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Chapter 68

Meeting Gildarts

After that crazy fiasco, Wendy and I completed the job per Rabian's request and got paid in full. However, everyone else was feeling exhausted and less than pleased with Rabian, so we used our healing magic to help those who were sick. Then we all decided to head home back to Magnolia. Thankfully, the train got fixed, so we didn't have to worry about walking anymore. Natsu, however, threw a fit not wanting to ride the train due to him riding it who knows how many times, but after a few convincing words from Erza and a big punch in the stomach knocking him out, Natsu was quiet as a mouse and didn't get that sick. Although he has seen better days.

Eventually, we made it back to the guild, and the guild members soon heard about what had happened. They thought what had happened was funny, but those who came back were looking forward to a good rest. I, however, was looking forward to a large tall glass of water after the job I went through. I ordered a large cup of water and drank it heartily. I drank one cup after another until I was on my seventh cup.

"My goodness, Willy, you must have been thirsty," said Mira as she set my eighth cup down. "I've never seen anyone drink that much. Well, other than Cana when it comes to drinking alcohol."

"If you were a drinker like Cana was, you'd give her a run for her money in a drinking contest," chuckled Elfman.

"Well, I am thirsty," I replied as I grabbed my eighth cup. "We were walking throughout the job, even went through a desert. I don't do very well in hot places." I then downed my eighth cup in a couple of gulps letting out a satisfying sigh my thirst finally quenched. "Now that hits the spot. I'm feeling much better now."

"Are you gonna go on another job?" asked Elfman.

"Nah. I'm thinking of going go home and rest," I replied. "After the job, I went through; I was gonna rest up and read a couple of books. Plus I have to pay the landlady my rent. "

Mira giggled a little. "That's you alright, Willy," she said. "Diligent as always."

"Well, can you blame me? I gotta stay on top it no matter what," I said. "Besides, I'm looking forward to catching up on a book I was reading. Anyway, I'm going to get going. I'll see you guys later. OK?"

I was just about to leave when I heard someone call out to me. "Hey Willy, hold on a second!"

I looked behind me to saw Elfman coming up to me. When he did, I noticed that he seemed to be a bit nervous about something.

"Hey there, Elfman," I greeted. "What's up?"

"Well... I've been wanting to talk to you," said Elfman. "It's... something important."

"Important?" I puzzled. "What is it?"

Elfman scratched his head and seemed unsure about what to say. I tilted my head wondering what he wanted, but then I had an idea of why he was so hesitant.

"Hey. Is... this about visiting Lisanna's grave?" I asked. "If you're worried about that then don't worry. I told you I'd be there, the other day."

Elfman was a bit surprised at first, but then he shook his head. "Well... you're kind of right but...it's about something else...you see..."

But then before Elfman could finish what he had to say, there was the sound of bells chiming causing us to turn our attention upwards along with everyone else in the guild.

"What... is that noise?" I wondered. "Are those the bells from Kardia Cathedral?"

I looked over at Elfman, hoping he would answer, but Elfman didn't respond. His eyes were wide as a big grin worked its way to his lips.

He then let out a yell filled with joy. "Alright! He's finally coming back!"

"This is awesome!" I heard Gray say. "Could it really be him?!"

"It's gotta be!" said another member. "Why else would those bells be ringing?"

Just then, two other members, Max and Warren came bursting through the front door looking excited and frantic.

"Big news!" they yelled. "He's coming!"

"Excuse me! Will somebody please tell me what everyone is talking about?" I asked feeling a bit confused. "Who's coming?"

Everyone in the guild then let out a loud cheer that probably shook the guildhall itself. "Gildarts is back!" Then everyone went crazy drinking from their mugs and partying it up. I now felt more confused than ever before as I made my way to Lucy, Mira, Wendy, and Carla, who seemed as confused as I was.

"I don't suppose you guys know what anyone is talking about," I spoke. "Who's Gildarts?"

"Beats me," responded Lucy. "I've never even heard of that name before."

"He's the strongest wizard in all of Fairy Tail," Mira told me.

Lucy and I stared at Mira in surprise.

"What?! Are you serious?!" Lucy asked. "I always thought that Erza was the top dog around here!"

Erza shook her head. "All modesty aside, I can't hold a candle to him," she said humbly.

"If even Erza's saying that, then this person must be powerful," I spoke.

"If that's true, then this guy must be the king of breaking things then," Lucy spoke flatly. "But... what I don't understand is that why is everyone going totally nuts."

"I know. Just look at how happy everyone is," said Wendy in amazement. "It's like a festival."

"That may be so, but it's still quite an unruly sight," commented Carla.

"Well, you can't blame them," smiled Mira. "After all, Gildarts has been gone for quite a while. Three years to be exact."

"Wait... three years?!" I repeated incredulously. "What has he been doing all that time?"

Mira then explained. "Well... you know how we have normal jobs and S class requests? Some jobs are above those that are called SS class requests. And the jobs above those are called decade quests."

I stared at Mira, completely shocked, as was Lucy.

"Decade quests?!" we repeated.

"Yes. Those job requests are the kind that take up to ten years to complete, thus giving them their name," Erza told us. "Actually now that I remember correctly, Gildarts took on a request that was even higher level than that. A century quest."

"You're kidding me!" gasped Lucy. "If what you're saying is true, then he took a request that no one's been able to complete in over a hundred years?! Who in their right mind would want to take a job like that?!"

"Apparently someone like him," I replied, feeling just as stupefied as she was.

Just then, a female voice was heard that echoed all throughout Magnolia via a loudspeaker.

"Attention citizens! Please take your designated positions immediately and prepare to commence Magnolia's Gildart's shift!"

"Goodness gracious," sighed Carla. "Aren't they making too much of a fuss about this?"

"I wonder why...?" puzzled Wendy.

"And what the heck is a "Magnolia Gildarts Shift" anyway?" asked Lucy.

"Step outside and see for yourself," Erza said.

"But why? What's gonna happen?" I asked curiously.

"You'll see," smiled Mira as she took my hand, leading me outside.

We then went outside of the guild standing by the entrance. When we did, the ground began to tremble and shake. The buildings then began to move slowly and shift, some of them going up and some of them going down. A pathway soon was revealed, the structures of Magnolia standing on top of two large walls on it with a line of arrows leading up to the guildhall.

"Magnolia just split in two!" screeched Lucy in shock.

"I see it, but I do not believe it!" I cried. "Why in the world is this happening, and how is this happening?!"

"I really can't explain it to you when it comes to how the town is doing this," spoke Erza. "But I can tell you that it's a precautionary measure for Gildart's Crush Magic."

"It's a magic that allows Gildarts to destroy everything that he touches," added Mira. "So if he's not careful, he could accidentally destroy a person's house or something."

"So wait... You modified the town just because he's clumsy?!" Lucy asked dumbfounded. "Just how dumb is he?!"

"He sounds like an amazing person," Wendy said.

"Yes. Amazingly stupid," spoke Carla sarcastically.

I looked in the distance down the path, and I could see someone on it walking towards us. It was a man who appeared to be in his thirties or forties, was tall, had slicked back shoulder's length orange hair, had a stubbly beard and wore a tattered, high-collared, black cloak with shoulder plates that obscured most of his body except for a pair of boots. He also had something wrapped in a brown cloth tied on his back.

Feeling somewhat curious about this man, I decided to sense his magic, using my Aqua Sense to see how strong he is and if what Erza and Mira said about him was true. I placed my hand on the ground and the concentrated. In my mind, I saw nothing, but black as I zoomed in on the man ahead down the path ahead. Then I felt my heart leap as my eyes snapped open. It was only a quick glimpse, but I saw that man's magic power. It was an incredibly large blue shape erupting from his body like a geyser. It was enough to make me break into a slight sweat.

"This... this is insane..." I thought. "His... his magic power is off the scale! He's even higher than any other magic energy I've sensed before! And I don't even think he's even exerting his full power yet."

I was now feeling a tad frightened. I knew that he was a member of Fairy Tail, but that power alone still made me feel all the more uneasy. Then I had a thought. What if he knew my face and I was a dark wizard? What if when upon saw me, he would think that I was the enemy and would use his overwhelming magic to crush me?. My hands trembled, and my stomach was starting to turn into knots from such a thought. I slowly stood up and started to walk back into the guild, but then I heard Mira.

"Willy? Where are you going?" she asked.

"Um... well..." I said. "Well... I know that Gildarts must be a busy man... and... I didn't want to intrude. I'll just go home and then..."

"Are you alright, Willy?" asked Lucy. "You're looking a bit pale and sweaty."

"I-I'm fine, Lucy. Just fine!" I blurted out. "I'm just uh... not feeling too good, that's all. I mean it's not like I'm scared of Gildarts or anything!"

Everyone stared at me, and I felt like the biggest idiot in the world for blurting out such a thing.

Mira then smiled at me then she along with Erza, laughed making me blush bright red in embarrassment.

"Willy, there's nothing for you to be scared of," said Mira. "Gildarts may be the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail, but you have no reason to be so scared him."

"Mirajane's right. I may have only met the man for a few times, but I've found that he's a very gentle and kind man," spoke Erza. "Although it'd be wise not to get on his bad side."

"You... you think so?" I asked tentatively. "I mean... I am a former dark mage. What if he..."

Mira then placed a hand on mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry. It'll be fine," she said. "Gildarts is very nice. I promise."

I still didn't feel very sure, but I decided to put my trust in Mira, hoping that she'd be right. Soon enough, after a few minutes of waiting with bated breath, Gildarts finally walked into the guildhall. He looked around surveying the area and then let out a sigh as if he was annoyed that he got the wrong location by mistake.

Then Natsu suddenly appeared with a big grin on his face. "Hey, you old geezer!" he said. "Come on and fight me!"

"You're already picking a fight with him right off the bat?!" I heard Elfman say. "That's no way to treat a man!"

Gildarts then saw Mira and me. Feeling a bit nervous, I stood behind Mira a bit as he came up to us.

"Excuse me, Miss," he said. "Sorry to bother you, but I'm looking for a guild that used to be around these parts called Fairy Tail."

"This is the place," replied Mira. "And don't you recognize me? It's me, Mirajane."

Gildarts took a good look at her. Then his face lit up with surprise doing a double-take. "Mira? Wow! You sure have grown up little girl! And did you change some around the hall too?"

He then looked around the guild hall as if he was a child now just realizing that he was in a funhouse which surprised me a little.

"You mean, he couldn't tell from the outside?" Lucy wondered, flatly.

Then Natsu appeared from above on the stairs by the entrance. "Hey, Gildarts!" he called.

Gildarts saw the pink head and smiled. "Hey. Long-time no see, Natsu," he greeted. "There's someone I recognize."

Natsu flashed a toothy grin as he leaped into the air, gunning straight towards Gildarts with a fist raised.

"Good to see you too!" he yelled. "Now let's fight!"

Gildarts stepped to the side dodging Natsu's blow and catching him on his stomach with a free hand. Using that hand, he spun Natsu around and around and then flung him to the air, making him slam into the ceiling, creating a large indent in it.

"Not now, kid," he spoke.

Natsu was stunned and seemed to be in frozen in pain, but that didn't bother him in the slightest. "Oh, man! He's still so awesome!" he grinned.

My jaw dropped in shock. "No way... he sent Natsu flying without even trying?!" I murmured. "That's crazy!"

"Man, you haven't changed a bit pops," Gray chuckled. "Still the same old tough guy we've always known."

"A true, genuine, old-fashioned, man's man," agreed Elfman.

Gildarts then took a gander at all the other guild members. "Looks like there are some new faces around here too," he smiled. "I guess a lot of things happened while I was gone."

Then he stopped eyes happening to meet mine. I immediately gulped and feeling my heart skip a beat again as he looked at me. He then walked over toward me, squinting his eyes.

"Say... have I seen you somewhere before?" he asked.

"Um... no sir," I replied nervously. "I've never met you before..."

Gildarts continued to squint at me still trying to figure out who I was, but then Mira came up.

"This is the boy I told you about when I was little," she said. "Allow me to introduce, Willy Falconer."

Gildarts eyes widened with wonder and surprise again as he looked back at Mira and then at me back and forth. "No way! Do you mean that boy who you grew up with and mysteriously disappeared? And then he ended up with the Oración Seis and then was locked up by the Magic Council until they eventually let him go?!" he asked with shock on his face.

I immediately gulped again, feeling more nervous than before not expecting him to know about how I got into Fairy Tail and what had happened to me back then.

"Wait! How did you-" I began to say, but then Mira interrupted, smiling sweetly.

"Yup. That's him," she said.

Gildarts stared at me. Then he gave me a wide smile. "Well, what do you know? Guess miracles do happen," he chuckled. "Say, Willy, right? I've heard a lot of things about you," he said. "Word is you're quite the celebrity. I don't know how you managed to make your way back or what you went through to get here, but I'm happy that you did." He then placed a hand on top of my head, giving it a small tousle making me flinch a bit. "It's good to have you with us, and I may be a little late in saying this, but welcome back kid."

I stared at the man in front of me taken aback for what he said. A smile then slowly worked its way to my lips.

"Th-thank you. Thank you very much, Gildarts," I said. "That means a lot."

Then Master Makarov called him catching his attention. "Hey, Gildarts."

"Hello there Master," he greeted as he went to the bar where he was sitting. "You're looking well."

"So, how did the job go?" asked Makarov. "Has it been going well?"

Gildarts was silent. He let out a hearty laugh while scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. Then he gave his response.

"Nope. Sorry. It was way too much for me," he said.

Everyone in the guild, including me gasped in shock while staring wide-eyed at him. Even Mira and Erza looked a bit unsettled.

"I don't believe it!" I heard Gray. "Not even Gildarts could do it?!"

"Well... I guess it takes a big man to admit defeat," said Elfman.

"I see. So it was too much for even you," spoke Makarov quietly.

"Please forgive me, Master," apologized Gildarts. "I've brought shame to the guild."

Makarov smiled. "Not at all. Your safe return is all that matters which is a feat in of itself. You're the only who's made the journey home alive."

"Thanks, Master," smiled Gildarts. "Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna go home and get some rest, so that I can feel alive again. I'm feeling beat." He then spoke to Natsu as he walked. "Hey Natsu, stop by a little later. I brought something back for you. Well then, I'll see you guys later."

He then walked away, heading towards the wall. The wall then exploded. Bricks went flying everywhere as there was now a large hole big enough for Gildarts to walk through. If my eyes weren't wide enough, they sure were now.

"Hey! You can use the front door, you know!" chided Warren.

"Oh my goodness," sighed Mira. "I had a feeling this would happen."

I then heard Natsu who now had his fist ablaze with fire. "Alright! Wonder what the old man's got for me?" he wondered. "I'm getting fired up just thinking about it!"

He then slammed his fist into the wall making another hole in the wall imitating Gildarts.

"Hey! One wall breaker is enough around here!" yelled Max. "Don't go copying him!"

"Oh my goodness," smiled Mira. "Those two are so much alike."

"Yeah... no kidding," I said.

I then looked back to the hole where Gildarts had made my fear of the man now completely gone. I now felt a great admiration for the man. Here I thought that he would use his magic to crush me, but he did the exact opposite. He seemed very humble even willing to accept defeat but at the same time a little bit strange in some areas. But overall, he certainly was as Elfman would say, a man's man.

Mira smiled, noticing my bewildered expression. "You see? I told you that he was nice," she said. "Not what you were expecting, huh?"

"Yeah... no kidding," I said. "He certainly is quite a character, but in a good way." I stared at the opening that Gildarts made, and a big grin worked to my lips. "He may be unusual, but he's one of the coolest wizards I've ever seen in my life. It makes me wanna be an S class wizard just like him." Then I suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot. I have to get to the apartments! Otherwise, the landlady will kill me! I'll see you guys later!"

"Alright, then. Take care, Willy," said Erza.

"See you later," spoke Wendy and Lucy.

I then ran out of the guildhall heading to the apartments.

NO POV

No sooner than when Willy left, everyone in the guild continued to go about their daily routines in the guild. Mira was just about to get to work on her duties as a waitress when Elfman came up to her looking a bit troubled.

"Hey, Sis. Have you seen Willy?" he asked. "There was something that I wanted to talk to him about; it's important."

"I'm afraid you just missed him," Mira said to her brother. "He just went left heading home."

"Damn it. He already left, huh?" grumbled Elfman. "I was hoping to talk to him..."

Mira now felt puzzled. "Talk to him about what, Elfman?"

Elfman was hesitant and seemed to be more distraught, but he soon responded after a couple of seconds. "You know how Lisanna's anniversary is coming up? Well... I was planning to tell Willy everything about what had happened. I mean... how Lisanna died I mean."

Mira stared at her brother a bit surprised and concerned. "Elfman... you don't have to force yourself to tell him you know," she spoke quietly.

"I know... but all he knows is that Lisanna died on the job, but... he has no idea how," spoke Elfman. "He's going to ask about it eventually, so he has a right to know what happened. Even if Willy ends up hating me for it, after all, I may have moved on from it, but it's still technically my fault that she's gone."

There was a long silence. Then Mira gently placed her hand on top of Elfman's, causing the man to look at her.

"You're wrong about that Elfman. Willy thinks of you as a brother, and he's your very best friend," she spoke quietly. "However, I'm not gonna lie. He might be a little upset, but I don't think that he could ever hate you. Besides, it wasn't your fault."

Elfman stared at his big sister. "You think so?" he asked, clenching his hand. "Because... that's what I'm scared of the most."

"I know so," said Mira smiling at him. "Trust me. We've known each other since we were kids and I know for a fact that Willy is not the type to hold a grudge. I mean we did grow up with him after all. That and he was a bit shy of brains back then. I mean he almost stripped nude in front of us back then. Remember?"

"Well... that's true," chuckled Elfman. "That was pretty funny. Thanks, Sis. I feel a lot less worried and like a man again."

"No problem, Brother," smiled Mira.

"You know what? I'm gonna go on a job," said Elfman. "That'll help me blow a little more steam. I'll see you later, Sis."

"Have fun Elfman," spoke Mira

Elfman then walked away from the bar heading for the request board while Mira went back to work at the bar.

The Edolas Arc is coming upon us!

For those of you that are asking, I might not go for giving Willy an Exceed partner.

I am considering it, though.

If you like what you read or have ideas, PM me, or review me!

Dragoman out!