For those who have read this story on my other account, you'll probably notice the changes I've made to it. I also apologize for how slow I'm being. The story, plot and timing are all the same, I just made it a little clearer to read. I hope you enjoy, and constructive criticism is always appreciated! C:
Disclaimer: If I owned Fairy Tail, I wouldn't be writing this fanfiction, would I?
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Dull light leaked from the ruffled underneath of a curtain and pooled into the darkness. The soft shuffling of sheets filled the stagnant air as the celestial mage tossed and turned restlessly, finding sleep to be an impossible task. Outside, somber clouds rested above the city of Magnolia, threatening to fall from the sky.
Groaning with defeat, Lucy tore the blanket from her body and wearily pulled herself out of bed. Today was the beginning of a downward spiral to hell for the mages of Fairy Tail, and no amount of magic could stop it. With the S Class Promotion festivities finally over, the Magic Council decided that now was to time to take action against Fairy Tail's antics. After multiple conferences, they concluded that disbanding the guild entirely would do more damage than help, since they had prevented Fiore from being overrun by dark guilds on multiple occasions. It occurred to them that making them pay fines was just a waste of paper, and forcing them to assign a more responsible master was technically illegal, and no such person probably existed within the guild. They were left with only one option, and although it was a stretch, it was the only hope they had and they'd be damned if it didn't work.
The blonde hastily strode across cold floor, stopping just before her door. Neatly hanging on the doorknob was an outfit, its clean folds and fresh scent mocking her. Once the garments replaced her wrinkled pajamas, she hesitantly glanced over at her vanity to observe what damage remained on her body. In celebration of their last day of freedom, the guild threw a party, which meant: getting drunk, socializing with friends, getting smashed, having your ass kicked, vomiting due to alcohol poisoning, and ending up so shit-faced you couldn't stand up.
Her reflection reveled a tangled mess of hair so dreadful she could hear Cancer crying in the spirit world. Her lips were still swollen from all the alcohol, which also blessed her with a hangover that felt as though it were gnawing at her- currently not very well functioning- brain. Bruises decorated her skin from being used as a landing pad for an intoxicated Elfman; the idiot was immediately knocked out by Gray and Natsu for disturbing their brawl with a manly speech.
She shrugged and turned away from the mirror, deciding not to dwell on something that happened on almost a daily basis.
As she rummaged her drawers for her keys, Lucy's mind drifted back to the day when the Council appeared at the Guild's main entrance. Only a few short days had passed since Natsu and the rest of the guild returned from Tenrou Island, and all they wanted to do was relax for once. The thought of seven years slipping through their fingers had yet to sink in as Master Makarov gathered all of the members into the guild hall. No one knew what to expect from the Council, but something told them this wasn't going to be a regular friendly reunion.
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The guild watched skeptically as a tall, slender man stalked across the stage. He stood there in silence for a few moments and glanced uncomfortably at the papers in front of him; as if he were unsure of what to say. He looked up from the podium to see everyone staring intently at him, yet not one of them appeared to recognize him. He couldn't blame them, seeing how they disappeared into nothingness as he continued to live on for the next seven years. Shaking his head, he realized that it was better if no one remembered him, having him as a constant reminder of all the time they've missed would be too much. "We've all been through a lot, these seven years," He spoke slowly, his throat dry from anxiety. "From the return of Zeref, and the fall of the dark guild Grimiore Heart, to the temporary loss some of Fairy Tail's own members," The crowd was hush as he spoke of these events, everyone still finding things hard to believe. "However, that's not what we're here to discuss."
The tense atmosphere seemed to shift slightly as the Council member shuffled through his papers, looking for the correct one. "This Guild has been the most problematic we've ever dealt with. We receive, on average, forty complaints a week- That's more than we'd expect in a year from any other guild." Some laughs could be heard around the Guild Hall as the man began listing some of the complaints the Council had on record. "We've tried cooperating with you and have been lenient in the past,"
"Lenient, huh," Natsu growled, remembering when they took Erza to trial. Even if it was just a formality, the entire predicament was completely unnecessary.
He pulled out a light pen as he continued, florescent lettering beginning to form. "There's one final option left before we take more drastic measures…"
"I never knew sending someone to brainwash us and manipulate our guild's affairs wasn't drastic." Lucy muttered back to her partner.
Once he finished writing, everyone stared in awe. In bold, glowing letters, the words 'Fairy Tail Academy' floated in the air. "We're giving you one last chance, Fairy Tail. Every member in this guild is required to take one year off from any major missions and attend school to learn how to properly use your magic."
Shouts of protest instantly began to fill the guild hall, no one seeming to agree with this situation. "There's not even a school in Magnolia! The closet one is in Harujion." Gray pointed out, seeming too upset to notice his lack of pants.
"How the hell are we supposed to make money?" Gajeel questioned, quite obviously pissed that they would even suggest such a ridiculous idea.
"That's enough." Makarov roared, his size growing with his frustration. Everyone silenced, none of them wanting to go through 'the punishment' for disobeying the Master. "The Council is doing this for the sake of Fiore, for the guild. Think of this not as a requirement, but an opportunity to make ourselves stronger- to make our guild more united. We will show all those other guilds out there that WE are number one and WE are not to be trifled with." Makarov pointed with his left hand in the air, "This is our path, not only as a Guild, but as a family. One year's worth of education isn't going to kill any of you." He smiled, shrinking back to his natural size.
"Um, sir," The Council member motioned for the guild master. Makarov peered up at the man beside him to hear out what he had to say. "You'll also… be attending the Academy." The Wizard Saint's face drained of any color. "As for your comments," He turned back to everyone, ignoring the fact that the Master was now sobbing like an infant next to him. "As soon as we got word of your return, we began building the Academy just outside of town. Classes will be from six in the morning, to one in the afternoon, leaving you time to do simple missions in order for you to support yourselves. Saturday and Sunday will be your days off and vacation times will be given during holidays and festivals." A grin painted onto the man's face as he concluded his speech. "For those who refuse to attend this wonderful opportunity, you will receive special tutoring, courtesy of Master Bob."
The mages all sat quietly. Just the thought of being stuck with Master Bob, the cross-dressing, man-whore leader of Blue Pegasus, was enough to put them in their place. As the meeting was dismissed, everyone sat in utter silence, taking in what they had just been told.
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Finally finding her keys, Lucy let out another drawn-out sigh and closed the door behind her. Maybe going to school will be a little fun. The blonde thought as she walked down Strawberry Street. She had never attended a school, since her caretakers had always tutored her.
The stellar mage balanced along the river wall, waving off the fishermen's comments when they warned her to be careful. As she did so, something cold and wet hit her forehead. She glanced up, seeing the rain beginning to steadily fall from the sky. Picking up her pace, she headed for the Academy, which was residing on the opposite side of Magnolia. "Just great, Lucy. Fucking great." She cursed as the rain became heavier.
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I apologize if this chapter wasn't exactly the most interesting, but I figured I'd get most of the boring stuff out of the way. For anyone who's already caught up on my old account, I'll get through these next couple chapters quickly so I can finally get this story moving! Please leave a review letting me know what you think. C:
-Siearah