A Place To Call Home?
Year; X777
Location: Magnolia, Fiore
Magnolia was a fairly large town in the kingdom of Fiore, it had once been nothing more than a small village that most people would ignore or just move through whilst on their way someplace else, it hadn't had anything special back then and even the local guild was considered more like bandits than actual mages. But that was one hundred years ago and much has changed since then. Now it was a hub of social interaction and a highly sought out location for businesses to start up. This was mainly because one hundred years ago the old bandit-like mage guild was successfully kicked out of Magnolia and replaced with a new guild. The new guild brought much needed safety and business at a time where there was little of both. With the new guild members more than willing to spend their hard earned money in local business establishments it gave Magnolia an opportunity and the resources necessary to expand. With it's expandment more business arrived and more people moved to live there, before anyone realised Magnolia had gone from a little known village to one of the largest towns in the country.
Even though Magnolia had changed a lot over the past century, many features from it's past can still be seen. Some businesses handed down from family member to family member could still be found and proudly displayed the fact that they have been here since the beginning of the revolution that changed Magnolia. These places were mostly in and around the town centre, what would have once been the only street in the village. The other thing that still remained from the old days was the most popular public attraction and easily the most recognisable.
Kardia Cathedral with its gothic design, tall spires and stained glass windows it was truly a beautiful addition to the already visually vibrant and diverse locations in Magnolia. It was not far from here that we find two people walking down one of the many streets.
The first of the two was easily recognisable to the town's residents having lived there his entire life and a well-known member of the local guild. The second that stood by his side the town's people had never seen before but despite this the people waved towards the two of them and shouted happy greetings as they walked past.
"Good morning Master Makarov" Shouted a nearby vendor, happily waving his hand towards the aged man.
"Good morning" Responded Makarov with equal vigour.
As this was happening Natsu was scanning the street, trying to take in everything. It appeared this street was one of the business centre's with people hurriedly moving from shop window to shop window, children cheering in glee as their parents bought them the newest toy or adults sitting down for a well earned drink.
"So, what do you think of Magnolia?"Questioned Makarov as he turned to look at the boy standing next to him.
"It's definitely a busy place"Replied Natsu, his attention remaining on the various stores that lined the street.
"Yes well, Magnolia is fortunate to have some of the best shops in the country so many people come here to have a look and see the sights while they're at it" Responded Makarov whilst moving to look forward down the street as they started to approach a large building in the distance." If you look forward Natsu you will be able to see the guild from here."
In response to Makarov's words Natsu moved his head to look forward. As Makarov had stated they were quickly approaching a large building. This was Fairy Tail's Guild hall, it took on a shape reminiscent of a pagoda, with each floor being smaller than the one below it and sitting on the latter's roof. The building looked aged to a degree, which wasn't surprising since it had been built well over one hundred years ago but it appeared to have been well looked after.
"This is Fairy Tail's guild hall" Stated Makarov. "Built over one hundred years ago by the four founding members of Fairy Tail, those being the First Master Mavis Vermillion, Precht Gaebolg, Warrod Sequen and Yuri Dreyar".
"Dreyar? Isn't that your last name?" Question Natsu.
"It is. Yuri Dreyar is my father"Replied Makarov.
"Wow!" Responded Natsu with a look of surprise on his face. Makarov took this as a look of shock over the fact he came from a family with such a connection to the guild with a big smile, after all he himself was quite proud of this little fact." I knew you was old but shit you're totally ancient if your father was a founding member which was over a hundred years ago". And with that comment the smile on Makarov's face quickly disappeared.
"I am not old you little brat!" Hastily replied Makarov in an angry tone." I'm still in my youth and the ladies adore me".
"They adore you because you're so small they mistake you for a cuddly teddy bear" Quipped Natsu in return."As soon as they get a look at your face though they drop kick you into the nearest bin".
"Why you little!" said Makarov before quickly taking a deep breath and calming down. "Let's go inside you annoying bugger".
As they approached the door shouting sounds could be heard coming from inside. "Brace yourself my boy" Stated Makarov."It sounds like they're going at it again".
"Going at what". Question Natsu. Although that question quickly died once Makarov had pushed open the door and he got a look inside.
As soon as Makarov had opened the door Natsu had to quickly duck to avoid getting smacked in the face by what appeared to be a flying person, who then continued to bounce down the path he had just walked up.
"Well, what do ya think?" Ask Makarov as Natsu stood to get a better look at what was happening.
In short it was chaos inside. People getting sent flying across the hall as they punched each other in the face, tables and chairs sent shooting into the air as people tried to hit each other with them, mugs of beer thrown at people with such ferocity that it looked like someone would die on impact with one of them.
This was Natsu's first experience with Fairy Tail, it's legendary guild brawls.
"Errrr…. It's interesting" Natsu responded, struggling to think of any better words to describe the ensuing shit storm in front of him.
"You get used to it after a while so i wouldn't worry about it my boy" Stated Makarov. Although this caused Natsu to think. "Get used to it? I'm not sure what concerns me more, the fact this happens often or the fact i could get used to this".
After watching for a few minutes, and having to dodge a few projectiles in the processes Makarov finally had enough and decided to stop it. Using his Titan Magic he grew to twenty feet tall before shouting, "That's enough you little bastards!".
Immediately all fighting that had been going on stopped as they all as one turned their heads to look at the Master in his increased size.
"Master your back!" Shouted the entire guild.
"Yes I'm back"Replied Makarov having now returned to his original size." Now stop fighting, can't you see we have someone here".
It was only now that Makarov had said something that they noticed the boy standing next to him." Who's the kid Master?" Questioned one of the guild members.
"This is Natsu, he's going to be becoming a member".Answered Makarov whilst gesturing to the boy."So i expect you to make him feel welcome and to help him out with anything he may need".
"A new member!" Shouted another member." Bring out the Beer it's time to celebrate!".
Instantly after this was said the guild erupted into a roar of approval. Beer begun to freely flow from the taps as members came over to introduce themselves to Natsu and welcome him to Fairy Tail with others avidly conversing with each other, cracking jokes and letting out loud laughs of approval.
This continued on for several hours without stop. "So my boy"Asked Makarov. As they had eventually managed to move over towards the bar to take a seat."What do you think? Think this is a place where you're gonna fit in?".
"Yeah, everyone here is really nice and i feel like I'm gonna get on well with them"Replied Natsu.
"Excellent, in that case where do you want your Guild Mark?"Responded Makarov as he picked up a magic stamp used for the Guild Mark.
"Right arm please".Asked Natsu."Also could i have it in red with a black outline?".
"Sure thing that's no problem".Stated Makarov as he pressed the magic stamp against his arm.
As this was happening a girl around the same age as Natsu was walking up behind them."Excuse me". She said. This causing Natsu to turn around to take a look.
He saw a girl around his age with long red hair tied in a braid with two longer pieces framing her face. She was wearing what appeared to be an armoured chestplate made for a child, underneath she wore a long sleeved white blouse that had a red ribbon tied around the collar, a white skirt with blue leggings on underneath and a pair of brown shoes. The final thing Natsu took notice of was the small sword attached to her waist.
After seeing this girl Natsu's eyes widened slightly as a vision flashed across his mind.
Vision
Year;X357
Location; Dragon Civil War Battlefield, Fiore
It was a cold day on one of the many open fields in the country of Fiore. The sight of an open field would be nothing special if not for what had recently occurred here. As the Dragon Civil War raged on anywhere and everywhere could quickly become a battlefield, this was one such place. The lifeless bodies of both humans and dragons lay scattered around all with ghastly injuries. All the Dragons had numerous wounds varying from long lacerations across their entire lengths to horrid burns that covered their scales. Each corpse a testament to the amount of damage that was required to kill a single dragon. And the humans corpses weren't much better, the only difference between the two being the amount of them. The human corpses easily outnumbered those of the dragons and once again had wounds of various degrees. Whether it be their entire skin burned and melted away to the bone or the missing limbs strewn around the field. Some had even been bitten in half, their intestines left to hang from their mangled body as a look of shock and incomprehensible pain shot across their ghostly visage. Five Dragon corpses laid in this field, while over two hundred Human corpses were left in pieces for the crows to feast upon.
It was here that we find a man sitting upon a somehow undamaged boulder, how it had survived without a scratch he didn't know, but it served as a good spot to sit at for now as his tired gaze looked over the once beautiful scenery.
As he sat there he could hear the footsteps of someone approaching from behind. "This isn't the place for sightseeing anymore, so it would be best if you went another way".The man stated in a tired voice, the events of the day catching up to him.
"I am not here to sightsee"Replied a distinctly female voice."I came to see if there was anything i could do. But it would appear I am too late to do anything but offer prayers for the brave fallen".
"The fallen don't want your prayers lady".Scoffed the man." The only thing they would want now is to not have died in the first place".
"Perhaps so. But it is the least I can do, too let them know that they aren't forgotten and that their sacrifice was not in vain".Stated the woman.
This response had caught the man's attention, so he turned to face the woman he had been speaking with. "And who are you for them to care about your words?"Questioned the man. As he finally got a look at her face. The thing that stood out about her the most was her braided red hair and the sorrowful feelings her eyes portrayed.
"My name is Irene".
"Hello?""Hello?" Asked the girl in front of Natsu as he continued to stare at her with slightly widened eyes.
"Oh urr….Hello". Natsu responded after managing to regain his composure.
"Are you ok? You kinda spaced out for a few moments there and gained this strange look in your eyes." Questioned the girl concern written across her face.
"Oh did I? Sorry about that".Natsu tried to play off that he hadn't noticed it at all." Anyway I'm fine but thank you for asking".
"That's ok".Replied the girl."Anyway I came over introduce myself. My Name is Erza Scarlet nice to meet you". As she held her hand out to shake his.
"Oh, I'm Natsu Dragneel it's nice to meet you too".Responded Natsu as he shook the girl's hand in greeting.
"So, what made you decide to join Fairy Tail Natsu?".Questioned Erza.
"I was found by Makarov in a nearby forest as he was coming back from a meeting with the magic council and he asked if I was interested in joining a guild".Answered Natsu."When i asked him what I had to gain from it he said that I could gain companionship here among other things. Which feels quite nice since i have been going around by myself for quite a long time now. What about you? Why did you join?".
"Me? I knew someone who used to be a member here. When i unlocked my magic i thought it would be a good idea if i went somewhere that i could get help in controlling it, and since i had heard a lot of good things about this place i decided this would be the best place to go". Replied the girl as a small smile spread across her face. And yet as Natsu looked into her eyes he could see a great sorrow inside them.
Just as they were about to continue the conversation a voice cut across. "Oh Erza, how are you it's good to see your getting along well with Natsu". A slightly mumbled voice of Makarov came across as the alcohol he had been drinking was beginning to take affect.
"I'm good Master, thank you for asking. How was your Council meeting?".Asked Erza.
"Urr.. don't remind me, it's a nightmare every time. They seriously need get that stick taken out their arse."Muttered Makarov as he tried not to remember the hounding he received."I suppose i better talk to everyone about it". He stated as he stood up on the bar.
"Alright listen up everyone".Makarov shouted as everyone turned to look at him."I just got back from the Magic Council after a five hour grilling from them. Can you believe it five hours! I mean i could understand if they wanted to spend five hours talking about beautiful ladies but no! They were taking a shit on me for five hours about property damage". Makarov commented as a perverse giggle left his mouth.
"Master Behave".Reprimanded Erza.
"Right anyway. You guys are always getting me in trouble with the Council it's ridiculous!"Makarov stated angrily."But you know what! Fuck em! Don't let the Council tie you down with rules and regulations but instead continue to do what you believe it right! Because that's the Fairy Tail way!"Makarov cheered loudly as he head his hand in the air with their signature symbol.
The rest of the guild cheered loudly in approval for their Master's words and the party grew even wilder. As Natsu stood there a large smile adorning his face. This was his first day at Fairy Tail.
Could this finally be A Place To Call Home?
Sometimes I look back at those days, and wonder if i made the right choice. Although i always knew it was going to end up this way, Was this the only path to take? Because of my selfishness i have dragged them into something that they needn't have any part in.
I'm sorry, so sorry...please forgive me.
A/N
And boom that's the second chapter of "Hope From The Past" completed I hope you enjoyed it. I know i said i would try to make the chapters longer but i honestly couldn't think he any way to make this longer without dragging it out with unnecessary details.
But please let me know what you think and I will try to make the third chapter soon. Bye Bye