Haru walked with the others through the camp with a frown on her face when not seeing anyone.
"That's weird." Happy said. "Where is everybody?"
Haru wasn't sure, but this eerie silence didn't set well with her. Especially after her encounter with that zombie-weirdo. What if he was still lurking in the shadows? She glanced around subtlety though didn't see a trace of the man.
"You sure they came here?" Natsu questioned.
"Yeah, this has been their camp." Lucy said. "I wonder where they could have gone."
The group walked farther into the temporary camp of the villagers with still no sign of them anywhere.
"Hellooo," Happy called out.
He received no reply, which had the small feline frowning. None of this was looking good.
"Since we're here I'm going to grab some bandages and some medicine." Gray said as he stepped into a tent.
"That sounds like a great idea, Frosty." Haru said as she followed after him. "To think you actually have a brain."
Gray gave her a glare over his shoulder, but Haru just smirked tauntingly in return. Haru then grabbed some disinfectant.
"I need to clean this bite before I get some kind of weird zombie disease." She said while shuddering.
She placed some of the disinfectant on a cloth then pulled her shirt off her shoulder a bit to place the cloth there. She winced as it burned her skin, but she continued to press it to the bitemark. Gray frowned in confusion as he got up while walking towards Haru who gave him a curious look.
"What?" She asked him.
Gray didn't reply at first as he pulled her shirt down a bit more to take a better look. He even had her lift the cloth.
"Did your opponent bite you?" Gray asked.
"Yeah," Haru said as she frowned at the memory. "Real creep."
Gray frowned wondering what kind of person bites another human being. Gray then placed the cloth back down on Haru's shoulder.
"I hope you kicked the guy's ass for that," Gray said.
He was surprised when Haru seemed to pale as she looked off to the side uncomfortably.
"I… I don't want to talk about it." Haru said honestly. "In fact, I'm going to try to forget it ever happened."
Before Gray could ask her, what happened, they heard noise from outside. The both stepped out while seeing one of the villagers. He told them all to follow him, so the group moved out. As they followed after the man, Haru fell into step with Erza.
"Hey, Erza, something about all this is bothering me," Haru said. "It has been for a while."
Erza turned towards the younger female as Haru crossed her arms over her chest.
"What is it?" Erza questioned.
"Well, this has been happening for three years, and according to Lyon none of them ever once came to the temple, which is strange enough." Haru said. "Then there is the fact that while they were affected by the spell yet none of us nor Lyon's group were. Also, if the moon was what's been altered, wouldn't it be shining purple everywhere and not just over this village? Back in Magnolia it shines as it should every night."
"Those are all valid points," Erza said. "Something is wrong here, and you're right the moon isn't the problem. However, the spell did affect the villagers, but how it affects them and not us is unknown. Though I do have a theory."
Haru tilted her head wondering what this theory was, but Erza didn't elaborate, which had Haru frowning. When Erza did speak up, it wasn't about anything Haru had been asking about.
"I would like to apologize for what I did to you, Haru," Erza said. "You and the others still did wrong by taking the S-Class request, but I shouldn't have struck you as I did."
Haru stared at Erza silently for a moment before giving a small scoff as she looked away.
"I'm aware we broke rules, so the fact you came for us to stop us isn't the issue." Haru said. "Nor am I that upset you hit me. What pisses me off is that guild rules were more important to you than helping your guildmates. In Fairy Tail, your friends are what come first—even above guild rules. At least that's how I see it, and if Master wanted us to think differently, maybe he should have raised us a bit differently. My point, Erza, is that I'd break the rules again and again if it meant taking care of any of our guildmates—that includes you."
Haru then walked on to fall into step next to Natsu. The male pinkette smiled at Haru and she smiled in return. As they started to chat together, Erza watched them with an unreadable expression on her face.
Haru stood in between Lucy and Gray with Happy resting on top of her head as she watched Erza speak with the villagers. After returning to the newly restored village, Erza had immediately went to get the truth out of the villagers. Like, why they didn't go to the temple and whatnot. They explained that they had tried many times, but to no avail, which didn't make much sense. Haru and the others—Lyon's group included—didn't have any trouble entering the temple.
"I get it," Erza said. "Yes."
Everyone looked to Erza in confusion since they didn't understand what was going on at all. Haru then blinked remembering that Erza had a theory about what was going on here. Did the villagers just confirm it for her? Erza then walked away from the villagers as she started to reequip into a different armor.
"Natsu, come with me." Erza said as she finished reequipping into her Giant Armor. "I'll need your help to destroy the moon."
While Natsu looked excited about the thought of destroying the moon, Lucy and the boys looked positively confused. Haru just tilted her head as she tried to understand. But didn't Erza agree with Haru that moon was not the reason why the villagers were changed? Just what did the redhead have in mind?
"Really, Erza?!" Natsu asked excitedly.
"It's the only way we can change the villagers back to their human forms." Erza said.
The villagers cheered at this while looking ready to be human again. Though Haru was starting to think they weren't human to begin with. She and the others were human and weren't affected. Lyon and his group weren't affected—and they're humans. So obviously the Moon Drip didn't affect the human body—Haru's eyes widened as she looked at the villagers—very closely.
They said they turned into demons because of the Moon Drip. But what if that wasn't the case? Maybe they were in their true forms now. Maybe they were demons all along? And the Moon Drip made them… forget that? It'd be so much easier to tell if Chris was here. He's the demon expert.
"But what does destroying the moon have to do with Erza's plan?" Haru murmured to herself. "She can't even reach that high—even with Natsu's help."
As she murmured to herself, Erza and Natsu go into position to do whatever Erza had planned.
"None of this makes sense," Haru said. "The moon can't be the cause. Sure, the moon was used for the Moon Drip spell, but it doesn't seem affected anywhere else. Meaning, whatever Erza is really aiming for can't be the moon."
As she continued to mumble to herself, the others watched Erza bring her spear back. Working together with Natsu who timed when to shoot out his flames from his fist, they sent the spear flying into the air towards the sky. Haru, who decided to put her thoughts to the side for now, watched wondering if they would even reach the moon.
"She did it!" Happy said.
"This is bad." Gray grumbled.
"What are they thinking?!" Lucy demanded.
Haru shrugged her shoulders having no idea herself. She still wasn't sure the spear would even reach the moon. When the spear hit target causing moon to shatter, Haru's mouth dropped open in utter shock.
"NO WAY!" Lucy, Happy, and Gray shouted.
Haru was then confused when the sky appeared to shatter with the moon as well. Suddenly it was like a hole shattering in glass as pieces of purple sharp edges pieces fell to reveal an un-purple moon in an uncracked sky. Haru started up at the sky for a moment before things started falling into place.
"It really wasn't the moon just as I thought." Haru said. "A membrane of magic covered the island."
Gray, Happy, and Lucy looked at Haru in confusion as more of that purple stuff fell from the sky.
"The Moon Drip must have given off some kind of gas that crystalized in the sky, which caused the moon to appear purple here on the island." Haru said. "So, it wasn't the moon causing the villagers transformation, but the membrane of magic that had formed over the island."
The others just blinked in confusion, but Haru just nodded to herself. Yes, everything was making much more sense now.
Haru looked at the villagers as they started glowing and after it stopped… they were still demons. So, they weren't human after all-just as she had been suspecting.
"Oh, now everything has come full circle." Haru said nodding. "I get it now."
"Ehhh?" Lucy and Gray hummed in confusion.
Haru just smiled when she really understood what was going on. At least the memory was solved now.
"What are you talking about?" Gray asked. "They haven't turned back, so something has to be wrong, right?"
"No, they look as they should." Haru said.
Gray just blinked in confusion as Erza and Natsu came down to join the rest of them.
"Haru is correct." Erza said. "The way they look now is their true forms. The Moon Drip never had any affect on their appearance. However, it seems to have altered their memories."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.
"They think they're humans who have been transformed into demons." Erza said. "But it's the other way around."
As everything started to click in the others minds, Lucy and Gray backed up a bit.
"You mean… they really… are…" Lucy trailed off.
"Yep, you've got it." Erza said. "The villagers have always been demons."
Lucy and Happy screamed in shock as the blonde fell to her knees, which had Haru chuckling in amusement. Gray walked over to one of the villagers while staring him right in the eye.
"Hey, is that true?" Gray asked him.
"Well, maybe." The villager replied. "My memory's hazy. We all looked pretty human when you met us, didn't we?"
"Yes, because you possess the ability to take on human form." Erza explained. "Your false memories led you to believe that your temporary states were actually your true forms. In reality, you were demons that fell victim to the Moon Drips side effects."
"Which explains why Lyon and his friends weren't effected." Haru said. "They're human."
Erza nodded in agreement as Lucy was starting to understand as well. It sure had blindsided her there for a moment, but now it's all starting to make more sense.
"You both are quite smart. I knew I could trust you and your friends." A new voice joined the conversation.
The group turned their heads with Haru and the group—minus Erza—gasping at who they saw. It was the guy from the boat, but in demon form. Now even Haru was back to being confused.
"Thanks, Wizards," He said. "I owe ya one."
As Happy and Lucy screamed about there being a ghost before them, Haru frowned. This mission just kept having twists to it, didn't it?
"You're the guy from the boat!" Gray said.
The demons around expressed their disbelief as well, but Bobo just grinned at all of them. He explained he survived the knife to the heart and that he left the village by choice. He apparently went for help, and Haru didn't really care what the reason. Especially when seeing how the demons were so happy to see Bobo. All in all, things ended well, and that's all that really mattered.
"That's have a feast tonight to celebrate!" The chief declared. "It'll be an all-out demon party!"
As everyone cheered, Haru smiled. This would certainly be a mission to remember. But she was ready to get home all the same.
The group that left Galuna Island walked down the streets of Magnolia while happy to be home at last. They had gotten back to their town minutes ago, and Haru was ready to get punishment over with then back to Fairy Hills for a bath.
"We're home!" Natsu exclaimed happily.
"Aye, sir!" Happy said.
Haru chuckled at their enthusiasm as she walked alongside Gray and Erza.
"I'm kind of bummed." Gray said. "All that time and hard work for a lousy gate key."
"I have to agree with you there, Icicle boy," Haru said sighing.
When Erza turned down the reward, Haru nearly fell over in shock. So, they went through all that for nothing. She had even been nearly sexually harassed by a zombie, and got nothing for it.
"Yeah and that S-class reward was big time money." Happy added.
"Well, I'm sorry it wasn't an official job." Erza said. "Just be glad you got something."
Haru just sent a frown at the redhead. If the older woman knew just a fraction of what Haru went through, she would have taken that reward. Haru earned it.
"She's got a point." Lucy said. "Now quit your complaining."
Haru shook her head because she was sure Lucy could only say that because she got something for their work.
"That's pretty easy for you to say you got a reward." Happy pointed out. "Can we sell it?"
"How could you even suggest that, Happy?!" Lucy demanded. "You guys just don't get it. They're hard to come by. Sure, there are a lot of silver gate keys, but there are only twelve gold Zodiac Keys. And I'm lucky enough to have five."
Lucy held up her head feeling mighty proud of herself for having five out of twelve Zodiac spirits.
"Too bad they're all crazy." Natsu teased.
"You better watch your mouth, you punk!" Lucy warned. "Me and my celestial spirits are going to be stronger than you someday. Especially now that I have a Stellanium Key in my hand."
Natsu snorted, obviously not believing that one, which had Lucy glaring at him heatedly.
"So, which one of the Zodiac keys did you end up getting?" Gray asked curiously.
Lucy blinked, forgetting all about Natsu to smile over at Gray as she gave a thumbs up.
"It's Sagittarius the Centaur." Lucy said.
"It's a horseman?!" Gray asked, looking a bit excited.
He, Lucy, and Natsu then discussed what Sagittarius would probably look like as they continued on towards the guild, as Haru chuckled at them. Lucy really was building up an impressive collection of Gate Keys. Especially with one Primordial Zodiac key in the bunch. Though Haru has yet to see Lucy use it. Maybe the blonde was saving it for a special occasion.
"You're all so carefree." Erza said cutting into their discussion. "It's almost as if you forgot you face punishment when we get back to the guild."
The younger mages all turned to look at Erza with wide eyes. Haru then sighed since she knew it was coming even if she wanted to avoid it.
"What why?!" Natsu asked.
"But everything worked out in the end." Lucy said. "Can't we forget about the whole punishment thing?"
"You're right." Erza said. "Everything worked about, but only because I came there and finished the job none of you were qualified to do. Stealing an S-Class quest is a serious offense."
Happy whined landing on Haru's shoulder, and she reached back to pet the furball on top of his head.
"We said we're sorry." Lucy pointed out.
"If you promise to never do it again then I don't think you need to be penalized by the guild." Erza said. "Unfortunately, I don't have any say in the matter. Your fate is in Master Makarov's hands. So, I'm sure you'll be facing punishment."
Happy started shaking as he latched onto Haru as if she could protect him from getting punished.
"Now, I'm scared." Happy said. "Do you think he's going to make us do… that ?"
Haru paled at the very thought as Gray looked as if he might throw up at any moment.
"Just kill me now!" Gray begged as he crouched down with his back to the group as he clutched his head. "I don't think I could live through that again."
"Well, I highly doubt there's any getting out of it," Haru said despite the fact of feeling as if she could faint. "Guess we'll just have to face the music."
Lucy just watched with wide eyes as even Haru shook in fear though the bluenette was trying to put on a brave face.
"You guys are freaking me out!" Lucy cried.
"Don't let them scare ya." Natsu said, patting her shoulder. "I'll talk the old man out of punishing us. That guy loves me."
Lucy sweat-dropped, not looking convinced or comforted in the slightest by Natsu's words.
"I don't think you should do the talking." Lucy said.
"Natsu, you can't talk yourself out of this one." Erza said then smirked. "Good luck with that."
Natsu grinned for a few more seconds before starting to sweat major bullets, which had Lucy freaking out. Erza then grabbed him by his scarf to start pulling him along.
"No, save me!" He begged. "No, anything by that! Please!"
Lucy blinked looking between Natsu being dragged away, Gray crouched on the ground in fear, and Haru looking paler by the second.
"Would someone please tell me what 'that' is?!" Lucy demanded. "I'm freaking out!"