Chapter 1 - Departure
[WARNING, ALL EVENTS AFTER TOWER OF HEAVEN ARC WERE DELAYED TWO YEARS]
"Instead of humans we will be, two little rocks on a windswept street"
He didn't know how it happened, none of them did really. It had started as every other Guild brawl had, he insulted Gray, Gray shot back, they came to blows and in some way or another their fight dragged others in. It wasn't so much the fight though, that he could remember clearly and easily with little prompt, it was when pain roared through his soul, when it went dark, that it had gone wrong. He'd thought it was only some previous injury that yet to heal at first, that the lights had just happened to cut out at the same time, the sudden blackness had disturbed him. He had no fear of the dark, he could just conjure a flame and banish such things away. He'd never had reason to be afraid of something so trivial when his fire burned beneath his skin. He did try that though, and he was certain he could feel that comforting presence in his palm but it's light didn't fill his vision.
It remained black.
So he burned hotter, and brighter, stronger flames than he had ever brought forth before. Then the screaming started and he remembered feeling panicked. He heard Lucy whimper in fear and he heard Erza and Gray, Levy and Juvia shout in agony, four large crashes before they fell silent. He swore he heard his name being called by all his Guild mates, his family. They were panicking too, pleading with him, to save them from this strange darkness ... He began to run around, crashing into everything from people to pillars, tables and chairs in search of whoever was causing them pain, and when his family began to get angry he could only curse himself for being unable to see just where the enemy was. It didn't help that no matter how hard he tried he couldn't seem to utter even a single sound. His Guildmates, his family, they were angry because he was capable of helping but wasn't doing so and he couldn't tell them that he was trying. When he began to feel tugging across his entire body and stifling weight above him, he fought back fiercer than ever before and succeeded. The horror stricken screams of "Master!" or "Old man!" brought about new fear in him and he broke every level of power he had ever considered himself possessing in the past, and shattered through further untapped powers. More power flooded his body than he'd ever felt from anyone before. He would beat whoever dared hurt their Master. Then He remembered stillness and sniffling, salt in the air; tears. He remembered softness and whimpers and the subtle scent of a very old friend. Soft skin and dry lips against his fingertips. He remembered what sounded like a growl from behind and pained whimpers from whoever he had been touching.
There was nothing else he remembered after that. There had been some form of strike to the head, and he had gone as blank as the darkness that had surrounded him. He'd woken up on the outskirts of the city that housed Fairy Tail after that with nothing but a note from each member of his team and his clothes.
His old team, and Mira of course.
Gray's had been the hardest to deal with, unbelievable as he had found it, there was no emotion in the words he had written. Gone was the teasing, aggressive and challenging camaraderie they reluctantly shared. Gray, for all intents and purposes, had been his oldest sometimes friend/sometimes enemy. Gray had labelled him unworthy and a betrayer. Unworthy of Fairy Tail, and a betrayer to the family that was the only thing they ever shared willingly. It was short and to the point, as they had always been with each other. The brief image of Gray suddenly realising he had lost his clothes mid way through writing had popped unbidden to his mind but even that failed to amuse him. Rather ironically, the cold Hothead, had left the hot Hothead cold. Still, there was something that rang so very hollow in the written words. They were sincere, he could gather that much but they seemed empty, lacking heart.
Lucy's said only a single word, and had a small paw print at the bottom denoting Happy's signature next to her own. "Goodbye". He'd never liked that word, he preferred "See ya'" or "later", Goodbye held to much finality to it. Even if used in a context that would connote seeing another person again, goodbye still felt too much like an ending.
Ezra's was the worst though. Not in how it made him feel, and not because she scared him either, but in its certainty. "You have been banished from Fairy Tail" it had started. His heart couldn't have sunk any lower but as he read through the charges that had been levied against him he was proven wrong. He couldn't believe he could've caused so much hurt to everyone. He almost didn't believe it but her written words held such ferocity and sincerity he could bring himself to do no more than accept it. It's parting message proved only to carve out whatever metaphorical floor his heart now rested on and plummet it through the bowels of the world. "If the Master does not survive, we will hunt you down. Pray it does not come to that, for I shall kill you myself, Traitor"
Mira's letter took only the smallest amount of the sting away. It was tearstained and practically illegible save for three words. "I'm so sorry". He didn't know what for though, for his banishment? For being the one that had knocked him unconscious to protect the rest? He wasn't sure but he wouldn't have the chance to ask her, banishment was not something you came back from. There was a reason Rouge or Guildless Mages didn't exist much. Earthland was treacherous place.
If this was what the five closest people to him had to say, he dared not consider what the rest of the Guild felt. It was waking up alone, Igneel nowhere to be seen, all over again. Instead of an empty clearing it was now a dusty old road, several miles outside of the city limits. Instead of a Dragon Scale scarf it was now a scarred shoulder, the Fairy Tail emblem seared from the skin in a way designed to show he had committed an unspeakable act of treason to his Guild... His home. The Master was the only person able to remove a guild mark, his had been burned away which meant the Master hadn't made the decision. That brought little comfort, he would never again be able to show his pride of joy to the world.
It was strange how such completely different events felt so similar. Igneel had left him behind, betrayed Him but had gifted him with something with which to remember the overgrown fire breathing Lizard fondly by. Fairy Tail had abandoned him, called him the Betrayer and left him with a mark of scorn. It had been Ice magic that had burnt off his Emblem, for fire would do little more than singe him, if that, and if anyone knew what things burnt it was him. He knew Ice could burn skin well, so too did Gray, the person he thought most likely to have been the one to brand him. The mark was too pronounced though, as if Gray or someone else had forced the hand to remain there. Whether to prevent themselves from backing out, making the mark clear or causing more damage was yet another unanswerable question.
He'd stared forlornly at the city for a few minutes, his eyes listless and crushed and so very, very angry. Had they not even tried to ask him of his side? He had no idea what had happened, but he knew that whatever it was wasn't what he'd meant to do. He thought they were being attacked again, he thought his family was in pain and that he needed to help. He couldn't see anything! How was he supposed to know that it was actually him causing the damage!? HUH!?
He sighed, it would be pointless to argue with them. He had stuck with Fairy Tail for so long for many reasons, not least of them being that they were just as stubborn and easily riled as he was. If he tried to return, it'd be the death of him. He knew his own strength, but he knew well that he couldn't take on a Guild full of people like his alone, even when they were injured. They caused so much damage, not just because they were reckless or careless but, because they were far stronger than the majority of other Guilds. If they felt threatened, or worse their family, then they would raze him. He had been given one choice; to leave.
He would do Fairy Tail one last glance, then pay them one final respect by honouring their wishes. The obvious one, to leave, and the subtle one...
To never return.
He'd woken up feeling weak and groggy, but that hadn't stopped him from demanding an explanation for why he was in the infirmary. That explanation had brought his memory back and filled him with anger. The young Brat that explained it to him would be sorely mistaken if she thought his anger was towards him though. His teeth ground together, the sound ripping through the warm air, his voice low and dangerous.
"You did what?"
She was understandably nervous due to her masters tone of voice. She had suspected he'd be angry at the Traitor, considering everything he had done to them, but his words were directed at her. He'd interrupted her, right as she explained of how she had banished him several weeks ago and how almost every single person present at the time had agreed that it was the right course of action. His words, that terrifying anger that so rarely slipped out, directed at her quite clearly for what she had done. A small part of her whispered that it was "we" and not "I" in her head, but that primal fear drove many such thoughts scurrying. It took all her self control not to whimper her response, that wasn't to say the shivering whisper was much better.
"I, I banished him Master. Gray froze off his Emblem because he is unaffected by fire"
The warm summers air went deathly still and a traumatising cold overtook said warmth as she repeated herself. Her master was shaking, she could hear his teeth screeching like nails across a blackboard. It took several tense seconds for the Master to speak once again.
"Miss Scarlett" he hadn't called her that in so very long a time that it's return now worried her greatly "did you not perhaps think to, I don't know, THINK BEFORE YOU DID SOMETHING STUPID!?"
The shout caused her to visibly flinch and the sounds of raucous chatter and laughter out in the Guild hall suddenly became quiet. Not only had her Master's words spread to the Hall, so too had the atmosphere of rage and barely suppressed magical energy that had been flowing over her so strongly she felt her knees were about to buckle. It went unheeded by Makarov, his rant and righteous emotion continuing the flow of thoughts.
"NOT ONLY HAVE YOU MADE A DECISION ONLY I HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE IN REGARDS TO THIS GUILD! YOU AND THE REST OF YOU BRATS, YES I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME, DIDN'T EVEN ASK HIS SIDE OF THE STORY! YOU DISAPPOINT ME! I RAISED YOU ALL BETTER THAN THIS, SHIPPING OFF YOUNG NATSU WHEN HE WAS CLEARLY NOT IN HIS RIGHT MIND! DID YOU NOT AT ALL SEE THE FEAR IN HIM AS HE FOUGHT!? DID YOU NOT SEE THAT HE SEEMED TO THINK HE WAS IN DANGER?"
Silence fell once more, the Master's voice having been amplified by Magic he only used on occasion, the Guilds ears ringing in pain. No one dared breathe, the heavy breathes of the Masters still amplified voice kept them on edge. They knew more was to come, possibly much worse.
"You disgust me, to turn on one of our own so readily and yet we have welcomed two new members who, need I remind you, were once part of the Guild who attacked us? That one of those members mercilessly beat down and shamed three of ours by attaching them to a tree in the centre of the City? That the other was responsible for the original kidnapping of Lucy Heartfilia? Have they not been forgiven and welcomed and included? And yet one young boy gets scared and manages to injure me, something that I know for a fact he had no intention of doing and you would too had you had any sense of observation whatsoever, and you abandon him? Do you not disgust yourselves with your very presence? That boy, that you scorned, that saved your life Ezra, and prevented you foolishly killing yourself like a petulant child Gray? Can you honestly say that he is, or could ever be, a traitor? Be gone from this Hall and do not return until I call for you. As of this moment, Fairy Tail is on holiday. No jobs, no money, no nothing until you present me with a solution to your idiocy!"
Ezra stood stock still, and there was zero sound of movement from the Hall, too shocked by the outburst. Their master loved each and everyone of them as family, and his love was equal in all. Never was one more praised, and never was one more scolded. They were a unit, when one gained praise, so too did the rest as it was with punishment. His love so great in that regard, that when one was mistreated, all suffered for it until the issue was rectified. Though some had not voted either way when she had called for Consensus on whether to Banish Natsu- Lucy, Happy, Elfman, Gray, Mira and herself due to her role in presenting the choice to the guild being the only ones who didn't- the majority had, save for those still unconscious, and all had been passionately for said banishment. How could that have been the wrong choice? As much as she had wished there was some other way she had felt so certain that this would be what would've been the same choice her Master made. Her thoughts went no further for the moment, nor anyone else's, due to their Master's next shout.
"I SAID BE GONE!"
The hall was empty in but the blink of an eye, no member even bothered to collect any of their belongings, too rushed by Makarov's words. The mages that were not apart of the initial fight, and he could remember now who had been there and who had not, would be allowed to enter but only the S-Class mages Mystogan and his grandson Laxus would be allowed to stay. Perhaps Gildarts if he returned before the problem was rectified. The other's would be informed of the event and told to leave, and if his S-Class mages argued they too would be told to leave. Until a solution to the problem was thought of, his Guild hall would remain closed. A punishment for breaking too many of the Guilds tenants in but a single heartless act.
Persecuting an innocent, striking fear in said innocent, turning their back on a brother and, most importantly to him, burning down the only home the boy had ever known since he had been abandoned by his own Father.
"N-natsu" was all she was able to mutter as she cried into her pillow, their friend, Theirs, Happy was curled up beside her. The poor thing had spent two days straight in search of the boy after they'd heard from Mirajane of the master's decre. Happy had found hide nor hare of his own Master, father and best friend. Lucy hadn't honestly expected the flying Cat to find anything, but she had encouraged him to look anyway because he'd seem so excited and concerned at the thought of being able to bring his father home. Lucy had not brought up the fact that Happy had started to call Natsu Father on occasion, though she knew that in some way that he was. Mirajane, and then Happy, had told her about how Natsu and Mira & Elfman's sister Lisanna had reared Happy from his Egg. The flying Cat had been barely conscious for a week after Natsu's outburst only able to tearfully press his paw to the goodbye note, and bed bound for another before he had fully recovered. In that time she had managed to convince Happy to stay with her instead of running off alone to be with Natsu. Natsu wouldn't know they were coming to bring him home, he'd think they were hunting him and with a nose like his, they'd never even get close.
There was a part of her that admitted that in someway it was a selfish act, just so she had someone like Natsu still around. Like father, like son after all. It turned into more as time went on, Happy calmed, became less like Natsu and more like her in her current state. Barely operating, only speaking to each other, crying themselves to sleep for not having been able to do more. Not being able to be with him instead of stuck in this god-forsaken town full of people she could hardly stand to be around anymore. No matter how often she, Happy, Mirajane and Elfman (the only other two people she willingly spoke to outside anymore), argued otherwise, a few people had tried to pin his past successes solely on his ex-teammates. She'd also heard that Gray and Erza said nothing to anyone anymore, not even each other, they worked solo like they used to, until the Guild Hall was closed anyway, and they had also given up trying to talk to her.
They'd tried visiting once or twice, but she never answered when they knocked and she never answered when they broke in. She could understand why they were angry with Natsu, hell she was too until she had seen his disturbingly unseeing and terrified eyes as he shot around the room following sounds more than anything else. She'd been scared too, she'd just gone over to interrupt him as he was fighting and all of sudden she's on the other side of the room with broken ribs and the whole hall ablaze. She'd never seen her friend so scared before, at all really, but the look on his face had been clear. It was some sort of primal fear. Nothing else could even come close to explaining the complexity of it except that single word; primal.
Though she had no part in his banishment, even if she knew she hadn't done nearly enough to try and stop it, it gnawed at her heart. The only thing she'd been able to leave him was a single word that showed neither how much she cared about him or how much he meant. She could barely comprehend the depths of her feelings for the young man, how on earth could she even attempt to put such profound and striking emotions to paper? A writer she was, a damn good one in her opinion, but not even the greatest wordsmith could adequately reveal her thoughts. She cared for him as she would any friend, teammember or partner but he meant so much more than that. He was the heart of the Team. He was the one that unfailingly caught her when she fell, protected her when she needed it to be him and no one else. Erza and Gray had protected her, she would not deny that, but when her mind had called out in fear to him, he had answered just when she needed it most. She'd taken more than a few knocks from Gajeel when he was with the Phantom Lords, but when it was him she needed, it was he who had burst through the floor and kept her safe. A burning image that reminded her more of a Pheonix than a Dragon licking at his heels and shrouding him in fire. It fit better too, in fact her novel was based around such a person. Natsu, when he fell would always rise from the ashes of battle anew, stronger and better than ever before. The Wings of Ashes, her novels tentative name, based entirely around the feelings he inspires in her when he bares his soul during fights. It is in his fights that she is able to see who he truly is, not his words or actions or facial expressions but his fights. The ferocity, tenacity, his inability to accept defeat when something he loves is on the line, his selflessness and selfishness (for the two were constantly at war with each other). She'd seen many facets of him, though she knew there was far more... More she was never going to see.
She'd watched in tears, barely conscious, as Gray used his Ice Magic to freeze Natsu's skin to such an extent that when he removed his hand the place his Guild seal had been showed only a red, blistering and bleeding hand print. Watched as his arm shook and he had to use his other hand to force himself to continue. She had felt like vomiting at the sight, and had her ribs not been afire themselves she may well have done so.
All she'd left him with was a lousy "goodbye", no indication of the love she felt for him and all he'd done for her. The times he'd saved her, the fact he introduced her to the once loving world that was Fairy Tail and the fact she couldn't see herself being partnered with any other person for as long as she lived. Natsu was her Guild Partner, even if said Pink haired boy was more of a recluse than he let on.
The master wanted him to return, she knew that he would've never banished him if he had been awake the entire time, but she doubted she'd ever get to see him again. A fresh wave of sobs struck her core being, muffled as she pressed her face harder into her pillow as to not wake Happy... Happy was the only thing keeping her together, if it weren't for the Flying Blue Cat she didn't know what she'd do. Well, she did, she'd start walking in whatever direction her heart told her Natsu was and never stop till she found him. She loved her friend that much, owed him that much. Alas, she knew she'd never find him. She knew he would avoid transportation at all costs, that the possible paths he'd take would be nye on infinite, branching further out with every step he took. She'd even asked the Celestial Spirit, Crux, to find out whether Natsu was safe or where he was but for reasons beyond her comprehension he never answered. "A dark energy prevents my sight" was all he could say on the matter the one time he did have an answer. That had only added fuel to her already horribly vivid nightmares.
It wasn't manly to do what they had done. That was what he often thought, he loved his Guild mates, still did and always would, but what they had done was cowardly. Had he not been in the same position as Natsu? Had he not done worse? He had killed his own sister due to his own hubris and inability to control his Magic, and yet he had been forgiven by Natsu and his older sister. His entire guild had forgiven him, he of course would never forgive himself but that was his cross to bear and he would bear it like any man should. It did not change how outraged he was, he had tried to shout out after the event, but the poor boy- with whatever had possessed him- had caused his body great harm. He did not hold a grudge though, no not at all, from the moment that first punch hit him after it all went to hell he knew that Natsu was not in full control. He had lived the experience, killed by it. That Natsu had been able to cause serious damage to the Master but left everyone else with nothing more than some nasty bruising at best and broken bones at worst was a testament to Natsu's Manliness. Somehow in his possessed state he had managed to pull his punches to the point of not causing life threatening injuries, and really if he had taken down the Master so quickly he would have had no problem killing one of the weaker members.
They were scared, his Guild, that was what he told himself and what he believed. Fear does crazy things, he had allowed himself a Full-Body Takeover not overly long ago in fear of his older sister getting hurt. Full-Body was something he had once thought his worst fear in case it caused more death, it turned out that wasn't his worst fear. It was seeing another Sister struck down before his very eyes, not being the cause necessarily, simply seeing it happen and being able to do nothing. While the Beast had been in control, he had seen everything, felt everything. He felt every bone of Lisanna's body crack or shatter as the Beast slammed it's massive fist into her, but it wasn't that feeling that haunted him most. It was seeing it and doing nothing. He had conquered one fear because he had realised a worse one. That was how strange true fear was, and he had seen in Natsu's actions that he was truly afraid. He could respect that, real men have fears. Only a real Man knows that there is always something to fear, such is the way of life. The only true emotion in it is Fear, the first Primal emotion and the one that allowed Mankind to evolve. Fear of death, fear of loneliness, fear of extinction (allowing your genes to go un-propagated) and fear of the unknown. Those four things were some of Mankind's greatest fears, which lead to four of it's greatest strengths. Life, Allies, Love and Knowledge. Fear leads to and does crazy things...
Mirajane had him worried though. It was like Lisanna all over again, but worse due to the fact she had barely recovered the first time. Mira had been in the middle of the Guild Hall when the fight started, and had been the one to knock Natsu unconscious. With the Guild in pieces and many of it's members and master down for the count, Natsu had sniffed her out. Crept slowly towards her she had said, concern on his face and his body raging in flames that held no heat to her or any others at that moment. She was scared, he knew it was because she'd lived through it once when he had lost control, she was scared Natsu would cause them more pain. She feared not for herself, but for all her friends and for Natsu himself. He'd apparently brushed away her tears, his eyes not seeming able to catch hers, despite his head drifting all over the place as if searching for them. His fingers had brushed her lips as she sobbed, he was only trying to sooth her was what she had claimed, no one but Elfman, Lucy and Happy believed it. He was a Man, he could tell his sister was being truthful.
Someone had groaned, painfully, behind Natsu and his body, still alight with flames, flames that were imbued with intense heat once more. Now it burnt her, seared her blood more than her skin. A man, she didn't know who, was trying to stand and Natsu had taken it as a threat. They didn't listen to her when she argued that either. It crushed his sister to be the one that brought harm to someone who would always hold a place in her heart alongside himself and Lisanna. She could not seem to be able to comprehend that it was nobody's fault. Not Gray's, not hers, not Erza's.
Mira did not want to see it, she blamed Erza and Gray with everything she had. Another person she loved snatched away from her, and he could understand why it upset her so, by those who she and Natsu had considered friends. Mira's old rivalry with Erza had sparked again, but worse than ever before.
Mira no longer smiled, except for him, Happy and Lucy, and even then it was strained and fake, she wasn't friendly anymore rather, brash and rude. She did her job, but did no more. Erza and Gray didn't even get that luxury. If they wanted food, they got it themselves, if they wanted a mission then they could piss off and leave her alone. "Try to die on it" had been her words on one of her most vicious days. He knew she regretted that, but she was still so angry that she refused to apologise. If Natsu never returned to her, he doubted she ever would.
He knew Mira felt more for Natsu than he himself did, after all Mira had guided that young Pink haired boy through much of his life. His Dragon Father had not taught all that the boy needed, and Mira and Erza had made it their mission to rectify that for him. Brutally. It was a competition at the start, a continuation of their rivalry but He saw more. Many of his friends liked to joke and say "Ha! Elfman you idiot!" or "Elfman? You can be smart?" and it was true he wasn't book smart, he was far too manly for that. He was observationally smart though. He knew that Lucy liked Natsu more than she let on for example, that Mira did too and despite all that had been going on he knew that Erza was crushed about the incident for more than just having a 'friend' who turned out to be a 'traitor'. No, Erza's pain came from having another man she loved seem to be traitorous. To have to be apart of a decision to save others over taking the risk of allowing a threat.
He saw everything, such was the benefit of his occasionally quiet nature, real Men weren't always shouting and screaming and throwing punches after all. He saw Lucy's subtle glances and occasional staring, he saw how Erza tried to provoke Natsu into challenging her so she could spend time with him and he definitely saw the red tint to his sister's cheeks whenever Natsu was sat sharing jokes with her. It was times like that he thought his sister looked her prettiest, smiling and laughing, thrilled with every gasping, laughing breath she took. Natsu brought that out in her and now he feared she'd never find quite the same spark again. If at all.
Natsu was unique, that was why, no matter what anyone said, this whole incident was so hard on everybody, even those who had seemed unaffected before the Master decided to close the Guild temporarily. For he knew it would only be temporary, whether a solution was found or not, every member of Fairy Tail was his child and he would not hurt them by permanently taking away their home.
Even now as he lay upon his bed the effect of Natsu's, now repealed, banishment was still clear. The gaping, bleeding wounds the boy's absence made were literally audible to him. As it had been every night since. He could hear his sister sobbing, calling out softly into the night begging Natsu to come home, to any god or supreme magical being- he'd even heard her beg to the Black Mage Zeref once in utter desperation- to bring the young man home, safe and alive.
And the saddest thing he'd ever heard was her begging the night not to kill him, for she didn't think she could take another blow such as that.
Erza was wrong, more often than she'd like to admit, but she was a proud woman and had always tried to only move forwards. A hilarious thought really, considering how much of her was steeped in the past, how much of her had clung on to the possibility of saving Jellal even before he had ordered her kidnap, of how she still secretly held on to the promise to fly Grandpa-Rob around on her broomstick one day. It was her past that had made her who she was, a person who was motivated only by her emotions and the few times her armour came off and she let her real feelings show, the notion had left her in fits of hysterical laughter. She was a fool and weaker than any other member of the guild. Rankings meant nothing but the physical and the magical, she held promise in those traits, but it was often hard for her to see how weak her Heart was. Even when the armour came off, a little piece of it had permanently affixed itself to the life giving organ. Now that she had time to think about her actions, she was amazingly disappointed in herself. Had she really been so unobservant and hasty? Sure she charged into battle without a second thought but she had never before made a choice like Natsu's Exile without having thought it through before. She had tried to argue with herself that it was because she had already seen the Master fall in battle, during the Phantom Lord debacle, and that the emotions of that event had returned when Natsu had attacked him. Tried to tell herself that due to the Tower of Heaven incident that she knew best when it came to matters such as this. It was a flimsy and weak excuse, Natsu would never willingly cause major damage to a member of his family and yet she had treated her Pink haired teammate as if he had been attempting the same as Aria of the Element Four or Jellal. She could argue that she was simply reminded of how Jellal had started, with that chapter of her life having recently come to a close it could be blamed on the similarities and not wanting to risk another such figure. Ridiculous and impossible idea's, for Natsu was nothing like Aria or Jose, nothing at all like Jellal.
At least now she understood why Mirajane had been so angry at her, why Elfman had taken to striking down any who even attempted to bad mouth the exiled Dragon Slayer and why Lucy had not said a single word to her or Gray since the event. They had been aware of her mistake long before she was, and come to think of it Gray hadn't spoken to her either since she had asked him to remove Natsu's guild mark. Now that she had time to really think about the event, and not been doing Request after Request to keep her mind from wandering, she was aware of the parallels between Elfman and Natsu. It had occurred to her, the fact that Elfman had been in a similar situation and had caused far more than a few, mostly healed, (see several dozen) injuries. She had forgiven the guy then, it hadn't been his fault that a monster had taken possession of his body and killed his sister, one of her friends. It made sense that Lucy had walled herself away from the two people at the forefront of banishment and physical maiming of her best-friend and partner, she had always known Natsu better than anyone, despite herself, Erza, having known him far, far longer. Mira's renewed hatred for her, that made sense too. Mirajane viewed her in much the same way she viewed the creature that had forced her brother to take Lisanna's life. Nothing more than a disgusting monster. She felt the same about herself right now.
She could not understand how she could have been so heartless, so unnoticing, of Natsu's problem during the fight. Had he not long ago eaten Etherion? Something that would have killed anyone else, something that had been messing with his system for days afterwards? No, all she had seen was someone she thought she knew well deciding, seemingly on a whim considering how fast the fight switched from friendly brawl to utter decimation, to turn on them. She had been ignorant of the fear that the Master had apparently seen, that she knew Lucy must have seen too because her teammate, on the one occasion she had spoken to her, had called her an arrogant, ignorant little girl.
It wasn't just her guilt that wracked her though, it was just who she had exiled. She had felt she had no choice at the time, another lame excuse on her part, but the fact it was Him? To say her insides had been in turmoil would have been a vast understatement. It was closer likened, in her mind, to feeling as if the most ferocious monsoon had swept through her.
Natsu understood things about her, he knew of her need to be strong (though before her kidnapping not the reason why), his keen senses had helped him track her down when she had been reduced to tears due to memories of her past and made it his mission to remove them. Never questioned, never prodded. His task had never been to fight her past, but to fight for her present and push her to continue moving forward. Once the moment was over, and she was normal once more, he acted as if no tears had ever graced her face. Her "beautiful face" he had said once, unaware of the compliment and stating it as fact. She had been young and was unable to prevent herself from blushing, probably would still be unable if anyone else stated with such conviction such a thing to her. This boy that she had grown up with, watched as he scoured the lands and Request Board for his missing Dragon father all the while never losing hope that he would see the giant fire breathing beast again. It was inspiring in a way she felt she could never match. She could inspire, did in fact, but not in quite the same way Natsu did. She could inspire bodies to continue to fight, while he inspired Hearts to continue to beat. The boy never said "Goodbye", she liked that about him too. He refused to believe in endings, the world was a place steeped in Magic and Mystery after all and thus he believed even the dead still existed in some form. Not as ghosts, but as the magic that fills their bodies and provides them their strength. That not only did the feelings of his loved ones give him strength, that the feelings of those who passed left their power behind too, another source of energy for those left behind on lifes journey to use to overcome obstacles. He believed it a final gift from people they'd lost, a reminder that they would find them again one day, in one form or another.
She couldn't help but feel that Natsu was an indelible mark cast upon the soul of every person he ever met, and on none was the mark more noticeable than on her. The fire Natsu shared with his Guild, burned in each of them eternally, and in her it lit a new determination. A new goal!
She didn't have time to feel guilty anymore, she needed to at least try and bring her team back together. If Natsu was to be found, she would prefer he have something to come back too. The least she could do was make sure Lucy, herself and Gray (Happy too) were still a functioning unit. It could be tomorrow, or next week, hell if it took her decades, Natsu would have a place to return. She would beg his forgiveness and whether he gave it or not she would be happy to know that she at least tried.
Two years later
So, he was back. He'd avoided the place as long as he could but there was a rumour he needed to follow, and as much as he would've liked to avoid the place to save his aching heart he could not. It was because of this rumour, he sought to rejoin the guild under a false name, his mission needed to continue and Fairy Tail would be the only guild guaranteed to be in the centre of the action. For Fairy Tail was always at the centre of any event.
The rumour had filtered through many of the Dark Guilds he had tasked himself with removing, his way of atoning for the things he had done without meaning too. A way of atoning for the things he had meant to do as well. He was a killer, even if he had never taken a life. He had come close but his enemies had always been alive in the end. There were times he regretted that, many terrible people had gone back on their words and returned to harming others. So, the lives lost to those he had chosen to spare weighed heavy on his soul and yet he still couldn't bring himself to do what was needed. Time and again he had killed because he failed to actual take a life.
The stories that spread about him would argue otherwise however.
He would not deny that he had caused untold damage, destroyed and hurt more homes and more people than he would ever wish for. His magic would on occasion take up a life of it's own. His flames scorched everything it touched, he had managed to prevent it from spreading from his body now at least, but it did not stop his skin from burning all it was in contact with. As a result he had been forced to spend inordinate amounts of Jewels on fire proof clothing and had resorted to never wearing anything other than sandals (for he had yet to come across anything more than Fire Resistant footwear too expensive to purchase in bulk when they eventually gave way to his heat). He had, quite literally, on numerous occasions left blackened footprints in his wake sometimes for miles at a time. Then there was the Memories.
The memories he should not possess, of a life he never lived, or was that to say a life he had once lived before it ended? He remembered dying, in the arms of an older boy with black hair, a pointed chin and pale skin. The memory was so clear he sometimes felt his life slipping from him. It wasn't a dream, despite what he spent a year and a half convincing himself, it had been real. Natsu Dragneel had come to his end as a child. Yet somehow he also did not end and was raised by Igneel. It was a strange and distorting thing.
He shook his head of the thoughts, Fairy Tail was approaching and he didn't wish to enter such a lively place with such sadness, anger and melancholy. Even if he had hidden his face. His guild were somehow able to capture the mood of those who entered it's halls and many were kind hearted souls who would seek to help. Levy and Mirajane jumped to mind in an instant, both were so close to his heart that they may as well simply be it. He had many like that, even after all this time, he had lost none of his love for them. Much of it was buried in anger and hurt, the combination of betrayal, but he knew he still loved them all the same. They were his family after all, and that bond was hard to erode even with time and pain.
The building looked to have been rebuilt again, still of the same blueprint as when Phantom Lord attacked but the materials had aged differently in various places, a clear sign of relatively recent repair work. The large oak doors were firm and heavy against his fingers, a comforting sign of structural reinforcement for anytime the Guild Hall suffered a direct frontal assault. Useless against magic but should angered townsfolk of a place they had partially destroyed during a Request come knocking they would be unable to break through. An entire regimental army would fail to breach its doors. What he found most interesting was one of the images carved into the door, a dragon alight with flames, standing tall and defiant, a man stood in front of it with flames much the same as the Dragons, the two both seemingly roaring at the sky. His fingers traced the very image.
"His name was Natsu..."
Lucy's voice caused him to turn his head slightly to view her. In his revelry he had been too focussed to hear her step up to him. She looked good, healthy and fit and he was pleased with that. He briefly wondered if she'd heard of any of the good deeds he done under her name. He'd never quite been able to stop exaggerating the stories of quests and putting her as the central character. The soft smile on her face led him to believe she was thinking of him, of Natsu, it led him to think that perhaps not everyone had agreed with his Exile. It led him to a hope he would not allow himself to entertain fully. But Lucy, after all, had only said goodbye and had not called him a traitor. By extension Happy too would hopefully be the same... He was not here to reveal himself though, he was here for information and he had to play this off as if he had no knowledge of himself. For his sake and theirs.
"It's a strong name" he replied "I must ask, however, why he is associated with a Dragon?"
The formality of his speech was nothing out of the ordinary, alone on the road for two years instills a sense of respect that those who do not wander would never understand. His outbursts of rage may have poked the fire within him, but it was control and the careful adding of fuel that made it roar stronger and more brightly. He awaited Lucy's reply as she took a brief glance at him. Examining his clothing, most likely trying to judge his intent. He was proud of her caution, often those that hid themselves had something to hide. Seemingly finding him trustworthy enough to continue the conversation she did.
"It is, but as for the dragon, well that's supposed to depict his Dad" She continued before he could even try to feign shock at such a declaration "I know, crazy right? But true, Natsu was raised by a dragon named Igneel. Natsu is sorely missed"
"Might I also ask how he died?" the question itself was clever, if he thought so himself, for if he had answered any differently it may have raised suspicion. More often than not, he found carvings such as the one his fingers still rested on were usually made for those who passed. He knew it well, for directly to the right of his lay Lisanna's. A kneeling girl surrounded by various animals from birds to rabbits with a large Egg on her lap, Happy's Egg. It had been one of the many cravings that had constantly been remade with every rebuild and repair, including the many others that were on the door. The gloomy look on Lucy's face as she answered betrayed her worry about her answer.
"He's not dead, he's... lost and needs to come home. It was carved in the hopes he'd see it someday and know he is still loved"
"I see... Well to have garnered such care from such a strong guild, I can only assume he too was strong. I do not doubt he will return home" funnily he didn't have to lie. As much as it touched him that, even if it was but a few, people wanted him back he knew that, for now, they could not know. Even more truthful, he was returning home, perhaps not in the way that Lucy would prefer but still, he was coming home. As he pushed open the door and gestured for her to proceed first he asked another question.
"And the flying cat above them, what does that symbolise?"
It was yet another question he could really answer himself, but allowing Lucy to answer it lay the chance to inquire about a person who may as well have been his son. Best friends was what he prefered they be, but it didn't take away from the fact that he and Lisanna had essentially been Happy's parents, and he had raised the Flying beast as his own. As Igneel had raised him. Well Lisanna helped as well but it was mostly him, he thought so anyway
"Oh, that's Happy" came Lucy's soft voice
"Happy?"
"Yeah... Natsu's best friend, he's a flying Cat, again crazy right? He was pretty much Happy's Dad, the poor thing's still looking for him. He's been gone over a week this time and it's got me...Oh, what am I doing? You don't need to hear our problems. You must me here for something, go speak to Mirajane she'll be able to help seeing as the Master is out right now. It was nice meeting you, Mister?"
Well Happy was ok, that was good. If he can find a way to reassure the Flying Cat without breaking his cover he would do so immediately. Honestly, just hearing that Happy was still looking so frantically for him after two years made him want to toss aside his cloak and reveal who he was right here and now, but alas he could not. There were people who would burn Fairy Tail to the ground if they knew he had even set foot there, and then their was his new quest to fight against Him. The one he stole the power for the Lacrima in his chest from... Ozqrow was it? No, it was best for everyone that he go by a new name.
"Axolotl, people call me Axolotl"
"Axolotl. It's a nice name, I'm Lucy"
"Lucy?"
"Just Lucy, please"
"Very well Just Lucy, it's been a pleasure"
"Yeah, see ya around!"
He couldn't help but watch as Lucy jogged to her table, and scanning those who she had sat with. Gajeel was there, along with Levy (Jet and Droy mysteriously absent), Gray, Juvia, Elfman, Erza and a blue haired girl who seemed to have her own flying Cat. He'd met her before, if he remembered right, the Cat too. He was glad to see she'd taken his advice afterall. Weiss, was it? No, that didn't sound right... Wesley? No... Ahh, Wendy! Her name was Wendy! There was another scent he knew kicking around somewhere, but he couldn't quite track it, it was too weak.
Speaking of smell, he had completely forgotten that Gajeel's nose was almost as good as his, and would definitely recognise him from scent alone. He saw almost in slow motion as the Iron Dragon Slayer looked up, around the room and then focused on him, eyes narrowing. He heard him say the word "Salamander" loud enough for his entire table to hear, such a thing causing everyone on it to suddenly look frantically around as if expecting something. Only Gajeel knew where in the room he was, and their eyes stayed locked. With little other choice Natsu whispered out, he knew that Gajeel's hearing would pick it up clearly considering how focused he was right now.
"Stuff it Iron Dragon, we'll do this later"
Despite the whisper he made sure his voice was laced with authority. It was a tone that only 1st Generation Dragon Slayers were capable of, considering that their parents were real life Dragons, and it enforced compliance among even their own species. It was a respected tone, because it meant sincerity and ferocity in equal volume, to disregard it meant what in the Dragon world meant a fight to the death. A vicious battle that would not end until one lay in blood and the other had practically drank of it.
The fact that the blue haired youth turned to look at him too only proved that she was who he thought she was, thankfully before she could open her mouth Gajeel interrupted her.
"Hey Short-Round, us Dragon Slayers should meet up and share some techniques later? Right?"
The tone he used was not out off the ordinary, and Natsu was thankful for that. The forceful voice of the Iron Dragon Slayer was the same one he used for everything, for Natsu remembered that was how he was before he was exiled. The young Slayer, seemed to hesitate before admitting defeat. It was clear to all that they knew that they were, all three, Dragon Slayers, and that Gajeel's offer was meant to enforce the fact that Natsu himself would be joining. The fact he heard Gajeel say it under his breath only reinforced it.
"That means you too Salamander" He whispered harshly, careful not to alert his friends to the conversation.
They were still looking around after he had said Natsu's nickname aloud. A mistake on his part, he could admit that to himself at least, but it did sort of give him the opportunity to whisper converse openly. Wendy, the Sky Dragon Slayer, wouldn't be an issue for he had gained her trust, somehow, and she would go along with him. He watched as 'Axolotl', as he had decided to name himself apparently, walked to the bar to speak to the stoic Mirajane. He could vaguely remember her being a women with a near perpetual smile, it was a shame that was no longer the case. Only little Wendy and Young Romeo seemed to get even the slightest of real smiles from her these days. It didn't matter to him though, he couldn't care less, not one single iota. Instead he was drawn back to the table he was sat at by Erza's question.
"Why did you say "Salamander"?"
If he was anyone else he might have shivered at the demand, and he would admit that the red haired woman was surprisingly intimidating on occasion, but he was the Iron Dragon Slayer Gajeel Redfox and he had no fear of her. That said, if he were to bend the truth a little to cause some trouble then what was the harm, seemed like only 'Axolotl' would get the heat.
"That new guy, he smells like him. He's hiding something"
He hadn't expected Lucy's hands to fly to her mouth to cover a gasp, nor had he expected Erza to summon a sword, but it was undoubtedly funny. Both the girls, and Gray it would seem judging by the fact the temperature had just dropped several degrees, wanted answer's immediately. The fact the 'new guy' turned to look almost immediately and glare right at him only caused him to chuckle. This was going to be interesting. The fact that 'Axolotl' rolled up the sleeve of his cloak enough for Mirajane to imprint the Guild Seal on his left shoulder made it even more interesting. He had seen the Pink Haired Slayer have the one on his right shoulder removed, a hilarious and surprisingly frustrating thing at the same time. He'd joined the guild to fight with the guy more often after all, to show him who the better Slayer was, and when he was exiled it was utterly annoying. He'd taken to fighting Gray most of the time, the Ice Guy could damn well take a hit after all.
The Pink haired bastard, who he knew was hiding underneath that stupid cloak, got off rather luckily, being as the moment that the two girls and the somehow still clothed Gray stepped away from the table the doors flung open once more. Master Makarov striding wearily through the centre of the hall, a clear sign that the Guild Master's meeting had been a long and draining one that lead the elderly man to immediately call for a large drink. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it was disappointing that Lucy and Erza had decided to take their seats once more. Apparently, the two girls didn't wish to further weary the Master, on a positive note Gray had no such mind as he continued to stomp towards Axolotl.
"Oi! Newcomer, our friend says you smell like someone we used to know! I want answers!"
Gajeel would give Salamander, oh he meant Axolotl, some credit. He seemed genuinely confused, if his body language meant anything. His tone of voice the same but the politeness and formality of it making it damn near impossible to notice.
"My Smell? I'm afraid I can do nothing about that at this time, I've been travelling a while to get here and have, as yet, been unable to bathe. I sincerely apologise for that, but i'm unsure how that could relate to a friend."
Ahh Clever, feigning as if he smelt of sweat and dirt, disguising knowledge of scent markers. A small jab at himself, making him appear completely unknowing of what was going on. Pretending to have completely misunderstood the demand made of him. Clearly a lie, he could still smell the guy after all and he didn't at all smell of sweat and dirt. Rather the typical Liquid fuel and woodsmoke scent all Fire Dragons, and their slayers, possessed with little to no other markers. Gray, however, seemed to be growing even more infuriated and now that he was paying more attention to the rest of the guild he noticed everyone else had suddenly become very interested. Hell, Lucy and Erza were back on their feet and making their way over as well.
"You smell like Natsu, arsehole!" Gray shouted, hands reaching out to grab the newcomers cloak "Now tell us where he is!"
Well, the guy had certainly changed. He was being threatened and had yet to make any sort of retaliatory move, just stood there and let the Ice Man lift him off the floor and shove him against the wall. He didn't even blink an eye at the act, merely gazed calmly back and around those who'd gathered. He had yet to actually move from his table, but with his damn near perfect eyesight it was hardly difficult to see. The dangerous glint that flashed through the Salamanders, Axolotls, eyes was perhaps warning that he should interfere. At least to prevent a Guild wide brawl. He was still eating at the moment, a fresh batch of stolen tableware he'd gathered from around the city just last night... Bloody rich people had the best steel cutlery around. He rose slowly to his feet, enjoying the fact the returning exile was still acting extremely confused and Gray was becoming increasingly irate.
The punch the Ice Princess delivered to Axolotls face, again with no retaliation, did make him gaffaw rather loudly. Slapping a heavy hand down on Gray's shoulder, causing the bloke to jump, made him smirk inwardly.
"Relax princess, I said he smells like Salamander, not that he knows where the guy is. It's a weak scent, just caught me by surprise is all, probably passed the guy by on his way here or something"
Trembling hands released Natsu from the wall, the cloaked mage landing softly seemingly as if he had never been assaulted at all. With a frustrated sigh, and a step back, Gray bowed his head tersely and muttered an apology and asking for forgiveness for his rash actions.
"Do not be sorry, I too would be much the same if our positions were reversed. Even if I am not quite sure what is happening, I am sure of it. I only hope, in future, we can work together as guildmates and friends"
Axolotls response was met with a light smattering of applause, the words having been directed at everyone but presented to Gray. He did catch Mirajane, Lucy and Erza glance skeptically back at the new guy as he looked round the room and nodded to several people who were looking his way. Wendy even seemed drawn to the guy, for some reason. There was a familiarity in her eyes she wasn't quite sure about, but she did say when she arrived that a man named Natsu had saved her and Carla, before escorting her to the edge of the city so she could join the guild, didn't she? Maybe she too recognised the scent? That couldn't be it, her sense of smell was terrible compared to most Dragon Slayers, couldn't pick a Deer out in a forest full of the buggers let alone recognise and remember the diverse scents of humans. Something else perhaps?
"Newcomer!" Ah, it seemed Master Makarov had decided to drag the kid off to talk "Follow me, please"
His eyes remained on the two as they wandered off to the Master's private office just off the second floor.
Master Makarov was no fool, a jester certainly for he enjoyed bringing a smile to his children's faces with his actions, but he was no fool. He knew, from the moment he saw him, that Natsu Dragneel had returned to his Halls in disguise. There was a reason for that disguise, beyond the false exile that he had repealed so long ago, and he would not oust the Pink Haired boy beneath that concealing cloak to the rest of the Guild just yet. Still, that did not mean he would not speak to one of his grandchildren face to face in private. He sat on his desk, the chair barely used if at all, and gestured for his companion to take a seat also. A stiff bow, and a thank you and Natsu was perched comfortably on a cabinet rather than the chair. Interesting choice, a more subconscious action he supposed, but another clear sign that it was indeed Natsu.
"Why do you hide your face Natsu?"
The concealed brat before him seemed to stiffen for but a moment, a heavy sigh escaping his lips causing the material covering his mouth to flutter.
"Nothing ever gets by you, eh Gramps?"
His hands came up to the hood pulling it down, his pink hair flicking loose. It was longer than before, no doubt he had not bothered to groom or cut it in the past two years. His face was unblemished, though it was certainly more mature, which he was thankful for. He hated every new scar that his children gained, even if he told them it was a sign of fighting for what they loved and believed in, no Parent wishes to see such marks on their kin. The mouth piece came down next, his smile was smaller than he would've liked but it still held some of the same spark and he could just see a flash of white at the base of his neck. A sure sign that the boy still wore the Dragon Scale scarf his father had given him
"So, how'd you figure me out?"
He couldn't help but snort, such a stupid question.
"Pfft, I know everyone of you Brats too well. I'd be able to tell who you are if you came back bald and looking like you'd been put through a thresher"
"Yeah, good point old man. So, you gunna kick me out for lying?"
"Of course not boy" he sighed, tone weary once again. "You have your reasons and I shall respect them. After all, Mystogan too hides his face from others and I have not once asked him to show himself to them. He has his reasons, just as you do... However, might I ask why you come back now of all times?"
All throughout Natsu's explanation, his eyes kept flicking to the bizarre Orange and Red Sword hilt and partial hollow blade attached to his back, the silver Key hung on his belt and the dozens of little pouches it also held. How had he not noticed them before?
"But Gajeel, I don't understand? Why are going so far into the forest?"
"Because, Short-Round, his house is out here and that's more than likely where we'll find him"
The young girl at his side pouted, her blue hair swaying in the breeze. Gajeel had been less than forthcoming about just who they were going to meet and when she asked directly he'd only laugh and say "you'll see" as if that answered everything. Meanie. The forest was beginning to thin at least, that probably meant they were getting close. Not to mention, now that there weren't so many people around, her sense of smell could pick up the delightful aroma of roasting meat and she could hear the sounds of crackling fire and turning spit. Her first thought had been to sprint forwards toward the smell, but the large hand of Gajeel grabbed the back of her shirt and held her back. She kinda wished she'd asked Carla to come along now, her Cat companion wouldn't have let him do that. So reluctantly she let him take the lead, while she crossed her arms and glared at his back.
It wasn't long till they broke through the curtain of trees and came across a clearing. It was only a small one, just big enough for the small bungalow made of what seemed to be mountainous rock with a tightly packed straw roof. From the chimney at the center billowed thick smoke, the high trees that surrounded them and the strong breeze preventing the smoke from travelling above the forest roof. She couldn't help but fret over the roof itself, she knew straw burnt easily and if it wasn't for the fact that in one of Carla's lessons she had mentioned that Straw when packed extremely tightly was quite near fireproof, she may have questioned stepping inside.
She did however let out a squeak as Gajeel kicked the door open, walking in without preamble or a word. She dutifully followed behind him, peering round the main room. It had a nice feeling to it, homely and warm but also almost like a cave. There were few windows, and even they were on the roof, and the light from the fire cast a bright amber glow around it. Wicker Baskets on Iron rods hung from the ceiling that reminded her of Stalactites and the majority of the furniture was made up of various volcanic rocks. It was so very strange, and yet, she kind of felt at home. Gajeel seemed to be basking in the glow as well, if only for a moment, because she heard a very soft sigh of content come from him.
"Make yourselves at home" A familiar voice called
She had to peek around Gajeel's legs to see the owner, the cloaked man from the Guild who reminded her of someone she had met once. Gajeel walked forward, and around the fire pit that was the centre of the house to face the man, and she did the same. She was surprised to find that the small shiny black rock she had sat on wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as she had expected. It was smooth, carved to allow purchase and had absorbed some of the heat from the fire. It seeped into the bare skin that her dress didn't cover and relaxed her. Gajeel had seated himself on what looked like Iron Ore, of all the coincidental rocks that could've been here, and looked as if it was the comfiest thing he'd ever sat on. He was always weird though, so as far as she thought it probably was.
"Gajeel, Wendy it's good to see you again"
She squeaked once more, and when the cloaked figure chuckled she felt her face burn in embarrassment. Even Gajeel was laughing softly (or what amounted to it in his strange way), but she tried to ignore them both to ask the question on her mind.
"I-I'm sorry, b-but do I know you?"
He did feel familiar, she still couldn't get his scent to be sure though. The smell of the fire, and that delicious smelling meat, overpowered her senses. She watched as the stranger raised his hand to remove his cloak and in one swift movement the entire thing had landed on her head. She couldn't help but pout while underneath it, before suddenly gasping. She had his scent now, but it couldn't be him could it? It couldn't be Natsu, he had said that she'd probably never see him again. He was just another person who had left her alone, like Grandeeney, like Jellal. She held no grudge against him, quite the opposite, she still loved him the same way she had loved the other two. It was just, the way he spoke made it seem like he would be dropping of the face of Earthland. She quickly snatched the cloak from her head, expecting to see a stern face and brown hair, or a kind smile and blonde hair, just anything other than that Pink hair she desperately wanted to see. For the few seconds it took to get out of the large coat, she wished only to not get her hopes up. The moment the fabric fell to the ground, partially landing in the bright coals of the fire pit, she slowly opened the eyes she had screwed closed.
Another gasp came forth and she couldn't help but for her eyes to water. Despite having tried not to get her hopes up, she still had, and the relief that flooded her system was one of the best feelings she'd ever had. She was off of her seat in the blink of an eye, accidentally using her more Dragonesque abilities to propel herself towards her one time savior and 1 month companion. Her head hurt slightly with the force with which she crashed into his muscled stomach, but he shielded her from the fall from his own perch. She cared not for Gajeel's sudden burst of laughter, all she wanted was to hug the man beneath her. With a soft but tight touch he wrapped her up in his own arms and got off the floor. Seating her in his lap, stroking her hair as she continued to grip him for dear life. He had been like a brother to her in that single month, and had etched himself upon her heart in a way only two before him ever had. She'd heard, when she came to Fairy Tail, that the man who saved her had been banished 6 months previous, and that they had been wrong to do so. She couldn't even begin to imagine that he would've done what they said he had knowingly, and she knew that she was right even before they had explained that it was likely an after-effect from a battle with someone. She learned later that it had been Jellal he had been fighting when he consumed the Etherion, but she refused to believe that Jellal had been in his right mind either. Both of the men she loved were far too kind to have been able to do that, logically they had to have been controlled or not healthy. The words he whispered brought sobs to her when there had previously been none.
"I've missed you Wendy, just look how strong you've gotten now, i'm proud of you!"
All she was able to do was grip tighter and cry more in happiness. It was like having a brother come home from a treacherous journey. All she wanted was to listen to his heartbeat and be held by him. She did both of those, her other ear listening to Gajeel as he spoke.
"So, you came back. Makarov spoke to you, so why ain't you prancing around letting everyone know who you are?"
She wondered that herself, the Natsu she had met had carried himself proudly and without masks. She remained quiet, instead sneaking his Scarf around her neck as well as his.
"It's a long story, but in short? There are people looking for me, in particular, who would interrupt their plans to find me if i were to show back up. It's why i'm back, the Council's planning a mission to take down the Oracion Seis, the people after me and the weakest link of the Baram Alliance. I stumbled across their plans not long after I was banished, burnt the information they were after but I don't doubt they'll find what they're looking for soon. The council will create a coalition, Fairy Tail will be a part of it so I need to be on that strike team. Cait Shelter, the guild Wendy left, they told me what's really going on, what they're really after. For this to work though, we could probably use you Gajeel. You've got permission to ignore Makarov's standing orders on this one, he's even provided stuff for you to give to them to get you out of it. That explain enough?"
She had no idea what was going on, what the "stuff" was or what "they" were but it didn't matter. If Natsu wanted her to know he'd tell her, she was sure. His hand still threading itself through her hair as she breathed softly against his bare chest, listened to his heartbeat that was as steady as an ocean breeze, that told her all she needed to know. That Natsu had a plan, that he wasn't scared and if he wasn't scared, then neither was she. That steady beat rocked her very being, with each moment she fell steadily to sleep, able only to hear something from Gajeel, then Natsu before the final words coming from Gajeel again.
"They tough?"
"Tougher than me"
"Sounds like fun!"
Lucy had never been one to ignore her instincts, and right now as she lay in bed, they told her that she should go for a walk. It was a strange feeling, a push she hadn't felt for well over a year to just stand up and start walking. It was an easy matter to leave a note for Happy, in case he returned, and a plate of raw fish on the kitchen side for him to devour before he went to sleep. With that she started walking, her mind inexplicably drawn towards her new guild member Axolotl. They'd had a few others join the guild since Natsu had been cast out, but she had never bothered with any of them except Wendy and Carla until now. She couldn't quite get her head around why she was so drawn to this guy. Sure, he was suspicious but then didn't Mystogan hide his face from everyone as well? She'd never really thought much about him other than how odd he sounded and a brief contemplation about how creepy Sleep Magic was. So why the new guy?
There had been a party to welcome him, she remembered, as there was whenever new members joined, but she hadn't seen him at all after Master had introduced him. The parties of Fairy Tail were legendary for how quickly they became rowdy and violently distracting. She'd at first thought perhaps he just wasn't a fighter, considering he'd not once struck back at Gray during their brief encounter, but that strange Sword-thingy on his back belied that. Those other strange devices and pouches littered across his coat were also somewhat combat-related she was sure. That cracked Gate Key also intrigued her, was he a Celestial Wizard? Maybe he'd left because he didn't like crowds?
Then what was up with Gajeel leaving with Wendy so early? Wendy did spend most of her time around Gajeel, much to the larger mans annoyance, but they'd never walked home together before (Carla far too untrusting of the guy to allow that). Come to think of it, Carla hadn't gone with them. She had contemplated following them, but they turned off into the forest and she knew she'd probably end up getting herself lost if she tried to go in after them. It was far too strange, hell, just to find answers she'd asked Crux to take a look at the newcomer and all she got was the same thing he'd said about Natsu so very long ago. "A dark energy prevents my sight". She knew at that very moment that the two were connected and her mind worked feverishly from then on.
She stopped suddenly on her chosen path, come to think of it, wasn't an Axolotl basically an unmetamorphosed Salamander? Could it be possible that the reason Gajeel had picked up Natsu's scent on the stranger because they had once been close? A master and a student perhaps? Her walking began again, this time along a new path she hadn't travelled recently.
If it were the case, that Axolotl knew Salamander then why hadn't he said something? Could it be that Natsu had not given his real name in fear of being sold out and tracked down? Erza's note had been disgustingly aggressive in regards to her hunting him down (though she had forgiven the red haired battle-mage for that now), perhaps he had no clue that they were never going to hunt him down to kill him.
Her feet stopped once more, she had finally reached the edge of the clearing and the sight that met her was equal parts troubling as well as inspiring hope. Smoke billowed from the chimney and the soft glow of the fire pit she knew lay within was emanating from the ceiling mounted windows. She rushed forwards, throwing all her weight against the sturdy door. She'd always had trouble opening it, but it was harder this time, but she continued to shoulder it with all the force she could muster. It wouldn't shift, it was almost as if it was... Locked?
How could it be locked? She hadn't locked it the last time she'd been here and nobody but her knew where his home was. Her attacks against the wooden structure, futile in their endeavor, came to a halt. She pushed her ear up against it, listening in. Grumbling and heavy footfalls reaching her ear, and just as they reached the door she flung her head back. When it opened a moment later she punched forwards, hoping to catch whoever it was off guard. It didn't matter who it was, because if it was Natsu, he deserved it for being gone so long, and if it was anyone else, they deserved it for stealing her friend's home.
She hadn't expected for her hand to be blocked with nothing more than an open palm, which was shoved backwards causing her land on her backside. Rubbing the sore area she turned her gaze up.
"Just Lucy?"
Well, wasn't this a surprise for her. She now knew for certain that the the man in front of her and the man she missed most in the world shared some sort of bond. How else would he know were Natsu's home was? She rose to her feet, shaking in anger, her finger pointed at his face as she growled her words at him
"What are you doing? How do you even know his house was here? Are you his student or something? That would explain why your names are so similar! Answer me!"
There was a moment's pause, she assumed her anger had caught him by surprise. When he remained quiet for nearing a minute she threw another punch, once again effortlessly blocked. That annoyingly polite voice finally coming out.
"I am unsure who you mean Just Lucy. Would you also refrain from trying to cause me bodily harm?"
"Natsu! The Salamander! This is Natsu's home, you have no right to be here! And stop calling me that!"
"Ahh, I see..." She could see in his eyes a startlingly thoughtful look before he continued "It was what you told me your name was, was it not? Never mind, however. It seems you've figured me out then. I do indeed know your friend Natsu and it is as you said, I was briefly a student of his. That said, I have every right to be in his home, considering he gave me the key to it. Now, if you must, you may enter and ask of me what you wish"
He left her stunned, his cloak swishing behind him as he swiftly turned and walked away. She was highly tempted to take another crack at the back of his head but managed to calm herself down. It would do her little good to assault the man who could provide her answers any more, lest he decide to not give those answers. Her backside still sore from falling to the floor after both failed punches caused her to wince slightly as she got up and followed after him. The house was just as clean as when she'd left it, though Axolotl's weird sword thingy was now lay on the floor alongside a whole bunch of other weird devices. A number of strange staves were leant up against a wall near Natsu's old Hammock also. His cracked silver Gate Key was nowhere in sight though, but she could feel the presence of a spirit somewhere in the home. She sat down on one of the rocks, after gathering a cushion she had tucked away while she'd been staying here so long ago. She had no idea how Natsu, or Axolotl too it seemed, could find carved stone in anyway comfortable. Axolotl's didn't even have a back to it or anywhere to place his arms, it was just a normal grey boulder.
He sat with his legs crossed, cloak still on despite how close to the fire pit he was, his lower legs visible as well as the cheap sandals he wore. His breathing was remarkably calm, it seeped into the air and lowered her own heart rate with its steadiness. Her previous anger at an intruder in Natsu's house receding enough for her to ask her questions.
"So, he trained you huh? What in?"
"A number of areas, my physicality and Fire Magic mostly. I have an affinity with fire it would seem. Though those traits are not the only ones I possess, however I hope you understand my reluctance in sharing all of my abilities"
It was fair enough, she supposed, she knew a number of mages around the guild that didn't like sharing what magic they used. However, she wasn't at all shocked to find out that Natsu had taught him fire magic, considering the boy was the Fire Dragon Slayer it made sense that he'd be able to help Axolotl. Still none of this was what she really wanted to know, she just didn't know if she really wanted to ask. A fear of the answers had overcome her where once there had been confidence. They sat in silence for a time, it seemed her companion had no intention of pushing her and was merely enjoying the breeze from the door she had forgotten to close behind her.
"D-did he ever m-mention me?"
"Hmm? Yes, I believe he did"
Once more they returned to silence, only now frustration bubbled under her surface. Was the guy an idiot? She obviously wanted to know what the pink haired boy had said.
"ARE YOU GUNNA TELL ME OR WHAT!?"
For the first time since they sat down his eyes turned to hers. They sparkled a dull amber from the fire, leaving their actual colour a mystery. It was a surprisingly powerful look that tugged something familiar in her chest.
"Very well. He said he knew a beautiful and kind hearted soul named Lucy, a good friend and partner. If I were to run into her I was to avoid angering her because she was, and I quote 'Super-scary'. Until you said that this Natsu was the Salamander, as I had always known him, I did not suspect he meant you. To be quite honest, he never told me of what guild he was once aligned. Clearly Fairy Tail, judging by your friends reaction to me... I would assume He was the 'Ice Princess Fullbuster' he told me about?"
Lucy felt her cheeks warm the very moment the word beautiful had slipped from Axolotls mouth, and her face coloured once the fact Natus had been the one to describe her as it had sunk in fully. It wasn't the first time Natsu had complimented her looks, but the fact he had used those particular words to describe her to another person that made her heart flutter. Strangely she wasn't even annoyed by the fact he'd also told the stranger before her that she was 'scary'. If that was how he talked about her, Axolotl would no doubt have been fed stories about how much of a Demon Erza was.
"He also told me of your strength, and your dedication to your guild. I admire such things for they it is noble of you. I understand you may not have even come close to asking all your questions but I am more tired than I originally thought. If you would please, I would like to sleep. We may speak another time, perhaps we can even work together in the future?"
"Uhh, you're right, I should be getting back. Sorry for... You know, trying to hit you! See ya!"
She leapt up from her seat without a second thought and all but ran from the house and towards her own. She hadn't even come close to asking what she really wanted to know, in fact she'd not even got through the whole 'buttering up' stage of the small talk but at least she'd built some form of foundation to start from next time. He seemed like a nice guy, a bit stiff in his speech but otherwise gentlemanly, polite and completely non-threatening (which was, as far as she was concerned, at odds with the weapons and face concealing cloak he wore).
When she entered the guild hall in the morning she was surprised to find that a brawl hadn't broken out yet. Instead everyone was focused on something else. She walked towards the bar, content to ignore it until she had ordered a punnet of strawberries and a cup of tea (for Mira made the best morning teas), only to find Mirajane was just as focussed as the others. As she took her seat and looked around, spotting the new arrival, Axolotl if she remembered correctly, by the request board. It was nothing unusual, many guild members had taken to placing bets on the sort of quests new members would take when they first joined while others simply used it as a way to judge one's character. There was actually a spreadsheet somewhere that matched Job Types to Personality Types and whether or not they were Glory, Thrill, Respect or Admiration seekers (among a slew of other traits and such). The first request taken, for reasons she had yet to fathom even after all these years as a member, was believed to tell them what sort of person the new members would grow to be.
She watched him herself, finding no harm in observing. What kept her attention, however, was the fact every several seconds he would move his head to gaze down towards his side and out of view. The closer she looked the more she could see, the numerous strange shaped pouches that littered his waist, a strange sword hilt on his back and even two simple wooden staffs (though one had an ornate carved Sickle like wooden head). Movement caught her attention on the shoulder hidden by his head, a flicking ribbon of White that moved to and fro as if caught by a breeze. A tail, but one she knew was owned by someone she had never seen do any such thing as stand on the shoulder of another. The Flying Cat, Carla, only tolerated being carried by Wendy and refused to willingly be in direct physical contact with anyone else for extended periods of time. It made her think, because wherever Carla was Wendy was sure to follow. No sooner than the thought crossed her mind, a little blue blur rushed around him, a slip of parchment clutched in her hand, and headed towards them. Carla and Axolotl, the cat still stood upon his shoulders with her arms(legs?) crossed, followed at a respectable pace after her.
"Oh, morning Erza! Wonderful day isn't it?" came the melodious voice of one of the guilds youngest members. She hadn't seen the youngster this upbeat for a while, she had not been unhappy or anything but simply not this exuberant and full of life.
"It is, isn't it Wendy? Might I ask what mission you've decided to go on?"
"It's a dark guild clear out!" She sang happily, not even remotely aware of the frown now marring the Battle Mage's features. Such requests were by far one of the most dangerous of the non S-Class missions and they were certainly well above Wendy's skill set. 'Why would Carla even let her look at such a request?' she had to wonder.
"I... See" Carla and Axolotl were still making their way, the traffic of the hall impeding their movements. "What did Carla say about you taking such a request?"
"She said it would be a wonderful learning opportunity! I'll be perfectly safe and i'll get to try work on my Roar, It'll be amazing!"
Erza felt her frown deepen, she would be in no way safe if she were to go with only Carla and she herself would be unable to go due to a different mission her team would be going on in a few hours.
"I'm not sure that is wise Wendy, this Guild, Dark Unicorn, is rather powerful. Are you sure you would not wish to take on a different job? Or perhaps you would like to wait until Myself, Gray and Lucy return from our own mission instead of doing this alone?"
Wendy, by the looks of it seemed a bit crestfallen and opened her mouth to speak, only for Carla to interrupt and catch both their attentions.
"She will not be alone, she will be perfectly fine"
Carla had floated in front of her, before landing upon the bar surface and staring at her, her arms still crossed and head turned pompously away. It was the only undesirable trait in Carla that Erza knew of, she seemed to think everyone was below her. Still, Erza continued to be gentle.
"I understand that Carla, but neither you nor Wendy have a great deal of combat experience. Should things get difficult you could be overwhelmed!"
Carla head turned back to her, but she was disappointed to find that it was a look of confidence and not concern.
"You misunderstood me, Erza. Though I will be going, I was not referring to myself. Another will be joining us"
"Who?"
It couldn't be her, Lucy or Gray, for she had already stated they had a mission. Mira was listening in but seemed just as confused as she did, which implied it wasn't her or Elfman and Gajeel rarely, if ever, worked in a team. Juvia almost never left Gray's side and when she did it was to work alone, or join Gajeel on the few times he needed a second. There was no one else she could possibly think of that Carla would be ok with to protect them both, especially considering she still wasn't entirely trusting of them to keep her and Wendy safe as it was.
"That would be me, Miss"
Her head swivelled to the side and her eyes found the grey clad chest of Axolotl, before she tilted her head to lock eyes with him. The small amount of skin she could see in the gap of, what she could now tell was, a balaclava under his hood revealed lightly tanned skin. His Irises a dark gray that faded gradually into his pupils in a way that made them seem strangely threatening and familiar & warming at the same time. Her lips thinned and her brow creased into a glare that would terrify any that were under it but this man neither cowed nor quivered in it's wake. A surprising feat, and the first test passed. If this man was really to accompany two of her closest friends then he would have to meet her standards else she'd forbid Wendy from taking the Request.
"Axolotl, yes? We haven't been properly introduced, I am Erza Scarlet. Forgive me, but are you certain you are capable of protecting them?"
"Of course he is Erza!" Wendy interrupted, still clutching the request to her chest "He's done it before after all"
The young girl's smile was honest and shone with pride but Erza still wasn't entirely convinced. It wasn't that she didn't trust the new guy, as a member of Fairy Tail he had been gifted a certain leeway in that department, but she had no idea of his combat skills. She would simply have to ascertain them herself.
"Well then, I have a few hours before my team is to leave, perhaps we could spar? I'm sure you can understand my reluctance on letting you all go alone without having some idea of your skill"
Axolotl didn't even bat an eyelid at her request, merely nodding and gesturing for her to lead the way to wherever the training grounds were located.
Well, this hadn't been his intention. Wendy had pestered him to go on a job with her, "Just like old times" she had said and oddly Carla hadn't been adverse to the idea either. Well, she hadn't been after Wendy had revealed who he was, completely disregarding what he'd told her not to do. It didn't matter he supposed, Wendy never kept secrets from Carla and Carla in turn was a trustworthy Cat. That month they'd spent travelling together following the disbandment of Cait Shelter, boy was it strange watching every inhabitant of that village just disappear and having to comfort the young girl. Hadn't taken much to convince her that Fairy Tail would be happy to take her in and that she'd find a family there that would never leave her alone ever. He was certain that what happened to him was merely a fluke, but if it happened to Wendy he'd storm back there himself and damn the consequences.
That hadn't happened though and the young girl had been accepted and now he was fighting the strongest female fighter to prove his mettle.
The crowd was growing restless in anticipation, while he and Erza stood facing each other. She'd not bothered to Requip into any of her armours as of yet, sticking with her usual get-up and sword. He'd be using a sword of sorts too but he'd have to wait for the match to begin before it could be retrieved. Lucy would sure get a kick out of it, he doubted she'd have seen this particular key before. If she had, he doubted she'd have seen anyone use them for solely close-quarters combat. The crowd quietened, signalling the Master had finally arrived to officiate. Typical of the Makarov, there was nothing in the way of introduction.
"Erza are you ready?"
The master received a brief nod in answer, and then much to the crowds surprise completely ignored his presence. He didn't mind of course, the old man was simply warning Erza. He'd perhaps told the old man too much about what had happened the past two years. The truth about what happened in the Guild that day, parts of his trip to Tenrou Island and many of the other magicks he's picked up along the way. He'd not be using many of them, just his Gate Key and maybe some Fire just not his Dragon Slaying Fire.
"Begin!"
He wasted no time in drawing forth the silver key from his side.
"Open, Gate of the Chisel - Caelum!"
The bright flash of golden Celestial light blinded everyone momentarily, once cleared his weapon and friend was revealed. The spirit had taken the form of a sword, it's guard a large sphere with a huge, jagged crack across it's entirety. The Hilt was in actuality a handle upon the side of the orb, capable of being held by one or both hands though he usually stuck with one. It did allow him to use some of his other Magicks after all.
"A Celestial Wizard? Lucy will wish to speak with you at some point I imagine"
Erza's voice rang from across the field, having chosen not to attack yet. For the first time since they'd arrived at the grounds he replied to her.
"I'm not a Celestial Wizard, Miss Scarlett. Just think of this more as me calling for a two on one fight... Purple Flare!"
Despite the name of the spell, the flames were anything but purple. Instead a stream of large unruly red, orange and black fire shot from his free hand, it was nothing like the Purple Flare Macao had shown him all those years ago. That had been a controlled spell, it was neat & uniform with every motion it made precise, but his was still like it was when he'd used a similar thing during his fight with Eisenwald's Erigor (save for the black edges and flickers it now held). It wasn't that the spell lacked control, it was simply he had too much magic power. Every spell he used, it all burnt and nothing could prevent that, such was the benefit and curse of His death.
He'd not known what was wrong until after that first lake had completely evaporated.
He dragged his thoughts back to the present, the sound of running footsteps to his left drawing his attention. With barely a moment to spare he brought Caelum up to parry the overhead swing from the redheaded warrior. He felt a chip to his magic power, Caelum drawing more from him to empower herself and keep herself in the world. He had plenty to share, the spirit could take as much as she wanted. He used his superior muscle strength to his advantage to push the enemy sword away, kicking Erza at the top of her thigh and sending that leg skidding behind her. The sudden change in stance would've put a lesser opponent off balance and at a disadvantage, Erza was no lesser opponent and the very moment she had her balance back she kicked back with that same leg. He used his forearm to prevent it from colliding with his skull and didn't prevent himself from sliding backwards.
They were still only testing the waters, and both knew the other hadn't even begun to actually attack yet. Prodding defences, testing reflexes and the like to determine how much strength they would need to win. He had many, many tricks up his sleeves that was for certain but Erza was definitely more skilled than him. He relied on brute strength and hardiness, his adaptability was good too but she was also an adaptable fighter. Erza was intelligent, focused and incredibly skilled. What she lacked in muscle she made up for with ferocity and with her many armours she could analyse and adapt to any opponent thrown her way. It was scary, that someone he'd seen strut about dressed as a Rabbit also had some of the most powerful magic swords and armours in existence. The contrast was eerie.
For a few more moments they regarded each other, the flames of his Purple Flare wrapping around the blade of Caelum and Erza stood defiant with her regular Sword pointed at his chest. Her stance had relaxed enough to allow for quicker reactions, showing her focus had shifted from a balanced style to something more suited to evasion and counter-attacking. He was impressed, though he wasn't sure why being as he already knew she was quick to figure opponents out, that she had already deemed it a waste of energy to try to match him in force. That simple, few second clash of blades that given her all she needed to know to figure out that his speed, which was still remarkable, was nothing compared to the strength behind his movements. That had always been the case for him unfortunately, even with the training he'd done in the past two years his Agility still did not measure up to his Attack power. He'd tried, oh how he'd tried, to get faster but it never could stack up.
He decided to change his tactics too, he made his Purple Flare move entirely from Caelum so that it wrapped itself solely around his fist. He was thankful that this type of Fire Spell could be controlled in such away, it was one of few spells other than Slayer Magic that could be handled as such. The Arena had gone deathly quiet, not a single person moved and the air itself trembled in anticipation. Though that he could probably attribute to Wendy's own growing excitement, that young girl he'd become so fond of when they'd travelled together had yet to discover how much her Magic affected her element. It had been how he found her, lost and alone and surrounded by Vulcans. Her companion unconscious, her tears spilling from her eyes and her body trembling in fear, the air of the place was wrong and he knew he could fix it, had to in fact, if he helped her. Then, there was the time when she was laughing in joy as he tumbled down yet another mountain road, the most pleasant breeze he had ever felt picked up, caressed his face & hair and he had beamed up to the sky while lay surrounded by rubble on his back. As long as the Air thought he could win, then he would. If the wind changed, well, he didn't want her to be sad so he wouldn't even dwell on the matter.
He leaned forward, chest almost perpendicular to the ground, his knees bent and he held Caelum, arm outstretched behind his back. His other hand pressed to the floor. He waited, muscles taut but unflinching, unmoving, he simply waited. A tingle spread up through his fire, a signal that it had spread to just the right spot. With that in place, he sprang forth, Erza close on his heels as she too rocketed forward, sword held high. They met in a blast of air and a flurry of strikes, no single one making it through either defence and each too fast to be seen any better than a blur to the spectators. Caelum wasn't just steel though, she was a spirit and sentient, her ability to deflect blows and weather the onslaught came from him and her working together as one. Lucy had taught him that, shown him that a true celestial wizard fought with their spirits and didn't cower behind them. He may not have been an actual Celestial Wizard, despite his ability to use multiple types of Magic he was still a Dragon Slayer at heart, but that didn't mean he wouldn't pay heed to that lesson. He and Caelum were one unit, two parts of a whole. Both damaged, both weapons, both fighters and both dedicated to others. Caelum could not be drawn upon her own will, she had to be summoned, unsheathed for battle. She fought best for the causes of others, and they were both aware what this fight was in favour of. It was for Wendy, to prove to Erza that he could protect her (not that he thought he'd need to anymore) but also for himself. He wasn't so proud as to not know that he wanted to win, that this was something he desired.
It was that cause, though not as strong as the true cause with which he summons Caelum to his side at every opportunity, that sheared through the average steel of Erza's weapon. The hilt shattering as two halves of the blade flew in opposing directions behind him. She withdrew, jumping back a safe distance to Requip. He silently thanked Caelum for her continued support. The metal in his hand ringing in reply. Caelum had no physical mouth, no means with which to speak out loud but he didn't need that to hear her. Caelum was his friend, it wasn't only during fights that they came together. He kept her summoned as often and for as long as he could. His Magic Energy kept her in the world longer than any other version of her he'd seen. Those Celestial Wizards who used her as only a Torrent of Magical Energy, the man with the male Caelum who didn't give him any magical energy at all causing the spirit to shatter after only a single strike. His Caelum was nothing like that, she was powerful, unyielding, incapable of actually becoming that turret form he had seen others use. When he'd brought her, a mere memento to remind him of Lucy, the shopkeep had called the Spirit defective, that he had other Key's for the Chisel outback. He had refused immediately, that cracked, dull silver key wasn't defective it was his. The Celestial Spirits had gifted him a companion, deigned him worthy of bestowing upon him a spirit that would fight alongside him like a treasured friend, a sister. He'd known from that moment that he would learn to summon a Celestial Spirit, but only one.
Caelum's body sang with pride and itched to continue, her blade quivered and shone, light glinting from every angle of polished metal. Who was he to deny his friend more combat.
The sound of Erza's Requip activating provided the time to strike once more. He pushed forwards again, dismissing his Purple Flare the act of which caused the trick he'd put in place earlier to activate. From the ground shot a roaring pillar of fire, towering over the entire Arena and fountaining out above. The spectators stood in awe, but it wasn't merely a pretty light or a distraction, it was his cover. He sprang through the top of the flames, Caelum held with both hands now, blade spinning to allow its edge to face his target. Another benefit of a Spirit that was both Sword and Machine in magical nature. While his hands kept a tight grip of the handle, the blade began to rotate in full, it's speed unknowable. It span at such a degree it had come full circle and appeared as unmoving as it had begun. He began to twirl himself along with it.
"Celestial Drill!"
He didn't usually make a habit of shouting out his spells, most he had become proficient enough in to use without speaking but this wasn't just a fight. It was a spectacle, a chance for his old guild and his favourite blue haired Dragon Slayer, to enjoy themselves. The centrifugal motion he'd created translated to centripetal force, Caelum's speed would create a devastating attack and due to the rotary function of her blade, all that energy would be translated into a single pinpoint spot. Of course, the fight wasn't over yet. Erza had still been Requiping at the time so she had opportunity to switch out again and boy, would it be cool to see what gives out first.
Of course, he already knew.
Caelum struck down not a moment later, the ground splintered below her feet and dust and wind gathered in a dome around them, preventing the onlookers sight. The wind had knocked many of the unprepared onto their arses, those who stayed afoot laughed as the dust slowly settled. The resounding crack that had rang out while everyone's vision was still obscured brought a smirk to his hidden face. With the dust gone everyone could see what he knew would happen. Another crack, then another before it shattered into pieces like her sword had, not even Erza's Adamantine Armour could stand up to the strength of Caelum. The surprise on her face as her armours shield crumbled in front of her, Caelum seemingly flying back to him without prompt her metal seeming to laugh when she made contact with his hand, all of this lead to two very important things.
1. The crowd was about to have their show.
2. This was going to be fun, after all, if his opponent was anything like the Erza he remembered then she was about to kick it up a gear.
"That was amazing Natsu!"
"Wendy? D'you think you could avoid shouting my name while we're still inside Magnolia? But, yeah, thanks it was pretty fun!"
He ruffled her hair as she stammered out her apology, Carla once again stood upon his shoulder scoffing indignantly at her timidity, but he just waved it off. They were nowhere near the guild anyway, and he couldn't smell anyone around with the Guild's distinct odor.
"Hey, maybe next time me and you can fight instead of Erza?"
Wendy paled immediately, her head swinging wildly and her hands shooting up to wave animatedly.
"Uhh, that's ok, i'm fine! Really!"
He laughed, his hand resting once more upon the top of her head as they continued to walk. The Dark Guild request was local, came in that morning, and thankfully didn't require the use of dreaded transportation- yet another thing two years of training couldn't seem to fix was his Motion Sickness.
"Why'd you call yourself Axolotl?"
She'd wondered since the moment she'd found out it was him. It wasn't a bad name perse, it was fine, wonderful even, but it just didn't seem to fit him. Natsu, Salamander, those names worked and she couldn't help but feel they reflected his soul. Axolotl though? A creature stuck somewhere between a newt and a Salamander, never quite metamorphosing, caught on the cusp of two very different creatures even if of the same species. Tadpoles and frogs, Axolotls and Salamanders. The same thing but so incredibly different you can scarcely believe they are one in the same. The Youth and the Elderly.
She saw as his eyes, the only part of him visible under his balaclava and hood, flickered to the side in thought. His answer came with such profound tones they threw her off with their utter pointlessness.
"It sounded cool at the time"
Her feet tripped on some imaginary stone, her movements became a short stumble before she quickly found ground to walk on again. She should have expected something like that, her friend and her hero had been much the same when they first met. Oh, he was smarter now and he carried himself slightly different but he was still the same. The realisation lifted a weight on her heart she hadn't even known was there until now. It was relieving to know that despite what she'd heard happened to set him out on his own, away from his home, had not changed in the year and a half since she'd met him. He was smart, but an airhead and still passionate to a fault about the strangest of things.
Sometimes though, she questioned the decision not to defy him and follow behind regardless, for she had known and still did that if she had truly wanted too then he would not have stopped her. The rest of the time she was simply thankful for him having brought her to her new home. Lucy made her feel welcome and respected, Erza was like a bodyguard that scared away anyone who so much as looked at her wrong, Gajeel and Gray were like aloof cousins who pretended they thought nothing of her but would still go out of their way to keep an eye on her and Happy had always been the one to swoop in to whisk her away when she was feeling sad or bored. Much to Carla's annoyance, but Happy had slowly lowered the walls of the White Cat's shield of disdain to the point that any flash of blue and white was no longer cause for her to shout in anger, but simply something that she sighed and shook her head at as Wendy and Happy flew around the guild hall giggling. In the end though, it was Natsu that she had wished to have stuck close by and the day he'd stopped at the edge of Magnolia to say "See you again!" had left her wanting to deny Fairy Tail and follow him. It was strange, she had once wanted to continue on with Jellal so much that it had hurt for weeks afterwards, but that was nothing compared to wanting to be at the side of a fellow Dragon slayer, someone who understood the pain of waking alone in the forest with their dragon parent missing. Someone who understood the pain of a Guild they could no longer be apart of.
She often wondered what had become of him in their time apart, she had spent many nights fretting and worrying, fearing that he had gotten hurt protecting someone again and that she wasn't there to heal him anymore. Nightmares of him blaming her for not following, not being there to heal a wound that had led him to his death, but Carla had always reassured her. The white Cat had struck up some sort of bond with Natsu out of the blue one day, it was as if the two had suddenly become the best of allies with their sole goal being her protection and growth. When Carla hadn't been in her clutches, she had been stood upon Natsu's shoulder or sat atop his head smiling as if all was right in the world. Carla knew that Natsu would never think like that, never even consider her at fault even in the unlikely event that he did get hurt or die. Those reassurances brought both tears and smiles, for just the thought of him dying sent aches to places she didn't even think could feel pain but the truth of her words were what made the difference, brought a 'change to the wind' as Natsu would've said. She never understood quite what he meant by that, he'd tried to explain but his words didn't make sense and so he had told her he would explain it better one day if she didn't figure it out before then.
She hadn't even bothered to try and figure it out, she wanted him to be the one to explain it and if that meant waiting years then she would, curiousity be damned.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, content to stop thinking so much and just enjoy being travelling with him again (even if it wasn't a long trip). She'd gotten stronger since they last met and she was going to show him just how much and make him super proud of her. She was the Sky Dragon Slayer and together with the Fire Dragon Slayer they would be unbeatable again. She'd practiced every move she had, and she'd even tried figuring out how to improve Unison Raids because when she and Natsu had done it in the past she had been saddened by how much his magic overwhelmed hers. It had been almost as if she'd not even made a lick of difference despite him telling her that it was because of her magic that they'd blown the roof of that building as well as several walls.
She still remembered having to run from the Rune Knights after that, well, she remembered running for a minute or so before she was unceremoniously thrown over his shoulder and carried like a sack of Potatoes anyway. That hadn't been long after he and Carla had bonded so her feline companion had flown behind smirking and guffawing, a sound Carla had never made before, at her dazed tired state. Oh, her mind was running away with her again!
"Hey, Natsu?" her voice called out softly and nervously. His head span to meet her gaze, and a large smile spread across his lips. "Do you think we could, um, try that Unison Raid again when we get there?"
His eyes closed and he bared his teeth, the age old grin that had been practically burned into her memory upon his face.
"All out from the start, eh Wendy? I like your style! Let's do it!"
Before she knew it he'd grabbed her hand and had started sprinting towards their goal. After a minute she was once again thrown over his shoulder, dislodging a disgruntled Carla. His pace never slowed over the few miles they had to reach the hidden Dark Guild Hall. She wasn't usually a big fan of fighting, but with Natsu with her she couldn't help but feel her excitement build.
He had been the one that had helped her train, teach her new ways to build up her Magic Container and use her spells. He'd protected her, but when he'd been caught by surprise and started to struggle in a fight she had instantly jumped to his side and used what he'd taught her to fight alongside him to victory. After that first event, she'd fought with him every single time. Lucy had told her all about how she and Natsu were Partners, but Wendy couldn't help but feel that Natsu and her were also partners. He'd fight for her safety and happiness and she had vowed to fight for his too, as a fellow Dragon Slayer, as a Friend and as a member of their shared Family.
A family born not of blood but of bonds forged in Dragon Fire, cut by Dragon Winds and cooled with time. Too strong for anything to break, a chain made long ago that she had been brought into by Natsu's unwavering kindness. A family that, even though he had travelled away from he had not left. Natsu, herself, Carla, Happy, Grandine, Lucy, Erza, Gray, Mirajane, Juvia, Gajeel, Elfman, Levy, Cana and even Master Makarov.
Wherever Grandine was, she hoped her mother was proud of the family her 'little blue Dragon cub' had found.
"I'm still not sure what to think of this... How can I possibly know what to do? Mavis, First Master, what would you do?"
He wasn't sure why he was addressing the crystal encasing the First Master like this again, it had been so long since he had last come down here to talk to the dead/alive body below the Guild. The Lumen Histoire, his guilds most dangerous and darkest secret. Many years ago, during the tougher moments of his Parenthood to the guil, he'd come down to speak with the First Master's body. He'd bounce ideas off her in the vain hopes that her mere presence might inspire some new insight or perhaps some divine guidance, but all he ever left with was silence. It did help though to speak to someone, to just say the things that were troubling him even if the person he spoke to ha no means of being able to hear him.
The things Natsu had told him upon on his return had settled in his stomach like a rock and cast doubts in his mind. His brat had had a tough couple of years. Natsu had to gain control of a vast supply of magic that had been added to his own, rather large supply. Blaze King, Natsu had called it, magic inherited directly from his father Igneel. The boy had not told him how that magic had been transferred, only that it's receipt was most likely what caused the event that saw him kicked from the guild. That only cast more questions, to have received it directly it would have to mean that Natsu had met with Igneel once again sometime after the Tower of Heaven incident but he was certain he'd remember a lumbering three-story tall dragon kicking about. He'd heard about the Blaze King though, after he'd met Natsu he'd sought out as many books, tablets and scrolls on Dragons and their Slaying Magic as he could, and the Blaze King was featured only briefly.
"The most powerful of fire type spells, Blaze King, is an ancient Dragons only magic. A roar from such a dragon has the power to incinerate any in its path in but an instant"
Igneel, according to Natsu was the King of the Fire Dragons, so it made sense that he was possessed of this Blaze King power. The means off teaching it though, or even passing it on were not known or even theorised. Burning under Natsu's skin was the power of a full-grown, incredibly old magic flame that could decimate an entire kingdom if it went out of control and he didn't need books to tell him that. Such power in the body of one of his most reckless youths was a scary thought, but considering what the young boy had grown to become he had enough faith in him to believe he would keep it underwraps. What did worry him though, was the final part of their conversation.
"Zeref's alive Gramps, he-uhh... he told me his name last name..."
The boy hadn't actually shared what that surname was, but he could guess and that guess sickened him. If true then Natsu was a relative of the most despicable mage to ever exist and if news of that got out he would be universally hated by all but a select few. He himself was one of those few, regardless of Natsu's familial ties the little brat was his child and as such he knew his true natures. He knew that, underneath that wanton destruction and constant search for strong opponents lay a scared little boy, worried that one morning he would awake to find himself alone once more. After Igneel, after whatever had happened with his original parents and especially after the terrible mistake that had been him getting exiled from Fairy Tail he would never allow that boy to be alone again. Then there was his final concern. The way young Natsu had spoken of Zeref's wish to die, at the Dragon Slayers hand no less, was a damning revelation in itself.
"He wants to fight and die one day, soon and then it'll all be over... It'll all be over"
He'd never come outright and said it, that this fight would likely be so cataclysmic that either both would die or only Natsu, but he was wise enough to hear the words hidden underneath. How could he allow his child to go into a fight where he would not come out the other end regardless of what happens? How could he allow a child of his to do battle with a man of infamy such as Zeref in the hope that he would return alive. He had the utmost faith in all of his children, but if Zeref was still alive 400 years after his supposed death then the only people that really stood a chance were the top five Wizard Saints and that was if they all bandied together and had a huge amount of luck on their side. Natsu, though strong, was not on that level, nobody but Zeref was on that level for that was the curse of using magic correctly. Zeref, by all accounts, had been a genius an unafraid to use any method he could to advance the creation of his spells and his own power. Terrible atrocities had been recorded in the annuls of history in Zeref's quest to perform many of his more complex spells.
"I just don't know First Master... Just, just give me the strength to make the right choice when the time comes"
Lucy strode forwards for the second time in two days, stopping just short of the house to take in the sight in the setting evening. The same amber glow of last night still shone through the rooftop windows and the array of colours cast upon the clouds made for a perfect scene. If Reedus were to even glimpse the place right now she had no doubt he'd be sat painting for hours on end.
For the last steps to the door she chose to ignore the fact their was two voices coming from within the walls, she'd pushed her luck with the guy the previous night what with her attempting to punch his lights out for merely being in the house. She struck the sturdy wooden door hard, only for it to be answered by the beaming, slightly dusty face of the youngest Dragon Slayer she knew. Despite the fact Wendy's clothes were torn slightly and the dust on her face was nothing compared to that which covered the fabric, she was still as full of energy as ever.
"Ohh! Lucy, hello, come on in. Axol!? Lucy's here!"
She knew Axolotl and Wendy had taken a job together, seeing as they'd left right after his fight with Erza that morning but she had no idea that the girl had gotten so close to the guy. That did remind her though, she wanted to ask about his Celestial Spirit, Caelum, for Axolotl had been expertly using the being in a way she never had. She'd picked up the same sort of key not too long ago but she just didn't have the same flow with it that he did. She'd even taken lessons on sword weilding from Erza, the thought of which still made her shudder in terror, to help but that hadn't helped.
She followed behind Wendy to the fire pit, taking her usual seat, pillow still in place from her last visit while Wendy skipped over towards the pure black stone on the other side. How the girl could be comfortable sat upon it she didn't know but she was, her legs dangled off the ground and swung, heels touching lightly with the rock each time they swung back. She concluded that all Dragon Slayers were weird, being as Gajeel ate Iron, Natsu himself had designed his furniture to be made of rocks and that Wendy must also have some strange quirk like them.
"I didn't expect you to be her Wendy"
A brief flash of uncertainty crossed the girl's face, though not quick enough for her not to notice.
"Well, I've met Na-Axol before, when Ax-Natsu was bringing me here... He was really friendly to me!"
Well, she could believe that, ignoring her stuttering for now, being as she had shared that she'd travelled with Natsu for a while. She had never gone into detail, but then she'd not had chance after she had mentioned Natsu's name and people had immediately surrounded her for details. Lucy, herself, had refrained from asking questions being as every time his name came up she had the most stricken expression, but. Whenever Wendy brought him up she was glad to hear of the pink haired dragon slayer. Wendy spoke of him as if he were a god given form, no flame had ever harmed him and the girl had said they'd even come across someone who claimed their flames were above Dragons, God level, and Natsu had quickly claimed control of even them. She couldn't help but think "That's our Natsu!". For it truly was, that boy that she loved, the boy whom she still dreamt about, still had nightmares about, could never be harmed by flame; even if he could she knew he would overcome them. She knew her long lost partner well, it was why she'd come back now or she wanted to talk more with his student.
"Wendy, where's Carla?"
"Oh, she's over there, in our bedroom!"
Wendy spoke excitedly and it threw her off. She knew that Natsu's house had a spare bedroom, for she'd been here enough times to have mapped the place out. Carla though, Carla asleep in the spare room of a stranger's house, or even a friends, leaving Wendy alone with said stranger; that was bizarre.
"Our bedroom? Wendy, you live at Fairy Hills!?"
"Yeah but, we wanted to be with Na-Axol again"
She ignored the stutter once again, content to pretend her subconscious wasn't given her impossibilities being as Wendy wouldn't hide a revelation such as the one that she was currently thinking of. Still, Wendy knew Axolotl and Carla didn't seem to feel any worry allowing Wendy to be alone with a man, which was odd being as even Gray and Gajeel didn't get away from her suspicions despite how long they'd been apart of the guild. (Ignoring the time Gajeel had snuck off into the forest alone, without Carla).
"So, what? You're staying here?"
"Yup!"
She didn't have time to continue, though the surprised and suspicious look never faded even as the new sound reached her ears. A padding sound came from an adjacent room, the humming sound that she hadn't noticed till it stopped signalling the end of a shower. A few seconds later Axolotl walked through Natsu's old bedroom door glad only in a towel but with his Balaclava on his head. It was a strange contrast, a pure white towel around his waist and a pitch black Balaclava that only revealed his eyes, they didn't fit. Why was he hiding his face?
"Took you long enough Axol!"
"Wendy, you been given me nicknames again?"
She watched the young girl smile, a bright blush around her cheeks as she buried her cheeks in Axolotl's usual cloak. She hadn't noticed that the girl had been clutching it before now. Axol spoke once more before she had chance to connect anything.
"Well Lucy, how can we help you?"
First chapter... Or maybe the only, who knows because I don't.
I wrote this to combat the writers block that I go threw while writing my main story (Hunter of Karakura). Been writing this for a long time, making shit up as I go but matching to a singular idea I had at random. So, this story has an Arc, it has a begining, middle and end but it's not something I foresee me spending a lot of time thinking about. So, if it does continue, expect plenty of plot holes, a bunch of cannonical mistakes (where the story needs them to apply anyway) and also bad fight/Hareem writing. (I've never written a Harem, nor a proper fight scene, before so those aspects will be greatly lacking)
Best of luck
Your fellow writer.
