"Thank you , thank you!" the woman who had greeted them earlier came running out of her house. Bowing up and down, she rambled '"how can I repay you, thank you , thank you. Now we can start to rebuild our home"
"Ma'am. You can calm down I promise. We were just doing our job. They shouldn't be coming back" Lucy came up and put a relaxing hand on her back letting her rise slowly back up receiving a gracious smile in return.
"She's right miss lady. Natsu and Lucy kicked their butts" Happy cheered flying onto Lucy's shoulder. "Sorry to interrupt ladies but if ma'am, if you would be so kind as to give us the reward, we can be on our way and leave you guys to enjoy your peace". They didn't say it but the gang always appreciated Erza's polite but direct way of asking and getting things done.
"Yes yes. Come right this way" the lady said quickening her pace into a building while the others waited outside. Within minutes, they saw Erza coming back out and before anyone could say anything, she held her hands out making everyone's eyes light up with joy. They jumped up and grabbed their share of the reward money and shoving it in their bags.
"Yay!. We got money for food, we got money for food!" Lucy sang out dancing in place. Catching the same attitude, they couldn't help but smile at her. "Forever the optimistic one..Im thankful. That's saved Fairy Tail more then I can count" Erza thought to herself. Gathering around, Natsu took hold of Lucy's hand and entangled his hand into it. "Let's go Happy!" "Aye!" Swinging their hands, they each put an arm around Erza and Gray and they all happily walked back to the train station.
"Ahh, home. No place better than Magnolia" declared Natsu as they came up upon the guild. "Hey, least you didn't try to puke on the ride home this time" Gray said putting his hand to his mouth to keep from laughing.
"Oh shut it freezer pop" "MOMMY!, DADDY!" "Music to my ears" Lucy held her arms out as the fiery mini dragon slayer came dashing out the door and nearly knocked Lucy to the ground running into her arms. "Hi my precious baby girl" she cooed giving her kisses all over her face. Nashi enjoyed every second of it letting out a squeal of joy when she saw Natsu and Happy squatting down next to Lucy. "Daddy!, Happy!"
"Hey baby dragon" his voice was full of nothing but complete happiness and love. Love for his child and love for his family. No matter how times they had seen it over the years, Erza and Gray never tired of watching their best friends be happy and hug their child.
They felt bad for the guild at times for they missed some of the best moments' of Natsu, Lucy and Nashi but they both agreed that they felt blessed for being able to see them.
Feeling their legs start to go numb, Natsu and Lucy released from their group hug with Nashi and stood up. Motioning with her hand, Mira- Jane waved them in. "Judging from those smiles, I would say the job went off without a problem right?" "Oh yeah!" Natsu boasted.
"Got our bad guy and got our reward!. Day was successful!" They all sat at a table as Mira handed each of them a drink. "Thanks Mira"" they all said in unison clinking their mugs together. While the guild exploded in conversation and good spirit, Makarov walked over to where team Natsu was sitting. "Master" "No, no, I'm not going to interrupt. I just wanted see if it was a success but I don't think I need too anymore" "Yes, .the mission was completed and no casualties." " I'm glad Erza. Did you guys find out how they were able to attack and destroy so many villages?"
"I can answer that gramps. They all used lightning attacks. When they formed lightning together as one, a bunch of lightning came down from the sky. Having that much in one place, it's lucky that more destruction wasn't caused" Lucy explained. " My children are all home in one piece. That's all I'm thankful for tonight" he said softly then with a massive grin yelled " let's get this night started!" Raising their mugs, everyone cheered in joy and laughter.
The stars were bright in the black sky when the guild decided to call it a night. Natsu and Lucy picked up the passed out Nashi and Happy carrying them in their arms.
"Night guys" They waved to their teammates and the guild and walked out. Slowly they walked home. "Always a fun night" "Oh yeah" Lucy said a little too enthusiastic. Choking back a laugh, Natsu whispered " you gotta tone it down a bit their Luce" "I know, I know..oops" "It's alright" he assured her. "I love our guild Natsu" "Me too baby, me too" Approaching their house, they noticed a package sitting outside their house. "Natsu, are we expecting anything?"
"Not..as far as I know..that's weird" "What is it?" Getting lower to the ground, he stuck his nose out. " This smells off? "So , our packages are supposed to have a good smell to them?" she questioned as he rolled his eyes not missing the sarcasm. "No Lucy..ugh, I mean our packages don't have a smell , that's why I never notice or question it but this one has a unique smell, never smelled anything like this… which makes me question why does it have our name on it" giving it a suspicious look, he stood back up.
"Let's get these two back to bed, then we'll come back for this" Following behind him, Natsu laid Nashi down in her bed and covered her up. "Goodnight my baby dragon" Giving her a kiss on her forehead, they tiptoed out the door.
"Go ahead in Lucy, I'll grab the package." Carrying Happy, she walked and just as she was about to lay down, he groggily opened his eyes. "Lucy?" "Shh, hey Happy. You fell asleep" "Wow, hey, where's Natsu?" he asked turning his head back and forth. "Right here buddy. Hope we didn't wake you" he answered. "What do you have there?" "We don't know yet, it was on the doorstep when we got home" answered Lucy.
She sat on the bed as Happy sat in her lap. "Let's see what's in this then" with a tear, Natsu ripped the top away and shook it out revealing a lacrama. "A lacrama?" they all said in curiosity and confusion. Natsu turned it all over his hand. "Who the hell sent us a lacrama?" he asked when a bright light flashed in the lacrama blinding them.
In trying to shield his eyes, he dropped it. "Natsu!" they waited for the shatter. "Where's the shatter? They opened their eyes and looked in surprise to see the lacrama floating there. "Lacrama's aren't supposed to do that" "No…they aren't" "I'm going to grab it" "Be careful Natsu! The thing just blinded us a second ago" "Don't worry Lucy. I got this, what's the worst that could happen" he said confident but before he could touch it, a projection shot out of it. Filling the room, visions of Magnolia burning, the guild in ashes flashed before their eyes. Shaking, Happy grabbed hold of Lucy's shirt leaning into her.
"Lll..Lucy..what..what is this.?..I can feel that fire" Unable to give an answer, frozen she sat there glancing over Natsu out of the corner of her eyes. "What the fuck is this!. It feels like our whole house is on fire! . Sweat poured down their faces as visions of their guildmates dead and scattered around the guild appeared.
Wiping it off his face , he turned and saw the fear on Lucy and Happy. "Guys" He turned to go and comfort them when a single word appeared. LEAVE then nothing. The visions stopped and the heat disappeared. They watched as the last of the letters faded away and before they could think about it, the lacrama fell to the floor and smashed.
"Lucy?. Happy?. You alright? " the words slowly came out and to their ears. Snapping out of her frozen state, she stood up throwing Happy off her lap. "Nashi!" she exclaimed rushing to her room. "Lucy" he yelled as quietly as he could following her to the other side of the house. Her hands began to tremble, fumbling for the door.
"Why won't my hands work!" Before she could yell out, softly Natsu put a hand over hers. Connecting with his eyes, she felt her hand stop shaking. "I got this baby" Shaking her head, she let go as Natsu ever so slightly opened the door a crack and peeked inside. Smiling, he saw her still fast asleep. "thank goodness" Sticking his head back out, he softly closed it back up.
"Come on Lucy" taking her hand, he led them back into the room where Happy had gotten back on the bed still in disbelief with what just happened. "Natsu, what was that?" "I don't know Happy but I know we aren't going anywhere. We don't even know who sent it, It could have been anyone who hates us. With how much Lucy and I have done for the last few years, . it's no surprise"
"Right, we have Fairy Tail and we have our team. Nobody will be able to touch us." "Aye"" Exactly!...so what do you say we try to get some sleep?" "Sounds good" Happy and Lucy both answered. Getting undressed, Natsu and Lucy climbed into their beds and Happy climbed into his hammock . "Ready for sleep?"
"Oh yeah!" Wrapping in each other's arms, they laid there ready to go to sleep. "Shit..why can't I sleep" "how the hell did they make a lacrama feel like our house and town was on fire? "Who was it that sent that note?, is Fairy Tail really read to go face this enemy?.. Whoever this is, they want us to leave" Thoughts ran through their heads all night laying there with their eyes wide open. Happy was sound asleep undisturbed by anything.
Laying there, they stayed in place until their room was filled with light. Refreshed, Happy's eyes flitted open letting out a long yawn and stretching out. "Did you guys get ...AHH!?" he squeaked out of complete fright. Complete bags under their eyes, they glared at Happy.
"Shut it cat" croaked Lucy as she got out of bed. "Did you guys not get any sleep at all?" "No Happy..too many things going through our heads" "Natsu…do you wanna tell the guild what happened?" Grabbing his vest, he zipped it as he turned to Lucy and Happy. "No. I think it's best we keep this to ourselves. Who knows, it could be nothing and just some idiot trying to get us to leave Magnolia. Until something happens, I don't think we should worry about it"
Contemplating, Lucy and Happy looked at each other thinking the same thing "He's right" Making up their minds, they smiled and looked towards Natsu and gave him a nod. "Alright, come on, let's get Nashi up and get on down to the guild" Getting a burst of energy, he threw on his sandals and ran towards Nashi's room.
"Wake up little dragon!" he yelled opening the door as Nashi jumped at him. Caught off guard, he barely caught her before they hit the floor. "Whoah Iggy, haha, your getting too big for that sweetheart but nice job on the jump" Lifting her off him, Natsu stood up and rubbed her head. "morning daddy"
"Morning Iggy" "What are we doing?" "Going to the guild so go ahead and get dressed"
"Yay!.okay, be there in a minute" "Alright sweetheart, see you out here" he said lightly amused headed out the door.
"Daddy?. You think Asca will be there?" she asked causing him to pause. "I don't know Iggy, but more then likely, so go on get dressed" he encouraged.
Wide awake, she ran from Natsu and zoomed across her room grabbing clothes.
"You are so cute" "What's with that smile on your face? Lucy asked putting her shoes on as Happy put on his backpack. "Ha, that would be because of our little firecracker in her bedroom. She's zooming around to get dressed. She's adorable"
Happy and Lucy chuckled. "That's our little Dragneel" A second later, she was right next to them fully dressed. "Well. You look ready to go"
"Yep, come on, let's go!" Without waiting a second longer, Nashi grabbed Happy's paw taking him with her against his protests. "LUUUCCCYYY, NATSUUUUUUU" he screamed being bounced back and forth getting dirt in his face unbeknownst to Nashi who ran down the road happy as can be. Shaking their heads at him, they walked at ease behind them. "I'm so glad she's so carefree..and that she didn't have to endure anything of last night." "Yeah, same here" "Natsu, what are we going to do if whoever that was comes back?" she asked concern all over her face.
"That lacrama made our house feel like it was on fire..How many wizards do you know that can do that around here?" She crossed her arms waiting for an answer but before he could say anything, they had arrived at the guild.
Sighing, she went to go in when Natsu grabbed her hand. Turning to him, she saw the nervousness behind his eyes but quickly blinked it away so nobody else would see it. Understanding, she squeezed his hand and led them into the guild. Spotting Happy, he drag crawled over to them and laid on Natsu's foot.
"You alright there buddy?" "Your turn guysss" he slurred Looking up, they saw Nashi was having fun with Asca and running around with her.
Seeing him so exhausted, Lucy and Natsu put a hand over their mouths to keep their laughter down but it didn't do much good when the whole guild laughed. "Come on Happy" Natsu said sweetly picking him and carrying him.
"Over here guys" hearing the familiar voices of their comrades, they walked over. " Woah, hey you guys okay?. You don't look great" " Gee, thanks" "Hey, I was being serious man. You have a bad night sleeping?" "Yes" they answered immediate surprising Erza and Gray. "Didn't expect you guys to answer so strongly. Did something happen after you left last night?" Erza stared at them hard, sensing their hesitation.
"Natsu, Lucy?" Remaining quiet and out of direct sight, Happy's chest clenched. "Are they going to tell them what happened?...least Gray and Erza would understand. They would never say anything..they are family.
Keeping positive thoughts in his mind, he held his breath until he heard Natsu. " we are good Erza. Nashi was just up late and for the life of her just wouldn't lay down. Luce here, eventually had to pin her down to sleep" he explained in a very calm and believable voice. "I see, well that's a relief but sorry you guys had to do that, especially you Lucy"
"Oh don't worry about it Erza. Being a mom, this happens..but I wouldn't trade it for anything." She said with a glowing warm smile looking at Nashi. " That package said Dragneels..meaning all three of us..I don't care who this group or person is, no one is taking my family from me…ever again" her face started to get twisted slightly and before anyone could take notice, Happy squeezed her leg with her claws getting her attention.
"Yipe!" she squeaked rising out of her seat some. "You alright Lucy?"
"I'm good Gray. Don't worry. Just felt something on my foot, that's all" she assured waving her hand at him. Peeking under the table, she winked at Happy thanking him as he returned it. Scratching his head, she brought her attention back to the others. "Nice job Happy. It was a for a second but I saw that anger..and I can guess what it was about. Thank you buddy" "So you guys want to go for a job?" "Sure, let's go" said Natsu. "Already have one for us. It's nothing huge but reward is big enough for us"
"No sweat. What's the job Erza?" asked Natsu. " It's here in Magnolia, a nobleman want's help taking care of his backyard" "WHAT?" the other three yelled. "His yard!, hasn't he heard of gardening?!" "We're wizards!, not housekeepers?" "Erza, you said this was a nobleman right?...that makes sense then"
Immediately, the guys's stopped raging and turned to Lucy. "What are you talking about Lucy?" "Natsu, don't forget, I was born into a noble family. Most nobleman that I knew of didn't do their own yards." "Very informative Lucy, thank you. Alright, are you two idiots ready to go or this job too above you two?" "No ma'am!" they replied wanting to take away the nasty glare that she was giving them. "Let's go guys" she commanded.
Following behind her, they waved to everyone and Natsu and Lucy blew a kiss to Nashi who waved frantically at them smiling a fang showing smile. Since it was in Magnolia, they didn't have to take a train and the carriage was only a few minutes with Erza driving it and almost throwing off with her sharp turns.
Natsu kissed the ground outside the house once they got there. " Natsu, get up. We're here" Lucy said urgently. "Aye Natsu, you look like a dog sniffing the ground like that and you know these rich folks. Do you want to come across like that?" "Oh shush it Happy" he sniped as they walked to the front door. Opening the door was young maid who kindly greeted them.
"You must be from Fairy Tail. Come right this way" she said leading the way. Following behind, they walked by numerous large paintings of woods, landscapes, people.
"Your master has a beautiful taste in landscape miss" Erza complimented. "Yes, he likes to go traveling. The landscapes and woods you see are places he's been. The people in those other paintings are of his family."
"Makes me wonder just how big this guys lawn is" Gray thought out loud. "Here we are, I hope you guys are able to complete it. I know it would be a great help to my lord. He's having trouble finding people. "I wonder why he-" Natsu started to ask but stopped when they saw the view of the backyard.
Erza's Natsu's and Gray's jaws dropped in awe and shock. "Lu..Lucy…you, you aren't ssshocked?!" "I told you Natsu, nobleman's houses have large yards" she said with a giggle. "Jeeze, this reminds me of your old home Lucy…and that your whole freaking backyard was the size of a town!"
"For sure, this has me questioning just how "small" his reward is going to be" Erza questioned snapping out of her shock. "Does 3000 jewel sound good?" said a casual rich with class but sincere. An older gentleman walked up to them ; the sun shined down on them making them back up a step but the surprise did not escape their thoughts.
"3000?" "Yes everyone, as you guys can see..my yard is quite huge..sadly I can't find any workers to do it. "For 3000, I will cut whatever you want!" Gray said eager. "Yes!" "In that case, thank you very much. Come with me so that I may show you what to do" Listening and following direction, he explained to them in explicit and fine detail what needed to be done and soon afterwards, they got to work. ( Fuyuujima no Tami Fairy Tail soundtrack Vol.3) Using their magic, they got it done in no time and were waiting patiently at his back patio glass door. Coming to them, he gave each of them a bag.
"This feels heavy" Natsu opened the bag and nearly dropped it. "Tthhatsss a smmmall reward?" he asked stumbling for words ."Lu..Lucy.." "I .know Natsu…I know" "Jewels for all of you. All together makes 3000 jewels. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Fairy Tail. My backyard has never looked so clean and trimmed up." "You are very welcome sir. We wish the best of luck in finding help" Erza expressed taking a bow.
Agreeing, they all followed suit and bowed gracefully at the noblemen. (end song) "Shall we be on our way then?" she asked them once they got outside. "Yes"
"Natsu, let me see, let me see. Did you guys really get that many jewels!?" Opening the bag, Happy peeked inside and nearly fainted. "I can't believe that you two got this much!" "I know Happy. This will help us a lot" excited Lucy. "Come on you three slowpokes. Ya done day dreaming yet?" Gray teased.
Realizing they had fallen behind, Lucy , Natsu with Happy ran up to the waiting carriage where Erza and Gray were waiting. Shaking his head, Gray said "just get in here" then laughed as he held the door open. Clinging to the seats for dear life, it wasn't long before they were back in front of the guild. Jumping out, Natsu and the other two started to walk for their house. "You guys aren't coming in for Nashi?" "We'll be right back, Going to drop this money off at the house"
"I hear ya. Alright, see ya in a few. We'll watch out for the munchkin." "Thanks Gray" Natsu said with a nod and walked off. "This is going to really help us I think, least for a couple weeks" "Ha, that could feed us fish for weeks!" "Aye!" "You two are sadly mistaken if you think…" Lucy grew dead silent , as did the other two for on their front step was Romeo.
Unconscious with a few scrapes and bruises with a note stabbed into the ground next to him. Rushing over to him, Lucy got down to the ground and picked Romeo up off the ground and set his head on her lap while Happy looked him over. "Doesn't look too bad..minus a few scrapes and bruises. Thankfully"
"Who would do this?" Lucy asked as she looked over Romeo's face. Growling, Natsu snatched up the note and Lucy watched his face drop. "Natsu…what is?" Lucy asked scared. Wordless, he turned the note over and let Lucy read.
"Dragneels, we warned you to leave. You did not heed our warning. We are giving you one day to leave or what you saw will come true. We will burn down your entire town and everything, everyone in it to exterminate you. This is just the beginning"
Finishing it off, They saw a dragon symbol at the bottom. "A dragon symbol?" "Lucy, what does this mean?" Happy asked as his tail started shaking. "I wish I knew Happy" she relented as they looked up at Natsu. "What do we do Natsu?" she asked. Her eyes were filled with fear. Happy's entire body was shaking. "The only thing we can do" They didn't want him to finish that sentence for they knew what the rest of it was going to be as tears started to form in their eyes. Grimly he said " we need to leave Magnolia"
Poor Romeo.. I hope you guys like it so far.