There was no cry of outrage or yells to charge forward. A deadly silence filled the room instead. Somber eyes greet Makarov's searching face with a quiet nod from each. It was a deadly affair they were getting into. Time to return to the people some of the kindness that had been given so generously over the years. He felt pride fill his soul for his Fairy Tail children. "No one leaves the guild without my express permission. Not even to go back to your apartments or the dorms. We all stay here in the main building. I and the S class wizards will talk things over on how to proceed. The rest of you stay down here." They headed resolutely up the stairs.

Jolene sat at the bar with narrowed eyes. This wasn't good. She looked over at the others and saw mixed expression such as worry or uncertainty. There was resolution as well though. They were in this together. She sighed and got up to walk around the bar. Mixing up some drinks, she started preparing to take over Mirajane's job for the next few hours. Might as well.

" Is there anything I can do to help you? " Sara asked Jolene once Miajane and Ezra were resting. Sara had hoped to get her spell book and see if there was anything her dad had written about the guild that had ruined her village. She had always had a feeling that he was still alive , but knew it wasn't good to pretend he was.

Jolene looked up at hearing Sara's voice. "No not really. It doesn't take much to tend a bar. Since we can't go back to our apartments without going in groups, I figured I wouldn't inconvenience anyone and just chill." She thought about the seriousness of their situation and wondered how the meeting upstairs was going. This wasn't the way she had imagined today turning out.

Sara nodded and sat down at a stool. She needed to relax, knowing stressing out wouldn't do any good. She knew there had to be a way to defeat the Dark Guild. She didn't want to die yet, though if it meant that the people of Magnolia safe, she would risk her life.

Elfman walked over to them and thumped his fist down on the counter. "Be a Man! I'll go with you ladies so that your in a group. That way you can each get stuff from your places." He got that determined look he always gets before a mission. Jolene frowned at him, "We aren't men. But... that would be nice. I left my water sword back there."

" Yes it would be nice. I need to get somethings and my spell book. " Sara said. She wanted to go over some of the new things she had learned in the last few weeks , wanting to have a record of what she had learned.

Sam Trent was worried. He didn't like what the guild he was in was doing to Fairy Tail. He would do what he could to help them even if it cost him his life.

Jolene knodded, then it was agreed. She felt relief at being able to go get their things. "Then let's get on our way. And... let's make this a quick trip." She quickly closed up the drinks and bottles she had pulled out. Moving the heavy glass containers down underneath the heavy wooden counter top, she wondered how Mirajane's little arms moved them at all. They were heavy. Standing back up, she hurried around the counter and to her two friends. Looping an arm through each of theirs, she suggested, "Let's go friends."

Sara smiled as she walked with her friends. She wanted to forget there were bad things happening, but knew that it was impossible to. She kept her guard up, just in case they were attacked or ambushed by anyone. She hated feeling afraid like this.

As they approached the apartment complex, she felt a sense of relief. Quietly going up, Elfman waited in the hall while they darted to their rooms.

She went into hers and pulled out her bags. Quickly packing her clothes and things, she zipped the bags closed. It paid to not have a lot. She looked at her collection of books sadly. Those would have to stay. Strapping on her sword, she stood and sighed. The power lacrima were in a bag, she didn't want to be tempted to use them ahead of time.

Sara went to her room and packed her few belongings. She had a few more things than when she first arrived , but still it wasn't very much. She hoped she would one day get the chance to buy more clothing, if this ended in their favor. She held her spell book for a moment, wishing she knew how to save Magnolia and not get her friends killed.

Dragging everything out into the hall, she handed her bags to Elfman, "Be a man Elf and carry these for me will ya." He nodded, "Man! I will do so for you." She turned and knocked on Sara's door, "I'm done. You almost ready to go?"

" I am. " Sara said and put the book in her satchel. " Sorry if I kept you waiting. I think I zoned out a little bit. " She said blushing a little bit. She hoped the walk back would be uneventful.

Jolene shrugged, "Don't worry about it. We all get our heads stuck in the clouds sometimes. Including men." She glanced at Elfman. Then she smiled and headed out down towards the end of the hall. Best to get out of here and back to the guild while good luck was still with them.

Sara followed both Jolene and Elfman down to the street. She hoped that they still wouldn't be noticed as they walked. She kept her guard up not wanting to be unaware in case they were ambushed.

Jolene looked around as they walked hoping to catch sight of the boy. He had helped them earlier and perhaps he would be willing to help them again. She didn't see the 5 shapes on the roofs peering after them. Their foul breath and evil intentions unknown to her.

Sara had a bad feeling they were being watched by someone. She hoped it was just nerves, though had a feeling she was right. I don't want to fight. Not in this frame of mind anyway. I have to calm down and not be distracted."Sara thought to herself. She thought she saw figures, but wasn't sure.

Jolene had only a moments warning, at the sound of scrapping above their heads. Pushing Sara out of the way, she and Elfman found themselves surrounded by 5 thugs dressed in black. They had landed on the ground in a circle around where the three of them should have been. She pulled her sword, glad that a few precious seconds had been given to Sara to act. Elfman dropped the bags and gritted his teeth.

Sara got ready to fight. She would use her fire spell at a weak level, hoping that it would distract the thugs enough for them to escape. She put up a barrier ready to fight if she needed to and the thugs got closer.

Two of the thugs swirled around so that Sara wouldn't be facing their backs only to have her flames in their faces. They stumbled backwards into Jolene and Elfman. Jolene grabbed one guy and used the pommel of her sword to knock him unconscious. Turning, she fended off two more in swordplay. Elfman caught the other and tossed him into one of the guys Jolene was dueling with, knocking him down. Three down, one in a duel with Jolene, and one trying to figure out what to do next. Jolene's sword wasn't particularly inviting. Sara's barrier protected her. He turned to Elfman and grinned. He would attack him.

Sara had to keep this barrier stable. It was one of the stronger ones that she hadn't mastered yet. She saw the thug heading toward Elfman and put up a barrier to protect him. She didn't want to see anyone get hurt and hoped they could escape soon.

Jolene crossed blades with the thug. He was very strong and parrying was her best bet as blocking would be too hard. She was faster, but it wouldn't do much good if he got a good swing on her. She let her attention divide to summon water. If she could get a good pool of water together, she could lock his feet in ice.

The other thug prepared to fight Elfman as a barrier came up. He jumped back and stared at it. Then turned, he glowered at Sara. "So that is how you want to play missy?" He let out a gutteral growl and brought his hands above his head. A dark sphere formed and suddenly the gravity of the earth became super strong, pulling/pushing everyone very strongly down. Elfman bunched his muscles and tried to withstand it.

Sara couldnt move. She knew she had misjudged the thug and now made things more difficult. She had to get he hands in position to use her fire spell, hoping that would be enough to let them escape. She feared that they would be here a while.

Jolene found herself suddenly face planting on the ground. It felt like a huge weight was crushing her. She looked up with straining muscles and saw the other thug using gravity magic. Of all the bad luck. Beside her the other thug also was pinned to the ground so it was obviously not being directed very well. Amateurs. She pulled the water she had been collecting and sent it creeping along the ground. Once it reached the gravity mage, it wasn't so hard to move. She sent it spiraling up his pants and around his waist before freezing it solid. He yelped and the gravity magic ceased.

Sara was glad for the ease of gravity and put up and barrier so they could get to safty. She didn't know if these thugs were a part of the dark guild and knew they didn't want to get caught fighting them if they were . She wondered if her dad ever felt this afraid.

Elfman grabbed their things that he had dropped when the fight began, and yelled, "Jolene, get up!" Jolene scrambled to her feet and brought hands together out in front of her, splashing the second thug for all she was worth and freezing him in place. Turning, she gratefully came to a sliding stop beside Sara. "Good thinking with those barriers." Turning they ran for the guild.