"It is so good to be home." Vivi said as she stretched her arms over her head.
Natsu seemed to share her sentiment since he kept running around excitedly, and while the others were glad their guildmates came home, they were getting a bit annoyed. As they told Natsu to shut-up, Vivi chuckled as she smiled.
"Isn't he precious when he gets all excited?" Mirajane asked, giggling.
Not many shared her way of thinking as they kept looking at their fire-breathing pinkette in annoyance. Lucy just groaned as she sat with Vivi while laying her head on the table.
"I can't believe those stupid arrest and trial were just for show." Lucy complained. "All that worrying for nothing."
Gray, who was sitting beside Vivi on the other side of the table, made an "aha" gesture while hitting his fist into his open palm.
"So she wasn't a sacrificial lamb but a scapegoat." Gray concluded.
Vivi frowned at Gray since she didn't really appreciate his little joke. What if she actually had been a sacrificial lamb? Would he really not have cared at all? Some guildmate he is. Elfman just looked at Gray in disbelief while a bit more than just a little concerned about Gray's coldness.
"You must be one heck of an ice wizard because even your jokes leave me cold." Elfman said.
Gray just grinned before looking to Vivi who gave a huff. She turned away from the two of them with an annoyed look on her face. What was up with her? Just a second ago she was happy about being home. Vivi then sighed as she looked to Natsu.
"Hey, Natsu, what about your fight with Erza?" She asked.
Her question brought Natsu to a complete halt as he looked at Vivi with wide eyes. His fight with Erza?
"Yeah, you gonna finish it or not?!" Elfman asked.
As a large grin pulled across Natsu's face, Lucy sweat-dropped knowing things weren't going to end well here in a second. Natsu turned towards Erza, who has been rather silent since Natsu and Vivi's return, as she was drinking tea.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Natsu said. "So what do you say? Wanna pick up where we left off?"
"I'm not in the mood right now." Erza said.
Natsu, who cracked his knuckles, wasn't about to take no for an answer as he lit his fist on fire.
"I'm not letting you off the hook that easy!" Natsu said as he charged forward.
Erza sighed wondering why he couldn't have just left things alone. She wasn't in the mood for all this. She stood though, however, as Natsu got closer. Then before any of them could blink, she hit Natsu hard in the gut, sending him to the floor with no fight left in him whatsoever. Vivi winced knowing he'd be feeling that for a while.
"How's that?" Erza asked. "Are you satisfied?"
Natsu just continued to twitch on the ground with Vivi hurrying to his side to check on him.
"And he's out!" Happy declared.
As Elfman and Gray laughed at his defeat, Vivi helped Natsu into a sitting position while letting him lean back into her for support. He held his aching stomach while surprised he didn't lose his lunch after taking a hit like that.
"Why don't you two shut-up?!" Vivi snapped at Elfman and Gray. "I don't see either of you challenging Erza! Even if you did, you'd lose."
This brought Elfman to silence as it did Gray, but the ice-make wizard looked ready to pick a bone with Vivi. However, before they could, a sort of drowsiness settled over the guild. Vivi frowned, rubbing at her eyes with one hand as she wondered why she felt so sleepy all of a sudden. However, she soon realized who was causing this as many members of the guild started dropping.
"Mystogan." Vivi murmured before falling over with Natsu hitting the floor beside her.
She soon fell into slumber with the others as their mysterious guildmate—Mystogan—came walking through the door. He carefully walked past his guildmates who laid scattered on the floor to go to the request board. He grabbed one that suited him off the board before going over to Makarov who was barely managing to stay awake himself.
"I shall return." Mystogan said as he was showing what job he took to Makarov.
"No, wait," Makarov said. "Lift your sleeping spell before you go."
Mystogan gave a single nod before turning to leave with the job request in hand.
"Five… four," He counted down as he moved towards the door. "Three… two… one."
He disappeared through the door without a trace as the others all woke in an instant. Vivi groaned from her spot on the floor then pushed herself up into a sitting position to look around. Yep, he's already gone. Why couldn't he ever come in like a normal person?
"Ah, man," Jet groaned. "Was Mystogan here?"
"What a jerk." Droy complained.
"Does he have to put us to sleep every time he comes here?" Levy asked.
Just like everyone else, she was growing tired of falling to sleep randomly due to their guildmate. Just what could he be hiding? Vivi rubbed at her eyes then looked up as Gray offered her a hand. She took it while letting him help her up.
"I don't know what's with him, but I'm tired of the midday naps." Vivi complained.
"Well, you know how Mystogan is." Gray said.
Lucy blinked in confusion as her fuzzy brain tried to keep up with the conversation.
"Who's this Mystogan guy?" Lucy asked.
She's heard his name mentioned before, but no one has really explained who he is. Another member of the guild she was guessing.
"Well, for one he's a contender for Fairy Tail's strongest wizard." Elfman said.
"Really?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah," Gray said as he retook his seat.
He pinched the bridge of his nose as the last of the drowsiness was wearing off, which always left an uncomfortable feeling. Vivi sat down beside him while leaning against the table with her chin resting on her arms.
"And for some reason he doesn't want anyone to see what he looks like." Gray continued. "So whenever he comes here to take a job, he casts a sleeping spell."
"That's kind of creepy." Lucy said.
"More like annoying." Vivi said. "I don't know why he feels the need to hide his face from his family."
Lucy blinked at Vivi as the bluenette continued to rest her chin on her arms, which were folded on the table.
"I think only Master Makarov has only seen his face before." Vivi said.
"Yeah," Gray said, nodding.
"That's not true." A voice came from above. "I've seen him before."
While Lucy jumped slightly in surprise, Vivi grimaced knowing who that voice belonged to. She looked up with the rest of the guild to see Laxus leaning against the railing with a cocky look on his face. Vivi frowned wondering why he was home. And if he was home, where's his Thunder Legion? And what about Estella? He always kept her at his side.
"Laxus!" Elfman exclaimed.
Other members of the guild were surprised to see the S-class Wizard home since he rarely stayed around here. Not since he got a major personality change and became a douchebag—at least that's how Vivi sees it.
"Talk about rare." Macao said.
"You're never here." Wakaba added.
"Wish he'd go back to wherever he came from." Vivi grumbled.
If he could come home then where are her brothers? She'd much rather them be here than Laxus.
"And here's another contender." Gray said.
Lucy looked at Laxus more closely, guessing he was another S-class wizard amongst the guild. Just how many were there? And just how powerful were they?
"And so is she." Gray said, turning his eyes to next to Laxus.
Vivi and Lucy looked where he did to see a small form next to Laxus. The woman next to Laxus appeared to be a bit older than Vivi and Lucy. And she was beautiful. Her golden hair flowed down past her waist, and her bangs framed her heart-shaped face. They brought attention to her sapphire eyes, which her lightened in appearance due to her dark lashes. She was petite in size with a figure close in an hour-glass shape. She looked so delicate and fragile next to Laxus who towered over her.
She wore a dress shirt with a priest-like collar that had a small, silver cross in the middle. She then had on a black skirt that went up past her waist to mid-torso. It had silver buttons on the right and left side on the front, and it was helped up with black suspenders. She then had on black tights that covered her legs. With Black boots on her feet.
"Hmm, Estella's back too." Vivi said. "Not a surprise since Laxus made it home."
Lucy's eyes widened. So that's Estella? She wasn't what Lucy was expecting. The blonde had been thinking Estella would be more like Erza. In armor or some other tough looking getup. Not to mention taller.
"Mystogan's just a little shy." Laxus said. "You should all respect his privacy."
Vivi rolled her eyes at Laxus as the blonde man's voice seemed to finally wake Natsu who had remained unconscious longer than the others.
"Alright, Laxus!" Natsu said as he quickly got to his feet. "You and me—right now!"
As some members of the guild sweat-dropped at Natsu's challenge, Laxus scoffed. Estella's lips twitched up in amusement as Natsu shook his fist at Laxus.
"Getting your butt kicked once today wasn't enough?" Gray asked.
He then grunted in pain when Vivi, who had sat up completely, gave his leg a sharp pinch. He glared down at her as she stuck her tongue out at him in return.
"Yeah, pal," Laxus said to Natsu. "If you can't even win against the redhead, why bother with me?"
His words sent anger spiking through Erza as she turned to glare up at Laxus.
"What are you trying to say?" Erza demanded.
"That you're weaker than him." Vivi said point blank.
She then gasped when Gray put his hand over her mouth with his other arm looping around her.
"Don't make it worse!" He hissed under his breath at Vivi.
She glared at him heatedly while ready to bite his fingers off if he didn't move them.
"Vi is right!" Laxus said while holding out his arms grandly. "But here's another translation, I'm saying I'm the guild's strongest wizard."
Vivi pushed Gray's hand away from her mouth while getting out of his hold to stand up.
"I wouldn't go that far if I were you, Laxus." Vivi said, pointing up at him. "I don't recall you ever beating old man Gildarts in a fight. And what about the last time you and Chris went at it? Didn't that end in a draw? Not to mention, Mystogan and Dom and Estella. Even Erza. You're all S-Class. Meaning all the same level in this guild."
Laxus snorted, not seeming to be discouraged by Vivi's words. Vivi even narrowed her eyes when seeing the cocky grin still on his face. Estella sighed at the look of distaste shared between Laxus and Vivi. She misses when the two had been so close.
"Vivi is right, but if you don't think so, come down here and prove it." Natsu challenged as he stood up on one of the guild tables.
"You come to me, little man." Laxus goaded.
"With pleasure!" Natsu said.
He started running towards the bar to hop over it, so he could make it to the steps that lead to the second floor. However, he didn't get any farther than that since Makarov used his giant magic to grow out his hand and arm to smash Natsu under his fist.
"Ow." Vivi said. "That had to hurt."
Lucy looked at her as if she was crazy because Natsu obviously had to be in pain. He was hit by a giant's fist!
"You're not allowed on the second floor, Natsu." Makarov said. "At least not yet."
Laxus chuckled as he placed his chin on his arms, which were resting on the banister as he leaned over.
"Think you made him grumpy." Laxus mocked.
"Shut-up!" Natsu snapped as he tried to get free.
He couldn't get free, however, as Makarov made sure to keep Natsu down on the ground.
"That's enough out of you, Laxus." Makarov said.
"The most powerful one in the guild isn't some chick or some hooded weirdo. Or the nerd into science" Laxus said. "And it's definitely not a man who's afraid of the light."
Vivi's teeth grit together knowing that was a jab at Chris. Laxus's grin seemed to grow when seeing Vivi's angered expression.
"You want to know what the strongest wizard looks like? You're looking right at him!" Laxus said, pointing at himself.
Vivi glared up at Laxus while ready to make him eat those words someday.
"Those are some big words, Laxus." A new voice said. "I see your ego hasn't changed since we last saw each other.
People gasped, turning their heads to see another S-Class Wizard managed to find his way home. This man just sat casually at the bar with a coat hung up behind his chair. He had long violet hair that was in a high ponytail. Even then his hair fell past his shoulders. He had a small goatee style beard at the end of his chin-it was really just a turf of hair. The eyes he had on Laxus were striking silver in color with slightly silted pupils.
He wore a dark blue muscle shirt that hugged him tightly to even show off the muscles in his back. He then had on black cargo pants that were tucked into black combat boots. He also wore bandages around his hands that went up to his elbows. Finally on top of his head were some old-fashioned rounded sunglasses that were deep red in color. He looked like the opposite of Estella. He was dark and he looked scary. He looked like he could be dangerous. Lucy blinked wondering who this guy was.
"Whoa, Chris's home too." Alzach said.
"We never have this many of our S-Class wizards home all at once." Bisca said.
"And Laxus and Chris can't stand each other." Cana said then took a chug of liquor. "There's going to be a fight."
As the guild whispered together, Lucy started to worry. Was there really going to be a right between two S-Class wizards right in front of her?
"Oh, if it isn't the prince of darkness himself." Laxus said with a mocking smirk. "What's wrong? Did my words rub you the wrong way? Going to do anything about it?"
Laxus's hands sparked with electricity as he waited for Chris to do something. Estella shook her head knowing this wouldn't end well. Chris didn't look too concerned with fighting as he tapped his glasses to make them fall over his eyes. At least that's what Lucy thought until he then leaned back in his chair while holding up his hand, which ignited in a purplish-black flame. It was darker than Macao's purple flame, and sent chills down Lucy's spine.
"Looks like they are going to fight." Vivi said grinning as Natsu moved to sit beside her on the table.
"Great!" Natsu said. "This is going to be good!"
It was tensely silent for a moment before Makarov banged his cane on the bar making everyone turn towards him.
"That's enough, both of you." Makarov said sternly. "There will be no fighting today. Not when we just finished with the Magic Council."
Vivi and Natsu both yawned as Laxus and Chris dropped their hands with their magic disappearing.
"Good, now," Makarov continued. "Chris, we need to speak about your last few jobs. And the new one you'll be taking."
Makarov jumped off the bar while heading for one of the back rooms that acted as his office.
"Yes, Master." Chris said as he stood.
He took his coat with him while placing it over his shoulders. He went to follow the Master, but paused at the table Vivi was at. Lucy watched as Vivi hurried to her feet then jumped into Chris's arms when he held them open. Vivi had a big grin on her face as she hugged Chris tightly. Chris's expression changed as well from that cold one he had been sending at Laxus as he grinned.
"Behave until I get back, alright?" Chris said as he stepped back to look down at her. "I don't want any reports about another trip to the council."
Vivi laughed nervously as she scratched the back of her head.
"Right." Vivi said, nodding. "I'll be on my best behavior."
Chris didn't seem too convinced as he looked to Natsu.
"Just look out for her." Chris said. "Asking you two not to get into trouble is just a waste of breath anyway."
Natsu grinned broadly as he put his arm around Vivi's shoulders.
"Always do." Natsu said.
Chris nodded his head before going after the Master again. However, he surprised Lucy by ruffling her hair as he passed.
"Welcome to the guild." He said as he went on.
Lucy watched him go until he disappeared into the back.
"I wonder what kind of cool S-Class Quest Master is sending him on this time." Vivi said, looking to Natsu. "Man, I am so jealous. I can't wait until we can go on those kinds of quests."
"I know, right?" Natsu asked with wide eyes. "Once we make it to the top, no one will stop us from going to the second floor!"
The two shared a high-five as Lucy tilted her head in confusion wondering what the two were talking about. S-Class quest? What was that? She then watched as the two took off saying something about training to reach the top. Happy was right behind them as usual as their guild mates laughed at their energy. Lucy, who was still confused, sat down at the bar as Mirajane was cleaning some glasses.
"Hey, Mira, let me ask you something." Lucy said, getting the older girl's attention. "Why can't we go up to the second floor?"
"That area is reserved for advanced members of the guild." Mirajane explained. "Jobs listed on the request board up there make the ones down here look like child's play in comparison. They're called S-Class quests."
This caught Lucy's attention since Vivi had used that term before leaving with Natsu.
"S-Class?" Lucy asked.
"They're jobs so dangerous that one wrong move could be your last." Mirajane asked. "But with that risk comes a higher reward. Master Makarov picks the wizard he thinks is capable of handling these jobs. There are only eight people that are considered S-Class. That includes: Laxus, Mystogan, Erza, Estella, and Chris."
Lucy looked on in awe realizing just how many cool wizards were in Fairy Tail. Maybe one day, she could be like them.