2 months later in Magnolia. Things in the town goes on as normal as possible.
At Fairy Tail, there are some commotions which are coming from the guild members doing their usual things which is being loud and crazy.
Currently, the place that got the loudest commotion would be at a corner where a bunch of guild members surrounds Elfman who is looking around before he looks up and gasps to see Haruka at the second floor and standing on the rails.
"Super Haruka~!" Haruka screams out as the pink haired girl came down from the second floor with a flaming kick that landed on Elfman's face and sends the big man flying with a big bang. "Fire Kick~!"
Elfman fell down unconscious with a burned face while several guild members screams in despair.
"Winner! Haruka-chan~!" Cana announced by a betting pool, the card mage grinning while holding up a bucket filled with cash that are all from some guild members who are betting that Haruka couldn't beat Elfman in a friendly brawl.
"yay~!" Haruka grins while doing double peace signs.
While Haruka is being showered with praises for her victory, Lucy along with Wendy, Charla, and Levy are watching from the sidelines.
"only a year of training her magic and she managed to beat Elfman in a brawl…" Lucy said while sighing with a smile.
"That just goes that she's really Natsu's daughter and all" Levy added in while nodding a few times.
"well, I guess that is explainable for Haruka but for Haruo…" Charla spoke as she and the others slowly turns their heads to another corner of the guild where there are guild members using tables as shields and barricades to a storming fury of swords clashing with one another.
"he's really Ikaruga-san's son…right?" Wendy said with a sweatdrop behind her head while Lucy and Levy nod their heads twice in response.
The fury of swords clashing is from Erza and Haruo, the Scarlet Knight training the young boy on his request and their training turned out to be a duel. A normal katana and a normal broad sword are used and are slowly breaking from the amount of force that their wielders are using in clashing with one another.
Haruo had a strong and firmed face with his teeth gritted hard while Erza had a calm and smiling face, their expressions showing their level of experience in the duel.
"do they really have to do this in the guild?" Levy asks with a sweatdrop in seeing the slash marks on the floorboards that are increasing in the passing second.
"Well, Haruo did just demanded the training with Erza-san a few minutes ago and he didn't want to wait…." Wendy muttered out.
Haruo keeps on swinging his katana against Erza who parried it off with her broadsword, the young boy struggling hard against the knight as his level of experience with the sword is still lower than hers.
'just a bit more! Just a little more!' Haruo keeps on swinging his katana and parried Erza's sword before he did a quick turn and did a up vertical swing that caused the scarlet knight's weapon to be flung upwards while making the S-class mage look surprised. 'there!'
"AN OPENING!" Haruo shouted as he shifts his stance and goes for a swift attack on Erza's right side with his katana's blade turned to the blunt side. "Ora!"
CLANG!
Haruo's katana came flying into the air and then stabbed its blade into the wooden floorboards while its wielder fell to his butt with a dazed and surprised look.
"Not bad, but not good enough, Haruo." Erza said with a smile as she wielded another broadsword that she had summoned with her magic and used it to parry Haruo's swift attack. She swings her sword to the side before pointing one's blade at the young man. "when going for an opening, you are not supposed to shout that your opponent has an opening for that will alert them to quickly guard themselves."
"I know…" Haruo grumbles while rubbing his back side as he slowly gets back up and points a finger at Erza. "and that's not fair to wield another sword with magic!"
"it's not fair but it doesn't mean that your foes would even care." Erza said while making the swords disappear. "remember, to ensure that you win the duel you must be sure that your foe submits with their weapons down." She then goes and patted Haruo's head a few times. "that's one of the many things Natsu taught me to me when I was your age."
"I know.." Haruo said as he goes and picks up his katana which he made disappear with his magic before he goes and wields his personal katana that Natsu gave to him before the battle against Tartaros. The young man wields the weapon in a stance towards Erza. "again, please."
Erza smiles and nodded before wielding her Benizakura in hand.
Both returned to clashing their weapons in a more faster and stronger pace which just gave more scare for the other guild members nearby.
"and they'll be at it until noon…" Lucy said sighing while sweatdropping, knowing Haruo's personality to be someone who wants to train hard.
Everything in Fairy Tail is normal as it can be, even though its missing a few prominent members.
At the bar, there is Mira and Lisanna doing their bar maid jobs such as cleaning some wet cleaned beer mugs or prepping drinks for those who just ordered.
Makarov is sitting at the bar top as he is looking at some letters which comprised of mostly damage bills from several towns which is usual considering Fairy Tail Wizards are famous for making unneeded damage.
"more damage bills again…" Makarov spoke after sighing tiredly, the old man used to reading the bills from angry clients. As he sorted through the letters, he finds one that is from the Council because of the initial mark on the wax seal. "From the council?"
Makarov opens the letter and reads the content thoroughly while his eyes slowly widens as his eyes scanned each words written on the piece of paper.
"Getting shocked over the bills again, Master?" Mira asks Makarov, the Majin was doing her bar job before seeing the expression on the old man's face. She smirks while cleaning up a cleaned beer mug. "must be bills from redhead's last job." She snickers. "she's as clumsy as she can get."
"I HEARD THAT, MIRAJANE!" Erza shouted while still training with Haruo.
Makarov didn't say a word as he slightly crumbled the letter in his grasp before gulping a bit loudly.
"yeah…" Makarov spoke out as he slowly folded and puts away the paper. "just bills as usual."
Nighttime came to Magnolia. Our attention is at the road on the hill straight for Fairy Tail's girl dorms; Fairy Hills.
Erza along with Lucy, Wendy, Charla, and Levy are heading for the dorm after calling it a day at the guild. The group are conversing on some random topics, most promptly on the topic where Haruo managed to land a cut on the Titania's right cheek while also cutting a few strands of her hair.
"he's getting better and better with the swordsmanship." Lucy said with a smile. "before we know it, he might surpass you one day, Erza."
"indeed." Erza said with a smile while nodding proudly. "I have no doubts that by the time Haruo reaches my age, he'll be a master swordsman like Natsu."
"and Haruka might become a master fire wizard as well." Levy added in, noting the fact that Haruka has also progressed in her magic abilities.
"let's just hope that those two don't do anything rash and destructive when they arrive at that age.." Charla stated on the fact that Fairy Tail Wizards will cause damage no matter what age they are.
"Charla!" Wendy scolded the tabby cat.
The girls kept on chatting before Erza notices something peculiar off the distance.
"That is?" Erza muttered out while stopping in her tracks and looks upon something.
"What is wrong?" Wendy asks Erza before she and the rest looks at what Erza is looking,
The group looks at the distant sky far away and saw something like an orange-ish red light that glows brightly before slowly dimming and then disappearing.
"What you guys think that was?" Levy asks.
"a magic spell?" Lucy guessed.
"if it was, it was rather powerful to make something that bright off the distance." Charla noted.
Erza had her gaze hardened at the distance far out, the Scarlet knight having a bad feeling growing in her gut but she couldn't tell what it meant.
"just what made that light?" Erza asks herself.
On the next few days that came and passed, Lucy along with Wendy and Charla are walking on the streets of Magnolia as they are heading for the guild to either hang around with their friends or pick up on a job to do.
"I wonder what job we should do for this week?" Wendy asks.
"preferably one that can pay for my rent." Lucy sighs a bit depressed as she hated to always worry about the rent of her dorm room. "the last time we were away for 7 years, the numbers of our dorm rent's overdue payment nearly gave me a heart attack."
"same for us." Charla added in.
The girls keeps on walking for the guild and when they arrived, they could already hear a loud commotion inside.
"Wonder what's all the fuss about?" Lucy asks as she, Wendy, and Charla walked in and finds every guild member are reading the daily newspaper. The group walks to Levy who is reading the newspaper. "What's going on, Levy-chan?"
"ah, Lucy-chan." Levy greeted the blonde and the others before showing the content of the newspaper to them. "here, have a look at this."
"is there something big going on?" Wendy asked while carrying Charla in her arms, the two with Lucy reads the newspaper and sees an article about wreckage remains of ships washing up to Hargeon and beaches. "ship wreckages?"
"Seems a lot too." Charla added in. "lots of them are coming up to beaches and towns with ports too."
"yeah, but look at the symbol on the sails" Levy pointed to the picture and at a nearly torn sail that has the symbol of a nation which it represents. "It's the symbol of the Alvarez Empire on Alakasita."
"Alakasita?" Wendy and Charla spoke out in unison while looking confused.
"I've heard that name before." Lucy said while looking at the photo more closer. "it's the western continent, right? The one where it's huge and all?" she then looks at Levy. "why are the wreckage of their ships come floating to Fiore beaches and ports?"
"that's the question everyone's been asking." Levy replied.
Many chattered amongst one another before their attention are to the center stage where Makarov came standing upon. The small old man having the company of Erza and Mira standing behind him.
"Good morning to you all, may I have your utmost attention?" Makarov spoke out loud while looking at every member of the guild. "I'm sure you all have read the recent news and I can assure you that I have the answers for it." He closes his eyes while taking a deep breath before he opens them and looks rather serious. "as I am speaking, Lingyue is currently at war with Alakasita."
His words got everyone to chatter amongst each other.
"Lingyue is at war with another continent!?" "I thought Lingyue is peaceful and never prioritize conflict?" "would that mean those wreckages are from Alakasita ships that got destroyed in the war?" "that's scary to think on how much damage their war is causing." Everyone chattered as they felt a bit concerned considering that some of their members are from Lingyue after all.
"I'm guessing the twins don't know this at all, Master?" Lisanna asks Makarov who nodded.
Haruka and Haruo are currently not in the guild as they are off on a job with Jet and Droy.
"What about Natsu?" Cana asks. "if this war has Lingyue in it…"
"I cannot certainly say that Natsu is taking part in the war…." Makarov whispers while folding his hands behind his back. "I can only say that this matter is inconclusive."
"What should we do now?" Wendy asks as she looks at Master and then everyone around her. "I mean, if Lingyue is at war, shouldn't we…?"
"we can't, Wendy." Mira stated. "we can't take part in the war between the two continents."
"Why not, neechan!?" Elfman exclaimed while looking surprised. "The guys at Lingyue helped us a lot during the Dragon attack and everything, right?! If we don't help them!"
"it's because they're in war with another continent that we can't help them, musclehead." Evergreen stated while spreading out her fan and then held it near her face. "the matter with them helping us during the Dragon attacks, and the celestial spirit world are different considering that they are fighting against a continent and all."
"Ever is right." Freed nodded in agreement. "it's true that Fiore made a peace treaty with Lingyue but it's only for diplomatic standings. We can't just go and help them even if we wanted to."
"if we did, we'll be making all of Ishgar as a supporter to Lingyue and therefore getting the entire continent treated as Alakasita's enemies." Bickslow added in with a hand raised to the side. His totems repeating the word 'enemies' twice.
"That is correct." Makarov stated with a nod. "Currently, the Council is calling a meeting with all council members and guild masters to discuss the situation of the war between Lingyue and Alakasita." He looks around the people. "For all we know, we might be ordered to secure our borders and protect the continent from possible infiltration."
"Wait, you mean we can't do anything to help Lingyue?" Charla asked "Not even helping their wounded?"
"I'm afraid not." Makarov shakes his head. "for now, we have to wait and see the results of the meeting with the Council. Any further actions is prohibited till we are certain what will Fiore's action shall be."
"But Master, when Haruka and Haruo hears about this war…." Levy spoke and Makarov nodded, the old man knowing what the twins' reactions would be when they hear about the war.
"we'll have to make sure that they stay put." Erza spoke in a serious tone before frowning a bit. "I know that they will hate us for doing so, but Natsu would definitely tell them to stay put no matter what."
"and without a doubt, he doesn't want us to be involved in it." Mira added in while looking a bit frustrated.
Everyone frowned before nodding as they understood.
After the announcement was done, everyone in the guild went around to either drink and eat or chat about their thoughts on the war.
At one table there is Erza along with Lucy, Wendy, Charla, Levy, and Lisanna. The girls gathered to have a little talk about the war and their plans when Haruka and Haruo learn of the war.
"so you're saying we should just keep them at their house till the war subsides, Erza?" Charla asks the scarlet knight while sweatdropping. "sure that would've worked when they were five but at their current age?"
"Not forgetting that Haruka-chan has her transformation magic and all…" Lucy added in.
"And not forgetting Haruo and his sword magic as well." Lisanna said while pointing a finger up. "those two are now on par with a seasoned wizard by their age. I doubt just grounding them will work to keep them safe."
"I know, but that's all I can think of." Erza said while rubbing a hand to her head. "Natsu or Ikaruga would've been able to do so easily but considering that they're not here.."
"we're out of options, huh?" Levy said before sighing and then frowning. "but I'm actually more worried on Natsu and the others. I mean, he, Ikaruga, and everyone on Lingyue are going to war with another continent. Why did this war even happen in the first place?"
"Can't really think of Lingyue being the first one to attack.." Lucy muttered while cupping her chin.
"Then that means it's the western continent who must've struck first." Charla said with a paw raised. "I mean, Lingyue always prioritize peace with other continents."
"Yeah." Wendy nodded in agreement.
Erza remained silent for a moment as she had a thinking expression on her face.
Night soon came to Magnolia as the sky is black with the moon and the stars appearing.
At Fairy Hills, Lucy is in her room writing a letter to her parents like she would do from time to time.
The Celestial Spirit mage have been thinking a lot on the war occurring between Lingyue and Alakasita as she was worried about the result of the battle.
'I wonder if it is the right choice for us to just stay and do nothing…' Lucy frowns while writing. 'Mama, Papa, what should I do? I mean, Natsu is my friend. He helped me and everyone during tough times. we need to help him, right?'
Lucy keeps on writing her letter before she finishes and then sealed the letter away.
"alright…" Lucy nods her head before she takes her usual back pack and begins packing some things. When she is done, she heads out of her room quietly before heading straight for the first floor and main entrance.
As Lucy was heading out, she finds that Erza, Wendy, Charla, Levy, Cana, Mira, Lisanna, and Elfman are standing outside and awaiting her.
"wait, you guys?" Lucy spoke out with a bit of a surprised face. "why are you all?"
"like you need to ask, Lucy?" Mira asks while having her arms crossed under her chest. "we're going to Lingyue like you plan to as well."
"and help Natsu-san in this war." Wendy added in.
"wouldn't be the first time we help that man." Charla spoke.
"We ain't real men if we didn't help our friend!" Elfman said with a grin.
"most of us here are not men, Elf-niichan." Lisanna told her brother.
"We could tell that you got the same idea as we did, Lu-chan." Levy said with a smile to Lucy. "We all feel worried for Natsu and the others on Lingyue. We just can't sit and wait here while they're fighting."
"but are you guys sure?" Lucy asks as she looks at Erza. "I mean, Master told us to stay put and.."
"Master said that we are to stay put and not interfere in the war." Erza stated with her eyes closed before she opens them and smiles. "he didn't say that we couldn't go and visit Lingyue, right? I mean, we all had once planned for a vacation to the place, right?"
"yeah, the place is nice and cozy once you took a trip to it." Mira added in with a grin. "and we couldn't help ourselves from visiting, right?"
"There's no rule about us not being allowed to have a vacation in the guild rules" Lisanna stated with a finger pointed up.
Lucy looks at everyone and sighs with a smile, happy to know that everyone is willing to help their friend in need.
"How about we cut the chitchat and go straight for Lingyue?" Cana spoke out while carrying a sack back over her shoulder. "I'm sure as heck not wanting to wait around here for too long."
"agreed." Erza nods before she looks at everyone. "remember, this war going on between Lingyue and Alakasita is something we cannot directly interfere with. Therefore we must remain as discreet as possible, got it?"
Everyone nodded as they prepared themselves.
"you guys thinking on leaving us!?" a voice yelled out from above as everyone looks up in surprise to see Ash flying in the air before coming down and landing on the ground, the wyvern having Gajeel and Lily on its back saddle. "Gi-hee! like hell you are!"
"Gajeel!? Lily?!" Levy exclaimed in surprise.
"we knew you guys planned to leave for Lingyue, but you guys are forgetting the mode of transportation needed." Gajeel spoke out as Ash lies down on the ground. "after all, if you take a ship it'll be too long."
"Ash here is the best option to get to Lingyue." Lily added in.
"I get that you guys are helping us but for what?" Charla asks, not seeing any reason for the Iron Dragon Slayer to be helping considering the little rivalry between him and Natsu.
"you think I want to spend the days listening to those two brats yelling at my ears!?" Gajeel exclaimed with an annoyed face. "I can already imagine myself being the ones who has to babysit them when you guys leave! There's no way I'm going to let that happen!"
"that's the reason?" Levy said while sweatdropping.
"Very well." Erza said as she looks at the others. "come on. Time is wasting."
Everyone nodded before they all got onto Ash's saddle and the wyvern flapped its wings and flew off into the air.
As Ash is flying away into the distance, Makarov who is at the top roof of Fairy Tail watches with a solemn look.
"be careful, you brats." Makarov spoke while watching Ash slowly shrinking away into the distance.
Unknown to the old man that far away and at the ocean waters, wreckages of Alakasita ships floated everywhere. Some slowly sinking by the passing time and some carrying bodies with burn marks.
The wreckages floated away from the large stone walls that have crumbled to small sizes and yet some seemed to have been melted.
Explosions are soon heard as on the other side there are more ships coming straight for the rock walls but are soon destroyed by Natsu who roars loudly on the top of a rock wall and then spewed out red hot flames that burns everything in sight.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye