A few building surrounded an opening shaped as a square, a miniscule platform was stationed outside a building that appeared to be a either a home or a shop, the possibility it was both could also be. A large man towered over a crowd on top of the platform, at first just standing silent but soon started talking in a bass toned voice almost baritone but not.
"Someone…preferably a few men must set out to sail the ocean to the large continent to the west. It is merely a matter of time before our peaceful nation that has inhabited this island for generations will be no longer peaceful once the nations from the west find this island."
"There is no need to worry; our scouts say the power of their shinobi is nothing to fear." An old man with a cane stood beginning a counter argument to large man on the platform.
"Their power may be below the power of shinobi but they have numbers unlike we do." The large man retorted.
"Our shinobi have blessed directly by the gods and goddesses, our abilities are unlike any nation. Every new generation that is born gets slightly stronger than the last. I tell you once again there is nothing to fear from the nations of the west."
"Relax everyone, if you pansy asses are scared of the nations of the west I'll go myself."
"Wydra!" a few people in the crowd uttered.
"You would have to talk to your father and convince him to let you go." The old man chuckled, "let me know how that goes."
"Wise ass bastard." Wydra retorted.
"I am certainly wise and born out of marriage, an ass though, haha, I laugh at the notion youngin'."
"As I said I'll get my father to become convinced to let me travel to the west." With that statement Wydra took off leaving the crowd to debate amongst themselves even more.
Chapter Three: And the Truth
Silence filled the atmosphere with an eerie tension, unsure; unknown to the people sitting upon the benches and stools was what was going to happen. The news had stricken their hearts and minds, perhaps it was some fear, some bitterness, and some worry, but what was known had calmed the restless guild. Yet in all of this, turmoil had stirred in their hearts. A looming feeling of fear had set in. What if the person who attacked them came after me? Am I next? Questions as such and near had arisen in the minds of the silent mass that sat or stood in a unified angst. The tables were empty, not a single plate or tankard was issued out on this day. In a back room two beds were full; two female figures were tending to their wounds. A bed was stationed in the corner of two walls right beside a window, Ezra occupies this bed. Next to the bed was a nightstand adjacent to the wall a few centimeters away from the bed. The nightstand was stationed evenly from both beds; the other who was a few centimeters from the opposite side of the stand also had its face touch the wall. On the opposite wall facing the beds were two chairs facing each bed. A collapsible table had been set up between the two chairs. A range of items had rested upon the tables' surface. A bowl filled with water, some washcloths, rolls of gauze, these were some items that were upon the surface of the table. Mirajane was tending to a head injury that belonged to the man, while Kinana was tending Ezra's wounds. Ezra was sitting up in her bed lifting her arms to her side while Kinana removed the gauze and replaced it with a new roll. Mirajane was replacing the bandage on the man's forehead, he was still unconscious. A look of worry gleamed in Ezra's eyes.
"What's wrong? Is something bothering you Ezra?" Mirajane investigated while peeling off the old bandage.
"Natsu went to fight him afterwards, didn't he?"
"Gajeel backed him from what I heard. The two lost…and then this man came and fought him."
"By the looks of it I would say he lost too…"
"From what I heard he did, but these injuries weren't from that fight." Mirajane continued washing and sterilizing the wound. "He got them from a boulder in a stream… to my knowledge. He must have fell down the waterfall, I just know when we found him he was unconscious."
"Your siblings?"
"Yes."
"Where are Natsu and Gajeel now?"
"Someone should be bringing them back. The rest of the guild is uneasy; they're waiting to see if you are alright. They look frightened." She placed the new bandage onto his forehead.
"He broke my Adamantine armor…I didn't think there was a human being capable of that kind of power."
"Not since Jupiter…"
"Someone told me that only that block was destroyed nothing beyond."
"It frightens me to think that Natsu and Gajeel went off to face a man that strong."
"From my understanding mostly physical attacks were used."
"Where is Makarov?"
"Went away with Gildarts."
Ezra dropped her arms as Kinana finished replacing the old gauze. "It must be serious if those two left together."
"That is also why the guild is restless…"
"Do you think that they're going after that man?"
"I wish I could say no, but everything tells me that they are."
"I almost forgot," Ezra snapped her fingers. "Is Lucy fine?"
"Lucy is," Mirajane paused for a moment. "Fine but still in a daze."
"I guess that would make sense, this all must be hard for Lucy, watching her friends getting beaten by the man she tried to help… not to mention the person who saved her from the Infinity Clock."
"Lucy doesn't know that."
"She doesn't!?" Ezra looked a little shocked as her pupils became larger. "I thought someone would tell her already."
"There hasn't been much time plus with everything that happened recently no one wants to be the one to tell her that."
"I could imagine that it would a little 'heart tearing'."
Kinana walked over to the door placing her right hand on the door handle. "I'm going to go and see if they need anything out there, just call if you need anything."
"Thank you." Mirajane smiled.
"Thank you very much, Kinana."
Kinana smiled and opened the door. A few figures busted in as the door swung open.
"You need to lose some weight Natsu!"
"Shut up! You need to get stronger!" Natsu retorted with a sharp tongue while flailing his arms and legs.
Bickslow grinned tightly, "bastard." He spoke under his breathe. "For someone who got his ass kicked you're sure full of energy."
"Shut up!" Natsu's limbs fell limp as though they suddenly became dead.
Behind Bickslow and Natsu was Elfman carrying Gajeel.
"Tsch, if someone was a better fighter we could have won."
Natsu creaked his head toward Gajeel. "You're not talking about me are you? 'Cause I wasn't the one who got his ass handed to him. "
Gajeel stared back at Natsu, "are you a fucking jester? 'Cause from I saw your ass was the first to get handed."
"Technicalities, like which came first the chicken or the egg."
"Bullshit!"
Everyone turned their head to the bed closest to the window.
"That is bullshit, this is all bullshit. You got your ass handed to you first." He pointed to Natsu, "then you got your ass handed to next." He pointed to Gajeel. "I on the other hand did not get my ass handed to me. The dick used a dick move and took my chakra or something." He folded his arms. "Did I mention how much of a dick he is, 'cause he is a dick."
Gajeel grinned a little, 'Someone says dick a little too much could be he is compensating for something, eh." He started poking Elfman with his elbow. "Eh, eh, come on"
"That is not a man."
"If you are hinting at what I think you are hinting at, I'm gonna whip him out and show ya wrong." He started reaching down his pants when Mirajane started getting red, as he was starting to pull up Mirajane acted.
"There ya are."
"Not here!" Mirajane slapped the man so hard he rocketed into the wall, face planting; he immediately turned around resting his back against the wall holding his cheek.
"What the fuck!"
Mirajane still red rushed out the room.
"I told ya he was compensating. He said 'There ya are' which means it took him some time to find it."
Ezra was holding her face with both her hands. "Gajeel, get out."
"Huh?"
Natsu looked at Ezra's face.
"Eh, we better get out. Take us out."
"We're not your slaves Natsu." Bickslow barked.
"Now!" Ezra looked up with dark gleaming eyes.
"Sure thing." Bickslow scurried off with Natsu out of the room; Elfman picked up Gajeel and fled right after them.
Ezra looked at the man, "You too." She spoke in a softer tone.
"Eh!?" He pointed at himself. "Why me?"
"Would you just go?" Ezra nearly mumbled looking Lucy who standing in the doorway.
"Fuck it!" he threw all sheets off of him just putting them back on storming right to Kinana demanding a beer.
"Lucy?"
Lucy walked in instinctively.
"Close the door, I have something to tell you."
Lucy closed the door and walked over to the other bed sitting down and facing Ezra.
"Before I do…I need to ask you something."
"Sure…" Lucy responded still dazed.
"How do you know him?"
Lucy seemed to snap out of her daze a little. "He collapsed in front of my apartment so I took him in. I went to get food to make him a healthy meal so he could get better."
"I see. That man who you took in was the man who saved you with the Infinity Clock ordeal."
Lucy became breathless as the sentence finished. Her lips moved from one another to say something but not a single noise was uttered. She looked down at the ground and said nothing. It could have been all the words had escaped from her tongue or that she had too much to say and it was an overload.
"I understand this might be hard for you, the timing was never good to tell you, but the timing wasn't going to get better, so I decided to tell you now since no one else would or could with looking you into the face."
"…I'm torn…I don't know what say or feel, or even think right now."
"I can understand, I felt a little similar when it came to finding out about Jellal, it took a while to settle those emotions."
"Yeah…It's…I'm not really sure how to describe it."
"You'll figure a way to settle it; you've always been strong Lucy. Now," Ezra flipped the sheets off of her. "Let's go address the guild they're really worried." Lucy walked over to Ezra to help her walk, together the two left the room into the main Guild hall.
The faces in the guild began to regain their spirits and started to become more closer to the never ending festival Guild they once were before. The man stood observing the guild in a corner wondering how peculiar they were. Kinana and Mirajane were behind the bar serving drinks and food now that spirits were lifting up. The man seeing Mirajane behind the bar walked over to the bar as cool as possible with an idea to impress her. Arriving at the bar he sat on a stool and motioned the nearest woman to come forward whom happened to be Mirajane. Still drying off a tankard she proceeded to ask what the man wanted.
"Well, I would like...," he started stroking his chin as if a beard dwelled. "A small pitcher of sake, please."
"Ugh..., "Mirajane performed a task similar to the man but stroking the back of her head. "Sake?"
The man's grin faded quickly.
[Fuck, my whole plans gone to shit.] He started to scratch the back of his head. [How am I going to get her drunk or myself...damn I hate this place more and more?]
"Are you alright?" Mirajane stared at the man who performed weird motions consecutively.
"Yeah," the man dragged on. "What do you have that gets oh let's say people completely and utterly smashed?"
"Smashed?"
"Wasted, hammered, you know drunk."
"We have only one kind of alcoholic beverage."
The man stood up and turned sharply to face the opposite direction. "This is...," he began to walk away slowly with his head down. "Fucking bullshit." the words were spoken softly to where only he heard.
Mirajane looked at the man wondering what the hell happened.
Meanwhile all this occurred Lucy walked Ezra over to a table. As they sat down Kinana appeared with a plate of cake sliding it before Ezra. Ezra turned sharply to gaze at the plate as the aroma of the cake entered her nostrils. Her eyes dilated three times the size as her mind confirmed it was indeed a piece of delicious cake.
"You guys are the best." She spoke sobbing lightly and devouring the cake.
The man stared at Ezra with a great expression of surprise mixed with a 'What!?', his face nearly bordered disgust as he was unsure of what he saw was possible. "This place is weird." He covered his face with his palms.
Natsu and Gajeel by this time were having a race to finish numerous courses of meals ranging from a giant turkey to fish and other unspeakable foods. The guild had been restored to its noisy self.
Chapter Three: Awaken
His black hair waved as a breeze swept through, his hand nearly clang to a tree though the palm was flat against the tree, his head tilted at the soil beneath him. He moved his left hand from his side to glide through his hair pushing it back out of his way. He tilted his head up and sideways to the right.
"Here?" He spoke softly aloud.
"Not here. We're almost there." A brightened unclear smile came to light.
"Alright, we'll continue." He moved his right hand which rested against the bark of a tree down to his side, sliding both hands into his pockets.
"Come on." A hand motioned to follow.
He stepped away from the tree and turned sharply walking towards the figure.
Eyelids slowly began to open revealing dark Amethyst colored eyes. Hesitantly the figure moved to get up.
[Again?]
The man rested his elbows on his knees with his hands hanging freely. He shifted his left hand to move his fingers through his hair to move it out of his way. He blinked a few times before getting up to his feet.
"How long did I sleep for?" He spoke while grasping his head. His fingers slid down his face as the man looked up toward the night sky.
[Stars? How long has it been since I've noticed them?]
His hands moved up his sides into pant pockets.
[Quite a while…the last time was…]
The man closed his eyes as it was seeming that it was helping him concentrate.
[I do not recall.]
He opened his eyes again to look across a field. Tall grass and skinny tall trees filled the sight's senses; occasionally some boulders could be seen. Creeks flowed through the ground all around as creeks could often be seen. A habitat near perfect for animals to dwell was surprisingly empty, a few birds flew around and a few insects popped up here and there, however, mostly it was empty, deprived of animate life.
As he got done with some stretches he strolled down the side of a creek.
"Over here." A voice called and a hand motioned the direction. He looked across the stream into the beginning of a thicket of skinny trees.
"Say…" His voice sunk low and soft.
"Yes?"
"When was the last time we gazed at the stars?"
"I suppose it's been a while."
"I cannot seem to recall, do you suppose you remember it?"
"I do. You really don't remember?"
"No…"
"As I think about it the last we were under a Starry Night sky in a place similar to this was when we first met and began to talk to one another."
"Why can I not remember?" The man looked deep into the night searching for a response. "I sometimes feel as though I'm losing control."
"I promised you that I wouldn't let that happen. If you fear that then I will be your safeguard."
A man shot up from the ground quickly.
"Damn," he moved his hands over his knees "again?" He looked over in a direction. "Closer."
The man took his time getting up on his feet. A ribbon formed out of 'Black energy" wrapping the man's left arm tightly. With an expression that stated clearly 'not one care was or is given' glazed over the direction from which two guests approached.
Back at the Fairy Tail Guild
Time shifted much later into the day and so did the position of the members of Fairy Tail. In one back annex of the building water ran hitting the ground behind a closed door. Being the curious man he was the man who had attempted to impress Mirajane roamed the halls exploring the layout of the building. Upon crossing on a closed door with a sound of running water coming from behind it he grinned while rubbing his hands together.
"I wonder what this door could lead to?" he whispered to himself for literally no reason.
His hands creeped up to the door knob twisting it slowly and pulling it toward him. As the door inched open his grin became wider. As the door finally came to a stop the view see inside was no longer impeded. A figure stood completely naked about to step into a bathtub. The man threw his hands up to his mouth and dashed off. The nude figure turned around.
"Someone opened the door again?" a deep voice spoke.
Upon his escape to forget the unsightly horrors he quickly halted to open a door and slam it behind him. Leaning against the door he stood panting trying to catch his breath and not vomit everywhere. As he opened his eyes he noticed red blushing upon a face, his eyes strayed to look down to notice a nude shapely figure. The sickness which plagued had quickly vanished and a depressed face lacking color gained a smirk complimented with bright colors.
"Alright!" The man spoke nodding his head. "Now we're getting somewhere."
Outside the door a hall ran straight forward while another ran parallel of the door and wall making an L shape and putting the door and room in a corner. A member of Fairy Tail walked down the hall parallel to the door as they approached the door flew open and off the hinges followed by an explosion, the explosion being led by the man running. The member flew back watching the events unfold.
"FUCK, FUCK, FUCK FUCKITY FUCK, FUCK!" The man screamed at the top of his lungs running for his dear life as an explosion of fire chased him down the hall entirely demolishing the area behind him. Dashing down the hall he saw a window that led outside, peaking quickly behind his shoulder he noticed the explosion chasing him was gaining serious ground. Becoming diagonal with the window he dove out the window shattering the glass. Before hitting the ground he twisted around putting his feet first dashing off as soon as he made contact with the ground. Remnants of the explosion followed suite out of the window but shortly receded. After an hour of running the man stopped to catch his breath sitting down on a pier outside of Magnolia.
"Totally worth it."
Undisclosed Location
Two figures walking side by side one nearly a third of the height of the other, and one with a shaggy beard sparked up a conversation.
"I know it is clear what we will do when we get there but how are we going to do it."
"Do you believe him to be just that strong, Gildarts?"
"What frightens me the most is that we do not know the limit of his strength. I am more frightened by the idea that he may be on a similar level as Zeref or Acnologia."
"Are you saying that he..."
"Possibly."
"Hmm," Makarov began to embrace the idea. "If he is we cannot hold back."
"Actually it would best if we didn't hold back either way." Gildarts finished.
The two came across a pier with a boat, and without missing a beat they jumped in and set sail.
Another Undisclosed Location
A man kneeled down in front a figure hidden in a shadow.
"Preparations are complete."
"Good. Soon enough everything will fall to discord for Lord Zeref."
"For Lord Zeref."
Chapter Three: Reasons
The boat swayed calmly in the water, the sun was behind the horizon rising. The rays of the sun glistened off the crystal clear water, the deep blue shaded water. Waves pushed off a near shore everyone once in a while. Gildarts watched the island's shore intensely. Makarov watched the waters half assed still trying to wake up.
"Get ready."
"I know. Do you really think he is here just as the letter said?"
"I don't see why he would lie, I'm sure his reasons were under different circumstances, but now we're going to meet as enemies."
The boat halted as it sunk into the sand. Makarov and Gildarts sprang out of the boat unto land rushing inland. After traversing rocky terrain mixed in with a thicket Makarov and Gildarts made it to an opening where a man stood dressed in a black uniform. The man stood at six foot two with broad shoulders. He possessed a muscular build. He had long flowing black hair, a shade of black darker than black. Dark Amethyst eyes glared from across the view. Makarov and Gildarts walked casually up to this man stopping a few meters away from him.
"I want to ask why did you attack members of our guild." Makarov questioned.
The man remained silent in a relaxed position.
"What is it that you want with Lucy. This would be twice you have been involved with her?" Gildarts asked.
Again he remained silent.
"You're not going to answer…you should know we came her to avenge those who you have hurt. We meet as enemies though we could have meet as potential allies. Be prepared."
The man stared at the two taking his left hand out of his pocket motioning his hand in a manner to simply state 'Bring It'.
"Be prepared." The man spoke with a slight tone of sympathy suffocated in apathy. He knelt down to pick up a pebble, returning to an upright position. He flicked the pebble straight into the air.
Makarov quickly brought both his together near his stomach each on top of each other, a bright light began to form between his palms. Gildarts released a massive energy in a tower that started to lift loose pebbles.
The man stared at the two of them waiting for the pebble to fall down. As the pebble stopped gaining momentum upward it started falling down hard and fast. It shot down his view to hit the ground. Makarov started mouthing the words 'Fairy Law'. Silence filled the atmosphere only the sound of the pebble hitting the ground and bouncing only to fall back down and a heartbeat stopping could be heard. Gildarts stared at Makarov with shivers dashing up his spine. A certain fear began creep and dwell in his mind.
"Futile."
Makarov stared at his own hands, the man stood a meter away with his left grabbing ahold of the developed Fairy Law. It began slowly turn black. Gildarts charged the man with a round house kick. The man flicked his hand down toward the ground and black energy shot upward to the sky causing Makarov and Gildarts to retreat immediately. Gildarts glanced over his shoulder to see the man readying an attack. With his left arm extended straight outward, his thumb and last two fingers were tucked in leaving the two fingers closest to the thumb extended. A Black energy appeared out of thin air twirling and spiraling into a dense sphere of energy. Makarov quickly used his Titan magic to make himself into a giant. Makarov proceeded to step down and crush the area where the man stood. Gildarts quickly rolled to safety. Makarovs foot created a crater a few meters across. He lifted his foot while returning to normal size. Cracks were forming over a wide area prompting Makarov and Gildarts to look above at large black sphere forming in the sky.
"Shit, how the hell did he do that so fast." Gildarts motioned Makarov to use Titan. Makarov caught on transforming into a giant again.
"I'll give you a lift up."
Gildarts nodded running up into Makarovs palm. The black sphere collapsed inward as Makarov started to lift Gildarts up. The both realizing what happened looked at one another with an intriguing shock.
"Did the spell fail?"
"I'm not sure-"
In a moments notice the ground shredded apart as energy from where the sphere was located, pulsated outward shattering the ground and knocking everything down and back. The force being so excessive it pinned Makarov and Gildarts to the ground. The clearing was leveled entirely along and with the edges of the tree lines on either side of the clearing. As the excitement decreased slightly a man walked out of a 'blanket' of black thick energy. Gildarts and Makarov slowly regained balance and made it back to their feet gazing upon a man that stood tall and strong; a true towering figure. A spiritual pressure began to form in a dense matter taking the shade of black, and along with it the breeze ceased. Clouds embraced a gigantic opening of clear sky. Makarov extended his index and middle finger whilst folding his ring and pinky along the inside of his palm. He shifted his arm and elbow to a certain degree so that his index and middle finger touched his forehead.
"Sweep away the darkness, Rain of Light!"
Makarov dropped his hands near his waist raising them up toward his upper torso quickly while pointing and firing rays of lights from his two fingers. Multiple streams of lights bombarded the man who stood still.
"Not done yet!" Makarov let out a loud outcry.
A large surge of bright light radiated off of Makarov upward to the sky, the light bringing forth a large destructive power tearing apart the ground near him. He then formed a triangle with both his hands; a dense sphere of bright light started taking its form. Within a matter of seconds a beam emitted forth larger than the beginning sphere. The Beam tore the landscape in front of it to dust particles. Finishing his moves he dashed forward with his constant surging light to meet up with Gildarts who placed himself above the area of the man to axe-kick the man who no doubt would be un-phased by the previous attacks. An arm extended from the dust to successfully block the axe-kick while Makarov had reached a point blank distance placing his hands in a triangle priming the beam once more. As the beam started to leave its point of origin a small grin appeared before the man's face. The ground upheaved in large sections forcing Makarov and Gildarts to quickly retreat onto a floating platform whilst the man, grabbing the beam rotating his palm and redirecting it into the sky. From up above the two watched as the whole island started uprooting from the sea in varying sizes. Makarovs and Gildarts eyes were nearly glued onto the man. The man stared at the two momentarily before looking down.
"You fail to amuse me." The man softly spoke near Makarovs left ear.
"W-h-h-a-a-t?!" Makarov shifted his head to stare at the man.
His eyes instilled a sense of death into their bones.
"When did you?" Gildarts questioned.
The man sighed shrugging ever so slightly whilst stepping off the platform landing on the ground below.
Gildarts turned to Makarov, "There is no way we can match that speed."
"What do we do now? Surrender? I refuse." Makarov spoke as his eyebrows were twitching with frustration.
Gildarts let out an exasperation, "I never said to surrender, however, refusing to acknowledge that we are getting our asses kicked would be foolish."
"So where does that leave us? He probably could have ended this fight from the beginning."
"It really is no wonder why he defeated Ezra and the other so easily." Gildarts added. "So if we're going to lose, how do we want to lose-"
The man leaped on a platform below the platform Makarov and Gildarts appearing in midair in front of them. Gildarts just finishing his sentence and now seeing the man reached out for his leg. The man tilted his body and rolled over Gildarts back, and before any of them could react the man regained his posture; Leaning forward with both his hands on his left side, his left hand was flat located a few centimeters above his right. His right hand was in a gripping position, black aura condensed into a long blade and once the transformation was complete he swung through with only his right diagonally upward across Gildarts back prompting him to fall off the ledge. Using his right the man formed another long blade in the reverse position thrusting it through Makarov downwards; the man vanished leaving the blade through Makarov. The man appeared below the still falling Gildarts grabbing ahold of his face launching him through the air against a large boulder. Gildarts lay sprawled out against the boulder leaving an outline and blood flying through the air.
As Gildarts was soaring through the air the man appeared in front of Makarov, who by this time was at his knees trying to breathe, slashed across his chest down diagonally left with the long blade in his right hand. Makarov fell completely to the ground facing down, as he did so the blade that was thrust into him dissipated. The man bent down locking onto the back of his standing him up. With his right hand the man punched Makarov in the stomach open palm sending Makarov to the same damned rock as Gildarts.
The pressure subsided making the platforms previously floating upward falling slowly back to the earth. The man walked casually towards the defeated Gildarts and Makarov. When he got within a few meters he sat on a small boulder waiting until Gildarts and Makarov regained consciousness.
About an hour and a half later the two regained consciousness.
"What will happen now, mystery man?" Makarov asked.
The man remained silent as usual.
"Then can I ask why if you wanted to be allies did you attack the members of our guild, members of our family. Makarov another question.
"Circumstances." The man replied.
"Circumstances? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Gildarts barked frustrated.
"I never attacked any of your members they however did engage in battle with me… because of Lucy."
"Lucy?" Makarov paused, "What does Lucy have to do with this."
"That man who attacked me in that city."
"Natsu?" Gildarts slid the word in.
"Was brash and unwilling to listen. Much like you two, you failed to understand, so I showed him the differences in our strength. He would not surrender. In such a circumstance as his surrender would have been the best option."
"Fairy Tail does not give up easy if ever, especially for the sake of others." Makarov spoke proudly.
"There is a difference between giving up in a fight you have a chance to win and surrendering against an opponent who you have no chance of defeating. I am the latter case. The girl whom you spoke of earlier," He paused momentarily. "I did not attack nor harm. I decided to discourage that man from fighting by parrying his movements. It did not work so I then decided to use a spell. The spell was never going to hit him directly. However that girl seeing her comrade in need stepped in to block a spell she did not need to you. The spell would have vanished according to proximity. She was within the proximity of detonation. I told you in that letter that Zeref will attempt to obliterate the world, and I told you I will help. I have given you an explanation of my actions so what say you."
"By chance, huh?" Gildarts replied surprised at the statements. "Well how do we proceed from here Makarov?"
"Even with help from the other guilds and possibly the Magic Council it may not be enough to defeat Zeref and his underlings." Makarov started, looking at Gildarts. "However with your help, seeing as strong as you are we could have a chance." Makarov turned to the man. "I suppose we can let bygones be bygones."
After very little conversation from the mysterious man the three were able to put aside the past for the better of the future. The three departed to return to Magnolia and get back to Fairy Tail. Many interesting things awaited them at Fairy Tail when they arrived a few days later.
Chapter Three: Sometime Too Late
The door slammed wide open as Gildarts busted in first, those who were present snapped over to look at who came in. Upon seeing Gildarts and Makarov the whole Guild hall filled cheer and joy for the return of the Guild Master and Gildarts. Ezra who was sitting closest could not help but smile to see those two; in fact no one in the room could help. A shadow creaked into doorway and the room fell quieter, but when the owner of the shadow walked in the room fell completely silent. Lucy who sitting with Ezra could hardly believe it, mixed emotions stirred within her. Over in a corner where the bar was located a single man point his hand toward the other man.
"You bastard! You're the dick that took my chakra!" The man exclaimed excessively loud across the entire building.
The man was un-phased by the comment. When he saw Lucy he quickly looked away toward the ground as although he thought he had disappointed her.
"The recent events that have transpired have been a giant misunderstanding. I am sure many of you are wondering why we would bring this man back after the events that took place, and I assure we have brought him to help make the future brighter and possible. I ask that you all at least treat this man as a guest, I don't ask you to forgive him but I ask you all to be hospitable." Makarov spoke with a booming voice.
Makarov and Gildarts then walked over to Ezra, and as they walked over Lucy got up to walk over to the man.
Over in the corner the other man whined some more, "Dick, ignored me flat out."
"How are feeling Ezra?" Makarov asked.
"I'm feeling much better; my wounds have healed rather fast."
"That is wonderful to hear." Gildarts spoke.
"Though you will have to tell me about what happened." Ezra added.
"Another time, we have something to do first." Makarov nodded up and down with a grin.
Natsu slammed his weight down into the seat. "Are you sure we need that guy?"
"Yes." Gildarts replied.
"You just don't want him here 'cause he beat your ass."
"Shut the hell up, Gray!"
Gildarts sitting a few tables away over hearing the conversation busted out laughing, he was laughing so hard he held his stomach.
"You shouldn't be laughing you got your ass kicked too."
Gajeel quit laughing, "He was strong. You weren't even around so why are you so high and mighty."
"Because I didn't get my ass kicked." Gray pointed out.
"Shut up." Gajeel and Natsu growled at the same time.
Makarov and Gildarts walked into a backroom. At the door where the man was, Lucy halted movements thirteen centimeters from him and became still. The man was still looking down.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She uttered barely able to get the words out.
The man shrugged unable to say anything. A sting swept across the man's cheek, he quickly glanced up to see Lucy's face but immediately looked down. Her cheeks were blushed and wet from tears. He stood there momentarily then walked around her heading towards the bar. Ezra jumped up to comfort Lucy.
The man sat on a stool.
"Ha you got bitch slapped, serves you right for ignoring me earlier."
The man shrugged.
"Can I get a drink?" Mirajane looked at the other man. "I still refuse to serve you."
"Oh come on! I apologized."
"What would you like?" Mirajane asked the mysterious man. He pointed at a drink.
[She ignored me. Sum' a bitch everyone is ignoring me today.]
"Alright I'll get that right for you."
The man looked at the mysterious man. "Are you going to answer me?"
The mysterious man turned to face the other man. "Did you ask something?"
"You don't remember me?" Mirajane placed the drink on the counter. "Why should he?"
"Why are you so hostile towards me and so nice to everyone else?"
"You know exactly why." She said turning and walking away.
The mysterious man could not help himself from a slight grin.
"Wipe that damn grin off your face you bastard. You got girl problems too from looks of it."
The man kept on grinning.
"Anyway I fought you on the river and you took my chakra, so I demand you tell me how you did it."
"I do not remember."
"How the hell can you say that so damn nonchalant?" The man slammed his face into his palms. After a few seconds he pointed with his right hand at the man. "Fuck you, fuck this, I'm outa' here." He then proceeded to get up.
"Everyone stay where you are." A voice boomed over the corridor. Near the front of the building were Makarov, Gildarts and Macao.
"The three of us have been talking and since we have been gone a certain something called the Grand Magic Games have started. It has come to our attention we are dead last so what better way for Fairy Tail to make a return than to win the Grand Magic Games. I have already registered a team for the games. Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Elfman, and Ezra will represent Fairy Tail. Wendy you will a reserve for the team since each team is allowed one reserve."
The man in the corner raised his hand. "Yes?" Gildarts asked the man.
"I want to join the guild."
Makarov's eyebrows raised a little intrigued by his words.
"And I want to participate in the games; it sound likes some real fun. Not to mention I haven't kicked much ass lately."
"Well I suppose you can join but the teams are already decided."
"Damn it, come on I could win that whole competition by myself."
"Sorry, Mirajane would you get the 'Equipment', please?"
"Yes." She scurried to get the 'Equipment'.
"Well about it guys, will you accept the challenge?" Makarov asked the appointed representatives.
"You can count on us." Natsu exclaimed. The rest started agreeing.
"Good." Makarov smiled. "You have three months until the games, so train diligently over those three months."
Sometime Ago…
"How do you wish to do this?"
"The same way it's been done for centuries."
"You will not win."
"For someone of your skill you seem to be sure. Remember who I am before you say such foolish things."
"You're foolish for not wanting to change the world. I on the other hand will change it."
"And then what?"
"Everything will be as it was supposed to be. First you and the others must vanish from this world."
"And you'll be the one to do that?"
"When this all implodes upon in itself I will rise above."
"I see. Everything is so tense now, and you believe war will come because of it."
"It's inevitable. I do thank you for everything you have done, High King of the Apocalypse. Are you ready now?"
"I laugh at you-"
Next Chapter – Chapter Four: Old Stories Anew