Chapter One – The boy with No Name.
In the year 776x – A young and ambitious fifteen year old wizard named Laxus Dreyar; the infamous grandson of Master Makarov, and Son of the S class wizard Ivan Dreyar, Set out on a long and arduous mission to take down a large dark guild known as 'DemonKing'. The guild used to be a part of the dark guilds baram alliance, before breaking away and striking out on its own when they had found something to revere and worship – what they had thought to have been the reincarnation of Zeref himself.
It had started causing trouble for surrounding towns and villages, the guild followed the commands of their 'King' with no question, even going as far as to destroy and enslave others under his tyranny.
In the year 776x, Laxus has no doubt in his mind that he'll bring back the Demon king's head; destroy the guild and the horrific disturbances quaking in Fiore – little did he know he'd meet an unlikely young ally – a boy, with no name.
Freeds journal – 20th July. Year 791x
"Storm's brewing."
Laxus uttered after gulping down half of his drink, letting out a large sigh and dropping the tankard filled with a non-alcoholic drink down on the bar's counter with a thunk.
The Fairytail guild hall windows showed that Laxus was right – as soon as he had finished his mutter, storm clouds had flown over the once lush blue sky, the light becoming a dreary grey and thunder rolling and booming across the city of Magnolia. Usually the Blonde mage would be itching to grab a quick snack out there – but the last job he had taken took all the energy out of him. Who knew that city bandits could be hard to track down…
With a huff he pushed the tankard away and crossed his arms, fingers pulling at the worn hems of his yellow sleeves, the beat of the music adjusting in time to the thunder and lightning streaking across the windows. Blue eyes watched with mild interest at the bolts he could follow, left hand running through his wild hair.
"Ugh, such horrid weather – now I'm stuck looking at Scarlet's ugly mug until I'm allowed on my next job." Laxus raised an eyebrow when he saw Mira storming away from the request board, before chuckling with a smirk.
"Daw, is the demon a little riled up? I'm sure the storm will pass soon. Maybe…possibly…"
"Stop being a jerk blondie." Mira growled, Laxus shrugging and standing up. He shoved his hands in his trouser pockets and walked up to the white haired teen with a smirk. She may be a demon, but Laxus always found her to not be as scary as stories and rumours about Mira suggested.
"Calm it chick, don't want your cute face getting stuck in a frown now do ya?" He teased, before patting her shoulder and walking straight past to take a gander at the request board for himself.
'Jeez…the requests are looking even more shit the more I look at them…and the rewards aren't anything to brag about either – how the hell am I supposed to pay rent on this crap?'
With an annoyed sigh – the lightning mage went to sit back down, blocking out the gossip and chatter of his guild mates. He still didn't have enough money from the jobs he went on. His rent paid him the most out of whatever reward in jewels he could get – and then some for basic living.
He'd have to go on another job soon – but which one? All the good ones kept getting snatched up in an instant, faster than the lightning mage could blink; most of the crappy ones right now only went up to ten thousand jewels! That was barely anything, especially since a lot of them asked for the mage who had taken the job to travel, something that Laxus would prefer not to do as of right this second.
Sitting back down, he considered his options. Solo mission season would be soon – meaning that all the guild mates that frequented the hall will be clamouring for jobs In order to get picked for the S class trials – He'd already failed to Mira and Erza (which was humiliating in itself), so he'd prefer not to be shown up again this time round…
'That's if I'm even picked this year…the look on my dad's face when he heard news of me failing…ugh, still gives me shivers.'
Laxus' lips set into a straight line. If that meant he had to endure the crap end of the stick in jobs for a while longer – then so be it. But this year he'll be taking over a space in the S class ranks; he'll be as strong as his father. He'll become stronger than him even.
Laxus opened his eyes as he finished that thought of a sweet victory in the trials, just as thunder bellowed close, nearly too close to the guild hall, maybe even above it.
"Another storm? But I thought we were sitting pretty for a while!" Came a grumble of disapproval from an annoying little loudmouth standing on a table, fire spouting from his mouth as he showed his distaste in his usual loud fashion.
Whizzing and flying about him was a tiny little thing that Natsu, the pink haired boy now being restrained from the wrecking the place again, was Happy – a blue kitten that always seemed optimistic and painfully dumb; always going out of its way to shout "Aye!"
"My nose ain't lying, fire breath – And weren't you paying attention when I said a storm was brewing anyway? So quit whining, go play house with Lisanna or somethin'."
"Oh yeah?! Why don't we pass the time by fighting! Here I come!" Laxus sighed when he heard that over used phrase, it was now common to hear Natsu challenging the lightning mage whenever Grey wasn't around to fight, however…
He did get a slight kick when he beat that overzealous and trigger happy punk into the floorboards.
A large crash and snapping of wood made it clear who the winner was in seconds, after the small pink haired kid jumped up from behind where Laxus was sitting, his childish fist doused in flames and ready to strike – the teenager had spun on an axis and knocked Natsu flying with a static kick to the gut.
"that…all…ya…got..?" came a wheezing voice from the twitching, tiny body; his voice muffled from where his face had been planted into the cracked and broken table – his squeaky and determined voice only threatening to annoy the blonde teenager further. The other mages had already gone silent, watching with morbid curiosity to see the likely possibility of Laxus blasting the pink haired brat through the guilds double doors – It had happened once already, so everyone had made bets on how long it'd be before the next throw down showed the same results.
"Seems like we're gonna have to repair the tables again." Macao grumbled, taking a gulp of beer and watching idly by – he did not want to get in the way of those two hot heads, not for all the danger money in the world.
"Repair? Please. It's so splintered that the tables are a lost cause, old Master Makarov will just have to pay for new ones." His partner – Wakaba – Chuckled, voice raspy and strained as he puffed out smoke from his pipe; coughing loudly after taking a deep breath.
"Boy, he is not gonna like that."
"Well here's hoping the doors that'd been fitted last week don't get smashed again."
Just as the lightning mage stood and charged his own fist, a smirk etched onto his lips at the easy win – a large hand came down on them both, the two young mages yelping before being let out of their assailants grasp once the boys' magic had vanished in surprise.
"Stop now before I throw you two both in the ocean."
The booming voice sent a room filled with laughter and murmurs on the current and frequent fights had finished due to the hands of their own guild master – Makarov.
Fairytail's master was fierce, his power sometimes inhuman and most of the time unmatched in strength. He was the giant of the ten wizard saints. Many would hear rumours of Fairytail's master was nothing more than a ginormous beast, with a roar that'd send shivers down evildoers' spines – and dark, ominous eyes that saw justice would prevail with every path he walked. But most know him as the tiny and eccentric master of Fairytail, and caring to his children. Though one day he would probably get a heart attack from the amount of complaints he gets from the council.
Perched precariously on top of the guilds second floor railing stood a tiny man in flamboyant dress, his eye was twitching in irritation, and in his right hand he held a large stack of familiar looking magic council papers and complaint letters; the elderly man's irises were dilated as he squinted to see all of his children either lounging in the seats or searching for a job on the request board – a low, ominous growl emanating alongside a dark aura around his body.
For but a moment, the hall was deathly silent and eerie – no movement occurred.
"This is the third time this week that you have disrupted the council's patience! Have you all any idea how many letters of complaints I have been receiving over the course of the past few days?! Hundreds! Natsu, learn how to actually finish your jobs without setting fire to a village! Macao, Wakaba! Stop trying to hit on the ladies on every job you find yourself in! Mira! Erza! Never go on a job together again-"
"That was technically your fault Master." Yelled the shrill voice of FairyTail's resident demon, Mira's arms were crossed as she leaned back against the top of a seat whereas Erza – a red head of the same age as Mira and also an S class wizard, simply placed her hands on her hips after pushing a strand of scarlet hair from her eyes – Laxus had always found her strange and quiet. If he remembered correctly, the red head had managed to get here from some sort of run down place…if the way she looked when she arrived had anything to do with where she had come from.
"And it is a mistake I will never live down…" Makarov grumbled. Between the two rival S class Mages, Erza and Mira-Jane had practically destroyed five villages, all because of an argument on their…hair…They're arguments and fights can be over things so petty and childish, Laxus never really understood girls at all if he was being honest.
'And here I thought I could get them to work together for once…those two girls cause more harm than good…'
"Laxus!" Makarov called then, crossing his arms after crumpling the sheets of paper.
"Jeez. What did I do to get your panties in a twist Gramps?" Came the reply from the Lightning mage, adjusting the spiked headphones so he could hear his grandfather, eyes narrowed.
"See me in the office, Laxus. I have a request for you." Was all that Makarov said to his grandson, watching the blonde with interest as confusion and then irritation swooped over Laxus' facial expressions, his lightning shaped scar pinching and contorting slightly as the blonde settled for a distasteful frown, reluctantly thundering down one of the guilds back corridors to a door he had memorised from being down there too many times to count.
The corridor was straight, and bland. It was a stark contrast to the colour of people that would amass in the guild hall day in and day out. Blue irises darted to look at the old, oak door with a golden magic plate that would hold the name and title of the guilds master for as long as he or she was in power of Fairytail. His grandfather's name seemed to glow mightily the longer he stared at it.
He wondered if one day that golden plate would show off his name like that.
"What did I do this time?" He growled as soon as he entered the room, slamming the door shut and awaiting his short grandfather's response.
The office was not as bland, however. It held shelves and bookcases that lined the left and right wall, showcasing the possessions, books and wisdom that had been journaled and memorised from the two masters before his family had taken over the leadership position for the guild.
At the wall opposite the door there was a large and plush looking red velvet chair, sitting comfortably a dark oak, magnificently carved desk that was littered with paper, books and scrolls – a clock, lamp and anything and everything that Master Makarov had accumulated today. A large window let in light on the wall behind the desk, showing off the storm in all its glory.
"Nothing, apart from one letter of complaint for striking a lightning bolt at the blue Pegasus guild hall-"
"The pervy geezer I met there deserved a little fright, so what?" Laxus muttered under his breath in defiance, Makarov sighing as he heard those sour words before continuing.
"As I was saying, boy. I have a request for a job that I wish for you to go on, I'm being nice here – that house in the outskirts of the city that you've been looking at for weeks now; the big one where you want to live with a team." Makarov unfolded a crumpled slip of paper with a particular job request printed on top.
"The reward for this job to take down an Ex-Baram alliance dark guild has the exact number of jewels you'll need to buy the place off the estate agency – and then a healthy amount to keep up the rent in your dorm for a few months before moving into that house. I told the estate agents to take that house off the market so any other buyers won't take an interest in the place whilst you're away on this mission – that is, If you'll take the request."
Laxus' eyes were wide as he scanned the job request, echoing the words on this paper to himself.
'To whoever may be interested in this job, please help.
Villages and towns across the southern region of Fiore have been wiped out by a dark guilds activity with the goals to enslave others to do work and labour for them, many homes have been destroyed and many children orphaned – I myself am one of them.
If you're able to take up the task of eradicating DemonKing and their unruly injustice – I implore you to consider this request.
The reward money is the entirety of my family fortunes; I am only a child with no family to look after myself or the money. So it will be yours if you take on the task ahead.
Meet me at the Jade Cherry Park, Korlia town in the south of Fiore as soon as you possibly can.
My thanks if you're able to oblige my simple request.'
"H-How many Jewels!?" Laxus squawked – eyes bulging a little at the sum of money plastered onto the bottom of the thin paper, what the fuck?
"It appears this child is from a rich family, most likely since being orphaned has no need to keep the fortunes – it is strange since this boy did not say any details about himself, however it is apparent needs our help, and urgently." Makarov supplied, lips twitching slightly into a smile at his grandson's reaction.
"Yeah...I can see that…But this kid must be mental if he thinks giving away his entire family fortunes is right or even smart. Wouldn't it be easier for the guy to just use the money on himself? Since he's been orphaned?!" Laxus frowned, staring down and rereading the eloquently worded – though short – letter.
'This would mean I'd get that house huh? That's definitely a big bonus…especially when I start forming the strongest team I possibly can in Fairytail. It's got large land we can use for training – a kitchen and three bedrooms that could easily fit two per room. If memory serves me correct it's quite an ancient house…so it'd definitely need renovations…and all this money would create it into the perfect home for my future team…'
"Well, I know you're thinking about this job however I need an answer now; I do not wish to send a job request that could do you some good to your father or any other wizard…This is an S class rated request." Makarov mumbled the last bit, Laxus looking up at him.
"An...S class…" he murmured, electric blue eyes lighting up just as a bold streak of crackling energy patterned beautifully across the window of Makarov's office – seemingly deciding for the lightning mage of what he was going to do.
The storm clouds swirled menacingly, its scent promising a destructive night, but Laxus had no care for that anymore, all he was focused on?
S CLASS.
"You're breaking your own rules gramps, how come?"
"Because I believe that none of our current S class rated wizards will be capable of the job, not even your father." At this Laxus was surprised that his grandfather could actually say such a thing. He knew that Gildarts had not long gone on a century quest for the Master – and his father had been decimating the rest of the S class request board before the other two newer strong wizards (Mira and Erza) could even get to them. Though time and time again he could always hear the murmurs of his Guild Mates that Ivan Dreyar will one day bring harm and trouble to Fairytail through his ways of dealing with jobs. The lightning mage refused to believe that – Even if he himself admits to his father being a little sadistic at times when it comes to his bad days. However he wasn't great on good days either.
"Hmph…you can send a notice to that kid who wrote this – I'll be on my way tonight."
"Good, I'm glad you have chosen to take this job. I'm sure you'll make this poor boys day to see justice finally being served to that dark guild." Makarov gave Laxus a rare smile, crossing his arms.
"Uh huh, whatever. All I care about is the reward and a ticket to S class gramps." Laxus smirked and swiftly turned to exit the room. He didn't care about who ever this boy was; all he was glad of was that finally there wasn't a crap job to go on! He could get some cash whilst bashing a few dark guild heads in and then buy the place he so wishes to nurture and raise the strongest team in Fairytail! Even nature's thunder will quake when he forms them into the best guild mates he possibly can.
'Let's do this.'
After the door to the office slammed shut, Makarov sighed and slowly sunk into his chair; face slowly paling as he let himself grow comfortable. He had been tired all day; it's a wonder how he makes it through the week going through those hundreds of letters of complaints and fines and warnings from the magic council. It's also a wonder how his hand hasn't dropped off from the hundreds of apology letters and cheques to send back to the fines throughout the weeks.
'I do hope Laxus does at least show the boy some sympathy…Something about this request gave me an odd feeling however…It's too late now – I know how much Laxus want's that house. I'm sure he'll do fine on this job. Hopefully he doesn't destroy an entire city.'
"Who am I kidding?" The master whined in defeat, head clunking onto the desk as his shoulders slumped, the elderly man was running only on fumes these days.
"Of course somethings going to get destroyed. It's always the guild I run that over does everything…"
-/Later in the evening.\-
Laxus gulped down the bile already rising up his throat.
Magnolia train station always set him on edge when he had to go on jobs, however he wasn't so bad as the lightning was still booming overhead – its bolts and streaks can give him a snack if he gets too nervous.
It's just a damn train, nothing to worry about…only an overnight and then five hour long day trip to his destination…
'God, the journey's gonna kill me before the fucking dark guild has a chance at trying to put me down.'
As thunder bellowed and roared once more, the faint whistle of an oncoming train could just be heard; the chugging and chuffing of a steam train slowly braking and squeaking on the station rails.
Very few people walked out of the carriage, he didn't blame the people being put off by travel today though – despite the trains having weather protection lacrima's installed it was still a little shit to travel in such grey weather.
Laxus preferred it, however. The fact that very few can see the mess he becomes when on a moving vehicle ensured his pride and dignity was intact.
Still didn't stop his torture though.
"Come on, just think of the reward. And the S class…" He mumbled to himself, taking his ticket and boarding the metal machine of motion and death with a reluctant sigh, bracing himself for movement.
The particular carriage had small, seating rooms, with places where he could place his luggage and lie down if he needed to. With a small sigh after hearing the whistle once more, the lightning mage placed his items and bags on the seats opposite before changing his music to a more calming, classical flute playlist to settle his stomach as much as possible.
The carriage in itself wasn't uncomfortable, the seats were sufficient enough to lie on and slightly too scratchy to be overly comforting to relax on – however it was enough for Laxus; it'd probably be the most luxurious bed he'd be sleeping on for quite a while.
To try and distract himself from throwing up and causing a mess, the blonde took out the job request and reread the writing a few times over.
"What have I gotten myself into…?" He grumbled through the hand that he had clamped over his mouth; eyes going slightly hazy.
'Ugh…trains rocking…too much…it's gonna be a long trip…'
-Korlia Train Station.-
Laxus was sure his stomach had flown out the window after the fourth hour of the last train ride to this down trodden town.
No offense to the boy that had requested help, but he had never heard of this town before, nor that it was actually quite prosperous before these attacks started. The lightning mage could already see the damage and hits that this town had been taking from the dark guild that has been ruling the roost for the past…month and a half if he heard the conductor of the first train he'd been on correctly.
Nowadays the town had been cut off from most transport, the train that Laxus had first been on had also informed him that they were frightened of pulling into the station for fear of the dark guild "DemonKing" So the annoyed blonde ended up finding an old and decrepit train to ride in (the old and wily looking conductor decided to have him pay nearly all his jewels to get there – damn ratty bastard.)
However, now the problem was finding his way around the downward spiralling town.
After walking through the station and to the front roads, the blonde noted silently all of the details of this place. It was run down – that was for sure. The once beautiful fountain that he saw when exiting the station grounds stood crumbling, faded memories of its past now long gone. In its place were weeds and ivy reclaiming the earth through the cobbled, once quaint roads; many homes and shops boarded up and closed – most buildings were knocked over or completely obliterated that he couldn't even recognise or distinguish what those places may have looked like.
"Man…this dark guild ain't messing about…" He grumbled to himself, padding down the derelict streets to the park where he'd been told to meet with the boy who called for help.
As Laxus made his way to the specific location; he kept his eyes sharp and peeled for any signs of movement, in case anything were to move in a hostile or unfriendly way toward him. The skies were void of clouds, rays of sunlight beating down heavily upon the lone mage walking toward a once luscious and perfect park in the centre of the abandoned town.
Finally, he found the statue the small print of the paper asked him to stay by – So that the boy could find him. The teenager had to wonder what this boy would be like; would he be overly thankful and gushing his praise (Laxus hoped not) or standoffish until he gained trust. The words printed described the boy a little already – he seemed well educated, maybe not even too young. Laxus estimated that this boy would only be a little younger than him.
'I guess that won't be too bad.'
Sudden movement jolted Laxus out of his thoughts, Sharp blue irises narrowing down the movement to a trembling bush beside the statue.
"Tch, I can see ya – come out so I can see who you are." He ordered harshly, eyes narrowed as slowly, small branches, leaves and twigs parted to reveal a short figure, small frame shrouded in a dark green camouflage cloak that was way too big for whomever Laxus had found.
"U-Uhm…Are you…A guild member..?" Came a meek, trembling voice from behind the bush, Laxus' guard dropping – only slightly. This was the boy?
"What if I am?" the teenager started, raising an eyebrow.
"Y-You're holding…my request…S-So you came to help." He replied quietly, the boy seemed to be trembling violently under the cloak, Laxus noted – huffing.
"I don't bite. Take off the cloak so I can see you. What's your name kid?" Laxus asked, sitting down and crossing his legs. He let his back rest against the cool, cracked marble of the once elaborate statue that may have gleamed in this sort of weather with pride, Once upon a time. Watching the kid with interest, a small, pale and thin hand crawled up to the button holding the boys cloak together, fumbling with his trembling fingers. Another hand slithered up to his hood – finally revealing his face.
It was definitely not what Laxus had expected.
Short, messy and unkempt green hair was cut just under the chin, though large strands spiked out in curved directions, It seemed to flow and move along with the tremors. That was getting annoying for Laxus. (He wasn't that scary was he?) Two strands of hair on his head stuck up like static lightning bolts – shaped that way too. The right side of the boy's eyes was completely covered in a messy fringe; childish looking, face pale and sullen from lack of nutrition – Dark bags under his eyes.
He looked too mature to be a mere boy – Laxus could tell by the way this kid seemed to hold himself, despite his constant trembles.
Cyan blue eyes looked at the guild mage that the boy had called upon; his cracked and split lips pulling up into a relieved smile.
"F-Finally…" He managed to croak, slumping down onto the ground and crawling up to sit opposite the mage. He found the teenager quite interesting to look at – from the lightning bolt scar on his face to his electric blue eyes and even the clothes he was wearing; the boy found every detail intriguing.
"M-may I ask your name. Please? I don't…have one…"
"Tch, I call bullshit on that." Laxus retorted, the boy flinching at the foul language and gulping. He observed as one of the mages eyebrows raised slightly, head tilting and displacing his spiked headphones.
"Fine. My names Laxus. But I don't believe it when you say you have no name." He added, crossing his arms.
"Well…it's true. I've never thought of one for myself…T-The villagers c-c-called me Nanashi for a short time before…this happened…" The boy motioned to the town. "Nanashi means N-No name…Since I'm an orphan…"
"Well that name sounds a little depressing." Laxus grumbled, before petting the green haired boy's hair, a tug of a reassuring smile on his lips to try and calm this obviously scared boy.
"I'll have to think up of a name for you during this mission. However from now on I hereby name you Greeny."
"U-Uh..." Greeny blinked a few times at the name, before fiddling with his hair. He knew his hair made him stand out…but being called that was a little unsurprising (And uh…unoriginal) to say the least. Greeny looked back up at the Mage.
"Okay…Laxus. I'll l-let you call me…that…" he mumbled, before standing and grabbing for his cloak again. "I-I think…we should get out of here…please…D-Dark guild could b-be anywhere…"
With a curt nod, Laxus stood. He waited for Greeny to place his too large cloak over his shoulders, before grabbing the boys hand and pulling him down the street.
"Direct me to wherever you're staying and we can talk there about the mission. Okay?"
"O-Okay."
Greeny gave a small smile, glad that finally. After waiting for so long…Finally he was going to be okay.
In the year 776x Laxus met the boy who had desperately requested a guilds help to take down the dark guild known as "DemonKing" – It was a guild obsessed with their king being the reincarnation of Zeref himself; and would do anything and everything if their "king" commanded it to happen. From killing to raids to utter destruction of homes and towns. This boy was interesting to the lightning mage; despite having only just met. It was going to be a long journey for them both in the months ahead. Many surprises, people and twists in their stories as slowly their lives would intertwine. However neither of them knew that they wouldn't be parting ways any time soon.
Freeds Journal – 20th July. Year 791x.