Chapitre 2: Chapter 2: Link: Mage of Fairy Tail
Chapter One
The sun was shining as Link walked up to the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, an imposing building consisting of three floors and incorporating several architectonic styles: it took on a shape reminiscent of a pagoda, with each floor being smaller than the one below it and sitting on the latter's roof. The roofs also bore great resemblance to those of real pagoda, consisting of extremely long, arched tiles lined up one after the other and possessing simple curved protrusions jutting upwards on the building's corners. On the highest roof, topping the summit of the building, sat a simple, round and pointed dome, which bore a flag with the Fairy Tail crest just under a large bell.
The young man wore an over-sized green tunic that went down to mid-thigh with a brown belt cinched around his waist. Under the tunic he wore white pants that tucked into brown boots that stopped just below his knees. Brown, fingerless leather gloves were worn snugly on his hands and a long, green cap rested firmly over his wavy and mussed blonde hair with his pointed ears drooped slightly. His crystalline blue eyes shone with a burning determination that dimmed only slightly with signs of exhaustion and his single golden earring gleamed almost as brightly as the small golden hoop shook on his left ear with each step.
Link paused at the massive doors to give a silent yawn before he walked into the bustle that was his Guild. Almost everyone in the packed Guild Hall had a call of greeting for him as they lifted their glasses and Link raised his own hand in acknowledgement as he made his way to the bar.
"Was your mission successful Link?" Mirajane, the beautiful bartender of Fairy Tail, asked as Link sat down on a bar stool and got a nod from him as he gave a tired sigh. Mirajane was also Fairy Tail's poster girl, and the reason was obvious. With her long, flowing white hair that reached down to her lower back and a small ponytail rising just above her forehead with a curvaceous figure under her red, flowing dress, one pink bow located on the neckline and one over her left hip, she never failed to catch the eye of both men and women. "Your usual drink?" She asked with a bright smile and he nodded as he offered a slight grin. "Coming right up!" She said before turning around to grab a glass and walk to a dispenser.
Just as Mirajane put the glass down in front of him, the doors were slammed open with a mighty kick. "We're home!" Natsu, the pink-haired Fire Dragon Slayer, roared as he walked in with Happy the blue cat that walked on two legs alongside him and a curvaceous blonde woman Link had never seen before. Natsu was dressed in his usual sleeveless, gold trimmed, black waistcoat left open to show a highly toned torso, white knee-length trousers, a thick black wristband on his left wrist, black open-toed sandals and his white, scale-patterned scarf wrapped around his neck with a traveling pack strapped to his back and his red Fairy Tail mark was stamped just below his right shoulder.
"Aye!" Happy added as he pumped his right paw into the air.
The woman's blonde hair went down to just below her shoulders and done with a side ponytail and her brown eyes held both determination and exasperated resignation reflected in them. She wore a white blouse with blue trim and a blue cross across the front along with a blue miniskirt and brown belt that held a key ring with six keys hanging from it. Link's eyes widened slightly as he immediately recognized the items as the special Celestial Spirit Keys. Three Silver... but she also has three Golden Keys? He wondered curiously before he blinked tiredly then turned back to his drink.
Natsu's black eyes, which had first fixed on the black-haired Gray, widened in delight when he saw the back of Link's green tunic. "Link!" He yelled as he pointed at the blue-eyed mage and Link turned around with his milk held in his right hand. "Fight me!" The Dragon Slayer demanded but Link just sighed and shook his head as he held up his hand to emphasize the glass he was drinking from. Onyx eyes gleamed as a feral smirk came to Natsu's face and an instant later the glass was destroyed by a fireball and all traces of exhaustion immediately disappeared from Link's face.
"Oh dear…" Mirajane sighed as she put a delicate looking hand to her face as everyone got out of the way between Link and Natsu while Lucy looked at the pink-haired mage in surprise.
Link slowly stood up from his stool before looking at Natsu, who grinned as he cracked his knuckles before he charged forward. "Gimme your best shot!" Natsu roared as he cocked his right fist back as he bored down on the green clad mage. Link thrust his left hand and a small fireball shot out at Natsu and exploded into a ten foot circle of destruction.
The blonde girl watched on in shock as everyone quickly moved further back. "Damnit Natsu, why did you have to attack his milk?!" One mage yelled out in dismay as Natsu came out from the circle of fire, eating it greedily.
"Fire won't work on me, Link!" Natsu declared before looking down as something tapped against his shoe. His eyes went wide when he saw the bomb right before it went off, sending him blasting back out through the open doors.
Blue eyes continued to glare out after Natsu before the sound of someone clearing their throat snapped his gaze away to look at a stern Mirajane. "Link, you created a large mess this time." Mirajane said as she wagged her finger and Link looked at her before pointing out where Natsu had "left". "I know Natsu started it but you know how he is." She said and Link sighed before walking back to the counter as everyone started talking and laughing again after the fires were quickly put out.
"Lucy, come on." Happy said as he started walking further inside and the blonde girl looked at him in shock.
"But what about Natsu?" Lucy asked and Happy looked back at her.
"Natsu will be okay, a blast like that won't kill him." Happy said before continuing his march towards the bar.
"That should take care of the damages, Link." Mirajane said as she put another glass of milk in front of him. "Here's another glass." She said with a smile and Link nodded as he grabbed the glass. "Oh, Erza is still out on her job subjugating that demon so it looks like you've arrived first." She added and Link gave a smile and nod of appreciation before he started to drink his milk.
"Mirajane, we failed the job." Happy said as he jumped up on to a bar stool next to Link.
"That's too bad Happy." Mirajane said as Lucy walked up before she stopped when she saw Link and gulped in sudden nervousness.
"W-wait..." She stammered out as she finally got who this person was. "You're Link... the Link?" Lucy asked and Link looked at her with mild confusion before he nodded his head. He's one of the strongest mages in Fiore... and one of the Top Mages You Want As a Boyfriend! She thought and was a bit nervous as she took in his handsome, elfin features.
After she didn't say anything for a while, Link blinked and covered a small yawn before he turned his attention to his drink and started to drink it down. "Lucy, you shouldn't interrupt people when they're drinking." Happy said as he shook a paw at her. Lucy looked at Happy before she sighed and nodded her head, taking a seat next to the cat.
Once Link finished his milk he put the glass down and gave a sigh of satisfaction before he wiped his mouth with his gloved left hand. He then stood up and held his right hand out to Lucy, who looked at him in surprise as a blush came to her before she nervously shook his hand. "It.. it's nice to meet you, my name is Lucy. I'm a new mage here and-" Lucy stopped talking when Link suddenly turned around and walked away. "Rude!" Lucy said as her cheeks puffed in anger before she looked at Mirajane as she leaned on the bar in front of her.
"Don't let it get to you." Mirajane said before her eyes glanced over at Link. "Link doesn't talk much and usually isn't very social, especially when he's tired." She explained and Lucy blinked in surprise before she remembered the vague sign of exhaustion on his face. "However, he always helps whenever he's asked and he's probably the kindest and most loyal person you'll ever meet." Mirajane said and Happy nodded his head.
"Aye. He usually gives me fish and some milk." He said and Lucy sweat dropped. All that tells me is that he's nice to cats… She thought before she looked at Mirajane again.
"Already going on another job Link?" Nab asked and Link shrugged uncertainly before he paused. His eyes stayed focused for a few seconds before he nodded his head then grabbed a Job and walked back over to the bar.
"Liinnnk!" Natsu roared as he soared through the open doors, flames shooting from his feet, and Link sighed before he held his right hand up. Almost immediately a blue crystal appeared around Natsu and started slowly rising into the air before it stopped at the ceiling. "Heey! Lemme out!" Natsu yelled as everyone burst into laughter.
"Looks like Natsu got put in time-out again!" Wakabe roared with laughter as he beat a hand against his knee and everyone laughed harder.
"Fire Dragon's…" Natsu said as he took a deep breath. "ROAR!" He roared as he shot a large blast of flame from his mouth, the flames quickly hiding him from view as they circled around in the crystal. Everyone laughed even harder, some of them falling to the floor, as the entire room was blanketed in a flickering blue light, no flames escaping from the crystal.
"That's a manly way of lighting a room." Elfman said with a nod and several people next to him sweat dropped as they looked at him in confusion.
Link pointed at the crystal with his thumb as he walked back up to the bar and Mirajane nodded with a smile before taking the paper from Link. "'Notes for dimensional magic stolen, need help.'" She said with a nod before she reached under the bar and pulled out a notebook.
"LIIIIINNKK!" Natsu roared in frustration as he continued his attempts to break free from the crystal.
"That crystal sure can take a pounding…" Lucy said after several seconds with a sweat-drop on the back of her head.
"Aye." Happy said as he looked up at her. "That's Link's 'Nayru's Embrace', which is used to encase someone in an unbreakable field." He said and Link tapped Happy on the top of the head, making him look up at him. "It's okay, Link, Lucy's a member of Fairy Tail." Happy said as he pointed at the pink Fairy Tail mark on Lucy's right hand while Mirajane finished writing.
"And done." Mirajane said as she held the job up with a smile. Link nodded and pushed his stool back to stand up and turned to walk to the door.
"Damnit, Link! Let me out and fight me!" Natsu demanded as Link walked underneath him. Link looked up and gave Natsu a small wave of farewell without slowing in the least. "DAAAAMNIIIIT!" Natsu roared to the laughter of everyone as Link walked out, more flames shooting from his mouth.
Several minutes after Link had left, Mirajane suddenly paused as she walked around with a tray of glasses balanced on her left hand. "Oh dear." She said as she brought a hand to her face with hand with concern reflected in her blue eyes. "Link really should've gotten some rest first." She said as Nayru's Embrace finally disappeared, letting Natsu fall to the ground to land on his feet. "Oh well, without Master or Erza here there's no one that could've convinced him to." Mirajane said with a smile before she continued on.
Gray stood up as Natsu dropped to the ground and locked his dark blue eyes on the Dragon Slayer. The Ice-Make Mage had on his usual necklace, the pendant shaped like a sword with a stone in it. "So, you finally got out huh?" He asked with a smirk and cracked his neck. "Let's finish our fight from before!" He yelled as he slammed his right fist into his left palm.
"… Put some clothes on first." Natsu said and Gray looked down to see he only had a pair of blue boxers on, showing his highly toned body and his blue Fairy Tail mark on his right pectoral.
"Shit!"
Link gave a small groan as he sat down on the brown, padded train seat. Perhaps I should have just waited until Erza got back. He thought with a yawn as he looked out the window into the darkening sky and his ears flicked when the whistle blew. Eight years today… He thought as the train started to move while his eyes slowly closed in exhaustion.
A young Gray growled angrily as he stomped up to a young girl with shoulder length scarlet hair and a brown eye. She wore a steel breastplate with a red bow at the collar over a white, long-sleeved shirt and a white skirt over black stockings. She was undeniably cute, but it was somewhat marred by the large bandage she had over her right eye. "Erza! I cha-!" Gray was cut off as a young Link appeared out of nowhere and crashed into an empty table three feet away from Gray and Erza.
Link coughed up blood as he hit the table and went into a wild roll that left behind a trail of blood."WHAT THE-?!" Everyone in the Guild yelled as Link quickly jumped to his feet and looked around with narrowed eyes. Everyone's shock increased when they saw him get up despite the numerous injuries and the blood that dripped from him.
Where is he? Link thought urgently before he dropped to one knee with a gasp, his injuries and exhaustion finally overtaking him. What happened to me?! Link's eyes went wide in shock when he saw his arm, the arm of a child.
"Kid, you need to lie down!" Makarov ordered as he ran up to Link and the young man's eyes snapped over to him as he grit his teeth.
In an act of will that made Makarov pause, Link forced himself to his feet and kept his balance after a momentary stagger. Surrounded… Ganondorf sent me here… must be enemies… MUST FIGHT! Link thought as he spread his legs, now acting only on instinct and still on edge after what had just happened to him. "Hup!" He said as he swung his left palm over his body into his right fist as it rested at his hip. A second later a hand slammed into the back of his neck and his vision immediately went black as he crumpled to the ground.
Link gave a small groan as he slowly regained consciousness, his eyes blinking weakly. A bed? He wondered and a second later his eyes shot open as he sat up quickly before wincing as his whole body throbbed in protest at the sudden movement.
"Are you okay?" He heard a young feminine voice ask and he looked over to see a young girl with red hair wearing a breastplate with a long-sleeved shirt underneath it and a skirt. Erza was currently sitting down on a chair with a short sword strapped to its back as she held a leather-bound book in her right hand. Link gave a slow nod as he looked at her before looking around the room. "You're in the medical room of Fairy Tail." She said and Link blinked as he looked back at her before bringing his arms up slowly to look at them. "Your injuries were very severe but have already been tended to." She said, mistaking the reason that Link was looking at his body in wide-eyed surprise. "My name is Erza Scarlet." She said a few seconds later and Link blinked as he brought his attention back to her. "What's your name?" She asked and for a while Link didn't answer.
After a few minutes of silence Erza gave a small shrug as she stood up. "Very well-"
"Link." He said in a quiet voice and she looked at him in mild surprise.
"Link… that's a funny name." She said with a small grin and Link's eyes widened as he looked at her before his stomach growled loudly. Link looked down as he blushed in embarrassment, a blush that heightened as his stomach growled even louder. Erza looked at him in mild surprise before bringing a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. "Come, your belongings are in the drawer over there." She said and Link gave a small nod as he continued to look down.
"Ah. Erza." Makarov said in mild surprise as he walked up to the door to see her walking out. "Is our young guest okay?" Makarov asked as Erza closed the door and she nodded. "Very hungry though." She added with a small smile and Makarov's eyes widened slightly for a second before he gave a wide grin. "Very well then, wait here while I go tell the chefs to get ready." He said and Erza nodded before she stood to the side of the door.
A few minutes later Link walked out of the room and immediately looked to the side where Erza was standing. "Follow me." She said and Link gave a nod. "That's an odd birth mark." Erza remarked as they walked down the hallway and Link looked down at the Triforce symbol on his left hand before stopping. "What is it?" Erza asked and Link looked at her before running back to the room and going in.
"Link!" Erza said in surprise when Link took off and a couple of minutes later he came back out with a bandage roll wrapped around his hand. Link rubbed the back of his head before bringing a finger to his lips and Erza looked at him curiously for several seconds before her eyes widened in realization. "You want to keep it a secret?" She asked and Link nodded his head. Erza looked at him for several seconds before she nodded her head in agreement. "Very well." She said and Link smiled before bowing slightly forward, which got another small smile from her. "Come on, food's waiting." Erza said and Link's stomach growled again.
Twenty minutes later Link was eating at a furious pace, a row of empty plates and bowls already on the table in front of him. "How much more is that kid going to eat?" Gray asked, getting a laugh from Macau.
"You aren't in any position to call someone a kid, Gray." He said and Gray glared up at him.
A large, content sigh turned their attention back to Link as he put down an empty bowl and then stood up. "Finally done?" Makarov asked with a smile and Link nodded before he pulled a pouch with a golden rupee stamped on it off his belt and opened it. "Now now, I can't accept jewels from a kid that appeared in my Guild as injured as you were." He said before narrowing his eyes slightly. "Tell me, what were you fighting?" Makarov asked as Link retied the pouch to his belt.
Link looked up at him with steady eyes before shaking his head once. "Hmm…" Makarov said as he put a hand to his chin thoughtfully while his other hand went up to stop those in the Guild Hall about to explode. "Is that no as in you won't tell me?" He asked and once again Link shook his head. "So no as in you can't tell me?" Makarov asked and for a third time Link shook his head. "Hmmm… there's just no point in discussing it?" Makarov guessed again and this time Link nodded his head. "Looks like it up put a strong fight though." Makarov said with a wide smile and Link couldn't help but grin slightly as he gave a nod.
This man… he's almost like the Great Deku Tree… gentle but I can feel the power radiating from him… Link thought and a hint of sadness reflected in his eyes as he looked at Makarov. "Tell me, what is your name?" Makarov asked and Link continued to look at him steadily for a couple silent minutes.
"Hey, answer Master when-"
"His name is Link." Erza cut in and everyone looked but Link looked at her in surprise. "I don't think he likes to talk, it took him a few minutes before he answered me earlier." She said and Makarov turned to look at Link again.
"Hmm… silent or shy… or perhaps only willing to talk to cute girls?" He asked with a grin and both Link and Erza blushed slightly, getting laughter from everyone. "Very well, follow me." Makarov said a minute later as he hopped off the bench and Link nodded before he followed him curiously.
"I wonder why he bothers carrying a shield as big as he is." Wakabe said as he took a puff from his cigarette.
"Probably just to show off." Gray said as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked to the side.
"I don't think that's the case." Erza said and Gray looked over at her before he grinned evilly.
"Going to the defense of your new boyfrie-urk!" Gray cut himself off and started sweating nervously as Erza grabbed his collar and held her short sword at his throat, her eyes glowing.
"What was that?" She asked coldly and he swallowed nervously.
"Now then, Link, can you show me where your home is on this map?" Makarov asked as he rolled out a large map of Earthland.
Link's eyes went wide as he put his hands on the map and looked around frantically. No… no way… Link thought as his hands tightened into fists before he slammed them against the table and smashed it into kindling. Makarov looked at Link in surprise at his reaction before his eyes widened further to see tears in Link's eyes. "Where… am I?" Link asked quietly as his body quivered.
Makarov continued to look at him for a few seconds in concern before he sighed. "This is Fairy Tail, a Guild Mage in Magnolia Town." He finally answered and Link slowly slumped down to his knees. "What's the matter?" Makarov asked and Link slowly looked up at him before wiping his eyes and standing up.
"Nothing. Thank you for your kindness." Link said with a bow before he turned around and walked away.
"Where are you going to go?" Makarov asked and Link froze.
That's right… where will I go? Link wondered before he clenched his fists. There has to be some way back! He thought resolutely before he started to walk forward again. I still have to return the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time and return the Ocarina of Time to Princess Zelda. He thought then he glanced back at the hilt of the Kokiri Sword. And return the Kokiri Sword back to where it belongs. He added before he looked forward again.
"From the look on your face before, you didn't see your home on the map at all." Makarov said and once again Link stopped. He didn't move for several, quivering seconds before he finally glanced back at him. "Where is your home?" He asked and Link gave a small sigh as he looked down.
"Hyrule." Link answered and Makarov put a hand to his chin thoughtfully.
"I don't believe I've heard that name before…" He said and Link nodded.
"My enemy… while he was being sealed by the Sages of Hyrule to another dimension he attempted to bring me with him. I fought back and was sent spiraling in another direction." Link said and Makarov's eyes went wide.
"Being sealed by Sages…into another dimension?" Makarov said in disbelief. I've never heard of that kind of magic! He thought in amazement. "How powerful was this enemy?" Makarov asked but Link shook his head. "Of course… it doesn't matter." He said with a sigh. "Do you know magic?" Makarov asked, causing Link to look back at him curiously before he nodded his head once. "Why don't you join Fairy Tail?" Makarov asked and Link's eyes widened in surprise. "You have nowhere to go, and with the jobs available at a Guild you may find a way that will return you home." Makarov said with a wide smile and Link looked down as he considered it before he turned around to face Makarov and bowed deeply.
Back out in the main lobby, the idea was not taken well by one mage in particular. "What's the proof he can even do magic!" Gray demanded after Makarov told them of Link's decision and Erza shot him a look. "What?" Gray asked before he looked over as Link opened one of the doors and walked out.
"Way to go Gray, you've driven him out." Cana said before sighing as Erza glared at him before she ran towards the door. "And put some clothes on." She said and Gray looked down in shock to see he was clad only in his boxers.
"Damnit, when did this happen?!" He yelled before stopping as the sound of music came in from outside.
The music was light and lilting, starting at a moderate speed with three notes being repeated at first before going on further.
Du du du, du du du, doo dudu do dududu
"Beautiful…" Erza said with a small smile as she stopped to admire the music.
"Hey, wasn't the sun shining a second ago?" Reedus asked as he noticed the light from outside was beginning to dim and Erza quickly ran outside, followed by Gray, Cana, and Makarov.
Outside Link was playing the Ocarina of Time, his eyes closed as he lost himself to the music, as clouds gathered overhead. Suddenly Link started to play the song faster and thunder rumbled through the sky as the clouds darkened and rain started to fall. "N-no way…" Gray said as Link started playing even faster and the rain pelted down harder as lightning flashed.
"I'd say this would be proof Gray." Makarov remarked with a wide grin before Link slumped to his knees as his face tightened in pain and exhaustion.
Despite his sudden slump, he continued to play the song rapidly and the storm slowly started turning worse. "Link!" Erza yelled as she ran up to him and his eyes shot open in surprise as he took the Ocarina from his mouth with a gasping breath.
What… what just happened? Link thought as he shook his head before looking up as lighting flashed in the sky and slowly stood back up. Normally playing the Song of Storms doesn't drain me at all… He thought in surprise as he blinked against the pounding rain.
"Link, you shouldn't strain yourself since you're still recovering." Erza said and Link looked at her before he held up one finger up and brought the Ocarina back to his lips.
The Sun Song should fix this. Link determined as he took a breath. Before Erza could say anything Link played three notes, the first one a medium pitch, followed by a low pitch then a high pitch, twice in a row before ending with a flourish. Almost immediately a beam of sunlight burst through the clouds to surround him with its dazzling light and Erza's eyes, as well as everyone's in the Guild looking outside, went wide in surprise as the sunlight quickly expanded. Within a couple of minutes, Links song had completely dissipated the song as quickly as his previous song had summoned it.
Link slowly brought the Ocarina from his mouth and looked up at the sun with a grin for a few seconds before he suddenly fell backwards. "Link!" Erza said in surprise as she caught him while Makarov ran up quickly.
"Looks like his magic isn't acting the way he's used to…" He said thoughtfully and Erza looked up at him questioningly. "Come on, let's get him inside and dry you both off." Makarov said and Erza gave a small nod as she looped one arm over her shoulders and slowly stood up; Makarov picking up the ocarina before following her in.
Link's eyes snapped open as the train whistle blew and he yawned as he stretched his arms up. Hopefully I can finish this job before Erza gets back. He thought as looked out the window again and rubbed his eyes. Otherwise she might get angry at me for not resting… Link thought with a small shudder.
Close to twelve hours later the train pulled into the Freesia Train Station. This could be it… He thought as he walked off the train and looked around. I could finally find a way to return to Hyrule. Link thought before shaking his head and taking a deep breath. One thing at a time, stay focused on the job right now. Link told himself before he took a sheet of paper from his tunic to look at the address of the person who had posted the job.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone