Fiore Academy
Chapter Nineteen – Awakening
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail in any shape or form. I am a mere FF writer paying tribute to the world of Hiro Mashima, the rightful owner of Fairy Tail.
Authors' Note – I know I said one more chapter… well, as it turns out that chapter was going to be really long, too long, so I decided I'd divide it into two chapters… this way I can round off the first book with a good solid 20 chapters. Hope you all enjoy, and at the end of the 20th chapter, there will be an important authors' note, so read it.
Natsu awoke abruptly from his deep sleep.
Sitting up, he clasped his head with his right hand, breathing deeply and sweating slightly; he had awoken from a very bad dream… one that even now, was fading away.
"You're awake… finally" a voice to Natsu's left said.
Natsu looked around and saw his brother Zeref, sitting on a chair with a book in hand. Looking around, Natsu saw that he laid in his own bed, hooked up to a heart monitor and an MV.
"Zeref…" Natsu's voice came out in a croak, having spoken its first word in a long time.
Zeref smiles, "Take it easy, your voice will come back to you eventually".
Natsu nods and tries to moisten his throat. Zeref, noticing this, grabs a water jug on Natsu's bedside and pours his brother a cup.
Nodding his thanks as he takes the cup, Natsu downs the water and finishes with a satisfied sigh.
"How long have I been out?" Natsu asks, voice still coming out in a little croak.
Zeref sighs, "A while to say the least; four months now".
Natsu looks up at that, "Four… months?"
Zeref nods, "Opening the second gate had a greater than anticipated toll upon your body… there were concerns for your life initially".
Natsu stares at his sheets in thought; four months… that would make it November now, nearly the end of the school year.
"How is everyone?" Natsu asks his second question.
Zeref cocks his head to the side, "Well, out of everyone only Erza and myself were wounded aside from a few scratches and bruises. Erza nearly died from blood loss, having been stabbed cleanly through the leg, and opened in the gut from Jellal's hand…thankfully one of my medics survived the battle and saved her".
Natsu nods gladly, "And yourself?"
Zeref shakes his head, "Nothing to worry about; stab wound to the gut, nearly died… all in a day's work".
Natsu squints at his brother, "Don't try and make a joke of it, you nearly died".
Zeref nods, "I did at that, but thanks to Karen, she was able to cauterise my wound immediately which saved my life".
Natsu smiles, "I didn't get much time to say hello to her".
Zeref smiles, "Well, she surely hates you I'm certain; which to do? Save the world, or dance with my bro-com sister? Obviously, she wanted you to dance with her instead, right?" He adds with a smile.
Natsu nods without humour, "I get your point… quit with the lame jokes, they're not funny".
Zeref sighs, "They don't need to be funny to be effective… something you failed to realise, ever".
"What about the others?" Natsu asks.
Zeref puts his hands together, "They're fine… no deaths… no injuries... they're fine, aside from the constant worry they have over you".
Natsu laughs, "Bet you had to drag them away from my bed".
Zeref stares at his brother seriously, "It's okay for you to make jokes, but not me?"
Natsu shakes his head, "Whatever Zeref, just keep going".
Zeref smiles and nods, "Well, like you said, I had to drag them away from your side after a week or so… now, we take it in shifts and lucky me… I was here when you woke up… hooray for me…"
Natsu rolls his eyes and chooses to ignore his brother.
"What about the Academy?" Natsu asks.
Zeref lost his smile at that, "It isn't good… from my honour guard, I lost two hundred and eighty-nine of my men… and a hundred and thirteen students died".
Natsu's eyes widen at that; about four hundred people died? Not including Jellal's men? They all died… for Jellal's ambition for power…
"What about… him" Natsu scowls, making it clear who he meant.
Zeref frowns, "Nothing".
Natsu blinks, "Nothing? You mean… he's being let off?"
Zeref shakes his head, "No, Natsu… nothing… there is nothing about him".
Natsu frowns, "What are you saying? I killed him?"
Zeref shakes his head once more, "No… there is nothing of him left… you… broke him Natsu… there is no consciousness left inside of him… you broke it".
Natsu stares at his brother for a long moment.
"He's… insane?" Natsu asks.
Zeref sighs, "When are you going to get it? He's nothing… he's a vegetable… his heart beats, but there is no soul… nothing… he is incapable of uttering a single word… one poor nurse has a life of wiping Jellal's drool off his chin to look forward to".
Natsu could not help but feel a little shocked at that; the guy may have been mad with ambition, as well as an asshole… but no one deserved that.
Natsu pulls the sheets off himself and pulls his legs over the side, ready to hop out of bed for the first time in four months.
"You should take it easy for now" Zeref warns his younger brother.
Natsu laughs as he shakily stands up, "I need to see them Zeref… for myself".
Zeref frowns and nods, "I understand".
Standing up and grabbing his brother's arm and wrapping it around his shoulders, Zeref helps his brother to get dressed and to walk.
…..
"It's nearly time for the Summer break" Erza says, taking a sip from her coffee.
They were all sitting at a table at the Maid Café; Mirajane, Erza, Hisui, Virgo, Karen and even Kagura.
"That's true; do you plan to stay at mine again?" Mirajane asks Erza.
Erza smiles, "Mirajane, I think we all know whose place we're all going to this Summer".
Mirajane frowns, "Yes, speaking of Natsu, I hope he wakes up soon; It's been four months since he went comatose… he should be getting better by now".
Virgo places a hand atop of Mirajane's own hand, surprising her.
"Virgo?" Mirajane questions.
Virgo smiles, "Zeref says that if Natsu hasn't woken by the time school breaks up, he'll be moved to the Dragneel Estate, so no matter what, we'll be there for him when he wakes up".
Mirajane smiles, "That's if we're even allowed to stay there".
"I've already cleared it with mother" Karen says, "You're all welcome to stay for the Summer".
Mirajane, Erza, Hisui and Virgo blink at her at that.
"I would've thought you'd want your 'Onii-chan' to yourself, Karen" Hisui says coldly.
Karen smiles, "Of course I would… but someone who's in love considers what the other person would want, and I know Natsu would want you all there".
Erza nods, "That is surprisingly mature of you Karen".
Karen smiles self-appreciatively at that.
Kagura puts up her hand at this moment.
"Yes, what is it Kagura?" Erza asks, suspecting what it was already.
Kagura nods, "Well… I was wondering If I would also be allowed to come; I also want to be there when Natsu-chan wakes up".
"Natsu… Chan?" Mirajane asks, "Kagura, I understand that the reason you call Erza, Erza-chan, is because you love her".
Kagura frowns, "What of it?"
Mirajane smiles, "So, in your own little way, did you just admit that you love Natsu?"
Kagura blushes at that, "W-what? No… no I didn't! D-don't mix words Mirajane!"
Mirajane giggles, as does everyone else besides Kagura.
"I guess it can't be helped" Erza says defeated, "In the end, Natsu is the kind of guy that girls can't help but fall in love with".
Mirajane smiles, "Indeed… it'd actually be an insult if no one else felt the same way for Natsu as I do".
The girls enjoyed a comfortable moment of the thought of Natsu at that point.
"What are you girls looking so content about?" A voice interrupts the moment.
The girls look over and see none other than Ultear walking between tables, until she finally reached them and sat next to Kagura.
"Ultear" Virgo says, "I haven't seen you around here in a while".
Ultear smiles, "Sorry Virgo… I've been more anti-social than usual as of the last couple months".
Ultear turns to Mirajane, "So, how fares Natsu?"
Mirajane smiles, "You worried?"
Ultear rolls her eyes, "Please; It's true that I've come to take a liking to the idiot, but it isn't romantic… it's at most physical".
The girls blink at that.
"You mean" Erza says, "That you just want to bed him?"
Ultear shrugs, "If a guy has girls falling for him, he must be good in the sack, and I'd prefer to be with a guy who's good for my first time".
"You're a virgin?" Kagura asks doubtfully.
"Yes, I am a virgin" Ultear answers crossly, "But enough of that, answer my question Mirajane".
Mirajane smiles with a giggle, "He's remained unchanged as of a few hours ago when I last saw him… Zeref is with him now".
Ultear nods, "Well, that's good I suppose… better to be unchanged than to be dying, I suppose".
"Ultear, what about your mother? I haven't heard from her lately" Virgo asks.
Ultear scowls, "Worried about your old Master? She hasn't talked to me since the battle… hasn't really talked to anyone really… they let her off for her crimes in that battle because of 'duress' or something like that; she's still a traitor in my eyes".
"I'm not following any of this" Karen says, "But I'm Karen Dragneel, it's nice to meet you Ultear… who?"
Karen had stretched out her hand to Ultear, having meeting her the first time.
Ultear sneers, "I have no last name… but on paper its Milkovich".
"Milkovich" Karen mouths, "I see… now your conversation makes sense, since Ur Milkovich would be your mother".
Ultear scowls, "Don't call that bitch my mother, okay?"
Karen frowns, "Do you have a problem with me?"
Ultear laughs, "You called her my mother… that's what's the problem".
Karen sighs, "Very well, I see I touched a nerve".
Ultear shakes her head, "So you're Natsu's sister I take it?"
Karen nods, "I am".
"You look nothing alike" Ultear comments.
"Well, we're not related by blood" Karen answers with a smile.
Ultear frowns, and makes a sniffing gesture.
"Ultear, what are you doing?" Mirajane asks.
"Someone smells like a bro-com" Ultear says, making everyone sweat-drop.
"Don't… don't go there" Mirajane warns, but it was too late.
"So, what?" Karen asks defiantly, "You have a problem with a sister being in love with her brother? You think it's weird? You think it's immoral? Join a club a mile list long, who all think the same, and who all got the same answer… I… don't… care!"
Ultear blinks at that, "You know what… you got attitude… I think you and I will get along".
"Figures" all the other girls at the table thought simultaneously.
At that moment however, the bell to the door rang as customers walked in, and one spoke with a well-known voice.
"Welcome Masters, how may I serve you?" one of the maids said when they entered.
"I was wondering" Zeref answers her, "If you could point me to the others" being a regular at the café, he need not say who he meant.
"Is that Zeref?" Erza asks, "He's supposed to be on shift!"
"Who's with him?" Hisui asks, "Someone else is with him".
All the girls at the table look at each other at that, all having the same conclusion within their minds.
"He's awake" Mirajane says, and the girls all turn in time to see him walk toward them.
He looked thin, and his cheekbones seemed to point out; having been without proper food for months would do that. His hair was as pink as salmon as it always was, and his calming onyx eyes enchanted them as always.
"Natsu!" They all cry out, leaping from their chairs to wrap their arms around him.
Natsu giggles as all the girls save Kagura and Ultear hug him.
"Hey guys… it's good to see you in high spirits" Natsu says a little weakly.
They all pull away and sit him down.
"What am I? Chopped liver?" Zeref asks to no one in particular, but no one had their focus on anything else except Natsu… even the rest of the diners looked at Natsu, knowing him to be the one who saved the Academy.
"Bella!" Virgo calls out to one of her maids, "I want a Natsu special over here asap".
The maid nodded and leaped to her task.
"Natsu, you look thinner than you did under the blankets" Hisui says, astonished.
"Don't worry" Virgo says, "The Natsu special is every dish of food we have on the menu… we'll fill him out in no time".
Natsu laughs, "Thanks Virgo… but man, it's good to see all of you".
Natsu turns to Ultear and Kagura, "Yes, it's good to see the two of you as well".
Kagura blushed while Ultear acted typical tsundere.
"Onii-chan" Karen grabs Natsu's attention.
Natsu turns to Karen, "Karen… it's been a while… you've grown".
Karen smiles, "Thank you… how are you feeling?"
Natsu breathes deeply, "I admit, not very flashy… I should probably still be in bed… but I wanted… no, needed… to see all of you".
"It's nice to know you need us" Erza says, clasping his hand, "Because to be honest, I wouldn't know what to do without you".
"Same here" Mirajane says, snuggling into his shoulder.
Natsu smiles, "I'm sorry to keep you guys waiting so long… I can't believe I was out for four months".
Hisui elbows him in the gut, earning a shocked gasp from the girls.
"What… what was that for Hisui?" Natsu asks her, and she shrugs her shoulders.
"That was for making us wait for so long" she says.
Natsu blinks, and was about to say something until he got another elbow to the gut… this time, from Virgo!
"I agree" she says to Natsu's shocked face.
"But I-" Natsu tried to say, but was slapped across the face by Mirajane.
"Mira!" Natsu cries out, but then was punched in the shoulder by Erza.
Natsu looks at Erza horrified, before turning to Karen.
"You going to hit me as well?" Natsu asks.
Karen puts a finger to her lips, "I've got a better idea".
With those words, she grabs Natsu's face… and kisses him.
"Karen!" All the girls growl.
Pulling from her kiss, Karen laughs, "Get over it!"
Natsu blinks in astonishment; he wasn't sure if he wanted to be kissed or hit more in this situation.
He wasn't allowed much time to dwell on that however, when each of his girlfriends, one by one, each grabbed his face and kissed him.
Once they were all done, Erza says, "Natsu… we're happy you're back".
Just then, Bella the maid came with two others, all laden with plate upon plate of food.
Natsu smiles at the girls… and the food… and says, "Yeah… so am I".
…..
One week after the battle of the Academy,
"Is it secure?" Makarov Dreyar asks one of the workers.
The worker nods, "It is… although, what this is exactly, I don't know".
Makarov frowns, "That is not for you to know… now, if your job is done, you'd best leave".
When all of the workers had left, Makarov stared at the crystal surface… and the girl within.
"I see you found a new hiding place for the Heart" a voice behind Makarov spoke.
Makarov turned and found himself face to face, with none other than Declan Arias, General of the Knights of the Red Cross, and Head of the Royal Clan Arias.
He was notable for his snowy white and bushy beard, and matching close-cut hair. His eyes were white, as though he were blind… but he most definitely was not blind.
"Declan… long time no see my old friend" Makarov says.
Declan nods, "I'm sure you expected me sooner, but the Demon Dimension is becoming… volatile".
Makarov hums in thought, "The Secret Demon War continues?"
Declan nods, "Not only that… but they're becoming too difficult to suppress at this point; we will be overrun in the near future I am certain".
Makarov looks up at that, "Are you saying that we will soon become overrun with Demons?"
Declan nods, "I am… not only that, but… he, will lead the charge".
Makarov nods, "You don't mean… the King?"
Declan nods, "He has only come to the human world once before… but this time, he plans to unleash war with the mortal plain".
Makarov frowns in hopelessness.
"If the Demon King is making an appearance" Makarov says softly, "Then that means… we're without a hope of winning".
"Don't be so sure" Declan says simply, and walks up to Fairy Heart, walking around its circumference.
Makarov frowns, "Listen Declan, even if we could free her" he says, pointing at the girl within the crystal, "There is no guarantee that she will be powerful enough".
"Which is why" Declan says, "It's a good thing we have a second option as well".
Makarov blinks at that; could he mean?
"Yes" Declan says, surprising Makarov.
"Yes what?" Makarov asks.
"I am thinking of the boy" Declan says, confirming Makarov's thoughts.
"Natsu Dragneel… it's hard to believe he has that much power" Makarov says.
Declan nods, "Even without the Demon within him, he is a formidable foe; the most talented the Dragneel Clan has ever seen in all its history".
Makarov nods, "Perhaps it's his destiny" Makarov turns to Fairy Heart, "To save us from the Demon Blight".
Declan nods, "Be sure to let him prosper as much as possible Makarov… I'll take my leave".
Makarov nods, and as Declan took his leave, Makarov muttered to himself, "The old generation is swept aside, and the new is brought in".
Makarov shakes his head, "Well" he looks at Fairy Heart, "At least I'm not as old you yet".
Makarov was about to turn away, until he noticed the most unbelievable thing on the surface of the impenetrable crystal; a small crack.
"Impossible" Makarov mutters.
But all the same… the crack was there.
…..
"You don't want to go with the other girls and tuck Natsu in bed?" Zeref asks Erza.
Erza shakes her head, "No… they'll do a good enough job on their own… I actually had something I needed to ask you".
Zeref blinks, "Oh? What would that be?"
Erza takes a deep breath, "I was wondering what you told Natsu… about Jellal".
Zeref frowns, "I lied of course… there is no way Natsu would be able to think straight again if he knew what he did to that man… what is happening right now, inside his mind".
"What did you tell him?" Erza asks.
Zeref sighs, "I told him Jellal was broken; he had no consciousness, and I think I said something about a nurse having to wipe off the drool on his chin".
Erza nods, "It's better than the truth I suppose".
Zeref nods, "I could never tell him that Jellal is comatose… but after delving into his consciousness… we discovered he was suffering".
Erza frowns, "I had nightmares for a week because of that".
Zeref nods, "I could never tell Natsu, that the Nightmare Torture Spell he cast on Jellal in the battle… was a permanent one".
"Jellal Fernandez" Erza says, "Will suffer torture great enough to snap anyone's mind in a moment, for all eternity… and there is no counter-spell".
"The worse kind of torture a man like him could ever suffer if you ask me" Zeref says.
Erza nods, "There is another thing though".
Zeref turns to Erza, "This should be good".
Erza smiles, "We decided to wait until Natsu was awake to tell you two… but now we're not so sure Natsu should know".
Zeref frowns, "What is it?"
Erza frowns and takes a deep breath, "Before Natsu passed out at the battle… it spoke to us".
"It?" Zeref asks, "Do you mean the Demon?"
Erza nods, "Yes, and it spoke to us… it told us to tell you and Natsu these words; the age-old prophecy of the Dragneel Clan has begun".
Erza had to stop suddenly at these words, for Zeref had stopped, a face of pure shock and terror upon his face.
"Zeref?" Erza tries to catch the man's attention; never had she seen him look so terrified.
Suddenly, a tear fell from Zeref's eyes.
"I see… it's begun… I thought there might be more time" Zeref says, tearful.
"Zeref… what is this prophecy?" Erza asks.
Zeref smiles, "Remind me to tell you later".
Erza frowns and nods, "Very well".
Zeref wipes his nose, "Very well… shall we retire to Natsu's dorm?"
Erza smiles, "Yes, we should".
…..
"When did you first notice the crack?" Frey B. Fiore asked Headmaster Makarov, running his hand along the crystal surface.
"About four months ago now" Makarov replies.
The crack was no longer a single crack, instead it was now a web of cracks, stretching across the entire surface of the crystal.
"Well?" Makarov asks Frey, "What do you make of it?"
Frey frowns, "I have a theory… whether it is good or not, I do not know".
"What is the theory?" Makarov asks.
Frey sighs, "Only this; I believe that when Jellal Fernandez extracted power from the heart, it created a resonance… a resonance that began to stir the Heart".
"Are you saying" Makarov says, "That he has unintentionally begun to awaken her?"
Frey nods, "I believe she is nearly awake already, and when her eyes open, the crystal will crack… and Mavis Vermillion will walk again".
Makarov frowned; Mavis Vermillion, once thought to be the greatest mage of all time… the most powerful and talented, as well as the most intuitive.
Could it be that she was finally going to return?
Makarov's thoughts were displaced by the sound of a shard of crystal crashing to the ground.
Makarov gaped while Frey looked grim.
"Sooner than we thought" Frey muttered.
More pieces slowly fell from the crystal, each one that fell, the gap between was lessened.
Finally, as though a bomb had gone off… the crystal exploded.
Makarov and Frey had taken cover just in time, and the scene they saw was of ruin; crystal shards stretched across the walls and floor and ceiling. In the centre of it all, Mavis Vermillion stood, eyes closed, but breathing and swaying.
"Is she… awake?" Makarov asks.
Frey grunts and walks over to Mavis.
"Mavis Vermillion" Frey says, walking close to her side, "Are you awake?"
Mavis's eyes open slowly, and her head searches left and right, taking in her surroundings.
"Where am I?" Mavis asks.
Frey and Makarov gaped; she really was awake… something thought impossible.
"You're at the Magical Academy of Fiore" Frey answers, "Which rests on a man-made island just off the coast of Japan".
Mavis nods slowly, "I see… what year is it?"
Frey takes a deep breath, "The year is 100 A.C, a hundred years since you were last awake". (A/N – A.C here does not mean 'After Christ' but rather, 'After Collapse')
"One hundred years?" Mavis asks, "But… why I am so young still?"
"The crystal preserved you, my lady Vermillion" Frey answers.
Mavis nods, "Very well… so why have I awaken?"
"We don't know" Frey says, "But we believe troubled times are ahead; the Demon race is making a move against the Mortal Plain".
Mavis frowns, "I see… well, If you don't mind" Mavis kneels down to the ground and lays down, using her arms for a pillow, "I feel tired, so I think for now… I'll go to sleep".
Immediately after her words, she began to snore low and softly.
"Strange one she is" Makarov says, "You'd think she'd be rested after sleeping for a hundred years".
Frey nods, "It doesn't matter… what does matter, is what we do from here".
Makarov shakes his head, "To that, I don't know… only time will tell".
But never could anyone have foretold, that Mavis Vermillion, Prophet of the Gods, would awaken.
Authors' Note – Couple of things to say; A.C like I said, means 'After Collapse', which refers to the first Demon War, where the Mortal Plain Collapsed, and was rebuilt, therefore this world is called 'After Collapse'. Also, I thought I should make Mavis some connection with the Gods, since I thought it would be a cool contrast; Natsu possessed by a Demon, and Mavis the Prophet of the Gods… thought it'd be a cool contrast… there'll be more of that in the second book. For now, move on to the last Chapter of Fiore Academy – The Dance Begins.