Chapter 2. A New Member

Lia sat at a table with Team Natsu after Gray and Natsu's fight concluded.

"Here you go, Lia," Mirajane placed a beef sandwich and soda in front of her.

"So, Lia, how can you look so young but be older than Master Makarov?" Lucy asked.

"She came out of one of Zeref's books," Natsu answered for her.

"Ah! So does that mean you're a demon?!" Happy, the blue Exceed, eyes widened in wonder and fright.

"No…" She shifted uncomfortably.

"Can you turn into one like Mira?" Wendy, the youngest of the Dragon Slayers asked.

"Mira can?"

"Yeah, she's not an S-Class wizard for nothing. She uses Take-Over magic, Satan Soul."

"That's a powerful magic. Very popular back then too." Lia gave Mira a once over. Most take over mages specializing in Satan Soul had a darker personality. Not in Mira's case.

"Can I ask you guys something?"

"Sure," Gray said.

"Why did you decide to reform the guild again? From what I heard, after the Tartarus incident, you all went your separate ways. Why come back together?"

"It's simple really," Natsu started. "Everyone in Fairy Tail loves each other like family. After everything we had been through and finding some kind of peace with the situation after a year of being on our own, we got back together. We all realized we're better, stronger and happier together. If we want to stop everything going on in the world right now, we have to do it together as Nakama."

The entire guildhall had quieted at Natsu's sentimental words. When the Tenrou Island team had disappeared nine years prior, the remaining members had lost their spirit and will to fight. After the destruction of their guild for a third time they never believed they would ever be together again. That was until Natsu, Lucy and Happy hunted everyone down and convinced them to reform Fairy Tail once more.

"I'm so glad Fairy Tail has kept its spirit. Back then we would cause so much trouble for the magic council they always threatened to shut us down. But they needed us too much to ever really go on their threats," Lia fondly said.

"Sounds like Fairy Tail now!" Happy yelled.

"What kind of magic do you use?" Erza asked.

"Oh, uh, illusion." She stumbled a bit. "Mavis taught me." She finished.

"First Master taught you?"

"Of course. We are-were best friends. She was only able to teach me the basics though since I wasn't a very good student.

"Erza, I can see you're a requip mage. One of my best friends was one too."

"Oh really? Who? Maybe I know of them."

"Reiki. They called him-"

"The Iron Man? You knew him?!" Erza demanded.

"Of course. We grew up together. He taught me how to fight."

Erza hopped out of her chair, pushing the table back.

"You have to show me some of his moves. Let's go to the training grounds." Erza dragged Lia out of the guildhall with everyone following to watch Erza massacre Lia.

Erza provided Lia with training armor and sword. Both were heavy and difficult to maneuver.

"I have to tell you," Lia started. "I'm not quite as proficient in swordsmanship as Reiki."

Erza nodded. "That's fine. Just fighting one of his students is an honor in itself. Requip! Robe of Yuen!" Erza donned a revealing purple kimono. She had a long polearm in her hand.

'Astounding,' Lia thought. 'She requipped so fast. I wonder how she would have fared against Reiki?'

"Don't overdo it, Ophelia," Makarov said.

Lia waved him off. She needed to see how strong the current crop of Fairy Tail wizards was. If they were up to the standards set by her and her friends long ago.

Erza started walking forward. She poised her blade near Lia's neck.

Lia knocked the blade away from her and cut across Erza's chest. A flesh wound, but more than others in the guild had managed.

Erza stepped back. She swung her polearm at Lia's head. It connected, flipping Lia over in the air. She made a quick handstand. Bending her lower body, she kicked her heels at Erza. Erza flew back a number of feet from the impact. Standing straight up, Lia lunged at the red head. Her sword met dirt. Erza from behind punched her shoulder blade and swiped at any exposed skin.

Their blades clanged in the wind. Determination set in Lia's eyes. Erza's face lit up at the prospect of finding a worthy adversary. One last hit broke Lia's sword in half. She threw away the pieces without a second thought. Lia speared Erza and they both toppled to the ground. Catching her off guard, she seized Erza's polearm and severed it too. Erza kicked Lia off her and let out a scream. Going straight for her, she rewarded her with a flurry of punches. Lia caught one her fists and slammed her knee into her midsection. Still holding on to her arm, she threw her into air then clocked Erza in the skull. The crowd hooted their approval. They hadn't seen someone go toe-to-toe with Erza for a while.

"Alright! This is awesome!" Natsu bellowed. "I'm all fired up! I wanna join in!" Natsu sucked up air. Flames danced all over his body.

"Natsu, no!" Makarov commanded.

Lia twisted to see what the commotion was. Erza took the chance to strike her in the jaw propelling her meters away from her. She fell to her knees.

"Fire Dragon Roar!" A sphered blaze came straight for Lia. She sat paralyzed on the ground.

"Grim Rea-"She turned her head to the side to see a cosmic sized beam of white light coming towards her.

Gildarts stood in front of her. He took Natsu's attack. Barely affecting him, he knelt down to Lia.

Her eyes were dilated. Sweat poured down her face as she gripped at her necklace. Small tremors shook her body.

"Natsu, you idiot! You almost hurt Ophelia!" Makarov remained worried over her.

"I'm fine, Makarov. It's funny. Just the other day I was changing your diaper. And now you're old man." She looked towards Erza. She had requipped back into her normal attire. "You are a very good fighter Erza. Reiki would have been proud to have a wizard like you wield his magic." Erza eyes shined with pride and gratitude.

"I'm taking her back to the infirmary, old man," Gildarts said. Makarov nodded his consent. Gildarts helped Lia up and started leading her back inside.

Natsu feebly stopped them. "Hey, Lia. I'm sorry about before. I didn't realize you were afraid of fire or whatever."

Lia shook her head. "It wasn't the fire. I was simply a bit stunned. You Dragon Slayers, always surprising me." A bright smile took over her face. Natsu gave his signature grin in return.

"Natsu…" Natsu shoulders tensed. "Yes Gramps?"

"I'm putting Lia with you and the rest of Team Natsu. She'll need you guys to help her. This is a new world for her. 100 hundred years is a lot of change."

Natsu fist pounded the air. "Alright! Now we're definitely the strongest team in Fairy Tail."

That night, Makarov and Gildarts conversed by the bar.

"There's been talk of a new dark guild causing trouble in Fiore. With them and all the demons running rampant, it can't get any worse," Gildarts bet.

Makarov swallowed his drink in one gulp. "I doubt that."

If you're wondering about Lia's power level I would say she's about Cana's or Levy's level. Really, anymore time fighting Erza and she would have been wiped out lol. But she's got the fighting skills to stay strong for a while.

Until next time! :)