Chaos XIII
Lucy flipped through a box of unsent letters. They detailed every event of her life from the day she ran away up to the traumatic events of the week. With a sigh, she sealed the latest envelope and dropped it in.
As she pushed the box back under her bed, she heard a loud creak from her living room. Stepping over the sleeping blue cat that had grown more and more attached to her and snatching a broom from the corner, she quietly slipped into the living room. Sure enough, a figure sat casually in her windowsill. He offered a small wave as she tossed her broom aside.
"What are you doing here?"
"You should really lock your windows. Were you planning to hit me with that?" Natsu pointed to the discarded broom. Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Answer or get out."
"You have my cat."
Lucy huffed in irritation. "Didn't you say he was annoying?"
"Yeah. Can't just say I came to check up on you." Natsu slid inside the apartment.
"You…"
"You took a pretty rough beating. Knowing it was your own father that subjected you to that has to hurt, right?" Natsu flopped down onto Lucy's couch, making himself comfortable.
"Yeah…" Lucy took a deep breath, taking a seat next to the dragon slayer. "I was actually planning to pay him a visit."
Natsu raised an eyebrow. "Alone? Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Not exactly. I was going to ask Gray and Erza, but they'd try to talk me out of it. And I wasn't sure if you would-"
"I will."
"You're not busy?"
"Not really."
"Okay."
Natsu spent that night on Lucy's couch, and the next morning, the duo was on their way to the Heartfilia Estate. They rode the train in silence, as usual. Lucy watched Natsu's movements. She noticed how he jumped on sudden turns, and the way his hand flew to his stomach on abrupt stops.
A smile twitched at her lips as she realised what was going on. "Natsu, do you get motion sick?"
He shot her an agitated look before shutting his eyes again. "Maybe."
"That's funny! The big scary dragon slayer's one weakness: a train." She feigned horror, laughing as he glared in her direction.
"You're hilarious. Don't go telling everyone."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Lucy crossed her fingers. "Actually, I have another question."
"Shoot." Natsu grumbled.
"What is chaos?"
The question caught him off guard. To be fair, chaos was different from other slayer elements. It wasn't physical, therefore couldn't be eaten normally. Nobody had bothered asking before. Most people just took it as is, his magic was chaotic. Black, crimson, and blue. To be honest, he didn't understand it either.
"You'll know when you taste it." Acnologia had told him so many years ago.
"Sorry for asking," Lucy interrupted his train of thought. "It's just- I saw you eat it when you were fighting Gajeel. But it wasn't like how Gajeel ate metal. Just wanted to know where it came from."
"The easiest way to explain it... disorder. There's always this underlying aura of chaos, no matter where I am. When there's enough bloodlust around, that aura thickens, and it turns this deep red and black. Gajeel's murderous intent during that fight was enough to bring out that aura, and I was able to refuel."
"So, the only way you can replenish your magic is… to almost die?"
"In part. Finding a fire source tends to be less tedious."
"Now arriving at West Crocus Station. Please prepare to depart."
Back at Fairy Tail, reparation efforts were in full force. Master Makarov was still recovering, and Erza had taken charge on rebuilding the guild hall. She was throwing out orders left and right, producing maximum efficiency from her unpaid labourers.
"Has anyone seen Lucy?" Mirajane called out. She was overseeing refreshments to keep her guild members spirits up. While watching everyone work, she noticed a certain blonde was nowhere to be found. She decided to ask Gray, who was sitting nearby poking at a bento mysteriously left among his things holding a suspiciously accurate seaweed portrait of himself.
"Gray, have you seen Lucy at all today?"
"Actually… no." Gray spoke, bringing a hand to his chin. He and Erza had visited her two days prior after her release from Porlyusica's but hadn't seen her since. "Maybe we should pay her a visit."
"Are you trying to skip out on your duties?" Erza was seemingly summoned by Gray's words, and he jumped as she appeared behind him with a threatening stare.
"No! Mira just reminded me we haven't seen Lucy lately."
"Hm. That's true..." Erza turned back towards the main construction site. "Elfman! I'm leaving you in charge of construction efforts. Keep everyone in check."
"Yes ma'am!"
"Gray, with me. We will visit Lucy's apartment."
The two arrived in record time, only to receive no response after repetitive knocking. So, they worked their way onto the roof, dropping into the chimney to break their way in.
"Why so much noise…" A sleepy voice complained as a soot-covered duo argued in the fireplace.
"Happy!"
"Huh? Gray, Erza?"
"Have you seen Lucy?"
"Lushi's not here?" Happy floated up. He drifted around the room, checking under the bed, in the bathroom, and even kitchen cabinets for the missing girl. "Ah! Lushi's really gone!"
"Has she spoke of anywhere she intended to go?"
Happy thought for a moment before flying back under the bed and dragging out a ruby box with intricate golden details. Erza flipped it open to find hundreds of envelopes, all addressed to "Mother". She carefully removed the unsealed envelope on top, scanning the contents before her eyes widened in dismay.
"What's it say?" Gray asked, trying to get a glimpse of the words over Erza shoulder. Erza dropped the letter back in the box and leaped up.
"The Heartfilia Estate… it's in Crocus if I remember correctly. Come, we must stop Lucy from throwing her happiness away!"
"Aye sir!"
The three arrived in Crocus in record time. Threats to a timid conductor somehow did make the train move faster, and hijacking a carriage was no issue for the Fairy Queen on a mission.
Arriving in the countryside at the largest mansion in the area, an unexpected sight awaited the trio.
Leaning casually against a tree in front of the home was none other than their own Chaos Dragon, but Lucy remained out of sight.
"What did you do to Lucy?" Erza demands, thrusting her sword to Natsu's throat. He held back a snort and shoved the blade aside.
"Must you place accusation on me for every little thing, Titania? What are you doing here anyway?"
"We found a letter Lucy wrote saying she was going home. After what her father just did, we can't let her do that." Gray explained. "But why are you here? Did you tell Lucy to go home? What happened wasn't her fault, you know."
"Why would I do that? I'm just here as an escort." Natsu crossed his arms.
"Hey, Gray, Erza! Is that you?" Someone called in the distance. All heads turned to see Lucy Heartfilia running towards them in a tattered gown, leaving her almost fully exposed. Erza felt her chest heat up.
"You scoundrel!" She turned back to Natsu, who scoffed.
"Lucy! You can't leave Fairy Tail!"
"We need you!"
"I'm not," Lucy smiled. "Which is why I came here. To let my father know I won't return. Natsu came with me in case things went south."
"Oh. Well then, I must apologi—" Erza turned around but the man had disappeared. "He's gone already? I owe him an apology now. I'll be sure the next time we speak to thank him properly for all he's done recently."
"Let's go back. It's getting late, the guild's probably worried."
After boarding the train, Gray and Happy were quick to drift off to sleep. Erza made her way to the dining car, and Lucy could only stare out the window at the valley she grew up in. A bittersweet feeling hit her heart as the land faded from view. It was hard enough when she ran away, but now she had said her official goodbye. There would be no returning.
But it was okay. She had a support system now, no one could hurt her. Not even her own feelings. Not even…
"Stupid…" Lucy mumbled as the train rumbled home.
Natsu walked through the outskirts of Crocus. He kicked a stone in frustration. Maybe he should've stayed. It had barely been a month since the celestial mage entered his life, and he had socialised more with the guild in that time than since he was dragged in as a child.
Contrary to popular belief, Natsu didn't hate his guild. If he did, there was no way he would've let Makarov keep him there as long as he had. The guild had taught him everything about human behaviour. Things they like and don't. How surroundings impact behaviour. Why some protect, and some kill.
Jose was dead.
Killing was a big no-no in the eyes of humanity, and he knew he would face repercussions. It shouldn't matter anyway; it was clearly self-defence.
"Chaos Dragneel, you're under arrest!"
Right on time. Natsu had barely made it to the border when a group of magic knights surrounded him, weapons aimed to kill.
"Don't resist!"
"Wouldn't dream of it." Natsu put his hands up and let the knights take him away.
"The trial of Natsu 'Chaos' Dragneel regarding the murder of Phantom Lord Guild Master Jose Porla, Sixth Wizard Saint, will now commence." Chairman Crawford banged his gavel and took a seat while the councilman to his right stood up.
"You, who wields the power to slaughter dragons, took your magic against a human. Jose was a dear friend, and a very respectable wizard. As a member of this nation's strongest guild, you are expected to use your strength for the good of Fiore. You did not. For that I say guilty."
"Now, Michello. Did you even read the documents?" A councilwoman opposite of Michello stood, shooting a glare at the former.
"I—"
"No matter. If you even glanced at the report, you would know this young man did not use his own power to defeat Jose. Jose's own weapon, triggered by his own hand, was the cause of his demise. The boy made a smart choice, a choice that saved thousands of lives. He is not guilty."
Natsu glanced to the next voice, it was one he recognized. "I must agree with Lady Belno." Siegrain stood. "Fairy Tail is known for being destructive and brash. Chaos here is among the most destructive of them, wielding the power of Chaos itself. Despite that, they are a guild that has never failed to prove their loyalty to the kingdom. If the decision was made to kill Jose, it was because he needed to die. End of story. Not guilty."
"I couldn't have said it better myself." A black-haired woman next to Siegrain stood as well. A smile spread across her lips, but it wasn't sincere. Nothing about her was sincere. Natsu narrowed his eyes. "I believe Chaos is not guilty."
"Have you all lost your minds?" A voice boomed. "Death is final. Jose cannot even be brought back to defend himself, yet you shove all blame to him? Shameful. Regardless of supposed circumstances, the conflict never should've come down to killing. He must be punished. Guilty!"
"If Master Org says guilty, I will agree."
"You're the defining vote, Yajima." The Chairman spoke. All eyes turned to the old man.
"Jose… was a villain. I strongly believe Chaos was looking out for the best interests of his guild. The fact that he hesitated should be enough evidence. We must understand Jose was in the midst of casting Abyss Break, which would have wiped out the entire population of Magnolia. The moment that spell went off, Phantom Lord officially became a dark guild. Besides, the weapon was his own. It was just aimed differently. If anything, we could call this a suicide."
"Okay." The chairman stood up. "Natsu Dragneel, you have been declared not guilty by the Magic Council of Fiore."
Someone slammed a desk and someone else angrily marched away.
"You are free to leave."
"Okay."
A guard rushed over and undid Natsu's restraints. He was led to a nearby room to collect his confiscated belongings. He internally debated returning straight to the guild or staying in Crocus a bit longer. He wasn't in a rush. And Makarov would be sure to chew him out.
Right on cue, someone stopped Natsu before he could reach the exit.
"Chaos, could you wait just a moment?"
"Siegrain."
"You're in no hurry, are you?"
Natsu gritted his teeth. "If I was, it wouldn't matter."
"I'm glad you're aware," The councilman's lips curved into an amused smile. "I'd just like to ask a favour of you."
Natsu's eyes drifted to the corner while Siegrain fed him irrelevant information. Someone was there, listening. Even concealed by magic, Natsu could feel the strong presence.
"I don't like being anyone's lap dog." Natsu stated when Siegrain finished his spiel. "Maybe find someone else to pass your work off to."
As Natsu turned away, Siegrain let out a deep sigh. "I was hoping I dropped enough hints that you would catch on. I'm not supposed to speak of this matter, as it correlates to foreign diplomacy issues, but the ruins I spoke of seem to be some type of dragon graveyard."
He stopped in his tracks. "What?"
"Bosco doesn't have a strong hold on its people, and no excavation team for such matters. That being the case, their Chancellor requested Fiore's assistance on investigating the secrets of these draconic remains." Siegrain stepped closer to the frozen dragon slayer. "I shouldn't tell you, but the Council declined Bosco's request. I voted in favour, of course. Who knows what secrets could be hiding down there? But the council disagreed. They say we should leave mythical beasts to the fairytales."
"I see."
"So, are you interested?"
"What was that about?" Ultear asked, appearing at Siegrain's side after the dragon slayer left.
"The Tower of Heaven is just about finished. Sending away the higher echelons of the nosiest guilds will ensure no one interferes with the plan."
"Smart. What about the rest?"
"The Thunder Legion has accepted a search quest for a relic that doesn't exist, and Gildarts Clive remains on his hundred-year death mission. This effectively removes all of Fairy Tail's S-Class besides Erza."
"Shall we send her away too?"
"No. I'd like Erza to experience this firsthand. I'd like her to be my sacrifice." Siegrain walked to the balcony. "Soon enough, this sky will bleed. We need only wait, Ultear. Zeref will return."