A new story. A new beginning.
Something different, sorry for never
updating but please read my new story, debuting a new genre! Suspense.
Please Read and Review. Please. I do not own Fairy Tail all rights reserved
to Hiro Mashima
:~:
Can you keep a secret?
:~:
England, Enfield 1897
The night was cold with the air thick with fear and death. The man's shoes clicked as he walked down the newly fresh wet pavement granted by the rain from the stoic and looming clouds up above. He shifted his pace from slow to quick, as his destination grew nearer. A tall building came into view, the appearance making it look dating back to the early 1800s with cracks seeping into the walls, the wooden stairs that lead up to the front entrance would seem to creak one assumes if you step upon it.
His brown eyes brimmed with excitement; he tugged his black cloak closer to his neck while pulling down his bowler hat that was keeping his brown locks in place. Energy was now surging through him, but his expression remained calm, controlling his emotions and the foretold events around him. His mouth tugged upward as he read the small sign placed on the wood stained door:
"Eden's home for the lost"
The man knew that once he stepped into that building, everything, his life, others, and not to be dramatic but possibly the world would change. And all it took was a knock.
:~:~:~:
The young boy watched as the small raindrops crept up onto his windowsill. His black eyes narrowed, waiting for which drop would reach the end first. The other children were in the other rooms playing and laughing, but he chose to remain where he was. Quiet and content, away from those he knew that don't want him around; which seems to be almost everyone.
His small ears perked up, quite common every time he heard a noise. Whether it was children laughing from upstairs, or the Head Mistress when she creeps up in the middle of the night, or the soft whispers of others mostly talking about him. He hears everything, everything that one finds unusual like the buzzing of a hummingbird. More than one could possibly believe.
The boys shifted himself in his seated position with discontent. His ears perked up again; he caught word that one of the big ones was saying false rumors about him again two stories up above him. The boy frowned, his forehead creasing; never recalling ever doing "Devil's magic" on the lady's cat the other day.
He grunted, feeling the anger swell up in him, gripping his nails on to the floor board, but before he could let his rage grow he caught himself.
'No No No not now' he thought with his temperature rising. His skin starting to trickle with heat, as if fire was engulfing him and his entire being that even his veins were spurting out warmth. And now his insides were starting to burn. He shut his eyes and was in deep concentration, sweat forming and beading down his forehead while he held his jaw shut.
'Concentrate. Concentrate' he repeated this chant inside his mind, his body still trembling with his breath going heavy. Soon the heat died off, his skin cooled down, all that remained was the scratches left on the cold floor.
His eyes fluttered open and he sighed a breath of relief 'Good' he thought 'No one saw that'
The air suddenly grew thick and eerie; the young boy jolted as he feels a familiar emotion he hasn't felt since the day he discovered this unusual force he seemed to control.
Fear.
Something was behind him, or someone. That's what his instincts were telling him, and usually they were never wrong, but what scared the boy most was not this powerful intense aura that was behind him, no what terrified him most was that he never sensed this presence coming. Even during his little 'tantrum' he never felt once someone coming up behind him. That has never happened before.
Right before he could decipher his next move a clap was heard. The boy decided with better judgment to turn around, he was met with warm brown eyes and a small smile. The man he was greeted with was tall and muscular; his brown hair was well hidden underneath his grey bowler hat. He wore a black cloak while underneath was the usual attire of a gentle man.
The man continued to clap as he stepped forward "You're better than what I expected" was his first words.
The young boy raised a brow, noticing one of the employers of the establishment was coming up right behind the man with a worried expression, he could all ready tell what she was thinking.
"Mr. Clive are you sure?" she asked timidly "This boy…he is known to have rather peculiar things happen around him"
The boy now fully paying attention was now looking at the man, trying to read the guy and what on earth he was thinking.
'This man wants to adopt me?' he thought with a scoff 'That's a first'
"Yes." Mr. Clive replied to the woman with a curt nod. She frowned "But Mr. Clive there are many others who would be delighted to be taken in by one such as yourself, many other wonderful children, normal." She finished.
Mr. Clive furrowed his eyebrows "And what's not normal about this one?"
"Well…" she didn't know how to say it since she assumed it was quite obvious "His hair is pink"
'No bloody way' the boy laughed in his mind 'Thanks for pointing that out'
The man noticed the young boy's agitated stance as his eyes were now twitching.
"Well who really wants normal now a days?" the man grinned flashing his handsome smile, the woman blushed "I would like to be alone with the boy while the paperwork is done. And I would appreciate it if I spent time with him without rude company" he said darkly but his smile remained.
The woman tensed but nodded leaving the doorway. The boy relaxed, never has he witnessed anyone standing up for him, now making him rather more curious of the man now known as "Mr. Clive"
The man turned his attention to the boy, his smile warmer and inviting, he crouched down so his stance would meet the boy's "Hello"
The pink haired boy nodded "Hello sir" his voice surprisingly coming out timid. Was he that nervous?
The man laughed and ruffled the boy's hair "Don't call me sir. It makes me feel old"
The boy remained silent with his mouth shut, afraid of being rude by pointing out that the man is old even with denying it.
"So" breaking the silence "Just call me Gildarts" the man grinned, the boy only scrunched up his nose "What kind of name is that?"
Gildarts laughed, "So you can talk" he stood up "And with spunk too. I like that, someone like you should come with me"
The boy gave him a half smile "So you don't mind that I'm…" he hesitated afraid that his words might make this man change his mind "That I'm different?"
Gildarts grin only grew wider "Well being normal seems like a bore doesn't it? Besides…" he looked around mischievously before whispering, "If you haven't noticed I'm quite 'different' too"
The boy's eyes widened "You're different too?" he asked quite excited. Gildarts nodded "Yeah very different". The little one couldn't help but grin, for once feeling like he belonged with someone, with this man who also states that he knows what's he is going through, for once maybe feeling happiness.
"So you also feel heat? Like as if your whole body is on fire?" the boy asked.
The man shook his head casting a sympathetic glance "Sorry mine is a bit different than that"
The boy frowned disappointed "But you said—"
"I said I was different too" he interrupted "Not that my power was the same as yours"
The boy felt puzzled "Powers?" he asked. Never would he have thought that what was going inside of him was some sort of power, he always assumed that his body could not function like the other kids which is why he would always come down with a high fever. But to see it as a gift. That was something new to his ears.
As if knowing what the boy was thinking Gildarts responded, "Yes my friend. That is your power. You seem to have attained one based on an element, a very powerful one indeed. Of course you can also learn others like manipulation and illusion but your strongest seems to be one more hard to tame, seeing how even your emotions can trigger it."
The boy furrowed his eyebrows "Then…what is yours?" he asked.
Gildarts laughed, "Right to the point huh? Just wait a moment" he closed his eyes for a moment; the pink haired boy watched anticipating something. Before he could even blink he heard a bell ring 'ting' and vibrations were starting to roar, he felt the ground beneath him tremble. Small screams from the others were heard but even with the ground shaking he was still perfectly in place and so was Gildarts.
Gildarts let out a grunt and opened his eyes; the vibrations stopped and so did the screams, the boy looked at him in awe.
Gildarts smirked "I have to have good control or I'm afraid I will bring this whole building down"
The young boy grinned, "Yeah you're right. You are different." Gildarts laughed "Well seeing how I all ready introduced myself and shown you my power, what about you? What's your name?"
The boy's smile faltered, he casted a sad glance towards the floor "I don't have one" was his reply. Gildarts frowned "Now how can a child not have a name?"
The boy shrugged "I was abandoned ever since I was born. My parents seeing how they didn't want me thought there was no point in naming me as well"
Gildarts frowned deepened as he crossed his arms "And no one has given you a name here?"
He shook his head "Yes. But not very nice ones"
Gildarts sighed before giving the boy an assuring smile "Well where you're going no one is going to isolate you because of the power you have."
"I'm not going with you?" the boy asked sadly. Gildarts shook his head "No. I'm sorry but my client who asked me to pick you up is a very good person. He is also different like you and me but he is a better for you to go to and be taken care of. He can help you control your powers and help you get stronger"
"Are there others? You know who have powers like me?"
"Yeah. Many children but they're hidden from society. And they all stay where my client is and are taken care of there and trained"
The boy snorted, "Your client must be really rich to have so many children stay at his place"
Gildarts laughed, "I like you. You're better when you're not polite and quiet"
The young boy smiled before a sound interrupted their conversation, they both turned to see the cause of it. It was the impolite lady that was here earlier.
"Mr. Clive the papers are all done, we just need your signature" she said courtly. Gildarts nodded "Good. Thank you. Anything else?"
The woman fidgeted a little before taking a quick glance at the boy "Well there is one problem sir. UH the boy doesn't have a name"
"I see" he said with his foot tapping "That is a problem…" he took a moment before saying "Do you at least know his origin? What he is?"
The woman straightened "I do" the boy's ears perked "When he was born it was noted that he may be mixed. A halfer" she stopped, afraid that Mr. Clive would reprimand her for using slang to describe someone, but he merely nodded "I see. So he's half English? That makes sense."
The boy felt his stomach churn, as if the comment had more meaning to it "So what is his other half?"
The woman took no time before replying "Japanese"
The word rang unfamiliar to his ears, this was the most information he has ever heard of himself. He couldn't help but notice the small smile forming on Gildarts' face.
"I see" he rubbed his chin. "I might have a perfect name for him. But let me see if he approves" he turned his brown eyes towards him "Do you like the heat?"
The boy nodded "Yes"
"Do you like it when it feels warms and hot?"
"Yes"
"Then I have a perfect name for you." He turned to the woman "His name is Natsu."
The boy's eyes widened. A name. He has a name. And a weird one at that.
"Natsu?" he mumbled the words, the taste it had on his tongue was inviting and warm. Gildarts grinned turning his gaze on him "It means Summer in Japanese."
His eye's twinkled, his head nodding in agreement-letting Gildarts know he approves. Gildarts laughed and turned to the woman again "Yes his name is Natsu. We will discuss about his surname later."
"All right. We just need the documents signed Mr. Clive" Gildarts shrugged "Fine. Fine" he winked at Natsu before he left the room "Get your things. We're going home"
Natsu watched as Gildarts walked away, excitement growing inside him. He wanted to see with his own eyes; children like him and possibly adults who have strange powers. He wanted to know what do they do, how do they train, and do they act like a family?
But a dreaded thought was still casting at the back of his mind, a feeling of dread, this whole thing seems like a fairy tale too good to be true. So what was the catch? He shook his head, feelings were now getting the better of him but he won't fall down, no not this time.
"And so my journey begins" he grinned before running up the stairs, probably for the last time.
:~:
Tell me. What am I?
:~:
England, Sunderland 1897
It was morning but the clouds were bleak and brewing making everything all grey
The mansion stood proud; making one think it was actually alive. Many would stop just to stare at it in awe absorbing it's beauty and detailed architecture. Some even feel threatened with the noises coming from it. And they all wonder: 'who exactly is the master of this house?' What does he do? Is it legal? Does the man travel a lot?
And the most asked is:
"Does he love children?" for it seems like almost every other year the man brings in a new child into his home. So far they're all different in appearance, in behavior, in personality. But they all had one thing in common.
They were all lost boys.
But with questions, some are better off unanswered.
The young boy huffed as he watched the other boys fight, which was not that uncommon in this household, and it was for one of the most ludicrous things he could ever think of.
'I'm around a bunch of morons' he thought with annoyance. The master of the house was out at the moment but the boy heard that one of his partners was coming to visit.
'It's probably that crazy Gildarts' the boy grinned 'and if that's right then that means we will have a new one to add to this bunch of misfits'
He heard a crash, evidently the fight between the other boys led to another priceless antique to go broken. He watched the continued brawl between the others and shook his head in distaste with crossed arms. His dark blue eyes looking down upon the two boys whom were still fighting now taking it down to the floor.
He gritted his teeth "Stop. It. Now." He said. They both looked at him, not seeming to be fazed by his demand, and then continued back to the argument that started the whole charade.
"Give it back!"
"No way!"
"But it's mine! Jii-chan gave it to me!"
"Yeah he GAVE it to you, he never said it was yours! He said that it belonged to everyone!"
"Well I wasn't done using it!"
The young boy who watched them laughed and decided he wanted to end this "Lyon" he muttered darkly "Loke" The said boys froze and shuddered knowing full on well they have tested their friend's patience. "Don't make me want to hurt you so early in the morning. I don't believe you want to sleep in a blizzard tonight do you Loke?" he stared at the boy with strawberry blonde hair, Loke's eyes twitched in a manner of fear and annoyance. Lyon laughed at Loke's expression.
The boy then turned his attention to Lyon that made his laughing stop abrupt "And I don't think you will much love to sleep with the fishes tonight. Am I right?" he jeered causing the small white spiked hair boy to gulp.
They both replied "N-no G-gray"
Gray smiled in triumph and he crossed his arms "Good. I'm glad I made myself clear. Gildarts is going to show up and I don't want him to find this house a mess when he gets here"
He looked around before adding, "He could do that anyway with a snap of his fingers."
Loke nodded but Lyon frowned "Who died and made you king? I don't see your name in any of the parliaments. And last that I recalled you're not Laxus-san or Jellel."
Gray rolled his blue eyes "If you haven't noticed. Master, Laxus, and Jellel went on a mission and wouldn't be back until morrow. That leaves me in charge, for I'm the most respectable and responsible choice out of the batch."
Lyon still wouldn't budge "But you're not even the oldest! If anything it should be me!"
Gray took no time before replying "Oh really? Then take it up with Master. Here I'll even help you out, try acting more your age before you declare that you can handle something" he smirked and walked off.
Lyon's cheeks flushed with anger while Loke stood up and started laughing. It earned him a kick in the abdomen. He collapsed on to the floor.
"Ow…"
Lyon walked off leaving his friend on the floor "That's what I thought" he mumbled.
:~:~:~:
Natsu watched in awe and also in discomfort, it was his first time in an automobile (The machine was introduced barely a decade ago) with an actual driver. But he didn't know he could get quite queasy from the motion of the car. He held his stomach attentively while groaning a few sounds.
Gildarts watched him amusedly, finding that this small yet soon to be powerful magician Achilles' heel is transportation.
"Stop grinning" Natsu mumbled, irked that Gildarts was taking enjoyment from his pain. This only made Gildarts' grin grow wider.
"You're full of mysteries kid" Natsu grunted at the comment "Like you're one to talk"
The man chuckled, turning his head to meet the view of the quiet town village of Sunderland. "We will be there shortly. Are you excited?"
Natsu still rubbing his belly in efforts of comfort responded, "Yes. But you still haven't answered any of my questions when we left. What exactly do we do that we have to train?"
The man's expression turned grim for a moment before passing it off as indifference. If what Natsu told him was true he would be turning nine this year, the same age as one of the kids at the mansion. But from what Gildarts can tell they're the exact opposites and he doesn't know how Natsu will take the news on what he will become from now on.
Which is somebody else.
Natsu frowned, though Gildarts face showed nothing his eyes gave it away. The warm chocolate tainted with worry and concern. But concern for what is what he is dyeing to know, making his stomach feel queasy and not because the carriage was on the move again.
If Gildarts refused to tell him any more at this point then the big happy dream he had of this place wasn't exactly how he pictured. Natsu made a glum face, apprehension growing in him.
What exactly is 'Fairy Tail?'
:~:~:~:
"I see the car." Gray spoke out; he shoved the white linen curtain across the window while turning his attention back to Loke and Lyon.
Loke seemed excited "Did you get a good glimpse of our new recruit?"
Gray shrugged "Not really. But I'm sure he's not that weird as you Lyon."
"Tch" Lyon was now walking his way towards the marble floored stairs "Enough of this gentleman chat. Let's go see this 'new kid'."
Gray stared at him before following " Someone is unhappy."
Loke nodded "He's probably just glum that there will be some attention on the new kid than on him."
Gray snorted, " I feel that you're right on the dot. Come let's go greet Gildarts"
:~:~:~:
"Well, this is it. This is your new home" Gildarts gladly said while taking a few of Natsu things with him.
Natsu merely nodded, looking at the Mansion with awe and excitement, he caught some movement near one of the windows from the corner of his eye but he shrugged it off.
"Is the master home?" he asked as they both walked up the steps that leads to the tall door.
Gildarts shook his head "The master is out with two others on a trial mission. He left three young ones to watch the house"
Natsu frowned making the lines on his forehead crease "Is this guy irresponsible? Leaving children to tend by themselves in the mansion?"
Gildarts chuckled "You have sharp eyes. The old man may be a bit on the weird side but he never failed in right judgment." He rumpled the kid's hair making him pout "Besides. These kids are special." Natsu eyes glinted "Special like me?"
"Yeah" a small smile formed on the man's face "Special like you." he turned and faced the white door "Which reminds me" he banged the door with a fist causing a booming sound to be heard quaking the ground and house itself "You brats going to greet us properly or what? I know you're on the other side of the door!"
'So I wasn't seeing things' Natsu thought now paying his full amount attention on the door that was creaking open.
"Old man! Do you want to bring the house down?" a small but angry voice came as the door flew open.
Gildarts grinned flashing his white teeth "Well it's the only way to get you three out of the house."
The boy, Natsu now noticed who had white spiky hair only scowled "Well it's not my fault these two are so slow" he said as two other boys came behind him.
"Lyon. No one would accompany you anywhere. Why do you believe you got here before us?" another boy said aggravated, he blew his black bangs up. Natsu noticed he had a round face and very dark blue eyes.
The boy standing next to him merely gave a sheepish grin while running a hand through his bright strawberry blonde hair "You came at a good time Gildarts. Or these two would all ready be in a row."
Gildarts rolled his eyes "And I thought you were bigger than that Gray" the boy 'Gray' Natsu figured only frowned while having his arms crossed "I am the bigger person" he responded "It's not my fault this guy" he motioned to Lyon who rolled his eyes "Can't accept it"
"Well if that's the case. Loke make sure these two don't cause any trouble all right?" Gildarts smirked while adjusting the strap to one of Natsu's bags.
Loke nodded, "Yes sir!"
The man rolled his eyes "I thought you three were proper gentlemen"
All three retorted, "We are!" they defended
Gildarts' merely snorted, "Well seeing how you guys haven't greeted our new guest I don't believe you are"
Natsu fidgeted a little before bowing respectively "Nice to meet you all"
The boys looked at him with indifference before raising their heads back at Gildarts.
"Too Polite" they said in unison "Are you sure you brought the right kid?"
The man gave out a joyous laugh "Ha. Watch your mouth boys" at this Natsu was trying his best not to punch them all in the mouth.
They all looked at him curious, noticing the annoyance and aggravation on the boy's face. But his eyes are what got them entranced that they didn't dare look away.
Loke shivered, feeling weak in the knees as Natsu glared at him, his spine crawled with fear and his throat went dry. Natsu only glared harder.
Lyon though feeling the changes going through his body made no slight movement with his arms crossed. But he was biting his lip trying to endure it, trying to make it seem he wasn't affected as sweat was pouring down his neck.
Gray on the other hand did show the discomfort on his face, glaring at Natsu back. So he said the boy was too polite big deal. Did he really have to make it feel as if he were in a hot spring? He tugged at his white collar trying to blow off his steam.
"Okay kid." He mumbled, "You have the stuff"
Natsu huffed but relaxed, the heat that once aroused the boys disappeared. They all relaxed, Loke sighed a breath of relief "So you're a fire mage huh?"
Natsu blinked, 'They can tell?' though he didn't have his tantrum he made sure to keep his energy under control. Maybe he wasn't doing it right?
Gildarts smacked his back "You're a bit rusty so they all felt it with in them" Gildarts grinned "But it got them to shut up so it's a plus"
Natsu shrugged, not knowing what to say, "Yes. Sorry about that"
Loke grinned, "It's not a problem. You're still new at this. I'm Loke Celestial. My magic is mostly Regulus and transformation"
Natsu grinned, "I'm Natsu. And you can guess that I'm a fire mage."
"Yeah I got that" Loke replied "But your fire seems quite different than others. Though I don't know how to explain it"
"You met others with my magic?" Natsu asked excitedly. Loke nodded, "Yes. But long ago and only one but I don't remember much about him"
Natsu pouted "Oh…"
"Hey" he smiled "Don't be glum about it. You have a lifetime ahead of you to find someone like yourself"
"Yes. You're right"
Loke then nudged Lyon who was silent during their conversation "This is Lyon Vastia"
Lyon waved "Hi."
"He also controls an element such as yourself. But his…well is actually quite different than yours"
Natsu raised a brow "How so?"
Lyon grunted "Ice." He plainly stated. "Ice magic. Dynamic and Static"
Natsu wrinkled his nose in disgust, for being so accustomed to heat for so long, having Ice as a power seems dreadful.
"Dynamic and Static. What does that mean?"
Lyon sighed; "If you must know" he rolled his eyes "Ice Make is my main skill. It's a form of molding magic that allows the user to create ice at his will and to shape it into objects. Though I say Static and Dynamic, I prefer Dynamic meaning my ice is living. Most of my creations are animal familiars made from ice.
Natsu eyes sparkled "So you can make something like a Snow dragon?"
Lyon not used to having someone so interested in him fought back a smile "But of course!" he beamed with pride "My magic is a whole level better than Gray's"
"Well what can he do?"
Gray decided to jump in "Ice Make."
Natsu scrunched up his eyebrows in confusion "Wait you both can do Ice Make?"
Gray nodded "Yes. Lyon has a preference for Dynamic though he can use Static. Whereas mine, I more of Static type meaning I can shape my ice into any inanimate object or weapon" he snorted once his gaze landed on Lyon "Just because you can make yours fly doesn't mean it's better"
Lyon rolled his eyes while Loke coughed back a chuckle. Gildarts only hummed "Well enough introductions lets get inside"
:~:~:~:
"He doesn't know does he?" Grays asked when the two were finally alone. He asked Lyon and Loke to help get Natsu settled while he finished some business with Gildarts.
The man sighed putting down his hot cup of tea "You can tell?"
Gray shrugged "Well he seemed a bit too happy being here. I just assumed"
"How do you think he'll take it?"
"He will be shocked," the boy said "That's a given. But I can sense why master chose him to be my partner though I'm not please with him at all"
Gildarts smirked "So you acknowledge that the boy is powerful?"
Gray sneered, "I'm not denying he has it. But I question if he can do it" was his reasonable answer.
Gildarts patted Gray's head knowingly with a sad smile plastered on "Don't worry. You all are special and have the characteristics to become a—"
"Assassin" came in the boy's dark reply.
Gildarts frowned, "Gray." He started, "I was going to say 'highly trained operative' but if that's how you feel…"
"Don't." Gray interrupted, "Don't give me that. It doesn't matter in the end, for that's what we're trained to do. To kill people."
"You know that this is not what this organization is about." Gildarts tone went soft and smug "A correct term for an assassin is someone part of farcical cult who feels its their priority to 'fix the world' with their radical executions" came in his bitter voice "We're not like that"
"I know" came in Gray's reply "But when I joined I didn't think I would become the exact thing that took my parents"
Silence.
Gildarts sighed, "And you won't be" came in his firm answer confidently he spoke "Though I can't justify some of the tactics we use and teach. You know we only do what is necessary." He looked at Gray with warm eyes "Remember that. We are the ones that get rid of the people that are malicious in the world, the ones who go after the people that are undeserving of the title to live"
Gray gave him a half smile "Yes. I know. Which is why I still chose to stay here."
"Your parents would be proud" came in his gruff voice "They were once this too before they retired."
Intrigued Gray asked "But they weren't old. What made them retire so early?"
Gildarts smiled warmly "Because they had you"
Prologue
The magic and violence happens only at night