Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
"WHAT! The old fart is coming back?" Mirya asks Mira. She had come early to the guild and was helping Mira prep for the day.
"Yep! It'll be nice to have him back." Mira proclaims.
"You bet! Wow, thinking back on it, he's missed a lot." Mirya says, thinking of all that happened during his three year absence.
"You can head out with the master and announce the news. The guild will be in a riot after hearing that." Mira tells her. Mirya walks out with the master and they wait for a lot of the guild to arrive. Mirya saw as Natsu, Gray, Erza, Happy, Wendy, Carla, Cana, Lucy, Gajeel, and others arrive.
"Brats! We have an announcement!" The master yells, catching the guild's attention. Him and Mirya were on the second floor, waiting for the guild to quiet down.
"Great. Now then, a comrade of ours will be returning." Master keeps it vague, trying to see who would figure it out first.
"GILDARTS!" Natsu yelled, spurring the rest of the guild to celebrate. It really came as no surprise to Mirya that Natsu would figure it out first, Gildarts had become their father figure when they joined the guild. Or maybe not father, he was too irresponsible.
Mirya jumped off the second floor and went up to talk with their team.
"Mirya, Gildarts is coming back!" Natsu yells, excited for his return.
"I know." Mirya says, trying to calm down the slayer.
"Who is this Gildarts?" Carla asks, unaware. Her question attracts the attention of Juvia, Wendy, Gajeel, and Lucy.
"Yeah, I've been in the guild for a couple of months and I don't know who he is." Lucy says, wondering about this figure that everybody was going excited over.
"He's Fairy Tail's strongest member." Erza says, shocking the newer members.
"But I thought Mirya was the strongest?" Lucy asks, the others nodded with her. They knew that the older bluenette held back a lot, due to property damage fees. The girl was a literal titaness in her powers.
"No, but you'd be able to give Gildarts a good run for his money." Erza says to Mirya, comparing the mages strengths.
"Well yeah, I've had three years to improve. And I'm throwing down with the geezer when he gets here." Mirya announces, making others smile while some people paled. They didn't like the idea of their two top mages duking it out in the guild hall.
"Where has he been? You guys mentioned that he was on a job." Wendy asks, remembering the one time Gildarts was mentioned around her.
"Yep, the geezer went on the hundred years quest." Mirya proclaims, semi jealous. She had clearance for decade quests and higher level jobs, but the one job she hadn't gotten permission for was the hundred years quest. The master thought she was too young.
"Hundred years quest?" Lucy asks.
"Yep! So you know S-Class quests, right?" Mirya says, explaining the concept to those that would listen, meaning the newer recruits.
"Yep." Lucy responds.
"Well you need clearance for those, meaning you have to be S-Class. Above an S-Class quest is an SS-Class quest. Then we have jobs like decade quests, like the name implies; they're jobs that are predicted to take ten years to complete." Mirya tells them, shocking them.
"But Gildarts took on an even higher job, a hundred years quest. A job that's expected to take a hundred years." She says to their amazement. "He left three years ago, I have a feeling he failed the quest." Mirya admits.
"What are you talking about?" Lucy asks.
"If this job takes a hundred years to complete, then even Gildarts would've needed more time to complete it. Something happened. But let's be glad that he's coming home." Mirya says. "From what I've heard, nobody's ever made it home from that job." Mirya says, shocking the others. "He'll be the first, good publicity for the guild. We have the only mage to make it back from that quest." Mirya gets up to go to the bar and get a drink.
"So he's a big deal around here?" Lucy asks.
"Oh yeah!" Natsu yells.
"Wonder what he's like?" Lucy asks. Getting up and heading home.
.
.
.
The next day, the guild was abuzz with excitement. Natsu was picking more fights and Mirya was fidgeting.
"Hey Erza, Gray?" Lucy asks, catching their attention.
"What's up?" Gray answers for them.
"Why are Natsu and Mirya so excited? Sure I get that Gildarts is coming back, but they seem really excited." Lucy observes.
"Well, Mirya and Natsu consider him like a father, or more like an uncle. He's been gone for three years, and they must see him as a role model. Also, you might want to head outside." Erza advises, making Lucy cautious. She, Wendy, and Carla go outside to see the city split in half.
"What's happening?!" Carla questions, her eyes wide.
They watch as a figure gets smaller and smaller. They were walking down the split path towards the guild. Lucy, Wendy, and Carla walk back into the guild, frazzled. The figure arrives at the guild, and he wasn't what Lucy expected from Fairy Tail's strongest. He looked battered and acted a lot like Natsu.
"Hello miss. Do you happen to know where the Fairy Tail guild is? It used to be in these parts." Gildarts asks Mira, not knowing that the guild had changed.
"This is it." Mira answers with her cheery smile. "Don't you remember me, I'm Mirajane." Mira asks.
"What?" Gildarts remembers the edgy teen from before and compares that image to the sweet woman before him. "No way, Mira? And this is the guild? Wow! Things sure have changed." Gildarts says, gawking at the current building.
"Hey Gildarts!" Natsu yells, he launches himself, fist blazing.
"Really kid?" Gildarts says as he punches Natsu through the roof of the guild.
"Ahh…" Lucy can only gawk as one of the strongest people she knew was sent flying with just one punch. Gildarts walked up to the master and began to talk. "Hey, the job didn't go so good." Gildarts laments. The whole guild went quiet in disbelief. "I'm sorry for bringing shame to the guild." Gildarts apologizes.
"Nonsense. You came home safe. If anything, you are the first to make it back alive, that is more than enough." The master said, pleased.
"I'm tired, I'm going to go rest. Mirya! Go get Natsu and come over, there's something I have to show you guys." Gildarts calls out to the bluenette.
"Okay!" She waves. She could properly welcome him back there. Gildarts leaves via destroying a wall.
"You could have gone through the front door!" The members yell, already getting used to Gildarts being back.
Gildarts was heading home while Mirya went to the river to grab Natsu. She walked and saw him floating in the river, stars in his eyes. She used her magic and moved Natsu towards her.
"Up you get. Come on, Gildarts wants to show us something." Mirya says, hoisting Natsu out of the river. She got Natsu to cooperate.
"Do you think he brought me back a flame?" Natsu asks, eagerly.
"No clue." Mirya says, curious as to why he asked for Natsu and her.
"Hey Gildarts." Mirya greets.
"Hey." He says in return, looking at both of the teens and seeing how they grew.
"What's up old man? Did you bring something back for me?" Natsu asks, getting to the point.
"That can come later. So how are you and little Lisanna doing?" Gildarts asks, smirking. He didn't know what happened two years prior. Mirya's face dropped and Natsu turned serious.
"Lisanna died. Two years ago." Natsu says. While he was fine for the most part, there would always be that pain.
"What? My condolences…" Gildarts looked shocked and hurt.
"If that's what you wanted to talk about, I'm leaving." Natsu says, turning around. He didn't get far, Mirya grabbed him.
"Natsu, you can't blame him. And I'm sure that's not why we're here, is it?" Mirya asks, wanting to move the subject along. She could catch Gildarts up on what he missed.
"You're right. While I was on the job I encountered a dragon." Gildarts said, to their shock.
"What…?" Mirya could only ask.
"Where? Does it know where Igneel is?" Natsu asks, wanting to know anything about his dragon's whereabouts.
"This wasn't your dragon. This thing was something different." He said, causing Mirya to stiffen.
"I'll find him myself, tell me where it was." Natsu demands.
"Natsu, look at me." Gildarts opens his cloak to show his body. He had stitches on his torso, his left arm was gone, and so was his left leg. They were replaced by wooden prosthetics. Mirya and Natsu can only look on in shock.
"Before I knew what happened, it tore off my arm and leg, then it gutted me. I'm lucky to be alive. That monster is the real reason I had to abandon the quest." Gildarts tells them.
"I am a dragon slayer, we were taught how to take down dragons." Natsu argues.
"There ain't a thing who could take down that beast." Gildarts says. He didn't say it to dissuade Natsu, but merely stating a fact. Natsu runs out of the shack and leaves.
"Do you think he'll go after the thing?" Gildarts asks Mirya.
"Yes and no. He wants to, but he'll realize that he doesn't know where the job is and he doesn't have the dragon's scent. He won't find him." Mirya says. She looks at Gildarts.
"How did the dragon look like? And where did you find it?" She needed to know if it was Aella or if it was another dragon.
"Big, black, blue markings. I saw it in the Sacred Mt. Zonia." Gildarts says, making her pale and stiffen.
"Why the hell is Acnologia hanging around Mt. Zonia? That's where Aella raised me… This better just be a cruel coincidence…"
Gildarts saw her grow rigid and asked, "Why, do you know that monster?" Mirya figured she would give him information that the master would know; plus he deserved to know a little, he almost lost his life to him.
"That monster is known as Acnologia, the dragon of the apocalypse." Mirya says, shocking him.
"What?" He asks.
"He is the real reason that dragonkind went virtually extinct. Aella told me about him. There are only a handful of beings that can challenge him, that doesn't guarantee they'll take him down." Mirya says, thinking of their dragons. She knew what the plan was, and knew that she would have to face the beast head on; it wasn't a pleasant thought.
"Did she tell you anything else about him?" Gildarts asked, curious to what else he could find out.
"That is all she told me, sorry." Mirya says, holding back. There was only so much she could say, due to the Life Oath.
"You've gotten strong. Think you can take it on?" Gildarts knew that she was close to his power levels, and her magic was meant to defeat beasts like that, she would have a much easier time then he would.
"No way. Dragons by the thousands fell by his hands. I stand no chance, alone at least." Mirya tells him. She knew that she wasn't enough, it was the reason she was sent with five others.
"Can I sit down? It's about time you were caught up on what has happened around here." Mirya says. She took a seat and began to converse with Gildarts.
"Well, you heard about Lisanna." Mirya says, trying to stop the pain she felt. While Lisanna was more Natsu's friend than hers, she still considered the girl family.
"How did it happen?" Gildarts asks, serious and solemn.
"She went on an S-Class quest with Mira and Elfman. Elfman lost control when he tried a full body takeover. She tried to reason with him, but it didn't go well." Mirya says, recounting what she had heard from Mira.
"I see. Keep going, tell me what's changed." Gildarts presses.
"Well, we continued on. Eventually Erza called me to ask for help. Me, her, Natsu, Gray, along with a new recruit, Lucy, went to take down Eisenwald." Mirya tells him. She starts to tell him of the adventures she and the team went on. Galuna Island, Phantom Lord, and the Oracion Seis is what she mainly covered.
"We've got some new recruits." Mirya announces.
"You've mentioned one of them already, Luigi right?" Gildarts asks.
"Nope! Her name is Lucy, she's a Celestial mage. Then we got Juvia Lockser from Phantom, she's a water mage. Gajeel Redfox, also from Phantom, he's the iron dragon slayer." Mirya tells him. The latter is what shocked him the most.
"We have another dragon slayer?" He asks. He figured that when they were strong enough, they could go after that monstrosity with wings.
"We actually have one more other than Gajeel, and another flying cat." Mirya tells him, further shocking him.
"What?!" He exclaims. "Things really have changed." He says.
"The other dragon slayer is a young girl named Wendy Marvell. The cat is her companion, Carla." Mirya tells him. "Wendy is the sky dragon slayer, and she's only twelve." Mirya says.
"Man, I need to see this for myself." Gildarts says. "You think you four can take Acnologia on?" He asks, wanting her opinion on it. She may be young, but she was just as skilled as him.
"At our current level? We'd die. In time, perhaps." She replies. "If I'm quite frank, I never want to see him again." Mirya admits.
"You've seen that thing before?" Gildarts asks in disbelief.
"Yeah… I was still with my mother at the time. You can consider me among the lucky, I've seen that thing and lived to tell the tale." Mirya says, growing stoic.
"Lucky is right. Why have you never said anything about it?" Gildarts asks, making her nervous.
"I never said a word because Natsu would try to find that thing. Since I know it's scent, it would take me a while, but I can find it. He'd find a way to make me help him, I don't want that fool dying an early death." Mirya tells him, telling him the truth. But she was holding a lot back.
"That's true." Gildarts says in realization. Mirya stands up and says, "Thanks for telling me this. I'll see you at the guild tomorrow." Mirya waves her goodbye and receives one in return.
"Hey… Let's continue this conversation tomorrow. I've still got questions." Gildarts says. Mirya swore a noose was tying around her neck.
"Sure." Mirya could only agree, lest she looked suspicious.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Gildarts says.
"See you." Mirya leaves and begins the walk back home. "I don't like this. This is the second sighting I've heard of Acnologia, all in the span of a month. None of this can be coincidence." Mirya thinks. She knew better than to write it off. "I need to get in contact with Grandine. She'll know what to do."
Mirya arrives home to see Natsu there. She knew that she was in for a long conversation.
"Hey, what's up?" Mirya asks.
"What do you think about the dragon? Do you think he knows where our dragons are?" He asks Mirya.
"I don't think so. He's different from our dragons. You saw what he did to Gildarts, can you honestly tell me that Igneel would do the same?" Mirya asks, trying to subtly discourage Natsu.
"No. Igneel liked humans. Would Aella do that?" Natsu asked. Mirya didn't talk about her dragon a lot. When she did, it was mostly to Natsu.
"Aella was always on the middle ground. She hated some humans, but loved others." Mirya tells him. "I don't think she would ever do that unprovoked."
"Are we going to take it down?" Natsu asks, unsure. Mirya's heart jumped at Natsu's words.
"Not now. There may come a time, but not now. We're not ready." Mirya tells him, saying the truth. Gajeel was the oldest of them all, at nineteen. Natsu was only a year older than her, Wendy was twelve, and the other two were twelve as well. They weren't ready.
"Let's get ready for dinner. I'm thinking of cooking up steak." Mirya says, successfully pulling Natsu out of his funk. She set about making their food while Natsu flitted about. They were joined by Piri and Happy.
It was when they had eaten and Piri and Happy were asleep, did Natsu ask one more question. "Do you think our dragons are dead?" Natsu whispered the question.
"No. They're still alive and we are going to find them." Mirya tells him. She didn't tell him that she knew where his dragon was. She wanted to, she really did. The only thing she wanted answered was if her dragon was dead. Mirya had the feeling that Aella was dead. She wanted to believe that she was out there, but hope was slim.
"Let's get to sleep." Mirya says, nodding at Natsu.
They settle down, sharing her bed like they always did. Mirya felt that the subject still pressed on Natsu, so she sat up and hugged him. She felt him latch on and he pressed his face in her stomach.
"It'll be okay. You'll find him." Mirya says, running her hands through his pink locks. She felt him shake and smelled his tears.
"I'm scared." He tells her. She completely understood.
"I get it. I'm the same way. I live for you guys and for the day that I can see Aella again." Mirya tells him. "It's okay to be scared. I think we're all like that." Mirya says, referring to Natsu, herself, Wendy, and Gajeel. She tried her best to comfort him, but she knew that the best course of action would be to get him to sleep. So she sang for him, just like she did when they were younger.
Oh, ah, yeah
I just started walking and ended up at the sea
I'm looking at the coast from here
There's endless sand and the rough wind
I'm still looking at a desert
I wanted to have the sea so I swallowed you up
But I'm even thirstier than before
Is what I know really the ocean?
Or a blue desert?
I don't know, I don't know
If I'm feeling the waves right now, yeah
I don't know, I don't know
If I'm being chased by the sand wind, yeah
I don't know, I don't know
Is this the sea or the desert?
Is this hope or despair?
Is this real or fake? shit
I know, I know, my hardship right now
I know, I know, I'll overcome
I know, I know, open me up
It's the place I can rely on
Think positive, I'm swallowing my dry spit
Even if I'm nervous, even if I'm in a desert
I'm in the beautiful Namib Desert
Where there is hope, there is always hardship
Where there is hope, there is always hardship
Where there is hope, there is always hardship
Where there is hope, there is always hardship
Where there is hope
You know, you know
You know, yeah yeah
Where there is hope
You know, you know
You know, yeah yeah
I thought this was the ocean but it's a desert
A medium-sized, ordinary idol was my second name Countless people get cut from broadcast
But someone's empty spot is our dream
They say some of these kids can't make it cuz their agency is too small
I know, I know, I know too
Times when the seven of us had to sleep in one room With foolish hope that tomorrow will be different before we fell asleep
We saw the mirage in the desert but we couldn't grasp it
Praying that we'll remain in this desert till the end Praying that this isn't truly our reality
In the end, we reached the mirage and it became our reality
The scary desert became the ocean with our blood, sweat and tears
But why is there this fear in between the happiness? Because we know too well that this place is really a desert
I don't wanna cry
I don't wanna rest
No, who cares if we rest a little?
No no no
I don't wanna lose
It's always a desert
I told you everything
Then I'll just be more depressed
Where there is hope, there is always hardship
Where there is hope, there is always hardship
Where there is hope
You know, you know
You know, yeah yeah
Where there is hope
You know, you know
You know, yeah yeah
Ocean, desert, the world
Everything, the same thing
Different name
I see ocean,
l see desert
I see the world
Everything's, the same thing
With a different name
It's life again
Where there is hope
You know you know you know yeah
Where there is hope
You know you know you know yeah
Where there is hope, there is always despair
Where there is hope, there is always despair
We need to be in despair, for all our hardships
We need to be in despair, for all our hardships
(Sea- BTS)
She relaxed when she realized that he fell asleep. She untangled herself from the blankets and got up. She walked out of the cottage and unfurled her wings. She flew into the night sky and headed towards Fairy Hills. She had to get as close to Wendy without anyone knowing. "Can't believe that I have to contact one of them. The first time was because of Igneel. But now I'm going out of my way to talk with one of them." Mirya shakes her head in disbelief. She lands outside of Wendy's room and decides that was the closest she could get.
"Grandine, can you hear me?" Mirya asks, nervous.
"Child? What is it?" Grandine asks, surprised. She knew that Mirya wouldn't communicate with her, she knew what was at stake.
"I need advice." Mirya says.
"Advice on what?" Grandine probes further.
"In the past month or so, I've heard of two sightings of Acnologia." Mirya reveals, shocking the sky dragon.
"My word. This does not bode well." Grandine says, worrying.
"That's what I thought. I didn't want to just write everything off, so I thought it would be best to get some advice." Mirya explains.
"That was a wise move. I can only offer you to remain vigilant. There is no reason yet. You have not been able to locate Zeref?" Grandine asks, wondering if she was able to locate the immortal.
"No, I have not seen him since I came out of the Spirit World." Mirya admits, frustrated.
"Well, the time will come. He will know when to remove the Oath. Until then, we must wait." Grandine says, placing faith in Zeref.
"Okay…" Mirya says, unsure. She has waited seven years, and it was beginning to get to her. She's been aware of this ever since she started training with Aella.
"I know it's not ideal, but it's all we can do at the moment. I must say, I am happy that you and my daughter have reunited. A shame that her memory is spotty, but she's here and healthy." Grandine says, feeling relief that Wendy found Mirya.
"I'm grateful for that as well. Know that I tried to gather all of the kids, but it's not easy since they've been able to find their place. It was a stroke of luck that I can keep an eye on three of them. The other two I check up on, here and there." Mirya tells her, informing her of the current position she was in.
"Yes, none of us expected to get separated. But what's done is done." Grandine says, in resignation.
"That is true. I've got to go before Natsu realizes that I'm gone. We also don't need Wendy waking up right now." Mirya says, warning Grandine of the consequences of her contacting her.
"You're right. Thank you and I'm sorry." Grandine was grateful for the child. She also felt sorry for what she and the other dragons put her through.
"It's alright. This is my job and I'll carry it out with pride." Mirya says, her heart feeling heavy.
"Goodbye child." Grandine says.
"See you later." Mirya says in return, flying back to her cottage.