I'm expecting this to be a ten chapter story, but maybe it'll grow… This chapter is a bit short, but they'll grow bigger as the story progresses. So I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One: Mysterious Disturbances
Natsu POV

I saw her eyes lit up

Like colors in the dark

But when our gazes met

I was half a world away

Fire exploded in front of Gray, knocking him across multiple tables until he plonked against the opposite wall.

"OH YEAH!" I did a little dance on top of the table. "Take that!" I shouted in triumph. Pfff, who did Gray think he was, strutting around in only boxers in front of the entire guild?! Ugh, he always strips in front of the girls. God, how desperate and perverted could he possibly be?! Gray deserved to be pummeled into the wall. Repeatedly. And who better to teach him modesty but helpful 'ole me?

I was still shaking my ass in front of Ice Boy when Gramps walked in. Gramps getting back from a Council meeting was pretty normal these days, even though we all disapproved. Council meetings always ended with Gramps returning to the guild in an especially grim mood. This time, though, his expression was so defeated, everyone stopped what they were doing when he walked in. His expression was one of total desolation.

"Gramps?" I asked slowly.

He glanced at me and sadly shook his head back and forth. "We have a problem," he stated.

Everyone stared at him for a moment, that is, until I cut in.

"Pfff, this is Fairy Tail. We solve our problems with our fists and we never lose!" I proclaimed. What was Gramps talking about? We're the best mage guild on Earthland. No effing problem is too big for us. I mean, we took down Oracion Seis for Pete's sake!

Gramps smiled slightly, "There are strange disturbances happening outside of Magnolia, boy," he said to me then turned to the rest of the guild. "Whole forests and towns are being eliminated, just disappearing. Nobody knows where the people and places are going, just that they're vanishing into thin air. Since the Council still doesn't trust us, I asked them to give us a chance to prove ourselves. Whoever wants to take on this challenge may do so."

Elfman spoke immediately, "This sounds like a job for only a Man. I must be the one who helps."

I sputtered in indignation, "No way! This sounds like a job for Team Natsu! Lucy, Erza, Gray: Let's go fight these bastards!"

Lucy frowned, "So we don't get a choice in the matter?"

I pranced around to meet her at our usual table. "Nope, only the team leader can decide for the group-OWWW!" Lucy smacked me hard in the face. "What was THAT for?!"

"You never think about what others want, Natsu!" She whined, "I don't want to go die out there!"

"No." We all turned to Erza standing in the corner. "We should fight. Lucy, you need the experience anyway."

"The- WHAT! I need 'experience'? I've been in the guild for almost a year!" Lucy nearly shouted.

Happy cut in, "I dunno, I think Erza is right. You need more experience and exercise, Lucy. You're still really heavy!"

Before I could cut in, Gramps loudly cleared his throat. "The five of you may take on this disturbance, but you must leave immediately."

"Wait!" Wendy cried, "Natsu, let me come too!" She tugged on my coat, looked up at me, and pouted.

I smiled, "Of course you can come Wendy-"

"-But I'm not going to come with you," Carla said, tossing her head away from Wendy. "I have things to do and I'm not in the mood to babysit you while you're off on another 'quest'."

"But, Carla!" Wendy said.

"Yeah, Carla! Come with us!" Happy joined in.

"Hmph, no thank you." She replied as she walked away.

"There is no time to deal with the details, you must decide right now if you wish to go." Gramps insisted. He looked around as Erza, Wendy, Happy, and I swiftly agreed to go. Lucy, though hesitantly, nodded her head in defeat; while Gray shrugged in indifference. "Very well," Gramps continued. "Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, and Happy will be responsible for this quest. Do not let me down."

"Aye, sir!" Happy proclaimed.