Hey hope yall enjoy pole will be closing monday
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 reached into his sleeve and pulled it back, revealing the faint glowing mark on his wrist, the fairy symbol Mavis had placed there on Tenrou Island. It shimmered faintly with an ancient, familiar magic, pulsing softly in the dim office light.
Makarov's eyes widened slightly, a jolt of shock crossing his face. He leaned forward, staring at it. The magic felt exactly like hers, like the First Master's, whose body lay preserved in the Lumen Histoire below the guild. "That's… impossible. That energy… it's hers. Mavis's."
Gildarts straightened, his casual demeanor gone, eyes locked on the mark. "No kidding. It feels ancient."
Varion nodded calmly. "I met her on Tenrou Island, not long after I arrived through the Gate. She's… a spirit now, but she greeted me there when I crashed. She gave me this mark, said it would show the current master I'm a friend. And if I joined, it's her recommendation for S-class. She said she could feel my magic's strength and liked something about me."
Makarov sat back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He trusted the First Master's judgment, she'd built this guild after all, but the guild was still his responsibility. A kid this young, with power like that? He needed to be sure.
After a moment, he nodded. "Alright. When this year's S-class trials come around, I'll have Gildarts test you personally. See if you're ready. In the meantime for the next six months I'll observe you. How you handle jobs, how you fit with the guild, how you protect those kids. I trust Mavis, but it's my job to make sure you're not jumping in over your head."
Gildarts grinned. "Sounds fun. Don't hold back, kid."
Varion met Makarov's gaze steadily, no hesitation. "I understand. Thank you for considering it."
Makarov smiled, satisfied. "Good answer. Now, let's get you stamped and settled."
Makarov pushed open the office door, Gildarts following close behind with a booming laugh. Varion walked between them, his expression calm but a quiet weight lifting from his shoulders. The guild hall below was still buzzing with energy, mages chatting, a few minor scuffles simmering in the corners, and the kids he'd brought with him now mingling awkwardly with the other young ones.
Makarov hopped onto the railing at the top of the stairs, raising his voice to cut through the noise like a thunderclap. "Listen up, you brats!"
The hall fell into a relative hush, heads turning, curious eyes from Macao, Wakaba, and the others landing on the trio. Natsu and Gray paused their argument, flames and ice fizzling out mid-spark.
"We've got a new member joining the family!" Makarov announced, grinning wide. "Varion Nava—and those three kids with him are under our wing too. Treat 'em right, or you'll answer to me!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, loud whoops from Cana, a thumbs-up from Levy, and even Erza cracking a small smile as she clapped. "Welcome!" someone shouted from the back. Mugs clinked in toasts, and the energy surged back up, warmer now, like the guild had just grown a little bigger.
Varion glanced down at Wendy, Sting, and Rogue, who had frozen near a table, eyes wide with confusion. They rushed over as he descended the stairs, weaving through the congratulatory slaps on the back from guild members.
"What's going on?" Wendy asked, tugging at his cloak with wide eyes. "Are we… staying?"
Sting crossed his arms, looking around suspiciously. "Yeah, big bro. You didn't say anything about joining a guild."
Rogue tilted his head. "This place… feels right. But why?"
Varion knelt to their level, his voice steady and gentle. "I talked to the master Makarov. This guild, Fairy Tail… it's a family. They take care of their own, train mages,it'll give us a home. Natsu's already here, safe. And with all of us together, this is where we belong now. Our new home."
Wendy's eyes lit up first, a big smile breaking across her face. "Really? We get to stay? With games and food and everything?"
Sting punched the air. "Awesome! No more running around!"
Rogue nodded, a rare spark of excitement in his eyes. "Home… yeah."
The three exchanged grins, then bolted off, Wendy dragging Sting toward the table with Cana, Rogue following quietly, already eyeing the books Levy had.
Varion stood, watching them go with a soft smile. Makarov hopped down beside him, holding up the guild stamp, a small device glowing with magic.
"Ready for the mark?" Makarov asked.
Varion held out the back of his hand. "Yes, in a gold please."
Makarov pressed the stamp down. A warm golden light flared, leaving the Fairy Tail emblem in shimmering gold on his skin elegantly, like starlight etched into flesh.
"Welcome officially," Makarov said, patting his shoulder. "Now go talk to Natsu. He's been a handful."
Varion nodded, his gaze shifting to Natsu, who was still arguing with Gray.
Varion walked over calmly, weaving through the scattered tables and mages. Natsu paused mid-shout as he approached, flames fizzling out. Gray glanced up too, arms crossed, but stayed quiet.
Natsu tilted his head, squinting. "Hey, your the new guy? You look kinda familiar."
Varion stopped in front of him, his voice steady and low. "I am. My name's Varion Nava. I knew you….and your dad, Igneel. He asked me to look after you for a while."
Natsu's eyes went wide, his scarf shifting as he leaned forward. "Igneel? You knew Igneel? Where is he? Is he okay? Did he say anything about me? When's he coming back?"
The questions exploded out like a burst of fire, Natsu grabbing Varion's arm without thinking, his face a mix of excitement and desperation. Gray stepped back, eyebrows raised, but the guild quieted a little, sensing the shift.
Varion paused, his hand on Natsu's shoulder to steady him. The truth about the dragons, the soul technique, the hiding, the goodbye, was heavy. Telling it all now might break them, especially without their memories. He needed to protect them a little longer.
"Not here," Varion said softly. "Let's talk outside. All of us."
Natsu blinked, then nodded eagerly. "Okay! But you gotta tell me everything!"
Varion gathered the others, Wendy skipping over from where she'd been chatting with Cana, Sting and Rogue pulling away from Levy's book table. They followed him out the back door into a quiet courtyard behind the guild, away from the noise. The evening air was cool, sunlight slanting through the trees.
Once they were alone, Varion sat on a low bench, the kids clustering around him curiously. Natsu bounced on his toes, impatient.
"Okay, spill it!" Natsu demanded. "About Igneel!"
Varion exhaled slowly, choosing his words. "You can't see your dragons yet, not Igneel, not Grandeeney, Metalicana, Weisslogia, or Skiadrum. They're… waiting. Until you're strong enough to meet a certain requirement. I'll tell you when you're ready. For now, trust that they're safe, and they're proud of you."
The reactions hit like a wave.
Wendy tilted her head, confused but accepting. "Okay… but why? What's the requirement?"
Natsu's face fell, flames flickering in his hair. "Waiting? But I gotta find Igneel! He disappeared, and I—"
But Sting and Rogue froze, their faces paling. Sting's hands clenched, Rogue's eyes widening in horror.
"I… I killed Weisslogia," Sting whispered, voice shaking. "To prove I was strong. That's why he's gone."
Rogue nodded, voice barely audible. "Me too… Skiadrum. I remember it.…"
The group went silent, the younger ones looking shocked. Natsu stared, flames dying out completely.
Varion shook his head firmly, his voice gentle but absolute. "No. You didn't kill them. That was… something the dragons did. A trick, to build your confidence. To make you think you were ready for the world. They faked it, altered your memories, made it feel real. They're alive. Hiding, but alive."
Sting's eyes filled with tears, anger mixing with relief. "They… lied? Why?"
"To protect you," Varion said. "To push you forward. It was dumb, yeah. But dragons… they're not perfect."
Rogue wiped his eyes, a small nod. "So… they're okay?"
"Yes," Varion promised. "And we'll see them again. When the time's right."
Natsu punched the air, flames reigniting. "Then I'll get stronger! For Igneel! And next time i see him ill beat his but for leaving".
Wendy smiled hesitantly. "Me too but only the first part."she said giggleing
Sting and Rogue exchanged a look, the weight lifting slowly. "Yeah… okay."
Varion pulled them into a group hug, his voice soft. "We're together now. That's what matters."
Wendy stood, her big blue eyes flicking between them all.
But then Wendy tilted her head, her caring nature picking up on something the others missed. "Varion… you didn't mention your dad. Why didn't you say anything about him? Is he waiting too?"
Varion froze mid-breath, his body going still as if the words had cracked open something he'd been trying to bury inside him. The pain hit like a fresh wound, the memory of Veldanava's light fading, Acnologia's claws descending. He'd pushed it down, ignored the ache to keep moving, to protect them. But now it surfaced, raw and sharp, stinging his chest.
He forced a smile, a sad, shaky one that didn't reach his eyes. "My dad… he won't be able to come around anymore. I'm old enough now, so he's… on his next great adventure. And he won't be able to come back."
The kids blinked, the weight of it sinking in slowly. Wendy reached out a small hand, but Varion stood up before she could, turning away so they couldn't see his face.
"You all go back inside and play," he said, his voice steady but thick. "I need to find us a place to stay for the night."
"Okay!" Natsu jumped up first, already energized. "Come on, guys! Let me show you what else there is to do here!"
Wendy smiled brightly, grabbing Sting's hand. "Yeah! Maybe there's games!"
Sting laughed, Rogue following with a nod. They ran back toward the guild door, their happy chatter fading as it swung shut behind them.
Varion stood alone in the courtyard, facing the trees. The tears started then, silent, hot trails rolling down his cheeks. He didn't wipe them, just let them fall, the ache in his heart finally breaking through.
He was their big brother now. Their protector. He had to be strong for them.
But gods, he missed his dad.
Erza Scarlet had been watching from the shadows near the back door, her armor glinting faintly in the fading light. At 13, she was cautious of new people due to her past, Fairy Tail was her home, and new faces, even ones stamped by Makarov, warranted a close eye. Especially this red-haired teen who'd shown up with three kids in tow, claiming ties to Natsu. She'd slipped out quietly after them, keeping her distance, one hand on her sword hilt just in case.
She witnessed the whole thing, the kids' confusion, Varion's altered truth about the dragons not that she knew it was altered, the emotional reactions from Sting and Rogue. Natsu's fiery determination, Wendy's quiet acceptance. And then, the way Varion's voice cracked just a little when Wendy asked about his dad. Erza stayed hidden, her expression softening despite herself. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop this long, but something kept her there.
As the kids ran back inside, laughing and energized, Varion walked slowly to a weathered bench at the edge of the courtyard. He sat down heavily, staring out at the open field behind the guild, rolling grass fading into distant trees under the twilight sky. His shoulders slumped, the weight of everything crashing down now that he was alone. The tears rolled silent and hot trails down his cheeks.
He didn't hear the footsteps at first, too lost in the ache. But then the soft clink of armor reached him, and he tensed, turning his head quickly.
A red-haired girl in polished plate armor approached, her expression serious but not unkind. Erza stopped a few feet away, then sat down next to him without a word, her sword resting across her lap.
Varion wiped his tears hastily with the back of his hand, composing himself. "Sorry you had to see that," he said quietly, his voice still a little rough.
Erza shook her head. "No need to apologize. I… followed you out here. To keep an eye on Natsu. You're new, so…"
Varion nodded, understanding. "Cautious, Smart."
She glanced at him sideways. "What you said to them… about your dad. That was kind. Not the full truth, but kind."
Varion's breath hitched slightly, but he kept his gaze on the horizon. "They don't need to see or know that kind of pain yet and I hope they never do."
Erza was quiet for a moment, her own eyes distant, memories of her own losses and past flickering behind them. Then, with a soft glow of requip magic, her armored glove vanished, replaced by her bare hand. She reached out gently, laying it on his shoulder and giving it a light squeeze, firm but tentative, like she wasn't used to offering comfort but felt like she needed to try.
"We all carry burdens here," she said softly, her voice steady but with a rare warmth. "If you need to talk… I'm willing to listen. Everyone in the guild would be. All you need to do is ask."
Varion turned to look at her properly, the gesture catching him off guard but warming something inside—the first real spark of connection in this new world. Her eyes met his, serious but kind, and for a moment, the weight felt a little lighter.
"Thanks," he murmured. "For understanding."
She gave a small nod, a faint blush touching her cheeks before she looked away, her stern features returning.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail, Varion. If you need anything… ask."
With that, she stood and walked back toward the guild, leaving him to the quiet evening.