I do not own Fairy Tail or any assets. All of which are owned by Hiro Mashima.
The second chapter is here. Sorry I was trying to upload it at 3PM eastern standard time. That will be the time I will be uploading every Sunday after these first three chapters. Chapter three will be out on Tuesday.
The sun began to peek over the horizon and Natsu could see the port town of Hargeon coming into view. Kari had fallen asleep on his head and after about eight hours of walking he had made it. The town was beautiful. Everywhere you looked there were shops. This was one of the biggest financial places in all of Fiore. People were bustling through the streets and the sun had just started rising.
In a couple of hours he was expected at the job site. It wasn't hard to find, the Ferris wheel practically a dead giveaway. He couldn't wait for Kari to see the spectacle. As he grew closer he saw the merry-go-round as well as some of the tents set up for attractions. He decided while he worked he would let Kari explore the tents to decide which ones they would play after he was finished.
He was approaching the entrance now and there were a couple men waiting outside, discussing something about the circus. They were using some big words he couldn't understand so he decided to speak up.
"U..Umm I'm Natsu from Fairy Tail," He stammered, everyone looked up at him. ".. And I'm here for attracting people to the circus. Oh and this little thing is Kari." He stated as the puffball stirred.
"Great to meet you Natsu. My names Cain and I here own this circus." A tall man announced. He has deep blue eyes with a sharp jawline, and some pretty big muscles. The man was practically a spitting image of Gajeel except his hair was short and had a well kept beard. "So when do you want to start?"
"I can start whenever I want?" Natsu looked at the man, looking confused.
"Our circus is going to open in a few hours. If you can wow them with some magic we can start this day off right. We also need you to kickstart the first day off and then people will keep coming back." The man let a smile show.
Natsu took this as an invitation. He looked back at the town, looking for the tallest building he could. He ran full throttle towards the building. He had a plan and it showed across his face.
Kari looked at him with wide eyes. "Remember Natsu we are supposed to attract people to the circus, not destroy the entire town. What are you planning?"
"Just wait and be amazed my little furry friend." With that he let out one of his laughs, one that can make everyone laugh with him.
Back in Magnolia the sun had just started to peek over the horizon. The light filtered through the window into the bedroom. Inside the room Lucy had begun to stir. Blinking as she woke up she felt an odd presence in the house. She quickly glanced around the room to find nothing. With that she got up and out of the room. Making her way down the hallway she could hear a conversation. Layla was still asleep so obviously someone else had showed up. Lucy stopped at the corner and listened to the conversation.
"... And they showed up last night. Lucy was standing there with a woman named Layla. She also mentioned a boy but apparently he ran off somewhere."
Levy was talking about her?! Who the hell was she telling this to. She wanted to keep a secret and if it was anyone from the guild she'd be screwed. She peeked around the corner to see just who she was talking to.
"Oh really. That's a lot of information there Levy. So I guess we could assume these two are her children." The voice was familiar but seemed strange. "I also don't like when people listen in on others talking." She saw the man come into view for a split second then he disappeared.
Lucy let out a "Eep" as a cold hand touched her shoulder. She instantaneously reacted by swinging her fist at him. She stopped when she realized who it was. The long dark hair, his cold touch and the deep voice. It all made sense. "Gray.."
"How ya doing there Princess. Been quite a while hasn't it." The man motioned her to come take a seat. They walked back over and sat down. "So after all this time you decide to show up?"
"The time came where I could return. Do you really think I wanted to leave? I love Fairy Tail and missed everyone."
"A lot has changed. It's not the same Fairy Tail and you know that. Fifteen years is a lot of time..." He trailed off with a glum look on his face.
"That's to be expected but Fairy Tail is still my family." She lifted her hand to show him the mark. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
"You better have a good reason why you left. Some of the people you left have experienced a lot of pain and you know that a certain Dragon Slayer most definitely missed you." He looked at her with cold eyes. "After receiving the last letter you sent he changed. He wouldn't do anything, even eat. And you know how much he likes his food."
Lucy felt hurt. Why would Natsu feel like that? In her letter she said she would be returning soon. Did that mean he didn't want to see her? Did he hate her now? Was all of this a mistake?
"Now go ahead and give us some information."
"Come on you must know. I show up fifteen years later with two young teenagers, well one but there should be two." Her voice was getting raspy.
"I think we have the general idea but why don't you just clarify with us. We don't know the truth until you give it to us."
"Well.. U-umm. Natsu and I you know." Her face was flushed red. "And I wanted to keep the child. Then that turned into twins. Then I realized something. Natsu had no idea what happened. He didn't know how children were made and I didn't want to lay a burden on his shoulders for my selfish decision."
"Selfish decision? And what do you mean by burden. Children aren't a burden, they are just another means to happiness. They share a bond with their parents, one that can't be broken by anything."
"I'm sure Natsu knows that, but by the time Natsu realized that something was wrong with me, I just couldn't tell him. You don't know how Natsu will react to anything. And I didn't want him to not experience life to the fullest."
"But you took one of the greatest experiences away from him. Raising a child, that is one of the greatest things a person can do."
He was right. Lucy was just a selfish little girl. She hadn't let Natsu know she was pregnant. She had just left in the middle of the night. The only person who knew her location that was a part of the guild was Master Makarov. However, there was another reason why she had to leave.
She let out a sigh and gave Gray her full attention.
"There is another reason why I left but I'd rather not tell anyone but the master. He needs to be able to take action..." She trailed off into her thoughts.
"Oi, well ain't that quite the predicament." Lucy looked up at him. What in the hell was he talking about? "Guess news doesn't travel to where you were. Makarov backed down three years ago. And I was the one who took his place."
With that Lucy's jaw dropped. He was the new Master. She knew that a lot has changed but Gray being the master. She was only scratching the surface too. There must be more shocking things than that.
Lucy stared into Gray's eyes. Now she had to tell him. Makarov must've not said anything because it was already taken care of. "Before I tell you anything Gray, you have to promise to keep this a secret, and not let anyone know that I've returned yet."
Gray nodded. "I understand. Now what's wrong, this seems like it's very important."
"Makarov approached me one day. He told me that a bounty had been placed on my head and that I could decide what I wanted to do. The first option; the one I took was to head up to a place he had in Brago. I was allowed to send letters to anyone, but decided that Levy could relay information if she wanted." Lucy stopped to catch her breath. "The other option was to stay and put everyone in danger."
"Fairy Tail is danger and you know that Lucy. We could've protected you because you're our nakama."
"No you don't understand. No matter what there was no way that could be possible. The bounty on my head exceeded 200 million jewel." With that Gray's face turned into a frown. "With that kind of money on the line people from all over would come for me and hurt everyone. It would never let up and everyone would have died."
"And you think we care. You remember Phantom Lord. We don't care what the odds are, we will fight for our nakama." With that Lucy's faced teared up. She couldn't hold back the feelings anymore.
Standing at the top of the tallest building in all of Hargeon, Natsu prepared himself for what he was about to do. Breathing in he was focusing on readying his Fire Dragon Roar. Kari was still sitting on his head, watching him prepare for something spectacular. Then there was nothing. Kari was confused.
"Natsu I thought you were preparing for something. You were never the kind of person to let me down." He just stood there, a smile flickered across his face. Kari looked down, "what's with that cheeky grin."
Natsu let out his breath attack flying towards the nearby overhanging cliff. His attack lasted for several moments, swiveling his head so that he could write. Kari was confused. Natsu didn't write.
Then Natsu was finished, still having that grin of his spread across his face. Then Kari looked to see what was written. "Come to the circus- Natsu Dragneel."
From the streets below they could hear people talking.
"Wow I forgot that the circus was in town."
"Natsu. As in Natsu the Salamander. We are definitely going to the circus if he approves it."
"Can't believe a big shot like him would come to Hargeon for the circus."
Natsu stood there grimacing. He was praised as the savior after the Great Zeref War. He had set his brother straight, having sealed him up so he could no longer be revived. Acnologia however, had escaped and he had only heard of sightings over the past couple years. He was starting to resume activity.
With a shake of his head he regained his thoughts. He climbed down the side of the building, not taking the stairs. This was the Natsu Kari remembered. His care free self, not worrying about anything. They touched the ground and Natsu made his way back to Cain. Now the bustling streets stopped to look at the man who passed by.
Natsu Dragneel.
After a couple minutes he had made it back to entrance.
"Looks like you did good. Seems like everybody knows who you are. Doesn't the fame get from you from time to time."
"What are ya talkin about, I barely even get noticed and I like it like that." As he said that Cain was pointing behind him. Natsu was confused and then Cain started laughing. Natsu turned around, noticing half the town following him.
"Barely even get noticed, okay Natsu" The sarcasm was noticeable. "You guys go on ahead. Here's the money, so go and enjoy the circus." He slapped the money into Natsu's hand and shoved them into the circus grounds.
"Ready to have some fun Kari, we have this whole place to ourselves."
"Natsu didn't you forget you have motion sickness." With that his face fell. How could he forget that? He was an idiot. "Don't worry I won't make you go on anything to spinny or shaky." With that the cat put on an evil grin and they started to make their way through the grounds.
Where was she? What time was it? Where is Lucy? Layla sat up in her bed and looked around. She was in a room with two beds. Looks like the sun was high in the sky. She must've slept through breakfast. Then she remembered. They were at Levy's house. She had no idea how her mom knew this person. She really didn't talk much about the past.
Conner...
Where the hell did he go? All he said was there was a strange scent in the air and said he'd be back. I wonder if he's back yet? She got up and stretched. Since her mother wasn't in the room anymore she walked into the hallway. Then she heard her mothers' voice and a couple others.
".. great to have you back Lucy. We should probably have your children join us. I'm sure they would love to."
"I'm sure they would too, but that is all up to them. Hell the one decided to go off wandering and hasn't come back yet. He was always the trouble maker of the two."
With that Layla heard laughter. So Conner wasn't back yet and what was with them joining something? The guild possibly? No her mom said she disliked guilds when they were children, so then who was this man. She could sense a lot of magical energy coursing through his body. He must be pretty strong.
"Lucy what is with your kin liking to snoop around?" The man's voice sounded so close that he could...
She felt a cold hand on her shoulder. She nearly had a heart attack as she spun around and swatted at him. He was taller than her with dark hair and a muscular build. What really scared her was the fact he wasn't wearing a shirt. What was he doing? Was he going to try.?.
"no No NO," she was screaming now. ".. Get the hell away from me you pervert." With the that she kicked him in the stomach and ran for her mother. Why the hell was she laughing? And Levy too. This was all so strange to her. If Conner were here he would beat the crap out of the man.
He was getting off the floor now. He was laughing too. These people had to be insane. It's not like she could defend herself against him, she had no magic. However, his seemed so strong and she hasn't even seen it.
"Lucy she really takes after you two. Is the other one like this? If he is them were gonna have a heck of a lot of fun." His words made her shiver. Was he going to enslave them? No, her mom would never allow such things. She was reading the situation the wrong way.
"No." Her mom stated simply. "He is way worse, just like his father possibly more irritating." His father? Lucy didn't like talking about their father either but if she's bringing it up he must be somewhere nearby.
"So Layla," the man stated. ".. How would you like to join Fairy Tail. Your mother here has left the decision to you. And don't worry we have plenty of non-magic users."
"Wow Gray way to get to the point." Levy turned to her. "Anyways Fairy Tail is a wonderful place, and maybe you do have magic. You just haven't discovered it yet." Levy had a huge smile on her face.
All this had happened so fast. She hadn't even been awake for more than ten minutes and it seems like she's starting to learn a lot about her mothers' life. Layla couldn't even think straight but she knew one thing for sure.
"Mom are you part of Fairy Tail?"
"Of course, how do you think that I met all of these wonderful people."
Layla turned to Gray and looked at him straight in the eyes. "I will join Fairy Tail but you need to explain some things to me." She stated confidently.
"Anything you want to know, but keep it short I have to leave very soon." With those words a small smile formed on Layla's face. She was a part of the guild Fairy Tail now.
They were on the final ride, the dreaded ferris wheel. Kari had stated that after this she would be happy and content. She looked out the window in awe as they were reaching the summit. The ride was thirty minutes total and he had been feeling like crap since the moment he set foot on it.
"Natsu this is awesome. I haven't been this high without using my wings before." He looked over at her, face pressed against the window. "I think this is on of the most beautiful things I have seen."
"It really is.." He started to think about Happy. They had been on this before together. It had been when Lucy was still around.
"Natsu you okay? You look like you're thinking again." His face died down, thinking again. Was it really a terrible thing if he's in deep thought. "I just don't want you to keep having that awful grown on your face, it makes me sad."
Natsu quickly shook himself. He should be happy for Kari's sake. "Thanks buddy, I wouldn't be able to do anything without you. You are one of my best friends."
With that the wheel halted to a stop. He lurched forward, falling into the ground. Kari fell on top of him. The cart settled. The both of them laid there for a while and then Natsu burst out laughing.
"I can't wait for many more adventures, with all of our friends," Natsu stated. He could wait a little longer, and then they would all go on new adventures together.
He couldn't even think straight. He wasn't getting off the couch, the thing was really comfy. He could tell it was past mid-day already and he couldn't care less. He was in his father's house and he still hadn't returned. Where the hell was he? Maybe he was at a friends' place and passed out drunk. It's not like he knew anything about his father, his mom refusing to give any information at all.
He couldn't get up so he just laid there. Not like he wanted to move anyways. He wanted to meet his father, but he didn't know when he'd show up. There was no sense worrying about it. "Should rest up before he gets here. Better be ready 'cause I have a ton of questions for you." With that Conner fell back asleep.