Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone, here is the next chapter, and the start of a new, original arc I have been working on for a while.
Also, have you guys been seeing the Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Anime? It sure was awesome, and worth all the years of wait! Even with the changes it did, it made it all the better.
Also, I have been playing Cyberpunk 2077, which was sure more awesome than I thought.
You will learn what the arc will be about as well its name at the a/n at the end.
Before we dive on, I like to explain to one of the reviewers who were displeased with Natsu´s harem, which I can understand. Even though I have plans for the harem, I sometimes regret it put in there, but won't change due to the plans I have. If you are displeased with how they ended up with, I am deeply sorry.
But for now, lets dive into this chapter, shall we?
Hiro Mashima is the one and only owner of Fairy Tail. I don't own a thing.
Key Words.
"Talking"
"Thinking."
"YELLING!"
Magic.
Chapter 65: New Enemies Rising
Fire was everywhere, burning on the houses, which have turned coal black from the fire.
A young girl with white hair and brown eyes was holding the hand of her older sister, who white, long hair flowed in the wind as they ran, away from the Zeref's cultists that were chasing them.
"Big Sis!" The young Yukino said, as Sorano turned to her little sister with a warm smile on her face.
"It's okay, Yukino." Sorano said, as they ran across a church, set on fire like the other buildings in their village, with its tower broke apart and fell onto them.
"As your big sister, I won't let anything happen to you..." Sorano said, still smiling, as the broken tower full upon them, as a crash was then erupted around them.
Yukino opened her eyes in horror, her eyes set on the roof, before she went upwards at fast speed. Sweating and panting from the recent nightmare she had, without making much sound, Yukino proceeded to slowly look around Lucy´s apartment.
She saw her fellow Celestial wizard Lucy sleeping on a makeshift bed, as Layla were currently sleeping on the main bed. Until Layla had returned, and with Yukino moving in, Yukino was the one who slept the makeshift bed, but with Layla returning after years of torture after being kidnapped by a Dark Guild.
With Layla no longer having a home due to the Heartfilia Estate being falling in bankruptcy, she had hoped to live with Lucy for a while. Of course, with the rent increasing, Layla didn't live for free, as she worked as a bartender at the guild.
Yukino herself, living in Lucy´s apartment too, made herself at work as well. Going time to time with Lucy on quests, with those that didn't require much brute force like stopping a cursed Pumpkin farm or destroying rock monsters.
Yukino looked at her hand, and then her at the Celestial Spirit Keys, at the table near the sofa she was sleeping at, since Lucy was using the makeshift bed.
She was worried. Worried that she made the wrong choice of entering the guild. Not because she didn't like it, she would do anything to have something called a home. She was afraid she would be a burden to the Fairy Tail guild.
With recent fights having become more and more harder, even for their strongest wizards like Natsu and Erza, she couldn't imagine what enemies could come, no matter how sooner or later it would be.
Her instincts told Yukino she had to do something.
Then, Yukino got quietly up without making too much sound, as she put on a coat and shoes to exit the apartment, before walking towards the guild.
The guild was opened, being 07.25 AM in the morning, as the guild was opened by 07.00 AM.
She quietly entered, she made sure not to get the attention, not even from Guild Makarov, who woke up early in the morning to get started at work.
As Yukino was inside the halls, she went to room she wanted to be in; the guild´s library.
Later...
During the day, when the guild was at full bloom with its members either taking jobs, drinking or talking.
Attics like Elfman shouting "manly", Cana drinking barrels empty, Gray walking around only his boxers, Gil being a perv to look at the hot girls of the guild, his eyes currently set on Layla who was serving drinks, Nab just looking at the tablet without taking even a single job and Vijeteer was dancing around for no reason at all.
At a table, a group consisting of Erza, Lisanna, Wendy and Carla, were currently sitting there and talking, when Lucy entered the scene.
"Hey guys, have you seen Yukino?" Lucy asked. "Isn't she usually with you?" Wendy asked. "No, she wasn't even in my apartment when mom and I woke up." Lucy explained.
"That´s strange, I usually see you and Yukino together since she joined the Guild." Erza said. "Maybe she went up early?" Wendy said. "Then she should have been here at the guild already." Carla said.
"I know where she is." Levy said, entering the scene. "Levy, you know where she is?" Lucy asked, as Levy nodded. "Yeah, I saw her in the library." Levy explained. "The library? What is she doing there?" Erza asked. "Beats me, when I entered the guild early this morning, Yukino was there before me. She looked serious, it looked she hadn't gotten much sleep, as she had already done reading ten books before with her Gale Reading Glasses." Levy explained.
"When I asked Yukino what she was doing, she answered she was researching for something very important, and didn't want to be disturbed. I was a bit confused what it exactly it was, but judging on her expression and voice, it must have been serious." Levy explained.
"What could be so important?" Lucy thought. "I hope she doesn't overwork herself." Lucy said with concern. "I don't think so. I just went to the library and saw her falling asleep. I never expected for someone who woke up so early in the morning to read. Other than me." Levy explained, scratching her head at the last part of her sentence.
"I think I should check on her." Lucy said, walking towards the library. "Just make not wake her up. She must have been very busy since this morning." Levy said. "Don't worry, I won't." Lucy said with a small smile.
Lucy was worried about Yukino. Since she joined the guild, they had been on so many adventures together, often fighting together as Celestial wizards.
Standing before the two large doors to the guild´s library, Lucy slowly opened the door, as she didn't want to disturb Yukino in whatever she was reading about. She slowly looked around and saw the interior of the library.
Within the library, where tall shelves were reaching to the roof, with piles of books stacked like towers, with desks resting here and there.
Among these desks, was Yukino, sitting on a chair at a desk with books around herself, and a candle long been burned out, her head resting on the desk while having a brown blanket rested on her shoulders.
Lucy entered the library quietly, smiling as she saw the young Celestial wizard resting at the table.
She walked quietly towards Yukino, making she didn't rudely wake the sleeping girl, especially since she had probably been reading books since morning.
"Wow, she must have been studying really hard this time." Lucy thought. She remembered sometime after Yukino had joined the guild, when she wasn't taking quests with her, or going on adventures with Natsu and the gang, time to time she was reading some books she had found from the library to read.
With someone like Levy in the guild, it wouldn't be strange to have another other bookworm. However, since she usually read alone, mostly at Lucy´s apartment, and making sure that no one saw what she was reading.
But this time, Yukino had woken up early in the morning for her to go the library. Whatever she was reading, must be something important to her.
Lucy looked at the books Yukino have been reading. She hated to invade other people´s privacy, hence to her experience with a certain pink-haired Dragon Slayer, a blue cat, a red-haired knight, a pair of ice strippers and some other people, she could understand that.
But as curiosity got the best of Lucy, she saw the books that she was reading. One was a green book with yellow letters about the history of dragons, another was recent information about Lacrima, and another one was record of different Magics.
"What is she reading? What is she trying to find out?" Lucy thought. If it was some way, she could do to free her sister Sorano aka Angel, these weren't the books. After all, it was impossible for her to break a criminal like her out of prison through judiciary means.
As Lucy attempted to connect these dots together, she suddenly heard some mumbling coming from Yukino.
"Don't go..." Yukino mumbled in her sleep.
"What? What is she...?" Lucy thought, as she moved her ear closer to her, carefully trying to listen to what Yukino was saying.
"Please don't go... don't leave me alone..." Yukino continued to mumble, making Lucy more worried. "Just what is she...?" Lucy thought confused, before then suddenly Yukino opened her eyes and woke up.
"BIG SIS!" Yukino screamed as quickly got up, surprising Lucy, as the surprised blonde girl managed to make jump away quick enough prevent their heads from colliding with each other.
Lucy felt her heart beating fast from the sudden and loud awakening, gasping as she recovered from the shock. Yukino was gasping too, as she had her hands on the table, the chair having been knocked over by her.
The sound of the two Celestial wizards was the only thing heard across the library, slowly slowing by the second, and as a minute passed, they had calmed down, with Yukino finally noticing Lucy in the room.
"Lucy-sama?" Yukino said, as realization soon hit her of her sudden awakening having scaring Lucy straight.
"I am so sorry, Lucy-sama! I really had scared you like that." Yukino bowed in apology.
"It's fine, its fine! No problem at all!" Lucy said, waving her hands before her face frantically. Yukino took a deep breath, sighing in relief as she rested her face on her hands, as her elbows were on the table, looking at the books spread on it.
Yukino, her eyes shadowed, silently looked over the books, much to the concern of Lucy.
"Yukino, what are you trying to learn?" Lucy asked, and Yukino remained silent, making Lucy more worried.
"Yukino, is there something you want to achieve? Lucy asked, and Yukino turned away. "You will probably find it silly." Yukino said. "Come on, we have been friends for a while, and in that short time, we have been through a lot lately." Lucy said, as she walked toward her and grabbed her hands, as Yukino still didn't look at her.
"Come on, Yukino. Please tell me." Lucy said, as Yukino finally turned her eyes on her. Seeing the smile and large brown eyes, she felt like she could trust her. After all, they had been through a lot together, such as the Phantom Lord war, The Tower of Heaven incident, the Battle of Fairy Tail, Oracion Seis and even Edolas.
Yukino prepared herself mentally for the worst.
"I want to become a Dragon Slayer." Yukino said, as Lucy first was silent of the sentence she was hearing, before she then quickly spoke, in a quick manner.
"What?" Lucy said, as she thought she was hearing wrong. Yukino quickly looked away, frowning.
"I know, I know. I should know better." Yukino said, as she walked away from Lucy.
"Before I met Natsu-sama years ago, I never realized that there such strong people like him, and even stronger." Yukino said, looking at the books on the desk.
"At first, I thought it was impossible to learn such a Magic, with the dragons said to be extinct." Yukino said, as she then quickly turned to Lucy.
"Please don't tell Wendy-sama or Gajeel-Sama I said that. I didn't mean it." Yukino said. "Don't worry, I won't." Lucy said, knowing Yukino wasn't that kind of person.
"But my point is that I want to become stronger." Yukino said, as she took out of two of her Celestial Spirit Keys, being Pisces and Libra.
"I cannot always rely on my Spirits. What if I lose them forever and left in the middle of the enemy. What good can I then do to handle them?" Yukino said.
Lucy, as a fellow Celestial wizard, could understand. She understood the importance the bonds between Spirits and Master. As such, Lucy couldn't of course imagine the scene of losing them, and standing completely defenseless without her Spirits, in the middle of her enemies.
"At first, I thought it would be impossible without the need of a Dragon, but then after meeting Laxus-sama and Cobra-sama, who became Dragon Slayers by having a Dragon Lacrima infused within their bodies." Yukino explained, as picked one of the books up, being the one about the history of dragons.
"Since I learned about that, I tried to find ways, to create a Dragon Slayer Lacrima, or to find the Lacrima, but to no avail." Yukino said, gripping the book tightly. "Then, if it was that easily, it wouldn't be so few Dragon Slayers, would it?" Yukino said, looking up at the roof.
"But I won't give up, not that easily." Yukino said. "Yukino..." Lucy said, taking in what Yukino had said.
"I don't mind fighting alongside you, Lucy-sama. But eventually, there will be times when I must fight alone. Because my friends won't always fight together." Yukino said, as she then turned around to Lucy.
"Lucy-sama, I know this is sudden for us both, but will you assist me?" Yukino asked, who was worried what she was going to respond, but prepared for what was to come. If she was gonna be denied, she would continue by herself, whatever was gonna happen in her way.
"Yukino..." Lucy said, grabbing her hands, making Yukino worry Lucy would deny her. "You don't need to ask. To help a friend to become stronger is something you don't need to ask for." Lucy said with a smile.
"Then you might need some assistance from me then?" A familiar, female voice was heard, which Lucy and Yukino turned to see a certain blue-haired standing at the doorway.
"Levy?" Lucy said, as the blue-haired girl walked in. "Sorry, I came to check and overheard what you were talking." Levy said, and Yukino looked down, frowning in shame.
"Sorry I didn't tell you earlier, I was worried that you would think it would be too ridiculous. After all, the dragons have been seen for hundreds of years, and didn't want to burden you with..." Yukino explained, but Levy put her hands on hers, making Yukino turn to see Levy smiling at her.
"Here at Fairy Tail, you can trust us. Since you want to become stronger, we are more than willing to help you, even if it seems way too impossible." Levy said with a smile, happy to help one of her friends.
Yukino smiled back in response, as she was glad to have people help her to become stronger.
"Then, let's get started, shall we? We have a lot of work after all." Lucy said with a smile as she blinked, as she, Yukino and Levy went to work in the library.
Later...
"It's very sad Laxus had to leave the guild. But after what he´s done, he should have seen it coming." Lisanna said, sitting at the bar, alongside her older siblings. They were talking about the events happening while she was gone, one of them being the Battle of Fairy Tail.
"Yeah, Laxus really went far back then. I never expected him to fall that low." Elfman explained, sitting at the bar while Mira was working.
"It sure was a hard time for us all, but we surely managed to overcome it." Mira said, as she turned to see the Thunder God Tribe, sitting at a table.
"The Thunder God Tribe aided Laxus in his goal, putting both members and citizens in danger." Mira said, remembering back when Freed tortured and even threatened to kill Elfman back then.
Mira remembered when she flew into a blind rage and charged at Freed, unleashing her Magic she hadn't used for years.
But at the last second, Mira stopped her attack at him, sparing Freed as she knew he wasn't that kind of man, showing that he only followed Laxus´ orders for the better.
After it was all over, with things settling down after Laxus was forced to leave the guild for his actions, things were hard for the Thunder God Tribe in getting used to go without their leader, which went better than they thought.
"But in the end, they were only following his orders, believing that Laxus was doing was for the better." Mira explained.
"I see..." Lisanna said, her eyes set on the trio of Freed, Bickslow and Evergreen.
"But even after all they had done, as they worked with Laxus, they managed to grow fond again." Elfman said.
"I am sure you are glad, Elfman. Especially with Evergreen." Mira said teasingly, making Elfman blush. "What´s that supposed to mean?!" Elfman said in an embarrassed tone, blushing as Mira giggled as a response.
"It has been happening more things than I thought since that incident." Lisanna said.
Elfman frowned in shame and looked down, as Lisanna immediately realized what she just said.
"No, I am so sorry Elf-niichan, i didn't mean to remind you of that." Lisanna said, but Elfman put a hand on her shoulder.
"No, it's me who should apologize. On that day, I failed as a brother, in protecting you and being the one who harmed you." Elfman said with regret in his voice.
"If I only were able to control that Beast easier, I wouldn't have gone berserk and smack you so far away." Elfman said, and Mira put a hand on his shoulder.
"Elfman, we talked about this before. It wasn't your fault on that day." Mira said with a smile.
"But..." Elfman said, and Mira cut him off. "I know, I know. We both changed since that day, and for good reasons." Mira said with a smile, as she grabbed with each arm at the heads of her little brother and little sister, pulling Elfman and Lisanna in a hug.
"For now, we should take that as a lesson for us to make sure something like that won't ever happen again." Mira said, as Elfman and Lisanna smiled.
They both proceeded to hug their older sister, all three of them happy that were now reunited again after such a long and painful time.
With Gray, he watched Ur was sitting alone at the bar, resting her hand one her face, which had a small smile on. Gray began to worry, feeling he needed to ask his old master something, when a suddenly female voice was heard from behind.
"Gray, is everything alright?" Gray turned around to see a familiar purple-haired girl with glasses standing before him.
"Hi Laki." Gray said before turning back to Ur. "Yeah, everything is alright, just trying to recover from everything crazy that have been happening recently. I mean, it's not every day you return after being turned into a giant Lacrima by some crazy old King." Gray said, scratching his head.
"You got a point there." Laki said, before Gray noticed she was holding some paper. "Hey, is that a quest you are holding?" Gray asked. "Yes, it is. I was looking for you, wondering if you wanted to join me on this one. It's about handling a melon farm whose melons have turned into monsters. And besides, the reward is very hefty." Laki explained. "You sure you want me to come? I don't want to be a bother to you." Gray said, his eyes set on Ur. As much he wanted to be there with his master, he also didn't want to leave one of the guild mates behind.
"Come on, with my Wood-Make Magic, and your Ice-Make Magic, I am sure we will be able to do our work well." Laki said with a smile, as Gray blushed a little before sighing in defeat.
"Oh, what the hell. I do need some money, and with you instead of Natsu, I am sure we don't have to worry about losing money because of property destruction." Gray said, making Laki smile.
"Alright, then let's not waste any time here and get moving." Laki said, as they both proceeded to leave the guild, having been a certain trio of white-haired siblings at a bar.
"Gray seems to have gotten better with Laki." Lisanna said, noticing the scene. "Yeah, since the Battle of Fairy Tail, when they fought against Bickslow together, they started to go on quests more and more together." Mira explained. "Really?" Lisanna asked. "Yes, I still remember when Laki first asked Gray to come with her on a mission." Mira said smiling. "How could anyone forget that?" Elfman said. "Forget about what?" Lisanna asked, as she was both confused and curious.
"Funny thing you asked, as it began sometime after the Harvest Festival..." Mira said and began to explain.
Flashback...
"Gray! Just the person I wanted to see!" Laki said, as Gray was currently sitting at a table shirtless.
"What do you want, Laki?" Gray asked in an annoyed tone, as the purple-haired girl stood before him. "To say you did a great job." Laki said smiling, making Gray raise an eyebrow. "For what?" Gray said in confusion.
"Don't you remember? When you helped me fight Bickslow, you managed to save my skin back then. Thank you." Laki said, and Gray turned away. "Don't make it sound like a big deal." Gray said, and then turned to Natsu, who sat at the table with Lucy, Erza, Ur and Levy.
"You should thank Natsu instead. He was the one who finally took that bastard Laxus down." Gray said. "Yeah, but if it wasn't for you fighting alongside me, who knows what could have happened." Laki said, as Gray got up from the table and began to walk away. "Yeah, you´re welcome. But I should be going now. Now that you are done with thanking me, I shouldn't be wasting your time." Gray said, but stopped walking when he felt Laki grabbing his left shoulder.
"Oh no, you aren't gonna be off the hook that easy..." Laki said, her glasses showing a glint.
"What...?" Gray said, slowly turning to her in fright.
"I saved you back then; when I took the blow for you from Bickslow, and now, you are gonna repay me." Laki said with a glint in her eyes.
Gray gulped, not liking what things were coming to.
"Do I think it is...?" Gray thought as he was sweating and blushing at the same time. He gulped, as Laki had her eyes shadowed, as she then pulled out something from her jacket.
It was a piece of paper, for a quest with a picture of a scary tree with sharp teeth and branches, with words written down below the pic.
Cursed Pumpkins gone mad. Need of assistance of Mages ASAP. Reward: 10,000 Jewels.
"What do you think? Since I use Wood-Make, I thought it would be a good quest, and with your Ice-Make, it could add the favors to us." Laki said.
"I see, but..." Gray said, but Laki cut him off, as a dark aura appeared around her.
"You didn't think of anything perverted, did you? Thinking you take advantage of me because of a favor..." Laki said with a scary smile and her eyes glowing white, scaring Gray as he began to sweat. "N-no, not at all! I just..." Gray said, as Laki placed a hand on his shoulder, scaring him more.
But she quickly turned calm as she sighed. "Look, I saved your life back then, as it would be very rude not to repay a lady. And you should also make it up, since you were thinking of perverted thoughts." Laki said. "Hey, I didn't..." Gray said with a blush, as Laki giggled a bit at his reaction. "But then, if you want to repay me the favor, you should take an advice in helping me." Laki said.
Gray was silent for a moment, thinking of what and sighed before he went to speak. "Alright, I come, since I don't have to worry about the area being destroyed and worry about the payment being reduced." Gray said, and Laki smiled.
"Then don't worry, I am sure this will go fine, with the reward split between us." Laki said, and Gray smiled in return.
Present...
"And since then, Gray and Laki have been going on more quests together." Mira explained to her younger sister.
"Soon enough, Gray started to go on more quests with Laki than with Natsu's team. They went along well as time went on." Mira said.
"Well, that's good to hear." Lisanna said. "You think they are, you know, developing some kind of relationship?" Lisanna asked, seeing Gray and Laki walking out of the guild.
"Maybe, but I think the reason is that since Gray doesn't have to worry about Natsu breaking stuff, lowering their reward money." Elfman said. "Yeah, I agree." Lisanna said sweat dropping.
Laki and Gray outside, Laki turned to Gray, who had a worried expression on his face.
"Gray, is something the matter?" Laki asked in concern. "It's nothing, don't worry about." Gray said. "You sure? You seem to have been a bit worried for the last time being." Laki said, as Gray turned back to the guild.
"Years ago, when Ur sacrificed herself for me and Lyon for our future, I thought everything had ended. I had a hard time fitting in the Guild at first." Gray thought, remembering the events of him fighting Natsu, Erza lecturing him, Gray talking with Guild members and the quests they went on.
As Gray felt the guilt of causing the death of his master all these years ago, he went to move on whatever the obstacle was.
Eventually, at Galuna Island, were Lyon, another pupil of Ur and the closest he had as a brother, was trying to undo Ur´s final and most important task, the Iced Shell on Deliora.
But thanks to Natsu and the others, they managed to stop Lyon, and even Ur was brought back to life.
Even though it was strange at first Ur was back, he noticed something was wrong with Ur, not that she was displeased with returning from the dead, but something else was bothering her.
As a student of Ur, Gray felt he was doing a bad thing of not understanding what was happening, and wanted to figure it out, in some way or another.
"It's nothing, really. You worry too much, that's all." Gray said, and Laki was still suspicious, but didn't tell anything. As much she wanted to focus on the mission, she felt something was wrong with Gray.
"Gray, what is happening with you recently?" Laki thought while they walked towards their most recent mission that she had choose for her and Gray.
In the library, Lucy and Levy helped Yukino in researching Dragon Slayer Magic, with towers of books piled upon top of each other, as the three girls were reading book after book with their Gale Reading Glasses.
"Damn, to think it would be this hard for to find even a single clue about Dragon Slayer Lacrimas." Lucy sighed as she closed another book she read, before putting it aside.
"Are you sure you want to help me with this? I don't want to be of trouble to you guys." Yukino said. "I know, but we want to make you stronger." Lucy said. "Yeah, and no matter how hard it sounds, we are sure to make that you are able to become stronger." Levy said.
"Yeah, but then I should have asked for more capable people, like Gildarts-sama or Tyrrak-sama." Yukino said, as she then realized what she just said.
"I'm so sorry; I didn't mean it like that..." Yukino said, as she didn't want Lucy or Levy feel like they weren't any help. Lucy sighed and put a hand on her shoulder, a smile on her face.
"Yukino, you worry too much. We want to help as much as we can and hope to at least help you find a clue of you gaining Dragon Slayer Magic.
"But you should be careful, as Dragon Slayer Magic is a very powerful and very hard to control, as it requires years of training to master it fully." Levy explained.
"Maybe Natsu can help you train, since he is a Dragon Slayer." Lucy said.
"By the way, where is Natsu-sama?" Yukino asked. "I heard that Natsu and Erza is with Happy right now. He is training him with his new sword he got from Edolas." Levy said. "I see, so he must be busy for the moment." Yukino said.
In the forest outside Magnolia...
Erza dodged one of the serpent heads charging at her, jumping in their as Happy pulled back the large, transformed blade of his Kusanagi sword. It returned to its original size, as Erza went to charge at him while holding two swords.
On instinct, Happy had it transform back into a large, serpent-like head of steel with red eyes, using it to block Erza´s two swords.
"Impassive reaction time and strategy Happy." Erza said as she jumped away. "And not to be rude or anything, but your skills and swordsmanship are currently below that of Panther Lily." Erza explained.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Happy apologized. "Don't be. Just remember that Panther Lily was a Captain of the Edolas Forces, having gone through training his entire life." Erza said, as she Re-Quipped away her swords.
"But with enough training and timing, you should be able to be of good use." Erza said smiling, making Happy smile too.
"Alright! You hear that Natsu, I will become stronger!" Happy said, turning to Natsu who was sitting on a tree stomp.
"Well, that's good hear." Natsu said, as he then got up and walked towards Erza. "The Sword of Kusanagi is different than any sword I have ever seen, even from Magic Swords. After all, its made from a species from a different world" Erza said, remembering what Happy and Carla had known about the sword.
"But Happy won't back down from the challenge, right?" Natsu said, as the Dragon Slayer and the red-haired knight turned to the small blue cat.
"Aye! I won't let you down! I will show you my best, you can count on it." Happy said.
"That's good to hear." Natsu grinned. "By the way, I also heard that Misaka is coming to the guild today!" Erza said.
"Misaka is coming to the guild?" Natsu said, as he and Happy recognizing the name. "What could she be doing at our guild?" Happy said. "Well, for starters, we should know that she is visiting to meet Tyrrak. I don't know the real reason is, but I am thinking a getting the clue of what it is." Erza said, resting her hand on her chin, before turning back to Happy.
"But for now, let's continue your training, Happy. We cannot have you log back your training, aren't we?" Erza said.
Rather than fright, Happy moved forward in determination. "Don't worry, I will hold back on my training." A determined Happy said, raising his sword in the air.
"That's the spirit." Erza said, and then to Natsu. "Natsu, you will assist us as you promised?" Erza said, and Natsu grinned, cracking his knuckles. "You bet I will." Natsu said, as they began to train Happy.
Back at the guild, Wendy, Carla and Cana were talking around a table, with Mira standing beside them, holding a plate of food and drinks.
"What do you think Laki wants with Gray this time?" Wendy asked. "Maybe she wants to have some private time with him, if you know what I mean. I mean, Gray does strip a lot, so I don't blame her." Cana said with a teasing smirk. Wendy blushed a bit at her remark, making Carla scowl.
"Do you really have to fill her head with these indecent thoughts?" Carla said, and then turned to Erza, as Cana shrugged in response.
"Hey, she is a girl, right? Sooner or later, she had to learn these kinds of things sooner or later." Cana said with a grin, as Mira giggled.
"You guys..." Carla sighed while Wendy sweat dropped at her friends' attics.
At the bar, Gildarts and Tyrrak were talking alongside Makarov.
"Well, to think that these kids would travel to another world, with the rest of us being transformed into Large Lacrimas." Gildarts said. "That is certainly something you don't hear every day." Makarov said. "I do hoped to see what my counterpart from Edolas was." Tyrrak said.
"Are you sure? My counterpart seems to be embarrassing to be honest." Gildarts said, as a sudden, loud and high-pitched scream was heard across the guild.
Gil was sent through one of the pillars with a kick from Lucy, a tick mark on her head. "That's what you get from trying to grope my ass, you perv!" Lucy said angrily with a blush.
"Hey, you should at least feel honored that you have nice proportions." Gil said, slowly breaking free from the pillar he was kicked into.
"Perhaps you shouldn't be so hard on him, Lucy." Layla said, entering the scene from her services. Gil, having his eyes filled with anime tears, flying towards the Blonde Mother, his eyes set on a particular space between two large orbs of flesh on her chest.
"Layla-san! You are so kind...!" Gil said while crying, flying towards Layla, as he attempted to enter the space between her breasts.
Unfortunately, before he was able to enter the "Forbidden Valley", Layla proceeded to use the empty plate to smack Gil straight in the face.
"And you Gil, should learn to behave properly with women." Layla said, as Gil was once again sent flying by a blonde.
"Gil sure makes me look bad." Gildarts said, as Gil was flying past them screaming after being sent flying by Layla. "Agree." Tyrrak said sweat dropping.
Gil was continued to be sent flying towards the entrance, where a figure was standing.
"Hey, watch out!" Tyrrak said, as when Gil was before face of the figure, she smacked him away, sending him straight to a wall.
"Well, it seems things have gotten crazier since I was last here." The female figure said, as she stepped forward the scene.
Both Gildarts and Tyrrak smiled at the arrival of the new figure, as a smile was one her lips.
She has long, black hair reaching to her lower back, a pair of blue eyes, black lips and a tribal tattoo on her left arm, with a red rose tattoo on her left shoulder.
She wore a pink tank top with spaghetti strings, a pair of long, black jeans, a black belt, and a pair of brown heels.
"It seems the guild have been changing a lot more than I thought since I was gone." The black-haired Woman said with a small smile on her face.
"Misaka!" Tyrrak said while Misaka walked towards him at the bar.
"It's good to see you back." Tyrrak said, before hugging her. "I know it's been so long, but now I am here." Misaka said, as they both pulled away from the hug, looking each other in the eye for a short moment, before then proceeding to kiss. They made sure to savor the moment, before breaking free.
Wendy, who was sitting beside Mira, Cana, and Carla, noticed the woman Tyrrak was kissing.
"Not to be rude or anything, but who is she?" Wendy asked, as she is among the newer members of the guild. She had learned of Tyrrak and Gildarts being the strongest of the guild, but not of the woman Tyrrak was with right now.
"Oh her? Well, I don't blame you, that's Misaki, Tyrrak´s fiancée." Mira explained. "Fiancée?" Carla said. "Yeah, she's the wizard from the Mermaid Heel guild." Mira said. "Mermaid Heel? Isn't that female-only guild?" Wendy said. She was young, but she did hear some rumors from it when she was part of Cait Shelter.
"Yes, she met Tyrrak some couple of years ago before he and Gildarts went on their Century Quest." Cana explained.
"So they have known each other for quite some time, haven't they?" Wendy said. "Yeah, they first met her during when Gildarts and Tyrrak were fighting a powerful monster." Mira said.
"Since then, they started to meet up more frequently, eventually even start dating." Cana said. "That's wonderful to hear." Wendy said. "Child, you shouldn't easily be so tempted by love. They often take advantage of you like that." Carla said, sounding akin to a mother warning their daughter from meeting boys.
"Carla, you shouldn't be sounding strict about that." Wendy said. "It's for your own good. I just want you to know that. You can never what boys would want from you." Carla said.
"Well, I am part of Natsu´s harem, and I don't doubt he would use us for his advantage." Mira said.
Carla simply sighed as a response. "Whatever you say, just make sure not to embarrass yourselves with your indecent acts." Carla sighed and turned to Cana. "That goes for you as well." Carla said, as Cana scoffed. "Carla..." Wendy said sweat dropping, while Cana grinned and Mira giggled.
Back with Tyrrak and Misaka, they continued to talk. "I heard you were coming, but didn't know it was today you were gonna come here." Tyrrak said. "Yeah, I send the message to you through the Lacrima when I heard you were back in Magnolia. I wanted to make it a surprise, but since it was so long, I wanted you to at least I was gonna come, but not exactly." Misaka explained and looked down the ground with a smile.
"You should know I have been worried about like crazy since we last saw each other." Misaki said with a small smile. "I know, but you should know these missions aren't easy to handle, even for me and Gildarts." Tyrrak said.
"But what it's important is that I am alive, right? You should know I wouldn't die like that easily, or else you wouldn't forgive me." Tyrrak said.
"I know, and I know you wouldn't die from something like that." Misaka said. "Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't be able to face my fiancée." Tyrrak said with a smile, before planting another kiss on Misaki´s lips.
Gildarts, with a smug grin, walked towards Gil, who had a bump in his head after being smacked to a wall.
"You hear that, Furry Me? She is already taken!" Gildarts said, kneeling to Gil´s eye level, which the latter gained a tick mark. "Thanks for information!" Gil said with sarcasm. "But seriously, you shouldn't mess with either her or her boyfriend. Try to even flirt with her, and you will have Tyrrak on your tail." Gildarts warned with a comically serious expression.
"Yeah, I bet you doesn't have any luck with the ladies either, being my counterpart." Gil said.
Gildarts´ eyes were shadowed and he took a deep breath, before he turned up and began to walk away.
"It's not like I have any bad luck with the ladies..." Gildarts said, still walking. "But it just that I cannot betray the one true love I once had." Gildarts said.
As Gildarts was saying that, Cana was silent, before she got up, much to the surprise and worry of the other girls.
"Cana? Are you okay?" Erza asked in concern. "Yeah, no problem at all. Just need a moment for myself. Things can be stressful at the guild sometimes." Cana said in a nervous tone while fanning herself with her hand, before walking away.
"Cana-san seems to act strange." Wendy said. "Stranger than usual?" Carla said. "Carla!" Wendy said. "What? Do you know any other people who simply wear their bras in public and drink gallons of alcohol fine?" Carla sighed.
"But yes, I am concerned about her. I really hope she is fine." Carla said, making Wendy smile a bit.
Cana´s eyes were shadowed as she walked, having one thought in her mind.
"This year, this year I will succeed, or else..." Cana thought with determination and worry filled in her mind.
Back to Tyrrak and Misaka, they had let go of their hug, as Tyrrak then noticed something missing on Misaka´s left hand.
"Misaka, where is your guild mark? Don't you have it on your hand?" Tyrrak asked, and Misaka smiled as she holds it up before her. "Don't get the wrong idea, but I have left the Mermaid Heel." Misaka said.
"What?" Tyrrak and Gildarts said in shock, afraid that Misaka have been kicked out of the Mermaid Heel.
"Don't worry, I left on my own. For you see, I have decided to become a Fairy Tail wizard." Misaka said, surprising Tyrrak and Gildarts more.
"I see, so you left the Mermaid Heel to join Fairy Tail, right?" Makarov said who was sitting at the top of her bar table.
"Yeah, I had no problems with Mermaid Heel, as I managed to gain a lot of wonderful memories from it." Misaka explained.
"But since I am in a relationship with Marks, and you know that the Mermaid Heel only allows female members, you should know that Tyrrak, being a man and all, isn't allowed in the Guild." Misaka explained.
"I see, so you wish to join our guild?" Makarov said with an eyebrow raised. "Is it a problem?" Misaka said in a worried tone. "Not at all! Friends to the members are always welcome to our guild." Makarov said with a grin, making Misaka smile.
"But let's give you your guild mark, to make you officially one of us." Makarov said, as he turned towards Mira to call to her.
"Man, good to have you here. Now we don't have to travel so long just to meet you. For the benefit for both of us of course." Gildarts said, as he put his arms around Tyrrak and Misaki.
"Don't worry; I hope make a fine addition to the Guild." Misaki said with a smile. "I know you will." Tyrrak said with a smile, as he and Misaki shared another quick kiss.
Mira came to the scene with a smile as she had the guild mark stamp ready to be used.
"Tell me the location and color please." Mira said. "Purple, and on the left shoulder please." Misaki said, as Mira stamped the guild on her location.
"Welcome to the guild, let's hope you will have a wonderful time here, Misaki." Mira said.
"Yeah, I know I will." Misaki said, looking at her new purple guild mark on her shoulder.
"But now that you are one of us, what are you gonna do now?" Gildarts asked. "Well, for starters, I have planned to move in Magnolia for a while and need some money for that. In other words, I will take some quests for money." Misaka said.
"You shouldn't have to do that. You can stay at our place for the time being." Tyrrak said and then turned to Gildarts. "You don't mind, do you?" Tyrrak asked. "Not at all. Anything for the fiancée of my friend." Gildarts said with a grin, as Gildarts went to whisper in Tyrrak´s ear.
"And I will make sure to leave you two alone for some `Private Time´, if you know what I mean." Gildarts said smugly, making Tyrrak hit Gildarts playfully with his elbow on his chest.
"But for now, let me and Gildarts show you around the guild, things have changed a lot since you were here." Tyrrak said. "Trust me; even we were surprised when we first returned here after three years during our Century Quest." Gildarts said. "Sounds good to me. As a new member, I am sure that knowing the guild is the first thing you´re supposed to do." Misaka said, as she went on the tour with Gildarts and Tyrrak around the guild.
Later, with Gray and Laki...
Gray was currently walking alongside Laki in the snowy terrains of Mt. Hakobe, where their current job was ongoing.
"According to our client, these Vulcans should be somewhere around here." Laki said, wearing a thick winter gear with hat, shirt, boots and scarf.
"I see..." Gray said, turning to Laki. "Aren't you are wearing a little bit too much in this weather?" Gray asked, making Laki sweat drop.
"Says the one who only wears his boxers at thirty degree Fahrenheit." Laki said, as Gray looked down in confusion and realized he was only wearing his black boxers.
"Ah! When did it happen?!" Gray exclaimed in a panicked tone.
"Sometimes I think that your Ice Magic gets to your brain." Laki said, making Gray turn to her angrily.
"Hey, are you here to make fun of me, or doing the job?" Gray said with sarcasm.
"Fine, unless you wanna freeze there to death, we better make a move on now." Laki said.
"Sounds good to me." Gray said, as they began to walk towards their destination. Despite Laki wearing full winter gear, she moved slowed than Gray, who was still shirtless, and but now wore his pants and boots.
"Damn Gray. How come you are able to walk in the middle of the cold winter? I know you use Ice Magic, but this is insane." Laki said.
"When I was a kid, Master Ur trained me and Lyon in the coldest of weathers, having us bath in bathtubs filled with water and ice." Gray said.
"Sorry, I didn't..." Laki said in an apologizing tone. Even if Ur was alive, Laki felt she had insulted Gray, with the latter holding his hand before her, still walking before her.
"Look, with things going on, you have no reason to apologize." Gray said, leaving Laki silent. "Let's just finish this mission, and get back to the guild, shall we?" Gray said, without turning to her.
Laki sighed, as Gray had a point there, which she didn't want to argue with. But she knew something was wrong with Gray, as Laki just wanted to find the right moment to ask him.
As they walked through the snowy terrains for four hours, it seemed they eventually came to a cave within the mountains.
Walking in, they looked around at the rocky walls, floor and roof, having ice on them, with some stalagmites.
"This must be the cave the client was talking about." Laki said. "Otherwise there a hundred caves around here, I doubt we missed the wrong one." Gray said as they walked into a large area of the cave.
"Hey, do you think it's a bit too quiet?" Laki asked, looking around. "Too quiet it seems." Gray said, as the ground beneath suddenly began to shake, and out of it, came a group of large, humanoid monkeys, with white fur, grey skin and long tails, came surrounding Gray and Laki.
"Vulcans, should have figured they be around here." Gray said, as he charged Ice-Make Magic in his hands.
"Let's make sure to finish this quickly, because I need a bath once this is over." Laki said, as she prepared her Wood-Make Magic in her hands.
The Vulcans around them proceeded to charge at them, as Gray created a large sword of ice to slice down a large Vulcan before him.
"Ice-Make: Sword!" Gray said as he cut down a Vulcan, Laki proceeded to create a large, spiked ball of wood.
"Take this! Wood-Make: Violent Approach!" Laki said, as the spiked wood ball was sent at the abdomen of the Vulcan, knocking it out.
A group of Vulcans came charging towards her, who remained unfazed as she put her hands on her ground.
"Wood-Make: The Distance between the Two is Forever!" Laki said, as several giant feet emerged from the ground, sending the Vulcans flying to the air.
"She really needs to come up with shorter and less weirder names for her Spells." Gray thought, as he created a large ice hammer to smash a Vulcan with it.
Laki prepared her next spell, as this time, several giant tools like weapons or saws emerged from the ground.
"Wood-Make: The Dam of Shy Love." Laki said as the Spell send the Vulcans flying away.
Gray crated several spears to send it at the Vulcans, while Laki created several swords to take them down.
As they proceeded to send attack after attack on the Vulcans that came, the entire cave started to shake.
Soon enough, all the Vulcans were defeated, lying on the ground defeated by Gray and Laki.
"Well, that takes care of it." Gray said. "Yeah, it was much easier and went faster than I expected." Laki said. "Yeah, but be on your guard. You don't know what will happen next." Gray said. "But it seems pretty safe to me." Laki said.
Above them, the stalagmites were shaking due to the battle that occurred within the cave, before they began to fall down towards Gray and Laki.
Gray turned upwards and took notice of the falling stalagmites.
"Laki, watch out!" Gray said, as he grabbed her and pulled her away from the falling stalagmites, leaving holes on the ground with a crash.
Clouds emerged from the crash, as Gray and Laki had barely avoided the incoming falling stalagmites, which managed to leave without any injuries.
"Are you okay?" Gray panted. "Yeah, I am just fine, thank you..." Laki panted; before they just then realized the position they were both in.
Gray was currently on top of Laki, as she back first on the snowy ground, even sinking down the snow a bit. With them in that position, it would give anyone the wrong idea; even more that Gray was currently shirtless above Laki.
Quickly, on instinct, Gray jumped away from Laki, and then began to frantically wave his hands before him rapidly.
"I-I'm so sorry, it's not what you think, I just wanted to save from the falling stalagmites, that's all!" Gray apologized frantically.
Laki slowly got up and had her eyes shadowed, making Gray panic even more, as he didn't want her to tell the others at the guild, especially Ur, that Gray was on top of her, shirtless, as it would give anyone the idea that Gray was trying to take advantage of Laki.
Laki got up and sighed, as she then turned to the panicked Gray.
"Look, I didn't want to take advantage of you at all, you aren't even my type of girl." Gray said.
"So, you think I am unattractive?" Laki said, her eyes still shadowed.
"N-not at all, you're nice and all." Gray said in a panic, before he realized what he just said, making his face redder.
Laki went a bit redder as well, before she went to ask the next question.
"Then, would you take advantage of any girl you seem fit?" Laki asked with a teasing tone, hand before her mouth with a snicker.
"I would never to do that, not to anyone!" Gray said, making Laki giggle a bit at his reaction. She then walked towards him, giving him her hand.
"Look, thanks for saving me, no worries." Laki said, making Gray sigh in relief, as he went to grab her hand, who pulled her up.
"Well, that's good to hear." Gray said, as he and Laki stood around the defeated Vulcans around themselves. "But then, even if it was to save me, it was rude to tackle a young lady like me." Laki said.
"Look, I am sorry for that. Which is why I am hoping to make it up for that." Gray said, as the last part of his sentence made Laki turn to him. She saw this as an opportunity she decided to take.
"Then, I want to ask you something, and don't worry, it's not something naughty, or making you a slave for that matter." Laki said, making Gray sweat drop.
She took a deep breath, as she went to ask Gray her question, something Laki have been wondering for a long time.
"What have been going on your mind recently? You have been acting all weird and quiet whenever you look at Ur." Laki asked, making Gray silent and his eyes were shadowed.
"Look, I'm just asking, and you seem to hide something." Laki said, and Gray was still silent.
"If you don't want to talk about it, then don't worry. I won't hold this as a blackmail for you being shirtless on top of me, because I know you are not that kind of person." Laki said, and the second she finished her sentence, Gray finally decided to speak.
"I am worried for Ur." Gray said. "What?" Laki said confused, and he turned to her with serious eyes. "With Ur back and alive, no matter how strange it seems to be, I am glad she is fine and well. But as of recently, I feel something is wrong with her." Gray said.
"I don't know what it is, but even though she seems happy all the time, especially with Natsu, I can still feel something in haunting her. Not because she was suddenly brought back to death, since she was never dead to begin, but something she had to take care of her." Gray said, as Laki was silent as she listened to his story.
"Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have told this to you. I mean, I don't have problem with you, it's just, I should have spoken with someone else like Lyon, being a fellow Ur's discipline, and not some stranger. I didn't want you to be involved with this, Laki. I am sorry." Gray said, but Laki suddenly hugged him.
"It's me who should apologize. For telling me, a stranger about your problem, I shouldn't have asked you about that." Laki said.
"Laki..." Gray said, surprised by both being suddenly hugged by the purple-haired girl, and what she just said to him, when suddenly the ground began to shake again.
The ground rose, which broke to pieces with snow falling off the massive figure. Gray and Laki were forced to jump away, as they saw the towering goliath before them.
It seemed like a Vulcan, only this one a lot bigger, being five times bigger than an ordinary Vulcan, being almost the size of a wyvern. It has white fur and tail like the others, but the skin it had was dark blue, had sharp teeth with two teeths jutted upwards, completed red eyes and a pair of ram-like horns.
It gave out a loud roar, which sent waves of snow everywhere, as Gray and Laki was before it.
"King Vulcan?!" Laki said. "You know about this kind of thing?" Gray said, as he and Laki shielded themselves. "I have only heard and seen them in picture. King Vulcans are larger, stronger and fiercer than normal Vulcans, said to be the leader of a pack, and only appears when the pack is defeated." Laki said.
"Damn, I kind of see why the others before us didn't have much luck." Gray said, as the King Vulcan then charged towards them with its fist.
Laki didn't waste any time as she proceeds to make her next spells.
"Stand behind, Gray." Laki said, as Gray did as he was told, and Laki used her Wood-Make Magic.
"Wood-Make: Shield of the Innocence!" Laki said, as a large, octagonal shield with a rose on the front, which took the punch of King Vulcan head on.
It then began to push them back as the large fist struck the shield, as Laki groaned as she and Gray were pushed back.
Gray took the opportunity to then jump into the air as the prepared his Ice-Make Spell, but the King Vulcan saw through and slammed its fist at him, sending him crashing to a wall.
"Gray!" Laki said, as Gray fell down the floor, and her wooden shield was then covered in ice, making her grit her teeth, before she sent away.
"So that Vulcan is able to use Ice Magic?" Gray thought, remembering Natsu saying that he and Lucy encountered a Vulcan that was able to use Take Over, when they were on their mission to save Macao.
The large Vulcan went towards Laki, who struggled to get up, while the Vulcan had a perverted glint in its eyes.
"Whatever the size they are, their perverted natures are always bigger than their size." Gray thought, as he began to charge at the large Vulcan, creating large cannon of ice in his hands.
"You keep your hands off her, you overgrown ape!" Gray said, but before he could fire from his Ice Cannon, the King Vulcan proceeded to swing its tail at him, smacking Gray and crushing his Ice Cannon to pieces in process.
As Gray was sent back again, Laki proceeded to take her opportunity to create her next Spell, by putting her hands on the ground.
"Wood-Make: Hands of Never Letting Go!" Laki said, as several, giant hands of wood emerged, grabbing the large Vulcan´s arms, legs and tail, making it unable to move. Laki immediately turned to Gray.
"Now Gray, while it's still restricted! My spell cannot hold him for much longer, especially in a cold climate like this!" Laki said.
Gray wasted no time as he ran towards the King Vulcan as the giant wooden hands slowly began to crack.
He jumped into the air, as he then proceeded to create a structure with his Ice-Make Magic.
"Thanks Laki! This will be over in an instant!" Gray said, as he created a large hammer of ice, that was bigger than himself. The King Vulcan tried to free himself, but it was too late as Gray was to about to strike him with his hammer.
"Take this! Ice-Make: Hammer!" Gray said, as he smashed the King Vulcan right on its head.
Losing consciousness, the King Vulcan fell on its back to the ground, with a large crash, snow clouds were sent everywhere.
Laki blocked her eyes from the clouds, as Gray then was before her, shielding her from the snow cloud.
Soon enough, the snow clouds were dispersed, showing the unconscious King Vulcan lying on the floor.
"Well, that takes care of that." Gray said, as he and Laki then let go, and took a deep breath. "This took longer than I thought." Laki sighed. "Yeah, but we managed to handle it, right?" Gray smiled. "Yeah, you are right about that." Laki said with a small smile.
"And also, thank you for saving me again." Laki said. "Well, you did help me too, so don't expect me to take all the glory." Gray said, as they began to leave.
"But before we became too focused in owning each other favors, let's move and collect our reward." Gray said, as he and Laki exited the large snow cave. "Yeah, you got a point there. I want to take a bath as soon as possible when I get home." Laki said.
With them walking out of the cave, Laki began to feel a strange feeling in her chest. But her thought was driven away by what Gray had told her earlier.
"Gray, whatever problem Ur has, I want to help the best way I can." Laki thought, her eyes turned to Gray, as the latter was in his thoughts too.
"Why is my chest feeling so warm?" Gray thought, as he shook these thoughts away. "Look Gray, you have a lot of more important things to worry about. As of now, I want to be there for Ur-sensei as much as I can." Gray thought determined.
Later, at Magnolia...
Lucy, Yukino and Levy were currently walking on the streets of their town, back to their homes after a long day of studying in the Guild´s Library.
Even if they barely came with an answer of what Yukino was seeking, they were still far away from giving up on their quest.
"I'm sorry that we couldn't come up with what you were seeking, Yukino." Lucy apologized. "No, it's me who needs to apologize. I don't want you all to feel pressured for your work, and I feel myself do any work on this." Yukino said. "What are you talking about? You work as hard as the rest of us, and that is enough to prove you aren't using us as tools." Levy said smiling.
"You guys..." Yukino said. "We could have asked for Natsu, Wendy or Gajeel about some tips." Lucy said. "But Natsu-sama was busy, Wendy-sama is too young for her to be a part, and Gajeel-sama would probably reject." Yukino said. "Yeah, but Natsu may be able to help you. After all, he had helped all of us in the past." Lucy grinned. "Perhaps you should ask him next time you meet him." Levy said.
"Yeah, perhaps I should." Yukino said, as then Levy suddenly spotted someone. "Speak of the devil, I think I see Natsu, Erza and Happy coming this way." Levy said. "Perhaps this could be a chance for Yukino to ask Natsu." Lucy said. "I don't know, I don't wanna bother Natsu-sama..." Yukino said, and Lucy cut her off.
"Look, if you feel like you are bothering someone, it is yourself because you always are hesitant of things. Just ask and whatever he can help you or not, Natsu can give you some advice. He isn't that kind of man who rejects anyone´s help you know." Lucy said.
Yukino was silent at first, but sighed. Lucy was right about Natsu always helped with friends, and Yukino would be no exception.
"Alright, then I ask him." Yukino said, making Lucy and Levy smile.
The group of Lucy, Levy and Yukino met up with Natsu, Erza and Happy, with the latter greeting them.
"Yo, Lucy, Yukino and Levy. Everything good?" Natsu asked. "Yeah, all fine. Are things fine with you?" Levy asked. "Yeah, we just returned from training Happy with some swordsmanship skills with his sword he got from Edolas." Erza said. "Yeah, and I am hoping to become a lot stronger with it." Happy said determined, as he had his sword rested on his back.
"That's good to hear." Levy said, and then Lucy nudged Yukino gently with her elbow. "Say Yukino, you wanted ask Natsu about something?" Lucy said blinking. Yukino understood what she meant, and Natsu went to speak. "Really? What is it you want, Yukino?" Natsu asked.
"Okay, here goes nothing." Yukino thought, took a deep breath and went to speak.
"Well, Natsu-sama, the thing is..." Yukino said, before she was cut off by a sudden voice.
"...is that she and her fellow Celestial Spirit Wizard are owning us a favor." A sudden voice was said, making everyone at the scene turn around.
"Who said that? Where are you?!" Erza said, looking around, until Levy noticed a group of figures standing on top of the one of the roofs. "Look, up there!" Levy said, pointing up towards the roof where the figures were standing.
The hooded figures stood on top of roof, with their leader standing before them, on the edge of the roof, their eyes set on Natsu and his group.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Natsu said, as Lucy, Yukino, Levy and Happy went behind Natsu and Erza, as she Re-Quipped a sword in her hand.
"That is the least important thing you should know about. Because what we really want, are none other Lucy Heartfilia and Yukino Agria!" The Leader declared, as Natsu and his friends were in engage in a fight, the prologue of a great battle soon to come!
And that's a wrap for this chapter of Natsu of the Darkness! As I explained, this will be the beginning of a new original arc, which will be a lot longer than the previous original arcs, which I have a lot of plans for. As for the name of this new arc, its gonna go by the name of the Fallen Spirits Arc, which you can understand a bit of why the Mysterious Group wants Lucy and Yukino. But no more than that will be revealed, as I don't to spoil the entire arc for you.
I took the liberty to introduce Misaka, an OC who recently joined the Fairy Tail Guild after leaving Mermaid Heel, developing the relationship between Gray and Laki, as well having Yukino shown interest in acquiring Dragon Slayer Magic.
Since Tyrrak had appeared alongside Gildarts at the beginning of the Edolas Arc, Yukino wanting to train under Natsu for saving her, and Laki helping Gray during the Battle of Fairy Tail, I wanted to show that they weren't one-time thing, and be developed in this chapter, as well further chapters to come.
As for the new antagonists in this story, they won't be some random one-time villains that will barely serve any purpose in the story; they will be a group that will influence the story. Trust me, this arc will be a great effect on the story, unlike the canon Alvarez Arc, as it will devolpment different concepts I mentioned just now, like Gray´s relationship with Laki for example.
But before I spoil anymore, see you all later, and once again, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!