Allied Guild Forces
"You're going to be the death of us, Natsu," Erza said.
"Hey, those guys were the ones hitting on Lucy!" Natsu protested, "I had to punish them!"
"Said guys were our customers," Lucy said with a sigh. Team Natsu was currently heading home, after a job went sour. They had been hired by Yajima to serve at his restaurant, which seemed easy enough, but the catch was the girls had to wear very short skirts. Erza didn't mind it (in fact she got very into it, which creeped the others out), but Lucy wasn't one to go around showing her "things" to other guys, and she found the job all around very embarrassing. But that wasn't the problem. The problem was Natsu didn't like Lucy being so exposed either, and the first guy to start flirting with his girlfriend… Well, let's just say more than the food got cooked.
After a couple of incidents like this, Yajima had to let the Fairy Tail mages go, but he was understanding enough to give them payment for the time they did work there. Looking back it probably wasn't entirely Natsu's fault; Gray kept on stripping (he got dangerously close to pulling his underpants off, but fortunately before he could, Natsu's antics distracted him), Happy kept on eating the fish (and in hindsight they probably shouldn't have given him that job), and Erza's constant acts of seduction (intentional or unintentional) pissed off a lot of girlfriends. I really am the only sane one, Lucy thought exasperatedly.
Eventually they got back to the guild, and when they arrived, there was a large chart, with several names of what Lucy assumed were guilds. There were about seven circles, each of having about five or so guilds in them, and over each circle was a name. In the very center, was a massive circle with three guild names in it.
"What's this?" Lucy asked.
"Do you like it, I drew it myself," Reedus said.
"Its a spread of all the dark guilds," Mirajane explained, coming up next to Lucy, "Lately they've been quite active, which is odd. Normally they're fairy quiet."
"What's with all the circles?" Elfman asked.
"Well, the smaller circles refer to guild groups, which are each ruled by a powerful dark lord," Freed said, "Like that one." He pointed to one of the circles, which had about ten guilds instead of five.
"That's an alliance of dark guilds, who all answer to a single person, apparently named, Frieze," he said.
"And the big one in the center is the Balam Alliance, if Juvia's memory is correct," Juvia said, "It consists of some of the most powerful dark guilds known: Oracion Seis, Grimoire Heart, and Tartarus. And each dark lord, and by extension the guilds and their control, answers to one of those three." Lucy remembered all the dark guilds that Fairy Tail had a hand in destroying, most of them being under Oracion Seis.
"I hope they don't hold a grudge!" Lucy said nervously, as she scurried behind Natsu.
"Oracion Seis isn't too tough," Macao said.
"Yeah, don't they have only like, six people?" Wakaba asked.
"Said six people control a third of the underworld, and at least three dark lords," Mirajane said, "Don't underestimate them."
"And Oracion Seis is exactly what we're talking about!" Makarov said as he entered the guild. Everyone quieted down, to hear what he had to say.
"The dark guilds are moving, so we all must move as well," he explained, "The time has come to end the rule of the Oracion Seis!" Everyone gasped in surprise at that announcement. They never thought that things would go so far as to declare out right war on them.
"Oh? Okay then," Mirajane said cheerfully.
"Can you keep with the program?" Lucy said
"What exactly is the plan, Master?" Erza asked, "Surely we can't do it alone."
"Speak for yourself," Natsu said, "I'll char them all!"
"Simmer down, Natsu," Lucy said, flicking him in the forehead.
"Far from it. If we go at it alone, then we'll likely end up getting destroyed" Makarov said, "The plan is for Fairy Tail to take a page from their book, and ally up with others."
"An alliance of our own?" Gray said.
"Indeed," Makarov answered, "The alliance will be made up of the following: Fairy Tail, Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, and Cait Shelter."
"I said I can take them myself!" Natsu said.
"And I told you to simmer down!" Lucy scolded.
(overlooking the Worth Woodsea)
If you asked someone about the Worth Woodsea, chances are they wouldn't know anything about, seeing as only a select few had the bravery to go dive into it. There was something in that forest, something ancient, and evil.
On a cliff, overlooking the forest, a group of people stood.
"I can hear it," the guy at the head said, "The sound of light crumbling to the ground. Can you?" He had red hair, with sharp features, and slanted eyes, with a white trench coat. Wrapped around him, was an enormous, purple snake, which nuzzled his cheek.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Cobra," a guy behind him said, in the shadow, "If we're going to succeed, we're going to have to be fast!"
"Oh yeah! The magic that turns light into darkness!"
"The power of Nirvana!"
"Zzzz…"
"Can you all see it?" the sixth person said, as he approached the edge of the cliff, "The darkness is consuming the forest. That is our target, the ultimate dark magic! We shall do it now!"
(at the edge of the forest)
"Are we there yet?" Natsu groaned, as he lay in Lucy's lap. The group was heading to the designating meeting place by carriage, something Natsu wasn't happy about in the least.
"Why am I even here?" Lucy asked nervously, "I'm not good enough!"
"Don't start complaining," Gray said, "I don't like this either."
"But what about Juvia or Gajeel?" Lucy asked, "Surely they're better suited for this than me!"
"They've got other work," Erza answered, "Besides, your presence helps keep Natsu motivated." Lucy sighed, as she looked down at Natsu, who looked very close to passing out. Well, maybe if I stay with him, I'll be safe she thought. That was a perk of being the girlfriend of a Dragon Slayer. Lucy attempted to tell Levy about that perk, but the Letter Mage kept changing the subject.
"So when all's said and done, its our same old group," Gray said, "Why is it that whenever there's something big its always us?"
"Aye, its like someone's dictating events that happening to us," Happy said, "Like we're in a story."
"Stop talking nonsense," Erza said, "Its good for us to always be together. I think we're probably one of the most ample teams in the guild."
"Look!" Happy said, poking his head out the window, "There's the meeting point!" The carriage pulled up to a large mansion in the forest, which was decorated very extravagantly.
"What is this place?" Lucy asked as they entered, and looked around. She was holding Natsu's hand, helping to keep him standing.
"Its a mansion that used to belong the Guild Master of Blue Pegasus, Bob," Erza answered.
"That creepy guy?" Gray asked with a frown.
"Don't talk foul about Master Bob," Erza chastised, "He may be a tad eccentric, as are many of his members, but they are all ample enough." At that moment, the room went dark.
"Speak of the devil."
"Welcome, Fairy Tail!" A spotlight suddenly shown down, revealing three male figures, their bodies shrouded in shadows.
"We are the delegation from Blue Pegasus," the three men said in union, "We are known as the Trimen!"
"Hundred Nights Hibiki Lates!"
"Holy Night Eve Tearm!"
"Silent Night Ren Akatsuki!" Each one of the three men was wearing a black suit, with black dress shoes. The ultimate word used to describe these guys would be "handsome", not much else.
"I… am at a lost for words," Lucy said. Since getting together with Natsu, Lucy found less men attractive; she was in love with Natsu, and intended to remain loyal to him, and these guys were no exception. Lucy intended to stay close to Natsu, but this trio had different plans.
"So you are the legendary Titania?" Hibiki said, "You're reputation doesn't do you justice."
"Please step this way," Ren said.
"We intend to treat you well," Eve piped up. They guided Erza over to a table and couch, which seemed to appear out of nowhere, and then sat her down. Then, Hibiki grabbed Lucy's hand, and snatched her clean away from Natsu, either ignoring or unaware of the fact that Lucy's hand was intertwined with Natsu's. Natsu, still reeling form the carriage ride, wasn't able to protest.
"I heard a lot of good things about you," Erza said politely, "I look forward to working together."
"Your beauty is truly unrivaled Ms. Scarlet," Eve said, "I have always admired you." Erza sweat dropped.
Lucy wasn't in a better place. She got Ren and Hibiki all over her, and while Lucy didn't necessarily mind what they were doing, she feared slightly for her safety, especially when Natsu came to her senses.
"Um, you should know..," Lucy began.
"We already know your elegance," Hibiki said, as he took Lucy's hand, and caressed it. Suddenly, Natsu's "Lucy Senses" tingled.
"I noticed it as well," Ren said, before turning, "Not that I was really paying attention to you or anything."
"That's not it," Lucy said, grinning weakly, "The thing is, I've got a boyfriend." She hoped that would discourage them, but for some reason it seemed to encourage them.
"There has been ever a lady we've managed to sway," Ren said.
"And your boyfriend is not here," Hibiki said grinning.
"Actually…," Lucy began, before hearing a growling sound.
"Too late," Happy said. All of a sudden, the table was smashed by a fiery fist. Natsu, having gotten over his motion sickness the moment he heard Lucy getting flirted with, was standing there. His chest began to glow.
"Natsu," Erza said, narrowing his eyes.
"You guys have five seconds to get your hands off my girlfriend, before I turn you into ash," the Dragon Slayer growled.
"So your her boyfriend?" Eve asked.
"I feel sorry for the poor girl," Hibiki said.
"Yes, her life must be quite miserable with such a beast in her life," Ren said. Natsu let out another growl, as the glow in his chest began to spread to his neck.
"You guys are really stupid," Happy said to the Trimen, "You don't want to make Natsu mad." Lucy quickly got up, and moved over to Natsu.
"Natsu," she said, putting her hands on Natsu's cheeks, "Calm down. For me?" Natsu looked at Lucy, as he took a breath, letting out a cloud of steam into the air, and the glow faded.
"Thank you," Lucy said, smiling gently.
"That is quite enough of all this!" a new voice said.
"What's with that sickly sweet voice?" Lucy said, as she felt Natsu wrap his arms around her.
"Is that…," Erza said, before a look of pure dread slid on to her face, "Oh dear god." All eyes were attracted to the top of the stairs, as a new player decided to show his face. Whether if it was for better or for worse, that was up to debate.
"Its been a long time, my beloved," a short, chiseled faced man with orange hair said.
"'My beloved'?" Happy and Lucy asked in unison.
"We apologize, Master Ichiya!" the Trimen said, "We did not know she was your girlfriend!"
"That's not true and you know it!" Erza screamed at the Blue Pegasus mages, though they all ignored her scream.
"Clean up this mess immediately!" Ichiya instructed as he slid down the stair railing.
"Yes, Big Brother!" the Trimen said.
"Wait!" Lucy said, "Is it 'Master' or 'Big Brother'?"
"I think it could be either," Happy answered.
"I and pleased to meet you, Ms. Erza, Ms. Lucy," Ichiya said, before posting to Natsu and Gray, "You two, not so much." He then looked to Lucy.
"Your parfume is truly quite magnificent," he said.
"That guy's creepy!" Lucy said. Natsu swept Lucy into his arms.
"Don't worry Lucy, I'll protect you!" he said. Lucy instinctively wrapped her arms around Natsu's neck. As long as she was around this Ichiya creep, she wouldn't feel safe.
"You have good reason to feel the way you do," Erza said, "This guy isn't one I generally seek the company of, but nonetheless he's an ample mage, and is a good ally to have."
"Yo! Creeps!" Gray said, as he stepped forward, "I advise against touching any of our girls. We can't promise that you won't get burned or frozen." To illustrate his point, Natsu held Lucy closer. The Pegasi looked at the Faries.
"Please remove yourself from the premises," Ichiya instructed. The boys both flared up in anger at that, and it wasn't helped by what happened next.
"It was nice to meet you all," the Trimen said in a gratingly obnoxious voice. Lucy began to feel hot, and that was when she noticed Natsu's chest was glowing. Steam began to leak out of his mouth as well.
"You guys looking for a fight?" Gray said with a glare.
"Why, are you?" Ren asked.
"Don't underestimate us," Eve said, "We're quite ample fighters." Natsu then gently lay Lucy on the ground.
"You think you can take us?" he asked.
"Without a problem," Hibiki said. Natsu was silent, before he held up his head, and let out a cloud of fire.
"Do you now?" he hissed. Before anyone could answer, Natsu was knocked to the ground by Erza's fist.
"Enough!" the woman said, "Keep your pride in check!"
"Sniff! Sniff!" Ichiya said, "Truly a splendid parfume!" Erza let out a scream, before her fist found a new target.
"Keep your grubby paws off me!" she yelled as she sent Ichiya flying.
"Men!" Ichiya moaned.
"Thank you!" Lucy cried out. Ichiya careened towards the door, before he was abruptly stopped in mid air, and his head frozen solid.
"So this is how we're greeted?" a new voice said, "I guess this to be expected from Fairy Tail."
"Lyon?" Gray asked.
"Gray?" Lyon responded.
"That guy from the island!" Natsu said. Lyon threw Ichiya away, back towards the group.
"Men!" The Pegasus crashed into the ground, shattering the ice on his head.
"The hell are you doing?" Gray yelled.
"Hey, you were the one who threw him at me!" Lyon responded.
"How do you do that to our boss?" Eve said.
"Why can't all you men just leave!" Hibiki said.
"We're not all men." That was when the carpet suddenly flared up, and knocked Lucy away. The carpet was promptly incinerated by Natsu.
"Wait, wasn't that…," Lucy said, recognizing the magic.
"Ah yes!" Sherry Blendy said as she strolled right in, "But forget all you know about me before, for I am the star of love!"
"That parfume!" Ichiya cried, "I must smell it again!" He then started to run towards Erza.
"I said keep off!" Erza said.
"Lyon."
"Gray."
"You still want to go for Lucy?" Natsu asked, as he let his chest light up again, "I've always wanted to try barbecued horse."
"We're not horses, we're pegasi," Hibiki said with a glower.
"Damned if I care."
"I'm afraid I cannot love you though," Sherry sneered at Lucy.
"Well frankly, I don't like you either!" Lucy responded.
The atmosphere in the mansion was turning very sour, very quickly. It looked to be very close to a brawl.
"Enough!" a commanding voice instructed. Nobody was sure what it was about it, but suddenly, they immediately stopped. Standing at the door, was a large man, in a green and blue outfit, carrying a staff. Oh, and he was bald (that's important).
"We're here to be allies, not fight amongst ourselves!" the man said, "And end the rule of a vicious dark guild!"
"You always do have good timing, Jura," Lyon said with a smile.
"Jura?" Erza said.
"I've heard about him," Hibiki said, "He's the most powerful member of Lamia Scale!"
"The hell's that?" Natsu asked.
"One of the Ten Wizard Saints!" Happy piped up.
"Yikes!" Lucy said, "Even I've heard that guy!"
"So four Faries, four Pegasi, but only three Lamia?" Sherry said, "What does that say about the rest of you?" Lucy fumed at her.
"Natsu!" she called, "Sick her!" But even Natsu knew better at this point.
"Three out of the four are here," Jura said, "We can't start without Cait Shelter's representatives."
"I actually be 'representative' may be more accurate," Ichiya said, "I hear they are sending only one."
"Just a single mage?" Gray said, "This missions really big, why would they do that?"
"Just one guy? Then he must be insanely powerful, right?" Lucy got her answer relatively quickly, when there was a slight "oof". Everyone turned, as a small, blue haired girl rose to her feet.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she said, as she faced everyone, "My names' Wendy Marvel, of Cait Shelter."
"A kid?" Lucy said.
"She's the one to fight?" Lyon asked. Natsu stared in silence, and surprise.
"Soon you will likely meet the child of a friend." Igneel's words echoed through Natsu's ears.
"Its her," he whispered.
Note: Don't ask how Natsu knows Wendy's the one, I'll explain later. I was going to introduce Wendy in full in this chapter, but I figured that this chapter was long enough as it was, so I decided to do it next time.
I find it strange that I've got over 80 reviewers, and yet barely 5 reviews per chapter. Come on people, its not asking much is it?
Oh well, hoped you liked it, and be sure to read "I See Fire In the Sky" as well.