The day was bright and warm as the afternoon sun shown down on the people of magnolia. Children played, Merchants beckoned passer-bys and men and women spoke about recent events. In the town all was fine as was it at the Fairy tail guild hall. Wizards entered and left, jobs completed or soon to be completed, and some stayed and talked, a few in good sprits started their drinking games early.
Team Natsu was of one of these groups to huddle near their friends and enjoy the company. Bisca, Levy, Mira and Elfman and Macao were some who joined them. Mira handed each member a drink of their desire and laughed as Grey cracked a joke about Natsu. Somewhere near by, Juvia could be heard swooning. All was fine, except there was someone missing.
As the laughter died down, the atmosphere in the guild hall seemed to change slightly, a feeling of unease circled in the air.
Lucy looked around, noting the odd feeling and realized Bisca was missing her companion.
"Hey, Bisca," she asked "Where's Alzack today. I haven't seen him"
Macao waved her off and took another sip of his drink.
"He's probably just out for a bit." He said nonchalantly.
Lucy looked over her shoulder, unamused by Macao.
"Did I ask you?" she said.
There was a short bit of laughter but by now everyone was aware of the missing person. Bisca and Alzack were nearly inseparable and it was odd to see one without the other. Bisca shrugged.
"I don't know. He said he'd be around earlier, that he had a few things to do. But that was this morning" She said.
Erza made a small sound, like she was thinking.
"That's strange. A few errands shouldn't take more then half the day."
"Ah, who cares?" Natsu chimed in. "He probably just got busy with a few other things. He is kind of known for helping the towns people out."
"Yeah but your forgetting, Natsu, he would have some how got a hold of somebody to let Bisca know." Gray said.
To this the sharpshooter nodded. Alzack would always let her know he was helping out. One way or another, he would get into contact with the guild, either coming here himself or sending a messenger.
"I'm sure he's okay, Bisca." Levy said. "He might have just forgotten."
Mira nodded in agreement as did Erza and Elfman.
Bisca sighed and smiled a bit before she finally said,
"You're right."
And then the laughter resumed. Happily the group spoke for about another half hour before the felling of unease came back, this time accompanied by two magical energies. One was weaker then the other, but not in a way that one was completely overpowering. Whoever the weaker energy belonged to was exhausted. Everyone in the guild hall looked towards the energy, master Makarov also made an appearance to see what the fuss was about.
In the dying afternoon sunlight a silhouette was made out approaching the guild entrance. Many people in the guild stood up, preparing for a fight, Natsu of course was in this bundle of people. But despite their excitement they all seemed to stop. The owner of the silhouette was limping and as his features became clearer, people began to make out this man was also holding his shoulder and he was covered in nicks and bruises.
As the stranger stepped into the lighted guild hall an eruption of surprise echoed through the guild. With the last of his energy, the owner of the silhouette managed to mumble something about forgiving him before collapsing.
Alzack was home.
Bisca charged over to him, Mira and a few others close behind. The marksman was out cold, his hair in a mess and clothes ripped and torn. Blood trickled freely from a few gashes either on his head or arms. Whoever did this would pay, oh how they would pay, Bisca though
"HEY!" Natsu shouted.
Bisca looked up and watched an infraction between Natsu and another stranger. She had the stronger Magical energy that everyone felt before. It was her fault.
"You wanna explain who you are before you get a fist full of fire!" Natsu challenged.
The stranger turned slightly, revealing, braided, long black hair and sharp but distressed looking eyes of the same shade. She dressed in nothing short of a black skirt and orange blouse and she appeared to have a few things strapped to her belt but they couldn't be made out.
She turned to run, Natsu and Gray on her tail however, through her rage, Bisca summoned her requip and shot a powerful bullet in between the ice and fire wizard, aiming straight for the strange woman's head. As though she sensed the on coming attack, the woman jumped up and only received the shot to her leg, but she continued to run from the guild.
-Chapter 1-
With great caution, Macao and Elfman managed to turn Alzack on his back and remove his shirt so the damage could be assessed. Everyone who wasn't now off on a quest looking for that woman or gathering medical supplies or such was watching in silent horror as Mira and Makarov looked Alzack over. His most concerning wound was on his torso. A burn near the center of his chest that glowed such an angry red, it could have been a beacon. Makarov lightly poked around the wound to see how far the burn spread. About 5 cm from where the red faded into Alzack's skin tone, the raven haired boy seemed to choke on a gasp as he arched his back in pain.
Makarov quickly removed his hand from the boy's chest and took the hand that Bisca was not already claiming.
"Alzack, my boy, I am extremely sorry I caused you pain. Forgive me." Makarov said quietly.
Alzack's chest rose and fell shallowly due to the pain he was in. Bisca watched him carefully, as did the guild master. Similar thoughts swirled around their heads. Why, Alzack? Was he the only one? Who was that woman?
With a sigh, Makarov released Alzack's hand, setting it on the floor lightly, and stood. Bisca and the others who stayed watched him with eyes that now expected jobs to do.
"We need to get him to the infirmary, Macao and Elfman, you do that. Mira and Juvia, please watch over Alzack." The master said.
Other names were called, jobs delegated to them. Makaba and a man named Jall were to guard the infirmary door. Cana and Max were told to go to the town and get medical supplies the guild was short on, should another attack come. Others were told to guard the town or ask the people if they had seen anyone from the guild fighting. By the end Bisca was the only one who hadn't been given a job and as the master began to walk out, Bisca followed him.
"What am I supposed to do, Master?" she asked.
Continuing to walk, Makarov replied,
"You're doing it dear, just come with me. We need to get Porlyusica here to help. There isn't anyway we can treat Alzack without the know-how."
Bisca looked behind her shoulder, beyond the guarded door to the guild hall.
"Do you think he'll be okay, master?" was all the gunner said.
Makarov looked down, hiding his pained eyes.
"He will be fine my dear….however…"
Bisca looked up and jumped when she saw her master, eyes burning with rage and his body nearly mimicking that.
"WHEN I FIND THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE THEY WILL HAVE THE WORST PUNISHMENT OF THEIR LIFE!"
And without a second thought, Makarov ran down the path with speed that left Bisca in the dust.