The Wizard's Diary

by Reier

This is an AU where all the dragon slayers are actually dragons. Lucy, the protagonist, lives in a modern town where no one believes in the existence of magic, but she is a wizard and she knows that there is more than meets the eye. This is the story of an encounter that will change her life forever and of her struggles to save Fairy Tail and Magnolia.

25. The barefoot fairy

Hi! Today's chapter is one of those that I really enjoyed to write. I tried to imagine the Fairy Tail of the beginnings, in a chaotic and violent Magnolia like the New York of the early twentieth century (do you remember the movie with Leonardo di Caprio? Gangs of New York? If you have not seen it give it a look). I also tried to make the first meeting between Mavis and Natsu as explosive as possible, I hope you like the result!

The barefoot fairy

That morning Precht walked in a hurry. On the copy of the newspaper that he had just purchased, there were great news and he could not wait to take them to the office. His sixth sense told him that this was only the beginning and that something even bigger was coming. But that morning, Precht was not the only one who was in a hurry, Magnolia seemed just like an anthill: the streets were full of people, carts and cars. No one paid attention to the man with purple hair with a black patch on an eye. A horse hit him.

- Watch where you're going! - Precht gestured to the guy at the carriage's guide before walking away. The wizard heaved a sigh of relief when he finally arrived at his destination, he. He opened the door of the number 20 and went down the stairs. Even if that was the office of his guild, Fairy Tail, it was a dark and musty basement. The place was under the level of the road and then there was only a small window from which passed a bit of air. The only light was that of an old light bulb and even the furniture was poor and shabby, despite Warrod did his best to keep order. Precht almost bumped up him as he entered. The big guy with black hair was watering the ficus near the entrance. Thrown on the old leather chair in the corner, there was instead another guy with blond hair, blue eyes and the air of perfect villain: Yuri. He was so busy sharpening his Swiss pocketknife that he did not even notice Precht. But the wizard was not looking for Warrod nor Yuri, he was looking for their master: Mavis.

- The Dragon King is dead. - He announced throwing the newspaper he was holding on the desk but she did not hear him. - Mavis. Mavis? MAVIS! - Precht could scream as much he wanted but it was all useless. The girl was sleeping soundly, with her arms crossed and her head resting on the table. Her long blond hair covered her face and fell on the wood in waves, like water from a waterfall.

- You're a fool if you hope to find Mavis awake before ten. - Zera's voice mocked him. The girl appeared from the door of next room, with a cup of steaming coffee in her hands. The features of her face, the long, brown, wavy hair and the thicker eyebrows, made her a particularly attractive young woman, a Latina beauty. But Zera was not at all interested in the possibility of exploiting that charm. She looked always a bit grumpy and the only person to whom she reserved sweet words was her best friend, Mavis, the one with she had shared so many things since childhood.

- Wake up, honey. - The girl put her cup of coffee on the table and when Mavis' nose felt the smell, there was finally a reaction. The Fairy Tail's master reached out and grabbed the cup to take it to her lips.

- Did you hear what I said? - Asked Precht.

- Sure. - Her hair were still covering her face but she saw anyway the headline and the image imprinted on the front page of the Magnolia Times. Her green eyes sparkled as she read the news. It told how a large villa, overlooking the Chicago River north of Magnolia, was burnt down during the night. The journalist dwelt, with too much details, about the discovery of three mangled and burned bodies that firefighters had done that morning, once tamed the flames: two men and a woman. - The authorities do not know who it was for real Igneel nor his aides. - Observed Mavis. - Igneel wanted to establish a peaceful relationship with the inhabitants of this town to create a sanctuary for those of his kind, but apparently not everyone agreed with his project. Who could have killed three dragons? It's an impossible mission for a human being: I think it was an internal feud. Moreover the culprit tried to hide the evidence, but he didn't claim the throne. Why? Has he repented? He's hurt and escaped? Did he had a client? In any case, this story will definitely have an impact on the balance of power here in Magnolia. We must keep our eyes open because anything could happen and some interesting perspectives could open up for us. - After finishing her analysis Mavis drank the rest of her coffee, crashed the cup on the desk, stood up and stretched. She was so short and so tiny that her body still seemed that of a thirteen-year-old girl, even though she had more than twenty. She did not even reach Precht's shoulder, yet all her companions respected her and waited for their new orders.

- Let's go making money! - Mavis ordered with a smile. Those were the perfect words to turn on Yuri. The boy jumped up, putting his pocketknife in the pocket - I like it! - And then he sped away up the stairs, closely followed by Mavis - Yeah! - The girl was in such a hurry that she did not even realize that she was still barefoot.
- The shoes! - Zera called after her, waving the sandals that she had left inside, but Mavis turned, smiling - I don't need shoes to trample Fairy Tail's opponents! -

Making money for Mavis meant going to the Tontine Coffee House on Wall Street, where the biggest cheaters gathered, and speculate as much as possible on any kind of buying and selling. To finance the guild, attract new affiliates, establish alliances and buy portions of Magnolia, she needed a lot of money. And Mavis took advantage of her incredible computing skills and insight to collect those amounts quickly. But when playing with the market was not sufficient, Precht and the others were always ready to rob for her Blue Skull and the rival associations.

The volume of business in Magnolia had grown so much in the past years that, to accommodate the investors, a new building was built at no. 10-12 of Broad Street, but at the Coffee House there was always a bunch of fond patrons. While at Broad Street went the men in suits at the Tontine met traffickers, politicians, businessmen and charlatans. Most of the exchanges conducted in there had always something suspicious and at the limit of the law. That was the ideal place for big profits and big losses, but also the ideal place to have fun: sitting at the tables there were people who drank, smoked and gambled at all hours. The whole place looked like a periphery local and at the same time a kind of deposit, because in every corner there were piled hay bales, crates and barrels that people brought to sell. From the top of the staircase, leading to the second floor, a man screamed all day the prices of the best actions.

- It seems that even today those of G. S. Constructions are making huge profits. They say that the construction site will be approved in a few days. - Yuri whispered, leaning on the table next to Mavis. The girl looked completely absorbed. She was listening to the man on the balcony, but she had ears open for every kind of news.

- Shall we invest something more on them? -

- Sell everything. -

Yuri opened his mouth.

- The mayor won't grant approval, even if they are the most qualified candidates. Remember that his daughter is engaged to that idiot of the G.M. Buildings. -

- But if they don't even submitted the application ?! -

- The competition will close at 14 today. I'm sure they will do it in the next hours. - Replied the girl, playing with one of her silver keys, attached to the deck on the table.

- Especially after what Shippou saw last night. The G.M. Buildings will wait until the last to ruin the opponents. When people will find out that the G. S. Constructions are no longer the favorites, they will rush to sell all and the value of their actions will collapse like a sand castle. What are you waiting for? -

- I .. I'm going! -

- Bring me another coffee! -

- And for me whiskey. -

When Mavis turned, she discovered the one who speaking was a man dressed in an elegant way, with a walking stick and a cylinder. But his blue hair were unkempt and he had a red mark around his right eye, which remembered a pirate's tattoo. He seemed the perfect portrait of an impoverished nobleman, the last descendant of a wealthy family, someone who had came from overseas and that now had nothing more of aristocrat, not even the name: Sieg Hart.

- And since you are there, Yuri, could do you an extra chore for me? - The man throw a handful of coins to the boy. - Buy me two jewel of actions of those guys who make fire extinguishers. I bet that their prices will skyrocket. - Yuri grabbed the money and sped away, without making questions, chasing the small group of inventors. But Mavis remained firm in her place, trying to understand what were the reasons behind Sieg's smile. - Why do you think that the prices of the fire extinguishers will rise so much? -

- You see ... - The man said, resting his chin on the stick's handle - Because Igneel's son has just arrived in town and he's furious. He wants to find at all costs the traitor who killed his father and Magnolia could become hell as in the X835. As much as I'd like to punch him, I thought to warn you first, since the dragon is in your area. It seems he wants to put the Upper West on fire ... -

The wizards sitting around the table gaped. - Are you sure? - Asked Warrod but Mavis did not need to hear any more information. The girl got up, rushing off - Thanks, Sieg! -

- Duty. In return I put everything on your behalf. -

- You're a rascal. - Hissed Zera before walking away but the man returned her with a smile - Enjoy your furious dragon! I'll stay here to drink to your health! -

Mavis jumped on the first tram available, without even turning to see if her companions were following. Speed was essential. Not only she had to avoid a fire, but she had also to make the most out of that occasion. If she could stop the angry prince before all others, Fairy Tail's reputation would definitely skyrocket!

- Let's hope to make it in time ... -

When the girl arrived at the right stop and jumped off the tram, she discovered immediately that Sieg's words were true: there were a couple of buildings burning and a large group of volunteers and firefighters trying to extinguish the fire. The whole neighborhood seemed to have been destroyed by a civil war, here and there, there were broken windows, overturned stalls and even a wagon with a split wheel. People's voices in the street were alarmed and confused, some of them spoke of "those thugs of Blue Skull ", but Mavis knew that it could not be just their work. Which way went the Dragon Prince? Where they could have brought him those of Blue Skull, to be able to cope without anyone to interfere?

- Miss don't go there! - Someone shouted as she rushed toward the riverfront. - There's a fight down there! - But those words were what she wanted to hear. Mavis She whispered, half-smiling, - Bingo. -

The Fairy Tail's master run down in haste the stairs near the river and immediately found those who were fighting: a group of Blue Skull's wizards and a boy with salmon pink hair and a white scarf. Mavis already knew all the men present and she knew that they were the most loyal bootlicker of the Blue Skull master, all powerful and merciless mages. Yet five of them were already down while the Dragon Prince held the sixth lifted by the collar. - And so you are the guild that controls Magnolia? - Hissed the boy - You are only filthy rats. But since you took the trouble of coming to talk with me, I'll be generous. If you tell me what happened to Igneel I promise that you and your teammates will do a quick and painless death. -

- I ... I don't know what happened! - The man whimpered, trying in vain to free himself from the iron grip that kept him imprisoned. He was sweating and looked so terrified of being about to shit himself - We have nothing to do with it! Master Geoffrey sent us here just because ... -

- I think he thought it was the ideal opportunity to get rid of you too and all the dragons left in town, he doesn't like competitors. - Interrupted Mavis. Only then the prince turned and their eyes met. - But I believe that Blue Skull didn't really do anything. A dragon? Perhaps one might be within their reach, but three? I doubt it. Also these guys told you a pack of lies: Magnolia doesn't belong and will never belong to them, because it's mine. -

Then the prince threw away the man who held by the collar, throwing him on the grass like garbage. Mavis' appearance was just the diversion that the Blue Skull wizards were waiting for and the group picked up their mate, running away as fast as possible.

- Who the hell are you? - Hissed the dragon and the girl smiled, making a small bow - Mavis Vermillion. And you have to be Natsu Dragneel, Am I right? -

The dragon did not answer, simply staring. Even from that distance Mavis could feel his anger bubbling like lava in a volcano ready to explode.

- I'm sorry for Igneel, he was an extraordinary dragon. You have my condolences. - Offered the girl - And I know you're very angry for what happened to your father, but I have to ask you to immediately stop causing trouble in town. -

- Fuck you! I don't take orders from anyone! - Replied the dragon with a snarl.

- Wherever is the culprit, assuming he's still here, you won't find him certainly causing panic. - Mavis continued, not at all intimidated by his threats - And I believe that your father wouldn't be happy to see you act in this way. Igneel wanted to build a peaceful relationship with humans but you're threatening to destroy that little confidence that he managed to conquer. -

- WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF MY FATHER ? - Roared Natsu, even more irritated. - Stop talking bullshit! I don't care about this damn place, I don't care if it catches fire and burns to ashes! And now get out of my way, stupid girl! - The dragon summoned a ball of fire in the palm of a hand and threw it, but Mavis did not even move. She knew that it was just a warning and let the spell hit the ground a few feet away.

- Since you don't want to listen, I'll make you listen: I challenge you to a duel, Natsu Dragneel. - Proposed Mavis with a sweet smile - If I win, you will join Fairy Tail, I'll become your master and you'll immediately stop to cause panic in town. -

- Would you like me on a leash? I'm sorry but I don't think that you will be able to do it. -

- Being part of a guild is not just taking orders. - Explained Mavis - Fairy Tail is like a family and we take care of each other. We'll give you a hand to find the traitor who killed your father. - But Natsu did not seem willing to listen to even one of her words - And if I win? -

- You can do me anything that you want. You can even eat me if you like. -

And at those words Natsu laughed - Haha! This is really good! If you really want this bad to die, let's do it! No one has ever managed to defeat me and you certainly won't be the first! -

Even if she could already hear the voices of her comrades, who were running toward them, calling her name, Mavis chose to ignore them. - It's decided then. - The celestial wizard opened her arms, said a brief formula, and a gigantic circle, made of golden and shining runes, materialized on the river bank and the edges of the circle lifted a barrier, which locked her and the dragon within, as in a box.

- Mavis! - Zera could not do anything to stop Mavis, except slamming her fist against the spell. The barrier was transparent like glass but more resistant then cement, neither she nor the others had no hope to break it.

- No one can leave this magic circle. It will last five minutes. - Announced the Fairy Tail's master - The winner will be the last one standing. -

- Stop it now! It's dangerous! - Shouted Zera but Mavis turned just a moment to look at her. She had the classic smile that said: "Trust me."

- Five minutes is too much. - Natsu was the first to attack, rushing against the girl with a fist completely engulfed in flames. He did not want to waste more time than necessary against a brat but Mavis was not an inexperienced girl. The master took out a golden key from the deck that she always carried in the neckline of the dress - Open Gate of the Heavenly Scales: Libra! - The sound of a bell echoed along the river and an oriental dancer appeared next to Mavis. Her face was covered by a veil and she held the plates of a scale tight in each hand.

- Change the weight of the target. -

The air around Natsu became immediately so heavy to crush him on the ground and his race came to an abruptly halt. The dragon swooped on his knees with so much strength to dig a crater. - What the fuck is going on? - Natsu growled: getting up seemed virtually impossible.

- And you have not seen anything yet! Open gate of the Paired Fishes: Pisces! - As soon as Mavis turned the key, two giant fishes responded to her command. One was gray and the other ultramarine blue, their shapes resembled that of a couple of eels but their size greatly exceeded those of a sea monster.

- Attack! - The two creatures rushed instantly against Natsu. The dragon seemed doomed, rooted to the spot, but he had no intention of being so easily beat - Fire Dragon's Iron Fist! - When his fist hit Pisces the effect was a real explosion. The two spirits were thrown back and slammed into the barrier, making it tremble so hard that for a moment it seemed it was about to break. Although he could not move, Natsu was still able to attack Mavis at distance. He took a deep breath and prepared to spit fire but stopped as soon as he realized that a child had appeared beside the girl. He had hairy ears and the shaggy tail of a fox.
- Here it is. -

- Thanks Shippo. -

The child was holding a white scarf to Mavis. Natsu ran his hand around the neck to check and gaped when he discovered that it was his. When did he took it? How the hell did it happen?

- Don't make that face! I can steal anything! - Chuckled the baby fox - I'm the King of Thieves! -
- This scarf is really warm. - Mavis added while wrapping it around the neck - I feel that it has some special properties. Is it made of dragon scales? Does it protect you from black magic? Who knows if it will protect me from your flames ... - The girl made a devilish smile - Unless you don't want to risk ruining it ... -

- That bitch! - Dragon snarled and gathered all the energy available he had to get up. His aura lit like a torch, and Libra's spell was broke like a burned rope.

- I can't hold him any longer! - Exclaimed the dancer, panicking and spirit of the fox disappeared, taking refuge quickly inside his portal. But Mavis did not appear intimidated - I should have known: dragon's fire can burn anything, even the magic of others. Pisces! - The girl made a gesture with her hand and the spirit returned to the attack. Natsu tried to stop it with a second punch but this time the blue fish parried the shot, using his forehead as hard as steel, and the gray fish jumped at the opportunity to hit the dragon with the his tail and throw him against the barrier.

- The spirits of the stars are spectacular creatures: they are immortal and their powers are unlimited. - Explained Mavis - I'm the one who decides the limit of their energies. -

Natsu got up and rushed away just a moment before the blue fish bit him. He had big and flat teeth such as mill-wheels, made to crush everything.

It was then that Natsu realized that he had underestimated his opponent: now that she had finally freed her magic, her aura glowed gold and pulsed like a star, like a small bright sun.

- You shouldn't have accepted my challenge Natsu Dragneel: it's clear that you aren't in condition to fight. You're so angry that you can't even concentrate on our fight. I expected something better from the Dragon Prince. -

- Shut up! - Thundered Natsu, but Mavis was right. She was right to say that he was out of control. He was angry with those who had killed his father, with all Magnolia and she continued to block his way. Time passed quickly and he had to hurry if he wanted to win.

Natsu reacted by drawing on the deepest reserves of magic at his disposal, waking up the power that slept inside him, below his dragon scales. His fiery aura changed color, getting darker until it became pitch black, all made of hot and diabolical flames. That magic energy was so strong that it ended up corrupting his human form; scales appeared on his cheeks and his fingers turned into claws. It was a power so dark and violent that when it touched Mavis, the girl felt a shiver pass down her spine. What would happen if she let such a thing free to roam Magnolia?

- That's why you bring the scarf? Is it a seal? - Mavis whispered, while she stroked one of the many silver keys attached to her deck.

- Darkness ... - Natsu began to recite, gathering dark flames in his hands, but the Fairy Tail master had no intention of allowing him to use such a devastating spell.

- Open Gate of the Sacrifice: Andromeda! -

- Phoenix Blade! -

A chain darted out of the ground and wrapped around the dragon's ankle, dragging him to the ground just a moment before the spell flung against Mavis. His fiery vortex failed pitifully the target and shot upwards, where it exploded on contact with the barrier. For a moment there was only smoke, a dark smoke so dense to leave even the audience breathless, then the barrier faded, allowing the miasma to dissolve. It was then that Natsu understood that he had just lost the duel: the chain had dragged him to the ground but Mavis was still standing, still in the same spot where she had started the fight. The girl had won without even getting her hands dirty and he could not even beat one of her spirits. Natsu slammed his fist on the grass and his dark aura vanished like the smoke left by the spell.

- She did it! - Yuri and others launched a cry of joy while Mavis approached the unbelieving and defeated dragon.
- Welcome to Fairy Tail. - The girl knelt in front of Natsu, re-wrapping the scarf around his neck. She smiled and held out a hand to help him up - This is the first mission for you: eat. Let me buy you breakfast, I'm sure you haven't touched anything. You'll see that you will feel better with a full stomach! And then we'll talk about what happened and what we can do to help. Trust me. -

And so that day Natsu became part of Fairy Tail. Mavis and the others helped him in his research but unfortunately even with their combined efforts it wasn't possible to find the traitor who killed Igneel. Natsu's heart was hurt and angry but gradually the smile of Mavis was able to heal the injury. Fairy Tail became his new home and the dragon began to think of having finally found the right place to realize his father's dream: a place where humans and dragons could live together peacefully. Mavis was always full of joy, sweetness and courage. Sometimes Natsu wondered how it was possible to get so many things in so little space. The Fairy Tail master impressed him every day, whit her intelligence and her abilities. For him Mavis became like a beacon, a guiding light, so perfect and brilliant that he could not even see her shadows. Every Sunday Mavis disappeared. She said that she used her day off to study new strategies, but when she come back every Monday she always carried around a certain smell of black magic.

Natsu decided despite everything to trust Mavis exactly as she had asked him. He threw himself headlong into the missions entrusted to him, doing his best for the guild, until it came the fateful day when Blue Skull was finally defeated and Magnolia was liberated from its bondage.

- Let's toast to Mavis! - Announced Warrod raising his beer mug - A toast to our master who guided us to victory! - His friends did the same, filling the basement - office with the noise of clashing mugs and their cheerful voices.

- I must confess that I thought Mavis was completely crazy when she told us for the first time that she wanted to defeat Blue Skull. - Precht shook his head as he sipped his beer remembering that moment. Their last battle was very tough and all of them had the body covered in wounds and bandages.

- Everyone thought that Mavis was crazy! - Yuri chuckled, passing an arm around the girl in question to give her a squeeze. Although he was in a good mood the electrical magic-user was the one who had lived the worst moments during the final battle. A spell of the Blue Skull's master had turned him into a ferocious monster and he would have never return to normal if it were not for the help of Mavis.

- The Geoffrey's face when we sealed forever his powers was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen! - Zera finally exclaimed with a smile - I 'm sure that our parents would be proud of us! - She had tears in his eyes as she thought back to her family that the Blue Skull had killed. Warrod tried to comfort her, stroking her back and Mavis gave her a smile - I think so! Hey! Hear me, all! - Announced the master as she climbed on the table and lifted her mug - Today begins a new era for Magnolia! This city is finally free from Blue Skull's slavery. No one will ever be forced to work or to die for them and the people will again be free to use magic. Other guilds will arise, I'm sure, but this is not a bad thing. Fairy Tail will be like a lighthouse! - The girl whit her mug held up, looked almost like a beautiful statue dedicated to freedom - We will be their model and we'll inspire them for a better future. Because a guild is like a house, it's a second family, a place to socialize with friends and where to feel protected. Our adventure is just beginning. Does the fairies have tails? No one knows! But nothing prevents us from continuing our journey to discover the secrets of magic! -
It was in that precise moment that Natsu realized that he could no longer live without Mavis: he had already found his fairy. What hewas thinking was so obvious that even Zera understood it and let out a pained sigh. She knew that Mavis's heart belonged already to another, but she had promised her friend to stay silent and she could not reveal the truth.