Chapter 37
"Eh? We're going to Tenrou Island?" Wendy asked.
"What did the dragon say?" Gray asked.
Natsu rammed his forehead against Gray's. "It's Igneel, idiot!"
"But he's a dragon, so dragon works just fine, moron!"
Erza grabbed them both by their shirts and yanked them away from each other. "Cut it out you two."
Lucy sighed. "Honestly…. Crux-jiji told me that we should try to harness the magic on Tenrou Island. He said it might be able to help us."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure we all make it to Tenrou Island," Mavis said. "A friend of mine works as a trader at the harbor. I'm sure he can lend us a ship."
"Thank you very much, Master," Erza said, bowing politely.
"Please, you don't have to be so formal."
"Thanks, Mavis!" Natsu clasped his hands behind his head and grinned. "You sure are helpful."
"But Natsu-san, that means we'll be riding on a boat," Wendy said.
Natsu's face turned pale at the thought. "Can I take that back?! I don't wanna go to Tenrou Island by boat! Let's just swim!"
"I think that's impossible…" Lucy muttered.
Mavis giggled. "We'll leave in the morning. So everyone, please get a good night's rest tonight."
V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V*
Natsu lay on the deck, flat on his back. His stomach was churning as the ship bobbed up and down on the waves. It wasn't just because it was transportation that he was feeling sick. The rocking and movement of the ship was much worse than a carriage or a train. They had been on board for hours. After Mavis had borrowed the boat from her friend, they all set sail for Tenrou Island. Happy flopped onto Natsu's stomach.
"Natsuuuuu," Happy whined. "It's really hot."
"Happy…d-don't lay on my stomach." Natsu groaned. "I might—" He shot to his feet and rushed to the side of the deck. He leaned over the railing and hurled. "I feel so bad…."
Wendy sat with Charle at the little round table, her head resting on the tabletop. Lucy was sitting not far away, her arms hanging at her side and head leaning back. They were both wearing bathing suits, their bodies drenched in sweat.
"It's supposed to be winter! Why is it so hot?" Lucy grumbled. "I feel like I'm going to melt…."
"Aye." Happy stumbled toward her and flopped down on the floor.
"It was like this last time, wasn't it?" Wendy said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "I remember Cana-san saying something about what makes it stay this way."
"She said that the convection in this area keeps the weather like this year round," Charle said.
Erza stood tall, still wearing her full suit of armor. She stared out at the ocean, her arms crossed.
Lucy glanced over at her. "Erza, aren't you hot in that?"
"Not at all. It just takes concentration and you don't even notice it." She turned to Lucy and smiled. But when she turned, Lucy could see the sweat pouring down her face.
She sighed. "That's not convincing at all…you're sweating more than we are."
Mavis approached them, a smile on her face. "Everyone seems to be enjoying this oddly hot summer weather."
"I don't think 'enjoy' is the right word," Lucy muttered.
"Especially the boy over there." Mavis pointed to the other side of the deck. Lucy glanced over to see Gray sitting slouched in one of the deck chairs. It was characteristic of Gray to strip down to his boxers, but this time he wasn't wearing anything at all. He sat slouched with his legs spread wide, one arm draped over the back of the chair. Sweat was pouring down his body. Lucy's face turned a deep shade of red.
"Put some clothes on, you pervert!" she screamed.
"Hoooooot…" Gray moaned. "Can't move…."
Natsu looked up at the sound of Lucy's screaming. Seeing her in a bikini, her body glistening with sweat, his face turned bright red. A weird feeling rose up from the pit of his stomach, a tingling and warm feeling. He covered his face with his hand, embarrassed.
Mavis chuckled. "Since you said that this area is familiar, we must be getting close."
Lucy grabbed one of her silver keys from the key ring. "Open a door to the gate of the Compass Pedestal—Pyxis!"
A large, odd looking bird appeared. Its body shape resembled a penguin, but it could still fly. A large compass was on its head. "Piku!" The needle on the compass started spinning before finally stopping, the needle pointing southwest. With its wings, the bird pointed in the same direction. "Piku!"
"We should keep heading that way," Lucy said.
"Your celestial spirits sure are handy at times," Erza said with a grin.
"Thanks!"
"Except that dog thing," Gray muttered. "What was it called again?"
"Plue is not useless!" she shouted.
Mavis giggled. "It's good to see everyone so lively."
"Master," Erza said. "We'll be arriving soon."
"Oh? That quickly?"
Natsu perked up. A familiar scent wafted toward him, mixed with the salty sea air. He looked around anxiously.
"Natsu, what's worng?" Lucy asked.
The smell suddenly drew closer. He looked up, pointing at the sky. "Up there!" he shouted, a grin on his face. A shadow crossed over the sun momentarily before circling around the ship. Natsu could see the bat-like wings that were spread wide. "It's Igneel!"
Igneel flapped his wings to keep him steady above the water's surface. Gray, Erza, and Lucy jumped at his sudden appearance. Natsu wrapped his arms around the dragon's muzzle. But suddenly the nausea all came rushing back to him. Igneel grinned, chuckling at the sight of him.
"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the magic island for myself. Besides, you all might need my help." Igneel's lips curled back in a dragonish smile.
Mavis' eyes lit up. "Igneel, you're so wonderful!" She rushed toward him, her arms spread wide.
Narrowing his eyes, Igneel breathed a puff of fire. "I didn't come here for you, Mavis. I came for my little Natsu." He lifted his great head, hoisting Natsu, who's arms were still wrapped around his muzzle, off the deck. "This whole thing has got me curious."
Natsu crawled onto Igneels back, plopping down in the groove where his neck and shoulders met. "This is way better than riding on that stupid ship!"
Igneel chuckled. "Of course it is. Flying is the ideal means of travel."
Holding his hand out toward Lucy, Natsu grinned. "C'mon, Lucy! Let's go!"
"I-I'm not so sure, Natsu," she said nervously, glancing at the dragon's eyes. "I don't know if it's safe—"
He snatched her by the wrist and hoisted her up. She shrieked as he lifted her onto Igneel's back. Natsu pulled her on behind him. "Okay, Igneel! Let's go!" he shouted excitedly.
"Natsu, wai—"
Igneel took off with a powerful flap of his wings. Lucy screamed at the top of her voice, throwing her arms around Natu's waist. His stomach did flip-flops and he felt slightly lightheaded as she squeezed him tightly. He could feel her soft breasts pressed up against his back. The mere thought made his face feel hot. As Igneel took them higher, Natsu laughed with excitement. Igneel chuckled. He swooped in circles and dove down close to the water. Lucy shrieked with each unexpected move. Her grip tightened around Natsu's waist.
V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V*
She couldn't help but scream in terror when the dragon took off unexpectedly. She had never been too fond of heights. Squeezing Natsu with all her might, she held on for dear life. Lucy refused to let go of his waist. She could feel the Dragon Slayer's body shake with each laugh, and feel the reverberation as he shouted excitedly. She squeezed her eyes shut tight, to scared to watch. With every loop and dive, it felt like her stomach flew up to her chest, pushing her heart into her throat.
"Relax, Lucy!"
Opening her eyes, she peered up at him. His broad grin made her feel more secure. And were her eyes playing tricks on her or was his face slightly red?
"Don't worry, I'll protect you! You'll be fine," he said, his voice brimming with confidence. "So relax, okay?"
Lucy sat up a little straighter. Now that she was actually calming down, she marveled at the experience. The rushing wind made her skin feel cool as they soared through the unseasonably hot air. The ocean glistened in the sunlight, making the clear waters seem as if they were glass. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze blow her hair behind her. It was refreshing. Squeezing Natsu around the middle, she smiled. For some reason, being this close to him made her heart flutter. The two of them had grown quite close since she had first joined the guild. But this felt much more intimate.
Thinking back on the way Mira had teased her, saying that Natsu might like her, made her blush. She was reluctant to admit it, but she had come to like Natsu—a lot. But she knew he'd never be the type to settle down with girlfriends or dating—it wasn't in his nature. Lucy was content to sit beside him and continue their close friendship, with or without the promise of something more.
V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V*
Settling above the water, Igneel glided beside the ship. Natsu glanced up, his hair flapping in the wind. He could see the outline of the island. An enormous tree sprouted out of center of the island, its branches spreading above the whole island like a large umbrella. Compared to the size of the tree, the island looked small by comparison. One side of the island was rather rocky, while the whole land was covered in lush vegetation.
"We're finally here!" Natsu shouted
"Is that Tenrou Island?" Mavis asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Yes." Erza nodded. "That's Fairy Tail's sacred island. We've been here countless times for the S-Class wizard exams and—" She stopped suddenly.
Mavis smiled up at her. "What is it?"
"In the future, it's also the location of your grave, Master."
"I see." Mavis' eyes were sparkling with the growing excitement. "What a splendid place for me to be buried! I have great taste in location!"
"Master…." Erza couldn't find the words to respond.
Grinning, Mavis looked up at her. "I can't wait to see what the island has in store for us. Just what kind of magic is it harboring?"
Spreading his wings wide like a parachute, Igneel glided down toward the island and landed in a clearing not far from the beach. Natsu hopped down from the dragon's back and held his hand out for Lucy. Her body still trembling, she shakily took his hand and slid down. Shading his eyes with his hand, Natsu stared out at the ship off the coast of the island. A light shone from the deck and ice rapidly froze over the surface of the water, stretching like a road from the ship to shore. Charle flew toward them carrying Wendy, Happy flying along beside her. Gray, Mavis, and Erza slid along the ice road that Gray had made using his magic. Igneel looked up at the wide branches of the large tree above them.
"This island…" he said with a low growl. "I can feel great magical power coming from the land."
"Yeah." Natsu looked up at his father. "It felt this way back then too…I mean in the future when we came here and—" He ruffled his hair in frustration. "Gaah! This whole time jump thing is so confusing!"
Lucy giggled. "That's so like you, getting frustrated easily."
Natsu's face flushed a light shade of red. "Whatever…."
"Natsuuuu!" Happy called, soaring toward him. "You didn't have to go off so quickly!" He leaned close to Natsu's ear. "But you got some alone time with Lucy. Hee-hee!" he teased.
"Sh-shut up! It's none of your business!"
Igneel chuckled.
"So this is Tenrou Island." Mavis gazed up at the giant tree. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "This place has powerful magic running through the soil. It feels…warm."
"Because of the summer heat?" Wendy asked.
Mavis shook her head. "The magic itself is warm."
Light girlish laughter echoed from the forest beyond the beach. The voices were small, as if they were the voices of children.
Gray looked up. "Who's there?"
The laughter died away a bit.
"Come out, whoever you are! There's nothing to be afraid of!" he called.
"Say that after you put some pants on!" Lucy shouted, her face red.
"Alright, alright. Sheesh." Gray said, pulling on his pants.
Mavis strode over to the bushes at the edge of the forest. The girlish giggling ceased as she knelt down beside the lush foliage.
Happy snickered. "Lucy's yelling scared them away."
"It did not!"
"Hello there," Mavis said softly. "I'm sorry if we startled you."
"Who are you talking to?" Natsu arched an eyebrow.
Igneel chuckled. "So you can see them, Mavis?"
Tiny balls of light danced around Mavis. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and wonder as she watched the lights dart this way and that around her.
"They're so beautiful," Lucy whispered in awe. "What are they?"
Wendy stepped closer. "They look like tiny people."
"They're fairies," Igneel said with a grin.
"Fairies?!" they all cried in unison. The lights scattered into the bushes at the sudden noise.
"Are you serious?!" Natsu shouted.
Wendy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh my! To think I'd get to see real fairies!"
"I thought they were just stories like drag—" Lucy slapped her hand over her mouth. She had almost forgotten that Igneel was standing there. Not long ago, she had imagined dragons to be just fairytales the same as fairies.
Gray scratched his head. "This is ridiculous…we've never seen them here before."
"Well, Master did tell us that the stories say fairies used to live here," Erza muttered. "This must be before they disappeared from the island."
Mavis held her hand out toward the bush. "Don't be afraid," she said softly. "We won't hurt you." A small glowing girl emerged from the bush, staring up at Mavis. She was barely the size of Mavis' hand. "Would you mind if we used your island? There's something we need to do." The little fairy giggled, nodding vigorously.
"I can see why you would become the first master of a guild named Fairy Tail," Igneel said.
Gray chuckled. "It all makes sense now."
"But I wonder what it is we're supposed to do here that will help us?" Lucy wondered aloud.
"That reminds me!" Mavis turned to the fairy. "Pardon me for asking but…do you have a tail?"
Lucy slapped her hand to her face. "That's what you wanted to ask?!"
"I've always been curious!"
"That's our master for you." Gray sighed. "Always asking the 'deep' questions."
"We shouldn't waste time," Igneel growled. "We need to get moving."
"Where to?" Wendy asked.
Igneel looked skyward, toward the large branches the shaded the island. "Up there. Where the real magic is coming from."