Greetings, people! It's One Half again!
Hah, here's another 17k words long chapter in less than two weeks… my fingers are going to fall off…
Well, first thing first – I probably must apologize in advance – I know that I've left quite a cliffhanger, but this chapter won't resolve it… and next one probably also won't. That is because I'm still finalizing the idea of Edolas arc and not ready to proceed to it yet. First half of this chapter are some finishing touches to the aftermath of Nirvana's arc, and second one is just an omake. The next chapter will be completely dedicated to description of a world where this story takes place – I think it is needed since my world has a lot more of conventions, compared to original manga. Some of those descriptions will be in form of omakes from Natsu and Erza's points of view, others will be direct explanations from me.
Now, answers for the reviewers:
Rajo: And again – huge thanks for a huge review, the rest was in PM xD
AdstrumXIV: And I'm once again saying 'thanks a lot, man!'
RKingQway: Thanks, hope you like this one too.
Woolf: Thanks for the review, I'm trying to keep up the good work!
FanFictionHunter: Hello man! It's been a while, isn't it? Good to see you still reading my story. As for your question about Loke… who knows how he will react? He was defeated in battle against 'codename Angel', so now he's on two weeks-long cooldown. And no, the main purpose of the God's Seal hasn't been disclosed yet…
JNDragneel: Thanks, and just you wait for the next chapter then – it will be dedicated to lore.
Goal be Quick: Thanks for the review, and sorry about that I couldn't resolve the cliffhanger quickly. I still need to think a bit about Edolas arc.
I hope I haven't forgot anyone, if I did – my deepest apologies. Now, let's go to the chapter. Since it already became huge (it actually even bigger than previous one) – some things will be explained in the next one, like about what exactly Natsu gave to Mirajane…
Chapter XXXIV – Psycho Circus, Part III
…
December 13, X784, 10:10, Natsu and Erza's house.
Since there were no ways with which Natsu could help his wife, for now at least, he tightly sealed the door into meditation room and headed back to his cabinet. Here, inside the wall, and hidden by several spells was Natsu's personal safe. Even Erza wasn't aware of its existence… Though, Natsu didn't tell her about this safe not because there was something very unsightly inside, but because Natsu actually forgot about this safe's existence. Inside of it were just several handwritten notes – notes that Natsu made when he was wandering inside of the Tower of Din. Natsu made this safe just to keep those notes, which he couldn't lose no matter what – they weren't just an important memento from the greatest adventure of his life – there also was an important information…
"I knew it will come to this…" Natsu said to himself as he found a specific note he was looking for. 'It's good that I am a 'hope for the best but prepare for the worst' type…' He smiled slightly.
At that moment – Sin flew into the cabinet's window. "What's up?" Familiar asked without preamble, "Your message sounded pretty urgent."
"Erza attempted her first re-origination," Natsu replied in the same manner.
"What?!" Sin fell on the floor as he asked in shock. Of course, his skeletal wings don't allow him to fly in the same manner as bird's wings allows it to fly – Sin uses his wings to project his wicked power to counter gravity. And when Natsu told him about this 'situation' he's mentioned earlier – little creature was so surprised that he forgot to project his power. Actually, Sin and Natsu never discussed the re-origination matter – Natsu was a real god, son of a goddess – re-origination doesn't concern him in any way, but of course Sin knew what re-origination is, as well as he knew that Erza must successfully complete all three stages if she is to become a full-fledged dragon. However, just like Natsu, Sin believed that there's still a couple of years until Erza's first stage. "How's that happened?!" Sin asked as he got himself up from the floor.
Natsu gave Sin a short explanation about last night's events, and about signs he had no chances to recognize. "You two really an abnormal couple…" Sin shook his boney skull. "But if you, getting your domain being just 18 years old, is still within acceptable limits, considering that you're a training maniac, but starting first re-origination after just half a year since becoming a dragon slayer is a complete nonsense…"
"No need to tell me about it…" Natsu sighed. "Anyway, that's already happening and we can only adjust our schedule according to situation," God of ruin looked at the clock on the wall – 10:30. "Damn!" He swore off, "It's already that late..." Erza promised to introduce the newcomers to the guild after 10 in the morning. Of course, 'after 10 AM' essentially means the entire day, but in society, there are some limits... "Go to the girls' dormitory – tell Wendy that Erza'll be busy and I'll introduce her and her cat to the guild in my wife's stead," Natsu said after he thought for a moment, "She lives in room №51, third floor, last window to the right from the dorm's entrance."
"How the hell do you know that?!" Sim exclaimed. Okay, Erza probably told him the room's number, but how does he know about where its window is?
"That was dorm head's room," Natsu replied as if it was obvious.
"Hah, birds of the feathers…" Sin snorted. He remembered that he once heard a rumor that the room in question actually was closed when dorm's head died, six years ago. Apparently, Erza was secretly abusing her authority of a head girl and she was using that room for 'nighttime dates' with Natsu. There was a rule in the dormitory that men aren't allowed to enter, but of course such a trifle wouldn't stop the former god slayer – he definitely was going in and out of that room regularly, through the room's window. 'I hope that you two haven't left there anything… unsightly…' Sin sighed. However, he didn't say aloud what he though, "Alright, I'll tell her," Lil skeletal creature agreed.
"She's probably dying with anticipation, but there's still something I need to do before that, so tell her that I'll come around 1 PM," Natsu requested, "And don't creep her out with those jokes of yours, alright?"
Sin didn't reply anything as he heard Natsu's last remark, just threw a fireball, composed of blue cursed flames, at Natsu and flew away from the cabinet through the window. "Merry fellow…" God of Ruin snorted as he snapped his fingers and discharge of dark blue thunder energy engulfed the fireball and suppressed it. 'After you're done – go to the Rona's house, you'll be regretting later if you'll miss that,' Natsu suggested via his and Sin's mental link, since the latter was already too far away to speak normally. Familiar didn't reply, but Natsu wasn't expecting the answer anyway, he only wanted to make an offer. Yesterday, while he was at home alone, waiting for Erza to return, Natsu found some interesting information, and now he wanted to check it. God of ruin just needed to get some stuff before he could head off to Luciferona's house.
December 13, X784, 11:15, Luciferona's house.
It's not a secret that Luciferona was quite an ambitious girl, just like her temporal alter ego. However, if Lucy's ambitions were essentially a vague desire to become 'famous', the real she wanted to know – what it means to hold an entire world in her palm, what it means to be an object of admiration, respect and even fear because she's harnessing an immense power. And Natsu is the key for it – of that Luciferona was completely certain. Of course, his help isn't for free, but she was more than willing to pay her debts – if Natsu can help her get stronger – she'll definitely will lend her strength when it will be needed. And yesterday she was quite intrigued when Natsu said that he 'noticed something interesting'.
When, a day before yesterday, Natsu informed her that she has, apparently, become a devil – Luciferona didn't feel anything special, surprising even herself with it. And not that she "has not realized the real meaning of it" – no, she realized it clearly as well as she realized that she actually doesn't care. So what if she's not a human anymore? She still has heart and lungs – her blood flows and she's breathing; she still can laugh, smile and cry, and, maybe in a different manner, but she still holds dear those she loves. And if all of that is not enough and being a human requires one to have 100% human's DNA… then she's glad that she's a human no longer.
'Knock' 'Knock' 'Knock' Someone knocked to her door.
"It's open!" Girl shouted from the second floor – she really seemed intrigued… Natsu opened the door and entered. Luciferona, who was in her dining room at the moment, actually wanted to go down the stairs and greet her guest, but Natsu didn't give her a chance as he himself quickly walked up the stairs and entered the dining room. Luciferona wasn't taken aback, "Magister, Sin-sama," She bowed to those who entered the room as Natsu came in with Sin sitting on his shoulder.
"Yeah, good morning," God of ruin replied as Sin nodded his skull. "Sorry, we have a… situation on our hands and time is a bit short, so let's drop the formalities," Natsu suggested.
"Of course," Luciferona bowed again, being tactful enough to not ask what's the situation – if Natsu would've needed her help – he'd told her.
"I'll be blunt," Natsu warned, "When you just appeared, and after I've witnessed your battle against the 'codename Angel', I've made a preliminary conclusion, basing primarily on abilities you've displayed during the fight. When I saw that you're using wicked weave instead of magic, I decided that you're a majin-class warped devil, and these external features of yours…" Natsu meant three tiger-like tails and tiger-like ears, "…just a side effect, which appeared due to Procellion being a member of a Sacred Snow Tiger tribe, and you also partly inherited that bloodline. However, after further observation and more throughout thinking, I've got a feeling that maybe I did underestimate the power of Tiger tribe's vitality and strength of its genes. Yesterday, I've checked a few books, and found another being that once was harnessing the darkness and void-based powers, capable of space-distortion, similar to yours." Natsu took out a square piece of parchment (its side was about eleven inches long), and offered it to Luciferona, "However, I think that further speculations won't get us anywhere, so let's just use this and see who you actually are, using a bit unorthodoxly method."
Luciferona's delicate palm took the parchment and she examined it curiously. Just by holding it in her hand, she could tell that this is not a simple piece of parchment. "This is the Parchment of Manifestation," Natsu explained. "Let it absorb a few drops of your blood, then pour your power into it, and let's see what'll happen," Natsu said casually.
"Yes," Three-tailed girl nodded determinately. She placed the parchment on her own dining table, and, without hesitation, she imbued the fingernail on her right finger with her magic and used it to cut her left palm. Blood appeared from the cut, but girl didn't even blink as she let a few drops to fall on the parchment.
"Good attitude," Sin, who was sitting on Natsu's shoulder, nodded in approval.
"That's enough," God of ruin said as five drops of blood fell on the parchment and Natsu took Luciferona's palm and forcefully clenched it to close the cut and stop the blood, leaking from it. "Our blood is of much value to us, so don't use more than necessary," He advised. Luciferona nodded with serious look in her purple eyes, in sign of that she realized what he means. "Now, pour your wicked weave into the parchment," He asked. Luciferona did as he said and began to channel her wicked power into the Parchment of Manifestation. As the parchment began to glow slightly, Natsu added, "And just so you'd know – this is not the real Parchment of Manifestation, just more or less solid imitation, but even like this it costs about 400 000 jewels. Consider it as my investments in your development, and I'm expecting dividends."
"I shall not disappoint you," Luciferona bowed slightly, still pouring her powers into the parchment. She knew that Natsu's help isn't a charity but a loan, which she'll have to repay in the future, but she thought of it as of acceptable deal.
"And while we're at it…" Sin noted as he flew down from Natsu's shoulder and landed on table, near the parchment "…next time, when a kind gentleman will offer you to spill your blood on some suspicious piece of parchment and then leave your power's imprint on it – kick him to the groin with all your strength," Skeletal creature advised.
Luciferona slightly jolted due to unexpected statement, but Natsu didn't let her ask and explained himself, "By the way it's not a joke. Sprinkling the real Parchment of Manifestation (not an imitation) with your blood and leaving your magical imprint on it is a way to form a master-familiar contract. Right now, we're just conducting a controlled experiment, but in the future – try to not become someone's familiar due to carelessness… and that's enough," He noted, meaning that Luciferona should stop pouring her power into the parchment, though she already stopped, because she was slightly shocked when Natsu explained the real purpose of a Parchment of Manifestation.
She just got her real self back – of course she had no desire to be someone's shadow ever again – she knew that Sin is Natsu's familiar, and though his free will seem unsuppressed – he's definitely bound to Natsu in some way. In the meantime, the parchment began to fizz as ethernano began to gather over it, forming a little tornado.
"It's working as intended," Natsu explained, "Let's wait a minute or two."
Luciferona nodded and turned to Sin. When she was thinking about master-familiar contract, she actually remembered one thing she wanted to know.
"Sin-sama, can I ask you a personal question?" She asked politely.
"Alright, but on one condition," Sin replied as he looked at three-tailed girl, "Stop calling me Sin-sama. Not that I'm against it but you calling me like that sounds suspiciously, besides, adding a '-sama' honorific to my alias is just weird…"
"Oh, my apologizes!" Luciferona bowed as she realized her mistake – seriously – she's aware that Sin's true name is Sinalledion. "Then shall I refrain from calling you Sinalledion-sama either?"
"Call me like that when I'm in my full form," Sin agreed, feigning reluctance, but in fact he was flattered, "When I'm like that just call me Sin. Now, what you wanted to know?"
"Ah, thank you," She again gave a refined bow and asked, "Magister mentioned that long ago you were a member of Heavenly Thundercloud Kirin tribe. However, in fairy tales I've… well, other me… heard in childhood, it was mentioned that Kirin actually is a hooved and wingless creature, but you have claws and wings…" She seemed a bit puzzled.
Natsu raised an eyebrow – she actually was listening more attentively than he thought. In the meantime, Sin replied with didactic tone, "A common fallacy." He raised his boney claw, acting as if he was a teacher, whose student gave an answer, which wasn't either right or wrong. "This fallacy is so widespread due to fact that here's actually two Primordial Kirin tribes in this world. My Heavenly Thundercloud Kirin tribe dwells on Neraya Mountain Ridge – it is far away to the south from this continent, besides, our clan is a bit seclusive. My tribe has feathery wings with sky-blue feathers, and our scales are of the same color. Our horns are shorter and straighter than of that other tribe. Heads and tails of my tribesmen are similar to those of dragons, our forepaws resemble falcons' legs and our hind legs resemble those of tigers," Sin described the members of his Heavenly Thundercloud Kirin tribe. Due to him losing his flesh it is pretty difficult to distinct him from a dragon's skeleton, but normal Kirins from his tribe seem quite different from dragons.
Sin continued, "Now, to the east from here, there's a Serene Seven-colored Kirin tribe. They're occupying the Kōnichiki Meadows, which is not as far from here as my tribe's settlement, and their tribe lives in less secluded environment. So it's no wonder some information about them reached even this small country, even if in form of fairy tales. Serene Seven-colored Kirin tribesmen do have ox-like, scaled bodies, and they are wingless (though they still can fly via magic). They also have hooved legs and other features you've probably heard of, in those stories you've mentioned," Little boney creature concluded.
Luciferona was listening to Sin's explanation with her eyes wide-open. 'Damn, this world is so vast and amazing, and here I am, sitting here and knowing nothing…'
"No need to be sad – you have entire life ahead of you to learn and explore," Natsu noted as if he's read her thoughts. "But of course, to be successful on that path you need a means to preserve your life, and for that you should know what that life exactly is. Shall we?" Natsu asked as he pointed at the Parchment of Manifestation. The small tornado of ethernano already settled down and soaked in the piece of parchment, and now a dark violet symbol was forming on its surface.
"Well, your intuition didn't fail you, I guess…" Sin noted as he took a look at that symbol.
"No, it did fail me," Natsu shook his head, "My intuition told me that she's a warped devil, and, as you can see, it was a mistake. This knowledge we got via observation, facts checking, invested resources and carefully conducted experiment," God of Ruin explained.
"Whatever," Sin waved him off, "Just explain what it means already," He nodded towards Luciferona, who was looking at that symbol with pretty helpless expression.
"Yes, yes," Natsu shrugged as he looked at the three-tailed girl. "You see, every ancient and powerful bloodline has its symbol. And when used in preparation to form a master-familiar contract, the Parchment of Manifestation will manifest that very symbol. And, as you can see, this parchment says that you're not a warped devil, as newborn devils cannot have bloodline symbols at all. And, what is even more interesting, that symbol also doesn't belong to Procellion's original bloodline – Sacred Snow Tiger tribe…"
"Then… what that symbol means?" Luciferona asked uncertainly. 'I mean, c'mon! That can't be something weird, right? That symbol looks so badass!' She thought, as she really thought that this symbol looks very ancient and mysterious.
"Oh, don't you worry, that symbol really is badass," Natsu confirmed as if he again heard her thoughts. "Believe or not, but that symbol belongs to the White Tiger of the West himself – that symbol means 'Byakko'," Natsu explained.
It took about a couple of dozens of second for Luciferona to comprehend what was just said. "You mean… you mean the tiger king? That Byakko?" She finally asked.
"Exactly," Natsu said as he took a parchment and looked at the symbol closely. "Also known as The Ruler of all Beasts, The Beast's Summoner and The Guardian of Woe. He's been admired and feared for his powerful and variative space-distorting magic… I was wrong," Natsu admitted. "I thought that you're a devil who accidentally got some tiger-like features, but in fact that's the opposite. You got these tails and ears because you inherited Byakko's bloodline, together with his power, you're just using the wicked weave instead of magic due to an accident – because you've born, or rather, you've been reborn, from Procellion's wicked power."
"But… but how… that happened?" Tiger-girl asked, she was completely astonished. Turning into a devil is one thing, but getting a bloodline of one of Guardian Deities?!
"Not a slightest idea," Natsu shrugged as he took away the parchment, he actually was preparing to leave. "Don't forget that back then, at the top of the R-System, you genuinely died. Even if just for 20 minutes, but you were in the afterlife – who knows what happened to you there…" God of ruin reminded Luciferona about events she would've gladly forgot. "However, most ironic here is that this discovery doesn't change anything for you at this point. Since you already know several spells and killshots, that means that all the information you need to refine the inheritance you've acquired and unlock its full potential – you already have it all – it's in your blood – just listen to it as you were doing between the R-System incident and your awakening at the day before yesterday." After the R-System incident Luciferona already reappeared, but she was in deep slumber while Lucy still existed. That condition probably was comparable to a state of deep meditation.
"So, essentially I'm now a… Metsuko Madōshi [Tiger Slayer] now?" Black-haired girl asked. She still seemed confused, but sparks of excitement already could be seen in her big, dark violet eyes. Byakko's bloodline… that's very cool, right?!
"The Ō no Metsuko Madōshi [King Tiger Slayer]…" Sin pronounced. "Yeah, sounds good," He nodded in approval
"Yes, sounds right," Natsu agreed. "Your set of spells is a bit specific but I think you still can make some basic spells with 'Ōko' [King Tiger] prefix. I'll give you some drafts for the formulas, but the end result will depend on you…"
Sin looked at the clock on the wall, "Natsu, I think we should go," He informed. Natsu nodded in reply as he turned around and headed to the stairs.
As she saw this, Luciferona snapped out of her dreams about her own, epic future. "Ah, magister, I'm sorry, but there are no more reasons for me to stay home, right? May I join you?" She asked as she actually wanted to visit the guild.
"Alright," Natsu replied, walking down the stairs, "But make haste, we're already quite late."
Luciferona didn't reply as she didn't want to waste tame – she quickly began to change her clothes. In the meantime, Sin and Natsu already came out of her house. 'Hey,' Sin called via his and Natsu's mental link – Luciferona no doubts possess an enchanted hearing, so he didn't want to take an unnecessary risk. 'That parchment she used… that wasn't an imitation, right? That was the real Parchment of Manifestation… what the hell were you thinking?' Sin knew his partner too good by now.
'Just a little insurance,' Natsu replied as if he didn't do anything wrong, 'I'll void it as soon as I'll make sure that she won't go nuts due to her newfound power and won't become dangerous to the society… and as soon as I'll be sure that she isn't controlled by someone from the tower…'
December 13, X784, 12:25, Fairy Tail guildhall.
"I am Wendy. It's nice to meet you all!" Skymaiden gave a deep bow as she introduced herself under the shocked gazes from almost a hundred of guildmates.
For a few moments entire guild went silent, but then it almost exploded with cheerful and excited shouts, "She's so cute!" "Look at that cute kitty!" "Young lady! How old are you?!" "Why's that Natsu again?! Where's he getting these cuties?!" And so on and so forth.
In the meantime, on the other side of the guild, "Lucy-chan!" "So cute!" "What a daring outfit!" Several of the guild's "ghouls", such as Macao, Wakaba and few others, rushed towards another girl, which Natsu brought with himself. Luciferona was wearing a short black crop top, dark gray, side lace up denim shorts over large fishnet tights and black T-strap open toe sandals. That outfit, together with her very long black hair, emphasized her sexiness (and looked quite unsuitable in the middle of December). However…
*BOOOM!* With single leg swipe Luciferona sent all five fools flying over the entire guildhall. And not only that, she also managed to imbue at least one of them with her wicked weave, which allowed her to teleport straight to the beaten-up men. "Who told you, imbeciles, that plebeians like you are allowed to call me by my given name? Address me 'ojō-sama'!" Luciferona demanded.
And that show caused much deeper shock than Wendy's appearance. "Lu… chan…" Levy mumbled as she was looking at her best friend with saucer-wide eyes. Yesterday Sin have visited the guild hall. He already informed several people (including Levy) that Lucy learned some new type of magic, and due to its overuse during the last mission her appearance changed drastically, so Levy wasn't surprised too much when she saw Luciferona today. However, he didn't mention anything about her personality…
"Ah, Levy-san," Luciferona slightly bowed to blue-haired girl. "You still may address me as you have used to," She said, "But the two of you cannot," Luciferona added, freaking both Jet and Droy out.
No, black-haired girl didn't inherit the deep friendship with Levy from her former self. She got all of Lucy's memories and feelings, but still, she's a different person. As such – for her all of Fairy Tail's members are strangers for now, aside from those with whom she participated in Nirvana liquidation mission. With her current friendly tone and words towards Levy she just wanted to stay on good terms with those guildmembers she counted as potentially useful.
"Master," Natsu approached Makarov, who was sitting on the bar counter, drooling over Luciferona's sexy legs.
"Well done with your mission! That should leave this area in peace for a while," Old man nodded in approval as he somehow managed to divert his eyes from those tights. "And, of course, I'm overjoyed about Wendy and Carla!"
"Me neither," Natsu nodded, though he said it just to support the conversation. "And I think we need to make changes to her registration information…" He nodded towards the black-haired girl with tiger-like ears.
"Don't bother," Makarov waved him off, "I like her even more like that! Those ears are so cute!" Old man added as steam bursted out of his nose. "You can make changes to her info later, however…" Makarov became a bit more serious, "Tomorrow I'm off for the Local Guild Masters League meeting, watch over this place for me, will you?"
"Alright," Natsu agreed.
At that moment, Gray also came to the guildhall. However, even before he could greet people around…
"Ah, Gray-sama! Juvia… has been so worried, it's created a storm from her eyes!" Water witch suddenly cried as water literally began to flow from her eyes like a river.
"Stop her, Gray!" Droy screamed as he was caught by the flow of water.
"Help, I can't swim!" Max cried.
"What it has to do with me?!" Freaked out Gray shouted, as he was running away from the water.
As commotion in the guild continued to intensify, Cana approached Natsu. "Seriously, how are you doing this?" She asked. "You're bringing pretty interesting characters to the guild… shit, it makes me feel myself useless, comparing to you…" Cana complained.
"Really? Only because of this?" Natsu inquired, tilting his head, but already quite fueled up with booze Cana didn't get his sarcastic words as she came closer to Wendy.
"I imagine that Carla is a familiar, like Sin? But what's your magic, Wendy," Drunkard asked as she smiled to skymaiden.
"Hold it! Don't treat me like that sorry ass comedian!" A freaked-out Carla shouted.
"Hold it! Don't treat me like that pathetic furball!" Sin exclaimed angrily.
And since Sin and Carla shouted simultaneously – no one did understand either of them. But no one cared anyway as after Cana's question all nearby mages looked at Wendy, expecting an answer.
"I… use sky magic…" Wendy replied as she shyly hid her hands behind her back, "I am a Ten no Metsuryū Madōshi [Sky Dragon Slayer]" And as she said that, the entire guild went silent as all mages here were looking at Wendy with complex face expression. "Ah…" Wendy looked around in confusion. 'They don't believe me… huh?' She smiled sadly. But then…
"Amazing!" "So cool!" Entire guild almost exploded, "A Dragon Slayer!" "That's so great!" "Just like Erza!" "And we've got Gajeel too! So that makes three dragon slayers!" "It's such a rare magic too!"
And with that, Wendy's sad smile turned into cheerful laugh.
"Today we party!" Makarov suddenly announced, adding more fuel to already very intense commotion. His announcement has been met with vociferous jubilation. "A welcome party for Wendy and Carla! Lets' make some noise!"
Within just several minutes the entire guild turned into a complete chaos with flying bottles, drunk screams and random people constantly starting random fights. Looking at grand party around her, Wendy was in complete rapture. "This place is so fun, Carla!" Skymaiden exclaimed very excitedly.
"I fail to see the attraction…" White cat replied skeptically, she wasn't sharing Wendy's enthusiasm.
On the balcony, a mysterious man, wrapped in ripped clothes, Mystogan, looked at sky sorcerers with strange sight, turned around and disappeared.
Few moments later, Natsu decided that his guild-related tasks for today are complete, so he also silently left the guildhall, leaving Sin there, just in case. Besides, in fact Natsu left his own thoughts projection in his house. Completely defenseless Erza was inside, and he couldn't leave her completely alone. And now his projection informed him that he actually got a visitor…
December 13, X784, 13:40, Natsu and Erza's house.
The visitor who came to Natsu's house was no one else but Mirajane Strauss. After about ten minutes of mockery and jeers due to Mirajane, after all, coming to him for help, after she was avoiding that at all costs ever since Lisanna's death, Natsu decided to talk seriously.
"I guess you realize that, despite their brand names, your 'demonic souls' has almost nothing to do with 'Lesser Keys of Goetia'?" Natsu asked. However, he didn't expect an answer since Mirajane of course knew that. "The 'souls' you're using now (again, despite their 'cool' names), actually are copies from copies of parts of partial copies. A waste of mana, in other words – recently you've got more than enough proofs of that on your own, bitter experience," God of ruin reminded.
"You really like to rub salt into people's wounds, are you?" Mirajane asked, narrowing her eyes.
"You've wasted a lot of time with your hesitation, so you can wait a few more minutes while I'm enjoying myself," Natsu waved her off. Mirajane rolled her eyes, but honestly, she was expecting that when she finally decided to ask for Natsu's help. "Anyway, just so you'd know – in terms of power, those mentioned in Ars Goetia, are deity-level beings, especially the four Great Kings, whose power and influence is just half-a-step below the power of top-ranked gods, like High Lord Thor or High Lady Ereshkigal," Natsu noted as he intentionally didn't mention his mother here. "And, by the way, the same goes to those mentioned in Ars Almadel, for example. If you, with your current level of strength, would somehow come in contact with any being, mentioned in Lemegeton, and tried to use your Take Over on him or her, you'd been taken over instead, instantly. And since that's the case – I suggest to make an approach from another side," Natsu concluded.
Mirajane nodded in sign that she understood, however, what actually surprised Natsu was that luster of determination in her eyes – he hasn't seen this in years. As if she finally decided how she wants to live her life. However, before 'investing' in her, god of ruin wanted a more solid confirmation of her intentions.
"Mirajane," Natsu addressed the snow-haired girl, and the fact that he used her full name meant that next comes the serious part. "Please, don't misinterpret my words – we already know each other for several years, and if anyone would ask – do I have someone who I'd call a best friend – I'd answer 'yes', and that best friend is you. But, as they say – if you want to lose a friend – lend him some money. And setting someone on path of becoming a great expert – it is not a small investment. On the other hand – your recent rushes around between love and hatred towards magic looks like quite big investment risks. So, for the sake of our relationships, I'd like to make sure that my investments will pay off. Besides – the path I'm about to offer to you is one-way – there will be no turning back. What will you say?" Natsu asked.
Mirajane was a smart girl with keen intellect – she realized what Natsu is saying, and why he is saying this. Even though she never saw an actual threat with her own eyes (well, she actually did, twice, but Natsu was regularly wiping her memories), she still had some understanding of that, beyond this small country where she lives now – there's a huge world, full of wonders and dangers alike. If one of those 'dangers' will decide to visit their home – Natsu will be wanting her help, and he won't be needing a waitress or a singer – he'll need a powerful warrior.
That wasn't an easy choice – Mirajane was thinking about it almost non-stop, ever since her battle against Cobra. Apparently, Natsu was right – the world of magic is very cruel – it is not possible to be a mage and someone else at the same time. If she'll continue to go on as a bard/waitress/photomodel and a mage at the same time – she won't succeed in anything. In particular, if she won't devote most of her time to magic – she'll eventually will turn into one of those mediocre mages, whose names people like Natsu can't even remember. She must make a choice – either quit being a wizard completely and focus on 'civilian' career, or dedicate her entire self to magic.
Honestly, Mirajane didn't really has a problem about quitting being a waitress – it was Lisanna who liked the cheerful and lively atmosphere of the bar, after all. After she temporary lost her power, Mirajane became a waitress for her dead sister's sake, as Mira herself never dreamed of that profession. Being a photo model… well, not that taking some photos requires a lot of time, but her body looks may be affected if she'll submerge into the very depths of magic, and her new looks may not be suitable for the bikini photo sessions, especially considering the type of magic she's practicing. But Mirajane decided that she can live without that as well. But singing… she really liked to sing. And she not liked it just because the song was the way to express her sincerest emotions, she also liked the sight of crowd's faces, bewitched with her beautiful voice. She probably still can sing as a hobby, but she, no doubts, will have a pitifully little time for that.
But resigning from being a mage means leaving herself completely at others' mercy. What will happen if their guild will be attacked by another guild once again? Will her friends manage to protect her, or will her naked body be hanging on the cross, together with the bodies of her crippled friends? Together with the corpse of her only remaining sibling? Nelliel Tu Odel taught her a good lesson, after all. And that was only one of several lessons she recently learnt about what happens to powerless people. Nelliel almost killed her. Ikaruga almost killed her. Cobra almost killed her. In the next time – will there be an 'almost' as well, or…?
But thanks to all of those bitter and painful lessons Mirajane learnt one thing – she definitely doesn't want to die. And she wants to live neither for her brother nor for her deceased sister's sakes. She wants to live for herself – this world is vast and mysterious – she cannot die without looking at some of its wonders. And if it is so – she actually has no choice. To travel across the world, she needs power. And with power – she will be able to not only fulfill her own dream about exploring this huge world – she also will be able to protect both her brother and her friends.
"I understand," Mirajane answered Natsu's question. "And I decided on everything before coming here." As she said that, with one hand Mirajane slightly shifted up the lower edge of her goth-styled top, at the same time lowering the upper edge of her skirt with other hand, revealing some black tattoo-like thing on her skin, about four inches below her navel. Tattoo was quite small, just about five square inches in size, and looked like black, dragon-like head, covered with flames.
"Oh," Natsu even seemed a bit surprised as he saw that brand-like tattoo on Mirajane's body. "Alright, that's pretty convincing, I give you that," He nodded in satisfaction.
The brand on Mirajane's stomach was a so-called Sovereign's Mark. That mark means that its bearer has accepted the terms of a very specific contract, and that contract allows the sovereign to tamper with the subject's consciousness, to a certain extent, of course. The contract has a lot of limitations, it's not a mind control magic, more like a hypnosis spell with delayed effect. Contract cannot force the subject to do things thar goes against his or her very nature, its purpose is to push a hesitating person towards one or another decision. Still, that contract affects the target's mind, and as such, the specific parts of subject's personality, which can be affected, should be described with great details. In our case – Mirajane is the subject, and the sovereign is definitely no one else but Sin.
"When he prepared that contract?" Natsu asked casually. By the way, since Sin is Natsu's familiar – the latter also has the sovereign's rights on the subject.
"After the R-System incident," Mirajane replied. "He said that accepting this contract will announce my dedication to the path of magic louder and clearer than any words…"
"Two months ago? So you were hesitating for that long? C'mon Jane, that choice wasn't so difficult…" Natsu rolled his eyes as he heard that. "Anyway, have you properly discussed the terms of the contract?" God of ruin wondered.
"In general details," Mirajane shrugged.
Natsu barely resisted the desire to make a facepalm, 'Oh come on… This contract allows another person to tamper with your way of thinking, and you didn't even ask how exactly a creepy flying skeleton will be able to affect your mind if you'll sign the contract?' Natsu looked at the brand on Mirajane's skin. For a bystander it looks pretty unremarkable, but actually all the terms of the contract are encrypted in the mark, a keen eye can easily decipher them. Natsu examined the brand on Mirajane's skin. Fortunately, Sin didn't abuse Mirajane's ignorance and carefreeness. The contract he and she-devil have signed only allows the sovereign to make subject to feel stronger lust for power and care less about others opinion about subject's lust for power. "Well, I don't see any problem with it," Natsu concluded after he examined the terms of the contract that Mirajane signed with his familiar. "Besides, I don't think we actually will need its power – when people got a taste of real power – they become quite reluctant to part with it," God of ruin added.
"The only question I have about it – why is that thing appeared there? It's quite an intimate spot, actually," Mirajane said a bit resentfully and Natsu noticed that her cheeks even flushed a little. No, she wasn't shy of him, that was just a natural reaction of a girl when someone is examining her nether regions so attentively. The brand was almost on her pubis, she had to slightly shift down not just her skirt but her panties as well to let the mark to become fully seeable.
"No idea," Natsu replied, "Brand's location fully depends on the bearer of the brand, and the choice is subconscious, so ask that question your bats in the belfry."
"You're intending to continue insulting me for how long?" Mirajane asked with sweet smile as she let go of her clothes.
"Just a bit longer," Natsu replied casually. "I'm just wondering… you've been brought to the brink of death for three times, and that was enough to convince you that I was right all that time, huh? Damn, if I'd know that it would've been so easy to do, I myself would've started to send assassins after you, two years ago…" Natsu complained.
"I told you this many times, and I'll repeat it again – you're not as funny as you think," Mirajane replied, narrowing her eyes.
"No, it's you're much more of a downer than you think," God of ruin parried.
And after that friendly exchange, Natsu began to explain the method he wants to use to make Mirajane stronger, but of course not before he forced her to sing a magical non-disclosure pact with him.
"Let's start with the basics," Natsu began to explain. "Have you ever thought about why demons summoning-type magic is always a caster-type magic, including your Satan Sōru Sesshū [Satan Soul Take Over], while angels summoning spells are always the holder-type magic, the subclass of enchanting magic? The Seirei Mahō [Celestial Spirit Magic], for example, as the so-called Celestial Spirits actually are angelic beings, despite they don't belong to any of nine angelic orders?"
"Huh!?" Mirajane blinked. Actually, she never thought of it, despite here, in Fiore, she's considered quite knowledgeable about magic. But now, when Natsu mentioned it, 'It isn't just a coincidence, huh?!'
"It is all because of the attributes," Natsu explained bluntly, without any attempts to mock Mira for her ignorance – time for that has passed. Mira seemed completely puzzled as she had no idea what are the attributes, but Natsu just waved his arm meaning that he'll explain everything soon. "Summoning magic is a darkness/void-derived magic, it is suitable for people with those specific attributes combination, for the people like you," Natsu nodded to Mirajane. "On the other hand – demons are users of darkness magic by default. Even if the specific demon uses fire or wind – it is still darkness-based substances – they are called 'dark flame' or 'dark wind' for that reason. As such, when a proficient summoner summons the demonic soul, using the darkness-based summoning magic, he can effectively use demon's powers, because they're also darkness-based. Pretty simple, really."
Natsu continued, "On the other hands, the one with light attribute cannot be a good summoner, while someone with darkness attribute cannot use angelic magic properly. Thus – the result of several hundreds of years of scientific work – the angelic magic is a holder-type enchanting magic, which is best suited for people with light attribute, who also can use angelic magic effectively. And there's no need to go far for examples of what happens when people trying to use magic with wrong attribute. Lucy, for example," Natsu intentionally used her old name, "As well as her current self, she has the same attributes combination as you do. Yet she tried to use enchanting-type magic. You saw yourself how it was – her manapool is not smaller than yours, yet she always was almost dry after just a few spells. And there's also was a person who had a light/wind attribute, but tried to use summoning magic. That person was…"
"…Lisanna?!" Mirajane exclaimed as her eyes widened in shock.
"Now you see why the knowledge about attributes is the very fundamentals of magic?" Natsu asked. "As such, let me explain this more properly."
December 13, X784, 16:30, Natsu and Erza's house.
The conversation about attributes took more than two hours, but Natsu managed to explain a gist of it to Mirajane. "Alright, I think I got it…" Snow-haired girl said, holding to her temples – her head was literally buzzing due to huge amount of information she received within quite a short time. "But Natsu, why do you not want me to tell anyone about it? If people are to learn about it – they will no longer try to use incompatible magic! The entire world will benefit from it!" She exclaimed.
'The entire world is perfectly aware of it, it's just that isolated place that lost these knowledge…' Natsu thought but didn't say it aloud – Mirajane is already seemed overwhelmed, she doesn't need these knowledges now. "It may be so," Natsu replied instead, "But the method to surely determine the inborn attribute is long lost, aside from experimenting with different types of magics. I also don't know this method. Only Sin can see the person's attribute directly with his accursed eyes. I've also got this ability when he became my familiar. As such – it is very possible that the two of us are the only beings on this continent, who can determine the inborn attribute. But neither of us know the method – we just can see the inborn attribute because we are we. Can you imagine wat will start if the entire continent is to learn that they need to visit me personally to learn their attribute?"
"Alright, alright, I understand," Mirajane waved her arms, "I'm sorry, that was a foolish suggestion."
"No, it wasn't foolish," Natsu disagreed, "The benefits really would've been big, but those benefits shouldn't be on my expense. Besides, the matter of inborn talent is still extremely important. If you need an example – there's that gunner-mage guy…"
"…Alzack…" Mirajane reminded.
"…Yes, him," Natsu nodded. "His attributes combination almost perfectly matches his magic, but since he's a talentless loser… you can see the result almost every day."
"I understand," Mirajane nodded, ignoring Natsu's insult towards Alzack, "But still…" She mumbled uncertainly.
"Gray's magic has a good match with his attribute," Natsu explained as if he knew what she is thinking about. "His main issue now is low invocation speed, but that's the native downside of all types of molding magic in general, and his mediocre formulas in particular. I'd suggest him to stop focusing too much on Kōri no Zōkei Mahō [Ice Molding Magic] and switch to practice Kōri no Mahō [Ice Magic] in general, area of effect spells, for instance. And your brother… well, if you feel like you can convince him to abandon his Bīsuto Sōru Sesshū [Beast Soul Take Over] magic and start learning some assault-type wind-based magic – by all means, go ahead. But you can think about all that later, now we're talking about you," Natsu reminded to Mirajane. "Now, let's talk about what you have to do. I'm going to give you a 'recipe' of sort, which you must follow to the letter…"
December 13, X784, 19:20, Natsu and Erza's house.
"Alright, see you later," Natsu bid his goodbye as he and Mirajane were standing near the house yard's entrance. Mirajane was holding a huge, crimson scroll, which was half a size of a girl herself. "But remember what I told you – be careful until you're done with initial refinement. During the preparation period your magic may become… whimsy," Natsu noted.
"Yes, yes, I got it!" Mirajane replied quickly. She was almost hopping with anticipation, it's been a while since Natsu saw her so full of enthusiasm – she seemed like a junior grade schoolgirl.
Natsu just shook his head slightly – he got a feeling that she didn't understand anything, but he decided to remain silent to not spoil her mood. As Mirajane left (she literally ran towards her home), Natsu walked down to the basement. He approached the meditation chamber, but didn't enter, just stopped near the door. It is very unlikely that he actually could distract Erza, who was at the very beginning of her first re-origination, but he didn't want to risk unnecessarily.
"I'm sorry," He finally said, looking at the door, "I remember that we made a promise to be a team and do all our missions together, but, due to recent development, I just can't sit idle while you're busy. I'll take it easy for the next two days, but after that I'll start to do missions on my own. The present I want to give you is expensive, you know?" God of ruin smiled a little. Initially Natsu wanted that to be a present for Erza's 20th birthday in the next April, but because the day when she'll be done with her re-origination literally will be her second birth – Natsu decided to accelerate his plan.
Omake – Wendy's first mission
…
December 14, X784, 10:45, Fairy Tail guildhall.
"Well? How do you feel about our guild?" Cana asked as she looked at Wendy, who was reading a book at one of the tables in the guildhall, and Carla, who was sitting on the table, near Wendy's book, drinking a tea.
"This place is really great!" Wendy replied with smile.
"I'll admit I'm pleased that it has a women's dorm," Carla replied reservedly.
"By the way, I've heard that Master is actually thinking about expanding the dorm," Levy joined conversation. She still seemed a bit shocked due to yesterday's development, but tried to act normally. "There are no free rooms left. Erza actually put Wendy in the dorm's head room, which was closed for six years…" By the way, this is why it took so long for Erza to settle down all the formalities.
"She had to pull a few strings, huh? No wonder," Cana nodded. The total number of Fairy Tail members continue to grow, including Carla and Wendy, for today, Fairy Tail has 138 members. And almost half of them are women, so no wonder that, out of fifty rooms, no rooms left in the dorm about a month ago, even though several girls doesn't live there while others renting one room together with comrades, in the same manner as Wendy and Carla doing now. "By the way, Wendy, you know that the dorm rent is 100 000 jewels, right?" Cana asked. "Even though you earned some money in your former guild, they'll run out fast if you won't work…"
"I understand," Wendy nodded with serious expression. "But I wanted to try and take a mission anyway," Skymaiden smiled as she closed her book, stood up and headed to the mission board.
"Hah, Nab!" Cana called with cunning smile, "It seems there's a new role model for you! Look, she joined just yesterday, but already wants to go on mission!" Drunkard just couldn't miss the opportunity to pinch Nab, who was an exemplary layabout.
"I also want to go on mission!" Nab replied furiously, "But I want a mission that only I can do!" But, of course, no one was taking his words seriously anymore.
In the meantime, Wendy continued to explore the available requests. Actually, there was more than a hundred of them – Fairy Tail's number one guild, after all. "Nothing really stands out, does it?" Carla asked as she joined Wendy, who was looking at multiple requests with puzzled look. Missions like 'Find a mithril ore' or 'Banish a shady ghost' definitely weren't her forte…
"Looks like you're quite familiar with our type of work," Cana nodded as she came closer.
"That said, but in our old guild you've only taken simple job within the closest vicinity of the village," Carla reminded.
"Stop that, Carla!" Wendy demanded as her cheeks a bit reddened.
"I do think it's important to gain experience over the course of many small jobs," Levy expressed her opinion.
"But since you're here now, don't you think it's about time to take on a big job?" Gray inquired as he also approached the girls near the request board. "Like a job in a far-off city."
"I want to hurry and be able to do big jobs so I can be helpful to you all!" Wendy exclaimed, clenching her small fists.
"Helpful to everyone, huh?" Warren asked.
"Work hard then," Max nodded.
"You're such a nice, responsible girl that it makes me wanna cheer for you," Cana smiled.
"You want to be useful for everyone, huh?" Quiet and eerie voice asked, seemingly out of nowhere, as two arms softly touched Cana's and Levy's shoulders. "I'm sorry to say it, but in that case, you've definitely joined the wrong guild…"
"Yaugh!" "Kyaah!" Two girls jerked away in panic.
"Seriously, man, is it so necessary to be such an asshole in the very morning?" Gray asked with facepalm.
"I've got sober because of you!" Cana blamed Natsu, who appeared seemingly out of thin air and pulled a prank on her and Levy.
"Why are you doing this?!" Bookworm cried resentfully, holding to her wildly beating heart.
"Why, you ask?…" Natsu feigned a deep thoughtfulness, "Well, I'd say – because it's fun…"
"Jerk!" Cana swore off as Levy just pouted.
"I bet the guys who've been gone 'll be surprised when they get back…" Reedus noted, looking at the commotion from aside. "Having such a little girl here…"
Wendy seemed embarrassed and flattered, but Natsu just shook his head. "What are you talking about, fatso? When Erza joined, she was eleven years old. When Gray came here, he was ten years old. Wendy is almost fourteen years old – no one will be surprised," Natsu waved his hand. He also wanted to mention that the Straus siblings joining when Lisanna was barely ten years old, but decided that mentioning her will be too untactful, even for him.
"What a downer you are…" Cana sighed heavily as Reedus resentfully mumbled 'fatso?'
"Wendy, look at this!" Levy suddenly called, "I think I found just the right job for you!" Everyone looked at bookworm as Wendy quickly perked up, "Someone's seeking a wizard who can soothe his heart…"
'Soothe the heart… sounds more like a job for a prostitute…' Natsu thought, but again, he was tactful enough to keep his mouth shut.
"…The pay isn't really too big, but it sounds perfect for you!" For some reason Levy was even more excited than Wendy. On the other hand, Carla folded her paws – for some reason she got a bad feeling about that job.
"Let's see…" Gray looked at the request list, "The city of Onibas, huh? What's the job?"
"Thank you very much," Wendy began to read the request.
Gray suddenly froze like paralyzed. "Beginning with 'thank you'?!" He remembered something.
"Actors have deserted my acting troupe, leading play after play to bomb," Wendy continued to read, "My mind and body have been torn asunder. Please help cheer me up. Thank you very much. Signed: Rabian."
"Have I heard that name before?" Natsu thought aloud.
"He's the chairman of the Scheherazade Theater!" Gray reminded.
"Ah, the sorry-ass troupe director, whose theater we've demolished…" Natsu remembered. "Has he already rebuilt it?"
"Wendy, take my advice and forget about it!" Gray tried to convince her, "He's a total loser – I don't even understand how he got any actors at all!"
"I'm against it as well," Carla expressed her thoughts. "There's no reason you have to take that job… and I get a bad feeling about it, too."
"Your hunches are often right, but if it means I can be helpful…" Wendy said, uncertainly looking at the request.
"You're too nice for your own good, you know that?" White cat asked, "Besides, you're not ready for a big job in a city you've never been to."
"That's not true!" Wendy exclaimed a bit resentfully, "I will see this job through to the end!" In her attempt to talk her off, Carla actually made her partner more agitated.
"Suit yourself, then. I'm not going with you," Carla declared.
"Hold on!" Levy interfered. "Why are you two fighting?! There's no need to be so on edge, Carla!" She tried to dissolve the situation, but white kitty just snorted and turned away.
"I'm taking this job!" Wendy announced, due to Carla's harshness it seemingly became a personal matter.
"Just a minute!" Cana exclaimed in surprise, "Are you actually thinking about going alone?!"
"Yes! Everything is an experience!" Wendy smiled cheerfully.
"Hold on for a moment," Natsu suddenly interfered. "You've just joined our guild. "You must grow accustomed to this guild's ways. We can't suddenly send you far off just by yourself. Don't get me wrong," God of ruin elaborated, "I'm not saying that you're incompetent – it's just that our guild has a tradition – the one who invited a new member to the guild have to join the newbie for his or her first mission. The one who invited you was Erza, but since she's busy right now – I'll accompany you in her stead," Natsu announced.
"YOU!?" Levy, Cana, Gray and several other guildmembers shouted in chorus.
"Why so surprised? Natsu wondered. "Although our guild has several obsolete traditions – this one is not among them. I also took Lucy for her first mission, remember?" He reminded.
"Really?!" Wendy's eyes, in the meantime, sparkled with glee, "Natsu-san, you really will come with me on my first mission!?"
"Yes," Natsu nodded, "Of course – it will be your mission – I won't interfere without necessity, I will be there only to help you to understand the gist of wizard's work. Go to dormitory and gather some stuff you may need, and then meet me at the train station at 1 PM."
"Yes!" Wendy exclaimed in rapture and quickly ran off from the guildhall.
"I'll excuse myself as well," Natsu waved his arm and headed to the guildhall's exit, "I have to take care of something before we depart, goodbye, people."
"What the hell was that?" Gray mumbled in shock.
"Now I also got a bad feeling about it…" Cana shook her head.
"Everything will be okay?" Levy asked uncertainly.
"Well, with Natsu around, there's no need to worry about her safety…" Gray scratched his head.
"I guess…" Cana sighed helplessly as Carla worriedly looked at the guildhall's door.
After he left the guildhall, Natsu visited Luciferona's house. He gave her some draft formulas for her spells, in exchange she loaned her Celestial Spirits Keys to him. Despite these keys now were useless for Luciferona, they were still powerful artifacts.
When Natsu got back to his home, he used the keys to install a formation within his house – this formation will allow his servants – Shinryō no Setsuma – to stay in this realm indefinitely. Only within formation's borders, but that was just what he needed – their only task is to watch over the house, and defend the sealed meditation room, where Erza is undergoing her re-origination, at all costs.
With his house secured, Natsu asked Sin to watch over the situation in the town in general, put on his new shoulder belt, attached his new sword, Magna Ruina, to it and headed towards the train station to meet Wendy.
December 14, X784, 13:10, Magnolia's train station.
"Due to a wreck on the tracks, the Onibas-bound train is out of service," The railway's employee announced via a megaphone, "I repeat, the train bound for Onibas Station is out of service!"
And while the crowd of disappointed passengers was becoming angry, Natsu addressed Wendy, "Our first ordeal already. What will you do, Wendy?" He asked. "Want me to call my familiar? Sin can carry us straight to Onibas if you want."
But Wendy, who stood holding her heavy bag with her both arms, just shook her head, "No, I want to do this job on my own as much as possible. Natsu-san, I'd like to walk all the way to Onibas on foot!" She announced with determination.
"As you wish," Natsu nodded; seemingly, he was satisfied with her answer.
"Thank you, Natsu-san!" Wendy smiled.
"I've told you that it's your job, I'm only here to provide some advises," Natsu explained. "Come on, let's go."
December 14, X784, 13:40, Fairy Tail.
"What?! Another job from that sorry-ass acting troupe!?" Mirajane almost jumped when she heard the news, "And you let her take that job!?"
"I… well… we…" Gray was mumbling incoherently, not knowing how to justify himself.
"Mira, please calm down!" Cana tried to soothe a snow-haired girl.
"I was gonna go with her, but Natsu said that he'll go himself, so…" Levy tried to explain.
"That's the worst of it!" Mirajane couldn't settle down. "Just imagine what will happen if there's only two of them!"
"What are you clucking over there?" An indifferent voice asked as Luciferona lazily turned towards the commotion and looked at Mirajane. "Magister Bloodfallen is the most talented wizard of our generation. Nothing bad is going to happen…" She assured.
Cana and Levy both blinked as they've heard Luciferona's rude words, as they wouldn't dare to address the she-devil in such a manner. The latter, however, wasn't surprised – unlike other people here she knew about Lucy's real personality. As such, she-devil didn't succumb to provocation, she just narrowed her eyes and replied, "I have no idea what kind of a switch has flicked in your head, which turned you into Natsu's dedicated fangirl, but it is not their safety I'm concerned about. I'm concerned about compatibility of young girl's unprepared mind and Natsu's philosophy…"
"Nonsense," Luciferona waved her off, "Magister never tried to forcefully impose his ideas on anyone… although…" She suddenly thought of something.
At that moment, Mirajane, Levy, Carla and Luciferona – all four girls looked up, creating a combined 'thought bubble', imagining Wendy with spiraling eyes (as if she's under hypnosis), and Natsu telling to her: 'Wendy, peace is a lie', 'In this world – only power matters', 'The strong is always right', 'Attack first – ask questions later'…
"…well, maybe we have something to worry about," Luciferona admitted. Personally, she thought that there's nothing wrong with Natsu's way of thinking – she thought that he's right about many things. However, Luciferona also thought that everyone has a right for his own point of view. And Natsu, on the other hand, can be quite convincing, especially if his opponent is a 13-years old girl, who was sheltered for almost all of her life.
"Sin, how you could allow this?!" Mirajane asked indignantly.
"I didn't even know," Skeletal creature shook his skull, "He just came home, said he needs to do something and asked me to watch over things here for a while – I couldn't imagine that it was something important…" Probably, Natsu really didn't think that this is an important matter.
"Everyone, bad news!" Max quickly ran into the guildhall, "They suspended the train headed for Onibas Station!"
"What?!" Cana exclaimed in shock.
"And now it turned into a complete catastrophe…" Mira sighed heavily. "We should go after them! And you two should reflect on your actions… or inactions!" She shouted at Gray and Sin, making them to look at her resentfully – Cana and Levy also were here, but they weren't yelled at.
"What about you, Carla?" Levy asked.
"Honestly, now. You're such busybodies," Carla complained with sigh, "If she says she doesn't need me, we should just let her be!"
She was still complaining, walking together with four other girls along the Magnolia streets, "Why did she even take a job in Onibas anyway? It's not about going far off, you know? Honestly! She's just wasting her time and skill! She couldn't possibly be any more unproductive…"
"You say that, but you're tagging along, anyway," Cana noted.
"Knowing Wendy, she'll refuse to rely on that man's help and choose to walk there instead. It's going to be a long trip," Carla assumed.
"I feel more unsure about this group than theirs…" Levy whispered uncertainly.
"Have you done with idle chatting?" Mirajane turned around and looked at others, "Move your asses then, if we'll continue like this – no way we'll be able to catch up to them!"
December 14, X784, 15:05, On the railroad between Magnolia and Onibas.
Probably there were slightly shorter paths between Magnolia and Onibus, however, Natsu advised Wendy to take a bit longer one, following which they'll never get lost, so now both of them were walking along the rail tracks. Train was canceled, yes, but tracks are still there.
"I'm sorry for putting you through all these troubles…" Wendy humbly apologized.
"We're nakama from the same guild, don't worry about it," Natsu waved his arm, meaning that she has nothing to apologize for. "Besides, I'm your senior – it's my duty to help a newcomer," He added as he didn't mention that he's helping her personally because she's a valuable newcomer. He didn't move a finger to help a hundred of newcomers that came before Wendy… just as no one else did.
"Natsu-san, we should look for a shelter," Wendy suddenly announced, "It looks like it might rain, I can feel it in the flow of the air."
Natsu looked into the sky – there were only a few clouds over the entire skies, so Wendy's forecast seemed unreal. However, one doesn't get the alias 'skymaiden' just for nothing, so Natsu believed in her connection with the skies. Besides, right now was the middle of December, air temperature was about 5 °C, and if rain starts, the temperature will drop to near zero. If Wendy's clothes get wet at such a low temperature – she may catch a cold, even though she's a dragon slayer. And if that were to happen – then why Natsu even went along with her? And just when he began to look for a suitable shelter, the dark gray clouds already appeared over the horizon. "I hate weather in this country…" Natsu sighed, looking at fast approaching weather front. But worst of all – there were no suitable shelters. There was a forest on both sides of the tracks, but trees aren't the best choice to hide from strong rain.
"Natsu-san, hurry!" Wendy called for him, but god of ruin just shook his head.
"Wendy," Natsu addressed the girl that looked at him in confusion. "Initially I wanted to interfere with your mission as little as possible. However, giving you an advice is also my duties," Natsu said calmly, despite that first drops of rain already began to fall on him. "I'm often criticized for my sayings about that power and strength are everything in this world, but I actually can prove it," He said as his left arm clenched the hilt of his sword, Magna Ruina. "It's not always a bad idea to look for a shelter from bad fate," God of ruin pronounced as he raised his sword. "But if there's no shelter, but bad fate is persistent – take it by the throat and slay it!" Natsu swung his sword, sending a shockwave right through the skies.
*WHOOOSH!* With Natsu's swing – the skies literally were split apart. He made a rift in the clouds – one mile wide and about fifteen miles long. "When you're stronger than fate – you can choose any fate you want," God of ruin concluded, putting his sword behind his back. Wendy seemed awestruck, looking at Natsu and then at the rift in the skies he made, with saucer-wide eyes. That was really a surreal scene – there was a heavy rain on the right and on the left from them, but Natsu and Wendy were basking in the rays of sun. "C'mon, I think there's an awning, under which railway company keeps the spare railway sleepers – we can wait there for weather to get better," Natsu pointed somewhere along the rail tracks. "And don't be hasty – I can split the skies a few more times if needed," He added, softly pushing Wendy's back, prompting her to start moving.
December 14, X784, 15:20, Somewhere in the forest between Magnolia and Onibas.
"This is why I didn't want to come out here!" Carla complained as she and all four girls were clinging to a big tree. Unlike Natsu and Wendy, this group took a direct path through the forest, and now they only could hide from the heavy rain under the one of forest's trees. But of course – tree isn't the best shelter from the rain, as such, right now Carla looked more like a wet rat than like a cat.
Despite both were wearing summer clothes – Mirajane and Luciferona seemed fine, just annoyed by the bad weather. Levy and Cana, on the other hand, despite their proper (for current season) clothing, were shivering all over from the cold and wet air.
"What's with this weather, anyway?!" Levy shivered as several drops of rain fell on her head.
"How could I forget to grab some booze to keep me warm?!" Cana complained.
"Shouldn't we ignore this rain and continue our chase after Wendy and Magister?" Luciferona thought aloud. "If they are not hiding from the rain as we do – we shall never catch up to them…"
"I guess Natsu has a hundred of ways to avoid rain, but since he promised to interfere as little as possible – I think they're also hiding from the rain," Mirajane replied, though she was mostly soothing herself.
December 14, X784, 17:50, On the railroad between Magnolia and Onibas.
"I'm glad the rain let up," Wendy smiled as she and Natsu continued their way along the rails, "But it's going to get dark. It looks like we'll have to sleep outside for tonight…" She added uncertainly.
"There's a few more awning with railway sleepers along the route, we can use the next one as a sleeping place," Natsu replied. "Provisions are the real issue, however."
"Umm…" Wendy nodded with somehow pitiful look on her face.
Natsu knew that she's hungry – even without enhanced hearing he could hear her stomach growling. "I must apologize, Wendy," Natsu looked at skymaiden, "But I intentionally let you become so hungry," He admitted. Wendy looked at him in surprise as Natsu continued, "There's another important lesson you must learn. Tell me – this feeling of hunger – is it makes you feel uncomfortable? Is it distracting you and makes you feel weak?" Wendy nodded uncertainly, however, she continued to listen attentively – Natsu definitely is saying things, important for wizards. "Hunger is every wizard's enemy," Natsu explained. "During combat or intense chase, you can ignore it, but when you have to rest and recover your strength – hunger is your worst enemy."
"I understand, Natsu-san," Wendy nodded with serious face expression as Natsu obviously was teaching her about important stuff.
"However," Natsu continued, "That's just my personal opinion, but I think that food isn't just the way to quench hunger. I believe that fresh and tasty food is a way to improve one's mood, make the resting more effective and life a bit better in general. And to prove it – tonight I'll make a dinner for us," Natsu announced.
"Really?!" Wendy exclaimed as her big brown eyes sparkled in rapture.
"Really," Natsu nodded. "But first things first," He said, looking into the skies. "See those wingfish over there?" Natsu pointed at school of flying fish, "Never try to eat it. It tastes awful, no matter how to cook it. Come this way," God of ruin waved towards the forest on the left from the rail tracks. He opened a small bag on his belt and checked its content – there actually was a seasoning set, packed into small bottles. "Here dwells a special kind of animals, which, if cooked properly, not just very tasty but also salubrious," God of ruin elaborated as peal of thunder resounded in the air when dark blue lighting-like energy sparkled between Natsu's fingers.
December 14, X784, 19:00, On the railroad between Magnolia and Onibas.
The type of animal that Natsu mentioned was a six-legged deer-boar – a weird mix of a pig and a deer with six legs. Natsu managed to caught two, and now both were almost ready, Natsu was making a few finishing touches. Wendy was barely holding herself back – the smell was so appetizing that the ground near the fallen tree trunk, on which she was sitting, was already wet due to her dropping saliva.
"Okay, it's ready!" Natsu called for Wendy as he seemed satisfied with the result of his work.
Wendy immediately dashed forth and grabbed the piece of meat that Natsu offered to her. "Itadakimasu!" She exclaimed with sparkling eyes as she took a bite of a food she was longing for.
'She maybe young, but she definitely is a dragon slayer,' Natsu noted to himself as he was looking at Wendy's healthy appetite.
December 14, X784, 19:10, Somewhere in the forest between Magnolia and Onibas.
With tearful eyes, Carla, Cana, Levy and Mirajane were eating the grilled wingfish. They felt themselves so miserable, due to its awful taste, that they just couldn't hold back their tears. Luciferona, who had an enhanced sense of smell and taste, and almost vomited just from the smell of those winged fishes, absolutely refused to have anything to do with this wingfish and went to the forest to look for some nuts or berries. Others were eating those fishes, almost chocking due to awful taste.
"Was there nothing else to eat?" Mirajane asked, barely holding back her nausea.
"We'd be eating it now if there was…" Cana replied, almost crying.
"I wanna go home…" Levy whimpered miserably.
December 14, X784, 20:15, On the railroad between Magnolia and Onibas.
Wendy was peacefully sleeping near the campfire – after such a tasty dinner she couldn't resist the drowsiness. Natsu was sitting nearby, thinking that this world is really full of mysteries. For example – now he was thinking about how exactly the entire six-legged deer-boar managed to fit into Wendy's tiny body. She ate one, almost whole…
Then Natsu looked around one more time before he sat in cross-legged position and went into some sort of meditation, as his thoughts projection appeared in his home in Magnolia.
December 14, X784, 21:00, Somewhere in the forest between Magnolia and Onibas.
After very distressful dinner, girls decided to sleep a bit. At that point, their 'venture' seemed completely pointless, so Cana and Levy actually suggested going back to the guild. However, Mirajane insisted that even if they can't catch up with Natsu and Wendy – they still can meet them at their destination and 'save' Wendy at the last moment, because that job probably will take some time to complete. Of course, all of her arguments sounded like a complete nonsense – in reality, due to her stubborn nature, Mirajane just couldn't accept that all the sufferings she endured today were for naught. And Luciferona agreed to continue this journey out of ill interest – to see how it ends.
Carla, Levy and Cana were sleeping on the fallen tree trunk near the campfire. Luciferona was resting on the tree, a bit aside. And Mirajane was sitting on the stone nearby, watching over the camp. The skies were clear, and Mirajane now was looking at majestic sight, created by the almost full moon. She didn't even notice how she fell asleep…
Several minutes later
"Mirajane-san, what are you doing?" Luciferona asked with quite irritated voice. She was sitting on the large tree's branch, 'communicating with her blood', i.e. meditating. However, her condition was disturbed, as now Mirajane, in her Satan Souru: Guremorī [Satan Soul: Gremory] form, was standing on her knees in front of Luciferona, fondling the latter's breasts. However, three-tailed girl didn't get any reply as she-devil was definitely enjoying the softness in her demonic hands. "I'm warning you – stop this!" Luciferona demanded as she tried to push Mirajane away. But she-devil resisted, as her actions, which were an obvious sexual harassment, became even more aggressive. And at that moment, Luciferona was able to take a good look at Mirajane's eyes – there were no eyes at all, she-devil's eyesockets were filled with some mist-like substance, which was emanating a moon-like glow. "Fool!" Luciferona swore off and disappeared through the dark violet energy vortex. Seemingly, on the ground were still some remnants of her wicked power left, so she could warp to that place.
Luciferona's teleportation caused some magical ripples in the closest vicinity, and those ripples woke up Cana, Levy and Carla.
"What's going on!?" Levy asked in shock as all three now were looking around in confusion.
"Careful!" Luciferona warned other girls, "That idiot girl's demonic soul went out of control!" She raised her arms to the sky, and shackles, made of dark violet energy appeared on her wrists, with torn-off chains attached to each shackle. Chain-like belt, made of the same dark violet energy, appeared on her waist. Finally, a collar, made of dark violet energy, appeared on Luciferona's neck. Collar and belt were connected by a single chain, stretching along girl's spine. "Sōko no Yumi [Azure Rift Bow], I summon thou!" She shouted and negative energy flashed in Luciferona's left hand, forming a large magical bow. "This is your last warning!" She growled as all remnants of her ojō-sama-like demeanor, which she usually shows towards Natsu and Erza, completely disappeared.
"Good. Sexy, strong and defiant – this is the type of girls I like the most," Demonic soul said with Mirajane's voice as she gently touched her neat horns, which were burning with pink flame. Then the soul jumped down from the tree and licked her lips. In the next moment she dashed towards Luciferona with immense speed.
"You will regret this! Makeru no Kado!" [Negative Gate] This time Luciferona didn't shot an arrow – she just swung her bow in front of herself and created a power seal, about five meters in diameter. Seal 'opened', revealing some horrible demonic "face". "Face" opened its mouth and breathed out a powerful blast of negative energy.
"Kyaah!" "Aagh!" With high-pitch screams Levy and Cana ran away as powerful stream of negative energy made a breach in the forest.
"Too slow!" Demonic soul sneered as she avoided the blast and appeared right in front of Luciferona. However, when she was just about to grab her, tiger-girl disappeared with dark-violet vortex and reappeared behind the demon with dark metallic arrow already clad in her bow, "Really? Hissatsu: Riu Nēru!" [Certain Kill: Rending Shot] Luciferona released the bowstring and dark arrow hit the demonic soul right between her shoulder blades, point-blank, like a high-caliber shell. The demonic soul flew forth as if she turned into an artillery shell herself and crashed into rock-like formation nearby, completely destroying it.
"What are you doing?!" Cana exclaimed in shock as she saw Luciferona using so powerful spell on her own comrade.
"Mirajane?!" Levy screamed in panic as she saw her she-devil being hit with such a force.
"Stay back!" Luciferona ignored her complains as she warned them, "That's not over yet!"
"Huh!?" "Ah?!" Two girls jerked back as powerful magical blast threw away all the heavy stones that buried demonic soul alive just a moment ago. Seemingly, it won't end quickly…
"This is why I didn't want to come out here!" Carla screamed, trying to get from beneath the tree's branch that pressed her to the ground.
December 15, X784, 6:30, On the railroad between Magnolia and Onibas.
Wendy and Natsu continued their way towards Onibas. Wendy seemed to be in very positive mood and full of energy. Since she woke up and they resumed their journey, skymaiden was bombarding Natsu with questions about what it means to be a mage. Natsu was patiently answering all of her questions, however, what surprised him was that all those questions were very basic. That made him to wonder what exactly she's been doing in her illusive wizards' guild.
"Natsu-san," Wendy suddenly stopped as she asked, pointing somewhere to the right from the railway, "I feel very hot air coming from that side!"
"Ah, this," Natsu nodded as he looked to the side Wendy was pointing at. "In our world of magic – there's quite a number of anomalies, caused by magic-induced incidents. There is one of such places – Samara Desert. Very small desert, just about 800 square miles – but temperatures there are above 32 °C around the year, and it also known for very strong sandstorms, which appear out of nowhere."
"Really?!" Wendy exclaimed with enraptured voice, "There's really such a place so close to Magnolia!?"
"That is why the railway doesn't go directly to Onibas," Natsu explained, "It takes a way around it, and this is why we're going along the railway, instead of taking the direct path, which would've required us to cross the Samara Desert. We're on the job, remember? We can't stick in some desert due to a sandstorm or something, right?" Natsu asked.
"Right!" Wendy readily agreed as she and Natsu continued their way towards Onibas.
December 14, X784, 9:05, Somewhere in the desert between Magnolia and Onibas.
"What is wrong with this place?!" Carla exclaimed indignantly. "First cold and rain that came out of nowhere, and now desert?!"
"Hot…" Cana moaned, walking over the hot sand.
"How long it is until Onibus?..." Levy asked weakly.
Two girls looked bad, as both were hungry, tired and didn't get enough sleep… but both looked way better than the one who was following them. Mirajane's body was cowered with cuts and bruises, but that wasn't her biggest problem. Right now, she was walking like a zombie – her eyes were pupilless and there was a completely senseless smile on her face. "My reputation… is done for…" She mumbled incoherently. Right now she definitely was at the deepest depth of despair. "Couldn't you… just kill me...? And burry… in an unmarked grave…?" She turned to the girl who was walking last.
"I'd gladly do it right now, but I can't let the Magister's investments to go in vain…" Luciferona growled. She also seemed quite battered after last night's battle, and currently she also was very annoyed.
"Yes… yes… you're right… it's his fault… all of that is his fault…" Mirajane continued to mumble senselessly, "He hates me… he still can't forgive me for her death…"
"Listen, you!" Luciferona couldn't hold herself back anymore, "If you won't snap out of it immediately, I swear – I'll contact every journalist in Fiore and tell them that Mirajane Strauss, the one of Fiore's most famous beauties and the Sorcerer's weekly number one pin-up model, is a lesbian, who tried to rape me while I was sleeping!"
"THAT WAS NOT MEEE!" Mirajane screamed so loud that the entire Fiore probably could hear her.
"Yes, that's what you'll be telling to the journalists," Luciferona snorted.
After almost an hour-long battle, Luciferona, with some help from Cana, Levy and even Carla, managed to neutralize the uncontrollable demonic soul. Later, in the morning, when Mirajane woke up, she found herself heavily beaten, tied to a large tree and gaged. She couldn't remember anything about last night's events, but girls described everything to her with vivid details, especially the amount of verbal sexual harassment that demonic soul poured on Luciferona, and later, on two other girls as well.
"I'm pretty sure that, along with whatever you've got from the Magister, you also received a direct and detailed instructions about what to do and what not to do," Luciferona noted.
"No!" Mirajane exclaimed furiously. "He just gave that thing to me and told me to follow the described process to the letter, and that's…" She suddenly stopped screaming as she remembered something. '…Until you're done with initial refinement – avoid getting under the direct moonlight…' This is what Natsu told her.
"Something came up, huh?" Luciferona sneered as she noticed Mirajane's sudden thoughtfulness.
"Kyaah!" "Aaugh!" Suddenly, two screams distracted Mirajane and Luciferona from their quarrel. The sand beneath Cana and Levy's feet crumbled, revealing an unstable sand pit, and both girls began to submerge into it.
"What is wrong with this place!?" Luciferona helplessly cried, "As if every bad thing that potentially could happen to us actually did happen!"
"Help!" Cana called desperately.
"Please!" Levy screamed tearfully.
"Can you do something?!" Mirajane asked the tiger-girl as she herself was a bit afraid to perform her Take Over in such a chaotic situation, especially after that what happened last night.
"I'll try!" Luciferona replied as she summoned one of her arrows. She wanted to put it on the sand, then jump down to the sand pit, grab Cana and Levy, and then switch places with her arrow and teleport out of the sand pit. But just as she was about to do that, a sudden gale of wind threw a wave of sand at her. "What the?!" She exclaimed as she was almost buried alive beneath the sand. But at that moment, the powerful gusts of wind began to lift tons of sand into the air, swirling around the girls and reducing visibility almost to zero.
"It's… it's one of this desert's 'cursed sandstorms'!" Mirajane exclaimed as she was looking around in fear, "And it's forming right now, with us in the very middle of it!"
"Ah… ah… I finally got it…" Luciferona mumbled as she helplessly dropped her arms, "We began this journey, having an ill will towards the son of the supreme goddess… And now the forces of Pandemonium are punishing us…" Tiger-girl fell on her knees and closed her eyes, 'Morrigan-sama, please forgive this foolish girl…'
'And just when I decided to devote myself to magic and become a top-grade expert…' Mirajane sat down on sand, resigning to fate, 'Lisanna… I guess we'll see each other soon…'
"IDIOTS!" Carla screamed in fury, looking at girls' actions.
December 15, X784, 12:40, City of Onibas.
Without any troubles, Natsu and Wendy have reached the city of Onibas. And now they were standing in front of city's theatre. However, right now they were looking at a long queue of people, which came to buy tickets and watch today's performance. Rabian, the chairman of the Scheherazade Theater, stood on theater's stairs, and looked quite healthy and positive, not like someone who needs healing. "Thank you very much!" He greeted Fairy Tail's wizards.
"Care to elaborate?" Natsu inquired, tilting his head.
"I've made up with my actors and can resume the plays now!" He explained. "We have sellout crowd, too!" He added as he took a look at the long queue, "Thank you very much!"
"You mean… the job is cancelled… and we have to go home…?" Wendy asked with very disappointed expression on her face.
"Perhaps," Natsu shrugged. "Job cancelation is also a part of wizard's life. As such – here's the last thing you need to learn," Natsu turned to Rabian. He knew that kindhearted and timid Wendy would probably turn around and leave, but he couldn't allow that. "You know the rules, man. If job is canceled after you've received a notification about that job has been taken – you have to pay a penalty. 40% of job's completion payment, which was specified in the request, to compensate logistical and preparational expenses. Pay up," Natsu demanded.
"Tch…" Rabian snorted as his happy-go-lucky attitude suddenly turned into that of a ruthless businessman. "And what if I don't?" He asked darkly.
Natsu's left arm grabbed the hilt of his sword, "Then I'll slice you in half… you thought I'd say that, huh? No, that would've been boring," God of ruin sneered as he lowered his arm while his eyes flashed with satanic light. "If you won't pay – starting tomorrow, every local bureaucrat will be after your sorry ass. They'll close your theater and will be checking it for so long and so often, for every possible thing to check, that you won't be able to resume your performances within a year. How's that sounds?"
"Natsu-san, please, I… I don't need these money… let's just go…" Wendy pulled Natsu's sleeve – she was acting exactly as Natsu was expecting.
But Natsu shook his hand and refused, "Sorry, Wendy, but people must learn to respect wizards' time and efforts – our very existence depends on that." Natsu ruffled girl's hair, "You cannot forgive someone's debts just because he's an idiot." Then he turned to Rabian and asked, "So?"
"Tch…" He snorted again. "Alright, I'll pay. Come after the performance, I'll have the money then…"
"Alright," Natsu nodded, "We'll be back soon…" Then he turned to Wendy, who was feeling herself very out of place due to business-quarrel, "If I remember correctly – there's a zoo in this city. Come, let's take a look," He suggested, of course he already been there with Erza on one of their dates. "Let's see what's changed there. In the meantime, I'll tell you more about this country's places," Natsu suggested.
"Huh? Alright!" Wendy's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she quickly forgot the unpleasant conversation with Rabian.
December 15, X784, 16:00, City of Onibas.
Afternoon's performance has ended, but there was another one planned for 16:30, so another crowd already gathered to buy tickets. Rabian already paid the penalty money to Wendy and Natsu, and they were about to leave, but at that moment – several strange people appeared on theatre's square. They could be called the typical ragamuffins – all covered in bruises, their skin was dirty, hairs were disheveled and their clothes were in tatters. The problem was – both Natsu and Wendy knew those people – they're, supposedly, their wizards-colleagues form Fairy Tail… Only the flying cat, whose name Natsu forgot, seemed more or less intact, at least her clothes weren't torn to shreds.
"Well, I have two possible explanations," Natsu sighed, addressing Wendy, who now was hiding behind his back as she was slightly shocked with those people's appearance. "Either we came through some temporal anomaly, which sent us to the future where magic disappeared, thus all mages lost their jobs and became beggars… or these five have done something really, really stupid. And since my power is still with me, I guess it's the second?" He pronounced, looking at approaching Levy, Cana, Mirajane and Luciferona, and all four seemed to be barely able to move their legs. Carla was flying a bit behind, pretending that she has no idea who those four are.
Levy and Cana were the first to approach Natsu and Wendy.
"Wendy… you're alright… thank god…" Levy pronounced weakly as she lost consciousness and collapsed on square's pavement.
"Yeah… thank god…" Natsu pronounced with explicit sarcasm.
"Wendy… help…" Cana mumbled as she couldn't stand anymore and fell on the ground, just three steps away from skymaiden.
"Natsu-san?!" Wendy exclaimed in shock, she couldn't understand what's going on.
But before Natsu could say anything, Mirajane looked at him with tearful eyes, "Is this really needed…? whimp… if you're still blaming me… whimp… and want my death… whimp… just go ahead and kill me… whimp… why are you doing all of this?..." And as she said that, Mirajane fell on her knees and became black-and-white as she seemingly reached the bottom of despair.
At that point Natsu also seemed almost as confused as Wendy, but there was still one person left. "Magister, I'm very, very sorry about my actions," Luciferona said as she knelt before Natsu. "Please forgive me, and know that I have learned my lesson, and please tell Morrigan-sama that such a thing will never happen again!" Three-tailed girl announced.
It's been a while since Natsu was as flabbergasted as he was now. He blinked several times, then tilted his head and looked at Carla, "Alright, maybe you can explain what the hell is going on here?"
But before Carla could reply, Rabian suddenly came down the stairs, "Tch… Your obstructing my business by making a commotion here! You!" He pointed at Wendy, creeping her out even more than she already was, "Get all these people outta here! It's a big job… but I will pay you for it…" He smiled darkly.
"Huh?!" Wendy exclaimed as she was completely dumbfounded.
December 15, X784, 17:45, Inside the train.
After all, Wendy ended up casting her Deus Vexillum spell, which purpose is to raise troop's morale during battle, on all four girls to cure their shocked condition, as well as a healing spell to fix their wounds. Also, after Natsu, Wendy, and all of those who were worried about the latter, boarded the train, the skymaiden had to cast her Troia spell on Luciferona. She wasn't becoming sick when she was using a transportation, like dragon slayers do, instead she was affected by unbearable drowsiness.
"I can't believe that was my first big job…" Wendy sighed heavily.
"There was nothing wrong with that," Carla noted. "We were all worried about you, but in the end, you had to help them. You're now helpful to everyone."
"I agree," Natsu nodded, "You did a good job, so be proud of it."
"You really think so?" Wendy perked up as she heard encouraging words.
"Yes, I do think so," Carla confirmed.
"And you endured the long journey well," Natsu agreed.
Now the seven of them were sitting on two benches in the carriage, three per one bench, sitting opposite to each other while Carla was on the table between two benches. The rail tracks were fixed, so all of Fairy Tail wizards were now riding the train towards Magnolia.
"So, Wendy, did you like your journey?" Cana asked, as she wanted to change the subject.
"Yes!" Wendy exclaimed as her eyes suddenly shone. "Natsu-san is amazing! He's so knowledgeable – I've learned so many things! And yesterday's dinner was so tasty!"
"You're giving me too much credit," Natsu shook his head slightly, "I've just escorted you from one town to another…"
"Yeah… and we're… kinda sorry for causing troubles at the end of your mission…" Levy mumbled.
"Right… and thank you for getting me out of that trance-like condition… the last night was… stressful…" Mirajane said with apologetic tone. "I hope I wasn't spouting nonsense when we arrived?" She asked as she couldn't remember anything about what happened there – she really was in some sort of a stress-induced trance.
"Aside from insulting me and memory of your sister? No, nothing at all," Natsu replied with sarcastic smile. He has had no intentions of going easy on her – god of ruin was quite displeased with Mirajane as she, apparently, was ignoring instructions he gave to her.
"Oh, I see," Snow-haired girl replied with sweet smile, before turning to the bookworm, who was sitting near the window, "Levy, please move aside a little, I need to throw myself out of that window…"
"I'll join you…" Luciferona mumbled. She was sitting with beet-red face due to shame she was feeling because of her actions, starting with that she allowed Mirajane to persuade her to join that journey and finishing with how that journey ended up.
"Enough," Natsu demanded as he raised his left arm and snapped his fingers. Immediately, Wendy, Carla, Levy and Cana fell asleep. No, he didn't wipe their memories or something like that, as he could no longer do it – that was Sin's ability to begin with and it returned to him. Natsu used the standard Sleep Knock spell, the same that Mirajane used to put Lucy to sleep when she wanted to evacuate her during the battle between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord. Both girl, which weren't put to sleep, looked at Natsu in surprise as he explained, "Since you both feel yourself so ashamed – let's do this. I'll forget about what happened today, but in return I need a favor from the two of you."
"Whatever you need, magister," Luciferona bowed. Mirajane also nodded.
"Good," Natsu replied. "It's nothing big, it's just I've got a situation on my hands. You see, Erza started a very important stage of her training, and she absolutely must not be disturbed. Both of you will have to pass through the similar phase in the future, but now it's Erza's turn. However, that may take up to several weeks…"
Both girls blinked – they already seemed surprised when Natsu mentioned that both of them will have to do something similar, but when they've heard that it may take several weeks, both were taken aback.
"…And what's with that look?" Natsu commented on girls' confusion. "Everything has a price – and price for a great power cannot be small… anyway," He continued his previous phrase, "I cannot sit idle while she's busy – I'm going to do missions, starting tomorrow. But, as you know, members of our guild like gossiping much more than they like doing something related to magic. I imagine that some wired rumors will arise if when those people notice that I'm completing missions as if on a conveyer, whilst my wife is nowhere to be found. I want the two of you to help me quench those possible rumors," Natsu explained his request.
Mirajane and Luciferona seemed puzzled. No, they understand what Natsu wants, as well as why he wants their help, as Natsu's worries seemed justified, but both seemed to be unsure how exactly they can help – there are almost 150 people currently in the guild…
"I don't want any of you to do anything drastic," Natsu elaborated, "Just try to distract them a bit. And if there will be too persistent people – inform me about them, I'll use my blood order on them – I will not tolerate idiots pocking their noses into my and Erza's personal affairs."
"Alright, I can do that," Mirajane shrugged after she heard Natsu's input.
"I shall help you as well," Luciferona nodded.
"It's in those people's best interests," Natsu assured two girls, "They are afraid of her, but at the same time they see Erze as a role model of sort. I wouldn't exclude the possibility that some people will try to sneak into my house and 'investigate' Erza's disappearance. But my home is heavily guarded, by spells and other means – those who will come without invitation… I cannot guarantee that they will return…" Natsu pronounced, and his casual tone made Mirajane to facepalm.
"Okay, I'll see what I can do, I owe you a lot, after all," Goth girl agreed, but then she looked at Natsu questioningly, "By the way… what's with that arm of yours… it doesn't seem like… well… like it was before…"
"Oh, so someone finally noticed?" Natsu rolled his eyes, "After three days… by the way, my wife seemingly didn't notice."
"I'm sorry, magister, but I think that we got used to it being abnormal but look normal, so when it became normal and continued to look normal, we couldn't realize that it is no longer abnormal," Luciferona 'explained'. Of course, Erza would realize this much earlier, but she was too tired and shocked at first, and then she probably was too distracted with those thoughts, which appeared to be a sign of incoming re-origination.
"Did you understand yourself what you just said?" Mirajane looked at tiger-girl with narrowed eyes.
"Don't start it, you two," Natsu interfered before Luciferona could answer. Actually, it would've been convenient if Luciferona could tell to Mirajane not just the short version of how her personality split was cured during the battle against Angel, but the complete version, but now's not yet the time for it. The complete version includes Lucy's death and resurrection, which, in turn will require to disclose the truth about Procellion and other guardians… in other words – now's not the time for it yet. For now – the story about the hand will be enough. "That's quite an interesting tale," He noted casually as he looked into the window, at the same time rolling up his sleeve to show his new arm to the girls, while Wendy, Carla, Cana and Levy were quietly snuffling, sleeping peacefully while train was carrying them towards home.
And that's it for now! Here were almost no spells used, so no need for translation section. See you again soon, don't forget about reviews!