Their way to the guild took time, but it was quicker than Shidou predicted. Erza apparently didn't believe in a ton of pit stops, which suited Shidou just fine. Whenever they did stop to rest, it was usually in a tavern. There was this one tavern and Shidou remembered Erza leaving quite displeased from overhearing a group of mages. Shidou heard them as well, but didn't think too much of it at the time. Something about a thing called "Lullaby" and man named Erigor. But supposedly, from Erza's disposition, they were bad news.
Shidou also took the time to explain his situation to Erza who, predictably, did not believe him at first. But after stewing with the thought, she did eventually ease up on her skepticism and accepted the possibility. He did say he was estranged from the world and his knowledge of magic shouldn't have been as nonexistent as it was.
He could recall a few bandit encounters, but the sight of Erza was enough to paralyze them in fear. The redhead also took a bit of time to teach Shidou some basic requip magic upon Shidou's request. Just enough to be able to swap in and out of his armor quicker. He found the skill to be very convenient. At the moment, He was not wearing armor from the waist up, now wearing a plain black t-shirt.
Other than that, the road to Magnolia was a breeze.
Speaking of, the town was bustling as he and Erza made their way through. They stared in awe at them, mostly because of the giant horn Erza was sporting. Shidou's paid them little mind as he studied the bustling merchant town. It was reminiscent of Ashfeld in many aspects from the architecture to the cathedral, but it was less dreary and more cheerful and alive. He's been told that the closer you were to the capital, the more nicer the landscape, but Ashfeld still felt the same from Shidou's eyes.
Shidou's newfound senses picked up a hot pot of magical energy. His eyes briefly glanced at an orange-haired man before said man turned tail screaming and ran towards the the large source of magical energy. There he saw a building with three floors, with each floor being smaller than the one below it. It was reminiscent of a pagoda. When he saw the orange banner displaying Fairy Tail's mark, Shidou realized this was their headquarters. Their guild hall. Their home.
His new home.
Shidou shook his head. It's just a building where common-minded mages would get their jobs. That's all it'll ever be for him.
They were drawing near to the guild when Erza stopped him. They were so close, about a block away. "Is something the matter?"
"Not quite. I only wish to warn you before we continue any further. The guild can be overwhelming to newcomers, especially when a tussle or two happen. Most of the time, it turns into an all-out brawl between guildmates and I want your word you won't react too severely." Basically, don't go swinging your sword around looking for blood. Shidou nodded. He wasn't surprised she was telling him this. After telling her of his true origins, the redhead found a new sense of respect and caution for the man. It was a logical choice considering he lived in a constant war environment.
"The sword will stay on my hip." Shidou said. His eyes then glance upwards to the horn Erza still held.
"That is satisfactory. Now, let us introduce you to Fairy Tail."
"Wait, are you going to continue holding that or... Okay, you're ignoring me. I'm coming."
It was another normal day at the guild. People were drinking, others were hitting on the white-haired waitress, and a Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster were butting heads as usual. Pretty average day if you asked any Fairy Tail guild member.
Some might say the Ice-Make mage and Dragon Slayer were enemies who hated each others guts. A fair assumption, but in actuality, they were like brothers. They were like any pair of rivals competing against each other, and them butting heads was just their way of showing respect.
Deep down, Lucy Heartfilia, the latest addition to Fairy Tail, acknowledged this, even when Natsu came barreling into her, knocking her down to the ground. "Would the two of you just knock it off already?" she groaned, heavy with irritation.
"Natsu started it. I'm just followin' through" Gray remarked.
"Where are your clothes?" another guild mate, Cana Alberona, the resident drunk, asked. The ice mage then freaked as he saw he was half naked save for his boxers.
Lucy deadpanned at the sight of the two elemental opposites dishing out lame insults at each other. Everyone laughed at the sight, even Lucy chuckled soon after, but all of that was brought to a close when Loke, the resident womanizer, burst back into the guild
"WE'VE GOT BAD NEWS! It's Erza! She's on her way here!" Those words alone sent all guildmates present into a panic. Gray and Natsu stopped their fight and went pale in fear. The air grew still and all noise was toned down until all that could be heard was Erza's steady footsteps.
Erza then made her entrance, entering the guild before setting down the horn beside her. "I have returned. Where is Master Makarov?"
"Wow, she's pretty." Lucy noted.
"Welcome back, Erza! The master is at a conference right now." Mirajane Strauss, the white-haired waitress, then informed.
"I see..." Erza looked behind her to noticed Shidou had went to make his appearance. "Where is-?"
A large snapping followed by loud crashing was emitted from outside. "Of all the times to break down, it's now?"
Natsu froze. He knew that voice like the back of his hand.
His eyes then widen when Erza called out, "Shidou, what happened?" She walked out to find her cart tilted from having lost a wheel and couple boxes of belongings scattered on the floor. It was fortunate they were sealed tight, otherwise they would've had another problem on their hands.
Shidou groaned at the sight of the mess. "One of the wheels snapped off and a couple boxes fell off."
Erza sighed. "I knew I should've pulled it myself."
"Are you saying this is my fault?"
"You were the one pulling. There was never an accident when I pull."
"I find that argument incredibly flawed, but whatever you say." Shidou sighed. He walked into the guild and whistled in approval at the sight. "Quite the cozy atmosphere. I can see why many of you call this place home."
Lucy's eyes narrowed in confusion when her she laid eyes on Shidou. She could've sworn she had seen him before. "Hey, Mira, is he part of the guild too?"
Mirajane swayed her head. "No. Erza must've picked him up to join the guild." She then smiled at the thought of their guild family growing.
"Bro..."
Lucy, Gray, and Mirajane casted their eyes over at the dragon slayer. His body shook in happiness as he stared at the tiandi. He smiled out of disbelief, and for a moment, they thought he was gonna start crying.
Gray and Mirajane's eyes then widened as they recalled certain memories of the teen. About how he would one day find his dragon dad, Igneel, and his warrior brother, one with the same name as Erza's new companion.
"Natsu...?" Lucy started, confused at the change in behavior before it turned into befuddlement when he suddenly launched himself to Shidou.
When Erza told him to keep a cool head when he enters the guild, he expected the guild to be already in the midst of duking it out, but to his decent surprise, everything was, for the most part, still. Everyone was looking at Erza, but given her authoritative presence, that was expected. "So, who do I talk to about joining this lot of-OOF!"
What he hadn't expect was a delighted dragon slayer running up to him specifically and embracing him.
Erza said to not use his sword, but she never said anything about his hands. "BIG BRO-!" But those were the only words to leave him as Shidou's combat experience kicked in and he karate chopped the boy's head with enough force to break through the wooden floor, leaving his feet nailed down. "Why the hell did ya do that for?!"
"Apologies, but you just don't go hugging strangers out of the blue!"
"But you're not a stranger! You're my big bro!" Shidou froze. The head of salmon pink hair and Natsu's choice of words left him speechless. He was reminded of his faded memory and how the boy addressed him in the same compassionate way.
But... this had to be a coincidence. He was 24 when he had that memory of the boy, and he was still 24. This boy that was hugging him just a moment ago wasn't even a boy - he was a young man, a teenager. Perhaps pastel colored hair was normal in this alternate world because this teen and that boy could not be the same person.
His moment of confusion passed as he collected himself. "You must have me mistaken for someone-"
"What're you talking about? I wouldn't confuse family! You're Qin Shidou, my big bro!" Natsu interrupted.
A scowl grew on Shidou's face. How did this teen know his name? "Stop calling me-"
"Are you teasing me? You know I don't like it when ya make fun of me, so just quit playing big bro!"
"I wouldn't know that since I DON'T KNOW YOU!" Shidou's voice said sternly as it rose in volume and Natsu stepped back from the seriousness of it. He was so confused as to why Shidou was acting like this.
Erza, meanwhile, watched from the side and silently patted herself on the back. Natsu may not be the pointiest needle in the hay stack, but he was an honest soul and would never make the mistake of confusing family. She knew from the moment Natsu hugged Shidou that he was, indeed, the same one Natsu speaks fondly of.
The only problem was that while Natsu may remember Shidou and their bond, Shidou doesn't. Perhaps a case of amnesia? Maybe that was why he felt so disconnected from the world. He simply doesn't remember his time in Earthland.
Natsu didn't take his lack of remembering too personally. In fact, it gave him (in his mind) a great idea. "If you really don't remember me, then I'll just have to beat the memories out of ya!" He had a fire in his belly now! This will knock two birds with one stone: Shidou will remember him and they'll be brothers for life again, and he'll get to display his newfound strength to Shidou, someone he also respected in terms of strength. He engulfed his fists in flame and came at Shidou, ready for a fight. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
The intensity of the flames were alarming and he was faster than Shidou predicted. While he was able to dodge the attack, it was too close for comfort. Another fist was flying to his face, but Shidou countered by dodging again and grabbing Natsu's arm. Ignoring the heat of his palms, he turned and flung the teen in the direction of the door. Natsu rolled on the ground before rolling back up again.
"I'm not done yet!"
Shidou readied himself for a duel, but when the dragon slayer got in close, a gauntlet-covered feminine hand stopped him in his tracks with a swift punch to the stomach.
Natsu groaned as he rolled to the floor while Erza stared down in admonishment. "I understand you're ecstatic to reunite with lost family, Natsu, but it's clear Shidou is not in the right mental state to entertain your childish antics!"
'So this is the Natsu Dragneel Erza spoke of. Quite the energetic man he is. A little warning about that would've been nice.' Shidou thought sourly.
"But how are we supposed to bring back his memories then?" Natsu argued.
"We can schedule an appointment with Porlyusica if his memories continue to remain hidden." She stated matter-of-factly.
"That's no fun." Natsu pouted.
From Shidou's side, he was split on the idea of actually recovering his memories. While he did want to uncover the answers to many questions he had, like how he got a purple dragon tattoo, and know what happened in those five years he didn't remember, there were also the memories that would leave him feeling... good. Like the memories of that boy and that woman.
Those memories would most likely leave him in wanting to find them or care about them. And people like him didn't deserve such blessings.
"So, umm... what's that humongous thing you got there?" one guildmate asked out of the blue.
"It's the horn of a monster that me and Shidou defeated. The locals were so thankful, they decorated it and gave it to me as a souvenir. Do you have a problem with it?"
"No, not all!" the man panicked.
Erza then proceeded to tear into everyone regarding certain quirks they all possess. Shidou stood there in mild surprise. He had no idea she like an older sister type around the guild. It almost reminded him of-
...He should not start thinking of his brothers now. Memories of them, or in this case, his second oldest, brought only severe pain to Shidou's soul. But the way Erza was acting right now was similar, Shidou will admit. Strict in a sense, by the books, and stiff.
The smile he allowed to cross his face lasted for a second, but it was a sorrowful one.
Gray and Lucy approached, the latter eyeing Shidou curiously while the former with interest. "So you're Shidou, huh? Gotta say, I expected someone more like Natsu if you're his older brother. Name's Gray, by the way. Gray Fullbuster."
"Qin Shidou, and I'm no one's older brother." Shidou said. He paused when he turned to look at Gray. "Why are you half naked?"
"Huh? OH CRAP!"
Shidou deadpanned at the ebony-haired teen's surprise. "Don't tell me this is a reoccurring thing."
Natsu got back up and groaned. "This is annoying! You always had good memory. How could ya forget about me?!"
'Odd that he rightly assumed my currently ironic natural talent of great memory.'
"Hey, do ya remember that time you killed that boar and made that awesome braised dish!" Natsu then asked, determined to get some memories to surface.
"I would if I actually knew who you were."
"Hey, Flame-Brain, get a clue. He doesn't remember you, so how about you shut your trap already?" Gray shot out. This only made the dragon slayer even more annoyed than he already was.
"I'm doing what any good brother would do if their big bro's head's isn't on straight, ya damn flasher!"
"The hell did you say to me?!"
As the fire and ice mage engaged in yet another bout of yelling, Lucy continued looking over the armored man. Shidou took a glance at her and said, "Let me guess: I'm someone you know as well?"
"Eh?" Lucy uttered. Embarrassed that she dazed out looking at him, she blushed. "Sorry. It's probably nothing." She then offered her hand. "My name's Lucy. I recently joined the guild some time ago."
"Mmmhm." He shook her hand. He took another look at Lucy to notice she looked eerily similar to the woman in his memories, but shook it off. Like with Natsu, she couldn't be the same person. Lucy looked younger than the woman too.
"Hi!" Shidou looked to his other side to find another sight he never thought he would see. "I'm Happy! I'm Natsu's best friend, and if you're his big bro, you're my best friend, too!"
'A talking, flying, blue cat... Sure, why not?' He's already seen people commanding the elements and a ungodly monster. Animals that shouldn't have the capability to talk shouldn't have the power to surprise the Tiandi. Yet it did.
Gently he grabbed the cat underneath his arms and brought him a bit closer to him. "... How are you talking?"
"Umm... Vocal cords?"
'Are you using magic?" He's already seen a beast use energy lasers. It isn't outside the realm of possibility that dogs and cats can somehow do the same.
"Other than my wings, not really."
"Fascinating..."
"Boys." Erza said sternly.
Both Gray and Natsu halted any hostility as they embraced each other awkwardly. "Oh, hey there Erza. We're just hangin' out like good friends tend to do." Gray said, though the tone of voice denoted that he was nervous.
"Aye!"
"Why is Natsu talking like Happy?!" Lucy questioned in deep confusion.
"That's great. I'm quite pleased to see the two of you getting along quite well." Erza nodded.
'Did you not notice what they were doing earlier? That argument of theirs wasn't even trying to be subtle.' Shidou deadpanned.
Erza continued speaking. "However, it's only natural for even the best of friends to lock horns every now and then."
"I don't know if we're the 'best of friends." Gray replied.
"Aye..."
"What's gotten into Natsu?" Lucy asked a loud in confusion and concern.
"He's scared. A few years ago, he challenged Erza to a fight and she beat him up pretty bad." Mirajane answered.
"He must be quite brave or quite foolish." Shidou commented.
"I say the latter." Lucy then said.
"After that, she found Gray walkin' around naked so she decided to beat him up too." Macao added.
"And let's not forget she also beat up Loke for trying to hit on her." Cana chimed in. "He totally deserved it though."
'He really does have a stripping habit?!' His third oldest brother would've started laughing right now. He would've also liked the company of this Loke, though. The two would've bonded over their womanizing tendencies. '...Fuck. I did it again.'
"Natsu, Gray, I need you two to do me a favor." Erza said, gathering the boys' attention. "While traveling, I overheard something that has me worried. Normally I would consult the master before acting, but he's not here and this is a matter of utmost urgency. the two of you are the strongest wizards here. I could really use your help." Her words left those in the guild in disbelief at the fact she was asking for help. "We'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning."
Shidou eyed the duo of mages curiously. Perhaps it was his affinity with ethernano, but he could see why Erza would ask these two for assistance. Their magical power is strong and these boys were physically strong too. It made Shidou curious what magic these two use. He learned from first hand experience Natsu uses some type of fire magic, but he was eager to see what Gray has to offer.
With Erza, Gray, and Natsu together, he was sure they would be a force to be reckoned with. Mirajane shared his thoughts as she said, "This could be the most powerful Fairy Tail has ever seen!"
"Agreed." Shidou approached her. "Pardon me, but I am here to join the guild. Who do I talk to for membership?"
"I'm so happy to hear that!" Mirajane smiled. "You would need to talk to our guild master, Makarov Dreyar, first. It's kind of a tradition for new recruits to meet him before they officially join."
"And he's out of town right now, I heard." Shidou sighed. That put a damper on things, he thought. He assumed he would need one of those guild marks before he could set out for missions. Which means his death is stalled for the moment.
"Want me fill that cup of yours? Since you'll be joining us, it'll be on the house." Mirajane then offered.
Shidou shrugged and handed her the horn. "Anything strong will do." After Mirajane filled and returned his horn cup, his arm was caught in a tight grip and he was hailed out of the guild hall. He looked to see it was Natsu. "What are you-?!"
"You need somewhere to crash, right? Lucky for you, I prepared for the day I would find you so I have a spare bed at my place with your name on it!"
Shidou groaned, but knew the teen was right. "Fine." he sighed. "I thank you for hosting me."
"Don't mention it, big bro!"
"Stop calling me that."
The teen and cat were a duo and lived with each other way out of Magnolia in the forest. It took some time walking to their home, but when they did finally get there, a yellow bungalow awaited them. It had a brick chimney and some decorative elements around the door and walls. The roof had red tiling. It was messy no matter what angle he looked at it. Even the name plague near the house was a rotting wood.
Truthfully, it wasn't the most degraded building he has seen. He did travel in Healthmoor. "Lovely abode."
Natsu grinned. "Just wait 'till you see the inside."
The door was unlocked and opened... and Shidou froze in shock.
The house was worse on the inside! It was messy and untidy in so many ways, Shidou didn't know where to look. Poster and pictures loosely hung on the walls. Cushions, clothes and other nick-nacks were scattered wherever. There were also unfinished dishes of food on whatever available surfaces.
Natsu and Happy passed a pale white tiandi and went to the couch. "Alright, your bed is there near mine." Shidou numbly looked to where Natsu pointed and saw a patch work hammock beside another separated with a small drawer.
"Don't worry about me! I can bunk with Natsu, so your cot is exclusively yours now." Happy then piped in.
"Get up."
"Why?" Natsu questioned.
"'Why'? Look around you!" Natsu and Happy looked around them as Shisou asked, but when their eyes return to him, they shrug and look at him confused. "The fact you find nothing wrong is cause for concern." If they constantly lived in this environment, are they sick? Probably. Mentally sane people would never accept living in these conditions. "Alright, we're cleaning this house at once."
"What? It's fine!" Natsu tried to assure, but Shidou wasn't gonna have any.
"We clean, or I leave."
Natsu paused. "Happy, get the broom and bags, QUICK!"
"Aye!"
Cleaning the house was easy work considering three people were there. Natsu and Happy complained all throughout the process, but the threat of Shidou leaving was enough incentive to keep them productive.
Natsu was put in chare of picking up the trash and putting them into bags. Happy also helped pick up trash, but was in charge of taking the trash bags out. Shidou swept the floors and surfaces, cleaned the plates, and picked up haphazardly thrown clothing and nick-nacks up.
The sun was setting as the day neared its end. Happy went to take out the last trash bag and Shidou had just finished putting the clothes into the drawers. Natsu was lounging on his hammock when he asked Shidou a question that came when Shidou came to Fairy Tail. "Hey, big bro."
"What did I say about-"
"Do you know where Igneel is?"
The tiandi froze for what felt like the hundredth time today. That was the same name the boy in his head said he would play with. He disguised his shock when he asked, "Who is this Igneel?"
Even though he knew Shidou had amnesia, Natsu couldn't help but groan in frustration. "He's my dad! You know, the big red dragon? You know him - you talked with him! He's the reason me and you even met!"
Shidou had no response. He paused his sweeping and just stood there in the middle of the floor. He denounced his connection with Natsu upon meeting him, chalking all those similarities to the child from his past as mere coincidences. But when coincidences continue to pile up, then that just makes it a pattern. The reality that Natsu and that child were one and the same was looking closer to be reality.
He could only feel more disgusted at himself. This boy had a mental image of him as an older brother figure; someone to look up to with love and respect. He most likely didn't know his sins. 'I don't deserve that. Stop looking at me with eyes. I'm scum. I''M SCUM!'
The only thing he didn't get was the age discrepancy. Whether he stopped aging or Natsu suddenly aged, both seemed like highly unlikely scenarios.
"...Wait, did you just say he was a dragon?"
"Yeah! With horns, wings, a tail, and stuff!" Natsu said, thinking Shidou remembers, or better yet, know where Igneel is.
"You mean an actual dragon? That wasn't a metaphor or something of the like?" Shidou asked for clarification.
"OH COME ONE!" Natsu couldn't believe that Shidou of all people forgot Igneel. They were so close! "How could you-?!"
"Amnesia, remember?"
"Oh..."
"Hey guys, I'm back!" Happy announced as he pushed open the already jarred open door. The cat had no expectations of what to see when he came back, but he certainly wasn't expecting to see Natsu sulking childishly on his hammock while Shidou sat on the couch muttering to himself.
"Umm... Do you guys want fish for dinner?" Happy hesitantly asked.
Shidou had no idea how he got here, but at the moment he was flying. He maneuvered around white clouds as if he practiced a thousand times.
The two most strangest things were that, for one, he had no control over his body; he was but a spectator. He couldn't move any of his limbs or turn his head. But he could still feel. He could feel a sense of calm, which was contradictive of how humans would typically feel if they suddenly find themselves flying high up in the air. He could feel the contractions and movement of his body. He could also feel the rush of air on his bare face and his naked, elongated body.
Which leads to the second strange thing: he wasn't human. He couldn't move his head, but he knew the body he was in was no human. He looked forward to see he had a snout with a black nose and dark purple scales. And though he couldn't see his body, the way it twisted and flowed suggested it was serpent-like.
He had lucid dreams before, but none of them felt this real or this strange. It was actually the same as when he had that memory of Natsu and that blonde woman.
The body flew for some time until it landed on a patch of grass near an open cave. His body looked to the sides and Shidou noticed how tall he was in comparison to the trees He was probably ginormous. The cave wasn't empty as another creature rested there, and it gave Shidou an idea of what his body was.
There in the cave laid a dragon. A female dragon, in fact. Her body was gigantic, as expected of a dragon. Her scales were a bright red covering a majority of her body. Her lower underbelly and the inner portions of her legs and tail were beige in color. Her wings were bat-like and her nails, teeth, and her spear-shaped tail were long and sharp. Her eyes were round with yellow sclera and a sharp horn just above her nose.
She sat on her hind legs and arm and was curled around an egg. Most likely the product of her and this body, Shidou thought. She looked at him in surprise, as if she wasn't expecting him to be here.
"Didn't actually think you show up."
"I am a dragon of my word, Igniona. You should know this." Igniona. That was the female dragon's name. And this body's voice was different to his own, too, his voice deep and rumbling.
"You do realize how strange this is, right? You should have left me by now." Igniona then said.
"I do what I want" Shidou's body arrogantly remarked "And what I want is raise my offspring with you by my side."
Igniona chuckled. From the way she beamed at him and their egg, she liked what she heard. "So bold. But I guess that's why I chose you to be my mate, I suppose."
His body looked at the egg. "May I feel it?"
"It is our child." Igniosa chuckled.
Shidou's body moved closer to the white egg and gently laid a dragon arm atop of it. From what Shidou could see, most of this body was covered in dark purple scales with beige inner portions. His claws were golden and polished.
The body gingerly rubbed the surface of the egg. "You will be so strong. I just know it."
Shidou wished he could say he got out of bed comfortably, slowly awakening and stretching his body like a languid cat. But no. Natsu just had to prank him.
His eyes shot open as he felt little air entering through his pinched nose. His body moved and smacked Natsu in the chin, causing the teen to stagger back, fumble over his hammock, and fall on the other side.
Happy sighed as he flew around the two. "I told you he wouldn't find that funny."
"WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HIT ME?!" Natsu roared.
"Why do you always touch me without my knowing or consent?!"
"Uh... 'cause you're my big bro?" Natsu replied, as if Shidou was the dumb one.
The tiandi growled in frustration as the teen continued to use the undeserved title on him. "Shouldn't you be heading to the train station by now?"
"Yeah, but I was waiting for you to wake up."
"Why?"
"Because we're going together! DUH!"
Shidou paused and looked at the dragon teen. This mission Erza wanted to bring Gray and Natsu on was surely one befitting of her caliber as a warrior - as an S-class mage. He and her journeyed together to fight a monster of unreasonable proportions, so this might just be up his avenue, too. And who wouldn't want extra hands on deck?
If this mission resulted in his death, he would be granted his dos. He said no arguments as he requiped his armor on. "Let's be on our way then."
It wasn't just the magic of this world that amazed him, but the technological advances it made. He hasn't seen much, but from what he did he could say this world was ahead of his previous world.
Shidou and Natsu walked inside the train station to meet with Gray and Erza. The ebony-haired mage was in view and so was the blonde from yesterday. Lucy, was it? He remembered Natsu speaking extensively about her as they cleaned.
"You actually showed up. Great.." Gray said. Though he sounded annoyed, it was more from the fact he really was gonna go on a journey with Natsu. The feeling was mutual with dragon slayer.
"ARGHHH! I hate this! Teaming up with you is the worst idea ever!" the fire mage raged.
"Yeah, tell me about it. Erza made a huge mistake asking a loser like you to come along!" the ice mage responded.
"Is it always like this with these two?" Shidou asked the blonde beside him. The sight of them quarrelling was a familiar one. He remember the many time he and brothers fought amongst each other.
"Yep. Let's just sit here like we don't know them."
"I am in agreement."
"What made you decide to come with us?" Happy asked as he nibbled on the fish Shidou decided to buy for him.
"Mira asked me to tag along. She knew those two would be at each other throats whenever Erza isn't looking and she wanted me to play moderator. What about you, Shidou?"
"Natsu asked me. If it's a chance to battle, I will take it."
"Quite the thrill seeker, huh" deadpanned Lucy.
"Sorry I am late. Did you all wait long?" Erza's voice rang out. Natsu and Gray stopped their fighting not even a second after. Their buddy-buddy act began in the attempt to please the demon that was Erza. Lucy looked and her mind was brought to a halt at the amount of luggage the redhead had behind her. "And what was your name? I believe I saw you at the guild yesterday." she then said as she directed her gaze at Lucy.
"My name's Lucy and I just joined Fairy Tail. Mira asked me to join along to learn a thing or two. I hope that's okay with you." Lucy said.
"The more the merrier." Erza accepted.
"I see you've prepared very thoroughly." Shidou commented as he eyed her travel cart. It actually looked even larger.
"And I see you're prepared for a battle you're ill-prepared for. What are you doing here?" Erza retorted. With Lucy, she was born in this world and not some war-torn, magicless world. She most likely trained her magic powers unlike Shidou, who was only just beginning.
"To join the mission. What else?"
"The enemies we will face are more powerful than the bandits you fought and smarter than the beast we fought. You've barely scratched the surface of your magical power, yet you decided you want to come with us?" Erza argued.
"True, while I've barely scratched the surface of my powers, the fact I was able to hold my own against bandits and, though it was with your help, a giant monster speaks volumes. Besides, what better way to improve than to test my mettle in mortal combat?" Shidou replied. "What? Do you think me incapable or something?"
Gray and Natsu gasped. It was rare for anyone to stand up and defy Erza, the strongest woman in their guild, so openly and to her face. While they feared for his safety, the teen boys couldn't help but respect his grit.
'That's my big bro for ya!' Natsu beamed.
"That isn't the reason, Shidou!" Erza collected herself. "I'm only looking out for you. Though you do not bear our mark yet, you're a Fairy Tail wizard now; you're family now, and the last thing I want to see is you hurt, or worse, dead."
Shidou took a small step back and balled his left hand. His face flashed in distress for a second, before it settled back into a neutral expression. "...Understood." he nodded. "But I still believe I should come. The more the merrier, right?" He pulled out his horn and took a swig.
The redhead noticed how his disposition changed in that spark of a moment. She wanted to inquire him about it, but settled with saving the matter for a later date. "The more the merrier..."
"Yo, Erza!" Natsu jumped in. He clamored over Shidou's shoulder as he spoke. "I'll come with you, but only under one condition." His ebony-haired friend tried to shut him up, but failed.
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"I want a rematch after we get back to Fairy Tail." the pinkette proclaimed as he tightened his fist in eagerness. Gray, Lucy, and Happy, stepped back in surprise.
"Do you really think that is wise?" Shidou deadpanned.
"I'm a lot stronger than I was last time. This time it'll be way different 'cause I'm gonna beat you!"
"Again, do you really think-"
He heard Erza chuckle. "Yes, I can tell you've improved. As to whether or not you can beat me, I suppose we'll have to see. I accept your challenge."
"OH YEAH! I'M FIRED UP NOW!" Natsu's head then burst into flames from his passion. It would've been an interesting sight to see... if Shidou's head wasn't next to his.
"WE CAN SEE THAT, NOW LET GO BEFORE YOU ENSINERATE MY HEAD!"
Shidou learned very early on what a dragon slayer mage was. They were mages who use a unique type of lost magic specialized in killing dragons. They are able to consume the element they wield so long as it wasn't created from their magic. It also heals them and enhances their abilities.
It also gives you immense motion sickness.
The moment the train started moving, Natsu fell on his lap, looking as green as an emerald. " I swear, if you puke on me..."
"Ugh..."
"You're so pathetic, Natsu." Gray commented. His rival was too sick to give a response.
Shidou groaned. "At least sit up. You'll drown in your own vomit if you lay on my lap." he said as he helped Natsu up and allowed him to lean on his shoulder. His supposed little brother muttered a thanks.
It was then that Gray had asked Erza what this mission was all about, to which Erza gave a debrief about Eisenwald and Lullaby. Gray then told how he and the rest of them came in contact with possible members (or ex-members) of the dark guild and how they too spoke of a thing called Lullaby. Shidou and Erza recalled overhearing a group of mages talk about Lullaby.
"I was such a fool that day. I didn't recognize his name. Erigor: the ace of Eisenwald. He only accepts assassination requests, which why he is called Erigor the reaper." Erza explained.
"He kills for money?" Lucy said, her voice quivering.
Shidou scoffed in disgust. It wasn't like he was any better. He, too, killed for his own greed. He wanted the throne of his kingdom so badly, he murdered his blood for it; but at least he had the conscious to admit it was wrong. He then worked as a mercenary, but was very selective about the jobs he went on, refusing to collaborate with shady organization or their nefarious plots. This Erigor person doesn't seem like the type to reflect on his action or the lives he's ruined by ending a life. He was the type of person Shidou now lived to put a stop to. "He's nothing more than scum. His reign of terror is coming to an end. That I will make certain."
"I commend the enthusiasm, but remember that this is a team effort. We must work together lest we find our own ends." Erza said.
The rest of the train ride was spent getting to know each other and relaxing before the coming storm. Gray revealed his ice-make magic, to which Lucy commented on how that was the reason he and Natsu dislike each other so much.
"What's your magic, Shidou?" Lucy then asked.
"Is it something relating to that sword of yours?" Gray then asked in addition.
Shidou nodded and pulled his dao out for them to see. "I'm not fully knowledgeable of my powers yet, but from what I've gathered, I can manipulate ethernano and the ethernano of enemy attacks."
"Woah! That's sounds crazy powerful, actually!" Lucy exclaimed in awe.
"And I'm sure you're a killer with the blade, too." Gray then complimented.
"That's my big bro for ya..." Natsu's fragile voice said.
'Oh, how right you are, Gray. How right you are.' he thought grimly.
"Your sword is so pretty!" Happy gushed. He laid a paw on the surface, moving it slowly towards the end. "There's so much gold and purple; and you even have cool dragons- OUCHIE!" His paw wandered too close to the edge and the cat accidently cut his palm open.
"Why would you place your hand near the SHARP part of the sword?!" Shidou exclaimed.
"Your sword is so pretty, I couldn't resist!"
They arrived at Onibas station, the place where Eisenwald members had been last seen. Gray, Lucy, Erza, and Happy all exited to collect their luggage, but Shidou was too preoccupied with Natsu to leave with them. The pinkette was still reeling from his train-induced motion sickness and clung to Shidou as he slowly recovered. Shidou stayed behind make sure he got back up.
"Come on, Natsu. The others are already out and about. We need to catch up with them." Shidou urged.
"Hold on... That train absolute hell. Give me a few more minutes..."
Shidou sat back down with a groan. "Of all the weaknesses to have, it's this. This is unbelievable." The train horn hooted and with a jolt, they stared moving again.
"Seriously?!" Natsu panicked before he fell on top of Shidou, sick again.
"Seriously?!" Shiodu outraged as well. He looked out the window and groaned in deep annoyance when he found the train was moving once again. Perhaps he and Natsu found jump out a window or something. They were strong would surely survive such a-
"Well, look at that, Fairy Tail wizards. How's the guild treatin' ya these days? Is it worth sticking around?" a third voice joined in. Shidou pushed Natsu into a sitting position and looked at the new arrival. It was a man of average height and stature with long black hair tied in a pony tail. He wore a white coat with blue trim and white pants.
His eyes flashed in recognition as this was the same man from the tavern talking about Lullaby.
"What...?" Natsu uttered weakly.
Shidou then reacted when the stranger raised his foot to kick Natsu. Before impact could be made, he grabbed his ankle and pushed him in between the row of seats. "You're part of Eisenwald, aren't you?"
"Fuck..." the stranger cursed, realizing he was found out. Shidou got up and drew his sword.
"Surrender now, scum, or I'll chop an arm off."
The stranger scoffed. "Hah! Don't act all high and mighty just because you're in a legal guild, Mr. Fairy! You guys just blindly follow the Magic Counsel. You know what you look like to us? Harmless little flies!"
The man in white then yelped when he was suddenly kicked in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. He reeled back clutching his stomach, but continued to stand on his feet. "Last warning: surrender, or die. Which will it be?"
"Bastard! I ain't goin' without a fight!" A circle of black emerged from underneath him and black tendrils shot out at Shidou. He backflipped before they struck his previous position. He raced towards the stranger, who sent more black tendrils to stop him. He sliced through each one the shadowy appendages, taking the small amount of ethernano in them. 'What the-?! He didn't cut through them, he completely negated my magic attacks!' Shidou came closer and the stranger started to panic, fearing his life might actually end. "What kind of magic do you-?!"
The train suddenly jostled as it came to a stop. Shidou was close to the stranger, but when the train made the sudden stop, he backpedaled and fell on his butt. Natsu, who had gotten up to help despite his weakened state, fell as well. The stranger fell too and dropped a wooden flute with a skull on one end to the floor.
"Crap, you saw it." the stranger grunted.
"I've had enough out of you!" the Dragon Slayer yelled. He slammed his fists together and submerged them in flames. He then leaped over Shidou directing a flame-covered punch at the stranger. The stranger acted and summoned a wall of shadow tendrils to protect him.
An explosion resulted from the impact, destroying most of the interior of the train car. Shidou had ducked for covered and emerged with a few scrapes on armor. "Little flies, huh?" Natsu said.
Shidou raced out of covered to rush the stranger. He yelped as he shot out a tendril at him, to which he easily sliced. The two were within arms reach and Shidou raised his left hand and palm-striked him in the nose. He then raised his sword high and slashed the stranger across the chest.
The stranger collapsed on one knee, allowing Shidou to grab his pony tail and placed his sword close to his throat. He took a moment to sense his magical power and wasn't impressed. He was about on the same levels as the bandit leader's minions, maybe a bit more. That's probably why his wasn't bleeding or showed signs of a sword wound. "You're going to tell me exactly what your plans are and what this Lullaby object is. Right. Now."
"Stupid fly, your threats are hollow You won't kill-" He then screamed as Shidou began to pull his pony tail back and press his blade harder against the stranger's moving throat.
"Tell me your plans! RIGHT NOW!"
Before any more words were said amongst the group, the train began to move. "Oh, crap! Not again!" Natsu yelled. His face quickly turned pale with illness.
"Natsu, just hold on!"
Shidou was momentarily distracted by the sickening and panicking teen. The stranger felt it when the grip on his hair loosened. That was when he acted. He pushed Shidou off him, making him collide into Natsu. "Goodbye, flies!" A large and thick shadow tendril emerged from behind the stranger. It then maneuvered around him and punched the Fairy Tail wizards out of the train car.
The two were in the air for a brief moment until they were hit again by another fast approaching object in the form of the crew in green magic mobile. They specifically collided with Gray, who was peeking out of the sun roof.
The car came to a stop and the girls went to the boys side. "Are you three alright?"
They merely groaned in response.
They eventually got back up, but emotions flared between the ice and fire mage. "That hurt, you idiots!"
"Shut up, you icy freak! It wasn't our fault we got kicked off the train!" Though Natsu most certainly appreciated getting off the train.
"A wizard of Eisenwald was present. We were able to incapacitate him for a moment. I was trying to interrogate him, but the train moved and he pushed us out before I could get anything." Shidou then explained.
"You mean the people we're trying to chase are on that train?" Erza questioned. Shidou merely nodded. Erza then went to the vehicle and began to start it back up.
"So what did this guy look like?" Gray asked.
"He didn't look like he belonged to a dark guild, but he did have this strange flute thing. It looked like a skull, except it had three eyes." answered Natsu.
"Threes eyes?" Lucy inquired.
"That's creepy." Gray added.
"Is there something wrong, Lucy?" Happy asked.
"It's just... I've heard of that flute before. Lullaby, the cursed song - it's death magic!"
"Like an incantation?" Shidou questioned.
"I've only read about them in books before, but there are some deadly spells out there that are forbidden to be used by wizards." the blonde exclaimed.
"And in the hands of a dark guild like Eisenwald, that does not bode well." Shidou approached and sat inside the magic vehicle. "We must hurry then. Come on everyone!"
Natsu gulped. "Do we really need to ride inside that?"
"Yes, we do." Shidou sighed. He then exited the car and grabbed the pinkette, dragging him against his protest. He threw the boy inside before Lucy and Happy joined inside. Shidou then entered as Gray decided ride on top.
Erza took a slight pause at Shidou's haste to apprehend these fiends. It was admirable that he was willing to put his life on the line for the sake of others, but she also felt there other reasons as well. From what he said before, he was a fighter looking for his next battle. She and many others understood the want to improve and become stronger, but he really needs to be careful. Does he not realize the full magnitude of the battles ahead of him? Out of everyone in their group, he was the least experienced with magic, and so needed to stick with the group more than anyone. Strength and sword skills can only get you so far.
It was like... the thought of death didn't even faze him.
She shook her head and started the engine.
