AN: Hey everybody! Thanks for checking out my story so far. This has been a lot of fun to write and I hope it's been just as fun a read. Since nobody objected to Ezra's name, I'll leave it like it is. If any future readers have a problem with it, I'm truly sorry.

Notice: I don't own Fairy Tail. Its characters, settings etc. belong to Hiro Mashima. However, this fic does contain multiple OC's. These, and these alone, are mine.

Chapter 6: Introductions are in Order

Of course Erza recognized Ezra Mathin. Just his face on the cover of the magazine had somehow radiated power. But relatively up close and personal, there was no comparison at all. Power seemed to roll off his body in surging waves, each one forcing her to use a little bit of energy just to avoid taking a step back. And yet these weren't the kind of waves of magic that usually radiated from people of his power level. The magic power Ezra exuded was warm and friendly, but also fierce and uncontrollable, like the kind of powerful ocean wave you couldn't wait to surf. Quite similar to Makarov's, actually. And his fellow guildmates definitely didn't seem like pushovers either.

The waves of magic power immediately subsided when Ezra spoke: "Greetings, friends. It is an honor to finally meet a few members from the legendary Fairy Tail guild. It is an honor to meet you, great Titania Erza and Gray Fullbuster. My name is Ezra Mathin, of the Hydra Claw guild, and these are my comrades." He bowed.

"Are you sure we should be this friendly towards them, Ezra, sir?" the young blonde girl inquired. "Perhaps it would be in our best interest if we were to remain aloof."

"Ah, shut it, Fenra. We know they mean no harm," the red-haired, disc-laden man snapped. "Fairy Tail is our fellow guild, and they even took out those bandits we were stalking for us. As long as they don't like square things, they're fine by me."

"Maw don't know what you two said, but they look tasty! Maw eat!" the large man with the even larger mouth roared and started towards them, but the red-haired man grabbed Maw by the back of his shirt and, grunting, yanked him back into the line.

"Come on, Maw, these guys are friendly, remember? I promise, if they turn out to be square-lovers, you can eat them all you want. Deal?"

"Okay, Nath," the mouth man pouted.

Erza heard Gray's voice whisper in her ear. "These guys are really weird."

"It's okay, they're harmless," she whispered back. "Remember, they're strong wizards from a strong fellow guild. We need to make a good impression." She requipped back into her normal armor and turned back to face the wizards. "It is truly an honor to meet such decorated wizards from such a celebrated guild. You must be Head Five, the most powerful team in the Hydra Claw guild."

The turbaned man, who had remained silent thus far, suddenly spoke. "Just as the serpent does not dance to simple music, so will we not answer to your unabashed flattery." The snake on his shoulders hissed.

Erza stared back at him with her mouth open, perplexed.

Ezra spoke again, chuckling at his partner's words. "Well said, Kamarr." Then, addressing Erza and Gray, he said, "You'll have to excuse my friend. He's always looking out for Head Five's wellbeing. He meant no disrespect. If you'll excuse us, we shall now be on our way so that we trouble you no longer."

That struck a chord within Erza. There was no way she wanted Ezra to leave so soon. Not before she got the chance to duel him. You see, Ezra was rumored to be a requip wizard with some kind of special skill that no other possessed, not even Erza herself. She simply had to see if Ezra would be willing to teach her. That and, well, she had never gotten the chance to spar with a requip wizard with skills that rivaled her own.

"Nonsense," she responded. "It's far too late for you all to get back home. Please, come spend the night at the guild. I promise everyone will make you feel more than welcome."

Gray's questioning voice murmured softly behind her. "Erza… are you sure this is a good idea?"

She put a hand on his shoulder to silence him. "So, what do you say? It's the least we could do for you since you helped us defeat the bandits."

Ezra's sly smile stretched into a full-on grin. "We would love to," he said. "Right, guys?"

The rest of his team didn't seem so thrilled with the idea. Fenra, Maw and Nath all seemed doubtful, while Kamarr's silent, emotionless face betrayed nothing.

"There'll be plenty of food," Gray's voice added earnestly from behind her. Erza felt incredibly grateful towards Gray. He had no idea why she wanted Ezra to stay but was willing to go along with her charade in order to help her out.

"Food?" Maw began to drool again.

"Round food? Cookies?" Nath started drooling almost as much as Maw.

"Too many cookies," Gray promised.

"ALL RIGHT!" the two decreed in unison.

Ezra flashed his brilliant smile again. "Great! Sorry, Fenra, Kamarr, but it looks like you got outvoted."

Fenra simply slumped her shoulders and sighed, while Kamarr began mumbling something about water returning from the river to the ocean.

Erza nervously presented her best smile. "Wonderful! Gray and I will lead the way."

Hope you enjoyed! Remember to PLEASE review! I am trying to become a better writer and every bit of feedback helps. Let me know why you did or didn't like my story. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you have a nice day.