Chapter 21

New Recruits

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback / Mindscape

Location / Date / Time Skip

Erza's Mind

'Am I inside the lacrima?' The red head thought as she floated in the void. 'No, this feels warmer...' A blinding light opened her eyes as she found herself floating in front of a statue of a knight on horseback. She looked around and stared at all of Fairy Tail in black. She looked down and read her own name on the grave. 'It can't be... I'm dead?'

"Erza Scarlet touched many lives in her life..." Makarov started. "She had a heart as big as the sky above. Her noble sword shined brightly as she protected those she loved. She had the grace of a fairy when she moved and her beauty rivaled mother natures. It is love that makes people strong, but it is also love that can make one weak."

'Master...' Erza thought as the old man burst into tears.

"Our Fairy Tail family will never be the same again." He sobbed. Erza turned as the magic council walked into view.

"The Magic Council has voted unanimously." Org said. "One of the two newly-opened seats shall forever be given to this woman. Erza Scarlet shall forever be counted amount the Ten Wizard Saints."

Everyone glared at the council with disgust in their eyes. "I don't buy it!" Natsu slammed his foot down before walking forward. "I'm not gonna stand around, and let this happen!"

"Natsu..." Erza watched as he kicked the bouquet of roses off her grave.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Makarov shouted.

"Natsu, don't..." Lucy begged.

"How dare you!?" Gray and others ran forward.

"We all know Erza isn't dead!" The pinkette shouted.

"This is hard enough as it is..." Lucy said. "Please, just stop."

"There's no way she could be!" Natsu shouted as others tackled him to the ground.

"Just face the truth, she's never coming back!" The blonde shouted.

"Get off me! Erza's alive!" He shouted.

'I sacrificed myself, because I thought it would make the future better.' Erza thought as everyone but Natsu cried. 'But that's not what happened. I wanted to see them smile, not cry. I didn't want to to hurt them like this. Make it stop.'

Akane Beach

Erza opened her eyes and stared up at the night sky. "Where am I?"

"Erza!" She turned her head as the others ran over to her.

"But, how?" She mumbled before turning to Natsu who was holding her in a bridal position. 'Natsu, you saved me, again... He must have pulled me out of that sea of magic energy.'

Natsu dropped to his knees as the other ran closer. "I feel the same..." He said, confusing her. "I'm sure everyone else feels the same. Promise me you won't ever do something like that again! Promise!"

"I promise..." She leaned her head in and touched foreheads with Natsu. 'That's right... You don't die for your friends. You live for them.'

Three Days Later

Akane Hotel Room

Natsu rolled on to his side as he slept. "How long can this guy sleep for?" Gray asked.

"Well, he did fight against a wizard Saint." Lucy reminded him.

"Whatever, he should have had backup." He said back.

"Gray... Shut up..." Natsu mumbled as he rolled over.

"I know I've already said this, but I'm sorry for getting you all into this." Erza said.

"Come on Erza, stop apologizing to us." The blonde said back.

"By the way, where's your friend?" Erza asked Gray.

"You mean Juvia?" He asked back. "She left a while ago. She wanted to talk to gramps about signing up with the guild."

"I see..." She nodded back. "Come on, let's leave him be." Erza stood up and lead the others out of the room. Once the door closed, Natsu stood up and burned the bandages off.

"Finally, I thought they'd never leave." He turned around, waved his hands over his bed, and a Thought Projection of himself took his place sleeping on the bed.

"How sweet..." Ultear, now in a purple outfit, said as she walked out from the bathroom. "A dummy for the dummies."

"Not that funny." He rolled his shoulder as she walked over. "You didn't tell me Jellal could fight that good."

"He didn't give you too much trouble, did he?" She chuckled.

"Not at all." He chuckled as he closed the curtains. "So, shall we go?"

"Let's." Ultear held out her orb and both teleported away.

Grimore Heart Airship

"Oh, my aching head..." Sora groaned as he stood up. "Where am I?"

"That's what I wanna know." Sora looked as the Overlord used his mace to support himself. "Last thing I remember was some crazy looking blonde knocked me out."

"Hey, I don't look crazy!" Both slammed their backs against each other's, weapons at the ready.

"Who said that!?" Sora shouted.

"Must you make them shake like the leaves in the winter wind?" Another voice asked.

"Show yourselves!" The Overlord shouted.

"Both of you, be quite." A third voice said.

"Wait, I know that voice... Salamander?" The Overlord asked. The lights flickered on and both shielded their eyes from the intensity. The lights died down and the two found themselves surrounded by the Seven Kin, Natsu, and Master Hades, sitting on his thrown.

"Gentlemen. I bid you welcome to our home." Hades said.

"This can't be good..." Sora said.

"Why are you with them, Salamander?" Overlord asked. "I thought you were a goody-goody wizard."

"Please, that's just part of an assignment." Natsu said as he showed his shoulder. "I'm Grimoire Heart to the core."

"And you can thank me and the squirt here that you didn't go kablooie." Zancrow said as Meredy punched his hand off her shoulder.

"So, what do you want with us?" Sora asked as he lowered Broken Heartz.

"We would like you to join us." Ultear explained.

"I'm sorry, what?" Both asked at the same time.

"Our scouting party recently perished." Hades explained. "Natsu's report and your activities led us to believe that you two are the best candidates for the job?"

"What happens if we refused the offer?" The Overlord asked.

"Then we would have to kill you." Azuma said.

"And can you explain why we should join you?" The silverette asked.

"We seek the grand magic world." Hades explained. "There, those who practice the most powerful magic shall be the rulers, and have their greatest wishes come true."

Both looked at each other and nodded before turning back to the older man. "When do we start?"

A Few Hours Later

"Well, what do ya think?" Sora asked Meredy as he showed off his new pendant, the Grimoire Heart emblem in red with a black outline.

"It seems unnecessary." The pinkette said before walking away.

"Dude, be very careful where you tread." Zancrow said. "That chicks got the scariest mom on the planet."

"Come on, how scary could she be?" Sora asked.

"Call her Ur." Zancrow said as the two walked towards Ultear.

"Yeah, I like to blow people up, but I find that ramming a sword through their gut is so much more personal." Overlord, with his new emblem in gold on the back of his cloak said to Azuma.

"Really?" The brunette raised an eyebrow. "Fighting someone like you could be interesting."

"A savage giving advice as if he's a noble." Rustyrose chuckled. "That's priceless."

"Can I kill him?" The armored wizard asked.

"They seem to be settling in well." Natsu said as he stood next to Hades.

"Indeed." The master nodded as he stroked his beard. "From your report, it seems we underestimated just how powerful Jellal had grown. I do apologize for that."

"It's fine." The pinkette said back. "I'm just glad Ultear sent Zancrow to help. That reminds me." He reached into his pants and pulled out a piece of paper. "Could you give him this?"

"What is it?" The old man asked as he took it.

"Seems he's developed a crush on a certain red head." Natsu explained. "Thought I would give him her address for letters."

"I see... I'll make sure he gets it." The old man said.

"I should get going." Natsu said looking at the sky. "That dummy I created only lasts for so long." He walked down the stairs and headed to the teleporter room as Hades stared at the paper.

'Crushes...' Hades thought as he tore up the paper. 'Weak emotions for controlling people.'

Magnolia

Fairy Tail Guildhall

"Uh..." All the members of Team Natsu stared at the new and improved guild hall, which now looked like a castle.

"Well, this is a surprise." Erza said.

"They finished building it!" Natsu and Happy asked at the same time.

"Are you kidding me? We got a cafe now?" Gray asked.

"Why do we need a gift shop?" Lucy asked.

"Hey, glad you guys made it back!" Max said from behind the counter.

"You're working the gift shop, Max?" Happy asked as he flew over. "It's been a while since we've seen you."

"Hey, master's the one who insisted on me going back school for buisness lesson." The man chuckled.

"So what you got for sale here?" Happy asked, looking around.

"We got t-shirts, mugs, wristbands, towels, and our most popular item..." Max pulled it out and Happy snatched it.

"Cool, it's a Lucy action figure." The cat said.

"Don't make stuff without my permission." Lucy complained.

"She's posable, and her clothes come off!" Max elaborated as Happy pulled off the plastic garments.

"Nooo!" Lucy screamed. Natsu picked up the depressed Lucy and carried her inside. Her spirits lifted and she leaned against a railing.

"Pretty..." She and Happy said at the same time.

"I could get use to this." Erza added.

"What's wrong Natsu?" Gray asked.

"This could get some getting use too." The pinkette mumbled.

"It's so good to see your back, Lu!" Levy shouted.

"Hi Levy!" The blonde said back.

"Isn't this awesome?" The petite girl asked. "Now we have a swimming pool behind the bar!"

"That seems kinda weird..." Lucy said.

"That doesn't seem necessary." Natsu added.

"And we've added a game room in the basement!" Levy added.

"Does it need to be this big?" Lucy asked.

"Great, now Nab has a second place to hide from jobs." Natsu said.

"But the biggest change is upstairs, because now everyone can go on to the second floor." Levy added pointing up. "The master even lets some of us go on S-Class missions, as long as we bring an S-Class wizard with us."

"Well, look what the cat dragged in..." Makarov said as he walked forward. Gray gasped as he looked at Juvia standing next to him. "I'd like you to meet Fairy Tail's newest member, Juvia."

"Hello, everyone. I can't wait to work with you." She said.

"So you actually made it in?" Gray chuckled.

"Thanks again for your help back at Akane." Erza said.

"No, I should be thanking you." The bluenette said. "Because of you all I found a new guild."

"Hey girl." Lucy waved.

"We will battle for Grays love..." Juvia growled.

"Nope, not gonna happen..." Lucy said back.

"We've also added another member." Makarov said pointing behind the group. "One you might recognize."

"Who could it be?" Happy asked as they all turned around and went wide eyed.

"Are you kidding me, him?" Gray shouted.

"Gajeel..." Natsu growled.

"Why did you let him in, Gramps!?" Gray shouted.

"Calm down, I'm the one who asked him to join with me." Juvia said.

"Juvia is one thing, but he's the one who destroyed our guild hall!" Erza said as Gajeel rolled his eyes.

"Now, now, what do I always say?" The old master asked. "Yesterday's enemies are today's friends, right?"

"Besides, if I'm okay with it, than you should be too..." Levy said as she hid behind a table. Her teammates, Jet and Droy, joined Natsu as all three glared at Gajeel.

"No way!" Gray slammed his hand down on the table. "I ain't working with someone I can't trust!" Gajeel turned to the Maker wizard.

"Don't worry, I don't wanna be your buddy." Gajeel said back. "I'm just here to get work. Nothing more, nothing less. I hate this stupid guild and everyone in it. But times are tough and I didn't have a choice but to join."

"Shut up, loser!" Gray shouted back.

"I'm sorry, but Gajeel seemed so lonely, and I could just turn my back on him..." Juvia said. "But it's not like I have a crush on him or anything!"

"I know you kids don't like it, but as the master of this guild, it's my duty to help anyone whose gonna a stray find the correct path." Makarov said. "Give him a shot, you might find he's a nice guy, at least I hope so..."

"I don't like it, but if the master says so, than we have to respect his decision." Erza said. "But I'm going to be keeping an extremely close eye on him."

"Fine with me." The old man nodded.

"This new place doesn't feel right..." Natsu mumbled as the lights went out. Everyone stared at the stage as a spotlight showed Mira on a stool holding a guitar. "Hey, Mira! We made it back!"

"Good to see you." The barmaid said. "I'd like to dedicate this song to the strongest team, and congratulate them on a safe return." She strummed the instrument and began singing. Everyone loved the tune and cheered for an encore when it ended. The lights went out and Gajeel of all people took her place.

"What the?" Natsu asked.

"Here's a little diddy I call 'Best Friend'." He said as the crowd through garbage at him. He started singing and it wasn't half bad. But the other half kept throwing stuff at him.

"This has to be the worst song I've ever heard!" Natsu complained. His words earned the guitar getting thrown in his face, sparking a fight between the the two.

"Natsu, quit screwing around!" Gray said as he stood up, knocking Erza's cake off her plate.

"He made me drop... My strawberry cake..." Erza whimpered as Elfman stepped on the slice.

"Real men would take this outside!" He shouted.

"Watch it you oaf!" Erza shouted as she kicked him into the fray.

Natsu looked around at the massive brawl he started and smiled. 'Now this is the guild I want to destroy.'

"Stop smiling!" Gajeel said as he slammed a club into the pinkette's face.

Next Day

Magnolia Park

"So, why'd you guys call me out to here?" Gajeel asked as he stood across from Shadowgear. "Make this quick, I've got work to do."

"We've got a bone to pick with you." Jet said.

"After what you did to us, there's no way your joining our guild!" Droy shouted.

"So, you guys can't just forgive and forget?" Gajeel asked as the other two stared at him.

"Hold it." All four, including Levy from behind the tree, turned as Natsu walked over to them. "I want in on this."

"Seriously?" Levy asked. "Your not going to stop them?!"

"He needs to know what will happen if he steps out of line again." He said back. Gajeel chuckled as Jet launched forward.

"Go ahead and act tough while you still can!" He punched Gajeel in the face before disappearing.

"Secret Seeds!" Droy shouted as he threw seeds at the ground. The seeds glowed before long vines shot out of them, tipped with fists. "Knuckle Plant!" The tendrils punched Gajeel repeatedly, sending him back into Natsu.

"Fire Dragon Talon!" Natsu ignited his foot and delivered a roundhouse kick that sent the other Slayer into the sky.

"Falcon Heavenward!" Jet extended his foot and slammed it into Gajeel pushing him back towards the ground.

"Fire Dragon Crushing Fang!" Natsu swung his for arm and clubbed Gajeel into the tree before doing to five more times. "He's had enough."

"Seriously?" All four looked over as Laxus walked over. "After what he did to your little girlfriend, your just gonna let him off with a warning?"

"You don't have a say in this." Natsu said back. "Why are you even here?"

"On the way back from my last job, I stopped by a few pubs, and I heard somethings that really pissed me off! Everyone was talking about how weak the Fairy Twil guild has become. No one ever said that about us before you showed up!" The angrier he got the more lightning arched off his headphones.

"What do you care?" Natsu asked back. "You weren't even there, so you can't get involved in this."

"Are you telling me what to do!?" Laxus slammed his fist into Natsu, before doing the same again and again. "You ain't even in the same league as me!" He brought his hands down and slammed Natsu into the ground.

"Laxus, stop it!" Jet shouted.

"I don't take orders from you!" The blonde turned and fired a bolt at Levy, but Gajeel rushed over and blocked it.

"Gajeel..." She whispered.

"You done with me yet?" He asked weakly. "Because I have things I need to do." He walked away, clutching his stomach.

"Um, Gajeel-" Levy started.

"Don't worry about me." He interupted.

"Man, what's up with him?" Jet asked annoyed.

"Did you seriously not notice it?" Natsu asked, standing up and rolling hid shoulder. "He never once hit us back."

"It's like he wanted us to get our anger out on him..." Levy mumbled as Laxus turned and walked away.

'I can't take much more of this.' He thought to himself. "Fairy Tail has become absolutely pathetic! Nothing but a punch line. The old fart is running it into the ground. Once I'm in charge, things will change!'

Yes, I skipped the whole celebration because when I first saw it, it made me want to vomit. And I can't stand the scouting party in the canon, so I used this to change it.

And this is what happens when you threatens his sacrifice, Gajeel.

See you next time.

Beta read by digemsmack.