The tavern wasn't even open yet when they arrived and all the doors and windows were locked. Natsu knocked on the door, it didn't open but someone looked through the peep hole to see who it was.
"Come back later. We're not open." They heard a woman's voice call from the other side.
"We're not here to drink." Natsu said. "We're here to talk to Gildarts Clive about something important."
"Look we don't serve alcohol to minors. That one customer ran around saying that because we cut him off."
"No we're not here about that."
"Then what are you here about?"
"It's about Mr. Clive's previous occupation. When he worked with Archibald Heartfilia?"
"Give me one minute."
It was quiet for a moment except for the sound of footsteps going upstairs. They heard footsteps coming downward and back to the door.
"Sorry but he's not interested in talking about that."
"But it's mandatory that we speak to him." Natsu said.
"He says that's not his problem."
"How about if it's a matter of life and death?" Lucy asked.
They heard a man's voice call from in the tavern but they couldn't make it out properly.
"Yeah Dad there's a woman with him. Two women."
They heard his voice again but still his words sounded muffled.
"Seriously? You're letting them in because of that? You are such a perv."
They heard the sound of several locks clicking as she undid them. The door opened and the other side stood a vivacious looking woman with slightly tan skin and lovely brown hair. In one hand she held a bottle of liquor which was uncorked and Natsu could smell the alcohol on her. Meaning she was drinking in the morning which surprised him and his allies.
"Follow me." She said.
She led them inside and up a stairway to an office where a middle aged man with red hair and matching beard sat.
"Mr. Clive?" Natsu said.
"That's me." He said. "One of you knew Archie?"
"That would be me." Natsu said. "My name is Natsu Drag-"
"Dragion." Lucy interrupted. "Natsu Dragion."
Natsu looked at her confused and she pulled him closer to her so she could whispered something into his ear.
"If he worked with my grandfather he may know about you, assume you're still a threat to humanity, and try to kill you."
"Oh right." He whispered with a nod.
"Hello Mr. Clive, I'm Lucy Heartfilia. Archibald's granddaughter." The blonde introduced. "These are my friends Gray Fullbuster, Sister Juvia Lockser, and Wendy Marvell."
The man looked at all of them skeptically at first. Then he focused a lot of his attention on Juvia and Lucy which made them both feel a little uncomfortable.
"You're Archie's grandkid? Am I right to assume that Jude is your father?"
"Yes he is."
"Hmm...Not much family resemblance on Jude's part but I can tell you definitely descended from Archie. You have his eyes."
"So you were an apprentice to my grandfather?"
"Yeah I was. For about five years. Your old man never wanted to carry on the family business and Archie respected that but he needed to find someone to carry on his legacy once he croaked. I was a pickpocket back in those days and when the cops caught me it was either jail time or community service. Archie agreed to let me work off my debt to society."
"He had you train to be a vampire hunter as community service?" Gray asked skeptically.
"No. He just had me clean his house and do yard work. But then one day while I was dusting I stumbled on to his collection of vampire hunting weapons. I asked questions, he gave me answers, his lifestyle seemed interesting and I didn't really have a life so I asked if the position of heir to the vampire slaying throne was available."
"And he just started training you?" Natsu asked. "Just like that?"
"Well he had to do a few background checks to make sure theft was the only crime I ever committed but yeah. Pretty much. He had his doubts in the beginning but by the time I was nineteen he said I was ready to takeover for him."
"So why didn't you?" Lucy asked.
"Because I had gotten my girlfriend and eventual wife Cornelia pregnant. She didn't want our child to be exposed to the horrors I dealt with and frankly neither did I. So I called it quits. Archie was a little upset but he understood what was more important."
"So it's my fault you quit?" Said the woman who had let them in.
"No Cana. It's my fault because I was very eager during those days, protection wasn't invented yet, and I...I just couldn't wait til marriage like your mother wanted. All though ironically she initiated our first time together. "
"No kidding." The woman called Cana said rolling her eyes.
"Mr. Clive-" Lucy started.
"Gildarts if you don't mind."
"Gildarts we were wondering if you could tell us about the time you and my grandfather encountered a vampire called Regine."
At the mention of her name Gildarts skin tone became the color of paper and he looked as if death had come knocking at his door.
"Why do you wanna know about her?"
"We don't mean to alarm you." Gray said. "But she's come back."
"Come back?" He said. "You mean that bitch walks again? How the hell did that happen?!"
"We don't know." Natsu said.
"Oh man! I gotta get out of here! She'll probably be coming for me!"
"Sir we can understand your fear." Juvia said.
"Can you really?" He said trying not to panic. "Because I don't think you do. Neither of you have any idea just what kind of monster she is. Why do you even want to know about her?"
"Well we're hoping to destroy her." Natsu said.
"Destroy her? Lord help you, none of you will last five minutes before she destroys you all."
"I beg to differ. I met her recently and I'm still alive...So to speak."
"That's because she hasn't decided to kill you yet. She can range from just killing on sight to taking her time for the exact moment to strike. Or worse, torture you for God knows how long before she finally puts you out of your misery. She is undeniable proof that supernatural evil is real!"
"Dad I've never seen you like this." Cana said concerned for her father. "Just what in the world did that woman do to you?"
"Something that I pray you or no one else will ever have to experience. You five are crazy to think you can kill her. She'll brutalize you all, especially you two." He said pointing to Lucy and Juvia.
"Why us?" Lucy asked.
"Well for one thing Archie was the one who destroyed her the first time and she'll want revenge." He explained. "But Archie's dead so being his granddaughter, you're her next best target."
"But I'm training to become a vampire hunter like him." She said. "I can probably defend myself."
"But how much training have you had? Is your body in perfect shape and strength for such a task? Let me see."
He proceeded to check her arms and hands carefully. His actions seemed odd but it didn't raise any red flags. At least not until he started feeling around her legs and bottom.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing you disgusting old man?!" Lucy cried before slapping Gildarts.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Natsu said kicking Gildarts to the floor.
"You misunderstand. I was merely examining the strength in her legs and waist. If she intends to fight a creature like Regine then she can't have a flimsy body. I've done research that proves my methods are helpful."
"You call that helpful?!" Natsu scoffed. "Research! Yeah right, just an excuse for you to get all touchy-feely with girls."
"I have merit."
"Filthy beast!" Lucy said before slapping Gildarts again.
"Dirty old man!" Natsu added before giving him another kick. "Keep your hands to yourself why don't ya?"
Cana only facepalmed in shame.
"There is nothing dirty about me! I just take the subject of fighting vampires very seriously! That's all! Miss Heartfilia is a direct descendant of the man Regine hates most so she'll be a prime target and therefore she must be ready for her." He then turned to Juvia. "And you."
"Me?" She said.
"You're a prime target too."
"Why?"
"Well you're a nun right?"
"Yes."
"That means you're a virgin."
"Uhh...Yes." She said trying to hide her blush.
"Virgin blood is very valuable to vampires. It's like champagne to them. You'll no doubt be her first target." He carefully took hold of her gloved hands. "But I know of a way that might give you a better chance of survival."
"What? What could I do?"
"Well I know you're not supposed to do this but would you be willing to lie with me?"
"Excuse me?!" She squeaked.
"What?!" Gray said.
"And why in God's name would I do that?"
"Because if you lose your virginity then your blood will not seem as delectable to them." Gildarts said. "I know such a request is unorthodox and quite forward but as a former vampire hunter, I feel it is my honor bound mission to do whatever I can to protect a lovely and innocent woman from being fed upon."
Cana facepalmed again.
"Hands off creep!" Gray said pulling Juvia away from Gildarts. "Do you think we were born yesterday? Your only honor bound mission is lechery."
"Don't believe me? Consult other vampire hunters then. They'll tell you that virgin blood is the most sought after blood there is."
"I don't care! You touch her again and I break your neck, capiche?"
"Oh I'm sorry is she your woman? If so I apologize. But truthfully though she has a better chance of not being hunted as much if she's been with a man. So if you all do plan to fight Regine I suggest you two have a rather less chaste relationship."
Gray and Juvia were both burning red in the face.
"She's not my woman!" Gray exclaimed. "I'm just supposed to be keeping an eye on her for my boss! That's all! Besides she's not even that attractive."
"Hey!" Juvia said. "There you go again! Always being so mean to me!"
"I'm not being mean I'm just being honest. I'm not attracted to you."
"Fine but don't imply that I'm ugly."
"I thought it wouldn't matter to you if someone thought you were ugly. You're a nun. You're never going to give yourself to a guy."
"So that means I don't have feelings?"
"Typical male youth." Gildarts said. "So insensitive to the feelings of women."
"You're not sensitive to them." Cana told her father. "You just pretend to be so you can get into their skirt."
"Not true. I believe sensitivity is very important." Gildarts then put his hands over Juvia's waist. "Like sensitive skin."
"Ahh!" Juvia shrieked. "Get your hands off me!"
"I told you not to touch her!" Gray snarled before punching him in the face which was hard enough to send him into a wall and knock him out. "Oops."
"Don't feel bad." Cana said. "He had it coming. I apologize for my father's crass behavior. He's harmless really but that doesn't mean his lecherous urges should go unpunished. That aside, until he recovers I'll treat you all to something on the house to make up for it. Follow me."