Hey guys, this is my first story posted on fanfiction! Tell me what you think in a review, constructive criticism is welcome [:
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Fairy Tail. Kudos goes to Hiro Mashima.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
A dull light crept through the underneath of a curtain; pooling into the dark room. Sounds of shuffling could be heard as a young celestial mage sat up in her bed and opened the window so she could see. Outside, dark clouds hung over Magnolia and threatened to fall from the sky.
With a sigh, Lucy let her feet dangle over the edge of her bed as she blinked the sleep away and glanced wearily at the calendar across the room. Today was the beginning of the end for the members of Fairy Tail, and there was no avoiding it. After the whole S Class Promotion festivity, the Magic Council decided that something needed to be done about the antics of Magnolia's mages. Disbanding the Guild was out of the question, since they were one of the few obstacles protecting Fiore from being overrun by Dark Guilds. Making them pay fines seemed to be having no results and assigning a new, more responsible Master was currently impossible after the Laxus incident. There was only one option left, and no matter how horrible it was, they had no choice but to go through with it.
The blonde made her way across the cold floor and stopped before her door. She reached for an outfit hanging on top of it and groaned as she walked off to the bathroom. She hesitantly looked into the mirror to observe what damage had been done from the night before. The Guild had thrown a party for their last day of freedom, which meant a lot of drinking, letting loose with friends, drinking, fighting, drinking some more, and passing out on the floor until someone landed on you due to another drunken fight.
The mage's hair was a tangled mess and sleep still lingered in her russet brown eyes. Her lips were still swollen from all the alcohol, which had also blessed her with a hangover. She was covered with bruises due to being a landing pad for an intoxicated Elfman; the idiot was punched out by Gray and Natsu for disturbing their brawl with a speech about what being a man is. She simply shrugged and turned away from the mirror to continue get ready. That's just how they show their affection for each other, I guess.
As she pulled on the clothing, she thought back on the day when the Council made a visit to Fairy Tail. It had only been a week since Natsu and the others had returned from Tenrou Island and everyone just wanted to relax. They were still adjusting to the fact that 7 years had gone by when Master Makarov announced that the Council would be visiting. When they arrived at the Guild, nobody knew what to expect; all they knew was that it wasn't going to be a friendly reunion.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
A tall man walked onto the stage and looked at the gathered Guild members. He stood there in silence for a few moments; as if he were unsure of what to say. All the mages looked confused as he looked down awkwardly at the podium. He couldn't blame them for not recognizing him, seeing he had aged seven years while they were frozen in time. Maybe it was better that they didn't, he wasn't sure if he had even been forgiven. "We've all been through a lot, these seven years," He began slowly. "From the return of Zeref, to the fall of Grimiore Heart, and of course, the time gap of some of the members in Fairy Tail, itself." Everyone sat quietly as he spoke; the conversation was still painful to hear. "However, that's not what we're here to discuss."
The atmosphere seemed to change as he looked more seriously at the Guild. "This Guild has been the most problematic we've ever dealt with. We receive over ten pages full of complaints each month due to destruction caused by this Guild alone." Some laughs could be heard around the Guild Hall as the man began listing some of the complaints the Council had received. "We've tried cooperating with you and have been lenient in the past."
"Lenient, huh," Lucy looked over at Natsu, remembering when they took Erza to trial. Even if it was just a formality, it still caused them a lot of trouble.
He pulled out a light pen and began writing in the air for everyone to see. He spoke as he did this, "There's one final option left before we take more drastic measures…"
"Sending someone in during the S Class Promotion Test to pose as one of our members by brainwashing us wasn't drastic?" Natsu muttered back to his partner.
Once he finished writing, everyone stared in awe. The words spelt out 'Fairy Tail Academy' in iridescent letters. "This is your last chance, Fairy Tail. Everyone in this Guild is required to take a year off S ranked and above missions and return to school to learn how to properly use magic."
Mumbles began to fill the hall and people began to protest. "There's not even a school in Magnolia! The closet one is in Harujion." Gray Shouted.
"That's right, what about our regular missions?" Gajeel questioned, sounding pissed that they would even put that as an option.
"That's enough." Makarov walked onto the stage before people started throwing chairs. The entire Guild became hushed as they listened to the Master. "This is for the good of the Guild. Think of this as an opportunity to become stronger and reclaim our title as number one. This could show the other Guilds that we could beat them any day, and we are not to be looked down upon." He pointed with his left hand to the sky, "This is our path, not only as a Guild, but as a family. One year's worth of education isn't going to kill any of you. Now-"
"Um, sir," The Council member motioned for the Guild Master. Makarov looked up to him to hear out what he had to say. "You'll also… Be attending the Academy." Makarov's face had drained of any color when he heard that. "As for your comments," He turned back to everyone, ignoring the fact that the Master was crying like a baby behind him. "We began setting up the Academy on the edge of town when we heard of your return, and it will be done in about two or three weeks. The in class hours will be from 6 in the morning, to two in the afternoon, leaving you time to do shorter missions during week days. Saturday and Sunday will be your days off and vacation times will be given during your holidays and festivals." A grin painted onto the man's face as he concluded his speech. "Anyone who doesn't attend the Academy will receive punishment, courtesy of Master Bob."
No one dared to protest anymore. Just the thought of being punished by Master Bob, the cross-dressing, man crazy leader of Blue Pegasus, was enough to shut them up. As the meeting was dismissed, everyone sat in utter silence, taking in what they had just been told.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Once she was finished getting ready, she went to the living room to grab her bag and keys. Letting out one more drawn-out sigh, the stellar mage locked the door behind her and began to walk down Strawberry Street. Maybe going to school will be a little fun. Lucy thought as she twirled her keys around her finger. She had never been to school, since her father had always made her care takers tutor her.
As she walked along the river wall, some fishermen warned her to be careful. When she waved off their comment, a low rumble filled the air. Just as she looked up, it began to rain. She stated to jog to the Academy, which, with her luck, happened to be on the other side of Magnolia. "Just great, Lucy. Fucking great." She cursed as the rain became heavier.