A/N: Hi there! In case we've never met before, I'm Lumi, your new internet friend. It's a pleasure to have you here. And in case you're new here, I have three other stories in this…Sort of series. I guess you could call that. I've taken different fairytales and made them…Well…with a Fairy Tail twist. Why? Because why not? I've done them with Natsu and Lucy, with Gray and Juvia, and with Erza and Jellal so far. So, if you want something to hold you over until next week, any of those would do. So, I'm going to shut up and let you jump into this one, yeah? Sound good? I think so. xx
Mornings in the beautiful guild town of Magnolia. Nothing could ever compare. This was what home felt like. The warm sunshine on my face, the gentle breeze on my skin, and everything is going my way. I could feel it. For now, though, I needed to get to my guild hall before all the good jobs are taken. Just a few more blocks and I'd stand at the front door of the best guild in all of Fiore. Although, I might be just a little biased about that.
The Fairy Tail guild hall was one of my most favorite places in the world. Even though it was in a constant state of chaos. I still found it peaceful. It's nice to thrive in the chaos once in a while. It makes me appreciate the quiet a little more. Ah, yes. Home sweet home. Not only did I need to find a job for my team and me, but I also needed to see a friend of mine. She had something for me and I couldn't wait to see it.
Before I could see her, though, I found our beloved guild master, searching high and low for…Something. With Master Makarov, it can be hard to tell, "Good morning, Master Makarov!"
"Good morning, Levy," Master greeted me, carefully studying under the front counter.
"You look like you lost something," I pointed out, "Is everything ok?"
"I feel like I lost something," he agreed, "But the problem is I don't know what I lost. I got the feeling, but I don't know what it would possibly be."
"Hate when that happens," I left him to continue his search for the might be missing, might not be missing thing he's looking for.
"Where are you running off to so excited this morning?" Master asked.
"I mostly stopped by the guild hall to check in," I admitted, "You haven't seen Lucy yet today, have you? She's supposed to be giving me a new chapter of her book today to edit and proofread for her."
"Lucky you." He never was much for newer literature. And I wasn't going to judge, "Sorry, Levy. Can't say I have. Follow the crashes. I'm sure you'll find her."
"Really?" I thought it over, "Lucy doesn't ever destroy the guild hall. That's usually a Natsu and Gray thing."
"And where you'll find Natsu," Master explained, "You'll likely find Lucy nearby."
"Good call," I approved, "Good luck finding your thing!"
"It was probably stolen and sold for seed money," he grumbled to himself, "Mira!"
"Yes, Master Makarov?" Mirajane's voice carried so sweetly, "What is it?"
"Remind me to get a hold of…him later," Master seethed inside, "Swear to all things holy, if that idiot got more penguins again, I'm killing him."
I worried about the company Master kept, but that was his business. Regardless of whoever him may be, I went off on a search of my own. If I were Lucy, where would I be? It was early enough in the day. Maybe she was still at home. No. If I knew Lucy like I think I do, she's here looking for a job for her, Natsu, and Happy. Their own adventure. In a way, I envied her. Whenever I find a job, it's usually translation work. Most of the time, I can do that sitting in the guild hall. Maybe a little adventure would do me some good.
Fleeting thoughts aside, I finally found Lucy standing at the request board, looking it over for a way to kill time with Natsu and Happy today. Depending on the job, maybe the next couple days. They didn't always stick with the most local jobs. Without any thought, I felt Happy climb onto my shoulder, "Morning, Levy."
"Good morning, Happy," I had a soft spot in my heart for him. No one could blame me. He's adorable. I gave Happy a little scratch under his chin in that one spot I knew he loved.
"Hi, Levy!" Lucy chimed, just as excited to see me as I was to see her.
"Good morning, Lucy," I could hardly contain myself, "So…? Do you have a new one for me?"
"A new what?" she wondered, playing dumb.
"Come on, Lucy," I begged, "It's been a whole week. You have to have a new chapter by now. Please?"
"Oh…" Lucy's face fell, "Sorry, Levy. We've been in and out of jobs so much in the past week. I haven't had the time to write a new chapter."
"No worries," I let it go. Granted, I'm super bummed that I didn't have any new reading material, but I guess that would teach me to not speed through it, "I understand. Just let me know when the next one is done and we'll call it even, K?"
"Ok," she smiled again, "Hey, you're missing something, don't you think?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, "I think that was Master Makarov missing something, not me."
"You seem to be short a couple," Lucy pointed out, "Don't you, Jet, and Droy all come in together?"
She had a point. I hadn't seen Jet or Droy all morning. Usually, we come into the guild hall as a team, but my boys were missing. Maybe it wasn't Master Makarov who couldn't figure out what he lost but me, "Yeah. That's weird. Hey, Mira?"
"Yes, Levy?" Mirajane chirped, "What is it?"
"Have you seen either Jet or Droy this morning?" I asked, "Or at least heard anything about them?"
"Not yet," she shook her head, "Sorry."
"It's fine," I hoped. It's not like Jet and Droy to get lost. I should check the board anyway. Maybe I could still find a job for us when they come in. Unfortunately, it was slim pickings on the board this morning. That sucks. My boys are missing, I can't find work, and Lucy didn't come through on a new chapter. I'm sure they didn't go far. It's Jet and Droy. I trust them to get themselves out of any possibly sticky situation they managed to get themselves into. Lucy's been in and out of the guild hall like a revolving door, so I can't blame her for taking care of the day job first (and mostly Natsu, if we're being honest). As far as work goes, I'm sure something will come our way soon enough. At least I hope so.
But until I hear about the rest of Shadow Gear, I'm a one-woman army. And if I said I didn't have the first few chapters of Lucy's book on me, I'd be lying. I'll give her this. Lucy can write a compelling story. It's all about this princess locked in a tall tower by an evil wizard (She portrayed him perfectly, too. Just enough to make the reader hate him, but not enough to give the rest of wizards a bad name.). Right now, I'm up to the part about the princess meeting the dragon sent to guard her tower. The princess had tried breaking out so many times that the wizard needed around the clock security on her and what better to keep an eye on her than a dragon? The more I think about it, the more I could pinpoint where she was deriving it from. I just hope the dragon saves the princess in the end. Something tells me he does.
I'd love to live an adventure like that. Minus the dark wizard part. I don't think I'd be able to handle the dark wizard in her story. Instead of living vicariously through the princess, I'd love to be able to experience the world outside the guild hall. Don't get me wrong. I love my guild. I love my team. I love living in Magnolia. But…The occasional break in the monotony would be nice, too. Maybe our next job should be out of town. If we can find something…But first, I need to know where my boys are. Hours have gone by and I haven't seen either one.
"Hello, Levy," a shadow loomed over me. I recognized the silhouette. A lot flashier than most of the members of Fairy Tail and a lot pointier. It could only be one particular S-class wizard. We only had three. It wasn't Erza. It certainly wasn't Mystogan.
"Hi, Laxus," I got up from my seat and gathered my things. However, he blocked my path, "Do you mind? I have other places to be today."
"Why don't you stick around for a little while longer?" Laxus put an arm around me, "Chat with me…"
"No, thank you," I pried his arm off my shoulders, "I really need to be going."
"Come on," he made up the distance between us, "I feel like we never get to see each other anymore. Either you're working on something, I'm working on something. I just got back from a pretty big quest."
"That's all well and good," I kept inching away from him. Laxus has had eyes for me for weeks. At first, it was kind of flattering, but now, it's just desperate and creepy, "But I haven't seen Jet or Droy all day and I need to know where they ran off to."
"But…"
"No means no, Laxus!" Natsu snapped, coming to my rescue. Looks like I was the princess.
"Back off, Natsu," Laxus swatted him away, "We're in the middle of something."
"You're about to be in the middle of the foundation," Natsu growled, itching for a fight, "Leave her alone."
"Until later then," Laxus shot me a wink, sending chills down my spine. And not good ones. As Natsu so kindly asked, Laxus left me alone to, no doubt, go pout to Freed in the corner.
"Thank you, Natsu," I smiled, knowing it was Lucy who I needed to thank. I can guarantee she saw Laxus and sent Natsu for me.
"No problem!" Natsu threw an arm around me. Only this time, I didn't feel horribly uncomfortable like I did with Laxus. I knew this was a pure gesture. And if he were to ever stray from his actual girlfriend, Lucy would beat him senseless and I'd be out my best friend.
I wasn't lying to Laxus to get him to leave me alone. Jet and Droy were missing and I needed to go find them. Where could they possibly be? I know they both didn't get sick at the same time. They had immune systems of monsters. The thought of them getting lost was more probable than that. But still…I worried about them. I asked all over Magnolia, wondering if someone may have seen them or what direction they were headed in. Yet…I came up short. They wouldn't have done something silly like go completely AWOL on me, would they? No…Jet and Droy wouldn't do that to me. They know better. If they were leaving the guild, Master Makarov would've told me.
The sun was starting to go down and I had yet to find either one of them. I've passed worried by now and have gone into full blown panic. They weren't at home. No one in town has seen them. Where could they have possibly gone? Don't start thinking the worst, Levy. Don't start thinking the worst. Wherever they are, Jet and Droy are fine. And likely together, so strength in numbers. I'll take it.
"Levy!" a familiar voice called out to me.
"Lucy," I tried to calm her down. She seemed exhausted, "What is it? What's going on?"
"We found Jet and Droy," Lucy caught her breath, "They're in the hospital."
"What?" my heart sunk. No. Levy, don't think the worst, "Are they ok?"
"They're in pretty rough shape," she took my hand, dragging me behind her, "But they'll probably pull through."
What did you two get yourselves into? They'll be ok, but I needed to see them. Lucy and I sprinted to Magnolia General a few blocks down, my stomach in knots. By the time we got there, I was fully prepared to throw up, but I didn't care. I just needed to see Jet and Droy. I needed to know they were in one piece. When we got to their room, I didn't want to believe what I was seeing. There's no doubt. Those two were definitely banged up. Chances are, they both had broken bones, cuts, bruises. The gambit of severe, yet non-fatal injuries. They weren't alone, though. Natsu, Erza, and Gray were scattered throughout the room.
"Levy…" Erza took my hand, "I know this may be hard for you right now, but we need you for something. No one knows symbols and sigils like you do."
"Hold on," I shook her off and sat between the other two-thirds of my team, "What happened?"
"Levy…" Jet sat up a little.
"No, no, no," I pushed him back down, "You need to get the rest. Both of you.
"We'll be alright, Levy," Droy assured me, "Just a little sore."
"A little sore?" I squeaked, "You look a little more than sore."
"But we'll be alright," Jet promised, "A couple weeks off our feet and we'll be ready to go again."
"Just worry about getting better," I let out a heavy sigh of relief, "I'm just glad to see you two again."
"Levy…" Erza stepped in again, showing me a piece of paper with something drawn on it, "Do you know what this is?"
"Yeah," I nodded, "It's a guild sigil."
"It's for the Phantom Lord guild," Master Makarov joined us, "What were you two doing, poking around there?"
"We were curious, Master," Jet winced in pain, "There was something going on up there and we wanted to get a closer look."
"You two could've gotten yourselves killed!" Master snapped, "I understand how tempting that curiosity can be, but you shouldn't have gone up there alone. Even worse, you shouldn't have worried your only other teammate. If something even more severe would've happened, she would've been left here all alone. Don't you two ever do that again."
"Yes, Master…"
"Yes, Master…"
It's nice when Master Makarov gets angry for me, so I don't have to, "Both of you, rest up. You, too, Levy."
"Me?" I wondered, "Why me?"
"Because," Master took Erza's drawing and threw it away, "This was a declaration of war. We'll have to be careful about our strategy. Natsu…"
"What?" Natsu squeaked, "Why am I getting thrown under the bus like that?"
"Because," Master shot him an angry glare, "It'd be just like you to go running to the Phantom Lord guild on your own to claim vengeance. I want you at the guild hall. It's the safest place."
"Fine," Natsu caved, knowing better than to get on Master Makarov's bad side. He's seen it a time too many.
"You guys get some rest," I held Jet and Droy's hands, "And don't scare me like that again."
"We're sorry, Levy," Jet apologized.
"Never again," Droy promised.
"We're a team," I smiled, trying to keep my spirits up, "Let's keep it that way."
As much as I wanted to break down and cry right then and there, I couldn't do it. I had to stay strong for my team. It's not like Jet and Droy have never seen me cry before. There have been days where they'd watch me while I was reading. I didn't understand the entertainment factor of it, but apparently, they loved watching my facial expressions while I read. But this time seemed different. I needed to keep my strength up. Maybe Master Makarov was right. Maybe I should get some rest, too. I have been running all over town trying to find Jet and Droy. The rest was needed. Sorely needed.
When I got back to the guild hall, I started heading upstairs for a bed to sleep in. Just a nap should do it. However, much like before, I ended up being stopped by none other than (yet again) Laxus. Dealing with him earlier was plenty for me. Dealing with him now when I'm exhausted and upset was not in me. I just wanted to lay down for a while. Was that too much to ask for?
"What do you want, Laxus?" I asked, fighting to keep my eyes open, "It's been a long day and I just want to go to bed."
"I heard about Jet and Droy," Laxus blocked the stairs, "How unfortunate."
"Yeah," I nodded, sitting down before my legs gave out, "I've been running around town all afternoon trying to find them. They're in the hospital right now."
"Because they were too weak to storm Phantom Lord on their own," he scoffed.
"Excuse me?" my exhaustion and sadness quickly turned to fiery anger.
"You know, Levy," Laxus took my hand, "You really should ditch those two. You're so much better than they are. You deserve to be running around with the best. We should definitely work together."
"They're your guildmates, too, Laxus!" I shoved him off me, "They had the bravery to look around Phantom Lord and you're calling them weak? It's a shame that you're so threatened by them. Maybe you might want to look at yourself before EVER calling Jet and Droy weak. The three of us are a team. I don't think you'd know what that felt like if it slapped you across the face!"
Believe me. I wanted to be the one to show him what that slap felt like. But I didn't. I just walked away like a rational human being. Unbelievable. Where did Laxus think he could get off talking about Jet and Droy like that? And to me, of all people! Then, he has the audacity to say we should work together? No! I'd sooner work with a stray trail of ants than Laxus. I can't believe him…I wanted to scream at him even more, but it'd be more strain on my vocal cords than what he's worth.
Although, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I realized there was no way I'd be going to sleep any time soon. I was too fired up. Was this what Natsu was always talking about when he said he had a fire in his belly? I always thought that was a literal thing. But I'm starting to understand. Because I got that same fire in my belly. Maybe Natsu wasn't the one Master Makarov had to worry about going up to Phantom Lord on his own. Once the guild hall had gone quiet, I slipped out the front door. I'm not taking this lying down. In the end, I should be thanking Laxus for what he said. We'll see how this goes.
Phantom Lord hurt my guild's pride. Phantom Lord hurt my team. They were the ones who made it personal. They were the ones who declared war on us. I needed to see if they had a weakness. There's no if about it. I know they do. Somewhere, they have to have a weakness. Everything does. They just happened to find mine before I could find theirs. Please. Jet…Droy…Forgive me, but you guys are too banged up to do much of anything these days. Don't you worry. I will come back. I can promise you that much. And it might be with Phantom Lord's head on a spike. Because I was beyond fired up. I was downright mad. And Phantom Lord was about to see what happens when I get mad.