Chapter 36: 7 Years
Hidden Powers
[NaLu Fanfiction]
By: JeRein_14
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Chapter 36: 7 Years
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Natsu's POV
It was hard to register. The things that have been happening. Just days ago—at least for us who had went to Tenrou for the S-Class Examinations—I was chosen as one of the participants. We had traveled to this sacred island that was apparently special to our guild. I had passed the first tests and was currently in the midst of the second one when this dark guild came barging in, uninvited. They had proclaimed war and had the decency to fight us on our own territory. Hours later, this humongous dragon, called Acnologia, came and nearly killed us all. From what i heard, First Master, Mavis Vermillion, had performed one of the guild's powerful spells and shielded us from the dragon's breath attack. It came with a price, though. A huge price. We were trapped in Tenrou for 7 FREAKIN' YEARS.
Now, supposedly years after, we're gathered around the bar with news that our guild was now the laughing stock of Fiore. To sum it up; Our head quarter's a dump. We're greatly in debt to another guild. We're 7 years behind in terms of magic and age. No decent job requests and missions coming in. And our guild's considered as the underdogs of the whole continent.
COULD THIS GET ANY WORSE?!
"And oh, we're supposed to get kick out of this place if we don't pay back the money we owe them in 4 months." I spoke too soon.
"Jeez, that's trouble some. How much do we actually owe them?" Master Makarov asked, seemingly close to tears after hearing the current predicament of our once glorious guild.
"Around 10,000,000 Jewels, Master." I almost laughed at his astounded expression if i wasn't flabbergasted myself. Nearly all those trapped in Tenrou was astonished at the tremendous amount. I may not be that good with numbers but I do know that it's a fairly large money.
"W—What?! How is t-that even possible?!?" Master stuttered, nearly choking on his alcohol. Meanwhile, the not-time frozen members remorsefully looked at us.
"We just actually borrowed nearly a million jewels for the first year you were gone to financially support the guild for a few months while we gone out to look for you. We didn't expect that you'll be missing for 7 years." Macao said, smiling bashfully at the sullen looking Master.
"Just nearly a million? How did it gone up to 10,000,000?" Mirajane asked, still shaken up at the news.
"With time and interest." Wakaba laughed humorlessly.
"They're giving you a hard time, then?" The Ice Princess commented, earning a snort from me. Way to be obvious, Captain Underpants.
"Yeah. They come back every end of the month to collect their money. We always pay short the amount they give. They get angry and trash around the guild." Bisca explained, looking away. From where i sat, i saw her quiver slightly, either from anger or fear, unconsciously hugging the unfamiliar small girl sitting on her lap tightly. Her action shifted my attention to the girl. She was settled comfortably on her lap. It wasn't a strange sight. The fact that Alzack had her arm around Bisca was. It wasn't common for those two to show affection. Almost.. It almost made them look like a small family.
"That must have been terrible!" Lisanna gasped, covering her mouth with her slightly trembling hands.
"It is. What's worse? They're coming around past noon today seeing that today marks the end of the month. Since the guild isn't receiving any decent mission, we're short in money." Laki sighed, readjusting her glasses.
"Is that so? Let me talk to those loan sharks myself." Master Makarov decided, sighing tiredly.
"Really, Master? But is that wise? Those mages are really rude and loud. I don't think it's —" Macao started to counter but a certain redhead cut him out.
"Mirajane and myself will accompany Master. We'll negotiate with those Loan Sharks and hopefully, ask for an extension." Many gulped at that, including me. It's clear that there will be more that 'negotiating' later. Probably swords and terrifying glares will be included.
~☆~
Two days later, our 'revival' from being frozen in time spread across the continent like wild fire. We often receive stares and whispers whenever i'm out. It's really getting annoying. That weird 'COOL' guy from Sorcerer's Weekly even visited the guild yesterday to interview us. He kept on asking annoying questions;
"How did you come back from the being basically dead?"
"How are you coping?"
"How do you feel after learning the current status of your guild?"
It was aggravating! Especially when he crossed the line!
"Where's Lucy? Why haven't I seen her? Don't tell me she's dead?"
Before i could control myself, i glared at him with pure loathing before slamming my blazing fists in the table, nearly tearing it in half. It took Ice Princess, Metal Head, Erza and Laxus to hold me back from burning the reporter into a crisp. How dare he?! Just because of her absence, he already thought she's dead?! If they didn't restrained me, i would have destroyed the guild just because of that stupid question. And it will be his fault! By he, i mean that insensitive piece of—
"We need to talk, Natsu." I was drifted to reality as my mental cursing was cut off by Erza who had approached me, along with Gray. They both wore serious expressions which made me uneasy. This had to be something important.
"Yeah, sure." They had lead me outside, at the back of the guild where they locked the back door to prevent any more members from disturbing us. This made me raise an eyebrow. What's with all the secrecy?
"What's with you guys? Are you—"
"Flame Brain, be honest with us. Did you, by any chance, stumbled upon Lucy on your last mission?" Oh, sh!t. What tipped it off? Happy? No way. Lucy's too precious to him to even think of betraying her trust. My actions? I can't remember anything i did to have—
"You didn't took a mission. You were out looking for Lucy." Was Erza accusation. Being under her heated glare, i shivered and squirmed uncomfortably in place.
"I d-don't know what you're talking about." I held my ground. I can't break my promise of not telling. As she said, we need to earn her trust once again. By telling on her, i'll be betraying her again.
"Natsu, we're not idiots. We know you searched for Lucy. What we actually want to find out is how you managed to convince Master." The requip mage pushed on. Was it safe to answer? Going back, i promised Lucy that i will not mention anything about finding her. Was this out of scope? Was it ok to respond? Tell the truth?
"I can't—"
"Ash Breath, we're not asking about Lucy. We accept that you want to keep the details private. We just want to know how you convinced Gramps into letting you go?" There was a certain emotion on their eyes. Yearning and Longing for an old friend. A flame had ignited on both their eyes, blazing brightly in response to the intense determination they were feeling. Could it be?
"You want to look for her yourselves?" I asked, frowning as they visibly flinched. Got you.
"N–No.. I mean, we were j-just.. You can.." The often scary and fearsome Titania stuttered, refusing eye contact.
"I don't think you guys are cut out for it." Provoking them wasn't my intention but there was truth held in my sentence. As i know that they're willing to do anything for their friend, i don't think leaving the guild is one of it. They both had grew up in Fairy Tail, treating all the members as the family they never had. I don't think they're capable of even thinking of leaving them.
"You arrogant b*stard! You don't think we're capable of the things you can?! What made you think so highly of yourself?! You little—" the dramatic Ice Freak started. Rolling my eyes, i knew i had to cut him off soon before he starts to scold me like a mother would to her delinquent child
"To search for her, you need to quit the guild." That got the stripper to shut up.
"W-What?"
"Master promised that no Fairy Tail Mage will go look for her. In order to find her, i quit the guild. I just got back my mark the day i returned." They stared at me, dumbfounded. There is something in their expression that made me confuse. A new light. A new perspective. It seems like they're looking at me with new found respect. Or was i interpreting it wrong?
"You q-quit the guild just to go look for L-Lucy? That's.. I c-can't even.." Great. Even the strongest woman in Fairy Tail was speechless. Why do they even look so surprised? They knew how important she is to me. Heck, they knew i'd be willing to give up everything, even my own life, just for her.
"W-Wow, Fire Breath. I didn't know y-you love her that much.." A vein popped on my head. I punched the stupid Exhibitionist in attempt to divert their attention from my blushing face.
"Shut up, Stripper! No one asked for your opinion!" I hissed, dodging the fists his launched in response to my punch. In no time, we were already brawling. Just like old times. Unfortunately for us, we forgot a certain Armored Lady's presence. Erza, having enough of our fight, grabbed us by our necks and bashed our heads together.
"OWW—"
"OUCH—"
"That would teach you boneheads to behave. Especially in front of me. " the devil smiled triumphantly at our groaning state. What a sadist..
~☆~
"Tell us more about this Games, Romeo." We were gathered around the bar, discussing our plans to help revive the glory of our guild. Ice Pick and I had long recovered from the hard bump Erza gave us. After reentering the guild, they mentioned nothing more about the conversation and topic. They respect my silence. Good.
"It's an event that is going to be held at Crocus in 3 months. It happens once a year. Like some festival. All guilds are welcome to participate and compete, as long as they are legal. Five representatives and one substitute for each guild. They go through a series of events and games which they are required to accomplish till the last day. The last guild standing would be declared as the number 1 guild in all of Fiore." Romeo explained which caused a buzzed around the guild. It seemed to excite most of the members. Can't blame them.
"What are the rewards for the winning the guild?" Levy asked.
"Aside from the privilege of holding the title as the strongest guild in Fiore, they are awarded with 30,000,000 Jewels." Silence. All at awe. T-That much jewels? Wow..
"30 MILLION JEWELS?!" Almost everyone shouted at the same time.
"That would be more than enough to pay off the debt!"
"And plenty more would be left!"
"We would be rich!"
"SILENCE!" Master shouted, effectively silencing the rowdy guild.
"Why do you say, Master? Should we join?" Erza asked, trying hard to suppress her smile. She knew full well what Master would say. Like most of us.
"GET TRAINING, BRATS! WE'RE GOING TO WIN THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES!"
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Helloooooooo!!
Happy New Year, guys!!
Wanna hear my New Year's Resolution? *clears throat*
I'm looking forward to write and read more books this year.. Good enough?
And well, i'm determined to find my own writing style and trademark.. Hope i find it soon. 😀😀😀
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☆JeRein_14
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