Here is the seventh chapter of this story released when I wanted it to be in keeping with my self-imposed upload requirements for this series. It's time to move through the second long time skip of the early part of the story and I am sure y'all can guess what is coming so there isn't anything more that I need to say here. That is all the administrative stuff I have for you and there are no questions that can be answered as they're going to be in this chapter but there is guest reviews that require a response as it leads to a question that I have for y'all so I will do this now. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from those who enjoy my work.
To Guest (guest), I am sure that there's going to be a big surprise with Noelle's spell when Fairy Tail sees them for the first time. As it's been brought up now I will use this to ask a question a little earlier than I'd planned but that's fine and that question is do y'all want Noelle to become a special, one off, 6th generation Dragon Slayer? I've got a plan for this and how it will work but this is one of the things I'll only do if there is enough support for the idea so let me know in PMs and reviews if you want to see this. For most things I have planned in this story I know what I am going to do and how I will do it but this is one thing I am undecided on so input on it will be helpful.
Anyway, that is it for pre-chapter note so it is time to end it so that y'all can sit back and enjoy the seventh chapter in Black Bull Banishment.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.
Chapter 7: The Fairies Have Returned
Nero was nestled in the rafters of the rundown inn that was Fairy Tail's current Guild Hall as she looked down over the gathered members of what had once been Fiore's strongest Guild. At this point that status had been 7 years ago and Fairy Tail was now at the lowest it had ever been with seemingly no way up. Even two years ago when the Black Bulls arrived in Earth Land they'd been a little higher. Now they were basically nothing but a Guild for others to pity after what had happened to them.
They still existed, still eked out a living but it was clear that they could barely survive. They got few requests, and basically none that paid a decent amount of jewel, had had best 6 or 7 members still competent enough to complete a job. The only positive was that they were no longer the destruction kings but that was due to the loss of their top members, so it still wasn't good. Yup, they were in dire financial straits that were constantly made worse by the actions of Twilight Ogre.
That less than reputable legal Guild was their landlords, Nero had actually looked into the financial records to prove it, so they could do what they wanted on the rent front, but it was still a clear abuse of power and blatant corruption. To make matters worse Nero was sure that there was some form of financial foul play at hand but she couldn't prove it mainly because she didn't understand it enough so she was just stuck trying to see if she could find anything to help Fairy Tail out whenever she had a rare moment to help but in almost 2 years of trying she hadn't found anything to nail Twilight Ogre.
As such there wasn't enough to go to the Magic Council with other than some abusive behavior in terms of debt and rent collection. That wasn't enough to do more than give Twilight Ogre a slap on the wrist for them being asshole landlords and maybe force a look at the books but all it would accomplish is a renegotiation of interest and prices that Fairy Tail would still have to pay regardless of the situation as they were the tenants and borrowers. You couldn't get out of paying your debts just because your landlord was a jerk after all.
As such the Black Bulls couldn't do more than watch and hope for a true violation of the rules that they could get Twilight Ogre on and thus help out Fairy Tail from the shadows as everything they'd learned about the latter Guild over the last two years showed that they were a true Guild dedicated to helping people out. Their reputation and success were why they had risen to the top before their members vanished and that memory, while fading, was still there for some.
Admittedly the help that Fairy Tail provided more often than not involved property damage on a scale even the Black Bulls couldn't match and thus cost them a lot of their hard-earned coin in restitution and a ton of apology letters, but they were still a good Guild that had taken in the Wizard King when he'd ended up here and not questioned him too much. As such the Black Bulls wanted to help them out if they could.
Alas they couldn't so long as Twilight Ogre stayed just within the law, or at least they couldn't help in terms of reporting them. What they could do, and what Zora had taken as his personal mission to do from the very start but had really upped recently, was basically be a constant irritation to the current major Guild in Magnolia as a form of punishment for their bullying and abusive actions. Naturally Zora couldn't get caught but he'd been doing this shit to corrupt Magic Knights back in Clover for years and he was an expert at trap magic so naturally he hadn't been caught in almost 2 years of doing it here as well.
It had been a constant source of frustration for Twilight Ogre, especially because they couldn't blame Fairy Tail for it as none of the Fairy Tail wizards knew the kind of magic that was being used on them, when they could even identify the use of magic to begin with, which was a source of much amusement for Zora. Right now, he was even staking out their base in Magnolia and preparing for some more traps as Nero had given him a heads up that he might be needed following another threat from Twilight Ogre over unpaid rent by Fairy Tail that ended in a scuffle and a promise to be back for the money in a month's time.
Neither Nero nor Zora believed this hence why Nero was here at the moment and why Zora was preparing some more annoyances for Twilight Ogre. It was almost guaranteed that the bloated toad of a Guild Master wouldn't wait a month for his money and send his goons back out sooner rather than later.
As it had been an extension on the owed debt it was all still legal, but it was the abusive attitude that had gotten to all the Black Bulls and as such why they were being dicks to Twilight Ogre as punishment for their own attitude, well allowing Zora to be a dick as he was the best at it. However, that wasn't actually the reason why Nero was here right now as she looked down on the Guild, just a bonus one. No, the real reason why she was here was much bigger.
That was because in her usual snooping and info gathering she'd accidentally stumbled upon something that could be of great importance if it panned out. She didn't want to go to Yami with it just yet as it was just another lead that may not lead to anything, but she was definitely going to stay here until it was either confirmed or turned out to be wild goose chase. Those rumors pertained to Fairy Tail and their lost Guild mates.
She'd stumbled upon this information by accidentally when she decided to pop in for an update on the Blue Pegasus Guild following a job she'd taken on solo in the area as it had been a few months since she'd visited their Guild Hall in her bird form. At this point Nero didn't actually need to take jobs, her skills as a magic artificer, which had come to light after they became a legal Guild, were now in greater need as she was now the primary creator of their unique items, mainly broomsticks but other items exclusive to Clover.
They'd been doing this since shortly after getting that tavern in Crocus but as a mail order business via catalogs there and in stores but after the last Grand Magic Games had run their course they had set up their planned chain of stores in several cities and major towns across Fiore, mainly Crocus, Magnolia, Hargeon, and Era, to sell their wares directly to the public. These stores were manned by regular employees they'd hired for the job and were raking in the coin after a due to the uniqueness of the items and what else they offered. Add in that they were a legal Guild selling them and they really raked it in.
So much so that they'd even gone into merchandising though so far they still held a middle tier reputation so that didn't sell as well other Guilds did with the exception of the collectable figurines that did though again only the female members sold large enough numbers to justify getting into this business line. Naturally Vanessa's figure, both in her full witches outfit and the various specials offered of her in lingerie and sexy poses, were the best seller but Vanessa was one of the top models for Sorcerer Weekly at this point so that made sense.
Noelle and Mimosa's figures sold well, especially after that really popular lingerie shoot they did together for Sorcerer Weekly as reimbursement for a job where Noelle had flooded an entire town because Asta wasn't there to help out which neither girl had yet to live down. They had both received compliments from Asta for it and not in a lewd or sexual way just that they looked really good which had justified it to them and was enough to get them to do the occasional other shoot for the magazine.
Nero had to admit, the spread of the girls was a real surprise to her as well. Noelle had looked good in the pitch black and overly lacy underwear that really suited her personality while Mimosa's white and floral set was peak her and added a level of innocence to her that really sold it.
Conversely Nero had refused to model like that and thankfully her clear lack of a chest, something she wasn't at all insecure about unlike most girls in her situation seemed to be, so she'd not been requested for such shoots though she had acquiesced and done a few shoots for the sake of the Squad. Mainly just one which was a special beach shoot featuring the ladies of the Black Bulls as a way to promote their up-and-coming Guild and as part of a deal with Sorcerer Weekly to promote their newly opened stores and a few individual ones for their merch line. It had been more tasteful, and Nero didn't mind it in the end.
As such her own figure likewise didn't sell as well as Vanessa's and the royal cousins' did. The few figures of her were mainly bought by those seeking to collect the set, the same with Charmy's and Grey's figures, but what did sell well was the plushies of her bird form for which she naturally got a cut of.
They were called Swallow, her insistence so as to not reveal her ability, and because none of the Squad knew her real last name while only Asta, Noelle, Mimosa, and Finral knew her first name, and they were hugely popular alongside the plushies of Rouge as unofficial mascots of the Black Bulls. Rouge was more popular as they had her in various poses and she was often in Vanessa's photoshoots, so she was actually well known, but Swallow sold well with the kids especially. They also sold a special black and gold bull plushie, but it wasn't as cute so didn't sell as well.
Yes things had really been looking up for the Black Bulls since getting to Earth Land. Coming in with no reputation and their already increased competence thanks to Asta had ensured that they'd risen quite well within Fiore in the last two years to the point that they were known by name and had a solid, if slightly unsavory, reputation due to their occasionally destructive habits at times and the oddities of their personalities.
Thankfully they were nothing compared to Fairy Tail at its peak so they skirted by on that front with only a handful of apology letters and just one town mostly destroyed in a flood caused by Noelle. That would change soon though as in 3 months they were going to enter the Grand Magic Games and going to win it as a new entrant to really take off in Earth Land as they claimed the top Guild spot for themselves.
All that was still to come and naturally they needed intel for it, so Nero still took jobs that paid well and were near the other major Guilds that she could then pop in on for an update on their current situation. That was why she'd ended up at the Blue Pegasus Guild Hall the other day. Personally, she disliked the Guild in general, though the Guild Master Bob seemed like a decent person, because of the sleaziness of some of its members who tended to also be the ones that were front and center for them.
The main reason why she disliked them was because one of their members. That member was Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki. The short man was a little pest who they'd run into a few times over the years and had really creeped the girls out no matter how many times Noelle blasted him away with water or Mimosa wrapped him in her plants though next time Nero was tempted to seal his nose shut then maybe he'd stop sniffing them. The others were just as annoying, but they were still a strong Guild so worth keeping tabs on them.
It had been fortuitous for Nero to do so that day because she'd learned that they'd recently noticed some Ethernano activity where Tenrou Island had once been and she'd caught Bob receiving the report from their airship, the Christina. It was the first time in 7 years that anything resembling a lead on the whereabouts of the missing Fairy Tail members had been found and as such Blue Pegasus, who had a strong working relationship with Fairy Tail alongside the Lamia Scale Guild were on their way to Fairy Tail to tell them.
Naturally Nero had flown on ahead from the Bule Pegasus Guild Hall as she was closer than the airship, which itself was a novel idea that she'd have to figure out as it could revolutionize group travel and delivery in the Clover Kingdom, as well as international trade potentially, because it could open up access to that kind of transport. Mostly they had to rely on spatial magic which could get expensive so this way there could be a cheaper mass system while also keeping spatial magic costs high for express delivery that the nobles would pay for as they could afford it. All in good time though as Nero had a mission first.
Of course, things devolved briefly when they reached Fairy Tail as she got there just before Twilight Ogre's latest request for payment of the money that they were owed but that was sorted and shortly afterward Blue Pegasus arrived in their airship. That in and of itself was a bit of an entry given Ichiya's swan dive from the bow that he didn't break so he faceplanted into the ground much to Nero's amusement from where she was watching them atop the Fairy Tail Guild Hall.
She'd hoped that that would be it and that Blue Pegasus would get to the point, but they were delayed further when the three Trimens immediately hit on basically the only two single women in Fairy Tail, a Guild member called Laki and the, er, well Nero wasn't sure what Kinana to Fairy Tail because she wasn't a member as far as Nero knew and she also had amnesia apparently but none of that stopped the Trimens.
It wasn't until after this was stopped by Ichiya that he announced that Tenrou Island still existed which was actually new to Nero as she'd only heard the part of the report on the Ethernano levels before heading to Fairy Tail. Apparently it was all thanks to the hard work of Kibaki's Archive Magic while flying that airship that they'd made this discover.
As such a few members of Fairy Tail, ones who Nero had learned were called Bisca, Alzack, Max, Warren, Jet, and Droy, the first two had met Asta and the royal girls on their first day in Earth Land two years ago, had taken a ship that Fairy Tail seemed to still own and sailed out to investigate the report. Romeo had remained behind so as to not get his hopes up and so to had Nero who was watching this though she was mainly here because she didn't want to stow away on a ship as she might end up stranded in the ocean if something bad happened. That meant that all she could do was wait in the Guild Hall and watch to see what happened.
Nero didn't know how long she waited here, she'd actually fallen asleep in the little nest she'd made to make herself comfortable when she was spying on Fairy Tail, she had a nest in all the major Guild Halls at this point, but finally she was woken up by the sound of the door opening. It was just what she had been waiting for which meant that it was time to see what had happened with the mission to investigate Blue Pegasus's report.
At least that was the hope as Nero perked up, fluttered her body to stretch it, and hopped out of her nest to peer down and saw that the main leader of the Twilight Ogre debt collectors and 4 of his goons, all looking slightly disheveled likely due to a few pitfall traps courtesy of Zora, walked into the building. It wasn't what she was expecting, and a lot sooner than they'd said the day before, so this wasn't going to be good, but all Nero was watch as the landlords came in to get their money.
That was compounded by the fact that they'd agreed to come back in a month, and it had only been a day so naturally Fairy Tail didn't have the money they owed. Unfortunately for them the Guild Master of Twilight Ogre wanted his money now and sent his collectors for it, so things were going to get ugly. Add in that Romeo wasn't going to take it anymore and Nero had a bad feeling about this, especially with 6 of the more competent and strongest remaining members away following Blue Pegasus's lead on Tenrou Island.
Things were about to go down as Romeo tried to stand up for his Guild with some purple fire that he made in his right hand as Nero watched but it was clear that he was no match for the leader of the goons, some dude called Thibault, who just blew the fire out and drew a spiked club from his back to attack Romeo. That was too much, and Nero was ready to act even if it was just as a bird, as was Romeo's father Macao who was the current Fairy Tail Guild Master, when suddenly something kicked the goon in the back and so hard he was launched across the room with an arched back to slam face first into the far wall before falling down in a heap.
The goons turned around to respond as Nero's eyes went wide from her perch to see the goons go down in rapid succession with one goon was frozen in ice, another pummeled with what looked like metal creation magic to Nero, a third slashed down by what had to be a blunted sword and the final once crushed by a massive fist that had to have been enlarged with magic and kick up so much dust that it covered the doorway. When it settled Nero just stared at the sight that greeted her and those still present in the Fairy Tail Guild Hall.
In the entrance way and just inside the Guild Hall was a gaggle of people, at least 15 at a glance along with three anthropomorphic cats that Nero had learned were called exceeds and could talk and fly with some kind of wing-based magic called aero which were certainly a sentient race that didn't exist in the Clover Kingdom. The people who had arrived were almost all covered in bandages, some severely it seemed, but Nero could see the Guild Marks on some of them and the appearances matched what she'd heard over the last few years.
"Look who's back." The guy at the front, a pink haired man around Asta's age in a t-shirt and long shorts wearing a scarf and covered in bandages, said with a smile on his face.
"Sorry to keep you waiting for so long." The blue cat by his side said, Nero was still getting used to the talking cat things here and that was saying something as she could talk as a bird. "How're y'all doing?"
That led to a sudden barrage of questions from the members of Fairy Tail but Nero could understand it as she settle in and relaxed to watch the show and then report it in. After all, the missing members of Fairy had suddenly returned.
Asta, Noelle, and Mimosa were sitting at one of the tables in the Black Bulls' common room enjoying a meal that Charmy's Sheep Cooks had whipped up for them. They'd just come back from a tough, S-Class, job that Asta had been allowed to take having made it to S-Class under Yami's system 6 months ago so now he could do those jobs. He'd failed his first test mainly because he'd ended up destroying the magic he was facing so thoroughly that he couldn't claim the reward, much to Yami's annoyance, but he'd passed on his second attempt to rise to the rank.
Other than Asta only Luck had reached S-Class having achieving it two months ago after a few failures due to getting so into his fights that he got involved in getting way too out of hand and costing too much reward money to make it a successful job. Thankfully these jobs weren't in populated areas, so they hadn't caused too much issue other than failing it but finally Luck had achieved it though he'd only gone for S-Class to fight tougher opponents. Now Magna was working his ass off to catch up to Luck, in fact they were both on a job right now to improve, but he wasn't at the right level yet to take an S-Class job.
No one else had bothered to try for S-Class as most of the squad was content with their places and the jobs that they could do. Noelle and Mimosa were both more than fine just supporting Asta on his jobs and getting a fair cut, they rarely did jobs on their own unless it fit their skills and would improve them which both had done so since the last Grand Magic Games, and also because of that flooding incident when they did do a job without Asta, but neither had the current desire for S-Class. As for the others, well they had their own preferences.
Nero was either helping them, working on the items they sold in their stores, or gathering intel so she was too busy to focus on an S-Class job. Charmy could if she wanted to, but no S-Class job had yet come their way that would allow her to keep the meat, so she just focused on her preference. Vanessa was too busy enjoying drinking and life in Crocus as she now basically ran the tavern there alongside her modeling that she stayed there most of the time like right now while Finral was with her helping out and his magic was not conducive to Yami's S-Class test. Meanwhile Zora was too focused on his own mission to make Twilight Ogre's lives as annoying as possible to bother with more than his minimum requirements.
As for the three Gs, they all had their own issues that prevented them from advancing. Grey's nerves were beyond shot after the beach photo spread and how her figurine had begun to sell a bit, well only the bikini one, so she basically only did jobs she could go on transformed. Gauche was, well, the bloody nosed sister lover so he did the bare minimum to make money to spoil Marie and have as much time to stare at her pictures or buy her presents. Lastly Gordon was busy researching and furthering his own improvements of turning his Poison Magic into something that could heal rather than kill. He intended to help out Henry so that Henry could do more work rather than just be holed up here all the time.
That was just how it had been for the last 9 months since the Grand Magic Games. They'd done jobs, made more money, branched out into the whole chain of stores for their items and merch with more modeling for Vanessa, and the other girls to some extent, while generally kept building their reputation as they prepared to launch themselves to the top at the next Grand Magic Games.
Of course, Noelle and Mimosa kept getting modeling offers and while both wanted to do it so that Asta would complement them again even if Noelle didn't know why she wanted that, the whole sexy cousins in lingerie spread had really embarrassed them. As such they put anything that was like that off for a while though they did do some shoots for the merch as they got a cut of the sales, and it helped the Squad out, so they were willing to do those.
That was just part of what they did as they were more focused on the games. Yami had yet to name a team for it, though it was given that Asta, Luck, and Noelle would be on it, but several of them did want to be on the team for it to further improve the squad's standing here. They'd all worked hard and after 2 years in Earth Land, a time frame that had helped them fully adjust and accept their lives here, the improvements were really showing.
As expected Asta had improved the most and it wasn't just the advances he'd made in his control of his Anti-Magic. Well, for the most part at least as his attempts to use it to fly on his large Demon-Slayer sword had been mixed as he still lacked the finite control over his Anti-Magic for it at the moment but they all knew that he'd get it in the end because it was Asta, and he never gave up.
His improvements went beyond his Anti-Magic because Asta's body had reached the peak he could reach on that front, or at least that's what it seemed these days. So much so that a few months back he'd had to change his clothes to accommodate his new, bulkier body as he was now utterly jacked and more muscular than Yami, or at least it appeared so with his shorter stature.
As such now all he wore were a pair of dark blue pants, brown boots that came to his knees, a thick belt that included his grimoire bag, and a strange ¾ sleeves that covered his shoulders and part of his chest. That was it, his broad muscular chest was on full display now complete with the scar in his gut and when his robe that was now more of a cape like Yami's was with a red cord that fell over his left shoulder while the Black Bull Guild Mark on his chest could be seen. Thankfully enough time had passed for Noelle and Mimosa to get used to Asta's attire, but it was still a bit much to see it from time to time.
The rest of the squad hadn't really changed much in that time, at least physically the way Asta had or with their outfits. Some like Noelle and Vanessa just made slight changes with the main one being the robes. Now they wore more open robes with a cord between them so much more in the style that Vanessa had worn because of her breasts but a little nicer and fancier than they used to be. Even Mimosa had upgraded to this robe style.
Only Yami remained the same as always in his usual attire though his robe now had another strap on it. Currently he was in the room with them reading a paper and smoking in a corner. Now that the Black Bulls had become a reputable Guild with many sources of income he didn't need to do jobs and just ran the Squad though he still did the occasional fun sounding S-Class job for the money and training but as with all of them he was getting stronger as well.
For Yami the biggest development he'd had was that he'd all but mastered the Mana Zone method and was thus even more formidable than ever. Of course, he hated dealing with the politics of his position but that just came with the territory and at least they weren't like they were before Asta had joined or else he'd have had a lot more paperwork and apologies to deal with.
Other than Yami, the only people present were Charmy, who was eating the meat she'd earned on a recent mission, Henry in the office he'd turned his cube into as he now ran all the finances and managed the side businesses of the Guild, Grey who was her usual self on the curved sofa as she hid her face next to Gauche who was just staring at a picture of Marie. That was it, the rest were out on jobs or running the tavern or doing their own personal stuff.
They'd all gotten used the this though and so were enjoying a good, eventless evening before retiring and then training more tomorrow. This was their routine these days and had basically been so for the last two years, and they certainly felt like two years to them even if only two months had passed back in the Clover Kingdom, so they were used to it as they continued their banishment in Earth Land.
Of course, today would be the day that that all changed as they heard the flutter of wings and looked up to see Nero in her bird form flying in as fast as she could and transforming back to normal to land in the middle of the room, her robe just like the others but otherwise unchanged in terms of her fashion sense. Her arrival wasn't so unexpected, she had a habit of popping in from time to time when she had news for them, but this time she looked much more serious than usual and even panted a bit as she landed to show that she'd flown flat out to reach the base which was a surprise.
"I have big news." Nero announced the moment she landed but no one looked up, so she just blurted it out to get their attentions. "Fairy Tail's missing members have returned."
That did it and instantly Asta, the girls, Henry, and Yami were all looking at her while Grey peaked through her fingers at that which was the best that she could do. Gauche didn't care and Charmy was eating as she was mid meal, but she kept listening regardless.
"Go on." Yami said. "I take it that this just happened."
"I flew here right after Makarov explained what happened on Tenrou Island to those who weren't there." Nero said. "So, it will come out soon and I would have been here faster, but Finral wasn't around."
"He's in Crocus with Vanessa running our tavern at the moment." Yami said though knowing his ride he was probably trying to pick up woman and not doing his job so Yami would kill him later. "I'll fill them and any others not here in later but go on. What happened?"
"It was all by chance." Nero explained. "I was flying back from a job near Blue Pegasus's base and decided to drop in on them to get an update on what they'd been up to recently. While there I learned of their mission to check Ethernano levels with their airship and that they'd detected enough to say that they'd detected them where Tenrou Island used to be and were going to inform Fairy Tail so naturally I flew on ahead as I was nearer Fairy Tail's Guild Hall than that airship was."
"Good." Yami said as the others listened closely to Nero's report. "And?"
"I got to Fairy Tail in time for another shakedown by Twilight Ogre that was delayed a month when they said they didn't have the money for it, which I informed Zora of, and then settled in to wait for Blue Pegasus." Nero said. "Blue Pegasus arrived and told Fairy Tail of their discovery so 6 of them set sail for where the island was to investigate. I opted to stay behind and wait. As that was happening Twilight Ogre returned after only a day not a month and things were about to go down when Fairy Tail suddenly returned and chased them out. I am sure that the returning members will deal with them in time, maybe even find proof of misdeeds, but Zora will be better placed for a report on them."
"I expect as much from him but that will come in time I am sure of it." Yami said. "So, what happened next? After Fairy Tail returned and kicked those losers out at last."
"It's, well, strange." Nero said as she tried to explain it. "But basically, they were attacked by some dragon, I caught the name but can't pronounce it at the moment, and for some reason when they realized that they couldn't kill it they joined hands and their bonds activated one of the three great Fairy Tail Guild spells, a protective bubble that sealed them in stasis and protected them from the attack called Fairy Sphere. An apparition of their first master helped out apparently, that part I really don't understand, and as a result they vanished. It took 7 years for the spell to end it seems but to them it was like nothing as they were in stasis. Seriously, they haven't aged one bit."
"Interesting." Yami said thinking on it. "Sounds like some kind of Time Magic. Julius would love that and might even know it if it is one of their great spells which he know doubt learned of knowing him. The apparition thing, well this world's magic is different so I guess that can happen, but I agree it is beyond our understanding at the moment though I'll ask Gordon to look into it when he return. Did you get what the other spells are?"
"No." Nero said shaking her head. "I came back as soon as they were done and Makarov took two of his S-Class wizards, a redhead woman called Erza who seems to have some kind of storage magic that they call spatial magic and which allows her to summon weapons at least, probably armor as well, that is called Requip, and a white-haired woman called Mira who's magic I haven't learned of yet as she's known more for her modeling in the years before her disappearance. They went off to deal with Twilight Ogre while the others got settled again. I didn't stay for the reunions though, had to come back here first."
"That is for the best." Yami said. "Let them party and have fun on their own, they deserve it after what they've been through."
"Woah cool so one of them can fight with a sword." Asta said stars in his eyes. "Did you see any more?"
"No, she just summoned one to strike down one of the goons." Nero said. "It was quick and brutal though; one strike was all it took and she's an S-Class based on what I've heard over the years so she's definitely talented. In fact, they beat the thugs in seconds. It seems like their powers aren't a joke. The ones I saw use magic were easily Senior Magic Knight level though one was their Master and he's easily on par with you Captain."
"They held a strong reputation before they vanished." Yami said. "So, I don't doubt it, especially if they fell so hard without these people. What else can you tell me about the ones that arrived?"
"Not much, I didn't see them use a lot of magic." Nero said with a shrug. "The first to attack was a boy called Natsu, he's the one I've heard the most about and uses Fire Dragon Slaying Magic though he can mix in Lightning Dragon Slaying Magic as well, and he didn't use any to kick away the boss. He's just naturally strong but not as strong as Asta in terms of raw physical strength."
"Woah." Asta said flexing and causing the girls with him to blush and Noelle to yell at him to cover her insecurities as she pulled out her want ready to blast him away with water. "I still get my muscles."
"Anyway." Nero said ignoring Asta but making sure that she was out of any firing range from Noelle. "I saw three others use magic, all just one attack. One is an ice mage that I believe is called Gray."
"They have someone with my name as well?" Grey wailed from her seat. "How embarrassing."
"It is confusing but he's male." Nero said with a shudder. "And has a habit of stripping so I can unfortunately confirm that without a doubt as that's a sight I'm not going to unsee anytime soon. The others who attacked were Makarov himself, he uses some magic that increases the size of his body parts and likely his whole body but given his age and rank I'd say he can use more magic than just that."
"That is a given, especially as I am sure that Julius considered him an equal." Yami said. "And the last one?"
"Given that it was a metal transformation spell it was one of their other dragon slayers, Gajeel." Nero said. "From my intel over the last two years he uses Iron Dragon Slaying magic. He was one of the two who had been part of Phantom Lord and the main goon that attacked Fairy Tail, even destroyed their Guild Hall and injured a few of their members, before they lost that war. Why he joined Fairy Tail eludes me though but I am sure that there are reasons to it. The other former Phantom Lord member who joined Fairy Tail is some woman called Juvia, but I haven't learned more about her just yet though I've got a strange feeling about her like she has some jealous insecurities."
"Very well." Yami said as he thought on it and took a puff of his cigarette though he was sure that that old man Org had once told him about how some of Phantom Lord joined Fairy Tail back when they met though names eluded him. "Rest up and get some food in you to recover, Charmy, make some mana restoring stuff for Nero, and we will wait on that mask wearing punk to give his own report on what happened to Twilight Ogre."
"Thank you sir." Nero said with a nod. "Any other orders?"
"For you, not just yet." Yami said. "Well other than that you are to return to your mission to spy on them and gather intel after they've had a few days to process their return. In fact, come to think of it, I want you off jobs for the moment, just focus on gathering intel on the return of Fairy Tail's strongest as well as whatever you can learn about the other major guilds here. In your off time continue supplying the items for our stores, work with Henry on what is needed."
"I have a list for you, Nero." Henry said slowly holding it up. "I'll get it to Asta once I go over it again."
"Understood." Nero said giving her Captain a salute and then nodding at Henry before turning and heading to the table with Asta and the girls and joining them.
A moment later Charmy's Sheep Cooks came over and gave Nero a meat heavy dish that was made using her mana replenishing spell and Nero began to eat it at a steady pace, she wasn't a pig like Asta after all. She hadn't really used much mana, she only needed to use it to change into and out of her bird form, but it was still good food to replenish the energy she'd spent flying here as she'd flown hard and fast to get here.
Asta naturally had questions for her, but she just ignored him as she ate, and they waited for Zora's report on the situation. The other girls also had questions, but they kept them to themselves as it was clear that Nero was busy eating and relaxing, so they left her to it.
Nero was grateful for that as she thought on her new mission and what it would entail. She'd keep them updated for sure though as things were definitely going to get interesting now that Fairy Tail's strongest were back, especially after Zora's report.
That came a few hours later when the doors of the base opened, and Zora walked in holding his broom having flown to the hideout as Finral wasn't around to make a portal. The moment he was inside all eyes but Gauche and Charmy fell on him though Charmy at least was listening to him.
"I see that you know doubt know the news." Zora said looking over to see Nero at the table with Asta and the royals. "I take it a little birdie told you that they're back."
"I informed them of the return of Fairy Tail if that is what you're saying." Nero said with a nod. "But not what happened when they went to confront Twilight Ogre. That I left to you as you were already in the area."
"Well unlike you I can't infiltrate a building with ease, but I was outside with some fresh pitfall traps ready for it." Zora said before looking around. "Also, if a scary woman with scarlet hair wearing a white blouse and a blue skirt ever shows up tell me so I can get as far away as possible as I accidentally got her in one of my traps and she wasn't too happy with it."
"You can add that to your report." Yami said glaring at Zora. "So, give it."
"I got barely anything boss, but it seems like Twilight Ogre won't be an issue for Fairy Tail anymore." Zora said with a shrug. "I was in an alleyway near their base, the usual pitfalls around it to frustrate them, when the good squad that harasses Fairy Tail returned, missing my traps, and all bandaged up to give a report to their master. Not sure what happened there."
"They tried to shake down Fairy Tail a day after giving them another month to get the money." Nero said. "Their timing was perfect though as they got there just before the missing members returned and swiftly dealt with them."
"Ah that would explain it, couldn't have happened to a better bunch of thugs." Zora said with a chuckle. "Which does explain a lot as a while later 5 people came to the Guild. Two I recognized as Macao Conrad the current Guild Master of Fairy Tail and his friend Wakaba. Along with them was a tiny old man with white hair and moustache with the Fairy Tail emblem on his cape, the aforementioned scarlet haired who had the Fairy Tail Guild Mark in blue on her left bicep, and a white-haired woman about the same age."
"Makarov, Erza and Mira." Nero said. "I gathered that from my own observations though their names were confirmed while I was listening in on what happened on Tenrou Island. All are powerful mages that I'd say are Senior Magic Knight level at least."
"That's saying something." Zora said. "I've watched Fairy Tail these last few years a bit and none are above intermediary level but these three, I'd say they're stronger than that. They all felt about as strong as a Magic Knight Captain. Not as scary as that lion lady, at least as they were, but still intimidating."
"Makarov is the one who Julius knows and he's a Wizard Saint, so we know how strong he's supposed to be." Yami said. "And the other two are S-Class wizards according to Nero so I'd expect them to be near Sisgoleon's level. What did they do?"
"They went in to renegotiate the terms of the debt they owed Twilight Ogre." Zora said. "Just those three, the two men remained outside chatting about the situation as I listened in from the shadows. Of course, as they went in the scarlet haired girl fell into a pitfall trap of mine. Gave off a cute girly scream but then she pulled herself out like it was nothing though she had a pissed look on her face and now I'm scared of her."
"I've heard of Erza's reputation." Nero said. "So best to never tell her that it was you. I don't think she's as scary as Mereoleona, but stories can only say so much."
"Agreed." Zora said. "But yeah I just waited outside as they discussed things inside that unsightly Guild Hall that Twilight Ogre has. They chatted for about 5 or so minutes and then a full-scale brawl ensued. I just saw from the outside but various Twilight Ogre people were tossed from the building as if it was nothing and I think they were getting payback for the last 7 years as well."
"Sounds about right given all that we've heard and learned about Twilight Ogre." Yami said. "We helped annoy them, but this was Fairy Tail's shit to sort out. Good to hear that it was done."
"Apparently the discussion lasted longer than expected which somehow doesn't surprise me given the reputation we know that Fairy Tail used to have." Zora said. "But once it was clear what was going down I left to give my report. I figured the members had returned when I couldn't identify that trio."
"They have and you're role there is done." Yami said as he thought on the news and began to formulate a plan. "In fact, I want you, and Gauche to travel to Crocus tomorrow to take up residence at the tavern. Send my ride back here. It is time we stepped things up and properly got ready for the Grand Magic Games."
"As you wish Captain." Zora said. "I am sure that my skills will be of use there."
"Continue taking jobs and getting intel, same goes for you Gauche, but otherwise you are to do as you see fit." Yami said. "Nero, as I said you are to resume your spying. Focus first on the Fairy Tail returners for the moment and then move onto the other major Guilds but now I want full intel on their top players and those who we should expect to see in the games."
"Sir." Nero said with a nod.
"Does this mean that it's time for the Grand Magic Games Captain Yami." Asta said loudly and excitedly having clearly missed that Yami had already said it.
"They are in 3 months' time but yes it does as I just said." Yami said simply with a puff on his cigarette. "For that time period you three, along with Finral, Luck, Magna, and Charmy will be here training and doing hard jobs. You are the finalists for the team, and I will select the 5 from you with one of the others being a reserve as we are allowed one reserve in addition to the team of 5. I can't compete as Guild Master so don't let me down."
"Captain." Mimosa said. "May I volunteer to not be part of it."
"Really?" Yami said asking the royal he'd come to know a little better over their time in Earth Land, she'd clearly never treated his squad ill before, so she was a good person, but he was surprised by this, as was Noelle. "You don't want to be on the team?"
"Are you sure?" Noelle asked, she thought that Mimosa had gotten over her dim bulb nature but apparently not.
"I can fight, and I have versatility, but I am also our primary healer." Mimosa said. "Nero has some temporary healing magic, and can deal with severed limbs, but I can do full scale, intensive healings. I should be the healer for the team and step back as if I get hurt things could be delayed."
"That is a good point, and we are in this to win it, so I expect you all to surpass your limits no matter what it does to your body." Yami said. "So fine but you're still training with the others."
"Of course." Mimosa said with a nod.
"Good." Yami said before looking over to the one person in the room he hadn't addressed yet. "Lastly, Grey."
"Er yes Captain." Grey said nervously. "What can I do for you?"
"I want you to go to Magnolia and run the store there, liaise with Henry on what is needed so you can restock anything and get the instructions for running it from the person there who can take some time off." Yami said surprising all of them as usually they didn't have a squad member run one of their stores. "And do so transformed as someone else."
"I, I can do that." Grey said with a slight smile as she could easily do that, she was better at pretending to be someone else than she was at being herself. "But, um, why?"
"Fairy Tail has just returned to full strength." Yami said. "And we now have a presence in this kingdom after two strong years here so there is no doubt that they'll find the store. Nero can get certain info, but she can't directly chat with them, you can when transformed so that is your job. Learn on the ground about these returning members and report in on any interactions that you have with them."
"Sure Captain." Grey said with a nod, she could do this so long as she wasn't her normal form.
"Alright well if that is all I'm going to bed, after I take a dump that is." Yami said as he put his paper down and got up. "You have your jobs, get to it. Things are going to change here, I'm sure of it, and I want to be on top of it when then do."
The others nodded at that as Captain Yami left. Things certainly had changed with the return of Fairy Tail's strongest, and no one knew what that would mean. One thing they did know, however, was that it was time to prepare for the Grand Magic Games.
It was time to properly announce the Black Bulls as the new top Guild in all of Fiore. Of course, another Guild seeking to reclaim that title would have some things to say about that as the best Grand Magic Games since they became a thing, ones that wouldn't be forgotten for many reasons, drew closer.
Well, there it is, the missing fairies have returned and are back after 7 long years and the Black Bulls are now aware of it. I know that I slightly sped up the events of their arrival and dealing with Twilight Ogre, that is happening pretty much right away in this story rather than a day or so later like it does in the anime, mainly so that all this can work out smoothly, but rest assured the party, Lamia Scale coming to see them, Lyon falling for Juvia, and all that goes on with Lucy's father will occur off page between this chapter and the next one. That said I will not be doing the anime exclusive Key of the Starry Sky arc in this story. It is not considered canon (though I am aware that it is the only of the major anime exclusive arcs that was based off a canon plan from the mangaka that he just never got around to) and would detract and take up too much time, so I am going to skip it in this story. I will be doing one thing from that anime exclusive content that will happen soon so stay tuned for it. As for the Black Bulls team, the reason why I opted for Finral as a team member (the other 4 were expected) is because he provides more versatile support with his portals than Vanessa would, and her strongest spell is more for battle not games but don't worry Rouge will play a roll in time. As for the reserve, well I haven't decided who it will be though I have my own ideas for which of the 6 it will be. As such I will only have one reserve and it will be one of the 6 named to the team. Anyway, that is all that I have for y'all so I will leave this chapter off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and I will try to answer any questions posed in reviews and PMs as best I can. Until next time.
Stringdog