The fairy tail guild was currently out on a little trip their master had brought them on. No one really knew any specifics, but a trip out into a magical forest that was filled with luxurious springs that no one knew how to reach made everyone happy. He kept many of the details to himself as they approached the edge of the forest, everyone looking up at the trees that appeared to be carved to look like guardians. The guild followed their master as everyone tried to enter the forest. The tree's came to life and stabbed spears into the ground to stop them from getting any closer. Natsu, being his normal hot-headed self, lit his fists and readied himself to attack when their Master stopped them. "Pardon us. Queen Gaia invited myself and my guild here for our relaxation excursion." The guardians remained how they were for a while before they lifted the spears from the ground, allowing the guild passage. But not before hitting the back end on the ground next to themselves to open up the real path into the forest, as apposed to the one false one put up to trap people in a never-ending maze to protect everything the forest held.
The master smiled up at the guardians before leading his guild into the forest. "Master, where exactly are we? Who is Queen Gaia?" Erza spoke up.
The master chuckled. "We are in the Wilds, a massive enchanted forest. Gaia is the queen here and protects all the creatures that live here. Every thing is connected to her, so please remember to show respect and don't go killing anything." He reminded his guild, knowing their destructive nature. He led them up into an open clearing where creatures could be seen roaming about, but a top a massive throne, embedded in a tree, was a women who looked very young. Makarov went over and bowed. "Hello again, Queen Gaia."
The woman smiled. "Hello again, Makarov." She said to her old friend before turning to look out to the guild. "Welcome, Fairy tail guild, to my forest."
Erza stepped forward and bowed. "We are very greatful for your invitation."
The group formed a semi-circle around the throne, giving their various forms of thanks, each bowing awkwardly to the unknown queen they just met. Gajeel just let out a small "tch" through his teeth before Erza hit him over the head. They all began to hold their breath hoping the queen wouldn't take out her anger on the guild.
Gaia waved it off, much to the guild's relief and surprise. They assumed that by her commanding demeanor Gajeel's disrespect would offend her to the point of lashing out at them. But she simply waved off the comment like dust on her shoulder and looked back down at the small old man who stood before her. "Makarov, is your grandson here as well?"
Laxus looked confused but broke off from the rest of the guild to stand beside his grandfather. "What do you want with me?" The guild held their tongues; they were worried on how this would play out. Even though they had only just arrived, Laxus seemed to be in trouble already.
Gaia let out a laugh. "I don't want anything from you, boy. I wish to show you and your grandfather something. Or someone."
Makarov raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure my guild should be around for this?" He seemed concerned that his other children would be in trouble if they didn't leave.
Gaia merely leaned forward, her elbows propping up on the arms of her throne, lacing her fingers together. "Is your guild not just a large extension to your family?" She questioned the man with her voice even and almost demanding. "Even though they hold no blood relation to you, aren't they all your children in another way? So again I ask, are they not your family?"
Makarov leveled his gaze with hers. "They are indeed my family. They are all my precious children."
Gaia nodded, pleased with his answer she replied, "Then they should remain present as well. Who knows, they may be just as happy as you will be, maybe even more." She seemed to be hiding something behind that straight face she held, Makarov could see her lips twitching as they tried to smile while she leaned back in her chair.
"If you say they should stay, then they shall." Makarov said.
"Very good." Her voice showed the kindness and heart she held under her stoic face. She turned to the side, looking up into a massive tree. "Laxanne! Come here please! We have guests!"
Laxanne heard Gaia calling for her from up in her tree. She closed her book and slid it onto the shelf and ran over to the door, throwing it open. "Coming Gaia!" She called out as she jumped out and pulled out her massive white wings. She soared through the sky, flying out towards Gaia's throne and landing with a light tap. "I'm sorry, Gaia. I was reading my book."
"Woah. She's got wings…"
"An Angel."
"How did she do that?!"
The voices of the guild came up as they saw the back of the female. Her long blonde hair reached just below her butt, and that was with it tied up. It was in a beautiful golden blonde that shimmered in the light and her white wings just brought it out more. Even from the back, she looked other worldly, no one could possibly find a way to describe her other than Angel.
"It's fine, child. Now introduce yourself to our guests." The queen instructed the young blonde, waving her hand towards the Fiore guild.
"Right!" She smiled turning to their guests. "I'm Laxanne Dreyar, Gaia is sort of like a mother to me so I guess technically that makes me the Princess here." She said with a little laugh the showed her bright smile.
"Did she just say Dreyar?" Laxus was stunned. She didn't even need her to say her name and people could tell she was related to him. Her long blonde hair made her look like Repunzal but it matched perfectly to Laxus's own golden locks, and her eyes were the same dark grey. She looked like a female version of him if there ever was one.
Evergreen held her breath. "She looks just like him, except for those wings."
Bickslow started laughing, "Sure does!" He got punched hard by Gajeel to avoid risking angering the queen and the sort of princess.
"She did child. This girl is 100% related to you, but I took her from your father so she could have a happy life, I thought it to be the only way for me to do anything for my old friend while he was trapped on the island."
"What are you talking about, Gaia?" Laxanne looked to her mother with her face twisted in confusion.
Gaia rose from her throne and walked over to the winged girl, placing a gentle hand on her cheek. "These people before you are your grandfather and brother. The ones actually related to you, not like Fenris and Lurnis." She gave Laxanne a smile. "I know you were always wondering if you had an actual family, especially in your dreams." She spoke softly, kindly like a loving mother.
"But…" Laxanne looked to the forest floor. "I remember father telling me as a child that I-" Laxanne was stopped in the middle of what she was saying by Gaia placing a finger over her mouth.
Gaia looked directly into her eyes. "That man is nothing more than a cruel heartless bastard. Just look at the men in front of you." Gaia pointed to them with a wave of her hand. "They look exactly like you."
Laxanne backed away. "Please excuse me. I… I need to be alone. This… this is too much…" Laxanne said before hastily running off and taking to the skies.
"Laxanne!" Laxus and Makarov shouted together as they went to take off after her, but were stopped by Gaia's roots shooting up to block their path.
"Let her go." Gaia said solemnly. "This throws her entire life into a tailspin. She thought for so long that she didn't have a real family, now suddenly she finds out she does. She thought she only had a bastard father for 21 years. It… It has been very hard on her."
"But that doesn't make sense…" Makarov spoke slowly, letting his emotions flow. "How can she be so close to his age, even with being trapped on the island for seven years, it doesn't add up."
Gaia sighed sadly as she walked back to her throne, sitting down with a solemn expression. "That child was not conceived out of love, she was conceived to be a tool for war." She spoke with her expression slowly hardening. "As you know, this boy's mother died around the time he was born. But that… that monster of a father of theirs brought her back, using a type of forbidden magic. He made her bare him another child, then killed her again." Gaia told Makarov. "He then tried to raise the girl to be a powerful mage. But one day, as a test he brought her out to the cliffs, training her when the stone beneath them broke and she fell, she would have died if a phoenix had not been kind enough to give its life to give her the wings she has. But it also gave her magic. One that naturally drew me to her, so as soon as I felt her power I came and took her, bringing her here to train her and give her a home." The queen looked out towards the direction Laxanne had flown off. "But all of this occurred, before he was kicked out of Fairy Tail."
Everyone gasped, except Makarov who looked solemn. "It's my fault she was put through so much. If only I had guided my son better this wouldn't have happened to that child."
Laxus tightened his hands into fists. "I can't believe I've had a sister… all this time…"
Gaia smiled wryly. "I had to keep her hidden until she gained perfect control of her powers. As a child, without control over her powers she caused many damages." She said with a sigh. "Her power is great, but it takes a kind heart to control."
Makarov folded his arms behind him. "We'll sit down and talk with her, after she calms down." He said with a gentle expression.
Gaia nodded. "Well you and your children can make themselves at home in the huts over the hill there." Gaia pointed off to the right. "There is more than enough, but if anyone wants to share they are more than welcome to." She said.
"Thank you, Queen Gaia." Makarov thanked his old friend.
Off at the top of the waterfall, Laxanne sat atop a rock in the center of the rushing water as it drifted off the cliff. She sat curled up in a ball in the crook of the rock that almost formed a chair for her. She thought about what Gaia had told her, and questioned her entire life up until now. She knew she didn't have a mother, but Gaia took on that role. She knew she had a father who Gaia saved her from. And now she's been shown she has a Grandfather and a Brother. But Laxanne had no idea how to feel about it. She thought she was alone, but now she's not. It's true, she was happy that she did have a family. But now what was she going to do with her life? Was she going to go with her family? Or would she remain here in the Wilds? She sighed and dangled her legs over the edge, letting some of the stray droplets hit her warm skin. "I just don't know anymore…" She said to no one.
The heard the bright laughter of Relia, her Exceed as it flew over towards her. She smiled and flew into Laxanne's arms. "Laxanne!" She snuggled into the blonde's large chest. "I was worried."
Laxanne let out a small chuckle as she pet the small cat on the head. "I don't know why, I always come over here to think."
"Oh!" Relia popped out of her chest. "I was playing with the other Exceeds, I don't want them to get lost!" She quickly flew back into the thick trees calling out names.
Down below, the guild started flowing into the nice pool that the waterfall fell into. She curled up and watched all the people down below. A blonde mage jumped around as she led the others to the pool. "Come on guys! It's so beautiful!" She called out with a squeal.
"Lucy." A calm voice called out at a familiar redhead came out of the bushes, causing the bubbly blonde to tense up and freeze. "You did good. I believe everyone will be able to have ample fun here." She said and she saw Lucy relax. Why did she tense up when she called her name? Laxanne thought to herself, finding the interaction of the guild mates almost fascinating. She wanted to stay and watch but one glance at the sky said she needed to go do her water training before the sun gets too low.
Laxanne chuckled to herself, standing up from her perch on the top of the waterfall. She took a deep breath and slowly teeter forward until she tumbled over the edge, plummeting towards the water below. A few worried and shocked gasps came from below around the pool. Laxanne closed her eyes and spread her wings, catching an updraft and soaring higher into the sky. She flew up into the clouds as the sun illuminated the treetops below her, casting her shadow on the leaves. She flew through the air, heading for the time falls, a peculiar waterfall that flowed backwards. It went up a steep cliff and was infused with magic. Few people couldn't even get in the water, other than Gaia only a handful of people had the ability and Laxanne found herself lucky to be in that group. She flew up to the rock in the center of the lake and sat down cross-legged. The blonde let out a slow breath and closed her eyes, focusing her energy. She slowly allowed her magic to swirl around her, projecting her energy around her as she drew up bubbles of water, holding them up in the air, she kept her focus to hold them in place. She kept her breathing even as she focused her energy further, making the water start to heat up. She brought the water to boiling before she slowly merged all the bubbles into a massive bubble, making it harder for her to keep control of the mass of bubbling water. Her eyebrows naturally drew together as she struggled to keep it under control until she lost it, causing it all to fall into the lake. I just stared at the magically imbued water for a moment in frustration. "Ugh!" Laxanne groaned. "I finally almost had it!" She flopped back and sighed. Gaia had told her over a million times by now that it wasn't going to be easy, rather it would most likely take her weeks to fully be able to control the water at her will. But she could already feel her water affinity increase just with her regular mediation and her training here that the pool.
The sound of fluttering wings caught her attention. "Laxanne!" Fenris called out to her. She sat up and watched as the green haired male flew towards her on a pair of bat wings. "It's time for dinner!"
Laxanne looked up at the sky and noticed the sky starting to be painted with pink and orange. Laxanne jumped off the rock, flapping her wings to get herself into the air. "Last one back is a rotten acorn!" Laxanne yelled as she quickly used some wind magic to speed her forward. She angled her wings to allow herself to fly as fast as possible. It wasn't far off from the magic falls, but there was a large clearing that Gaia had opened the leaves to show the coloring sky and had a feast lied out on the table. Laxanne landed without completely stopping and slid to a stop by her chair. "Haha! I win Fenris!" She yelled off into the trees loud enough for the male to hear her.
Fenris quickly arrived being a decent flier himself. "Only because you used wind magic!"
"I never said no magic. I just said last one back is a rotten acorn." Laxanne said with a grin. "And you sir, are the rotten acorn."
Fenris grumbled past Laxanne and took his seat with Laxanne following suit. Gaia just sighed at the two. "Must you children make it a competition all the time?"
Fenris and Laxanne just chuckled. "Of course Gaia." They answered their queen together.
Gaia sighed and snapped her fingers, causing the vines all over the table came to life and served people all around the table. People looked shocked, and sat there with gaping mouths. "Everything here is alive and connected to Gaia. So many things here are done by plants, like serving dinner." Laxanne explained.
Lucy watched the plants in fascination. "That is very interesting. I knew that this was a magical forest but I never expected it to be alive."
Fenris nodded. "It is filled with magic but it is still alive. It has its own consciousness."
"We heard her the first time she said it greeny." Laxus drawled.
"What'd you call me?!" Fenris jumped to his feet, only to be pulled back by a vine. "Hey! Let me go!"
"Fenris." Laxanne called out to him without turning towards him, but her dark aura was already present. "If you don't shut it and eat I will personally skin you and leave you for the vultures."
Fenris gulped and dropped the argument instantly, starting on munching his food.
Dinner went by mostly without incident. Fenris and Laxus still butted heads here and there. But the biggest issue was between two fairy tail members. Natsu and Gray. Everything became a fight or a challenge. Laxanne and Erza threatened them and they would stop. But with the meal finished Gaia snapped her fingers and the plates and platters vanished. The queen stood up elegantly. "Feel free to spend the night as you wish. I must retire to my home." She said as she sank into the ground, gaining many stares from around the table.
"Well if we're done," Laxanne held up her hand and her book came to her hand. "I'm going to go read my book." Laxanne flapped her wings to cause her to hover before she made flew off towards the main waterfall, settling in her little seat, curling up with her book.
Back at the table many members of the guild had dispersed to do their own thing, but Laxus and Makarov stayed, watching as the girl flew off. "I don't know if we can ever get that girl to talk to us…" Makarov said sadly.
The few members around seemed to watch the guild master with sad expressions, but they didn't say anything and turned to leave. Everyone was quite fascinated with the girl that was supposedly related to their famous guild master, but she didn't seem to want to know the master and her brother. Fenris just watched her go, not trying to stop her, knowing she had to do this to just bury the conflicting feelings in her chest. Fenris had known the girl ever since Gaia brought her to the wilds. She told him about her father and the life she used to live. She was afraid of her father for the longest time, and he knew how much she wanted a family, one to love her. But she had that in the wilds, but now people are introduced as her family. Now she's struggling with the part of her that wants to just leap into their arms and cry against the one that didn't want to let them in. But he had noticed the two wanted to know of her, and get to know who she was, but didn't do anything to show her they really wanted to know her. He shook his head, wanting to slug the two.
"Did you two ever just try finding her?" Fenris commented.
"What'd you say to Laxus-sama?!" Freed practically growled as he reached for his sword. He had stayed behind with the rest of his team, not wanting to leave their leader. Bickslow ground is teeth and his babies seemed to go into battle mode, but Evergreen kept a steady face as she glares down at Fenris.
Fenris sighed. "I merely stated the obvious. Laxanne tends to always do her own thing. She tries to not rely on anyone so she isn't a bother. So unless you seek her out, she wont try talking to you. This is also dismissing the fact that she's lived here practically her entire life. This has become her home and the people here have become her family. So she doesn't necessarily have a will or want to try and get to know you because she's happy with how she's lived up until now. She doesn't want some random people coming in and upending it." He explained bluntly. "And feel free to try your runes on me, mage. You'll find they wont have an effect on me."
The mage froze. "H-How did you know that I use runes?"
Fenris stood up and smirked. "That is a secret that I shall keep to myself. But if you want to find Laxanne, she'll be at the waterfall. Up at the edge of the cliff and at the center of the water flow. She'll be there with her book." He told them as he spread his wings, "Now if you don't mind, I have things to attend to at night." That was all he said before flying off himself.
Laxanne was enjoying her book, a small novel that Fenris brought her from his last excursion into the town nearby. She slowly began flipping through the pages as she allowed herself to be immersed in the story. She was in her own little bubble, one she often liked to put herself in. She was in the middle of her chapter when someone from below started calling out to her. She closed the book and looked down, finding Makarov and Laxus standing below waving at her to get her attention. "Be right down!" She yelled over the waterfall and magically sent her book back to her home before jumping off the cliff, spreading her wings to slow her decent so she would land softly on the bank of the pool.
Makarov gave her a small chuckle. "You are certainly difficult to keep up with, Laxanne." He said kindly.
She simple let out a snort. "Yeah. I always enjoy keeping my body moving, and flying on the air currents is very fast."
Makarov chuckled and sat down on the edge of the pool. "You certainly are different than my son." He mentioned, watching the waterfall.
"Our old man wasn't ever this…" Laxus struggled to find the word to describe their father. "Free spirited."
He wandered over to Laxanne, pulling over to the pool and sat her between himself and his grandfather, or their grandfather. "I wouldn't call myself free spirited," She mumbled, looking at her reflection on the water, seeing her bright wings behind her, "this forest… is my home, everything here is my family." She smiled as she thought about the forest. "For the longest time I was alone, and had to escape into my own mind to get away from father and his abusive training. But once Gaia came and brought me here, I was finally with a loving family." She giggled. "And now Gaia brought me people I'm completely related to… but I just don't know how I feel about it. I just have this tightening in my chest." Laxanne grabbed her shirt over her chest.
"That's the feeling of love." Makarov said. "You finally found your family. Something you have been missing for the longest time." He reached out to touch her arm and she sniffled.
"Gramps is right you know." Laxus stated, placing a gentle hand on her head. "You are one of us, through and through."
Laxanne forced herself not to cry but was starting to become difficult. "B-But I can't… I can't understand how… how you can accept me so easily. I can't even tell if it really is love… It's too much to take in."
Laxus sighed and pulled her head into his chest. "We're family. That's why."
Laxanne pushed her way out of his grasp. "I'm sorry, but I don't know how true that is. Yes we share blood that is something I cannot change. But…" Laxanne closed her eyes. "My family is the people who raised me. They have always been there and I cannot abandon that."
Laxanne stood up and backed away from the two, much to their sadness. Laxus stood and made to step towards he when she put her hand up to stop him in his tracks. "Please give me space. I… I have to go." Laxanne begged as her head turned away. She was so confused she couldn't handle them. "Please enjoy your stay in Gaia's kingdom." She said with a bow, her large white wings stretching behind her before a powerful flap brought her into the sky. She hastily flew away, over into her tree home that no one could enter without the use of wings.
Laxus sighed, his elbows going to rest on his thighs as he propped his head in his hands. "That girl wont let us in." He seemed distraught.
Makarov hit him up the back of his head. "Idiot!"
Laxus turned a small growl on his grandfather. "Ouch! That hurt old man!"
Makarov looked out at the pool. "We can't give up on her now. So it didn't work today. But we can try again tomorrow." He said confidently. "We are here for a long time to relax after all the stress we've gone through. We can use that time to get to know that girl, and her to get to know us. She may wish to stay in the wilds, but that boy was right," He made mention to Fenris's earlier point, "We did nothing to try and talk to her earlier. And this is where she grew up, knowing nothing of our existence."
Laxus nodded as the two turned and headed back to the huts, sparing a brief moment to look off in the direction Laxanne flew off.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I apologize for any mistakes I made in the process of writing this. But this is my first fan fiction I actually had the courage to post as opposed to letting it clutter on my computer files. I have more of this story written it is just currently undergoing a quick editing. I will post a new chapter or two as son as I can but until then please read and review I am always open to constructive criticism and helpful tips, since it is the only way for me to improve and grow as a writer.
Anyways... Please enjoy and I promise to work hard to put out another chapter for you ^_^