Faerie Tail

Chapter 1- The Faerie Tale

Luke Heartfilia walked along a sunny street in the port town of Hargeon. The brisk sea air brought with it the light scent of salt untainted at present by the commercial aspects of fishing and transport, two important aspects of Hargeon's economy. The light breeze brought a smile to the young man's face, his blonde hair ruffling slightly. Luke was considered by many (including himself) to be a very attractive person. His slightly above average frame was lightly toned and muscled, giving him the appearance of perhaps a surfer or some other athlete. His hair was currently in a modest cut, a bang of hair slightly drooping over his left eye.

He wore a white polo shirt with a blue stipe across the chest as well as down the center. Blue slacks paired with stylish yet sensible black shoes covered his legs and feet, while a pouch and a coiled black whip hung from a brown belt on his left and right sides respectively.

Spying his destination Luke quickly made his way into a store the sign above the door proclaiming magical goods for sale. Making his way to the counter Luke gave the proprietor one of his signature smiles.

"Good morning ma'am" he said "I was informed that this was the best place in town if I wanted to find items of the magical variety." The owner smiled slightly at the young man's energetic attitude. "You only heard partly correctly, this is the only place in Hargeon that sells magic items." "My mistake "he replied with a smaller smile, "But perhaps you can help me all the same, I'm looking for Gate Keys". The owners smile dropped slightly as she raised a hand to her chin to think. "A rare request, I don't believe I have any in stock but let me check in the back just to make sure, feel free to look around while you wait." "I'll do just that" he replied turning to take in the store at large as the owner vanished behind a curtain. "Wonder if there is anything in here I could use", he mused to himself beginning to look at the shelves.

Earlier at the Hargeon train station a blue cat with a small green sack tied around his neck and a shock of white fur at the end of his tail was pushing at a young woman with bright pink hair lying on the floor of a train car. "Natshi!" the cat yelled at his friend "We've reached Hargeon! Get up Get up Get up!"

The woman he is addressing looked to be suffering from some type of motion sickness curled up on the floor moaning softly. "Umm, excuse me Miss?" a conductor questioned as he walked up to them. "Is she alright?" "Aye! She's fine this always happens when she travels" the cat replied continuing to push on the woman's shoulder.

Another soft moan rose from the woman. "Never, never, never, I'm never riding another train again in my life" This statement was followed by the woman attempting to hold onto the contents of her stomach as her cheeks turned a deep shade of green. Her companion walked to the door of the car and lightly jumped to the ground below. "If our information is correct, then Salamander should be somewhere in this town." Turning back to the train to see his companion leaning out of the window. "So let's get going already." "Just give me a minute or two okay" came the shaky reply.

At that moment the piercing shriek of a train whistle rent the air as the train rapidly picked up speed moving away from the station. "Help ME!" the pinkette shouted as she was whisked away from her friend, trapped on the infernal method of transportation. Her small companion watched as his friend disappeared behind a turn. "Uh-oh, there she goes."

"And you are completely sure this is the only one you have?" Luke's question was met with the nodding head of the shop owner. "I checked everywhere; this Key is the only one left". Looking down at the small silver key resting in the box, Luke noticed the small emblem on the handle depicting a rounded blue head with a protruding nose. "The White Doggy Key is not extremely common and the spirit it summons is not extremely powerful, but it is still a good deal." "How much?" inquired the blonde. "20,000 Jewel" Luke looked into the owners face with a small bit of shock.

"Pardon?" "20,000 Jewel" the owner repeated. "Time for some of my Famous Charm" the blonde thought to himself as he placed his hands behind his neck thereby drawing attention to his well-defined arms and chest, his six-pack abs pressing against the fabric of his shirt. "Aww come on how much is it really? Surely we can work out a deal?" This was delivered with his smile on full "Attraction" mode followed by a sly wink.

"I can't believe she only knocked off 1,000 Jewel." He muttered to himself as he briskly strode away from the store a few minutes later. "So much for my Famous Charm, I must be slipping." His thoughts continued in this manner as he crossed a bridge, loud cheering and other noises drawing his attention to a large group on the street below him.

"Are you serious, she's really here? The loud voice came from a young man who was running behind him. "Yes!" the man's companion replied, "The stunningly beautiful Miss Salamander is really here in Hargeon!" "Salamander?" he thought to himself the stories and rumors surrounding the name coming to his mind in a rush. "As in the ravishing fire wielding beauty, whose magic is said to rival only her body in beauty? She's in this backwater?"

Looking down he could see multitudes of young men, many clutching autograph books running towards a square not far from where he stood. "As long as I'm here I might as well at least get a glimpse of her" turning to run after the young men who had passed him earlier.

Elsewhere in Hargeon a pink haired young woman walked through the streets, only slightly stumbling. "Man, I ended up riding the train twice" she complained to her small blue friend. The woman's pink hair was the most obvious thing about her, falling down to the middle of her back in messy tresses, a pronounced lock bounced as she walked almost entirely covering her right eye.

The white scarf she wore around her neck seemed almost as if it were made from scales. She wore a red coat that reached slightly past her waist with symbols on the left sleeve near her shoulder. The rest of her outfit consisted of a dark blue bra with red accents covered her full chest. A dark blue vest edged with gold along with a matching long skirt that left the front of her body open from hip to hip. White slightly baggy pants with black ties around her shins and black sandals completed the ensemble.

"You're no good when it comes to vehicles, you need to figure out a way to either control or get rid of this motion sickness." Her companion replied, looking up at her with concern in his large eyes. "I'm so hungry I could eat my arm" "We don't have enough money for food" her companion stated with a sigh. "Hey Happy, this Salamander has gotta be Igneel right?" "Aye, it's got to be" the cat whose name was Happy replied. "Igneel is the only Fire Dragon I've ever heard of."

Their attention was distracted by a large amount of yelling and screaming coming from in front of them. "Miss Salamander, will you marry me?" "Burn Me, Miss Salamander!" "Miss Salamander you are so beautiful!" "Salamander?" The woman whose name is Natshi and Happy said at the same time. Beginning to run towards the large crowd that was forming in the square ahead of them a large smile began to form on Natshi's face. "Well speak of the devil, we're in luck today Happy!" "Aye, Sir!" came the energetic reply.

The object of the crowd's fascination was a tall woman with rich long dark hair. A purple cape was around her shoulders paired with a white blouse edged with burgundy. A striped maroon skirt and black 6 inch heels completed her outfit. Luke stood amongst the midst of screaming men eyes wide as he beheld the svelte beauty in front of him.

"What's gotten into me?" He thought to himself, his rapid heartbeat and flushed skin giving him a distressed appearance. "Why is my heart beating so fast?" "You gentleman are too kind", the stunning woman in front him said to the ever growing crowd. Her head turned and her gaze caught his like a mouse in a trap, the tattoo above her right eye adding a touch or roguishness to her already glorious visage.

"She looked at me", the thought raced through Luke's mind and seemingly defying logic his heart beat even faster. "Is this love at first sight?" he thought to himself edging closer to the model of perfection in front of him.

"Igneel!" the shout broke through the cacophony of screams, "Igneel!" the cry was repeated as a young pink haired woman broke through the crush of men to stand in the circle of clear space around the object of the crowd's desire. The silence that descended was almost uncanny but not as profound as the feeling Luke got when he looked at the young woman.

It was almost as if something that had been gripping his thoughts broke and floated away, replaced by a feeling of clear-headedness the like of which he had never before experienced. He took in every detail of her appearance from her head to her feet even her slightly bent over stance which in no way diminished her beauty and in fact highlighted her slightly heaving breasts. Her light rich voice reached his ears bringing him back into the real world at her statement directed towards the woman in front of her "Who the heck are you?"

The woman's response to this question was quite comical, her face draining of color as she let jerked away and let out a silent scream. "You're not Igneel." Quickly regaining her composure, the woman smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle in her skirt. "Well of course I'm not Igneel" replied the woman flashing a large smile. "I am called Salamander" Her smile became a gasp of astonishment as the pinkette and her companion simply turned and walked away. They did not get far before being surrounded and tackled by some of the admirers. "How dare you disrespect Miss Salamander!" one shouted. "Get back here and apologize this instant!" said another his arms wrapped around the girls legs a shocked and dazed expression on her face. "Now, now boys there is no need for violence. I am sure the young miss meant no disrespect or insult. Let her go." Immediately the crowd reformed around Miss Salamander signing her praises once more. "I am afraid that is all the time I have for now, come to the party I am hosting tonight on my yacht. All of you are invited! Red Carpet!" With a snap of her fingers she activated her magic a bright rosy flame spiraled around her lifting her into the air and whisking her away.

The crowd dispersed quickly after this, leaving the young pinkette lying on the ground. "I wonder what that was all about?" the small blue cat standing beside her asked. "No idea" she replied, sitting up. "It was ring based love magic" the voice came from above her, looking up she saw a hand extended to help her up the voice belonging to a young man with blonde hair stunningly clear blue eyes and a wide smile. "Love magic?" the pinkette asked grasping his hand as she easily pulled herself up. Her silver eyes met his blue and in that moment it seemed as if the entirety of the world faded away. She took in every detail of his face, how his eyes sparkled as they caught the light, his large dimples caused by his wide and stunning smile filled with two rows of perfectly formed white teeth. A feeling began to form deep within her as if something that had lain dormant was beginning to stir, a feeling that she could not quite put a name to but felt good nonetheless. As his voice reached her ears, her surroundings came back in a rush. She blinked feeling as if an eternity had passed when in fact it had been only scant seconds. "It was banned by the council some time ago" he spoke softly his next words were cut off by the loud growling of her empty stomach. A light laugh escaped his lips "Sounds like someone's hungry, let's grab some lunch, should be a place nearby."

A few minutes later they were seated at a diner being brought continuous plates of food by the astonished and perplexed waitress. As he watched the young woman and cat he had just met begin to eat with a seemingly ravenous sense of abandon a sense of peace came over Luke though he could not explain how or why he felt it. "My name is Luke" he introduced himself dodging a stray piece of food that flew past his ear. "Natshi" the pinkette replied around a mouthful of food "and this is my friend Happy." "Aye!" the cat said trying to shove three whole fish into his mouth. Luke smiled at the pair oblivious to the looks they were receiving from patrons and workers as food flew madly from the table and dirty dishes began to pile up at a prodigious rate. "That magic from earlier was called Charm" he began to explain it can make whoever is in rage of the caster madly in love with them, to the point where they will do anything to please them and gain their attention. I had fallen under its effect as well but thanks to you coming when you did I was able to break free." He drained the glass of white zinfandel from his elbow before continuing. "If she was in a guild they wouldn't tolerate it, the word of the Magic Council is law." He gave a small sigh as he looked out the window at the bright clear sky overhead. "I'm a wizard you see though not an official one technically as I am not a member of a guild. I want to join one more than anything though, so that I can train and become stronger as well as make new friends and meet new people. The one I want to join is the most popular guild in Fiore, they are always making headlines." Happy looked up at him after finishing another fish, the bones of the previous one lying on a plate in front of him. "Do you have to join a guild to become a stronger wizard?" he asked. "If you want to be an official one yes, the guilds are the entire basis of magical society. If someone has a problem that involves magic or wants a problem or question solved by a magician they contact the guilds with a job request. The guilds distribute these requests to their members and receive a percentage of the reward. Without the guilds wizards would be constantly fighting over what little jobs they could find or worse fighting each other just because they had nothing better to do. Also if the guilds didn't exist then there would be no centralized place for people who needed help to be able to find it. The magic council oversees the guilds and acts as a governing body for magic use. It's not a perfect system of course but it works and keeps everyone mostly happy. I know this whole wizards and guilds and magic stuff must seem like gibberish to you, I apologize for ranting." Happy nodded at this before picking up a fish and beginning to nibble on it. "I do have to admit I'm curious though. From your bags it looks like you aren't from around here, why did you come to Hargeon anyways?" "We were looking for Igneel, the Fire Dragon" at this Luke's eyebrows shot up and he recoiled away from the small cat as he continued speaking. "Natshi got a tip that he was here in Hargeon." "You can't expect a dragon to hide in a city!" He yelled at them bringing shocked expressions to both their faces. "Why not?" Natshi asked quickly. "Because a dragon is humongous and would crush everything here without even trying! Besides the person who you walked in on earlier was a human." "Ohhhhh" they said simultaneously, as if this was the first time someone had mentioned this to them. Luke shook his head with a small smile as he slid out of their booth. "I've gotta get going, but I hope you enjoy the rest of your lunch. Don't worry about the cost it's my treat. I wish you the best of luck in finding your friend. Maybe I'll see you around sometime." As he walked to the counter to pay for the food a shocked gasp from the waitress drew his attention behind him. Natshi and Happy were both kneeling on the ground with their palms and foreheads on the floor. "Thank you for the food!" they shouted simultaneously drawing the attention of everyone else in the restaurant. "I…It…It's okay" Luke managed to gasp out knees wobbling in embarrassment "you helped me earlier and I was able to help you so let's just call it even." Natshi and Happy looked at each other in confusion but had no chance to say anything else before Luke paid for the meal and strode out of the diner.

He wandered around the city for a bit longer, not really caring to return to his hotel room this early in the day so he bought a Sorcerer Weekly magazine from a street vendor and found a quiet bench to catch up on what was happening in the magical world. "Faerie Tail does it again" he thought to himself reading the article that detailed the capture of a bandit clan at the cost of seven homes being destroyed and thousands of Jewels in other property damage. "Talk about going overboard" flipping to the centerfold of the magazine revealed a photo spread of Mirajane Strauss one of the most popular models in the world and a proud member of Faerie Tail her white guildmark displayed prominently on her left thigh. "I wonder how you join Faerie Tail" he said to himself softly "Is there an interview process, do they contact you? However it happens I know for certain that I'm going to join Faerie Tail." "What's this about joining Faerie Tail?" Luke leaped off the bench in surprise "Salamander!" he quickly adopted a defensive posture as the sultry looking woman finished moving out of the bushes from where she had been observing him ever since he sat down. She seemed not to notice as she brushed stray leaves off of her cape. "I've been looking all over for you, I wanted to extend a personal invitation to the party I'm hosting tonight." As she spoke Luke's eyes focused on her right hand observing the two rings with close scrutiny. "Your Charm spell won't work on me, it's useless against someone who knows they are being targeted by it." If possible her smile seemed to widen as she sashayed closer to him the movement drawing his eyes away from her hand to her swaying hips, "Ah of course, I guessed that you were a mage the moment I laid eyes on you, regardless of your immunity the invitation still stands." "Forget it, I wouldn't be caught dead at your party, you're nothing but a creep." Her hand flew to her mouth at his words and her expression became one of shame and sadness. "Why do you wound me so? I'll admit to using magic to gain attention but only because I wanted to be the star at my party, is that too much for a girl to ask?" His stance relaxed at her words but he remained vigilant for a trick. "You wish to join Faerie Tail correct? At his terse nod her smile returned, "then allow me to properly introduce myself for you see I am Faerie Tail's one and only Salamander. His expression changed to that of awe as one of the members of his obsession smiled her brightest at him. "You're really her?" "Indeed, if you wish I shall put in a good word with the Master, he may look favorably on your application. But you can't say anything about the Charm spell." Eyes wide at the possibility of joining the guild of his dreams Luke nodded enthusiastically "It seems as though I must depart" he said happily "I have a party to get ready for." "Until tonight" Salamander smiled demurely "Red Carpet!" As she flew away Luke's expression slowly slid into a grimace. "Damn It!" He said as he mentally kicked himself "I was pseudo-charmed." His smile returned "But on the other hand, she is going to get me into Faerie Tail! I just have to be nice to that harlot until then."

Later that evening Natshi and Happy were relaxing on a bridge overlooking the harbor and ocean beyond. Natshi patted her stomach and smiled contentedly at her friend who was sitting on the railing facing the ocean his small feet dangling over the edge. "God that was a great meal wasn't it Happy" "Aye Sir!" the cat replied. Spying a large yacht anchoring in deeper water offshore he tugged on Natshi's sleeve. "Do you think that's the boat where that Salamander lady is having her party?" Turning to lean on the railing next to her friend she followed his finger until she spotted the yacht in question, immediately her motion sickness returned , the very thought of setting foot on the yacht causing her to turn green. "Calm down, it's not like we were gonna go." The giggling of some young sounded to their left but what drew their attention was the question that one voiced to the group. "Isn't that Miss Salamander's yacht?" "Yes it is" her friend replied "My brother is going, I'm so happy for him" "Wait, who is Salamander?" Another inquired "Only an extremely popular, extremely famous wizard who is in town right now!" the one who had voiced the original question responded. "Yeah, she is a member of Faerie Tail, all the boys are going hoping to ask her out." At the words Faerie Tail, Natshi's motion sickness vanished as her eyes flashed back to the anchored yacht an angry growl coming from her lips. "So she's in Faerie Tail huh? We'll see about that."

On board the yacht the party was in full swing, tables of refreshments filled the deck as a large number of young men, many clutching wrapped gifts milled about chatting with each other. "So your name is Luke, hmmm, a strong name a good name." In a private cabin below the main deck Luke, dressed in a black jacket, black pants, wine red shirt with the top two buttons undone, and polished black shoes lounged on a couch across the table from the woman who called herself Salamander. Salamander herself had not changed for the party and remained in the outfit she had been wearing earlier in the day. The only change to her appearance was the blood red lipstick she had applied and a pink flame barrette in her hair. Leaning on the table itself she set the bottle of wine back onto the table next to the two full glasses she had just poured. "A toast to your handsomeness" she said snapping her fingers, as she did so bubbles of wine began to lift from the glasses to float in the air between them. "Open your mouth; savor each drop of flavor as it rests in your mouth." "Well this isn't creepy at all" Luke thought to himself, resigning however that he was willing to do whatever it took to join Faerie Tail he opened his mouth as the bubbles floated towards him, a thought struck him before the first one could reach his tongue. Quickly standing he passed his hand through the bubbles, his inner magic dispersing the spell they contained. "What do you think you're doing" he growled out. "That wine is laced with sleep magic." Salamander's smile gained a mocking edge, lifting her hand he was able to take a closer look at the ring on her right middle finger. "That's it" he thought to himself, recognizing the ring as one that contained sleeping magic so powerful a person would sleep for months unless the spell was reversed. This was the thought that had struck him, his knowledge of ring magic coming to the forefront of his mind in the nick of time. "I want to join Faerie Tail don't get me wrong, but I'm not going to have sex with you to make it happen." At this Salamander's smile vanished altogether leaving a dark glare in its place. "Don't kid yourself Prince Charming, you may be a looker but you're not that Hot." At her words the curtains around the cabin vanished revealing a large group of thugs with the unconscious guests in their arms. "What's going on here?" he yelled at Salamander. She ignored his question her eyes roving over the unconscious men as if they were nothing more than slabs of meat. Finally she turned her gaze to his, "Welcome to my ship" her flirty tone gone along with her smile "You would be wise not to make trouble during our voyage to Bosco boy. "Bosco?" Luke repeated, his anger rising "You said you were going to get me into Faerie Tail!." "Oh, that," she said with a wave of her hand, "that was nothing more than a cheap lie to get you onto the ship and one of slaves. Now you are nothing more than merchandise." "You little…" Luke began, reaching under his jacket to remove a ring of Keys from the pouch hidden there. Before he could finish the woman's magic spiraled out at him stinging his hand and causing the keys to fly out of his grasp before she snatched them out of the air. Looking at the three gold and three silver keys on the ring with a critical eye, a dark eyebrow slowly rose in recognition. "These are Gate Keys" she mumbled to herself "You must be a Celestial Spirit mage, only the mage who has a contract with the Spirits of the Keys can use them so these are now worthless." At this she casually tossed the ring out of an open porthole, seconds later there was a splash as the Keys hit the water and sank below the waves. Luke's body shook in barely contained rage his fists clenched tightly, nails almost puncturing the skin of his palms. He spoke through clenched grinding teeth, barely able to make his words understandable "Who are you? There is no possible way a Faerie Tail wizard would ever agree to this. Kidnapping innocent people and selling them for profit?" The thugs surrounding him laughed at this several inching closer arms out to grab him. "That's our boss." one said "She always brings in a good haul." "You are all pathetic" he ground out "especially you!" His eyes, met his captor's once more her face filled with sadistic glee, her minions with similar expressions on their faces lining up behind her. "I hate you! You used magic to take advantage of others, you are despicable, the very worst example of a wizard ever!"

A blinding crash shook the boat as something came through the ceiling of the cabin. Bits of decking flew everywhere and a great cloud of dust sprung up. Luke looked on in shock, not noticing the hands gripping each of his arms to keep him from moving. As the dust settled a figure could be seen kneeling on the splintered deck. A red coat was the first thing visible followed by a white scarf, a long mane of pink hair, before finally revealing a young woman an expression of determined anger on her attractive face. "Natshi!" Luke exclaimed in excited surprise "What are you doing here?" The group's expression as one turned to shock as Natshi's face immediately turned green and looked as if she were about to vomit. "Ughhhh" she moaned "I knew this was a bad idea." A voice from above drew Luke's attention to the hole in the ceiling, where Happy could be seen floating in the sky supported by white wings that extended from his back. "Luke? What are you doing here?" "This bitch tricked me" Luke said pointing over his shoulder at the dumbfounded faces of Salamander and her thugs. "On second thought, what are you two doing here, and how are you FLYING! You're a CAT!" "I'll explain later okay." Happy said as Luke found the blue cat's tail wrapped around his waist pulling him out of the hole and away from the ship at a rapid speed. Salamander, shook off her confusion looking up at the fleeing duo with anger. "After them!" She yelled to her minions, "We can't let word of this get back to the Magic Council!" Above the ship making their way as fast as they could towards shore Luke's mind noticed a shocking detail. "Happy!" He yelled, "what about Natshi! We can't just leave her!" "I can't carry two people!" Happy yelled back. "Besides, Natshi…" The rest of his sentence was cut off as multiple streams of rosy flame rose from the ship towards them. Happy nimbly dodged the attacks weaving in and out between them.

"Damn, that cat is quicker than he looks." Back on the ship Salamander watched as the blue cat avoided explosion after explosion from where her magic was colliding with itself. "Hey Bitch!" Salamander turned to look back towards the ruined cabin, seeing the girl who had crashed through the deck, body heaving slightly but looking better than before, looking at her with an expression of profound anger. "Happy, we have to go back for her, and all those other guys!" Luke yelled at the cat as the last flame stream missed them by several yards. "We have bigger problems!" "Like what!" Luke yelled before Happy abruptly released him. Snapping his head up, his eyes widened in horror at no longer seeing wings sprouting from the cats back. "My transformation is over!" Happy wailed miserably as they both began to fall towards the bay far below. "STUPID CAT!" Luke yelled flailing his arms as he tried to slow himself before going rigid and knifing into the water like a professional high-diver.

Luke used the momentum from the dive as a boost as he swam toward a nearby rock. Happy however was not so lucky slamming headfirst into the sandy floor of the bay. Seeing the light glinting off the metallic ring Luke retrieved his Keys from the rock they had managed to snag on.

Back on board the boat, Natshi was being pummeled by four thugs, unable to mount a proper defense due to her motion sickness. "Forget about them!" Salamander's voice cut through the night like a whip. "Raise the anchor, we're leaving! We have to make it to Bosco fast!" As a thug made to stomp his boot into Natshi's face an arm flew out and stopped it cold. Groaning with effort she managed to raise herself from lying on the deck. "The Faerie Tail Guild", she snarled at Salamander, "You're a member?"

Gasping down air Luke broke the surface of the bay, Happy dazedly coming up to float on his back beside him. A wicked smile graced Luke's face as he stared at the departing ship. "Oh you're mine now." Pulling a golden Key off of the ring before stowing it safely back inside the pouch, Luke closed his eyes mentally reached inside himself until he found the core of his magic. Connecting to it, his body rose to float partway out of the water. The golden key spinning rapidly in front of him he grabbed the handle firmly. "Open, Gate of the Water Bearer!" He yelled, inserting the key into the waves and turning it as if to unlock a door "Aquarius!" Instantly there was a rush of water as a whirlpool formed around the key, with a flash of light the key was once more in his hand and before him floated a stunningly beautiful mermaid, holding a striped blue amphora. "FISH!" Happy cried out reaching towards the mermaid with a large drop of drool hanging from the side of his mouth. "No, she is not a fish." Luke smacked the cat on top of his head, seemingly coming to its senses with the blow. "She is a Celestial Spirit, as a Celestial Spirit wizard I can summon them from the Celestial Spirit World if I need assistance." Finally the mermaid turned to look down at the two of them. "Aquarius, I need you to use your power to push that ship back into port." Aquarius responded only with a disdainful look and a terse "Ugh". Luke felt his own anger rising, familiar with the attitude of the aquatic spirit. "Look when I call you from the Spirit World I need help, so that's what I expect you to do, not constantly give me attitude." "She looks angry" Happy said quietly tugging on Luke's sleeve as he swam behind him. "I wouldn't do anything to piss her off" Aquarius turned her gaze to the departing ship though when she spoke her words were direct at Luke. "Let's get one thing straight, right here and right now. The next time you even so much as think, about dropping my Key I will murder you, painfully." "It…" Luke began but was cut off by a glare from the mermaid woman "DO YOU HEAR ME, PAINFULLY!" "It won't happen again!" Luke and Happy both swore overwhelmed by the spirit's anger. Aquarius raised her amphora, summoning the energy of the water around her before expelling it in a titanic blast. A large tidal wave rose up pushing everything, including the ship, Luke, and Happy back to shore. Luke managed to roll up onto his knees finding himself on the sandy beach, looking up at the spirit floating in front of him he angrily spit out some sand before glaring up at her. "What the hell is your problem?" He shouted "Do you think you could have avoided sweeping me up with that damn wave, you were supposed to just get the ship!" "Oh, I hit the ship? My apologies, I was aiming for your enormous head." "What do you mean you were aiming for me?" "Don't call me for a while; I'm going on a week-long vacation with my boyfriend. Shame you don't have someone to go on romantic vacations with." With that parting remark, Aquarius vanished into multiple ripples of water. "I've got an idea" Happy told Luke excitedly" if the fish lady gives you anymore trouble just call me and I'll take care of it." Luke groaned as he sat back resting on his hands. He had almost all he could take with the blue cat.

Meanwhile a crowd of people had gathered around the crashed ship, turned on its side from the force of the wave the ship's keel was half buried in sand from where it had slid in from the beach. Salamander rubbed her head aching from where she had been thrown against flying people and objects, getting up she looked around to realize they were solidly on the beach and the ship was going nowhere fast. Looking up she saw a silhouette through the smoke stand on the opposite side of the keel. "Natshi!" Luke yelled recognizing the figure. Natshi didn't answer, instead looking down at Salamander with unmistakable anger. "You claim to be a member of the Faerie Tail Guild right?" Natshi yelled down. "Oh, what's it to you" Salamander smiled evilly. "Let me get a closer look at your face" Natshi replied, moving to drop her red coat. "Go, get her men!" Salamander commanded her minions. The group of thugs climbed up and began to race across the keel towards the pinkette who had just let her coat float away in the wind leaving her in her vest and bra. Luke looked on in horror as the men rushed towards her. Happy perched on his shoulder already chewing on a fish he managed to pull struggling from the surf. "Oh, don't worry about her" he said to Luke "I probably should have told you this earlier, but Natshi is a wizard too!" Luke spared the cat a single astonished glance before turning back to look at the scene unfolding above him. The first two thugs had almost reached Natshi, who hadn't moved a muscle after letting her coat go. As the two jumped to punch her a single blow swiped across their field of vision batting them both away from her. "My name is Natshi Dragneel, Faerie Tail Wizard!" Her expression was filled with righteous anger "And I have never seen you before in my life!" Both the leader of the slavers and Luke had the same expression on incredulity on their face. "So that whole time I was going on about guilds and magic, you both already knew what I was talking about?" Luke asked Happy. "Aye" the cat replied, "has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?" Luke ignored the cat looking back up at Natshi. With her coat off he could clearly see the fiery red guildmark on her right shoulder, signifying that she was a full member of Faerie Tail. "That mark on her arm" one of the thugs spoke to their leader who was still gaping at the revelation "She's the real deal Barbra." "Idiot!" she shouted at him, "Don't call me by that name". "I know her" Happy said, crossing his arms "That's Barbra, Her Eminence, rumor has it that she was kicked out of the Titan Nose guild a few years back for bad behavior. I guess she finally went over the line." Natshi began striding across the keel towards the remaining thugs. "Listen here you, I don't care if you're a good guy, a bad guy, or whatever else you were planning on doing. But I will not let you disrespect the name of the Faerie Tail Guild!" Barbra smirked at this "Oh, and what's a little girl like you gonna do huh? Stop me? Eminence Typhoon!" The magic spiraled out towards Natshi, a great rolling wave of rose colored flame, who looked like a deer caught in a hunter's gaze by the magic. The explosion caused by the magic was intense. "Natshi!" Luke made to run towards her, but Happy rose up on his wings and blocked his path. The men who had been drugged had been waking up the entire time, seeing their position and the rolling flames they ran as one back towards the town, eager to escape. Barbra smiled at her handiwork, a crass smile on her face. "And so it ends." She turned to leave but before she could move more than a yard away, a great slurping sound was heard as if someone was swallowing up an extremely long noodle. "Yuck, this shit is terrible" Natshi's voice came from the still blazing ball of flame. "Are you sure you're really a fire wizard? Because this is the worst fire I've ever had." Barbra turned back to the ship a look of pure amazement on her face as the flames disappeared down the gullet of the young woman, her stomach bulging out of proportion before settling back to its normal size. Luke wore a similar expression, his jaw hanging open at the sight. "Ahhh" Natshi said wiping her mouth, a large smile on her face "Thanks for the snack, poser." "Fire magic doesn't work on Natshi" Happy said with an eerie expression on his face. Natshi stopped at the edge of the keel looking down at the stunned slavers. "After that I've got a fire in my belly that can't be stopped." Her cheeks bulged out as she leaned back, cupping her hands in front of her face a magic circle flaring into existence in front of her hands. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" A blast of flame exploded from the magic circle inundating everything in its path, everything except Barbra who had used her own magic to carry her out of the path of the flames. "Hey boss I know this chick" one of the struggling thugs called up to Barbra. "The pink hair, the scaly scarf, the fire magic. This is the real one boss, the REAL Salamander!" Luke looked on as Natshi's fist caught fire. "I hope you joker's are paying attention because this is what a REAL Faerie Tail wizard can do!" She began to run towards Barbra who countered with her own attack. "Red Shower!" Balls of pink flame began floating down exploding in Natshi's path but she dodged them all. She jumped up into the air delivering a kick that sent Barbra flying into a group of houses on a cliff. Luke watched the fight in amazement. "So she eats fire and then attacks with it, how does it work? Is it some type of spell?" "She has a dragon stomach to eat the fire, dragon lungs to breathe fire, dragon scales to protect her from harm, and dragon claws wrapped in fire that she can punch and kick with. Her brand of fire magic is the type that allows her body to take on the aspects of a dragon. It's an ancient magic that is very rare and hardly used anymore. It was originally used to fight dragons. She is a Fire Dragon Slayer." Happy stated succinctly as if he had given this speech multiple times. "Hell Eminence!" A bright beam of flame sped towards the ground lighting several fires, Natshi emerged unharmed using her magic like a boost to reach Barbra's altitude. After sucking down an extremely large ball of flame that had been thrown at her, Natshi began to smile. "You better be ready because I'm gonna char you like a grilled fish!" Summoning an intense ball of fire in her right hand flame's burst from her feet propelling her towards the flabbergasted woman. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" The punch connected solidly with Barbra's face knocking her down to the ground before she bounced up into the air before finally colliding with a church bell with a reverberating toll. Smoked and charred houses marked the path she had followed and a large blaze was spreading rapidly. Luke looked out at the chaos, "that was amazing, but she definitely went overboard." "Aye!" Happy replied smiling, his mind focused on the image of a nicely grilled fish. Through the crackling of flames many boots marching in sync could be heard, Luke turned around to see a contingent of the Royal Army marching towards him pikes at the ready. Before he could utter more than a stuttered word he felt himself being pulled rapidly by his arm in the opposite direction towards the main highway out of town. Natshi turned her head to look back at him "C'mon we gotta beat it outta here fast!" "Where are you taking me?" Luke shouted, struggling to keep his feet as he ran. "You said you wanted to join Faerie Tail didn't you?" Natshi's face broke into a cheek to cheek smile, the flames in the night sky lighting her face like a halo of light. "So let's go!" Luke's smile matched Natshi's own as he increased his speed to match hers. With Happy flying overhead and the Royal Army behind them Luke and Natshi ran into the night, each eagerly anticipating the adventures that were sure to be ahead.