Broken Heart
Chapter 1
A New Generation
===]27 Years Ago[===
Grimoire Heart once launched a fearsome raid against the holy ground of Fairy Tail, Tenroujima. Their goal was the capture of the dark mage, Zeref. In the end, they were stopped by the might of the Fairy Tail elite in a battle that lasted for an entire day.
Ultear and Meredy left the guild that day, fleeing Tenroujima by boat. Zancrow died as Zeref awoke from his slumber. Zoldeo faded away by the gross overuse of his magic. Asuma too, suffered the effects of his magic, being forcibly transformed into a tree. The remaining two kin, Rustyrose and Kain, tried to flee with their master aboard their airship.
But the awoken Zeref met them there, seeking their deaths. His magic blew a great hole in the airship, sending their corpses plummeting into the ocean below. Along with them went the shattered fragments of the Devil's Heart, a mighty relic of the dark guild that once gave Hades his strength.
In the turmoil of Acnologia's arrival, no one was there to see the dead men wash up on the beach. The effects of Fairy Sphere activated, encapsulating the entire island, including all the Grimoire members still there, alive and dead. Seven years passed outside that bubble of magic that was not felt by those inside.
By the time that Tenroujima returned, no one considered combing the island for the leftovers of Grimoire Heart. They all wanted to just go home, so they did. Twenty more years passed. The only time anyone else came to Tenroujima was to bury Makarov alongside Mavis. Apart from that, the island went undisturbed… until this very day.
===]27 Years Later[===
In Magnolia, there is a guild. The guild is considered to be the strongest in the entire country. Of course, this guild is known as Fairy Tail, and today is a normal day. Which means…
"Your face is stupid!" Aiko shouted, pitching Ignale into the air with an iron club. The young fire dragon righted himself in the air and came down in a typhoon of fire.
"Take this, you short midget! Fire Dragon's…"
"Knock it off!" In a blaze of golden light, Loke appeared out of nowhere and sent the young slayers sprawling. "You know not to use magic when brawling in the guild! Just use your fists like a sophisticated person!"
On the top floor, Lucy sighed and shook her head a little. Were they this bad as kids? Well, not herself, surely, but did Gajeel and Natsu try to blow the building up this much? Hmm… maybe.
…
"Loke! Stop flirting with my daughter!" Lucy snapped, sending the spirit back to the celestial world. She turned and marched back into her office. What a pain in the ass. Levy waited for her there, sitting down. "Remind me Levy-chan, to shell out for reinforced furniture the next time we redecorate the guild hall. They're turning it to kindling down there."
"Well, at least the foundations and walls have all been heavily reinforced," Levy said cheerily as Lucy took her chair behind her huge oak desk, downplaying the part she and Fried had played in enchanting this guild. Nothing short of dragon could tear this guild down now. "So, maybe you can stop panicking. We can take a week off and it'll still be here when we get back."
"It's not a holiday," Lucy mumbled.
"You know what I mean. And at least we'll be taking some of the more destructive ones with us."
"So…," Lucy leaned back and sighed. "We have to make sure of this selection. We don't want to be showing favouritism."
"I think that after recent events, everyone is happy with it. The eight kids saved the town and the guild. Eight of them, eight participants in the S-class exam. It fits so nicely, and they're all capable. We keep calling them kids, but they're no younger than we were at that time."
"Tenroujima. It'll be a blast from the past to go there again." Every year, the nature of the S-class exam was different. Seeing the kids coming of age, Lucy had felt nostalgic to give them the same trial that they had once had. She looked at the profiles of the children, laid out on the desk. "Okay, I have to give it to you, your son is in. Takamura Redfox is the oldest, and he's done over twice the missions that any of the others have, even if they're not all the highest class. He's strong, but also level-headed and clever. It's hard not to give him a place."
"That's my boy," Levy said proudly. "But I think that Laura Dreyar has to take the prime place. She's the strongest, easily. She can even cast Fairy Law, for crying out loud! And she's a lot more… pleasant recently. She's calmed down and matured."
"Agreed. And since I don't want Mira to poison my drinks, I'll let her in. What about Nashi? I don't want to seem like an overly proud mum or anything, but she's stronger than I was at her age, or at least, more consistent. She's also one of the cleverer ones. You know, less likely to raise our property damage bills."
"That's fine." Levy grimaced. "But if we bring Tacks and Nashi, but not Ignale and Aiko, we'll have a riot on our hands. The pair are definitely strong enough to be entered, but are they mature enough? I mean, you just had to send Loke down to break them up again."
"I think their Exceed partners have helped them calm down this last year or so. Yes, they're a hot-blooded pair, but doesn't that remind you all too much of our husbands? Both now brilliant S-class mages."
"Yes, but that's clearly because we're such good influences for them," Levy said, sharing a laugh with her old friend. She looked back to the profiles on the desk. "What about Karren? Have you noticed that she's starting to break out into the third person recently, like Juvia?"
"Still, I think it'd be a good experience for her. Get her used to focussing on herself and her own goals, rather than obsessing about her latest infatuation. She seems to have gone off Tacks recently, more for Gabriel. That woman's genetics are designed to make incredibly awkward love triangles. I'm a bit worried about Bea. She's the most introverted of the lot."
"She lacks some self-confidence. I think that comes from Laura being her cousin. That's a hell of a shadow to walk in. Also, she feels self-conscious because she inherited Elfman's height. I rarely stop to think of the plight of the tall woman, but I suppose that it's hard with all your teenage hormones and whatnot. Still, wouldn't mind if she'd bung a few of those spare inches my way. Again, a little pressure will help her develop. Which leaves Gabriel, the new-comer. Arguments for and against?"
"Simple. You tell Erza her kid didn't make the cut just because he's new," Lucy deadpanned. Levy quailed at the thought of the irate red-head, defending her son's honour. Life wasn't worth that much pain. Lucy smiled and looked at the eight pictures. "No, all jokes aside, it's perfect. They've earned it, and they match the number we need so well. This year, our kids have come of age. A new generation will take the S-class exams."
===][===
As with every year, the guild bustled with activity in the run up to the S-class exam. In the last twenty years, most of the Fairy Tail members who had gone to Tenrou before had now become S-class mages. Cana, Fried, Natsu, Gajeel, Lucy, Wendy, and many more had all proven their worth. Gabriel looked a bit confused by the hubbub. Laura slapped him on the shoulder.
"Don't look like a startled deer, Gabe!" She shouted cheekily. "This happens every year, you know!"
"It's just so many people," he mumbled. "Everyone really wants to become S-class, don't they?"
"It's a shame for them to be born in the same era as me," Laura replies, nodding sagely at her smug words. "I've finally grown up and am ready to take my place amongst the greats!"
"If I get entered, I don't plan to roll over for you, you know," Gabriel retorted, raising a brow. "My mum does not accept second best! Particularly since you're Mira's kid."
Laura leaned in close to Gabriel's face with a cocky smirk. "Feel free to try me anytime, hotshot." Gabriel flushed bright red and gulped. Thankfully, he was spared thinking up a comeback as a fanfare sounded and the curtain went up on the stage. It revealed the guild master, Lucy, along with the three generation one dragon slayers behind her. In an instant, the guild went silent, everyone desperate to hear the announcement.
"Listen up! I'm only going to say this once! The contestants and format for this year's S-class have been decided upon! It will take place upon the holy ground of our guild, Tenroujima! On top of that, the three examiners that will oppose you are going to be the three dragons of Fairy Tail – Natsu Dragneel, Gajeel Redfox and Wendy Conbolt!"
"Wait, isn't Gajeel a councillor now!?" Gabriel shouted, confused. Gajeel smirked and allowed his heavy longcoat to fall from his shoulder, brandishing his guild mark.
"Never left the guild, brat! My job is to keep this moron from ruining our guild's reputation, gihi!" He jerked a thumb at the next slayer in line.
"What was that, Metal-brain!?" Natsu shouted.
"Not now!" Wendy hissed urgently. In front of them, Lucy sighed, her head in her hands. Trying to shake off their idiocy, she continued. "I am now going to read out the eight people that we have chosen for this exam in no particular order! First, Takamura Redfox!"
"Really?" Tacks asked quietly, not quite believing his ears.
"Nashi Dragneel!"
"Yay!" Nashi squealed joyfully.
"Karren Fullbuster!"
Karren was so busy watching Tacks and Nashi angrily that she almost missed it. "What!? Karren too…"
"Laura Dreyar!"
"Woo! Time to step up to the Dreyar legacy!"
"Gabriel Scarlet!"
"Even though I'm the new guy," Gabriel mumbled bashfully, not sure what to say.
"Beatrice Strauss!"
"Me!?" Bea said in a hushed voice.
"Ignale Dragneel!"
"Yosh! It's about time you read my name!" Ignale crowed loudly.
"Aiko Redfox!"
The young slayer grinned before scowling. "Hey, why'd you read my name after dumbass'!?"
"You have one week to prepare!" Lucy announced, ignoring the outburst. "We set sail from Harjeon Harbour on Monday morning. If you are late, you will not participate! For this year, we have decided that there will be no partners! You will be relying on your own strength! Prepare well, for one of you will be taking up the mantle of the guild elite, a special rank that – Natsu, Gajeel, stop fighting! You're setting a bad example! Mou!"
===][===
Tacks stood outside the guild on the balcony, leaning on the railing as he watched out over Magnolia. He heard Nashi approach him from behind. "Heya, what are you thinking about?"
"I dunno, really," he replied, words uncharacteristically failing him. "It's just that I'm excited and scared at the same time."
"I know that feeling," Nashi replied shyly. But then she brightened, her bubbly attitude returning. "But I'm sure that you'll do fine! You're really strong, Tacks! And it's not just about strength, it's about brains too! You can win it for sure!"
"Me?" Tacks cocked an eyebrow. "What about you!?"
Nashi blushed. "I'm not stupid, Tacks. I know that I don't have much chance. I saw it on Bea's face too. I mean, with you, Laura and Gabriel as the forerunners, it's impossible that we can win. I don't think our siblings have figured that out yet, though."
"You're wrong," Tacks stated harshly. "Everyone is here because they have a chance. Don't forget what the obstacles are. WHO the obstacles are."
"Our dads. Auntie Wendy too." Nashi thought about trying to face those three down, and it was an absurd comparison. She's seen photos of young Wendy – a far cry from the tall, curvaceous adult that she'd become. Maybe if she got lucky and met her dad, he'd let her through? He was a soppy fool at times. "Hey Tacks, don't you think that it's odd that we have no partners this year?"
"They're scared." Seeing the confusion his statement had caused, Tacks went on. "I mean, you remember what happened last time? The seven year gap. They've mentioned it a lot. This way, only eight of us go, plus three of the S-class. If it happens again, the guild can still function with what remains."
"That sounds a little paranoid."
"Maybe, but sometimes I try to imagine what it'd be like if everyone I loved disappeared for seven years. It's hard to picture."
"Love?" Nashi asked, blushing.
"AH!" Tacks flailed about. "I mean in the family sense! No, I mean… err…. Dammit! Look, I'm going to train! Bye!" With that, Tacks literally threw himself over the balcony and fled into the city.
===][===
"Iron Dragon's…"
"Fire Dragon's…"
"…ROAR!"
Tiger Kara and Merry watched as their partners battled it out on an open plain. The little blue Exceed had grown a lot in the last few months, now fully capable of carrying Ignale when needed. Kara nodded in approval as Aiko and Ignale fought. They did this almost every day. With such intense training under their belt, how could they lose?
"I wish that we could go too," Merry said sadly, his ears drooping. Kara nodded slightly, not letting her eyes stray from the combatants.
"We'll find a way. But, they'll do well."
"Ignale's gonna win this thing!"
"It's good to have spirit, but Aiko's got this thing on lockdown. She's stronger now than she's ever been."
"Ignale too! They're both strong, so brain's will decide it!" The Exceeds looked at each other and sighed. Kara said what they were both thinking.
"In strength, they tie. In brains, they both lose."
===][===
"Hey mum, where's dad?" Bea asked as she walked into the kitchen. Evergreen was never much of a cook, preferring wining and dining, but she'd picked up a few things in her years of motherhood. She was stirring a pot of some delicious smelling concoction.
"Sadly, he went out on a mission this morning. He'll be back before you go, though. He's going to be so proud of you, you know."
"Um… about that… I think that maybe I should pull out," Bea said ashamedly, wringing her hands and looking at the floor. "I mean, I can't possible compete with the others. They're all much stronger than me."
"You put yourself down too much," Evergreen stated. Seeing that her daughter wasn't going to be persuaded so easily, she went on. "Did you know that the first year your father took the exam, it was alongside the likes of Gray and Natsu?"
"N-no…"
"In retrospect, his chances were dismal. But, he went anyway, and never looked back. And do you know why that was?"
Bea rolled her eyes. "Because he's a man."
"No. Because he was stupid." Bea looked surprised at that statement. "So stupid that he never even considered the possibility of failure. And he managed to get past the first round. So, you who are smart enough to know your own failings will clearly do much better."
"You give the weirdest pep talks," Bea said with a small, lopsided smile. Evergreen smiled and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Let me put it another way; you'll do fine, because you're a man."
===][===
"Ice Make: Freeze Lance!" Gray released a hail of arrows from his hands. Karren, travelling like a geyser of water flowed and danced around the projectiles with dazzling speed. "Keep it up! Gajeel only uses physical attacks! He can't hurt your water body easily."
More water surged around Karren's, boiling hot. She concentrated and tried to lower her temperature, freezing her water into ice and fending of her mother's water. "Good, Karren-chan! If you make yourself too cold, even Natsu-san's flame will go out!"
Their training ended and Gray counted off people on his fingers. Karren had a good chance against most of them. Only Laura with her lightning magic posed an enormous threat. She could do it with just a little bit of luck. Of course, there was one other bad match-up…
"Now, Karren. You know that you have to beat Tacks, right?"
"Gray-sama! You don't know a woman's heart!"
"Tacks is no longer in my heart," Karren replied coldly. "He has rebuked me too many times. Karren… I will crush him and take my place as an S-class mage… and then he'll be so impressed, right? He'll have to go on a date with me!"
"That's my girl!" Juvia cried, hugging Karren. Gray grimaced and looked away. Well, at least she'd do fine at the exam.
===][===
"Thunder crash! Raze the earth!" Lightning travelled downwards from grey, ugly storm clouds. As it struck Laura's outstretched fist, it was conveyed through her body, turning into her trademark vermillion colour and spreading outwards in a huge radius. Trees were torn and thrown aside until only a scorched circle remained.
For most people, that would be intensely impressive. However, Laura was merely crafting her training arena. Here, she could fight without blowing any more stuff up. Normally, Laura was cocky and arrogant in her strength. But today, she felt oddly anxious.
It was something about Gabriel. During the events of Urien's attack on Magnolia, Gabriel had awoken a dormant power within him, and become stronger. A layman might have thought that he only requipped his armour, but to Laura's trained eye, he overcame something that had limited him, reaching a new zenith of strength.
"Gabriel Scarlet, you interest me. I hope we have a chance to cross fists."
In the edge of her clearing, her mother, Mira, watched her outburst. Sighing contentedly, she decided to head back to the guild. It would take her daughter a little while to figure out exactly why she was interested in Gabriel.
===][===
Gabriel awoke to the knocking on his door. He rubbed his eyes drearily. Who would be calling for him at… 10am!? Shitshitshitshit! Hurriedly pulling on some trousers, he practically fell down the stairs to answer the door. The postwoman eyes his muscled torso with appreciation and thrust a heavy package into his hands.
Curious, Gabriel took the package back upstairs and laid it out on his table. There was a note attached to it.
Dear Gabriel,
Congratulations on being picked for the exam. We're very proud of you, and know that you will do well. Remember that win or lose, we'll love you all the same. Here is a gift to help you through the hardships that you will have to endure. When you hold it, remember that we are with you.
Love Mum and Dad
Gabriel quickly ripped open the packaging to find his present. His eyes widened with childlike joy as he drew his new sword from the box. It was a heavy broadsword, wide and long. At the base of the blade was a golden triangle emblazoned with an eagle-like emblem.
"Goddamnit, where are my clothes!? I've gotta get out there and train! I need to find out what this baby can do!"
===][===
A week passed in the blink of an eye. Before then, Gajeel, Natsu and Wendy left to prepare for the kids' arrival – and to hide their motion sickness from them. The youngsters gathered in Harjeon Harbour where a grand boat waited for them.
They were heavy with anxiety and anticipation, for out there across the ocean lay their hopes and dreams. No one noticed the two Exceeds sneaking along the waterline to crawl in through a porthole on the other side of the ship.
Apart from them, the only people coming were Lucy, to judge the exam, and Levy to keep her company and act as record keeper if it was needed. As they boarded the ship, Lucy looked over the side to the horizon being engulfed by the new morning sun. This time would be different, she told herself. There were no dark guilds left with the might Grimoire once had. Nothing bad would happen.
===][===
In the darkness, there was a heartbeat, the sound deafening and echoing. The noise awoke First Master Mavis Vermillion from her slumber with a shock. As with whenever she awoke, she was near her gravestone. Confused, she looked around.
A second heartbeat. Mavis clutched at her chest in agony. Pain? But she was a ghost! But now she could feel it; a wrongness in the very soil of the island. There was something very, very wrong with Tenroujima.
===]Author's Note[===
Hi there. This story follows directly on from my last fic 'The Future Guild'. If you haven't read that one, the kids here will be unfamiliar to you. They also featured in 'The Rest of Their Lives', but that focussed heavily on Tacks and Aiko.
I remind everyone that my profile contains a link to my DA account. In my gallery I have an OC folder with datacards on all of the eight kids in this fic, which will help you get a mental image of them. I've also just posted a picture of an updated clothing design for Aiko.
Also, tauntingly, my newest pic is one that has a mild spoiler of what's to come. So, there's an incentive to visit my DA account. Bwahahahaha! I am evil!
I understand if you don't like OCs that this story won't appeal to you. But I like to think that I've put my whole ass into their design and that they are enjoyable characters. I hope to develop Karren, Bea and Ignale a little more through this fic, since they've got the least development.
I'll try to reply to all reviews in the following chapter, and I'll try to update at least once a week.