Hey everyone. Sorry this took longer than I wanted to get up. To make up for it, I'm going to try and either update another chapter of The Baby Simulation Project or The Perfect Marriage today as well. But if I can't do either of those, I might just make up a short little NaWen shot. But anyway, hope you all enjoy this chapter!
"No," the purple demon said on the brink of tears. "Please…don't make me kill my son…Don't make me kill Bobo!"
"It's okay Pops," Bobo said, his tattered mahogany bandanna falling onto the ground. "Don't worry about me, just defeat this monster! We promised those wizards that we'd take care of our own problems all those years ago. So, you can't lose heart, alright?"
"But Bobo…" the demon's tears stained his cheeks as he struggled with all his might to keep the iron spear in his hands from striking through his son.
"Monster?" A man with long snow white hair down to his waist stood behind the scene of parent and child. His black trench coat flapped in the night wind as he leered at the demons. "I am no monster. You're the monsters here, you damned demons."
"Please!" The village chief cried out yet again. "Please stop! Just release me from this already!"
"If you want me to free you, then you know what you must do," the white-haired man said with a grin. "Submit yourself to me. Become one of my soldiers."
"Don't do it Pops!"
"Alright…I surrender," he wept. "And just like that, the spear fell out of his hands with a rattle. Happy that he had finally regained control over his body he ran over to hug his dear son as tightly as he possibly could. "Bobo…I'm so sorry…But I didn't know what I'd do if I lost you again…"
Bobo just made a bitter smile at his father's kindness. "Oh, Pops…It's alright."
"Time to get to work," the man said, breaking up the scene between the two demons. His face spread into a wide smile, full of malicious intentions. "My demon slave."
"Alright, is everybody ready?" Gray asked, standing by the boat to Galuna Island.
"I'm ready!" Gold shouted, barely able to contain his excitement. "Can we go now?"
"We have to wait for the others, Gold. They're your teammates, you know?" Gray reminded him.
"I know that, Dad," Gold said, crossing his arms. "Hey guys, hurry up already!"
Aki and Hestia walked over to the boat, both a little bit irked at Gold rushing them. "Why are you always so impatient?" Hestia asked in annoyance.
"I'm not always impatient, I'm just super psyched to go on this job!" He looked around relentlessly for the last member of their team. "Where the heck is Elrick?!"
As if on cue, Elrick came up to the port, hauling an extremely large bag of luggage. Sweat poured down his face and back, some of it dripping onto the pavement. "I…I'm here…" He panted heavily as he rested his hands on his knees.
"Dude, what up with the giant suitcase?"
"My mom packed it for me," Elrick informed him as he wiped his sweat away. "She said I needed to be prepared."
"Typical Erza…" Gray noted. He didn't think that he'd ever stop being surprised at her ridiculous packing habits. She had even managed to reel her son into it. It was truly a feat beyond words…
"Alright, can we go now?" Gold asked, excitedly stomping his feet on the ground.
"Yes, Gold," Gray said, much to the boy's satisfaction.
"YES!" He threw his arms up in the air, bloated with delight. "Then what are we waiting for?! Let's get over to big tuna island!"
"It's Galuna Island," Gray corrected him.
"That's what Uncle Natsu always calls it," he muttered under his breath. "Anyway, who cares? Let's go!" Gold jumped into the boat, startling the captain of the ship. "Hey dude, 'sup?"
Gray let out a little sigh at that. "Gold, please don't scare our ride away." He turned to the other three. "You kids ready to go?" Aki and Hestia both nodded instantly, though Elrick was a little bit reluctant to do so. "Alright, then let's head out."
The group was riding in the boat, nearly falling asleep from the long trip, save for Gray who was just taking in the view. Old memories from the past resurfaced as he stared out at the gentle ocean waves, the moonlight shining over them. Galuna Island, the moon, and the ocean…All of these things meant so much to him that he felt it practically defined him and they had always caused him to remember the most significant events in his past.
There was a time when he thought those memories would never bring him anything but pain and heartache. However, now they honestly just filled him with a sense of nostalgia and serenity. He could look on at it with a smile, remembering how much it helped him to grow as a person. And now, he's going back to that place filled with so many memories of his, with his son, no less.
Come to think of it, he hadn't ever told Gold about his past all that much. He mentioned some things, but for the most part, he kept it to himself without even realizing it. Perhaps now would be the perfect time?
Rain slid off of the window as Wendy stared out of it. She placed her hand over her chest with a sigh. "I still think we should've gone with her."
Natsu set the giant chicken leg he was eating down as he turned to face Wendy. "It's fine. She's our daughter, you know? Have a little faith in her."
"It's not that I don't have faith in her. But she's still only eight years old." Wendy ran her hand across the foggy glass with worried eyes. "And it's her first time being away from us for so long."
Natsu's footsteps echoed from behind Wendy and shortly after, she was endowed in his warm arms. He hugged his wife close to his body. "Don't worry, Aki's a strong girl. We let her join Fairy Tail because we believed she was ready for it. And besides, Gray's with her. He may be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but I know that he won't let anything happen to our girl."
Natsu's arms around Wendy made her insides well up with pleasant feelings. His words soothed her soul. Yes, that's right. This was the first step in their daughter's journey as a wizard. And they had to have faith that she would make it through okay. So then, yes. That is what she will do. She will believe in her precious daughter and in Gray with everything she's got.
Wendy nodded. "You're right."
The door to the house slammed against the wall. "Elrick! Elrick!" Erza ran into the room, brandishing her blade. "Where is my son?!"
"Erza?" Wendy turned around as Natsu let go of her. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for Elrick!"
"He went on the mission to Galuna with Gray," Natsu said. "I thought you knew that already?"
"Of course I knew that!" Erza got to her knees and peered under the leather sofa. "I just forgot to give him something before he left."
"What did you forget?" Wendy asked, walking up to Erza.
"His jammies!"
"Huh?"
"I forgot to pack Elrick's pajamas!"
Natsu folded his arms, cocking his head to the side. "And you're looking in our house because...?"
Erza opened up one of the wooden cabinets. "Because he slept over here, so I figured he might have left his pajamas."
"That was like a month ago," Natsu reminded her.
"..." Erza cleared her throat. "Ah yes, that is right, isn't it. My bad." The woman regained her calm composure as she let her sword vanish into thin air. "But there aren't any left at my house." The redhead rubbed her chin in thought. "So then, where could they be."
"My mom packed way too many pajamas. I think my whole closet is in here..." Elrick pulled out his lion onesie with a sigh. "How long does she think this trip is going to take?"
"Your mom's a weird one," Gray said, looking through his binoculars.
Aki's stomach rumbled in her ears. She groaned as she placed her hands over her belly. "So hungry..."
I made sandwiches if you want some." Hestia dug through her bright yellow purse and pulled out a couple of sandwiches wrapped in plastic bags.
"Yes please!"
"Alright, here you go," Hestia said, handing one of the sandwiches over to Aki with a smirk.
"Thanks, Hestia." Aki bit into the sandwich and instantly her mouth flared up with heat that nearly burned her taste buds off. "Spicy!"
Hestia chuckled. "I know right." She winked at Aki. "I put a lot of hot peppers in it."
"Hestia!"
Hestia innocently titled her head. "What?"
"You know I don't like spicy stuff!"
"I know," she winked at her friend again. "Got'cha."
Aki pursed her lips, still feeling the burning sensation on her tongue. "So spicy..."
"Alright alright, you made your point. Here." Hestia handed her small milk carton from her purse.
Aki slowly brought the milk up to her lips and then drank it. Her face bloated up with heat as a result.
"Hot!"
"It should be. I did put in hot sauce in it after all," Hestia said with a grin.
"Hestia!"
"Sorry, sorry, you're just to fun to prank sometimes, Aki."
"My mom packed me some water bottles if you want one of those," Elrick offered a she turned to face Aki.
"Yeah, that'd be nice. Thanks, Elrick."
"Of course." He rummaged through his giant suitcase until he came across the massive pile of water bottles, hastily thrown together. "Here you go."
Elrick handed Aki the water bottle and she instantly took a swig of it. The cool sensation of the water soothed her throat as she sighed in relief. "Much better."
Several hours passed and the full moon was now shining down on the boat wading through the water. All of the children were sleeping soundly as Gray kept his eye out for their destination.
The quiet gentle overlapping waves, mixed with the sound of the chirping crickets. A soft chilly breeze whistled through Gray's hair as he rested his hands on the edge of the boat. "We're almost there," Gray said, peering out at the island in the distance. Just like that one sandwich dropped on the boat, falling apart as it did so.
Gold ran to the front, holding his hands on the ledge. "That's it? That's Galuna Island?" His blue eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"That's it," Gray said, a sentimental smile crossing over his face.
"What's that?" Gold asked, peering out at something bubbling up in front of the island.
"What's what?" As if to answer Gray's question, a giant metal gate rose out from under the sea. Water streamed down the iron bars of the gate and it's shape began to shift. Gray gulped at the sight. "The hell is going on…? I don't remember this ever being a thing before. "Hey, Aki, Elrick, Hestia! Wake up!"
Gray's head shot back to look at the gate, noticing that it was now in the shape of an enormous canon. "Crap."
"Aw yeah!" Gold clenched his fists in excitement.
"Why are you happy about this?!" Gray asked, baffled at his son's elation.
"Because it's the perfect chance to test my skills! I have a lot of new ice and water make spells I've been working on! Can I try them out, please Daddy?" He looked at his father, purposely giving him the always effective puppy dog eyes.
And in accordance with that, Gray gave in to it, just as he always did. "Alright, go for it. I'm counting on you, Gold. I'm going to wake your friends up." And at that, Gray ran over to the other side of the boat to accomplish his task.
"Don't worry, I've got this." Gold smirked and cold air began to accumulate at the center of his palm. "Ice Make: Totem Pole Rod!" A pole consisting of frozen totem heads formed in Gold's hand.
He swung the totem pole rod at the oncoming boulder, sending it crashing into the ocean. Another boulder came right for him, and with all his might he deflected it yet again. Soon, the boat was being assaulted with a bevy of rocks, large and small. Gold continued to divert the attacks with his icy rod as they kept on coming.
"Nice work, Gold," Gray complimented him before gently shaking Aki's shoulders back and forth. "Alright kid, time to wake up."
Slowly, Aki began to open her eyes. She shrieked as she saw the giant rock heading straight for their ship.
Gold slammed his rod down on the boulder, breaking it in half. However, the two halves came right for the heads of Gray and Aki. And again, Aki let out a high-pitched squeal, clutching her hands over her head in defense.
Calmly, Gray smashed his fist into the center of his palm to focus his magic energy. Ice Make Catapult!" The two icy catapults materialized behind Gray as they caught the boulder halves. "Gold, pay attention to this."
The two catapults launched the boulder halves clear across the ocean, slamming into the metal gate. Gray looked down at his son. "See that? Now, it's your turn." He pointed at the gate in front of Galuna Island. "Aim for the gate. And destroy it."
Gold nodded at that. "You got it, Daddy!"
Another horde of boulders were lodged at the boat. Gold ran up to it, swinging his frozen rod with as much force as he possibly could. The boulders smashed against the gate instead, leaving a large dent in its center. "Yeah, bullzeye!" Gold cheered.
"Don't let up!" Gray warned his son before running over to Elrick and Hestia.
"Right!"
Gold gripped his rod tightly as he focused in on the canon, ready to fend off another boulder. Much to his surprise however, this time what shot out of the cannon was not a boulder, but an actual cannon ball.
Taken aback by this, Gold gasped as he stumbled backwards a bit. The cannon ball struck his rod, shattering it into pieces and Gold fell onto his butt.
"Gold! Are you okay?!" Aki ran over to Gold and helped him up.
"I think so," Gold mumbled in an unsure voice. He winced in pain as he grasped his shoulder. "Maybe not…"
"You should take a break. I can take over for you."
Gold instantly shook his head at that. "No way…This is my chance to show my dad what I've been working on. I can't disappoint him."
"You won't disappoint him if you take a little rest. I'm sure he's already proud of what you've done," Aki assured Gold with a small, heartfelt smile.
Even so, Gold still stood up, turning his back to Aki. "Thanks Aki, but it's not enough. I have to show him…I have to show him just what I'm capable of!"
Gold began flexing his right hand around as he stared out at the ocean waves. "Water Make Battleship!"
The water began to move around and morph until it had taken on the structure of a huge battleship, cannons ready. "Now fire!"
At Gold's command, the cannons began firing off blasts of water at the gate's dent. Aki's eyes widened as she watched the dent in the gate begin to look more and more fragile. Then, she got to her feet and walked up to Gold. "I know you want to show off for your dad, but mind if I help?"
Gold paused for a bit, but then just smiled. "Sure, just don't get in my way." He winked at her to which she gave a little smile in return.
"Sky Dragon Roar!"
A huge blast of wind erupted form Aki's mouth mixing together with water blasts from Gold's battleship as they hit the dent in the gate, bursting right through it.
Elrick and Hestia both rubbed their eyes as they began to wake up. Hestia looked around, confused at all the wreckage surrounding them. "What happened?"
"Seems like we're unwelcome guests," Gray noted as the boat drifted through the sea and into Galuna Island territory.
Elrick began shivering and hugged his knees. "W-why is that?"
"Wish I knew kid. All I know is something is definitely not right…"
The boat docked at Galuna Island. The captain turned to Gray, his face white as snow. "Is this the place?"
"Yeah, this is it."
"Thank God. Get out then, please!" Without even waiting for them to honor his request he simply dumped them all out of his boat on their backsides and paddled away. "Yahoo! I am outta here!"
"Ow~" Aki moaned as she rubbed her head. "Well, that was rude…"
"Don't worry about it," Gray said, getting back to his feet. "Come on, I want to find the village elder and see if he knows what was up with that gate."