Kiria and Madmole are teleported away by their guildmate Skullion Raider, a Dragon Eater who manipulates ash. Mercphobia is hospitable towards Natsu's team, explaining that he has renounced his past cruelty after bonding with his human companion, Karameel. However, he wishes to die due to his gradual loss of control over Ermina's tide, a result of having his magic stolen by a witch called the White Mage, and requests Natsu's team to recover his power and kill him before he floods the world. Overhearing this, Skullion changes Diabolos's target to the White Mage and injures Mercphobia, deeming him worthless. Natsu's team fights to protect Mercphobia, but they are defeated by the Diabolos trio: Erza Scarlet turns submissive after Kiria magically "cuts" her strength; Natsu succumbs to motion sickness after Madmole forces him onto Diabolos's ship; and Gray is seemingly disintegrated by Skullion. Meanwhile, Jellal learns of Touka's membership in Fairy Tail from Kagura Mikazuchi and confronts Touka, whom he identifies as the White Mage, a person rumored to be as dangerous as Zeref.