Chapter 4

Welcome to the Family

Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Location / Date / Time Change

Flashback

Two Weeks Later

Outside the Fairy Tail Guildhall

"Uh..." All the members of Team Natsu stared at the new and improved guild hall, which now looked like a castle.

"Well, this is a surprise." Erza said.

"They finished building it!" Natsu and Happy asked at the same time.

"Are you kidding me? We got a cafe now?" Gray asked.

"Why do we need a gift shop?" Lucy asked.

"Hey, glad you guys made it back!" Max said from behind the counter.

"You're working the gift shop, Max?" Happy asked as he flew over. "It's been a while since we've seen you."

"Hey, master's the one who insisted on me going back school for business lessons." The man chuckled.

"So what you got for sale here?" Happy asked, looking around.

"We got t-shirts, mugs, wristbands, towels, and our most popular item..." Max pulled it out and Happy snatched it.

"Cool, it's a Lucy action figure." The cat said.

"Don't make stuff without my permission." Lucy complained.

"It's posable, and her clothes come off." Max added as Happy snapped the clothing off.

"Nooo!" Lucy screamed. Natsu picked up the depressed Lucy and carried her inside. Her spirits lifted and she leaned against a railing.

"Pretty..." She and Happy said at the same time.

"I could get use to this." Erza added.

"What's wrong, Natsu?" Gray asked.

"I'm real not good with change." The pinkette mumbled.

"It's so good to see your back, Lu!" Levy shouted.

"Hi Levy!" The blonde said back.

"Isn't this awesome?" The petite girl asked. "Now we have a swimming pool behind the bar!"

"That's kinda weird..." Lucy mumbled.

"Not the same..." Natsu added.

"And we've added a game room in the basement!" Levy added.

"Doesn't need to be this big?" Lucy asked.

"I don't like it..." Natsu added.

"But the biggest change has to be upstairs, because now everyone can go on to the second floor." Levy added pointing up. "The master even lets some of us go on S-Class missions, as long as we bring an S-Class wizard with us."

"Well, look what the cat dragged in..." Makarov said as he walked forward. Gray gasped as he looked at Juvia standing next to him. "I'd like you to meet Fairy Tail's newest member, Juvia."

"Hello, everyone. I can't wait to work with you." She said.

"So you actually made it in?" Gray chuckled.

"Thanks again for your help back at Akane." Erza said.

"No, I should be thanking you." The bluenette said. "Because of you all I found a new guild."

"Hey girl." Lucy waved.

"We will battle for Grays love..." Juvia growled.

"Nope, not gonna happen..." Lucy said back.

"We've also added another member." Makarov said pointing behind the group. "One you might recognize."

"Who could it be?" Happy asked as they all turned around and went wide eyed.

"Are you kidding me, him?" Gray shouted.

"Gajeel!" Natsu shouted at the same time as the ice wizard.

"Why did you let him in, Gramps!?" Gray shouted.

"Calm down, I'm the one who asked him to join with me." Juvia said.

"Juvia is one thing, but he's the one who destroyed our guild hall!" Erza said as Gajeel rolled his eyes.

"Now, now, what do I always say?" The old master asked. "Yesterday's enemies are today's friends, right?"

"Besides, if I'm okay with it, than you should be too..." Levy said as she hid behind a table. Her teammates, Jet and Droy, glared at Gajeel.

"No way!" Natsu slammed his hand down on the table. "I ain't working with someone I can't trust!" Gajeel turned to the other Dragon Slayer.

"Don't worry, I don't wanna be your buddy." Gajeel said back. "I'm just here to get work. Nothing more, nothing less. I hate this stupid guild and everyone in it. But times are tough and I didn't have a choice but to join."

"Shut up, loser!" Natsu shouted back.

"I'm sorry, but Gajeel seemed so lonely, and I could just turn my back on him..." Juvia said. "But it's not like I have a crush on him or anything!"

"I know you kids don't like it, but as the master of this guild, it's my duty to help anyone whose gonna a stray find the correct path." Makarov said. "Give him a shot, you might find he's a nice guy, at least I hope so..."

"I don't like it, but if the master says so, than we have to respect his decision." Erza said. "But I'm going to be keeping an extremely close eye on him."

"Fine with me." The old man nodded.

"This new place doesn't feel right..." Natsu mumbled as the lights went out. Everyone stared at the stage as a spotlight turned on, showing Mira sitting on a barstool with a guitar in her hands. "Mira, we're back!"

"Good to see you." The barmaid said. "I'd like to dedicate this song to the strongest team, and congratulate them on a safe return." She strummed the instrument and began singing. Everyone loved the tune and cheered for an encore when it ended. The lights went out and Gajeel of all people took her place.

"What the?" Natsu asked.

"Here's a little diddy I call 'Best Friend'." He said as the crowd threw garbage at him. He started singing and it wasn't half bad. But the other half kept throwing stuff at him.

"This has to be the worst song I've ever heard!" Natsu complained. His words earned the guitar getting thrown in his face, sparking a fight between the the two.

"Natsu, quit screwing around!" Gray said as he stood up, knocking Erza's cake off her plate.

"He made me drop... My strawberry cake..." Erza whimpered as Elfman stepped on the slice.

"Real men would take this out side!" He shouted.

"Watch it you oaf!" Erza shouted as she kicked him into the fray.

Natsu looked around at the massive brawl he started and smiled. "Now it feels like home."

"Stop smiling!" Gajeel said as he slammed a pillar into the pinkette's face.

Outside the Guild Hall

"Are you sure this is the right place?" A girl asked holding up a picture of the old guild hall.

"That's what the guy said." A boy asked. "Maybe they redecorated it or something?" The door exploded open and Elfman flew on to the two, sending them to the ground.

"Sorry, that Macao hasn't lost his-" He stood up and turned around, only to stare at the two he knocked over. "Holy crap! You two are criminals!"

"Wait, there's been a-" The man started before Elfman grabbed them both and threw them into the guild hall before slamming down on them both.

"We got baddies! Help!" Elfman shouted and the whole fight stopped, minus Natsu, Gajeel and Gray, and piled on top of Elfman.

"Get off me!" The man shouted.

"Wait, I know that voice..." Natsu looked over and saw two heads sticking out of the bottom. "Rock head, myth lady. Good to see ya!" He stuck out his hand and offered a shake.

"How are we supposed to shake if I can't move my arms!?" Nicholas asked.

"You guys mind getting off?" Natsu asked.

"No way!" Wakaba shouted. "These guys are dangerous criminals!"

"Actually, they're innocent." Natsu chuckled as the other members of his team nodded.

"Do you have any proof?" Makarov asked. A messenger bird flew in with a note in its mouth and Makarov read it. "Get off them, you idiots!" The whole guild jumped off and the two stretched forward and back.

"Man that hurt." Brinnna said as she rolled her shoulder.

"Sorry about that." Bisca said.

"So, how's things go?" Lucy asked.

"Great." Nicholas said. "The testimony of that captain really helped our case, and now Suishou and his partner are behind bars for life."

"What brings you here?" Erza asked.

"We were hoping to give guild life a try." Brianna answered. "Seems like fun."

"Can they join, Gramps?" Gray asked.

"Okay, just one question." He said walking forward. "What kinda magic do you two use? I heard from Erza that both of you were extremely good fighters."

"I'm an Earth Dragon Slayer." Nicholas plainly said, making the whole guild stare at him. "What?"

"THAT'S AWESOME!" The whole guild shouted.

"Now we have three Dragon Slayers in our guild!" Reedus shouted.

"Three?" He repeated.

"Yo." Gajeel raised his hand.

"What do you use?" Nicholas asked.

"Iron Dragon Slayer Magic." The pierced man answered.

"Wait, were you raised by Metalicana?" Nicholas asked.

"How did you know that?" Gajeel demanded.

"Arnighte went on and on about how Metalicana is just a rip-pff of him." Nicholas explained. "Just an empty shell with no brain."

"Wanna say that again, rockface?" Gajeel asked, slamming his head into Nicholas'.

"Gladly, ya refined freak." He said back. Gajeel threw a punch and sparked a brawl between the two of them.

"Great, now we got two of them." Makarov groaned.

"Why didn't he mention the silver keys?" Lucy asked Brianna.

"Because he ended their contracts when they were sent to jail." She explained.

"Can I have them?" Lucy asked with stars in her eyes.

"Sorry, he already gave them to a little kid." Lucy sulked in to a corner.

"What about you, young lady?" Makarov asked.

"I use a form of Take Over called Mythic Soul." She answered.

"Mythic Soul?" Elfman repeated. "How does that work?"

"Basically, you kill a mythical creature and then you can use its powers." Brianna said. "Right now, I've got six."

"Do you have a dragon?" Natsu asked.

"I said mythical, not missing." She chuckled.

"I bet your just dying to meet Mirajane." Cana said as she took a swig of her barrel.

"Who's Mirajane?" The greenette asked, making the drinker spit take and everyone stare at her.

"You have to be joking right?" Macao asked. "Mirajane, the poster girl of Fairy Tail? The model for Sorcerer Weekly?" Both times she shook her head. "How could you not have heard of her?"

"Being on the run doesn't give you the time to keep up with current events." She said. "Besides, I don't care for models. Superficial, uptight bitches whose bust size is bigger than their IQ." Mira stood behind her and heard every word.

"Well, maybe I can prove you wrong." She said before turning around and running, crying.

"Huh, guess I can add 'thin skinned' to that list." Brianna said.

"No one makes my sister cry!" Elfman raised his fists and started to bring them down when Nicholas jumped away from Gajeel and kicked him out the guild.

"Sorry, he's really protective." Brianna said.

"Hey, I promised your dad that I'd keep you safe." He said.

"Alright brats, we got two new members." Makarov spoke up. "Let's party!"

"Later." Erza said, grabbing Brianna's arm. "First I need to show Brianna to Fairy Hills." The two started walking out before they noticed Nicholas following them. "What are you doing?"

"Going to our room." He answered.

"Sorry, but Fairy Hills is a girls only dormitory." Erza said as she led the new girl away.

"Wait, where am I going to sleep?" He asked. With a sigh he turned back into the guild hall, after punching Elfman who failed to sneak up on him. "Sneak attacks are supposed to be quite."

Next Day

Magnolia Park

"So why'd you call me here?" Gajeel asked as he stood across from Jet and Droy. "Make it quick, I've got money to make."

"This coming from the guy who destroyed our guild?" Jet asked.

"You can go to any other guild and take jobs there!" Droy added. "Dot you have any shame?"

"Man, you two can really hold a grudge..." Gajeel chuckled.

"Jet, Droy, don't." Levy said from behind the tree. "I'm over that, really..."

"Not gonna happen." Jet said back.

"We can't let him mess with us." Droy added.

Gajeel grinned at the two as Jet launched forward. "You won't act so cocky for long!" He slammed into Gajeel and then jumped into the air.

"Plant Magic!" Droy threw seeds in the ground as vines grew up from them, taking the shape of a fist. "Knuckle Plant!" The tendrils slammed into Gajeel, brushing him.

"Falcon Heavenward!" Jet slammed his foot into Gajeel sending him sliding back. "Is this some kinda joke?"

"What happened to that tough guy act?" Droy asked.

"Is this some kinda hazing?" The three standing looked up as Nicholas jumped down from the tree, rolling his neck.

"You were sleeping here?" Levy asked.

"Had to, nowhere else to go." He said. "Look, he's paid his due. But if you really wanna beat up a new guy, then take your best shot at me." Both Shadowgear men looked at each other and shook their heads. "That's what I thought."

"Just to be clear, pebble brain." Gajeel panted, standing up. "I didn't need your help."

Nicholas chuckled at the bravado. "Whatever you-" Lightning struck him, making him scream in pain as he dropped to his knees. Shadowgear looked behind as Laxus held his sparking hand out.

"Hang on, Laxus." Jet started as the blonde walked forward. "He didn't do anything! He wasn't even near us when Phantom-" A backhand sent him crashing into the tree.

"You two and that girl have made us the laughing stock of the magical world!" He growled as he kicked Nicholas towards Gajeel, making the iron slayer look up. "On my way back from my last job, I stopped at a pub, and I heard somethings that pissed me off."

"Two criminals and the punk who destroyed our guild hall had joined. People think we'll just bend over to their demands now! We're a joke because of you three!" Lightning shot down and struck both of them, making them scream in pain. "So pay up!" He slammed his fist down and a wave of lighting tore through the ground, slamming them into a tree.

"Okay, that hurt..." Nicholas groaned as the branch he was hanging from broke under his weight.

"Once I'm done with you two, I'm gonna teach that girl the same lesson." Laxus chuckled, making Nicholas struggle to stand.

"Stay away from her!" He launched forwards and Laxus threw a punch that sent him to the ground before raising him up by his shirt.

"This is ridiculous." Droy said. "I know Laxus is strong, but Gajeel should be tougher than this. Nicholas, I get because Laxus is smothering him, but Gajeel's going down too easily."

"Wait..." Jet mumbled as he stood up. "He's not fighting back."

"He's letting them get their anger out from the start." Levy mumbled as Gajeel looked up. "Is he trying to gain our acceptance?"

Laxus walked over, still holding Nicholas and slammed his foot down on Gajeel and then punched Nicholas before repeating the process. "Neither of you should have come here! Cause now, you have to deal with me!"

"Laxus, stop!" Jet shouted. "You're gonna kill one, if not both of them."

"But the hell out!" The blonde turned and launched a bolt that flew towards Levy. Gajeel raced forward and turned his arm into a pole, taking the hit for her.

"You done with me now?" He asked. "Because i have work to do." He walked away, clutching his ribcage.

"Gajeel, listen-" Levy started.

"Leave me alone." He interrupted.

"Hey, what about me?!" Nicholas shouted. Laxus heard him and threw him into a nearby swing set, bending it and getting hm tangled up in it. "I had to ask..." Shadowgear ran over as Laxus turned and walked away.

'I can't take this crap anymore...' The blonde thought. 'Fairy Tail has become a complete joke. That stupid geezer is running it into the ground. Once the guild is mine, things are gonna change!'

And this story is back! Yes, it was a short chapter, but I hope you liked it. Next ones will be longer, see you then.

Beta read by digemsmack.