Hey, my fellow Fairy Tail fans, and welcome back to a Fairy Tail re-told. I hope you're having a stellar day. I wonder if I should introduce them in each chapter or leave them for comedic purposes. Let me think of a joke.
Question: how many Dragon slayers it takes to screw in a light bulb.
Answer: zero. They broke it when they got all fired up.
Awkward silence
I'll... yeah, start the story, I'll...I'll see myself out.
The fairy pub business was Lively as usual, with people coming in and out buying items or paying to go to the museum inside.
Mira was working at the bar. She ran drinks from table to table, turning down a request to go on a date or Elfman jumping, saying how a real man doesn't ask out someone's sister without a brother's blessing; she even saw Gray walk into the place at some point.
Otherwise, it was a pretty typical day. Natsu and Lucy sat at one of the tables in the corner. Lucy is still Sulking over losing the 2 million. "I know we made him happy, but it still hurts," she groans.
"Oh, come on, Lucy, cheer up," Mira said, walking over to her. "I know your first job wasn't as stellar as you wanted it to be, but it was a start."
"I know," Lucy said, placing her head on the table. "I guess I should try to find more work," Lucy asked.
"Sorry, Lucy, but the board is empty today," Mira told her.
Lucy jumped up, "why."
The wizard in armor: Erza Scarlet
"Well, 'cause not many jobs require only one wizard," Mira explained. "That and most people are under guild protection, so requests often go to them," Mira told her, "which is why solo wizarding is becoming a foreign practice," Mira said, her expression saddening.
"Wow," Lucy said as she looked back at the empty board, "hey, what is the guild system like."
Mira placed her hand on her chin, thinking of a way to explain it best to the young wizard; her face lit up, and she pulled out a light pen and started drawing in the air; once she was finished, Lucy saw all the different guilds placed in a particular order.
"wow," Lucy said in amazement.
"This is a chart of the guild's allied forces," Mira told her. "They formed as a way to keep one guild from having control of all the others," Mira told her. "It was shortly after the second trade war," Lucy said as she sat down as Mira finished the drawing. "The major players in the allied forces are blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and phantom lord," Mira explained, pointing at the center. "There are the top three guilds in all of Fiore. Nearly every guild in the country belongs to one of the three."
"Wait, so how do other guilds form," Lucy asked.
"Well, you see, most guilds were independent, but one of the three challenged the guild for their territory," Mira told her. "When that happens, the guild often breaks into fighting. It's really dangerous."
Lucy nodded; she had heard stories of guilds fighting each other over territory, "so I take the big three took over all that territory."
"Nowadays, though, nearly all of Fiore has a guild watching over it," Mira finished. "Actually, Magnolia is the only place in Fiore that doesn't have a guild," Mira told her.
"Wow," Lucy said. "I'm guessing the lower-ranking guilds take on the jobs." She looked closer at all the guilds until she saw a familiar one. 'So Titan's nose was just some sort of sub-guild under the phantom lord,' she thought.
"Well, no use worrying about that," Natsu declared, putting his hand behind his head, "it's not like we're joining a guild anytime soon."
Lucy gave a weak smile before looking at her hand. The mark Mavis gave her had long since disappeared, and she noticed Natsu was gone, too.
"Well, well, what do we have to hear?" a voice called out, pulling Lucy out of her thoughts; she turned to see a man with orange hair, wearing a green coat with a wide collar, complete with prominent, spiky, brownish-white fur trimming lining the hood, over a light red shirt "what do say we ditch this place and have a bite at my place.
"Um, who are you," Lucy asked, confused.
"The name's Loke," he said with a smirk, his genuine smile sending chills up her spine, "and you, you're so stunningly gorgeous I have to keep my shades so I don't go blind."
"do the ladies actually fall for that," Lucy asked as her keys rattled together.
"You're not a celestial wizard, are you," Loke said, jumping back.
"Yeah," Happy answered while eating a fish, "she's got talking cows and everything."
Panic broke out on Loke's face as he started to back away. "Damn you, fate, why must you be so cruel" he then ran away, tears falling down his face. "I'm sorry, my dear, but we can't be together."
"What was all that about," Lucy asked, confused.
"Loke has a bad history with celestial wizards," Mira told her. "Rumor is that he dated one, which ended pretty badly."
"Well, I see why-" Lucy was interrupted when Natsu was sent flying into her.
"Well, that looked painful."
"Will you, too, knock it off?" Lucy groaned as Natsu started to get up.
"Natsu started it," Gray explained. "I was just following through."
"But you were the one provoking me," Natsu said to the boy, "ya dirty slimeball."
" oh yeah, and what I do to provoke you," Gray asked, "ya fire clown."
"You pervy flasher."
"Pink-haired punk."
"Lame insults, guys," Lucy said as she ignored the two.
"they're starting to run out," Happy told her.
"Pretty much," Natsu shouted, causing the rest of the pub to laugh.
The laughter was interrupted, with the door burst open as an out-of-breath Levy looked around. "Natsu Mira!" she shouted as she tried to move.
"what's wrong, Levy," Natsu asked
"Erza!" Levy shouted. "Erza is on her way here," she shouted
With the mere mention of her name, the place erupted in panic. "What is she doing here?" someone shouted.
Everything went quiet as footsteps sounded through the whole place."Those sound like footsteps," Macao commented.
"you'd think she's some kind of monster the way these guys talk about her," Gray whispered.
"I'm starting to get a little scared myself," Lucy admitted as she heard the sound approaching the door. It sounded like armor was clanking against itself, and the sound just got closer. Lucy turned to Natsu, but before speaking, the door burst open, revealing Erza, who looked nothing like she imagined or would justify the fear, but then again, so did Natsu; she was a young woman who looked around Mira's age with long red hair and brown eyes she was wearing silver armor "Wow, she's pretty." she whispered.
"Erza" Natsu muttered
"Welcome back," Mira said, her usual joy replaced with a more cautious tone as the three locked eyes for an uncomfortable amount of time before Erza broke the silence.
"is master Mavis here," Erza asked.
"no, she stepped out." Mira stepped forward, putting herself between her and Natsu, sensing the tension as Erza stepped forward. As Mira stood between them, "Is everything okay?" she said, concern coming in.
"I need to speak with Natsu," Erza said. "I," she sighed, "I need his help." Once those words left her mouth, the whole place froze. as everyone looked between the two. "something came up on the last job I went on; hopefully, it was nothing serious," she said
"I don't"
"All right," Natsu said as Mira looked back. "You must be shaken if you came here," he said, "so I'll help you."
"Good," Ezra said. "Looks like you can be relied on," Erza said as she turned around. "we leave in the morning," she stated as she left the place, not even stopping to greet anyone as the doors closed as everyone looked at the Natsu sighed.
"nothing else to see here, folks," Natsu said. "Get on with your business,"
"Uhm, teaming up with you is the worst Idea ever," Natsu shouted.
Yeah, tell me about it. Erza made a big mistake asking a loser like you to come along," Gray shouted.
"Well, then, fine, do by yourself. I don't want to go anyway," Natsu shouted as people began to stare.
"great idea; then I get to watch Erza beat you senseless," Gray shouted.
"Let's just sit here and act like we don't know them," Lucy said, looking away, Plu muttering in agreement.
"Are you not excited, Lucy?" Happy asked
"No"
"Oh, come on, it won't be that bad," Happy told her.
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked
"I'm trying to stay positive here, okay," Happy said. "At least we're doing something."
"not like we had much choice."
Flashback
"You want us to what?" Lucy shouted
"I want you to go on this job that Natsu and Erza are going on," Mira said again. "I know it's a lot to ask, and you haven't been around for long, but Elfman and Cana are still off on different jobs," she sighed, "and well, I'm not exactly able to go on jobs at the moment," she sighed.
"What, you think the job is that bad?" Gray asked.
"no, it's not that," Mira said. "in fact, I know that Natsu and Erza can handle it if they work together," she said. "the keyword there is if," she said. "I know that if left alone, those two will not see eye to eye."
"so you want us to babysit," Gray asked.
"pretty much," Mira said. "look, I'll pay when I can, but just promise me that you'll keep those two from killing each other."
End Flashback
"Sorry, I'm late. Have you been waiting long," a voice called
Lucy turned to see Erza walking. "No, not really," Lucy's face lit up in shock as she saw Erza with a mountain of suitcases behind her. "Are all those yours?" she shouted in disbelief.
Erza then turned her attention to Lucy, "So you're the rookie that Mira said was tagging along," she said with a smile. "a pleasure to meet you," she said, "though I wonder why you are keeping such company."
"I'm Lucy," Lucy said with a smile. "I'm still new to this whole thing, in any case. And Natsu's been a big help," she smiled 'probably not the best idea Lucy."
"interesting," Erza said,
"what do you mean by that?" Natsu asked
"Nothing," Erza said. "Come on, let's go."
"Whatever, princess," Natsu said
"You should watch your tone," Erza growled
"Funny coming from you," Natsu shot back
"Okay, how about we get moving before the train leaves us," Lucy said, throwing herself between the two. "Come on "
Once they were on the train, Natsu immediately got motion sickness when they started moving.
"jeez, Natsu, you're pathetic; one moment you're jumping around, and the next you're like this," Gray told him.
"It must be tough getting from place to place," Lucy said spitefully.
"he'll be fine," Erza told her, "come sit next to me, Natsu.
'I guess she wants me to move,' Lucy said, backing away from the wizard. 'is this a good idea
"just relax," Erza said, placing her arm around him.
"aww, they can be sweet." Lucy smiled. Only to stop when Erza punched him in the side, knocking him out cold and causing Gray and Lucy to look away. 'Mira was right,' Lucy thought. 'they are going to try to kill each other.'
"Erza," Gray asked, pulling Lucy out of her thoughts, "I think it's time you tell us what this is all about."
Yes, I'll explain," Erza started. " I have reason to believe that a dark guild is planning something big."
"A dark guild," Gray said, shocked, "darks guilds haven't been around for centuries."
Lucy looked up, confused. "Dark guild."
Erza looked up. "Yes, there are wizards who practice black magic, often not following the rules of the magic council."
"and from what I heard, a dark guild is planning something," Erza told him. It involves magical items called lullabies."
"Lullaby," Gray asked.
"You mean the thing from before," Lucy asked.
Meanwhile, at the guild hall known as Eisenwald, "I hear Kageyama finally got back to us," a voice said, "he said he has it."
"the moment of truth is upon us, gentlemen," a man with a large synth said as he turned to face the other men. The light from outside covered his face, "pretty soon, vengeance will be ours."
"I see," Erza asked, "so you've run into the people from this guild before."
"well, not sure about that, but they did mention," Gray answered, "but one of them did mention lullaby."
"They probably were members who dropped out," Erza told them. "They probably wanted no part in what was coming," Erza said, "whoever dragged off Happy's kidnappers that day clearly shows they didn't want it getting out."
"What do you think they're going to try," Lucy asked.
Erza let out a sigh. "Let me start from the beginning," Erza started, "after I finished my job, I stopped by a pub in Onibus that was a gathering spot for solo wizards there."
Flashback
Hey bartender, hurry it up," A man shouts, getting Erza's attention.
"Hey man, calm down," someone else spoke up.
"And how do you expect me to do that" the man shouted, "We finally found where Lullaby's hidden, but we couldn't get it because of some damn seal."
"It's okay, guys. I have this one," a man said, standing up, "you just head back to the guild."
"You are sure, Kage"
"Just tell Erigor I'll be back with Lullaby in a few days."
End Flashback
"Lullaby," Lucy said quietly, "that's like a song you sing kids to sleep."
"I know," Erza answered.
"The name Erigor sounds familiar, though," Gray said, "wasn't he a member of Eisenwald."
"Yes, but the guild disappeared six years ago," Erza told him, "right after the assassination, requests were outlawed."
"Well, didn't people always say the dark guilds would return one day," Gray told the redhead.
"I agree," Erza said. "We'll just have to be on our guard from here on out," Erza told them, "whatever this is, we have to stop them."
A man approached the three and gave them some food. Ezra got a strawberry cake while Gray and Lucy started to eat some sandwiches. "If you don't mind, Erza," Lucy said while biting off her sandwich, "what kind of magic do you practice."
"I hear it's gorgeous," Happy told her.
"From what I heard, Gray's magic is much more beautiful than mine," Erza said.
"Really?" Gray then holds his fist down, and the stem flies from his handshape of Ice forms. "I practice Ice magic."
"oh wow," Lucy smiled. "I'm a celestial wizard," she smiled
"aye," Happy said
After getting off the train, the three wizards made their way out of the station. "You think they're still here," Gray asks.
"no, but it's a good place to start," Erza replies.
"Hey, where is Natsu?" Happy asks. They all look back and see the train beginning to leave, "oh, uh, there he goes."
"Crap. Now Mira's going to kill me," Lucy shouted.
Back on the train, a man sees Natsu lying on the seat. "Well, well, a wizard; there must be a new guild in town," he said as he walked up to him, "so is the new guild worth sticking around."
However, Natsu cannot reply because of his motion sickness." huh."
Annoyed, Kageyama kicks Natsu in the face, causing him to wake up. "You know, Wizards like you make me sick."
An angry Natsu tries to stand up. "You." Natsu attempts to use his Fire Dragon's Iron Fist but fails because of the moving train.
"What kind of magic is that?" Kageyama then uses his shadow magic to attack Natsu, who falls to the floor." That's how you get it done." Suddenly, the train stops, curing Natsu's motion sickness and causing the man to drop a strange flute.
Back at the train station, one of the conductors saw Erza standing over the lever. "What are you doing, lady? You can't pull the emergency brake."
"It's for our comrade; please understand," Erza told the man, "now I want you to take our Luggage to the hotel."
"I'm not a bellhop."
Back on the train, Natsu stood up; he looked at the weird object. "What is that," he asks.
"he saw it," Kageyama said.
"That's enough out of you," Natsu shouted. "{Fire dragon: iron fist}" he shouted.
Kageyama tries to defend by using his Guard Shadow; however, he fails and is sent flying to the train's back. "Lucky shot," Kageyama tries to stand up but falls.
"Hehe"
"Attention, all passengers. It turns out our emergency stop was just a false alarm. We'll be moving again shortly."
Hearing the announcement, Natsu picks up his baggage. "I gotta go."
"Hey, you not going anywhere," Kageyama shouted, "you're messing with the dark guild Eisenwald."
A dark guild,' Natsu thought, "Why don't we take this outside?" The train started to move, causing Natsu to get motion sick again.
Outside, Erza, Gray, and Lucy were riding on a magic mobile. "Natsu," Lucy shouted as the boy jumped out of the train, crashing into Gray.
Erza Pulled the car to a stop. "Natsu, are you all right?"
"Aye," he said as his eyes started spinning.
"That hurt you, idiot," Gray shouted.
"Shut it, you Icy freak," Natsu shouted back, "why'd you leave me on the train."
"it was an error," Erza said, "You know plenty of those."
"Oh, shut it," Natus said as he stood up. "Another one you made was that one of those dark guild cronies was on the train with us."
"What!" Erza shouted. "Natsu, are you sure he said that?"
Yeah," Natu answered.
"Then it looks like dark guilds are coming out of the shadows," Erza said as she hooked up with the Magic mobile. "We'll head to the next stop on the train and hopefully catch him."
"Another thing he had was this weird flute thing," Natsu said, "it looked like a skull, but it had three eyes."
"A three-eyed skull," Lucy asked.
"That's creepy."
"Something wrong, Lucy," Happy asked.
"It's just I've heard of that before," Lucy told them. "Lullaby, the cursed song, it's death magic."
"death magic like an incantation," Gray asked.
"No, I've only read them in books before, but there are some deadly spells out there," Lucy explained.
"That's right; there are cursed black magic spells that will kill the person they're used on," Erza said.
"well, if I'm right, this one is even worse," Lucy told them.
Meanwhile, at Kunugi station, a woman screams as the conductor is killed by one of the members of Eisenwald, "This train belongs to Eisenwald now."
"the rest of the members started to loot the train, tossing luggage away as people ran screaming.
"Well, looks who's here," Kageyama said, looking at the man known as Erigor.
"Kageyama," he said, looking at the man. "I heard you were coming back on this train," he said, looking at the part of the train where Kageyama and Natsu had fought. "That's quite a bit of wreckage care to explain."
"Come now, don't you want to see what I brought you?" he pulled out Lullaby. "I finally broke the seal."
"I don't believe it," someone said.
"is that it?"
Erigor picked up the flute and smiled, "Yes, the forbidden flute., Lullaby was originally a tool for simple death spells," Erigor explained, " simple but limited, that is until the great black wizard Zeref turned it into a death flute. Now it will kill hundreds, no thousands at once, " Erigor said, lulling them all into endless sleep," he said, smiling, "And it's all mine."
The magic mobile shot across the ground. Gray bounced up as he tried to hold onto the hood, "Slow down, Erza, you're using too much of your power."
"I can't slow down," Erza shouted. "If Erigor gets his hands on the flute, trust me, lives will be lost," she said as she started to go faster 'curse them," Erza thought to herself, 'what do they hope to gain from this.'
Erigor laughed as they climbed the train. "And now the final hour begins," he shouted, "Let's move forward, men."
To be continued
Me: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and don't forget to review it. You don't have to, but a review would be nice, just Saiyan...I'll stop now.
Next time: enter: the dark guild Eisenwald