[Open] How to Start a Riot!

It was another early morning at the magnolia water purification-plant just on the outskirts of the city. The land was dim and the sky remained a washed out and cold blue waiting for the sun make it’s trek over the horizon.

No one had yet clocked into work  yet. There was no unusual sound inside the small treatment mill just that of the steady river flow and the pumping lacrima filters. Even as the dark portal on the north wall in the filtration room opened up all remained silent. The pale figure which slid out of it was soundless in her movements. Azure optics scanned the room with a slow precision, inevitably landing on the large machine in the center where the steady flow of drinkable water churned out and into the city of Magnolia. This was one of the three water pumps Famine targeted in this scheme. She was relying on her subordinates to spike the water in the remaining purification centers and whomever remained to meet her in the city for phase two.

The guildmaster was confident enough to take care of this on her own. With her mouse like footfalls,  she closed the distance between her and the purifying machine. Famine searched for a flat panel shut by four screws by groping around the side of the machine until her fingertips grazed over it. A dark aura burst in her left palm as it always did when she planned to cast a spell or create something out of the darkness. Out of the shadowy tendrils in her hand a screwdriver came into shape and she wasted no time taking the tool and removing the plate. When she did her eyes were met by a sudden light inside, The lacrima core. This purifying crystal glew with a blinding brilliance, one which the guild master could not allow. She reached her hand forward, locking her grip around the lacrima. It’s surface was scolding hot and in turn burned the skin of her hand, whilst her grip did not falter. She ripped the gem out of it’s place which temporarily powered down the filter.

Famine took a moment to shake her wrist, cooling the singed skin before she continued. From the satchel she had brought with her, the mage withdrew another lacrima though this one hardly shimmered. A malevolent and venomous green light engulfed the multifaceted core and it’s surface was spotted with patches of black as if the magic sealed away in this lacrima had tried to escape the capsule prison it was sealed into. It was in the place of the filter’s core that Famine planted this device... and the filter powered back to life. Famine regathered the screws and replaced the metal cover and other than the venomous lacrima inside there was no trace of damage on the pump. Now rather than ensuring the purity of the water the filtration system was to ensure its contamination.

She was almost done. There was one more thing. Her didgits dipped into the bottom of the satchel. What she withdrew was a key, a Fairy insignia embedded on it’s end. This was the key she’d used to go in and out of Fairy Hills countless times when she lived there and was affiliated with this particular guild. She had no idea why she had held onto it so long… maybe for sentimental purposes… but today it was evidence, It would feed Fairy Tail’s infamy. It fell from her fingertips and the key clattered to the ground. This echo was the first and only new sound Famine brought.

With a flick of her wrist another shadowy portal opened up against the tile wall, and the mage stepped through. The only trace she left, lead anyone who investigated to Fairy Tail .
---

It was later after she gave her subordinate’s the time they needed to sabotage the secondary purification centers that Famine began her trek into magnolia. Her excuse for being here was none other than the legal job request in her hand. With the fresh ‘dark guild’ label slapped on Fairy Tail, Famine’s notoriety had since lowered. Even her guild's name had faded to a mere whisper. With a bit of ground travel Famine arrived at her location, a fair-sized house built of red lyons-stone with the most god-awful-looking picket fence she had ever seen. The shadow mage would follow the path to the porch and give the ivory door a couple loud raps of her knuckle. The guild master waited and the door swung open, her client left standing before her. Ms. Wright.

This older woman had a narrow, oblong face with angular cheekbones and a pointed chin. Her slit-like eyes were a clouded green, and her thinly plucked eyebrows were shaped into a deceivingly perfect arch that followed the slight curve of her eye. her  nose hooked over continually pursed lips, which were painted a bright red in an unsuccessful effort to mask their natural thinness. “Ah, You're here for the request.”

How Famine hated these mundane jobs...and hated the people who sent them off to the mage guilds more. Regardless, she forced that little smile of hers so only to keep up her ruse. “Yes, I’m here to water the garden.” as the words bounced off her tongue she lifted the paper, this woman’s request. 

Ms. Wright moved aside, letting Famine in the home. The woman followed the mage as she grabbed an emptied watering jug and quickly started to work. Famine welcomed herself in the kitchen where she found the sink, set the open top of the jug just beneath the tap and moved to turn it on. Her eyes narrowed, piercing blues closely examining the color of the water… and she thought she could make out the slight murkier tinge… Now, she had to see for herself, Famine hauled the watering can out of the sink and towed it along through the sliding glass door which opened into the home's back yard.

With gold, the sun touched leaves of both the trees and the assembly of plants and blossoms against the chipped picket fence. A scent like that of honeysuckle and roses met her nose as she strolled and knelt by a gathering of  yolk-yellow daffodils.

Famine could feel the suspense build in her chest as she raised the watering jug and tilted it forward, allowing the liquid inside to shower over the flowers. She waited a moment, slowing the trickle of water only when she saw that the green stock of the plants paling, in mere moments did the blossoms wither, limp over, and die. Back turned, the pedestrian failed to see that victorious smirk touch the mage’s  lips… however, Famine couldn’t stay here and look at the shriveling petals forever. It was time. And now, she allowed the slowing stream of water to run down on her arm.  Instantaneously, it stung and she flinched as though she had  been popped by grease. Now Famine knew it the acidic compound ingrained in the water was truly working it’s magic.

She dropped that jug, and where it spilled over her lawn browned and died. Forcing a pained whimper at the burn Famine turned to her client, fret embodied in her azure pools. For all Ms. Wright knew this dark mage was just as confused and frightened. Famine was just a girl on a job afterall. “Ma’am! Something's wrong!” Her client, who had already turned at Famine’s shriek averted their eyes and immediately  started assessing the situation: the acidic burn on Famine’s skin, the withered flowers, and dead grass. She was beyond appalled

“-What’s happened?!...”

Famine paused, as if she herself were trying to figure out the situation.


“The water here is toxic, I think something's been done to it!”


“Who would do such a thing?….” Famine’s eyes watched the woman’s every move and expression waiting for it to click… The woman looked as though she were suddenly recalling thoughts it was them that Famine knew it hit her. “Wait. I…..I think I know.” she finally said, allowing Famine inside along with her. Ms. Wright's face contoured in vex as though she had been angered. “Who?” Famine asked with a false cluelessness.“The new dark guild of course, Fairy Tail”

Victory did taste sweet… Famine had to force herself to frown just so her smile did not break through and ruin her ruse. Aside from her criminal record there was nothing here to link Famine or her guild to the crime… and the new local dark guild was just as blameable as her… Especially when they found the clue she left at the plant.


“We have to warn residents, we can start with your neighbors.” The gardener nodded agreeing, stepping through the living room again, grabbing her coat and marching out the front door.

Spread the word and the mob was sure to grow. Just as Famine stepped outside behind Ms. Wright she heard the distant clanging of the cathedral bells. It had just struck nine. That was Natsuzora’s signal.

Panic. It unfurled in the streets and across people's face as they attempted to grasp the situation, shake awake there dead and think just why the guild they once loved and relied to protect them would do such a thing. Soon, the fairies would be rousted from their slumber by an angry and savage mob… Famine didn’t want to be around to take the blame, at least around and recognizable...

The shadow mage had managed to slip between two side by side buildings, and she sunk into the shadows inhaling a large breath

Famine cleared her head before she  brought her palm up to sit against her chest, and her eyes lidded closed as a blue aura came over the ring sitting on her her right hand and soon her entire form too. In moments the glow was blinding, though when it faded it was obvious that she had changed.

In place of her brunette strands were roughed up locks of blonde hair, Famine blinked her now golden eyes as she pushed her yellow bangs aside. She wondered what else had changed. The guild master looked down seeing that the clothes she was dressed in had swapped completely, her tattoos were gone from her arms, her skin wasn’t as pale and she felt as though her rack might of gotten particularly larger....

Blonde lashes fluttered, and her gaze turned back on the street.

No, what changed didn’t matter now. What mattered was that no one would be able to recognize the witch in this disguise…  And a grin, one akin to the malevolent glinting of a sharpened knife sprawled across her lips as she turned to walk back out of the alley and into the chaos.

---

“All I know now is that this is not the Magnolia I loved. A dark cloud has come over your city and that is the illegal guild you allow to sit on top of that hill.” The mage in disguise spoke over a crowd she had gathered. As usual… her intents were ill ones, and her scheme was one where she hoped to demolish Fairy Tail’s legacy… and the shadow it cast over her and Basilisk Fang.

A series of heads turned in the direction of the Fairies’ guild hall, some still in shock and others trying to stifle their rage and feelings of betrayal. There was a murmuring between them but no sign of protest in the blonde shapeshifter’s direction… if anything they were agreeing with her.

Tsk… normal human beings, they were so easily persuaded. To Famine, the species were no better than lambs, willing to follow any seemingly-powerful shepherd.

“As a proud wizard of Fiore, and a defender of you, it’s people,” She thumped her fist against her chest, the mock yellow emblem on her hand coming into view, Sabertooth. “I cannot let this go unpunished.” Famine announced pridefully.

Honey colored optics scanned over the mob again, and in the passing they pulsed a rather entrancing ruby red. -And everyone who she set her eyes on was quickly captivated. “We want Fairy Tail to pay for what they have done!”

A hesitant-less orchestra of voices cheered; agreement riled from the crowd. Their fists all simultaneously  raised into the air. Now the people, or at least this particular mob, was doubtless that this disaster had been none other than Fairy Tail’s ploy… And thanks to Famine’s own built hatred, they would only be satisfied by violence. The crowd disbursed, trampling in homes and yards to salvage whatever they could find, shovels, kitchen knives, axes, before they regathered to storm in the direction of the guild in tidalwave of bitter shouts and pointed tools. Famine  Held out her own palm and a sickle formed out of the black, shadowy, matter she conjured from her hand. Now that she was armed she slipped in with the berserk mob, light grin planted on fer features.

Her rioting mob eventually met their destination. They pushed forward, shoving down any commoner or mage in the other crowd out of their way as they fronted the guildhall where they fired their claims and foul sentences in the direction of the two mages in front of the hall. Her eyes narrowed, red hues glowing more venomously.No more waiting

“...Go.”

-And the bloodthirsty mob rushed up the steps of the guildhall all at once should Hera or Mura be in be in the way they’d only be pushed and trampled. This angry gathering would tear the guildhall and those in it apart or die trying.

ability:

Hands flew to her ears as a deafening sky lurched itself from the clouding heavens. The mage winced and her focus blurred at the bizarre roar. Famine blinked profusely, once glowing red optics seemed to dim, flashing between gold and crimson in a failing attempt to maintain her control on the horde over the sound.

Famine was met by a familiar voice when her senses recovered, and her eyes lifted to the rooftop of the guildhall. The fresh guild master herself and traitor to her guild: Kanix Laspor. Though her yellow eyes narrowed at the sight of the traitor a crooked grin hooked up the corner of her lip… She was actually going along with it? Then this would be easier to take care of than she thought.

There was a sudden harsh breeze and a flurry of feathers above and then the sharp crack of thunder, and the rapid volts of lightning rained down causing the earth to quiver with every strike and every vaporized scream.--

Confusion made her body go rigid, and only luck kept her from being struck herself.

This was the woman whom had left her for a legal guild, had ran away from Basilisk Fang, and claimed Famine to be beyond cruel… Yes, Famine had killed people. Though she never attacked a herd of sheep like this one, at least not in such a direct slaughter… Famine, For now only struck down those who posed threat to her guild or literally stood in her way.

This barrage of lightning was an act of unjustified and thoughtless murder… Now Famine was certain Kanix, having acted so reckless,  would never belong in her guild. Her attention whirled back to the strikes above as a shadow suddenly hurled itself over her, and lightning, all of the final bolts, were sucked into her awaiting maw and slurped up like electric-spaghetti. Natsuzora. Famine watched as the girl landed on the ground in front of her in a swish of vermilion locks.

It was foolish of her to leap into the front lines like this and right into the middle of her scheme with Fairy Tail… If there were any clues of their involvement in this it would be Natsu’s uncloaked-presence here and now--

It was that moment the guild master felt it. The magic aura pulsing from the blonde thrashed against Famine like a grim tidal wave.  This was not simply a reminder, Famine was confident that moment that this same magic that sent it’s static shivers down her spine numerous times before.

She looked over her shoulders and through the fleeting people half expecting to set her eyes on him before her gold hues lifted too the blonde that had zapped in front of Natsu in a frenzy of static threads. Famine appeared to be simply another bystander in the cloud of settling dust. The lightning fairy’s sights remained on Natsu… and she observed as casual as she could manage, listening.

'Her Dad.'

Famine heard those words and her eyes sunk to the grass. It made sense and it frustrated her and not only not because Heero was strong, a foe, and he’d hurt her but because she didn’t see enough of him in his child; enough of the obnoxious and big-hearted man that made her actually feel like family. Her and Hera today were only enemies divided by the boundaries of the battlefield.

--No, she seemed to shake her head as if she were walking out of her dream...  She had an objective… and now this dragon slayer’s philosophy was the only thing in her way. Famine had to try. She’d never been to close to settling this….feud she’d built against Fairy Tail. She wanted it over.

“You mean to tell me that you: a member of a dark guild yourself are sticking this crime: one your guild master JUST admitted all of us for doing on another illegal guild now.” She vocalized stepping in the two’s direction. She cleared her throat, swallowing down her nervousness… Hera’s claims didn’t make sense… Even if it was Basilisk Fang….

The Fairy Tail she shared with Hera’s father was only a memory and the sooner Hera too realized that the sooner she’d be saved. “Your Fairy Tail is not what you used to be; Today, this is your guild's mess.” She frowned, looking out to the scattered and abandoned weapons, those who were injured, and respectively what remained of those who had died. Her hand clenched at her side and in doing so she affirm her grip on her ring. he knew the God slayer would fail to recognize her but regardless Famine slid her gaze to Natsu. A gaze which silently gestured her to get going.

It was when she turned her back to the fairy did she further read into the the other blonde’s power, it’s origin, how it had been nurtured... She compared the powers exhibited to the power she’d received from….

...Eris.

Her eyelids widened and irises dilated as soon as the name sparked her brain. Famine waited a moment for Natsu to leave... but even if she did choose to stand her ground the shadow mage would still ask Hera that much dreaded question. ”Who are you. Where did you get your power?” She sighed, turning to gaze at the Fairy over her shoulder. If her assumption was true and if this slayer was too one of her mentors apprentices; one of her undying… They wouldn’t be able to hurt one another. That was the one common law the bound all of Eris mentees. Just as Famine, for putting a price on her soul for her pact, would never be able to act against her word. Not because she was particularly loyal to Eris but because it was impossible.