Coco: Hey, guys, here is my third try at my Fairy Tail story. Hopefully it will be the last rewrite. I feel like I've finally worked things out as I wanted. I just felt like the first one needed so much improvement then the second was going well...but there were too many OCs. Like, I needed to clean up on them anyway, and that had been my intention when I started the second rewrite. But I ended up adding more because I have no self control and I had fallen so in love with my previous OCs that I couldn't get rid of them.
But I really, really pushed myself to clean up the number of OCs I had. I even got rid of all of Rizzo's brothers. Well, except for Craylee, but he is no longer Rizzo's brother. He has his own back story and his own reasons for coming to Fairy Tail. Well, I won't say their completely his own reasons since I'm tying in his past with Erza's.
There will be a few more OCs I keep, but not many. And most of the OCs, I added for "villain" purposes won't be seen again. Except for Jun since there's no way I could ever get rid of that crazy undead bastard. I just couldn't do it. Then Miseri and her group are gone and replaced with a simple three-man squad of wizards working under their master. So, you'll notice many old faces are gone and a few new faces in this story.
Also, Rizzo is no longer a survivor of the Satyr Reed tragedy. She will have been part of Fairy Tail since she was born really. Kind of like Laxus and Romeo who were born as children to already established guild members. I mean, technically Cana counts too, I guess. But she wasn't raised around the guild until she came to Fairy Tail in search of Gildarts. And finally, so there is no confusion, I have moved Rizzo's guild mark. I moved it in the last installment from her lower back to her forearm, but some people seemed confused by that. And honestly, I wasn't too happy with having it on her forearm. So, it will be moved one more time to be placed on her neck-a nod to Breccan and his former involvement in the guild.
Anyway, shall we get started with the first chapter? It's not too different from the last installment, but be prepared for it to really get different later on, kay?
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore. A small peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with magic. Found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore, but there is one certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest. One from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name…is Fairy Tail.
In this very guild, it was just another day for its members. Some were out on jobs while others relaxed and unwound. One member in particular was finding her way back after a job from a few towns over.
"Everyone, I'm home," She called out in greeting as she stepped through the doors.
Her name is Rizzo Sweeney. And Fairy Tail has been her home for many, many years.
"Ah, Rizzo, welcome home," Mirajane greeted with a kind smile. "How was the job?"
"Pretty boring," Rizzo replied as she ran her fingers through her pink locks.
It was hard for her to find a job that was exciting. Each one was one disappointment after another. She hasn't had a fun job since Master banned her from going on jobs with Natsu. They accidentally destroy a town or two—maybe three—and suddenly Master just couldn't allow them to work together.
"You say that about every job, kid," Wakaba pointed out as she was walking pass his table. "You gotta stop being so picky."
Rizzo just pouted at Wakaba since he didn't understand. Solo jobs weren't that fun unless there was action and danger involved.
"Whatever," Rizzo said then hit her fist into her palm as if she just remembered something. "Oh, yeah, Wakaba, I have something for you."
Wakaba looked at her curiously as she opened her bag up to rummage through it. She pulled out what looked like a pouch of tobacco to hold out to him. Wakaba took it to look it over.
"Isn't this the tobacco blend from Aster?" Wakaba questioned.
"Yeah, you said you liked it, right?" Rizzo asked. "Something about it being your favorite?"
"That's right," Wakaba said grinning. "I remember when I first found it too. Best stuff I've ever smoked, but I haven't been in that area in a long time to get it."
Rizzo smiled. She was glad he liked it. She was just passing through the town on her way home, and saw it advertised in a store window. Thought she'd just pick some up.
"Thanks, Rizzo," Wakaba said. "I'm sure going to enjoy this."
"Glad to hear it," Rizzo said then looked around the guild. "Hey, where's your partner in crime? Where's Macao?"
The two were always sitting at this table together or out on jobs together. They were like an unofficial team. Despite all the years they've worked together, they've never really become a team.
"Out on a job," Wakaba said as he was getting his piped cleaned out to put in the new tobacco. "Poor little Romeo has been bullied by some punk kids in town."
Rizzo frowned in confusion as she tilted her head to the side. Romeo's been bullied?
"Some kids were telling him we wizards are all no-good drunks and cowards." Wakaba said as he lit his pipe once more.
He took a drag off the pipe. He let the flavor settle in then puffed the smoke back into the air.
"Romeo was so upset about what those kids said that he begged Macao to take a job." Wakaba continued. "I guess to prove to those kids that wizards aren't what they think we are."
Rizzo's frown deepened. Gees, kids could be little monsters. Rizzo then turned her head to see Romeo sitting off in the corner with a bothered look on his face. Were those kids still bothering him?
"Maybe I should talk to his friends." Rizzo suggested with a not-so-friendly grin.
Wakaba sweat-dropped while knowing that whatever was going through her mind couldn't be good.
"Don't think that's such a good idea, Rizzo." Wakaba said.
"Yeah, with a face like the one you're making you'll traumatize them, Pinky."
Rizzo frowned at the butting-in-voice before turning her head to look at the one who intruded on the conversation.
"No one was talking to you, Fullbuster," Rizzo said to Gray. "So, butt out and go strip somewhere else."
She gestured to his half-nakedness, but he decided to ignore his lack of clothes as he frowned at her in return.
"We don't need that kind of bad rep for the guild," Gray continued as if she hadn't spoke at all. "You already cause enough trouble on your jobs. We don't need you causing it here too."
"Say, what?" Rizzo questioned. "As if you have room to talk, Stripper. You run around mostly naked all the time and cause just as much trouble as me if not more! And if anyone is going to be traumatizing some kids, it's going to be you. I mean, have you looked at your face in a mirror lately? Talk about scary."
"You wanna say that again?" Gray asked as he got in her face.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rizzo said sarcastically. "Did I hurt your feelings?"
By now the two had their foreheads pressed together as they glared each other down. Their guildmates watched on as their bickering caught the attention of most of the guild.
"And here they go again," Jet said shaking his head.
"We all knew it was going to happen soon," Droy pointed out. "The two can't be in the same room together without fighting."
"Yeah, it's worse than when it's just Natsu and Gray around," Levy added. "I wonder if they'll ever get along."
Many highly doubted it. The two never seemed to miss a chance to pick a fight with the other. Wakaba just grinned though. He remembered a time where the two did get along. It's been years, but they were once good friends. Those who remember those times aren't sure what happened to change things. But Wakaba had a feeling those times weren't gone for good.
"You keep talking trash, Rizzy, and I'll just have to shut you up!" Gray shouted at Rizzo.
"I told you not to call me that, jerk!" Rizzo snapped in return.
Though it didn't seem if their old bonds of closeness would be returning anytime soon. Before the two could really get down to a brawl, the doors to the guild slammed open. Rizzo turned her head with her eyes lighting up when she saw Natsu and Happy. Looks like they were back from investigating that rumor about the salamander spotted near Haregeon.
"We made it back alive!" Natsu called out.
"We're home!" Happy added as he jumped up and down.
As the others greeted Happy and Natsu happily, Rizzo completely forgot about Gray to head towards her friends.
"Natsu, Happy, welcome home." Rizzo said as she reached them.
"Rizz, you're home." Natsu said grinning.
Rizzo grinned in return while nodding her head. She then blinked when noticing the blonde girl behind Natsu. Natsu brought a girl home? That wasn't like him at all. Was she here to join the guild?
"When did you get home, Rizzo?" Happy asked as he looked up at the pinkette.
"Not long before you guys," Rizzo replied. "Another boring job, but the pay was good. So, how did your little trip go? Find anything on Igneel?"
Based off the annoyed expression that fell on Natsu's face, Rizzo would say that rumor they were following was a bust.
"It was a waste of time!" Natsu said. "That tip from Krov was completely useless!"
Said man suddenly called out from across the guild, getting Rizzo and the boys to turn towards him.
"So, I heard you went all out in Haregeon, Natsu," Krov said. "Had to go start causing troub—!"
Krov never finished his sentence because before him or any of the others could blink, Natsu sent him flying with a kick to the face. As the older boy crashed into some tables, the blonde gasped in shock.
"Why'd you do that?!" Natsu's blonde guest asked as Rizzo snorted.
Barely been home a few seconds, and Natsu was already picking a fight. It was only a matter of time before the entire guild will be involved.
"You lied about that salamander!" Natsu accused Krov while not bothering to answer his new friend. "I'm going to kick your butt."
Krov sat up from the remains of the tables he crashed into to glare at Natsu. He barely seemed phased by the earlier attack as his face was set in a frown.
"Don't get mad at me!" Krov snapped. "I'm not the one to blame here! I'm just passing along a rumor I heard."
"It was just a rumor?!" Natsu demanded unhappily.
"You wanna fight?!" Krov challenged.
"Let's go!" Natsu accepted without hesitation.
And just like that the guild erupted into chaos, and most guild was soon pulled into it. As the blonde stared on in a mixture of awe and horror, Rizzo laughed at the pandemonium. Her laughter caught the blonde's attention as she turned towards the pinkette.
"Uh…is it okay to just let them fight like this?" She asked.
Rizzo looked at their guest as she looked uncertain about what was happening around them. Rizzo just grinned.
"Of course," Rizzo said. "This happens a lot around here."
The blonde sweat-dropped as she turned towards the chaos again. This was a commonly occurring thing?
"I'm Rizzo by the way," Rizzo said as she held out her hand to the blonde. "Rizzo Sweeney. You here to join the guild?"
"Y-yeah," The blonde said while reaching out to shake Rizzo's hand. "I'm Lucy. Natsu and Happy brought me here from Haregeon."
So, that's where the boys found this girl? Rizzo wondered what made her stand out to her friend that had him bring her here. Maybe she'd find out.
"Well, then welcome to Fairy Tail," Rizzo said. "Hope we can work together sometime."
Lucy smiled while liking the thought. She hasn't been here long, but it seemed as if she was already starting to make a friend. Lucy then gasped when a chair hit Rizzo thus knocking the pinkette down to the ground. Rizzo was quick to sit up while glaring at her guildmates.
"Okay, who's the wise guy who threw that?!" She questioned them.
She went ignored, which had her brow twitching in annoyance. They were going to ignore her, huh?
"Guess I'll have to beat every last one of you to a pulp to find the culprit, huh?!" She said while jumping to her feet.
Lucy watched on in shock as Rizzo joined the fray while mercilessly throwing out a punch that sent someone flying.
"I thought she might have been kind of sane, but she's just as crazy as Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed.
She then jumped again when Gray, who was still in his underwear, gave a shout.
"So, Natsu really made it back, huh?" He yelled as he turned towards the center of the fight that housed the fire-breathing pinkette. "It's time we settled things once and for all!"
He marched towards the fight ready to beat the crap out of Natsu and Rizzo who were taking down guildmate after guildmate. Lucy blinked at him wondering why he was half-naked.
"Gray, your clothes." Cana commented from the bar.
Lucy looked towards the brunette at the bar as she calmly sat there even when a flying bottle seemed to get too close for comfort in Lucy's opinion.
"I don't have time for that!" Gray snapped in return.
Cana sighed shaking her head as Rizzo was thrown into the bar and a few stools that snapped in half at impact.
"Ya see, I don't date the men here because they have no class." Cana said then proceeded to chug a barrel of beer.
"Yeah, because you're all about keeping it classy, C." Rizzo said sarcastically.
Cana lowered the barrel to give the younger girl an irritable look, but Rizzo just laughed before jumping back into the fray. She took down Droy with an uppercut to the jaw as more and more of the guild was brought into the brawling.
"Come here and fight me, you pinky losers!" Gray shouted at Rizzo and Natsu, which had them pausing in their fights.
"Not until you put some clothes on!" Natsu retorted.
Besides, he was busy teaching Krov a lesson for giving him such bogus information.
"If you want me to kick your ass, you come to me, Frostbite." Rizzo taunted as she motioned him forward.
Gray narrowed his eyes at her while ready to do as she wanted, but if anyone was getting their ass kicked, it was her.
"It's only noon, and you three are already whining like spoiled babies." Elfman interrupted before Gray and Rizzo could fight.
Rizzo frowned at him as he seemed to look down at them from his tall standpoint. Like, he has room to talk. He fights all the time too.
"I'm a real man!" Elfman declared. "Want me to prove it to you?!"
His answer were three fists in the face, which sent him flying over the chaos on the floor.
"Butt out!" The boys and Rizzo shouted at Elfman.
Rizzo then had to duck a bottle to keep from getting nailed in the head again. Unfortunately for Loke, who was also in the path of the wayward bottle, he wasn't fast enough to move out of the way. It hit him dead on, and Rizzo winced knowing that had to hurt. But even so, she couldn't hide the grin on her face. As Loke joined the fray, Lucy, who marked Loke off her list of elidable bachelors, looked at the Fairy Tail wizards as if they were a bunch of nuts.
"What the heck is wrong with these people?" Lucy questioned. "There's not one sane person in the whole place."
"Hello, are you new here?" A different voice chimed in behind Lucy.
Lucy turned with her eyes widening when she saw her idol—Mirajane—standing there.
"It's Mirajane!" Lucy gushed. "In the flesh!"
Mirajane giggled in amusement at Lucy's outburst as the disorder continued around them. While Mirajane was unbothered by the violence, Lucy frowned.
"Um, don't you think we should try and stop them or something?" Lucy asked.
She knew Rizzo said it was a normal occurrence, but things had to be getting out of hand by now even for them, right?
"It's always like this around here." Mirajane said. "I'd just leave them alone. Besides—!"
Mirajane was cut off as her brother was thrown into her causing them both to hit the floor. Mirajane still seemed unphased, however, as she continued to smile.
"It's kind of fun, don't you think?" Mirajane asked.
She proceeded to pass out, which had Lucy freaking out. However, what happened to Mirajane went unnoticed by the rest. The fighting continued just as it always does.
Rizzo let out a laugh as she sent Alzack crumbling to the ground after a well-placed kick to the gut. She went to go after her next opponent, but she was suddenly hit from behind. She was sent tumbling forward into Lucy who gasped as she and Rizzo hit the floor with the offender on top of them.
"Oh, sorry, Rizz!" Rizzo heard Natsu shout in the background.
Oh, so he sent someone flying into her. She shook it off knowing it was a mistake. However, when seeing a very naked Gray Fullbuster on top of her, she wasn't happy. Gray pushed himself into a sitting position while glaring at Natsu.
"Give me back my underwear, you jerk!" He shouted at Natsu.
Lucy, who managed to sit up—despite having Rizzo in her lap—, gasped while "covering her eyes" when seeing Gray' complete lack of clothes.
"Hey, Rizzo, let me borrow your underwear." Gray said turning towards the pinkette whose lap he was sitting in.
"Like, hell!" Rizzo snapped as she punched him flat in the jaw. "Like, your fat ass could even squeeze into my underwear anyway!"
She was helped off the ground by Loke, who held her and Lucy, who he also helped up, close to his chest.
"These guys are so insensitive." Loke said. "Women have needs. Isn't that right, Rizzo?"
He sent her a sparkling smile as he asked this and she snorted at him in return. She put her hand in his face while pushing it away from her.
"Use those lines on someone who cares to listen to them, prince charming," Rizzo deadpanned.
"Cold as always, beautiful." Loke said chuckling.
He then turned his attention onto Lucy without missing a beat, but before he could try and any suave lines on her, he was punched by Elfman.
"Real men speak with their fists, Loke!" Elfman shouted as the ginger-haired boy was sent tumbling away.
Elfman was hit next by a kick to the back by Natsu as Lucy just wished for this all to be over.
"I told you to butt out!" Natsu yelled at Elfman.
At the bar, Cana was becoming more and more annoyed. She came here to drink in peace, but that obviously wasn't happening. She turned towards her guildmates while pulling out one of her magic cards.
"That's enough you guys," She said as she activated the magic within the card. "I suggest that you knock it off."
While things did get quiet at Cana's threat, it didn't seem as if the fighting was done by a long shot. Everyone's blood was pumping by now and the fighting wouldn't end until one person was left standing.
"Oh yeah, says who?" Gray questioned as he placed his fist into his palm.
His Ice-Make magic formed between his hands as he readied himself to get serious. Elfman activated his Take-Over magic as well as his arm took on a rocky appearance.
"You punks, are such a nuisance," Loke complained as he gripped one of the rings on his finger.
It glowed a bit to show he was ready to continue this brawl as well. Rizzo smirked holding out her hand with a guitar appearing out of thin air. She twirled it around by its neck in one hand before laying it across her shoulder.
"This isn't over by a long shot," Rizzo said. "Anyone who wants some, come and get it."
She gestured her guildmates forward as a large grin spread across Natsu's face. His fists caught aflame and he held them forward.
"I'm ready for ya." He told his guildmates.
He was excited now, and he planned to win this fight. Lucy just watched on in horror as she held Happy out in front of her like a shield.
"Do they always fight like this?" Lucy asked.
She just couldn't believe guildmates would fight like a bunch of crazy people. Especially towards each other.
"Uh-huh," Happy said casually as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
"You don't seem worried." Lucy cried.
It was tensely silent for a few more seconds before a large foot stomping on the ground, got everyone's attention. Rizzo turned her head along with everyone else to see Master Makarov standing there, and he did not look happy.
"Would you fools stop bickering like children?!" He demanded of them.
As Lucy looked up at Makarov in fear, Rizzo bit her lip. Well, looks like the fun was over. No one dared to move as Makarov glared down at all his children. The atmosphere was completely changed from what it had been moments ago.
"I'm sorry," Mirajane, who made a recovery from earlier, apologized. "I had no idea you were still here, Master."
As Makarov turned to look at their resident barmaid/poster girl, Lucy gasped in disbelief.
"Did you say master?!" She asked.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Natsu laughed while placing his hands on his waist.
"Man, talk about a bunch of babies!" Natsu taunted his guildmates. "Looks like, I won this round, you guys."
Makarov quickly shut him up by stomping on the poor boy, which had Rizzo wincing. That had to hurt. Makarov then seemed to catch sight of Lucy who was standing next to Mirajane.
"Hmm, seems like we have a new recruit." He hummed.
"Yes, sir!" Lucy said as she jumped.
She still wanted to join Fairy Tail, but she wasn't sure about having a monster as a master was good for her health. She jumped once more when Makarov appeared as if he was about to do something else. She was astonished when he shrunk down so suddenly to a size that barely reached her knee in height.
"Nice to meet ya," Makarov greeted warmly as he waved to Lucy.
"He's tiny!" Lucy exclaimed. "This little guy is really in charge here?"
"Of course, he is." Mirajane said. "Allow me to introduce Fairy Tail's master—Master Makarov."
Makarov then jumped up towards the banister of the second floor. He hit his head a bit on the railing, but otherwise stuck the landing. He cleared his throat before looking down at his children. Rizzo crossed her arms over her chest while already knowing that this couldn't be leading anywhere good.
"You've gone and done it again, ya bunch of clods," Makarov complained as he held up a large stack of papers for them to see. "Just take a look at all the paperwork the Magic Council sent me this time. This is the biggest pile of complaints yet!"
Rizzo scratched the back of her head. She knows she's caused a lot of trouble lately, so most of those papers were probably filed against her.
"First off, Gray," Makarov began. "Good job at sweeping out that smuggling organization. However, afterwards, you walked around the town naked. Then ran away after stealing laundry that was drying on a line."
Gray frowned while scratching the back of his head. Yeah, he can remember that happening. He just didn't know what happened to his other clothes.
"But wouldn't be worse if I had stayed naked?" Gray asked.
"Try not stripping in the first place, ya indecent popsicle." Rizzo said pointing out him. "You say I'd traumatize some kids? Just think of all the ones you scarred for life with your bare butt."
Gray glared over at Rizzo who stuck out tongue out him in return. Makarov sighed shaking his head.
"Both of you calm down." Makarov said.
They both frowned though looked away from each other as they crossed their arms over their chests.
"Yeah, stop acting like babies." Elfman added.
He got glares in reply from said two "babies" as Makarov moved down the list.
"Elfman," Makarov called out causing the muscular teen to flinch. "You had a job to escort a VIP, but you assaulted him during the job."
Elfman looked down in guilt. He knew he shouldn't have done that, but the man had made him angry at the time.
"He said…real men are about education, so…" He trailed off knowing that wasn't a good enough excuse.
Makarov shook his head once more as he shuffled through the papers to move onto the next of his troublesome children.
"Cana, drinking 15 barrels of alcohol and charging it to the Council," Makarov read off as Cana frowned at being found out. "Loke, flirting with councilman elder Reiji's granddaughter, and a certain talent agency charged us for damage compensation too."
Loke looked away as a drop of sweat rolled down his cheek. He didn't even want to explain about that hookup with the councilman's granddaughter.
"Rizzo," Makarov moved on. "The list of complaints on you seems to have doubled in the last week!"
Rizzo made no comment as she frowned. If the Councilmen and Councilwomen weren't such sticks in the mud, there wouldn't be any complaints. Rizzo has never failed to complete a job after all. And isn't that what's important?
"You first destroyed a historical monument in Hyacinth when dealing with that gang of thieves." Makarov said. "After that there was severe damage to Poppy's town square when you fought against that Wyvern that settled in town. Then there was the incident in Water Lily Valley that led to the entire place being flooded. And there was your job in Hollyhock, where you destroyed multiple houses of the townspeople when you were dealing with that convict. Finally, your job in Thistle took a turn for the worst when the Mayor's office was left in shambles after the battle you had with some rogue wizards. Just what do you have to say for yourself, young lady?"
He looked down at her sternly as Lucy tried to understand how one person could cause so much destruction.
"I got the jobs done and the Magic Council can suck it." Rizzo said without hesitation. "It's not my fault they're a bunch of jackasses with sticks up their butts."
Lucy gasped at her words as the others shook their heads. Of course, she'd say something like that. Makarov just held back an annoyed groan. This girl…if she got anymore like her father, he might just have a heart attack. Makarov decided to just move on since there were still more charges to read off. Makarov looked to Natsu.
"As for you, Natsu, you destroyed the Devon Family, but you also destroyed several other houses that belonged to the townspeople." Makarov began the boy's list of charges. "You too leveled an important historical monument while you were Tully Village—a clocktower by what the reports say. You burned down a church in Freesia. Not to mention the damages done to Lupinus Castle. Nazuna Ravine's observatory collapsed and thus stopped operations. Then your latest debacle that destroyed half of Haregeon Port."
Natsu, who managed to get off the ground, just huffed in response as he crossed his arms over his chest. Lucy shook her head. These people were insane. Especially Natsu and Rizzo it seemed. How could they destroy all those things and not seem to be apologetic?
"Alzack, Levy, Krov, Reedus, Warren, Bisca, etc." Makarov read off more names with his brow twitching with every name. "Have you all lost your minds?! All you kids are good for is getting the higherups mad at me!"
The others at least had the decency to feel bad for their actions as they were unable to meet Makarov's stern gaze.
"However," Makarov's tone changed. "I say to heck with the Magic Council."
Lucy watched on in surprise as Makarov lit the papers on fire before tossing them up into the air. Natsu jumped up to snatch them out of the air to munch on. He landed while devouring the flames as Makarov's children looked up at him.
"Now listen up," Makarov said. "Any power that surpasses reason still comes from reason, right? Magic isn't some kind of miraculous power. It is a talent that only works when the flow of energy inside of us and the flow of energy in the natural world are in perfect synchronization. To perform magic, one must have a strong mind and the ability to focus. It should take over your being and come pouring out of your soul. If all we do is worry about following rules then our magic will never progress. Don't let those blowhards on the Council scare you. Follow the path you believe in cause that's what makes the Fairy Tail guild number one!"
He shot his hand up in the air as Rizzo and the others cheered. She raised her hand as well with a big grin spreading across her face. Everyone did the same as the atmosphere in the guild became light once more.