As they neared the Fairy Tail guild, the entrance loomed welcomingly, its doors wide open as if in greeting. The town of Magnolia, bathed in the soft glow of the evening, was vibrant with life, a testament to the enduring spirit of its residents. For Natsu Dragneel and his faithful companion Happy, stepping into the guild was akin to returning to a warm embrace, a feeling of unwavering belonging that spoke directly to their hearts.
Upon entering, they were immediately enveloped in the familiar sounds of laughter and the bonds of friendship that defined Fairy Tail. It was here, amidst this cacophony of joy and unity, that Natsu's heart felt fullest, a silent acknowledgment that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
However, the reunion they had envisioned was slightly marred as Erza Scarlet approached. Her presence alone commanded attention, her aura one of unmatched strength and authority. The depth in her gaze as she looked at both Natsu and Happy hinted at a complexity of emotions, a mix of concern and a subtle reprove.
"Natsu," Erza's voice carried both warmth and a hint of reproach, "you mentioned intense training in your note but failed to include me." There was a fleeting moment where her eyes mirrored a feeling of exclusion, quickly hidden behind the mask of her perennial strength.
Caught off guard, Natsu could only offer a tentative smile in response. "Erza, it wasn't just about the training. I've been haunted by dreams, vivid scenes of battles with Zeref and Acnologia. It felt more like a destiny calling to me, a push towards something much larger than myself," he said, cautiously skirting around the truth of his divine mission, an undertaking of unimaginable significance he had been charged with by a divine being.
Erza, momentarily taken aback, digested his words, her suspicion clear that there was more beneath the surface of Natsu's explanation. Nearby, Gray Fullbuster observed the exchange, his interest piqued. 'Dreams leading him to seek more power? There's undoubtedly more he's not sharing,' he thought, silently committing to uncover what Natsu was concealing.
Happy, ever supportive, quickly added, "Natsu's stronger than ever now! You wouldn't believe what he's capable of!"
Taking in Natsu's explanation, Erza's demeanor softened, understanding dawning. "The pursuit of strength is understandable," she relented, "but remember, Natsu, our strength as a team surpasses anything we can achieve alone. Next time, we will go together, understood?" Her words were both a command and a vow, a reminder of the unbreakable bonds that held their team together.
For the next hour, Natsu and Happy entertained their guildmates with stories of their rigorous training.
Throughout it all, Gray's thoughts remained fixed on Natsu, convinced there was more to his story than he was letting on. As he watched over his friend, a silent promise was made to stand by Natsu. The guild hall resonated with laughter and joy, a stark contrast to the weight of the divine quest Natsu bore silently, yet somewhat alleviated by the enduring camaraderie and support of his friends.
Guild Master Makarov Dreyar gathered his guild members in the grand hall of Fairy Tail, his gaze moving over each face with a look of pride. The hall was buzzing with anticipation, as Natsu and Happy's return from their rigorous training trip had filled everyone with a renewed sense of hope and excitement. It was time to reveal the moment everyone had been waiting for: the selection of the team for this year's Grand Magic Games.
"The Grand Magic Games," Makarov began, his voice booming yet warm, "represent not just a chance for glory, but an opportunity to show the strength and spirit of Fairy Tail. After much consideration, I have decided on our representatives."
A hush fell over the crowd as Makarov announced, "This year, Fairy Tail's team will consist of Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Erza Scarlet, Lucy Heartfilia, and Elfman Strauss." A cheer erupted at the mention of each name. "And let's not forget," he added with a twinkle in his eye, "Wendy Marvell will be our reserve."
The selected members exchanged glances, their faces a mix of excitement and determination. They were ready to carry the hopes of their guild on their shoulders.
But Makarov had more up his sleeve. Secretly, he planned to leverage the new rules of the Grand Magic Games to send a second team, designed to surprise everyone and secure Fairy Tail's victory from two fronts. This second team, Fairy Tail B, would remain a secret for now, known only to Makarov.
The members of this covert team were to be Gajeel Redfox, Laxus Dreyar, Mirajane Strauss, Juvia Lockser, Jellal Fernandes posing as Mystogan, and Cana Alberona as the reserve. Makarov knew that the combination of these powerful and unique mages would undoubtedly stir the waters of the competition.
As the assembly dispersed, those chosen for the main team began discussing strategies for the upcoming tournament. The air was electric with anticipation, none suspecting the existence of Fairy Tail B. Makarov watched them fondly, knowing that regardless of the outcome, the spirit and unity of Fairy Tail would shine through.
In the cozy setting of the Fairy Tail guildhall, Erza, Mirajane, and Lucy congregated around Natsu, their expressions a blend of curiosity and concern. It had been quite some time since Natsu divulged any information about his reincarnation journey as a Phenex, and the trio was deeply fascinated by what life had been like for him in a different dimension.
"Natsu, being reincarnated as a devil, has it changed you... in any way?" Lucy ventured, her tone reflecting both her intrigue and slight unease.
Natsu, picking up on the seriousness of her question, flashed a comforting smile. "It's definitely strange, Lucy. I feel stronger, and my senses have altered but not quite in the way you might believe," he elaborated, mirroring an explanation he had once provided to Happy regarding his heightened senses and strength.
Actuating the conversation further, Mirajane, ever interested in the varieties of power and abilities, inclined towards Natsu. "You didn't touch on whether you still experience motion sickness since becoming a devil. How about that?"
"Oh, right. That's actually a cool part. Since becoming a Phenex, I haven't felt motion sick at all. Be it on trains or anything that used to bother me before, it's like my body's adapted to it somehow," Natsu excitedly shared, clearly pleased with this change. "And there's more than just the motion sickness going away. I've noticed my magical recovery times are considerably shorter now, and my magic feels a lot more potent. Learning to wield my fire dragon slayer magic again, especially after being exposed to Tannin's flames, made me realize how my devil abilities and magic power have somehow blended to create something new. It's a bit hard to explain, but I'm still figuring it out."
Pausing for a moment, Natsu added another layer to the revelation, "And, you know, there's the lifespan thing. Devils have long lifespans, like really long – we're talking 10,000 years. It's a bit daunting to think about."
Engaging in the nuanced topic, Erza ventured a question, "How have you adjusted to being part of a noble family there, Natsu? That must've been quite the shift from what you knew here."
Natsu chuckled lightly before responding, "Tough, Erza, really tough. It wasn't just about mastering the combat and magic but the whole noble etiquette: math, history, politics, languages, you name it. And hey, I even learned to play the piano. Who would've guessed, right?"
The conversation momentarily dipped into silence until Erza, contemplating deeper implications, softly inquired, "With such a long lifespan, Natsu, is there a way for someone not born a devil to stay by your side to share in that journey?"
After a slight hesitation, Natsu shared, "Actually, yes. There's a mechanism called Evil Pieces, it's a set of 15 chess pieces that high-class Devils use to reincarnate others into Devils, effectively extending their lifespan. Each piece has different abilities, like Rooks that boost physical strength and defense, Bishops that enhance magical power, Knights that increase agility for quick attacks, and Queens that have a mixed bag of these traits. Pawns are unique – they can transform into any other piece given the right circumstances. I have a set but haven't used them yet. It's a significant commitment, choosing someone to join you in this way."
Mirajane, captivated, inquired more about the Evil Pieces, to which Natsu detailed their unique transformations and potential.
Lucy, finding a lighter moment amid the deep revelations, quipped, "I still can't imagine you, Natsu, sitting calmly and learning piano!"
Laughter filled the room as Natsu agreed, "Neither can I! But you know, acquiring all those skills has pushed me to grow in ways I hadn't anticipated. They're going to be invaluable as we continue to face the challenges that come our way."
The warmth of understanding radiated through the guildhall, as all present recognized that while Natsu may now inhabit a devil's body, his relentless spirit and kind heart remained unchanged, forever binding him to his Fairy Tail family.
In the guild hall of Fairy Tail, shadows stretched across the room as daylight faded, signaling day's end. The usual noise and chaos of the guild were absent, replaced by a quiet that seemed heavy with unspoken thoughts. Gray approached Natsu, his demeanor serious, a departure from his typical joking self.
"Natsu, something's been bugging me," Gray said, his voice carrying a weight unusual for him. "These dreams you've been talking about, your rebirth to the Phenex family... It's a lot to wrap my head around."
Natsu met Gray's gaze, noticing the concern etched on his face, sensing his friend's genuine quest for understanding. It was time to share the secret of his reincarnation and the 'dreams'.
"Gray, about those dreams, I wasn't entirely honest," Natsu began, his voice hesitating as he prepared to reveal the truth. "The dreams were a lie. There's actually a mission I've been given."
Gray's eyebrows shot up, the surprise evident in his expression. "A mission? What kind of mission?"
Taking a deep breath, Natsu shared the reality of his reincarnation into the Phenex family, not for endless battles in dreams, but for a duty entrusted to him by a higher power. He explained his mission to protect this dimension: to face Zeref and Acnologia.
Gray listened intently, now understanding the reason why Natsu desired to become stronger. "Thanks for trusting me," Gray responded, his tone serious yet supportive.
"We have time to prepare, to grow stronger," Natsu said.
"I'll stand by you as your friend, Natsu," Gray promised, his hand on Natsu's shoulder a silent pledge of support. Their bond as friends, now stronger.