Hey guys.
Just a few things. First, I'm going to try this technique I like to call "Manga Imagery". The bold writing will depict what is happening while Makarov is reading the letter. Not sure how it's going to go, but I'll give it a shot. If no one likes it, I won't do it again.
Also, today's chapter is a bit short, but I think it's the best one I've written so far. Also, I recommened putting on Fairy Tail Sad Theme Piano Ver. while reading the letter. Don't have to, but I think it gives more feeling.
Anywho, enjoy!
"What the hell happened down there?!" Erza muttered aggressively, as she marched through the painting into the secret room. "How the hell would Harry know such an old and secret language? It just doesn't add up…" Levy pondered, raising a finger to her mouth.
"But what was he saying? That's my question." Gajeel gruffed, flopping on his chair, his heals thumping the table. "Levy? Do you know?" Wendy asked, tilting her head. Levy shook her head, humming a no. "Parcel tongue, or mouth, is an Ancient Language. There isn't any translation to it. Or at least none that I know of…" She explained, a hand in the air.
"Wait, you guys didn't understand that?"
Everyone sharply turned their heads to the voice, their ears shocked of what they just heard. "Natsu…? You could….?" Lucy gasped. Natsu simply blinked and looked around the room. "What?" He asked. "You could understand that?!" Everyone exclaimed. Natsu's eyes blinked into shock and took a step back. "Y-Yeah. I'm more surprised that you guys didn't!"
"Natsu!" Erza grabbed him violently by the arms, her tight gripping. "You can understand a language that only Salazar and Voldemort can do! With Harry no less!" She yelled. "Natsu, what did Harry say to the snake?" Wendy asked. "H-he said "Step away from him or I will send you to your demise!"" Natsu translated. Erza let go of Natsu with a tisk, her scarlett hair whipping in his face. "Wait, if Salamander can understand that weird language, then….."
Everyone looked at Natsu, him only humming in confusion. "Natsu…. Say something in Parseltongue…" Lucy asked. "What? I don't even know the language, so how would I-"
"Natsu. Do it." Erza gritted. "Uh, alright….?" Natsu took a breath and put a thinking look on his face. "Uh…. Lucy needs a diet."
The next thing Natsu knew, he was on the floor, his soul floating out through his mouth. "Uh, maybe something that isn't personal to any of us…" Levy sweatdropped, an angered Lucy walking away from the body. "Ugh, I'm sorry guys! I honestly don't know!" Natsu groaned, sitting up. "All I know is the words! I don't know how to speak it!"
Everyone groaned, leaning their heads back. "Well, at least we have a translator now." Erza sighed. "It's better than nothing." Everyone nodded. "Natsu, keep this on a tight lid, alright?" Erza ordered, putting her finger on her lips. "Yeah yeah..." Natsu sighed, lying back down.
"Anyway, we'd better going. We have class now." Lucy sighed, picking up her bag. "What do we have again?" Gajeel asked. "Uh, Summonings." The students froze, as if turned to stone. They stiffly turned to Erza, her eyes glowing with happiness. "Excellent. Now is the time to try my new warm up technique…" She chuckled.
"Uh….And what is that Erza…?" Lucy asked, afraid of the answer. Erza cracked a whip and began to recite her list, flames erupting beneath her.
"A HUNDRED SIT UPS! TWO HUNDRED PUSH UPS! THREE HUNDRED CRUNCHES! FOUR HUNDRED BURPEES! FIVE HUNDRED LAPS AROUND THE CASTLE!"
As Erza rambled, the colour from the students drained from their faces. Their eyes were hollow, and jaws dropped. The teachers had an 'uh-oh' face, their eyes small and white, mouths twitching.
"ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED CLIMBS UP THE ASTRONOMY TOWER! ALL IN TEN MINUTES OR A PENALTY OF ALL POINTS LOST, FOR MOTIVATION!" Erza suddenly grabbed the three of them by the collar, dragging them out, pumping her fist in the air as she walked away. "LET'S DO THIS!" She screamed in glory, as the three students groaned and silently cried in protest.
Everyone blinked, Mavis giggling innocently behind them. "She certainly has spirit." She smiled. "First Master!" Wendy cried in shock. Mavis smiled, and looked at the three girls. "Is everything alright?" She asked them. "Yeah, everything's fine. But we have a lead on something." Levy admitted. "The Parseltongue?" Mavis asked. Everyone blinked, confused. "I heard when you came in. I must say it's interesting. I'll read it through!" Mavis smiled. "Thank you Master Mavis!" Wendy smiled. "Oh, and how's Makarov doing?" She asked.
"Oh, he's…. Uh…." Mira froze, then starred in realisation. "Come to think of it…" Levy whispered, thinking. "We didn't talk to Master Makarov at all since the semester began!" Wendy cried in horror, as lightning struck behind her, bells ringing. "Poor Master Makarov!" Wendy cried. Mavis giggled. "It's alright. I'm sure he's fine." She reassured.
Meanwhile, in the basements, Makarov grumbled as he swept the dusty floors. "What am I second meat? No one's even talked to me since the beginning of the year, and not only that, those brats have been creating endless work for me!" He gritted angrily.
"Ah, Master Makarov."
Makarov turned around and saw his old friend's son. "Professor Dumbledore." He greeted, as he turned around.
The two sat together on the courtyard balcony, the sky only dragging a few clouds across its blue scape. Makarov had his legs crossed and arms folded, Dumbledore sitting with his feet on the ground. The two sat silently for a while before Dumbledore reached inside his sleeve and pulled out a box of jelly beans. He opened the flap and gestured one towards Makarov.
"Wish to try one Master Makarov?" He asked in his old wise voice. Makarov smiled and pulled out a light green bean. He popped it into his mouth, a sweet apple flavour spreading on his tongue. "Delicious." He beamed.
Dumbledore smiled and tilted the box into his palm. He jiggled the box a bit until a murky yellow jelly bean fell out. He cupped it into his mouth and chomped down, stoic about what flavour he chose.
Makarov sat there for a bit, chewing on the sweet. He gave a sigh, until he broke the ice, and asked the question he was afraid to ask. "So…. how is your old man? Is he well? Does he know we're here?"
Dumbledore looked on, chewing slowly on his jelly bean. "...Percival passed away many years ago. He died alone in Azkaban." Makarov's eyes widened a bit, until his eyes went to somber, and looked down at the ground. But a part of him knew. That Percival died a long time ago. "Azkaban?" Makarov asked, still looking down. "A prison. For those that broke the most fundamental rules of the Wizard World." Makarov's eyes opened and looked at Dumbledore. "A prison?! What did he do?!" Makarov yelled, not breaking his position.
"...Years ago, my sister, Ariana was attacked by three muggles. Because of their assaults, she was scared for life. She was mentally scarred, her powers were out of control. In revenge, he attacked them back. Only for the Ministry of Magic to arrest him. They put him in Azkaban, and my siblings and I never saw him again. Years later, we received a letter that he had died."
Makarov listened with intense ears, not believing what he was saying. Percival was a kind man, who would never hurt a soul. But if someone ever hurt his children, up to the point of Ariana's condition, then he might have done the same thing Percival did.
"My father always told me stories of Earthland. How it was different from this world. He even said that my ability to use magic without a wand was because of my Earthland Heritage. He never stopped talking about you and Fairy Tail." Dumbledore smiled and looked at Makarov. "Was Percival happy here?" He asked. Dumbledore looked back into the courtyard, and looked down, smiling. "He was a positive man. He always cared for those around him. Muggles, Muggle-borns and Squibs. He never discriminated them and treated everyone like family." Makarov smiled a bit, hearing the old Percival. "He was like that. Even at the guild. He always treated everyone fairly and equally. I was sure he would be the next master one day. But after his disappearance, I didn't know what was going to happen." Makarov admitted.
Dumbledore stared at his father's friend, and put his hand in his other sleeve. He pulled out a flat rectangular item, and handed it to Makarov. "What's this?" Makarov asked, taking the item. Suddenly, his pupils dilated and eyes widened when he saw what it was.
It was a letter.
"My father spent many of his days locked away in his study. I saw light from beyond the door, the same light that I saw when I first contacted you. I believe he never stopped trying to find you."
Makarov stared at the letter, and flipped it over. A wax seal with the Fairy Tail emblem covered the flap, so pristine and delicate. Dumbledore stood up, picking up the box of jelly beans. "I will leave you to it." Dumbledore smiled, as he knew that Makarov would probably want some alone time. Makarov could hear the crunch of leaves, dirt, and grass fading away from his ear.
He stared at the seal, before moving his frail old hands to open the letter. He slid an old, tattered, yellow paper and unfolded the letter. His eyes became wide and shocked, as he read the letter.
My Dearest Friend Makarov.
How have you been? It has been many years hasn't it?
A young, firm hand in a dimly lit room writes the letter, sitting at a brown wooden desk.
Every day, there has never been a moment where I never forget your smiling faces. You, Rob, Bob, Porlyusica, Goldmine, and the adventures we had always shared. I often wonder if many things have changed in Fairy Tail. Have any new members joined since I left? If so, I hope that they won't follow our destructive nature.
The back of a man is slumped over the desk. He lifts his writing hand off the paper to pet a bird next to him.
How is everyone? Are they well? I hope Porlyusica has opened up even more since I left. What about Bob? Still handsome as ever I take it. Goldmine still wild at heart? Robert still cooking delicious meals for everyone? Is Rob still pulling pranks at the guild? He was always a trickster.
Things in this world are different to the world of Earthland. So many that I cannot express it all in this one letter. I am a married man now. Three beautiful children. Ariana, Aberforth, and Albus. When I see their smiling faces, for some reason, I can only see you and the faces of Fairy Tail.
Three children play in the yard, a beautiful woman with a man smiling as they watch on.
Makarov… I am sorry.
The reason why I did not come to you for help, is because I knew. I knew that when I ran into the forest, I knew I was never coming back. I tried so hard. I tried everything I could to get back. To see you all again. Even going through the struggle of creating The Song of the Stars Spell. But every attempt failed. If you ever came with me, then you would have been trapped here. Away from our home and family.
A young Albus watches the light flash behind the locked door of his father's study.
And if you did, then Fairy Tail would not have a fine master. I always believed you'd be Fairy Tail's next master, even though you would shout, cry, whine. You were always so hot headed, so I was concerned when Master Precht told me he was planning you as the next Master. But I always believed you would lead the guild with a warm smile.
All the members of Fairy Tail flash in Makarov's mind, smiling and cheering.
I write this letter, because it is the only thing I can do now. I hope that one day this letter will reach you. I don't know how, I don't know when, but when it does, will you forgive me? For leaving everyone behind? Everyone must be devastated that I was gone. They must hate me for what I did.
The hand is still writing, but it is very old and worn.
I don't blame them.
Makarov, you were, and still are, my best friend.
I will always love you.
Will you forgive me for what I did?
Percival Dumbledore.
Makarov's tears stained the paper. He looked in the envelope again. Inside, were two photos. A photo of Makarov's team when they were children, hugging each other on the shoulders, grins on their faces. Except Porlyusica. The other was when they were teenagers, all of them smiling in front of the guild, ready for their first mission as a team.
So much had changed since then. So much that Makarov couldn't hold it any longer.
Makarov's mouth crumbled, tears flowing from his eyes. He hugged the letter, wiping his eyes. He looked at the sky with a smile, watching the clouds drag by.
"Of course I will….. You big idiot…"