A few days had passed since Fairy Tail defeated Phantom was an intense battle between the two guilds.
Phantom Lord was disbanded by the Magic Council an their master,Josè Porla,who was a member of Ten Wizard Saints had been of the guild's wizard were forced to leave and find other places to go.
Among these wizards,two particular members decided to leave after the battle.
Kurogane,the fearsone iron dragon,and Phantom Lord's strongest wizard,Gajeel 's a Dragon Slayer and feared by many but he was defeated by Fairy Tail's own Fire Dragon Slayer,Natsu Dragneel.
Juvia Lockser,also known as Ameonna,is the water mage of Phantom's Elite force-Element was among those who wew hard to defeat but she was overpowered by Fairy Tail's resident ice mage,Gray Fullbuster.
These two were strong wizards however they were defeated but,their downfall would lead them from being phantoms to becoming fairies all beacause of a certain ice mage.
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Shortly after being defeated,Juvia felt more like she had won and never felt was thinking after the was an intelligent girl,she knew that the outcome of the battle would have its consequences for everyone,yet she was not afraid;on the contrary,she felt relieved.
The water mage felt she had been reborn,and she wanted to start over.
With a smile,Juvia looked up at the sky that was the same color as her eyes,and she could see the sun before in her life had she seen such a now,and it was all thanks to the boy who defeated her but also saved her with a smile from a mortal fall that could have taken her life.
Her smile widened when she remembered the ice mage,Gray had granted her greatest showed her the sun,and she was so grateful.
Thinking about him,she could not help but think of how charming he was,and there was something inside he that felt the butterflies in her stomach,and it was a feeling that made her want to get closer to him.
Within the time that she had followed him,it was his smile and his words that made her make a very difficult decision.
She knew that it wont' be easy,but it was the right thing to do.
"Fairy Tail is a family,whoever touches a nakama,touches everyone,we fight for each other,because that's what a family does"
A family.
A place like home.
Those were things that she longed for.
Those were things that she wanted,and she knew she could find it in Fairy Tail but she also knew that getting it would be idea might end up badly and the probability of the guild not accepting her was high,but she really wanted to give it a before that,there were things that she had to do first.
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A few days had passed since the most humiliating defeat of his life,Gajeel still burned,like Salamander's boy sat on a scrap heap eating metal and wondering what would become of his life now that he had nothing left.
Not that he cared about Phantom Lord,but it had been a place where he stayed for so many years and now,he felt lost.
Sudden footsteps alerted his dragon slayer's senses and with his keen sense of smell he was able to identify who dared to see there was really no need for him to guess who it was only one person who knew where to find him when he wanted to be alone.
"Gajeel Kun,"a soft feminine voice called out his name.
"Ameonna,"he gruffly replied.
"Juvia came to see how you are doing."
Gajeel made a face without looking at her. "I already told you when we heard that Phantom was disbanded,i'm fine."
"Juvia knows you can handle it,but she was worried about you," she said approaching him and sitting on the wreckage beside him.
"Exactly,why are you worried?"he replied giving her a side glance.
"You know,because you are important to Juvia,"the water mage mumbled.
Gajeel popped another metal in his mouth without saying a word for a was thinking how this strange girl was the only thing he cared about his former sure thinks that she's important to him,too,but there's no way he would ever tell her that.
"You know,"he said after a minute of silence. "It' s still feel odd not to smell the rain on you anymore and to see the sun shining whenever you're around."
"Juvia too,but she's happy,as she never was," she said with a real smile on her could see pure happiness in her eyes.
"I noticed."
"Really?"
"Yeah,you've changed so much overnight that i'm i wonder if you've been possessed."
Juvia's laughter echoed in the rather barren place as she rested her head on the shoulder of the person she considered as her best friend. "Gajeel-Kun,do you think it's selfish that Juvia feels relieved that Phantom has been disbanded?"She asked after her laugher died down.
"Nah,it was always a bad place,and it was never right for you."
In fact,from the first moment Gajeel had seen Juvia already believed that she didn't fit in Phantom Master Josè had insisted so much,saying that she was the missing piece and that despite being only a young girl she had a power that exceeded that of many others and it was himself had tried it out.
"Gajeel-Kun,what are you going to do now?"Juvia suddenly asked.
Gajeel hummed before giving his answer. "I was just thinking about it before you came.I feel a little weird about this whole 've been in the guild for so many years..."
"Of course,"Juvia sighed.
"Altough it was not a welcoming place,for a long time we were part of it."
There was dead silence as both mages contemplate with their a while the dragon slayer spoke. "How about you?" He couldn't deny to himself that he was worried about the girl's fate.
When he met her,she was so sad and pushed him to get close to her and help her.
He helped her get stronger when she joined Phantom Lord,and she indeed became strong,but there were still times he had to pull her off the hook.
"Juvia actually has an idea and she wanted to talk to you about it,"Juvia said not sounding so sure if Gajeel would agree with what she had in mind.
"Shoot."
Juvia hesitated at first before asking him. "Gajeel-Kun,how about joining another guild?"
The red-eyed dragon slayer frowned when he heard her. "I thought that after Phantom,you would leave this..."he trailde of waving his hand in front of him.
He knew never really liked using her magic to fight.
It's just that she had no other choiche when Josè asked her to became one of the Element Four. "I know it was never in your interest to join a guild and that it was just a coincidence that you were recruited in Phantom."
"True,Juvia didn't want to be a wizard,"she breathered it was her choiche,she just wanted to have a normal she wanted was to have a place where she could belong to and people that she could call her family. "Juvia only joined Phantom because Master Josè convinced her,but you know all these years and all the battles have made Juvia appreciate it's not like people can just get rid of their magic so why not use it?"
"Hmmm,you're right,well i don't know about joining a new guild,it would be difficult considering what we did"
"Yes,but we can still try."
"Who would want to accept former Phantom Lord members?" Gajeel 's not that it's an impossible thing to 's just that knowing Juvia,what she meant by joining another guild was better than Phantom Lord and those guilds wont'really be that welcoming with the likes of only guild that would be interested to take them in were dark guilds and that's no place for the water mage.
"It will be difficult,but we can still really try."
From the looks of it,Juvia already made up her mind and she already know where she wanted to go. "Do you already have some ideas?"
"Gajeel-Kun,"Juvia started as if testing the waters. "What if we join Fairy Tail?"
The dragon slayer's eyes widened when he heard first,he thought she was saying some kind of joke but when looked at her eyes he could see seriousness and determination and he was speechless for a few seconds before he totally freaked out. "ARE YOU CRAZY?JOIN OUR ENEMIES?WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THAT HEAD OF YOURS?"
"It may seem crazy,but Juvia has thought about it seriously and wants to try it,"she answered calmly like what she said was something so easy to do.
Gajeel huffed again and picked up another piece of metal. "Do as you please,but i don't want to know anything about it,"he said,turning his back on her.
Juvia sighed as she stared on his knew that Gajeel would be the hard to convince,but she wouldn't give wanted to find a place not only for herself but also for wanted to find a home for the two of them because Gajeel deserved a second chance just like her.
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Upon making her decision to join Fairy Tail,Juvia decided to follow Gray to Akane wanted to know if it was okay for him to join his wanted to know his opinion and to make sure that it was okay before taking the was still an insecure after all,but she would work on that.
After following for sometimes,she saw him sitting at the bar having a drink,completely ,He's so handsome!
Juvia had never felt like this before,not even for her ex,she thought as she watched him before deciding to slowly approach him.
Noticing her,the ice mage was surprised to see who was heading his way.
"Arent' you from Phantom Lord?" He asked remembering her.
"Yes,it's Juvia,"she politely replied with a smile.
"What are you doing here?"Gray curioisly asked.
The water mage shrugged a bit.
"Oh well Juvia,she wanted a break after everything that happened and she came here,"she said in complete embarrassment.
The ice mage smiled, "I understand,in fact we all need a break,"he wouldn't be in need of some times off after everything they all went through?
Juvia agreed with a shy smile.
She would have gladly brought Gajeel too,but she knew he still needed time to get used to their current situation and accept his recent defeat. "Um,actually...Juvia is here for another reason too,"the blunette said after a while and sat down beside Gray.
He looked at her wondering what the strange girl wanted.
For the first time he noticed something new about looked different from what he remembered the first time they no longer looked like the gloomy girl he fought with.
When she remained silent after a minute,Gray decided to ask.
"What is it?"
Juvia fidgated and became nervous. "Juvia wanted to ask you something,"she mumbled.
"To me?" Gray was surprised.
What could she want to ask from him?
"Would Gray-Sama have a problem if Juvia tried to get into Fairy Tail?"
Gray now was seriously wasn't expecting her question at would anyone want to know if it's okay with him if they want to join the guild?But nonetheless he asked: "Do you want to enter Fairy Tail?"
Juvia nodded her head. "Juvia was pleasantly surprised when she learned that Fairy Tail had declared war on Phantom Lord after the kidnapping of Lucy Heartfilia,and Gray-Sama's words after the battle led her to believe that Fairy Tail is indeed a wonderful was so different from Phantom Lord and Juvia would really like to try and join."
Gray smiled at her words.
Actually,when they fought,Gray already knew that she was not really a bad was convinced that Josè had only used her for her powers.
"No problem,"he told her,"But the decision is not up to 's the one who will make the decisione,but don't worry,he's very you talk to him he will surely understand and help you."
"Really?"
"Of course,"he grinned.
That night,they kept on talkinh with each other until they were attacked by a strange guy looking for Erza,but that's for another story.
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After the nightmare of the Tower of Heaven was over,Juvia decided to leave and left Team Natsu with whatever they needed to really wanted to join Fairy Tail,but she's not yet a part of it,so she knew that it's only right to leave them alone after helping them.
They still have things to clear after saving Erza from Jellal's clutches.
"You're leaving?" Gray asked when she bid him goodbye.
"Er,yes, has things to do,"she replied. "Have a safe trip back home."
"All right,then i guess we'll se each other again soon,"he said remembering what she said about joining Fairy Tail.
"Yes,Juvia hopes so,goodbye."
"Good luck,"he said sincerely hopinh that she could start over because he knew she's not a bad person.
She thanked him and went on her way.
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Juvia went back to Gajeel and found him exactly where she left him,but she noticed that he seemed more peaceful than ordinary person would not have noticed it,but Juvia and Gajeel had known each other for so long and so well that it was enough for them to look each other in the eye to understand each other instantly.
"You're back," he said in greetings.
Juvia nodded to greet him back.
"You calmed down,"she replied after sitting down in front of him.
"Hmmm,"he grunted looking at her,waiting for whatever she had in mind.
"Juvia is calmer,too,"she piped in.
"Good."
"Have you think about what i said?"
"I do,you?"
"Same."
"So?"
"Juvia is even more convinced now, know Juvia had witnessed again how strong the bond of the Fairy Tail wizard is."
Gajeel's brows lifted,and he grunted again as if telling her to continue whatever she was saying.
"Juvia ran into a battle with them by chance and we fought together as allies,"she excitedly told him about her unexpected adventure with the Fairy Tail wizards back in the Tower of Heaven.
"Perfect,"Gajeel said wryly. "All you need now is their guild mark."
Juvia pouted at her friend and was about to argue but decided to just ignore his coarse 's just Gajeel being Gajeel. "Juvia actually went to ask Gray-Sama's opinion."
This time Gajeel's brows almost meet each other when he frowned. "So,our future depends on that Gray-Sama?" he asked emphasizing the honorific she used.
"Of course not!" Juvia retorted shaking her head. "Juvia would have tried joining Fairy Tail anyway,but Juvia cared about Gray-Sama's opinion."
"What's with the sama?" he questioned. "You never called anyone with a -sama-,not even that asshole ex of yours."
Juvia went quiet for a moment with what Gajeel 's 's usually polite and shows respect to the other people but not to extent of calling someone -sama-. "Because he didn't deserve it,"she said after a while. "Gray- Sama is different."
"How so?You've been with a guy for months and you've never felt anything for him,and now,you don't even know this Gray-Sama and you are saying you're in .I dont'understand you,Ameonna."Gajeel snorted.
"Life is mysterious Gajeel-Kun,"Juvia tried to explain. "The same with emotions and feelings,and the heart is not something that anyone can control."
"Oh well,and then what?"
"Gray-Sama said he had no problem with it,but it's the master's decision."
"Precisely," The crimson-eyed man exasperatedly blurted out.
"That's the real are the enemies,how can you believe that they will really give us an opportunity?"
"It's Fairy Tail ,so,why not?" Juvia insisted.
"So?"Gajeel could really not understand how Juvia came out with her Fairy Tail is an upright guild and would likely not condemn them personally for what their former master did.
But they did do a lot of bad things against Fairy alone made such a terrible act against the guild's members.
Recollection of those three fairies he pinned on a tree flashed in his mind and it left a heavy feeling in his chest,especially the memory of that tiny blue haired mage.
The water mage looked at her friend and somehow,she knew what he was thinking breathed out helplessy and tried reasoning with him again. "Juvia was already sure before because of was kind and even to his now with Lucy-san,Erza-san,and Natsu-san,Juvia is even more convinced that we can join them"
"Don't talk about Salamander,"Gajeel said with a long face.
He's still sour about losing.
"Gajeel-Kun,"Juvia sternly said not paying attention with his complain. "You should have seen them,they fought once again to save a comrade in distress,as they did during the war with Phantom,that's such a wonderful thing,something Phantom Lord would never have done."
Gajeel knew what Juvia was talking about,it was something that surprised him as their former guild,such things did not Phantom Lord,no one was watching your back,no one was defending 're always on your own.
"I know you've decided,"he finally said in a quiet tone. "I told you,do as you please,but don't get me involved."
"Gajeel-Kun,"at this point Juvia was getting she's going to start anew,she wanted to have her friend with her.
"Juvia is not comparing Phantom Lord and Fairy Tail as Juvia looked at is their saw Team Natsu's bond and it reminds Juvia of our bond,though it's a bit different and not as obvious as theirs."
The care for their friends that she saw in Fairy Tail truly reminds the water mage of her own bond with the Iron Dragon if their camaraderie seemed unbelievable and quite surprising for other people to know,they do share a deep was something that they cultivated over the years and was founded respect for each other's strenght,and trust that resulted to their now,Juvia considered Gajeel as her brother,a family that she could not afford to leave behind.
Gajeel sighed as he stared at his friend.
It's really weird how the two of them were friends but the dragon slayer won't complain about Juvia Lockser was weird most of the time but he saw in her the fragile parts of embodied everyting that he hides from the 's scared,alone,sad,and all lost in the world,just like he was after Metallicana by little,Juvia crept into his life and overtime he started seeing her as his sister and he became protective gave him the familiar for Juvia,she liked that Gajeel was a sincere and honest 's rude and all,yes,but he's also compassionate,and he treated her like as never minded her never blamed her for it and actually see it as her strenght.
They both see each other as family and that's why Juvia could never leave he behind and remain in the darkness,living with guilt of what they have knew,even if he never said it,he's ashamed of what he did,and she meant to drag he out of that shame and self-loathing.
But Gajeel is he's not as hardheaded as his iron then Juvia's last name must not be Lockser. "I understand,really,"he sighed "And it's okay if you want to do it,maybe it is the right place for you will finally find what you have always wanted in that guild,a welcoming place to be yourself without fear of being judged_"
"That's right,and it can be a fresh start for both of us!"
"It would arleady be a miracle if they accepted you,"Gajeel could see how much Juvia wanted to be a part of Fairy Tail and he also wanted her to be a part of it and that's why he won't hider her by tagging was kind and easy to get along with but he's a different story. "I have no hope,I left three of them dying and destroyed their guild hall."It didn't seem like it but Gajeel felt guilty,and it was strange,because he never felt guilt.
God,that battle against Fairy Tail had really changed the two now former Phantoms and they were taking the chanhe in different ways.
To be honest,Gajeel was 's scared that they would reject them and the possibility of that happening was high,so he didn't even want to give it a try.
"Gajeel-kun,there is always forgiveness,and Juvia believes that we can get it,of vourse it will be difficult,but we will do it."
Taking a depp breath,Gajeel stood up and put his hand on Juvia's head.A gesture that might look like it didn't mean much but for them it was special and full of was Gajeel telling her he loved her and supported her to Juvia's surprise,Gajeel suddenly wrapped his arms around her,caging her in an unexpected embrace.
It was very rare for them to share a hug because it's something they're not familiar with,in fact the first hug that they could remember was from each other.
"Start over,raindrop,"Gajeel mumbled in a hoarse voice like he's trying to control himself from crying. "You really deserve it,there's still a chanche for you,but not for me,"he added trying to compose his emotions. "I've made too many mistakes."
"Gajeel-kun"she said,resting her head on his chest and sighed feeling a little Juvia would not give up,she would not leave Gajeel alone.
She would never abandon him,and she would fight for him if she had to.
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Few days after Juvia talked with Gajeel,the dragon slayer got another surprise visit but this time it wasn't was someone who came in her name.
"Hi,boy,"the smiling old man greeted the confused yet alert younger mage. "I'm Makarov Dreyar,Fairy Tail's master and i'm here to talk to you."
Gajeel turned and looked at him with apprehension painted on his face. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to ask you to join Fairy Tail,"Master Makarov said without pretense.
Gajeel's eyes could not believe what he heard. "Are you kidding me?"
"Of course not,I'm serious."
"Why on earth would you ask me to join your guild?"
"Juvia joined and told me about you,"the old man started. "She was very worried,so i told her I'd take care of it."
That little girl was really stubborn,Gajeel should have known that she wasn't going to give up her idea.
"Nobody told her to worry,that stupid rain woman,"Gajeel grumbled to hide how touched he was with his friend's effort.
"But she did,and it made me come here and talk to you,"Makarov said in a matter -of-fact tone.
"I hurt your guild members;how could he accept me?"
Juvia was something for conjuring the idea of joining Fairy Tail,but Makarov was a different he right in the head for alloeing former enemies into his guild?
"I have not forgotten what you did to my children,"Makarov said,changing his smile to a stern look that made Gajeel nervous. "But i would never forgive myself for leaving a young man on a wrong path,when i know,he could help redeem made mistakes Gajeel,but me and Fairy Tail are ready to forgive you and give you a second chance,now,it's all up to you."
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The next day after Makarov's visit,the iron dragon slayer found himself in front of Fairy Tail's guild door with his arms crossed,his eyes 's not really sure about what he's doing but heck,he's already there.
"In the end you joined,Gajeel-Kun" Juvia said,happily jumping around him.
Gajeel made face at the water mage. "You mean,in the end you did it,Ameonna."
"You should have known that Juvia won't leave you behind,"the bluenette beamed,her smile brighter than the sun.
"Stop hobbing around,behave,"Gajeel sighed and was feeling exasperated by the beahavior of his best friend,she had always appreciated the silence and calm,but now she was so exuberant and acting crazy that he could no longer bear it.
"Juvia is just happy."she said,her smile not fading.
"Yes,you've been saying that since the battle was over,"Gajeel rolled his eyes.
"Because it's the truth,"Juvia exclaimed.
"Hmm,they're all crazy here anyway,"he mumbed looking at those who from now on would become their new guild mates.
"It's true,but they seem so happy,so it's worth it,"Juvia 's also looking at the guild with excitementin her eyes.
"If you say so"
"You should start making friends,Gajeel-Kun,"the water mage suggested,she too,was planning to make some new friend and she intended to make everyone forgive them for their previous wrong doings and accept them as part of Fairy Tail.
"Don't talk bullshit!"
"This isn't Phantom Lord,"Juvia pouted. "It works differently here,so be nice and try to make friends."she continued trying to lecture her friend and remind him to be nice.
"Fine,fine,now stop petering me,"he said with a frown.
Juvia just smiled but after a while she looked at her best friend. "Gajeel-Kun?"
"What?"
"Are you really happy to be here?"she seriously asked. "Juvia also wants your happinsess." Yes,she wanted him to join a better guild with her,but she also wished for him to do it willingly.
"I'm not here for you,if that's what you're thinking," Gajeel snorted knowing exactly what the bluenette was thinking. "For the time being,this place is acceptable."
Juvia smiled serenely,she had found a place to call home for her and her best friend and she's grateful and truly happy.
"Gajeel-Kun?"she called out after a moment of silence.
"Hmmm?"
"So...let's start all over again,together?"
Gajeel just smiled,one of those rare sincere smiles of his.
Yes,that was the new beginning for the Phantom duo.
Fairy Tail would give them not only a place to stay and feel good,but also friends and love and a family,sure there would be hard times,tears,disappointments,battles that would leave various wounds,but in the end they would always come back stronger and united as before,as they were now part of the most welcoming and loving guild in all of Fiore,Fairy Tail.
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Hello to everybody.
This is the English translation of my fanfic "Empezamos de nuevo, juntos"
It was my first Fairy Tail fanfic, I wrote it first in Italian, a year ago, on EFP and then I translated it into Spanish and published it here too.
(I know there are errors, at first I had some problems with this site and my first fanfics were published a little badly and maybe all pasted, but now I have learned)
I wanted to translate at least one of my fanfics into English, but since I don't know him well, I always put off.
Then I tweeted my intention and very good friend of mine offered to translate my fanfic into English and added some wonderful details too.
This is Yoseinoame, she has written a lot of great fanfictions here on this site and I am really grateful to her for all the help she has given me. Thanks a lot again Nana.
P: S: if you want to read this or another of my stories and maybe you also want to make some spoilers about the future, you can go to EFP (Italian fanfiction site) and look for Braprincesadelossayan, as author, which would be me and there you will find all the fanfic in Italian, originals and also others that I haven't translated yet.
I won't leave you the link because I don't know how to do it.
While for the Spanish version you can search here, it is called "Empezemos de nuevo, juntos"
Thank you very much to those who read and review and see you next time (although I don't think I'll publish anything else in English, I still have a lot of translations to do in Spanish, plus other things ..)
Thanks again.
GruviaSilver.
