24

Disclaimer I do not own Fairy Tail. Why would I be writing fanfiction if I owned something like that?

Beta Reader: volfwildman

I let out a little hum as I continue to read the novel I was in the middle of. A simple story about a mage looking for his lost father while trying to defeat an evil empire that is threatening his childhood home. Rather basic story really.

Unfortunately, I found myself being distracted by the snickering of the other guildmates. Why were they snickering? The answer to that question was to my right, to be more precise, it was the 6-year-old Romeo that was trying his best to look just like me.

That included his rather bland calm and even face and the decently large book in his hands which I knew for a fact that he was having problems reading. It would have been rather funny sight had it not been for the fact it was me he was copying. Apparently, he thought that his Uncle Bishop was a cool guy and acting like him would make him cool.

"Hey Uncle Bishop, what's this word?" I lean over and see the word he's talking about, "Facetious. It's what happens when someone uses inappropriate humor in a serious situation." Romeo let out an oh before muttering a thank you and once again reading. That had been the 13th time he asked me what a word is in the last hour.

Just as I was debating if it would be worth the price just to go somewhere to eat with the little guy or stay here, someone decided to be my savior.

"Hey, guys! Back from my job." Said a rather happy Cana as she walked into the guild and toward me. The second she arrived Romeo's face lit up as he got up and hugged Cana leg. "Big Sis your back! Did you get me anything!?"

Cana rolled her eyes and patted the kid on his head. "Give me a second kiddo." While Romeo had always addressed me as uncle he referred to my little siblings had his big siblings. Erza and Gary had been a little amused by this and treat him like a little brother but Cana and Natsu had taken it to another level.

"Here you go," Said Cana as she pulled out something from her travel sack she kept to her side. "This is a relic that I found during the job. The locals let me keep it, they say it brings good luck but since I have plenty of that I figured you could use it."

Romeo took the oldish looking relic, that seemed to be some kind of alligator man, and looked upon it in awe. "I'll go home and show it to mom!" With that shout, the little guy ran out of the guild as Cana just chuckled at his antics.

"Let's see the Flamebrain beat that," Cana said this with a slightly viscous smile. This is what I meant by another level. They were basically competing to be the best big sibling of Romeo. Both of them kept giving more and more cool presents, trying their best to outdo each other.

I found myself forced to hold my book closer to my face to hide my slight grin. I had given Romeo some 'tips' about maximizing the little competition between Cana and Natsu. Soon he had been using his childishness to make them buy him more things and do other stuff they wouldn't all just to outdo the other. I considered it payback to Cana for all those times she used her childishness to make me do things I didn't want to. The fact neither had realized the manipulation from either me or Romeo just made it all the better.

After I finally got my face back to its normal neutral look I spoke. "So how was the S-class job?" Ever since she had become S-class Cana had been pretty much only taking S-class jobs. It did give her a lot of experience and money, even if said money would usually get lost when she went to the gambling parlor in town.

The Card mage just shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, that? It was easy." I proceed to stop reading and stare at my younger sister with a rather dry look and after a few seconds, her nonchalant demeanor vanished as she sat on one of the chairs at the table.

"Ok so maybe it was a tab bit difficult." I just kept up my look and eventually, Cana let out a tired sigh. "Ok, it was hell. I had to climb a freaking mountain just to start and had to fight off all those perverted Vulcans that lived on it. Afterward, I fought some crazy mage that used some weird Ghost magic or something and he just refused to stay down! Even after I defeated him I had to carry him down the striped mountain, fight those stupid Vulcans again and then deliver the guy to the stupid village at the base of said mountain!"

It seems Natsu was rubbing off on her a bit.

"It wasn't even that difficult! Just annoying as hell!" With her rant over Cana slumped back into her chair and let out an annoyed groan. "You're the one who wanted to be S-class." I remind her as I put a bookmark in the novel.

"Ok so maybe I forgot there was more to do after becoming one but I still don't regret it. I get so much respect now. It's great!" She paused for a second and quietly said: "And I just gotta wait for Gildarts to get back."

I let out a sigh at Cana words before patting her head much to the Card mage's pleasure. "Just wait a bit. He'll be back one day. Now if you're not too tired, how about some light evening training? You can feed your mouse, Thunder the fifth before we do it."

Cana let out an annoyed sigh at my words but did not complain. I gave a little smile before standing up and heading out of the guild. I had not once but twice slacked off on my training. The first time was because of arrogance and the second was because of complacency.

A third time was not going to happen.

I let out an annoyed grumble as I try my best to ignore the heat. It was a rather hot day out and even after putting on an illusion to make things feel colder, mother nature could care less and was making sure that I still felt the effect of the heat. I was not liking the sweating.

I was in the town of Hargeon which was down the coast from Magnolia, about an hour via train. I had come to the town for one reason today. I had specially ordered an enchanted ring for myself. It cost a pretty penny but I had saved up a rather decent amount of money from all my well paid C-class caravan jobs. I was pretty much their go-to for guarding any of their things at this point.

I was looking over the town as I tried to find the magic shop that the ring had been shipped to. I couldn't help but give the coastal town a look over. If I was right Lucy would be here in about a month or two and would end up joining Fairy Tail thanks to my younger brother.

It just felt slightly weird is all, thinking about all the craziness to come. In the end, I force myself to move on and find the shop. Which I eventually did by the beach. I quickly made my way inside, hoping that there would be some cold charm that kept the place nice and could during the summer.

To my relief, there was, in fact, one and I swiftly take of my cold illusion as I shut the door behind me and headed up to the front counter. There was a man at the counter with the oddest hairstyle and a little fez with a star on it atop his head. He was reading an older rated sorcery weekly magazine. Rather happy that there were no kids in her right now.

"Hello." I simply state which caused the fez man to jump in surprise and nearly dropped his magazine. "Oh hello there. Sorry I didn't hear you come in the young man. What can I help you with?"

"I order an enchanted ring and it was shipped here. I believe it arrived yesterday." The man let out an ohhhh before digging through the area under his desk and pulling out a little package. "Here you go. That will be 7,000 jewels for the holding and shipping fee.

I reach into my hammerspace and pull out a wallet where I kept my money. After a quick count, I handed him the correct amount and took the package from him. I ripped it open to find a small box inside and after cutting some of the bonds holding the box together I take of the box's top to reveal what was inside.

A Ring of Haste. It was a rather rare enchantment, do to the fact it was very useful in making the wielder faster. A simple enchantment sure but a very useful one for fighting and other activities. Add in my Ring magic and I could probably move at least twice as fast as I could before. I put it on my pinky finger since my middle three hands all have rings on it.

I activated the enchantment and already felt a slight difference. My body just seemed to move slightly faster than before. I flair up some Ring magic and found the effect to be far more pronounced. But it seemed to eat up magic at a rather fast rate, probably a side effect of not having the best Ring magic usage. There was only so much I could do with it considering my Bond with illusion magic, I hadn't increased my hammerspace from my Requip magic in a good few years.

I deactivate the ring and thank the shop owner. "It no problem lad. I do have some other magical items around here. Why don't you just look around? You might just find something of interest." I fight the urge to just say no and leave, I had been trying to be more tactful with people I don't know but some of them could just be so stupid.

"I'll look around then," I reply in the most neutral voice I could, to make sure the owner knew that the chances of me buying anything else were very low. The old man shrugged before going back to his magazine.

I promptly started to lazily look around the shop, fully intending on being there for a minute or two before just leaving. Nothing of much interest was in the shop for me. It had a few caster items like a couple of Celestial magic keys, wands for some Wand magic and even a book for Grimoire magic but nothing would be of much use for me.

I was just about to head off when something catches my eye.

There was a section for potions from the looks of it. Most of them were the common everyday potions like sleeping potions or headache potions, already had a few of those. The thing that catches my attention though was a potion put to the side. It had a weird purple greenish liquid in it and even had a slight glow.

"Shopkeep, what is this potion?" The Shopkeeper looked up from his magazine and saw what I was referring to. "Oh, that? It a potion of Greater Bonding. Recent thing, some guy was able to make it so a mage just has to drink it instead of spending a few hours in some ritual to create the Greater Bond. Hasn't been selling that well since most mages prefer to have access to other magics rather than be really good with one."

I nodded at his words and looked at the potion again. A Greater Bond did make one's connecting to their magic far better but it did often cost the use of any other magic. I keep finding my eyes drawn to it. I rather not shut myself out of Ring and Requip magic but having the potion as a just in case thing wouldn't be so bad, right?

I let out a sigh, "How much for the potion?" The Shopkeeper gave a surprised look at me before calming his expression. "The potion is usually going for 40,000 jewels but since they haven't been selling I'll give it to ya for 10,000 jewels."

I slightly grimace at the tad high price. Again I didn't want to just be stuck with illusions but I was getting more and more paranoid the closer it gets to the beginning of the chaos. It wouldn't be too bad to have it just in case. Worst case scenario I waste 10,000 jewels.

I once again pull out my wallet before handing the old man the money. He quickly takes it and gives me the potion which I put into my hammerspace along with my wallet. With the sell done I was just about to head out when I decide to check what the old man was looking at.

I felt my eyes narrow as I see the page he was on. To be more specific, I see Erza in a bunny suit. I remember her doing the picture when a photographer somewhat tricked her into doing so. Erza was still a little ill-informed when it came to certain stuff like social cues and norms so the guy had taken advantage of that.

Suffice to say but when Mom heard of it she made sure the man wouldn't be doing things like that anymore, unfortunately, the picture still got back to sorcery weekly who posted it in an M-rated magazine. To be fair they did edit her photo out of later copies after realizing what had happened but there were still a few magazines out there with the horrid picture. And one of them was right here.

I make to walk away but stopped when the magazine mysteriously burst into flames in the Shopkeeper's hands. Said Shopkeep quickly throw it to the ground and started stomping on it. When that didn't work, he pulled out a fire extinguisher and started to spray the thing. After a few seconds, he stopped and all that remains of the magazine was a wet and near destroyed binding of paper which for some reason didn't have burn marks on it.

Just as the Shopkeeper was starting to wonder out loud what had happened I exited the shop and headed for the train station.

Today had been a good day.

I sat by the table by the corner in the Fairy Tail guildhall. At this point, people were just calling it the Bishop table. At least that meant no one sat here.

I was flipping through the pages of the current newspaper, seeing the different articles in said paper. There was an earthquake in Caelum, there was some bad coastal damages. Other than that there were more and more missing people in Stella. Many were saying it might have something to do with the still missing minister. Oh and that blond afro guy was still about, good to know.

While doing this reading I tried my best to ignore the groaning from beside me. I was about finished with the paper and was about to head to the bar and order something to eat when I saw Erza come into the guild and make her way over to me.

"Hello, Big Brother." She said while taking a seat at the table, "What's wrong with Natsu?" At her words I look over at my little brother who was seated at the same table, currently groaning as he laid his chest on said table.

"Oh, Natsu had a little accident and Mom and the Guild Master decides to put me in charge of his punishment." Erza slightly narrowed her eyes at her sick younger brother, "And what did he do?"

"He was on the job and ended up bringing down a building. Wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been the clocktower that was the oldest building in town and was considered a treasured monument. Currently, it appears from his point of view that the building is spinning."

Erza just shook her head and crossed her arms. "He as so close to going an entire year without destroying something on the job." I slightly nodded my head as I put down the paper I was reading. "Ya, by the way, it seems like the Guild Master is going to be diverting punishment for the guild members to me. Likes the way I use my illusion for it apparently."

Erza slightly shivered at my words, "You do have some...creative ways of punishing." I found myself slightly grinning at her words as I remembered all the things I did when one of my little siblings did something wrong. "I remember when Gray accidentally froze the water in the piping I made an illusion that made it feel like he was in a desert for a few hours. Or the time Cana got caught having a secret poker night at the mansion I made an illusion were Mom would always be in the corner of her vision, staring disappointedly at her."

I leaned back as I remember those times, it was very disappointing that they were over. "Oh right! There was a time you accidentally gave a boy a concussion when he asked you out and you didn't know the proper response. I gave you a coupon for a free slice of cheesecake that expired that day and then promptly took away your sense of taste for the day as well. Took a bit of magic to make it last the entire day but I feel like it was worth it."

"Ya. Worth it." Said a very sad Erza, she had spent the entire day trying to break out of that illusion. Negate Sense was a rather powerful illusion, only second to my Greater Illusions. The only person that could break it would probably be the Guild Master.

There was that time I used it to take away his taste but I'm not counting that since for the first two or three minutes he was actually annoyed at not tasting anything and then for the rest of the time he only expressed comical sadness that people in the guild found funny. Not sure why he didn't break it, maybe he wanted to give me an ego boost, maybe he just wanted to make the guild laugh or maybe he just didn't care. Still not sure.

Erza shook the sadness away as she stood up tall with her hands by her side. "Well I feel like you handling the punishments of the guild is a great idea! It would motivate the members to do better." Despite saying these words confidently I notice a slight nervousness to her voice, the same one that appears whenever she makes a mistake.

I narrow my eyes slightly at my little sister, "Erza what did you do?" Her eyes widen for a second before shifting to the side as sweat starts to build upon her brow. "Nothing!"

My eyes narrow even more but before I could speak again Erza spoke up. "Well, I must be going!" And with that, she start to slightly quickly make her way out. "Erza what did you do!? Don't tell me you messed up a social cue again! The last time you did we had to keep some parents from suing you for scaring their kids! Erza!" I swiftly stood up and made to follow her.

I was not above punishing two of my siblings today.

(Lucy's POV)

I could barely keep my excitement down as I stared at the Fairy Tail guildhall. I was here, in front of the guild I had dreamed about joining for years. Natsu stood by my side with a grin as he let me take in the building. He had been so helpful with the situation in Hargeon.

I still found myself still confused by his utter terror when he almost destroys a building though.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself before pushing forward. The doors opened as I pulled them back and it revealed dozens of different people all happy cheering, drinking and talking about this or that. It looked amazing.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail!" Said Natsu from beside me, a wide grin still on his face. I couldn't help but stare in awe of everything, it just looked so fun and homey. As I stared someone started to walk toward me and Natsu.

"Bro welcome back. How was Hargeon? And who's that with you?" Said the black-haired man. He kinda looked familiar, where had I seen him before?

"Hey Bro! Ya didn't find Igneel but stopped some creep from kidnapping a bunch of women, so the trip was worth it I guess. Oh and this is Lucy! Lucy this is my adopted bro Gray." I nodded my head has Natsu talked, adopted huh. Now, where have I seen Gray before...Wait!

"Are you Gray Vern-Fullbuster!?" When he nodded I couldn't help the wide grin on my face. I went to shake his hand as I spoke. "I remember you now! You that famous artist who's also a mage! It's great to see you. I love your paintings, there just feel so lively and vibrant."

Gray seemed taken aback by my words and waved his hand as he turned his head to the side to try and hid his smile. "Oh, I wouldn't say famous. But thanks for the words. Maybe I can show you some of the painting I keep for myself."

I quickly nod my head at his offer. I would love to see all the work that's he's kept out of the public. Some of those paintings really help me with ideas for writing. "Well, I see you too later, heading out on a job. I'll see you at dinner Natsu." And Gray was off, heading out of the building.

I found myself unable to wipe my smile away, I had just met one of my favorite artists! And he offered to show me some of his work too! Best day ever!

Natsu lead me to the bar where I saw a white-headed woman talking to a well-dressed man. "Hey, Mira! As Erza, Cardwitch and Bishop anywhere?" The rather beautiful woman turned to Natsu and smiled. "Erza still out on that S-class job, Cana's at the poker parlor right now and your Bishop is to your right.

Natsu looked embarrassed as he looked toward the man that had been talking to Mira. He was rather tall with brown hair that was neatly combed back with a soul patch on his chin and blue eyes. He wore a white undershirt, a brown leather vest suit, some faded grey jeans, two black business shoes, and a blue tie. All in all, he would have been attractive if it wasn't for his rather off-putting cold and even expression. That cheek scar didn't help either, it almost made him look like he had a sinister grin.

"Sorry Big Bro didn't see ya there." Natsu rubbed the back of his head as he said this. Was this another adopted family member? Before I could speak up Bishop decides to speak. "It's fine Natsu. Wouldn't be the first time you missed little details. Who's the girl beside you?"

I couldn't help but shiver when he spoke. His voice was just so even and neutral. It was like talking to a stone statue or something. Nor did I like the way he was looking at me, looking me over like he was making sure I was real or something. He was really starting to creep me out.

"This is Lucy! She helped me while I was in Hargeon. She said she wanted to join Fairy Tail so I led her here. Oh, Mira, could you get the stamp for her guild mark." I found myself confused by how fast I was being accepted, I mean Fairy Tail is like the best mage guild and they're just letting me in. "Don't I have to sign something or talk to the master?"

Mira just waved her hand at my words, "Don't worry about it, Fairy Tail is always willing to accept new members. We can do some paperwork later and the Master is out on a magical council call right now. So it shou-" Mira stopped has her kind smile melted away to an angry glare, "Hey assholes! You better not be trying to skip your bill! I see you leaving!"

And just like that Mira vaulted over the bar, completely ignoring the fact she just flashed her underwear to me, Natsu and Bishop and gave chase to some fleeing non-paying customers. I couldn't help but stare dumbly at her as she exited the building. "And that is Mira. Kind and nice until you do something wrong and then she a cruel demon." Bishop spoke from the side as he sipped at whatever he was drinking.

He quickly finished the drink and stood up. "I'm heading home for now. See you at dinner Natsu. Have fun with whatever you're doing with Lucy." And like that he started walking out of the guild. I found the way he referred to me to be slightly unnerving. How was that guy Natsu's big brother?

"Your Big Brother is... interesting." Natsu just chuckled at my words, "Don't worry about it. My siblings and I know he comes off as a... difficult person but he is kind and caring. You just gotta get through all that ice and coldness. Don't worry before long you see what I'm saying."

I absentmindedly nodded at his words. I guess I might have been a bit critical of him. He is a member of Fairy Tail after all so he can't be that bad.

I just shook my head lightly as I saw a slightly disheveled Mira come back with a pleased expression and a handful of money.

Time to join Fairy Tail!

(Bishop's POV)

So Lucy is finally here then. Guess that means it's time.

I found myself taking the long way home as I slowly walked by the docks and looked out into the ocean beside Magnolia. It was a rather nice sight, some ships were coming in from fishing and the sun was just about to set and light up the sea.

Even with the sight before me I couldn't help but think to what's to come. First that dark guild who had the demon flute, then some island adventure, followed by a guild war, the tower of heaven, then a guild civil war, Oración Seis, Edolas and the S-class trials and more.

So much would come and face off against Fairy Tail, so much conflict and chaos. A part of me was still begging to leave, to just go off to a different kingdom and ignore all that was coming.

I found myself slightly disgusted with myself for thinking that. I knew it would be a challenge to stay and fight but I didn't mind. I just kept thinking of my family and FairyTail. As annoying as it was to admit this place was my home and I liked being here, I liked being a member of Fairy Tail.

I dug my grave, now it was time to lay in it.

AN: And there we go, the start of the show. It took way longer then I thought it would but I feel like that was necessary to develop relationships and characters as well. Now as for this chapter, first we had a little showing off how Cana is doing with being an S-class mage, Bishop getting a new ring (Thank you for the suggestions), setting up Bishop's role in the guild (and retconning an offhand joke I made) and Lucy showing up as well. That's the end of part 1 of 3 for this fic, I think I'll call this first part The Fairy's Prequal Saga or something like that. Thanks for sticking through all the build-up and I look forward to writing more.

Thanks once again to volfwildman for being a Beta. And thanks for all the reviews and support for the last chapter. And for this week's shoutout is Exello for leaving a review that made a really crappy day for me great. Thanks, man.

No joke or skit here this week. Just me kindly asking you the reader to leave a review on the chapter. Good or Bad, both are beneficial to me and my writing. I really can't thank you guys enough for all you've given me so far.

Have a great day.

P a treon . com (slash) BETAsatchel