In Fairy Tail, starts with a Super Mega Gengar

The moment Makarov saw Hades, he felt that something was off.

A sense of inexplicable familiarity surged within him; such feelings only arose from someone he knew well.

Makarov was already certain that Hades was definitely someone he had met before, and quite intimately too, as it was unlikely for someone he had only met once to evoke this sense of recognition.

He compared Hades' tall, thin figure repeatedly in his mind, but few matched up.

Even those few figures that did not possess Hades' level of strength.

Gaal looked at Makarov, who was deep in thought, and asked knowingly, "Guild master, do you recognize him?"

Makarov nodded, then shook his head, saying, "Well... how should I put it? There's this special familiarity; it should be someone I know."

Gaal nodded and said, "What about this?"

As Gaal pulled with his right hand, the illusion of Hades sped up by several times, quickly reaching the moment he lifted his eye mask.

In the illusion, Hades lifted the mask covering his right eye, and his ominous purple demon eye emitted a heart-stopping glow, revealing a complete face.

Clang!

Makarov suddenly stood up, looking incredulously at Hades' face, losing control as the stool behind him fell to the ground. "How... is this possible?"

Makarov repeatedly compared Hades' face before him with the amiable and kind old man in his memory.

For a moment, a sense of absurdity filled his entire being.

Once the second generation master of Fairy Tail, the strongest light mage in the Ishgar Continent...

Had transformed into the strongest dark mage currently on the Ishgar Continent?

How could this be?!

That was the Second Generation Guild Master Precht!

The strongest light mage!

Could even he not withstand the invasion of dark magic?!

Makarov's expression continuously changed, struggling to accept the truth.

After waiting for a while and noticing Makarov's expression calming down, Gaal spoke up, "Did you recognize him? Guild master."

Makarov looked at the illusion of Hades before him and nodded with a complex expression, heavily sighing, "I did indeed recognize him. But having recognized him, I still cannot accept it. Even if others fell into darkness, I could accept it, but how could it be him... He is the strongest light mage in the Ishgar Continent."

As he spoke the last part, Makarov's voice emerged from gritted teeth.

The old, gentle man in his memory, who seemed like a learned scholar dressed in gray robes, how could he have transformed into this armored, grim figure in the illusion...

Gaal pondered, "The strongest light mage, huh?"

He knew Hades' true identity but was not familiar with the history of Fairy Tail, so he still needed to listen to Makarov.

Makarov's expression was complex as he spoke, "That's right. He is indeed the strongest light mage in the Ishgar Continent, our Fairy Tail's second generation guild master, Precht. Gaal... what about this illusion?"

Gaal understood Makarov's meaning and nodded, saying, "It can be modified. We can just blur Hades' features a bit."

Makarov sighed in relief, his voice somewhat heavy, "That's good. When we go to the council later, let's not reveal Pre... Hades' face. Grimoire Heart must be dealt with by us. Hades' identity... Let's reveal it after we handle this."

Makarov's mind was in turmoil; he didn't want to do this, but if he didn't, Fairy Tail might be forced to disband.

The second generation master becoming the leader of the strongest dark guild, if this got out, who could be assured of Fairy Tail's existence?

If it were just him, that might be one thing, but the guild now had so many people...

Makarov clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth.

Seeing this, Gaal spoke, "Guild master. When was the last time you saw him?"

Makarov looked at the illusion of Hades, speaking heavily, "That was 38 years ago. Before X736, he had already reached the pinnacle of light magic, and no one in the Ishgar Continent could keep up with him or discuss the mysteries of magic with him. The foundation of Fairy Tail today was also built during his time.

In X736, having reached a point where there was nowhere left to advance in his magic, and having completed a certain something he was researching as the foundation of Fairy Tail, he passed the position of guild master to me without worries. At that time, he had perfected light magic and believed that only the ultimate darkness could continue discussing the mysteries of magic with him.

Then he set off alone to wander the world in search of the whereabouts of the dark mage Zeref. And after that, I never saw him again.... I inquired about him over the years, but it seemed as if he vanished into thin air. I really didn't expect... That he would appear like this. Is the power of darkness really so irresistible? That even he was consumed and fell into darkness?"

Makarov's tone was heavy as he recalled his earlier conversation with Gildarts about the corruption of the human mind by dark magic.

Now he was being told that Precht, the one he once looked up to, the strongest light mage in the Ishgar Continent... had been corrupted by darkness.

Makarov felt unwell.

How... could this be possible?!

How could this be?!!

Gaal looked at Makarov, unsure of what to say.

The impact was evident.

From the perspective of Western fantasy, it would be akin to the strongest pope in history of the light church turning to worship a demon...

After a moment of discomfort, Makarov regained his composure and instructed, "This matter must not be exposed. This is no longer just about Ur; now it concerns the survival of the entire Fairy Tail. Let's first observe the reaction from the council. If necessary... we will go to war."

Makarov was somewhat decisive; this matter could not be publicly exposed for now, and the decision rested with the council.

If the council chose to preserve their strength, then that would be manageable.

If they chose to act aggressively...

Then they must find an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the Heart of the Demon and eliminate Hades.

Gaal nodded, agreeing.

Suddenly, Gaal turned to the staircase.

Ur was coming down, accompanied by Ultear. "Gaal, Guild master Makarov."

Gaal stood up to look at Ur, "What's wrong, Ur?"

Ur spoke from the first-floor staircase, "I just got a bit of news from Ultear. I don't know if it's useful to you. It concerns the Dark Magic Guild; previously, the leader of Grimoire Heart, Hades, sent her to the southwest to carry out a secret mission."