AN: Hello all, and happy new year. This chapter won the poll on my Discord server for this week, so here I am back with another chapter.
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Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Fairy Tail.
( - )
(Last Time)
He needed some fresh air, and some time to think.
Quietly, taking advantage of the distraction the fighting caused, Percy slipped outside.
Night had already fallen.
Taking a few steps outside, Percy took a deep breath of fresh sea air, and then looked up at the starry night sky.
The constellations were painfully familiar, and yet they were not the same ones he'd been born under.
"How long has it been," Percy muttered, looking up at the moon.
"It's been a while." A familiar voice said from beside him.
( - )
Chapter 34
( - )
(With Percy)
"Mavis," Percy said softly as he turned around and looked at the floating apparition behind him. The woman was as short and petite as he remembered, looking more like a girl in her mid to late teens rather than a full-grown adult.
Which was a bit off as Mavis had been twenty seven when she died, and looking at her now, she looked exactly the same as she had the last time he had seen her, just a few weeks before her death. Her eyes were still the same jade green and sparkled with mischief. Her hair was still golden blonde and curly, and reach down past her waist almost to her ankles. She even wore the same white dress and wing-like ornaments in her hair.
She hadn't changed at all.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon." He continued, his lips quirking into a slight smile.
In response to his soft words, Mavis Vermillion smiled brightly.
"So, are you going to sulk out here all night?" She asked, her smile widening as she swooped forward, her bare feet ghosting over the ground as she came to a stop directly in front of him.
Following her flight, Percy couldn't help but smile as he turned to face her, even as she now floated a few feet off of the ground in front of him, her arms folded across her diminutive bust, and a childish pout on her face as she glared down at him.
"And there I was thinking that I had gotten rid of you," Percy replied dryly, rolling his eyes. Her personality hadn't changed at all either, from what he could see.
That said, even though she could be annoying sometimes, he was still glad to see her. After all, despite only being a part of his life for a short time, she had made a pretty big impact on him all the same.
She had given him the one thing he had always wanted, a place to belong, a family.
"Hmph, it'll take more than leaving Tenrou to get rid of me." Mavis sniffed, looking away for a moment huffily, before she quickly grew bored of pouting, and locked eyes with him again. "And don't avoid my question, Percy!"
Percy rolled his eyes. "I'm not sulking, I'm just getting some fresh air, is all."
"I know you better than that, Percy." Mavis shot back at him. "You're a member of the Guild, one of the founders, so you should be in there, introducing yourself to the new members and rebuilding your bonds with those that were left behind."
"You do realise that I am several centuries older than you, don't you?" Percy replied dryly in response to Mavis's impromptu lecture, not at all impressed with her words, nor with how she was treating him like a truculent child.
"Well, you certainly don't act it," Mavis replied teasingly, her full lips quirking upwards, and a mocking lilt entering her voice, even as her ankle length golden blonde hair blew about behind her as if it were caught in a phantom breeze. "Then again, beneath all that bluster, cynicism and sarcasm, you always did enjoy acting childish."
"Wait a second, you're calling me a child… you?" Percy asked, his eyebrows almost disappearing as he sent Mavis and her youthful, diminutive form an amused look.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean, you big meanie!" Mavis shot back, her cheeks puffing up childishly, before a bright smile broke out across her face, as she saw Percy start to laugh. "Stop laughing!"
"Then stop making me laugh," Percy replied with a grin, one which Mavis matched as she sent him a cheeky smile in return, before moments later he rolled his eyes and once again looked up at the dark, night sky.
"Okay, more seriously, what's up?" Mavis asked, her smile fading as she floated over, so she was now hovering at his side. "Is this about what we talked about on the island?"
"No, that's not what is bothering me," Percy replied, softly, his gaze still on the heavens. "I've just been thinking. Seven years, it's barely anything when compared to how long I've lived, and yet looking around at all that's changed, all that I've missed out on…, those seven years weigh a lot heavier on my shoulders than the centuries that have passed before."
"It's the curse of making bonds, and connections. The curse of actually caring and loving those around you." Mavis said softly, also looking up at the heavens now. "There is a reason I chose to seclude myself on the island when I became a spirit. I'm not like you, Percy. Living alongside mortals, cursed to watch all I love wither and die. It would break me."
Her gaze moved to his face, even as he continued to look up at the stars.
"If I had stayed at the Guild, I wouldn't have been able to help myself from bonding with and coming to love each and every member of the Guild, and watching each and every one of them pass on would have broken me. Even staying in contact with you, and coming to know them all vicariously through your stories, would have shattered me into a million pieces." Mavis continued, her eyes starting to water. "I'm not as strong as you, Percy. You're different from most, you are somehow able to live, love and let go."
"Am I?" Percy asked bitterly, before with a sigh he shook his head. "It's nothing, I'm not brooding or sulking Mavis, I'm just thinking. That's all."
Mavis hummed in response, only for her to then sigh as she let the matter drop.
For the moment at least.
"So, Erza though?" Mavis suddenly said slyly, her lips curving up into a smirk. "She's pretty. In fact, they both are and from what I can tell-"
"Don't be nosey," Percy cut her off, smiling slightly as he saw her pout again.
"Percy, I'm a spirit. The only thing I've got is gossip." Mavis shot back pleadingly.
"Not happening," Percy cut her off.
Tearing his eyes away from the night sky, he turned and started heading back to the noisy, brightly lit guild hall. With Mavis here, there would be no opportunity for him to stand in silent contemplation while he decided what he would do next. No, she was far too impatient and hyperactive to just stand in silence. Where he had managed to tame his ADHD for the most part, she had fully embraced it.
"Come on then, you can at least share what the deal is with this Wendy girl?" Mavis called after him.
"Nope," Percy called back over his shoulder, popping the 'P'.
"You can be such a dick sometimes!" Mavis called after him as he disappeared from sight, her lips curving up into a fond smile, her jade-green eyes sparkling happily under the light of the moon as she did so.
"I'll see you around, Mavis. Don't be a stranger!" Percy replied, his voice just about audible through the trees.
( - )
(The Next Day)
Entering the busy guild hall's main hall the next day, Percy couldn't help but look around fondly at the goings-on.
The large room was cluttered and still showed the signs of the wild party that had taken place the night before.
Already he could see Mirajane working with Kinana – the new barmaid –, as they both put things to right, with several others also lending their aid as they all pitched in and helped tidy up the guild hall.
The party the previous night had gone on well into the early morning, with a lot of drinking, singing and several more brawls as everyone drank, partied and made merry.
It had been a good night all things considered and had ended with him and Erza sleeping, fully clothed and spooning, under one of the tables upstairs in the S-Class lounge.
Sending a fond look back at the bleary-eyed redhead – who at that moment was settling herself down at a nearby table with Lucy, Cana and Laki while he got them breakfast –, Percy's smile widened slightly.
They still hadn't quite talked or clarified about what they were to each other, but they were definitely something, and whatever it was they were, he was looking forward to exploring it and coming to a definitive answer.
Stretching, and ignoring the cracks and pops his back made, Percy scanned the rest of the room. All those that had returned from Tenrou had spent the night at the guild hall, as had a number of those that had remained behind.
Now, though, most of those people were either out and about settling back into their lives in Magnolia or were preparing to do so, which he imagined wouldn't be pleasant in some cases. After all, seven years was a long time for most, and as he had both seen and heard the night before, a lot of things could change in that time. People they had once known were now older, married and in some cases had kids. Others had moved on to parts unknown.
A lot of what they had once known had changed.
Personally, he wasn't looking forward to going back to his house on the outskirts of Magnolia, as he dreaded to think of the state it would be in after seven years of neglect.
"So, you've finally woken up," Knightwalker said loudly, as she looked up from where she was eating breakfast at the bar as he approached.
"Just about," Percy smiled back, leaning on the bar beside her as he tried to catch Mira's eye.
"Good," Knightwalker grunted, pushing her plate of pancakes away as she instead swivelled on her seat to face him. Her expression was firm, and her eyes hard. "Because I want you to train me."
"Train you?" Percy blinked in surprise, looking directly at the fiery redhead.
"Yeah," Erza nodded, her gaze challenging. "You got a problem with that?"
Percy tilted his head to the side. "No, not so long as you remain committed and put the work in. But I do have other stuff to sort out first, and so do you, I imagine?"
"Oh, like what?" Knightwalker scowled.
"Like where you're going to be living…" Percy replied dryly.
"Oh, yeah that…" Knightwalker muttered, her brow furrowing. "Where do you live again?"
"Not happening," Percy said quickly.
Knightwalker's scowl became predatory, even as a hint of pink entered her cheeks.
He felt a shiver go up his spine at the gleam in her eyes.
Fortunately, before she could retort, she was interrupted by a loud, familiar voice ringing out through the guild hall's background noise.
"Percy, fight me!" Natsu shouted, drawing all eyes on him as he bounded across the room, a wide grin on his face and his fist already enshrouded by fire as he prepared to engage.
Percy cocked an eyebrow, a bemused expression on his face at the familiarity of the challenge. It seemed that one thing had not changed; even after all he had gone through on Tenrou, Natsu remained as loud and tenacious as ever.
"Enough!" Erza Scarlet, cut in sternly before anyone else could, her gauntleted fist coming down like a sledgehammer, and knocking the airborne Natsu headfirst into the ground with a thump.
Glancing at her, Percy sent her an amused smile, even as she caught his eyes and hid one of her own. Her brown eyes were a bit brighter than usual as she tore her gaze from his and instead grabbed the dazed Natsu up off the floor by the back of his scarf.
Leaning back against the bar as Erza then proceeded to lay into Natsu about being reckless and impulsive, Percy couldn't help but smile.
All around him, he could see the others, both those that had gone to Tenrou and those that had remained, laughing and smiling too. Some looked quite emotional at witnessing the ongoing lecture. No doubt the nostalgia of it was hitting them hard.
Shaking his head in amusement, Percy turned away from the ongoing lecture and finally caught Mira's eye.
"Any chance of getting a late breakfast for two?" He asked with a smile.
"Hmm, looking to regain your energy after last night, I take it?" Mira giggled into her hand.
Knightwalker, who had been drinking at that moment, began choking on her coffee at Mira's words.
Smiling, Percy sent Mira an amused look. "Behave, Mira."
Mira smiled cheekily in response.
Rolling his eyes, he shook his head. "So breakfast?"
"I'll tell the cook, he should have some left over." Mira laughed, a smile still on her face as he easily sidestepped her teasing.
"Thanks," Percy nodded.
"Oi, shithead," Knightwalker snapped, her face still a bit flushed from her coughing fit. "Don't just ignore me?"
"Do you always have to be so loud, Knightwalker?" Scarlet asked as she joined them at the bar, a now chastised Natsu trailing after her.
"Up yours, Scarlet, you might have won the battle, but you're not gonna win the war!" Knightwalker snapped back, her brown eyes flashing dangerously, even as she locked gazes with Scarlet. Both identical redheads scowled the other down.
Rolling his eyes at the theatrics, Percy turned his attention to Natsu.
"So, do you still want to fight, Natsu?" Percy asked mildly.
"Later," Natsu muttered, his eyes flicking nervously over to the two bickering Erzas, "Me and Happy need to sort out our house first!"
"Yeah," Percy nodded, his expression souring. "I need to do the same. Tell you what, grab Grey, and I'll give you both a spar later, two-on-one, how does that sound?"
Natsu perked up immediately. "You're on! And this time I'm gonna kick your ass!"
Smiling, Percy ruffled Natsu's spikey pink hair, deliberately annoying the young fire dragonslayer. "Sure you are."
"Oh piss off!" Natsu growled as he tried to escape.
"Breakfast!" Mirajane chirped as she placed a platter of breakfast food on the bar, her blue eyes shifting between the two squabbling Erzas, the grumbling Natsu and smiling Percy, as she did so.
It was all very normal.
Or at least until the doors of the guild hall were suddenly flung open, and six wizards entered the building.
Looking up at the unexpected visit, he instantly recognised all six of them, after all for him, it had only been a few months since he had last seen them.
"Welcome back everyone!" Sherry Blendy, a pretty woman in her mid-twenties, with bright blue eyes and long pink hair, shouted out as she waved to the assembled Fairy Tail wizards. There was a bright smile on her face as she looked around, and the Lamia Scale crest on her X was also prominently and proudly on display.
"Looks like this Guild is filled with the same noisy rabble as before." Another one of the newcomers said, with a superior look on his face. This one he also recognised from the mission to put down Oracion Seis. It was Gray's rival Lyon Vastia, a thin, silver-haired man who was wearing smart clothes, in the colours of grey, blue and silver.
Behind him were three other wizards, all of whom he recognised, Jura Neekis the now Fifth Ranked Wizard Saint, Yuka Suzuki a blue-haired man with prominent eyebrows, and Toby Horhorta a dog-like man; all of whom gave their own greetings as they entered the hall and welcomed the missing members of Fairy Tail back home.
Scanning the assembled wizards, Percy's gaze shifted to the final wizard in the group, the one that was trailing at the back of the group, and who had not yet said anything.
Her eyes were still the same dull blue, and although, her hair was shorter and spikier now, it was still the same dark blue he remembered.
Beyond that, however, she looked very different. She was noticeably older now and looked more mature and confident than she had in her youth. She had also changed her outfit to an elegant if somewhat revealing, blue dress with white lining, and thigh-high black leather boots.
From just a single glance he could tell that she had changed a lot over the last seven years, and from what he could see, she had changed for the better.
She didn't look as meek as she did before.
No, instead of being the gloomy wallflower she once was, she now stood proudly and confidently beside her guildmates, a slight smile on her face as she looked around at them all.
"You finally made it home," Juvia said softly, her blue eyes watering as her gaze shifted around the guild hall, taking each and every one of them in.
"Juvia," Gray said in shock, standing up from his seat, his eyes wide as he stared at the blue-haired water mage.
"Juvia," Lucy echoed as she too stood up, her eyes fixed on her former guild mate.
Juvia smiled warmly, as she looked between the two of them.
She looked happy, and content.
There was no jealousy or insecurity in her gaze, just happiness and joy at seeing those she had once thought dead, back alive and well.
It was a marked difference from the Juvia he remembered from a few days before.
"When we were searching for Tenrou Island, both Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale really helped us out" Laxus spoke up from where he appeared in the doorway to his office, a slight smirk on his face as he leant against the door frame and watched the ongoing proceedings.
Gray still stood transfixed.
Lucy, however, took the initiative to cross the distance and throw her arms around Juvia, even as the other Lamia Scale wizards were quickly welcomed into the guild hall.
"Yeah, we really owe them our thanks for all of the help they've given us over the years," Max added on, as he greeted the Lamia Scale wizards with a big smile.
"Then you have my thanks for all of your help," Percy said, pushing himself off the bar as he too went to greet the newcomers. Both Erzas and Natsu followed after him. Mira, meanwhile, merely giggled as she looked between Gray and Juvia with thinly veiled curiosity. When it came to gossip, she was as bad as Mavis.
"Don't worry about it, as Laxus said, Blue Pegasus also helped out a lot too." Lyon shrugged carelessly, his eyes locking with Percy as he gave him a respectful nod, which he returned. Only for him to then turn and send a smug look at Gray. "Besides how could I say no, by this point, I'm used to having to save Gray, though I suppose as the stronger wizard it is kind of my duty to do so."
"The stronger wizard!?" Gray snapped finally tearing his gaze away from Juvia, as he instead got in Lyon's face, the two of them immediately started to bicker like the old friends they were, with Lyon trying to play the age card, as he was now technically seven years Gray's elder. Which was something he was more than happy to rub into the younger man's face.
To the side, Lucy and Levy were now speaking excitedly with a smiling Juvia, who was also now very much their senior. Natsu, meanwhile, had moved over to talk to Yuka and Toby, with Happy now joining him, even as several other Fairy Tail wizards began to wander over to greet the members of Lamia Scale.
"Well," Jura, a large, hulking, nearly seven foot tall man with a shaved head and white and black robes began, an amused look on his face as he turned to the rest of the Guild, ignoring Gray and Lyon's bickering for the moment, "The important thing is that everyone is that you are all back, alive and safe."
"I'll drink to that!" Cana Alberona said loudly from where she sat at a table with Gildarts.
Smiling at the ongoing frivolities, as the Fairy Tail wizards and Lamia Scale wizards reunited, Percy couldn't help but shake his head in amusement as he heard Gray, now at least partially recovered from the shock of seeing Juvia, arguing with Lyon.
"I have seven years more experience than you now, Gray. So you have a lot of catching up to do if you want to get to my level," Lyon smirked confidently. "In fact, you all do. The rest of us weren't just resting on our laurels while you were gone. No, we were all working, training and refining our magic."
"Who cares about that?" Gray muttered unconvincingly. "We're Fairy Tail, we'll easily catch up with you, and then leave you in the dust!"
"Well, I'm not so sure about that. In these past seven years, we, Lamia Scale, have climbed up to be the number two guild in Fiore." Sherry interrupted with a smile, putting her hand on her sizable chest, "Too bad for you, Lucy, but we are way out of your league now!"
"Huh, what?" Lucy replied distractedly, looking up from her conversation with Juvia.
"Sherry, you promised to be on your best behaviour." Juvia sighed fondly, rolling her eyes.
"Have you met me? This is me on my best behaviour!" Sherry shot back with a cat-like smirk.
Seemingly ignoring that comment, Lucy turned to look at Lyon curiously. "So... does that mean Blue Pegasus is the number one guild?"
"Of course not!" Toby cried, dramatically, "There's no way that could happen!"
"Settle down" Yuuka tried to calm his friend, before turning back to Lucy, "No, it's not Blue Pegasus. That honour belongs to Sabretooth."
Percy turned around at that comment, his brow furrowing.
He remembered Laxus mentioning Sabretooth the previous night, it was the guild that Wendy had apparently joined.
Grimacing at that thought, he tuned out the rest of the conversation, as he instead took a seat at the bar with Jura and Laxus.
The big platter of breakfast food in front of him didn't look so appetising anymore.
"It's been a while, Perseus," Jura said in greeting.
Poking around at his food, Percy frowned. "For you, maybe. For us, it's only been a few months."
Jura tilted his head to the side curiously. "Time Magic?"
"Of sorts, a spell was used which temporarily took us out of the flow of regular time," Percy said, looking up from his food. "It probably saved the lives of most of the people on the island, but at the cost of missing the last seven years."
Jura stroked his beard in thought. "An impressive spell."
"You could say that," Percy nodded, holding back a scowl. "But anyway, I'm curious. You're the Fifth Ranked Wizard Saint, right?"
"Yes," Jura nodded.
"Well, congrats. That said, I don't suppose you have any further information on what happened at Tenrou? Laxus said the Magic Council sent a Rune Knight fleet to reinforce us. I know the fleet was destroyed, but from what he said, there were survivors?" Percy continued, placing his fork down now as he turned to fully face Jura.
"There were," Jura allowed, before with a sigh he shook his head. "I know what you want to ask, Perseus. Commander Lahar, who was just a captain back then, led that expedition, and in his report, he said that the island was hit by a high-powered blast of magic and completely disintegrated. He wasn't able to identify the source of the attack, but considering what the captured dark wizards that survived said, the Magic Council suspects the attack originated from the Black Wizard, Zeref."
"Zeref huh," Percy muttered, his eyes narrowed. Considering he had killed Zeref before the attack hit, he was pretty sure the Black Wizard was not the cause.
"That information is of course confidential," Jura said quickly, his brow furrowing. "The Magic Council don't want news of Zeref's continued existence to spread. It would cause panic amongst the populace, and could embolden the many sects of Zeref cultists hiding in Fiore."
"Noted," Percy said dryly, his eyes narrowed in thought.
Zeref was obviously not the cause of the blast. Which, considering the sheer power behind the attack, narrowed down the possible source of the blast, to just a few possibilities; Acnologia, Alvarez, one of the Five Dragon Kings, an unknown enemy, or the Magic Council itself…
"We'll work it out," Laxus said, oblivious to his thoughts as he instead patted him comfortingly on the shoulder.
"Right," He nodded.
"Ah yes, Laxus," Jura muttered, turning his attention to the lightning user. "This visit is more than just social. I also have a few things I need to discuss with you, too."
"Oh?" Laxus asked curiously.
"Yes," Jura nodded. "It's about the location of the two missing Gods of Ishgar…, we still don't know where God Serena is, but we've found Wolfheim, he's defected to Alvarez…"
"Shit," Laxus cursed.
"Indeed," Jura nodded. "There is not much we can do about it for now. But Hyperion, as the current top ranking Wizard Saint still present, has decided that it might be time to organise a grand conference between the Wizard Saints, all the Guild Masters, the Royal Family and the military's High Command."
"When the invitation comes, I'll be there." Laxus nodded.
"Good," Jura smiled. "I'll keep you informed of what's happening."
Laxus nodded.
Percy meanwhile, scowled.
Alvarez had been a thorn in Fiore's side for nearly a century now, an ever-growing global superpower that kept prodding at Ishgar's boarders and rattling their sabre.
It gave him a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.
After all, the growing tension would most likely end in one thing, war on a massive scale.
"On to other things, I have information about Raven Tail too…" Jura continued, his expression easing slightly as he changed the topic.
"Oh, and what are those clowns up to now?" Laxus smirked.
"No good like usual," Jura rolled his eyes. "From what I've heard, they're planning to enter this year's competition, no doubt in the hopes of causing trouble."
"Thanks for the warning, I'll make sure to keep an eye out for them," Laxus smiled, shaking his head. He didn't seem unduly concerned.
"Raven Tail?" Percy asked curiously. The name was vaguely familiar.
"My father, ever the egotistical moron, decided to create a Wizarding Guild that is the antithesis of everything Fairy Tail stands for. Gramps mentioned it to me before he…, well, before he left, and I've been keeping an eye on them ever since." Laxus replied, his voice faltering slightly at the mention of Makarov.
"Will there be trouble?" Percy asked, breezing past Laxus's slight slip in composure without comment.
"Nothing I can't handle," Laxus said with a forced smile.
"Okay," Percy smiled, "But I am here if you need me."
"Thanks," Laxus replied, gratefully.
( - )
(Sometime Later)
Unlocking the door to his home, Percy was surprised to find that he was not met by the stench of decay and neglect like he initially expected.
The townhouse was admittedly dark and gloomy, but that was only because the curtains had been drawn and the shutters closed, and there was a noticeable layer of dust on most of the surfaces.
But otherwise, the house looked to be in a mostly good condition.
Throwing open the shutters and curtains, and propping open the windows to air the house out, Percy looked around curiously.
Nobody had broken into his home. That much he could see. The locks hadn't been broken or changed, nor was there any visible damage to the windows or doors. But looking around, he couldn't help but notice the obvious signs of someone having been present all the same.
Someone had been in his house, and by the looks of it they had made themselves at home while they were there.
The sofas and chairs in the lounge, which he remembered as being old, tatty and green, were gone. In their stead was a set of plush, dark blue sofas and armchairs.
His battered, old wooden kitchen table, had been replaced by a shiny new number, as had the spindly wooden chairs that had once surrounded it.
The pots and pans hanging from hooks in his kitchen were no longer dented or tarnished, but, the layer of dust aside, looked polished and clean.
The decorations throughout his house had been changed too, with new wallpaper on the walls, or touched-up paintwork, as had the bedding and some of the furniture in the upstairs rooms.
Over the past seven years, someone had put a lot of time and effort into refurbishing his house.
No longer did his house look like a tatty, rundown squat, a place he only occasionally stayed in during his travels.
Instead, it looked like a home.
In fact, the only thing that hadn't changed were the photos, pictures and ornaments lining the walls, or cluttering the shelves. Some of them were pieces of art or keepsakes that he had picked up over the centuries, others were weapons or magical artefacts he had salvaged on his travels, or that he had procured as souvenirs from his travels. He could even see the sword he'd got from Sugarboy in Edolas, lying on display on a nearby bookshelf.
There were a few gaps on the wall where pictures or photos might once have been, but otherwise, things, his memories, had been left alone.
Wandering through his house, Percy frowned as he kept on picking up on more signs of irregularities, even as he made it to his bedroom, which had been tidied up, and redecorated, but otherwise was untouched, before then walking to the spare room right next to his own. Only for him to then freeze as he took in the painted walls, and new furniture and bedding within.
The walls had been painted a light blue colour, and the furniture was wooden and solidly built. The bedding, however, noticeably had the Fairy Tail crest emblazoned across it, and from what he could see there were a few knick-knacks on the dresser and bookshelves. Small things that were probably inconsequential to most, but like his own souvenirs and bric-a-brac, probably had great meaning to whoever owned them.
Looking around the room, he frowned in confusion.
Previously, the room had been completely bare, aside from a rickety bed and lumpy mattress.
It was a stark difference from how it looked now.
Walking over to the new dresser, he opened the drawers only to frown as he found them empty.
There was no clothing anywhere.
Nor were there any pictures on the walls or shelves, though there were hooks on the walls where they might once have hung.
Walking to the wicker bin next to the bed, Percy frowned as he saw a shattered picture frame and a ripped-up piece of paper at the bottom of the bin.
Reaching down, he carefully reassembled the pieces, only for him to then freeze as he saw the full picture.
A lump formed in his throat.
The picture was a coloured in drawing and had two people in it.
Him and a tall, thin girl with large hazel eyes, and long blue hair that had been tied back in a ponytail. The girl was dressed in a skirt and red blazer and was standing in front of him with a bright smile on her face, even as the drawn version of him rested his hands on her narrow shoulders with a proud smile on his face.
"Wendy," Percy muttered thickly, a pit forming in his stomach as he looked around the room with a new perspective.
Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust.
"I'm sorry I was late."
( - )
(Later)
Slouching into the guild hall a few hours later, Percy noticed Erza sending him a concerned look, and Natsu looked up eagerly as he deftly made his way through the guild and over to the bar.
He needed a drink.
Forcing a smile on his face as he met Erza's gaze, he mouthed 'later' to her, even as he slumped into a seat at the bar.
"Can I get a drink, Kinana?" Percy asked, keeping a forced smile on his face as he looked over to the new barmaid.
Nodding, the purple-haired girl sent him a smile as she quickly set about pouring him an ale.
Tearing his gaze away from her, Percy looked around the rest of the guild, only to frown as he noted the Lamia Scale wizards were now absent.
The six of them must've headed off while he was absent. Which was a shame, as he had been hoping to converse with Juvia. He might not have known her well, but she had always seemed quite sweet, and he had been looking forward to finding out what she had been up to in the intervening seven years.
"Thanks," Percy said to Kinana, as he took a sip of his ale.
Letting out a slight sigh of satisfaction, he then turned and tuned into the ongoing conversation. Whatever it was must have been interesting, as had it seemed to have caught the attention of the majority of those that had been on Tenrou.
"-event?" Lucy asked, her head tilted to the side curiously.
Around her, the rest of those that had returned from Tenrou Island looked on interestedly.
Romeo nodded, "It's a festival that started up to decide the number one guild in Fiore. All the guilds in Fiore gather and compete against each other using their magic! It's called the Grand Magic Games!"
"That sounds fun… The Grand Magic Games, huh?" Natsu piped up, his eyes alight with interest.
"So a tournament?" Gray asked with a frown.
Laxus nodded curtly. The lightning user was currently sat at the bar with him and Gildarts, taking up residence in the seat his grandfather had so often monopolised.
"I see… So, that's how Sabertooth gained the mantle of strongest Guild in Fiore. They must win this event every year, so if we entered and defeated them…?" Erza Scarlet said, her eyes widening in realisation.
"Fairy Tail would be back on top!" Gray finished with a wide grin.
"Yeah exactly. The games are going to be held in three months, so during that time I want you all to train your hardest for the competition." Laxus cut in loudly, standing up now as he looked around at the assembled wizards. "We've been stagnant for too long. Now that we're whole again, it's time we show people once again why we're the greatest guild in Fiore!"
Everyone roared in agreement.
"Err, Master, are you sure? We've never even made it into the semi-finals before. I mean the competition there is insane, what with Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus and Sabertooth competing, plus I've heard Mermaid Heel's new Guild Master is an absolute monster, and that with her at the helm, the Mermaid's have become a real contender!" Macou piped up from where he was sat across from Wakaba.
Laxus shook his head with a smirk. "That was then, and this is now. With everyone back, we stand a good chance. Especially if everyone puts in the work, and gets back up to scratch for the Grand Magic Games!"
"Three months is plenty of time! I'm all fired up!" Natsu cracked his knuckles in anticipation.
The rest of the Guild shouted their agreement, multiple people cheering and shouting out challenges, as they all got into the spirit of things.
At the bar, Percy shifted his attention to Laxus, even as the blonde wrapped his knuckles on the bar surface to garner his attention.
"I take it one or other of you are planning to stick around for the Magic Games?" Laxus asked, looking between both Percy and Gildarts.
"Yeah, why not," Gildarts shrugged, glancing over at Cana. "I've got some catching up to do."
"Yeah," Percy smiled, his gaze shifting to a certain smiling redhead for a moment. "I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon either."
( - )
(At the Mermaid Heel Guild Hall)
"So, the Fairy Tail elites have finally returned?" Mermaid Heel's Guild Master purred, as she absentmindedly twirled a lock of her long white hair around one of her fingers. "Interesting."
"Do you think it will be a problem?" A golden-eyed woman with long purple hair asked with a scowl.
"It shouldn't be," She replied softly. "Unless you think it will, Kagura? With Fairy Tail's elite back, that means Erza Scarlet will probably be back too…, and I can't imagine that she of all people would miss taking part in the Grand Magic Games…"
"Then I will defeat her there," Kagura replied bluntly, her intense golden eyes shifting down to the sheathed sword at her hip, even as she gripped its carefully wrapped up hilt tightly in her hand.
"Good," She replied, a cat-like smile playing around her mouth as she looked out over the assembled members of her guild. "Then everything shall proceed as planned."
"Yes, Master!" The assembled members of Mermaid Heel replied in chorus.
Smiling, she sat back in her chair and stared out at the distant sea.
She was looking forward to her debut at the Grand Magic Games more than ever now.
( - )
(Elsewhere)
Sting Eucliffe idly cracked his neck, as he looked up from the rock he sat on, his blue eyes narrowing as he absentmindedly ran his hand through his spiky blonde hair, "Talking about seven years ago, do you remember when you wanted to be that Gajeel guy's apprentice?"
"The past is the past, Sting." Rogue Cheney, said calmly as he looked around at his surroundings.
Bodies lay scattered about in all directions.
They were the shattered remnants of the Dark Guild the two of them had been dispatched to eliminate.
"I like to think I live in the present. Besides, from what I remember, you were a massive fan of 'The Salamander'." Rogue continued, his red eyes narrowing as he scanned the area for any more enemies.
Most of the wizards lying prone on the ground were only injured or unconscious. Some of them, however, he knew were dead. It was unfortunate, but when it came to fighting with a potential force like magic, accidents did happen.
"Ah yeah, the Salamander. I remember him. Huh, to think I used to follow his career in Sorcery Weekly. Natsu Dragneel, the Fire Dragon Slayer, and one of Fiore's strongest and most up-and-coming wizards." Sting sighed, as he lay back on the rock. Chuckling in amusement, he shook his head. "To think I used to look up to him."
"It happens," Rogue shrugged, finally turning to look at Sting. "But we should be cautious. Natsu and Gajeel are not the only members of Fairy Tail's elites to have returned."
"Ah yes, Gildarts Clive, the most destructive wizard in Fiore. Erza Scarlet, the most powerful woman. And Perseus, the most powerful human in Ishgar, the fifth god. Don't worry, I remember," Sting openly laughed. "Please don't tell me you're actually worried about those old has-beens? The world has moved on from their time. Iron Rock Jura is now the Fifth Ranked Saint and the strongest human in Ishgar. Olga is without a doubt the most destructive wizard in Fiore. As for Natsu and Gajeel, those two are poor excuses for dragonslayers. The two of us surpassed them both years ago!"
"Yeah," Rogue nodded, a slight smile playing around his mouth. "Besides, everyone knows Wendy, the Sky Goddess, is the strongest woman in Fiore."
"Ha, don't tell Minerva that," Sting snorted with laughter.
Rogue smiled. "I won't. But it is true though."
"Tell me about it, if it's anything, it's an understatement. If you ask me, she is more than a match for Iron Rock Jura, too." Sting chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he sat up and looked around at the field of destruction the two of them had left in their wake.
"You do realise she'll never date you? It doesn't matter how much you suck up to her, or compliment her. She's not interested." Rogue said, dryly.
"Maybe, but it's not going to stop me from trying." Sting shot back with a smirk.
"It might if she decides to kick the shit out of you. Oh, and before you ask no, I wouldn't step in to help you. I like to think I'm brave, but not even I'm brave enough to get between the Sky Goddess and her prey." Rogue shivered.
"Too true," Sting muttered, "too true."
( - )
AN: So there we go. The next chapter will have some action, and there will be some more interaction. The Gray and Juvia drama hasn't concluded by a long shot. There will also be some fights, as Percy takes Erza Knightwalker up on her request, and give Gray and Natsu some long awaited sparring. There will also be some fluff as Percy and Erza trying and work out just what the hell is happening.
So yeah, a busy chapter next chapter, and then we'll be moving on to the Grand Magic Games. Which should begin in a chapter, maybe two, depending on how much I get done in the next chapter.
Hopefully you enjoyed reading the chapter/ story, and continue to do so. If not, then please do tell me what you didn't like, or what you thought could have been done better. Please leave a review if you can, they are very useful. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to hit me up.
Also I am on discord with a load of other writers, the invites at the top, please feel free to pop in and say high.
Thanks for reading, and I'll catch you later.
Seagate.