Okay, first of all, hi, how are y'all doing? I'm very new to this thing, as this is the first fanfic that I attempted to write.
1. When I had started writing this, I didn't have in mind that I would upload it online, as I was only writing it for my own enjoyment, but after I noticed that its length was becoming quite huge, I was like "what the hell? I don't have anything to lose." so I decided to upload it!
2. Taking that in mind, I will warn you all beforehand that this story doesn't exactly follow the rules of canon, some shit happens that won't really match to it, but it's nothing too crazy. So, when you do see those parts, try not to take it too seriously, as I have changed some parts of the canon to fit this story! I'm just uploading this in case someone else might be into this kind of story and would like to read it.
3. Lastly, I want to add something about the pairings. This story will mainly focus on the original female character and the platonic relationships that she will have with Natsu and Gray, but there will be slightly Gratsu(Natsu x Gray) in the story as well. The only difference is that, as the story is written from the OC's POV, it won't focus on Gratsu very much.
Anyways, that's all I had to say, and to those who decide to read my story, I hope you enjoy it! :)
Her heart was beating loud against her rib cage, breath coming out in slight pants as she jogged through the town, a wide grin plastered on her face.
Zoe had arrived in Magnolia just a few days ago, visiting different sights, the town square, conversing with people, wanting to get acquainted with the new land.
It was odd and sometimes scary encountering all these drastic changes that happened all around the world, without her knowing about it. After that unfortunate incident, she had isolated herself from the world, not coming into contact with another human being for years. But now, she could start anew, make a new beginning and knew exactly how and where she would make it.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" a man shouted and she scoffed.
"I'm sorry!" She called out over her shoulder to the one she had bumped in and continued on jogging.
Then, she took a right turn and halted in her steps, staring in awe at the building in front of her as she read the sign.
Fairy Tail.
Zoe smiled sadly, eyes downcast. She should be happy, yet she couldn't bring herself to bury the mistakes and regrets of her past life that she carries. Maybe it's for the best, maybe this way, she would learn not to make the same mistakes again, not to take everything for granted as she once did.
She took a deep breath and lifted her head, mustering up the strength to take steps and close the distance between her and the guild's doors. When she reached them, she placed her palms against it and hesitated.
Once she opened these doors, her life would change. Once she did this, she would have to come to terms with her past deeds and lay them to rest.
She straightened her posture, lips set in a hard line and pushed the doors open.
What she came across with wasn't the image she had formed in her head.
Her jaw dropped as she gawked at the loud commotion going around, half of the guild fighting each other, throwing things at one another. She snapped her mouth shut and chuckled, shaking her head.
Seriously, what did she expect? Fairy Tail was known for their goofiness. She gazed at the guild members fighting each other, screaming and laughing. She felt an ache deep in her chest and lifted her hand, fingers curling over her lavender shirt, where her chest was.
"Oh? And who might you be?" The voice snapped out of her trance and she glanced down towards the source of the voice, eyes widening as she stared at an elderly man in a wheelchair.
"Oh, um, hi, my name's Zoe— I, uh, I came here because I wanted to join the guild, if that's acceptable…" she explained whilst rubbing the back of her head.
The old man perked up, grinning widely. "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise? We haven't had a new guild member in a while. My name is Makarov, I used to be third, sixth and eight guild master of Fairy Tail and this," he said and glanced at the rest of the havoc that occurred in the guild, "this is our famous guild."
Zoe gasped, eyes widened as her arms fell limply to her side. "Makarov— as in Makarov Dreyar?" she asked, staring down at him.
Makarov snapped his head towards her and scowled, studying her for a few moments.
She averted her gaze and tapped her foot against the ground, "I mean, you are famous around the other cities too— and may I be honest, I admire you for all the things you've done."
She cringed at her own words and clenched her jaw. How more awkward could she get? Disappearing from the face of the earth for so many years didn't help her social skills.
"Well, I guess I am pretty popular, aren't I?" Makarov giggled whilst rubbing the back of his neck.
"Y-Yeah…" she agreed, sighing in relief.
"Anyways, why don't you follow me so I can introduce to you the seventh guild master and get to know each other, hm?" he offered and turned his wheelchair around, rolling towards the mini bar.
Zoe followed him, glancing all around her, taking in the building.
"Watch out!" someone yelled and ducked her head, barely avoiding a chair that was thrown over.
"Hey, flame-brain, watch it!" a dark, blue-haired boy yelled, placing his two hands together.
"You wanna go, ice-freak?" a pink-haired boy shouted back, fists raised up in flames.
Pink hair? What an odd color for hair.
"Zoe, are you coming?" Makarov called out to her, once again snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Yes, sorry." She replied, jogging towards the mini bar.
She came to a stop in front of a red-haired woman dressed in armor and shivered as she felt that gaze studying her.
"Zoe, meet Erza Scarlet, the seventh master." Makarov introduced her, beckoning with one hand towards the woman called Erza.
"It's nice to meet you, Scarlet-san," Zoe said as she extended her hand, a small smile forming on her face.
"Likewise," Erza responded with a smile of her own whilst taking her hand in a firm grip, "I'm surprised to hear that we will have a new member— I wonder, what made you chose us?"
"Well, I have heard a lot about you and I have seen what you have done for this world— I think that's reason enough, don't you think?" she shifted her weight to her other leg, "I also wanted to make a new start in my life and I thought that this guild was ideal for that."
Erza's smile widened, eyes wandering around, "Yeah, I don't think you will regret making this choice, it's a good place to start over. And now, please, could you tell me a few things about yourself?" she asked, eyes focusing back on her.
Zoe nodded, "Well, um, I am seventeen years old, all my life I have lived in Hartselle. I first heard of you from my parents and I had wanted to join Fairy Tail ever since."
"I see, and what about your family? Are your parents back in your homeland?" Erza questioned, crossing her one leg over the other.
Her voice hitched in her throat, lower lip trembling as a familiar house came into her mind— burning, flames everywhere, air suffocating, can't breathe, they're dead, it's burning, burning, burning, demon—
"-oe? Zoe, what's happening? Are you okay?"
She flinched as someone placed a hand on her shoulder and lifted her head to look at Erza's and Makarov's concerned expressions. She ran her hand over her face and let out a shaky breath.
Even after all this time, she still hadn't gotten over it.
"Yeah, I'm…I'm fine, thanks, just a little shaken from the memories, you know," she placed her hands inside her pockets, "as for family— no, I don't have one, they…they died when I was young." She mumbled.
"We're sorry, you don't have to tell us more, that is already enough," Makarov spoke up, giving her a sympathetic look.
Zoe smiled, nodding at him, "Thank you."
After a beat of silence, Erza clasped her hands, "Okay, now I think it's time for your guild mark, don't you think? Mirajane, could you please?" Erza glanced over her shoulder at the white-haired woman at the far back of the mini bar.
"Of course!" Mirajane chirped, humming as she came closer to them.
Mirajane's eyes widened as they fell on her and let out a loud squeal and shot forward, leaning over the counter, managing to grab her face.
"Who is this girl? Don't tell me, is she a new member? She's so cute!" Mirajane beamed, mushing her cheeks together.
"Nice to meet you, Mirajane-san," Zoe struggled to say, blushing as the other kept squeezing and pinching her cheeks.
"Erza, we are definitely keeping this one," Mirajane stated, all while smiling, "Now there is only one step left." She withdrew her hands and picked up the rubber stamp, stepping around the counter, standing next to her.
"Where do you want your guild's mark, Zoe-chan?"
Zoe raised her hands and looked down at her body. Perhaps a place with less fat would be the best?
"On my forearm, please." She announced, extending her right arm in front of her.
Mirajane smiled, gently grabbed her hand and pressed the rubber stamp on her forearm. Then, she withdrew it and brushed her fingers over the mark.
"It's a beautiful color!"
She gazed down at her mark, which was a deep purple. "Yeah, it is."
"Well, that settles that— welcome to Fairy Tail, Zoe," Erza replied, patting her on the shoulder.
"Thanks."
Then, Erza turned towards the rest of the guild, which was still in a mess, "All of you, stop fighting and listen! We have a new member here and I want you all to greet her and treat her nicely!" She yelled, voice booming.
Everyone fell silent at her command and turned to look at her.
Chills ran down her spine as everybody had their eyes glued on her, remaining silent. Then, everyone burst forward, crowding over her.
"Hey, it's so nice to meet you! I hope we get along well, my name is Levy!"
"You are only seventeen years old and you are traveling alone? That's so cool!"
"What's your magic power? Come on, tell us, what is it?"
"You are so cute, I want to pinch your chubby cheek for hours!"
"Silence!" Erza shouted, standing between her and the other guild members. "I told you to treat her with respect, don't pounce on her like she's some kind of pray!"
Zoe touched Erza's shoulder, "It's okay, Erza-san, I don't mind it."
"Anyways, let me introduce you to my team," Erza said, slipping a hand over her waist, guiding her towards a table where a few mages sat.
"Guys, let me introduce to you our new guild member, Zoe," Erza announced, pushing her forward.
"Zoe, this is Lucy," she said pointing to a blonde girl who waved at her with a smile on her face. "This is Wendy," a young girl, probably younger than her with blue hair smiled shyly at her. "This is Gray," a boy with dark blue hair nodded at her, "and this is Natsu," a boy with pink hair rushed over and grabbed her hands, shaking them violently.
"Nice to meet you, Zoe!" he said, grinning widely, "Man, this is so awesome! A new member!"
She smiled, "It's nice to meet all of you too, thanks for accepting me."
"Come on, sit down with us, let's get to know each other." Lucy grabbed her wrist and tugged her forward.
She sat down between Lucy and Wendy, across from them Gray, Erza, and Natsu, feeling a warm and fuzzy feeling filling her chest.
After having talked with all of the guild members at least once, Zoe slumped in her seat, placing her head against the table in front of her.
"Socializing is so exhausting..." she mumbled, face pressed against the table.
A hand was pressed onto her back, rubbing in slow circles, "Well, you did really well today, everyone was so excited to talk to you, even though some might not have looked like it," Lucy chuckled, "Having a new guild member means so much to everyone here, so it's only logical that they would have reacted this way."
"I see…" she muttered and closed her eyes, the movement against her back calming.
"Hey, Zoe, if you're tired you can return home, you know? Nobody will say anything to you."
"I know, I should probably go."
The movement on her back paused and she turned her head to glance up at Lucy, "What is it?"
"It's nothing, just…where are you staying?"
"At an Inn, on the outskirts of the town," she replied, lifting her head up, "Why?"
Lucy tapped her finger against her chin, "Well, you have been staying at that Inn for a few days before coming here, right?"
She nodded, "What are you trying to get at?"
"How much money do you have left, Zoe?"
She scowled and rubbed her chin, lost in thought. She had some with her on her way to Magnolia, but it wasn't a fortune. Surely, she had a few until she could take another job, right?
She grabbed her back bag that was placed next to the table and opened it up, rummaging through her stuff. She grabbed her wallet and opened it, mouth dropping at the emptiness inside.
Just like my soul, ha-ha.
"It's empty." She stated and turned it upside down, shaking it.
"Oh, wow."
"Why do you sound so amazed?!" Lucy yelled, throwing her arms in the air.
"It's okay, Lucy, you don't have to worry, I'm sure I'll figure something out. Either way, I have already paid tonight, so if I take a job tomorrow, I will have enough money to pay for the next few days." She replied, waving her hand dismissively.
"Anyways, I should get going, thank you so much for keeping me company Lucy, and also thank Erza for me, too." Zoe stood up, hooking her bag over her shoulder. "See you tomorrow."
"See ya, Zoe." Lucy waved at her goodbye as she left.
Once she was out of the guild, doors closed behind her, she let out a heavy sigh and massaged her forehead. Today things had rolled way smoother than she would have had imagined, as everything went according to her plan. Well, almost according to her plan, if she hadn't been so uptight and awkward, but it's not like she was doing it on purpose.
She strolled through the town, sun lowering over the mountain hilltops. She wrapped her jacket around herself tighter as she felt the chill of the air. Winter had almost ended, with spring right at the corner, but the nights were still cold.
She shoved her hands inside her pockets and walking faster, as she glanced at her right. There was something amiss, something that didn't feel right at the moment. She thought she had sensed another presence nearby, but wasn't sure, as she was exhausted and her senses weren't as sharp.
She took a turn at an alleyway and hid behind some boxes, shadows engulfing her. Her heart beat loudly against her chest as she heard steps coming into the alley. When they had reached close enough, she sprung out and lifted her fist, aiming it towards her pursuer's head.
Instead of feeling her fist collide with the person's face, her hand was caught like it was nothing, stopping her completely. She squinted her eyes and managed to catch a bundle of pink hair.
"Natsu-san? What are you doing here?"
Natsu withdrew his hand and rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling nervously, "Ah, well, you see, this is, um, we needed to make sure you're alright," he said, and glanced behind him, "Hey, Gray, she's over here!"
Zoe simply stared, crossing her arms over her chest as Gray appeared.
"Idiot, I told you this was a bad idea— and don't tell her that, it makes it creepier than it already is!" Gray snapped at Natsu, hitting him on the back of the head.
"Did you hit me, ice-freak?" Natsu grabbed Gray's collar, yanking him close.
"And what if I did, squinty-eyes?"
"Pervert."
"Dragon-freak."
"Popsicle!"
"Flame-brain!"
Are they actually serious right now?
Zoe stared silently at them as they kept bickering with each other, as they seemed to have completely forgotten about her.
"Hey, guys, I think that's enough now." Her gaze wandered from one to the other, sighing as her words were completely ignored.
Her eyes widened as she saw the blush that had smeared Gray's face, pupils dilated, a small smile on his face as Natsu kept throwing insults at him.
Oh, so that's how it is...
Now that she looked closely, she noticed how Gray leaned into the other more, stance relaxed, playful.
Who the hell am I to butt into their business, anyway?
"Guys!" she yelled, finally getting their attention. "Sorry about that, but could someone tell me why you were following me?"
Gray averted his eyes, staring down at his feet. He nudged Natsu, who cleared his throat.
"Well, you see, we just wanted to make sure that you would return home safely— it's not like we are underestimating you, I'm sure you have some awesome powers, but you seemed kinda out of it as you left, so, yeah…I hope you aren't too creeped out by it." Natsu explained, a grinning.
Zoe studied them, the corner of her lip quirking up.
So, this is Fairy Tail, huh…
While it was creepy, the thought alone was kind. She chuckled and flashed them a wide grin, "Thank you guys, even though I have just joined and you don't even know me, that's really sweet of you."
Natsu stared at her with an odd spark inside his eyes, expression serious, "That doesn't matter, from the moment you join Fairy Tail, you instantly become a part of our family, getting to know you is an entirely different matter, right Gray?"
Natsu turned towards the dark-haired mage, who nodded in return.
"That's right, just as the idiot said, just because you joined recently, doesn't mean we won't protect you."
"Hey, who did you call an idiot?"
"You obviously, idiot."
"Take it back!"
"Nope."
"Gray!"
Zoe remained silent, gaping as the two boys in front of her started bickering again.
"From the moment you join Fairy Tail, you instantly become a part of our family,"
Family…she hasn't had that in a long time. Maybe it would be nice to let herself feel again and open up to other people. Perhaps now she might have a family of her own again.
A place to call home.