Chapter 2 - Meeting Mr Mysterious

Cheers broke out throughout the guild hall. Somehow, the guild had turned Akira's return into a full on party. The hall was filled with chaos, laughter and alcohol.

Akira had been constantly bombarded by 'welcome homes' that she hadn't yet had a chance to just sit down and relax.

Spotting an opportunity, Akira quickly made pace towards a spare table towards the back of the hall. A sigh left her lips as she sat down, leaning back and kicking her legs up, while half closing her eyes. Finally!

"So hey, I don't think we've been properly introduced yet."

A soft but friendly voice snapped Akira out of her trance. She turned her head to see the blonde celestial wizard she'd noticed earlier, smiling warmly at her.

"Oh yeah. Sorry, been so caught up with everyone welcoming me home, finally got a chance to relax," Akira chuckled, returning a friendly smile to the blonde.

The other laughed in return, "That sounds about right, if there is anything I've learnt it's that life in Fairy Tail is chaotic. Anyhow, my name is Lucy. I'm a celestial wizard!"

Akira sat up and raised her hand for Lucy to shake. "Name's Akira Rikugoú, soul dragon slayer. At your service." She gave a toothy grin, and Lucy couldn't help but notice how much like Natsu's it was. She started to get side-tracked, before she realized what Akira has just said.

"Wait, dragon slayer! Another one!?" She shrieked.

Akira laughed, scratching the back of her head, "Yes, another one. Like Natsu, I was raised by a dragon. The soul dragon to be more precise, Aurora."

Lucy's posture immediately changed, and she looked somewhat nervous. Finally, she softly spoke her question, "Did … did she go missing too …?"

Akira's smile saddened.

"Yeah, same day Natsu's father Igneel did." A sigh escaped her lips. "Ah well, I've moved on now. It's been 7 years, I've just accepted it."

"7 years? How old would you have been, what, like 8 or 9?" Lucy asked, noticing how young Akira looked compared to the others.

"I was 7 when she left."

"Oh, so that would you make you 14 now then ..?" Akira nodded. "Oh my gosh! What kind of mother leaves a 7 year old child alone!?" Lucy was horrified.

A masculine voice interrupted the conversation.

"Dragon parents apparently."

Akira's eyes flickered towards the newcomer, noticing it was none other than Gray. She rolled her eyes, he had become a bit of an older brother to her a few months after she first joined the guild. He made it clear how he disapproved of Aurora leaving Akira alone like she had.

Gray sat down on the bench next to her, and soon after Lucy joined them. Silence enveloped them, not that Akira minded.

"So, I have to ask … How did you meet Mystogan? By the sound of it, he keeps his identity secret," Lucy broke the silence.

Akira laughed, "Oh, he does. It was by pure chance I got to see him. Kind of a weird story actually." Once again, Akira scratched the back of her head.

"Oh, do tell!"

"Yeah, do tell! I wanna know as well!" A rowdy voice broke the conversation, as Natsu popped out of nowhere.

Gray jumped from the sudden intrusion. "Jesus Natsu! Don't just randomly pop out of nowhere!"

Natsu merely grinned, as Erza joined them at the same, agreeing with Natsu.

Gray sighed, before turning his attention back to Akira. "To be honest, I'm curious too. I'd like to know how you ended up on a mission with him."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Akira gestured to Erza and Natsu to sit, indicating she was about to tell the story. "Alright. Well, I'll start with the first time I saw him. It kind of went down like this …"

2 Years Ago

A 12 year old Akira was walking in the afternoon sun towards the guild. Something seemed off in the air, but Akira couldn't pinpoint the source. As she neared the guild, Akira couldn't help but notice the eerie silence that seemed to envelop the place.

Almost at the entrance now, Akira picked up on a spell in the air. A sleeping spell, she thought. Using her soul magic, she shielded her mind with a barrier of energy to prevent the sleeping spell from taking effect. Thankfully, she had noticed the spell beforehand, or else she would have been effected.

Ever so slowly, Akira cautiously pulled open the guild doors, revealing the sprawled out and unconscious bodies of all the guild mates. Her first reaction, was to immediately freak.

An unknown scent drifted into her nose, and she turned to look up, finding the source to the smell. A man, covered in clothes and wearing a mask, stood over at the mission board, staring at her with wide eyes.

Akira was taken back, returning his stare, noticing his brown eyes seemed to be filled with surprise, and some sort of recognition. Why would he recognize her? Akira knew she had never met this man before in her life.

Almost immediately, the man composed himself, nodding to Master Makarov in recognition that he was taking a new mission, and headed towards the door, passing Akira in a hurry.

Akira immediately turned, following the man's movements, until he dissipated into the air. Confusion and surprise filled Akira. What had just happened, who was he?

Eventually, Akira turned back to Makarov, giving him an expression that asked for an explanation.

"Mystogan. He just became S-Class this year, doesn't like to be seen. He's fine, not dangerous. It's just a sleeping spell, the others should wake up about now. I'm surprised you weren't effected," Makarov responded.

Almost instantly after his reply, groaning started to fill the guild as the sleeping members woke up.

Akira still stood baffled. So, he was the powerful Mystogan? Most certainly not what she was expecting, but nevertheless, he had successfully grabbed her attention. Akira wasn't sure exactly why, but she felt drawn to him.

"Wait, really? That was when you first met him!?" Natsu questioned.

"So weird!" Lucy cried.

Akira laughed at her response. "Yep! Told you it was weird." She smiled.

"Interesting ... so he wears a full body outfit? I wonder why he keeps his identity such a secret," Erza started to mumble, stroking her chin for extra effect.

Gray gave Erza a weird look, before realizing the story wasn't quite finished.

"Wait! So when did he ask you to go on the mission with him?"

All of them paused, realizing Gray had a point, the question was still not answered. Akira smiled, remembering the events.

"It was a few days later. Shall I continue the story?" They all nodded furiously, settling in to hear the second part of the tale.

It was a cool evening, Akira was walking alone on the outskirts of Magnolia, heading towards her home in the mountains. It had been about 3 days since she'd first seen Mystogan, and she couldn't get him off her mind.

A figure loomed behind her, appearing out of no where. Akira whipped around, hands lighting in a pale silver glow, ready to attack the intruder. She couldn't help but feel like the figure was familiar, as she squinted her eyes in the darkness to try and get a better look.

It struck her like lightning. "Mystogan?" she questioned, lowering her hands and letting her magic die out, before panic crossed her mind. "Wait, you are Mystogan ... right?"

"Yes," came the short response.

Akira felt confused, what was he doing? "What are you doing here?"

She half expected no response, so was surprised when he did.

"A mission. It's S-Class, I was going to suggest we complete it together. It would appear we both share a mutual fascination towards one another. What do you think?"

Thoughts whirled through Akira's head. Mystogan, THE Mystogan wants to do a mission with her? And an S-Class no less? Akira felt excitement build up inside her, and she practically squealed her answer. "Yes! Definitely! When do we leave?"

"Now."

She did a double take. Was he serious? She stammered, "Now, as in now now?"

Once again, his short response was heard. "Yes."

Akira deadpanned. She could already see his lack of words could end up getting on her nerves. Frustrated, Akira commented, "You really don't speak much do you?"

A low chuckle was heard from his direction, "My apologies, I'm use to being on my own. I'm not much for conversation. Don't worry about Makarov, I spoke to him about taking you on a mission earlier, so he'll know where you are."

"Oh ...ok then," Akira once again stammered, he seemed to know how to render her speechless. Deciding to make conversation, she mused, "Soooo, what's with the whole mask thing?"

She was met with silence, and Mystogan merely stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Ok ok, not now, I get it. But by the end of this mission I swear I'll win you over!" She declared, giving him a thumbs up. Mystogan merely chuckled in response.

"Time to leave."

Akira hummed in response, before the thought struck her. He had said that he was fascinated by her. Mystogan, fascinated by her of all things? Why? She had to know, so Akira called out to him. "Wait!."

He stopped and turned to her, indicating he was waiting for her to continue.

"Why do I fascinate you? You said just before you were also fascinated by me."

"You remind me of someone." His response was short and simple, to which he delivered quickly.

Akira's eyebrow twitched, already frustrated by the basic response. "Maybe care to elaborate?"

"No."

Akira sighed. This was going to be a long trip. Who did she remind him of? Questions filled her mind, and before she realized, Mystogan had managed to walk off, leaving her behind. She snapped out of her thoughts realizing he was barely in sight, before immediately running after him. This was going to be fun.

"So, did you get to see under the mask? I bet he's a secret prince on the run, and must cover his face to keep his identity secret!" Lucy dreamily mused, swaying with hearts in her eyes.

Akira gave the blonde an incredulous look. I think I know what types of books she reads. Her face then turned into a smirk, and she teased, "Me to know, you possibly to never find out."

"Aww come on 'Kira! Don't say that!" Natsu whined, wanting to know badly.

"As Laxus so nicely stated earlier," Akira responded, quoting 'nicely' with her fingers before continuing, "Mystogan prefers his privacy. It's not my place to say anything, I respect his privacy."

Erza nodded, content with the response, "Fair enough, we can all respect that."

"Nooo! I want to know! What does he look like!?" Natsu continued to rant, before being met with Erza's disapproving glare. He slowly shrank, before muttering defeated, "On second thought ... never mind."

Silence enveloped the group for a few seconds, before Erza looked to Akira.

"Anyhow, you look quite tired Akira. Perhaps you should call it a night, it's been quite full on since you've come back."

Akira nodded in acknowledgement. It was true, she was feeling quite lethargic. A yawn escaped her lips, and Gray chuckled, getting up to leave her be, the others following suit.

Somehow, Akira had ended up in front of the mission board. Though tired, Akira remembered she was low on jewels, so decided to look for an easy one to take in the morning.

"Hmm, a lot to choose from."

One mission in particular caught her eye.

Help! Emergency! My daughter has gone missing in the neighbouring forests. In desperate need for someone to find her before something bad happens! Offering 35,000J in return!

Akira decided she'd take it. With her dragon slayer nose, it should be easy for her to pick up the scent and track down the girl.

She picked it off the board, before heading towards Mirajane, gently placing it down in front of the bartender.

"Hey Mira, I'm going to take this mission."

Mira looked up in surprise, exclaiming, "Oh, but you just got back!"

Akira sheepishly scratched the back of her head. "Yeah, I know, but I need jewels to buy food, so was just going to do a quick mission. Besides, it kinda sounds urgent."

"Hmm, very well. You leaving now?" Mira asked.

"Oh Mavis no, too tired! I'll head out first thing tomorrow morning."

Mira gave Akira a warm smile, "Alrighty then! Stay safe."

Akira smiled back.

"Thanks Mira, will do."