Hey, fairy tail fans, guess who's finally back from the dead? Sorry for the long wait. I usually would have started picking this up again a long time ago, but my schedule hasn't exactly allowed for a lot of free time, but I come with good news. I plan on moving to a weekly update schedule for right now. It may or may not change in the future depending on how things go, but yes, you will get a new chapter every week instead of every day during May, June, and July. A good trade-off if you ask me.
Today we will be starting the Tenrou Island arc, and oh boy, this one will be long, so anyway, tell me what you think and leave a review.
now the journey continues
Mavis stood alone on top of the fairy pub, wind brushing past her as she looked into the clear night sky. her hair flowing in the wind; she had many things on her mind. The loss of Mystogen, the magic council, and the dark guilds 'the Oracion sies was a distraction, she thought to herself; feeling a presence, she turned to see Natsu and Mira making their way towards her.
"Master," they both said
"Why are you up here," Natsu asked
"Sometimes," Mavis said, "I like to listen to the city's pulse" she smiled. "I hear it best at night, and when everyone else is asleep," she turned to face the pair, "as you know, Mystogen has left us." a frown came over her face. Still, she shook it away "we need to decide on his replacement" she looked back into the distance, "we need to be ready for anything, and I'd rather be at full strength."
"Yeah," Natsu said, "we won't have Mystogen to bail us out anymore."
"With everything that's going on, we should be on our guard," Mira said, "but the problem is, who"
"We could ask Elfman," Natsu muttered
"Not," Mira shouted
Mavis let out a chuckle as she turned back to them "so may powerful wizards have come to Magnolia in the past year, so I think I have a way to decide."
"really"
The trial of the children
The Next day Lucy sat at the bar as Mira went over some paperwork "thing has been quiet lately, huh" Lucy asked.
"Yeah," Mira said, "almost too quiet," she said, twirling the pen in her hand "it's unnerving."
"Hey, now don't jinx it, Mira," Lucy laughed as Natsu walked up to her "speaking of which, how's he been doing," she asked.
"Who, Natsu," she asked. She looked up to see he was talking with Wendy and Carla, and Happy "if you're asking about Lisanna, then yeah, he's been doing alright."
"Okay," Lucy looked back, seeing Natsu and Happy interacting with Wendy and Carla. It brought a smile to her face. though ha part of her wondered how they would be taking it after everything, she was glad they were doing alright
"You can do what now," Natsu asked
"You can see into the future," Wendy asked
"Yes," Carla informed them, "it's a trait me and the Exceed queen share, and I think I even have some control over it."
"Really," Natsu asked.
"Yes," she looked around, "while I can't see too far into the future, however," she looked around, "pay attention to Macao pretty soon. Wakaba is going to approach him, and they'll start talking. About the younger generation."
Wakaba came up to Macao as if on cue, "how ya been, old buddy."
"I've been great," he said, smiling at his old friend, "taking it easy these days."
"Wow, Carla," Happy said
"Be quiet; let's hear what they're talking about," Natsu said to his friend.
"Yeah, these kids," Wakaba started, "almost makes me miss things back in our day." he smiled "these new kids are something else if I do say so myself, especially their derrière" this made Natsu and Wendy cringe almost as Macao did a double-take.
"what" he screamed, "oh come on, man."
"What you repressed," Wakaba teased.
"No, I got a kid to take care of," he shot back. "I can't be thinking about that kind of stuff."
"Oh yeah, you're more a leg guy."
"Did you also predict it would be creepy" Wendy muttered
"We all should have seen that coming," Carla said, shaking her head
"Aye"
"I'm going to need to talk to them about that," Natsu muttered
"Umm," a voice called it belonged to Kinana, a young bar maiden hired recently and worked under Mira. "Natsu, should they be doing that indoors," she asked as she pointed to Erza and Panther Lily, who was currently sparring at the side of the pub, the blades closing so much that a small gust of wind was coming from them
"Had enough," Erza asked as Panther Lily jumped back before reverting to his smaller size
"Seems I can't maintain my original form for very long," he muttered
"Still, you seem very well trained."
"Thank you"
"I told you, Erza," Gajeel said, coming up to the two. "Lily got a lot of spunk."
"You flatter me, Gajeel," Lily said
"Natsu Mira," a voice called as Mavis emerged from the door, "have done what I've asked you to yet."
"Almost finished here," Mira called
"Yeah, waiting on you," Natsu answered
"Alright, once you're done, meet me in the archives" she turned away, leaving the two to their task as Natsu bid farewell to Wendy.
"Is everything okay?" Erza asked
"Oh yeah," Natsu said, "just working on some stuff right now," he said as he passed by her "we can catch up later."
Mira took up her stack of papers putting them together as she smiled "they're all done." she said as she turned over to Kiana "hey, would you mind managing the bar while I'm gone."
"Umm, yes, ma'am," the young girl muttered. Mira just smiled at her as she patted her head
"Wonder what that was about," Lucy mused as she watched her two friends disappear into the back. She noticed that Cana seemed to be watching them as they went in. She wondered what could be running through the young girl's mind
later that night. Lucy stood in her shower "man, this is so relaxing," Lucy mussed, "it feels great."
"Yeah, it sure does," another voice said, "man, I wouldn't mind living here."
"wait" Lucy opened the shower curtain to find Cana in her tub smiling at her.
"Hey, lulu"
"What are you doing here," Lucy asked, using the shower to cover herself
"Can I ask you something," Cana said entirely seriously. Lucy found herself sitting in the tub with Cana a few seconds later. The awkward energy was high, but she ignored it "do you always bathe with other people in the tub."
"Do you always break into other people's apartments"
"that's fair," Cana said, "anyway, so how are things with your dad," she asked. "I asked Natsu about it, but he said you hadn't said anything about him lately."
"Oh," Lucy asked, surprised that this was a topic of discussion." well," she started a light blush coming across her face, "we been talking through the mail," she said
"Really," Cana asked.
"Yeah," Lucy said, "ever since he lost the estate," she looked away. "I don't know, though; it doesn't change what he did or how he treated me."
"But you are making an effort," Cana told her, smiling, "and hey, that's more than some people in this town can say" she let out a small laugh before standing up "thank you."
"Wait, Cana," Lucy asked, "what brought this up."
"Nothing," Cana said, smiling, "no need to worry."
"Cana was here yesterday," Erza asked. As the group left the apartment complex, "did something happen."
"I can't say," Lucy told her. "Maybe we should ask Natsu and Mira," she said as they started walking.
"If we can," Gray muttered, "they've been swamped these past few days" he was right for about a week. Natsu and Mira had been filling out paperwork running around town. Spending a reasonable amount of time in the archives, what they were up to was anyone's guess at this point, but they were highly secretive.
"I think he has to do with Mystogen." "Erza said, "remember he did end having to leave suddenly," she told them, "If it's my guess, they're trying to figure out where they should go from here."
"Maybe," Lucy said as they noticed Elfman Carla and Wendy walking up to them, "well, that's something new."
"Oh, hey guys," Elfman greeted, "you heading to the pub."
"Yeah," Lucy asked "where's Natsu," she asked.
"He and Mira had to head out earlier," Wendy said, "they said they need to finish the prep work."
"What prep work," Lucy asked.
"Beats me," Elfman muttered as they walked up to the pub, seeing everyone gathering around as Freed walked up to them. "Elfman, there you are," he asked, "do you know what's going on."
"Not at the moment," Elfman admitted before he could elaborate. Mavis Natsu, Gildarts, and Mira appeared on the stage, getting all of the current guest's attention. "It looks like we're about to find out."
"Hello, people of Magnolia," Mavis's voice was loud. It never ceased to amaze people how her voice would amplify when needed. "I come to you with sad news," your second son, the one known simply as Mystogen, has left us," she said
"So, she announced Mystogen departure," Erza muttered; of course, she and a select few others knew about Mystogen leaving.
"With that being said, it is no reason to mourn; he will always live in our hearts. so let today be a celebration of our lost child," she said, "and let us as we add Mystogen as one of the few defenders of our home." people throughout the pub cheered, "kept it be known that Mystogen had always done what he could to protect our home and our way of life" as people cheered Natsu stepped forward
"One more thing before you guys get party crazy," he said, making people stop. This was a rare sight. Natsu rarely spoke at one of these things "we have a request of the following wizards."
Mira cleared her throat as she read off a paper, "Elfman Strauss, Cana Alberona, Levy Mcgarden, Gray Fullbuster, and Erza Scarlet." she called, "please, master Mavis has a request of you." she said, "meet us after hours if you are interested."
Lucy looked to see where Cana was standing. A look of sorrow was on her face before turning to Erza and Gray "you know what that was about."
"No idea," they both admitted, "but I feel we're going to find out."
Carla smiled as everyone started to celebrate Mystogen before she felt a sudden wave flash over her "what" before she could speak, she saw something.
[##Carla's nightmare ost##]
She could see what appeared to be a large tree with thousands of roots coming from it. Natsu was staring at a strange man crying. Cana was seen holding something. It seemed to be broken. Many bodies were seen lying across the floor, a large storm covering the area as a mysterious person walked from a blizzard, her red eyes glaring at everything as the man stood a dark shadow hanging over him than a bright light as Mavis walked from it, she appeared different, almost radiant.
"Carla," Wendy called, pulling the Exceed out of her trance. "Are you okay"
"Yes, I'm fine," Carla muttered "what was that," she asked herself, "and who was that man."
She looked around. She noticed that everyone in her vision was the ones called by Mira. What was her clairvoyance trying to tell her?
Later that same day, after the pub had closed, Erza and Gray stood in the empty pub. Levy, Elfman was also there along with Cana, who hadn't said a word, but there was one extra person; he was a man with an almost shaved black hair, a slightly outlined widow's peak, and complete with mildly long sideburns. He has large, bright emerald turquoise eyes and thin eyebrows. The left side of his face is covered by three distinctive scars he was in attire consists of a pinstriped jacket with a high and wide upright collar, alternating red stripes to different series of orange ones, with distinctive loose brown arm warmers covering the sleeves from the cuffs to below the shoulders, each bearing a simple, undulated motif right below the upper edge, simple black pants, and white shoes. he gave them a warm smile as Mavis appeared again
"Hello all," she smiled. "I'm glad you could hear my request," she said, "as you know, Mystogen has left us, and with his absence, there is a power vacuum in Magnolia." the man with them said nothing as he looked away, he seemed angry, but they all choose to ignore it "with that said we will need to fill it," she said
"So, you're asking one of us to replace Mystogen," Erza asked
"To be precise, yes," Mavis answered, "one of you is being considered the next child of Magnolia."
"Wait, so why are you all here," Levy asked. "I thought the current child would pick their successor."
"In a way," Mavis said, "however, each child had a different way of going about it" she gestured to Natsu. "Natsu was trained and drilled by Gildarts till he deemed him ready, Mira and Mystogen proved their worth after protecting Magnolia several times over in which their predecessor or I offered them the opportunity, and Laxus earned his through the right of inheritance," Mavis revealed
"I see," Levy said
"Mystogen was many things," Mavis said "however one thing I can say about him was that he cared for Magnolia" she smiled "he believed that anyone could become its protector, and that's when he came up with this," she smiled "a trial," she said
"a trial," everyone asked.
"Yes," Mavis confirmed, "whoever completes the trial will earn the fairy's gift."
"Wait, what exactly is the fairy's gift," Erza asked
"a conversation for later," Mavis said, "for whoever wins the trial ahead." she smiled, "but know that whoever does will be placed on the same status as Natsu and Mira," she said "the trial will take place one week from today. I will allow you to take one partner, but they are the only ones allowed to know of this information."
"Yes, ma'am," they all said
"Now, you don't have to take this offer if you don't want to," Mavis said "however, I ask that you keep quiet about this until we have made a verdict," Mavis said, "too much is going on at the moment."
"Simply put, we don't want other people to know we're at half strength at the moment." Natsu said, finally speaking up from his corner, "and FYI, your partner can't be Mira or me, gotta keep it fair."
"understood"
as the group started to leave, the man that was there vanished "who was that" Levy asked
"Mystogen's disciple," Natsu told her, "He just got back from a job."
"Ah," Levy muttered, "you'd think I'd know that."
"Eh, it's alright; I mean, Mystogen had his secrets am I right."
"Yeah," Levy let out a small laugh, "I guess you're right."
[## Fairy tale main theme piano ver. ost##]
as they all walked out, the snow had since started to fall everywhere. They felt a similar sense of nervousness as they left the pub and went their separate ways. Still, all of them had a convention to doing this
"If I do this," Levy thought to herself, "I can finally pay back Mavis for all she's done for my home," she smiled, "so even if I don't make it, I have to try," she smiled. She let out a sigh as she noticed Gajeel walking by, remembering what Mavis told her. She smiled. 'I think I found my way
Elfman smiled. He needed to get to training right now 'the fact big sis is letting me do this means that.' he shook his head 'for Lisanna,' he muttered as he stopped. 'Mavis picked me, so it's time I truly man up' he walked away until he bumped into someone
"Hey, watch it," they both screamed
"Evergreen"
"Elfman"
"Hey
"Carla," Wendy asked as she walked around the town, taking in the snow, "are you okay."
"Yes," she admitted, "just my power. I keep getting the feeling that something is going to go wrong."
"don't worry," Wendy said. "I'm sure whatever it is, we can handle it."
"Are you, Wendy Marvel," a voice asked. They turned to see someone standing behind them, "the sky maiden."
"Who are you," Wendy asked
"You can call me Mest."
Lucy walked through Magnolia "look, Plue," she smiled, "all this snow" she stopped when she saw something, "Cana," she asked.
"Oh, Lucy," Cana said, forming a smile.
"Are you okay?" Lucy asked, "come one. You can tell me," Cana said nothing as she looked at Lucy, the only sound between the two being the wind blowing across their face.
"This snow," Natsu muttered
"what's the matter," Mira asked
"Nothing," he muttered, "just brings back some memories."
'Hey Igneel, look, it's snowing.'
'That it is, my boy.'
"I used to think that if I were stronger," he muttered, "I could face him again." Natsu admitted, "that if I could take on the world, I would be able to find Igneel."
"And now"
"I still want to find him," Natsu said, "but now I think it's not going to be my strength that gets me there" he smiled. "it'll be with my heart" Natsu clutched his scarf, the one thing he had left to remember Igneel by "I can't lose myself along the way."
"When did you go and get so grown-up" Mira muttered as she walked next to him, "you and Elfman, you're not the same little kids that I need to watch over anymore."
"I'm surprised you let him participate," Natsu admitted
"Yeah," she smiled, "he deserves as much chance as anyone." she looked back as the snow started to cover the window behind them. Mavis smiled as she looked into the distance "hopefully, this will all go over smoothly."
she looked into the distance. It was covered by bleak snow 'this weather,' she mussed "it is odd' Mavis thought.
Miles away, a woman is seen walking through a harsh Blizzard. Behind her are two men, their faces covered by a mask as she cleared, she came up to a figure, their cap blowing in the wind though they seemed unbothered by the snow she glanced back only to turn around she stepped into the light revealing herself to be Ultear, a former member of the magic council
[##The People behind the scenes##]
"What is it this time" her voice was cold; it felt off
"it's time to get a move on," Ultear said. The two men behind her said, "master hades has summoned all of us."
"So, the master has found it," she said, "the final key."
"Yes," was all Ultear said, "and now all members of the kin are requested to return to the guild" an evil smile formed on her face. "Master Hades says it's time."
"I see," she said
"You," a voice called. She turned to see a man attempting to come to her "you killed my guild," he said, "I will make you" before he could move, the snow around him seemed to grapple him as a wild magic symbol appeared on his arm "what is this" he screamed the shadow covering the face of his the shadow left her face revealing her red eyes as she glared at him showing her fangs the man eye's widened in fear.
"You," he muttered, "you're."
before he could finish, the snow encased around him, the sound of tiny screams coming from it as the person closed there had the snow soon turned red before exploding several more explosions sounded off as blood started to rain from the sky
"I see you haven't lost your touch," Ultear said. A smile was on her face as she looked down, noticing how the snow around her was a deep red
the person in front of her said nothing before turning to face her, a grim smile on her face as she walked by
"soon" was all she said behind her was the ruins of a guildhall Ultear smiled as she followed her walking side by side as the blizzard started to pass the two men nodded as they began to head back, the only sounds being the faint noise of screams in the distance
To be continued
Dark forces gather as Mavis rushes to build up Magnolia's defense for a coming storm. as our heroes gather with their dreams on the line, we will find them fighting more than they bargained for
Erza: so, tell me, Natsu, what exactly should we expect this trial to be about
Natsu: sorry, can't
Gray: come on, man, you gotta tell us something
Mira: that'll give you an advantage, and besides, there is a reason for everything
Next time: Tenrou Island
Erza: also, how long has that Mest guy been around here
Natsu: umm
Mira: we can't say
Erza: interesting