The sun blazed high in the sky as I took my first steps off the train, its warmth enveloping me like a welcoming embrace. Shielding my eyes with one hand, I looked up and felt a smile spread across my lips. My journey had begun a few months ago, driven by a singular purpose: reaching the bustling city of Magnolia in the kingdom of Fiore. Why, you might ask? The answer is simple: Fairy Tail!
As I arrived at the central plaza, I took a moment to soak it all in. People bustled about, merchants hawked their goods, and groups gathered by the central fountain, chatting and laughing. The vibrant scene was everything I had imagined and more. I continued to take in every corner of the town, my smile broadening with each step. I must have looked like a complete idiot, but I didn't care. This was my dream come true.
My name is Haru Inazumi. I'm a 16-year-old boy with short blond hair and piercing blue eyes—at least, that's what a few people have told me. I usually wear my trusty light hoodie and black cargo pants, probably because it's the only outfit I own. I also have this red rope hanging from my belt on both sides. Don't ask me why; I just think it gives a cool streetwear vibe.
I lost my parents when I was just a baby, but I was rescued not long after by two phoenixes: Ventio, who commands the wind, and Raykio, who wields thunder. They raised me and taught me everything I know about magic. Growing up with them, I discovered that I had a talent for magic, managing to wield both wind and thunder elements. Not bad, right? At first, I could only manage small gusts of wind and tiny sparks of electricity, but over the years, I honed my abilities. Ventio taught me how to control wind with precision, and Raykio showed me the destructive power of thunder.
So yeah, that's me in a nutshell. Now, it's time to explore Magnolia!
I spent a few hours running around like a complete idiot, greeting everyone I met and checking out all the stores and goods. I already loved it here. It was so refreshing and so... different. I'd seen tons of cities, but Magnolia was on a whole new level. It wasn't particularly big, but there was something incredibly charming about it. The atmosphere was vibrant, the people were friendly, and the whole place just felt alive.
After a while, I decided it was time to find my way to the Fairy Tail guild. Spotting a vendor with a friendly face, I approached him with a big smile. "Excuse me, sir, could you please tell me where the Fairy Tail guild is?"
The vendor looked at me with a curious expression before responding. "Fairy Tail? Who wants to go to Fairy Tail nowadays?" His words caught me off guard, and I couldn't hide my surprise. Why would anyone question wanting to visit such a legendary place?
Still, he gave me the directions I needed. As I walked away, I couldn't help but mull over his reaction. "Strange he said that..." I muttered to myself, still a bit confused and intrigued by his response.
My confusion was soon clarified as I finally came to a stop in front of what looked like... a hut? It was a large hut, but still, it was far from what I had imagined. The flag hanging above it was tattered and faded, bearing the Fairy Tail emblem, though barely recognizable. I stood there, staring at the sight before me, my jaw dropping in disbelief.
"This can't be Fairy Tail... it just can't be," I murmured to myself, unable to reconcile this dilapidated structure with the legendary guild I had dreamed of joining. The reality of the situation left me stunned, a mix of disappointment and bewilderment swirling in my mind.
But this wasn't the moment to step back. I took a deep breath, in and out, and walked steadily towards the entrance. Once inside, I was greeted—well, more like confronted—by a short man with spiky blue hair.
"Oi! Whatcha want, kid? Get outta here!" he barked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Heh?" I blurted out, taken aback by this hostile welcome. "Wait a sec, this is Fairy Tail, right?"
"Yeah, whatcha want from us this time?" he snapped, an angry look flashing across his face.
"Uh, well, I just wanna join ya guys," I replied, a nervous sweat forming on my brow.
"You want... wait, what?" he said, taken aback as well.
"I... wanna join?" I repeated hesitantly, my voice wavering.
"But nobody wants to join us. Most people are leaving, and everyone coming in here is to... well, take something from us," he said, his tone turning sad. His shoulders slumped slightly, and the anger in his eyes was replaced with a weary look.
I stood there for a moment, completely bewildered by what was happening. What had happened to the legendary Fairy Tail guild I had dreamed of? This wasn't what I had expected at all.
Suddenly a younger boy came along. "You're gonna tell me you're not aware? After 7 years?" he said, looking kinda mad.
"7 years of what?" I asked, getting more and more confused about what's going on.
"The Tenrou Team… They've been missing… for 7 years," he added, clenching his fists.
"The... Tenrou Team?" I asked, feeling a sinking sensation in my stomach.
"For god's sake! Fairy Tail's most powerful mages! They are gone!" he yelled.
I couldn't say anything. Fairy Tail mages? Missing? Seven years? How did I miss that? Oh wait, yeah, I had nothing to keep me informed. I always read the same old magazines about them... But what the heck!
"I-I'm sorry, I had no clue. For real, I'm not lying," I stammered, trying to explain myself. But my words did nothing to calm the boy.
"I'm sorry, don't listen to him," the older man interjected, his tone softer. "It's just... not the same since they disappeared."
Before I could respond, the doors suddenly flung open, making everyone jump back. The air seemed to thicken with tension as all eyes turned toward the entrance.
"Hello, little fairies..." a sneering voice echoed through the hall.
"Twilight Ogres? We already paid you!" yelled the older man, his voice filled with frustration and anger. "What the hell do you want now?"
The newcomer stepped forward, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Boss isn't satisfied. He wants the next payment in advance," he said, his tone dripping with arrogance.
"We don't have the money. Come back in two weeks like it's planned," the man, who seemed to be known as Macao, replied firmly, his eyes narrowing in defiance.
The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on everyone. The smug newcomer just stood there, unfazed, his grin growing wider.
But before he could say anything, Romeo, Macao's son, stepped forward, purple flames dancing in his hands. "This is enough. We've endured your stupid games long enough," he declared, his voice steady despite the danger.
"Romeo!" Macao yelled, panic evident in his voice. "Don't be stupid, come back!"
It was too late. The intruder was already laughing, a cruel, mocking sound. "Hahaha, you've got guts, little fly. I'll teach you!" he said, raising the gigantic bat he wielded as a weapon. The bat loomed ominously above Romeo, its shadow casting a dark threat over him.
Impact was imminent, and Romeo had no chance of defending himself against such a massive attack. I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest, incapable of moving an inch. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the inevitable.
But the impact never came. Instead, I heard a deafening crash and the sound of ice shattering. I opened my eyes just in time to see huge ice debris flying everywhere, completely annihilating the Twilight Ogre leader.
The room fell silent, everyone too stunned to process what had just happened. But the silence was short-lived. Suddenly, fire erupted, swords clashed, water surged, and thunder crackled through the air as the remaining Twilight Ogre members were swiftly taken down.
I stood there, completely paralyzed, unable to believe my eyes. In mere seconds, the once-threatening Twilight Ogres were utterly demolished, leaving no room for a counterattack.
As the dust settled, we all turned towards the front doors. There, standing in the doorway, was a pink-haired silhouette, half-raising his hand in greeting.
"Hey guys! We're back," he grinned, his voice brimming with confidence and joy