Chapter 75
New Goals
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Magic"
Flashback you
Location / Date / Time Skip
Two Days Later
Fairy Tail Guildhall
The small guild hall stared as the Legion Platoon bowed to the guild. "As head of the Legion Platoon, I offer my deepest apologizes for our transgressions." Byro said.
"There's no room for remorse, just progress." Makarov replied. "Let's move beyond this crisis. We may have fought before but that time has passed. What do you say we start over?"
"Your gratitude is as wide as they say it was." The leader said before the two shook hands.
"Now then, let's party!" The master shouted before the guild erupted into cheers and beers.
"Hey, armor boy!" Dan turned and saw Natsu walking over with Laki behind him, an evil smirk on her face. "Laki tells me you troed to hit on her during this whole chaos thing!"
"...Who's Laki?" The armored man asked, making Laki gasp. "Besides, the only woman in my heart is..." Erza walked by and hearts appeared in his eyes. "HER!"
"Laki, is this guy an idiot?" Her boyfriend asked.
"I... I think he might be." Laki replied, turning away from the flirtation of both Dan and Sugarboy, who was going after Gray for some reason. Juvia pushed against the rockstar as Gray walked away, leaving both disappointed. "So, how was your mission with Gildarts?"
Outside the guildhall, Coco stared at Pantherlily who stood on a stump. "I... I'm sorry for all the horrible things I said." She said, fidgeting with her fingers. "Like how I hate cats. I-"
"Don't worry about it." The black cat replied. "I'm just happy to see you again. Even if it isn't the same Coco. It's all water under the bridge."
"Thank you for saying that." The girl replied.
"So, how long until you all go back to Zentopia?" The black cat asked.
The girl hung her head but before she could say anything, Samuel flew into view and triggered his transformation. "There you are, brother. I believe I was promised a rematch. Your words were any time, any place."
"Very well, then." Pantherlily did the same and Coco could only watch as the two began fighting.
Back inside, Gildarts and Byro sat at the bar staring at their drinks. "Don't feel like joining in?" Levy asked from the floor.
"I'm not going anywhere near that bar with the gloom brothers sulking there." Bisca added.
"Not a problem." Cana said, holding a barrel. "No booze goes wasted on my watch." Mary walked out of the guildhall, much to Lucy's confusion.
"That fight was something else." Gildarts confessed. "I'll be feeling it for a while."
"Never did I imagine someone like you would exist." The platoon leader replied. "The world is full of more surprises than I thought."
"Fights are organic, can't be predicted." The guild ace added. "Training and skill are just a part of it. One wrong move at the wrong time and you could have made me eat the floor."
"You certainly have a broad outlook." Byro said.
"I live by a different set of rules." Gildarts replied before glancing over. Byro had pulled out the archbishops golden seal, catching his attention. "What's that?"
"Something far too heavy to carry by myself." Byro replied, confusing the ace.
"Who wants to to take bets on how long-" Dan crashed through the floor as Erza marched away in anger. "Never mind." Natsu started laughing as his girlfriend smiled.
Hours Later
The party finally died as Legion Platoon stood at the gate. "I'm afraid our next mission will be a long one." Byro said.
"I had a feeling. This is the last time we'll see you, isn't it?" Makarov asked, shocking the guild.
"Yes, our duty pulls us elsewhere." The legion leader replied. "We have been tasked with seeking out the scattered fragments of the Infinity Clock. Once we return with them, we will seal them away for all eternity. Unfortinetly, it will take time for pieces to start radiating any magic power. So detecting them magically would be impossible. The truth is we will likely spend the rest of our lives with this task. Fare-"
"I'll stop you right there." Gray interrupted.
"Don't worry, we'll see each other some day." Natsu added.
"See ya some day." Laki said. "Maybe we'll run into each other along the way." Byro let a small smile grace his lips before the church members waved goodbye.
Three Days Later
"Who the hell is Sabertooth?" Natsu asked, leaning against the bar.
"An incredibly strong guild." Romeo replied. "They passed Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale for the title of strongest Wizard Guild a while ago."
"I've never heard of them until today." Gray said.
"That's because they didn't exist seven years ago." Alzack said.
"So they just showed up and ran rough shot over everyone?" Laki asked.
"Once their new master showed up with five incredibly strong wizards at his beck and call, pretty much." Max answered.
"Sounds like these guys have some serious guts." Natsu said with a smile.
"So if they're the number one guild, does that make Fairy Tail number two?" Wendy asked, making the Exceeds shake their heads.
"We're dead last, which is perfect." Laki said, sharing a smile with Natsu. "It'll make our climb back to the top all the more fun."
Lucy laughed a bit before others cheered them on. "Sorry to interrupt, but have any of you seen my old man?" Cana asked, stepping away from her drink.
"He just left with Master Makarov." Erza answered. "They went to check the old Guildhall."
"Thank god! I got a job and I am leaving now!" The brunette declared before running out of the building.
First Fairy Tail Guildhall
The once lively building had be closed for seven long years, as evident by the dust the two men kicked up with every step they took down the stairs. "Are you sure we should be here?" The ace asked. "I mean, this place was seized by the bank. Technically we're trespassing."
"It'll be ours again soon." The short man said. "I bet your surprised by this passage way. I never told anyone about it for a reason." The reached a metal door at the bottom and Makarov opened, revealing a small chamber.
"Where are we?" Gildarts asked.
Makarove waved his hand and the massive door opened, blinding the two with light. "Before you is Fairy Tail's greatest secret." The short man explained as the light started dying. "Known as the Lumen Histoi. It is the very essence of Fairy Tail itself."
Gildarts back away in shock and awe of what he was seeing. "The first time I saw showed this by the second master, I was as speechless as you are now. "
"This has been under our feet this whole time?" Gildarts asked before turning to Makarov. "Hold on, why are you showing me this?"
"Because you are to be the next guild master of Fairy Tail, Gildarts." Makarov declared, shocking the ace.
New Guildhall
Lucy finished fixing Wendy's hair and the two smiled at the peaceful day before a small blast knocked some leaves off the trees. "What was that!?" The blonde asked.
The three raced around to the front to see Natsu and Laki standing across from each other. A second later, the two charged each other and swung the fists at each other. "Why are they fighting?" Carla asked.
"Natsu got super excited about climbing back to the top." Happy said as he and Rose landed next to the three girls. "So Laki thought it would be a smart idea to burn some of that energy off before he does something stupid."
The girlfriend threw a kick that Natsu pushed to the side before he threw a punch. Laki flipped back and stood back up, a smile on her face. "Ready to kick things up a notch?" She asked, a purple mist rolling off her body.
"I'm always ready!" Natsu replied, lightning arching off his head. Both pulled their heads back, aimed high and used their dual element roar. Both hit and exploded in the sky, creating a shower of smoke. Natsu laughed for a bit before falling over in exhaustion.
"Why'd he pass out?" Lucy asked.
"Simple, he doesn't have the same experience with dual elements like I do." Laki said, helping him up. "We still need to practice so we can use both in a fight."
"We all need to get stronger." Gray said from a small cliff. "Gildarts is still the ace, but the rest of us were asleep for seven years. The guild had to rely on a dwindling pool of members that got weaker and weaker."
"How can we boost our magic power really quickly?" Happy asked before an idea crossed his mind.
Porlyusica's Hut
The elderly healer stared down at the group of wizards who came to her before slamming the door shut. Seconds later, she came out with a broom and started swinging it violently at them. The incomplete team ran for their lives while Wendy looked back before joining them.
They reached a safe distance and panted in exhaustion before Rose slapped Happy. "Why the hell would you suggest this idea!?"
"I thought this was Lucy's." The blue cat said.
"Don't pawn this off on me!" The blonde shouted in annoyance.
"Well, guess we should head back now." Laki said before noticing the look on Wendy's face and tears in her eyes. "Hey, everything okay Wendy?"
The others looked up and were just as confused as Wendy wiped the tears from her face. "She's just so familiar... She mumbled, confusing the group even more. "I don't know how to explain it... but she sounds and smells just like Grandeneey."
The group gasped in shock at the girls statement. "How is that even possible?" Gray asked.
"There's no way a regular human could have the same voice and scent as a dragon." Lucy said.
"Is that even possible?" Happy asked Rose and Carla.
"No clue." The purple cat replied.
"What are you trying to say, Wendy?" Laki asked, leaning in.
"I don't know..." Wendy explained. "It's confusing. She sounds and smells just like Grandeeney."
"Do we go back there and ask her about it?" Natsu asked. "Because this is REALLY hurting my brain."
"Natsu is right. There are too many things that don't add up." Carla said. "For starters, Master Makarov has known this healer for far longer than when the dragons first disappeared. So she and Grandeeney were around at the same time."
Natsu looked like he was about to fall over from confusion as steam left his ears. "Not to mention her attitude is nothing like what you've said Grandeeney was like. She didn't even hate the flies that got in her eye."
"Igneel was... usually pretty nice." Natsu said, trying to stand up.
"Sorry if my attitude offends you." All turned around to see the healer behind them. Wendy walked forward and the two stared at each other before the healer sighed. "I guess there's no use hiding it anymore. I'm not the dragon thar you seek, just a human being the same as you."
"But why do you hate humans so much?" Natsu asked.
The woman growled before glaring at the boy. "Because you ask too many stupid questions." She replied before turning back to Wendy. "I can't tell you where the dragon you're looking for is. The fact is we have no connections, what so ever."
"But how do you explain your similarities?" Laki asked.
"...You're familiar with the world of Edolas, right?" Porlyusica asked. "Rumor has it that you've been there, even meeting your counterparts. Then you know how our worlds correlate." The others jaws began to loosen in shock. "Every being has a counterpart there, including dragons. So you could argue that I am the Edolas version of Grandeeney. I came to this world several years ago."
"...WHAT!?" The group shouted in shock as Wendy stared in disbelief.
"I was disoriented when I came to this world, but Makarov helped me recover from that shock." The other worlder explained. "The beauty and nature of this world quickly adhered me to it. So even though I had several opportunities to return to Edolas, I had made the decision to make your world my home."
"Does this mean Igneel and the others have human forms too?" Natsu asked. "Maybe they crossed over too!"
"I have had no contact with them, even back in Edolas." Porlyusica replied. "However, I did have the chance to speak with the Sky Dragon." Wendy perked up and walked forward. "But not in the traditional sense. It was more of a form of telepathy. You came here seeking out a means of power. I may be able to help Wendy."
The woman's robes shook as her arm extended, holding out a stack of papers. "The Sky Dragon dictated these spells to me, they are known as Milky Way and Sky Drill. Two secret arts she never had the chance to teach you. She asked me to give it to you if you ever come to visit. These are powerful spells, extremely dangerous. So be sure to exercise great caution."
The girl took the pamphlet and the healer turned around before walking away. "Thank you so much, miss Porlyusica!" Wendy called out before bowing.
Current Guildhall
The remaining members stared at Makarov who called the meeting. "The time has come. I have done all I can in service to this guild, so allow me to introduce the guild's next master." Younger members couldn't believe what they were hearing as Wakaba shot down Macao taking over. "The fifth master of Fairy Tail... Gildarts Cli-"
He looked to the side and found only Mirajane standing there. "Where the hell is he!?"
"I'm not sure, but he left us a note." The model said, handing a letter over. Makarov read it aloud and almost passed out: Gildarts passed the mantle back onto him! And brought Laxus back into the Guild! The entire guild started laughing at his misfortune as Mirajane handed Cana a call card.
The brunette tore it up in an instant, a smile on her face. "Finally, I thought he'd never leave."
"This is great!" Romeo shouted. "I know just how we can get back to the top really quickly!" The members who stayed behind went wide eyed as his father quickly placed his hand over the child's mouth.
"We're never doing that again!" Macao scolded his son, only for the boy to break free.
"You're not the master anymore!"
"Neither are you ya runt!" Macao shouted. "We are never getting involved in that again!"
"Getting involved with what again?" The guild turned to see Natsu and co. walk into the guildhall. "What's got Romeo all fired up?"
"Teenage rebellion?" Laki asked before glancing over. "Gray, shirt, now."
"Who here is with me!?" Macao asked, making the members who stayed behind raise their hands.
"But we have the Tenrou Team back!" Romeo shouted. "Natsu and Laki and Erza are back! We can't possibly lose now."
"Haven't you been paying attention? They missed seven years of training." Warren spoke up.
"Will someone please tell me what we're talking about doing or not doing?" Natsu asked.
"While you were all frozen on Tenrou Island, a tournament started to determine the best guild in Fiore." Romeo explained, catching Natsu's interest.
"Sounds like fun to me." The Dragon Slayer said with a smile.
"Guilds from all over the country sign up for the chance to fight it out for the top spot." Romeo added. "They call it the Grand Magic Games."
"That sounds amazing." Laki said.
"I'd love to be a part of that." Wendy added.
"I think I understand now." Erza said. "Sabertooth is known as the top guild because they won the last games."
"Yeah, but if we beat them this year, we'll be the number one guild!" Romeo shouted.
"That would be nice, but I'm not sure that we can win given our current state of disarray." Makarov mumbled.
"And the winning guild gets 30 million jewel in prize money, not to mention a trophy!" The boy added.
"We're in!" The members who stayed behind protested and voiced their concerns only Makarov to ignore them. "This year we're going to beat them all and take the prize!"
"When does this thing start?" Natsu asked his biggest fan.
"The games start in three months." Romeo said.
The pinkette slammed his fist into his palm, sending sparks flying. "That's plenty of time to get in shape! But we need to start training now! We'll put Fairy Tail back on top in no time at all!"
The others agreed and cheered as the members who stayed behind hung their heads. "This is a really bad idea." Alzack said.
"This isn't just a fighting tournament." Bisca added.
"The decision has been made, so there's no point in moaning." Makarov spoke up. "We'll put in the work and win that 30 million Jewel and the title of number one guild!"
"You hear the news?" A blonde teen sitting on a stone asked a cloaked teen. "They're back."
"They who?" The dark teen asked.
"The Fairy Tail members who went missing seven years ago." The blonde explained.
"I couldn't care less." The black haired teen replied.
"Don't try and lie to me." His partner replied. "You used to look up to him like crazy."
"You're right, I used too." The second replied.
"Seven years... that's a long time ago." The blonde chuckled. "We were about knee high then. You were always clinging to Gajeel. I didn't care for him. He was scary."
"Stay out of the past, Sting." The black haired boy replied. "We followed our own path, not theirs."
An enemy ran forward and fired an arrow from his bow, only for Sting to grab it out of the air. He picked his teeth with it before throwing it back. The arrow ripped through the air before it hit the wall behind the man, going straight through the stone and destroying it as well as most of the archers helmet. "Guess we let our guard down. One of 'em is still alive."
"It... it is them." The man mumbled, looking at the white emblems on their shoulders. "Sting and Rogue... The Twin Dragons of Sabertooth!" He turned on a dime and ran for his life.
"Hold up, you seriously gonna ditch your pals?" Sting asked, motioning to the bodies on the ground behind them.
"That's how a dark guild operates." Rogue said. "All they do is murder and run."
"Man, you two went overboard again." The two humans turned to see a pair of Exceeds walking over. One was red with only a blue vest for clothing, the other was green and was wearing a pink black-spotted frog suit.
"It's Lector and Frosh." Sting said. "Where were you two?"
"Doing some recon." Lector answered as the two reached the humans. "We were hoping to get the jump on the, but you beat us to the punch."
"Literally." Sting chuckled before high fiving the cat. "Beat I could beat Natsu and his little girlfriend by myself. Wanna find out?"
"I'll pass." Rogue said as the four walked away from the battle field.
Have no clue where my beat reader is. Forgive all of the errors and the posting delay.