(Escanor's pov)
"Escanor did you really want to kill that man?" Lucy sighed. I scratched the back of my head with a shy smile. We were heading on our way back to fairy tail to report our success. And Lucy wasn't very happy she was heading back empty-handed. Since not only did we not burn the book but there was no money in the first place.
"Well I believe I did miss lucy," I admitted disappointed in myself. I am very difficult when sunshine is active, I sighed.
"Well, at least you're back to your old self!" Natsu smiled. I smiled back and nodded.
"Hey I never got to ask but why didn't you bring your chicken on these quests?" happy asked curiously.
"Escanor has a chicken?" Lucy stuttered.
"Well Umber isn't very good with them," I laughed.
"Does she hate the fighting? Or the traveling?" Lucy asked. At the word traveling Natsu groaned.
"Quite the opposite, in fact, She's quite the adventurer and doesn't like being inside. So If I brought her on a quest, I believe that she would be quite the handful," I sighed.
(Small time skip no pov)
At the current moment, we were walking through a small swamp. As we exited the small swamp Natsu sighed.
"Why don't you do your own walking for a while?" He asked Lucy.
"Because I'm tired she groans exhaustedly" Horologium repeated.
"Well, How are you feeling Horologium?" Escanor asked worried for the clock spirit. But he didn't answer. Instead before us, a bush rustled. Immediately Natsu lept straight at it.
"Who's there!" He threw Happy and his bag off and a dust cloud began to emerge from the bush.
"Do you always have to fight? she inquires worriedly," Horologium repeated.
"You can take 'em Natsu!" Happy cheered. Suddenly out from the bush two people jumped up, One was Natsu and the other was gray.
"It's mister Gray!" Escanor said knowing the wizard.
"What is he doing in his underwear? the lady question's" Horologium repeated.
"Trying to find a bathroom," Gray answered.
"Why would you strip down before you found one?" Natsu groaned, "And who the hell ever heard about a bathroom in the middle of a forest?" He asked.
"I wanted some privacy I wasn't expecting some idiot to barge in" Gray retorted. They were arguing face to face foreheads as they glared at each other with pure rage.
"Oh, perhaps gray wanted to release his bladder?" Escanor wondered.
"Shut up you idiot! Why aren't you in fairy tail? You're a barkeep that's your job!" Gray said turning his anger on me.
"Hey leave him out of this!" Natsu growled.
"Their so childish" Lucy sighed.
"She says to the cat!" Happy imitated Horologium who was no longer here. Escanor waited for them to finish their argument which happened later. And eventually Happy started fishing off the cliff.
"So you're on your way back from a job?" Lucy remarked.
"Yeah, Theirs a shortcut through these woods that'll get you back to town in no time," Gray shared.
"See I told ya so" Happy's tone implied smugness.
"Yeah well if your nose is so great then how come you didn't know gray was right in front of us? smart guy." Lucy observed.
"There are some things you don't wanna smell" Happy replied.
"What'd you say?" Gray fumed.
"I agree, So go on home and we'll smell you later," Natsu said smugly.
"Fine I will, And unless you want trouble you will too," Gray warned.
"What trouble would make you say that Gray?" Escanor inquired.
"Cause Erza's due back anytime now" Gray revealed.
"Lady Erza?" Escanor repeated feeling slightly happy and worried.
"The Erza?! Woah!" Lucy gasped.
"Yeah, she's the most powerful woman in all of fairy tail!" Happy mumbled.
"Happy please don't talk with your mouth full. It's rude" Escanor wailed.
"I can't wait to meet her!" Lucy rejoiced. "But you know I've never even seen a picture of her in sorcerer weekly or anything," She asked.
"Scary," Happy, Natsu, Gray, and Escanor whimpered.
"Wild animal?" Gray suggested.
"A vile beast?" Natsu whispered.
"More like a full-on monster!" Happy announced. An image of a massive woman terrorizing a small town appeared. Lucy muttered in confusion.
"She's not that big you guys" Happy Mumbled still eating the fish he caught earlier.
"Well she's big enough for me" Natsu uttered.
"One thing we can all agree on is she is definitely that scary, Well maybe a little scarier" Gray concluded.
"You know I never found myself on the opposing side of her wrath" Escanor observed.
"Because you're a weakling and push-over! Any insults or threats she makes go right over your head!" Gray shouted. Happy slightly chuckled knowing the truth.
"Yeah, she's about this scary" Natsu shared. An image of a giant woman with horns appeared kicking the top of a mountain.
"Achoo" Escanor sneezed.
"What I guarantee you that Erza could take down at least three mountains with a single kick" Gray argued.
"You don't need to exaggerate like that gray it's more like two" Happy whispered.
"You know guys even if she's able to kick down a single mountain that's still scary," Lucy whimpered.
"What does that make escanor?" Happy whispered.
"Like I said we should get back" Gray went on.
"Crap let's get moving" Natsu shivered. Suddenly the ground exploded. Lucy coughed three times as the ground beneath us had suddenly turned into sand.
"What now?" Gray groaned.
"Happy!" Natsu yelled his mouth full of sand.
"What happen- OH MY GOD!" Lucy started before noticing something on her head.
Escanor's glasses and he wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"Hey, where's Escanor?" Natsu wondered in a panic looking for the barkeep.
"Natsu..." Lucy stuttered.
"Yeah? Do you see happy?" Natsu asked worriedly turning around, He stopped when he noticed Escanor's glasses in her hands. "Hell yeah!" He cheered "Escanor will handle them!"
"Escanor? Really? Ha! Maybe all this sand is making you even more stupid!" Gray laughed.
(Meanwhile)
"Help me" Happy groaned elsewhere above an unlit fire. He was also surrounded by other mages.
"We're finally gonna get some real protein!" One of the foolish mages drooled.
"No berries for us tonight," His twin said.
"Meat!" Yelled a giant chicken.
"Our future hold's a fist" One with a crystal ball observed.
"Feast you mean feast." The grey one corrected.
"Uhh, boss?" One of the twins whimpered backing away. Happy yelled in delight.
"What? You prefer to eat berries?" The grey one asked as the sun was suddenly blocked.
" I suggest you release Happy. While I'm still in a good mood " A deep voice warned. The grey one turned around to see a massive man.
"No, go get your own food! And who name's their dinner happy?" The Grey one laughed. The big man laughed with him for a second before bringing his hand down and knocking the pitiful mage away.
" Do you truly believe you can escape? " Escanor scoffed. He could hear Natsu and the rest arriving. Good, they could handle the rest of these pitiful wizards. He was going to handle the one with the sand magic. Escanor looked in his direction and walked off.
"Hold it right there!" Natsu yelled in the distance.
"What was that?" Gray mumbled. staring at the place Escanor had disappeared and the line of trees.
Escanor walked over to the small crater the wizard had made. However, he was nowhere to be seen. Escanor tilted his head looking around for a second before he started to sink.
"Since you're a physical mage. If you're trapped in the sand you won't be able to move!" The grey wizard shouted with a giant welt on his side.
Escanor sighed, " I feel an itch. Is this really the best you can do?" Escanor lifted one foot and then put down the other. His pure heat forged the sand beneath him into a glass staircase.
"What!? It's impossible! A stupid physical mage can't escape from my sand!" He screamed then lifted the sand up and into an orb. But only a second after it was lifted the entire orb became glass smashing down into the ground. Escanor looked up at him then simply walking forward flicked the wizard back knocking him out.
"Escanor!" Lucy shouted running over alone and then throwing the glasses onto Escanor's face.
"Thank you miss lucy" Escanor thanked. (if you're wondering since Escanor's first transformation He got a shirt that can change size with the wearer. To a certain extent)
"It's no problem come on!" Lucy smiled leading Escanor back to the group.
"Where'd you go?" Gray scoffed.
"Don't worry we got Happy back," Natsu laughed.
"Where are the captives?" Escanor wondered aloud.
"Some strange shadow hand took them," Happy replied.
(Time skip)
"Escanor! You're back!" Cana smiled.
"You really have to stop running off with Natsu it's a bad habit" Krov teased.
"So sorry!" Escanor bowed his head.
"So anyway when are you and I gonna go on a date, Mira?" Wakaba mine a wizard who frequently smokes asked.
"Would you leave her alone?" Laki olietta a female wizard whined.
"Wakuba there's one small problem" Mirajane started before showing off her magic by transforming into a fat women who was definetly not as pretty. "You already have a wife" She teased.
"I hate it when you do that it's so creepy!" He complained and mirajane chuckled.
"I wish I could drink in peace for once" Cana observed.
"Perhaps you would like some earmuffs?" Escanor suggested.
"Well maybe if she didn't drink all day it would be quieter," Macao replied.
"I guess we should probably try to find another job" Natsu huffed.
"Aye, we're running out of food money!" Happy agreed.
"If we had taken that two hundred million jewel reward we'd be sitting pretty, And I can't forget that rent's due next week. I guess I better find work too" Lucy noted before walking over to the request board.
"mm, finding a magic bracelet, Breaking a curse on a cursed cane, Reading someone's love horoscope, Hunting a volcano demon? Jeez, I had no idea wizarding jobs were so varied," Lucy exclaimed studying the board.
"Well let me or Escanor know if you find one you're interested in taking on. The master's away at conference so we're covering for him." Mirajane shared.
"What kind of conference?" Lucy asked curious.
"It's one for guild masters, Every once in a while they get together to talk about the state of things." She smiled.
"It's like the magic council miss lucy, Only it's the guild masters" Escanor popped in.
"Excuse me, Reedus, Could I borrow a light pen?" Mirajane asked turning around.
"Wei" He answered meaning yes. Reedus is a round magician with orange hair. Mirajane went on to explain that above the guild masters was the local guild league then the era, Which was like the government for the magical world and was only below said government. Era's job is to uphold all magical rules and regulations. And after a quick scare from Natsu Mirajane also described the dark guilds who are outside the law and don't listen to anyone. And after a while of bonding and rivalry and the discovery that Lucy was a celestial wizard by loke who ran off he suddenly burst back in.
"We've got bad news! Erza she's on her way here!" His words caused panic throughout the entire guild.
"Wow just mention Erza and the whole place freaks out," Lucy said in wonder.
"Well, she is the strongest female wizard here miss lucy, But Miss mirajane used to say otherwise" Escanor whispered the last bit so lucy didn't hear it. As the whole guild was quiet they could all hear the thunderous footsteps.
"That's gotta be her" Laki olietta muttered in fear.
"Those sound like her footsteps," Wakaba whispered.
"Even the air's gone completely still," Macao noted. The muttering was all throughout the guild and not even a fly made a sound.
"Jeez with these reactions you'd think she was some kind of demon or something. I'm so scared." Lucy whimpered remembering the images they thought up yesterday. A woman walked through carrying a giant horn like it was nothing.
"I have returned. Where is master Makarov?" She demanded.
"Wow, she's pretty." Lucy gasped.
"Pretty scary," Escanor whispered.
"Welcome back Erza. The master's at a conference right now,"
"I see," Erza noted.
"So um what's that humungous thing you got there?" A magician (Who I can't find the name of cause I can only see the back of his head so he may as well be the invincible bowl cut man. If you can find his name then I'll change it until then bowl cut man) Asked.
"It's the horn of a monster I defeated. The locals were so thankful they decorated it and gave it to me as a souvenir," Erza started "Do you have a problem with it?".
"No not at all," The guild said. The guild slowly warned each other their fears taking hold.
"She's not anything like I imagined," Lucy whimpered slightly.
"Now listen up! While I was on the road I heard a few things. Word is Fairy tail is causing nothing but trouble as of late. Master Makarov may not care But I most certainly do! Cana you need to start controlling your drinking, Vijeeter please take the dancing outside, Wakaba get rid of that filthy habit, Nab I suspected I would find you dawdling in front of the request board just pick a job! Macao..." At Macao, Erza sighed.
"Just say something!" Macao begged.
" I don't even know where, to begin with, you cause so much trouble I've just given up. And just who blew up the entire house of everlue!?" She yelled looking around. Escanor tensed for a second worried but she never suspected him.
"She's really tearing into everyone, It's like she's taking over," Lucy noted.
"That's Erza for you." Happy replied.
"Even if she is kinda bossy she's still saner than anyone else here. I don't understand why everyone's so afraid of her?" Lucy wondered. Erza looked around for a second.
"Are Natsu and gray here?" She asked.
"Aye!" Happy confirmed near a terrified Natsu and gray who were doing their best to act all friendly.
"Oh hey their erza we're just hanging out like good friends tend to do huh" gray stammered.
"Aye!" Natsu agreed fearfully.
"Why is Natsu taking like happy?" Lucy wondered.
"That's great I'm quite pleased to see the two of you getting along so well. However, it's only natural for the best of friends to lock horns every now and again" Erza smirked satisfied.
"I don't know if we're the best of friends" Gray hesitated.
"Aye," Natsu repeated.
"Now where is the man who blew up The everlue mansion I'll give you one chance to come clean now or when I find out I'll deal with you accordingly," Erza warned.
"What's gotten into Natsu?" Lucy wondered.
"He's scared. A few years ago he challenged Erza to a fight and she beat him up pretty bad." Mirajane explained.
"Yes, and It was quite the beat-down" Escanor remembered.
"That was a stupid thing to do," Lucy exclaimed.
"After that she found gray walking around naked so she decided to beat him up to," Macao added.
"And let's not forget she also beat up Loke for trying to hit on her" Cana remembered, "he totally deserved it though".
"Yeah can't say I blame her" Lucy sighed.
"Natsu, Gray I need you to do me a favor," Erza started.
"huh?" Both of them mumbled.
"While traveling I overheard something that has me worried, Normally I would consult with the master before acting but he's not here. And this is a matter of utmost urgency. The two of you are the strongest wizards here I could really use your help" Erza went on. With that, even more, whispering went through the guild.
" We'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning," Erza instructed.
Me and Natsu? Gray thought
On the same team? Natsu finished
"Erza, Natsu, and gray working together. I never saw that one coming. This could be the most powerful team fairy tail's ever seen!"
Well, They might need my help! I better go with them! But I'll need a disguise.
(And then!)
Magnolia station
"Sorry I'm late have you been waiting long?" Erza said
"No not really" Lucy started to say then stared in utter shock at erza or rather her luggage.
"Wow look at that luggage!" happy exclaimed looking at the mountain of baggage.
"All those belong to you!?" Lucy exclaimed in shock.
"It's time to go good buddy," Gray said in a joyful voice.
"Aye Ha ha" Natsu replied in an equally happy voice.
" Listen one happy's enough" Lucy retorted.
"Good I really love to see the two of you getting along" Erza smiled as she said it. "And what was your name? I believe I saw you at the guild the other day" Erza looked at lucy.
"My names Lucy and I just joined fairy tail. Mira asked me to come along with you guys so I could learn a thing or two. I hope that's okay with you" She said in a calm voice.
"The more the merrier. I'm erza wait your the girl I heard about" She took a quick glance behind her to check on Natsu and gray. Seeing them happily act like friends she turned back to lucy. "I was told you defeated a mercenary gorilla with only your pinkie finger". For some reason, this seemed to cause a reaction of shock in lucy. "It will be great to have a wizard like you on board. Thanks for the help" She then looked back at Natsu and gray to see them acting the same way.
"Oh no it's my pleasure" Lucy responded shivering like the little snowman in her arms.
"Hey erza I'll come with you but only under one condition," Natsu said from behind her.
"Shut up," Gray said sounding terrified.
"Oh well, then let's hear it," Erza said curiously.
"K I want a rematch when we get back to fairy tail," He said a fist clenched in front of him.
Happy gasped behind her along with a faint one from lucy.
" What's wrong with you got some kind of death wish?" Gray whispered.
"I'm a lot stronger than I was last time this time will be way different," Natsu said with a massive smile on his face. "Cause I'm gonna beat you" He finished.
"Yes I can tell you've improved. As to whether or not you can beat me. I suppose we'll have to see". Looking up erza decided "I accept your challenge".
Fire started to swirl around Natsu "Oh yeah I'm Fired up!" He yelled at the top of his lungs spewing fire out of his mouth. But no one noticed the man in a classic detective cloak watching them.
"I swear you're totally pathetic Natsu. One minute you're picking a fight and the next your like this" Gray said a little disappointed referring to the motion sick near dead Natsu dragneel.
"It's gotta be tough on him getting place to place," Lucy said pitying the dragon slayer.
"Don't worry he'll be fine he can sit with me" Erza said.
I guess she wants me to move lucy thought.
Lucy looked around when she stood up and out of the corner of her eye she saw someone who looked familiar.
"Now just relax," Erza said then suddenly punched Natsu in the gut. "There that should make the trip a little easier on him".
Okay, maybe she's not as sane as I thought she was Lucy worried.
"Erza I think it's about time you start filling us in," Gray said. "I mean what kind of mission are we going on here?"
"Of course, I have reason to believe the dark guild esienwald is planning something big. I'm not sure exactly but it has something to do with a magic item called lullaby". Erza stated.
Happy and gray looked at each other and in perfect harmony said "Lullaby?"
Lucy turned to look at them "wait that thing from before?" she asked.
"Excuse me but can I sit here?" A familiar soft voice asked.
Erza shocked stood up and Natsu fell to the ground.
"Who are you!" She demanded pointing a finger.
"Oh my! Please don't hurt me!" The person jumped back terrified.
"I knew it! Escanor!" Lucy smiled relieved that they had him here.
"Escanor? What are you doing here! You're meant to be back in the guild!" Erza scolded surprised.
"Yeah, escanor! Just leave it to us we've got this. Besides, you'll only slow us down" Gray sighed. Erza turned and glared at Gray for a second scaring him into silence.
"I have to admit it but Gray's right Escanor don't leave this bus" Erza ordered.
"Oh okay!" Escanor said believing he was doing something special.
"Wait we need him! He's like unbelievably strong!" Happy protested.
"What?" Erza and Gray said. Gray was more like why are you lying but Erza was more curious, However, the conversation didn't turn back to escanor until after they were finished talking about esienwald and explained their magics. Gray had ice-make magic which allowed him to create ice constructs while Erza had Requip which allowed her to change her weapons and armor.
"What do you mean happy? Explain? About escanor being strong?" Erza asked curious. however Happy couldn't answer as they arrived at their stop.
"Oh, this is our stop let's go!" Happy said getting off. it was only after they had gotten off they realized. They forgot both Natsu and escanor on the train.
"Well looky here it's a fairy tail wizard," A man in a white suit said walking up to Natsu. "How's the guild treating you these days? is it worth sticking around?"
"What?" Natsu said in a sick voice. The strangers kicked Natsu right in the face seemingly enraged.
"Don't act all high and might mister fairy just because you're in a legal guild you guys just blindly follow the magic council you know what you look like to us harmless little flies!" He laughed again and Natsu became angry summoning his fire dragon slayer magic. He stood back
"Guess I hid a nerve" Natsu began to reply when the train went through another bump sending his magic and mind out.
The white-suited man laughed "What kind of magic is that? Let me show you how it's done!" Suddenly the shadows themselves Reached out and struck Natsu.
"It's all in the follow through," He laughed.
"That magic," Natsu began. Suddenly the train stopped and everyone fell over. Including a very scared man.
"The train stopped," Natsu remarked before looking forward at a strange wooden object. "What is that?" Suddenly the train started to heat up.
"You saw it!" The white-cloaked man stammered.
"That's enough out of you! It's payback time!" Natsu's fist burst aflame as he leaped at the enemy.
"Guard shadow!" The white cloaked man yelled but barely managed to block the attack.
"Lucky shot," The man groaned.
"Little fly huh?" Natsu repeated confidently.
"Attention all passengers our emergency stop was a false alarm. we will be departing again shortly" A voice-over announced.
"Oh crap, I gotta go!" Natsu said before trying to climb out of the cart.
"Hold it right there! I'm not letting you get away that easily, You're messing with Eisenwald now!" The white cloaked man challenged.
" Are you foolish enough to believe one guild is enough? Or are you just stupid?" A booming voice challenged. Out of the rubble from behind Natsu, Escanor stood up brushing the little sticks off of him.
"Escanor! Woah! alri-" Natsu started before the train started moving again and he nearly threw up.
"Grr! Two little fairies aren't anything!" The man shouted using the shadows to stab escanor through the stomach.
Except there was no blood. There was no Piercing. Escanor walked forward pushing both the shadows and the white man back as he made his way to Natsu.
" Pray we don't cross path's again Wizard of darkness. For I have killed bigger and worse than you," Escanor promised before grabbing Natsu and jumping out of the train.
"Where's Natsu?" Erza muttered before something jumped out of a broken cart.
"That's got to be him!" Gray shouted.
The man who jumped out of the cart landed slightly in front of them.
"Put Natsu down! Eisenwald Wizard!" Gray shouted leaping at the man who held Natsu in his arms like a baby.
" No gray don't!" Happy shouted trying to pull Gray back.
" I wouldn't come any closer unless you wish to face me, Gray. It seems Happy and lucy know what's good for you," The giant warned.
"Who are you!?" Erza shouted summoning a sword ready to fight. Then without warning when The giant glared at gray for a second leaped forward and slashed with all her might.
"Don't fight him! He's an ally!" Lucy shouted in panic.
"When? How? What?" Gray said confused. Escanor passed Natsu over to Lucy and happy then reached out his hand. When He brought them back he had glasses in his massive hand.
"Glasses?" Gray said confused.
"They have magical properties" Happy revealed.
" Take care of these Happy, The machine you're using is flawed instead I shall reach the next destination on foot," Escanor then turned around and leaped away.
"What just happened?" Erza muttered confused.
"And who was that?" Gray added utterly confused at the speed at which the giant man had arrived and then left. Almost like there was meant to be more talking but someone cut it out?
And that's the end of part two! It's not because I'm too lazy to write the end of this right now... The next chapter is called The sun's rising: Prides return part three! And make sure to comment and vote on the next chapter released! As It will decide the future of this series!
