Magnolia PD
**This is a work of fiction. I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story, as they all belong to Hiro Mashima. The contents of the story may be old hat/cliche. Please enjoy anyway!
Chapter 1: Sworn In
"And I want to first introduce the new recruits about to be officers and the police officers about to be promoted. Please join us, and give them a round of applause," Chief of Police, Makarov Dreyar, announced to the room. Applause erupted as the cadets took the stage. "Welcome to everyone in attendance, family, friends and other law enforcement officials. They truly deserve your applause. Thank you all for being here to celebrate this special day…"
Natsu started to glaze over and started thinking about what he was going to eat for dinner that night. He had a bunch of left overs in the fridge, but they probably had all gone bad by now. He didn't realize that everyone around him had sat down, and he was the only one still standing "at attention". He felt a tug on his pants, and heard Gray hiss, "sit down Flame Brain!" Natsu flushed in embarrassment while he sat down and growled at Gray as he snickered. They both sat in silence as Makarov made his speech.
"I would like to ask all the officers to stand, and if I could ask all the law enforcement officials to stand with them, raise you right hand, JUST police officers please," Makarov said while chuckling as a couple children stood on chairs to try to take the oath, "if you would repeat after me, 'I' state your name here, 'hereby upon my oath, solemnly swear that I will…'"
"To the best of my ability," Gray copied monotonously, facing the front and looking stoic, unlike his best friend Natsu, who looked energized and excited.
"Uphold, protect and defend the constitutions of the City of Magnolia and the Country of Fiore!" Natsu said, barely able to contain himself from bouncing up and down. Today was the day he had been looking forward to for 10 years. He was so happy that he had made it through the program. He had gotten in trouble so many times, he honestly thought that he would have been kicked out half way through.
Meanwhile, Gray was having similar thoughts, about Natsu not being kicked out that is. Gray was an exemplary student, other than his fights with Natsu. He had gotten awards for his performance in lawful action and the protection of citizens. However, he didn't really care about that. He didn't really care about anything. The only reason Gray had even started Police Academy was because Flame Brain over there goaded him into it, "I further swear that I will, to the best of my ability, enforce the ordinances, laws, rules and regulations as enacted by the City of Magnolia and the Country of Fiore," Gray said aloud while thinking about how he actually KNEW the laws and regulations unlike Pinky next to him.
"I will at all times, maintain and conduct myself in a manner befitting a police officer of the City of Magnolia upon which I am about to enter!" Makarov finished, and waited for the new recruits to repeat what he said, "And congratulations! You are all now police officers of the City of Magnolia! Let's give them all a round of applause!"
Following the ceremony, Gray started out the door only to be stopped by Natsu, "Hey Ice Princess, wanna go get some dinner to celebrate?" Natsu called, bounding towards him.
"You don't have any food at home again, huh?" Gray guessed, looking at his friend and shaking his head.
"No! That's not it!" Natsu said, embarrassed that Gray knew, "I just thought that we could celebrate not being in school anymore and that we have jobs. I mean no biggy. If you'd rather be alone again, I'll just go myself." Natsu started to walk up the street.
"Yo, Flame Brain!"
"What?" Natsu said, turning around expectantly.
"You're going the wrong way," Gray stated, before turning to walk to his car, "Get in, we'll go get Korean BBQ." Natsu's smile was huge, and he practically teleported to Gray's side. "You're treating by the way," Gray said as he unlocked the car and got in on the driver's side. Natsu scoffed, but then shrugged his shoulders and silently agreed.
"So, what do you want to get tonight?" Natsu asked.
"Do you always have to talk so much?" Gray said before sighing. Natsu started pouting.
"I just wanted to keep the car ride from being boring. Sheesh!" he glared out the window and crossed his arms over his chest. For the first time that day, Gray cracked a tiny smile. His best friend was an idiot.
"Bulgogi."
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME!?" Natsu growled out, his eyes and head looking like it expanded three times their natural size.
"I said I want Bulgogi, Flame Brain. You asked what I wanted to get. God you're an idiot." Gray said while shaking his head.
"Oh! Oh… My bad. Bulgogi sounds good, but I really want short ribs…" Natsu prattled on about all the food he could get and what he wanted to eat.
"Dude, Natsu, do you ever shut up!?" Gray nearly shouted, reaching his limit for the night. Natsu realized this and sat back in his seat, content to just listen to music and relax while Gray drove.
Natsu thought about all the activities of the day. He was finally a Police Officer. He was going to do as much good as he could for this city. He loved Magnolia and everyone in it. They all accepted him after he lost his father. He was prepared to lay down his life for the people of this city. And the best part was, he had his best friend Gray along with him. Gray liked to put on a shell, but Natsu knew him better than that. Gray might pretend he didn't want to be an officer, but Natsu knew that Gray had his own reasons for becoming and officer. "Hey Gray?"
"What?" Gray sighed, realizing he couldn't shut him up.
"You drive like a grandmother."
"SHUT UP!"
A.N.: This is actually my first story published anywhere. I can admit that my themes may be cliche and that my writing style needs a lot of work. I would appreciate any reviews that come my way. Thank you!