Authors Note :
Hey Everyone. Sorry for the long absence. It has almost been 2 years at this point and I finished my university degree in the meantime, so I've kinda neglected my creative works. I'm very sorry for that, but I want to actually finish this story as I have most of it at least outlined in my head. So here is the next chapter! I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 2 : The visitor from another world
At sunrise the Dragneel family left their home to escort their visitor to the guild hall. The man had introduced himself as Albus Dumbledore, an old friend of Master Makarov. He had mentioned that he had business with the old master and needed to speak with him as fast as possible. When they approached their destination Natsu flung wide the gates that led into Fairy Tail's guild hall and announced their presence.
"Good morning everyone!", he called. "We brought a visitor for Gramps!"
At this a few heads turned towards them. Some members greeted them in kind, while others stuck to themselves. It was an uneventful morning in the Fairy Tail guild hall.
They were quickly approached by a cheerful Mirajane who greeted them and informed them that Master Makarov would be out soon.
"He is currently occupied with a discussion about council business along with his grandson.", she said with an apologetic look on her face. "I'll make sure he knows you're waiting for him."
With these words Mira retreated into the guild masters office. It didn't take long for the door to the guild master's office to open, revealing the silhouette of the old mage. Master Makarov's eyes scanned the room and once they fell upon his mysterious visitor they widened.
"Can it really be?", he asked no one in particular. "Albus?!"
"Makarov, my old friend!", Dumbledore replied. "It has been too long, but I'm afraid the niceties will have to wait. I'm here on urgent business. Is there anywhere we can speak in private?"
"Best I can do is the back yard. My grandson is still entangled in that awful council meeting so the office is out of the question.", Makarov mused. He then motioned to the back door of the hall and Dumbledore followed him out.
"So what is this urgent business you wanted to talk about my friend", Makarov asked while raising an eyebrow. His facial expression grew more and more worried as Dumbledore told his tale.
"If I were still the master of these brats I would have helped you in a heartbeat Albus.", Makarov began. "But I'm afraid this decision is no longer mine to make. You see, I gave up the title of guild master a couple years ago and named my grandson Laxus as my successor. He is doing his job really well and I think he is a splendid guild master to my children. Sadly this means my hands in this matter are almost completely tied and you will have to ask him. I will vouch for you, but that is all I can do. I'm sorry."
To say Laxus was more than a bit apprehensive about the stranger's story would have been an understatement. He had heard about parallel worlds like Edolas, but still he found it hard to believe that a traveler from another world was standing before his very eyes. Then there was also the matter of actually sending help there. Dumbledore had explained his grand scheme to disguise mages as transfer students and teachers to him. The only problem he saw were the implications of just that.
"This is going to be complicated.", he started his response. "As I'm sure you are aware by now, most of our mages are either adults or way too young to fit into your schools age range. Then there is also the length of the mission. How long was it again?"
"At least one year.", Dumbledore answered. "Depending on unforeseen circumstances the duration might increase. The dark lord has already almost returned from the dead twice, which was only thwarted by the young Harry Potter. Now his minions wreaked havoc among muggles and wizards alike during our Quidditch world cup. Innocent civilians are in danger and I fear they might try something during the Triwizard tournament, which my school hosts during this year. I would be glad for any help at all as I must concede that we may be outmatched and I'd rather err on the side of caution."
Laxus let out a deep sigh.
"I want to help you and I get the severity of your situation.", he said while scratching his head trying to think of a solution. "It's just the logistics of it. For starters the only mage that really fits your age requirements for a student would be Nashi Dragneel – I don't think I need to introduce you – and the girl is trained for sure, but has little to no actual combat experience outside of the odd short mission with her mother here and there as the Dragneel family only recently reunited. Then there is the matter of the mission duration. I don't want to send her off for a year or longer without her parents, let alone sending her into a possible war. I'm just as responsible for every member of the Fairy Tail guild as you are for your students, please understand."
"Why not have the whole family come then?", Dumbledore proposed. He then continued to seamlessly plan as he negotiated with the lightning dragon slayer. "I'm sure we could pass her parents off as teachers. We would need someone there as headmaster though and another student would be nice too, just to reduce suspicions. If an open war breaks out we would be free to bring more guild members over. The problem we have with that at the time is really just a matter of it being a war fought in secrecy as to not cause a worldwide panic. Also, if you're worried about time in general, I believe we have nothing to fear. Time in my world passes a bit quicker than in yours, meaning a year there is probably only going to be a couple of months over here."
Laxus thought about it for a moment, before talking once again.
"It makes sense, but I got a couple of conditions though and I won't budge on these.", he bluntly stated to the old wizard in front of him. "First, as you said before the whole Dragneel family gets to come on the mission as I don't want to separate them again. Second, since we're short at least one other student I'm going to ask for help from another guild, but the children get to decide if they want to take the mission. If one of them says they don't want to go we can't help you. Third, if an agreement is reached the whole guild is allowed to watch their champion participate in this tournament of yours.", he ended with a grin.
"I agree your terms Master Laxus.", Dumbledore answered. He clearly knew there was no moving Fairy Tail's master from his decision. He couldn't force him under any circumstance. "I understand your position and also believe the presence of more guild members during the trials is a positive thing, rather than a condition to be upheld. That just leaves the matters of the children and the one who will act as headmaster for your fictional school."
"There is not many people who could act as headmaster since most mages in this guild are prone to lose their head in their ambitions and thus they start fights occasionally. It will have to be either gramps or me, since everyone else would be way too young to be leading a wizarding school and even I would be bordering the believable age range.", Laxus mused, lost in thought.
"I think it should be you.", Makarov stated at this. "Just tell everyone who asks that you only recently got the post. The best lies are the ones with a speck of truth in them. I will rein in the other brats while you are gone. Besides, I know you're worried about Nashi."
At first Laxus wanted to protest, but when he looked at his grandfather smiling up at him he changed his mind.
"Then it is decided. I won't try to argue with you old man.", he said in defeat. He then took a communication lacrima out of one of the drawers of his desk. "Call the Dragneels in please, while I try to get Sting on the line."
When everyone was seated in Laxus' office and Sting had gotten Yuugo to attend the impromptu remote meeting Dumbledore explained the plan to them, while Laxus filled in his conditions to agree. Natsu and Lucy were surprised but assured their daughter that she would have to decide and that they would support her in every decision she came too. Yuugo had been given free reign on his decision by Sting as well since he was already taking missions quite regularly on his own and he was excited about the idea of visiting another world. Nashi pondered over the idea for a bit before giving her decision.
"To be honest...", she began and then stopped, as if looking for the right words. "I'm not sure. Part of me is as excited as Yuugo about the opportunity given to us and another part is unsure if I can handle it. What I am sure about though is that someone might need help... and I can't ignore that! So if this really depends on me coming with you... then I'm coming with you!"
"Hear, hear!", Natsu cheered. He was proud of his daughter.
"It seems we are in agreement Professor Dumbledore.", Laxus said. "We will stand with you and help you protect your students, whatever may come!"
Dumbledore thanked Laxus profusely. Then he told them all to assembly in front of the guild hall in two days, where he would provide a method of travel to his homeland. Yuugo would have to prepare for travel and depart immediately to make it to Magnolia in time so he scrambled as soon as the meeting was over. Laxus and Dumbledore stayed back to work out the fine details, while the Dragneels returned home to prepare for their journey.
After the allotted two days had passed, everyone had gathered in front of the Fairy Tail guild hall. Yuugo had made it there just this morning and was still kinda tired from his sudden journey to Magnolia. Nashi and her family stood beside him with Laxus and Makarov just opposite of them. Laxus was staring into the street while impatiently tapping his foot on the ground.
"Where is he?", he asked. Lucy answered. "He still has a couple of minutes Laxus. Don't get angry now."
As on queue they heard a cracking sound behind them. Dumbledore stood where moments ago was nothing.
"I see everyone made it in time.", the old wizard spoke. "Would you all please gather 'round. We will depart momentarily."
As everyone except for Makarov began to form a circle around Dumbledore. The old man said his goodbyes to his grandson.
"Good luck, Laxus! And try to keep them in check. You know how they can be."
"Thanks Gramps. Look after yourself, yeah? We'll see you at the first trial!"
Laxus then turned to Dumbledore who had produced a small leather bag from his pockets.
"Now I want you all to take firm grasp of this bag", Dumbledore started to explain. "It is a portkey that will take us to my world in a couple seconds. Whatever you do, do not let go of it."
Everyone extended a hand and grabbed onto the bag. They felt a sudden pull in their stomach, followed by the worst ten seconds of the dragon slayer's lives and then sudden contact with the cold hard floor.
"Ugh, god damnit! I'm never doing that again Ev-hurgh!"
"At least try to aim away Natsu! Laxus can you get off of us? I can't move!"
"Sorry blondie. I'm partly buried under the children!"
"At least we two landed kinda soft."
"Eep! Yuugo where are you touching?"
"Oh! Sorry pinkie!"
"You better start running bef-urgh... I get out from und-urgh... here, boy!"
"Haha, well you sure brought a lively lot with you, Professor!", a voice suddenly said from the side.
As soon as the pile of mages had unscrambled itself and Lucy and Nashi had saved Yuugo from an untimely death at the hands of Nashi's father, Dumbledore, who had been standing at the sidelines started talking.
"I see you've all more or less made it in one piece. Now let me introduce my associate and the gracious host of our secret order. This is Sirius Black. You are presently located in his family home at number 12 Grimmauld Place."
The mages looked the other man up and down. He had medium length, clean black hair along with a well trimmed beard. His clothes looked just a bit worn, but were otherwise pretty casual.
"Welcome, welcome.", Sirius began to speak. "You may feel at home here. At least until the school term starts. Dumbledore already told me everything about the plan. We are thankful for your help. Now I believe introductions are in order."
Okay I believe this is the best place to end this chapter. As always feel free to leave a review if you like. Tell me what you liked and how you like the story this far. I'll try to post a couple more chapters this year, but I sadly can't really make promises as my life is currently changing very fast.