Note: I do not own Fairy Tail. All is owned by Hiro Mashima.
A/N: So as I said before every Sunday at 3n6PM EST a chapter will be posted. Hopefully you enjoy the chapter. Don't forget to let me know what you think of the story thus far.
He saw her run out of the infirmary. She didn't look too happy either. She walked in circles and so far hadn't noticed him sitting at the bar. What could be bothering her. "Hey Abbey," he jumped to his feet walking towards her. "... You alright?"
She turned to look at him. He could see her perfectly fine but she wasn't like him. She would have trouble seeing in the dark. "Yes Natsu I'm fine. Conner is just an inconsiderate jerk."
Inco- what now. He would roll with it. "Yea he's probably just like me. Not really thinking before anything, just jumping in and causing trouble."
"That sounds like him and I've only talked to him twice." She looked into his eyes now. "Natsu why do you and my dad fight a lot? I don't want to be that way with Conner."
"Is that what you're worried about?" Her head nodded slowly. "Me and Gray have just been at it since the beginning. We might argue a lot but we do it for fun." She looked confused. "Like we only do it because we both want to."
"Yea okay. How could I be friends with Conner if our fathers constantly fight." She didn't understand but that's alright. "Why do I even care?"
"Because you are a Fairy Tail wizard. You try to find the good in people. Trust me Conner's a good guy but from what I've learned he's learned a secluded life. They were forced to stay away from everyone at an early age. He doesn't know how to behave now that he has been exposed to all of us. Just give it some time, I'm sure he will become a great friend."
"You sure Natsu? Are you sure he will be able to adapt?"
"Yea he's a good guy. And didn't you mention the fact that the two fathers fight a lot. There's just one flaw there." She was listening intently. "The two mothers. Lucy and Juvia have been great friends, for a long time. So they cancel each other out right."
"You have a weird way of thinking. Alright I'll go along with what you say." She walked up to him and threw her arms around him. "Thanks for the talk."
"No problem." He really had no idea what he was saying. Or did he. He didn't want to think about this right now. Then came a loud thump.
"What was that?" She looked at him expecting to get the answer. "Please don't tell me..." Off she went, running for the infirmary doors.
He let a smirk cover his face. "You idiot, I'll just leave you two alone. Don't be a jerk this time." He turned for the kitchen. "I wonder what Mira has stocked up in here." He let out a maniacal laugh.
What just happened? He had fallen on top of the chair and then onto the floor. It had hurt a lot and there was no way he could lift himself back on the bed. "Man I really am stupid."
He heard the door fly open, cracking against the wall. "Conner?" It was Abbey's voice. She sounded pretty concerned. Was she still mad at him? No point in worrying about that, he was injured on the floor.
"Yea I'm fine, just fell on the ground." He heard her scuttle over past the bed. She had a look of mixed anger and worry. Finally she smiled. Why would she do that? "You gonna help me out here, it's not the most comfortable position in the world." His legs were still half on the bed. "And what's with that smile?"
"You just look so funny." Not the answer he was expecting. "And helpless." Was she teasing him? He wouldn't have any of this.
"I think I'm bleeding again, on my far side." She looked pretty worried again. She flew herself to the floor, throwing the chair across the room. She was now inspecting him.
"There's no blood. Did you just..." He didn't let her finish. He grabbed her so she couldn't move. She let out a yell, throwing a fit. "Let me go. What's going on with you?"
"I'll let you go when you promise to get me back on the bed." He couldn't see her but could tell she was mad again. "I can't lift you. You weigh a bit too much." He heard her chuckle again.
"Haha so funny." She was calling him fat. All his weight came from his muscle and he had a lot of that. "But seriously you can't lift me?"
"Nope." Short and sweet. Looks like he was spending the night on the floor. "Well if you can't lift me then I guess I'm not letting go." She tensed up, heartbeat racing.
"What? That's totally out of my control." Did she actually feel cheated? Doesn't matter she would have to deal with it. "Pleasssssse let me go." He was already tired of her whining.
"Fine but could you grab the blanket for me. I don't feel like freezing to death." With that he let go and she scrambled to her feet. He watched as she walked past the bed and out of view. "Seriously." He was furious. "You couldn't even grab a blanket for me."
"Shut up, you're more annoying than Natsu and Gray when they're fighting." She showed back up, with two blankets. She propped him up against the wall.
"I don't need two blankets you know. I'm fine with just one." She didn't say anything, throwing one blanket over him.
Then she sat down. Covering the other blanket over herself. "Who said this blanket was for you. I can't leave you alone because you'll end up killing yourself." She positioned herself next to him, both sitting up. "You should get some more rest."
He didn't need to hear that. He was really exhausted, having doing nothing physical at all. He leaned over so he could be supported by her. He slumped his head over. "Sorry for earlier. I see now why you'd be mad. Sleeping on the floor really is embarrassing." His body ignored his mind. He fell asleep right there and then, only after hearing her response.
"Natsu was right. You really aren't so bad, just a little weird." She said it in a whisper, thinking he wouldn't hear. Too bad he was a Dragon Slayer.
The sun was shining through the window. Wait, the whole town was covered by a rock cap. How would that be possible. Layla rolled over onto her stomach, feeling irritated. "I don't want to get up." She got no response.
She flipped over to find that her mom was no longer there. Where had she gone? The guild was the only reasonable answer.
She hobbled off the bed making her way to the window. Opening it she stuck her head out to look at the sky. The entire rock cap was gone, but the ice shield was still there.
She turned and walked for the door, opening and trudged through the hallway. The main room was empty and no one was in the kitchen. Sighing she walked over to the table in which she found a note.
'Layla, as you know I'm not at Levy's apartment. Her, Natsu and I have left to go check something out. We will be gone for a couple hours. If you wouldn't mind heading to the guild and checking on your brother that would be nice. We will show up around mid day. All the love in the world, your mother.'
"Well isn't that amazing, leaving me as the baby sitter. He already has one, so I'll just do some exploring of my own." Why should she listen to her mother? She wanted to see some of the town. Like the cathedral and cherry blossoms.
So she walked out of the house towards the direction of the cathedral. It wasn't too far of a walk, she would be able to make it there in a couple minutes. She watched all the people moving through the streets, looking happy. They all smiled and laughed. She hopes that she will be able to become a part of the guild and have moments like the people of Magnolia.
She was now a block from the cathedral and decided to take the back alleyway. She walked down without a care in the world. "Looks like we caught ourselves a nice one boss." She stood there frozen. In front of her stood two men, evil intentions covering there faces. She quickly turned and collided with two more men, falling to the ground.
"Looks like she doesn't want to come with us. Too bad, we will have to use force if necessary so don't start a fuss."
"Yea little one. Might as well come along peacefully and then we won't have to hurt you."
"Screw off you pervs. I'll have you know..." She couldn't even finish, all of them jumping at her at the same time. She covered herself with her arms waiting for the dog pile of pigs. Nothing.
She looked up, scanning the area around her. There was nothing, no people around. Then a little girl appeared out of nowhere. She looked no older than herself. She had very long hair that almost reached her feet. She didn't wear any shoes and had on a beautiful outfit.
The girl turned to walk away. Did she get rid of all the bad guys? She wouldn't get any answers sitting around. "Hey you, did you get rid of all those men?"
The girl turned around with a surprised look on her face. She just smiled. "Yes I did and you're lucky I was around. Those men were slave traders. They would've made you a slave and shipped you off to a distant country."
Why were people so messed up in this world? "Thank you miss. Do you mind if I ask you your name or is that too much."
"I guess it doesn't matter. My name is Mavis. Mavis Vermillion and I'm a member of Fairy Tail. I remember seeing you there the other day." She was a member of Fairy Tail. What kind of magic did she use? And how did she get rid of all those guys?
"Well that's good to know. I was going to be joining soon myself. I guess that I'm almost a member, I just need the guild mark."
"Oh so you're not a member yet. How strange..." She went off into deep thought. How is that strange? She had just shown up in Magnolia less than three days ago. "Come on let's go to the guild. It's a lot safer there than in this alleyway."
Captain obvious over here gets the gold medal. Mavis was right though. She didn't want to spend another second here. "Well what are you waiting for Mavis? Get moving or I'll leave you behind. Oh and by the way I'm Layla."
They both took off down the street. "Nice to meet you Layla. I have a feeling your someone really special." Wait really? What was so special about herself? "I think we will become great friends." She just used that word. Friend. Her mother wanted her to make friends and now here she was making her first true friend. Maybe it wasn't the best way to meet someone but that's whatever.
After about a half hour of walking they made it to the guild. She was supposed to check up on Conner. "Sorry Layla but I have to take care of some business today. I might see you later alright." There was a smile on her face.
"Of course. I have things I need to do to. Don't worry about it, I'll be around a lot more once I officially join."
With that Mavis nodded and walked up the stairs. Now she needed to get to the infirmary. It was in the back right corner of the guild.
The guild was considerably less quiet. Not many people were even there. They had to be out on missions. She quickly walked to the infirmary doors. When she walked in Conner wasn't on his bed.
"Conner where are you?" There was no answer. No need to panic, they could've moved him somewhere else. She walked closer to the bed, and could now hear an annoying noise from the far side. Don't tell me he fell off the bed.
She rounded the corner and almost let out a yelp. Sitting there together was Conner and Abbey. For the most part they were separated. But they were touching. Conner's head was buried on her shoulder, with her own head leaning against his. "He'll never hear the end of this if I tell the guild."
The place looked exactly the same the day she left. All the furniture the same. Nothing had been touched, except nothing was covered in dust. Just how often did Natsu visit. "It looks exactly like I left it."
"I didn't want anything to be different. I wanted to come here and remember all the great times we had." He really was a man. "And I wanted you to return to a beautiful home. It looks like you won't be the one using it though." His entire face was a smirk and he was also a jerk. "You can come visit anytime you want."
"Natsu just how destroyed is your house. Is there anything left?" She changed the subject, knowing he didn't have any short term memory.
"Completely destroyed." So blunt. He didn't even seem concerned that his house was gone. "That doesn't matter though. I can just rebuild it." He said it so nonchalantly.
"Anyways I think we've been here long enough." She didn't want to be here for long. She had just wanted to make sure her letters were fine. "How about you show me where your scarf is?" After that Natsu didn't seem so happy go lucky.
"Yea I guess we could." He guesses. Where could it be that he didn't want to go? "Just remember that you wanted to see it okay." She nodded.
They left her house and made there way through the streets. After a little bit they stepped onto a street she was unfamiliar with. They walked halfway down the street and then turned into a cemetery. Why would his scarf be here?
They stopped in front of a headstone. Maybe not so much a headstone but a giant memorial. It didn't have just one name on it but several. 'Happy the little blue cat that could make everyone laugh. Gajeel Redfox was one of the most loved and annoying people in all of Fairy Tail.' Did they really put that on there. 'Wendy Marvel was one of the youngest members of the guild but that's what made her special. Her Dragon Slayer powers is what made her really stand out. Finally on this day, Erza Scarlet was one of the guilds strongest. She led the way through countless battles and had been a part of the guild for many years. It's been a sad parting but we know we all will meet again someday.' Around the top of the memorial Natsu's scarf was wrapped.
She had been crying for a while now. They wouldn't stop coming either. All her friends were just gone and it all happened five years in only an instant. It was too much to bear.
"Come on don't cry anymore. You know that's my only weakness." She felt his arms wrap around her. His head pushed against her forehead. "Remember what I said, don't dwell on the past. Focus on what lies ahead." When did he get so good with words?
"Thanks Natsu. I really can count on you for anything, can't I?"
"Hell yea you can. Now come on get up, looks like rains coming our way." She looked up to see clouds moving quickly. When did that happen? "Let's go to the guild. Things are going to be pretty interesting."
"Oh man, that doesn't sound good." She saw him crack a smile. He led the way out of the cemetery and they made their way to the guild.
Why was she here? She hadn't shown up for a while now. Something must be wrong. "So why are you here Mavis? I thought that you were with Laxus and Makarov."
"I come bearing bad news. Makarov just passed away. Laxus should be showing back up within the week. He's taking his time to give him a proper burial."
"So he really is gone. It was inevitable. He's been around for a long time. How is Laxus taking things?"
"Alright. He's been preparing for it. Anyways with that beside I have a question to ask you. Who is this Layla girl?" How did she know Layla? "And don't lie to me Gray." What is so important about her?
"She's a new member of the guild, or to be precise a to be member. I'm waiting to talk to her brother and if he agrees were going to mark them together. They are the children of Natsu and Lucy." She had a shocked look on her face. "Lucy returned with them a couple days ago."
"So it is true that they don't have guild marks yet." Gray nodded his head. "Well how come Layla can see me then. It took her a moment to see me but she can see me. Only people with the guild mark can see me."
"You're asking me Mavis. They said she doesn't have any magic but I believe it's just dormant inside her. Maybe her magic allows her to do certain things others couldn't. She does seem pretty special."
"I can't wait to see what she's capable of. I hope she is something we've never seen before."
"Trust me. It's Natsu's kid. You never know what they're capable of." The two of them broke out in laughter.
A/N: So what is so special about Layla? What makes her able to see Mavis? Some things just need to remain a mystery. Anyways I like how this Tory is turning out. The real action should start taking place soon. Actually it already has. (I've already wrote out the next two chapters, haha.)