Hey everyone.
So last chapter was a small filler chapter where Wendy and Naruto took a mission without their furry companions and showed that they are true Fairy Tail Mages by destroying a Village.
Anyway, we now enter the Tenrou Island Arc.
Anyway…
Responses to Reviews:
Tenma Kirin: Continuing.
Beastfighter33: 1. Yeah. 2. Sounds like an idea that I could use.
willow1996: thanks. and will.
suryamgangwal63: News: It's here.
Guest: 'it up'? whaddya mean?
On with the story…
Previously…
On a Hill on the other side of the now destroyed Village, Fu and Chomei just stood there, looking on in wonder.
"And you wanted those two as friends?" Chomei asked. "Shouldn't you be more careful about who you want as friends?"
"Sh…shut it, Chomei." Fu told her, embarrassed. "How was I supposed to know that they would be that powerful and destructive?"
Chomei just shook her head, before grabbing hold of Fu and flying away. As they flew away, the wind picked up, revealing their backs, and the Guild Mark tattooed there.
It belonged to Lamia Scale.
Chapter 14, Teaming Up
Naruto and Wendy returned to the Guild, red faced and not looking at each other.
Why?
Well, because that daughter of the Noble Family, Flora, they were protecting officially won the Prank War against Naruto.
How?
Because she noticed that they were still holding hands before putting on an evil grin.
Short Flashback
"So, how long are you going to do that?" she asked the two Dragon Slayers.
Naruto and Wendy turned their heads ever so slightly, wondering what she was on about.
"Uh-Oh…this will get ugly…" Flora's Brother said with a grin whilst the parents hid smirks of their own because…
"The two of you haven't noticed anything about the other yet, have you?" Flora said, before suddenly pushing their faces together when they looked at each other. "Just kiss already, for god's sake!"
…this wouldn't be the first time that Flora played match maker, and it wouldn't be the last time either. Many Years later, Flora's brother would be reminded of that with some…personal experience to be had.
…at least he would have a happy end of that experience.
Flashback end
Not even the hell called a train ride back to Magnolia made them forget what happened.
"So, how did it go?" Kurama asked, appearing next to the pair with Charla.
"We…uhm…destroyed a Village…" Naruto answered. Kurama sensed that he was leaving something out. "Oh, and we met Chomei and her partner Fuu whilst on the mission."
Kurama's eyes widened, then he smiled. "It is good to hear that at least one of my siblings has a good relationship with her partner."
"Her partner is what Wendy used to be until we started training together." Naruto said. "Meek, low self-esteem and constantly apologizing."
"Then why are your faces as red as a strawberry?" Charla asked, blowing the conversation completely off topic, aka blowing the topic to that what everyone is asking themselves.
"No reason!" Naruto and Wendy said quickly…too quickly.
"Spill now." Kurama said.
"Nope." Naruto said.
"Spill now." Makarov said.
"Definitely NOT!" Wendy said, slapping him in the face, before realizing what she had done. "Master Makarov?! When did you get here?"
Off to the side of the Guild, several guildmembers chuckled when they saw the action. Usually, it was Mira slapping Master Makarov around after all.
"Just wanted to know how the mission went." Makarov said, fake tears pouring down his eyes as he rubbed his stinging cheek. "Did you have to slap me so hard?"
"We'll tell you later, Jiji." Naruto answered, before looking around. "Where is everyone? The guild is empty!"
"Oh, right, you wouldn't know since this would be the first time you experience…" Makarov was interrupted by Gray, who barreled through the door, grabbed a request from the surprisingly empty request board, ran up to Mira manning the Bar, told her he was going on that quest, then ran out of the hall. "…something like this."
"Like what exactly?" Naruto asked.
"The only time of the year where none of the brats don't cause excessive collateral damage." Makarov said with a smile…until Natsu destroyed the door with a flaming kick, grabbed a request from the request board, ran up to Mira, got the mission approved, and left by destroying the wall next to the door he had destroyed on the way in, Happy happily flying behind him.
Makarov gave a defeated sigh. "You two will find out more later this week."
He then looked at the two Dragon Slayers with his usual grin. "Now then…why were your faces to red just now?"
That evening
Naruto, Wendy, Kurama and Charla stood next to Lucy and Levy in the crowd, wondering what the heck was going on as all the guild members were assembling and chatting excitedly.
"Hey, Bouncy, you have any Idea what's going on here?" Kurama asked Lucy, who blushed and hissed in response.
"Will you stop reminding me of the Trampoline Job already?!" she hissed. "Anyway, I am just as confused as you guys are."
Naruto chuckled, Wendy giggled whilst Charla face-palmed.
Whilst Naruto and Wendy were out on their quest, Kurama had tagged along with Natsu, Happy and Lucy on a small quest to capture an unaffiliated mage who caused some trouble in Magnolia and surrounding cities.
They found him whilst he was infiltrating a Kindergarten, and for once there was no collateral damage as Kurama simply hit him on the back of his head 2 spells into the fight, knocking him out cold.
Unfortunately for Lucy, one of those spells hit her…and he used some sort of trampoline magic, meaning that for the next hour, no matter what Lucy did, every movement send her body, limbs and chest bouncing around in any and every direction. Natsu and Happy thought it was fun and started giving her playful nudges, inviting the kids in the Kindergarten to come and join them as they sent her bouncing around the playground.
Lucy did NOT enjoy that experience and Kurama a) was rolling around on the floor; b) refused to let her forget it and c) told the entire guild about it before Lucy could threaten/blackmail him into silence. Kurama promised her that he would not tell anyone else, verbally or written…
He never said anything about returning to the Seal and mentally telling Naruto all about it though…
And of course, Max went and created a Lucy figuring that had flailing limbs, though when he showed the Demo, Lucy stole Mira's frying pan and threatened Max with DEATH should he release those into the market.
The speech is canon
Makarov began listing the nominees.
"Mest Gryder."
The couple of young Dragonslayers and bouncy Celestial Mage looked at the tall mage with short cropped black hair with scars near his left eye, remembering that last year, he had come close to being promoted.
"Levy MacGarden."
"He's sending in the child-sized bookworm?" Kurama asked.
"Apparently so." Charla answered as Levy's fanclub cheered her on.
"Fried Justine."
Naruto and Wendy looked at the fanboy, hearing him mutter to himself about following Laxus' footsteps.
"Cana Alberona."
"Well, at least the guild won't be getting complaints from the Magic Council about her sending them the Alcohol Bill…" Charla quipped, ignoring the glare that Cana sent the white cat, having overheard her.
"Elfman."
Naruto and co turned to see Lisanna cheer her older brother on.
"Juvia Lockser."
Naruto and co looked at each other, asking themselves if Juvia just set the record for shortest time being a member before being nominated. Then again, Cait Shelter didn't have S-class mages, so they don't know the system.
"Gray Fullbuster."
"Should we pack him some extra clothes?" Naruto asked Kurama, who nodded.
"Natsu Dragneel."
"No surprise there." Naruto said, with the others nodding in agreement.
Soon, the nominees had, through one way or another, found their partners, with Natsu teaming with Happy, Gray hijacking Lucy's spirit, Loke, Lisanna worming her way into being Juvia's partner, and telling the crying Elfman that he's been getting some strong/passionate stares from Evergreen for a while now. Naruto sensed a possible pranking opportunity there.
Anyway, Cana teamed up with Lucy, after the latter found her completely wasted in an alley. Fried teamed up with Brickslow, hence Evergreen staring at Elfman, Gajeel not giving Levy a choice and proclaiming himself to be her partner, and lastely Mest, who to Naruto's ire, asked Wendy if she'd be his partner.
Timeskip, 2 weeks later
Naruto was sitting at the table, bowl of Ramen in front of him…but he hasn't touched his food at all. His face was marred by a frown that he had ever since he heard that Wendy had been chosen as one of the S-Rank-nominee's partners…there was something very off about this Mest guy.
"You alright, Kit?" Kurama asked, having finally decided to approach Naruto. Next to him stood the two Exceed who also remained here, Panther Lily and Charla.
"It's that Mest guy…there is something very wrong with him." Naruto said, pushing his Ramen away as he crossed his arms. "I know he is a member of Fairy Tail, however, my memories of him don't add up."
"I also have that feeling. It's as though he's been a member of Fairy Tail for quite some time." Lily said. "But for some reason, I can't recall him actually going on any missions with anyone."
"That is part of what I find suspicious." Naruto said. "I seem to have memories of him being in Fairy Tail BEFORE we joined Fairy Tail…and I am pretty sure that I have never met him, let alone heard of him until today. I am sure I'd have recognized his smell."
Kurama quirked an eyebrow, before realization struck him. "That shouldn't be possible…unless…"
"…he's tampered with our memories." Naruto finished. "My thoughts exactly."
"But that shouldn't be possible." Lily said. "The old man would surely realize something was up, wouldn't he?"
"Not unless he knew from the start…" Charla said. "We need to go."
"Where?" Naruto, Kurama and Lily asked.
"Tenrou. I do not trust him with keeping Wendy safe." Charla said.
The others nodded.
"Let's meet up at the Town square in an hour. I need to get my gear together." Naruto said, with Charla and Kurama nodding in understanding.
"I need to go and get my sword from Gajeel's apartment anyway. See you then." Lily nodded, before turning to leave the guildhall.
Naruto and Kurama left as well, leaving Charla alone.
"Well, better not let this tea go to waste." Charla said, sipping at her cup. "Maybe have another one as well." It wasn't like she needed to pack anything anyway. She still had an hour before the meeting after all.
Sometime later, Tenroujima
Wendy was being stubborn.
Why you ask?
Well, there was this one guy, who was an oddball even compared to her guild, who just so happened to be an S-class nominee and her partner, was eating a field of flowers as though he was a grazing animal.
And said flowers had a delectable smell that she found appeasing and calming. Add to that the lovely sight of the ocean, with the landing beach below them at the foot of the cliff they were on, the birds flying through the air above them and a breeze that blew the smell of the sea up to them.
Then why the hell was she being stubborn?
Well, you see, had she never met her boyfrie…uhm…had she never met Naruto and Kurama, she wouldn't ever have noticed that there was something very wrong with Mest.
Firstly, why did he choose her as his partner?
Secondly, why was he such a pushover? She sensed that he was holding back during their horrifying fight with Gray and Loke. Pickled plums…shudder…enough said.
Thirdly, he had no idea what the emergency flare above them was about?
Fourth, and most importantly, she was noticing the inconsistency concerning her memory that Naruto, Lily, Kurama and Charla had noticed.
So now, when Mest had refused to answer one of her piercing questions concerning him by starting to chow down on the flowers, she was not having it and prepared to shove a Sennin Goroshi, a technique taught to her by Naruto early on in their relationship…no, wait, they weren't in a relationship yet (#BlushingWendy), anyway, once realizing how devastating the technique could be, swore that she'd never use on anyone…until now.
She needn't have had to bother because a moment later, Panther Lily appeared, grabbed Mest by the scruff of his neck and slammed him into the stone boulder behind her, with Kurama, Charla and Naruto appearing soon after.
One interrogation later
Naruto suddenly grabbed Wendy and jumped to the side before an explosion erupted the ground where she had stood.
"Whose there?" he shouted at the lone tree, where he smelled a person.
…
AND DONE!
Sorry for the shortness of the chapter, but I have hit a roadblock here and need to rewatch the Grimoire Heart Arc (because I forgot what events appeared there and in what order).
I'll try to make the next chapter somewhat longer and will cover most of the arc up until the fight with the Grimoire Heart Guildmaster.
