Chapter 1: City of Angels.
The city, Magnolia was booming with life, which was natural during the summer months. The merchant town held many events during the summer and it was true prosperity, however the sky had just begun to gray with dark clouds.
The thunder legion's, Freed Justine, was out amongst the town people and walking through the market streets for supplies. There was going to be a big party at the guildhall and he had been asked to pick up supplies. The rune mage had no problems doing this errand, while everyone else was hard at work.
Freed wasn't alone though; flying around the green haired man's head was a spunky blue cat that begged for seafood. "Pleeeeeaasseeeeeeee?" Happy asked with a sweet tone, like a child would use for some candy or a new toy.
The mage let out a sigh. "Is that the only reason you followed me, Happy?" Freed asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Aye, sir! " The small cat replied.
Freed shook his head. "Well, I suppose it won't hurt to buy you a fish for accompanying me." He said. "We'll pick it up on the way back to the guild. It will stay fresher that way." He explained.
"Ayeeee!" Happy replied happily and flew around Freed's head. "I'm gonna eat some yummy fiiiissh!"
"We have so much shopping to do." Freed said. "You might have to help me carry some bags." He mentioned to the blue feline.
"Aye, I can carry lots!" Happy said. "I'm super strong!"
"Good. I don't doubt it when you hang around Natsu all the time."
"Aye!"
The two continued to walk, until Freed blinked and stopped. "Ah. We have to pick up a few things at this shop." He said. Happy flew down and landed on Freed's head.
"This is a general store. " Happy said, blinking.
"It is. I suppose it would be better to buy paper plates and utensils. It surely will be easier to clean up after the party." Freed explained. Happy blinked and tilted his head.
"That makes sense! A lot of members of Fairy Tail are pigs!" The cat chuckled.
"That is quite mean to say, but I can't disagree with you." Freed said as they walked in and began to move down a few aisles. "It's a rather large party. Every member is going to be at the guildhall around noon today. Even Gildarts will come, or so say the rumors. I'm not sure. "
"It will be a blast for sure!" Happy replied. "Don't get too drunk, Freed."
Freed blushed lightly. "I do not get drunk."
Happy giggled. "You are so far in denial! Last party you got drunk and clung to Laxus the whole time." The feline laughed.
"Say one more thing about it and no fish for you, cat." Freed threatened.
Happy eyes widened. "Nooooo! I was only joking! Please don't take away my fish!"
Freed chuckled at the cat's reaction. "Be a good cat and don't talk about things like that."
"Aye, sir!" Happy said.
Freed began to take some supplies off the shelves. "Happy, will you go get me a shopping basket?" he asked. The blue cat nodded and flew off Freed's head, before heading towards the front of the store. Freed glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's just past noon now. The party begins around three or so. I hope I can get all this shopping done by then." He muttered to himself.
Soon, Happy returned holding a basket. Freed smiled lightly and took it from the feline. "Thank you." He says, as he put the supplies into the basket. "Let's see. We got paper plates and cups. All that is left is spoons, knives and forks. I suppose we need a lot of boxes of those."
Happy flew to the shelves with said items on it. "I'll get them!" He said, before pushing a few boxes into the basket. "I got the clear pretty ones, Freed. "
"Those will work. " Freed says. Happy landed on his head again to give his wings a rest, and Freed walked to the counter to pay for the items. There was a woman holding her small child's hand in front them. The child clung to her mother's dress and stared up at Freed and Happy.
"Mama!" The little girl began and tugged on her mother's dress a bit. "Look, Mama, kitty!" she pointed to Happy. The woman was paying the counter clerk, but she turned and smiled.
"Oh, so it is." The mother replied. She then noticed Freed's emblem on his left hand. "Oh, are you part of Fairy Tail?" she asked curiously.
Freed nodded. "Yes, ma'am." He said politely.
"You guys are so lively. You keep the city so interesting." The mother said.
" Well…" Freed chuckled. "We are a wild bunch."
The mother chuckled too. "Have a good day." She said as she looked down at her little girl. "Tell them bye, sweetie." The little girl giggled and waved to them.
"Bye bye, kitty cat!" she said as she left the store with her mother.
Happy giggled. "That little girl is cute, and her mom seems very nice."
Freed blinked. "Yes. She does. I guess a lot of people are happy the guild is here. "
"Yeah, but there are also some people who don't like us at all." Happy replied with a pout. Freed moved to the counter and placed the items for the clerk to check out.
"Well, we just have to keep our heads held high and ignore those who doubt us." Freed said to Happy. The clerk was an elderly woman. She gave a light chuckle at the two.
"You youngsters are so energetic. It's nice to see mages come into my little store." She said to Freed. "Most people past by, going on with their busy lives, without ever glancing in."
"I find your store quite charming." Freed said, as he took out his wallet.
"Oh my, you are quite handsome, young man." The old woman began. "What a pretty color hair you have too. It's quite uncommon in these parts."
"Ah, well it's quite common where I'm from." Freed replied and paid for his purchase and took the bags. Happy blinked and looked down at Freed's hair.
"Your hair looks like grass and watermelons." Happy said.
"That is enough from the peanut gallery, cat." Freed says with a light huff. Happy just giggled in response. The old woman smiled.
"Have a good day, young man."
Freed turned and bowed politely. "You too." He replied and left the store. They began to walk down the street to their next destination.
"Freed, is your hair color really that strange?" Happy asked.
"Well, it's not common in this country." Freed said.
"Really? Were you not born in Fiore?"
"No." Freed said. "I was born in a country across the sea."
Happy blinked. "How come you never talk about it? You don't sound like you are from another country." The feline asked.
"Well, I practiced speaking with a Fiorian accent. I found it easier. I don't like unnecessary attention on myself." The green haired mage explained.
The cat blinked again. "Oh. Okay." He said. "Someday I wanna hear your true accent! Will you talk with it?"
"Not today. We have errands." Freed replied.
"Okaaaay." Happy gave up. "What is our next stop?" He asked.
"The farmer's market. They will have fresh produce—and with my keen eye for details—I know which is the freshest. "
"Fruits and veggies is something you humans like to eat. Not much for cats like me. We prefer fish." Happy said with a giggle.
"You have a one track mind, Happy." Freed replied as he walked up to a stand and began to look at the produce. "Happy, grab a bag, will you?"
"Aye, Sir!" Happy flew over to the stand and grabbed a bag, then held it open for Freed. The merchant smiled.
"We have a wide selection." He said.
"Good, we do need a lot. " Freed said.
"Fairy Tail is throwing another big party? You guys are always having fun." The merchant says with a hefty chuckle.
"Yes, we tend to have a lot of those." Freed said. "Ah. This looks good." He picked up a few tomatoes. Then he picked out some corn and lettuce and other veggies along with some fruit. Freed paid for the items and carried them in the bag.
Happy flew down and landed on his head again. "What is left?"
"We have to go get some meat and then head to the bakery. After that we will be done. " Freed said. "And we can pick up some fish for you while we get the meat."
"Aye!" Happy said happily.
They walked along down the road, further into the stream of merchants and shops. There, Freed spotted the bakery. He walked over to the door and walked inside. "Happy, what kind of desserts should I pick out for everyone?"
"Well, most of em' will eat anything! Humans like chocolate right? Buy lots of that." The small cat said.
"That is a good idea." Freed said and spotted some cupcakes. "Oh, those might work and they are on sale as well."
"You can spot bargains easily, huh Freed?" Happy asked.
"It's a gift." He replied. He turned to the baker who was standing at the counter. "Excuse me, sir. I would like a couple dozen of those cupcakes." He pointed to the chocolate ones on the shelf.
The baker smiled. "Coming right up! It will take about ten minutes for us to get them wrapped up."
"That is fine." Freed smiled. "We have time."
Happy smiled. "Freed, you are so social today. "
"I suppose I'm feeling like this is a good day."
"Aye, it's going to be fun and lots of yummy food!" Happy giggled.
"There will be a lot of merry making and drinking." Freed said.
"I wanna see Natsu and Laxus fight again. " Happy said.
"Let's hope they don't tear the place down."
"No promises!"
Freed sighed. "I don't want to be left cleaning the guildhall again for Laxus."
"Make him clean it." Happy said. "It'll be funny to watch. "
"I don't want to get shocked. " Freed replied.
"Hehehe, Laxus is always so grumpy."
"He is." Freed said, " but that is part of his charm."
"You looooove him~"
Freed blushed. "I do not. Stop trying to play match maker, cat."
Happy giggled. "You are so fun to tease, Freed."
The green hair mage sighed and noticed the baker had gotten their cupcakes together. "Sorry for the wait." The baker said. Freed smiled and walked over to the counter to pay.
"It's fine." He said, and takes the box of cupcakes and carries them out.
"Have a good day!" The baker says.
The two left the bakery and headed towards the butcher's shop that was close by. Freed smiled and handed the lightest bags to Happy before speaking. "Here, I need you to carry some stuff. The meat is going to a bit heavy."
"Aye-Aye, sir!" Happy said, as he held onto the bags tightly and he flew around. The two walked into the butcher's shop and Freed walked to the counter. He began to gaze over at all the meat. "Can I get a couple of pounds of this?" He pointed to the pork. "Also a pound of that." He then pointed to the chicken and beef. "Also, can I have a pound of fish? "
The butcher gave a laugh as she put on some gloves. "What a big order. Are you guys having another big party at Fairy Tail?"
Freed smiled. "We are." He said. "You know how we are. "
Happy was eyeing the fish and almost drooling. "Freed you got me a whole pound of fiiish!"
The mage turned his head. "Of course. You are helping me."
Happy flew around happily. "Freed is the best! Not even Lucy buys me a whole pound!"
Freed chuckled lightly. "Well. You can't blame her. She has rent to pay."
"That is true." Happy said. "Are you going to help Mira cook ?"
"Not this time. She has Cana helping her. " Freed said.
"Oh, well, we did our jobs! So we can kick back and relax!"
"No. Erza is going to make us work to the bone." Freed said.
Happy giggled. "You are right. I should hide with my fish."
"She'll still find you." Freed said as he watched the butcher cut the meat. Soon they had their meats and Freed paid the woman. "Thank you."
"No, thank ya! Please come again!" she says happily.
The two left the butcher's shop. "We have all we need now. Let's head back." Freed said, as he carried the bags.
Something didn't feel right. It had gotten too quiet and Freed glanced around. Earlier the town was booming with life and people had flooded the streets but there was no one out.
"Freed…?" Happy says as he held onto the bags tightly. "Where did all the people go?"
"I don't know…this is odd? Maybe there is a storm coming?" Freed said as he glances up at the sky. He hadn't notice until now how dark the sky had gotten. "It's not odd for passing storms in summer."
"Yeah… but it's too quiet." Happy said.
"I agree." Freed said as he looks around. It felt like a ghost town. "This is rather creepy." He looked at Happy. "Maybe we shou-"
The earth began to tremble under Freed's feet and he stumbled forward as a loud cracking sound was heard from the distance. "An earthquake?!" Freed cried out as he fell to his knees. He dropped the bags and looked on.
Happy flew over to Freed and picked him up as they flew into the air. "They aren't common here! What is going on? " Happy asked as the ground began to tremble. The few people that were still outside began to scream in horror. Freed blinked and looks towards the guildhall. His eyes widen in shock and awe at what he saw…