Cherreads

Chapter 10 - Chapter 9: Fairy Tail

Ok so i kinda made this one and the next one longer as a sorry for missing like all of last week tell me what you think enjoy

Varion adjusted his wings mid-flight, the steady rhythm carrying them through the vast sky. The silver magic wrapped around Wendy, Sting, and Rogue held them firm, letting them drift alongside him without effort. Wendy twisted to look back at the fading estate, her ponytails whipping in the wind.

"Do you think Lucy's okay?" she asked, voice small over the rush of air.

Varion glanced at her.

"She will be. Her mom's recovering, and she's got her dad."

Sting floated on his back, staring at the clouds.

"That place was huge. Bet they have tons of food. We should've stayed longer."

Rogue stayed quiet, eyes on the horizon. The group lapsed into silence for a while, the endless blue above and green below stretching out like a dream.

Varion's senses sharpened on the distant pulse ahead—a hot, chaotic spark that flared and dipped unpredictably. It was Natsu's, no doubt, woven with other energies now, like he'd found a place to belong. A guild, maybe. Far off, but pulling them forward.

"We're heading northwest," Varion said after a bit. "Toward a town called Magnolia. That's where I feel Natsu's magic."

Sting flipped upright.

"Magnolia? How do you know that?"

Varion kept his eyes ahead.

"While we were at Lucy's house, I read one of their maps. It showed the major towns and guilds. Magnolia's marked as a hub for Fairy Tail—lively place, full of mages. Natsu's aura is mixed in with theirs."

Wendy tilted her head.

"Fairy Tail? Sounds fun. Like a storybook."

Sting grinned.

"Yeah I bet it's full of fights and food."

Rogue nodded slowly.

"As long as it's safe."

Varion didn't add more. The map had been simple—old but clear, spread out in the estate's library while the kids slept. Towns, rivers, guilds. Enough to guide him without asking questions. Earthland was bigger than he'd expected, but the basics were there.

The sun climbed higher, warming the air. Wendy pointed out shapes in the clouds—a dragon here, a castle there—while Sting made up wild stories about them. Rogue listened, adding a quiet comment now and then.

As hours passed, the terrain shifted—hills rolling into plains, then thickening forests. Varion's wings never tired, but he kept an eye on the kids. When Wendy yawned, he spoke up.

"We'll stop soon. Rest and eat."

Sting perked up.

"Finally. I'm starving."

They descended toward a clearing by a river, the magic easing them down softly. Varion gathered some firewood with a quick burst of starlight, and they sat around a small fire, sharing bread and fruit from the estate.

Wendy leaned against Varion.

"How much farther?"

"A few more hours," he said. "We'll make it by evening."

Sting tossed a pebble into the river.

"This Natsu guy… you think he'll be glad to see us?"

Varion stared into the flames.

"He will. We're family."

Rogue looked thoughtful.

"That's enough."

They took off again soon after, the traces of magic growing stronger with every beat of Varion's wings.

The sun hung low in the sky as Varion began his descent, wings folding slightly to control their speed. The silver magic holding Wendy, Sting, and Rogue shimmered faintly, easing them down toward a grassy hill just outside the town. Below, Magnolia sprawled out like a colorful patchwork—tiled roofs in reds and blues, cobblestone streets winding between shops and homes, and the distant spire of Kardia Cathedral rising like a guardian over it all.

Varion touched down lightly, the magic releasing the kids with a gentle nudge. Wendy stumbled a little on landing, giggling as she caught her balance. Sting hit the ground running, kicking up a puff of dust. Rogue landed smoothly, brushing off his clothes.

"We're here?" Wendy asked, eyes wide as she spun in a circle.

Varion nodded, his wings retracting with a soft hum. His horns faded, scales receding until he looked human again.

"Magnolia. Natsu's magic is strongest in the center, near the guild hall."

Sting punched the air.

"Finally! Let's go find this guy."

Rogue looked toward the town gates, a faint curiosity in his eyes.

"What's it like?"

Varion started walking down the hill, the kids falling in beside him.

"You'll see."

They passed through the outer gates without issue—no guards, just a welcoming archway carved with floral designs. The streets inside buzzed with evening energy. Vendors called out from stalls lining the roads, hawking fresh bread, glittering jewelry, and colorful fruits Varion didn't recognize. A group of kids chased each other past, laughing, while a street musician strummed a lute nearby, the melody light and upbeat.

Wendy's mouth fell open.

"Look at that!" She pointed to a bakery window filled with towering cakes and pastries dusted in sugar. The smell of vanilla and cinnamon wafted out, making Sting's stomach growl.

"Can we get some?" Sting asked, already veering toward it.

Varion caught his collar gently.

"After we find Natsu. Stay close."

Rogue stared at a fountain in the town square, water sparkling under magic lights that floated like fireflies.

"It's… pretty. Cleaner than the villages we've seen."

Varion nodded.

"Magnolia's a mage town. Lots of guilds, lots of magic. Makes things easier."

They wove through the crowds—people in everyday clothes mixed with mages in cloaks, some with guild marks visible on their arms or necks. A pair of wizards demonstrated a simple spell nearby, conjuring colorful sparks that drew oohs from onlookers. Wendy clapped, enchanted, while Sting mimicked the motions under his breath.

As they turned a corner, the Fairy Tail guild hall came into view—a massive building with banners fluttering in the wind, the guild's emblem proud on the front. Laughter and shouts echoed from inside, mixed with the clink of glasses and what sounded like a brawl breaking out.

Varion felt Natsu's aura strongest there—fiery, chaotic, alive.

"That's it," he said quietly. "Fairy Tail."

The kids stopped, staring up at the building.

Sting grinned.

"Yeah. Let's go crash the party."

Varion stepped inside, the kids close behind.

The guild hall was alive with chaos—tables overturned from a recent scuffle, mugs of ale clattering on the floor, and mages cheering or groaning from the sidelines. In the center of it all, Natsu stood with flames licking his fists, glaring at a dark-haired boy who was shirtless.

"I'm tellin' ya, that's my fish!" Natsu yelled, pointing at the charred remains on the plate between them. "You froze it on purpose, you ice stripper!"

The dark haired boy(Gray) smirked, crossing his arms. "It was already burnt to a crisp, flame-brain. I was doing everyone a favor. And put out those flames before you set the guild on fire again!"

The argument escalated, sparks and ice shards flying as they lunged at each other. The guild members watched with amusement, some placing bets, others shouting encouragement.

Varion paused, his eyes on Natsu first. The boy was healthy, energetic, unscratched, his aura bright and steady. He was okay. Satisfied, Varion let his magic and perception sweep the room in seconds, a subtle pulse brushing over everything.

These were good people. Warm hearts, strong bonds, no malice in the air. But the older members, scattered at tables or the bar, had noticed him. Their auras shifted: cautious, curious, eyes flicking his way without staring outright. A few leaned in to whisper, wondering about the red-haired teen with the three kids in tow.

Varion glanced down at Wendy, Sting, and Rogue.

"Go play with the other kids," he said softly. "I'll be back soon."

Wendy hesitated, but Sting grabbed her hand with a grin. "Come on! This place looks fun."

Rogue nodded, and the three headed toward a group of guild children, a dark brown haired girl (Cana) shuffling cards at a table, a blue haired girl (Levy) reading a book nearby, and a red-haired girl (Erza) polishing her sword with a serious expression.

Varion turned his attention forward, zeroing in on the strongest aura in the room, a small, elderly man sitting at the bar, laughing with a tall, broad-shouldered mage beside him. The old man radiated power, controlled and vast, like a star hidden in plain sight. That had to be the master.

Beside him, Gildarts Clive took a swig from his mug, his aura wild and immense, like a storm barely contained. They were drinking, chatting casually, but both had glanced Varion's way.

Varion approached the bar, stopping a respectful distance away. The guild's eyes followed him, curious whispers rippling through the room, older members like Macao and Wakaba pausing their game to watch.

The old man(Makarov Dreyar) looked up, his sharp eyes meeting Varion's.

"Well, now. You don't look like you're here for a drink, boy. What can I do for you?"

Varion bowed his head slightly. "My name is Varion Nava. Those kids with me are my siblings. We're looking for someone, Natsu Dragneel. But first, I'd like to speak with you privately, if possible."

Makarov raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Straight to the point. I like that." He glanced at Gildarts, who shrugged and set down his mug.

"Sure, why not?" Makarov hopped off his stool. "Follow me to my office. Gildarts, you coming?"

Gildarts grinned. "Wouldn't miss it."

The three headed up the stairs, Varion following under the curious gazes of the guild members, whispers growing as they went. Erza watched with narrowed eyes, Levy tilted her head curiously, and a few older mages exchanged nods, wondering who the newcomer was.

The door to the office clicked shut behind them.

The office was cozy, cluttered with books, old scrolls, and a few empty mugs that smelled faintly of ale. Makarov hopped into his chair behind the desk, gesturing for Varion to sit across from him. Gildarts leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his massive frame making the room feel smaller.

Varion sat down, his posture straight but not tense. He took a breath, then met Makarov's eyes sincerely.

"First, I want to thank you," Varion said quietly. "For taking care of Natsu when I wasn't around to do it."

Makarov blinked, leaning forward slightly. Gildarts raised an eyebrow, his casual grin fading into surprise.

"Taking care of him?" Makarov repeated. "Kid, we found the boy wandering alone a while back. He's a handful, but he's one of ours now. How do you know him?"

Varion nodded, expecting the question. "I promised his father, Igneel, to look after him. The same goes for the other kids I brought with me. Wendy, Sting, Rogue, they're all like Natsu. Dragon Slayers. We came through the Eclipse Gate together, from 400 years ago. The Gate scattered us, erased their memories of our time together, but I remember everything. I came here to pick up Natsu… and there's one more out there I still need to find ."

Makarov listened without interrupting, his expression shifting from surprise to quiet intensity. Gildarts stayed silent, but his eyes narrowed thoughtfully, piecing things together.

When Varion finished, Makarov leaned back in his chair, stroking his mustache. "I understand," he said slowly. "That's a heavy burden for someone your age. So, what's your plan after you gather all these kids?"

Varion opened his mouth, then paused. The question hit him like a cold wave. He'd been so focused on finding them, tracking their magic signatures, keeping the younger ones safe, surviving day to day, that he hadn't thought beyond it. What now? Five dragon slayer kids, each with powers that could level towns if unchecked, and him, a 14-year-old with no home, no resources, just a cloak from his father and a promise to keep.

"I… haven't thought about it," Varion admitted, his voice steady but honest. "I guess I figured we'd keep moving. But… that's not enough. Not for them."

Makarov chuckled softly, a warm, knowing sound that filled the room. "No, it's not. Kids need more than wandering. They need a family. A home." He leaned forward again, eyes twinkling. "Ever thought about joining Fairy Tail?"

The words sparked something in Varion's mind—Mavis on Tenrou Island, her faint smile as she pointed to his wrist, marking it with the fairy symbol. "If you go to Fairy Tail, the current master should see this and know you're a friend of mine," she'd said. "Also, if you want to join, this will be my recommendation for you to be put in S-class. I can feel how much magic you have, its strength, your personality and your potential would make you a perfect candidate."

Varion glanced at the mark on his wrist, hidden under his sleeve. This was a much better option than running around without a home—safety, training, a place for the kids to grow.

He looked up at Makarov. "I am now."

Makarov settled back in his chair, a spark of interest in his eyes. Gildarts stayed leaning against the wall, but his grin had turned curious, like he was sizing Varion up.

Varion didn't rush. He sat straight, thinking carefully before speaking. "Before I decide anything, I have questions. About the guild, the area, the rules… and how you treat each other here."

Makarov chuckled, not offended in the slightest—in fact, his smile widened, impressed by the kid's seriousness. Most who walked through Fairy Tail's doors were hot-headed dreamers, ready to dive in without a second thought. But this boy? Thoughtful, responsible. A rare find.

Gildarts let out a low whistle. "Smart kid. Asking the right stuff."

Makarov nodded approvingly. "Of course. Fire away. I'm happy to explain."

Varion started simple. "The area first. Magnolia—what's it like? Safe for kids? Any threats I should know about?"

Makarov leaned forward, his tone warm and detailed. "Magnolia's a good town. Peaceful, mostly—mages keep things lively, but we've got the Rune Knights nearby for daily troubles. The guild handles jobs: monster hunts, protection gigs, helping folks with magic problems. It's safe for kids; we've got plenty running around here. No major threats right now, but we stay vigilant. But if something like that shows up… we fight together, protect one another."

Varion absorbed that, nodding. "The rules? What do members have to follow?"

Makarov smiled happily, clearly enjoying the chance to talk about his guild. "Simple ones, really. No betraying your family, that's us. Take jobs that suit you, but don't bite off more than you can chew. Share the wealth; we split rewards fairly with the mage taking the majority and a portion going to the guild. respect the mark, it means something. We're not just fighters; we're protectors. Break the big rules, and you're out. But we do give second chances, Life's too short for grudges."

Gildarts snorted. "Unless you're Natsu. Kid's a walking disaster, breaks half the guild every other week."

Makarov laughed, eyes twinkling. "True enough. But that's Fairy Tail, we embrace the chaos, as long as the heart's in the right place."

Varion's next question came steadily. "And how do you treat each other? Is it really like a family, or just words?"

Makarov's expression softened, his voice full of pride as he explained in detail. "It's real, son. We fight like siblings—loud, messy, sometimes with fists—but we stand by each other. No one goes hungry. No one fights alone. If someone's hurting, we help. If someone's wrong, we call them out, but we don't abandon them. We've got wizards from all walks—orphans, runaways, folks with pasts they'd rather forget. We build each other up. That's what makes us strong."

Varion listened closely, weighing every word. It matched what Mavis had hinted at. A home. A family. Not perfect, but real. And with five dragon slayer kids under his care, powers that could cause issues without guidance, this was better than wandering. Safer. Smarter.

He thought of the mark on his wrist, Mavis's quiet recommendation. This wasn't blind acceptance; it was researched, responsible.

"I accept," Varion said finally. "Thank you for the opportunity master."

Makarov beamed, clapping his hands together. "Excellent! A new member who's not a reckless disaster, finally! Welcome to Fairy Tail, Varion."

Gildarts laughed, slapping Varion on the back hard enough to rattle the desk. "Kid's got a good head. You'll fit right in."

Varion stood, a quiet sense of rightness settling in. Now, to tell the kids and then find Gajeel.

More Chapters