Chapter 4: The Fairies
"Why are you guys acting so strange about him coming here?" asked Lucy.
"Because it's unheard of for Slayers to just visit a guild." responded a random member.
"He's right, they seem to only visit Dark Guild, and we all know what happens after that." said another member, causing a few members to shake in fear.
"Oh no Master, the Council wouldn't have sent him because we are always getting on their nerves, would they?" asked an orange haired man smoking on a pipe.
"No they wouldn't have, we are still far from that happening brats." replied the Master, hoping to stop the panic from getting worse than it already was.
"Good" said a few members now calming down and going back to what they were doing.
"I can see how that would be a concern, but why are some of you guys still acting different?" asked Lucy, seeing that the two girls at the bar seemed to be lost in their thoughts, while others looked like they were still panicking. While a few others she couldn't quite figure out what they were thinking.
"Because all of those Slayers are monsters, and he is by far the worst of the lot. I mean you half to have heard some of the stories about him right? And now he is coming here, nothing good can come from this." said a purple haired member.
"Of course I have, I haven't been living under a rock my whole life. But that is all they are, they're just stories that people keep spreading around and each time they become more exaggerated." replied Lucy.
"Well yea some of them are slightly exaggerated, but most of them aren't little lady so I would suggest you staying away from him and all those other slayers." said the same man.
"Well for your information I have already met him, he saved my life. He then was nice enough to bring me all the way here and give me some training while we were traveling together. Have you even met any of the Slayers or the Salamander?" Lucy responded back to the man.
"Well actually no, I have been lucky enough to not run into any of them." he replied back to Lucy's question.
"That's what I thought, so if you haven't even seen them or been with them, then don't go spreading rumors about them." said Lucy angry at one of her new guild mates.
"Frankly I am glad that the infamous Salamander is coming here." replied a red headed girl wearing armor.
"You are?" asked Lucy now surprised that someone was glad that he is coming, because so far all of the other members reactions have not been positive.
"Yep, now I have the chance to fight probably one of the strongest mages out there. And you never know when you will get another chance like this, so I am going to take it. Also I want to see if the rumors about him are true." replied the knight.
"That's just crazy Erza, you're going to get yourself killed." shouted out one of her fellow guild mates.
"I will not, because it is going to be a friendly dual between two mages." replied Erza, slightly angry that one of her guild mates said that she was going to die.
"More like a fight between you and a good for nothing monster." replied a raven haired man in just his boxers.
"He's not a monster!" yelled Lucy.
"He definitely is one if even a quarter of the rumors about him are true." he said back to her.
"Just because he has incredible magic power doesn't make him a monster." retorted Lucy.
"That's not what I am talking about girl, they aren't fully human, they do things to their own bodies." said the man in his boxers while moving his way over to Lucy.
"He seemed like a normal human to me, except for his pink hair and all of the scars. Also have you even seen a Slayer and confirmed for yourself that they aren't human, because it could be argued that all mages aren't human because we can do things that aren't possible for most people." replied Lucy.
"No I haven't, and that is completely different, they change their bodies." countered the raven haired man.
"I truly don't see any difference." said Lucy not understanding how that was even an argument.
"Yea Grey, are you saying that me and my siblings are Monsters?" shouted Mira, being broken out of her thoughts by his comment.
"Yea Grey?" chirped in Lisanna, wanting to know his thoughts.
"No not at all, that is your magic and you guys turn back to normal once you are done, what Slayers do is a permanent change." replied Grey.
"Grey, their changes are probably because of their magic as well, they just don't get the luxury to go back to normal and hide." said Mira.
"Okay maybe I was wrong on that part, they are still monsters." stated Grey, clearly angry that he even had to have this argument.
"How are they still Monsters, Grey?" asked Lucy.
"Well like I said before they do things that shouldn't even be possible with magic, but apparently that isn't enough for you. They also won't do anything to help out unless they get paid." said Grey.
"That doesn't make sense either Grey, I mean don't all mages do that, we wait for a request to come in before we go out and do something. It's how we make a living, and I assume it's how they make one as well." said Lucy.
"What I meant by that is Slayers, if they saw something bad happening they wouldn't even stop they would just pass on by, without a care in the world." replied Grey.
"That is incorrect as well, the Salamander saw that the Witch Hunters were after me and stepped in and helped me without getting anything in return." argued Lucy.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that girl, for all you know he could have only stepped in because he thought that you were attractive and that you would bang him to show your gratitude, you do look the type." said Grey with a smirk.
"Are you saying I look like a slut?" shouted Lucy now boiling with pure hatred for Grey.
"Well if the shoe fits." replied Grey still smirking at here.
"Grey! That is enough, we get it you hate slayers, but saying a comment like that to your new guild member is just going too far." said a women with short black hair.
"Whatever you guys can have fun with that freak, but I'm out of here." said Grey as he headed to the doors.
"Sorry about that, he didn't mean it, he just gets really worked up about Slayers. And you were making some really good points, which I think he couldn't handle so he switched tactics. By the way I am Ul Milkovich, it's a pleasure to meet you Miss?" said the women from before.
"It's Lucy and it's a pleasure to meet you as well. So what made Grey hate Slayers so much?" asked Lucy.
"Well that is kind of a long story." said Ul as she took a seat next to Lucy, and crossed her legs. This action caused Lucy to notice that Ul no longer had a right leg from the knee down; instead it was completely made of ice.
"What happened to your leg?" asked Lucy not thinking about how she just shouted that out to a person she just meet.
"HAHAHA, this old thing, I got it a while back and it actually somewhat relates to why Grey hates Slayers." replied Ul while chuckling.
"Really, well now I have to hear this story." said Lucy looking at Ul expectantly.
"Weren't you waiting for the Salamander." said Ul while giving Lucy a suggestive wink.
"I am, but it's not like what you are trying to hint at." responded Lucy.
"Well I am glad to hear that, it means less competition for me." replied Ul now smiling.
"What?" asked Lucy not believing what she just heard.
"Hey we all aren't like Grey, and also you aren't the first girl that the Salamander has saved either. I bet he has probably already has saved one hundred, and I am talking personally, who knows how big that number would be if you counted the destruction and death he's prevented by killing monsters." said Ul.
"Wait he has saved that many girls personally?" asked Lucy.
"Yep and that's just a guess, it's probably way higher. But even after all the good he has done he still gets treated as a monster. Sometimes even by the ones that he saves, really makes you wonder why he still does it. I know that I couldn't handle that, I can barely handle the shit that normal mages take." said Ul with a now sad expression.
"He mentioned something about being called a monster by the ones that he saved. What I don't get is why do other mages treat the Slayers like that, shouldn't mages understand what it feels like and not do it to others?" asked Lucy.
"If it was a perfect would my dear than yes, which would mean that all mages wouldn't be treated like normal citizens as well. But unfortunately we aren't, and as you were arguing with Grey earlier, all mages are Humans which means we can make the same mistakes as the rest of them." replied Master Makarov making his presence to the two ladies known.
"Well said Master, well said. But hopefully more mages like you Lucy, will start pointing out how stupid it is, and with time it might change." said Ul now with a small smile.
"Really, you think so? Because the Salamander said something somewhat similar after saying that he gave up trying." replied Lucy recalling back to her conversation with him.
"That doesn't really surprise me. Like Ul said earlier it is remarkable that he is still going after all of these years?" said Master Makarov shaking his head sadly.
"How long has he been a Slayer?" asked Lucy.
"It's not my place to tell you Lucy, you would have to ask him if you really want to know." replied Master Makarov.
"There is a rumor that he was one of the founding members of the Slayers." said Lisanna obviously wanting to be part of the conversation.
"I have heard that too." commented Ul.
"There's no way, he's way too young for that. He told me that his guild was founded over one hundred and seventy five years ago." replied Lucy to the previous comments.
"That is why it's just a rumor Lucy." said Mira as she placed a glass of Lemonade in front of her.
"I know what a rumor is Mira, and I also didn't order this." said Lucy looking down at the drink.
"I know that, I just thought that you could use it. Also I am impressed that you didn't back down to Grey." said Mira smiling at her.
"Why would I, you have to fight for what you believe in." responded Lucy.
"You are going to fit in around here just fine my dear, really fine if I do say so myself." said Master Makarov while checking Lucy out at the end of it.
"Thanks Master." replied Lucy not noticing that he was checking her out, but someone else did.
"Master, do we need to have another talk?" asked Mira smiling at the Master in a creepy manner.
"Nope Mira, oh what was that, I will be with you in a second. Well got to go Mira someone needs me right now." replied Makarov as he got up and booked it out of there.
"Sure they do Master." giggled Mira.
"So Ul, would you mind telling me that story you were going to until we got sidetracked?" asked Lucy looking at Ul.
"Would you Ul, I am kind of curious why Grey hates Slayers so much?" said Lisanna.
"Me too, Grey even said that comment about changing bodies which I know he didn't mean." said Mira.
"Well it all started with why Grey came to me in the first place. Grey's whole town was completely destroyed by the demon Deliora, and he was one of the few if not only survivors, which caused him to hate and despise the demon. He then focused all of that hate and anger into getting stronger, which is why he came to me because he heard about how I was one of the few rouge mages out there that the Witch Hunters were too afraid to go after. So he came to me and asked if I could train him, and I saw how much hate and anger was in him, so I decided I would teach him in hopes of getting rid of it." said Ul.
"Wait you were Grey's teacher, and how does any of this have to deal with him hating slayers?" asked Lucy interrupting Ul's story.
"Yes, and if you let me continue you will know!" replied Ul angry that she was interrupted.
"Sorry." squeaked out Lucy backing away from Ul a little bit.
"So as I was saying, I started to train Grey, and it looked like I was beginning to get him to release some of that anger and hate. But it would come right back whenever he heard of Deliora destroying some other place, but I still had hope that he could get past it and come to terms with not being able to do anything about it. Then the unthinkable happened, we got news that Deliora was heading to a nearby village. I forbid Grey from going and trying to kill Deliora, but you know how kids are, he didn't listen to me and snuck off as soon as he could and went there. As soon as I learned of this I went after him, luckily I got there in time to prevent Deliora from killing him, but it costed me this leg, which I would gladly give up again knowing that it would save him. Needless to say things were looking grim, Grey was unconscious and I was no match for Deliora, I was about to sacrifice my life to stop that demon, but then out of nowhere came some Slayers, and yada, yada, yada they defeated Deliora." said Ul.
"Wait that sounds like Grey should love and respect Slayers for saving your life and his?" asked Lisanna.
"Yea." said Mira and Lucy.
"Yea that is definitely one way it could have happened. But Grey didn't see it that way, he was furious that there were people out there that had the power to stop Deliora but didn't do anything until he had already lost his family and I lost my leg. I explained to him that he didn't know there side of why they didn't help right away, it could be that their guild wasn't asked right away or that their members who were strong enough weren't around. But he didn't care and wouldn't listen, so now his hatred for Deliora has been transferred to the people who actually stopped that demon. It probably doesn't help that all of those rumors about the slayers always say how strong they are, probabaly made him think that they were just sitting around not caring what Deliora was doing." said Ul with a sad smile.
"Yea I guess that makes sense for a kid to think like that, but he's and adult now. He should know that he can't blame the slayers for what Deliora did." said Lucy.
"You are right Lucy, but also you haven't ever had such a strong hatred or anger like he did. It can make you not see or think clearly, that is why I am still trying to open his eyes and get him to let go of it." said Ul, as the doors to the guild opened and a lone figure stood there. All the members looked to see who it was, and they were somewhat surprised to see a pink headed man, well they actually shouldn't have since all the rumors about the Salamander had that part. But they for some reason that it was a joke, but here he was standing in front of them with pink locks of hair.
The Salamander scanned the guild to see if he could find the people that he knows from this guild, and surprisingly enough all except for two of them were grouped together by the bar. So with smile on his face, he headed towards them, which by the way creeped out half of the guild not because it was a creepy smile. But because he was smiling at all, from all of the stories and rumors he should never have such a thing on his face it should be a permanent frown. His smile was actually really nice and almost made you want to smile with him, which once again went against everything that they knew about him.
The Salamander was half way to his destination when he was stopped by gauntlet covered hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see who was brave enough to stop him, to find that it was the one and only Erza Scarlet also known as Titania.
"Are you the Salamander?" asked Erza.
"What a warm welcome Titania." replied the Salamander.
"You didn't answer my question." said Erza now getting slightly angry.
"Well what would be your response if I said no?" asked the Salamander.
"I would then say that you are a liar, because you somewhat match the description of the Salamander." said Erza.
"Well I don't have the horns, wings, and tail, that he is rumored to have. And now I have another question to ask, why ask a question if you aren't going to listen to the answer?" replied the Salamander.
"I would've listened to your answer." stated Erza.
"But you just said that you would have called me a liar." said the Salamnder now smirking at her.
"That would be because you are lying to me." responded Erza.
"But what if I'm not?" asked the Salamander, causing Erza to think for a bit and then finally making up her mind.
"I am sorry sir, for assuming that you were lying to me." replied Erza while doing a small bow.
"No need for an apology Titania, we were just discussing a hypothetical situation if I wasn't the Salamander. Which I happen to be, so what can I do for you Titania?" said the Salamander with a huge grin.
"What? Why? Whatever I challenge you to a fight Salamander." replied Erza, confused why he did that whole hypothetical situation with her.
"Okay, but not right now I have some people that I would like to see. Feel free to come along if you want Titania." said the Salamander once more heading towards the bar.
"Wow, who would have thought that all of the people that I know from Fairy Tail, except for two, would be in a group waiting for me." said the Salamander while looking at Lucy, Lisanna, Mira, and Ul.
"Wait, you three all know the Salamander too?" said a surprised Lucy pointing at the other girls.
"Yep, but I also didn't know that take-over sisters knew him." said Ul looking at Mira and Lisanna.
"Well we do Ul, and you never told us that you knew him." said Mira accusingly at Ul.
"Well good, you all now know that you each know me. Who wants to get something to eat while we catch up? Because if feels as if everybody in your guild is looking at me." said the Salamander, who was correct about everyone watching him.
"I would love to eat with you Salamander." said Ul grabbing one of his arms and putting it between her breasts.
"I wouldn't mind getting some food." replied Lucy, blushing at how up front Ul was being.
"Sure, if you want us too?" said Mira, referencing Lisanna and herself.
"Of course I do!" responded the Salamander with a smile.
"Salamander, what do you think you are doing?" asked Master Makarov from the second floor.
"Well I was inviting all of these beautiful ladies out to eat with me, but I guess it couldn't hurt if you came along as well Makarov." said Salamander eyeing the old man on the second level.
"You're dam right it won't hurt, and this time you're paying Salamander." replied Makarov while landing right next to the Salamander.
"HAHAHA, of course, of course, are you still upset that I skipped out on paying the last time?" said the Salamander while chuckling.
"Of course I am you ate enough food for thirty people, and then disappeared without saying a single word." said Makarov while raising an eyebrow up.
"Oh yea, sorry about that, I had an emergency quest come up so I took off. You know how it is." replied the Salamander while rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh I know Gildarts is the same way." said Makarov while shaking his head back and forth.
"Where is he, I haven't seen him for a few years?" asked the Salamander scanning the guild for him, just in case he somehow missed him the first time.
"Probably off somewhere destroying something I am going to have to pay for." replied Makarov now pinching the bridge of his nose.
"HAHAHA, Makarov that stress there is going to kill you someday, look what it has already done to you. Its making you age faster, which is something you should be concerned about." said the Salamander now giving Makarov a smirk.
"Quite you, we all can't be like you, I mean look at you, it seems you haven't aged a day since the first time I saw you." said Makarov looking the Salamander all over.
"Well I most certainly have, and you know Makarov looks aren't everything. So let's continue this while we go get something to eat." said Salamander wanting to get some grub.
"Sounds good, I know of this all you can eat restaurant that you might enjoy." stated Makarov.
"Well then please lead the way Makarov." replied the Salamander, doing a hand gesture for Makarov to lead.
As the group started to leave, the rest of the guild couldn't believe what they just witnessed. The Master and Salamander were just talking as if they have been friends for years, talking about a previous time of them eating together, commenting on each other's looks. It was just really confusing for the guild, also the fact that the Salamander is now leaving with almost half of the women that happened to be at the guild today didn't go unnoticed by the guild. Just as the group was almost out the Salamander stopped and turned around.
"Are you coming Titania?" asked the Salamander, somewhat surprising the girl.
"Sure, but just to make sure that nothing indecent happens and that you don't back out of the promise that you made me." replied Erza while giving him a small glare.
"Great, and don't worry we will definitely have that dual." replied the Salamander with a smirk, as Erza caught up with the rest of the group. And then they left, leaving behind the rest of the guild that was now too shocked to say or do anything.
End of Chapter
Author's Notes:
Well there you have it readers, I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did while righting it. So the next chapter is going to be about Natsu's past with these members of Fairy Tail. Well as always feel free to leave me a review.
Until the next chapter
Digem Out!