Hello once again everyone! I'm The Bobcat and this is a brand new story for everyone. The sequel to The Dark Fairy… The Eternal Empire.
For those of you who have read the previous story, WELCOME BACK! I'm so glad to see you all here again! And for those of you just joining us now, I do suggest reading the first story. It'll help reveal character motivations, plot points, and clarify how all of our favorite characters ended up where they are at this point.
Alrighty then, with that out of the way, let's begin!
The Eternal Empire
Chapter 1
A Bad Good Morning
Sixteen years after the Battle of Earthland…
She stood at the top of the mountain. Her eyes glaring furiously down at the masses of enemies down below. They were all coming for her. For the treasure she had managed to steal from them. Her fingers rubbed against the medallion in the right pocket of her tan shorts. A small smirk formed on her lips. They would be hard pressed to take this from her.
As the samurai in black armor charged up the mountain at her, she whipped her hair out of her face with incredible grace before charging her magic power. She could feel it surging within her, a well of energy erupting to the surface. The power tingling against her fingertips, filling her chest, ready to be launched at these poor grunts coming towards her. With a dangerous sparkle in her hazel eyes, she formed a funnel with her hands and put them to her lips.
The Samurai halted and began to look worriedly at each other. Then panic seized the army in black. They began to retreat down the mountainside, suddenly realizing their grave error. But it was too late. They had unleashed the mighty Sky Dragon Slayer. With a wide, triumphant smile, the woman sucked in air.
"SKY DRAGON'S-"
*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BE-*
*WHACK!*
Her eyes slowly cracked open then quickly snapped shut again as she felt the sun's rays peeking through the blinds of her window. A groan escaped her lips before she cracked one of her eyes open again to stare at her alarm clock.
"Seven o'clock." The young girl mumbled before closing her eye again and groaning.
Her hands wrapped around the covers that laid haphazardly over her small form. She quietly pulled them tighter around her body and sank deeper into her bed. Just as she was about to doze off and enter her dreams once again, she heard her bedroom door crash open.
"~Wake Up~!" Came the sing song voice of her aunt. A voice that, in the morning when she was still groggy, made her ears bleed.
The young girl grumbled and tossed over in her bed, facing away from her door.
"Maki Marvell…" Her aunt sighed. She heard her soft footsteps come around her bed to where she was facing. A gentle hand brushed her pale cheek and carefully combed some of her black hair out of her eyes, "It's time to get up Maki."
Maki shook her head and rolled over once again, taking her covers with her.
"Five more minutes." She mumbled sleepily.
Her aunt clicked her tongue, "Not this time sweetie." She shook her shoulder, "C'mon, get up. It's a big day for you after all."
"No it's not." Maki grumbled.
Her aunt placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips.
"Do I need to go get your Uncle Galen?"
Maki's eyes shot open, "N-no." she quivered fearfully.
"Mhmm, that's what I thought." Meldy Marek nodded before playfully patting Maki's arm, "C'mon now, get up. Breakfast is on the table, waiting to be gobbled down by you!"
"Just… give me a-" Maki yawned loudly and rubbed her hazel eyes, "Moment."
"Sure thing sweetheart." Aunt Meldy replied as she quickly left her room.
When she was certain her aunt had disappeared down the hallway, Maki groaned and slowly sat up in her bed. Her lips smacked together as she stretched her arms high above her head. A loud yawn escaped her lips once again before she scratched her lower back and swung her legs out from her bed's clutches. She wiggled her toes momentarily before jumping down from her bed onto the soft carpet below. Her legs carried her exhausted body over to the mirror that hung from her closet door.
Every morning she came here, just to look. It was part of her daily routine. Another way for her to see and complain about her inadequacies. Maki Marvell's lips frowned as she glanced up at her snarled black hair.
That's going to be fun to brush. She thought as she pulled on the snags and knots that topped her head.
Another disappointed sigh escaped her when she looked down at her chest. Her white sleeping shirt fell flat against her. Absolutely nothing there. Her hands went up and down, patting against the sides of her skinny thighs.
When am I finally going to get them? Maki wondered before yawning again. She slipped on the small, pink bunny slippers that sat beside her closet mirror and slowly began to trudge towards the kitchen.
As she entered the kitchen, she could smell the sweet, succulent scent of bacon hovering in the air. Mixed with the smell of fried eggs, and her mouth began to water involuntarily. Her sensitive ears heard the sound of the bread in the toaster crisping. With a loud chime, the bread popped up from the toaster.
"Breakfast smells good." She mumbled as she pulled a wooden chair out from the small round table on the other side of the kitchen counter.
Her mind must've still been caught in a sleep induced fog, because she didn't even notice the man sitting across from her, newspaper in hand as he glanced over the top of it and narrowed his eyes at her.
He was in his mid thirties now. But he barely showed any signs of age at all. His short hair was still jet black, just as it was in his youth. His body was still strong and athletic. And his mind was still as sharp as a whip. But he had picked up the habits of a middle aged man. one of those habits was reading the daily newspaper as he sipped on a warm cup of coffee. A drink he had come to really enjoy the longer he lived on Earthland. When he saw Maki slump into her seat he smirked.
"Sleep well?" He asked.
"Yes, Uncle Galen." Maki mumbled as she grabbed the pitcher of milk at the center of the table and began to mindlessly fill her glass.
"Sure you did." Galen replied sarcastically, "Is that why your hair looks like the backside of a Wookie?"
"Galen…" Meldy said with a dangerous twinge in her voice.
"What?" Galen asked as he folded the Magnolia Inquirer Newspaper and placed it on the table beside his plate, "I'm only telling her the truth."
"The truth hurts." Maki muttered as her eyes began to slowly shut.
"Maki…"
*Snore*
"Maki!" Meldy called again.
"Buwuh?" Maki sputtered before realizing that the milk she was pouring had overflowed from her glass and spilled onto the table. She quickly placed the pitcher back at the center of the table and grumbled quietly to herself as she soaked up the spilled milk with her napkin.
"Thanks for the warning." She muttered to Galen.
"Your welcome." Galen replied as he sipped on a cup of coffee. He let out a satisfied sigh as Meldy brought a platter out from the kitchen that was piled high with bacon, eggs, and toast.
"Breakfast is served!" She smiled happily.
"Looks great hon."
"Thanks, my Starboy." She grinned slyly.
"Ugh…" Galen bowed his head while Maki snickered to herself, "You know how much I hate that nickname."
Meldy tossed a napkin at him as she sat down, "It's your nickname, so learn to like it."
"It's been how many years since you gave it to me? And I still can't stand it."
"Well you were always a little slow on the uptake." Meldy retorted with a grin as she popped a piece of bacon into her mouth.
"Hey!" Galen cried defensively while Maki chuckled quietly.
This was the one good thing about this morning so far. Watching her Aunt Meldy totally embarrass her Uncle Galen. It was one of the most entertaining things in the world for Maki. And it completely made up for having to wake up at such an early time. While her Aunt and Uncle continued to badger each other, she silently munched on her bacon and eggs while contemplating the disaster that this day was no doubt going to be.
"So Maki."
"Hm?"
"Are you excited?" Meldy asked with a smile.
"For what?" Maki replied.
"For your big day!" Meldy grinned before looking at a puzzled Galen, "Today's the day… remember?"
"Hm? OH!" Galen suddenly exclaimed as Meldy gave him a dangerous stare, "R-right! Job day!"
"Yup!" Meldy smiled before glancing back at the sulking Maki, "Don't worry sweetie. Kinana is an awesome person to work with."
"I'm going to be a waitress… at the guildhall." Maki replied, "And I'm fifteen."
"I don't see what's wrong with that." Meldy replied with a shrug, "Do you Galen?"
"That's lovely hon." He replied carelessly as he read his newspaper, "Did you hear that Gray is in the running for the open Wizard Saint position?"
"Galen!"
"What!?"
"There's nothing wrong with being a waitress at the guildhall, right?"
Galen blinked and hesitated. He glanced at Maki then back at Meldy, "Um… yeah. Nothing wrong with that at all."
Maki bowed her head and huffed. That was not the answer she was hoping to hear. It just was another declaration of how much of a disappointment she was. Her Uncle's reluctance to say that she was doing something great only proved that. She took one last nibble of toast before placing it back on her plate.
"I'm not hungry anymore." She muttered before retreating to her room to get ready.
"Maki." Meldy called softly, "Maki!" The pinkette glared at Galen, "Look at what you did?"
"Uh… what did I do?"
Maki quickly shut her door to muffle out their argument. With a heavy sigh she walked into her small bathroom and undressed before stepping into the shower. The hot water calmed all of her tense nerves almost instantly. It nearly caused her to fall asleep standing up just from how relaxing it was. She was so relaxed in fact, that she failed to notice how long she spent just standing there. It was only when she heard Meldy pounding on the door that she realized she was out of time.
"MAKI! ELECTRIC BILL!"
Crap! "Sorry!" Maki called as she gave herself a quick scrub before shutting the shower off, drying herself off and walking back out into her room; a towel wrapped around her small body and another wrapped around her long hair. She slowly walked over to her small closet and flung the doors open revealing her collection of clothes to wear.
"Let's see." She muttered as her fingers danced over the hanging clothes, "Black jeans? Mmm… maybe?" She plucked them from the closet and hung them on the door handle, "Black shirt?"
Nah… too plain. Ooooh, the skull one!
She then froze as she went to grab it. On second thought, Aunt Meldy might flip out if she saw me wearing that one. Her hands then hovered over a scarlet hoodie lined with black. Flashy today? Mmmmm… no… to stupid of a day for flashy. She sighed, "Black shirt it is then."
After she finally got herself dress and managed to untangle all of the knots in her long hair. She quickly raced down the hall to the front door. Just as she was about to pull the door open she heard her Aunt Meldy call her.
"Maki wait!"
Oh no… not again! Not again!
Her aunt wrapped her up in a large hug and quickly pecked her cheek, making Maki's cheeks turn red with both embarrassment and annoyance.
"Have a great day, Maki." Meldy smiled.
"Yeah, yeah." Maki replied before quickly leaving the house.
She slowly made her way along the paved stone roads of her quiet hometown. Magnolia was nice enough, she supposed. It was quiet, she could always hear the gentle rippling of the canal waters with her sensitive ears. Despite how annoying her super hearing could be, she always found that sound very comforting. Maybe it's because it told her she was home. But then again, home sucked sometimes too.
She continued slowly strolling along the main canal of the city in the direction of Kardia Cathedral. Her head bowed and shoulders slumped as she stared at her feet while walking. The sun was barely starting to rise in the sky. That realization only made her mood worse.
It's way to early for this crap.
"Good morning, Maki!" Waved a two old fishermen from their boat in the canal.
"Morning." She waved back halfheartedly.
"Cheer up, girl!" The second old fisherman grinned as he gnawed on a cigar in between his teeth, "It's a lovely morning."
"Sure." She replied before continuing her gloomy walk.
A hard right at Kardia Cathedral and then she could see it. The bane of her entire existence. The guild that dominated this city… Fairy Tail. And now, she couldn't stay away from that place anymore. She had to go there now. She was employed there now. A waitress for the drunks and wizards that constantly flocked to the popular guild hall. It was going to be hell. Hopefully her boss was nice though. She heard she was. Kinana was supposed to be a very kind lady. But Maki had never met her. And from her experience dealing with people in Fairy Tail, Aunt Meldy's characterization of Kinana was going to be false. They all acted so differently around her than with Aunt Meldy and Uncle Galen. Some gave her a cold shoulder. Many of the kids her own age mocked her. Bullied her. She didn't know why. Scratch that, she knew why. It could all be summed up in one nickname that she could already hear the boys at the guild shouting from down the road as she approached the guild hall.
"Hey look!" Pointed a slim boy with spiky orange hair, "No Magic Maki has finally showed her face!"
The others around him laughed meanwhile Maki paused and sighed.
"It's shown dingus, not showed." she replied.
"Hey!" The orange haired kid growled before taking a threatening step forward, "What'd you call me!?"
Maki froze. This idiot with the gigantic ego and hair the color of a ripe orange was the son of Jet, the famous wizard from the legendary team Shadow Gear. This particular dingus's name, was Dash. Fitting name in Maki's opinion. The thirteen year old was ridiculously fast. And an accelerated punch from him always left a nasty mark.
"Answer me, wimp!" Dash growled as he reared a fist back.
Maki squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself. Just as Dash was about to throw his punch, Maki's ears picked up the sound of small feet rushing towards them. She then smelled smoke. Her hazel eyes shot open and terror gripped her.
Oh no!
"FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST!"
A small fist crashed into Dash's cheek and sent him flying through the guild hall doors. It was at this point that Maki began to silently attempt to sneak away as a pink haired demon from the deepest pits of hell pounded her fists on the group of bullies, bruising their cheeks and breaking their noses as her fists and feet flailed. Just as she managed to reach the guild hall doors, she heard the punches stop. Maki froze as she felt extreme heat breathing against her back.
It was her. The second bane of her entire existence. The one thing that was possibly more annoying than this stupid guild hall. She heard the monster suck in a large amount of air. Maki tensed then sighed before holding out her hand. The loud inhale stopped abruptly.
"Please Nashi…" Maki sighed, "Not today. Just… not today."
Behind her, the petite, pink hair girl pouted.
"But Maki!" Nashi Dragneel cried with dissapointment, "It's a gooood morn-"
"No!" Maki shouted before rubbing her temples, "Just no!"
"Oh fine." Nashi replied as she crossed her arms over her bandage wrapped chest. The sleeves of her over sized black waistcoat flopping against her sides as she moved, "Good morning Miss Miserable."
"That's better." Maki nodded as she laid a hand against the guild hall door, ready to enter hell.
"So whatcha doing here, bestie?" Nashi asked as she pulled on Maki's sleeve and grinned widely, revealing sharp canine teeth.
Maki looked back at those revolting, happy brown eyes, "I'm going to a job."
Nashi's eyes widened and she began to clap her hands together happily, "A JOB! OH MY GOSH MAKI! THAT'S AMAZING!" She spun around before gripping Maki's thin arms, "We should go on one together! The two of us, Fire Dragon and…" Nashi blinked, "What's your magic again?"
"You idiot." Maki grumbled as she pushed the doors open and walked into the already crowded guildhall with Nashi.
"No seriously, what is it again?"
"It's not a magic job, dumb ass." Maki growled, "I don't have any magic, remember!?"
"Oh… yeah." Nashi grinned sheepishly, "Sorry, I forgot."
"You forget everything." Maki grumbled as they weaved between teh tables towards the bar.
"Do not!"
"Do too!"
"Liar!" Nashi stuck her tongue out at Maki as she crossed her arms.
"Really?"
"Really!"
"What's my middle name then?" Maki asked.
"Oh that's easy its… uh…" Nashi squeezed her eyes shut as she strained to remember, "Um… uh… Igneel?"
"That's yours dumb ass."
"Well forgive me if I can't remember every single little detail." Nashi replied defensively as she jumped onto a barstool and folded her hands on the wooden counter top. Meanwhile, Maki stepped behind the bar and waited.
"You know, for someone who claims to be my bestie, you have a hard time remembering the important details."
"How is a middle name important?" Nashi asked as she tapped her warm hands against the wooden counter top.
"I don't know." Maki shrugged, "It makes a person truly unique."
"Unique?" Nashi nodded, "I think I've heard of that dish before. Is it tasty?"
Maki stared dumbfounded at the pinkette before she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Unique is another way to say different." Maki deadpanned.
"I knew that!" Nashi declared as a woman wearing a white and green dress with lace along the edges. Her violet hair was cut into a short style that covered her ears and wrapped neatly around her round head. The woman was about Maki's height. Which was not very tall.
"Good morning girls." She smiled brightly at them.
"Good morning Ms. Kinana!" Nashi smiled.
"Hey." Maki grumbled.
Kinana nodded to Nashi and reached under the counter, grabbing a small shot glass. As she did so, she spoke to Maki.
"Are you ready for today, Maki?"
"No." Maki replied indignantly.
"Oh cheer up." Kinana replied as she struck a match and set the shot glass aflame, "This job is actually a lot of fun." She slid the glass over to Nashi who grinned before greedily devouring the orange flames.
"I doubt it." Maki muttered under her breath as she longingly gazed at the job request board that ran along eastern wall of the building.
The entire cork board was chock full of job requests. Each with a certain task, and every single one with a large amount of jewels promised as the reward. Each request was unique, interesting, it's own little adventure. And Maki craved the chance to go on one. It was a dream of hers.
But sadly, she was No Magic Maki. An utter failure at the art of wizardry. Her only magical qualities were her senses. Her sight, smell, and hearing were excellent. Traits given to her by her mother, the famous Sky Dragon Slayer, Wendy Marvell.
"Alright Maki! Get an apron on. Old Macao and Wakaba just sat down."
"Who?" Maki asked.
"Whaddaya mean who?" Kinana gasped, "They are old friends of your fath-" She stopped abruptly and bit her lip before quickly turning to fill glasses of beer for the two older wizards now shuffling cards at their favorite table.
"Wait, what did you say!?" Maki suddenly exclaimed, her melancholy and boredom instantly forgotten, "Did you say they're old friends of my father?"
"No, no I didn't."
Maki glanced at Nashi who nodded.
"She's lying."
"Nashi!" Kinana gasped.
"I'll take their table." Maki declared as she snagged the beer mugs and strode over to the two wizards.
"Oh dear." Kinana sighed, "I shouldn't have let that slip."
"She's motivated now at leasht." A brunette woman slurred as she sank into a weathered bar stool.
"The usual Cana?" Kinana sighed as she wiped a bar glass clean.
"Yesh please." The drunk card mage replied.
"Can I have one too, Kinana?" Nashi asked with wide puppy eyes.
"No. Your mother would kill me. But I can give you another fire shot."
"YES!"
While Nashi remained at the counter, chatting nonstop with Kinana and Cana, Maki made her way over to the two older wizards. The first was Macao Conbolt. His head was ringed with graying purple hair while the very top was bald. A thick gray moustache adorned his upper lip while wrinkles dug deep lines into his tan face. Across the table from him was his best friend Wakaba, a cigar dangling out of his mouth as he shuffled their ancient deck of cards.
"You think it's time we got a new deck?" Macao asked as he lounged in the booth.
"Nah, I like this one. It's lucky." Wakaba replied before coughing into his sleeve.
"You need to stop with the smoking buddy."
"It's how my magic works though!"
"You can barely use your magic as it is you old coot." Macao chuckled.
"Like you can do any better geezer."
Maki gulped as she drew herself up beside their table. These two old guys knew who her father was.
She never knew her father. Hell, she didn't even know his name. The few times she mustered the courage to ask her Aunt Meldy and Uncle Galen about him, they simply said he was a great and powerful wizard who died during the war. No name, no description, nothing. Just that brief explanation. It seemed like they thought it was a waste of time to tell their niece who her family was. So, she reasoned that if she'd never get answers from her immediate family, then she'd get them from these guys.
"Good morning Mr. Macao, Mr. Wakaba." She smiled.
Macao gazed up from his hand of cards and his eyes popped out of his skull. He smiled smoothly at her.
"Well hello gorgeous." He grinned, "I don't believe I've seen you around here before."
Maki blinked. Was this old dude flirting with her.
GROSS! She thought. She was about to just place the beer down and walk away when she thought about it. He was flirting with her. She mentally grinned. Maybe her feminine wiles would work on this old geezer.
"Oh yes, Mr. Macao." She smiled, flashing her white teeth and revealing some sharp canines, "This is my first day on the job."
"Oh really?" Macao chuckled, "It's her first day, Wakaba."
"She's too young for you, old bastard." Wakaba mumbled as he puffed on his cigar.
"You're only saying that cause you're married!" Macao accused, stabbing a finger at his friend.
"And have been miserably married for the past forty years." He tossed a jewel into the center of the table, "You call?"
"Hang on. I want to talk to the lovely-"
"Maki." Maki replied.
Macao's face froze. His eyes widened as he stared at the black haired girl.
"Maki?"
A pit formed in her stomach.
"As in Maki Marvell?"
She gulped, "Y-yeah."
His eyes widened like saucers and his pupils shrank. Meanwhile, Wakaba was rolling in his seat, his eyes tearing up with laughter.
"Oh my god, Macao! Galen is going to kill you!"
"Don't tell him a word!"
"Tell him what?" Wakaba teased, "That you decided to flirt with his niece."
"Yeah that! Please for the love of everything good, don't tell him!"
Wakaba held out a hand while Maki glanced puzzled at the two old wizards.
"Everything comes at a price buddy."
"Oh c'mon!"
"Fork it over." Wakaba waved his hand.
Macao muttered curses under his breath as he dug into his coat pocket and slapped twenty jewel into Wakaba's waiting grasp. The smoke mage smirked and pocketed the cash before running a finger over his lips.
"They're sealed."
"Thank you!"
"I can still tell my Uncle Galen." Maki said, a new plan forming in her mind as she attempted to get these two to talk.
"DAMMIT!" Macao's head fell backwards and he uttered a long groan. He then reached into his pocket and withdrew and old beat up wallet, "How much kid?"
"No money." Maki replied as she set the cold mugs of beer down, "Just information."
"Information?"
"Kinana said you knew my father." Wakaba stopped gnawing on the end of his cigar. Macao's face lost a little of its tan color, "I want to know who he was, and what he was like."
Wakaba began to puff furiously on his cigar while Macao gulped.
"Your father was… a great and powerful wizard who died during the war." The purple haired man said quickly before quickly shuffling through his hand of cards.
Maki blinked. That was the exact same explanation she got from everyone else. And from the anxious glances she was getting from these two, she knew she wasn't going to get any other answer. But still, she had to try. Her arms folded over her flat chest.
"Fine then. Say hi to Uncle Galen when he comes over today. I'll make sure to tell him everything."
Macao paled, "Everything?"
Maki nodded maliciously, "Everything."
"What's worse Macao? His wrath over flirting with her? Or his wrath for telling her?" Wakaba asked.
"Both are equal." Macao groaned in defeat, "But… I'll take the flirt punishment."
Maki's eye twitched. Frustration bubbled to the surface and she scowled at the pair, "Fine." She growled, "Be like that!" And she stormed away.
As she walked away, she heard Wakaba exhale.
"That was a close one."
"Yeah," Macao said in a hushed tone while Maki took another table's order.
"She can't know. Not yet. She's not ready."
"Not until Luke comes back. I know. That's what we were told at least."
Luke?
Was that the name of her father? How could he come back if he was dead? She scratched the name off the list of potential names for her father. A dead man coming back to life made no sense. This Luke character must also be an old friend of her father's. A friend she had never met, or even heard of.
"Let's forget about it for now." Wakaba advised quietly, "C'mon, drink your beer and at least try to beat me at this game for once."
"Oh hoh!" Macao laughed aloud, "I'll beat you… someday."
Maki sighed. She was so close. She had always been so curious about her parents. Her father had died before she was born. Her mother had disappeared when she was just two years old. Left on an S-class job and never returned. Apparently, there was no trace of her. Not even the guild's best trackers could locate her. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. That was when her Aunt Meldy and Uncle Galen took her in. And life had gone all downhill from there.
"They're characters aren't they?" Kinana chuckled as Maki returned to the bar.
"I don't like them. At all." Maki grumbled.
Kinana frowned, "I'm just going to advise you ahead of time. Smile, you'll get better tips that way."
"Don't care." Maki replied as she grabbed four mugs and strode away. She wished this day would just end already. It already completely sucked. And it was still only the morning.
And chapter! I kept this one a little short. An intro to our main characters sort of chapter. Or at least two of our main characters, Nashi Dragneel and Maki Marvell! Now the question is, what happened to Wendy? Why is Maki not allowed to learn about her father? And will she survive her first shift as a waitress? We'll find out soon won't we? Anyways, let me know what you guys think! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!