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"WHOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!"
This holler came from none other than Natsu, who was running around in the guildhall, breathing fire and just yelling excitedly like a little kid.
"Who'd have thought that the fresh air would smell so sweet?!" asked Natsu. "I'm gonna breathe it in, all day! It's the sweet smell of FREEDOM!! I'll never take it for granted, again!!"
"Shut up!" called Jet from Team Shadow Gear.
"Put a sock in it, man!" said Droy, also from Team Shadow Gear while the only female member, Levy McGarden, smiled at Natsu endearingly, as did Mirajane.
"He's so cute when he's excited," she said.
"Yeah, I missed that lunatic," Haru said as she watched her brother run around while Blue Fang lied at her feet. "I had a hard time sleeping last night, knowing he and Erza were in jail."
To clarify, the day after Natsu and the others came back from Web Valley, he and Erza were about to have their promised rematch when suddenly, someone from the Magic Council came, placing Erza under arrest for destruction of the Guild Leader Conference Hall in Clover Town. Natsu, in a misguided attempt to get her out of the trial, had disguised himself as the aforementioned Requip Wizard and started to trash the place, as he usually did. Unfortunately, the trial was only meant to be a mere stunt: a show to display the power of the Magic Council to the public, and because of the Dragon Slayer's foolishness, he ended up getting him and Erza put in jail for the night.
At least they were allowed to go home the next day... and Erza wasn't too mad about it. She knew that Natsu only did what he did out of the kindness of his heart... even if it did get them both in more trouble than it should have.
"So all this time, that arrest and trial were just for show," Lucy bemoaned. "I got all worried for nothing."
"So she wasn't really a sacrificial lamb," Gray began, "but a scapegoat."
"You must be one hell of an Ice Wizard," said Elfman as he shuddered, "because even your jokes leave me cold."
"Aye!" Happy agreed.
"By the way, Natsu," Elfman called, causing the Dragon Slayer to stop in his tracks. "What about your man-to-man fight with Erza? You plan on finishin' that?"
"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot!" Natsu exclaimed. "Hey, Erza! How about we pick up where left off, huh?"
"No thanks," Erza replied while drinking a cup of coffee. "I'm not in the mood."
"Nice try!" Natsu said as he lit his right fist on fire and charged. "I ain't lettin' ya off, that easily!"
Haru could only sigh as she looked away and counted down "3... 2... 1..."
Soon, Erza stood up from her seat and WHAM!! She socked Natsu right in the gut, knocking him out cold.
"And he's OUT!" Happy exclaimed while Gray and Elfman laughed, as did Cana while Macao groaned, having realized he had lost his bet, and meanwhile, Haru just sighed at her brother's antics.
"When will he ever learn?" she asked before Blue Fang gave a tongue-curling yawn and laid his head down on the floor, instantly nodding off... and suddenly, Haru began to feel drowsy herself, as did everyone else.
"Oh, no... not again," Haru groaned as she collapsed against the table she was sitting at, her eyelids drooping with sleepiness, and just as she was about to pass out, she saw a masked figure walk by.
"Mystogan..." she murmured before she fell asleep.
XXX
The roar of an engine was heard throughout the streets of Magnolia, black rubber tires rolling down the path as a dark red motorcycle drove by, 2 Lacrima Crystals sticking out of its engine while the driver tightly gripped the handlebars. Long, wavy blonde hair, held down by a red bandanna, flowed in the wind along with a chartreuse trenchcoat. She wore a purple button-down shirt, a pair of blue jean shorts with faux fur trim that rode all the way up to her calves, and a pair of mahogany leather boots on her feet. Her eyes remained hidden by a pair of dark purple sunglasses with fuchsia frames.
On the back of her left hand... was the Fairy Tail Guild Mark, colored lavender.
After being gone for nearly 3 months... she was finally coming home.
XXX
Back at the guildhall, after this mysterious "Mystogan" fellow had left, everyone had snapped out of it... except Natsu, who was still snoring on the floor.
"Ugh... dammit," Jet cursed. "Was Mystogan here, again?"
"What a jerk," muttered Droy as he held his head.
"I really wish he wouldn't put us to sleep whenever he comes by," added Levy as she rubbed her eyes.
"Who's this Mystogan guy?" Lucy asked.
"He's one of the S-Class Wizards here in Fairy Tail," said Haru as she shook her head to try and wake herself up.
"He's a contender for the Strongest Wizard in Fairy Tail," Elfman added.
"For real?" Lucy asked in surprise.
"Yup," Gray answered while he rubbed his eyes, "and he's hardly ever around. For some reason, he doesn't want anyone to see his face, so whenever he shows up to take a job, he uses some kind of Sleeping Magic on us."
"So, no one's ever seen his face before?" Lucy inquired.
"The only one who has is Master Makarov," Haru replied.
"That's not exactly true," spoke a deep, rumbling voice... one that caused Haru to freeze. "I've seen his face, before."
"...Oh, no..." Haru whispered as she slowly craned her head to the upper floor of the guildhall... where she saw this tall, muscular man with blonde hair. He had on a thick coat that was draped on his shoulders like a cape, as well as a distinct lightning bolt-shaped scar going down his right eye, plus he had on a pair of Sound Pod brand magic headphones over his ears. The imposing, smug grin on his face seemed to say "I'm better than you, so don't mess with me".
"Laxus!" Elfman exclaimed in surprise.
"Well, this is rare," said Macao.
"Yeah, you're never here!" Wakaba added.
"And here's another contender..." Gray muttered, his expression showing irritation at the man.
"Laxus...?" Lucy whispered.
"Mystogan's just being a little shy," said Laxus. "You should respect his privacy."
At that moment, Natsu finally woke up before he stood straight up and glared at Laxus, flashing his fangs at him.
"Let's go, Laxus!!" he shouted. "You and me, right now!!"
"Seriously, man?" Gray asked. "Getting your butt kicked once today wasn't enough for you?"
"No way, pal," Laxus said. "If you can't even hold your against the redhead down there, what makes you think you have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with me?"
"Why you...!!" Natsu growled, when suddenly, Haru whimpered as she practically jumped behind Natsu, who seemed surprised at first... until he looked up at the upper floor and noticed the tall blonde male, then his eyes narrowed in an angry glare before they quickly softened as he glanced back at Haru, who was shivering as she clutched the back of her brother's vest, her dark brown eyes so wide that the pupils were about the size of pinpoints. Blue Fang, meanwhile, growled at Laxus as he bared his fangs at him, sensing Haru's distress.
"Haru," Natsu said, causing his sister to look at him. "It's okay. I'm right here. I'm not gonna let him hurt ya, okay?"
"Wow, poor Haru's terrified..." Lucy whispered, concerned for the Beast Wizard.
"Can ya blame her?" asked Gray. "The jerk put her in a cage back when she was a kid."
Lucy gasped, finally remembering that name from when Haru told her about her past.
"So... that guy is...?" Lucy asked as she looked up at Laxus.
"And just what is that supposed to mean, Laxus?" Erza asked as she stood up, having heard his earlier comment about her.
"Whoa, easy, Erza," Laxus said with a mocking grin. "No need to get testy." He then raised both his hands up in the air. "I'm saying... that I'm the Strongest Wizard in Fairy Tail!"
"Why don't you come down here and prove it-" Natsu started, only for Haru to yank at his vest.
"No, Natsu, please!" she cried. "Don't do it... not again...!"
"She's right, Natsu," Makarov spoke from his place on the bar countertop. "Besides, you're not allowed on the second floor. You know that."
"You heard him... little man," Laxus grinned.
"And that's enough out of you, Laxus!" Makarov scolded. "You're upsetting poor Haru, again!"
"You wanna know what the strongest wizard in the guild looks like?" Laxus asked. "Well, you're looking right at him!" He then burst into boastful laughter, causing the others to glare at him... but then...
"Well, I see you still haven't gotten your head out of your ass!"
Laxus froze while everyone else turned around... just as the mysterious blonde woman came walking, her boots clopping against the floorboards. She whipped off her sunglasses and placed them in her shirt, revealing her fiery orange eyes.
"Honestly, I'm away for almost three months," she started, "and I come home to hear you still babbling that 'I'm the strongest' spiel of yours. You're starting to sound like a broken record!"
Laxus sneered at the woman while everyone else gaped in awe... while Natsu, Gray, Haru, Erza, Levy, Cana, Mirajane, Elfman, Happy, and Blue Fang all smiled at her.
"You keep saying that you're the strongest," the woman continued, "when really, all I see is a coward who keeps hiding up there from everyone else because he feels like nobody can touch him."
Suddenly, in a flash of lightning, Laxus suddenly appeared in front of her, glowering at her with dark eyes... and yet, she remained unflinching.
"Uh..." Lucy muttered, worriedly. "Master? Shouldn't we do something?"
"Relax," Makarov reassured. "She can handle this."
"Is that a challenge?" Laxus asked, baring his teeth at her and a vein bulging out of his forehead.
"Temper, temper," was her reply. "I don't have anything to prove by challenging you... regardless of the fact that you and I both are S-Class Wizards." She narrowed her eyes. "In fact, if you ask me... the only thing you're proving is how much of a child you're being, right now."
Laxus growled... and yet, he made no attempt at arguing with her, causing her to smirk.
"Looks like I'm right, again...as always," she said before she walked past him. "Oh, and... it's good to see you again... big brother."
"...Shut up," Laxus hissed before he disappeared in another flash of lightning, while the woman heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness," she muttered. "Now we don't have to deal with him for a while-"
"ELEKTRAAAAAAA!!"
The woman turned to see Natsu, Haru, Gray, Erza, Blue Fang, and Happy all jumping toward her with arms open wide, and because it was so sudden, she only had time to shriek before she found herself in a dogpile!
"Oh, my god!!" Lucy cried as she prepared to rush over and help. "Are you-"
Suddenly, she heard loud, cheerful laughter, causing her to gasp as Elektra sat up while Natsu, Gray, Haru, Erza, and Happy all hugged her while Blue Fang licked her face.
"... o... kay?" Lucy muttered.
"Hahaha!" Macao laughed. "Don't worry! This actually happens a lot!"
"It's been ages!" Natsu exclaimed.
"Aye!" Happy cheered.
"We missed you so much!" Erza chimed in.
"How was your job?" Haru asked.
"Elektra, look! I still have my clothes on!" Gray added.
"Hey, wait, I'm getting in on this!" Levy shouted as she rushed over with Cana, both young women worming their way into the group hug.
"Welcome home, Elektra!" Mirajane greeted as she went to join the hug, as well, and soon after, Elfman also joined in, shedding comical tears.
"Just so ya know," Elfman began, "these are manly tears... it's not like I missed ya or anything!!"
"Oh, Elfman!" Elektra said before she looked over at Makarov, who smiled warmly at her. "Hi, Grandpa! I'd come over to hug you, but I'm a bit busy, right now."
"Not a problem," Makarov smiled. "I know how popular you are with the youngsters."
"Wait... 'Grandpa'?" asked Lucy, even more bewildered.
"That's right!" said Bisca Mulan. "She's Master Makarov's granddaughter, Elektra Dreyar!"
"She's been in the guild long before most of us were," said Alzack Connel. "She's actually the Strongest Female Wizard in Fairy Tail!"
"Wait... really?" asked Lucy in surprise, and it was then that Elektra finally noticed her... and the moment the older blonde woman did, her eyes went wide before she stood up and gently pushed Natsu and Gray out of her way before she approached the younger blonde, who tensed as she found herself staring up at the woman. She couldn't be at least 6 more years older than her, and yet... she had this air about her. She couldn't quite place it, though.
"Who's this?" Elektra asked as she stared down at Lucy, who smiled at her, sheepishly.
"Um... hello," she greeted.
"Elektra, this is Lucy!" Natsu exclaimed as he put an arm around Lucy's shoulders, catching her off guard. "I invited her to join us!"
"Aye!" Happy added. "She joined up almost 2 weeks ago!"
"I see," Elektra said as she continued to stare at the Celestial Spirit Wizard. "So you're new, huh?"
"Y-yes, ma'am," Lucy replied. "It's very nice to meet you, and I-"
"Shh..." Elektra shushed gently. "Be still." She then placed her hand on Lucy's cheek, causing her to blush at the sudden contact. "Let me get a good look at you..."
Lucy found herself unable to move... no... it was more like she was unwilling to. Elektra's soft, orange eyes were like two pools of... a warm sunset, so to speak, staring into her, filling her with a sensation of warmth and serenity. As Lucy stared back at Elektra... for just a brief moment, a different image appeared in her mind before it disappeared as quickly as it came.
'...Mom...?'
Suddenly, Elektra smiled as she pulled her hand away from Lucy's face and placed it on her shoulder.
"I see, now," she said. "Everything's gonna be okay, now, honey."
"W... wha...?" Lucy muttered before Elektra turned to greet Makarov with a hug, and as she did, Natsu laughed as he pat the Celestial Spirit Wizard on the back... rather harshly, at that, for she ended up knocking the wind out of her a little bit.
"Congratulations, Luce!" Natsu exclaimed. "You just got claimed!"
"W... what happened?" Lucy asked.
"It's just a little thing we call here," said Haru. "You see, when we were kids, Elektra helped to raise us along with Master Makarov."
"People might say she's been like our big sister," Levy explained, "but really... she's been more like our mom."
"She didn't just train us when it came to magic," Erza said. "She taught us how to read and write."
"And took the time to comfort us whenever we felt low in spirits," Cana replied. "Gave us a shoulder to cry on, you know?"
"They actually call her 'The Mother of Fairies'!" Mirajane added.
"She's a real man," Elfman chimed in.
"Except... she's not a man," Lucy said with a sweatdrop... and yet, she smiled a bit.
'But I have to admit... there is something... motherly about her.'
Suddenly, the air was filled with a loud rumbling noise, causing all eyes in the room to fall on Natsu, who had his hands over his stomach.
"I'm starviiiiiing!" he whined.
"What a shock," Gray muttered, only for his stomach to grumble, too, which caused him to turn away while blushing in embarrassment.
"Well, now that I'm back," Elektra said as she rolled up her sleeves, "I might as well make something to eat. What do you say, kids?"
"I say 'FOOD FOR ME'!!!" Natsu cheered.
"Aye!!" Happy chirped in agreement.
"Mira, can you help me, hon?" asked Elektra.
"Of course!" Mirajane replied as they both walked into the kitchen to prepare their meals.
"Wait until you try Elektra's cookin'!" Natsu said as he put his hand on Lucy's shoulder again. "It's awesome!"
"Although don't be surprised if you find yourself getting a little heavier- OUCH!!" Happy started, only for Haru to pinch and pull at his ear. "I was kidding!!"
"That's what I thought," Haru muttered while Blue Fang growled at the little blue cat.
"Thanks, Haru," Lucy said.
"No problem," Haru grinned.
~After a while~
"Ohhh, man, that was so good..."
This came from Natsu, who was sprawled out on the floor with his stomach about as big as an over-inflated beach ball. Happy was also lying on the floor, rubbing his fat tummy, and Blue Fang was just as bloated as they were, groaning as he lied on his back with his tongue dangling out of his jaws, almost as if he were in a drunken state. The others, while not exactly bloated like the Dragon Slayer, cat, and wolf were, also sat in their seats with satisfied expressions and full stomachs.
"Wow," said Lucy. "That was some really good food! I can't believe I managed to finish all of mine!"
"Now that was a feast," said Gray.
"Tell me about it," agreed Haru. "I feel like I ate enough to last me a good year!"
"Glad you liked that meal," Elektra smiled as she wiped her forehead, but then Natsu's mouth burst open with a loud belch, causing her to give him a stern glare. "Natsu Dragneel, what do you say?"
"Excuse me," Natsu replied with a sheepish grin.
"Good boy," Elektra praised with a smile. "Now, it would be a big help if everybody gathered their dishes and helped Mira clean up, so hop to it, please!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Natsu and the others replied as they began to gather their plates and cups and head to the kitchen to wash them. As they did, Makarov cleared his throat, causing his granddaughter to turn to face him.
"I believe you said you had something to tell me," Makarov said with a serious expression, causing her own face to harden, as well.
"Kids!" Elektra called. "I'm gonna talk to Grandpa for a little bit, alright?"
"Yes, Elektra!" Mirajane called back as Elektra left with Makarov, heading into his office. The moment they were alone, Elektra closed the door behind her, then sitting down in front of her grandfather as he sat at his desk. It felt like hours until one of them finally said something.
"So then," Makarov began, "you were gone longer than I thought, my dear... I doubt the job you went on was that difficult."
"...Actually, I finished the job long ago," Elektra replied. "I was on my way home until... well..."
Makarov sat patiently, waiting for her answer.
"...I ran into Gildarts," Elektra spoke, causing her grandfather's eyes to go wide.
"Gildarts, you say?" he asked. "Wasn't he supposed to be on that 100-year quest?"
"Yes," said Elektra, "but... it seems he and I both ran into a bit of trouble." Her eyes seemed to darken as she kept talking. "Grandpa... he attacked us."
"He...?" Makarov repeated, inquisitively.
"The Black Dragon of the Apocalypse," Elektra began, "Acnologia."
Hearing that name seemed to cause chills to go down the short old man's spine while his granddaughter hugged herself, trying to keep from shivering.
"So... Acnologia does exist...?" Makarov asked.
"It was horrible," she said. "Like something out of a nightmare... I thought that he was just a myth, but upon seeing him up close..." She screwed her eyes shut. "It was terrifying...! I was going to try and help Gildarts fight him off, but he insisted I run for my life. He and I separated after that with Acnologia chasing after him."
"And you have no idea where Gildarts is, now?" Makarov inquired.
"No, sir," Elektra replied as she looked down, shamefully. "I... I honestly didn't want to leave him."
"No, I understand, my dear," Makarov replied. "That sounds like something Gildarts would do, after all."
"Grandpa... what does this mean, though?" asked Elektra, worriedly. "Are we in danger?"
"I'm not sure," replied Makarov. "Whatever the case is... I pray we never have to run into that beast."
"...Me, too," Elektra whispered. "What I fear most... is losing my children to that monster."
Outside, she could hear the sounds of Natsu yelling, Gray throwing insults at the Dragon Slayer, and Erza shouting at them to settle down. She could also hear Haru and Lucy laughing along with Mirajane, Levy, and Cana, and Elfman yelling about being manly.
"Well, Elektra," Makarov began, "all I can say is... pray for the best... but prepare for the worst."
"...Yes, Grandpa," Elektra whispered, sadly.