Fiore Academy
Chapter 21 – Arrivals
Disclaimer – I do not own Fairy Tail, that well deserved right goes to Hiro Mashima; I am but a mere FF writer paying homage to the wonderful world that Hiro Mashima brought all of us. Please support the official release.
Authors' Note – So after a year, I've finally returned. A lot of shit happened, and I hope you guys can forgive me for the absurdly long wait… but here is the first chapter in a year, and I hope you will all enjoy it!
Also, for those of you who don't keep in touch with Anime forums and news and haven't heard this little bit just yet, the final season of Fairy Tail began airing a few weeks ago, so if you haven't begun watching it, be sure to do so after reading my rubbish. Be sure to comment what you thought!
In existence, there are three worlds, each of them separate from the others, yet connected at certain points.
In the centre, we have the Mortal Plain, where humanity resides in a false peace.
Below, we have the Demon Blight, where the Demons transpire to overthrow those on the Mortal Plain.
Above, we have the Heavenly Pillars, where the Gods call home; they are a secretive race, rarely seen.
Every one-hundred years, for a period of three years, the three worlds align, and passage between them becoming more fluid. This phenomenon is called, 'The Eclipse Gates'. It is also during this time, that those of the Demon Blight march harder, to reach those above them.
The time has come yet again… and all that stands between humanity and the Blight, are the Knights of the Red Cross, initially founded after the last set of Eclipse Gates. But with each passing day, the battle wages in the Demon Blight… and each day, the Knights surrender more ground.
The day will come, when the Knights can hold back no longer, and the Demons will flood the Mortal Plain… the Demons know this… the Knights know this… whilst the rest of humanity remains ignorant.
One who was not so ignorant however, could be found in the late hour of midnight, in his families' Kendo Hall, located behind his families' Estate.
He wore a black robe held by a red belt and in his hands, he held a wooden katana. He was continuously striking downward, increasing his strength and speed with each passing stroke.
"One thousand two hundred and thirty-three" the boy huffed his count, "One thousand two hundred and thirty-four… one thousand two hundred and thirty-five… one thousand-" he continued to count each stroke, pushing himself beyond the normal human limits.
With each stroke, more sweat perspired from his skin… with each stroke, he could feel his muscles tighten and flex, growing stronger ever so slowly.
He could feel his lungs forcing themselves to survive off as little oxygen as possible, his stamina increasing by the second ever so slowly.
With each stroke, he became stronger.
This boy was Natsu Dragneel, on his second day home from his first year at the Fiore Academy of Magic, or Fiore Academy for short.
He has spiky salmon hair, dark onyx eyes and is tall with lean muscles. In those onyx eyes, was a set determination; he would become stronger no matter the cost.
"Training is always good, but it's also important to take rests in order for your body to catch up" a soft voice spoke behind Natsu.
"One thousand two hundred and ninety-eight… One thousand two hundred and ninety-nine… One thousand three hundred!" Natsu finished off the last stroke, and turned toward the voice, knowing its owner.
"Zeref, how many times have I told you this? Take your shoes off at the door" Natsu comments breathlessly, nodding to his brother Zeref's feet.
Zeref was a little shorter than Natsu despite being the older brother. He too had lean muscles and dark onyx eyes but aside from that, there was no resemblance between the two; Zeref's face was softer, and his hair was as dark as a raven's feather.
Zeref looks down at his feet, where he wore a pair of white sneakers, "Yes, you do often tell me that; ever since you came home, you've been in here more often than not".
"I need to get stronger" Natsu replies with a set frown.
"Why? The three gates…" Zeref began, but Natsu interrupted.
"The three gates aren't reliable" Natsu finished, "For starters, they require rest after use; the second gate knocked me out for four months!"
"But if you ever need them, it'll be worth it" Zeref counters.
"Secondly" Natsu continues, "Only you can activate them; for the past four months or so, you've been off-duty because of the wounds you got from your fight with Jellal… but soon, you will have to return to the Knights".
Zeref smiles at that, "Sooner than you think".
Natsu looks up at that, "You mean?"
Zeref nods, "One week… I am to return in one week".
Natsu slid his wooden katana in his red belt and walked toward his brother. Once he reached him, he embraced Zeref in a brotherly hug.
"I'm sorry I was comatose most of the time" Natsu apologises to his older brother.
Zeref laughs as he returns the hug, "It doesn't matter; we needed the strength of the second gate".
Zeref pulls away from the hug after a moment, "Listen to me Natsu, as I am sure you're aware… the Eclipse Gates have opened".
Natsu's frown became deeper, "I had a feeling that was the case".
"Because of the Eclipse Gates" Zeref continued, "The Blight marches forward far more quickly; the day will soon come when the Demons flood the Mortal Plain".
Natsu nods, "When that day comes, we'll fight together".
Zeref laughs, "I could be dead by that point".
Natsu lightly punches his brother's shoulder, "Your jokes are terrible".
Zeref smiles sadly at that, "They don't have to be good, to be effective… you never understood that".
Zeref turns around to leave, but before he leaves through the door, he left some parting words for the morning.
"Be sure to get some rest; its past midnight, so I can now accurately say that today is the day".
"Today is the day… for what?" Natsu asked, confused.
Zeref laughed, "What else my dense little brother? The girls will be here soon".
Natsu perked up at that, and as Zeref left, Natsu couldn't help but smile at the thought.
Mirajane… Erza… Hisui… Virgo…
They were coming; it had only been a couple of days since he last saw them all, but he couldn't help but feel like it had been years. Excitement coursed through his veins; finally, the Dragneel Estate was going to feel even more like home.
Natsu unsheathed his wooden katana from his belt and stared at it for a few seconds.
"I've still got seven hundred to go" Natsu smiles at it, before putting himself into position.
"One thousand three hundred and one… One thousand three hundred and two… One thousand three hundred and three… One thousand-" Natsu began counting off the strokes.
…
Mirajane Strauss sat in the back of a small limousine, with five other girls for company.
Besides herself, there was Erza, Hisui, Virgo, Kagura and Ultear… she found herself wondering why Ultear was here.
"Why are you here Ultear?" Mirajane questions the girl, who at that time was staring listlessly out the window.
At the question, Ultear looks up and toward Mirajane, where she smiles mischievously, "I told you girls didn't I? I'm interested…"
"Clarify for us what it is that you're interested in" Erza steps in, arms crossed.
Ultear shrugs her shoulders, "What else? How good he is in the sack".
"Its when you say things like that" Hisui comments, "That makes us think you're not really a virgin".
Ultear moves closer to Hisui's face, "If you'd like, you can stick a camera up there and see if it's still intact".
"I'd rather not" Hisui replies evenly.
"What the big problem?" Ultear asks, "Sure our first times will always just be with Natsu… but if you want to be a member of a harem, sometimes…" Ultear giggled sadistically at this, "… sometimes you're going to do it with the other girls as well".
At this point, all of the other girls, except for Virgo, blushed as deep a crimson as Erza's hair.
"I realised this from the start; it doesn't exactly bother me" Virgo replies stoically as she stares out the window.
Ultear glares sidelong at Virgo, "Yeah… I suppose spies are used to worse…"
"If you are insinuating, Miss Milkovich, that as a Spy I have had to offer myself up in the past in order to gain information" Virgo responds, "You are sorely mistaken; as it so happens I'm still a virgin".
"You're kidding" Many of the girls responded simultaneously.
"I may not have a hymen" Virgo went on, "But that is not because I have had sex; I simply tore it one day whilst training under Ur Milkovich".
Ultear gritted her teeth, "For a spy, you are very tactless; don't mention that woman's name in my presence again".
Virgo looked at Ultear without emotion, "Then never insinuate that as a spy, I would do anything to gain information… including fornication".
Ultear went silent, then when she looked up, it was with a fiery glare for Virgo, "If you promise never to mention her name… I'll accept".
"Very good, it is agreed" Virgo replies, unshaken.
Meanwhile, Mirajane and the other girls breathed a sigh of relief; they were afraid the two of them would start fighting right here, inside the limousine.
"I'm surprised Karen arranged for such comfortable transport" Hisui remarked to change the subject, whilst the others nodded; Karen may have decided that it would be best that they all arrive at the Dragneel Estate… but they would've expected her to send a horse drawn wagon or something just as uncomfortable in order to torture them.
The limousine however, was very comfortable; full black leather seating, shaped in a 'U'. The doors were right next to the driver's and driver's passenger doors. In the centre was a coffee table with bottles of liquor and soda in screwed down holsters so they wouldn't move whilst the limo was moving.
The glass screen separating them from the driver was made of smart-glass, meaning one moment it could be regular glass, but the next it could be turned into a fully operational television; Hisui had put on the 'Political News Channel' when they first entered.
"So Kagura" Erza began, looking at the girl in question, "I know you have developed feelings for Natsu… but as you are not dating him as of yet, why did you decide to come?"
Kagura shifted as though she were uncomfortable for a moment, before replying, "I simply wanted to see if… things could progress… with Natsu-nii and me".
Erza smiled softly at that, "Now that Natsu has four partners, I see no problem in adding a few more… and of course, it goes without saying, but I approve of you Kagura".
Kagura smiles at her Erza-nee's approval. Then she remembered something that happened a couple of weeks before the Academy Ball.
"Erza-nee, can I ask you something?" Kagura asked.
Erza nodded, "Go ahead".
"The last time we sparred with swords… how long did I last?" Kagura asked.
Erza appeared in thought for a moment, before replying, "You could last ten minutes, if my memory serves".
Kagura nodded, "Unbelievable".
"Indeed, you are improving steadily" Erza replies with a proud smile.
But Kagura shook her head, "No, it just that… a week or two before the Academy Ball, I sparred with Natsu-nii".
Everyone looked up at that; most wondered how it turned out… except for Hisui. She knew full well, how that duel ended.
"I'm guessing Natsu won?" Erza asked; if Natsu could beat her in combat, it stood to reason that he could beat Kagura.
Kagura nodded, and Erza went on, "How long did you last?"
Kagura sighs deeply before answering, "My class says that it took no longer than ten seconds".
At this, Erza's eyes widened; she knew Natsu was stronger, but… by this margin? She expected two or three minutes… but ten seconds…?
"I see, he truly is a powerful individual, even without that Demon inside of him" Erza replied.
Kagura nodded in reply, "But now we'll be going to the Dragneel Estate, where Natsu-nii learned Kendo".
Erza nodded, "It'll be interesting to see".
Hisui looks out the window at this point and smiles, "You'll see soon enough; we've arrived".
Everyone looked up at this and a few seconds later, the car stopped.
Once the driver opened the door for all of them, they all exited the vehicle and took in their surroundings.
The Dragneel Estate was a four storied building made out of light brown bricks. It was shaped like a 'U', where the girls currently sat in the mouth of. The windows on the first floor were regular panes, painted matte white. The windows on the second, third and fourth floors however, were all bay-style windows, also painted matte white.
The main entrance to the house was right in front of them, at the base of the 'U'. It was a simple entrance with a slightly raised cement slab and was canopied to provide shelter.
At the edges of the building, hedges and garden beds filled with numerous different flowers like pink and red roses and sunflowers. Behind them, was a large fountain, wtih a Dragon sculpted in the centre. The fountain was positioned in such a way, that it could act as a sort of roundabout.
Just as they had all taken stock of their surroundings, the front doors of the Estate opened, and walking out, was single young woman… one that all the girls recognised.
"It's a pleasure to see you all here finally" Karen Dragneel, Natsu's stepsister greeted them, "If you would please follow me, my mother awaits us in the Lesser Dining Hall".
…
Karen led the girls through a series of confusing hallways.
The hallways all looked the same; the floors, walls and ceiling were all timber, where the ceilings' apex reached six metres from the ground.
The timber plank floors were covered in red carpet, reaching a metre short on each side of the hallways; the hallways were about five metres wide, meaning the carpet was about three metres wide.
The walls were decorated with artistic tapestries depicting battles of historic significance, the likeness of a Dragneel centuries dead or even just a bouquet of flowers.
On the walls, there was also weapon racks purely for decorative purposes; a line of spears here, two halberds crossing beneath a shield over there… it went on like at certain intervals.
What intrigued the girls the most were the hand carved mosaics on the wooden wall panels; these also depicted battles or the likeness of certain ancestors, but it was the detail of the art that truly captivated them… how each figure was literally 3D.
The hallways were lit with numerous chandeliers hanging from the roof, each chandelier bearing over fifty candles and lamps; the girls felt sorry for the servant responsible for changing the candles.
As they were walking, they took a turn and found themselves face to face with a familiar figure… familiar, but unwelcomed.
She looked like she was only Karen's age, or even younger… but the girls knew that this girl was born a hundred years ago and until recently, had been trapped within a crystal-like structure. This girl was Mavis Vermillion.
"I see you've all arrived" Mavis says to them, face expressionless.
"Indeed; how long have you been here?" Hisui led the questioning.
"I arrived yesterday… I'm quite impressed by the Dragneel Estate; you'd never guess, but they also own a large town about five kilometres from here" Mavis continued expressionlessly.
The girls frowned; Mavis seemed almost… indifferent. When they had first met the girl, she had seemed borderline hostile.
"Are you in a good mood or something?" Erza asked, stepping forward.
Mavis raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean… oh…" Mavis hangs her head, "You're thinking about how I acted when we first met".
"You seem different" Mirajane adds in simply.
Mavis shrugs her shoulders, "The reason is a simple one".
"Yes… it is" Karen replies.
"Is it?" Hisui asks Karen.
Karen nods, "She's usually indifferent… except when Onii-chan is around".
All the girls look hard at Mavis at this point of information.
"You seriously dislike Natsu? Why?" Erza asks.
Mavis sighs, "I thought it'd be obvious, *tch*" Mavis looks at them with a look of disgust on her face, "I dislike him, because he's nothing but a foul Demon".
All the girls frown angrily at this.
"Natsu himself is not a demon!" Mirajane exclaims in outrage.
"I'm not so sure about that!" Mavis retorts in equal anger, "I have stated this to many people; the Knights of the Red Cross, the Royal Clans… even your Headmaster… that I have met numerous possessed humans, and I can tell you this much, Natsu Dragneel is different".
"How so?" Erza asks, a second away from summoning a sword to kill Mavis.
Mavis walks over to a nearby window and stares out of it, "For starters" Mavis begins, "When a human is possessed by a Demon, it takes over their very being… in most cases it consumes their very soul; Natsu however… is on equal terms with his Demon, like they're friends".
"Is that so bad?" Kagura puts her voice in, "Isn't it good that Natsu-nii and his Demon can cooperate?"
Mavis shakes her head, "I never said it was bad; it's just strange, since it would be the first case".
"What else then?" Mirajane asks.
Mavis turns back to them, "Natsu is too powerful".
"What has that got to do with it?" Ultear steps forward, "Demons are powerful creatures".
Mavis smiles, "I have met the Demon King on the field of Battle; he is the reason I tried to host three Gods at once… Natsu's power reminds me of the Demon King's".
"Are you saying… that Natsu is actually possessed by the Demon King?" Erza asks, unable to believe such a possibility.
But Mavis shakes her head, "Definitely not… because for starters it's only similar, not the same, but more importantly I am talking about Natsu's actual power, not the Demon's".
The girls were taken aback with that; what was Mavis saying exactly.
"Lastly" Mavis continues, "And this is the clincher; I sense no mortality within Natsu".
The girls blink at that; no mortality?
"What do you mean?" Karen asks, confused like the other girls.
"Humans who are possessed and don't have their souls consumed" Mavis begins to explain, "Leave traces of human spirit; Natsu has no trace, which can only mean that Natsu's soul was devoured and we've been talking to the Demon all along… or Natsu had none to begin with, from birth".
"So, you're implying that Natsu is a demon… possessed by a demon?" Ultear asks, disbelief plain on her face.
"Possibly… I just don't know; Natsu Dragneel is a conundrum, and when I told Zeref and Igneel Dragneel about this, they looked troubled, like they knew what I was talking about", Mavis sighs at all of this, "Enough of all of this; I'm tired, so I'll be retreating to my quarters until dinner" she looks at Karen, "Be sure to inform the Lady Katherine".
Karen nods, and when Mavis leaves from sight, Mirajane spoke up, "I wonder what she's going on about".
"I have no idea, and I myself am a Dragneel" Karen shakes her head; but regarding Natsu, she couldn't help but think that Zeref and Father were always a bit… cautious… when it came to Natsu.
But she did not voice these thoughts to the other girls; she didn't want them to think something was wrong with her Onii-chan.
"With that distraction out of the way, let us continue to the Lesser Dining Hall" Karen speaks up after a long silence, and continues to lead the way.
…
"it's so good to see you girls after all these months; I trust your trip was comfortable?" Katherine greets the girls as they entered the Lesser Dining Hall a minute later. She took turns, hugging and kissing the cheeks of each of the girls, including Kagura and Ultear, despite having only met them once or twice before whilst Natsu was comatose.
"Very comfortable; we can thank Karen for that I suppose" Erza replies with a look toward Karen.
Karen smiles at them mischievously, "Oh? Were you expecting it to be uncomfortable?"
"Yes" all the girls, including Katherine, reply.
Karen let's off a small laugh before saying, "Don't think of me as such a petty person; you'll hurt my feelings".
"Enough of this" Katherine replies, "Let's all just sit down; your trip may have been comfortable, but I'll wager it was still tiring".
"Thank you, Lady-" Erza began, but Katherine laid a finger over Erza's lips.
Katherine looks at Erza pointedly, and after a few seconds Erza nods in reply.
Letting go of Erza's lips, Erza says, "Thank you… Katherine".
Katherine smiles at Erza, "My pleasure… now sit down already".
Sitting down, the girls took the chance to look around the so called 'Lesser' Dining Hall.
It could only be called 'Lesser' if it were being compared to something that was somehow bigger… because regardless of its name, it was still larger than the girls anticipated.
Its apex rose six metres from the floor, and like the hallway, the floors, walls and ceiling were all made of timber.
It was a large enough room, that you could fit a regular house inside of it comfortably; despite its size however, little furniture adorned it.
Aside from the immense dining table, which could sit thirty people, the only other object that could be counted as furniture was a large marble fireplace at one end of the room; since it was summer, the fireplace was cold as stone.
On the walls, the only decoration were banners emblazoned with the Dragneel Crest; a golden dragon sleeping on a field of crimson. Beneath each crest, were the words 'Quod Draco Exspecto' which was Latin for 'The Waiting Dragon'.
After taking in their surroundings, the girls turn to Katherine, who continued to smile at them.
"Now then, let's get to it, shall we?" Katherine says to the girls when she noticed she had their attention.
"Excuse me Katherine" Virgo steps in, before Katherine could truly begin.
"Yes, young Virgo?" Katherine invited Virgo to continue.
"Where is Natsu?" Virgo asked.
Katherine sighed, "Unfortunately, we informed him that you would not arrive for at least three more hours… intentionally, of course… so he is currently training".
"Natsu-nii is training?" Kagura asks, looking excited.
Katherine smiled at the girl, "Yes, I heard from Natsu that you'll likely be interested in that sort of thing; you'll have plenty of time for all of that, for now though…" Katherine reaches to her side and pulls up a plastic shopping bag, "… be sure to distribute these amongst yourselves" with those words, she throws the bag onto the table.
Mirajane reached out and collected the bag, glancing inside for the contents; when she realised what said contents were, she blushed a deep crimson in embarrassment.
"What is it Mirajane?" Erza asked next to her.
"They're… they're… they're…" Mirajane blushed.
"They're condoms; I took the liberty of procuring them for you this morning" Katherine smiled at the girls.
Sure enough, a minute later each of the girls, including Kagura and Ultear, were each holding a box of twenty condoms each.
"Mother, where is mine?" Karen asks, a little bit more than miffed at the prospect of her Onii-chan having sex with all these girls… and not her!
"You're currently fifteen years old Karen; I'm open to people wanting to have sex, but I do have limits" Katherine turns a glaring eye to her daughter, "When you're sixteen, feel free to have sex with Natsu as much as you like".
"That's only two weeks away! What's the difference?" Karen argues.
"The line has to be drawn somewhere!" Katherine argues back, "If I say, 'Two weeks? Close enough', then you'll say that four weeks isn't that much different… it'll go on and on until suddenly, twelve years old is apparently a decent age".
Karen crosses her arms defiantly, but well and truly defeated.
"Now then… any questions?" Katherine asks the other girls.
"I have a question" Erza speaks up.
"What would it be?" Katherine asks her.
"These condoms" Erza begins, "They're all the same size… they're also the right size for Natsu… how is it that you… know?"
Katherine smiles, "I still often take baths with my adorable step-son".
A lot of the girl's blush at this, causing Katherine to laugh.
"Don't you worry; it's strictly professional… he washes my back, I wash his… it's strictly professional" Katherine laughs at them, "It just so happens that I've seen it enough times to get a good reading on its size".
"It's still kind of weird" Kagura mumbles.
"I see no problem with skinship" Erza answers, accepting Katherine's words.
'Of all the girls' the other girls thought simultaneously.
Katherine smiles at the girls further, "Now that is out of the way, I presume there is nothing else?" She waits for the girls to voice any lingering thoughts before continuing, "Very good; I think it's time then".
The girls look up and Mirajane asks, "Time for what?"
Katherine continues to smile at them, "I think I've made you girls wait long enough; it's time for you all to go see Natsu".
Authors' Note – I apologise it wasn't longer. I may be a bit rusty, so I feel breathless just doing what was once an average chapter for me. Plus, my style of writing may also be rusty, and I apologise if it was. I hope it was enjoyable at least, and I hope you'll all review this chapter and let me know what you think! Until the next update (give me a week or two)! Auf Wierdesehen!