Hello everyone! It's been a while and I'm sorry because of that.
I have a beta reader now and I'm very thankful for everything he did for me. Thank you SpeedyMomentum for everything. Any mistakes that are left in this chapter are mine and mine alone.
Chapter 48:
**five days later- Natsu's POV**
I was awakened by silent whispers. At first it sounded like they were far away and I couldn't hear what were they talking about but as I concentrated more on the voices I could hear them better. It seemed like I got closer to them or maybe it was them that got closer to me. I couldn't tell.
"... he woke up?" a male voice said... or whispered... I wasn't sure.
"It's been five days since then and he's still asleep!" another voice said louder.
Who are they talking about? Where am I?
"After everything that happened you can't quite except that he will wake up whenever we want" this time it was female voice.
What happened? I don't remember... That's strange... I usually don't forget things like this... It seems important... Urgh... My head is killing me...
"Mira and that girl Ultear woke up three days ago" the first voice said again.
Mira and... Ultear...!
My eyes shot open as memories and images returned in my head. Everything around me was blurry but I could hear a loud gasp somewhere close to me.
"He's awake!" I could finally recognize that the woman was Bisca.
"Oi Natsu! How are you feeling?" the first male voice was Macao.
I slowly pushed myself in sitting position holding back a groan as my headache skyrocketed.
"I'll go get Mira and Ultear!" second man seemed to be Alzack though I wasn't quite sure since he left the room before I got a good look at him.
"Fine" I answered Macao's question in hoarse voice. I could see on their faces that they didn't believe me. It was a lie after all. Every inch of my body was killing me.
"Do you need something? Hungry? Water?" Bisca asked. I looked at her and said "Water"
She nodded and went after Alzack to get me some water. I turned toward last person in the room and asked even though I knew the answer "What happened with... with the others?"
Macao gulped and looked at the floor finding it incredibly interesting all of a sudden.
"T-they are gone..." He said quietly though I was able to hear him because of my enhanced hearing. He didn't need to explain what he meant by 'gone'. It was more then clear to me. Bisca walked in with glass and jug filled with water. I didn't even say anything as she put it next to my bed on nightstand.
Alzack walked behind Bisca and said "I couldn't find the girls. They've already gone home."
Macao nodded and then looked at me. I didn't really pay any attention to what was happening around me. The world around me started spinning as I was repeatedly saying in my mind that one dreadful sentence 'They are dead'.
Evergreen, Levy, Lisanna, Elfman, Freed, Laxus, Lucy, Happy, Charla, Erza, Gray, Cana... All of them... even those I considered my family... my grandfather Makarov, my first friend and my sister Wendy and a person that was like a brother to me even though I would never admit that, Gildarts.
They died because I didn't protect them. They died because I was too weak. It's all my fault.
This was first time in many years that I felt so weak.
My chest felt heavy. It was getting hard to breath.
"Leave this room" I said not looking at their worried expressions.
"But Natsu-" Macao started but I was starting to lose my patience.
"Get out" I said little louder clenching with my left hand the white sheet that was covering my legs. I couldn't move my right arm or leg as they were broken and warped with bandages. Well bigger part of my body was warped in them.
"Natsu we can't-" Alzack tried to speak but a jug filled with water flew few millimeters from his head and crashed loudly in the wall behind him shattering in million pieces.
"Get. Out. Now!" I growled as my magic energy started sparking around me. Macao wanted to say something but Alzack and Bisca dragged him out.
"If you need anything just-" Bisca was wanted to say before she closed the door but the glass that crashed near her silencing her.
"NOW!"
When I heard them close the door I buried my face in my left hand as few tears escaped my eyes. I closed my eyes and titled my head back letting earsplitting howl that was heard by whole Magnolia.
"It's all my fault..."
**time skip- 7 years later- normal POV** (A/N: I'll explain what happened in those seven years later)
Two boys stood on the edge of the pier, looking towards the sea. A girl sat next to them with her feet touching water's surface. It was beautiful summer day with seagulls croaking around.
"Do you think they will find something?" The girl asked. She had green eyes and brown hair that was tied up in two buns on both sides of her head with red ribbons. She was wearing a grey T-shirt and a black skirt with red details. She was around fourteen years old.
"I really hope they will" The older boy answered. He had spiky blond hair and green eyes. He wore a matching grey T-shirt and black pants. The boy was sixteen years old.
The other boy nodded, too lost in his thoughts to say anything. This boy wore green pants, a purple coat that was unzipped and an orange muffler around his neck.
'Please find them'
**somewhere at sea**
A ship sailed through the sea, the sun bright overhead. On the ship's deck stood Bisca, Alzack, their daughter Asuka, Max, Warren, Jet, and Droy.
"How long until we get there?" Asuka asked. Asuka is a young little girl with dark green hair that's tied in a braid. She has orange cowboy hat on her head and pink shirt paired with brown skirt.
"We're almost there, sweetheart" Bisca said with smile.
"Hey guys, there's something in front of us!" Max yelled.
The others looked at him and then to where Max was pointing out at sea.
After few seconds of squinting and blinking due to the blinding sun above them. They all could see something in front of them simply floating on the water's surface.
"It's not something... It's someone! A girl!" Bisca yelled.
"You're right!" Warren yelled.
A girl was right in front of them, standing on the water's surface. She smiled at them and as she smiled enormous waves raised from the water behind her and an island emerged from the water. A golden sphere was warped around the island with Fairy tail symbol on it. All of the Fairy tail members were left speechless.
"T-Tenrou... It's Tenrou Island!" Max spoke first, his eyes wide in shock.
"We'll see Levy again!" Jet and Droy yelled in union hugging each other, tears running from their eyes.
"Stop acting like the idiots we all know you are and start moving this ship." A cold voice spoke behind them. Droy and Jet jumped in surprise at the harsh tone and turned to face the person that was flying beside the ship on his huge bat-like wings.
The person behind them was a tall, well built young man who didn't look older then nineteen years old even though he was twenty-five. He had long, pink, straight hair that was spiky at the bottom, it went down to his lower back and was tied up in ponytail (A/N Think about Kanda's (from D Gray-man) hair style just little spikyer). He wore a black long coat that went down to his ankles. The coat didn't have right sleeve so the Fairy tail symbol on his shoulder was visible. His coat was unzipped so you could see his black sleeveless shirt that had red lines over it. He had grey baggy pants that were tucked into black combat boots. Around his neck was necklace with dragon scales on it. Over the necklace was black scaly scarf. The most distinctive feature on him (if you ignore his wings, two meters long tail, and black horns) were his eyes. They were yellow with red irises and snake-like pupils.
"Hey Natsu... What's up..." They said smiling nervously as they trailed off, practically sweating bullets in the process.
"Go back to work and don't lose that girl from your sight." He hissed back.
"Aye sir!" They all shouted in unison and ran to get the boat moving.
Natsu then flew to the front deck and sat on the fence, his legs hanging down toward the water. His eyes not moving, not once, from the girl that still stood on the water surface like she was waiting for them.
"Hey Natsu... Do you know who she is?" Alzack asked, walking up to Natsu.
"No" he deadpanned.
"..." Alzack looked at Natsu. His lips squeezed in a thin line.
Natsu rolled his eyes. "What?" He asked in an annoyed voice.
"Are they... still... you know... alive?" he asked quietly.
Natsu sighed and jumped from the fence to the deck "I don't know... The wind is blowing towards the north so I can't smell their scent and we are to far away for me to hear them"
Alzack looked toward the island. His eyes widened suddenly "The girl! She's walking away! We'll lose her in the forest!"
Natsu's eyes snapped back to the girl. "Crap!" He growled and jumped over the fence.
"Wha-?" Alzack was about to ask something but just before Natsu hit the water he used 'Chaotic void' and teleported himself to the shore and before he even touched the ground he flew after the girl, trying to catch her.
"Hurry! We need to catch them!" Alzack yelled to the other members on the ship.
"Aye sir!" other responded in union.
**with Natsu**
'Dammit! Wait up you little brat!' he thought as he flew through the forest toward a small, glowing dot in the distance that was the mysterious blonde-haired girl. With the speed he was currently going, it didn't take him too long to catch up with her.
She sat on a rock and waited for Natsu to come. When Natsu got there he started to say something but what was beside the blonde-haired girl stopped him. He froze in spot, looking at the small thirteen years old girl he considered his sister seven years ago. She looked completely the same, not a day older.
"Wendy..." Natsu whispered, too shocked to say anything else. He fell on the his knees down beside her as his wings, tail and horns retreated back into his body. His ears twitched when he heard more footsteps behind him, indicating that the other members were already behind him.
"Hey, Natsu! What's going on?" He heard Warren yell but he didn't care.
His lips were squeezed in a thin line before they stretched into a smile. A smile that no one had seen on his face for seven years, excluding his two mates. Imagine the other members thoughts when they saw Natsu smiling.
"Am I seeing things?" Max whispered to Droy.
Droy shook his head, 'no', unable to say anything. It didn't take them long to realize why Natsu was smiling though.
"Wendy..." Jet gasped in shock being the first to notice her.
"Wendy?" Alzack repeated and then laughed happily "Wendy!" They all yelled in unison.
Natsu shook her shoulders gently, trying to wake her up. After few seconds she stirred. Her brown eyes opened slowly but quickly shut them because the light was too bright. She then slowly opened them again finding herself face to face with a strange looking Natsu.
"Natsu...?" She asked confused and wanting to confirm that it was indeed Natsu in front of her. Natsu nodded still smiling. Her eyes suddenly widened when she remembered what happened.
"Wait! We were attacked by Acnologia, and we were about to give our magic to you, and you, Mira and Ultear fell of the cliff when it broke, and-" She then saw everyone around her "And what are you guys doing here? And why do you look older?!"
Others laughed and Natsu just kept smiling. "We'll explain that later" He looked toward the girl that lead him here. "Who are you and where are the others?"
The mystery girl smiled. "My name is not important right now. Your friends are waiting for you to wake them up.." She said and pointed to the clearing that was near them. Everyone ran toward where she pointed while Natsu helped Wendy to stand up as they walked to where others are.
"Hey! Erza's there!"
"Gajeel! Wake up!"
"Levy~~!"
"I found Gray!"
"Droy got fat!"
"Master Makarov!"
"Hey have anyone seen Lucy"
"She's over there"
"Who's this pink haired chick?"
It took around ten minutes for everyone to be found and then half an hour to explain roughly what happened.
"We were saved by our first master" Makarov said with comical tears running down his cheeks. The blond girl, in reality Mavis Vermilion smiled.
"It was your bonds that saved you. I just finished the spell" Mavis said. They talked about many things that happened and then Lisanna remembered something.
Lisanna looked over at Natsu "Is Mira okay?"
Natsu looked at her and smirked "Yea.. She's fine"
"A-and Ultear?" Meredy asked.
Jet smiled, looking at Natsu "Oh they are both more then fine..."
Tenrou group looked at him confused.
"What are you talking about?" Levy asked.
"Well you see our- urgh!" He was interrupted by Natsu's fist as it connected with the top of his head, knocking him unconscious.
"Shut up" he hissed, demonic aura spreading around him.
The others gulped.
"Anyway..." Droy said, taking a step back from Natsu "We should get back to the ship... I'm sure others are wondering where we've been for so long."
"Right!"
"Let's go home!"
**few minutes later on the ship**
"So you guys married?" Lucy asked Bisca and Alzack, who stood next to each other.
"Yes" Bisca said smiling.
"And this is your daughter?" Wendy asked, looking at Asuka that was running around the ship laughing while trying to catch Happy who was flying around in front of her.
"Mhm, her name's Asuka" Alzack said, a smile on his face.
"I can't believe we missed all that!" Erza yelled, crying. She turned serious all of a sudden and looked Bisca directly in the eyes. Others quieted down waiting to hear what she has to say.
"Which cake did you have?"
Others sweat-dropped at Erza's question.
"Was it…" She gulped."... Strawberry-cheesecake?" She asked, her eyes shining with tears.
Alzack and Bisca looked away smiling nervously.
"OH IT WAS!" Erza exclaimed throwing her hands in the air "You have to tell us every detail! I want to know exactly what was the taste of that cake!"
With that she dragged Bisca with her to another part of the ship and other girls followed her.
"Same old Erza" Jet said chuckling.
"They didn't change at all" Droy agreed nodding.
"They were frozen for seven years. You can't expect them to change just because we have" Max added.
"It's good to have them back" Natsu spoke from behind them, startling them. Makarov walked over to Natsu who was, once again, flying beside the ship and cleared his throat trying to get Natsu's attention that was currently locked on Wendy.
Natsu glanced at Makarov before his eyes moved to look right in front of himself showing that he was listening.
"Still having trouble with motion-sickness?" He asked, trying to start a conversation.
Nastu looked at him with blank expression "Is that a problem?"
Makarov laughed "No, not at all."
A few seconds passed in silence.
"So... I was wondering..." Makarov started and Natsu looked at him.
"Why do you still look so young?" Makarov asked, looking at Natsu.
Natsu smirked again "Dragons live for hundreds of years. How would I look with 500 if I aged as you humans do?"
Makarov laughed "True."
"Thank you" Makarov said after a while
Natsu looked at him with expressionless face that hide his confusion.
"For what?" he asked.
"For keeping the guild together" Makarov answered.
Natsu chuckled "You shouldn't be thanking me"
"You should thank the new master once we come home" Natsu said smirking.
"New master?" Makarov asked, surprised. He hadn't even thought about Fairy tail having a new master. It will take more time for everything to return to normal and for him to get used to everything that happened in what seemed to him only few days.
"Who is it?" he asked after getting over his shock.
"That would spoil the surprise" Natsu said smirking.
"I think this is the first time I heard you calling Fairy tail your home" Makarov said after short pause.
"It's not the first time" Natsu replied.
"Whatever you say" Makarov shrugged. He then looked at Natsu who was still smiling "You're in a good mood today" Makarov noted.
"You can't blame me" Natsu replied.
"No one is blaming you for anything" Makarov laughed "I'm happy to see you smiling, that's all"
"A friend of mine once told me to smile more often" Natsu chuckled.
Makarov raised eyebrow wondering who was that friend.
"Land ahead!" They heard someone yelling.
"It's been a while since you guys were here" Natsu said.
**in outskirts of Magnolia**
In outskirts of Magnolia, a city that was once home to the strongest guild in Fiore, now stood small wooden windmill. It wasn't some worn out windmill. It was nice maintained windmill that was now home to one of the smallest guilds in Fiore, Fairy tail. But don't think that Fairy tail is weak just because it became small guild. They are still a well respected guild. They are forth guild in the country to be more precise even though some people are saying that they deserve their old place as number one.
Inside of this small windmill that had the Fairy tail symbol on it were ten people sitting, drinking, and talking. At the bar stood young woman with purple hair known as Kinana. She was talking with Mirajane who was sitting in front of her.
Mirajane is now a beautiful young woman. She has long white hair and blue eyes. She wore black kimono with red dragon on the back and red ribbon tied around her waist.
Next to her sat Ultear. Member of Fairy tail for the past seven years and Natsu's mate for the last five. Her long purple hair was tided in loose bride. She also wore black kimono but she had purple dragon on her back with white ribbon tied around her waist similar to Mirajane's.
If anyone who didn't know them saw them for the first time he or she would, without a doubt, say that they weren't older than twenty. That was because of a spell Ultear used on herself and Mirajane. She was able to use that spell on only two people and it was really dangerous spell. But it was worth it. A spell that slowed their time. She used this so that she and Mirajane could stay a little longer with Natsu.
Ultear was currently looking toward guild's doors like she was waiting for someone. Mirajane noticed this and said "Don't worry. I'm sure they'll find them this time"
Ultear smiled moving her attention to Mira "I know, but I can't help myself. What if they come back again empty-handed. I don't want Natsu to blame himself any longer for what happened."
Mira put hand on her shoulder "I know how you feel. How wouldn't I? I know him since we were kids and I love him as much as you do... But... Just try not to think about it, 'kay?"
"I guess..."
"Anyway, I was thinking-" Mira started but was interrupted when someone opened guild's doors.
Everyone turned their eyes to see who came in the guild. Their eyes widened in disbelief when they saw familiar faces they haven't seen for seven years.
"So tiny..." Makarov spoke after seeing the guild hall.
"We're back!" Gray said.
"I need something to drink" Cana said grinning.
"It's been a while" Lucy smiled.
"Yo" was Gajeel's simple greeting.
"Hi everyone" Lisanna said.
Mira put her hands over her mouth, tears escaping her blue eyes.
Ultear jumped from her seat and looked over Tenrou group. When she spotted familiar pink hair she started crying and ran toward this pink-haired person at full speed. She practically jumped at her and almost chocked her while hugging her saying "Meredy... You're alive... I'm so happy!"
Mira soon fallowed Ultear's example as she ran to her siblings.
Everyone started laughing, crying, talking, and drinking. It didn't take long before this reunion became a party.
Makarov sat on the bar like he used to do. Macao sat beside him. Makarov eyed Macao and then finally asked "Are you the new guild master?" He asked Macao who laughed in response.
"Of course not!" Macao continued laughed.
"Had it been that way Fairy tail would already be disbanded!" Wakaba laughed sitting next to Macao after dodging his fist.
"I wouldn't be that bad!" Macao yelled.
Makarov laughed and then looked around the guild "Then who is it?"
"Who do you think it is? It's Mira of course!" Wakaba laughed when Makarov spit his bear at Macao.
"Mirajane is new guild master?!" Makarov shouted surprised.
Elfman who heard this yelled in shock while pointing his finger at Mira "You're new guild master?!"
"What?!" Gray cried out.
Tenrou group looked at Mira, who just smiled sweetly.
"How did that happen?" Lisanna asked smiling happily.
"Well you see..."
**flashback-two months after Acnologia's attack**
"You know that we have to decide who will be the forth guild master" Macao said to the rest of the guild that was gathered around him. He was standing on the stage so everyone could see him.
Everyone nodded knowing this will have to be decided sooner or later.
"So since master Makarov didn't selected the new guild master before he... died.."
"We need to select our master ourselves" he continued.
"New guild master needs to be strong and I don't mean just physically, but mentally as well. He or she has to know everyone in the guild. He or she has to be someone we can rely on and someone we can trust but he also has to be someone who can rely on us and someone who trust us"
Members started whispering among themselves.
"He/She has to be someone who needs us as much as we need him/her" Macao said.
"How about Natsu?" someone asked. Natsu, who was sitting on the fence of the second floor drinking his drink, almost choked himself with it after hearing this.
The one that said this was quickly answered by other members.
"How does he match the description?!"
"Are you crazy?"
"Hell no!"
Natsu let out sigh of relief. Being a guild master was something what he definitely didn't want to be.
"Okay, okay! Please silence down everyone!" Macao yelled "Any other ideas?"
Natsu decided to say something "What do you think about Mirajane?"
Some of the members looked at him in shock. Some of them completely forgot Natsu was there. Mirajane looked at him surprised. She knew he was there but she didn't expect anyone especially him to say that.
Members thought about what Natsu said and soon the whispers turned in loud shouts of approval.
Macao called her to come to him on the stage.
"Look... Mira... I know this is really hard decision so you can-"
"I'll do it" she said firmly, cutting him off.
Macao looked at her surprised. He wasn't expecting her to agree so quickly.
"You sure?" he asked.
"Yes" She answered with even more determination shining in her eyes.
"I will do everything I can to maintain this guild strong"
"Okay then..." Macao sighed and turned to the crowd in front of him.
"Our forth guild master, Mirajane Strauss!"
The guild was filled with cheers.
**end of flashback**
"So you actually became guild master thanks to Natsu?" Gray asked. His eyes traveling trough the crowd looking for pink-haired dragon prince but he was nowhere to be found.
"Yep" Mira said happily.
They talked about that for next few minutes but then Wendy noticed few unfamiliar faces.
"We have new members?" She asked.
Mira looked at her confused for the first few seconds but she quickly realized who was she talking about.
"Oh you guys haven't met yet!" she said and then called "Hey Arthur! Annie! Come and introduce yourself!"
The Tenrou group turned to two kids who were talking with Romeo.
They quickly ran next to Mirajane. Annie, the girl with green eyes and brown hair that sat on pier this morning introduced herself first.
"Hello, my name is Andreana Smith but everyone calls me Annie. I'm fourteen years old and I use illusion magic."
Arthur, the boy with green eyes and blond hair who was with the girl and Romeo on pier talked next "Hi, my name's Arthur Smith, Annie's older brother. I'm sixteen years old and I use shadow-make magic."
"Illusion and shadow-make magic? I heard about them before but you two are the first people I have ever met that use that magic" Erza said surprised.
"Arthur and Annie are two out of three that joined the guild after you guys left" Mira said smiling.
"Only three people joined the guild?" Lucy asked surprised.
"Well we aren't considered the strongest guild so not many mages wants to join anymore" Mira replied.
"It's hard to stay number one with barely five members strong enough to fight." Natsu said, appearing beside Mira.
"Where have you been?" Gray asked, looking Natsu in the eyes.
"That is something for me to know and for you to find out" Natsu hissed.
"Anyway..." Erza started "I was thinking... How are we gonna become number one again?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you actually" Natsu said turning to Mira.
She raised her eyebrow quizzically "I'm listening"
Natsu smirked "There is only one way for us to become number one in short time"
Tenrou group looked at him confused but other members looked at him with surprise "You're not talking about-?
"Grand magic games... Or GMG for short." He finished with smirk.
"Grand magic games?" Levy asked confused "What's that? I never heard about it"
"It's no wonder you never heard about it. They started it after you guys disappeared after all" Laki answered.
"Basically, all guilds in Fiore come in one place and play different games and fight each other to determine the strongest." Romeo explained.
"How come you guys didn't beat them every time then? I mean Natsu, Ultear and Mira are really strong and I'm sure other members aren't that bad" Lucy asked confused.
"They aren't bad. They are horrible" Natsu stated coldly not paying attention to angry shouts behind him. Mira chuckled "Don't be mean Natsu. You know that's not true"
"Mira couldn't compete since she is guild master, Ultear couldn't do it on her own and Natsu was busy with other... things..." Wakaba said.
"What other things?" Makarov looked at Natsu who answered with a cold "Later, old man"
"And we did only compete three years and the games are here for seven" Ultear said.
"Well then... What rank are we anyway" Lucy asked curiously.
"We are currently fourth guild in Fiore" Mira said.
"Well it could've been worse" Panther Lily said.
"So are we gonna compete this year?" Natsu finally asked.
"Do you even need to ask?" Gajeel replied with smirk.
"We are gonna be number one again!" Makarov yelled with his fist pumped in the air.
"Yea" other followed his example raising their hands.
"When are this games anyway?" Evergreen asked after few seconds.
"We have three months to prepare" Max said.
"Great! Three months are more then enough!" Gray said with grin.
"We will split in few training groups and start the first thing tomorrow morning." Ultear said with smirk.
They talked about the groups, GMG, and everything regarding them for more then two hours.
After a while Erza remembered what Mira said before.
"Hey Mira... You mentioned three people joining the guild... Who is the third?" Erza asked with thoughtful expression.
"Well... I'm quite sure you know him quite well..." Mira said suddenly looking uncomfortable.
"Erza..." A voice spoke behind Erza. Erza's eyes widened when she heard the familiar voice.
"It can't be..." she said and turned her head slowly.
"Jellal..." she said seeing voice's owner face.
"Hi... Long time no see..." He smiled nervously lifting his hand and waved awkwardly.
End of chapter 48.
I decide to rewrite this chapter slightly since I wasn't completely satisfied with it. I hope that no one has any objections to that. I would like to hear what you think about it. I will explain how did Jellal got here and everything else in later chapters. Please review and thanks for reading :)