Hey! So this is how far the edits have come, and for returning readers who DID NOT see my A/N, then please pay attention! I have made really big changes to the story as you must be able to tell at the moment. I VERY HIGHLY suggest you go back to the beginning and read up otherwise there will be A LOT of confusion. Not EVERYTHING changed, but it's enough to where it'll be hard to understand what's happening if you don't re-read. I made a lot of grammar and spelling corrections, but if you DO find spelling errors PLEASE let me know, bc before hand no one said anything so I thought I was good and when re-read my own story I was cringing at all the errors. It's safe to say I'm very sick of the first twenty chapters bc I have re read them over and over trying to edit them. But I am human and there's a chance I missed some stuff still.
Now for people who have been binge reading this (first time readers), how do you know if this applies to you? Well at the very bottom of every chapter it should say -edited version-. If that's at the bottom of the chapters when you read them then congrats! You can continue on this heat wrenching path and don't need to re-read it (unless you want to.) Anyway, with that being said! Here is the next chapter!
An excited whisper fell over the camp as the group walked through. Three of the driving forces behind the rebellion walked through, staying quiet and stone faced. They had myths and legends surrounding them, some true, some not. Hushed murmurs went throughout the younger members while nods of respect came from the older ones. The mighty Queen of the Fairies, the feared Titania. The man made from ice, Gray Fullbuster, who had been known to let ice grow from parts of his body, filled with blood and deadly lethal force. Some said he could freeze a person's body with just a touch if he wished. Then, there was the one swarmed with stories, legends, myths and rumors. Some called him a an angel who was sent on wings of fire to clear the land of tyranny, others said he was a demon who took on the devil himself, and after drinking his blood he had risen from the depths to look for redemption. Those who truly knew him though knew the truth. He was neither of those. He was a dragon. General Salamander, or Natsu Dragneel.
Lines of people formed, wanting to catch a glimpse of the walking legends. Natsu was in front, with Gray and Erza following just behind him at his shoulders. Those who had known him before guilds were declared illegal wouldn't have recognized him, perhaps only the pink hair and scaly white scarf would reveal his identity.
It had been three years since the war had started, with General Salamander at the head of it from the very beginning. He he had rallied old guild together, brought back long lost members. He had encouraged strays to join the cause and with a war cry he had marched from town to town, city to city with more and more people pouring from their homes to fight for him, to fight for his cause. It had been an amazing sight, watching him take out posts and forts filled with the king's' army. He was inspiring, passionate, driven. When he spoke people listened, if you looked into his eyes you could see the fire raging in them. He was a force of nature, someone to be reckoned with. He and his unit had never lost a battle.
The group of three stopped in the middle of the camp, meeting another legend. Gildarts stood with his ripped and worn cloak as usual, his orange hair slicked back. Normally he would greet the three with warm smiles and huge hugs, however no one was in a smiling mood today. Gildarts looked at the three now fully grown adults who he still looked at as his adoptive kids-or at least adopted nephews and niece.
"Where is he?" Natsu asked quietly, his voice deep, venom barely being held back from slipping into his words. Gildarts tilted his head toward a large tent a few yards away and Natsu squared his shoulders, very aware of the entire camp watching his every movement. He had gotten bigger, his hair longer than before, his muscles nearly twice the size as they had been. His outfit had changed as well, while he kept the loose white pants and pirate style boots his jacket had changed from sleeveless and open to closed with one arm sleeved, his Fairy Tail symbol showing proudly on his bare arm. He had changed drastically, not to mention his magical power had grown greatly. He was about even with Erza now, and on his really good days he might even beat her in a spar. However everyone had changed and grown stronger. Over the past three years, on top of fighting a war he had done a lot of meditating and training. Every three months he would pull himself and his unit from the front line where they always were, to go search.
Everyone knew that he was looking for something, but no one that had known him before the war had no idea what he looked for. He was surrounded in mystery. All they knew was that every three months he would leave for about four weeks, only to come back in either a great mood, or with an anger that made even his allies cower. The times he came back angry was never a good day for the opposing side. The most people knew was that it had something to do with the golden and silver keys he had strapped to his side in a small, kind of feminine pouch. He carried them with him always, just like his scarf.
"Gray, Erza. Please keep anyone from entering the tent." Natsu asked, walking past Gildarts toward the larger than average tent. He paused at the entrance, taking a breath before he pushed the flap open, disappearing into the war tent. There he saw in the dimly lit tent a man tied down to a chair. He paused his struggle, his eyes widening when he saw the pink haired man. He had horrific scars up and down his arms, it looked like he had been mauled by rabid vulcan. Natsu narrowed his eyes.
"Sting." He said lowly, a growl rolling on the very bottom of his words, threatening to emerge any minute. Sting swallowed before lifting his chin.
"Salamander…" Sting trailed off, clearly wary of the situation and the man in front of him. Natsu pulled a chair forward, turning it so the back was facing Sting, he straddled the chain, putting his arms over the back of it he leaned forward slightly, staring at the blonde intensely. Sting shifted ever so slightly, not looking in his eyes. Sting had grown as well, but he knew for a fact he wasn't as strong as Salamander. He could feel the power emitting from the fire dragon. This time he would try and play his cards right, knowing that if they were to fight again Sting wouldn't get lucky like he did three years ago.
"You're a hard man to find...of course I'd expect a snake like you to be hiding under any rock or crevice there was though. However, you didn't even leave a scent trail behind." Natsu said and Sting tried to ignore the hit to his ego.
"I'm a pirate. We get good at hiding our tracks." Sting said simply and the corner of Natsu's mouth twitched as if he wanted to smirk.
"You mean you were a pirate, before your captain was betrayed, before I landed on your island, before I destroyed your crew, before I killed Jiemma...your master. Before I destroyed your guild hall, before my team destroyed your ships." Natsu said and Sting clenched his fists, letting out a deep exhale.
"I used a masking potion, the only reason I was caught was because I wanted to be caught." Sting said and Natsu raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really? Why would you be dumb enough to be caught when you knew you'd be handed over to me? Has guilt finally eaten you to a point where you wanted death?" Natsu asked, slight amusement in his voice. Sting licked his lips, shaking his head slightly. His earring swung gently at the movement and a small smirk formed on his face.
"I have information that I knew you'd be interested in...I mean...frankly I was going to keep it to myself...but unfortunately I need your help." Sting said and Natsu narrowed his eyes.
"What makes you think I'd help you with anything?" Natsu asked and Sting took a deep breath, knowing there was no going back after this.
"I know how to find Lucifer." Sting said and the air around them seemed to stop. Neiher moved or seemed to breathe. It felt like hours before Natsu finally blinked and narrowed his eyes.
"That's impossible. The spell her spirits cast didn't work. Lucifer….Lucifer died that day." Natsu's voice wavered as he spoke it, both dragon slayers flinching. Sting could see the heart break in the pink haired man's face and he could hear it in his voice.
"The spell they cast had a-" Natsu started but Sting leaned forward slightly, cutting him off.
"Had a fifty fifty chance of working, and if it did work then she would show up three months after the spell was cast, after healing in the kingdom of stars. That's IF the Spirit king accepted her. Now here's the thing, I've spent the last three years studying the celestial world and speaking with lower spirits from Celestial wizards who would let me. Lucifer used up all of her magic when she cast Urano Metria, which as you know could should have killed her. However, if her spirits finished casting the spell as she finished hers, there would have been copious amounts of energy that flooded into her and she would be pulled into the celestial kingdom. Now there's still the whole "it's a fifty fifty chance" thing. But if she is dead, then why can't any of her keys be activated?" Sting explained quickly and Natsu frowned, shaking his head and putting his hands up.
"Wait wait wait, how do you know no one can activate her keys?" Natsu asked, his tone slightly aggressive. Sting rolled his eyes, biting his lip.
"I have one of her keys, the little dog. She called him Plue. She never took his key into battle, which was why it had been left on the ship when she was taken by you." Sting explained and Natsu frowned.
"But what about the three month thing?" Natsu asked and Sting nodded eagerly.
"Exactly, it's been three years down here, but it's only been three months up there. There's a huge time difference. The anniversary of that day is in two weeks. And according to what I've heard, if it DID work, she's going to be put down where she was brought up." Sting said and despite himself and his distrust for the blonde man Natsu felt the hairs on his skin raise. He didn't want to get his hopes up only for them to be shattered again. He turned his head, eyeing Sting from the side.
"If that's true then why would you tell me? Why wouldn't you just go yourself?" Natsu asked and Sting licked his lips.
"Because, there was a huge energy surge around her when she was brought up. Like, massive amounts. So much so that I myself wouldn't be able to conjure up without killing myself. And also the rebels have taken over the territory in the seas. There's no way for me to get there or for me to do this by myself. Look...I know that you don't really believe she's dead. I know that you leave the front lines every three months to look for her. Now there's a chance she could be out there...there's a chance we could get her back." Sting said and Natsu stood suddenly, his fists catching fire.
"If you're right about this...and Lucifer comes back. You will stay away. You're lucky I don't kill you now. If Lucifer wants you dead don't think I'll hesitate. If you're wrong...don't think I'll miss again. Understood?" Natsu snarled and Sting barely held back a flinch. He took a deep breath, looking at the ground before meeting Natsu's gaze.
"I understand. But if she says she wants me in her life...you have to allow it." Sting said firmly. Natsu's lip twitched in contempt.
"We'll see." Was what he answered with, turning around he snuffed out his flames and exited the tent.
"Happy!" Natsu called out loudly, causing anyone in the area to jump at the General's sudden call. A blur of blue suddenly spiraled down from the sky, flying through the camp quickly before pulling up, going in a few circles around the General before stopping in front of him, hovering near his face.
"Aye sir!" Happy said with a grin and salute. Natsu gave him half a grin.
"I need you to do me a favor...can you fly to fort Notting and get Levy and Gajeel to meet us where the ship is anchored? Tell them it's extremely important. It has to do with Lucifer. If the rest of the unit is there grab them too." Natsu said and Happy's face morphed into surprise.
"Really? How soon should I leave?" He asked and Natsu licked his lips.
"Can you leave now? It's extremely urgent." Natsu said and Happy thought for a moment before nodding, a look of determination on his face.
"Alright...stay safe Natsu." Happy said and Natsu pulled him close, hugging his best friend/adopted son close.
"I will, fly safe little buddy." Natsu said quietly and Happy hugged him a bit tighter before they both pulled away. They saluted each other before Happy took off. Natsu turned to see Gildarts, Erza and Gray staring at him curiously, waiting for an explanation.
"I think I just found out how to get Lucifer back." Natsu said and looks of surprise and half hearted hope crossed Gray and Erza's faces while Gildarts frowned.
-edited version-
So now first time readers and returning readers you are all on the same page! If you're a returning reader tell me what you think of the changes so far, if you like it, if you hate it, if you think it flows better, if it's better explained (at least a little)
But EVERYONE should totally answer these:
Is Sting lying?
Do you think Happy will make it to fort Notting?
Will Natsu and Sting be able to get along long enough to maybe save Lucifer?!
answer all in the comments below!