Chapter 1: The Departure
*This story takes place after the GMG (Grand Magic Games)*
It was like every other day at Fairy Tail in the guild hall. Cana drinking booze, Mirajane cleaning the glassware, Gray ready for a fight, Juvia stalking the stripper, Lucy chatting with Levy, Gajeel munching on iron, Erza eating her favorite dish, Lisanna hanging out with her brother, Wendy in a conversation with her exceed companion and Natsu asleep on one of the tables with Happy. Natsu wakes from his slumber and stumbles to stand up. As he walks toward the exit, Lisanna calls out to him but he just raises his hand in a goodbye wave continues onward. Lisanna confused by his response, rushes after him when it seemed like he was consumed by the light from the sun. She makes it to the exit and looks around for Natsu. It seemed to her that Natsu completely vanished, not a single trace in sight. The worried fairy returns back inside and asks her comrades about Natsu's behavior. They didn't sense a change.
Gray: Don't worry about the flame brain, he might of finally realized that i'm stronger than him which made him feel distant. *Grinning*
*Lisanna ignores his cocky grin and walks to over Erza*
Erza: Natsu? It didn't look any different from his normal procedure. Go ask Lucy or Wendy, they were with him on his last mission, they might know what happened.
*Lisanna nods and walks over to Wendy first*
Wendy: Natsu-san? He was his usual self last time i saw him. Sorry if i didn't help.
Lisanna: It's alright but thanks for the info though.
*Lisanna approaches Lucy*
Lucy: Natsu? Hmm...sorry i can't come up with anything, it didn't look he was any different from his normal self.
*Lisanna is startled by the sudden appearance of her sister.*
Mirajane: Sorry to bother but i was interested after seeing my sister showing a worried face.
Lucy: Its ok, she was just asking if Natsu is feeling alright.
Lisanna: Do you have any ideas Mira-nee?
*Mirajane gives it some thought then comes up with a possible solution*
Mirajane: Do you know any place he would be at, probably like a secret hide out of some sort?
*Lisanna gives it some thought and was able to come up with only one location*
Lisanna: I do now, thanks Mira-nee.
Mirajane: Glad to help. *smiles*
As she approaches the exit, she hears her comrades call her name
Gray: Lisanna! When you find the idiot, tell him i said I want to settle our rivalry to see who's stronger.
Erza: Lisanna! Tell him to come home soon, we all want to know what's bothering him.
*Wendy nods thinking the same thing*
Lucy: Also, can you let him know, if he wants to go on another mission soon? I need money to pay rent and he's a huge help.
Lisanna: Hai.
*Lisanna smiles at her comrades due to their enthusiasm and rushes out the door*
She thought of one place that she only herself knows and nobody else. It was the small hut they made as kids, when they were playing house. She makes way through the foggy forest and was able to find the hut she and Natsu made when they were kids. As she approaches the location she sees Natsu. Natsu was facing the opposite direction and has his face looking down. As she gets closer, she sees a stone on the ground in front of him. She approaches Natsu and his face hasn't move from where he was looking. The Stone apparently resembled a grave, she stands beside him and begins to read the writing on the stone: Here lies Lisanna Strauss, a friend to all animals and humans alike. She begins to sob, tears running down her cheeks like a waterfall.
Lisanna: You remembered...
Natsu: I have to go on another job. I wanted you to see this before i leave.
*Natsu takes off his scarf and wraps it around Lisanna's neck causing her to stop crying*
Natsu: This might be a long goodbye...take care of happy while i'm gone.
*Natsu starts to walk toward the foggy area but suddenly a question from Lisanna stops him in his tracks*
Lisanna: Why...why are you telling me this?
*Natsu turns around and gives her a smile*
Natsu: Because...you're my wife.
*Natsu resumes down the path to the fog*
*Lisanna stumbles to get up*
Lisanna: Natsu..wai-
As she faced the direction she last seen natsu, he was no longer there.
Her face was flushed with pink, never thought hearing Natsu telling her that she was his wife.
Her thoughts were full of curiosity. She wanted more details about her beloved dragon slayer.
"A long goodbye" she wondered. She had a bad feeling about that statement. She came up with an idea to ask her sister of what request he took. She rushed back to Fairy Tail, by the time she got there she saw her sister running around looking very worried. She approached Mirajane to see what the big fuss was about.
Lisanna: Mira-nee, what seems to be the matter?
Mirajane: One of our job offers went missing, i don't know who took it.
Lisanna: Mind telling what kind of quest this is?
Mirajane: Well...ok but keep this between us, Its a level S class quest. They are in need of a wizard that can help deal with local dark guild that took over the town. There's been rumors about dragon sightings over there. I was reserving it for Laxus since a dragon slayer of his calibre might be interested. Anyway, how was i-
*Lisanna interrupts her sister*
Lisanna: Wait, did you say dragon sightings?!
*Mirajane seemed phased by her response but replied quickly*
Mirajane: Yes, why do you ask?
*It all makes sense now thought Lisanna*
Lisanna: Did Natsu check with you before leaving onto his mission?
Mirajane: No, he hasn't chec-. Wait you don't mean he's responsible for level s class snatching?
*Lisanna nods*
Mirajane: I must notify master immediately, i'll be right back Lisanna.
*Mirajane rushes to the guild master's room*
Lisanna sits down at the nearest table with a worried expression suddenly startled by the appearance of the flying blue cat.
Happy: Lisanna, have you seen Nat-
*An announcement is told by the master of fairy tail getting the attention of everyone*
Makarov: Attention my children, one of our guilds members snuck out with a level S class quest.
Hearing that angered Erza, she slams her fist on one of the tables breaking it in half.
Few members near her were frightened and backed away.
Makarov: I will pick the wizards that will go on this journey to capture our rule breaker. Erza, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, and Lisanna. If you heard your names, come to me for further details.
Lisanna was relieved that she was able to go but wondered why of all people Makarov picked her.
*They all gather in a small room discussing the situation*
Lisanna: Master, why did you pick me for the mission?
Makarov: Knowing that you were the last one to talk to him, you possibly can shed him some light. Since you're wearing his scarf, he might be more comfortable around you than anyone else here.
Erza: That scarf...you don't mea-
*Gray interrupts Erza*
Gray: Its Natsu. I wonder what that flamebrain is up to this time.
Wendy: Natsu-san?
Lucy: Natsu?
Erza: Can you give us the details of the quest?
Mirajane: Its about a dark guild that took over a town located at the edge of Fiore.
Reward money is 500,000 Jewels.
Makarov: But the whole objective of this mission is to capture our rule breaker and bring him back here. That is all, you're dismissed.
*Everyone leaves the room and starts packing up their for the journey.
Erza: If we take the train, it will at least take about 3-4 days to get there from my estimate.
Wendy: Have you been to that town before Erza-san?
Erza: I've only been there once, got a brief look at the town. The last time i was there it was quite lovely, beautiful scenery, cleaned streets, festivals and wizard talent shows. If i recall the name of this town was Cornelia, nickname "Youth's Paradise". They're festivals are mostly about a sky goddess. I think you might like it Wendy, also the locals are extremely friendly.
Lucy: You sure know a lot by just going there once before.
Erza: Indeed but i wonder how the town is holding up since the takeover.
Gray: Doesn't seem like a town Natsu would urgently go to.
Lisanna: It is.
*Everyone looked at Lisanna giving her the curious look*
*I'm sorry Mira-nee* Lisanna: I was told by Mira-nee that there've been several dragon sightings over there, though this is just a rumor.
Gray: I stand corrected.
Lucy: Now it all adds up.
Erza: I see.
Wendy: I wonder if i can find Grandine over there as well.
The group gets up from the table and makes their way to the exit.
Erza: Meet at the train station within an hour, hopefully this will give you all enough time to pack up.
*They all nod in agreement*
As Lisanna heads to her dorm to pack up, she couldn't shake off the feeling something bad might happen to him. *She shakes her head aggressively* "I need to have faith and believe in him because us Fairy Tail don't know the definition of giving up." She rushes towards the train station meeting up with the rest of the team.
Erza: Is everyone here?
Happy: Aye!
Gray: Yeah.
Lisanna: Here.
Wendy: Where's Lucy?
*In a distance they see Lucy rushing towards them and catches up with them*
Erza: Mind if i ask?
Lucy: Sorry, the landlord was giving me a warning about my rent.
Erza: Looks like everyone is ready to go, lets go!
*They all said Yes in unison*
They board the train and begin their journey to Cornelia. While on the train, we came to the town of Rylos. Rylos was a small town with concrete structure and glass windows shimmering light from the sun onto the train station. Rylos is famous for its beautiful rivers along the horizon. As an hour rolled by, the train begins to move again to its next destination: Oshibana town. As the fairies look out the window to remember the battle between Eisenwald. The train station has been repaired to its normal state. Suddenly a voice over comes on through the lacrima speakers: Attention passengers, for those who are going to Cornelia, we can't make a stop at that destination due to the takeover. We will bypass that location along the railtrack to other cities. That is all.
Erza: Alright gang, let's get off here and walk there.
*Everyone excluding Erza in unison*: WALK!?
Lucy: Erza-san, it will take us days to reach Cornelia.
Gray: There must be another type of transportation to make it there.
*Erza gives it some thought and then comes up with an idea*
Erza: If i recall, we can use the SE-plug vehicles. Lets find a shop where they're selling one.
Everyone splits up and looks for the shops that is associated with SE-plug vehicles.
Gray walks into a magic shop looking for gear that specializes in ice magic.
Lucy walks through the market looking for the targeted shop but is pulled away by a celestial stand.
Erza makes her way through the crowded streets but is suddenly distracted by a restaurant that makes her favorite dish.
Lisanna and Wendy make their way down a narrow street trying to locate the targeted destination.
Happy sleeping silently on Lisanna's head and Carla staying nearby Wendy.
Wendy breaks the silence between them and asks Lisanna questions.
Wendy: Lisanna-san, did Natsu give you his scarf?
*Lisanna nods*
Wendy: If you don't mind me asking, what do you think of Natsu-san?
*Lisanna hesitates and finally answers*
Lisanna: I think of him as one of my best friends, after all we've known each other since childhood and we look out for each other.
Wendy: I see…
Lisanna: What do you think of Natsu?
*Wendy blushed at her question*
Wendy:I...i think of him as a older brother. He is someone that i keep close to my heart.
*Wendy smiles surprising Lisanna with her response*
Wendy: I honestly thought you liked him more than just a friend. That...you loved him.
*Lisanna's face becomes entirely pink and turns around to hide her face from Wendy*
Wendy: Lisanna...san?
*Lisanna turns around and exhales deeply*
Lisanna: I'll tell you the truth...I-
*Erza interrupts their conversation waking up Happy as well*
Erza: Alright the whole gang is here, hop on!
*Lisanna and Wendy giving Erza a surprised look*
Erza: Did i interrupt something?
Wendy was about to say something but was put to a stop by Lisanna
They both said no in unison.
As the 2 fairies climb aboard they see Gray with some sort of gear on and
Lucy wielding celestial gear.
Lisanna: You two didn't really attempt to look for the magical vehicle shop did you?
*Lucy nodding with guilt*
Gray: You should ask Erza that question, i'm the one who actually found the shop.
*Erza overheard their conversation and felt guilty*
Gray: By the time i found her, she was eating her favorite dish.
"Thats honestly surprising." the 3 girls thought in unison.
Erza: We should make it there in a couple of hours, i have enough magic to get us there.
Lisanna: If you do get tired, feel free to switch with me.
Lucy: Same here.
Erza: Thanks you two but for now be patient.
As the hours rolled by, day turns into night, then they stumbled upon a ruined town, fractured buildings, glass shatters and abandoned homes. They come up to a sign saying: Welcome to Cornelia.