Book 1: The Chaotic Awakening

The Bond Deepens

Natsu rushed to Lucy's side, his concern for her evident in the furrowed brow and gritted teeth. He gently helped her up, supporting her as she leaned on him for balance. Happy and Ash, their Exceed companions, fluttered over, their worry for Lucy clear in their expressions.

"Lucy!" Happy exclaimed with a hint of concern, "Are you okay, Lushes?"
Lucy chuckled weakly at Happy's affectionate nickname, despite the pain she was in. "I'm hanging in there, Happy," she replied, her voice strained but filled with determination.

Ash, however, scolded Lucy once again for her tendency to push herself too hard. He hovered in front of her, his tiny face stern. "You need to take better care of yourself, Lucy," he chided.

Lucy grinned sheepishly at Ash's scolding. "You're right, Ash. I promise I'll try to be more careful."

Natsu watched the interaction between Lucy and their Exceed companions, a mixture of relief and affection in his onyx-green dragon-like eyes. He was glad to see Lucy's spirits lifting despite her injuries. With Lucy in his arms and their companions by their side, they were a resilient team, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Natsu, Lucy, and their Exceed companions approached the guildmates who were cheering and celebrating their victory, a group of knights from the Rune Knights organization arrived, bringing with them an air of authority and seriousness. They immediately began questioning the guild members about the battle and its responsible parties.

One of the knights, a stern-looking man with a no-nonsense demeanor, cleared his throat and addressed the gathered Fairy Tail members. "Quiet down, all of you! We need to get to the bottom of this. Who is responsible for this battle?"

The guild members, still caught up in their jubilation, exchanged glances but were eager to explain the situation. However, the knights, with their stern expressions, appeared disinterested in what they had to say.Gray Fullbuster, known for his short temper, spoke up, trying to provide an explanation. "Look, it's not that—"

But he was abruptly cut off by another knight who scoffed, "We don't have time for your excuses. Just answer the question."

Erza Scarlet, always ready to uphold the guild's honor, took a step forward, her voice firm but respectful. "We had to defend our guildmate who was kidnapped and attacked. We did what we had to do to protect our own."The knights continued to glare at the guild members, showing little empathy or understanding for the situation. They attempted to question Natsu, but he remained silent, his eyes locked onto the knights with a fiery and unyielding glare.

Mira Jane Strauss, who had been tending to the injured, chimed in, her voice laced with irritation. "Our guild is like a family, and we stand together no matter what. We won't let anyone harm our own."

The knights, undeterred by the guild's explanations, continued their inquiries with a dismissive attitude. The guildmates exchanged frustrated glances, feeling the tension between their fiercely protective loyalty to one another and the uncooperative Rune Knights who seemed determined to find fault.

As the questioning continued, the guildmates of Fairy Tail couldn't help but wonder how this encounter with the Rune Knights might complicate their lives, especially after a battle that had tested their bonds and resolve. The atmosphere in the guild grew tense as the knights continued their questioning, their assumptions now unfairly targeting Lucy as the culprit behind the battle. A particular knight, fueled by his prejudice, grabbed Lucy's arm with unnecessary force, causing her to wince in pain. The guild members watched in outrage as they threatened to arrest her.