The Fairy Tail guild hall had never felt smaller to Lucy than it did right now. She sat hunched over at one of the tables, still processing everything that had happened on what was supposed to be her first real mission. Her hands were wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate that Mirajane had kindly brought her, but she couldn't bring herself to take a sip.
Charmeleon sat beside her chair, looking just as dejected as she felt. The newly evolved Pokemon kept glancing toward Natsu with worried eyes, clearly understanding that his trainer was in serious trouble. Its tail flame burned lower than usual, reflecting the somber mood.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID SOMETHING SO RECKLESS!" Master Makarov's voice boomed across the guild hall, his tiny form somehow projecting enough authority to make everyone wince.
Natsu stood in front of the Master's usual spot, shoulders hunched and looking thoroughly miserable. Charmeleon had wandered over to sit beside him, occasionally nuzzling against his leg in a futile attempt to provide comfort. The Pokemon looked almost as guilty as its trainer, despite having done nothing wrong. "Master, I can explain—"
"EXPLAIN?!" Makarov's voice went up another octave. "You stole an S-Class mission! You nearly got Lucy killed! And you had the audacity to bring Happy along for this disaster!"
"Aye..." Happy whimpered from where he was hiding behind a nearby pillar. "Happy is very sorry..."
Erza stood beside the Master, her arms crossed and her expression colder than the deepest winter. Lucy had never seen the redhead look so angry, and that was saying something considering how she'd reacted to some of the guild's previous chaos.
"Natsu," Erza's voice was deadly quiet, which somehow made it more terrifying than if she'd been shouting. "Do you understand that you could have gotten Lucy killed? She just joined our guild. She trusted you to keep her safe, and you led her into a fight against a monster that even experienced S-Class wizards would struggle with."
"I thought we could handle it!" Natsu protested weakly. "I mean, we're Fairy Tail wizards! We're supposed to be strong!"
"BEING PART OF FAIRY TAIL DOESN'T MAKE YOU INVINCIBLE, YOU MORON!" Erza finally exploded, her magical pressure making the air in the guild hall feel heavy. "It makes you RESPONSIBLE for your guildmates!"
Lucy flinched at the shouting and sank lower in her chair. This was all her fault too, wasn't it? She could have said no. She could have insisted they ask permission first. But she'd been swept up in Natsu's enthusiasm and her own desire to prove herself.
"Hey there, Lucy."
She looked up to find Aiden sliding into the seat across from her. Irene took the seat beside him with fluid grace, looking completely at ease despite the chaos erupting nearby.
"I feel terrible," Lucy admitted quietly, not wanting to interrupt the scolding session happening across the room. "This is all my fault. I should have stopped him, or asked permission, or—"
"Breathe," Irene interrupted softly, her red eyes kind. "You're spiraling, dear. What happened wasn't your fault."
"But I went along with it," Lucy protested. "I could have said no."
Aiden leaned forward slightly, his expression serious. "Lucy, how long have you known Natsu?"
"A few weeks?"
"And in those few weeks, have you successfully talked him out of anything once he's set his mind to it?"
Lucy opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again. He had a point.
"Natsu's heart is in the right place," Aiden continued. "But his brain... well, let's just say it sometimes takes a vacation without telling anyone. You couldn't have stopped him, and trying to do an S-Class mission alone would have been even worse."
"Plus," Irene added with an amused smile, "if we hadn't been in the area, that little adventure would have had a very different ending. Sometimes the best lessons come from the closest calls."
Around the guild, other members had started gathering to listen to the scolding session. Cana was perched on a barstool with her usual barrel, while Gray lounged nearby in just his underwear again. Elfman was nodding seriously at every word Erza said, muttering things about "manly responsibility," while his Machoke flexed its muscles in agreement.
"Speaking of being in the area," Kagura piped up from a nearby table, her eyes sparkling. "Did you finish the 100 year quest?!"
All eyes were on Aiden now, waiting for his answer.
He leaned back in his chair, that infuriating smirk growing wider. "Of course we did."
Irene chuckled softly, placing a gentle hand on Aiden's arm. "He's being modest again."
"What do you mean?"
"He is a king now..fufu."
The entire guild hall went dead silent.
"What?" Gray's voice cracked like he was thirteen again.
"King?" Levy squeaked, her book tumbling from her hands.
Master Makarov's scolding died in his throat. For a moment, the tiny guild master just stood there, mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. Even Erza's perpetual scowl had melted into pure bewilderment.
Aiden shifted uncomfortably in his seat, shooting Irene a look that clearly said 'thanks for nothing.
"Well," Aiden ran a hand through his hair. "I'm now the King of Avalon. It's a kingdom located on the continent of Mu, south of Ishgar."
The silence stretched even longer this time.
"Mu?" Levy blinked rapidly, her scholarly mind clearly racing. "I've never heard of a continent called Mu. And I've read every geography book in Fiore!"
"That's because most people haven't heard of it," Irene said softly, her red eyes growing distant. "Mu has been... hidden from the rest of the world for quite some time. Certain circumstances required it to remain separate from Ishgar and the other known continents."
"Holy shit," Gray breathed, then immediately looked around to make sure Master Makarov hadn't heard him swear.
"Language, Gray," Erza muttered automatically, but her heart clearly wasn't in the reprimand. She was too busy staring at Aiden like he'd sprouted a second head.
Happy floated out from behind his pillar, his earlier shame temporarily forgotten. "Does this mean Aiden is richer than Lucy?"
"Hey!" Lucy protested, though she had to admit she was curious about that herself.
"So this 100-year quest," Mirajane said, appearing at Lucy's elbow with a towel to clean up the spilled hot chocolate, "it was on this hidden continent?"
"Among other places," Irene confirmed. "The quest led us there eventually."
The guild hall erupted into excited chatter as everyone began talking at once. Questions flew from all directions—about royal duties, about this mysterious continent, about what Avalon was like.
"Can we visit?" Happy suddenly piped up, voicing what everyone was clearly thinking.
The chatter died down as all eyes turned to Aiden expectantly.
He looked around at all the hopeful faces, then at Irene, who nodded encouragingly. A genuine smile replaced his earlier discomfort.
"Of course you can visit," he said, and the guild hall exploded with cheers. "I mean, you're my guildmates. My friends. Avalon's doors are always open to Fairy Tail."
"Really?!" Natsu bounced on his feet, his earlier troubles completely forgotten.
"A hidden continent!" Levy was practically vibrating with excitement. "Think of all the history! The books! The knowledge that's been lost to the rest of the world!"
"I bet they have amazing food," Happy said dreamily.
Master Makarov stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "Well then, I think this calls for a celebration! Mirajane!"
"Already on it, Master!" Mira called out, her usual cheerful demeanor returning in full force. "Everyone, let's give our royal guild member a proper Fairy Tail welcome party!"
The guild transformed in minutes. Tables were pushed together, drinks appeared from nowhere, and someone had already started up the music. Natsu's earlier punishment was completely forgotten in the excitement of having a real king in their guild.
Lucy found herself swept up in the celebration, watching as her new family danced and laughed and peppered Aiden with questions about his kingdom.
As the night wore on and the party grew louder, Lucy couldn't help but smile. Only in Fairy Tail could a day that started with a disastrous mission end with discovering they had royalty in their ranks.
She raised her mug to the chaos around her. "To Fairy Tail,"
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