rip skip i accidentally died,,, sorry guys. but all that matters is that i'm back! with a new chapter too! yay! just like last time: whoopsy daisy sorry for staying dead too long. i'm officially on christmas break starting monday, so i'll try to keep up with a normal schedule. mayhaps. idk. hope you enjoy chapter four! sorry it's so short though. :(((((
-FT-
"This is stupid," Natsu grumbled, for what must've been the umpteenth time so far. It was late, (Early? He wasn't actually sure what time it was anymore), and he was getting tired. Him and Ether -and E.N.D., technically- had been working on learning 'curses' for the past couple of hours, but Natsu hadn't gotten anywhere. There was no new cool techniques that he could use yet, and the handful of curses he could use were just like his original magic. Which was one thousand and thirteen percent stupid. "I thought we were gonna learn cool stuff! Like… uh," he gestured uselessly, unable to think of the word.
Before him, Ether only plopped down indian-style again and rubbed at his temples. "You're not as fast as a learner as I would've hoped," he said.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Ether waved him off in order to flip through the Book of E.N.D. again, as if it'd teach him some new untold secret. Bouncing with unbridled energy, Natsu peeked over at the book. The pages were blanketed in a script he couldn't make out, delicate strokes unnerving his steel nerves. He withdrew and laid down on his back to survey the sky. The sun hadn't risen over the distant castle yet, but the sky was painted with a rainbow of colors.
"Shouldn't you be practicing those curses again? You won't learn anything from sitting around."
Natsu shot a glare over to the other, older Natsu and stuck out his tongue. "Yeah, well that's all you're doing! Besides, it's sunrise… I should really be getting back so I can compete today! Gramps ought to be worried, or maybe that stupid popsicle stick's getting antsy because I'm not around to beat his face in!" Like a speeding bullet, he rocketed to his feet and threw a fake punch. Flashing his canines, he grinned wide. "Plus, I'm starving!"
Just as the sun showed it's tip, Ether looked up from his book with more annoyance on his face. "No time. Practice makes perfect. You've already competed, anyway. Even if you do show up, you won't do anything!"
"So what?" Natsu shoots back. "At least I can cheer on my family! Plus, I hear Lucy was going to be cleared to fight tomorrow! Er… Today?"
"Today. Which she honestly shouldn't be doing."
Natsu thought for a moment. Brains weren't his expertise, but if he wanted out, he'd have to think. Ew.
"If you're not there, boy, then she'll be more likely to join back in."
"Good point… But that's only granting the old hag let's her go," he retorted. Hearing E.N.D.'s echoey voice was still just as weird as it was a few hours ago. It was like talking to a broken, staticky radio, but knowing it could actually respond. Plus, the person responding was a real di-
"I can hear your thoughts too, you idiot," E.N.D. barked.
Sheepishly, Natsu rubbed the back of his head. Focusing on the world around him rather than the one in his head, he noticed Ether staring at him. "What? You never have conversations with the weirdo demon in your head?"
Ether rolled his eyes and set aside the book. "Of course not. That's unprofessional," he said. That only earned him an odd look back. Standing, the future-slayer continued. "Alright, start with 10 reps of each curse I taught you."
"But-"
"No buts. Just do."
"Ew."
-With Fairy Tail-
It was definitely past 12 o'clock when the doors to Makarov's personal room. There was a shrill cry of "MASTER!" before anyone actually stepped foot into the room, but he would recognize that voice anywhere. Sure enough, the exact woman he was expecting lept in, stabbing her sword into the ground. Gray followed closely, Happy -ironically- sitting sadly on his shoulder. The ice mage winced at the impact of Erza's sword, paling from how deep the blade had actually gone.
Makarov only sighed, staring at the sight with tired eyes. "Please try to not empty my pockets, will you Erza? I'm lucky enough Natsu hasn't set anything on fire yet tonight."
"That's actually why we sought you out, Master," the redhead said, less than gently forcing the sword out from the wood. There would probably forever be a thin crevice there, but -thank Mavis- it didn't seem too bad.
Taking a moment to process her words, he slid off the bed. "Why, because the brat set something ablaze again?! I swear that boy will be the death of me one of these days!" The old man's small hands wrapped around the mug of ale atop the bedside table, pulling it to himself before cradling it. He took a deep swig and let his gaze settle.
"Surprisingly, no," Gray said next, "he's actually… missing." As if the statement was a trigger, Happy sobbed loud before holding up a very familiar scarf. There was a splotch of red right by the fringe, drying into a wine color. "We had Gajeel smell it. The only lead we have is-" His jaws clenched as Erza's foot stomped harshly on his toes.
"We believe we have found a lead, but we are unsure of who it actually is, Master."
Makarov took another sip of his drink before setting it aside. "Are you sure this is Natsu we're talking about? He'd never allow himself to be kidnapped. He's far to strong for that. Unless he's gone to pick a fight with Sabertooth yet again, I'm sure he just went for a walk."
"But his scarf!" Happy cried. For extra measure, he waved it around. "He never leaves without it!"
The old master cautiously regards the exceed. "Natsu is strong, Happy. I don't think he's been kidnapped. Give him until the next round of the games starts. If he's still not back, we'll get to the bottom of it. It's best to sleep on it, anyway."
"Yes, Master!" Erza salutes, before turning on her heel and disappearing. The next to leave is Happy, a mess of the sniffles and big, blobby tears.
If it's not already odd enough, Gray lingers. "I think Natsu's in trouble, Gramps. And… I don't think it's going to be that easy to get out of it this time."
"I know, brat. Just have some faith in him, won't you?"
Gray shoots Makarov a smile. "Always."
And just like that, Makarov is left to himself all over again. The rest of the ale goes fast, but it does nothing to stop the whirlwind in his stomach or the storm in his head. "Be safe, my boy. You better be okay."
-FT-
that's a wrap! short and,,,, done. yes.
keep an eye out with my one shots too! i really want to get around to rewriting them, which means they'll be taken down and their new, and hopefully longer, buddies will go up!
for now, just have a wonderful christmas! and a happy new year too lol. don't forget to leave a review too,,,,, :)