Guildless Chapter 4: Tensions in Friendships, a fairy tail fanfic

Hey guys! I hope you all are enjoying this so far, and thank you so much for reading! I can't tell you how much I enjoy knowing people read my work, regardless of how well I feel I've done. This chapter's longer, so hopefully it'll make up for my shorter last one. Now, I've bored you for long enough!

Chapter 3: Tensions in "Friendships"

"I know I've said this before, but I have a really bad feeling about this." Lucy sat in the back of the wagon, knees to her chest. "And why am I even here? I'm not all that strong! It's not like I'm going to be able to help you guys, anyway!"

Grey said, "Look, this ain't no picnic for me, either. So quit pouting, would ya?"

Lucy looked away, lips pursed.

Erza looked angrily at a motion-sick Natsu as he groaned and growled, "We're here for one reason: because Master put his faith in us, so let's not disappoint him."

Lucy sighed softly. "I know. You're right, but Gajeel and Juvia are better fighters."

Happy said, "They can't go because Master sent the two of them on another mission."

Natsu slid down onto his back, moaning, "I don't care. I just... want to... get... there..."

Lucy complained, "It just seems like we're always picked for this stuff."

Erza said, "You should consider it an honor. And today will be our first joint mission with the other allied guilds. It's important that we all focus our efforts on starting to build a positive relationship."

Guildless, who had been silently sitting in the front of the wagon, suddenly interjected, "I hate to disrupt your stirring speech on inter-guild relations, but we're at the rendezvous."

Lucy quietly whispered to Grey, "I know she's staying with us, but should Guildless really be with us? I mean, this kind of means she's representing our guild."

Grey murmured back, "I don't know. I mean, we don't even know what her powers are or if she's really on our side. She did show up right before we go up against one of the Baram Alliance guilds..."

Erza asked threateningly, "What are you saying?"

Lucy and Grey quickly excused, "Nothing! Just... the pink palace."

Guildless shook her head, thinking, Whispering isn't apparently quiet anymore since I heard that without even trying.

They quickly found their way inside, Lucy sarcastically saying, "Great, another creepy old mansion."

Erza explained, "It's the second home of Blue Pegasus' master, Bob."

Grey cringed at the thought of the elder man in makeup. "Oh, him. He... makes me feel funny."

Erza tried to sound strict, but looked as uncomfortable as he did. "Grey, be nice. Master Bob may be a little eccentric, but does deserve our utmost respect."

Lucy added, "Yeeeeah, eccentric."

Natsu, still feeling sick, feebly said, "Just tell me when we're there, guys."

Happy said, "Okay, we're there!"

"Yes, they're here at last!"

"At last!" Came the echo.

From all around, three voices called and echoed, "Hey hey hey hey! Hello hello!"

"Hello hello!"

"Fairy!"

"Tail!"

And as a spotlight lit three males, the voices cried in unison, "Wizards!"

Surprise spread through the Fairy Tail wizards, although Guildless was as unreadable as ever with her face hidden.

The three boys said, "We're so glad you came."

The middle started, "We are-"

"The Blue Pegasus-" The shortest said.

"Elite Crew." Finished the tallest. Together, they spoke, "The Trimens."

The middle boy with spiky blonde hair introduced, "Hundred-Nights, Hebiki."

The short, straight-haired blonde smoothly said, "Holy Night, Eve."

The tall, dark haired boy completed, "Still Night, Ren."

Posing, Lucy admired while blushing, "The Trimens from Blue Pegasus! Wow, that is so cool! Those guys are like, the hottest wizards around now. Hebiki Lates is always near the top of Sorcerer Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelor's List! He's been in the top three for the last few months!"

Hebiki winked, twirling a bit of hair back charmingly.

Grey stressed off to the side, "Would you look at those guys?! I feel totally underdressed!" Natsu leaned his head into a pillar next to him.

Lucy sighed, staring at them. "And they are not on the list."

Erza surveyed the room like a war map, Guildless hanging back with her arms crossed, watching the others.

Hebiki dramatically said, "I've heard tales of your beauty." He winked. "And they're true."

Eve knelt near her, speaking in a tone of awe, "It's a pleasure to meet you... Miss Tatania."

Ren slipped up behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Please, come with me."

Lucy stared as a love seat was quickly brought in, along with a table with a bottle of champagne.

Hebiki sat her down and kneeled, offered a towel. "Would you like to freshen up?"

Eve asked, "Or maybe somthing to eat?"

Erza plainly denied, "No."

Hebiki said, "Ah, but there's cake. Want some?"

Erza insisted, "No, thank you."

Lucy stared, wondering aloud, "Jeez, what is the deal with these guys?"

Ren up behind her, speaking smooth as silk. "Please... have a seat."

Lucy's face flushed in surprise as his hand touched her hip. "Oh wow, you're almost too cute..."

Lucy stammered in Ren's embrace, staring at the boy, dumbfounded.

Grey watched them in annoyance. "No joke. What is the deal with these cornballs?"

Natsu moaned, "I missed somethin'... who are they?"

Erza was meanwhile speaking to Eve. "It's a pleasure to meet a future ally. I look forward to working together."

Eve blushed. "You're so beautiful. It's almost unreal." Erza seemed too stunned to react. "Is this a dream? I hope not, because I've always admired you."

Ren meanwhile offered Lucy a drink. "Here... You can have it if you want, but it's not like I made it for you."

Lucy seemed completely lost. "Now he's being coy?!"

Hebiki stood before the love seats, professing, "Well, you ladies must be exhausted. Feel free to spend the night."

Eve and Ren joined him to kneel and speak in harmony. "We don't mind."

Guildless suddenly spoke out loudly. "Okay, that's enough. We're here on business, not for a blind date, boys."

They suddenly noticed Guildless, taking in her voice quickly. Hebiki turned his charms in a new direction. "I'm sorry we forgot you, my dear. You're right, we're here to be serious. No time for playing around. After all..." He narrowed his eyes, a smile gracing his lips. "Passion is all that fuels love."

Before Guildless could respond, Eve asked, "What's your beautiful name, miss?"

Ren suggested, "Let me take your cloak so we can see that gorgeous face."

The Fairy Tail wizards stared, unsure of what Guildless would do.

She didn't respond immediately. Aiming a hand at the floor, a black magic circle appeared, her voice low and threatening. "You have three seconds to back off. If you don't, you'll be the first guild wizards to ever feel the full force of the wizard Guildless' power."

The boys staggered back at the name. "You- You're Guildless?!"

The hood bobbed up and down in agreement. "Yes. And thank you, you didn't even make me say one." The magic circle faded out, her coppery fingers gleaming against the black bandages around her palms.

A new voice joined the fray. "Calm down, men. Give these ladies some breathing room."

A short figure appeared on the staircase. Lucy whispered, "That voice... It's so silky smooth!"

Ren answered, "Yes, Ichya sir!"

Erza whimpered, "Him... oh dear."

The soft, male voice greeted, "It's been far too long, Ms. Scarlet."

Erza answered shakily, "A long time, yes. I never expected to see you here."

Ichya passionately said, "Oh, how I've missed you, my sweet honey. But don't cry- I'm here."

Happy and Lucy exclaimed in surprise, "My sweet honey?!" Erza stared in horror at the short, auburn-haired man with a cleft chin and white suit. Lucy yelled in surprise, "Wow, she's shaking!"

Ichya started sliding down the banister, calling, "A surprise!"

The Trimens echoed, "A surprise!"

"A reunion!"

"Oh yes! Oh yes! Oh yes!" Clapping and kneeling to Ichya, the Trimens apologized, "We didn't know she was your girlfriend, Mr. Ichya." Bowing to Erza, they said, "Please forgive our rudeness."

Erza pointed accusingly at Ichya. "You know that is not true!"

Ichya yelled at the Trimens, "You idiots! We have work to do!"

"Right boss!" They ran off to clean their mess of love seats and tables, Guildless muttering, "I'm not going to make it through this if this keeps up."

Lucy muttered, "Boss, huh? I think that's like, the third thing they've called him."

Happy observed, "They're a bunch of mixed nuts."

Ichya declared dramatically, "It seems that destiny brought us together Miss Erza, Miss Lucy- you two not so much." He turned to Guildless, studying her for a moment before exclaiming, "Guildless!"

Guildless crossed her arms over her cloak. "What? Did destiny forget to invite me too?"

Ichya stammered, "N-No... But why are you here, miss?"

Guildless explained shortly, "I owe Fairy Tail a favor, so I'm here to assist. Go on, but skip the destiny lecture and get to the mission's details."

Grey suddenly felt the need to interject. "Listen up you Blue Pegasus playboy wannabes: you'd be wise to keep your hands of these ladies, we clear?"

Ichya concurred, "Clear as crystal, now take your leave."

Hebiki bowed. "Thanks for dropping by."

Eve and Ren bowed, echoing, "Thanks for dropping by."

Guildless raised her voice slightly. "The mission details, if you please. Natsu and Grey should hear them too, as they're a part of this mission."

Grey ignored Guildless. "I doubt you pretty boys can even fight."

Ren challenged, "Do you want to find out?"

Eve agreed, "Yeah, we're real tough, pal."

Natsu grinned. "A fight! Count me in!"

Erza deligated, "Everybody needs to calm down this instant-"

"My honey."

Shivers crawled Erza's back as Ichya went around her, sniffing. "Your sweet parfum... it still drives me crazy!"

Erza's fist sent him flying. "You stay far away from me!"

"Maaaan!"

Lucy admired in shock, "Nice right hook..."

As Ichya flew toward the doorway, his head met the palm of another wizard, ice creeping up his head.

The wizard asked softly, "You dare to greet us with this flying buffoon? Lamia's Scale deserves more respect. We insist on it."

Grey stared. "It's you!"

Lyon, white hair spiked upward, growled, "It's you."

The tension because tangible in the air around them.

Natsu smiled. "Hey! So you went and joined a guild after all."

Lyon answered by flinging Ichya back, the ice shattering and its victim crying, "Man! Man! Man! Don't hurt the face!" He skidded to a stop at his pupils feet.

Grey demanded, "What is wrong with you?"

Lyon defended coolly, "He was the one who attacked me, Grey."

Ren threatened, "Watch it, that's our leader you're messing with, pal."

Eve asked, "How dare you?"

Hebiki added, "Maybe you and your men should just turn around and go home."

"I suppose that means women can stay and fight?" A feminine voice asked from the doorway as the carpet moved in a wave. "Marionette attack, Carpet Doll!"

Lucy tumbled with the carpet, calling, "What did I do? Hold on... I recognize that magic!" A gentle laugh emitted, a pink-haired girl in a pink dress now stood with Lyon. "Sherri? No way! You joined the guild too?"

Sherri laughed. "I was hoping you fairies hadn't forgotten who I am. But please, do try to forget who I was, okay?"

Lucy mumbled, "Still crazy."

"I have been born anew, through the power of love!"

Ichya's energy was renewed, proclaiming to Erza, "I must breathe in more of your parfum!"

Erza growled, "Oh no, stay back!" She summoned a spear to her hands.

Grey challenged, "Let's go, Lyon."

Lyon answered, "My pleasure."

Natsu grinned. "I'm ready to party!"

The Trimens grew dark expressions, glaring at the male wizards.

Sherri taunted Lucy, "I could never love you."

Lucy responded hotly, "Well the feeling's mutual!"

Two very different voices rang out at once: "Enough!" The newest entry's staff hit the ground once, Guildless' voice having echoed as if coming from behind each of them.

Guildless' magic circle disappeared as the newcomer continued, "We are here to work together as one, as a group to destroy the Oracion Seis! This is not the time for us to fight among ourselves!"

Lyon submitted, "Yes, Jura."

Erza asked, "That's Jura?"

Ren mused, "So that's really him."

Hebiki agreed, "Lamia's Scale's top man: Iron Rock Jura."

Natsu looked to Happy. "Who?"

Guildless instead answered, "If I'm not mistaken, you're one of the Ten Wizard Saints, correct?"

Jura assured, "I am."

Sherri suddenly added, "So four from Pegasus and five from Fairy Tail? Funny, our guild only needed to send three members."

Lucy puffed. "Technically, Guildless isn't here as Fairy Tail, you know."

Sherri blinked. "Guildless? Yeah right."

Guildless sighed. "Apparently my outfit isn't as defining as it used to be. Anyway Pink, how many other wizards in cloaks with no guild do you know?"

Sherri stared at Guildless, Lyon muttering to Grey, "I bet you had to beg her to come. Shame Grey, begging just to make Fairy Tail look good."

Grey yelled, "Shut up, I didn't beg anyone!"

Jura cleared his throat, quieting everyone. "It seems we have representatives from three guilds. The members from Cait Shelter have yet to arrive."

Ichya, hanging from Erza's spear tip, conversed, "Yes, and about that guild... I hear they're only sending one."

Erza asked, "Just one member?"

Grey exclaimed, "That's insane! We're supposed to be up against a powerful group, here!"

Lucy clasped her hands to her cheeks. "One? If that's true, how crazy intense is this guy going to be?"

Guildless' ears pricked. "Why don't you ask?"

A young girl with blue hair suddenly came running in- stopped shortly after entering as she tripped, falling forward with a loud yelp. Everyone turned to see the last member of their group as she stood, murmuring, "Ow..."

Brushing herself off, she stood straight. Shyly, she introduced, "Hi... I, uh... I'm sorry I got here so late. I'm from the Cait Shelter guild. My name is Wendy. It's nice to meet all of you!"

Everyone stared, Lucy exclaiming, "She's a kid!"

Guildless seemed slightly unsettled for once, shifting her stance.

Lyon asked, "A little girl?"

Natsu thoughtfully said, "Wendy, huh?"