Fairy Tail Guildhall - Magnolia - X791
Lucy was outside with Wendy and Carla, as Michelle finished working on one of Wendy's side ponytails. Wendy, who sat on a box as Lucy's sister worked on her hair, got up and thanked her. "Thanks. I needed a haircut." "Oh, well, I'm glad to help! I don't have the scissors skills of Big Sister Lucy's crab, but it doesn't take much to make you look super cute."
Michelle's wink at Wendy earned her a happy reply from the girl. "Oh, that's sweet of you to say. You made an absolutely perfect afternoon like this, feel even better!" "Yeah, today is pretty darn perfect, isn't it? So quiet and peaceful!"
"We better soak it all in while we can, because peace never lasts long in this guild." Carla's point was rebuffed by a laugh from Lucy. "C'mon, we're not that bad." The girls then took notice of their guild member who usually started the fights that broke the peacefulness sweeping the ground. Taking notice of something, Natsu yelled out a rude "hey!".
"You see?" Crossing her arms, Lucy replied, "Now, things are still peaceful here, Carla. At least for the moment."
Natsu stared at a snoring Happy, sitting on the edge of a nearby stump. "Happy... No slacking!" Happy woke up with a start. "Fish?"
The cat then looked around. "No, it's just you." "What do you mean "it's just me"?" "Oh, don't be sensitive. I was just having the most amazing dream about a super humongous fish buffet that went on as far as the eye could see. I think I'm gonna go back to it." Happy sleepy reply to Natsu's angry question and then going back to sleep didn't sit well with Natsu. "No way!"
"What's the big deal, man?" Happy grumbled. Natsu angrily pointed to his Exceed. "The big deal is that you're supposed to be my partner!" "Yeah, so?" "Well, don't ya see I've been all this yard work over here? Not layin' around?" Happy answered, nonchalantly, "It is your turn. Why should I care?" "Because your partner is workin' off his tail off, while you're dreamin' about stuffing your face! That is so not cool!"
"Those guys are so immature." Lucy commented to the other girls as the Fire Dragon Slayer and his Exceed bickered. "My, don't you catch on quickly?" Carla sarcastically said. Wendy and Michelle laughed at the display.
"We're partners on missions and stuff, but stupid yard work is a completely different thing." "Just what the heck is the matter with you, Happy?!" Natsu pointed accusingly at Happy. "How could you be so cold?" "Oh, please. I am not cold." Happy then opened his arms to the sky. "No way! 'Cause it's way too nice today! It's so warm and sunshiney out here!"
Gray then approached the two from behind Natsu, crossing his arms. "So what are you two idiots flapping your gums about this time? The work would go a lot faster if you didn't stop to complain about it." "Who asked you, Frostbite?" Natsu rudely inquired. "And for the record, I'm not compliant about cleaning up." Pointing again to Happy, Natsu made his statement clear. "I'm just sayin' that cat should help!"
But Happy wasn't there anymore. He was talking to Carla. "Are you enjoying this nice weather, Carla?" "Indeed I am."
"You can't just walk away when I'm talkin' to you!" Natsu scolded Happy.
Not too far away, Max, Nab, Warren, and Vijeeter were looking at them from a distance, smiling. "Whaddaya know, it's been seven whole years and Natsu hasn't changed one bit. Still a brat." "What are you, surprised?" Happy asked Max. "He's been that way practically his entire life!"
"Are you tryin' to say that you've changed?" Natsu asked, insulted by the comment. "I mean, obviously besides gettin' older and stuff." "Yeah." Max laughed. "I've gotten older on the outside, but inside I still feel pretty young on the inside."
"So what you're trying to tell us is that you're basically just an immature old fart?" Gray asked.
Max got into a battle-ready stance. "If you want me to show you my new skills, you're on!" Natsu, with his usual alacrity, ran up and accepted the gesture, discarding the broom in his hand to the side. "Ha! Bring it, ya' dusty ol' geezer! Let's throw down right here!" "Thought you'd never ask!"
"Hey, wait! You two are gonna fight right now?!" Lucy asked. But Gray smiled. "Sounds like a plan to me. It's perfect weather for a little outdoor sparring match, dontcha think?" "Yeah." Natsu agreed, eagerly. "Now I've got a fire in my belly."
"Let's rock!" Max taunted as he flipped his hair with his head. Natsu came at him, charging with a Fire Dragon's Iron Fist, but Max ducked to evade it and kicked Natsu in retaliation before he used a Sandstorm. Natsu was sent flying, but he landed on his feet.
Natsu was surprised. "What? Are you kiddin' me?"
"Do you seriously think that we just sat around and did nothing the whole time you guys were gone?" Max asked. "We've all been working on our fighting chops."
Wendy and Lucy were also surprised at the new development. "I don't believe it." "Natsu is getting schooled by Max?"
"Well it ain't over yet, pal!" Getting up, Natsu charged again at Max. Natsu launched several kicks and punches at Max, who dodged them all.
"Sand Rebellion!" Max's Sand Magic attack sent Natsu into the air. Natsu growled before he used his Fire Dragon Slayer Magic to blow the sand away. "Now you're just pissing me off!"
The dust cloud created from Natsu's action caused Michelle, Lucy, Wendy, Happy and Carla to cough. "Do you mind?" Carla asked, before Happy jumped into the air and cheered on. "Teach him a lesson, Natsu!" "Weren't you just arguing with him just a minute ago?" Carla pointed out. Happy twirled around as he smiled. "This has nothing to do with that."
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" "Sand Wall!" Max defended himself from Natsu's attack by conjuring up a wall of sand that Natsu strained against. "I'm a whole lot strong than I used to be!"
Max bragging of the fact of him being stronger than Natsu was a surprise to everyone. Vijeeter commented, "Max is beating Natsu. That is so crazy." "I'd never thought I'd see the day." Warren added. "Maybe that means we can beat him, too!" Nab optimistically suggested.
But as the struggle continued, Natsu activated his special mode that he got on Tenrou Island. "Lightning Flame Dragon Mode!" Lucy, Michelle, and Wendy were shocked at the display. "Holy cow!" "What is this?!" Michelle asked her sister as Natsu had flames surrounding him with lighting crackling around him, making him seem more intimidating than ever.
"Whoa!" Max then got unnerved. "I don't think I'm ready for this."
"Lightning Flame Dragon... Roar!" Natsu's massive breath attack missed Max, but it obliterated everything behind the sand wizard. Everyone was left speechless and in shock. "Oh wow." Happy breathed as he looked at the damage that was made.
"Aw, man! I thought that would be like a hundred times stronger!"
"When did you figure out you could use that technique?" Lucy asked Natsu. "Just now." "That's awesome." Wendy breathed in amazement.
"Well... that's it for me." Max nervously gestured. It was obvious that he had enough. "I give up, man. Really wasn't planning on getting killed today."
"Which one of you is next in line?" Natsu's challenge was quickly turned down by the other three men. "I'm good, thanks though!" Vijeeter agreed with Warren. "Y-yeah, you win!"
Natsu laughed wildly before he collapsed on the ground, surprising everyone again. "Is he okay?" Michele asked. "It makes sense that an attack like that would use up a lot of power." Lucy observed. "You should probably practice a bit more before you pull that one in a real fight." Happy recommended.
"I never knew you were such a good fighter, Max." Rubbing the back of his head, Max humbly accepted Wendy's complement. "Thanks, but I obviously still have a long way to go."
"If everybody in the guild has gotten that much more powerful, why is it that you let Twilight Ogre bully you around for so long?" Carla's question was answered by Vijeeter, Warren, and Nab. "It's a little bit more complicated than that." "It was more of a problem of cash flow." "You don't expect us to settle our debts with brute force, do you?"
"But that's kinda how Master settled them, right?" Lucy asked. Smiling nervously, Max realized that fact. "Oh yeah."
"Listen up, guys. I'm afraid the guild has a serious problem on our hands." Gray told them as he sat cross-legged on a ledge overlooking them. "What do you mean by that?" Lucy asked. "Gildarts and Laxus are still powerhouses, but no one else has kept up strength-wise. A lot of us were asleep for seven years while everyone here was training." "And in all actuality, I'm not that powerful in magic." Michelle sadly admitted.
"Yeah, you got a point." Lucy agreed as she crossed her arms. "I mean, Natsu came really close to getting shown up by Max, of all people." "You're right and he's really weak." "At least she was nice enough not to say it to my face." Max tearfully scratched his forehead with his right index finger after he heard Wendy's comment about him.
"I wonder if anyone knows a way for us to give our magic power a super-fast boost." Happy pondered. "Right." Michelle agreed. "It's not like we have an alchemist that can give us a boost with potions or something like that, right?"
Porlyusica's House - East Forest - X791
Team Natsu and Michelle, minus Erza, found themselves at the house of Fairy Tail's semi-active medical advisor. Porlyusica looked at them disdainfully as they were at her doorstep, causing some of them to look nervously at her.
Porlyusica then slammed the door after a brief moment of silence before she yelled at them. "Scram!"
"Sorry to bother you ma'am." Lucy apologized. "But we were wondering if you had any potions that can help us." "Like maybe something that can make us a million times stronger?" Natsu implication was shot down by Gray. "There's probably no way it'd be that easy."
Carla then took notice that Wendy was looking rather uncomfortable. She was looking down at the ground and holding her hands to her chest. "What's the matter, child? You seem upset." Wendy glumly shook her head to say no.
Gray was then met with surprise when Porlyusica emerged from the door again. "You know I hate people, so get lost! Shoo! Shoo!" Everyone quickly ran from the treehouse in fear as Porlyusica waved a broom at them.
"I've had enough brooms already!" Natsu exclaimed. "Sorry to bother you!" Lucy apologized.
"Why does she hate us?!" Michelle asked. "Is 'cause she and Gramps used to date?" Gray's question was shot down as he ran. "We weren't a couple, you fool!" Wendy stopped as she took another look at Porlyusica, which the woman noticed. Then she continued to run.
The gang was panting and resting from running away from Porlyusica's house when Lucy asked a question. "Hey, whose brilliant idea was it to visit Porylusica in the first place?" "Yours, genius." Happy replied. "And she's usually so sweet and charming." Gray's mockery was backed up by Carla as she had a paw behind her head and one on her hip. "I'd always heard she wasn't fond of people, but I never expected all that." "Apparently, she's not too keen on cats either." Happy added as he looked up from lying on the ground.
Wendy, on the other hand, looked like she was about to cry. Tears were brimming her eyes as Gray asked, "Why are you crying, Wendy? Did that old lady scare you?" "Hey. It's gonna be okay." Lucy comforted.
"That witch made Wendy cry? She'll pay for that!" Wendy shook her head, hands covering her face, at Natsu's claim. "It's not like that. She's just so familiar."
"What?" "Have you two met before?" Wendy clenched her hands into fists as she answered Natsu and Carla's questions. "I don't really know how to explain it, exactly. It sounds strange but it's the truth. Her voice... and her scent... They're so much like Grandeeney's." This shocked all those present.
"Are you tryin' to tell us that she's Grandeeney?" Gray question was met with Lucy's. "How can a regular person have the same voice and scent as a dragon?" "Is that really even possible?" "I haven't the foggiest." Carla told Happy.
"Yeah, Wendy. Whaddaya mean?" Wendy sniffed as she answered Natsu's question. "I don't know. But she's so familiar, it's confusing. She sounds and smells just like my mother, the Sky Dragon Grandeeney."
"I say that we go back there and ask her what's goin' on." "Wait, Natsu." Gray halted Natsu from walking back. "If she's the human version of Grandeeney, there are a few things that don't add up. Just think about it for a second."
Lucy then started stating the facts. "Well, first of all, both your dragons vanished without a trace at the same time. And don't forget that the dragon that raised Gajeel also disappeared on the exact same day. All in the year 777, which was 14 years ago. But Master Makarov has known Porlyusica way longer than that. They were friends back when they were both fairly young. So that means that she and Grandeeney were around at the same time. It just doesn't add up. I wish it could be true, but there's no way they can be one and the same."
"I guess that counts out any reincarnation or transformation." Michelle summarized from Lucy's reasoning. "Yeah."
"Y'know, when you stop and explain it all like that, it really doesn't make sense." Wendy looked up at them before she lowered her head again. "Besides her voice and the way she smells, her attitude is completely different."
"From all the stories that you've told me, your dragon was actually quite kind to people." Carla added. Happy then spoke up. "Wait a second. You think it's maybe because she hates cats?"
"Grandeeney was nice, she didn't hate anybody." Wendy affirmed as she stood up.
"Sorry, but it's hard for me to picture a nice dragon." Gray admitted. Lucy added, "Especially after our run-in with Acnologia."
"Igneel was usually pretty nice!" Natsu hesitantly confessed.
"Sorry if my attitude offenses you!"
Lucy and Gray were taken by surprise by who had spoken up. "Ms. Porlyusica!" "You scared the crap outta me!"
Wendy walked up to Porlyusica and a brief moment of silence was held.
"There's really no use in hiding it anymore, so I might as well tell you my big secret. I know it's not what you want to hear, but I'm not the dragon you seek. I'm just a human being, same as you."
"But why do you hate humans so much?" Natsu's question was answered with a groan from Porlyusica. "Because they ask too many stupid questions!" "Sorry."
"I'm afraid that I can't tell you where your dragon is. I simply don't know. The fact of the matter is, we have no direct connection whatsoever."
"Then how do you explain your similarities?"
Porlyusica's answer to Lucy's question was a surprising one. "You're familiar with the alternate world of Edolas, are you not? Rumor has it that you've been there. I've even heard that you even met your counterparts, saw how our worlds correlate."
"How do you know about Edolas?" Gray asked. "I think I get it." Lucy quietly answered. "Wait. Hold on." Natsu realized it too. "Oh my." Carla gasped.
"Every living being in Earthland has a counterpart there, including dragons. So one could argue that I am the Edolas version of your friend Grandeeney. I am not from this world, but I found myself here several decades ago."
"What?!" Everyone yelled in surprise to Porlyusica's confession. "You're the Edolas Grandeeney?!" "Like a human version of a dragon?" Carla and Happy asked.
"I was disoriented when I arrived, but Makarov came to my aid. The peacefulness and beauty that I discovered here quickly endeared me to Earthland. So even though I had several opportunities to return to Edolas, I had made the decision to call your world my new home."
"Does this mean that Igneel and Metallicana have human versions back in Edolas, too? Maybe they crossed over just like you did!" Porlyusica quickly responded to Natsu's theory. "I have no idea. I've never encountered them.
However, I did have the chance to speak with the Sky Dragon." "Huh?" Wendy gasped at the fact. "Although we didn't meet in a traditional sense. It was more mysterious. She spoke directly into my mind, by way of telepathy.
You originally came here seeking out a means to gain power. I may be able to help Wendy in that regard, but only her." Porlyusica then presented a stack of bound papers to Wendy.
"The Sky Dragon dictated this book of spells to me. It contains, among other things, the Sky Dragon spells "Milky Way" and "Shattering Light: Sky Drill". Two Dragon Slayer Secret Arts that she never got a chance to teach you."
"I don't know what to say." Wendy replied as she held the book. "Grandeeney really did this?"
"She asked me to give it to you should you ever decide to come to visit. Those are powerful spells, extremely dangerous, so be sure to exercise great caution." Porlyusica started to head home as she gave her warnings.
Running to catch up with her, Wendy then bowed to the leaving woman. "Thank you so much, Ms. Porlyusica! Ms. Grandeeney!" The elder woman smiled to herself upon hearing that as she left.
Fairy Tail Guildhall - Magnolia - X791
"We're gonna do it this time. You're not the master anymore, dad!" "Well neither are you, you little rugrat! I absolutely forbid it! We're never gonna get involved in that thing again, ya hear?!"
The gang returned to the guildhall, only to find Romeo and Macao arguing.
"Yo guys, we're home!" Natsu yelling their return was met with Max answering them. "Hey. So how did it go? Did you guys pick up anything worthwhile?" "Well, Wendy sure did." Wendy giggled at Lucy's implication.
"You don't make the rules anymore, so just get over it! It's up to Makarov!" "I'm expressing myself as a member of the guild!"
"What's all the fuss about this time?" "Seems like typical teenage rebellion to me." Carla then realized something about the Ice Wizard. "Clothing, Gray!"
"Those of you with me, say Aye!" Everyone who wasn't in the Fairy Sphere for seven years raised their hands with Macao and said "Aye!".
"I don't ever wanna go through that crap again." Alzack stated. "That has got to be the most embarrassing thing in the world." Bisca added.
"But we've got the Tenrou Team with us this time! Natsu and Erza and all those guys! There's no way we're gonna lose with them on our side!"
"Haven't you been paying attention? They all missed out on seven years of training!" Warren reminded Romeo.
"You're awesome Levy, don't listen to those jerks." Droy told her.
"So what exactly are we talking about doing or not doing here anyway?" Romeo answered Natsu's question. "While you guys were all stuck on Tenrou Island, a tournament started to determine Fiore's number one guild."
"Ooh!" Happy jumped up in interest as Natsu stated his eagerness. "Sounds like a whole lotta fun to me!"
"Guilds from all over the country face off against each other in magic events." Romeo pointed to the ceiling as he stated its name. "They call it... The Grand Magic Games!"
"Oh yeah!" Lucy and Wendy agreed with Natsu. "That sounds totally amazing!" "Yeah, I'd love to play some games!"
"So it's more like a kind of magic festival?" Gray clarified. Erza then made the reason clear. "I understand. Sabertooth is known as the top guild in Fiore these days because they won the last go-around."
"That's right. But if we can beat them and win the Games this time, we'll be number one instead!" "Oh!" Everyone in the Tenrou Team got what Romeo was implicating.
"That would be nice." Makarov agreed as he held his chin in pondering. "But I'm not entirely convinced we could win given our current state of disarray."
"That's my point exactly!" Macao stated. "Yeah, but if we do win, the guild will get, like, thirty million Jewel in prize money!" Following Romeo's comment, Makarov needed no hesitation in what he decided. "We're in!"
"Seriously?" Macao's complaining was backed up by Droy and Warren. "But Master, it's gonna be really hard!" "There are tons of powerful guilds that compete each year." "And don't forget that we've come in dead freakin' last every single time we've entered." Jet grumbled.
"That is just pitiful." Elfman stated with a deadpanned look at him.
Punching the air energetically, Makarov made his declaration. "Well this year we'll just have to beat all those other guilds to a pulp!"
Foot on a table and right hand ablaze, Natsu made his declaration as well. "Sabertooth thinks they're hot stuff? We'll just see about that!" "Put a cork in it!" Jet told him.
Taking his foot off the table, Natsu asked Romeo the important question. "So when does this thing go down, anyway?" "It kicks off in three months!
Natsu slammed his fists together, flame still going. "That's plenty of time! But we have to start training ASAP. We'll put Fairy Tail back on top and nobody's gonna get in our way!" The others smiled and agreed with Natsu's idea.
"Let's go!" "Yeah!" Lucy agreed with Gray. "And if all of us start working together as a guild..." "There will be no stopping us." Erza finalized. "I'd better start studying these new spells Grandeeney wanted me to learn, huh?" Wendy asked optimistically as she held the book in front of her.
"It's about time we got a chance to cut loose!" Happy cheered as he danced. "It seems like this guild is always looking to party." Carla stated.
"Fight party! This is gonna be so freaking manly!" Elfman yelled in enthusiasm. Cana smiled. "Gildarts may get his wish. We could be the top dogs in Fiore again very soon."
"This is gonna suck." Droy groaned. "Please tell me you're joking." Jet begged.
"Come on guys, where's your team spirit?" Levy asked them optimistically.
"Um, this is really not a good idea." Alzack and Bisca gave their voice. "I don't think you guys understand; the Games are not your typical kind of fighting tournament."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" "It's absolute hell." Warren stated to Natsu with his arms crossed and a disapproving look.
Regardless of all the negativity, Makarov made the decision clear. "Now the final decision has been made, there's no need for all this moaning and groaning! So let's get to work! Let's win that thirty million Jewel and the title of Fiore's number one guild! Fairy Tail is entering the Grand Magic Games and aiming for the top!"
Everyone cheered. "Yeah!"
