  Nothing beats a friendly fight in the guild. Mira served as a barmaid, Cana getting drunk as fûck, more and more members joining in on the riot. It really was peaceful. Then...

"Attention brats!" A voice boomed suddenly, silence immediately followed. All eyes turned to the source, only to see a grim looking petite old man near the entrance.

The members could almost feel the aura of tenseness radiating from Makarov, making the members more tensed.  "We have been given a task to take down a dark guild."

Everyone was silent, tension suffocating the air. It wasn't often they get to see a serious, tensed, master.

Moments later, Mira decided to break the silence. "Welcome back, Master!" She said with a smile. "How was the conference?"

Everybody facepalmed at how cherry the barmaid was. One wondered if Mira could even read how tense the room was moments before. But evidently, that wasn't the case.

Erza stood up and approached Makarov, ignoring Mira's comment, getting to the task at hand. "What do you mean? What dark guild?"

"We've been tasked to take down Oracion Seis because of their recent activity. It was decided at yesterday's conference that they cannot be ignored and that someone must take them down."

"We got left holding that bag again, Gramps?" Gray spoke with a nonchalant tone.

"Fairy Tail is to assume that role?" Juvia said, materializing next to Lucy, seeing that Erza has temporarily left the blonde's side. (Sneaky sneaky rain girl)

"No. The enemy is too powerful this time. If we took them on alone, we'd have the entire Baram Alliance out for our blood in no time. Which is why we are to form a coalition of allied forces."

"Allied forces?"

"Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Cait Shelter. Each of these guilds will select members to represent our guild, who will work together to take out Oracion Seis."

"You know we can handle it on our own! In fact, I can handle it on my own!" Natsu boasted with his famous grin.

Erza punched him in the face for interrupting. "The master is thinking about the consequences afterward."

"So...master, who are you going to send?" Lucy asked. This question grabbed the attention of most members and looked at Makarov for his response. Some of the members were eagerly itching for some action.

Makarov stood in silence, looking at each members, thinking about what they could do, and what they are capable of. Although he had already made up his mind as he rushed back home. It was a no brainer on who he would choose.

After a few more moments, he finally spoke. "I will have Erza, Natsu, Gray and Lucy meet with the other guilds. And Gajeel and Juvia will help other selective members in keeping the smaller dark guild in check, so they will not intervene in the mission of the allied forces."

"I refuse." Erza quickly spoke, interrupting Lucy when she was about to speak. "Lucy will not go. Pick someone else."

At Ezra's sudden rebellious decline, the guild went quiet.