Mama Mirajane-31
"Hey Mira, have you seen Scythe anywhere? We're supposed to go get him fitted for his suit at L. Morningstar's in a couple hours." Elfman exclaimed as he'd been looking everywhere for Scythe.
"Did you try the… gift, Master got Scythe for his wedding?" Mira asked cleaning a mug behind the bar counter, still not comfortable with the idea of her son living alone with Wendy.
"I went there to pick him up, but he wasn't home. Velvet says she hasn't seen him at all since yesterday." Elfman exclaimed. "No one's seen him the past week."
"Granny."
Elfman and Mira jumped back, as Jack appeared on the barstool holding an envelope, having an adorable smile on her face directed at the oldest of the Strauss siblings.
'I seriously need to get Scythe to take me to the armory one day to talk to mom and dad about Jack calling Scythe, daddy.' Mira sighed as she calmed down. "What is it Jack sweetie?"
"Lady Tohsaka sent me to give you this." She said handing the envelope to Mira.
"Thanks Jack." Mira said taking the folded up piece of paper, and opening it. "Dear Mira and Elfman, if you're looking for Scythe, then you can stop. He's fine, just recovering from some training a friend of his Grandfather Logan, put him through." She read aloud. "Though when you see him, don't be surprised if he acts like he hasn't seen you in years, to him he hasn't. He went to the fifth training level of the Celestial Armory, where time moves much, much faster than in the normal world. Though when he returns, he will still be his normal age, as the time effects will have worn off."
"Sounds like some serious training." Elfman exclaimed.
"That has me concerned. Oh well." Mira sighed.
"So what should I tell Lady Tohsaka, Granny?" Jack asked.
"Tell her thanks for informing me, and that I'll let the rest of the guild know." Mira smiled patting Jack on the head. "Now head back to the armory."
"Okay." Jack smiled before she disappeared in a flash of light.
"So what kind of training do you think he's doing?" Elfman asked, using his portable communication lacrima to let Lucifer know he was changing the time he and Scythe would be coming at, which was an unknown time, so Elfman would just notify him when they were coming.
"If I had to guess, Logan has a lot of enemies, and I doubt he'd be very relaxed if they found out he had a grandson, so he probably called in a few favors to have Scythe taught in several different types of martial arts to defend himself with." Mira stated.
"So when do you think he'll be back?" Elfman inquired.
"Probably a couple hours or so."
"Sooner than you'd think actually."
Elfman and Mirajane turned to see Scythe, standing in the guild hall, with John standing behind him.
"There you are. You ready to be outfitted for your suit?" Elfman asked.
"I'm ready. But I'd like to get a couple sodas first, it's been about… ten years since I had one." Scythe smiled. "A drink for my sensei to."
"Scotch please." John stated.
"Coming right up." Mira smiled. "So Scythe, tell me about your exploits in this training you've been going through."
"Not much, just survival training, mixed with martial arts and parkour training." Taking a swig of his drink.
"You must be skilled if you've mastered… how many martial arts have you mastered now?" Elfman asked.
"Five of them. The entire time my magic was turned off. So I wouldn't rely on it during training." Scythe explained.
"If your magic has been off for an equivalent of ten years, it can't possibly be that strong anymore." Mira stated. "Ones magic is like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets, but the less you use it, the more strength it loses."
"I haven't tested it out yet, so let's give it a look." Scythe stated rolling up his sleeves, revealing the seal-stone vambraces. "Sensei, would you mind?"
Reaching into his pocket, John Wick pulled out a key and tapped the head of it to each of the vambraces design, thus allowing Scythe to remove them by hand.
"Alright, try to go maximum on your power." Mira explained.
Stepping back into a clear part of the guildhall, Scythe let his power lose, which honestly was still impressive, but wasn't as strong as it once was.
"Honestly, it looks like your power is down to that of a normal S-Class Sorcerer, around Erza's level, to a little less than that." Mira stated.
"Eh, don't matter." Scythe stated sitting back down. "My power is inconsequential when I'm fighting."
"So now that we've got that all settled, you ready to go?" Elfman asked.
"Sure." Scythe smiled. "We'll be back as soon as possible."
"Be safe." Mira called back, before turning to a certain bluenet who was sitting at a table chatting it up with a friend.
"Scythe told me about that look you have. You're planning something aren't you?" John asked.
"Drink's on the house if you don't tell." Mira smiled.
"Eh, fine by me." John said as Mira rushed to Wendy, grabbed her by the wrist, and ran out the door.
~L. Morningstar's~
"There he is the man of the happy hour, a month away from your wedding and getting your suit at the last minute." Lucifer smiled as Scythe and Elfman came through the doors. "Big man, how you doing? I know this time of year can be… well, rather hard for you, since tomorrow is the day."
"I'm fine, thanks Lucifer." Elfman sighed with a soft smile.
"Does Scythe know about the… incident?" Lucifer questioned.
"Know about it? He sued Sorcerer Weekly about besmirching both our names because of an article one of the reporters wrote about him and how he was, cover of a murderous villain, within the guild and his family." Elfman exclaimed. "I think I still have that article in my pocket."
"Why would you still have that?" Scythe asked.
"Because it was the day my nephew stood up for his uncle like a real man." Elfman smiled pulling the article out of his pocket and handing it to Lucifer.
"Oh dear me, yes Rarity and I remember this one, we sent quite the threatening letter to Jason after we read it. I mean we recognized this crude drawing as your full body take over immediately." Lucifer stated, handing the article back to Elfman. "Needless to say Jason is not very popular these days after the retraction was printed and published."
"I would imagine not." Scythe smiled.
"Alright, now I already have your size on file, we just need to come up with a fabric that matches well with your skin tone, and… hold on, Scythe have you lost weight recently?" Lucifer asked.
"He spent ten years in a pocket of time outside of our time zone training in martial arts, parkour, and survival. So I guess he has." Elfman stated.
"I see… well I'm gonna have to take your measurements all over again I'm afraid." Lucifer said, motioning for Scythe to stand in front of the three mirrors.
"Sorry to make you do all this." Scythe sighed.
"Oh now it's quite alright my boy, but I must say, I'm sensing your magic power isn't as strong as it once was. Why is that?" Lucifer questioned as he began taking measurements.
"I wore magic concealment stones the entire time I was training, so my magic got weaker to." Scythe explained.
"I see. Well, no need to fret my boy, I'm sure you'll be in tip-top shape again in no time." Lucifer smiled. "Alright, so since this suit is for an auspicious occasion, it will be done by hand, not machine, so I will give you a call for when it's ready to be picked up."
At the same time across the street, Mira was with Wendy at Rarity Boutique getting her fitted for her wedding dress.
"Are you sure I need to get a dress now?" Wendy asked.
"Trust me darling, most women when getting married get their dresses months upon months in advance." Rarity said. "Though I don't see why she would need one now, she'll grow out of it far before her actual wedding."
"You didn't hear?" Wendy asked.
"Heard what dear?" Rarity asked.
"Scythe and I are getting married, the date was pushed back to a month due to what happened with the Dragonoid a week ago." Wendy stated.
"What?" Rarity asked. "Oh my stars darling are you sure you're ready for that kind of commitment?"
"To be honest, I don't feel anything but nervous and joyful about it." Wendy stated. "We're already married by draconic standards, so Master wants us to be properly married in a month."
"You're all right, with all this?" Rarity asked turning to Mira.
"Honestly I wasn't at first. But seeing how happy they made each other, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic about the whole thing. I'm still on the edge about the wedding at their age, but I'm fully willing to support any decision my son comes up with." Mira smiled softly. "I'm surprised you're just hearing about this now. Elfman and I personally gave Lucifer the invite to the wedding yesterday morning." Mira exclaimed.
"Did you now?" Rarity asked making some adjustments to the dress. "So Wendy, may I ask who your Maid of Honor is?"
"Miia is my Maid of Honor. Then Ruby and Yang are the other Bridesmaids, as well as Nora. She and Ren are kinda on the fence about this marriage to, but are still willing to support it. Their Daughter Chelia is going to be the flower girl. Romeo, Macao's son, is going to be the ring bearer, he's just turned seven so he's kinda excited about it. Elfman, Grey, and Natsu are gonna be Groomsmen, not sure who's going to be Scythe's Best Man. Then after the ceremony at Cardia Cathedral, we're going to have quite the reception Fairy Tail. Oh that reminds me, I still need to get an after ceremony dress, one that will wow Scythe beyond what he saw during the Royal Gala." Wendy explained. "Then I have the Bridesmaids dresses to get, not to mention the flowers, catering, all the invites have been sent already, and…"
"Alright Darling calm down, you're teetering on the edge of having a panic attack." Rarity said calming her down, by bringing her into a hug. "Everything will be fine. I remember when I was planning my wedding, and I was just the same as you are now. A total train wreck of swirling emotions and a cabaret of feelings I was still processing. But you wanna know the upside about you being this worked up about the wedding?"
"What's that?"
"You know in your heart, you're doing what feels right." Rarity smiled softly. "Now let's get you all dazzled up in a dress you'll wow you fiancée in for the reception."
"Knock-knock…" Lucifer said stepping in. "Oh apologies, I didn't realize you had company over dear."
"I need to talk to you about something, Lucifer Morningstar." Rarity said, darkly looking at him.
"Oh dear, it's never good when she uses my full name." Lucifer said pulling at his collar nervously.
"She's a little upset you didn't tell her about the wedding." Mira explained.
"What? Rarity honey, I left the invite on the kitchen counter after reading it myself, so you could read it. I left it under your morning coffee I always make for you."
"That's what that thing was? I had honestly thought you just put my coffee on an empty envelope because we ran out of napkins." Rarity asked, as if realizing something. "Oh dear, I do believe I might have thrown it in the recycling bin then."
"Its fine, Elfman will be the one guarding the cathedral doors before the ceremony begins, to make sure there aren't any crashers, he'll let you in." Mira explained.
"I would hope so." Wendy smiled. "Because there's something I would like Mr. Morningstar to do for me."
"Well, I'm not really into that business anymore, but yes I do believe I can get you a reservation at the men's strip club for your bachelorette party. Just tell me when it is." Lucifer said pulling out his portable communication lacrima.
"N-no nothing like that." Wendy said blushing heavily before walking up to him, her blush diminishing to a light shade under her eyes. "I was wondering… since I don't have a dad, or anyone else, and everyone in Cait Shelter was really just an illusion created by a ghost. W-would you be willing to send me off at my wedding? I know it might seem like a lot to ask, but in the short time I've known you, I've grown to look at you as sort of an uncle or father figure in my life. Its fine if you don't want to. I'd understand."
"Dear child, I would be honored, to send you off." Lucifer smiled putting a hand on her head.
"Great." Wendy smiled.
"Alright now, enough chitchat, we've got a lot of work to do before the wedding actually happens." Rarity smiled. "Mira, I hate to be a bother, but I think I might need some help with making these dresses to be on time for the wedding, would you mind terribly?"
"Of course not Rarity, I'd be more than happy to. I have the designs for the Bridesmaids and Maid of Honor dresses drawn up. They're just needing to be put together now." Mira smiled. "Wendy, why don't you go back to the guild? I'm sure you would like to spend the day with Scythe, and I'm sure he'd like to as well."
"Alright." Wendy smiled going behind the change curtain to get back in her. "Oh and by the way, were you able to send an invite to Laura and Grandpa Logan?"
"No unfortunately, they left town not long after you and Scythe did." Mira sighed.
"Oh, I'm sure Scythe would have loved to have them there." Wendy stated.
"Not to worry my dearies, I'll just call in an I.O.U with Amenadiel and have the invites delivered, as he is in charge of knowing their locations at all times." Lucifer said pulling out his P.C.L again.
~Fairy Tail Guildhall~
"So there you have it. What do you say?" Scythe asked, sitting beside John as he finished off a third glass of scotch on the rocks.
"Well, I've known you for ten years. You've trained under me, you've given everything you have every single day you've trained. So my answer to you is, I would love to come to your wedding." John smiled.
"I'm glad to hear it." Scythe said, handing him an actual invitation. "Just show this to my uncle and he'll let you in."
"Scythe, we need to talk." Gajeel stated coming up behind him.
"Alright, enjoy a couple more drinks on me, and I'll see you at the wedding." Scythe smiled at John, before walking off to talk with Gajeel. "What's up Gajeel?"
"I want a flying cat." Gajeel stated.
"I see. Wendy, Natsu, and I all have Exceeds, but you don't. I understand why you'd want one, but it's not possible to just find one flying around looking for a partner." Scythe exclaimed. "Don't give up though, I'm sure you'll be able to find one."
"Hey Scythe." Wendy called out running up to him.
"Wendy hey, what's up?" Scythe asked.
"I just got back from picking out a wedding dress. Let's get something to eat." Wendy smiled grabbing his hand.
"Alright already, I admit I could use a cheese burger or two." Scythe chuckled.
Once they had grabbed some food from the bar and grill, they went and sat across from Lucy, who was grumbling.
"What's the matter Lucy?" Wendy inquired.
"It's my apartment, the land-lady left a notice on my door saying the building was under new management. I'm doom if the rent is raised at all." Lucy groaned.
"Nah, forget about it. You can live there still." Scythe exclaimed munching on a burger.
"Scythe I'm not borrowing money from you." Lucy exclaimed.
"You seem to be misunderstanding me." Scythe stated. "I'm the one who bought the building from your land-lady. You can continue to live there, but not rent free. However, I am willing to make an exception on somethings."
"Meaning?" Lucy asked, still trying to wrap her head around the fact she now had a landlord who was younger than her.
"Rent will be due every three months, still seventy thousand jewel. Now I'm only extending this offer to you as you are a friend of mine, who is a part of the same guild as me. So, don't go saying any of this to any of the other tenants." Scythe exclaimed. "Otherwise they'll expect me to give them the same treatment."
"Honestly child, you certainly have found yourself a keeper haven't you?" Carla asked, sipping on her tea.
"Big News." Max and Warren shouted bursting through the doors before bells began to ring.
"What's up?" Lucy questioned.
"Sounds like bells." Wendy, Scythe, and Carla stated in unison.
"Gildarts is back." The entire guild shouted.
"Gildarts, who's that?" Lucy questioned. "Are they in the guild, I don't think I've ever heard of them before."
"Not them Lucy, him. From what I've heard, my power is nothing compared to his." Scythe smiled. "Mom speaks highly of him, but has mentioned he's much more of a sleazebag than Loki when it comes to seducing and sleeping with women."
"Wow." Lucy stated.
"He's also the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail." Erza said.
"Whoa, are you serious? I thought you and Scythe were top dogs around here?" Lucy questioned.
"Like Scythe said, all modesty aside, we don't even hold a candle to him." Erza smiled.
"I bet this guy must be the king of breaking stuff then." Lucy stated. "Well it's good he's back, but I don't understand why everyone's going totally nuts."
"Look how happy they all are." Wendy smiled.
"They're certainly more out of control than usual." Carla pointed out.
"It's only natural everyone's excited." Scythe smiled. "According to the job records, he's been on the same job for the last three years."
"That's so crazy." Lucy stated. "So what has he been doing?"
"Let me explain. Mom told me about this after I became S-Class." Scythe smiled. "We have regular jobs, and S-Class quests, above those are SS-Class quests, and above those are jobs called decade quests."
"Decade quests?" Lucy asked.
"They're jobs no one has been able to complete in less than ten years, thus the name, decade quest." Erza explained.
"If I recall correctly from the job records I sifted through, he took on a century quest job right?" Scythe asked.
"That's right." Erza stated.
"You gotta be kidding." Lucy stated. "Who in their right mind would take a job that lasts a hundred years?"
"Him." Erza stated.
"Prepare to commence Magnolia's Gildarts Shift. Citizens please take your designated positions immediately." A voice echoed from outside.
"I'm all for festive, but this is just ridiculous." Carla stated.
"They sure are excited." Wendy exclaimed.
"What in the heck is a Magnolia Gildarts Shift anyway?" Lucy asked.
"Step outside and see for yourself." Erza smiled.
"I'm joining you, I've never heard of one either." Scythe exclaimed as he followed Lucy outside, Wendy following right behind him.
The moment they set foot outside of Fairy Tail, the bells of Cardia Cathedral rang once more, and the town began to shake, splitting down the center, forming a large path going straight from the guildhall to right outside the city.
"Magnolia just split in two." Lucy cried out.
"A precautionary measure for Gildarts crash magic. Since he destroys everything that he touches, it's much better for everyone if he stays clear of their homes and businesses." Erza explained.
"Like he just walks right through them?" Lucy and Scythe questioned. "You modified the town just because he's clumsy?"
"He sounds amazing." Wendy smiled.
"Yes. Amazingly stupid." Carla stated.
"Why you always gotta be so mean Carla?" Scythe sighed.
"If I recall correctly Scythe; Mira and the Master had to work day and night to try and convince the mayor not to do the same for you." Erza chuckled.
"Huh? The mayor was gonna create a Magnolia Scythe Shift? But why I'm more in control of my magic than he is, and it's not even as strong as it used to be anymore." Scythe whined, crying comical tears.
"Hmm, that's right Elfman did mention something about a pocket of time you spent ten years in to train, and never using your magic." Erza stated.
"It's okay Scythe." Wendy comforted, patting him on the back.
Not long after, everybody was waiting in anticipation for him to come through the doors. Scythe was curious as to what he looked like as well, but he didn't have to wait long as Gildarts stepped through the entrance. Standing there at the top of the steps, was a tall, muscular man with shoulder-length orange hair (usually kept slicked back) and a stubbly beard. His attire as far as Scythe could see, consisted of a brown cloak around his shoulders. He was looking around, seeing the scenery around him, and sighed, as if figuring he was lost.
"C'mon you old geezer let's throw down." Natsu declared.
"That's no way to treat a man." Elfman stated.
"I'm pretty sure that expression is for how to treat a woman." Miia thought sitting at a table with an open binder filled with planning materials. Seeing as their usual greeter wasn't there, Miia had decided to step forward greet him.
"Hi, you must be Gildarts welcome back. My name is Miia." She smiled greeting him as he came down the steps.
"He's the most powerful guy in the guild?" Lucy asked.
"Uh, sorry to bother you miss, but I'm looking for a guild that used to be around these parts called Fairy Tail?" Gildarts asked.
"This is it. As I said before my name's Miia. I'm Mirajane's daughter." Miia stated.
"Huh?" Gildarts questioned, looking at Miia, then seeing she had the same facial structure as Mirajane. "No way. How can Mirajane have a daughter as teenage as you? This is crazy."
"Master Makarov will fill you in on that when you see him." Miia smiled.
"Well, I'll be. Did you guys do something with the guildhall recently?" Gildarts questioned.
'He didn't see it from outside?' Lucy mentally sighed.
"The old guildhall was destroyed." Scythe said making himself known. "It was during a war with Phantom Lord nearly three months ago. So we had to rebuild. Took advantage of it to."
"Hey, who are you?"
"Scythe Strauss. Mirajane's son." Scythe said shaking hands with him. "It's finally nice to meet the guy I used to be second to."
"Second to?" Gildarts asked.
"Scythe recently got back from a special place that he went on a very special training mission to. It was a pocket in time. For him, ten years had passed, for us, well, I'm actually not sure of the speed rates differentiating between the two places. But he had never used his magic once when he was training, so it got weaker, now he's more Erza's level of power, used to be right under your level." Elfman explained gaining Gildarts attention.
"It was ten hours here. I spent the first couple days preparing for the training, then after I finished with the training, I spent another few days recovering from slight malnourishment and fatigue." Scythe explained.
"Gildarts." Natsu called.
"Natsu. Hey pal, theirs someone I recognize." Gildarts smiled turning to him.
"Good to see ya." Natsu smiled leaping at Gildarts ready to fight. "Now let's party."
Gildarts turned fully around, catching Natsu by the waist, and twirling him around several times before throwing him up in the air, making him hit the ceiling, as if he weighed nothing.
"Not now kid." Gildarts said as Lucy stared on in shock.
"Oh yeah, he's still so awesome." Natsu smirked.
"Same old tough guy we've always known." Grey smiled.
"Genuine old fashioned mans-man." Elfman smirked.
"I see a couple of new faces around here to, besides Mira's kids. Seriously someone needs to explain how the hell that's possible, to me. A lot happened while I was gone." Gildarts exclaimed.
"Gildarts." Makarov called from the bar counter.
"Oh Master, you're looking well."
"How'd the job go?" Makarov asked.
Gildarts gave it a moment of thought before he began laughing, which confused a lot of people, but not Scythe or Miia, they knew the laughter was to try and defuse a situation that might not be as bad as it seemed. Makarov knew this to, as Gildarts had played this card multiple times during his rookie days at the guild whenever he messed up at something.
"No good." Gildarts stated. "Way too much for me."
"I see… the job was too tough." Makarov said as the entire guild began to mumble about him failing and how it was impossible. Lucy was even contemplating if she would be able to finish it before Erza had stopped her scheming, even though the blonde was trying to deny her accusations, very hard.
"Forgive me for bringing shame to the guild." Gildarts sighed.
"No, you've only brought yourself back in one piece. That's no small feat in itself. As far as I know, you're the only one who's made the journey home alive." Makarov smiled. "Just in time to, there's a wedding in three weeks and the whole guild is gonna be there."
"I see, so who are the lucky couple getting married?" Gildarts asked.
"Look over there and you'll see. The blue haired girl and the young man sitting next to her." Makarov exclaimed.
Gildarts looked over to where Makarov was pointing and found Scythe, and the blue haired girl mentioned, had joined Miia at her table, who had gone back to the wedding planning.
"Her name is Wendy Marvell, she's a Dragonslayer, just like Natsu." Makarov exclaimed.
"Hold on, are you telling me you're letting two kids, one barely in her teens, and one in his mid-teens, to get married?" Gildarts asked. "Master even I know that's not right. What's this kid got on her to make the girl go through with this?"
"She's already claimed Scythe as her mate in terms of dragons getting married, but I'd prefer it if they had a proper wedding. Call me old fashioned but that's just the way I prefer it." Makarov exclaimed. "Furthermore Wendy is doing this of her own accord, no one is forcing her to do anything she doesn't want to do. Plus Scythe's only a year older than Wendy. Sit down and I'll tell you everything."
"Alright. But mind if I order something first? I'm starving."
"Not a problem." Makarov smiled before calling out. "Scythe my boy. Two orders of your pineapple turkey BBQ burgers."
"You got it." Scythe smiled leaving the table and running behind the bar counter to the grill.
"Make that three orders." John said showing he hadn't left yet.
"So where's Mira in all this? Is she okay with her son getting married so young?" Gildarts asked.
"Mom wasn't really on board with it at first, but then she accepted it, seeing how happy Wendy and I make each other." Scythe exclaimed cooking up three patties.
"What kind of magic does he use?" Gildarts inquired, turning his attention to Makarov.
"That isn't for me to divulge. Scythe would you be all right if I told him your background?" Makarov questioned.
"Go ahead. Sensei John needs to hear it to." Scythe stated.
"John, as in John Wick?" Gildarts asked turning to where John was sitting.
"Nice to see you again brother." John smiled drinking another glass.
"Oh so Gildarts is the brother you told me about." Scythe smiled.
"A killer like him is no brother of mine." Gildarts growled.
"Well, like it or not, he's agreed to leave Demon's Heart and join Fairy Tail." Scythe stated chopping up vegetables. "Plus, Demon's Heart, is the only mercenary guild who works directly under the magic council, sending them off on missions to eradicate the Kingdom of Fiore's enemies if there's any sign of aggression from neighboring lands."
"Kid, do you know what my brother is known as? The best of the best, only get a name like his."
"Baba Yaga." Scythe stated. "Though he's not exactly the boogeyman. He's the guy you'd send to kill the boogeyman, and I was fortunate enough to have him as my teacher in martial arts."
"He was your teacher huh? What else did he teach you besides martial arts?" Gildarts questioned.
"Hunting, survival, parkour, that's about it. Though I still cannot beat him in a fight." Scythe chuckled.
"Why would John even take you as an apprentice?" Gildarts inquired.
"Do you happen to know a man named Logan James?"
"Smells like booze, and cigars, has black hair and metal claws that come out of his hands?" Gildarts asked. "Yeah, I know him. I know how old he is, and who his son is. I've run into him a couple times on my travels."
"He's my grandfather. As well as a friend of Sensei John's. He called in a favor, as he was concerned the Demon's Heart guild would recruit me whether I wanted it or not." Scythe explained putting the food down by Gildarts and Makarov. "So I can now defend myself against the Demon's Heart guild."
"Don't look so freaked out Gildarts, eat and enjoy the food. Scythe's an amazing chef, he marinated the turkey meat in pineapple BBQ sauce and it tastes delicious." Makarov smiled digging in. "He really takes after his mother in the kitchen."
Gildarts looked down at the burger before taking a bite and found the flavour was like nothing he'd ever tasted before.
"Wow, this is amazing." Gildarts smiled.
"Alright, now that we've got some food. I'll begin the tale of Scythe's past." Makarov said, as the young man of the topic went back to the table to help plan the wedding.
Retelling the story of Scythe's painful past, Mira's own part in it, and Miia's origins, took about an hour to complete. John and Gildarts were listening in very intently on every last detail that was being spoken, shocked at each new thing they learned. Makarov had even told them about the Celestial Armory, and how Scythe and Miia were able to access it, if Scythe held Miia's hand.
"Incredible, a couple of kids like them have been through so much, I don't think they ever had a chance to rightfully build memories or live as children." Gildarts sighed getting up. "I'm heading home to rest my weary bones. Natsu, stop by my place when you get a chance, bring Scythe and Miia with you. I've got something that might interest you all."
With that, Gildarts left, while also creating a giant hole in the wall.
"I wonder what that mood was all about." Natsu inquired.
"Master just told him about the past of my mom, Miia, and myself." Scythe explained as he and Miia stepped up to him.
"I see." Natsu stated. "Gildarts has a big heart, so I'm not surprised he's more than a little pissed at Grimoire Heart."
With that, Natsu began to lead Scythe and Miia out of the guild and to Gildarts' place, taking a route that was about a thirty minute walk, and barging in as if it was nothing.
"Yo Gildarts, we're here." Natsu stated.
"Hey good to see ya." Gildarts smiled.
"Man it feels like it's been forever since I've been here." Natsu smiled as Scythe and Miia walked in.
"So what you got for me pops?" Natsu asked.
'Seriously? His attitude has changed drastically in the last thirty minutes.' Miia and Scythe groaned.
"Never mind that. How have you and little Lisanna been getting along since I've been gone huh?" Gildarts asked. "Scythe, Miia, you calling him Uncle yet?"
"What?" Natsu asked, Scythe and Miia equally shocked he'd ask that question.
"You can't be serious." Miia stated.
"You don't have to play coy." Gildarts smiled before he began to laugh.
"Aunt Lisanna died." Scythe stated giving Gildarts an expression of shock. "Two years ago. Miia and I never even got the chance to meet her, let alone see how she interacted with the guild."
"You're serious?" Gildarts asked.
"We might be Acnologia's children, but not even we are cruel enough to make a joke like that." Miia stated.
"I see. I apologize I didn't know. My condolences." Gildarts said with grief.
"If out aunt's death is all you wanna talk about, we're out." Scythe exclaimed as they all turned to walk away.
"Listen, while I was gone, I met a dragon." Gildarts said. This news brought all three of their attention back to Gildarts, news that all three of them definitely wanted to know. "It's not the one Natsu's looking for though. It was black as a moonless night."
"Where was it?" Natsu questioned.
"Sacred Mount Zonia. He's the real reason why I failed on my quest." Gildarts stated.
'Wait, that's where I met Ace. It couldn't be.' Scythe contemplated.
Scythe turned around and started heading for the door, before Gildarts stopped him.
"So what are you gonna do?" Gildarts asked.
"Well obviously the description you gave, matches my old mans, so I'm going to go end him." Scythe stated.
"Think again kid. That black dragon's long gone by now. He's out flying in the wild blue yonder." Gildarts stated.
"I don't care. I can track him down if I put my mind to it. I am his son after all." Scythe growled.
"Kid, look at me." Gildarts said, opening up his cloak, to reveal his left arm and leg were missing, replaced with wooden prosthetics, and his torso was bandaged up. "It was over before I knew what hit me. It ripped off my arm, my leg, and then it gutted me. Igneel may be a different kind of creature, but I'm telling you, this black one is no friend to anyone. There's not a man that could beat him."
"I don't care." Scythe declared. "Maybe a man can't stop him, but how about a God? Do you know what kind of hell my life has been because of him? Even in Metalica I was ostracized by everyone but the Draconis family. None of the kids were allowed to play with me. I was kidnapped and nearly dissected by an insane woman, and I WAS A F*****G GUINEE PIG FOR GRIMOIRE HEART'S MASTER FOR HIS ETHERION PROJECTS, ALL SO HE COULD HAVE AN APOCALYPTIC WEAPON OF HIS DAMNED OWN. SO DON'T SIT THERE AND TELL ME NOT TO GO AFTER THEM DAMNED MONSTER WHO RUINED MY LIFE BEFORE I WAS EVEN BORN." Scythe shouted before he entered his Satan's Soul and flew off in a gust of wind, faster than any of their eyes could follow.
"What does the kid mean by a God?" Gildarts questioned.
"Scythe is the Etherion Godslayer known as the God of War. He has the magic power to take down any Deity that crosses his path; add his Celestial Knighthood, and healing factor to the mix, he can be an unstoppable fighting machine." Miia explained.
"Damn, the kid just might pull it off. But he's letting his emotions cloud his judgement." Gildarts stated.
"Can you blame him?" Natsu asked. "The kid wound up with an apocalyptic monster for a father, I'd be that pissed to if someone told me I couldn't go and make him pay for the hell I'd been through."
~The caves of Sacred Mount Zonia~
"Today's hunt was a good one." Acnologia exclaimed cooking up the deer meat.
Acnologia was about to dig in, when he suddenly got a spine tingling chill running down his back, as if something ominous was heading his way.
"No. It couldn't be." He said, realization snapping him back to reality.
"ACNOLOGIA." Scythe's voice echoed from outside the caves.
"Yep. He realized who I actually am." Acnologia stated as he turned around, just as the cave walls leading to the outside shattered, bringing in more daylight as the sun was setting.
"I'm going to make you pay." Scythe growled.
(Cue Music… Monster: Skillet)
"Now son, calm down. I can explain why I lied to you about who I really was." Acnologia said, getting up as Scythe circled around the fire.
"Explain? I don't care about that. Do you know what your title put me through, what your very existence put me through?" Scythe asked, his eyes filled with rage.
"I see. You're not mad I lied to you about my identity, you're mad because living in my shadow has given you nothing but pain, grief, and suffering." Acnologia said, realizing why Scythe was truly angry. "Well son. If you truly feel so hateful towards me, I will fight you, but I will not kill you."
Scythe screamed out in anger and jumped towards Acnologia, igniting his hands in holy flames, before grabbing his father's head, and bringing it down as he brought up his knee, doubling the impact force of the attack.
"Your name ostracized me in Metalica." Scythe shouted slamming his foot in Acnologia's chest. "Do you know, how hard it is for a five year old, to be alone, and not know why the other kids weren't allowed to be near me?"
Acnologia swung his arm in an attempt to hit Scythe with a hook, only for the Etherion Dragonslayer to miss as Scythe bent backwards, before both his feet were stomped on, as Scythe slammed his own foot on one of them, before performing a backflip kick, hitting Acnologia in the face, before landing on his other foot.
"Not only was I ostracized by the village of Metalica, but there were also assassins who tried to kill me, and an insane woman who tried dissecting me. She was run out of the village, only because she was a wanted criminal. Nobody but the Draconis family cared for me." Scythe shouted punching Acnologia in the throat, causing him to choke on the pain before Scythe punched him in the chest, and sent him flying through the opened doorway to the cave, just as the sun began to set.
Acnologia held up his arms in defense, not using any magic, knowing Scythe was immune to any of the elements that could be thrown at him, just like he was. Only the magic Scythe used, actually could hurt him.
"People called me a freak, they didn't care whether or not I was actually alive or dead. When I went missing, they threw parties, when I was found, they'd avoid me at all costs." Scythe stated using lightning on the ground, thus electrocuting Acnologia. "To top it all off, an entire village was destroyed, all in the name of you, just so I could be found. YOU DON'T KNOW THE KIND OF GUILT I HAVE TO CARRY EVERY DAMNED DAY." Scythe shouted, throwing a maxed out punch so hard, it sent Acnologia to the ground, creating a groove as he skid to a halt.
Scythe jumped through the air, and landed on top of Acnologia, digging his knees into his stomach. Straddling Acnologia's torso, Scythe began punching him non-stop, without giving his opponent a chance to strike him back, or defend himself.
"Everything I knew. People I cared for, even though they all hated me, my entire life, my parents who took me in after birth, and my dog the only friend I had, were all taken from me, all because you were the source of my creation." Scythe cried out as he continued to slam his fists into Acnologia's face. "Every damned thing that's happened to me, has happened because of you, and your stupid shadow, cast over me." Scythe exclaimed as he began to sob, all the pain, stress and anxiety of his past, catching up to him. "My life has been a living nightmare, before I joined Fairy Tail."
(End Song…)
Acnologia was still conscious, but silent as he let Scythe continue to cry, as the boy stopped beating him and was crying into his chest.
"Why did I have to be born your son? Why did my mom, have to endure such pain at only thirteen years of age?" Scythe cried.
Acnologia raised his hands, and wrapped one around Scythe's back, while he put the other on the back of his head.
"You ask why I'm known as a monster. I've cleansed the world of all but eight dragons, all I want, is to make this world free from those foul beasts." Acnologia explained. "People see my holy mission, as an abomination. I don't blame you for feeling this way." Acnologia let go of Scythe and pushed him off his lap, sitting up to face his son. "If you choose when next we meet, you'll finish me off, I will accept that. But for now, go home, dry your eyes, and prepare for our next encounter, it may be our last."
With that Acnologia got up and vanished, leaving Scythe crying and alone, before he screamed at the top of his lungs, in both anger and pain.
~The next morning~
"Have any of you seen Scythe lately?" Mira asked walking up to the table the others were gathered at. "Miia said he flew off from Gildarts place yesterday, and he hasn't been back since. He's not even at his house."
"Last I saw him, he was heading for Sacred Mount Zonia." Natsu sighed. "He's probably tracking his old man down as we speak."
Just as if it were a prophecy, the sound of the guild doors opening caught their attention, and in walked Scythe, all muddy and covered in bruises and scrapes his healing factor wasn't working on. Even his clothes were torn in several places.
"Scythe, what happened to you?" Wendy asked as she and Miia went running to him, the others following closely behind.
"I found my dad…" Scythe stated, shocking everyone. "We fought, and he got away. After that, I went to the ruins of Metalica, and spent all night burying the dead bodies scattered around the ruined… village." Scythe explained as he fell over, going unconscious.
"Oh dear." Mira sighed. "We'll take him to see Lisanna's grave after he recovers."
"It seems he's just sleep deprived. He should be better after a couple hours of sleep." Wendy exclaimed as the sound of storm clouds could be heard echoing outside.
"Elfman." Mira called out. "Would you stop berating Team Shadow Gear long enough to take Scythe to the infirmary to get some sleep?"
"Coming big-sis." Elfman stated walking away from Jet and Droy.
Once Elfman had put Scythe in one of the beds, he went and joined Mira and Miia at the front of the guild, preparing to go visit Lisanna's grave even if it meant getting caught in the rain.
~Sometime Later~
Scythe began to open his eyes, finding himself lying in a bed of pure white fluff, as it continued to fall from the sky.
"What? It's not time for the snow to start falling. Did I wind up comatose or something?" Scythe asked. "Maybe this is a dream."
But Scythe's delusion of it being a dream was shattered when he spotted five figures flying up to the swirling mass in the sky. He recognized them as Natsu, Happy, Wendy, Carla, and Velvet.
"What the heck is going on?" Scythe questioned picking himself up.
"It's the Anima."
Scythe jumped back and turned around to see Mystogan standing there, his mask off completely, revealing his entire face to the world.
"I tried to stop it, but this one ended up being too much for me to handle, and so I failed." Jellal stated. "You and the other slayers will go to Edolas, and rescue the rest of Magnolia."
"You mean to tell me, that thing up there is a portal to a world known as Edolas?" Scythe asked, before gagging as Mystogan popped a purple pill in his mouth. "What the heck was that, tastes like feet."
"It will allow you to continue using your magic in Edolas, as they don't use magic the same way we do." Mystogan explained. "Good luck. Gajeel will be joining you there shortly. Look for the giant lacrima, you'll find your friends and family."
Before Scythe could argue, Mystogan cast a spell that sent Scythe flying through the portal into a land that he definitely did not recognize.
"Definitely not in Kansas anymore." Scythe stated, using a quote from a movie he watched with Shirou and Rin during his recovery time after John's training.