The Power of One Dream (A One Piece x Fairy Tail Story)

Part 4

Later that afternoon, in the city of Magnolia, the combined party arrived at the Fairy Tail Guild. Introductions were made. And even though the now defunct job request ended in no one getting paid, everyone was relieved at the return of two precious members of the Fairy Tail family. As well as excited to make new friends with this unique band of pirates (besides a still suspicious Ice Mage). Then as the afternoon drew into evening, the gathering partied as only the Fairies and the Mugiwara could!

Nami made fast friends, particularly with the girls who couldn't get enough of her cute baby bump. Sanji, literally walking on air while surrounded by gorgeous women, was more than happy to assist Mirajane and Kinana in providing a feast for the party. Which was fortunate as Natsu had challenged Luffy to an eating contest. Robin was cheerily engaged in conversation with Levi over their shared love of reading and their respective histories and cultures of their homelands. Master Makarov Dreyer, Macao, Wakaba and Jinbei shared their own pleasentries over drinks. Franky (cheered on by Chopper) had challenged both Laxus and Elfman to arm-wrestling matches (being cheered on by Freed and Bickslow, and Lisanna and Evergreen respectively), just winning the first bout and almost winning the second until the table cracked under their elbows. Ussop regailled an enthralled Happy, Pantherlily, Asuka, Romeo and Wendy and a skeptical Charle of his grand adventures (like the time he single-handedly (almost) liberated the Kingdom of Dressrosa from its tyrant King), until a fired-up Erza challenged him to demonstrate his epic skills. Brook offered a truly spectacular guitar performance on the guildhall stage, before asking the ladies of the audience to show him their panties ([Lucy-Kick Count: 5]); after which Gajeel filled in with his own musical 'talents'. Cana had found her ideal drinking buddy as she and Zoro downed barrels of beer in pairs (him intently NOT looking at her skimpy bra top). And while all this was happening, Lucy and Nami respectively just looked on smiling at a heavily bloated Natsu struggling (and failing) to keep up with the pirate captain's monstrous appetite. Looks that didn't escape the notice of a still on-edge Gray, seemingly oblivious to Juvia's continued advances (and not he alone).

All of a sudden, the doors burst open. A large muscular man walked into the guildhall, and at first all that could be seen of him was a flowing black cloak... and an untidy mess of red/orange hair. "Shanks?" Luffy breathed unsurely through a mouthful of food as the man drew nearer to his table. His breath caught in his throat when the man was a couple of feet away from him... and passed him by on his own journey towards the bar counter where the short, balding, mustached man sat. "Shanks wait!" Luffy cried, gulping his mouthful hurriedly as he reached and grabbed the man's cloak. The man turned to look into Luffy's eyes, and Luffy's face fell slightly. Though his hair colour and facial structure were similar, he had no visible scars there, and his eyes burned with a different kind of light. Not unkind, but neither with recognition of Luffy.

"Shanks..? Sorry kid, you got the wrong guy." The man looked thoughtful though as he beheld Luffy, seemingly pondering that name. But only for a moment as he shrugged it off and turned back on his way towards the 8th Master. Standing before Master Makarov, he bent down and spoke in a low rumbly voice to the Elder Wizard. "I looked into what you asked. I'll give you a full report later..." Either side of the Elder Wizard, Macao and Wakaba were curious about what precisely the man was talking about, but grudgingly decided it was business between him and the 8th Master until either decided otherwise. ".. But first (the man took a curious glance at Jinbei who sat beside them), who are our new patrons?"

"These Gildarts.." began the small mustached man seriously, before breaking into a cheery grin, ".. are the very pirates who took care of the 'Sea Monster' Problem in Hargeon for us, and who rescued Natsu and Lucy from a watery-grave. We owe them a great debt of gratitude." The man named Gildarts looked from the 8th Master to Jinbei, and broke into a friendly smile. "Well well, pirates eh? Never expect'd I'd be thanking one of 'em. Nevertheless, Bunny Girl and the fire-faced brat are very important to me. Thank you for being there for them in their time of need."