Fairies Among Devils

by Chris Ketchum

For the longest time, humans have been used by the Factions as servants or as tools. Until one day, a group of wizards was formed to give them a place where no one could use them. One that with the help of the House of Gremory would change the lives of many be they Human, Devil, Angel, Fallen Angel, or anything else. Its name…Fairy Tail. (Rated M for explicit content)

1. Chapter 1: First Day and Magical Origins

Hey all, I'm back with a brand new story. This is something I've been thinking of doing for the past 3 months. A crossover of Fairy Tail and High School DxD!

This is just a pilot just to see if you guys wanted to see more of this. I'm sorry if my writing on this isn't great on this, me and Cloud4012 tried our best with this.

Now we just want to see what did you all think of this possibly potential story if you'd like to see more of this so let us know and give us some feedback on how you all feel about this. Until then, enjoy the chapter!

---

Chapter 1: First Day and Magical Origins

[BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!]

As the sunlight shines down we see an alarm clock going off in someone's bedroom.

With a grumble, a hand underneath the sheets fumbled around the stand, before finally slamming his fist down on the snooze button, silencing the clock.

"Ugh...it can't be time already?"

Slowly rolling over his bed sheets was a young man by the age of sixteen, standing tall at 5'8". He had light tan skin, a muscular frame that was built like an athlete, he had black and red messy hair with which had yet to be done up due to being rolled in his sleep, and was dressed in a white tank top and gray pajama shorts.

The teenager yawned as he stretched his arms and back, making them crack with a satisfying pop. He looked to his alarm clock to check the time: it was exactly 7:00.

"What I would give for just 30 more minutes." He sighs.

Slowly walking out of bed, he turns on the sink in his bathroom and splashes water on his face before fixing his hair allowing you to see his face.

Pushing his bangs aside, the boy gazed himself in the mirror, looking right into his golden eyes.

"You can do this. You faced challenges worse than this." He said trying to motivate himself.

His name was Nathan "Nate" Ryukai, and what was he getting himself motivated for you ask? Well soon enough, Nate is about to experience one of the most devastating things in the world: the first day of school.

Turning his head, Nate looks to see a black school uniform hanging on a hook near his closet, on top of it we see a white scarf with a scaley pattern.

Glaring right at the uniform, Nate picked up the blazer with hatred in his eyes.

"I want to destroy you so badly." Nate growls but in the end he forces himself to put it on.

Looking at himself in a mirror, Nate cringed.

"I definitely need this." Loosening the collar, Nate wraps the scarf around his neck. He literally refused to go ANYWHERE without the piece of cloth around his neck. It held a lot of good memories with him.

"Hopefully they can cut me a break and let this slide." Nate said hopeful.

Suddenly he heard a knock at the door. "Nate, mom wanted me to make sure you're out of bed!" A female voice said from the other side.

"Well tell her she's in luck, I managed to wrestle out of the nest this time!" Nate called out to the voice in a joking manner.

Slowly opening the door was a young girl with long blue hair wearing a white uniform with a black skirt and her hair tied in bows. She was a petite girl of the age of 14 with fair skin, standing at 4 '11", half the size of Nate from where he was standing and had light brown colored eyes. This was Nate's younger sister, Wendy Ryukai.

"I honestly thought you would do anything to avoid getting up." Wendy said.

"Believe me, I wish I could, but this is basically ripping off a bandage. You just got to get it over with." Nate said.

"Yeah, but it's nice to know you're taking this seriously," Wendy said before noticing his clothes looked a little ruffled and crooked.

"Uh, Nate you know…" Wendy starts.

"I put the uniform on, don't push it." Nate interrupts.

"OK, sorry," she quickly replied.

"Come on. Let's get some breakfast before we have to leave." As Nate grabbed his backpack, the two made their way downstairs.

In the kitchen downstairs, a man with short blue hair and brown eyes was setting up plates while a woman with yellow eyes, black hair and red streaks was pouring juice.

"Morning," Nate called out to his parents.

"Well don't you two look sharp." Their father, Marcus smiles.

"I look like a tool.." Nate mulled.

"Oh come on, Nate. It's not that bad," his mother Reika, rolled her eyes, amused by her son's behavior. "I for one think you look handsome," she said, setting a plate of food down for him. "And I think a certain someone would agree with me," she hinted with a wink.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Nate looks away in denial.

"You sure? Is that a blush I see?" Reika leans in.

"You're imagining things, mom." Nate said annoyed.

"Oh, leave the boy alone, dear." Marcus laughs. "It's not his fault he's scared to ask the girl out."

"Again with my dating life? Will you two just back off? When I want a girlfriend I'll tell her myself." Nate said annoyed. "Ugh I knew I should have stayed in bed."

"Too late to go back, buddy," Marcus grinned.

"Nate, we're just messing with you. Don't be so angry." Reika smiled, pecking him on the forehead. Nate responded with only a grumble as he started eating, quietly.

Suddenly, they hear the doorbell ringing.

"I'll get it." Getting up, Nate opens the door and sees a pretty teenage girl with long blonde hair, brown eyes and was wearing a uniform similar to Wendy that showed off her curves very well especially around the chest area.

"Morning, neighbor," She greeted Nate with a smile.

"Lucy. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Nate asks, his mood lightening up.

"Just thought I'd stop by and make sure you two were ready." Lucy said before noticing the state of his uniform. "And you clearly aren't. Hold still, let me fix that." Reaching out Lucy straightens his messy areas.

"L-Lucy. Don't. " Nate complains, flushing embarrassingly.

"Come on, you don't want everyone to think you're a slob." Lucy rolls her eyes. "There. All fixed."

"Gee, thanks Mom." He responded, sarcastically.

"You can at least be a little grateful. None of us want to go but you can at least try to make the best of this." Lucy said with puffy cheeks.

"Fine. Thanks and uh..at least you look good in that uniform." Nate compliments, making her blush softly.

"R-really? Well, thank you and y-you're welcome," Lucy said, fixing herself.

"You wanna join us for breakfast?" Nate offers.

"I'd love to." Lucy smiles walking in with him.

"Hey mom, do we have extra? Lucy's here!" Nate calls out.

"Always, come on in, Lucy!" Reika called out while preparing her plate.

"Hey Lucy," Wendy said as Lucy sat next to her.

"So Wendy, are you ready for the first day?" Lucy asks.

"Ready as I'll ever be. I'd be lying if I wasn't a little nervous." Wendy admits.

"Well don't worry, cuz I'm on the same boat as you are," Lucy said.

"Well look at it this way. At least you're not completely alone." Nate points out.

"Yeah I'm sure the others will also help you, us too. Right Nate?" Lucy agrees.

"Of course. I'd be a pretty lousy older brother if I didn't help you get through the first day," Nate grinned, ruffling Wendy's hair a bit. "Cuz of how you act most of the time, you'll need all of the help you can get."

"Hey, I actually think I handle myself better than some of the others." Wendy defends.

"She makes a good point. Actually, make sure all your friends know to be on their best behavior at school." Marcus said, looking at all 3 of them.

"The last thing we need is more chaos following us than it already has," Reika chimed in, adding her two cents. "For once, I just want you kids to have a normal life and act like normal teenagers. No fights, no trouble, none of that."

"That's a tall order Mom. I don't know if that's possible." Nate said unsure.

"Well then how about this? First, one of you who causes trouble has to work at the cafe for a month. After school and weekends." Reika threatens to scare all 3 of them.

"A-A full month?" Lucy yelped.

"Relay that message to the others too." Reika adds.

"That might stop us for a while." Nate gulps. Wendy instantly nodded in complete accord, and the three resumed their meal in a quick manner.

---

After eating, the three of them left for their new school.

While it was normal for the girls to be nervous, Nate was extra nervous because of one tiny detail regarding their new school.

Kuoh Academy used to be an All Girls School, but until a few years ago they began letting boys in. However, the boy-to-girl ratio was VERY low.

Nate wondered how the hell his family even managed to get him and his sister into such a school in the first place. Kuoh Academy was a very prestigious school, and of course that meant it must have been VERY costly. Not to mention the entrance exams were on a whole different scale of difficulty. It was a shock to the lad once he found out that he passed.

"Whoa, look at that." Wendy points.

Looking down the street, they saw a large gothic style building with tons of teens in matching uniforms entering a gate.

Nate whistled, impressed. "So that's our school, huh?"

"Pretty fancy. I still can't believe we all get to go here. These next few years should be interesting." Lucy said.

Upon walking through the gates, the three were instantly met by two girls standing in front of the school both wearing the female uniforms.

One of them was a bespectacled young woman with a slim figure, black hair styled in a short bob cut, and violet eyes and magenta colored glasses.

The other was a young woman, taller than the first gjrl with long straight black hair that extends all the way down to her knees, with split bangs, light brown eyes and blue, semi-rimmed glasses with square lenses.

"Good morning." They both said, greeted them.

"Oh uh good morning." Wendy said bowing her head startled. Nate and Lucy both bowed in response.

"You must be the last batch of new students we've been notified of?" The first girl guessed.

"You'd be correct." Nate nodded. "I'm Nathan Ryukai. This is my little sister, Wendy."

"I'm Lucy Heartfelia." Lucy waves.

"Greetings, my name is Sona Shitori. I'm the Student Council president here at Kuoh. And this is my Vice President, Tsubaki Shinra." She greets.

Tsubaki silently bowed, greeting them.

"Nice to meet you both." Nate greets.

"We've encountered a few of the other transfer students already. We usually don't receive so many at one time but your paperwork checks out. We hope that you will enjoy your time here but also treat your fellow schoolmates with respect." Sona said, glancing at Nate for that last part.

'What's she looking at me for?' Nate thought in his head.

"We've taken the liberty of printing your schedules as well as your home rooms. Clubs have already started but if you're interested I'm sure some will have openings." Sona explains as Tsubaki handed them pieces of paper.

"We'll be sure to keep that in mind, thank you." Lucy said.

"If you have any questions feel free to stop by the Student Council." Sona said.

Nate, Lucy, and Wendy bowed in gratitude one more time before walking past them and onto the school grounds. As they walked off, Sona and Tsubaki stared at them with solemn and calculating looks.

"You've felt it too, Tsubaki?" Sona asks as the taller girl nods. Narrowing her eyes, Sona thought it would be best to keep an eye on them.

"She said encountered a few others, I guess that means some of our friends got here early." Lucy assumes.

"That's good, but I wonder which ones?" Wendy asks when they heard a female student screaming.

"Get away from me!" The girl who screamed ran from a teenage boy with spiky black hair, blue eyes, and a sword necklace but the part that scared her away was that he was completely shirtless. This was Gray Fullbuster.

"What's with these people? I was just asking for directions." He shrugs, oblivious.

"Gray, your clothes!" A female voice calls out.

Looking down, Gray yelped startled until someone held a shirt out for him.

"Seriously? It's not even the first period and you're causing a scene." Behind him, we see a beautiful girl with long brown hair that had the back tied in a ponytail, brown eyes, and part of her uniform was unbuttoned to show her body. This was Cana Alberona.

"Hey, it's not my fault this kind of thing happens." Gray grumbled, taking the shirt from her.

"Thanks for packing extra clothes Cana," Nate said as they approached her.

"Figured this might happen, but I gotta say Nate this school is so high-strung. Those girls at the front lectured me for a half hour." Cana said in an annoyed tone.

"You mean the Student body council?" Wendy asked.

"Yeah them. What's their deal? Scolding a girl on her first day?" Cana whines as her chest bounces.

"I think I know why." Lucy mutters seeing their reason.

"Guys, can we not do anything crazy?" Wendy asks.

"Are you kidding? Compared to some of the weirdos here we're normal." Gray comments.

"Weird like what?" Nate asks as Gray turns his head to show two boys with their faces pressed against a small building.

"Look at Murayama's jug, dude! They're freaking huge!" The boy on the left with a balding head exclaimed in delight.

"Indeed!" The other boy with black hair and glasses beside him with an equally perverted smile said. "80-70-81."

"And look at Katase's legs! Crazy sexy!"

"78.5-65-79!"

"I found this hole yesterday during P.E. I call it the 'tit hole!'," the bald boy boasted.

"Excellent find, Matsuda! You sir have my respect!" The guy in glasses praised his friend.

"Disgusting!" A female voice boomed before punching them both in the head.

Falling to the ground both boys look in awe and horror to see a beautiful girl with long scarlet red hair, brown eyes, a sexy athletic figure and carrying a wooden sword wrapped up in a case. This was Erza Scarlet.

"Have you two no sense of dignity or respect?" She glares.

"W-woah, dude? Who's the chick?" The one called Matsuda asks, looking intimidated.

"I don't know, but I would remember seeing a beauty like her." The other one said.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere," Erza said unfazed.

"Please can't we talk about this?" Matsuda begs.

"Y-yeah, it's not what it looks like! Honest." The black haired boy said.

"Really? Because it looked to me that you two were doing some very inappropriate things." Nate said as he and Lucy walked over.

"Whoa mama! Motohama check them out." Matsuda said as Lucy and Erza stood together.

"Anyone ever say you both are smoking hot beauties?" Motohama flirts.

Hearing this, Nate narrows his eyes.

"You two are very bad at listening. Flattery won't save you." Lucy reminds as Nate steps back. "Should we tell the girls in this building what you were up to?"

"It's only right. After all, I plan on joining this club." Erza declares making both boys freeze up.

"Joining a club already, Erza?" Wendy asks, surprised.

"Figured I should make the most of this opportunity." Erza smiles, glancing at them. "A perfect way to settle into our new school as well as meet new people."

"Well if you're joining you'll be running that club before the week is up." Nate assured.

"Yeah, you definitely know your way around with a sword," Lucy agreed.

"I appreciate your confidence in me. I don't suppose any of you have considered joining any clubs?" Erza asks.

"For me, not yet," Lucy shook her head.

"We just got here, so we don't know what else they have," Wendy said.

"I've never thought about joining a club. Not sure what would suit me." Nate admits.

"I'm sure you can find something that suits you." Erza said as Matsuda and Motohama tried sneaking away while they were talking.

However before they could get far, a wooden sword stabs the ground in front of them making them jump startled.

"And just WHERE do you think you two are going?" Erza said, turning her head slightly to face them with a menacing stare. Whimpering, both boys turned pale and held onto each other.

"Well Erza's gonna be busy, why don't we find our classes?" Lucy suggests.

"Good idea," Gray said, wanting to get away from her.

"You know I bet if Erza tells the Kendo team this, they'll let her join in a heartbeat." Cana snickers as they walk away.

"Yeah, probably make her the head captain while they're at it," Nate laughed, and as the group left, they heard wailing and screaming, followed by the sound of wood hitting flesh.

---

Splitting up, Lucy went to help Wendy find her classroom, Gray and Cana went on ahead to class, leaving Nate all alone to roam the halls.

"Okay let's see where's mine?" Nate asks, looking at his schedule.

Turning towards the stairs he noticed a few boys looking at something on an upper floor.

"I'm telling you, that's the girl from the magazine." One said.

"No freaking way, it really is her!"

"And check out the girl next to her!"

Looking down the hall, Nate saw they were admiring two beautiful girls with sexy bodies. One was older with blue eyes, and long white hair that had an upward ponytail near the top, while the other was younger also with blue eyes and with short white hair in a bob cut style.

These were Mirajane and Lisanna Strauss.

"It's the Strauss sister's!" exclaimed the first boy, his eyes full of hearts. "It's unbelievable!"

'What the hell is wrong with the boys at this school?' Nate thought in disbelief.

First, there was the duo peeping on the kendo club and now these guys ogling the two girls like pieces of meat. It's like the boys are acting like they haven't seen a girl in years or something.

"Oh man if I could score even one date with a model I'd die happy." One said.

"Same. It'd be a dream come true." Another sighs unaware of a large figure approaching them.

"You know what they say about dreams? They can become nightmares in an instant." A deep male voice growls startling them.

"H-hey, who said tha-" The boys turned only to be greeted by a man's chest. They turned their heads upwards and their expressions turned from shock to fear. Standing behind them was a very large and muscular young man with tan colored skin, towering over them all with a menacing look on his face. He has long white hair that is kept styled upwards in long, wavy spikes.

This was Elfman Strauss.

"You pathetic worms think you're man enough for my sisters? Think again." Elfman glares, cracking his knuckles.

The boys screamed in fear and quickly took off for their lives.

"Wow Elfman, still as protective as ever I see." Nate said, walking over.

"Nate, I think your parents should rethink this whole school thing. I'm not liking this idea so far." Elfman said.

"You mean you don't like the idea of guys talking that way about Mira and Lisanna all the time." Nate corrects.

The towering behemoth snarled, crossing his arms, "Have you seen the way they talk about my sisters? None of that screams manly at all!"

"To be fair this used to be an all girls school so manliness wasn't a big problem before." Nate points out.

"You know what I mean." Elfman said.

"I do, but come on do you really believe your sisters would want anything to do with guys like that?" Nate asks.

Elfman looked away, scratching the side of his face, "Well..not really."

"Look this place has some serious problems but we just have to find good stuff. It's gotta be around here somewhere." Nate said.

"Fine. But I mean it. Any guys try anything funny.." Elfman starts.

"If Mira doesn't deal with them first you can scare them away." Nate compromises.

"Works for me!" Elfman pounds his fists with a malicious grin. As he walked away, Nate groaned, shaking his head.

If he was being honest, he didn't know if he would last here. This school wasn't exactly showing many things to like.

He was about to walk up the stairs when he felt a strange tingle run down his spine.

Looking up, his eyes widened seeing a VERY beautiful girl looking down at him from the top of the staircase. She had a voluptuous body that could rival Lucy, Erza, and Mirajane combined, clear white skin, blue eyes, and beautiful crimson hair that reached down to her thighs with a single strand sticking out from the top.

Nate stood in place, unable to look away as he stared back at the girl, who was giving him an alluring and captivating look. It took him a couple of seconds to realize he was staring and quickly shook his head with a blush on his face. As he pulled the scarf over his mouth, Nate made his way to class before it got weird.

"Akeno, who was that?" The girl asks as an equally stunning girl steps into view. She also had a voluptuous figure alongside her friend, very long black hair and violet eyes. Her hair is tied in a very long ponytail that reaches all the way down to the floor with two strands sticking out from the top and tied quite nicely with an orange ribbon keeping it in place.

"I think he's one of those new transfer students." The girl named Akeno said.

The red-headed girl placed a hand to her chin as she watched Nate retreating, "I see.."

"Why do you ask?" Akeno asks.

"It's faint, but there's something about him. Something worth keeping an eye on." She smiles softly.

The black haired girl gave her friend a nod and said, "Shall I relay the message onto the others?"

"Yes, and maybe those other transfer students that came with him just in case."

---

Making his way to class 2-B, Nate walks in and sees Lucy was talking to a girl with short blue hair with a white hair clip. This was Levy McGarden.

"How awesome is it that we got the same classroom?" Levy smiles.

"A fun coincidence I'd say, Levy." Lucy smiles happy that her best friend was in the same class as her.

Walking to an empty seat, Nate noticed Gray and Cana were also in their class. 'Well, nice to know classes won't be too boring with so many familiar faces.' Nate thought sitting down a few seats away from Lucy near the edge.

He sat down beside a young man his age who had short spiky brown hair, with two short locks of hair behind his head, and light brown eyes. He wore a black blazer with a red shirt showing from his uniform.

"Whoa who's that guy with the scarf?" One girl asks.

"I don't know but I pity him, having to sit next to Hyoudou." Another girl mutters.

"He's pretty cute, I sure hope he doesn't end up becoming a pervert like him."

"Huh?" Lifting her head up, Lucy didn't like the sound of that and neither did Nate.

But then the teacher came in, and all of the students stopped their bickering and sat up, "You may all sit down." He tells them and they all sit. "Good morning class. Before we begin, it seems we have some brand new students here today." He said, looking over to Nate, Lucy, Gray, Wendy, and Cana. "So if you all could, please stand up and introduce yourselves."

Slowly, all 5 of them stood up and introduced themselves in order.

"Hi there, my name's Lucy. It's nice to meet you all." Lucy greets.

"Hey, I'm Cana." Cana said not so formally.

"My name is Levy. Good to meet you." Levy bows her head.

"Name's Gray," Gray simply responds.

"And my name's Nate. It's good to be here." Nate said, nodding his head.

As the girls checked out the boys, one girl in the back with glasses was eyeing Gray with interest.

While the guys were totally checking out Lucy, Cana, and Levy. And unfortunately, as luck would have it, the two pervs Matsuda and Motohama were in their class too. And as you can see, their faces were covered with bumps and bruises from receiving Erza's beating earlier, and they were still recovering.

"Issei, remember those hot new babes we told you about at the gate?" Matsuda whispers.

"You mean along with the redhead kendo girl who beat you up?" The boy named Issei recalls.

Motohama, annoyed, pushes his glasses up against his face, "Yes, you didn't have to bring it up..."

"Sorry, but it feels good seeing you guys get what's coming to ya for not inviting me to see the glory hole," Issei said with a smirk on his face, enjoying their reactions.

"Fine next time we'll invite you. I feel like we need a lookout now more than ever." Matsuda said.

"No way. If you expect me to do that, I need to get a first look." Issei states.

"Screw that man, I found it first so we get first dibs!" Matsuda argued.

"Yeah, why would we give up valuable viewing time?!" Motohama agrees.

"Then I hope you guys enjoy getting your asses handed to you." Issei said, turning his attention forward.

The two started grumbling and muttering swears while glaring at their friend. If people like Erza kept finding out about their hiding places, they'll be screwed at every glance given to them.

"We can be open to negotiations after class." Matsuda offers.

"Deal." Issei said as they shook on it.

"I hope you all will do your best to make them feel welcome. Please take your seats." The teacher said as Nate sat down next to Issei and immediately the two pervs backed up in fear.

"Hey, wassup new guy? Name's Issei. Issei Hyoudou," Issei said, introducing himself to Nate.

"Nathan Ryukai." He nods in acknowledgment.

"Here's to hoping you and I can get through the year without driving the other crazy." Issei said, making Nate smirk amused.

"Now THAT'S going to be quite the challenge." He said.

Little did Nate know, he was going to be right in ways he had no idea.

---

As the first half of the day went by, classes went at a slow, boring pace. He's already been in four classes and was struggling to not fall asleep through it all.

When the lunch bell rang, Nate went to the bathroom to splash water on his face.

"Ugh, why they thought we needed this experience I'll never know." Nate groans.

As he walked out, a figure from the opposite hallway ran and hugged him from behind.

"Oh my sweet Nate! I thought I would never see you again!" A female voice sobs.

Turning around Nate his surprise hugger was a girl with long curly blue hair and blue eyes. This was Juvia Lockser.

"J-Juvia?! What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Nate asks.

"Why else? Those soulless monsters separated us." Juvia sobs.

"Oh. You, Elfman, and Lisanna ended up in a different classroom huh?" Nate realizes.

"Yes, and it's such a travesty!" Juvia exclaimed.

"Tell me about it, I almost fell asleep I dunno how many times." Nate said.

"Can't we do something about this?" Juvia asks.

"I'm sorry Juvia, but these arrangements last at least until next year." Nate said as she let go.

"But how will Juvia survive?" Juvia asks.

"We can still see each other outside of class. And it's not like anything else has changed. If I can find a way to endure this nightmare, so can you." Nate said.

Pouting, Juvia was not a fan of this.

"Do you want to join us for lunch?" Nate offers, which makes Juvia smile happily. Nodding her head, she quickly got up and happily wrapped her arms around Nate's.

"J-Juvia." Nate blushes feeling his arm between her bouncy breasts. "Come on, we talked about this."

"But Darling, I feel much easier being by your side," Juvia pleaded.

"But people might get the wrong idea," Nate whispers, gesturing to some of the jealous looks the passing guys were giving Nate.

"The only man whose opinion Juvia cares about is yours." Juvia winks.

"Oy vey..." Nate mutters in exasperation as Juvia pulls him away.

---

"I can't believe the teacher gave us this much homework on the first day." Gray said slamming his locker.

"Come on Gray, it's not that bad," Lucy said, collecting her belongings from her locker.

"We all knew this was going to happen when we enrolled here. Besides, as long as you paid attention in class it shouldn't be that hard." Levy said. Gray grumbled while wrapping his backpack around his waist.

"You know Lucy, this place has a decent drama club. You gonna check it out?" Cana points out.

"Ehh I don't know. I was thinking of something that involved writing maybe." Lucy admits.

"Still trying to be a writer, huh?" Cana asks.

"I just know once I find that right story it'll be a hit." Lucy assures.

"Just remember, I get to read it first before anyone." Levy reminds.

Lucy giggled, remembering the promise. "Don't worry, I didn't forget."

Hearing the girls talk about clubs, Nate paused to wonder if there was anything he would be interested in.

There weren't many clubs for boys and he wasn't really interested in athletic stuff. He definitely didn't have it in him to be an actor so Drama club was also out of the question.

As he pondered his thoughts a flyer fell off a board and landed near him.

Picking it up, he saw it was some Student Council announcements.

'Hmm Student Council?' Nate pauses in consideration. Upon further inspection, the flyer said that they were looking for part-time members.

He remembered those girls at the gate and how they helped get them situated. Not to mention Erza and the other girls were trying to make the most of this. Maybe he should too.

'Why not?' Nate thought to himself before pocketing the pamphlet into his bag for later.

---

Leaving school, all of the kids made their way into town.

While Kuoh wasn't a big city, its downtown area was vibrant and filled with fun shops, restaurants, and cafes. Including a special one.

Turning a corner, they arrive at a cafe with a strange pink symbol which was packed with customers.

Nate inhaled and sighed with a smile, "Ahh, this is more like it! Just what we needed after a boring first day of school."

"Agreed." Lucy said as a figure stepped out from the back.

"Welcome back Master." A female voice calls out making Nate blush embarrassed.

Approaching them, was a beautiful young woman with long purple hair wearing a maid outfit.

"S-Seilah, I thought I told you not to call me that. I'm nobody's Master," Nate said.

"But isn't this the proper way for a servant to greet their master?" Seilah asks. "Or are you allergic to formalities?"

"You're not my servant," Nate assures.

"I am indeed," Seilah responds, taking his hand. "Let me show you to your table."

Lucy shook her head and sighed as she watched Seilah drag Nate away to a table. 'She'll never let him live that down.'

"So Lucy." Reika, who was working behind the counter with Marcus, called her attention and said, "What did you all think of Kuoh Academy?"

Lucy's response was a dry, "It's an acquired taste."

"Come on, it couldn't have been that bad." Marcus brushes off.

"The school maybe has potential but a few students did not leave good impressions. I felt like a few boys were staring at me." Lucy admits.

She could have sworn someone was sneaking peeks at her measurements from the sidelines, which seriously gave her the heebie-jeebies.

"Well, to be fair you are very pretty Lucy. Can't blame some boys for noticing." Marcus said.

"Thanks I guess. I'd be happy with just one boy though." Lucy mutters that last part softly.

She glanced over at Nate, who was sitting with some of the other guys in a booth as Seilah delivered their food, giving the red and black haired boy a smile as she set the tray down.

Glancing at each other, Reika and Marcus smirked thinking the same thing.

"Would you want said boy to compliment you on how you're pretty every time?" Marcus asked Lucy.

"It might be nice to hear it often, I don't know about every day," Lucy said.

"Lucy, I think you need a boy who you can count on. One who knows what you're all about and likes you anyway." Reika suggests leaning.

"Yeah, that would be ideal, I guess." Lucy said, scratching her chin.

"Trust me when I say, it'll take some time for it to lodge into that skull of his, but he'll come around," Reika pats her back, smiling.

"What are you two talking about?" Lucy asks.

"Oh nothing. We just want to make sure you girls find the right boy for you. No matter where he is." Reika said casually.

Marcus nodded, playing along while agreeing with his wife.

"Hey Lucy! You joining our study group?!" Nate calls out.

"Yeah! I'll be right there!" Lucy responded back as she got up from her seat. "Well, gotta go. Homework's calling. Oh and think we could have some snacks while we work?"

"Sure thing, but remind Lisanna and Wendy it's their turn to help out after homework." Marcus points out.

"Can do." Lucy nods, walking away.

"Those two." Reika said, shaking her head amused.

"I swear, when will those two finally tie the knot?" Marcus asks, crossing his arms.

"Getting a little ahead of ourselves with the tie the knot thing, but those two need something to help them realize their feelings for each other." Reika said.

"You think this school year would FINALLY give those two the push they need so badly?"

"I hope so." Reina said as they gazed at the group of teenagers talking, eating, and studying together.

"I swear whoever came up with the idea for homework should have gotten his ass kicked." Cana said.

"No arguments here." Nate agrees as Lucy giggles.

"Come on, it's not that hard." Lucy said, showing him where he went wrong.

"How do you think Makarov and your dad would react to all this?" Marcus asks.

Reina expressed her thoughts on the matter, saying, "I'd think they'd be really happy about how far things have been since that fateful day."

"When our curious little boy crossed paths with a grumpy old man." Marcus said, making her giggle.

---

-Flashback [About 11 Years Ago...] -

We see a small town near the forest after what remained of a storm.

Shivering with cold, a six-year-old Nate sits on a rock, clinging to his jacket for warmth, having become separated from his family.

He rubbed his hands together and breathed on them to warm them up, but unfortunately, he didn't have gloves with him.

"Come on. Come on." Nate pants.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. He would freeze before he reached his family if he didn't find a way to warm up.

'Think warm thoughts. Home, wrapped in blankets, a nice cup of hot ch-chocolate...and a fire. A nice warm fire.' Nate thought in his head trying to picture the flames.

As he became lost in thought, his hands began to sparkle and glow, unnoticed by him. 'Hey, it's like I can really feel the warmth.' Nate thought.

"Well, what do we have here?" A male voice calls out. "When I saw flames I thought that the storm had caused a fire or something."

"Fire?" Opening his eyes, Nate saw an elderly gentleman with a bald head, barely taller than him, wearing a white coat and boots. "There's a fire nearby?"

Opening his eyes caused the ember glow from Nate's hands to slowly die out.

"Aw man, I was hoping for a little warmth." The old man said, walking up to him.

"What do you mean? Where is it?" Nate asks but the old man forces his head down and Nate sees a flame barely bigger than a candle in his hands.

"AHH! What the heck?!" Nate naturally freaked out and tried shaking his hands to get the fire out, but for some reason it wasn't dying out.

However the old man was just laughing amused. "Newbies." He said shaking his head.

"What are you doing?! It's gonna burn me! Put it out!" Nate panics.

"Alright you little runt. Just stop for a second and listen." He said grabbing Nate by the arms.

"Now tell me something, do your hands hurt?"

"Huh?" Nate asks, confused.

"Are they burning your fingers? Do you feel the pain from the flames?" The old man asked again.

"No…actually I don't feel anything." Nate admits.

"Exactly, because you're the one who created this flame." The old man said.

"E-eh?!" Nate looked at his still blazing hands. He was doing this?! "B-but how?! That's impossible!"

"Is it? Because I think part of you knows what's happening." The old man asks.

Pausing Nate remembered many stories his parents used to tell him, about certain people. "Wait...my parents told me stories about this...this is magic." Nate realized.

"Ahh, so you DO know," the old geezer said with a smirk on his face.

"Wait how do you know...unless." Nate pauses.

"You catch on quick when you're not freaking out." The old man chuckles.

"Who are you?" Nate asks.

"You can call me Makarov, or Gramps if you want. I'm a wizard too." He smiles.

"I'm Nathan, but you can call me Nate." Nate said not expecting that.

"I was on my way to visit some old friends when that storm hit." Makarov explains.

"Well I was separated from my parents and gotten lost.." Nate frowns.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Why don't we go find them, together?" Makarov asks holding out his hand. "They're probably worried about you."

Nate nodded gratefully and reached for Makarov's hand...but it appeared like both of them had forgotten something as soon he grabbed it.

"AHHHHHHHHH!!" Makarov yelled in agony while holding his flaming hand and flailing around hilariously. "Your hand is still on fire!"

"Aaah! Oh my god I'm so sorry!" Nate panics trying to help him but his flames just made it bigger.

"Put it out! Put it out!" Makarov yells.

"I don't know how!" Nate panics waving his flaming hand frantically.

Panicking both old man and child ran around frantically with flaming hands.

After finding a nearby pond, they quickly placed their heated hands into the cold water, making them sigh with relief.

"Ok, no more fire until you learn to control it. Understand?" Makarov glares.

"Yes sir." Nate said hanging his head in embarrassment and shame. "But how am I supposed to learn?"

"Well, if you have magic, odds are one of your parents does as well. Magic is a rare trait, but it has a way of surviving," Makarov said as they stood up.

"So one of my parents have magic?" Nate asks, crossing his arms in a thinking position.

"Probably. You have a rare gift Nate, I've lived a long life and even with all my travels I've only found a small handful of wizards. And many aren't as lucky as you." Makarov said walking ahead.

Curious Nate followed him. "What do you mean?" Nate asks.

"I mean not many view magic as amazing like us, most people believe the day they realize their magic as the worst day of their lives." Makarov declares surprising him.

"Why would they think that?"

"Well, some would see magic as a curse to themselves and at that point, they would become ostracized from society because of the danger they possess."

"That's horrible." Nate gasps.

"That's not even the worst. If the wrong people find them, they could be hurt or worse. The life of a wizard is sad. One where you must constantly look over your shoulder and keep moving. You can never have a place to call home." Makarov frowns.

"But...that's not fair. Just because you have magic you no longer have control over your own life?" Nate asks.

"I know it's hard to accept, kid, but that's how sadly a reality it is for wizards like us," Makarov sighs.

"Well I'm not gonna live that life. I may be a Wizard but nothing is gonna make me run away and hide." Nate said catching up with him.

"Oh yeah? How are you gonna do that?" Makarov asks.

"If you say there are wizards out there, then I'll find them and we can make our own place to call home. We'd never have to look over our shoulders because someone would always be there to help. We'd never be alone and if there's enough of us we can take on anything." Nate explains.

Makarov stopped walking and froze at the young boy's words. "Make a home for wizards..?"

"Yeah, it be like one big second family for everyone. Everyone feels safe, happy, and if you mess with one of us you mess with everyone including me." Nate said doing a few air punches.

"As interesting as that idea sounds you've yet to have the skills to back it up." Makarov said. "You would need a lot more than an idea. You would need much more: people to help you find these wizards, a place for them to be, and above all else you need a name for this home and a symbol for them to rally behind."

The boy paused to consider the old man's words, and he realized that he was right - he had no control over his newfound fire magic, and the idea of wizards gathering in one place seemed like an impossctask, especially for a child.

As they made their way through the forest, we found ourselves at a shelter. Reika was holding a toddler, Wendy, while she and Marcus were talking to the police.

"What do you mean you can't send out a search party?!" Reika snaps.

"Our son is missing out there, please! He's only six years old!" Marcus begged.

"I'm really sorry sir, but right now the main priority is damage control and gathering anyone who might have been trapped by the storm." The police officer explains.

"Well have you ever thought that maybe he could well be trapped in the damn storm?!" Reika shouted, losing her patience. "He could be out there lost in the cold, crying, shivering, and hungry cuz neither of us are there to see him!"

Stuttering, the cop had no idea had to respond.

"You two always did know how to make people weak in the knees." A familiar voice calls out.

Turning around, they saw Makarov and Nate walking down the street.

"Mom! Dad!" Nate smiles running to them.

"NATE!" His parents cried out to him as they rushed over to hug him.

"Oh my baby! Are you alright?! Anything broken?!" Reika frantically started asking Nate questions as she embraced him.

"I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry. Grandpa Makarov really helped me out." Nate reassured as he turns to his little sister, "Hey, Wendy! Did you miss me?" He asks, holding his finger out to her.

Cooing, baby Wendy was happy her brother was safe.

"Grandpa Makarov?" Pausing Reika looks up to see the old man standing with him.

"So this is the amazing family you two wouldn't stop talking about? I should have known he was your son." Makarov chuckles.

"M-Master Makarov?! Is it really you?" Marcus asks in shock.

"As real as I can get, my boy. Nice to see the both of you in good health," Makarov nodded.

"Wait. You know my mom and dad?" Nate asks in disbelief.

"They were the old friends I wanted to check in on." Makarov explains.

Small world.

"Master, we cannot thank you enough for helping out our son," Marcus said, as he and his wife bowed to him.

"We're once again in your debt." Reika said.

"We can talk later, meanwhile you two should talk to your son in private. It's a talk you've been meaning to have for a while." Makarov smirks.

However Reika narrowed her eyes. "He's 6 years old you perverted old man." She said misinterprets.

"What?! No, not that talk! I'm talking about..." Makarov indicates for them to lean down so he may whisper to only their ears. Marcus and Reika agreed, then Makarov leaned in and said, "I'm talking about his fire."

Eyes widening, both parents looked to their son in disbelief. He had finally awakened his magic.

After that day, Nate learned his parents were wizards as well, and when he learned how to use his powers he wanted to make his dream a reality. While everyone was curious if he could make his dream happen, they weren't ready for him to travel alone. Luckily they had "convinced" someone to go with him to help him find other wizards.

---

TIMESKIP: 4 YEARS LATER…

Walking down a trail, a 10-year-old Nate was walking with Makarov, but this Nate had his new scaley looking scarf around his neck.

"So Gramps, where are we heading to now?" Nate asks.

"Well there was a large surge in magic on the outskirts of this town." Makarov said.

"What could be all the way out here?" Nate asks as they reach the top of the hill and saw a giant mansion in the distance. "That is the biggest house I've ever seen."

"That's not a house, it's called a mansion." Makarov corrects.

"They're normally owned by the rich and wealthy." He added.

"Whoa, maybe if I help them they'd be interested in funding us." Nate pauses at the very idea.

"Maybe I should do the talking." Makarov suggests. The two entered the garden grounds and made their way towards the front entrance.

As Nate looks around he noticed a large collection of bouquets being brought to the side.

Reaching the door, Makarov knocks on it only for a butler to answer.

"I'm sorry, but the Master is not expecting any business colleagues today." He informs.

"Oh, we're not here on business." Makarov said. "We're here to speak to the owner about something very important we've discovered on our way here."

"What is in regards to?" The butler asks.

"Something life changing." Makarov declares.

"Very well, I'll see if he's available." The butler said letting Makarov inside but stopping Nate. "I'm sorry but your grandson will have to wait here." He assumes.

"What? Why can't I come in?" Nate asks.

"The Master isn't very good around children at the moment. Trust me, I'm doing you a favor," The butler cringed in worry.

"I'd believe it's best you'd leave this to me, Nathan. It won't take long," Makarov said.

Nate sighed and relented, "Fine, I guess I'll just stay here in the garden then.."

As the two adults walked away Nate suddenly heard a soft crying.

Curious, he walked along the side of the manor and saw a little girl around his age with blonde hair crying in front of something. Nate approaches the girl, and asks, "Hey, are you OK?" He taps onto her shoulder, startling her.

"W-who are you? What are you doing here?" She asks scared.

"Whoa! Whoa. Easy. I'm not gonna hurt you. I just heard you crying and I got curious." Nate said holding out his hands defensively.

"Oh..sorry." The girl calmed down and turned back to whatever she was looking back. "It's just..." She tried to get her words out, but couldn't. Nate peered over and saw that she was in front of a tombstone.

"Oh no." Nate frowns. "Who was it?"

"My mom." The girl chokes. "I miss her so much."

Doing the only thing he could think of, Nate gives her a hug. The sudden gesture took the girl aback, "W-what are you..?" she stammered.

Nate apologizes, "Sorry. I just thought you needed a hug."

"T-Thank you. Who are you?" She asks.

"My name's Nate, and you are?" Nate asks.

"Lucy." She states.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Lucy. Nice name by the way." Nate smiles.

"Uh yeah thanks, my mom gave it to me." Lucy said as Nate stepped back.

In her hands, Nate noticed she was holding a strange pouch close to her body.

"Hey, what's that you got there?" He pointed.

"It's uh something my mom left me before she died. She said as long as I had these I would never be alone." Lucy said opening them to reveal golden keys with intricate designs.

"A bunch of keys?" Nate said, tilting his head.

"Can you keep a secret?" Lucy asks as Nate nods his head.

Gesturing, she tells him to lean in. "These are magic keys," Lucy whispers surprising him.

"Magic?" He gasps. "You're kidding."

"I'm not. I swear." Lucy said.

"You're a wizard. It's you." Nate realizes.

"I'm a what?" Lucy said not expecting a reaction like that.

"You're the big source of magic that me and Gramps were looking for." He said

"What are you talking about?" Lucy asks.

"I'm a wizard too." Nate smiles holding out his hand and creating a small flame much to her amazement.

"Woah!" She gasped, stepping back a bit. "How are you doing that? D-does that hurt?!"

"No…well not me at least." Nate cringed at the memory. "Gramps and I are traveling together trying to find other wizards so we can help them. Do you want to come with us?"

Lucy was about to answer but then pulls back remembering something unpleasant. "I-I can't."

"Why not?" Nate asks, confused.

"My dad would never let me leave. Not that he wants me around much anyway." Lucy mutters that last part.

"What do you mean he wouldn't want you to be around?" Unfortunately for Nate heard that part.

"You don't need to worry yourself about it. I don't know why I'm even telling you this in the first place." Lucy said turning away.

Nate was about to answer when he remembered the Butler's warning.

"Is...is your dad angry at you?" Nate guesses making her freeze up.

Instead of an answer, Nate looked at Lucy's fist clenching up. "Lucy?" He asks, concerned.

As her voice chokes, tears came down her eyes before dropping to her knees next to her mom's grave.

"The second mom died everything changed for the worst! Nothing is the same! We talked about doing so many things together and now they're gone! I hate everything here!" Lucy sobs.

Nate could only look at the sobbing blonde with pity and mentally kicked himself for touching a subject that was really sensitive to her.

"We were gonna travel all over, see amazing things, make friends, now my own dad hates me!" Lucy breaks only to feel arms wrap around her and her head was against his chest.

Unable to hold it in she sobs into his chest and Nate just pats her head. "It's gonna be OK. Don't cry, Lucy.." He said, trying to calm her down.

Inside the house, we see Makarov talking to a man with blonde hair in a business suit. This was Jude Heartfelia. Lucy's dad.

"Sir please, you have to understand," Makarov said.

"This conversation is over. My answer is no." Jude states.

"Please, I highly suggest that you can reconsider this." Makarov begs.

"As far as I'm concerned, there's no magic in this place and there never will be as long as I say so," Jude said.

"But you're denying your daughter a part of who she is," Makarov said.

"I assure you, sir, that my daughter has no magic at all. She is normal human being and she'll stay that way."

"Please just let me explain--"

"You've said enough. Now leave." Jude orders gesturing to the door. He refused to listen to Makarov's proposals, no matter how desperately he tried to persuade him.

Muttering, Makarov got out of his chair and walked out.

Outside, Lucy had finally stopped crying.

"It seems like your mom really wanted you to embrace your magic." Nate said.

"Yeah. But I don't know why Dad won't let me try," Lucy said.

"Lucy, I don't mean to sound rude, but I don't think your dad has your best interest at heart." Nate said.

"Well, what am I supposed to do? Run away? It's not like I have anywhere to go." Lucy said.

'Just like what Gramps said, nowhere to go.' Nate realized. "What if there was?"

"Huh?" Lucy asks.

"I mean, if I told you there was a chance you could embrace your magic and live the life you and your mom wanted right now would you take it?" Nate asks.

"In a heartbeat," Lucy nodded.

"Well Nate, this was a bust let's get out of here," Makarov said walking out only to see Lucy with him. "Oh, you must be Lucy."

"She is, and Lucy said she's interested." Nate smiles.

"While that's good to know, I'm afraid her dad said no," Makarov said making Lucy frown.

"Figures," Lucy said.

"Why don't we trade places Gramps? You help Lucy start packing and I'll go have a word with her dad." Nate suggests.

Makarov and Lucy both looked at him in surprise, "You'll go talk to my Dad? But he already said no." Lucy said.

"Just trust me." Nate said confusing them.

An hour later…

we see Lucy and Makarov walking out of her room carrying a backpack and a suitcase.

"You sure this is all I should bring?" Lucy asks.

"Just the necessities, my dear." Makarov nodded. "Comsider it like an extended vacation if you will."

"Young miss?" Slowly coming out of hiding, her butler approached them.

"Capri? Uh this isn't what it looks like." Lucy gulps fearing the worst.

"A little something for the road." He smiles handing her some wrapped food.

"Uh, for me?" Lucy said, looking surprised. "You're not gonna stop me?"

"No. This place is a cage and you're finally breaking free. Go and live your dream," Capri smiles, leaving them.

"I will." Lucy smiles. "So...what do you think Nate's doing in there?"

Suddenly a loud thud echoed through the hall startling them

"YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" Jude's voice echoed through the halls.

"THE ONLY BASTARD I'M LOOKING AT IS YOU!!" Nate's voiced roared. As a loud punch followed by a crashing noise echoed the smoke alarms went off alerting everyone in the mansion.

"Oh god, what did he do?!" Makarov groans, facepalming.

"Please tell me he isn't gonna kill my dad?!" Lucy exclaimed, freaking out. She may not be on good terms with her father, but that doesn't mean she wants him dead!!

"No of course not. Nate would never do something like that...well not on purpose at least." Makarov cringed.

Suddenly, Nate came sprinting out of the office and grabbing Lucy's hand.

"Come on! We gotta get outta here before he recovers!" Nate said leading her out.

"What the heck happened in there?!" Lucy said. "What did you do to my dad?!"

"Well I tried talking to him, but he wasn't really on board. Names were called and when he called me a little bastard for wanting to help you I ended up calling him a Deadbeat Piece of Crap, blew up his phone, set his desk on fire, and kicked him where the sun don't shine!" Nate admits.

"Was all of that really necessary?!" Both Makarov and Lucy exclaimed.

"Yes it was, and I have no regrets! Now let's go!" Nate urges.

"Wait, where are you taking me?!" Lucy asks as they ran out the door.

"What are you talking about? You said you wanted to travel the world, make friends, and master your magic right?" Nate said turning around to look her in the eyes. "So let's go!" Nate smiles.

Lucy froze upon hearing that. She was about to live up to her mother's dreams and wishes, even if it meant running away from home. Well it wasn't like Lucy was getting a whole lot of love here with her stubborn as a mule father. A big smile formed onto her face as she quickly wrapped her bag around her back and grabbed onto her keys her mother left her.

"Alright! Right behind you!"

As they ran out of manor Lucy didn't look back once. She had become the first of many others to join Nate's dream.

---

1 MONTH LATER…

Lucy has been traveling with Nate and Makarov for nearly a month now, and she's already grown to love the freedom she has outside of her home.

While she had learned to harness her powers, she and Nate had become quite the team.

As snow was falling from the sky, Makarov was eagerly moving towards a town with the kids right behind him.

"Are you a serious? A demon is here?" Nate asks in disbelief.

"You heard me right, sonny. And a very deadly one at that," Makarov nodded.

"Wait, you're not thinking of having us go against are you?" Lucy asks nervously.

"Of course not, you kids aren't ready to face something at this level. But you should always be there to help people who might need it." Makarov states. "Never turn a blind eye to people in trouble."

Lucy felt a sense of relief, and she let out a sigh of comfort, "Well, that's a relief."

"So while you keep the demon busy, Lucy and I focus on helping the people nearby?" Nate assumes.

"See? You're learning." Makarov chuckles.

"Sounds easy enough to do, right Luce?" Nate asks her.

"Hopefully, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous." Lucy gulps.

"Well if you watch my back, I promise to watch yours." Nate assures.

That made Lucy feel a little more better to learn that and thanked him. However that nice moment was ruined by a loud roar.

"Gramps...was that?" Nate starts but even he was in disbelief.

"It can't be...move it!" Makarov yells as they ran as fast as they could.

Turning a corner, they were in disbelief as a giant demon the size of a mountain was being encased in ice.

"Holy crap!!"

"THAT'S the demon?!" Nate and Lucy both exclaimed.

"Deloria." Makarov gasps. "But how is this possible? Even the strongest wizards would struggle to subdue this beast."

Did someone already beat them to the punch and took out the demon?

Looking around for any sign of people, Lucy notices a figure in front of the demon.

"Over there!" Lucy points.

Looking in the direction, they see a boy around their age with spiky black hair and winter clothes.

The boy was gazing at the frozen, encased, demon with a conflicted expression. He looked like he had been crying for quite some time, judging from the tear stains on the sides of his face. "Ur..." He choked.

"Hey." Nate calls out getting his attention.

"Young man, what happened here?" Makarov asks.

"It was all my fault. I wanted revenge and then..." Choking, the boy hung his head in shame.

Judging from the way he's acting, something must have REALLY happened here that must have spooked and traumatized the boy.

"Did you stop this monster?" Nate asks.

"Not even close. I wanted to, but I nearly died trying." He admits.

"Then how did this happened?" Lucy asks. "Can't you tell us?"

"This monster, his name was Deloria and he ruined my life when he killed my family. I wanted revenge, which is how I found my mentor Ur and my friend Lyon." He gestured to the unconscious boy near them. "She taught us magic."

"Magic? You're a wizard too?" Nate gasps.

"Too?" The boy looked at them with confusion and surprise. "You guys have magic like me?"

"Yeah, see." Nate said making a fireball in his hands while Lucy pulls one of her keys out.

"We were looking for more wizards when I got word that the monster was causing trouble." Makarov gestures.

"Yeah, me too. I wanted revenge but Ur said I wasn't ready, but I was too angry to listen and left." He said.

"You tried to take on a demon all by yourself?" Lucy said in disbelief.

"That's pretty reckless and stupid for you, kid. You could have gotten yourself killed," Makarov scolds.

"I nearly did. Then Lyon tried to step up, but Ur knocked him out. She used the ultimate ice spell. By giving up her life she froze the Deloria in this." He declares horrifying them. "It's all my fault. If I had just listened this wouldn't have happened."

"Oh my gosh.." Lucy covered her mouth in shock.

Slowly, Makarov walks up to the boy and puts his hand on his shoulder. "What's your name, boy?" Makarov asks.

"Gray. Gray Fullbuster." He states.

"Listen Gray, she gave her life to protect you. That's not something a normal person would do. She could have ignored you, let you come here to die like a fool, but she didn't. She cared deeply for you. You and your friend." Makarov said.

"What am I supposed to do? What do I tell Lyon?" Gray asks.

"You tell Lyon, she gave her life so you two could live yours. I know it hurts now, but take it from me. You're young. You'll make new friends and honor her memory every day." Makarov smiles.

Gray looked at Nate and Lucy, who both gave him supporting nods.

"Still where do we go from here?" Gray asks.

"I might have an option." Nate points out.

Gray turned to him, curious to know what he had in mind.

About half an hour later...

Gray's friend, Lyon, finally regained consciousness. "Lyon, I'm sorry to tell you this but she's gone." Gray frowns.

"How could you! It was my dream to surpass her but now I can't! What am I supposed to do now?!" Lyon said as tears poured down his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry. That's all I can say...but we don't have to surpass her." Gray said.

"And if it's a dream you want finding a new one is always an adventure." Makarov said.

"Lyon." Gray said offering a hand, but Lyon steps.

"I-I need some time." Lyon said unsure if he was ready to go with them.

"Are you sure?" Gray asked, hoping that it wasn't because of him.

"I need to figure some things out but to do that I think I need to be alone for a while." Lyon said.

"Oh..alright." Gray relented. There was nothing he could do about this now. "Well, if you ever change your mind and need someone to talk to, you could always come to me man."

Nodding in understanding, Lyon walks away.

Frowning, Gray didn't like this.

"Just give him a little time. He'll figure things out just like you will." Nate assures.

"Yeah..I hope so," Gray said, watching Lyon leave.

While Gray was open to joining them, they realized that some preferred to do things at their own pace.

---

A MONTH LATER…

"Is that all you got, Flame-Brain?!" The voice of Gray shouted out in the distance.

"Hardly! I'm gonna melt you like a popsicle!" Nate counters.

Zooming on the beach, we see Nate and Gray having a little sparring match.

With two flaming kicks, Nate charged at Gray, who dodged to avoid the attack, and then formed ice in his hand to unleash a blast of ice at Nate at close range.

"Whoa!" Nate said sliding out of the way.

Nearby, Makarov and Lucy were watching the match as refs.

"Ice Make: Hammer!" Gray said creating a giant mallet. With quick reflexes, Nate raised his hands and countered the descending icy hammer with a blast of fire that melted it instantly.

"You'll have to do better than that!" Nate said charging in with a flaming fist.

"Ice Make: Floor!" Touching the sand, Gray froze the ground underneath them causing Nate to slip and fall.

"You mean like that?!" Gray mocked, as he skated in and kicked Nate away. Nate rolled in the sand and got back up on his feet.

"Funny. But let's see if you're laughing after this." Taking a deep breath, Nate pulled back his head before releasing a flame breath attack that melted the ice and flew towards Gray.

Raising his arms, Gray made a geyser of ice which took the attack resulting in a cloud of steam.

"Man, they're evenly matched," Lucy commented.

"A little friendly competition goes a long way to helping improve your skills. Just so you know, you're next." Makarov points out making Lucy gulp.

'Me? Against those two?!' Lucy thought in fear. There was absolutely no way she could last a minute against the likes of them and their monstrous power.

The steam started to slowly die out and there in the middle were Nate and Gray, having punched each other in the cheek before they both fell backwards.

As both boys groaned, they slowly began to smile and laugh.

"Oh man. You are insane!" Gray laughs.

"Right back at you!" Nate laughs. "You almost got me with that ice floor trick."

"Oh yeah, that move is gonna mess with everyone who can't fly." Gray said.

"I guess this match is a tie, then?" Lucy asks.

"It would appear so." Makarov chuckles.

As Nate sits up, he notices something floating towards the shore. "Hey..what's that?"

"What's what?" Gray asks as Nate stood up and walked towards the water.

Getting closer, he gasps seeing someone floating on a piece of wood with a small torch hanging above the figure.

"It's a person!" Nate said running to them.

"What?!" Everyone gasped and followed after him.

Reaching the figure, Nate takes them ashore and flips them over to see it was a girl around their age with long scarlet red hair. With a closer look, he saw the girl had some kind of eyepatch wrapped around her right eye.

"Oh god." Gray gasps.

"What happened to her?" Lucy said as Makarov looks to the wooden raft and saw a note tied to the torch.

"Hey. Hey wake up." Nate said shaking her. "Does anyone have water?"

"Yeah, one sec!" Lucy reached into her bag and pulled out a water bottle.

Pouring some into her mouth, the girl began to cough waking up.

"No! Let me go!" She said struggling to escape Nate's grip.

"Hey it's okay. It's okay." Nate said trying to calm her down.

She opened up her one good eye, taking in her surroundings before noticing the four people in front of her: three kids her age and a short old man. "W-who..who are you people?"

"I saw you floating near the beach. Are you okay?" Nate asks concerned.

"Where are we?" She asks.

"Just off the shore of Santa Barbara," Lucy revealed their location.

"Thank goodness." She said leaning against him. "I'm finally free from that nightmare."

Opening the note, Makarov scans the contents and his eyes widen.

I charmed this raft so only someone with magic can find her. To whoever finds this, please help her. Her name is Erza Scarlet and she has been through a tragic experience. My strength is low so I must go, but I hope you will get her the help she needs.

-Signed Rob

"R-Rob?!" Makarov gasps in shock, clutching the note.

"Rob? He got away too. He must have put me on that raft." The girl named Erza said.

"Erza, what happened to you?" Nate asks concerned.

"I...I..." Erza tried to get her words out, but couldn't. Tears started to form into her eye before latching onto Nate, surprising him and started sobbing loudly.

"Dude, what did you say?!" Gray asks.

"I don't know!" Nate said confused. Unsure what to do, Nate hugs her close and patted her on the back. "Uh..there, there? It's going to be OK."

"It's not okay! I finally escaped from those monsters but now I have nowhere to go!" Erza sobs into his chest.

"What monsters?" Lucy asks.

"Th-the Dark wizards.." She revealed to their shock.

"Dark Wizards?" Nate said never heard of such a thing.

"They captured me and so many others. Forced us into slavery for years. It wasn't until a few days ago that I managed to escape thanks to the help of an elderly wizard named Rob." Erza chokes.

"Slavery?!" Lucy and Gray exclaimed in horror.

"That's horrible! Why would anyone do that?!" Nate asks.

"Not every wizard is good kids. Some use their powers for selfish and horrible reasons. And the worst part is they don't care." Makarov frowns.

"In my time, I've encountered numerous dark wizards, each one more malevolent than the last..."

"I can't believe this." Nate said in disgust. "If met those wizards, I'd burn everything to ground."

"I'd freeze those jerks into statues before you'd get the chance.." Gray growled, equally disgusted.

"Save some for me." Lucy said wanting to give them a piece of her mind.

"Erza, I know this might be hard but do you know what happened to Rob? He's an old friend of mine." Makarov asks but she shook her head.

"I don't remember much after I passed out. Rob would always tell me stories of his adventures with his teammates. After we escaped he said that I hope I could find a good team of friends." Erza recalls.

"I see.." Makarov nodded with a frown. He wasn't able to know what happened to his old colleague, but at least he knew that he was alive and well.

"Well maybe I can help." Nate said getting her attention. "Would let me be your friend, Erza?" Nate offers.

"Y-you want to what?" She asks, shocked.

"I'll be your friend too," Lucy chimed in.

"Me three." Gray said.

"We'll be your team of friends." Nate declares as Gray and Lucy join in and make it a group hug.

Smiling softly it had been a long time since anyone had been so nice and friendly towards her.

"You guys are an interesting bunch." Erza said intrigued.

"You could say that again." Nate said holding out his hand and a flame appeared.

Seeing what he was doing Gray held out his hand and made ice appear while Lucy took out a key and it glowed.

"Think you can keep up with us?" Gray asks.

Raising her hand, a sword appeared in it surprising them all.

"Try me." Erza said.

Just like that, another member and friend was added to their little growing family of wizards.

'Hmm I wonder if that old hag could do something about that eye of hers?' Makarov thought remembering another old face.

Eventually, they tracked down Makarov's old friend, Porlyusica, and she was able to craft Erza an artificial eye to help her.

Of course, the kids enjoyed seeing the two elderly wizards butt heads.

---

4 months later…

Erza, with her brand new eye, was grocery shopping with Nate at a market in a town. Looking through a glass, Erza eyed some strawberry shortcake with interest.

"Hey, Nate?" Erza calls him over.

"Yeah?"

"What's strawberry cake?" She asks, pointing to it.

"What? You've never had it before?" Nate asks but Erza shook her head. "Ok I cannot let this slide. This is one of my favorite desserts."

He went up to the clerk and pays for two slices of cake. Walking over to a table, he set them down.

"Are you sure Master will be okay with this?" Erza asks.

"Don't worry. If he asks, I'll take the blame. You need to experience something sweet after everything you've been through." Nate said handing her a spoon.

Curious, Erza sees him watching her waiting to see how she will react to her first bite.

Grabbing a spoonful, Erza puts it in her mouth and instantly her eyes widen.

"Well, how is it?" Nate grinned, already knowing the answer from her reaction.

Erza's eyes lit up with a huge smile before exclaiming, "This..this the most amazing thing I have ever tasted!" She went on to eating to make many bites into the cake.

Chuckling, Nate couldn't help but be amused by how much Erza loved this.

"If you think that's good you should try it with ice cream next time." Nate suggests.

"Ice cream? What is that? Tell me!" Erza exclaimed, excitedly. "Is it just as good as this cake?"

"Oh you have no idea," Nate grins. "Maybe next time we go shopping, I'll let you try it for yourself."

"I'm gonna hold you to that." Erza grins eagerly.

Smiling, Nate was about to dig in when he heard some men nearby.

"Where is it?" One asks.

"The abandoned mill on the outskirts, we're gonna run that demon out of town." The second said making Nate's eyes widen.

"What did he just say?" He raised his head up. A demon?

"When the sun goes down we move out." The first confirmed as they walked out.

Nate narrowed his eyes and turned to Erza, who had been listening to the conversation as well and had the same curious expression on her face.

"There's no way they could take on a demon even with numbers," Erza said.

"Agreed. You tell Gramps and the others, I'll go ahead and try to stall until you guys show up." Nate suggests.

"Are you sure you can handle it on your own?" Erza asks concerned.

"Don't worry about me, Erza, you know I'll be fine," Nate reassured her.

"Be careful," Erza said as they got up to leave…however, a few seconds later, Erza doubled back and wolfed down the rest of the cake.

"Mmmm so good." Erza sighs before snapping out of it and running out.

That night...

Nate poked his head out of some bushes and sees an old run-down mill out in the distance. 'There it is.' He thought seeing a small light coming from inside.

Fortunately, he had beaten the mob to the demon. Slowly creeping towards the building, he made sure nothing saw him.

With his back to the wall, he took a deep breath.

He psyched himself up, telling himself, "Okay, Nate, you can do this - just find the demon or whatever it is, and then get out of here. No pressure."

Hearing footsteps echoing from inside, Nate charges in and kicks the door open.

"Alright, monster! Where are you?!"

However to his confusion, he didn't see any sign of a demon, but tucked away in the corner were 3 kids with white hair.

"Please leave us alone!" A girl with short white hair in a pink dress pleads hugging a girl with long white hair in a purple bow and wearing a purple tank top and skirt and a small boy with white hair in a ragged blue suit.

"Huh? Wait, what are you all doing here? Where's the demon?" Nate said.

"Long gone. Big sis beat that monster a long time ago." The boy said confusing him.

"You beat a demon? All by yourself?" Nate said not expecting that. "Wow you must be strong. But wait if the demon is dead why is there a mob coming here?"

"A mob?!" The litte girl and the boy gasped in fear and clung onto their sister.

"Sis, they found us!"

"Why won't they leave me alone?!" The older sister shouted as bandages around her arm fell off and Nate froze seeing the girl's arm resembled a demon's arm.

"What..the..." He trails off.

"Please. Just leave me and my siblings alone." The girl said worried Nate was going to hurt them.

"W-What happened to you?" Nate asks.

"What happened is my stupid magic! I used it because I wanted to help and protect my siblings, but once I beat it instead of thanking me they treated me like a monster and ran us out of town! I wish I never got these powers!!" The older sister chokes.

The boy tried to calm his sister down, saying, "Don't say that, big sis! You did what you had to do to help us."

"You're a hero." The younger sister assured.

Looking at them, Nate recalls something Makarov once told him.

'Some people believe that unlocking their magic was the worst thing to ever happen to them.' His words echoed in Nate's mind.

"What's heroic about this?! I'm a monster! No one cares about the good I did!" She sobs.

"I think you're amazing." Nate admits getting their attention.

"W-what?" The older girl ceased her crying and looked at him, with her voice shaking as she asked, "What did you just say?"

"You took down a demon all by yourself and took its abilities. That's got to be one of the coolest abilities I've ever seen. I have a little sister too so I get. I would fight an army of demons if it meant she be safe. That's why you fought so hard I bet." Nate said approaching them. "Let's try this again. My name is Nathan Ryukai."

"N-Nathan?" The youngest girl asked. "So...you're not going to hurt us?"

"Are you going to hurt me?" Nate asks.

"Of course not." The boy said.

"Then no. I think the only problem is you don't know how to cancel out your magic. I had that problem too. Hurt a few people." Nate said.

"You did?" the older girl asked, surprised. "Did they end up hating you for it?"

"Well I got yelled at, but hated? No," Nate shook his head.

"How do I know I can trust you?" The girl asks suspiciously.

"I know it seems like you're all alone but you're not. There are other wizards who can help you learn to control your powers. They helped me and they can help you." Nate starts, but the older girl was still on the fence. "It's either me or the angry mob with pitchforks, guns, and torches heading this way."

"Listen to him! Listen to him!" Both her younger siblings said instantly.

"Alright! Alright!" The older sister finally gave in. "If you can help my sibs and me out out of this mess and find us a place to call home, I'll owe you one and help you with anything you need in the future," She bargains. "How's that?"

"Deal." Nate said.

As the mob approached the mill, we see the Fairy Tail Wizards slowly following from behind.

"Alright everyone ready?!" The leader asks when suddenly a light shined in the distance.

Eyes widening, they saw the entire mill was on fire.

"What the hell?!"

"The mill is one fire!!"

"The demon must have did that!"

As a loud scream echoed the mill collapsed on itself and the scream was silenced.

The townsfolk and the Fairy Tail group stood frozen in stunned silence at the sound of that scream.

"It's dead...it's dead!" The townspeople cheered in triumph.

"You don't think Nate was still in there?" Lucy asks concerned.

"The heck was he thinking about going to fight a demon himself?" Gray said.

"He was trying to spare innocent lives from a gruesome fate," Erza said.

"And I did. Just not the lives I expected." Nate said appearing behind them.

Everyone jumped in surprise when he popped out of nowhere, "Where'd you come from?!"

"I had to sneak around the mob." Nate explains.

"What the heck happened?" Gray asks.

"I can tell you but it might be easier to show you." Nate signals as the three kids emerged behind him. "Meet the demon the mob was about to attack." Nate declares surprising them.

"Uh..hi," The older girl shyly greeted herself. "I'm Mirajane."

"I'm Lisanna." The younger sibling waves

"Uh I'm Elfman." The boy said.

"But…they're just kids." Erza said

"Wow Red, figure that out all by yourself?" Mirajane said sarcastically. Erza briefly scowled at Mira for that comment, but she let it go for now.

"Nathan, explain," Erza orders.

"Basically, Mira beat a demon a while ago but her magic copied its ability and appearance so everyone in town treated her like a demon instead. After they explained it to me, Mira and I staged the fire and screamed to make everyone believe she died. She's not a monster, she just doesn't have control." Nate explains.

"Wow, didn't see that coming.." Lucy said

"Who are you guys?" Elfman asks.

"Traveling wizards, looking for people like us who are in need of a place to belong. You three look like you could use that." Makarov said.

"You really wouldn't mind us?" Lisanna asks.

"The more the merrier." Nate smiles.

"Well...I suppose it be nice to have my arm back to normal." Mirajane admits.

"Can you..Can you guys maybe help me get stronger too?" Elfman asks, nervously.

"Elfman?" Lisanna said surprised.

"You two are all the family I have, we can't rely on Mirajane for everything," Elfman admits.

"Trying to be a man for his siblings. I can respect that." Nate said.

"Yeah...a man." Elfman said liking the sound of that

"Then if you guys are doing this..then I wanna help out too!" Lisanna said, wanting to become strong as well. "I wanna help Big sis and big bro too!"

"I guess it's unanimous." Gray said.

"Welcome to the group." Lucy smiles.

---

After helping the Strauss siblings readjust they became comfortable with their new living arrangements as well some new discoveries. Soon they found more members.

In a library, a teenage Levy was speed reading almost every book in the library. As she grabs a book a hand grabs it.

Glancing down, we see Lucy and Lisanna smiling at her.

---

Next was a young Cana looking at cards, trying to see the future when she flipped over a card and shadows approached her.

Gasping, she turned around and armed herself with said cards, but to her surprise, she saw the faces of Erza and Gray behind her.

---

Looking up at the cloudy sky, rain was pouring down as Juvia was sitting on steps with a crushed look on her face until an umbrella opened over her.

Confused, she looks up to see Nate offering an umbrella a friendly smile.

A blush spread across Juvia's face, and a gasp escaped her lips as the rain ceased and sunshine broke through the clouds, bathing them in its warm glow.

---

Finally, years later in a dark forest we heard a growling noise.

With her back against a tree, there was Seilah bruised and a blue kimono in tatters, but her most discerning feature is two large demon horns sticking out of her head.

In front of her, three hounds made of fire and rock growled approaching her, ready to rip her to pieces.

Seilah cringed and closed her eyes, bracing for the worst, but then heard the sounds of explosions and the pained roars of the beast. Seilah opened her eyes and was shocked to see Cana using her cards to land explosions on the hellhound.

Shaking off the attack, the beasts turned to their attacker and snarled.

"Bring it on you ugly mutts." Cana glares.

Snarling, one Hellhound charged in only for ice to shoot out of the ground and freeze it in place.

"Someone needs to put Old Yeller out of its misery," Gray said with his hands on the ground, revealing he made that ice chunk.

"Wh-What's going on?" Seilah asks when Nate approached her.

"Can you stand?" Nate asks as Seilah tried but cringed in pain unable to move.

Seeing an opening, the second Hellhound charged at them.

"Look out!" Seilah yells as it leaped at Nate.

As flames surrounded his fist Nate punched the beast in the face knocking it away from them. "Stay down, dog breath!!"

Crashing to the ground, the dog whimpered in pain trying to get up when suddenly swords rained down piercing it several times. Seilah looked up and saw Erza in the air wearing some kind of strange armor around her body.

"It's disrespectful to strike down someone while their back is turned," Erza said aiming her sword at the last one.

"You just saved my life?" Seilah said in disbelief looking at Nate.

"Yeah, you were in trouble. We weren't going to just let you up and die like that," Nate said.

"I don't know what to say." Seilah said.

"We can talk after we deal with these pests." Nate said looking up. "Erza! Gray! Cana! Let's send this mutt to the farm upstate!"

"No need to tell me twice!" Gray exclaimed, clasping his hands together before summoning an axe made of ice. "Ice Make: Battle Axe!!" The axe materialized and Gray swung and struck the hell hound, sending it stumbling backward.

"Explosion Cards!" Drawing three cards, Cana hurled them at the Hellhound which exploded upon contact and created a cloud of smoke.

Leaping through the smoke, Nate delivers a flaming kick sending it airborne.

Summoning a large spear, Erza throws it impaling the Hellhound in the chest and killing it.

With a loud crash, the now lifeless Hellhound landed behind the wizards, leaving Seilah shocked as she couldn't believe how these humans had managed to defeat such a massive and powerful creature when she herself couldn't even make a scratch on it.

"Good thing we were in the area." Cana said as they approached her.

"Why did you save me? In case you didn't notice, I'm not a human." Seilah points out.

"So?" Nate asks.

"So? Aren't I a threat to you? Don't you believe I'm some kind of monster? Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Should I be? Are you going to kill me?" Nate asks.

"I'm too weak to stand, let alone kill. I was left out here to die." Seilah admits.

"What? By who?" Erza asks as Seilah looks down with a frown.

"People who I thought were my allies," she said, sadly.

"Your friends left you to die?" Cana asks.

"They said I was useless and if I couldn't kill then I should be killed." She gestured to what was left of the hellhounds.

Nate picked up a rock left behind by the rocky beast, his face twisted in anger. "If they said that to you...they weren't your friends to begin with," he growled, crushing the rock into pebbles.

"You saved my life." Seilah said groveling in front of Nate. "Demon law states that my fate is yours to decide."

"I'm sorry what?" Nate asks, not expecting this.

"She's saying she owes you a life debt Nate." Gray summarizes.

"Oh, well..uh gee, I-I don't really know what to say," Nate scratches his cheek, looking quite sheepish.

"It'd be rude to deny her customs." Erza said.

"What's your name?" Nate asks.

"Seilah." She states.

"Well then Seilah…I uh order you to live your life until you find people to bond with and find your own reason to live. For as long as you see fit." Nate worded carefully trying to give her more freedom.

"Bond..with people I see fit?" Seilah titled her head.

"You know, find people you can trust, new friends, people who can make you smile and feel appreciated and welcome." Nate explains.

"Do you know people like that?" Seilah asks.

"I sure do," Nate looked at his team and gave them a smile, "After all, I'm around them everyday."

"In that case, I will follow you until I learn everything I can about these bonds. Until then I am yours, Master." Seilah declares, making Nate pause.

"Please don't call me that." Nate cringed.

"Well this just got interesting." Cana said amused while Erza was concerned and Gray was snickering in the background.

After finding Seilah, they had crossed paths with others, but ever since that day, Nate's goal had truly taken off with Wendy eventually joining them.

-End of Flashback-

---

Slowly the scene changes back to the present showing them all sitting together.

"Who would have thought that our son would bring an entire group of wizards to our front door?" Marcus chuckles.

"I know right. All of it started with one idea. A place where people gifted in magic could have a place to call home, to be safe and surrounded by others, a place to hone their skills and never hate their gifts, and he came up with such a unique name for it." Reika smiles as we move outside.

"Its name… is Fairy Tail." Both said as it stopped in front of the sign and symbol.