Chapter 5
The guildhall was muffled. The members were all apprehensive and fidgety. They were talking amongst themselves but none dare to be boisterous like they used to, each of them not-so-secretly fearing that if they talk above a certain level of whisper, they'll be at the receiving end of their Guild Master's wrath – even though said Master is not in the hall with them.
Once the shock, the announcement of their guild participation in the Grand Magic Games, had worn off; they are a little tensed and wary. They knew why their guild never once participated; their Master never made his dislike a secret. It was known to them that their Master finds the whole event abhorrent.
Being a boisterous and lively guild by nature, naturally, the tournament appeals to them and it seems exciting, at first. The price jewels was a nice bonus too. Of course, when they were told that their guild will not participate at all, they were more than a little indignant. After being properly chastised by the Master – with only a few choice words no less – they didn't question him.
Oh, don't get them wrong. They were miffed not to be able to participate. They didn't understand why the Master hated the event. They grumble, they sulk, and they felt left out and was generally unhappy. Everyone everywhere has something to talk about. When the topic of the tournament came up, they were like fish out of water. They felt awkward, do not know what to say. Their conversation stilted as they can't even relate to all the excitement.
They watched the game enviously and at the same time, observe the tournament with disbelief. Envy because the whole game looked fun and exciting – and if they were honest, they secretly thought that the game might be a good distraction that they needed – and surprise because, holy! They didn't think they could be someone that powerful out there!
It was after the game ended that the reason behind their Master's aversion was made obvious and it hit them coldly on their faces. Their Master was an advocate for advancement through morals and deeds done in accordance with the guild's principles. All this time, their guild was renowned by those principles alone – even though some argued that they are infamous because they kept destroying things out of proportion and not because of their deeds – and in the wake of the tournament, when they learn that this new 'number one title' is based on who won the game; morals and principles notwithstanding, it was nothing short of grim overwhelming.
Just like that, the once true meaning of being the best guild was all forgotten by the masses. All their tears, sweat, and blood of doing something with their very best; was disregard by the new denotation. Their Master was right… The GMG's definition of 'the best guild' was an insult to Fairy Tail's principles.
To add salt to their already injured pride, it didn't help that they overheard their Master's absentminded words that not only chill them to their bone but left a deep impact as well. "Look! Their definition number one guild in Fiore…"
And look they did. With eyes wide open and a new understanding. Like their Master, they don't like what they see. They scoffed at it even. The display was ridiculous. And ever since then, they became nonchalant to the tournament.
Kinana eyed the hall in worry. The whole guild exuberant was absent by this new unexpected development. Like the rest of the members, she knew this will not go well with their Master at all.
Kinana eyed the calendar that she kept nearby. "Hmmm," Kinana eyed the clock briefly before getting back to serving some drinks to the members. "I wondered where the Master and the others went," She mused thoughtfully. "They were supposed to return yesterday…"
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The hallway echoed with the sounds of footsteps walking calmly yet surely. Their heavy boots rang hauntingly against the silence of the majestic palace. The wall was littered with many ornaments, tapestry, and beautiful painting, the floor was shiny marble tiles. Yet, to the people walking down that corridor, they hardly bat an eye to the riches that was displayed. They were there for a reason.
Natsu stride purposely towards his destination. Flanking him was Laxus on one side and Max on the other. He followed his guide silently, his face was void of any emotion. At a glance, Natsu face was like an impressive carved marble sculpture.
The attendant lead the trio swiftly to the throne room, where sitting upon its magnificent chair, was the King of Fiore himself; King Toma E. Fiore.
When the king saw his visitors, he greeted them politely. "Master Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail. Thank you for coming."
Natsu's eyes sharpened. His lips pursed briefly in distaste. Nevertheless, he answered with a honey-sweet smile on his face, his tone was more or less indifferent. "You summon me, King Toma?"
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Gajeel scowled looking at the panoramic view of the town. This high up at his spot, he can practically see the whole town; from the palace with their pointed roof to the west, where the Game's arena was situated.
He can understand why Flame Brain don't want to be anywhere near the city. The whole town reeks despite its beauty. No wonder Natsu was reluctant to be anywhere near this town.
Not far from him, Wendy sat quietly at a rock. Even from where he sat, Gajeel can feel she's clenching her fist with her skirt.
They hadn't wanted to bring Wendy along. Flame-brain had pitched a fit, his instinct dominates him, growling and hissing at the potential threat. He hoarded all of them in his nest like a dragon hoarded shiny treasures. He wanted to protect them and – in Wendy's case – hide her from danger.
The Salamander was not the only one antsy. Because of him, both he and Laxus were restless too. They were never far from Wendy, constantly hovering around her, shielding their only hatchling from any ill intent or harm. Natsu wanted Wendy stayed behind the safety of their den. And she was more than amiable to the idea. Accept her instinct scream at her that something malicious is happening and she clings to Natsu like a vine and refused to be separated.
And he couldn't blame her. After the pinkette had explained his suspicion, he understood why the alpha drake was so possessive towards them. He remember getting involved in a similar plot, even if it's only briefly, but from what he had seen was enough to make him queasy. And once Laxus was told about the actual malicious intent behind this whole tournament, even he was not letting their youngest out of his sight.
The fact that both Natsu and Wendy have personal experience with it makes it all the more horrible!
"Come here, hatchling," said Gajeel soothingly, an arm wide open in invitation. Wendy went to him, curling by his side as she sat quietly.
Make no mistake, the view was breathtaking. But after what Natsu had told them, it dampened the pleasure spectacularly.
Now, if only their Alpha could conclude his business much faster. He wanted to get out of town as soon as possible. Either that or he'll blow the place up. Either way is fine with him.
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Natsu eyed the tiny king casually. Inside, however, he was snarling at the aged person, for daring to be impetuous with him. The king is the king, but he had dealt with the likes before; more magically powerful mage and power hungry idiots, and swatted them away like flies – if he didn't eat them for breakfast that is.
"Why have you summon me, Toma E. Fiore?" Natsu's voiced rang clearly as he questioned.
"I wish to employ your service. I want to hire you as an extra security for the tournament." The King told them upfront.
Natsu arched an eyebrow. Beside him, he could sense both Max and Laxus' incredulity. "Extra security?" Natsu exclaimed deadpanned. "You have the Royal army at your disposal. Why on earth would you need my guild to be the extra security?"
"There is no harm in having additional protection if needed, is there? I will reward you handsomely for your service, of course. And will sponsor with everything that you need, including lodging for you and yours."
Natsu's head tilted sideways. "You never once needed extra protection before."
"Call it a hunch. I have a bad feeling. Will you accept my request?" said the king.
Natsu eyes lowered as he thinks things through. After contemplating for a short time, Natsu voiced out reluctantly. "If it's additional safety you require, then Fairy Tail will be more than happy to oblige. However, I ask that you let us do our mission our own way. We will not be in your way, and I hope you will not hinder us with how we do things. You hired us. And I hope your guards will remember that we are not answerable to them."
"You will need to collaborate with my guards," the king reminds him.
"We will. We just like to do things our way," Natsu clarifies further, smirking softly. "Surely you know by now how excessive Fairy Tail can be. We merely asked that the royal guards do not take it personally should we accidentally step on their toes. We prefer to handle the task in the way we are comfortable with." And Fairy Tail will only take orders from me, not you. Natsu added silently.
King Toma eyed the salamander critically. "Understood." Then, he smiled. "At first, I wanted to personally ask Fairy Tail to participate. Imagine my delight when I saw the participant's list and you consented to join this year."
Natsu's eyes narrowed and he had to hold in his growl that was threatening to escape. He smiled. "Yes. Now that our missing members have returned, I figured that they'll be no harm in trying it out."
The king tilted his head slightly aside, looking at the infamous salamander with curiosity. "I know you are not amiable to this event. What change?"
"In truth, I wanted to see how well my guild fares in the challenge. There is also that, with all the gossips and speculations going around, I thought I laid to rest the curiosity, once and for all."
"So you'll be participating in future tournaments?"
Natsu eyed the king sharply. "No. It is a onetime deal."
The king nodded solemnly. "I see. In any case, thank you for accepting my request."
Natsu bowed his head and turn to leave. However, after a few steps, he stopped. "Permit me this friendly advice, King Toma," Natsu half turned to stared at the King with hardened expression. "Be mindful in what you are delving with. For in every action, there are consequences. More so for the royal family." Without waiting for the reaction, he quickly left the throne room.
Once they were safe from the palaces eyes and ears, Max leans closer to his guild master. "What was that about?" he whispered inquiringly.
"There is a certain tang in the air," Natsu told him seriously. "The king is playing with something he shouldn't have."
Laxus turned his head sharply at the Guild Master. "Wait you are telling me that this feeling that makes my skin crawl… it is… that?" Laxus voiced up in alarmed.
"Yes," Natsu responded solemnly to his kin. "This is what danger feels like."
Max and Laxus exchange glance briefly before Max press on to another subject that has been bugging him, "Is it true the king requested for extra protection?" Max asked Natsu softly. "He never asks any sort of protection before."
"It's just a farce. That's not the real reason he call us here and we all know it." Natsu interjected solemnly. His eyes turned stormy and his face turns cold in ultimate displeasure. "He lure us here for other purposes. And thanks to some idiots, we play right into his trap." Natsu finished darkly.
Both Max and Laxus have nothing to say to the foreboding situation they find themselves in. They quickly pick-up their paces, fully intent to regroup with the others. If something really is going down, like their Fire Dragon Slayer vaguely hinted, then they need to prepare for it.
And further away they are from the palace, the better.
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In an undisclosed part of the city, a figure walked swiftly towards his destination. He quickly trotted towards their inn, and head straight to their bedroom, never stopping for any pleasantries or greeted anyone.
The figure walked over a bridge and continued forward. After a few blocks, he turned a corner and head down that road. A couple of doors down, he entered an inn. Still not pausing, he quickly went up the stairs to the second floor.
When they reached their room, they quickly unlock the door before entering, immediately went to the seating area where the rest of his comrades was loitering.
"Guess who is in town?" This person said animatedly.
His companion looks up, grinning sharply as his eyes glinted. "So, they are here."
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Gray aimlessly walked around town. He ran his finger through his hair. His mind is in a mess and on top of everything, he had felt restless.
Gray sighed heavily. He knew well why he was restless. And it was all Erza's fault. Her and her stubbornness… and stupidity.
Natsu is going to kill them, he just knew it.
He wasn't an idiot. He would have been blind to not notice what's happening. Seven years is a long time for them. A lot can happen within that time frame and from what he had heard, a lot happened indeed. He doesn't get the full story or heard everything, but he had heard enough to draw his own conclusion.
He had asked Alzack, why Natsu was chosen. And despite the bizarre of the suggestion, he also cannot refute what he was told. Because deep down he also knew, at least subconsciously acknowledge, that in the absence of nearly all the strong and core members of Fairy Tail, Natsu was the only one who can take up the mantle.
The result of that decision was obvious. Even though Max had flippantly mentioned that they went through a lot, it was a glaring fact that within that seven years, Natsu had changed.
No, change is not the right word. He grew up. Natsu had made Fairy Tail prosper. Even with all the obstacles, Fairy Tail had remained strong and true to its creed. But being saddled with the responsibility as Master are bound to harden even the rebellious and boisterous of hearts.
And from what he saw when he lay eyes on Natsu that day upon their return when Natsu was standing on top of the stairs, looking down on them with scarcely hopeful and disbelief eyes… he knew; he knew that the seven years have not been kind to Natsu. Natsu had obviously sacrifice a lot.
That is why, no matter how bizarre and unbelievable, he never questioned the changes that happened with Fairy Tail, or who runs it.
He had seen, how possessive Natsu was towards the other Dragon slayers. Natsu was being subtle, of course, but he didn't let Gajeel, Laxus, and Wendy out of his sight for solid one week. Especially Wendy! Wendy was not even allowed to be too far from him, not more than a few feet. It's as if Natsu had taken Wendy under his proverbial wing and covered her protectively.
He understood. Natsu had told him once that being Dragon Slayer comes with the instinct. It couldn't be easy for Natsu, at war his instinct, dealing with the loss of his fellow dragon slayers for as long as seven years. For Natsu to get all possessive like that…
Natsu has given up a lot to make sure Fairy Tail stays strong. For that alone, Natsu deserves respect.
For him, that's good enough to at least defer to Natsu's authority.
He just wished Erza could see it too.
Gray rubbed the back of his neck. He had an inkling why Erza is rebelling. To her, Natsu is the same boy that grew up with them. Still the loud, boisterous, uncouth Natsu that has nothing on his brain except to fight and have a good brawl. And that's where she's wrong.
Natsu is now Master of Fairy Tail. And whether anyone likes it or not, his word is their law. While it was a blink of an eye for the Tenrou group, it was eternity for the rest of the guild. The repercussion that Natsu going to dish out is not going to be pretty.
Gray suddenly felt malicious intent. He rounded, eyes quickly scanned his surroundings. The alley he was at was slightly off the main square, and it was covered by the dark, illuminate only a tiny bit by the lamps.
Goosebumps rose all over and Gray knew he was being watched. His eyes narrowed as his guard went up and he glanced around cautiously. Ice particles were forming around his hands, ready to form into weapons at the first sign of him being ambushed or attacked. Peering aside one last time, and seeing no one out of the ordinary, he marched forward, intending to get to the main town square. Before he could reach it, he was waylaid.
Gray eyes widened at seeing who cut off his way. He gulped. The person doesn't look happy. At all.
"Hello, Popsicle," Natsu purred malevolently as he slowly emerged from the shadow. "Did you miss me?"
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Review on your way out!
-Elvina p.