Star of the Grandline

Chapter 5.5: Message Received

It had been two weeks since the Fairy Tail members had all received their letters from the master, and today was the day they were all going to meet up back at the Guild Hall. Everyone was ecstatic to see each other as they slowly trickled in as the day wore on. Some members cried, others picked fights, and others just conversed about what they did and how they trained over the last year.

Everyone freaked out when Natsu and Happy kicked down the door that afternoon, many of them scolding him for leaving without a proper goodbye, especially his team with the exception of Lucy who had yet to show up. The salmon haired man apologized to everyone, and expected a Lucy kick from his partner who everyone said was the most distraught at his disappearance. He was surprised when one never came, and was even more stunned when he couldn't smell even a hint of strawberry and vanilla, Lucy’s signature scent.

“Hey, where's Luce,” He asked, scanning the guild hall for anyone who may know where she could be.

“She hasn't shown up yet, Natsu. Give her some time, the day is still young,” Master Makarov spoke from where he sat on the bar next to Mira before taking a swig of his beer.

It was just as the party began to come into full swing that the massive wood doors at the entrance of the guild opened, causing the partying mages to become quiet, hoping to see the blonde mage that they had been waiting for. Instead it was a man that they were all unfamiliar with. The man held a sad expression on his face as he held on to a worn looking bag, which contrasted his pressed suit.

“Hello young man, how can we help you,” The short master asked as he made his way up to their guest, sober but cheeks still pink from the alcohol in his blood.

“Are you this guilds master,” He asked softly, as the mages went back to partying, though quieter so that they could hear if something happened between their Gramps and this stranger.

“I am,” The short man responded, giving a slight nod of his head.

“Was a mage by the name of Lucy Heartfillia ever a member here,” he asked, just loud enough for the master to hear, or so he thought.

“What do you want with Luce,” The fire dragon slayer asked, coming to stand behind the guild master.

“Natsu you should-” Makarov started to say when he was cut off by the stranger.

“Who are you to her,” He asked, catching the attention of the rest of Team Natsu as well as the other Dragon Slayers.

“I’m her partner, Now tell me what you want with Luce,” he growled, becoming irritated with the purple haired man. He was hoping for the man's sake that he wasn't part of the reason why his friend was running late.

The man's eyes shone with sadness, which made Team Natsu’s hearts simultaneously clench in worry.

“Im sorry-,” he began to say but was cut off by the salmon haired man lifting him by the collar of his shirt.

“Natsu!”

“Oi, flame brain!”

“Natsu, release him this instant!”

Several voices called out but he couldn't hear them. He had caught a whiff of her scent on the bag he was carrying and was beginning to see red.

“Why does that bag smell like her,” he snarled.

“I’m so sorr-.”

“ANSWER ME DAMN IT,” His outburst caused everyone to pause and look toward the two men. The music was paused, leaving the room deathly quiet.

“She's dead,” He whispered before a glass shattered on the wood of the bar. The entirety of the guild looked towards the man in horror, praying that they had all heard wrong.