Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

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[Fairy Tail Guild Hall]

— Gildarts Clive —

Gildarts burst through the doors of the Guildmaster's office, his usual genial and laidback persona replaced by one of rage, frustration, impatience, and guilt. His eyes looked towards Master Makarov who sat behind his desk, talking to a younger man. He had average height with shaved black hair, green eyes and an x-shaped scar on the left side of his face. On the kid's shoulder was the Fairy Tail mark, colored blue on a black outline.

Gildarts wondered how he earned that scar, but rationalized it to the dangerous world they lived in. He idly remembered seeing his face once or twice while he was in the guild.

"Master. What the fuck happened?" He asked calmly, but there was no hiding the intensity and pool of rage forming behind his eyes. He barely held back the roiling storm of his magic from affecting the building, with the air around him vibrating slightly.

The kid gulped at his show of power as he shook slightly. Seeing the discomfort, Gildarts forcibly reined in his magic. 

"Calm down, Gildarts." Makarov tried placating, lifting a hand to try and calm the hulking mage.

"I should've been here." Gildarts growled, having none of it. He slammed his fist on Makarov's desk, making the whole room rattle. "I'm the Ace of this guild and I wasn't here when they were threatened. I heard all about it from Macao, it was goddamn close. My family could've died, and I wasn't there!" His voice cracked at the end.

Makarov's eyes softened, though his expression remained firm. "As powerful as we are Gildarts, no man can be everywhere at once. It's a lesson I'm sure you've learned a long time ago. You can't blame yourself for this."

Gildarts scowl deepened as the tension in his shoulders refused to ease. He glanced once more at the kid beside Makarov, who stared at him with wide eyes. Gildarts took a deep breath, calming himself. It won't do for a member of the guild to see the Ace like this. He has to be strong, infallible. For he is the pillar that holds the guild astride.

"What do we know about them?" He asked.

"The Alvarez Empire is a nation that spans the entire continent of Alakitasia. They were a small country, but a man that is only known as Emperor Spriggan united the hundreds of guilds in the continent and formed it to become a single empire." Makarov frowned. "This is an enemy that is far too large and dangerous for us to take down on our lonesome. The fact that they have targeted our guild itself is a cause of concern. All we know for now is that Dannis and Mavis seem to be their main targets."

Gildarts perked up, as he folded his hands. "Is this about that thing we talked about during the S-Class Trials, a few years ago?" 

Makarov nodded, setting a glance towards the kid in the corner before looking back at Gildarts. "Yes, our suspicions were indeed correct. But right now, there's another problem that I need to talk to you about. Both of you."

The kid looked up, slightly gulping at the fact that he was addressed in the same notion as Gildarts. "While Alvarez is an enemy we definitely have to prepare for, the Magic Council is another."

Gildarts merely raised an eyebrow, while the kid's eyes widened in shock. He turned to Makarov, confusion etched on his face. "The council? But Master, I thought the council were the good guys."

Makarov sighed heavily. "They are the good guys, Mest. But recent events have raised concerns with the Wizard Saints. I was approached by Draculos with suspicions that the Magic Council might be compromised."

Gildarts snorted, already suspected as much, while the kid, Mest, blinked. "Compromised? You mean… someone from the Alvarez Empire might be manipulating them?"

Makarov shook his head, dismissing the idea. "No, I don't believe so. If the Empire had someone on the inside, then they would've known about the Etherion before planning the whole invasion. However, the Council doesn't lack for enemies. It could be the numerous dark guilds in the country, or perhaps even a simple greedy councilman selling information for jewels."

The Master turned to Mest then, his eyes locking into the young mage. "This is where you come in, Mest."

Mest's breath hitched, not sure where this was going. "M-Me?"

"I need you to use your memory magic," Makarov continued, "to infiltrate the Magic Council yourself. Manipulate the memories of the authorities and put yourself as a member of the rune knights. Once you're inside, work your way up the ranks." 

Mest's mouth went dry as he realized what Makarov was asking of him. "You… you need me to pose as a Rune Knight, Master?"

Makarov nodded. "I hate to ask this of you if this isn't necessary, but it is. Prove yourself a capable up and coming Rune Knight, try to weasel your way into the council's good graces. Once you're there, learn which council members are to be trusted. See if any of the rune knights themselves are compromised or not."

Mest swallowed hard, with Gildarts raising an eyebrow at the sheer scale of the mission. Mest was obviously an experienced mage, young as he was. One didn't walk away from a scar such as that and still remained naive to the world. But still…

He gazed at the young mage, whose eyes showed hesitance and fear. Gildarts didn't blame him. Deceiving the very organization that governed the whole magical populace of Ishgar was no easy task.

But then, Mest took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Once he opened them, Gildarts saw how his posture straightened, his eyes turning steely as his resolve hardened. Gildarts had to smile at that.

'The next generation sure are filled with incredible kids…' Gildarts made a point to make sure to get to know Mest after this.

"I'll do it." Mest said, his voice firmer than before. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect the guild."

Makarov smiled faintly, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "Thank you, Mest. I knew I could count on you."

Mest then hesitated before speaking again. "What if I use my magic to alter my own memories? If I forget about being on a mission, about being a member of Fairy Tail, I'd be less likely to slip up. It would reduce the risk of me being discovered."

Makarov's eyes widened slightly, and even Gildarts blinked in bewilderment.

"Absolutely not." Makarov shook his head. "Your identity as a Fairy Tail mage is what defines you, Mest. I would trust no one with this mission if they weren't a Fairy Tail mage. Besides, how would you ever get us the information we need if even you forgot what you need to look for?"

Mest blushed, slightly embarrassed at his suggestion as Gildarts chuckled. 'At least he's determined.'

"The risks may be high, but we'd rather you not forget you're part of the family in the first place." Gildarts added. "Still, your resolve is admirable."

"It definitely is." Makarov smiled. "I'll give you a week to make preparations for your personal life. I'll temporarily disable your guild mark before you leave for the mission. And Mest…" His voice softened, as he gave a loving grandfatherly look towards Mest. "Thank you."

Mest's smile turned shaky as his eyes shone with unshed tears. He nodded, before turning to leave. He cast one final look at Makarov and Gildarts, "I'll make you proud, Master."

"You already have, my boy." 

Mest's smile widened, before he exited the room.

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As the door closed behind Mest, silence settled in the room. Gildarts watched the young man leave, his thoughts churning. Dannis, Laxus, Mest, Mira, Erza, Natsu. The next generation sure are shaping up to be wonderful kids.

Turning back to Makarov, Gildarts crossed his arms. "And what about me? What do you want me to do?"

Makarov leaned back in his chair, as he took a mug from the table before swinging it back. "Are you still determined to take that 100-Years Quest, Gildarts?"

Gildarts immediately shook his head. "Hell no. With everything that happened, my place right now is with the guild. I'm all for letting the kids fight their own battles to get stronger and get experience. But the Empire is a threat that they can't fight by themselves. We need all hands on deck."

Makarov nodded in agreement, his face grim. "They are dangerous. But we don't know just how much. Not even the council is aware of their military power." Makarov looked up at Gildarts. "Which is why I need you to go there and find out. Don't attract any unnecessary attention, but if you can learn anything that we can use, all the better."

Gildarts would pause for a second, before nodding. This was a massive risk, but he wasn't Gildarts fucking Clive for no reason. He was the Ace of Fairy Tail, the most powerful wizard of the guild. If there's anyone with any chance of getting out of this mission alive, it was him.

He nodded, his face set in determination. "When do I leave?" 

Makarov smiled faintly, not even surprised at the easy agreement. "Tomorrow. For now, there's something else I have to show you." He stood from his desk, motioning for Gildarts to follow.

"Make sure to keep quiet. This isn't something the other members should see." Makarov told. Gildarts nodded, understanding the need for discretion.

Makarov led Gildarts through the winding corridors of the guild, down into the lower levels where few ventured. Luckily, the members of the guild were busy destroying the guild hall in their newest brawl, so none noticed the master and the ace.

The stone steps seemed to spiral forever, descending deeper and deeper into the earth. The walls were cold and damp, and Gildarts had the suspicion that this had been here for centuries.

"What is this place?"

"This is a secret that would normally only be known to the Guild Master of Fairy Tail. However, for reasons unknown to me, our enemies in Alvarez are aware of it. Which is why I have to cut tradition and show it to you, just in case."

They continued descending the steps, before finally arriving at a stone door. Makarov lifted a hand covered in light, the door reacting as ancient runes appeared on its surface. He placed the hand on the door, and with a faint pulse of magic, it creaked open.

Gildarts stepped forward and entered the room, where at the center sat a large crystal glowing in purple light. Inside the crystal, was the body of Mavis Vermillion, the First Master of Fairy Tail.

Gildarts' breath caught in his throat.

"This, Gildarts, is Fairy Heart." 

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AN: A flap of a butterfly and a tornado would form on the other side. With the Empire's attack on Fairy Tail, I reasoned that Gildarts would never leave for the hundred years quest when they're so vulnerable. So instead, he would go and investigate the empire.

I hope this was a fun twist towards canon, also Mest's first appearance. He was such a cool character before Mashima turned him into a pedophile. Rest assured that he won't be having such things here.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, cheers.