Chapter One:
They're coming...
Ten years had passed. Ten long years. Not a glimmer of slayer magic graced it's power within Fiore. The Magic Council deemed themselves successful. The capture of the last Slayers was what Earthland needed. Now, the magic could not be passed down. Even more so, the dark guilds had gone into hiding as well. Each chair member placed the peace on the imprisonment of the final slayers; Now every man, woman, and wizard were safe. Fiore was safe...
Deep within the walls of the prison, well below the glamorous building that belonged to the council, the slayers spent their days in confinement. They hadn't seen each other in years. Every once in a while, when they knew a guard wasn't around, they could hear each other. But it was never enough to have an actual conversation. It was as if their voices carried on through the walls. Like whispers that belonged to ghosts traveling through the air vents with hours of delay. Yet, it was the sounds of their comrades that kept each other at peace. A peace of mind to know, they were all alive.
Gray laid out on the ground of his cell in the farthest south corner of the prison. He had punished himself for a long time. He spent many days and nights reliving that night in Magnolia; The night where the group of Wizard bandits plummeged through the market area, robbing the stalls and shop owners as they closed up shop. They hadn't been demons, no. But they were strong enough that alone his ice mold magic was not enough. He fought the four foes for well over an hour before making his decision, and using the magic he had maintained, and trained, in secrecy. It was then that Natsu and Gajeel came to his aid. Gray! You idiot! Why didnt you get us first!? Natsu's voice always replayed in his head. Why hadnt he? Why did he always try to be better than them? To prove his worth? Gray sighed. If I hadn't done it, we would all stI'll be together. Alive somewhere...
A strand of hair fell just around his nose, and he puffed air up to move it out the way. It was recently cut by one of the guards - which meant, really, they took the length of his hair and sliced it with a blade. Which also meant, there were parts uneven, and layered in odd ways. It didnt appeal to his appearance, but in prison, who could choose? When they first came, he protested and fought, but lost. None of his abilities served him well inside. He was defenseless, and at the mercy of the council. If it had been a hundred years prior, he would've been executed upon discovery of his slayer abilities. As much as it pained him to be locked away, he was happy to be alive. He would never give up hope. Especially after the hour he had, having listened to Natsu curse a guard for the food that was brought to him. He wasn't sure when the argument occurred, but it seemed like it occurred over breakfast.
What the hell is this? You call this an egg?! WHY IS IT GREEN?! AND WHAT ARE THESE BLACK DOTS?! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?! HOW AM I GOING TO SERVE MY LIFE SENTENCE IF I'M DEAD?!
He admitted to himself a long time ago that without Natsu's random days of outbursts and dissatisfaction, Gray would have lost his mind. It brought him the best memories of the days within their guild. Even if they didn't get along, and argued on a constant basis. Even if their friendship was sometimes forced only to avoid the wrath of Erza. They were, indeed, brothers. Him, Natsu, Gajeel... Laxus. The founding members of their home. Gray covered his eyes with the palm of his hand as he thought to himself. They could never decide on a name, even if it was done in calm conversation. Then they figured, there was no need, because they weren't an official guild - they were only hiding from the eyes of the Magic Council. If anyone was the master of their guild, he would've said it was Laxus. Which only made it right, when they lost sight of him and discovered the council had taken him in, that they accepted Makarov so openly. Makarov became everyone's father figure; Second Master.
...I wonder how you're doing Makarov. Is everyone alright? How about the kids? I'm sure they've grown now... I hear Laxus every few days. He's still as cocky as ever. And Natsu, is well, Natsu. Dense as always. Do you know he picks fights with gaurds? Who does that in jail? Gajeel is alright too, I assume. I hear him less than the others, but every once in a while, I hear him sing a song. He's tone deaf... he really is. It hurts my ears.
Gray sighed to himself. He slid his hand down from his eyes, down his nose, and on top his mouth. He breathed against his palm as he stared up at the ceiling. "I wonder... if you all could still hear me..." He whispered into the air.
He absentmindedly counted the stones above him. He did that every few hours. There were exactly 342 large stones, and 127 small stones. Some were smooth. Some were jagged. He wondered if they were colored in any way, because in the darkness that was one detail he couldn't see. Once more, Gray sighed to himself. He plopped his arms above his head, and hummed quietly to himself. He thought of his father, Silver. The man who he obtained his slayer magic from. He thought of Ul, the woman who taught him his ice molding magic. The two people who taught him strength, who gave him courage. And his comrades, who taught him to forgive, to love, to care and honor. "Dammit..." he whispered to himself; He pressed his head into the ground He heard a loud bang in the distance, but thought nothing of it. He figured it was a distant sound from Natsu, hours ago. Gajeel... I could use a bad song right now. He thought to himself.
However, at the other end of the prison, Natsu stood with his face pressed against the bars of his cell. His pink hair was stuck in between his eyes, his mouth opened with his canines visible. He sniffed at the air. "That smell." He said out loud.
He had stood that way for over an hour. The air, for the ten years they had been inside, was damp and always smelled of mold or water. Three times a day he would smell his approaching meals - if they council members actually called that food - but there was never anything else. He knew the smell of every guard, and every member. This smell was different. He sniffed at the air again. It vaguely smelled of home, but it wasn't. It was home, mixed with someone he did not know. Natsu gripped the bars of his cell with all his might, and tried to pull. "Come on!" he growled to himself as the scent grew closer. Who is that? What is that?
Again, there was another bang. He had heard it earlier, but this time, he knew it wasn't a far off echo. This sound was close. This sound was now. Natsu stepped away from his bars. He scanned his cell with his eyes; He knew the cell like the back of his hand, but something was off. He felt... something. Is this magic?
"Gray!" he yelled, "Gajeel! Laxus!" Come on, dammit! Hear me right now!
The smell came closer; This time, he smelled two scents. No - Three. He pressed himself against the far end of his cell. His heart sped in his chest. I know this smell. Again, there was another bang. And another. The last bang was followed with a bright light. Natsu covered his eyes. The light burned. He had spent so long in darkness, that anything brighter than dimness caused him pain. What the hell...
"Natsu?"
Natsu heard his name somewhere down the hall. He didn't move towards the bars. It wasn't a voice he knew. But, those scents. Laxus? Then came another bright flash. Natsu lost the strength in his legs, and dropped to his knees. He hissed painfully as he rubbed his eyes. "What the hell is that?!" He yelled out in frustration.
One at a time, he heard two hands hit the bars of his cell. Still, his eyes burned, and he was unable to open them. He perked his ears, only to hear calm breathing. The smell that hit his nose, he knew, but it couldn't be. There wasn't anyway it was him! "Who the hell is there?!" He yelled as he forced himself to stand; His eyes remained close.
There was silence. Natsu turned his head left and right as he tried to find another sound. Just then, he heard it.
"Gihee..."
Natsu forced his eyes open. Everything in front of him was a blur, a painful blur. It took a few seconds for the pain to subside, but once it did, he saw a two tall figures standing just outside his cell. The one who held onto his bars had it's face pressed against the cold steel. That was the figure that made the noise. The laugh. Natsu squinted his eyes, "G-Gajeel?" He asked the form.
It took another minute before his vision cleared. He was greeted by the grinning face of Gajeel, who's long hair partially fell inside of the cell. Just next to him, the second figure, made him gasp. "Laxus!"
Laxus didn't smile, or laugh, but crossed his arms in front of his chest. His blonde hair was a mess, but still, he looked the same. The same annoyed scowl on his face. "You haven't changed, Natsu." he said.
Natsu laughed, and ran to his bars. "Laxus! Gajeel!" He exclaimed, "What are you guys doing here?!" It was then it hit him. He frowned, and looked up and down the halls of the prison, "Wait. How did you get here? How did you get out?"
Gajeel stepped away from the bars. "We're breaking out this joint." He said, with his usual grin on his face.
Natsu pressed his face once again to the bars, "What?!"
"And I beat you to it." Gajeel lifted his head as he laughed, "Which only means I'm better."
Anger spilled up through Natsu. He wishe'd he could call upon fire, only to singe the long hair on Gajeel's head. That would show him. "What?! This doesn't count! Let me out!."
"Give us a minute, Natsu." Laxus said as he scanned the halls. His signature scar gleamed in the lights that flashed speriodically in the hall, "We'll get you out."
Natsu grinned, "Great," he said, then pushed a hand through the bars, "Then you can fight me! I've gotten a lot stronger since then, you know!"
Laxus glared at the bars, at Natsu's childish grin. "You honestly have not changed, Natsu..."
Natsu's smile softened as he pulled his hand back into the bar of his cell. "It's good to see you guys." He said.
Gajeel was taken aback, but felt the same. Laxus couldn't help the soft smile that hit his face. It was nice, to actually see everyone, rather than listening. To see each other, unharmed, in person. To know that each had the strength to go on, and had unwavering hope. "What about Gray?"
"We're going to get him." Laxus said, he had turned his head to look down the hall once again.
Natsu nodded as he waited. Patiently. Or, as patiently as he was able. His foot tapped against the ground, and his fingers wiggled with nerves. He couldn't wipe the feeling that he indeed felt something off. Something he hadn't felt in so long. Magic...
"The coast is clear, finally." Came a male's voice.
Natsu sniffed the air again. There it was! That smell he knew, but didn't know. A small hint of home miced in with something strange. "Oh? You found Gray?" Laxus asked.
Natsu's eyes went wide. He ran to his bars again as he heard another voice. Gray's voice. "Gajeel! Laxus!" It didn't take more than a second before Gray had run in front of his cell. He caught sight of Natsu, and reached for his bars. The excitement on his face was warming. "Natsu!"
"Gray! You're alright?"
Gray nodded, his forehead against the steel bars that separated him from Natsu, "I'm alive." He said. Then, he laughed.
Confused faces surrounded him. Natsu leaned in closer, observing his friend. He hadn't said anything funny, so why was he laughing? Ten years and he's lost his mind! "What's so funny?"
Gray shook his head, "It's good to see you, Natsu."
"Im sorry to cut this reunion short." Spoke the other voice Natsu didn't recognize. A man approached his cell. He was tall, with scars around his left eye. He wore council robes. Natsu bared his teeth at him, "Who the hell are you?!"
Every one turned to face the man who saved them. None of them had learned his name, but wouldn't protest when he unlocked their cells. He moved his had to remove the magic latch that sealed Natsu, and took a step back; He had heard stories of Natsu and his inability to react accordingly sometimes. Even if he couldn't use magic, he was sure he hadn't lost an ounce of strength in the past ten years. "My name is Mest." The man said, "Makarov sent me for all of you."
Laxus dropped his hands to his sides, "Makarov..."
"Alright Gramps!"
Alright! I meant to post this last night... but fell asleep. Hopefully after work today I'll have enough time to type another. Thanks for the review Sara Snow!
