Chapter 11: Home Sweet Home
"I'm going to miss you brats." Igneel put a hand on top of Natsu and Lucy's head.
"Don't talk like this is the last time you'll see us old man!" Natsu pushed the hand off his head with a half hearted smile.
"Yeah, we will come visit as soon as this is all resolved." Lucy fought the overwhelming need to cry.
The grand hall of Draco's mansion was filled with the sounds of emotional good byes. Every dragon had come to wish the young mages luck on their mission, and tried their best to keep their emotions at bay.
"Levy, please take care of yourself." Abra who turned back into her dragon form to keep the tears at bay said softly. The twins nuzzled their small noses against Levy's wordlessly saying their goodbyes.
"Remember that you have everything you need, you just have to will it. And for god sake don't use that, because we want to visit you at fairy tail like you said, and we can't do that if you do... so don't." Uruloki was losing his composure, even in his dragon form it was becoming hard to hide, so he let it out, sobbing thick tears streaming from his ruby eyes like two steady rivers.
"When we return home I would love to have you all for a visit, I promise to do everything in my power to get all of my family home safely." Levy promised patting the dragon on the head with her index finger. "I'm going to miss you all so much." She let a tear roll down her cheek as well.
Wendy played this the silken fabric of her gown, not wanting to say a second good bye to the dragons who stood tall and proud in front of her. "Wendy, just remember that you can do anything you set your mind to." Icilo laid his cool hands on the smaller woman's shoulders.
"And no matter what else happens, remember that we are both very proud of you." Grandine smiled sweetly as she rested the palm of her hand on Wendy's cheek. "Charle, please continue to take good care of her." The white exceed only nodded, fighting her own nervousness back.
"I don't want to say good bye." Wendy said in a small voice.
"Then don't, this is more like we will see you later." Icilo gave a calm smile to sooth Wendy's visible unease.
"I guess you're right, this isn't really good bye." She smiled back.
On the other side of the hall Laxus had his eyes glued to the floor trying to ignore his two companions. Constantine nodded several times in agreement to Umbros' teases, only causing the dragon slayer to sigh deeper.
"Laxus has a pony tail, like a little girl." The poison dragon laughed while pulling on Laxus' hair, unashamed at the idea that the others were now staring in their direction.
"A very Lovely little girl." Constantine added with a wicked smile.
"AWWWWW Pretty little Lexy!" They sang together before bursting into another round of laughter.
Laxus had just about as much as he could take from the two, with out any warning his hands came to the side of each dragon's head forcing them to collide with a loud cracking sound.
"Aww look they like each other so much they can't stay apart!" Laxus mocked as the two dragon fell to the ground clutching their bruised heads.
"Brat." Umbros chided.
"I guess we went to far that time." Constantine winced as he tried to raise an eyebrow.
"Can't even say a nice good bye, you sadist bastards, can you?" Laxus crossed his arms over his chest in irritation.
"Bye?" The both shrugged getting back up from the ground still holding their sore heads.
"Bye." Laxus stormed off to join the only one who wasn't bothering to speak to any of the dragons. Gajeel stayed in his seat watching everyone else closely. He personally couldn't wait to get away from this place, and head back to his home. He kept his watchful eyes on Levy as she hugged the group of small dragons who were fawning over her rather loudly. He was finished with this place, and hoped he and his wife would never have a reason to come back.
"Well, I'm going to open the path then." Lucy pulled out the crystal key from the inside of her gown with a small smile. "Is everyone ready?" The mages gathered behind Natsu and Lucy as she drew a set of double doors in the air. "This will become a permanent way for me to access this world from Fairy Tail, as well as the vice versa. I hope to see you all soon."
"Take care while we clean up the mess out there!" Natsu waved, his back pack and sword strapped between his shoulders. Lucy pushed open the doors filling the room with a bright shining light, the nine traveling companions walked through the door without turning to see the dragons waving, or the increased flow of tears.
"It's up to you now." Igneel held his head high, knowing that Natsu would do everything in his power to avert the destruction of the human world that his grandson loved so dearly.
Mira hummed a little tone as she cleaned the bar counter top. She wondered if Natsu and his group had managed to reach their destination, and what kind of face Natsu had made when he met his father figure once more. There were only a few short months remaining till the time Lucy had seen the attacks happening, and she hoped they would return in time.
The guild hall was unusually quiet since a lot of members were off training. Gray was one of the few who stayed behind, he was off in the corner with 'Lucy' and 'Levy' going over details of a mission Master had requested they take. 'Laxus' spent most of his time in the master's quarters with Erza and 'Lucy' as well as Master going over allies and enemies. Battle strategies were the main topic of discussion with most members who weren't out on missions to keep their minds sharp.
Every eye in the room turned to the main doors when there was a low rumble, like far off thunder. The seams of the door began to glow golden before they swung forward blinding anyone who looked directly at it.
"WE'RE BACK!" boomed through the silent guild hall. The light died away as the doors closed behind the nine figures.
"Welcome home." The tears welled up in the bar maids eyes as she dropped the rag on the counter, practically running at the smiling group.
"It's good to be back." Natsu breathed out as Mira tackled him to the ground in a fierce hug. "Oi, Mira you're going to ruin my suite." He laughed as she pulled back to get a better look at them. Every one of them had grown, especially Wendy who was absolutely stunning in her fitted blue ball gown.
"Have my children finally returned?" A voice called from the top of the stairs.
"Yes Grampa we are home." Lucy smiled, letting her pack slide to the ground before she ran to his side. "I'm so glad you're ok." She sobbed as she knelled on the floor in front of him, arms wrapped around his small frame. Makarov patted her head, motioning for her to stand.
"What's with the fancy clothes?" Gray shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked over to look at the gang.
"We came right form the Ceremony." Natsu shrugged.
"You just got there under a week ago, right?" Gray raised an eyebrow.
"Time differences in the other dimensions are strange." Natsu dusted off his back side with a warm smile. "We've been gone for more than two years." Natsu pointed at Wendy who was the obvious proof of his accusation.
"Are you going to keep blaming it on me? I'm serious that I needed the extra six months! Just wait till we get into a serious fight, I'll show you." Wendy puffed out her cheeks in anger.
"He is teasing you Squirt, don't let it get to you." Gajeel laid a hand on her shoulder, not wanting to mess up her pretty hair style.
"Do you want me to knock him out for you?" Laxus grinned, pulling the ribbon out of his long hair. "I'd be glad to." Wendy shook her head in reply, knowing that they were all to exhausted to get into a friendly brawl.
"I'm tired of being all dressed up." Laxus pulled off his suite jacket and loosened his tie.
"What are you doing? Those don't belong on the floor you idiot!" Lucy scolded.
"Yeah, yeah. The whole formal court thing is over, I'm changing back into normal clothes now." Laxus stuck his tongue out as he walked past his cousin to the showers in the back.
"I agree." Natsu and Gajeel said at the same time throwing their jackets where Laxus had left his. Both men headed in the direction of the showers, but were stopped by a golden wall.
"I said those don't belong on the floor!" Lucy seethed. Natsu turned his head giving her a playful grin.
"Bet you're going be mad when I do this." Natsu took a large bite out of her barrier and continued on towards the showers. "I'll be back in a while." He waved with a chuckle.
"Did Natsu just EAT, Lucy's spirit wall?" Gray's mouth practically hit the floor.
"One of the perks of mastering the celestial element." Levy informed as she made her way over to the bar, her silver gown trailing behind her.
"He thinks he's so cool now, just because he can counter my magic." Lucy crossed her arms over her chest in displeasure.
"He is pretty cool now, you have to admit it sooner or later." Wendy made her way to join the other two females.
"I still want to see the two of you fight!" Happy perched himself on the bar in front of Lucy with a happy grin.
"Yes I agree that it would be nice to watch." Lilly nodded his head in agreement.
"Not going to happen, I would like to keep Magnolia on the face of the map." Lucy sighed patting Happy on the head. "We could destroy a whole country if we got serious."
"Can't you just sword play for a little? I want to see Natsu fight with a sword..." The blue cat whined.
"Maybe later, besides Tatsumasa isn't a sword you just mess around with." Lucy laid her head on the table.
"You look tired." A familiar face smiled down at the blonde.
"It's strange to look at my own face, even though I'm used to Gemini doing it, can you change back now Ultear?" She nodded in agreement. "That goes for you too Meredy and Jellal. Now that we are back there is no reason to hide you're faces any more."
"Are the three of you going to change as well?" Erza descended the stairs with a smile.
"I feel like being lazy for a little while." Lucy shrugged.
"I like my gown thank you very much." Levy smiled
"I will soon, I just haven't decided what to change into yet." Wendy leaned back against the counter casually, it seemed that she was more at ease now that they were finally home.
"So the mission was a success?" Erza sat on the last open seat leaning her chin against her inter laced hands.
"Yep everyone is completely bad ass now!" Wendy cheered.
"Laxus is a real Dragon slayer now, Levy learned a new script magic, Gajeel... well he took his inheritance. Natsu mastered the eight Dragon elements, and I spent two years studying with the Celestial Dragon, who taught me everything there was to know about the history of all three of our worlds." Lucy took a breath. "I haven't seen what you accomplished Miss. Wendy, but I'm sure you mastered the ancient sky magics I gave you." Lucy smiled at her younger sister.
"I have some awesome offensive moves now." Wendy smiled brightly. "I can even manipulate the weather if I want to." She leaned down and started going through her bottomless sack to find the clothing she wanted to change into. "Charle can you come help me undo my hair, I don't even want to know how many pins Cancer used." The white cat nodded with out a word and followed her young friend off to the back.
"So in other words we have 6 mages who are on the wizard saints level now?" Gray questioned.
"Jellal, Ultear and Merdey are at that level as well." Lucy answered. "And you can't count out Erza and Grampa."
"Gray you have been working hard too." Levy tilted her head to the side. "I may not be a Dragon slayer like everyone else, but my senses have improved drastically and I can tell you are more powerful then when we left."
Gray rubbed the back of his neck with an emotionless expression, before shrugging.
"Natsu wants to fight with you before we start getting down to serious business. So be careful." Lucy yawned. "Levy I feel like being Lazy so I'm heading home." She spun in her seat and drew a door box around herself. "See you first thing tomorrow morning, Night everyone." With a pop she was gone.
"Really? She couldn't walk?" Levy shook her head in distaste.
"Lighten up Levy, she is exhausted, do you know how much energy it takes to open a door between the two dimensions for just one entity?" Natsu put his pack on the floor and took a seat next to his blue haired friend. "She brought through all those spirits to the Dragon's lair then brought all of us here, I bet she is running lower on her magic that she has in a long time."
"Not to mention she has been battling off Laxus for the past couple of months none stop." Gajeel snickered.
"Just give me a few more times, she has to be almost out of tricks." Laxus growled.
"So you still can't beat her?" Makarov laughed.
"Shut up old man, I got to the point where I'm exhausting her, it's progress!" The blonde haired mage crossed his arms over his chest defiantly.
"Doesn't change the fact that you still keep LOSING." Gajeel put the emphasis on his last word, pointing a finger accusingly.
"He has a point." Natsu nodded.
"I just love that fact that Laxus won't challenge Natsu." Happy added in.
"Yeah, why haven't you challenged Natsu?" Levy grinned mischievously.
"Same reason Lucy won't fight him." Laxus shrugged.
"Lucy knows how to hold back, I'm not so good at it." Natsu leaned back in his chair with a lazy yawn. "If I'm not careful I could do some major damage."
"Not all Dragon's are destructive." Levy pointed out.
"Yeah, Sky and earth aren't that bad, but lightning and water are just as destructive as my fire. But hey now I can put out my own fires." Natsu laughed.
"It's odd to fight him now." Gajeel grabbed a mug from Mira. "He can go from one element to another with out much effort, or mix them if he wants. It makes you more of a freak in my opinion."
"A proud freak." Natsu agreed with a deep throaty laugh.
"You are to calm." Gray cautiously poke Natsu in the side of the head. "Are you really Natsu?"
"Well, that's complicated. I am, and at the same time I'm a completely different person." Natsu took a mug that Mira offered.
"Natsu is using Sage talk to confuse you Gray." A puff of smoke revealed Loke who smiled at his friends.
"I'd rather be a Dragon Sage than a defective lion spirit." Natsu replied without looking.
"I'm not defective! I've told you a thousand times that I don't need stupid EARS!" Loke yelled directly in Natsu's ear.
"I wonder if I should eat your life force, maybe I'll use you as an example for the idiot fox who still hasn't learned to keep his paws off my wife." Natsu narrowed his eyes dangerously at the orange mained spirit.
"All right, all right I'll back off." Loke squeaked, backing up a considerable amount.
"That's better, now did you have something you needed?" Natsu turned back in his seat to finish his whiskey with a small smile.
"I just wanted to make sure someone stays with Lucy while her magic is this low." Loke rubbed the back of his head.
"She's fine. So long as she keeps her swords in this world you have nothing to worry about." Natsu pushed himself off the stool and spun round to look over the crowd of guild mates who had been listening to their exchange.
"Gray's right, you are much to calm." Cana said with a sigh. "But in a strange way it suits you." Natsu gave her a tired smile as thanks for her words.
"Lucy is going to want a full report in the morning, I know it hasn't felt like all that much time has passed for you all, but she and I have been preparing for a full year, and I need what ever documents you have so I can line them up with our plans." He reached inside his pack and pulled out a stack of papers placing them on the bar. "Erza, will you lend me a hand."
Erza nodded taking some of the papers to shift through.
"Here, different colored pens." Levy passed Erza a red pen and Natsu an orange one. "It'll make it easier for Lucy to see what was adjusted." Levy let out a yawn of her own.
"I think we'll be heading back to our place for now, make sure to send Wendy home when she is done." Gajeel picked his suit jacket up off the floor getting his things ready to leave.
"She'll be sticking around for a while, but don't worry I'm watching her." Natsu motioned to Romeo with his eyes. Gajeel scowled in the boys direction for a few moments.
"Wendy is almost fifteen now, I think you should give her some space." Levy patted her husband's arm affectionately.
"With three older brothers I doubt anyone will be brave enough to try much of anything." Natsu smiled at his friends. "Get some rest you deserve it." He threw his hands out to shoo them.
"See you tomorrow then." Gajeel turned to walk out the door, Lily and Levy just behind.
"Now that metal face is gone lets get back to business." Laxus took the seat when Lucy had been sitting taking some of the papers from Natsu's pile.
"Laxus is strange too." Mira shook her head.
"We aren't strange, just older." Natsu frowned as he went over the figure in Lucy documents.
"Would it be alright for me to say that Lucy is under estimating the numbers on our side, and she is over rating the enemy." Laxus muttered as he flipped through the documents.
"If we are prepared for them to out number us by that large a margin than we will be better equip to keep casualties down." Natsu answered without looking away.
"Lucy and Levy have been working out the numbers since she is the royal advisor." Wendy answered as she came walked over to join everyone else. "Don't mess around with their formula, we just need a confirmed number of all the dark guilds that are currently active." She pointed to a few pages that had blank spots.
"So is the plan to anticipate the numbers that will attack us?" Erza tapped her pen against the bar.
"No." Wendy answered flatly.
"We are going to strike first." Natsu answered.
"But where will you start, there are over a hundred active dark guilds." Mira questioned.
"We aren't going to bother with those small fries." Natsu gave her a dark, menacing grin.
"We are going to take down their back bone first?" Laxus cracked his knuckles in excitement.
"So, Tortaros?" Loke supplied.
"Their on the list yeah." Wendy giggled.
"I doubt they'll be much trouble." Laxus pulled out a cantine from his bag.
"Lets just worry about confirming the numbers for now, Lucy and I will finalize the plans after that." Natsu held out his mug to Mira for a refill. "It won't be long before I take revenge on the bastards who slaughtered so many of my cousins." Natsu growled before draining his cup.
"We have an idea of where the Black dragon is too." Wendy put her pack down and pulled out a map spreading it out next to Erza. "He moves rather frequently, but I'm certain the he circles back to the same area every seven years or so."
Who will be their first target? Will they have enough man power to take on their enemies? WAS the CHAPTER good? Tune in next Friday to find out the answer to the first two, and leave a message and tell me about the third. As always I don't care if you review, I prefer PM so feel free to join the conversation!