The sun shines in through the blinds of the window, waking Lucy with the first light. She sits up with a yawn and looks over the room, Happy and Dragneel both still asleep.
She takes the time to gather her underwear, a zip up white shirt with blue block outlines, a knee length blue skirt and her socks. She pinches her sides together and cups her thighs.
Hmm… My sides are getting chunky and my thighs are thick. My butt is too big as well, that's not very lady-like.
She dresses herself quickly in the bathroom and calls out Cancer. "What do you want your hair like today, Baby?" Lucy chuckles as he snips his scissors. "Just the usual, please, Cance. Also, since we're going to be in a guild, maybe call me Lucy? Just when we're in public, you can always call me baby when we're like this." Cancer shakes his head. "You've always been baby, always will be, baby." He finishes her half up side ponytail with a blue bow.
Of course, he's called me baby ever since mama first introduced Cancer to me when I was an infant.
"Okay then, as you want." Lucy smiles at the spirit as he leaves.
She walks out and packs up her things into a magic storage bag. She pulls on her knee high boots and attaches her key pouch onto her belt.
She stops by the recliner chair, realizing Nastu's hood had fallen off in his sleep. Lucy smiles at the sight of his soft sleeping face and shoulder blade length pink hair.
She walks out of the room, leaving the Inn.
—-
When Lucy comes back into the Inn with four bags, she finds Happy and Dragneel sitting on the bed. "Where were you?" Dragneel asks, following her movements. "I was getting breakfast." Lucy brings out three different to-go plates from three bags, and a half gallon of milk from the fourth bag. She opens each one to reveal two pancake plates, a toast plate, a bacon plate, a sausage plate, two scrambled egg plates, a plate of fried fish, and a plate with four blueberry muffins. She also pulls out three cups and plates with packages of syrup and jam. "Don't know what you eat, so pick up your plate and make it." Lucy says as she takes her own plate and puts a slice of toast and eggs and a cup of milk.
Dragneel fills his plate with four pancakes, three pieces of toast, eggs, bacon, sausage and a muffin. He growls at the sight of her plate and steals it to put three pancakes, two more slices of toast, and a generous amount of bacon, eggs, and sausage with a muffin. Lucy makes a noise of confusion and tries to stop him but he growls and pushes the plate to her. "Eat." All he says before he scoops a spoonful of eggs into his mouth and glares her down as she eats. Happy just smiles at the sight with his plate of fish. "You can't get anything done with that little amount of food. It's about a four hour walk to Fairy Tail, you'll need the energy." Happy says, and Lucy nods silently.
"I suppose it makes sense that you wouldn't want to take the train." Lucy reasons, and Happy looks at her in confusion. Dragneel turns his head to her as well, growling. "Well, I'm not versed in dragon slayer, but I know Draco hates moving vehicles." Lucy explains, and Dragneel growls again. "Draco is one of my celestial spirits, The Dragon constellation." Lucy brings the silver key to sight, its blade twisting and spiked like a dragon tail and the head shaped like dragon wings.
Dragneel takes in the sight of the key, grunting as he goes back to his food. Lucy chuckles and puts Draco back with the others before eating her's.
—-
Lucy looks around in confusion as all the townsfolk whisper at the sight of her and Dragneel. "Poor girl." "She's probably being threatened!" Or something of the likes reaching her ears.
She looks to Dragneel with sadness, just imagining all the other things he must hear about him with his enhanced senses.
Maybe I should bring out Rory, he always helps whenever I'm feeling down. But, with the way he's acting, bringing Rory might look I pity and that'll just upset him more. If it gets too bad, I'll have Rory come out but until then I'll let Dragneel go about this like normal.
Her thoughts are taken away by the sight of a large three story building with flags hanging. She gapes in excitement at the sign that reads "Fairy Tail".
Natsu opens the door and walks in, silencing the guild hall. He just grunts and walks to the request board. "Seriously, he just walks in here like he owns the place and everyone lets him! Let's settle this once and for all!" A man with dark hair wearing only boxers exclaims.
Is this guy for real, he's naked!
"Gray, your clothes?" A woman with brown hair says.
I don't think the one wearing a bikini top should be the one to scold him on this.
"I don't have time for that!" The woman sighs in response. "You see, I don't date the man here because they have no class." She then lifts up an entire barrel of beer and begins to brink it.
How is she lifting that, all that alcohol can't be good for someone! She's just lucky she's hot so I won't hold it against her too hard.
Natsu growls, and Gray is knocked in the head by a large man with white spiky hair. "It's only noon and you're already whining like a baby! Don't go picking fights with Dragneel." Gray just punches the man back, sending him flying and a brawl breaks out in the entire guild hall.
There's not a single normal person in this place! Natsu seems okay but he likes to growl and Happy is a talking blue cat that can fly.
Lucy watches the fight from a safe distance away, debating joining Natsu near the board.
"Hello, are you new here?" Lucy turns around and is greeted by the sight of a beautiful woman with long white hair in a red and pink dress. "Mirajane!"
No way, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and she's right here in front of me! In the flesh!
"Um, don't you think we should try to stop them or something?" Lucy points to the brawl, and Mirajane shakes her head. "It's always like this around here, I just leave them alone. Besides-" Mirajane is swept off her feet as she is hit by the large man being sent flying across the room. He lands on top of her, "It's kinda fun, don't you think?" Mirajane falls unconscious as Lucy screams and rushes over to push him off. "Don't die, Mirajane!" She is bumped into by Gray, now without his boxers. Lucy screams and turns aways from him. "Excuse me miss, can I please borrow your underwear?" He asks her, and she brings out her whip and sends him flying back. "As if!"
"These guys are all so insensitive; a woman has needs." Lucy is picked up by a man with orange hair.
Thats odd, he doesn't feel like a normal human. He feels so familiar in a way that's like deja vu, I know what he feels like but I haven't paid attention to it.
"Real men speak with their fists, Loke!" Loke is thrown away by a punch from the big man. Suddenly, everyone is adding their magic to the fight. "They always fight like this?" Lucy backs away near Natsu and Happy flies down into her arms. "Uh-huh." Happy nods, and Lucy looks down at him with a crooked smile. "You don't seem worried..."
"Would you fools stop bickering like children?!" A giant appears from the top floor and the guild hall falls silent. "He's huge!" Lucy exclaims with wide eyes, squeezing Happy tighter as she shakes in fear.
"I'm sorry; I didn't know you were still here, master." Mirajane apologizes to the giant, and Lucy stands shocked at the revelation. "Well, seems we've a new recruit." Lucy nods her head slowly and the giant begins to yell as he deflates. Once done, he stands no taller than Lucy's hips.
"Nice to meet ya'." He says, and Lucy nods her head. "Allow me to introduce the Fairy Tail Guild Master, Makarov." Mirajane says, and Makarov leaps onto the second floor, though hitting against the railing and groaning before climbing up.
"You've gone and done it again, you bunch of clods! Just take a look at how much paperwork the magic council sent me this time. This is the biggest pile of complaints yet. Have you lost your minds?! All you kids are good for is getting the higher-ups mad at me!" Everyone in the guild looks down at the floor in shame, and Lucy curls in on herself with a whimper.
It's too much like him; I don't like it here.
Happy notices and puts his paws on her hands, and Natsu takes a step closer to her.
"However," Makarov lights the papers up in flames. "I say to heck with the magic council." Lucy gasps in shock. "Now listen up. Any power that surpasses reason still comes from reason, right? Magic isn't some kind of miraculous power. It is a talent that only works when the flow of energy inside of us and the flow of energy in the natural world are in perfect synchronization. To perform magic, one must have a strong mind and the ability to focus. It should take over your being and come pouring out of your soul. If all we do is worry about following rules, then our magic will never progress. Don't let those blowhards on the council scare you; Follow the path you believe in. 'Cause that's what makes the Fairy Tail guild number one!" He ends the speech by pointing his hand up and everyone follows suit with a yell.
Natsu growls at the noise and Lucy looks at him with sympathy, flinching from the sudden yelling as well.
"So, you want to join Fairy Tail?" Mirajane comes up to her with a magic stamp and Lucy nods. Mirajane takes notice of the way Lucy holds Happy and looks to Dragneel. He just grunts and turns away, leaving Mirajane to turn back to Lucy. "So where do you want the guild mark at? You don't have to tell me a color, just think of what you want when I put it on!" Mirajane asks, and Lucy gapes in surprise. "I don't have to go through an interview or trial or anything?" She asks and Mirajane shakes her head with a giggle. "Goodness no! Just promise to always do your best and make the guild proud!" Mirajane says and Lucy nods.
It should be somewhere easy to see, my dominant hand. And the color should mean something too…
Lucy looks in between Happy and Natsu before putting her focus on Mirajane. Lucy outstretches her hand and after Mirajane takes the stamp off, the mark is the color of Happy's fur with a bold outline of pink similar to Dragneel's hair. "There, now you're an official member of the Fairy Tail guild."
Happy smiles at her when she admires it and Dragneel comes up and shows the cat a flier. "160,000 Jewel to get rid of some thieves? Sounds good to me!" Happy reads.
"How come my dad hasn't come back yet?" A little boy asks Makarov. "You're starting to work my nerves, Romeo. You're a wizard's son, have faith in your father and wait patiently for him." Makarov chides the boy.
"But sir, he told me that he'd be back in three days, and he's been gone for over a week now!" Romeo exclaims.
"If I remember correctly, he took the job on Mt. Hakobe." "That's right, and it's not that far from here so why won't somebody go look for him?" Romeo screams, and Makarov puts his pint of beer down with a slam. "Listen, kid, your old man is a wizard! And like every other wizard in this guild, he can take care of himself! Now go home, have some milk and cookies, and wait!" Makaroc yells, and Romeo punches him in the face. "Jerk! I hate you all!" Romeo cries as he runs out of the guild hall, and Lucy stares sadly.
"Poor boy, he really misses his dad." She mutters, and Natsu punches the request board. Lucy looks over in shock, but Natsu simply walks right pass. "He's going to Mt. Hakobe, I know he is." Happy sighs and Lucy nods, following Natsu out. "Where is Mt. Hakobe?" Lucy asks. "It's a seven hour walk, and it's constantly snowing there." Happy answers and Lucy nods, noting to grab her winter clothes from her bag.
"Are you coming with us, Lushie?" Happy asks, and Lucy nods. "If you want me to." Natsu growls and Lucy flinches back before sending a glare. "Good that I'm not asking for your opinion." Lucy looks down to Happy, who smiles and nods for her to come along. "It'll take too long to walk; we're catching a car." Natsu says, both Happy and Lucy looking at him with wide eyes. "But you hate vehicles." Happy mutters, and Natsu growls. "The boy needs his dad as soon as possible, walking will be too long." Lucy stares at him with a softness in her eyes he's never seen anyone give him before.
Damn woman, you're starting to get me.
—
Happy and Lucy both look at each other in sympathy as Natsu groans in pain for the umpteenth time. It had only been a few minutes into the ride but the road had been full of bumps. Lucy sighs as she moves next to him, pulling his head into her lap with little resistance. She cards her fingers through his hair and rubs over his temples and neck, doing the same to his shoulders with her other hand.
When the car stops and the driver calls out, "I'm sorry, but this is as far as I can get you." Lucy nods and pulls on her gloves and coat over the heavy turtleneck and pants she had switched her shirt and skirt out for before the ride. Natsu opens the doors and Lucy is taken aback by how violent the winds are, pulling her hood up over her head to protect her ears. She takes Happy into her arms when he is nearly thrown out of the car by one of the winds. "Whoa, it is a frozen wasteland out here!"
The three get out of the car and begin walking, calling out Macao's name. "What kind of crazy job would force Macao to come to a place like this?" Lucy mutters, and Natsu growls. "You should've asked before you came. To slay a vulcan, big monster." Lucy nods and grips her keys tighter.
Suddenly, a large black and white ape crashes down near Natsu and Happy. "That's a big vulcan!" Happy screams, Natsu nodding as his hand lights up in dark flames. The vulcan sniffs the air and rushes away, grabbing Lucy and lifting he rup by the shoulders. "Me like human woman!" The vulcan says, making Lucy blanch. The vulcan begins to run away with Lucy and she struggles to get away.
Though, I could get into his lair and find Macao!
Lucy calms down and lets the Volcan take her back to his cave. Once in, she tries to look around for Macao, though the Vulcan kept dragging her back to his side.
Then, Natsu came sliding in on the ice, passing the two by. "Damned woman, letting the monkey take you?" He growls and Lucy gapes at him in anger. "Hey, I did it to find where he lives to see if Macao was kept here!" She argues, and Natsu simply grunts as he stands up. "Whatever you say woman. Where the hell is he then, monkey!" Natsu yells, and the vulcan points towards an opening in the cave. Natsu growls as he slowly walks to it, looking out slightly before being pushed by the vulcan.
"Natsu!" Lucy screams as she rushes over to the hole. The monkey dances as Lucy keeps trying to look if he survived the fall. "Pervy monkey, you're going down." Lucy mutters as she brings out a golden key designed to look like a double headed ax on the blade. "Open, gate of the golden bull; I call upon you, come forth to my side, Taurus." The key is enveloped in light that dissolves into sparkles that reveal the large bipedal bovine spirit. "Cow?" The vulcan tilts in confusion. "I should warn you, monkey boy. Taurus is the most heavy hitting spirit in my family." Lucy states. "Oh wow, miss Lucy, I almost forgot what a nice figure you have. Why don't you come give me a smooch." Lucy sighs in exasperation as she puts her head in her hands. "Oh yeah, he's a big perv too."
"Don't touch my woman!" The vulcan growls and Taurus glares at the monster. "Your woman? Them's fightin' words, you moo-nkey!" Taurus brings his ax from off his back and charges at the vulcan. He breaks apart the ground with a hit and the vulcan runs and jumps at Taurus, making Lucy bring out Draco's key. Yet, before she can summon him, Natsu comes in with a kick to Taurus's head. Lucy screams at the sight and runs over to Taurus. "Called for another, huh?" Natsu growls and Lucy turns to him in anger. "Taurus is one of my spirits, not a monster!" Lucy yells at him and turns back to Taurus. "How did you even get back up here after that fall?" She inquires, and Natsu just points to Happy.
The vulcan yells at Natsu and attempts to squish him, but Natsu pushes him back. He lights his hands in flames and charges at the vulcan, hitting it in the guts. The vulcan growls and pushes the ice towards Natsu, who melts it away. Once the fog clears, the vulcan has picked up Taurus's ax. The vulcan swings it at Natsu who just dodges out of the way each time until he slips and falls on the ice. The ax comes down on him, but he catches it in his hands to stop it from cutting him in half.
"Taurus, you need to go back and your ax will go too! Close, gate of the golden bull; I return you home, Taurus." Both the spirit and the ax disappear into golden light. "Dark dragon calamity impact!" The vulcan is punched into the wall of the cave and falls unconscious. "Tell me where Macao is now." Natsu demands, and Lucy shakes her head. "I don't think he's going to do much talking. Besides, he probably is Macao to begin with." Natsu turns to Lucy with confusion and tilts his head.
The vulcan starts to shine, making Lucy yelp. The light stops all at once, revealing a human man in the vulcan's place.
"He must have been taken over by that vulcan." Happy says and Natsu turns to him instead. "It must have used a possession spell on him. You see, vulcans survive by stealing people's bodies and taking them over. They're evil body snatchers." Happy explains and Lucy nods in confirmation.
Natsu drags Macao into the center of the cave where he can be laid down and Lucy checks on his pulse. "It looks like he put up a good fight before that vulcan finally got to him though." Happy gives the man credit and Lucy nods. "He just needs to open his eyes, Romeo's waiting on him." Narsu chides, and Lucy glares at him. "Calm down, Natsu; He's not dead, just injured." Natsu growls at her and she flinches back, yet still keeps her glare. Macao twitches and opens his eyes, breaking the silent battle between Natsu and Lucy.
"Are you okay?" Lucy asks, and Macao takes a moment to survey his surroundings. "Dragneel?!" He exclaims at the sight of Natsu. Macaos shakes his head, though winces from the pain. "I'm so pathetic, I defeated 19 of those brutes. But that 20th, that's the one that got me… I'm so angry with myself; I'm embarrassed to go home and face Romeo." Macao says and Natsu growls slightly.
"Don't be like that, you beat 19 of those monsters!" Lucy says, and helps him sit up. "Now let's get back, your little boy has been waiting for you." Macao chuckles and takes her hand to allow her to help him up.
—
"Thank you." Macao says as they enter the town, and Natsu grunts while Lucy nods with a smile. "Just don't leave Romeo like that again." She says, tightening her grip on Happy in her arms. Macao nods and looks back ahead, smiling when he finally catches sight of his son. "Romeo!" He calls out, "Dad!" Romeo runs to him and jumps into Macao's waiting arms with teary eyes.
"You came back; I'm so sorry dad." Romeo buries his face in Macao's shoulder.
"No, I'm sorry for making you worry." Macao lays his lower face in Romeo's hair.
"I can handle it, 'cause I'm a wizard's son!"
"Next time those bullies pick on you, here's what I want you to say: Can your old man defeath 19 monsters all by himself? 'Cause my can!" Romeo smiles brightly at his dad and nods, prompting Natsu to signal for the three to take leave.
Lucy smiles softly at the two before following along after Natsu. "Lucy, Happy, Dragneel! Thank you for bringing my daddy back to me!" Romeo yells out to them and Lucy giggles. "No problem, Romeo." She yells back as Happy and Dragneel give waves.
At least I know you have a safe and happy home and family life. It's what every child deserves, even if they all don't get one.
Lucy shakes herself out of her thoughts and looks forward. Happy chuckles from something he sees, and points Natsu and her to it as well. Natsu rolls his eyes fondly and she giggles, catching sight of her guild park and keys.
But at least I have it now, and I'll never not be thankful for it, for them. Yeah, they might be crazy but they're all: warm-hearted, nice and a lot of fun to be around. I can't help it, I love my family.