Chapter 1-Oby
=Year X772=
Master Makarov paused as he heard the scream. He hadn't thought much of the tremendous crash that had sent birds all over the forest hurtling upwards to get away, strange things happened in the East Forest. The scream though was definitely human. It wasn't frightened, it sounded like it was in pain. Makarov debated for a moment whether or not to get involved and then the mark on his chest reminded him of who he was. He momentarily grew to his giant form to see if he could spot the crash and was stunned to see an entire chunk of the forest gone.
Not blown away or burned to a crisp just, gone. Like it had never been there at all. In the center of the perfectly round patch of dirt was a tiny figure in black. Makarov took three giant steps and was in the edge of the circle. He shrunk back down and ran to check on the mysterious figure, his mind racing as he wondered what could have destroyed the forest in such a way. As he approached the figure he could hear pained hissing breathing that was trying not to cry.
The boy had white hair and was wearing all black. His right hand was horribly mangled, and he was curled around it shaking and clutching his torso. Makarov was standing over him before he said anything, and as he looked he saw that even though the boy's clothing was shredded and covered in blood, except for the arm his body was totally unscathed. Makarov poked him, "What happened to you boy?"
Despite the apparently excruciating pain, the boy managed to spring away and land on his feet ready for a fight. It would've been very impressive if he hadn't used his injured hand to stop his skid and fallen forward onto his side gasping at the pain and trying not to scream again. Makarov smiled slightly and then wiped the smile from his face in favor of a stern expression, if the kid wanted a fight, then injured or not he'd get one. He didn't go any closer but, "I said, what happened to you boy? I can get you help for that arm, but only if you tell me who you are and what happened to you."
The boy managed to force his breathing back to steadiness and shove himself up onto his knees with his good hand and a grunt. "Don't bother," he growled as he laid his good hand to his injured one and snarled, "Arc of Time!" Makarov made a face as the boy's expression twisted with concentration and pain. A moment later the boy released the spell he was trying to execute panting, "On second thought," he grumbled as he ripped a strip of fabric loose from his clothes, held it in his teeth and started tying it around his arm with one hand, "If you've got something I can take this off and cauterize it with, I'd be grateful." Makarov smacked him in the head, "Don't be a fool lad, we can go get that fixed easily! I'm not helping you cut your own arm off!"
The boy pulled one leg up and then forced himself to stand, "Guess I'll be off then. I appreciate your concern. I'm going to find something to stop the bleeding." Makarov sighed as the boy started staggering off, "Damn stubborn brat's worse than Laxus." The boy froze and looked over his shoulder, "Laxus Dreyar? Are you Makarov?" Makarov frowned in confusion at the almost frightened expression on the boy's face, "Yes I am." The boy took off running without another word, tripped before he got fifty feet, managed to avoid landing on his injured arm and furiously tried to scramble away.
Makarov watched him in confusion, "Wait! Where are you going?!" The boy didn't answer and kept running. Makarov sighed angrily and then expanded his arm, effortlessly reaching out, "I SAID WAIT!" WHAM! His giant hand slammed down on the boy like a sack of bricks, earning Makarov a bellow of pain from the boy. Makarov strode over, "I see, you're from a Dark Guild and you're afraid I'll turn you in." The boy didn't answer and Makarov saw that he was barely conscious and shaking.
Makarov sighed again and grew until he was big enough to pick the boy up easily, "Porlyusica's gonna be mad as a hornet's nest."
==A Few Minutes Later==
"What happened to him?" Porlyusica asked as she examined the boy's arm, "I haven't seen damage this severe in years, and his magic power is completely gone." "Will he be alright?" Makarov asked. Porlyusica shook her head, "I'm not sure. He's from a Dark Guild you say? He must've gotten in a fight with someone bigger than he was." She started bandaging the boy's hand and then paused, "We need to get him out of these clothes so I can check the rest of his body for wounds." A moment later they had him out of his clothes and Makarov studied the emblem on the boy's shoulder as Porlyusica bandaged his hand, "I've never seen this mark before, it must be some new Dark Guild."
"You can question him when I'm done patching him up," Porlyusica warned. Makarov took a step back and let her finish. A little while later she stepped away, "He should be okay now. I want him to stay here for a few days so that I can make sure his arm will heal properly, and he'll need lots of rest." The boy's eyes cracked open, "Actually if I can have some water, I'll be out of your hair in no time." Porlyusica turned to glare at him, "Don't be ridiculous! Have you seen your hand? As much blood as you've probably lost you're not to get out of that bed for at least twenty four hours!"
The boy smiled weakly, "Most of my body was like my hand when I landed. Master doesn't fool around when he decides to kill something. I don't think anyone else would've survived that." Porlyusica and Makarov stared as he proceeded to explain how he had been booted out of his guild. He teared up slightly but got all the way through it, examining his bandaged hand the whole time.
He laughed slightly, "You know, I have the worst luck with this hand. It's the same hand I nearly lost when Deliora flattened my home town. Had to be saved then too. Tch, never thought it would turn out like this." His voice finally cracked and whether the shaking and erratic sound he made next was laughter or sobbing was hard to tell as he laid his bandaged hand over his eyes.
Makarov and Porlyusica stared, still too horrified by the boy's story to speak. Then the boy suddenly lowered his bandaged hand to his side and reached across to the shoulder his guild mark was printed on with his good hand, still laugh-sobbing. Makarov and Porlyusica didn't realize what he was doing until he suddenly roared in anguish and blue light exploded out from between his fingers. He looked away, finally silent except for his heavy panting breaths.
Porlyusica seemed to teleport across the room to swat him and yell, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" "Sorry," the boy panted, "Had to, had to get that off. Bastard doesn't, doesn't deserve my loyalty. Doesn't deserve, any of our, loyalty. Not, not after that." Then the real sobbing started.
==A Moment Later==
Porlyusica and Makarov sat on the steps outside. "What do you think we should do about him?" Makarov asked quietly. "He's turned his back on that dark path he was on. He'll never go back to someone who murdered his best friend and tried to kill him," Porlyusica said grimly, "He's going to need somewhere to stay." "You mean Fairy Tail?" Makarov asked quietly. "It would be the best way to keep an eye on him," Porlyusica replied, "and if he's half as well trained and powerful as he claims then it sounds like he's already an extremely powerful young wizard. Do you really want him just wandering around alone for some random Dark Guild to snatch themselves up a new ace?"
"His past is certainly something to be concerned about," Makarov said quietly, "Can we trust him?" Porlyusica turned to look at him, "You think he's faking?" "It's not impossible. He had enough grit to get up and try to run with that wound, he's got enough grit to wipe his own guild mark to go undercover. Plus we have no evidence that he's telling the truth."
The door opened behind them and the boy stepped out, calmly walking down the stairs, looking tired but still patting Porlyusica on the shoulder with the hand that had only moments before been wrapped in bandages and horribly mangled, "Thank you for your kindness. I'm sorry I drank half of your water barrel." Porlyusica and Makarov stared as he strode down the steps waving over his shoulder, "I know where I'm not welcome, but if you're ever in a pinch, give me a shou-" He abruptly swore loudly as his leg gave out from under him and sent him tumbling down the steps.
He landed sprawled on his back, inhaled deeply to calm himself and continued as though nothing had happened, "give me a shout and I'll come a runnin. I owe ya one." He grunted and tried to sit up only to find Porlyusica and Makarov catching him under the arms and dragging him back up the steps. "You can thank me by doing what I tell you to and staying in bed until you're recovered!" Porlyusica snapped. "And when you're done with that," Makarov added, "Fairy Tail is always in need of new wizards, and you sound like a fine one. You can thank me by coming to the Guild Hall and giving us a chance to prove we're better than your old guild."
The boy laughed weakly as he looked up at the sun shining down through the cloudy skies above the forest, "Guess I should tell you my name then. I'm Oberon Williamson, my friends call me Oby." "Well Oby, it's nice to meet you," Makarov grinned.
==One Month Later==
"So your dad's a member of Fairy Tail? Who is it? I'm new too, but maybe I can help." "His name is Gildarts," Cana replied timidly. Oby did a slight double take, "Gildarts?!" "Um, yeah," Cana replied, unsure if Oby's reaction was a good sign or not, "Do you know him?" "Everyone knows Gildarts! He's one of the strongest wizards in Fairy Tail! Now come on! We've gotta hurry before he takes another job!" Off they went, Oby leading Cana through Magnolia towards the guild hall he had recently come to call home as fast as he could go.
They caught Gildarts just as he was coming out the door. Gildarts looked down at them and blinked, "Hey, eh Oby right? Got yourself a girlfriend?" A flash of irritation lit Oby's eyes before he grinned and pointed at Gildarts, "Actually Gildarts, Cana here has been looking for her dad. I need you to help! He's a big guy with red hair that breaks things all the time." Gildarts looked over his shoulder into the rowdy guild hall thinking hard as he tried to spot someone who matched that description and then Oby nudged Cana with a huge grin, "What did you say his name was Ms. Alberona?" Gildarts' head whipped around just in time for Cana to look up at him and timidly say "Gildarts."
"What happened?!" She wailed an instant later, "Daddy! Wake up!" Oby sniggered, "It's alright Cana, you just startled him. Good job! I've never seen anyone knock out Gildarts before! And the look on his face!" Oby couldn't take it anymore and started howling with laughter as he patted Cana on the shoulder, "Welcome to Fairy Tail Cana! I'll go tell Gramps you're here!" He strode into the Guild Hall laughing as Gildarts came to and sat up smiling. He reached out and wrapped Cana in a hug, "So I'm a father now," he chuckled, "Never thought I'd see the day."