Thanks for the reviews so far. For arcadea333, Lucy was 11 when the Clan was attacked. I'll be sure to explain what Lucy has been doing the last 7 years soon. She's made no progress, mainly due to a combination of the fact no one she's met knows any useful information, and she has had to prioritize surviving on her own. And of course for the plot, but I know that isn't a real reason.
The Wizard License Exam: A test that rewards a citizen a License if passed. The License grants the wizard many privileges, one of which is joining a guild. It still requires an application or an offer from the guild to join, though. If an Applicant fails the exam three times, then they are no longer allowed to take it, which also means they will never be able to get a Wizard License. These exams take place all throughout Ishgar, but Fiore has the highest number by far.
Lucy sat alone on a cedar bench, flipping through the pages of Sorcerer Weekly Magazine, a magazine of all things in the Magic World. She used the trees behind her to shield the pages from the sun. This edition of the magazine had some of the typical fluff – The young upstart Siegrain at the top of the Celebrities You Would Cheat on Your Significant Other With list. Lucy wasn't so much into the cheating, but she couldn't disagree with some of the standings. Finally, there was some news that Lucy really wanted to hear about.
Fairy Tail causing problems again? she thought. This time, they brought down the Devon Bandit Clan, but in the process, they destroyed seven homes…damn, that's way over the top. She marveled at the article that detailed the destruction. You honestly might have thought Fairy Tail were the bad guys when reading.
Lucy shifted her position to lying flat on her back, her legs hanging over the edge of the bench and her arms holding the magazine high above her. The bench surface warmed her back as she relaxed in the empty part of town.
Oh, an interview with Mirajane. 'The Main Attraction of Fairy Tail, Ms. Mirajane Strauss'. I haven't heard anything about her career as a wizard in ages. I wonder why? Lucy took a moment to stare at the picture of the beautiful, white-haired woman, gracefully sitting at a table that was most likely inside the Fairy Tail Guild Hall. The more she thought about the guild, the angrier she got with the supposed Salamander. There is no way that coward was the real Salamander. How could anyone be so stupid? Sure, Salamander never shows his face, famous only for his name and destruction, but there are three tell-tale signs that it's him. If anything, Natsu looked more like the real one…
She put the magazine down, closing her eyes as the sun crept past the tree branches hanging over and covered her body. "In any case, Fairy Tail has to be the only guild that can get me the kind of information to hunt them down. Either them or Phantom Lord. How well would I have to do on the License Exam to get an offer from one of them? You can only fail three times. After that, you are never allowed to get a License. I can't afford to waste a single chance. Even if I passed, I'd need to impress the guilds to get an offer...you probably need to be strong, with really powerful magic." Lucy held up her keys. "You guys would be strong enough. I wonder...would I?"
The rustling bushes behind Lucy sprang her from the bench. She laid her wide eyes on Salamander as he slowly rose from the plants with a smile.
"S-Salamander?" she said.
"You're a hard girl to find." Salamander stepped forward, combing his hand through his hair. "I wanted to be sure that all of the girls of your beauty were invited to my party tonight."
"Cut the bullshit," Lucy said. "Just so you know, Charm Magic won't work on me. The weakness to that magic is awareness, and I'm well aware of your tricks. I know you are an impostor, so leave me alone, or your party tonight may lose its host."
"I knew it!" Salamander chuckled, seemingly ignoring Lucy's threats. "I figured you for a wizard the first time our eyes met! You know, I am capable of sending magic!"
"Y-You are?" Lucy's heart had started to beat a lot faster at this point. She'd never heard of someone being able to do that, and it was exactly the type of power she could use. But still, was it worth it?
"How could I be an impostor if I can do that?!" Salamander said. "I promise, no more charms, as long as you come to my party."
"No way. It doesn't matter how strong you are; you are a disgusting man."
"Disgusting? Me?!"
"Using charms? Do you really want people to worship you that much? Your reputation should be enough. Where did you even get that type of magic? Besides, you don't even look like Salamander's reported appearance."
"Okay, okay. I admit: I was wrong for using the Charm Ring. Now that you're fully aware, I won't use it anymore. But either way, I don't mean any harm in using it. It's only used for show...as for my appearance, well, every man's due a makeover now and then, isn't he? There is one thing that may convince you." He reached for the sleeve of his coat and rolled it under his arm, exposing his bare shoulder.
Lucy, standing still, stared at a crimson Fairy Tail guild mark. "It can't be..."
"Oh, but it is..."
The way Salamander sounded so cocky annoyed Lucy to no end, but the idea that he really was the famous Fairy Tail wizard kept eating away at her reason. She desperately wanted to talk to him, to ask him if he had any leads, to ask if he could do something to make the last 7 years of her life less wasteful. She was not about to waste this opportunity. "Will I get anything in return for going to your party?"
"Something in return?" He tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I need information. I want to hunt—" Lucy paused, taking a deep breath. "I want to find someone that I have been looking for."
"Hunt?" he said just as confused as before. "I didn't realize a girl like you was like that."
"Just tell me if you can help me."
"Well, if you want information, then you probably want to join a guild," he said. "I suppose, if you come to my party and be a good girl, then I may be able to do something for you."
All reason not to trust him disappeared in an instant. "And that would be?" she asked.
"Even if you think I'm disgusting...I am Salamander of Fairy Tail."
Lucy leaned ever-so-slightly closer. "What are you trying to say?"
"Well...if you want in, I can put a good word for you with the master. You could get straight into the guild, without even having to take the exam! That's what they call the backdoor entrance."
"Y-You can do that? Wouldn't I still need my license?" She wanted help, but for him to go this far was unexpectedly helpful.
"When you're as strong as me, my word is enough to get you your license! If you come to the party, that is." Salamander raised an elegant brow, the words slowly sinking in. Her mind swarmed, pondering over the opportunity. She'd been wanting to get into Fairy Tail for years, and now...now she could do it without even risking failing the exam?
"O-Okay. I...I'll do it." Anything. Anything for Fairy Tail. Anything to get closer to finding them.
Salamander smirked before placing his index finger on his lips. "One more condition: you have to stay quiet about the charm. Then, I'll let Master know about you!"
"I can do that. No problem," Lucy said and nodded.
"Then, we shall meet again at the party!"
"Right." Lucy's eyes sparkled, and the corners of her lips raised ever so slightly. Not enough to see a smile, but enough to show her pleasure. She took a deep breath as Salamander disappeared into the distance.
She gulped hard, unsure if what she had just done was right. I really let my guard down whenever there is a chance...I need to focus. I was always going to reach this point eventually, right? I can't let this chance go by! I need to get into Fairy Tail!
Stars filled the night sky and lit the sidewalks of Hargeon. A cool breeze whistled through the mellow atmosphere. Natsu sand Happy walked off their lunch from earlier, enjoying the calm stroll down the cobblestone path from the Restaurant District.
"I'm so full!" Natsu pat his stomach, a large grin spreading across his face.
"Aye." Happy walked alongside him, balancing on top of the stone fence. A boat departing the shore caught his eye. "You know, didn't that Salamander guy say he was holding a party on his 'yacht'. Maybe that's his boat."
"Man, just thinkin' of it is makin' me motion sick."
"Look! Look! That's Salamander's yacht!" A sudden squeal rang out.
Natsu and Happy both turned to see two women talking to each other. One pointed into the distance as the boat floated away.
"Salamander?" The other woman asked.
"Don't you know? He's an amazing wizard who just came to town! That famous wizard from Fairy Tail!"
Natsu's wide eyes turned from the women to the boat, which continued to pull further away. He knelt down, peering between the stone fence bars, focusing on the water. "So, he's a Fairy Tail wizard, huh?"
"Lucy, right? Such a nice name for such a pretty girl."
"Th-Thank you."
Lucy sat upright on a sofa below the deck of the yacht in a closed-off room. Only she and Salamander populated the small space. Curtains separated part of the area from the stairway going up to the deck, providing privacy. Lucy's fake smile endured the pain and awkwardness of his company.
"First, we should pour the wine and make a toast," Salamander began, popping open a bottle.
Lucy looked at the thick white curtains. "Don't you have any other guests?"
"Never mind them. The only one I feel like drinking with now...is you." He took his wand, waving it through the air. Several small orbs of wine rose and floated toward Lucy. "Please, just open those beautiful lips, and allow these jewel drops of the fruit of the vine to dance upon your taste buds."
Bracing herself to drink the wine, Lucy thought, What the hell is wrong with him? He's so— Her feet slammed firmly onto ground, propelling her to a standing position, and she slapped the orbs of wine from the air. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Those are sedatives, aren't they?"
"Oh, no! So, you saw right through it..." Salamander's shoulders rose up and down with each calm chuckle.
"Don't get the wrong idea; I want to join Fairy Tail, but I have no intention of being your girlfriend."
Salamander countered Lucy's anger with his own. "What will I do with you? If you had just allowed yourself to get drugged..." He grunted, letting out a frustrated growl. "This wouldn't have to hurt."
The curtains around the room opened, revealing tens of large men. Some held women, who all remained unconscious and tied up, while others jumped onto Lucy, rendering her immobile.
"W-What the hell? What's going—" Lucy's head bounced against the wooden floor. The pain pounded around her skull.
"No talkin' little girl!"
"Woah! She's hot as hell! And young, too!"
"We got our first big-ticket item in awhile!"
"That's Salamander for ya!"
"Who...are you people?" Lucy's wide eyes looked up at Salamander as her body remained held down. The men forced her to her knees.
Salamander knelt down and smiled wide, caressing her chin. "Welcome to my slave ship! You are going to behave yourself until we arrive in the country of Bosco, young lady." Salamander cackled. "Light is going to love me for this. He'll probably let me in! And make me a Captain!"
"Bosco? What are you...what about Fairy Tail?!"
"Didn't I tell you? This is a slave ship. I only lured you here because cute girls like you are valuable merchandise. So just give it up," he finished, standing gracefully.
Lucy's jaw dropped, realizing the gravity of the situation. Her heart raced as the men clamped down on her struggling arms.
"Salamander has it all worked out!" One of the men praised.
"Girls fall under his charm and bring their little asses to us to be our cargo!" Another added.
"But this girl didn't take the charm, so we'll just have to break her in!"
"An ingenious strategy! Only a true Fairy Tail Wizard can be so strong!"
A man leaned down and reach for her chest, causing Lucy to jerk to the side. "D-Don't touch me."
"Don't ruin the merchandise, you idiot," Salamander said. "Just hold her down!"
N-No...this can't be happening...Why? Why is this...these men. They're holding me...I can't break free. It's like I'm tied down. I'm helpless. Just like back then. What is with this guy? I never figured him to be this bad...
"Hm?" Salamander curiously looked at Lucy's key chain. They rattled in his hand as they came off Lucy's belt. "So, you're a Celestial Wizard? Wow, that's rare."
"Celestial? What's that?"
"We don't know about that magic!"
"It's nothing to worry about," Salamander told his men. "I don't know much about it myself. All I know is that you have to make a contract with a Spirit in order to call it, and since they are contracted to her, they'll be of no use."
"D-Don't...touch those..."
Salamander clenched his jaw at Lucy's tears slowly falling to the ground. Keeping his gaze focused on her, he threw the keys out the porthole window.
Lucy viciously gritted her teeth. Are these the things...a Fairy Tail wizard does? Are they really...this evil?!
Wheels rolled along the wooden surface, bringing everyone's attention to a steaming pot with a metal rod poking out.
"The first thing we do with slaves is brand them!" Salamander gleefully grabbed the piping hot steel brand, holding it into the air. "It might sting a bit. Grit your teeth even harder and bare it."
Lucy's frightened gasp filled the room. She nearly screamed in fear as the heat from the iron shook her body with memories of her past. Her eyes closed, helplessly turning away as Salamander lowered the brand toward the back of her right hand. I'm so...weak. Just like before, I can't do anything. I'm...
"Prepare yourself, little girl!" Salamander laughed menacingly once more. "You should have just—"
The ceiling caved in. Loud cracks and crashes rang around the small space as pieces of wood pounded against the floor. The dust clouded everyone's vision, and the sudden jut of the ship freed Lucy from the grasp of the other men as they were knocked off their feet.
"What the—?!" Salamander said as he sat up. "What just happened?!"
The dust cleared, revealing Lucy's savior, kneeling down with his pink hair. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, an extremely focused expression dressing his face as he breathed heavily.
"N-Nastu?!"
After being tricked, Lucy is nearly branded as a slave, but in the nick of time, Natsu appears to save her. Next chapter, Natsu's true identity is revealed.
Note: In this story, sensing Magic Power is a very rare ability. That is why Lucy was intrigued by Bora's claim. Also, I really struggle with depicting the comedy. I'll try my best to give it some more at times, but it may disappoint you in that regard. Feel free to drop a review, whether it be good or bad! Thanks for reading this chapter! I know the first three chapters are going to be really similar to the actual manga, but it will start to feel new soon!