Chapter 52: Day Two: Who are You?
"Welcome to the Second Day of the Grand Magic Games!" Chapati's voice brings a thunderous roar from the crowd. "Our guest on this second day is renowned reporter for the Sorcerer Weekly, Jason!" My eyebrow twitches at the name and the reporter's voice.
Everyone but Natsu makes it to our balcony to watch the competition of the lacrimas screens around arena. Natsu and Gajeel refused to be talked out of this game. "Okay, the competition part has already begun! And its name is…Chariot! This competition takes place on top of a line vehicles, where the idea is to reach the goal without falling off!" I sweat drop, since the two first generation dragon slayers are participating with their motion sickness. "As the vehicles are always moving, just one moment of carelessness could lead to a misstep!" There is a long line of wheeled carts that make a race path for the competitors. "The vehicles will wind their way around the sightseeing spots of Crocus, but which team will arrive here at Domus Flau?!"
I do notice that Sting is also participating. I smirk. At least he won't be winning either since he's a dragon slayer.
"Why would Natsu volunteer for this game?!" Gray looks at the screens.
Lucy turns to me. "You'd think he'd be able to tell what kind of event it was from the name, 'Chariot!"
I sigh and cross my arms. "He is stubborn. He said he would participate today, and this is the only way to guarantee it."
The race had started not too long ago and all three dragon slayers are in the last three places. I feel bad for Natsu, because he is sick, but I couldn't feel a little satisfaction since he left marks last night. I had been mortified and threatened no sex till the end of the games. The pinkette had whined. I would have done more, but the marks were gone this morning after a good night's rest. I chuckle to myself at the misery of the three slayers, especially Sting.
"Alright, let's check in with the leaders of the pack!" Chapati's voice brings me from my thoughts. "It's a fierce dead heat at the front! In the lead is Blacksnake of Raven Tail with Desert Rose's Amili in a close second. Ichiya of Blue Pegasus is on their heels, followed by Yuuka of Lamia Scale. Iwa of Animalia is in fifth with Risley of Mermaid Heel behind him!" I huff at the other person racing. It's the man that flirted with me at the bar last night. "Some distance behind them is Bacchus from the reserve squad of Quatro Cerberus!"
Things start to get headed as those at the front of the pack start to use their magic. Bacchus destroys the cart he is on and those in front of him with a stomp of his foot. "He's more powerful than he was seven years ago…" Erza sounds surprised and impressed beside me in her normal clothing. After beating Natsu a bit when I came out of the restroom, Lucy had told me what happened with Cana and Erza. I blink as he is suddenly in front and taking first place.
"In second place, Blacknake of Raven Tail with a close third of Amili from Desert Rose! Animalia's Iwa takes fourth after a quick recovery! In fifth, Risley! In fourth, Yuuka! In fifth, Ichiya!" The screens pull up the three struggling dragon slayers. "All that's left are these three, battling it out at the bottom ranks!"
Natsu and Gajeel continue to crawl their way forward while Sting stays at the back unmoving. He is telling them that he will give them this round. I growl in my throat. "Would you answer me one thing?" Sting looks at the other two's backs. "Why did you decide to participate in the tournament? I wouldn't believe you were the same Fairy Tail from back in the day. Are you worried about the strength of your guild? About your public image? The Fairy Tail I know…They were more…They did everything at their own pace…They didn't give a damn about what people thought of them." I am shocked by the admiration in his voice about how we were seven years ago.
"For…their friends…" Natsu grunts through gritted teeth. "Seven years…All that time…they were waitin' for us…No matter how painful it was…No matter how sad…Even if people made fun of 'em…" Tears build in my eyes. I can see that it is happening to every spectator. "…they held on…They held on…They protected the guild…for their friends…And now we're gonna show everyone…the froop that Fairy Tail's been walking on all this time! So keep on goin'!" I wipe my tears as Natsu makes it across the finish line.
"Goal!" Chapati cheers. Natsu collapses. "Natsu of Fairy Tail A, 2 points for being in sixth place!" Gajeel crosses as well. "Gajeel of Fairy Tail B, 1 point for seventh place!" I smile as the crowd finally starts to cheer us on instead of laugh. "And Sabertooth's Sting gets 0 points for dropping out!" They show the current rankings.
1st Raven Tail 27P
2nd Animalia 26P
3rd Lamia Scale 21P
4th Sabertooth 20P
5th Blue Pegasus 18P
6th Desert Rose 15P
7th Cuatro Cerberus 12P
8th Mermaid Heel 9P
9th Fairy Tail B 2P
10th Fairy Tail A 2P
I rush down and help Natsu to the infirmary. I place a kiss on his forehead before turning to Porlyusica. "Is Natsu okay?"
"There's nothing to worry about with him." The old woman only turns her head. She is on the other side of Wendy's bed. "He just has motion sickness."
I look over the blue haired child. I press a hand over her forehead. "What about Wendy?" Carla is sitting on a stool beside the bed.
"She's recovered a lot." She doesn't turn.
"Feeling better, Carla?" I smile at the white cat. She nods in agreement. "I'm glad!" I start to the exit. "I should go back. They should be announcing the first battle round." I flick up my hood, now that I am leaving the safety of our team's infirmary. I quickly make my way to the balcony just in time for the announcement.
"Okay, on to the much-anticipated battle part! In the first match is Blacksnake of Raven Tail, a new guild that's currently the front runner, versus Lamia Scale's Toby Horhorta!" I turn my back to the battle to lean against the ledge and turn my head to watch. "It's a confrontation between snake and dog! Which will win?!"
I see Lucy glance over at the Raven Tail balcony, so I tilt my head and see Flare covered in bruises. My eyes narrow. Did they beat her? My hatred of the guild grows even more, especially when the leader of their team grabs her. My attention is brought back to the battle when the gong is heard. I tilt my when Blacksnake uses Max's sand magic. "Mimic Magic?"
It's a quick but interesting match that end with Blacksnake winning. "He's strong…" I cross my arms.
"Yeah. And I don't think he was really trying hard." Gray slides his hands into his pockets.
"Even without the dirty tricks, they've got strong people on their team." Lucy's voice is tense.
They had made a bet that the loser tells a secret. Toby says he can't find one sock…which is on his necklace. Blacksnake shows him which is a surprise with it being a nice gesture. I sweat drop when Erza wipes tears at the moment. I do growl when the Raven Tail wizard rips the sock to shreds. Gray holds back an enraged Erza.
"Okay, let's get back on track with today's second match! From Desert Rose, Dark Bloom!" I tense when the cloaked figure walks into the stadium. "Versus the Dark Fairy from Fairy Tail Team A!" My eyes widen under my cloak when I am called. I am quick to make my way to the field. "The two cloaked figures! This is sure to be an exciting match! Let the second match…Begin!" The gong is struck.
I keep my eyes sharp as we start to circle each other. The person lunges at me with a raised fist. I dodge and block the following punches and kicks with ease. The figure revealed is definitely a woman. She is slightly shorter than I am and curvy, but she is not as well-endowed as myself. I send a kick to her stomach which sends her skidding backwards with a grunt.
She flings a hand in my direction. "Shadoutēru!" My eyes widen at the shadow whip coming at me. That's my magic! I dodge to the side. Does she mimic like Blacksnake?
"Oh! And that's shadow magic from Dark Bloom! How will the Dark Fairy counter?!"
I jump into the air as she strikes out with the whip again. I dive at her as swipe my hand. "Shadō tsume!" A claw of shadow comes down on her, so she rolls out of the way.
"Both use shadow magic! How will this turn out?!"
There is a tenseness to her after my attack. Is she surprised by my magic? Is she not mimicking? She lunges at me again with a flurry of kicks and hits. "Yamārashi!" She jumps back before the word is even out of my mouth, and the spikes of darkness shoot up from the ground. It's like she knew what the attack was. Who are you?!
I follow her this time. I reach my arm behind my back and pull out my Scarlet Shadow from its hiding spot. I swing it at my opponent, and she jumps out of the way.
"Cool!" The reporter's voice echoes, annoyingly. "The Dark Fairy pulls out a co~ol looking halberd from her cloak!"
I go on the offense with my weapon. Dark Bloom is able to dodge most of my attack. When she jumps into the air to dodge a low sweep, I thrusts a hand up towards her. "Burēdo Mure!" My cloud of throwing weapons fly at her.
"Reequip and Shadow Magic! Just who is the Dark Fairy!?"
There is a shout of pain as she is hit and falls to the ground. She is slow to stand. Her cloak is torn but still covers her head. Not giving her a chance to recover, I lunge at her and swing my halberd at her neck once she stands. She drops to a crouch, and the blade of my ax slices the hood of her cloak.
It all happens in slow motion. A few strands of black hair fall as they were cut by my blade. Long black hair is tied up by a green ribbon. I freeze in my after swing stance with wide eyes. The Dark Bloom slowly lifts her head showing pale skin a small nose and pale pink lips. Her eyes drift open revealing cat-like gold orbs glaring at me.
I drop my Scarlet Shadow. "Naiyo?" My voice is barely a whisper. Her eyes narrow and show confusion. I reach my hand up and tear my hood off my head, letting it fall back. Naiyo's eyes widen in shock. She stands up slowly in disbelief. We step towards each other, looking over each other after so long. She has grown into a beautiful twenty-one year old woman.
"M-Mayen?" Her pale hand touches my face.
"What is this? The two women are revealed, and it seems they know each other! Will they be able to fight?"
I am brought back to the present by the announcer's voice. My shock of finding my sister is pushed back. My guild is depending on me to win for us. I can't let my feelings get in the way. She seems to have the same thought. I smirk. "Let's see how much you have grown, little one." She smirks, and we both jump away from each other.
"O~h! It seems they still plan to fight! But what's with the smiles on their faces!"
Naiyo hold her fingers to her lips. "Scream of Shadows!" A burst of shadows comes from her mouth.
"A breath attack! Could Dark Bloom be a dragon slayer!" I don't move as the attack comes at me. Not strong enough. "Is the Dark Fairy going to let herself be hit!" The attack hits me dead on, but I am not effected by the element. The shadows swirl around me, and I take a deep breath, eating it all. "What is this?! Dark Fairy ate the attack! Are they both slayer?!"
"Co~ol!"
I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. "Delicious, but let me show you a real…Scream of Shadows!" I send my own much more powerful attack at her. She does what I had done and ate the magic. We had given each other a power boost for our battle.
We smile and lunge at each other. We exchange a barrage of attacks faster than most of the audience can see. "They are so fast! They are nothing but a blur to my eyes!"
A round house kick to my temple sends me flying through the air. I call upon my magic to slip through my shadow and come out her shadow and kick her in the back. She twists in the air and skids back on her feet. "Show me your magic, Naiyo! Show me how you've grown, little one!"
Her gold eyes glow with excitement. She throws her arms out. "Shadow Imitation: Wolf Pack!" Three large wolves jump out of her shadow much like when I would shape the shadows when she was a child.
"Three wolves have appeared in the arena! This fight is heating up!"
I throw my arms in the same stance. "You have far to go, little one. Shadow Imitation: Wolf Pack!" I summon six shadow wolves, though I can summon more. I move my hands in her direction. "Devour, my pets!" Three of the creatures attack hers while the others attack Naiyo directly. She jumps out of the way of their attacks. I am swelled with pride when she is quick to dispose of my pets with Yamārashi. I disperse the others once they take care of the ones she had summoned. I can see she is confused on what to do next. "I know I taught you better than this, little one."
"What is this?! Teacher versus student!"
I pick up my Scarlet Shadow. "Raise a weapon, Naiyo. We still have time." She bites her lip. She must have picked that up from me. I have a feeling of nostalgia. She reequips two short blades into her hands. I tense my legs and lunge forward like a spring. I bring my halberd down which she block with her swords in a cross.
I flip backwards when she pushes me back. I use the staff of my weapon to block one of her blade while twisting or flipping out of the way of her other. Sparks fly whenever our blades cross. I can feel my blood pumping from excitement and happiness. I flip backwards after one attack and throw my hand at her. "Burēdo Mure: Gyakusatsu!" A cloud of dust is kicked up around where she had been.
She is missing when it clears. My eyes dart around the arena, but I don't see her. I send out a pulse of magic and smirk. I bend forward just as a fist passes over me where my head had been. I place my hand on the ground and twist around, kicking her in the side to send her flying. "Kage no sōryō!" I can see her eyes widen at the name. She hits the ground but sinks into her shadow under my control. I spin to face my shadow and punch out my fist as hard as possible into her stomach when she rises up out of my shadow. Her eyes widen as she coughs. Naiyo goes limp in my hold.
"The winner is Dark Fairy from Fairy Tail A!" There is loud roar from the crowd as they cheer for me and my guild. I smile down at Naiyo and pet her hair. I throw her arm over my shoulder and start towards her team's infirmary. "And it seems out of good sportsmanship, Dark Fairy is helping Dark Bloom!"
As soon as I step off the field, Naiyo's team is upon me in the tunnel. "Let go of her!" Mika snaps. Renji goes to take her from me, but I growl low in my throat.
"Stop." Naiyo's voice is soft as she comes back to consciousness. They stop moving.
I look down at her in concern. "I'm sorry I was so rough."
She smiles. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She looks at her confused team. "Guys, this is who I've been looking for, for the last fourteen years." Their eyes widen and jaws drop.
"Let's get you to the infirmary, so you can sleep off those wounds." I shake my head when she tries to talk. "We will talk once I know you are okay and in bed." She snaps her mouth shut and nods. The others follow us to the room.
I sit on a stool next to a bandaged Naiyo with her team standing on the other side. I take her hand in mine. Tears come to her eyes. "Momma, I missed you so much! Why did you leave?!"
My eyes widen, and I jolt. "Momma? No, Naiyo, I'm you're older sister. I didn't mean to leave. Animalia caught me fourteen years ago, and I've been looking for you since."
She looks confused. "You are my momma. Why do you say you're not?"
"I can't be your mother Naiyo. Look at you, you're 21 and so am I. There is no logical way for me to be your mother." I try to reason with the crying girl.
"What happened to you?! You are my momma!" She gets up on her knees and grabs my face.
I take her hands in mine. "Animalia put a seal on me that made me lose magic, and I lost my memories of everything before the seal." I speak to her as if she is a child again. She falls back to sit on her heels. "I never forgot you, though, little one. I could never forget my little sister." She looks down at her lap. My heart breaks at the sight. In my peripheral vision, I can see the concern of her team. I feel a little better that she has good comrades. I place a hand on her knee. "I am getting my memories back. The seal is broken."
She takes my hand in hers. Naiyo looks up at me. Her voice is soft. "You are my mother." I go to correct her, but she shakes her head to stop me. I close my mouth. "You taught me my magic, momma. Do you know why you can eat shadows, or that I can?" This time I shake my head. My eyes widen as I watch tribal tattoos form on her arm before my eyes. They travel up the length of her arm and cover the side of her face. Her beautiful gold eyes to green to match mine. "Momma, I'm the Shadow Devil Slayer. You are the Shadow Devil Cat that took me in and taught me."
Time stops. I am pretty sure my heart stopped, because I am sure my breathing did. I stare at her with wide eyes. I-I am a Devil? H-How? I grab my head and howl in pain. The concerned cry of Naiyo is muffled as I fall into the darkness.
I gasp sitting up. I feel the biting cold of the blizzard. I remember this. I turn my head to see my child self trudging through the deep snow. This time I stand up and walk towards her. I make out what I had missed before. The black belt I had seen before is black tail curled around her waist for warmth. I gasp when she collapses in the snow. I raise and arm to cover my eyes when the snow is kicked up by the sound of wings and a loud roar. It becomes a white out then black.
This time the scenery is a cave near a volcano. I can feel the heat, but the darkness of the cave keeps me cool. I see the same child, but she is a few years older. She has two black cat ears twitching on her head and her tail flicking behind her as she hides on top of a ledge. A redheaded teenage male walks into the room with a scowl on his face. She leaps at him. "Aniki!" She is able to take him by surprise and tackle him to the ground with an 'oomph'. She giggles on top of the teenager. "Iggy! I did it! I changed!"
He smirks at the child on his lap. "Prove it, cat." She huffs, blowing out her cheeks at the name. She scampers off his lap and stands in the middle of the cavern. Magic swirls around her, and she starts to change. Similar to takeover magic, the girl is gone and an enormous cat is in her place. It…she…I…The cat is made out of shadows that move like flames with a dark green tint. The tail lashes out in excitement, and large green eyes are filled with happiness.
The human form of Igneel stands up and crosses his arms. "I guess you did, Mayen."
The memory fades away. This time I find myself the thick forest from before. I am not in human form, but the devil cat from before except much, much larger. I am walking through my territory. A deep sorrow in my chest. He's gone. He really isn't coming back. My paw swipes out and takes out several trees. Why did Igneel kill him?! I let out a mournful roar.
A small cry makes the ears on my head twitch. My curiosity is my weakness. I walk silently in that direction. The crying gets louder. It sounds like a child. I come to a clearing and see a naked baby lying in a bed of leaves. I sniff the air, but the only other scent of humans is very old. My eyes narrow as I step to the child. Why would the leave you? I lower my head and sniff at the baby. I can tell it is a girl. She stops crying as soon as my muzzle gets close. Gold eyes open, and she giggles, reaching up with her small hands.
My heart melts at the innocent child. I nuzzle her with my nose, making her giggle. I shrink down into my human form which is wearing a long black dress. I reach down and pick up the poor, orphaned child. She giggles and smiles up at me, reaching for me. I hold up my hand, letting her grip a slightly clawed finger. "My parents abandoned me as a child, too." I nuzzle the small patch of black fuzz on her head. "I always wanted a daughter." My eyes saddened. "My mate and I wanted a child, but I guess that won't happen, huh, little one." I start walking to my home. "You're my daughter now. I'll teach you how to be strong, so no one can hurt you again." I gaze at the beautiful child. "I'll name you, Naiyo…Naiyo Nightingale."
My eyes snap open, and I gasp, jolting up into a sitting position. My eyes search around frantically, and I find that I am back in the present in the Desert Rose infirmary. I hold my head as I scoot to the side of the bed. I turn towards Naiyo's bed and see her looking at me with concern and question eyes.
I give her an assuring smile. "I guess you're right, little one, but what am I to do now? I'm a part of Fairy Tail. I found you." I touch my mating mark. "I'm mated to Natsu." My eyes widen as I panic. "What if he finds out and doesn't want to be with me anymore?!" I hold my head in my hands. "I couldn't handle that."
I so deep into my rambling that I don't notice Naiyo moving in front of me. She takes my hands which makes me look up at her. "Momma, calm down. You found me, and we won't lose each other again. We know where each other is, now. You're mated. That means he loves you right?" I nod slowly. "Then he will still love you, momma. I don't think you need to change anything. You're happy, right?"
I grip her hands. "I'm am happy. I have friends, a mate, and I finally have you again."
Her smile melts my heart like it had when she was a baby. "Then keep everything the same. I think you have to get use to your real self, before you tell anyone else. Am I right?"
I sigh and smile slightly. I look up at her. "Since when did you grow up and be so wise?"
Naiyo laughs. "I got from you, momma."
My eyes move to her hair. She watches as I take out her ribbon, letting her black locks fall around her shoulders. Curiosity flickers through her eyes. I chuckle. Looks like that wore off on her, too. I, then, take the ribbon from my hair as well. "I made a promise that I would give this back when I came back to you." I run my fingers through her hair. Instead of putting them in the childish pigtails I use to, I put them in low ones by her neck. "There." I smile once they are both in.
Tears come to both of our eyes. We embrace each other and cry, finally letting our emotions come out from finding each other. After a few minutes, we pull away and hold each other's faces. I wipe her tears with my thumbs and smile through the tears. "I love you, little one. I am so glad you are safe. You have to tell me everything that has happened since I've seen you, and I will tell you what I remember."
I spend the next half hour listening to everything Naiyo had to go through. She had waited for days for me to come back, but when I didn't she went out searching. She had stumbled across Desert Rose, and they had helped her train and look for me. She didn't make friends for the first few years, because she was so focused on finding me. Eventually, she gave up. She slipped into the life of the guild and searched for me less and less, but she never stopped. Then seven years ago, her team had joined the guild. Naiyo said they had hit it off right away and became close friends. Desert Rose became her home.
By the end of her story, she is curled up in my lap while I hold her. I tell her how I got to Fairy Tail and all of the adventures my team faced. I told her about how I had help from Levy to figure out my seal, everything I know about Animalia, and what happened on Tenroujima. I fall into a dreamy state when I talk about Natsu and our relationship.
Her giggle makes me blush and look at her. "Momma's in love. Wait…that means he's my dad doesn't it?"
I blink at her and start laughing which she is quick to join in. It feels so good to be reconnecting with my child. I may still be in some shock about my true identity, but with my daughter at my side and my friends in Fairy Tail I know I will be just fine. "I don't know if you should tell him that. He might not be ready for a child as free as you."
We fall into a peaceful silence. Naiyo is the one to break is. "We should get back to the games. Our guilds are still competing against each other."
I chuckle and nod. "You are right, but that doesn't make us enemies. I won't go easy on you or your friends, though."
She hugs me. "I won't either, momma." I hold her close.
We separate reluctantly and make our ways to our separate balconies. I come my team and see Wendy standing with them. Down in the arena Mirajane is fighting the announcer girl from yesterday, Jenny Rearlight. I sweat drop at the pinup battle. Natsu spins around as soon as I step out. "Mayen!" He rushes over and spins me around. "I saw your fight. You were amazing. Who was that?"
I laugh at his cheerfulness. I look at him and the others once he puts me down. "That's Naiyo." They go silent with wide eyes and slack jaws.
Natsu grips my shoulders and looks at me with serious eyes. "You found her?" I nod with a smile. He grins wide and kisses me. "You found her!"
The others are happy as well. "But she's on a rival team." Gray points out.
I laugh. "Well, with Wendy back, I guess I am back on reserve, but I told her we wouldn't go easy and she said the same. I've been with her since the battle, catching up."
"I'm fired up!" Natsu shouts.
I turn to Wendy. "How are you feeling?" I am quickly filled in on what I missed. Men had broken into our infirmary while Natsu was out, and kidnapped Wendy, Carla, and Porlyusica. Natsu had saved them, but they realized that the wizards were actually after Lucy and hired by Raven Tail. My fists clench with a growl. "Raven Tail…"
A ruckus on the field brings our attention back. My eyes widen at the number of girls jumping into the field to join the battle. My brow twitches when the first master shows up and says we have to compete. "W-What?"
