START OF ARC 1: "THE MASTER"
Lucy watched as Natsu flipped through the pages of the magazine, burning through them as easily as his flames burned through firewood. Her eyebrows furrowed and furrowed deeper while the frown on her face widened with dread while she realized he wasn't even reading, just looking for…
"My article!" he exclaimed, holding aloft the magazine.
"Only took four years," Gray muttered. He pushed himself off the newsstand. "Are we mentioned in it?"
"Is it your hundred-year quest?" Natsu asked.
"We're your partners, dragon breath," Gray said.
Lucy was already halfway between them when Natsu sighed and nodded. She and Gray both stopped, glanced at one another, and then back at Natsu.
"Says it right there," Natsu said, pointing to a picture someone had captured of the entire group. It was almost a year-old, but, not many people had seen them since they departed from the guild three years ago as a part of Natsu's new journey. Lucy's hair was still down to the middle of her back. She reached and touched the tips of her blonde hair. It was just barely nipping at her shoulders, now. Erza's hair, though, was the opposite; it was significantly longer now, rivalling Wendy's in length.
The article had been written in commemoration of Natsu taking on a hundred-year quest. Gildarts had one written about him when he went off long ago. Lucy remembered her father bringing that article home for her to read. While the entire group had been interviewed for it, it was likely the entire thing was about Natsu.
Lucy took the magazine gently from Natsu's hands and glanced it over. Socerer's Magazine. She felt her heart sing at feeling those familiar pages in her hands. She checked the byline. A newbie…but it was well-written. Lucy glanced at a few sentences. Some of the grammar was off and a few facts were…well, it would be nice to say messed up.
"Natsu, I had no idea you were in the running for next guild master," Lucy said. "Hmm. Could you guys imagine?"
"And my first order of business is to make Gray my permanent servant!" Natsu said, a ball of flame spewing from his mouth.
Erza's swift backhand put a stop to that, followed by Juvia's immediate clasping of Gray's torso into her arms.
"There shall be no thing on Earth-land that claims my Gray before me," she said. Her face melted when Gray smiled down at her. Natsu rubbed the back of his head in shame.
"Well I think you would certainly make an interesting guild master, Natsu," Wendy said. She and Carla, who was in her Exceed form, approached from the other side of the newsstand. Carla had a few literary magazines in her hands while Wendy held another. Wendy handed hers over to Lucy, who smiled and thanked Wendy for it.
"Whatever," Natsu said. "Thanks, Wendy. You'll be my next in line after I get thrown off the ladder, apparently."
"Master is doing a perfectly fine job with the guild right now," Erza said. "And he'll be even happier if we manage to return to him. Come along, we've still got a little way to go before camping conditions are ideal. Plus, I don't think the town appreciates us being around so soon after I…" Erza looked away from everyone. "May or may not have eaten all the pastries in their bakery."
Lucy couldn't even find it in herself to slap her forehead. Where'd Erza put it all? Was there a Requip armor that she had for all the fat she accrued from her junk food consumption? Natsu apparently burnt it all up whenever he used his magic and Juvia made sure Gray ate healthy. Wendy and Carla were never ones to indulge in junk food, if only because Erza had eaten it all by the time they could get to it. Happy was just with his food.
Erza hefted the heavy wagon up and tied the rope around her waist. She'd settled, a while back after they'd gained some massive rewards from a small village to the south, to instead of pulling the wagon to just walk with it. Natsu, for training, was assigned to pull it once a day with everyone on it and when Erza had all of her armors out and on the wagon. And no Dragon Force allowed.
Lucy and Juvia took point. They were headed north, again. Crocus was still visible in the distance. The great stadium for the Dragon Festival loomed over the treeline of the small forest between this little resting point, often used for tourism, and Crocus itself. Natsu, as group leader, intended to reach the country of Seven before turning around a bit and headed west until they hit the Fiore border with Stella, before heading into Stella itself.
Lucy partly looked forward to going to Stella. She'd get to see Sonya again, and see how she was handling the kingdom, now. Animus's death had ultimately come to her. She'd been seen, by some, as a usurper, but by others a hero. Plus, she was only one who knew the truth behind Animus's fall. If word got out, things would spiral out of control fast at a political level that only someone like Queen Hisue could take care of.
Lucy watched as the sun started to set in the tree line. Orange light shimmered overhead, and small, thin, cotton-candy looking clouds chugged along overhead. She closed her eyes and listened to the rustling of the leaves, the churning of the wind, and the calm rolling of the wagon. Everyone in the group had fallen silent. A small part of Lucy still anticipated an old-school Natsu outroar, perhaps an off-hand comment to Gray about how he couldn't keep his clothes on. But it never came.
Instead Lucy listened in on a calm conversation between Gray and Wendy about Wendy's continuing mastery of the Dragon Force mode she'd attained, and the lessons and skills she was learning from a book Porlyusica had handed her before they left for the hundred-year quest. Gray, also, had something secret cooking, something along the lines of a Dragon Force ability. Throughout it all, Natsu remained silent.
Lucy checked over her shoulder to her old friend. Happy sat atop his shoulder, gnawing at a few bits of fish flesh while Natsu practiced some little fire shapes in his hands, shifting them at constant intervals like a true master. Lucy smiled, and then felt her cheeks warm. It was a blush. Lucy quickly looked away.
Juvia laid a nice hand on her shoulder. "It's cute, Lucy."
"It's so weird," Lucy said.
Honestly, Lucy told herself, you've just been around him so long and, really, what are your options? Gray? No! He's already betrothed to Juvia. And it's not like we've encountered anyone along the way for the last three years.
Lucy closed her eyes, but her mind's eye went straight back to the night before they left, to the night when Natsu declared their adventure wasn't over, but just beginning. How close they'd been, how she could feel his breath upon her ears, how bad she wanted their lips to touch…
"Lucy!" Erza called.
"WHAT!" Lucy exclaimed. She'd only just realized she'd stopped, and that she was about to walk into a tree.
"Very cute," Juvia said, and a devious little grin spread across her face. Lucy rolled her eyes and stepped away from the tree.
They made camp a few miles out from town. Progress had slowed the last few weeks after they rolled through Crocus and stayed with Hisue, gathering information on potential targets for Natsu and just trying to restock their supplies. It added an extra level of laziness to the group that, Lucy felt, they really didn't need.
Natsu had a fire going in milliseconds and Happy was on top of things with the fish. Erza informed him that they were near a river, and Happy couldn't have been in a better mood at the start of dinner.
Erza reached behind her and retrieved a map. She held it up, and it was so large that Lucy had to help her out. There were three red X's marked on the map—one in Stella, one in the southern parts of Fiore, and one in the far west of Fiore, near one of the port cities the Alvarrez Empire invaded four years ago.
"There's someone in Stella?" Carla asked, glancing at the map next to Erza.
"These are just destination markers, really," Erza replied. "Though it's likely they would hide out in Stella. It's a kingdom on the rise just after taking its largest fall in recent memory. If a Z-Class threat were anywhere, it's likely they'd be there."
"And what about these cities?" Lucy asked. "Cedar? A Z-Class threat in Cedar?"
"I'd heard rumors while we were visiting Saber Tooth about it," Erza said. "Minerva wanted to send Sting and Rogue to investigate, so I figured it best to leave it on our minds."
"If it's a Sting and Rogue threat it might be something we want to report to Fairy Tail directly," Gray said. "Maybe even someone on the council, like Levy."
"Maybe," Erza said.
Lucy smiled at the thought of Levy in that fancy Magic Council outfit. She was the only woman on the Council—"For now," she'd promised Lucy last they met—and was happy to serve. Though not as strong as someone like the Wizard Saint Hyperion, her intelligence and wit easily won over someone like Hyperion or Wolfheim. Plus being married to one of the seven Dragon Slayers present at Acnologia's defeat helped quite a bit.
"Could be a job for that new God-slayer girl we recruited," Gray said, leaning back and laying on Juvia's lap.
"A God-slayer?" Wendy asked. "Like Shellia?"
"I've heard similar," Erza said. "Though she's a bit inexperienced with her magic, like how you were when you first joined, Wendy. But, Slayer magic is nothing to be trifled with. Perhaps she can inspect things while we're away."
"Must there always be a Slayer in Fairy Tail?" Carla asked.
"Well Laxus has been there to hold things down," Natsu said, tending the fires so they weren't too warm. "Ain't much that can get past that guy."
"I bet you could take him," Happy said.
"I know I can take him," Natsu said. "He hasn't seen the new and improved hundred-year quest Natsu Dragneel."
Natsu smiled into the fires while the light danced around his face. He didn't even need the flames for anyone to notice how much he glowed. Lucy found herself blushing again, but this time caught that the feelings weren't so much of love or affection, but of inspiration. They hadn't faced too many tough challenges thus far, but, she had little fear that Natsu would lose to them. He'd defeated Acnologia and Zeref in the same day. Talk about a legend.
He'd probably have to do something similar if he wanted to complete this quest. A Z-Class threat. Lucy looked into the fires as well. Acnologia and Zeref were considered Z-Class threats. That was the level Natsu was hoping to challenge once again, and to finally surpass someone like Gildarts, who hadn't completed their quest.
Lucy eased back on the ground and curled her legs closer to her chest. What were her chances of standing up to someone like that? Could she stand up to Zeref if she knew she had Gray, Erza, Natsu, and Wendy beside her? Was she that strong? She clenched her hand around the guild mark on her arm and hardened her look. Hell yeah she was. Lucy Heartfilia, member of Fairy Tail, feared nothing.
She looked across at Natsu, who had been looking goofily at her. She darted her eyes away. Except romantic confrontation. Damn!
Lucy wasn't the first to go to sleep, and never liked to be. She stayed up by the fires, listening to Natsu and Happy train near a river in the distance while she read through her magazine. Gray and Juvia slept closer together, and Wendy and Carla chatted quietly to the side, all nestled in their blankets. Erza continued to stare at the map.
"Excited to go back to Stella?" Lucy asked when she finished a story.
"Yes, indeed," Erza said. "I've heard that the Magic Council sent a delegate there recently to discuss the heightened magic in the area."
"Who's the delegate?" Lucy asked, raising her eyebrows.
Erza rolled her eyes. "Jellal."
"Oooh," Lucy said. "Jellal. Back on the Magic Council."
"He works with them" Erza said. "His time as leader of Crime Sorciere doesn't allow him to be full-time on the Council again, much that Mest wishes he were. He'd be an invaluable asset to them."
She wasn't just saying that. Jellal, like Natsu, took on Acnologia head on during the final stages of battle. He'd lost, unfortunately, but it steeled him, and for the last four years he'd been powering his magic, becoming stronger than almost anyone in all the land. Lucy was sure he was stronger than Hyperion at this point. He was probably the strongest wizard in Fiore. She stole a quick glance at Gray, and then over to where Natsu was.
Unless those two idiots had something to say about it.
"What about you?" Erza asked.
"I'm just happy to be on the road," Lucy said. "It's given me a ton of ideas for another book. Sort of a side-story to the first one, but, it'll get there."
"You'll have to let me read it some time," Erza said. "I loved your last one."
"Thank you," Lucy said, and blushed for the third time. This time, though, it was genuine love. She couldn't love her friends any more.
They set out a bit later than expected the next morning, and were barely on the road when Mest approached them. Lucy was a bit relieved to see him. They hadn't seen anyone directly related to Fairy Tail in months. Levy and Gajeel were the last ones, and that almost resulted in Natsu and Gajeel coming to blows (because what else would they do?).
He wore business-attire and already looked tired from a days' work. Lucy saw Erza's expression change immediately when she noted this as well.
"I'm here with a bit of a warning," Mest said. "And to see how you're doing. Master sent me a few days ago but I got caught up in business with the Council."
"We're fine, so what's the warning?" Gray asked.
"You're entering Dark Guild territory," Mest said. "And they're no joke." Mest looked over to Natsu. "Especially if they see you, Dragon Slayer. They know all about what happened four years ago, and they're less-than pleased with it."
"We've already had our fix of Zeref-enthusiasts," Erza said.
"Not Zeref," Mest said. "They call themselves Acnologius. They've all got pretty basic magic, like him, but they're lethal with it. Council's getting ready to make a move on them and we'd hate to see you caught in any kind of crossfire."
"What sort of lethality are we talking?" Natsu asked. "If they're worshipping Acnologia I can't imagine it's anything small-scale."
"So far, it is," Mest said. "They work in splinter groups, often pooling their magic together to create a threat large enough to threaten even our bigger guilds. Haven't heard much from Mermaid Heel have you recently, have you?"
"They're not dead, are they?" Carla asked.
"Their pride might as well be," Mest said. "You'll be in their territory if you continue along this road. I suggest straying from it for a week or so while the Council sorts things out. We're looking to get Jellal involved and settle this diplomatically."
"They'd go after Natsu and not Jellal?" Lucy asked. "He fought Acnologia's dragon form."
"Not many people actually know about that," Mest said. "In fact, Acnologius blames Blue Pegasus for that. Thankfully most of their key members have been across the sea building that Fiore embassy in Alakitasia, which has bought us some time."
"We'd be happy to help should things get too dangerous," Erza said.
Mest shook his head and sprouted a small grin. "No need to interrupt a hundred-year quest like that. Just figured I'd let you all know."
"Thank you," Erza said.
Mest turned away, but stopped on his heels and turned back. "Oh, and Natsu. Got word from the west, out in Alikitasia."
Lucy shut her eyes and dreaded what she was about to hear. She glanced over and saw Natsu looking back at Mest. Not with fiery determination, but with sheer focus.
"Yeah?" Natsu asked. "Have more been spotted?"
"Only a few," Mest said. "Smaller ones. Not quite babies, more like teenagers. They'll be full-size within a couple years, I've heard, though nothing like Gregorion."
"Is that the word?" Natsu asked.
"Atlas Flame has moved over with them," Mest said. "He's declared himself the Fire Dragon Prince, in honor of Igneel. Gregorion's declared himself the new Dragon King, according to my scouts from the local villages."
"Right," Natsu said. "Thanks, Mest."
Lucy nodded to Mest. It wasn't even two years ago now that the group first heard rummaging about dragons out west, far north of where the Alvarrez Empire had been, up in the mountains. They, at first, believed it to be something of a cult until Mest came with picture proof that there were dragons back in the world again. Theories abound about how this was possible, and Lucy believed that Erza and Carla nailed it on the head: perhaps it'd been that some dragons were in hiding, waiting for Acnologia to finally die. Or, perhaps, Acnologia had placed a curse on dragon-kind and they could only now begin to flourish. Regardless of which, dragons were back, and they already had a king.
"Best of luck to you all," Mest said, and teleported away.
"Dude's always freaked me out a bit," Natsu said when they started back along again.
"He's nice once you get to know him," Wendy said. She trotted ahead to the front of the pack. Lucy watched her go. That little girl had such a soft spot for him, Lucy often forgot they weren't related. He was like an older brother to her. She looked up to him as much as someone like Romeo looked up to Natsu.
The road forked and they took the northwestern route, coming soon upon another small village. This one was a bit larger than the previous one. Lucy felt her stomach growling. She spotted a tiny restaurant tucked in the corner of one of the village's only intersections.
Denizens billowed about like normal, walking around, carrying their day's things and performing their tasks. The man at the newsstand was an older gentleman, portly and smiling. Carla, Wendy, and Lucy approached.
"Good morning, ladies," he said. "See anything you like?"
"Hmm," Lucy said. She placed her hand on the counter and looked around. Nothing jumped out at her, in particular.
The man sighed and groaned. "Oh. You're from Fairy Tail, are you?"
"Yes, why?" Carla asked.
The man gulped and reached below his counter for a stack of papers. "Just got the news this morning myself. Haven't distributed it yet…haven't found the heart to do it."
Wendy cupped her mouth at the sight of the paper. Lucy was too taken by her aghast face to look, and wished with all her soul she hadn't.
"I'm so sorry for your loss," the man said while Lucy read the front cover headline: "Makarov Dreyar, Master of Fairy Tail, Found Dead this Morning."