Okay, I finally made it! I apologize for that writing this chapter took so much time, but I just got too much urgent matters at the same time. End of the year never was easy…
Anyway, here's the new chapter.
For the reviewers:
ValinNight: Thank you! Honestly, first MiraXGray hint was in chapter sixteen, and it was… well, blurry, as I think of it now.
xSPQRxCenturion, kwerli: Many thanks guys.
FanFictionHunter: Yep, Nelliel didn't join Fairy Tail, but she's going to appear more times.
Deadmask: Many thanks man. Oh I wish my health to depend only on my own carefulness…
Geraze90: Oh, don't worry, Mira will sing many more times…
WhiteTigress21: Thank you, lady bow.
Heat: Thank you.
Cameron: Thanks. When I was in university I was playing in a band. Seems I'm still good at song writing, gonna write more…
deathgrips099: If Erza can eat light why can't it be half-stomached?
Tet19: Dark Guilds won't find about Tower of Din, not directly at least.
Tottenham Hotspur: Many thanks, I hope next update will take less time.
InflatedChimp: Thank you. Yeah, I think I found an optimal chapter's size.
WORLD: Well, I hope you found out xD.
Alex2909: Many thanks, Natsu's personality is kinda my pride xD.
TheDivineFuryDragonSlayer, Guest (Atlastheflame): Thanks people!
Ferdoos: I'll explain about the blue mist in Nirvana's arc.
Void Fart: Thank you!
1captain obvious: Thanks for the high praise. Agree, in Rave Master characters were maturing as story was progressing. In Fairy Tail they are not and this is disappointing…
CallofJuarez: Mira and Gray because I only have one Natsu. I agree, MiraXNatsu is interesting pairing as well, but it's for another time, another story.
U Rock: At your service xD.
Mark358: Yeah, he was in bad mood…
Natsu is Awesome: Patience, please. Wait for the Fighting Festival arc.
Guest: Thank you.
Detinc: Well, here you go!
Now, let's proceed. Creation of this chapter took quite a while, so some ideas were changed to others. Besides, I was distracted while writing it, only hope that I didn't mess it up too much. This chapter is also social, unlike the next one, by the way… Good reading and do not forget to leave a review. I'm pretty sure I'll write next update faster, though I'm still trying to write an update for my other two stories – Blessing of the Scarlet Dragon and Fairy Tail rEvolution...
Chapter updated 11/12/2016
Chapter XXI – The Big Day
…
October 11, Thursday, X784, 21:25, Town of Magnolia.
"Erza, please, calm down…" Natsu said calmingly, trying to put a bit of sense into his bride's head, as she was in panic.
Despite Erza's protests, pleas, threats and cries, she and Natsu made a trip to the great desert, to the eastern part of the continent, in search for more clues about Astrum Eclipsis location. Of course, Natsu didn't force her to go with him, but hell – there's absolutely no way she could let him go alone.
Trip was quite successful – they've recovered a rich archive with spells and magic items, as well as very valuable jewelry, including gold tiara with rubies. Erza tried to deny it but she was fascinated by this jewelry, as rubies looked in perfect match with her hair.
However, due to slight delay before departure, and because their searches took more time than intended, they returned just about half an hour ago, which means that only 37 hours left until the wedding, which was planned on 13th October, 11 AM.
"Honey, everything is alright. Ceremony will go as scheduled; there's nothing we have to do anymore – priest is ready, guests are ready, flowers, victuals, orchestra – everything is ready!" Natsu said, louder than needed, looking straight into Erza's eyes, as he embraced his beloved one, preventing her from chaotic running around the house.
"Natsu, let me go!" Erza tried to break away from his embrace, "I need to… I have to… I want…" Natsu sealed her lips with very passionate kiss, there was a complete chaos in her head.
"I adore you…" Natsu whispered as he finally released her lips, leaving her almost breathless. "The wedding… it will be perfect, no matter what… because you are perfect. You've born to wear the white dress…"
"Yes, but there's so much things…" She tried to say, forcing Natsu to kiss her again.
"Erza, relax. Everything is done. You don't need to do anything…" Natsu said by calming voice. Lucy and others have done a great job, the one last thing you need to do is to marry me," He smiled. "Even without Cana. The new girl… um… the former phantom's ajin-chan, took over Cana's part, and I have to say – she did much better than Cana would."
"How is she, by the way?" Erza asked a bit guiltily as Natsu finally managed to distract her from the marriage panic. "It's still kinda my fault that she ended up in the hospital…"
Flashback, October 1st, Monday, about 20:00.
The guild was celebrating the end of reconstruction. Natsu and others just finished reporting to the master about what happened during their vacation and now they all were intending to finally go home. Suddenly, Cana's voice got their attention. "Hey people, how about the drinking contest?! Try your chances against me!" She shouted. Cana was already quite tipsy.
"No way!"
"Not a chance!"
"Go find another fool!"
And other replies of this sort sounded across the guild. Everyone knew that Cana's stomach is almost like a black hole.
Some people looked at Natsu, he's immune to alcohol so he can easily win. But he just ignored Cana. Well, entire guild knew that he hates cheap booze so it wasn't a surprise, not to mention that he despises foolish stuff. But suddenly… "Okay, count me in," Erza announced.
Whole guild looked at her in shock as Natsu's face expression became grim. Mira's eyes, on the other hand, flashed with devilish flame. Everyone in the building were well aware of the fact that Erza is extremely intolerant to alcohol.
"Erza, are you kidding?!" Cana even sobered up a bit.
"No way back, Cana!" Erza declared as she sat at the opposite side of the Cana's table.
"Let's make bets, Natsu!" Mira suddenly announced with disgusting smile. "I'm sure you're not gonna bet against your fiancée?"
"You're going to pay for this…" Natsu said, not even looking at she-devil. But Mirajane was right – he couldn't bet against Erza. And while all the guild members joyfully rushed to Mira to make bets, anticipating some easy money, Erza and Cana began the drinking contest.
One hour later…
Cana was out cold on the floor because of alcohol overdose. She drunk so much that now she was at the death's door, so Wakaba and Macao decided to deliver her to the hospital.
Erza was a bit tipsy, and now she was entertaining Natsu, acting like a cat with her revealing, cheetah-like Hishō no Yoroi [Flight Armor] equipped, playfully scratching him. "Nyaa!" She meowed, shocking entire guild.
"Did she just say 'nyaa'?" Max asked with his mouth agape.
"Ka… kawaii…" Warren mumbled.
Whole guild was dumbfounded, not only by contest's outcome but also by Erza's behavior. "Okay, can someone explain to me – what the hell is going on here?!" Wakaba shouted finally. "We all saw what happens when Erza drinks alcohol! She was becoming drunk after first mug! What sort of trick is this?!" He added in frustration. Obviously, smoke mage thought that Natsu used some spell to let Erza outdrink Cana.
"What did you say?" Natsu asked Wakaba with indifferent voice, but his left eye flashed with blue flame, "Are you suggesting that I'm some sort of a cheater?" Wakaba gulped, but Natsu just shook his head slightly. "Isn't it obvious? As a dragon slayer, Erza partially a dragon," Natsu said and pressed his bride closer to him. "Try to imagine how much alcohol you need to make drunk a creature that weights several hundreds of tons?" Natsu asked with some hidden irony. "Ignorance is your lot…" He added quietly.
"You knew?!" Macao gasped as Mirajane came to Natsu to share her win with him. Ironically, it happened just as Natsu said an hour ago – 'You're going to pay for this'… And now they finally realized what exactly he meant. The whole guild made bets on Cana, and Mira and Natsu won all the money – they made bets on Erza. "Why didn't you say anything?!"
"And lose the opportunity to earn money and see how Natsu will make fools of all of you once again?" Mira said, smiling innocently. All guild members became pale gray as people one more time got a reminder that she-devil is back, and now she's even worse than before because she's also Natsu's best friend now.
Flashback end.
"And what shall I do with you…" Natsu asked quietly, gently stroking Erza's back. After almost two hours of reasoning and persuasions, Erza finally calmed down and fell asleep almost instantly, as she was very tired because of her own nervousness. "You're my oddity in feathers…" He whispered, looking at his sleeping bride as she was quietly growling and smiling in her dream. Even in her sleep, she held Natsu in tight embraces, like a dragon who is protecting her most precious belonging…
Flashback, October 2nd, Tuesday, about 9 o'clock.
Erza and Natsu were outing, simply walking around the town, enjoining this sunny Tuesday's morning. Departure to the eastern part of the continent was planned for today's afternoon. They walked through the park, and at the park's exit Natsu noticed a "Claw crane" playing machine. Very young girl, about three and half years old, with quite remarkable turquoise hair, stood near it, desperately looking at plushy toys inside the playing machine.
"Hi there," Natsu smiled and called for the girl, as he came closer and squatted down. Girl turned to him and examined for a few seconds. "Why you are all alone here?" God slayer asked. Erza stood a few steps behind him, observing. Honestly, she was quite surprised to see how quickly Natsu's indifferent and haughty attitude disappeared when he approached the kid.
"Okā-san is sleeping…" Girl pointed toward park. "We were playing hide-and-seek… I hid while Okā-san was counting… she usually always can find me, but now she didn't… and I went to look for her and found her sleeping…" The kid explained in confusion, a bit resentfully. Her speech was pretty good for such an age, by the way.
"Don't worry, I'm sure your mother didn't want to offend you," Natsu tried to cheer the young girl up. "She's just tired… You're Nelliel's daughter, right?" Natsu asked. Looks like dream dragon slayer was having a hard time now. After Phantom Lord's disbandment, she had to look for a job as an independent mage. It seems that working solely and raising a very active kid all alone was very exhausting even for a dragon slayer.
"You know okā-san?!" Girl asked in surprise, "But okā-san said she doesn't know anyone in this town…"
"Well, she probably didn't know that I'm here," Natsu replied, this kid definitely does not need to know about how exactly Natsu and Nelliel got acquainted. "Oh, where's my manners?" Natsu smiled again. "I should've to introduce myself first. My name is Natsu Bloodfallen, but you can call me just Natsu, what's your name?"
All this time Erza stood a bit aside and looked at Natsu and young girl, her surprise was growing as she saw how fast Natsu found a common language with such a young child.
"I'm Luminel," Girl introduced herself; when Natsu said that he knows Nelliel, her daughter quickly perked up.
"So, why are you here all alone, your mother probably will be worried if she won't find you when she'll wake up," Natsu asked, he still was squatting.
"Okā-san said I can play in park, she'll find me when it will be time to leave, she always does," Kid replied. Of course, with dragon slayer's nose she can easily find her daughter. Girl again turned to playing machine and looked at plushy toys.
"You want one of those?" Natsu asked as he examined the machine.
"Yes… but okā-san said that it's impossible to win the toy, and I can't just break the glass and take what I want…" She replied.
Natsu smiled again – it seems that braking things was in her blood, she's a dragon slayer's daughter, after all. Yet, there were other options. "Tell you mother that she shouldn't use word 'impossible' so often," Natsu replied. "If you can use magic – everything is possible. Look, I'll prove it," He added and turned to playing machine. "Which toy do you want?" God slayer asked.
Girl thought for a moment and pointed at big red/gold plushy dragon. "Nice choice," Natsu approved and inserted the coin into machine. The trick was simple – gripping force of machine's claw was very low. However, when device grabbed the toy, Natsu channeled his deathfrost energy right into device's claw and toy was frozen to it. Few seconds later, amazed and joyful girl took the plushy toy from the machine's reward box.
Luminel seemed happy for a few moments, but then her face expression became almost mournful. She turned to Natsu, hesitated for a few seconds and held out the dragon to Natsu. "It's yours, take it…" She said sorrowfully.
"Relax, little one," Natsu rumpled girl's hair. "It's my present to you, let it be a reminder that there are so many ways to use magic. Besides," Natsu looked back, at Erza, "I'm already have a plushy dragon…"
"Natsu, how many times I have to tell you to not call me…" Erza exclaimed resentfully, but she didn't finish her phrase as she noticed that no one actually cares about what she's saying.
"Really?" Luminel asked. She was very happy when Natsu said that she can keep the toy, but now she looked confused as grown-up man said that he too has a plushy toy. "And you are playing with it?" She wondered.
"Of course, she's my favorite toy," Natsu assured her, "I'm playing with her every day, or rather, every night…"
"Natsu, I'm warning you…" Erza said with narrowed eyes.
"Alright, Luminel-chan, I think your mommy soon will wake up, let's wait for her in this café, okay?" Natsu asked.
"Right!" Girl replied cheerfully.
Erza seemed shocked, 'He remembered her name?!'
20 minutes later.
Natsu and Erza were sitting in café, chatting about different trifles, while Luminel was sitting on Natsu's lap, playing with her new plushy dragon and eating a big ice cream that Natsu bought for her. Suddenly, Erza looked at one of park's alleys. "Okay, it seems that the beanpole woke up…" She noted.
Indeed, few seconds later Natsu noticed the disturbance on that alley. Nelliel woke up, and now she was rushing to find her daughter, following her scent and pushing passersby from her way. Nelliel approached the café and froze like paralyzed as she saw her daughter sitting on lap of the very man who obliterated her guild and put Nelliel herself on the verge of death.
"Had a sweet dream, I hope?" Natsu asked, looking at Nelliel's shocked face expression.
"Okā-san!" Luminel happily exclaimed as she jumped down on the ground and run to her mother, who still stood with her mouth open as if she lapsed into idiocy. "Okā-san, look! Natsu oji-san [uncle] won a toy for me!" Girl announced, demonstrating her plushy dragon to Nelliel. Dream dragon picked up her daughter and then looked at Natsu, definitely asking for some explanation.
"Found her at the park's exit," Natsu said with a faint irony in his voice, "Decided to watch over her while you were sleeping, just in case."
"Okā-san?" Luminel asked uncertainly, "You're really tired?"
"What? Oh, no, not at all!" Nelliel replied quickly, "I'm so sorry sweetie, I just… well…" Dreamwalker tried to justify herself, without much success.
"You're tired…" Luminel said sadly, she's a very smart kid. "But that's okay!" Girl suddenly exclaimed with enthusiasm, "I'm a big girl, a can watch over you while you're sleeping!" She declared. "You have to sleep well to be healthy," She added, seemingly quoting Natsu.
"Thank you my dear," Nelliel smiled to her daughter. "All right, it's time for us to go, say goodbye to your new friends," Dreamwalker said.
"Natsu oji-san, Erza oba-san [aunt], bye!" Girl waved with her plushy dragon.
Nelliel stared at Natsu for a few seconds and then said, "Thank you." Probably those were the hardest words to say in her life.
"Don't mention it," Natsu replied, still with the same faint irony in his voice. Nelliel turned around and headed to park's exit.
"Oh, okā-san, look, I can use magic!" Girl exclaimed as she looked at her mother and her eyes began to glow with emerald light. Nelliel stared at her daughter with slight shock, it seems that she didn't intend to begin teaching her magic just yet. "Okā-san, when you gonna teach me to shoot lightning?" Kid asked sincerely innocently.
"Soon, sweetie," Dreamwalker replied, giving Natsu an angry sight, but she didn't say anything and continued her way toward park's exit, pressing her beloved daughter to herself and trying to understand how exactly that man managed to teach her daughter to use magic within a couple of minutes.
"Nothing difficult," Natsu commented as if he managed to read Nelliel's thoughts. "This kid's magic talent is exceptional, may be even better than of her mother. There's a big setback with her attribute though…" He sighed.
Nelliel's attribute – Thasaidon – pure void – was perfect for her magic. However, Luminel didn't inherit it. She also has born with single-element attribute, but it wasn't the void. Luminel's attribute – Yggdrasill – pure wood. Dream Dragon slayer magic won't benefit from it at all, in other words, it will be common, just normal. In Luminel's case that will be a waste of her wonderful talent. Allowing her to learn something like Wood Dragon slayer magic would've been the best solution, of course, but it's easier to say than done. Not that Natsu was worried a lot, but as a fellow mage he just thought that the entire world of Magic will lose a lot if Luminel's talent will be wasted. Well, Natsu decided to think about it later. Maybe, when Nelliel will cool off a bit more – he'll be able to talk about her daughter…
"I'm amazed…" Erza admitted as she took Luminel's place on Natsu's lap. "You found a common language with a child so easily…" Erza knew that Natsu has a lot of talents, but she never thought that communication with kids is among them.
"There's so much things you still do not know about me," Natsu said with sly smile.
"No doubts…" Erza looked at him with narrowed eyes. Despite their very close and trustful relationship, Natsu still was a complete mystery, full of surprises and enigmas. And Erza was full of determination to solve all of them, even if she has to spent her entire life on that. And, probably, it is one of countless reasons why she loves him so sincerely.
"Luminel…" Natsu said thoughtfully, "It means 'The light of my life'… Well, maybe that beanpole is not that bad after all, she seems caring and loving mother, devoted to her daughter…"
"I too want the one like this…" Erza said in a plaintive voice.
"Oh, please honey, not now. We already talked about it, hundred times," Natsu waved off his bride. Erza wanted kids ASAP, and that wasn't a secret to anyone. Natsu, however, was much more careful, and he decided that he's not ready yet to become a father. After countless and quite loud discussions, Erza finally agreed to wait until Natsu hit twenty. That, however, was before she become a dragon slayer with important purpose…
"By the way, why that is you memorized her name that easily?" Erza suddenly asked.
"What? No idea, I just… wait a minute… don't tell me you're jealous?!" Erza managed to surprise Natsu, "Come on, she's just three years old!"
"Of course not!" Erza denied furiously, hiding her embarrassed and a bit guiltily smile.
"Oh, you can't be serious…' Natsu sighed. "Seemingly, instead of teaching her magic I should've explain to her what is 'yandere'…"
"Natsu, I am not a yandere!" Erza exclaimed angrily.
"Yep, nice slogan for your first tattoo…" Natsu snorted.
"Grrrrr…" Erza growled, fighting with desire to strangle that insolent guy…
Flashback end.
October 12, Friday, X784, 9:15, Town of Magnolia.
"Okay sweetie, c'mon, I'll walk you out to Lucy's house, we should begin preparations," Natsu said as he and Erza finished their breakfast. Sin was already there, less than 26 hours left until the ceremony. "Just think of it, this is a penultimate morning for you as Miss Erza Scarlet, in a bit more than 24 hours you'll become Missis Erza Bloodfallen," Natsu said with smile, trying to cheer Erza up. It didn't work, however, in contrary, Erza felt another surge of nervousness.
"I didn't forget this… oh no… and I need to do this… damn…" Erza mumbled, running around the house.
"Oh sweetie, come on," Natsu said in annoyance, "Just calm down, please…"
"Natsu, how can't you understand?!" Erza exclaimed, "I can't forget anything! And I just remembered that we don't have spare furniture! What if I'll break something?!" Well, Erza was well aware of her own gawkiness.
"Oh, honey, please, even if you'll stumble and accidentally cast your Supernova spell, which will obliterate the entire cathedral, you'll still become my wife and I will love you!" God slayer tried to convince her, but that didn't help either.
October 12, Friday, X784, 10:10, Town of Magnolia.
In the end, Natsu just let Erza do whatever she wanted to do as a 'precaution', an hour later slayers finally departed to Lucy's house. Natsu was hard-to-surprise person, but he actually was quite surprised to see how a simple wedding turned usually composed and rational Titania to a half-sane girl.
They were walking across town, and for the most people this Friday was absolutely usual. It was just a routine weekday, until…
As Natsu and Erza was passing through town's market, suddenly they both have noticed that everything and everyone just stopped. People, animals, leaf litters, apples, which was falling out of toppled over crate and even clouds on the sky – everything just stopped. Town become as silent as graveyard. But before Erza and Natsu could understand what's going on, they both felt tremendous magical power nearby. At the next moment, someone grabbed Erza by shoulders from behind and roughly turned her around. Titania looked at this boor. It was a female, dressed in black shirt and shorts, chainmail gloves, elbow pads, knee pads and boots. Her chest and shoulders too were protected by chainmail armor. Her head was hidden by a hooded cloak.
Erza, however, had no time to say or ask anything as mysterious woman opened Titania's mouth and turned her head first to the right and then to the left, seemingly examining her teeth. Then woman's hands slipped down and squeezed Erza's boobs several times, as if testing their elasticity. Then her hands continued further down and she gently pressed Erza's underbelly. And then Erza again was turned around and got very harsh slap at her both buttocks.
Titania was so deeply shocked that she couldn't do anything. Natsu also stood still with his mouth wide opened, as if he lapsed into idiocy. "Alright, you will suffice," Woman said, and her voice was so soft and sweet that her words were chilling to the bones. As she said that, woman turned around and made several steps away, leaving.
"What the heck was that?!" Erza exclaimed as ability to speak finally returned to her.
"What?" Woman asked as she stopped. "I have the full right to examine you as I please, I'm giving my beloved son to you, after all." When Erza heard these words, she felt as if she was smashed with the weight of entire Tower of Paradise, no less. "That is really ironic... just to think that it will be you, out of all opportunities and possibilities..." Woman sighed, looking at her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Neither Natsu nor Erza understood what supreme goddess meant by that remark. "Well, it doesn't matter, Natsu, she's approved, you can marry her," Morrigan said, raising her head.
"Yes, Okā-sama, thank you," Natsu replied, somehow automatically.
Woman stood still a few seconds, and then lowered her hood, revealing an extremely pretty face and large emerald eyes, and also luxury, knee-long, salmon-colored hair. Morrigan looked sternly at her son, but then smiled warmly. "Good choice, she's a good girl," Goddess addressed her son, "You didn't disappoint me, neither with your taste nor with your destiny. Congratulations, Natsu, Erza-chan," She said and disappeared with flash of crimson light.
Life immediately returned to the town. People continued to do what they were doing before they were frozen in time as if nothing happened. Except for two people. Natsu and Erza stood like paralyzed with weird expressions on their faces.
"Now, this is just great…" Erza said with still shocked face expression. "She virtually abandoned you when you were thirteen years old, never came to see you since then, even when you lost your arm, and now she came to check my boobs?!" Erza couldn't get over the shock after her very short and very strange meeting with supreme goddess of war, who will become her mother-in-law tomorrow.
"That's okā-sama for you…" Natsu mumbled, scratching his cheek. "But she never did anything without reason…" Morrigan is a goddess, seemingly capable of freezing in time an entire town, if not the entire country, and she came to personally check Erza? "Well, you may be proud," Natsu said. "Being approved by okā-sama … That's quite an achievement…" Obviously, Natsu's thoughts were as messy as Erza's. Yet, due to their link, Erza felt a great happiness in Natsu's soul. Despite her weirdness, Morrigan's visit, and the fact that she personally blessed his marriage, meant extremely lot for him.
Lucy was waiting, so couple continued their way toward her house, but both were silent for a while, they needed some time to stomach their recent encounter.
October 12, Friday, X784, 10:55, Town of Magnolia.
"Ah, here you are!" Lucy cheerfully greeted her guests from second floor's window, it seems she was already waiting for them. Blonde headed downstairs and opened the door to let Erza in. "Is everything okay?" Lucy asked as she noticed that both slayers were distracted a bit.
"Um? Oh, yes, it's okay Lucy…" Natsu assured her, despite he was still thinking about his meeting with mother.
"See you tomorrow, my love…" Erza whispered to Natsu's ear and they share very passionate kiss before Titania entered Lucy's house as Natsu remained outside. Erza wasn't superstitious, but it seems wedding was the exception, and she didn't want Natsu to see her in wedding dress until tomorrow.
Erza headed to second floor, but when Lucy tried to close the door and follow her, Natsu blocked the door and made a gesture to Lucy that she should come outside. Blonde looked at him questioningly, but Natsu didn't say anything until Lucy came out and closed the door behind herself. "Natsu, what's going on?" She asked.
"Okay, Lucy, listen", He whispered, probably hiding from Erza's superior hearing. "I want you to take this," God slayer said as he handed over something that looked like a magic wand.
"What is it?" Lucy asked, examining the wand.
"She's trying to hide it, but naturally Erza is very nervous about the wedding," Natsu started to explain. "I'm afraid that in her condition she won't be able to sleep tonight, she wants our wedding to be perfect…" Natsu sighed with slight smile, Erza is a hopeless romantic deep inside… "I don't want her to be sleepy tomorrow, so, if she won't be able to sleep, use this," Natsu handed over the wand. Lucy took the wand and looked at it as Natsu continued, "Because she's partially a dragon – common Dorīmu Nokku [Dream Knock] spell, and others like it, won't work on her, so use the wand. It will put her to sleep for five, maybe five and half hours, this is the maximum charge I could put into this wand." Natsu lowered his voice further, and added, "Be careful with it, Lucy, this is Kuroi Geijutsu [Black Arts]. Do not try to use it on anyone else, normal human will sleep eternally…"
"What?!" Lucy yelped and tried to give the wand back to Natsu.
"Relax, blonde, if I'd have any doubts that it's even a bit dangerous, I'd never even thought about it," Natsu replied, refusing to take the wand. "I already used it, in hotel, to catch her old 'friend', remember? It is absolutely safe, but only for Erza," These words sounded proudly somehow…
After two or three minutes of persuasion, Natsu finally managed to convince Lucy that she should at least keep the wand, just in case. "Lucy, where are you?" Erza called for blonde, she was waiting for her. Fortunately, Natsu and Lucy were talking quite enough and ears of she-dragon haven't heard their conversation. "Okay, I'm coming!" Lucy replied, looking at Natsu. "Okay, you should go now, see you tomorrow," Lucy said as Natsu waved his goodbye and headed to the town's outskirts. He wanted to meet the certain person there, but that most likely wasn't a mutual desire…
October 12, Friday, X784, 12:20, Town of Magnolia.
In Magnolia's outskirts, to the east from the train station, the "Eastwell" hotel was located. Nothing special, but thanks to its remoteness, it was popular for certain types of meetings…
"So, he was good?" Natsu asked Mirajane as soon as she appeared from hotel's door. Gray left a few minutes ago, just like Natsu and Erza in their time – Gray and Mira now were hiding their relationships from the guild, but hiding something from Natsu is a completely different thing. Mira froze like paralyzed as she heard familiar voice from behind. She slowly turned around, only to see a god slayer, who stood leaning on column near hotel's entrance, with his common, indifferent expression on his face.
"How?" Very discouraged she-devil asked. Of course she knew that Natsu will realize about her relationship much faster than she realized about his (as Natsu managed to hide it even from Sin), but she didn't think that he'll realize it so fast…
"Your song," Natsu shrugged as if it was quite obvious.
"Damn…" Mira swore, and Natsu noticed that mentioning the song made her upset, and he was sure that it wasn't because he now knows because of this song. "And how you found us?" She asked.
"Just followed you," Natsu replied, "I'm a bounty hunter Mira, and following someone without being noticed is my professional skill…" Natsu explained as Mira narrowed her eyes. "Besides, you really think that two of you were the first ones to stay in this hotel?"
Flashback. Some of Natsu and Erza early dates (but not too early)…
Natsu and Erza came out of one of Hotel's rooms. They just recently began their intimate relationships, and this hotel was a good place to "do that", because it was on the opposite side of the town, away from the Guild Hall.
"Look, mom!" Suddenly, kid's voice sounded from the door to neighboring room, as some young family was leaving their suite. "This is the lady who always agree with everything?" And approximately four-years old girl pointed at Erza. Well, Erza was very loud, expressing her feelings during acts of physical love, and walls here appeared to be quite thin.
Knight-mage's face immediately became beet-red as Natsu had to summon all of his willpower to suppress a burst of hysterical laugher, Erza urgently pushed him back to their room and closed the door behind, as quite embarrassed family with kid left the floor.
"Oh my God…" Erza whispered, she was extremely embarrassed. Natsu, on the other hand, looked very satisfied. "And what's with that face?" Erza asked with narrowed eyes, examining her lover's proud looks.
"Isn't it obvious?" Natsu asked, "It seems that, thanks to you, half of this hotel now knows how good I am!"
"I hope you really enjoyed yourself," Erza hissed, "Because now I'm going to strangle you…"
Flashback end.
"What do you want?" Mira asked with annoyed look.
"Nothing special, I just want to be sure that you two won't be… distracted tomorrow by extraneous thoughts," Natsu replied. True – Gray is his best man and Mira is a chief waitress (deal was made before she returned to mage's job, and deal is a deal).
"Don't you worry," Mira snorted, "We won't… at least I won't, rest assured…" She-devil replied and headed to her house, she wanted a shower before she'll begin preparations. She knew that Natsu will keep her secret, so she didn't ask for it.
'Alright…' Natsu thought, 'It's time to see Gray, I suppose…'
October 12, Friday, X784, 13:15, Town of Magnolia.
Natsu found Gray at his house, Ice mage was trying on his Best Man's suit. It was special order with many internal ropes, Gray wanted to, literally, tie his suite to himself so he won't be able to undress accidentally. "Natsu?" Grey asked as he saw a god slayer at his doorstep, "What's up?"
"Nothing, I'm just going home to begin preparations," Natsu replied, examining Gray. "However, before I'll get to it, I want to check all participants and… well, I want to know why Mirajane is upset?" He asked.
Gray looked at Natsu worriedly, "Why do you think I know why she's upset?"
"I'm pretty sure that you do not know why she's upset and that's why I'm here," Natsu looked at Ice mage with indifferent, yet somewhat pitiful expression on his face.
"Wait, you know?!" Gray exclaimed, "How?! We were hiding so carefully…"
"The song she sang for you, it told me everything," Natsu replied, again, as if it was pretty obvious.
"What?!" Gray asked in shock, "What that weird song has to do with me?!"
"Oh, is that so… You didn't realize that song was dedicated to you, didn't you?" Natsu looked at Gray as if he was a madman, as reason of Mira's reaction about mentioning the song became clear. "Gray, get a hold on yourself already, 'Raven from hell' is… Oh, I'm wasting my time…" Natsu sighed in disappointment. "And I take it you haven't even said 'thank you'? Then of course she's upset – she may be a very weird girl, but she's still a poet, she put her heart into this song, and you failed so miserably…"
While Natsu was speaking, Gray looked at Natsu in shock, how the hell he knows all of this?! "I learned many things on my own experience, besides, me and Mira were the best friends for years," Natsu answered Gray's unspoken questions. "Okay, I suppose it's not too bad, she really likes you and she's clever girl. As soon as you'll be done with the suit – go to the shop, buy two spiked chokers and a leash, choose pricy things, and go find her. Put one choker on yourself and present her the second one and the leash. And no questions," Natsu added as he saw Gray's widened eyes, "Do as I said and say to her that all this time you were thinking about proper thanks for her wonderful gift, understand?"
Gray was still in shock as Natsu thought that he probably should let Gray to learn to be attentive to his girlfriend on his own, but right before his wedding he needs both Gray and Mira focused…
October 12, Friday, X784, 18:30, Town of Magnolia.
Natsu was alone, in his house, examining the stuff he and Erza brought from the desert as he had no time to do it yesterday. He's done everything he had to for the wedding, so now he got a bit of free time on his hands. "Oh, Okā-sama…" Natsu said as he stood up and headed to window, "… I wish you could tell me what is going on…" He sighed as he clenched to the window frame with his mutilated arm, which was burning with blue flame, Natsu was alone so there was no need to wear the glove.
Indeed, there were many unexplainable events in his life. From the very beginning, Morrigan was raising Natsu to be an ultimate warrior… for what purpose? Natsu have had some reasons to believe that she wanted him to find the Tower of Din, one way or another. Maybe that what happened there wasn't according to her hypothetic plans, but still…
On the other hand, she also explained the basics about opposite gender when Natsu was still a kid. Again, everything probably happened not exactly as she wanted, but it seems she knew that Natsu once may fall in love with someone. And now she came to examine Natsu's fiancée… for what? To see – does Erza fit her plan? Or maybe there's no plans at all and mother just wants happiness for her beloved son? "Oh dammit…" Natsu sighed again – lack of answers for these questions was even more irritating than his inability to find Astrum Eclipsis quickly.
Natsu looked at his left shoulder, where star dragon slayer's mating sign was located. Even now Natsu was able to feel Erza's warmness through it. God slayer raised his eyes to the sky, stars were already shining all over the clear welkin. 'Maybe she really came from out there somewhere?' Natsu thought, looking toward the Andromeda galaxy. "But I will never give her back, don't even think of it…"
October 12, Friday, X784, 23:30, Town of Magnolia.
Natsu was in bedroom, he was already preparing to sleep as he felt someone's presence outside, familiar one… "You're my oddity in feathers…" Nastu sighed, coming closer to window.
"Stop!" Erza exclaimed, she was sitting on the ledge, just outside the bedroom, "You can't see the bride until wedding!"
"Why then you've come?" Natsu asked with sigh, he actually was disapproving these superstitions.
"But it was so boring there…" Erza complained, "Sin went to help Gray with something, Levy has done everything she had to and returned to dormitory, and Lucy went to the bath, and she can sit there for hours… what is she doing there for so long?"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure that she's doing there exactly the same thing… things, which you were doing in bath before we started dating," Natsu chuckled, "She's a young and healthy girl, after all…"
"Natsu!" Erza exclaimed as her cheeks flushed a little.
"What? I heard girls complains about your habits – Levy once said you were in the shower for more than 3 hours, and that doesn't surprise me now since I know exactly how much time is needed to satisfy you…" Natsu chuckled again, it was funny to tease his almost wife, especially when she couldn't do anything without allowing Natsu to see her. "I hope you was dreaming about me?" Well, she was, but…
"Natsu, I'm warning you…" She hissed with threatening tone, trying to suppress those memories at the same time… "Natsu no ecchi… Okay, I can't stay here for long, I have to go back to Lucy. Just wanted to say 'Good night' to you…"
"Good night, amica mea…" Natsu whispered, heading to the bed, "Thank you for letting me to hear your voice…"
"Don't mention it…" Erza smiled as some warm feeling filled her chest.
October 13, Saturday, X784, 9:30, Town of Magnolia, Chaldean Cathedral.
All guests, overall, more than 200 persons, gathered at Magnolia's cathedral. There was still an hour and a half until the ceremony, but since Erza threatened to punish everyone who'll come late, all invitees were already here. As Natsu and Erza announced three months ago, entire guild was invited. Everyone was here, with exception of Gildarts, Mystogan (in fact, he actually was here), Laxus and his gang, of course.
"Wow, so many guests!" Levy exclaimed with excitement as she looked at the auditory. She, Cana and Lucy were in the small room on the Cathedral's second floor, observing Cancer's work as stellar spirit was working on Erza's coiffure.
It seems Cana wasn't angry at Erza, despite she spent three days on a drip after losing a drinking contest. However, when Lucy asked – did Cana learn her lesson and is she going to quit drinking, Cana replied with bellicose tone that she's going to drink much more from now on so she'll be able to beat Erza next time. In theory, it is possible, but Titania, on the other hand, declared that there will be no next time.
"Is he here?" Erza asked again, probably in 100th time. Natsu still haven't arrived to the cathedral, and Erza sat as if on pins and needles.
"Erza, I promised that I'll inform you as soon as he'll come," Lucy replied with very tired sigh, "Please sit still and let Cancer finish with your coiffure…" Just as Natsu foresaw – Erza was unable to sleep last night, making Lucy unable to sleep as well. Lucy was forced to use Natsu's tool, but Erza slept only about five hours, and as soon as she woke up, she panicked that she overslept, despite time was about 6 AM. Because of this, Lucy didn't get enough sleep, so now she was tired, sleepy and annoyed.
And Natsu wasn't helping, since he and Gray still were… somewhere.
At the same time, Natsu and Gray just met at Magnolia's marketplace, as intended, both were dressed into gala suits. "So, how did it go with Mira?" Natsu asked as he and Gray headed towards cathedral.
"I still didn't understand how, but it worked…" Gray replied, scratching his head. "I did as you told me, also I remembered some of her older paintings, which she drew before Lisanna's death, those hellish bats, remember?" Natsu nodded as Gray continued, "So I made icy copies of those bats and gave them to her. She was so excited and I was… okay, well rewarded…"
"Nicely done," Natsu approved.
"So, this is how it actually works?" Gray wondered, meaning relationships.
"Yes, welcome aboard," Natsu confirmed. "From now on you have to devote your full attention to her. You have to catch her every smile, every gesture, every sight. Be always ready to support her and to satisfy her whims. Remember, she's a photo model, poet and singer, powerful mage and, deep inside, very caring girl. Surely the right to sleep with her is worth anything…"
"You're really a vulgar man…" Gray facepalmed, but he knew that Natsu was right. No matter what it needs to keep Mira happy – she's worth it.
October 13, Saturday, X784, 10:30, Town of Magnolia, Chaldean Cathedral.
"There they are!" Cana announced as Natsu and Gray entered the cathedral.
"I'll kill him!" Erza exclaimed angrily, she already fretted herself to fiddlestrings, thinking that Natsu overslept or something bad happened. "I'll kill him right after the priest will name us the husband and wife… no, better after wedding night…" Erza said, it seems she missed something tonight.
"Erza, focus!" Lucy called for dragon-mage. "Stay still, let me adjust your make-up."
"By the way, can we take a look at your wedding vow, maybe Levy can help adjust it a bit," Cana suggested. And after these words, a fearless Erza became pale due to horror.
"You… you haven't written it?" Lucy asked in slight shock as Erza stood like paralyzed, "Erza… I reminded you about it at least five times!"
"I know…" Erza mumbled as last time was yesterday, "I forgot…"
"Okay, okay, calm down!" Levy exclaimed, "Wedding vows are optional, I'm pretty sure Natsu won't mind if you'll just say you love him!" Most likely Levy was right, but…
"Are you kidding me?!" Erza shouted and Levy gulped in fear.
"She's right, Natsu probably wrote an entire ode for her..." Lucy said as Erza collapsed on chair.
"You aren't helping, Lucy!" Cana raised her voice at stellar mage.
"Oh my God…" Erza mumbled in despair, "I was so focused on these stupid flowers, furniture and guests that I forgot about the most important thing… What shall I do? If I won't say anything people will think that I'm unworthy of Natsu…"
All girls gulped as they heard it – good illustration that wedding can make even the most clever and rational girl to babble like a silly schoolgirl.
"Erza, get a hold on yourself, now is not the time for self-reproach!" Lucy exclaimed, "You're here to marry Natsu, not to impress the crowd with your speechwriting skills!"
"Erza, she's right!" Cana agreed, "Natsu loves you without any conditions, just for who you are, you're luckiest girl ever! These vows are absolutely insignificant!"
It seems that Lucy's and Cana's passionate speeches reached Erza's years. "Thank you, girls…" dragon slayer said as master Makarov's voice sounded from corridor.
Master's duty was to lead Erza to the altar. "Are you ready?" Makarov entered the room with cheerful smile, before his sight fell on Erza and steam bursted out from his ears. Even Makarov couldn't imagine that she may be so beautiful – as if she has born to wear the white dress…
"Yes!" Erza replied with sudden determination, "Girls, thank you for everything you've done, please, go to the main hall. Master, I'm ready…"
Natsu, Gray and Elfman (he was a groomsman) stood near the altar, talking on casual themes, just like all other guests. However, when sounds of wedding march began, everyone became silent and turned towards the stairs. Braid maidens and best men took their places near the altar as Natsu made a step forward and stood beside the priest. And then the whole crowd let out an exalted sigh as Erza appeared, as master was leading her to the altar. Even Natsu was unable to hide his rapture – he saw this woman from every possible side, but now she was as beautiful as never before. Long white wedding dress was creating strong contrast with bouquet of scarlet roses in her hands and with her scarlet hair, which were arranged into a complex coiffure.
'Oh, they all are looking at me…' Erza thought as her cheeks flushed a little. She worked hard to deal with her fear of big auditory, but still she was shy… which was making her even cuter. She was able to hear whispers among the guests: "She's magnificent…" "Amazing…" "A goddess…" "I want to kiss her, to suck her mouth dry…" Erza blinked as last phrase was said by a girl's voice but dragon-mage quickly forgot about it, now wasn't the time to denounce anyone.
"Take care of her, Natsu," Master said before releasing Erza's arm as she stood in front of Natsu. Without any magic, she was glowing, with happiness. Erza was smiling with her unique smile – cheerful and happy, yet slightly shy and a bit sad.
"Wow, nee-san is really magnificent…" Shô mumbled in awe. As they promised – he, Wally and Milliana came to wedding, and even brought a gift.
"If you combine beauty of Venus and Freya together, it will be nothing comparing to yours…" Natsu whispered, looking into his bride's happy eyes.
"We gathered here together to…" priest began his speech as auditory became silent. While he was speaking, and fiancé and fiancée were standing, looking at each other, guests were submerged into their own thoughts. Mira and Juvia were imagining themselves on Erza's place, with a certain man as a bridegroom, which sooner or later may turn into a problem, since they were imagining the same man… or maybe not? Lucy and Levy were crying and Cana was fighting with hangover. "…so, if there is someone who knows why these man and woman cannot be together – speak now or be quiet forever." Of course, no one said anything so priest continued. "Please, say your wedding vows…"
Erza sighed. Actually, she was ready to avail herself of Lucy's and Cana's advice and say several simple words to Natsu, despite it wasn't the thing she actually wanted. But while Makarov was leading her towards the altar, she got another advice from her 'inner voice' (i.e. dragon queen) to speak exactly what she thinks, as she usually does, as now is the only proper place to do it… Erza looked straight into Natsu's eyes and began to speak.
"Natsu, there are many things I wanted to say to you, but since you can read people's minds anyway, you probably already know all of it," Erza said with smile, making Natsu to smile as well as auditory was a bit surprised – most people thought that Erza has no sense of humor. "But there's something I have to say. Natsu, everything I have now – my life, my freedom from my past and even my maid of honor…" Erza winked to Lucy, it was a true – Natsu found her "…I have all of it thanks to you. And now, in front of our guild, in front of our family, I swear to always be on your side. I will be your faithful wife, your most reliable supporter and your most trusted ally. And even death won't split as apart as even if I die my soul will remain at your side for all eternity…" Erza said it from the bottom of her heart as her eyes shone so brightly…
All guests were in awe after Erza's speech – they were deeply touched by her vow, but most importantly – they were seeing her from completely different side now. In the meantime, priest declared Natsu's turn to say his vow.
"Erza, when I look into your eyes, I can see the soul of this world, the heart of the universe… When you're smiling – stars shine brighter. When you laughing, the wind becomes fresher and sky becomes clearer. I thought that this is what makes you so special, this is why I love you… But I was wrong. When I look at you, I can see our future, our kids, our own family… And now, in front of all witnesses, I swear to make this future true…"
It's good that Lucy bought a water-resistant mascara for all bride maidens, as now even Cana was crying (and even Mira, too bad her goth makeup wasn't water-resistant…)
In the meantime, Gray gave Natsu Erza's ring and he put it on her ring finger. Gold ring with platinum ornament, one huge diamond and twelve rubies.
Then Lucy gave Erza Natsu's ring – simple gold ring but with special platinum inscription: 'Etiam mortem ad moriendum, sed amica mea vobis ut non.' Erza put it on Natsu's ring finger.
And then priest finally said the phrase people were waiting for, the very reason they came here: "By the power, given to me by gods and kingdom of Fiore, I declare you as Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride…" And Natsu and Erza's lips merged in one long and passionate kiss.
October 13, Saturday, X784, 13:00, Town of Magnolia, Fairy Tail.
After the official ceremony, newlyweds and all the guest moved to Fairy Tail guildhall for an official banquet. Honestly, it was extremely boring as Erza ordered everyone where to sit, amount of alcohol was limited, etc. Social dancing wasn't helping either, as chief waitress (Mirajane) was walking among the tables, radiating boredom.
"So, these people really can't celebrate anything in civil way…" Titania said with sigh, even Erza, who has a habit to brush aside even most obvious things, have noticed that her wedding party is boring.
"Don't bother with it," Natsu replied, "Sooner or later the party will take its own way…"
"Erza, this is for you," Makarov came to newlywed wife and handed over something to her.
"Finally!" Erza exclaimed as she took it. That was a new guild card:
Guild card № 32/784
Name: Erza Bloodfallen
Alias: The Titania, Dragon Slayers Queen
Birthdate: 4.04.X765 (19 years old)
Family: Parents unknown, presumably deceased. Natsu Bloodfallen, consort.
Magic: Sei no Metsuryū Mahō (Star Dragon Slayer Magic), Za Naito (The Knight)
"Dragon Slayers Queen?" Erza looked at Natsu with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry, couldn't resist," Natsu smiled as Erza continued to look at her new card. By the way, since her card's number was 32/784, it means that 31 mages already got their guild cards this year, before Erza got this one, in other words, since the beginning of this year, 31 wizards joined the ranks of Fairy Tail – guild was growing rapidly.
But Erza didn't pay any attention to it, she was re-reading her new last name again and again. And while she was busy, god slayer decided to heat things up a bit. Not that he really cared himself, but he wanted everyone to remember his and, most importantly, Erza's wedding as an exciting event. So, when Mira was passing by Gajeel, Natsu used his telekinetic power to move one of stools a little. Mira stumbled and entire content of her tray fell on Iron dragon slayer.
"You clumsy bitch!" Gajeel roared as Mira fell on floor.
"What the hell?!" Gray yelled as he saw Mira laying on floor. Ice mage stood up so fast that he brushed against big soup tureen, which overturned and soup splashed out on Elfman and Loki (stellar spirit was still a member of Fairy Tail so he was invited, of course).
"You fuck!" Both men jumped up, overturning the entire table, making Lucy and Cana to fall from bench.
"Yaah!" "Whoa!" Girls exclaimed.
In the meantime, Mirajane stood up. "How did you call me?!" She screeched and slammed her fist in Gajeel's face. He crashed into column, however, iron dragon wasn't among those who might be knocked out that easily. He dashed back to his place, grabbed Mira by her hair and crashed another soup tureen with her head, also crashing table where it stood, in half.
Within just one minute, entire wedding party turned into a complete chaos. "My wedding!" Erza shouted as she saw that her party was ruined and she didn't even notice what exactly happened. "Stop it now or…" She demanded but Natsu closed her mouth with his hand.
"Ssshhhh!" Natsu shushed at her. "Look, now they're having fun! Erza, I know – this is not how you was imagining it, but that is what you dreamed of – a perfect wedding. Everyone's happy… well, except him," Natsu pointed at master who stood with very dark face expression.
"But Natsu, this is chaos!" Erza exclaimed, looking at massive brawl.
"This is how this guild works…" Natsu shrugged. "In the meantime… c'mon," Natsu said as he started to pull his wife toward backyard.
"Wait, where are we going?!" Erza asked in surprise.
"To the pool. While they're fighting, we can have some fun in there…" Natsu replied, still leading her to the backyard.
"What?!" Erza exclaimed in shock, "You want to do… that… here… now?! But what if someone will come out and see us?!" She was shocked but so turned on by Natsu's perverted idea.
"We are newlywed, I'm pretty sure master will cover us," Natsu replied as he and Erza ran out of the building…
"You, mindless barbarian, take that" Mira shouted, still fighting with Gajeel.
"Shut up, you, clumsy whore!" Iron dragon roared.
"Take that!" "Nuuuaagh!" "Shut the hell up!" "Aaarrrggh!" Cana, Gray, Elafman and Loki were involved into free-for-all battle royal.
"This place really hasn't changed one bit…" Lucy mumbled, hiding behind the bar counter, together with Levy.
"Yeah… but, I guess that's what makes it Fairy Tail…" Bookworm noted.
"Why… why couldn't they just bottle it for one day…" Makarov said with dark aura around him. "Those damn brats! Tomorrow's the day reporter comes to collect data on the guild, cut it out you clogs!" Master shouted.
"Reporter!?" Lucy exclaimed in surprise.
"Cut it out, you lowlifes! Clean this place up, this is the wedding! Erza, Natsu, where are you two!?" Makarov roared.
"Oh gramps, don't go all giant on us gain!" Gray exclaimed.
"That's why I said that we have to leave right after the official ceremony…" Wally said as he, Shô and Milliana were hiding in utility room.
"So, wedding wasn't the only reason for this show off with stage, shop and curvaceous waitresses…" Lucy noted to herself.
October 14, Sunday, X784, 9:15, Town of Magnolia, Bloodfallen family's house.
The 'celebration' lasted until the late night, and some people were celebrating and brawling until the very morning. Erza and Natsu, however, weren't among them. They retreated to their house right after Erza threw bride's bucket, which provoked another brawl among girls. Mirajane got the bucket, despite she didn't try to catch it. It just fell on her right after she crushed into a column whilst she was brawling with Gajeel. However, despite she didn't try to catch it – she refused to give it away…
Today master forced everyone, who was fighting yesterday, to fix the guild before reporter will arrive. Technically, Natsu and Erza weren't participating in the brawl, but master asked them to postpone their marriage trip for one day. They were among the most famous mages in the guild and the fact that they're married certainly could gain some prestige for the Fairy Tail as well.
Erza and Natsu were eating their breakfast, remembering yesterday's events and very successful wedding night. "Oh, come on, I know you aren't bothered by the reporter, you just disappointed that no one saw us in the pool yesterday," Natsu chuckled when Erza complained about their marriage trip delay.
"No!" Titania refused insincerely as her cheeks flushed a little.
"I don't believe you," Natsu winked, "Don't worry, my beloved pervert, we'll get more chances – remember your promise about cathedral's roof…"
"Natsu, stop it!" Erza exclaimed, despite this thought alone made her a bit excited.
October 14, Sunday, X784, 9:25, Town of Magnolia, Lucy's house.
Blonde was sitting in front of the mirror with the current issue of a Sorcerer Weekly magazine in her hands. While cancer was working at her haircut, Lucy was wandering in her own thoughts.
'Sorcerer weekly magazine, on sale every Wednesday… A specialist magazine, popular for its articles on new magical products, the hottest guilds and pin-up photos of beautiful mage-girls.
Mira is still posing for this magazine, despite she's a mage once again. It seems that she's enjoining attention, after all… or they're just paying well… They asked me to model for them once, too, but thanks to Natsu and the others, that idea went to hell pretty quickly.
Now, they're sending a reporter here so they can run a special feature on Fairy Tail… and this time…'
"Perfect-ebi!" Cancer concluded as he finished his work.
"This time I'm going to make sure everyone in this country will know my name!" Lucy vowed, looking into mirror again. "Oh, wow, I think I'm looking pretty cute today!"
"What's so good about being famous-ebi?" Cancer wondered, but Lucy was too fascinated with her phantasy to answer.
And, while she was at home, Lucy had no idea about the events at the other side of town…
Not far for Magnolia's train station, in already mentioned hotel, Gray just woke up. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Ice mage thought about yesterday's events and smiled… until his sight fell on the clock. "9:45?!" Gray exclaimed as he realized that it's already sunny outside, despite days already became quite short. "Mira, we overslept!" He called for his girlfriend, but when he tried to sit down in bed, he felt strong headache because of hangover.
"Ough… Gray, don't scream…" Mirajane moaned. When she heard Gray's exclamation, she thought that her head's going to explode. Platinum blonde was sitting on the bed, beside Gray, senselessly staring into space. She also had a hangover, and hers was much worse than Gray's…
"Sorry…" Gray whispered as he realized in which condition she is now. "I just remembered that you promised to sing when reporter come…"
"Sing…?" Mira asked with a gruff voice, "Sweetie, I need a kilo of aspirin and three gallons of water… But first…" She tried to stand up, but was unsuccessful as she almost fell from bed, Gray barely managed to catch her. Her naked body was especially pale today, and it looked very sexy… excluding the reason for that paleness, of course. Gray picked her up and brought to the bathroom. "Thanks…" She whispered and tried to smile (unsuccessfully), then she collapsed on all four over the toilet sink and… well, you can imagine what happened.
"Celebration was successful…" Gray mumbled, holding head of his girlfriend whilst she was emptying her stomach…
One hour later, in guild…
"Gajeel-kun, you really have to try to get on with everyone better…" Juvia noted while she and Gajeel were behind the stage.
Gajeel didn't replied, as he thought, 'Annoying blonde isn't here, so maybe I should…'
After two hours of hugging with the toilet and a cold shower, Mira felt herself a bit better, she was putting on her clothes. They all were here, except for… "Gray, where's… where's my panties?" Platinum blonde asked carefully, not sure that she wants to know the answer.
"When we came here yesterday you said that you no longer need them and threw them out into the window," Gray explained as he embraced his girlfriend, there was absolutely no denunciation in his voice.
"WHAT?!" Mira shouted and immediately grabbed own head in pain. "Ough…" She moaned aguishly.
"You said that since I have a habit to remove all my clothes, excluding boxers, you are going to remove panties only and we'll be in a perfect match," Gray shrugged, remembering yesterday's night. "Actually, it was pretty difficult to dissuade you from making love near the open window…"
"My Lord… How drunk I was to do something like that…" Mira moaned, still holding to her head. In addition to hangover, she now felt shame.
"You looked so bold when you did that," Gray said, gently embracing his blue-eyed girlfriend.
"Ecchi…" Mira mumbled, yet she smiled a little, despite her nausea and headache.
"It was so arousing…" Ice mage added, using his ice magic to create an ice brick and giving it to Mira so she could put it on her forehead.
"Thanks," She said, taking the ice brick. "By the way, Gray, since I'm your girlfriend, it's your duty now to watch over me and not letting me to drink that much…" She-devil-with-hangover noted and Gray gulped a little…
October 14, Sunday, X784, 12:30, Town of Magnolia, Fairy Tail.
Lucy arrived to the guild house, only to find out that nothing changed since yesterday. People were still drinking, shouting, flirting with waitresses, dancing on tables and brawling. "Wow… It's just an absolute pandemonium in here…" Lucy mumbled in slight shock as she saw not that she was expecting. Guild hall was fixed, but guild members were still the same…
"Well, that's just how Fairy Tail is; what's so wrong with that?" Erza asked as she, Natsu and Sin appeared in the guild hall.
"Wow…" Cana giggled as she heard Erza's question. Titania looked at her questioningly as drunkard added, "You've really changed, Erza."
"Really?" Blood-haired girl wondered.
"I mean, you used to be all…" Cana explained, pointing upward and remembering early Erza, which was still wearing her Heart Kreuz armor: 'Clean that up!' 'You're a disgrace!' 'Get to work!'
"Well, this is my wedding party, after all. Young people should be allowed to cut loose a little, once in a while…" Titania commented.
"'A little', eh?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, someone has double standards…" Sin noted as he was sitting on Natsu's shoulder.
"But she really became less interested in scolding people now," Natsu commented.
"She's saving her enthusiasm for your kids, I'm afraid," Sin replied.
"You two, be silent!" Erza growled at Natsu and his familiar. Natsu carefreely waved her off and went deeper into the guild hall.
"Ohhhhhh~~! TITANIA!" Someone from behind shouted excitedly. "OH MA~N~ You're the real deal…" It was a guy, dressed into white jeans and sneakers, and a black T-shirt with Fairy Tail logo, which he probably just bought from Max. He wore sunglasses and had a photo camera. It was Jason – Weekly Sorcerer's reporter. "It's the one and only Erza! SOOOO COOOL!" He shouted, jumping on his knees.
"Is that the guy from Sorcerer?" Lucy wondered, observing Jason, who still was screaming 'Cool!' all around. "Wow, he's… hyper…"
"Here already, are you?" Erza asked calmly, "I must apologize for the unsightly ruckus…" Tatania added, looking at that chaos inside the guild hall.
"No problemo~!" Jason shouted excitedly, "This is the raw, natural experience I was hoping for!"
"Hey, my name's Lucy!" Blonde tried to get reporter's attention as stars were shining around her, "I'm one of Erza-san's best friends, I was her maid of honor…" She, however, was completely ignored.
"So, could you answer two or three questions for me?" Jason asked, picking up a notepad and pencil.
"Well, if you like…" Erza replied casually as she and Jason headed to the bar counter.
Actually, Jason asked more than a 'few' questions… "What's your favorite food?" Journalist questioned.
"Can't beat the roasted piglet with apples," Erza replied.
"Really?" Lucy asked in surprise. She thought it's a strawberry cake…
"Exactly how many suits of ex-quippable armor do you have in total?" reporter continued the interview.
"I had over a hundred, but I've already sold some of them," Erza replied, without much regret, to be honest.
"COOOL!" Jason exclaimed excitedly once again. "And what's your favorite one?"
"Eve's suit," Natsu replied before his wife could as he appeared as if from nowhere, seemingly just to tease his newlywed wife.
"Natsu!" Erza growled threateningly, despite her cheeks flushed just a bit because Natsu said the truth. Jason, however, was excited as never before.
"NATSU! It's the 'Crimson Cardinal' Natsu!" He shouted exaltedly and ran to god slayer, forgetting about Erza.
"What a jackass…" Erza facepalmed at reporter's behavior.
"Aaahhh! You're the one I've been wanting to meet more than ANYTHING! SO COOL!" Jason was shouting, running in circles around Natsu.
"This guy's just crazy…" Lucy noted with widened eyes.
"Very well, we've met. Now what?" Natsu asked indifferently, he already decided that this guy is an idiot.
"YES!" Jason exclaimed exaltedly as he continued to run around Natsu in excitement. "COOL! COOL! COOL! Oh man, you're the real deal, so damn cool!"
"What a moron…" Sin noted as he landed on Natsu's shoulder.
"WWHHHOOAAA!" Jason almost exploded with rapture as he saw Natsu's magic familiar.
"Ughh… I guess I'm just not cut out to get the attention…" Lucy mumbled. In the meantime, Natsu completely lost interest toward that so called 'reporter', so Sin made a thin frost 'road' over the guildhall's floor and god slayer sent Jason gliding into far wall of the guildhall with hard kick to reporter's ass. Of course, Jason screamed 'Cool!'
"By the way, Lucy, if you wanna fit into the article about Fairy Tail, maybe it's time to become an official Fairy Tail member again?" Erza asked as she took the guild stamp.
"Oh, right!" Lucy exclaimed. During the pre-wedding chaos, everyone forgot that Lucy lost her guild mark when she died. "Place it here," Lucy pointed at her right hip. "Okay," Erza shrugged and pressed the guild stamp to the place Lucy pointed at. Few moments later Erza removed the stamp, revealing a dark violet guild mark. It was approximately at the same place as Mirajane's (may be a bit higher), but on the right hip (Mira's white stamp was on her left).
'Hmm… why color is different?' Erza thought but she was quickly distracted again as her sensitive ears continued to hear Jason's screams. Right now, he noticed Mirajane, who was sitting in far corner of the guildhall, still holding to her head.
"MIRAJANE!" Journalist shouted in excitement as he ran closer to platinum blonde.
"Stop screaming you idiot!" Mirajane moaned aguishly. "I have a terrible hangover, get fucking away from me!" Her head was still aching like hell, besides, since her and Gray's relationships were a secret – Gray was sitting far away from her, at one table with Juvia, by occasion, and that wasn't improving Mira's mood.
"You're so cool!" Jason shouted again as if he didn't hear her. "Cool! Cool! Cool! Can I have a personal autograph?" He asked as she-devil looked at him with empty eyes.
"I said get to fuck out of here!" Mira screamed and slammed her boot into Jason's face, sanding him crashing on floor. Journalist, however, wasn't discouraged even a bit.
"Oh yeah! Too damn cool! That's what I call a real mage!" Jason shouted, making another note in his notepad, "Let's see – 'I got the best autograph in my life'…"
"Ermm… eh…" Lucy again was shocked by Jason's reaction. In the meantime, reporter raised his eyes and saw another 'person of note'.
"It's Gray! The one and only Gray!" Jason screamed as he ran to ice mage, knocking Lucy down from feet as he ignored her again.
"Who the heck are you?" Gray wondered as weird guy appeared near his table.
"You know, this is the magazine reporter master was talking about yesterday…" Water witch explained.
"So, why do you always take your clothes off?" Reporter asked Gray.
"I do not!" Gray shouted as he was freaked out, he jumped on table, shaking his fist, "Stop acting like I'm some pervert!" However, his pants somehow disappeared, so he was in his trunks.
"Gray-sama, your trousers~~~!" Juvia exclaimed tearfully. And while Gray ran away to find his pants Lucy again tried to get Jason's attention.
"Ahh, it's so hot in here… Maybe I'll take some clothes off too…" Blonde said with playful smile, fanning herself with hand. However, this attempt was unsuccessful as well as reporter jumped to water witch.
"Oh wow! Could you be Juvia!? Cool!" Jason screamed, making poor girl to jerk away from him. "Is it true that you actually a water nymph?"
"What?! No!" Juvia screamed as flow of water knocked Jason from feet. It was only a half-truth, though…
"So cool!" Reporter again shouted, making another note in his notepad.
Lucy decided to address to the journalist directly, "Reporter-san, you wouldn't have any questions for me, would you?"
And again, Lucy was ignored, as Jason saw someone else. "It's Elfman! Cool!" He screamed and ran to Mira's brother. "What does being a man really mean to you?" He asked.
"To be a man!" He got a predictable answer.
"I'm losing out to pathetic questions and answers like that?!" Lucy exclaimed angrily as Jason ran to Cana.
"Cana! You've just got to model for us sometime!" Reporter shouted.
"Ah, just siddown and have a drink!" Cana replied, she was already quite fueled up with booze.
"Team Shadow Gear!" Jason already was questioning Levy and her team, "Is it true that you're in a love triangle?"
Levy looked surprised as Jet and Droy shouted as one, "NO COMMENTS!"
"Master! What is your aspiration for this reborn guild?!" Jason jumped on knees before shorty.
"Ahh… let's see… to strive ever further with love and justice in our hearts!" He said, shivering a bit.
"I'm going to barf…" Erza commented Makarov's statement.
"Oh, come on!" Lucy cried tearfully, "He's not paying me any attention! Ah, damn, there's nothing else for it!" Lucy exclaimed with determination as she ran toward changing room, "It's embarrassing, but that's all I've got left!"
Few minutes later she appeared on the stage in bunny-suit. "Attention, everybody!" Lucy cheerfully waved from the stage, "I'm going to sing a song!"
Okay, this time she drew everyone's attention as she appeared to be quite a seductive bunny-girl.
"Lucy?!"
"Whaaa?!"
"Bunny-chan?!"
"I already know you have a thing for bunny-girls…" Lucy said with a bit lustful smile.
"Your teaching?" Natsu asked his newlywed wife.
"Well… I… She just asked for advice… And I…" Erza replied humbly.
"Hihihi…" Lucy giggled, '…wow, you know, this really suits me…' But suddenly, lights were gone and everyone were surprised, including Lucy.
"Hey!?"
"What is it?!"
"Mira is going to sing again?"
Honestly, people weren't too fascinated, as Mira's last song was too… thematic… But then, curtain behind Lucy opened and ray of light highlighted Gajeel. He was sitting on the stool with acoustic guitar in his hands, dressed into white suit and hat, and he wore leopard boots.
"WHAAA!? GAJEEL?!" Whole guild yelled in shock. Lucy screamed and jerked away from him as Natsu and Erza turned toward the scene so fast that they collided into one another with their foreheads.
Gajeel, however, wasn't' discouraged with a standoff as his hand touched the strings and he began to 'sing': 'There ain't many guilds that would take me in…'
"Ahh, he's started saying something!" Someone from auditory shouted.
'…Even a hungry wolf can care for those who can care for him…'
'…Even if we were enemies once, now I sing to you as friends…'
"I don't know about that guitar, but he's actually saying some pretty nice stuff there…" Gray said, shivering all over, as he somehow stripped to his underwear again.
"Go for it, Gajeel-kun!" Juvia cheered for her friend.
'This is a little song I wrote myself… "Best Friend". I'd like you all to hear it.'
'Colorful, colorful, shooby-doo-ba! The melody of love~~~! Steely metallic~~~! Shoo-by-do-ba~~~! Sha-la-la-la~~~!'
Whole guild was freaked out and deeply shocked.
"Oh, I hate blues…" Natsu complained.
"Blues?!" Erza asked in shock, "It's not even a music!"
"My head is going to explode…" Mirajane moaned, as she was trying to reach the guild hall's exit.
'Bite in deep and taste a sweet honey~~~!' Gajeel continued to 'sing', and then he noticed Lucy in bunny-suit. "Oi, dancing girl, dance!"
"Dancing girl?!" Lucy asked in shock.
"Yes," Gajeel replied, glaring at Lucy with his dragon eyes. Lucy began to dance, crying, as she had no courage to refuse.
'Shalalalalalalala~~~!' Iron dragon continued to 'sing'.
Unsurprisingly, Jason was in ecstasy. "COOOOOOOLL! The nonsensical lyrics are ringing with scat! It's the biggest hit song of the year!"
'Shooby-do-ba! Shooby-do-ba!' Gajeel was singing as Lucy was dancing in tears as auditory began to throw stuff at 'singer', hitting Lucy as well.
"Let's get out of here," Erza suggested. Natsu nodded and he, Erza and Sin slipped out from building as pandemonium inside continued.
"Somebody, shut that guy up!" Gray's voice could be heard from outside.
'Sho-by-do-be-do!'
"Fairy Tail is the best!" Jason was still screaming in rapture.
October 14, Sunday, X784, 16:00, Town of Magnolia, Outskirts.
"Well, that was one weird party…" Sin noted as he, Erza and Natsu arrived to their house.
"No kidding…" Erza agreed.
"Ah, it doesn't matter, they'll be fine. Let's start preparations, we're leaving to our wedding trip tomorrow, at the crack of dawn," Natsu announced and his words sounded dangerously enthusiastically.
"Where are we going to, Natsu," Sin asked with suspicion.
"When we were at Resort, you promised that we'll spent some time there during our wedding trip," Erza reminded, narrowing her eyes.
"I remember, but first, I have a special surprise for you!" Natsu announced.
"I don't like surprises…" Erza reminded again as she felt some sort of danger.
"Have you heard of Nexus Temple?" Natsu asked as his eyes began to glow. "Of course, you have, everyone has. Foolishness about it lying in the middle of the Lake of the Dead, buried inside poisoned forest. A bright, shining monument, luring treasure hunters to their doom. It had to be a pinnacle, a symbol of the very idea that humans and dragons can co-exist together. Best dragon mages and human artisans were gathered together to build it. The completion was supposed to symbolize a road to a brighter future. Except – Nexus Temple was never completed. The dragon's civil war froze it in time, like a big flashbulb going off. The Grand Temple – one big ending of dragon kind. But It's still out there, in the darkness, preserved by death itself, just waiting for someone to crack it open…"
Etiam mortem ad moriendum, sed amica mea vobis ut non – Even death may die, but my love to you may not.
Well, that's it for chapter twenty-one. I hope it was enjoyable, despite I rushed it at the end. Next chapter is devoted to Astrum Eclipsis searches, and I'm eager to begin writing it. Do not forget to leave a REVIEW! See you in the next chapter – Legends & Curses.