''Wow!''
''It's amazing...''
This was the common sentiment among the members of Fairy Tail as they entered Ryuzetsu Land. While they had been surprised to hear of the place from Levy, it was looking more and more like the solid script mage had a really good idea and they would have a great time here.
''I can't believe she's already going about like this after her injuries earlier.'' Lisanna admitted, glancing at Erza, who was walking nearby.
Mira gave a bemused look ''I don't know, it's Erza after all...''
''Good point...'' Victor had a thought. ''...hey, speaking of, how's Elfman doing?''
''Ah, well...'' the sisters exchanged awkward looks before Lisanna shook her head. ''...last time I checked, he was still groaning and twitching in his sleep. I'm beginning to wonder if Happy was right about him milking the situation with what happened.''
''I know you've been annoyed since he brushed you off but don't be hard on him.'' Mira chided lightly.
''Oh, all right...''
Little did they know, Elfman WAS actually in the park. He and Evergreen had agreed to come earlier but they never expected the whole guild to come. What really happened was that Lisanna happened to come see her brother right around the time he found out that Evergreen had been watching over him, leading to them both being embarrassed. Evergreen quickly hid when the girl came and Elfman found himself forced to send Lisanna away before she realized something was wrong.
The one thing the two could agree on was that they did not want the guild mates to find out that they were here.
Unfortunately for them, hiding was no good as they were already spotted by Freed and Bickslow.
''So I have to stretch?'' Asuka asked Rebecca.
''Yup, otherwise it'll really hurt later. See, even the First Master's doing it.'' The older girl pointed at Mavis, who had apparently somehow managed to rope Makarov, Laxus and the remaining Raijinshuu members along with her on the exercise.
Rebecca wondered why a ghost would need to stretch but she decided to chalk it to a force of habit and left the matter at that. At any rate, it all seemed enough to convince Asuka, who had begun stretching just as she was advised.
The two watched as Natsu tried to ambush Hope and Lisanna and push them into one of the pools. Rebecca wasn't too surprised when that failed to work and the two responded by flying up and pushing Natsu in return.
''You gotta love karma.'' Bickslow snickered at the dragon slayer's expression while the girls laughed.
Laxus smirked ''I couldn't agree more.''
''Hey, that wasn't fair!'' Natsu called.
''What part of ambushing us was supposed to be fair?'' Hope returned.
Lisanna nodded to this ''It wasn't going to work anyway, Natsu.''
''You wanna bet?'' Natsu, who was never able to take such a comment lying down, called.
''Seeing this turn out, I'd say that's a sucker's bet, Natsu.'' Endymion remarked.
The dragon slayer's response was to try and splash the three of them, making them fly higher. This lead to a small water fight, which seemed to be even thanks to Natsu's eagerness but the three were quickly able to turn things around and sent Natsu almost out of the pool.
''Nice work.'' Rebecca gave the three a thumbs up when they landed near them.
''Thanks, it did work pretty well, huh?'' Lisanna returned brightly. ''So what're you doing here?''
''Gray-sama, let's try that game!'' Juvia pointed at a tall slide to their left.
He raised an eye as he read the name plaque ''Love-Love Slide? Weird name, why call it that?''
''Well, because people hold each other close when they ride it!''
''No way! I'm not doing it!'' was the ice mage's immediate response. Seeing how Juvia deflated made him feel bad so he decided to change tack ''...Look, I don't mind going on rides with you but that kind of thing is where I'll draw the line. I'm down for it if you pick something different.''
It wasn't quite what Juvia wanted to hear but no one said she couldn't be flexible. ''Oh! In that case...''
''You don't have to go through the trouble, dear Juvia.'' Out of the blue appeared Lyon, who picked the startled water mage up. ''I'll be happy to ride the Love Love Slide with you.''
''L-Lyon-sama?!''
''What're you doing here?'' Gray demanded.
''The same thing you are, in fact a bunch of the guild mages came tonight.'' He replied, gesturing at Cheria nearby as she talked to Wendy and Jenny, who was approaching Mira.
Erza and Lucy had just been trying to relax when they were suddenly found by Ichiya and the trimens, who as one would probably expect, wasted no time in flirting with them. And as usual, the girls were unaffected and tried to tune them out.
Eventually, Erza couldn't take anymore. ''ENOUGH!'' She glared at the quartet. ''Aren't you all too relaxed?''
She turned to Hibiki ''What was with your MPF score today? You definitely didn't try at all!''
He looked away but her attention was on Ren ''And you have Sherry, don't cheat!'' To Eve, she added ''You just went off half-cocked.''
She stopped when her eyes fell on Ichiya, who seemed to be waiting for her to scold him. He was surprised and dismayed when she turned around.
''Let's go, Lucy.''
Ichiya tried to grab her arm ''Please, scold me too!'' He was kicked away from the redhead in response, leaving Lucy to shake her head.
''I swear, he's incurable...''
''...And what're you doing there?''
Lucy blinked and followed her friend's line of sight to find Jellal standing in one of the pools, with a bandana and cowl covering his face just like Mystogan used to wear. Needless to say, the combination looked odd considering that he was wearing swim trunks like their male friends.
''I sensed a strange magic power and it lead me here.''
''Something about that is just off...'' Lucy muttered.
Erza privately agreed but she just sighed ''You stand out too much.''
Meanwhile, Mavis was regaling Laxus, Hope and Endymion with a few stories of their days back when Fairy Tail first started. They were eventually joined by Lucy and Rebecca, who also listened with interest.
''So you wound up beating up two monsters and stopping a mad mage all while trying to make a delivery?'' Laxus arched an eye. ''Seems Fairy Tail had wild times ever since the early beginning.''
Mavis giggled ''You don't know the half of it! Of course, we might have missed that mage at the time if it hadn't been for Ryner.''
''About that, I've been wondering...what was he actually like?'' Endymion inquired.
''Well...how do I put this?'' Mavis paused to think. ''Our first impressions weren't exactly the best, he used to be under a lot of pressure for trying to help the aetherians after the war. I used to think he was difficult but he just had a lot to deal with. He was a bit too stubborn and rash at times, though still very caring. He eventually learned to curb those tendencies and I quickly found out he was actually wise. Once you earned his trust, he would move mountains to help you, he'd always work his absolute best for all of us. Ryner really did like traveling and he loved to see what was out there, he put all his experiences to help his people in the end. That's the whole reason he was never officially inducted in the guild, he wanted to look out for his people. He once told me he never pictured himself as a leader, it was hard for him too...he was a free spirit. His whole idea was for the Aetherians to be ruled by a democratic council but even the people he chose for that council defered to him in the end. It was all for the best in the end. Well, I think the fact that some of his ideas are still implemented in Aetheria should tell plenty about his abilities, right?''
''Absolutely.''
''He sounds like a great guy.'' Lucy remarked.
''He was...he even made it a point to help a bunch of our guild members when he could. That's why they all agreed that he was like a member himself.'' Mavis recalled.
''Makes sense to me, if he's gone through the extra mile the official stuff shouldn't get in the way.'' Rebecca remarked.
''Exactly.'' The spirit stretched a little. ''Now if you excuse, I'd like to get back to swimming.''
''Yeah, anyone up for checking out this place now?'' Rebecca asked the group.
Happy's eyes lit up at the sight of a poster advertising a show at the aquarium ''Hey, this sounds interesting, let's check it out!''
''I don't see why not.'' Lily returned, contently drinking some kiwi juice. Carla just shrugged and went along.
Levy looked at Gajeel ''Why don't we go too?''
''Hah? You're kidding, right? Why would I want to?''
''Oh, come on...'' She pouted. ''...I asked nicely, it'll be fun. You really need to relax!''
Much to his chagrin, Gajeel found that there wasn't much he could say when confronted with that look. ''...Oh, all right...''
Levy beamed and began leading him ahead. As it so happened, they happened to leave just as a certain person made her way to some of their friends.
Alzack looked up at the sound of footsteps, stiffening when he saw none other than Flare Corona coming to face them. ''What do you want?''
Erza tensed while Bisca wrapped an arm around her daughter, remembering what happened in the first day and Lucy watched her warily. ''Here for some revenge?''
Flare fidgeted a little under their scrutiny, though she clearly expected nothing less. None of them saw what she did next coming.
''...I'm sorry.''
The thing was, she seemed to really mean it. That she really felt bad about the way things went down. Flare apparently wasn't expecting a response because she turned away ''That's all I came to say.''
''That...was certainly unexpected.'' Erza remarked as they watched her leave.
''No kidding.'' Bisca shared a look with her husband, who felt the same. ''Looks like there's more to Raven Tail than meets the eye.''
Lucy hummed in agreement ''Maybe she's not so bad after all.''
Wendy and Chelia were playing in a pool. Cana was hanging around near the bar with the members of Team Quattro Puppy and they were getting along rather well. Once Jenny managed to catch up to the Strauss sisters, she was quick to pull off Mira's top, causing the nearby men to have nosebleeds. Apparently, it was her idea of payback for the bet but Mira was quick to retaliate in a similar fashion, Lisanna could only cover her eyes in embarrassment and sigh.
Makarov, who had stopped to grab some food and was heading to back to meet Laxus and Mavis, came across Gray, Juvia, Eve and Lyon, who was talking to Rebecca, Hope and Endymion.
''That's what this is all about? You're having this much trouble picking a game?'' The girl asked incredulously.
''Hey, I'm not the one making it hard. He is.'' Gray jerked a thumb at Lyon.
''Like I was saying, I would be glad to escort Juvia. A woman of her caliber needs a true man, not a whiny brat.'' Lyon said with a smirk.
Gray's eyes narrowed ''What was that?''
''...Do I want to know what they're going on about?'' Makarov asked Juvia flatly as they watched the fight continue.
''Oh...'' She smiled sheepishly. ''...it's nothing, really. Juvia thinks this is all too much.''
''I wouldn't say that.'' Eve refuted. ''You're rather fetching, Juvia-san. Any man would be lucky to win your affections. In fact, I'd be honored to join you if you so wish.''
''See? He understands.'' Lyon said while Juvia thanked the blond.
Gray rolled his eyes ''Oh please, that kind of line with him is flat out meaningless.''
''I take offense to that.'' Eve retorted. ''Though I have to say you look beautiful as well, Rebecca-chan...''
Lyon and Makarov exchanged dry glances, thinking Gray's point was proven. Rebecca's response proved that she was thinking along similar lines ''Thanks but please spare me. I know how you guys roll.''
Eve looked scandalized ''I'd never lie to you!'' He looked at the person standing nearest to him. ''Hope, you think so too, right?'
The teen looked confused at being dragged into the conversation but he answered ''Sure, not that that's different from the norm.''
Eve stopped when he saw Rebecca blushing at that but Hope never noticed because Wendy called him over to the pool where she was with Chelia then.
''Well, that was nice.'' Juvia smiled.
''And surprising, are you two...'' Eve started.
''No, Hope's just being nice that's all!'' Rebecca said quickly, though for a moment she wondered at the boy's response. Shaking her thoughts off, she hurried to join him and Endymion flew after the two.
''Huh, now that he brings it up, those two do get along very well. Do you think Rebecca actually...'' Makarov cocked his head as they watched the girl.
Juvia began to smile ''Juvia can definitely feel something there. They'd be so cute together!''
Wendy and Cheria wound up joining Hope, Rebecca and Endymion as they toured the park, giving the fairy tail mages a chance to know the young girl better...
''You really learned that kind of magic all on your own from a book? That's amazing.'' Hope remarked.
''Yeah and you must have really done great to receive a book like that in the first place.'' Rebecca added.
Cheria smiled bashfully, moreso when the others agreed ''Aww, I worked hard but thanks. I just found that I loved learning magic. I've seen people do some really amazing stuff though, so I don't know if it's all that special. People like Hope, actually.'' At the boy's surprise, she explained. ''Wendy told me about that strange light magic, I can't believe you worked it out that well and you didn't even have any sort of reference to use. Even Master Obaba never hard of magic like that before. So from where I'm standing, you're the amazing one here.''
''We tried telling him that before.'' Endymion chipped in as they watched how her praise affected Hope.
''A whole lot.'' Rebecca smiled at their sheepish looking friend. ''Hope's as modest as they come, not that I'm complaining mind you.''
Cheria giggled ''You guys really are interesting like I heard...''
Wendy gave her a curious look but then she remembered ''Oh, you said Lyon-san told you about Fairy Tail...''
''Yup, I heard a whole a bunch of good things! From how he and Jura-san put it, I imagined Fairy Tail had a whole bunch of free spirits who weren't afraid to show everyone their true selves.''
''That...sums it up pretty well-hm?'' Endymion blinked, noticing something odd as they passed the aquarium.
There was Lily in his battle form, walking out with Happy and Carla in his arms. Levy and Gajeel were next to them, the strange thing was that the five looked rather shaken.
What really threw them for a loop was Michael walked out from behind them, laughing all the while.
''I've never felt so ashamed...'' Lily mumbled.
''I swear, if you don't shut it...'' Gajeel snarled
''Would you stop?! That wasn't funny, it was terrible!'' Levy cut in.
''Beg to differ!'' He grinned, trying to calm himself down.
''Hey, what wasn't funny?'' Chelia asked.
''Nothing at all!''
She merely raised an eye, seeing that Wendy was just as unconvinced while Hope, Rebecca and Endymion exchanged puzzled looks behind them.
''Carla, are you okay?'' Wendy spoke up.
''Happy, why do you look like you're about to cry?'' Endymion added.
''Because I think I might! That was awful...' Happy whimpered.
''I don't want to talk about it.'' Carla mumbled.
''That was your fault!'' Gajeel scowled at the blue exceed.
''Sorry...''
Michael snickered, seeing the observers' confusion he decided to explain ''See, those guys were just in there and...''
''Solid Script: Water!''
At that, he was struck with a sphere of water that knocked him down. Moments later, he got up ''What the heck?! Are you trying to kill me?''
''Hey, not my fault you can't take a hint, pal. Besides, it's either me or Gajeel, pick your poison.'' Levy advised.
Gajeel smirked ''You heard her, I doubt you wanna try your luck.''
Hope figured whatever this was had to be bad if it had Levy resorting to such measures ''I think we'll be just fine not knowing.''
''See, Brat? This is why Bird boy's the smart one.''
Michael gave him a look ''Yeah, yeah...''
''By the way, nice one, Shrimp.''
''Why thank you.''
''Seriously, you guys took Happy to an aquarium? That's totally asking for trouble,'' Rebecca said.
''Hey!''
Endymion spared him a dry look ''Two words Happy, flying fish.''
The reminder of the disastrous incident was enough to knock out any protest he might have had ''Oh.''
A while later...
Natsu, who was making his way back to his friends after having had a bite to eat, stopped at the sound of a cry. This brought his attention to Ichiya, who slipped and bumped into him, leading him to bump into another passerby.
That little accident was the start of a domino effect. Where would it lead? Well...
They wound up falling into a pool and bumping into Risley and Arana, who wound up so startled (since Ichiya wound up close to her breasts) that she almost threw them out. Natsu barely got away in time but his attempt to burn the magic she tossed his way almost hit Gray, who understandably didn't take that well. This wound up causing another of their infamous fights and Gray froze the pool in the chaos. Natsu got annoyed and fired back with his own magic. The result was...explosive to say the least.
People could only stare in on shock and dismay as Ryuzetsu Land was almost in ruins. Gray grimaced, knowing how bad the situation was and cursing Natsu, who was laughing about winning the fight. As if that mattered now...
''How could you do that?'' Mavis scolded.
''Seriously, you idiots!'' Makarov snapped. He internally cringed as a few of the park workers approached them, knowing what was coming.
As he expected, it looked like they were demanding reparations for the destruction. Makarov wasn't even sure if they could give them enough money to fix things.
Thankfully, he didn't have to worry about that for long.
''Before that's decided...'' Hope as he addressed the park workers. ''...would you mind waiting? I can fix this.''
Smiling, the templar nodded. He looked at the flabbergasted park workers. ''You guys are going to have to step away though.''
''O-okay...''
With his magic boosted by the pendant, Hope concentrated his energy towards his palms as everyone cleared out the area around him. He was surrounding by a flaring silver aura that caused a shining wave to shoot out around the rubble. It all floated up and began moving around, soon it seemed as if a storm had descended, holding all the rubble. Then it became clear that the pieces were actually reforming the wall where they landed, making the spectators gape. Minutes later, Ryuzetsu Land was back to the way it was before it was destroyed.
''Way to go, Hope!'' Cheria's voice broke the silence. ''Looks as good as new to me.''
''No...way...'' The park's manager breathed.
Hope started as Natsu placed a hand around his shoulder ''Atta buddy, you saved our butts again!'' They blinked in confusion as someone hauled the dragon slayer up and saw it was Laxus.
''Not so fast, whose fault was this in the first place?''
''Hey, that's not fair!''
''For once I'm with him, seriously, Hope to the rescue again...'' Gray trailed off.
Lyon blinked ''Again? How many times did this happen?''
''...You don't want to know. Oi, let go!' Gray yelped as he was grabbed a second later.
''Forget it, you're just as much as in trouble.''
Makarov decided to ignore the rising argument between the three and turned to the workers and the manager. ''So, what do we have to do to fix this? I know my grandson fixed this up but...''
''Hm...I'm sorry to say we won't allow any of you to come here for a while.'' The manager said. ''Everything seems to be in order but I'll have to check, I never saw something this like before. I might get back to you afterwards.''
The guild master certainly wasn't about to complain. They got off very lightly for sure ''Fair enough.''
Natsu's eye twitched after Makarov finished lecturing him and Gray ''Would you let it go? Everything's fine.''
''No, it isn't!'' This earned him a punch on the head that had Gray rolling his eyes. Hey, if a lecture was all that was coming out of this, he would take it. He wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Erza spared him an annoyed look ''Natsu, you two ruined what should have been a restful and fun time for us all. Take responsibility.''
''Also, you don't get to use Chibi's solution as an out.'' Laxus added flatly.
Lily noticed Hope muffling a yawn before beginning to rub at his eyes. ''You've done very well today. I'm not surprised you're tired.''
''Neither am I, it's been a long day. Why don't we all go to bed now?'' Mira suggested, Hope nodded back.
''Yeah, I think we could all use some good sleep...anything to put this damn disaster behind us.'' Laxus decided before leading them to Team B's quarters.