Gildarts Clive: he is the strongest among the Fairy Tail guild members, and most likely the next master. That is how everyone outside of the guild thought about the strongest of Fairy Tail, Gildarts Clive.
But to Fairy Tail guild themselves, Gildarts Clive is their pride, as one of the most powerful powerhouses in Earth Land. And inside the office of the guild, lies both the third master of Fairy Tail, Makarov, and Gildarts Clive himself.
"So, that happened huh… it seems I had missed a lot from the last time I was here." Gildarts said with a sighed as it been almost a year since he last came back. Normally he will only be gone for few months to even half a year on missions. However, it has been a year since Gildarts has returned to Faily Tail.
Upon hearing the current events in and outside the guild. Especially the kids, Gildarts cannot help but to sighed.
"I did wonder why he like a dead man… well, it took me about few years myself to get rid of my first love… but what about Mirajane? That girl always ignored my approaches, so it hard to tell otherwise." Gildarts Clive said, recalling the lifeless boy he had seen earlier. Different to the one he seen over a year ago, the very same boy, that was made to wear clothes, the same boy that wanted to know everything. And the very same boy that seems to be hiding something, even from himself.
Gildarts known about those dreams. In fact, he remembered that day, the day when he seen the naked, lone boy sleeping soundless on the ground. The first thing that got Gildarts' attention was of course the 'monster' between the boy's legs.
But the thing about Gildarts Clive, he is the type of person that cannot look the other way. He sees himself like an uncle to the children of Fairy Tail, that why he loved telling Natsu, Gray, Lisanna, and the others about his adventures. It also why he spent a lot of time with Natsu, that always wanted to fight him… even if they on a whole different level.
That is why, seeing the clueless and carefree boy on the ground naked. He took off his cloak to cover the naked body, and patted his head, a habit he gained because of all the new children the guild keeps gaining lately.
However, the moment he patted the boy's head. It was the moment Gildarts froze. As he heard the details of his dream. Which also brought up his own demons.
Gildarts Clive didn't have a good childhood. His mother died giving birth to him, while his father drinks and blame him for her death. Abuse, that what his childhood was, his father beats him, smashed the bottle against his head.
It not known in the guild, that because he didn't want others to know. That Gildarts Clive, the strongest in Fairy Tail, the pride of the guild, was in fact abused as a child. It also was the desire of crushing his father, that awaken Ether inside him, later on developing his Crush Magic.
He trained to near death to get away from that man. He run and never turn back, which is why himself cannot helped it. When he sees all these kids that come to Fairy Tail all have an awful past themselves.
Gary Fullbuster – He blames himself for his master's death. Because of his revenge, he didn't listen to his master, who was like a second mother to him. However, because of his short sightedness, which was blinded by vengeance. His master lost her life while protecting him. And because of that, he blames himself for her death.
Natsu Dragneel – Raised by a dragon he calls father. But all of the sudden abandoned him for some reason, and alone and no knowledge to survive alone. He was found by Makarov himself and brought to this guild.
Ezra Scarlet – She never truly mentions her past. Unlike the opened Gray, that seems want to pay for his sin of killing his master, second mother. Or Natsu, that tells everyone, since he still searching for his father even now.
She has a dark past, a past that made her to grow strong. But he let it be, since everyone has a past, they don't want to talk about or let anyone know. That one of the most common things among Fairy Tail. As long that past won't hurt the guild, they won't care. Fairy Tail only cares who you are in the present.
The Strauss siblings – with the young siblings that tried to cheer and make sure their older sibling, that sealed her heart to others. Gildarts is like Makarov; happy she is making a new friend besides her siblings. However… it seems like she has resealed her heart again.
Afraid she will become weaker, if she grows attached to someone else, and leaned on them.
As for Zack Smasher himself, Makarov told him about what he known about him. And when Gildarts heard what he said, he crushed the ale in his hand at that time, with many unhappy memories flashed inside his mind.
That is why, in these two years, not only Makarov who asked his circle of friends about God's Cult, and their leader Status. But Gildarts also willingly looked for them himself, he had crushed and smashed countless Dark Guilds, and cults. But… none seemed to be the one they are looking for.
Almost as if they don't even exist in this world. (You had no idea… how close that is to the truth)
"It seems this God Cult really are good at hiding… I can't find anyone with the nickname of Status…" Gildarts admitted with a sigh, and took a drink of his ale: "Is it true, that Alvarez Empire attacked last year…?"
Gildarts asked, knowing this may not have nothing to do with Fairy Tail. But it still a serious issue if one of the most powerful countries in the world, the Alvarez Empire were to invade them.
"Etherion, that damn thing the Magic Council has, stopped them in their attempt… in the first place… why did they invaded, well tried to… in the moment both the Magic Council and each kingdom on this land are trying to figure out the meaning of their invasion… and who they tried to invade in the first place." Makarov said with a sighed, feeling sorry for his best friend, Yajima.
"I see… well, anyway. Master, I think it may be time, for me to take on that 'mission'." When Gildarts said that Makarov's eyes widen understanding what he meat by that. And the old man's eyes turned serious as he looked into Gildarts' eyes.
"You don't mean… that kind of mission, right? Surely, if it was you, I don't doubt you be unsuccessful… However, unlike those other missions, this one might even take a year or years to complete… you should least tell Natsu and the other kids about this.
You know how those brats like you… say, instead of going on such a dangerous mission. Why not take my seat instead? How about it? Don't the sound of Fourth Master sounds nice, doesn't it? I am right? Right?" Makarov went with a serious look, which soon his eyes turned into puppy eyes, as he looked right into Gildarts' eyes.
"How many times I had to say Master… I am no guild leader material; I do not fit into a role like that." Gildarts said with a sigh, as this is not the first time, this old man offended him his seat.
"But what about me!? I am freaking 85! Soon to be 86! I am not at the age that I should be the damn guild master! I should be retiring! No, past that! I should be retired long ago! But no! I have no one besides you to take this seat!" Makarov shouted out loud, not caring if anyone else heard him.
"Come on Master, I am sure Macao or Wakaba make a good choice?" Gildarts asked.
"Macao's wife left him. And Wakaba… that guy is too lazy to handle such a seat…" Makarov said.
"I see… I didn't know about his wife has… well, Wakaba… well … but yeah, I can see it happened. How about your grandson, Laxus?" Gildarts said.
"That… kid, he still has a lot to learn what this guild needs. It is true we are known to be the strongest guild in Fiore. However… that is because we treat each other like a family, we not like the common standard guild that cares about status and power. If we did, the Magic Council will not be up our behinds almost every day." Makarov said, knowing how tainted the Magic Council are, if it wasn't for people like Yajima in the council. They will already have gotten rid of Fairy Tail long ago.
"All okay, fine… you win, so what 100-Year Mission you are picking ah?" Makarov went, knowing that nothing can change this man before him, that why he just given in trying to change his mind.
"Hahaha, you know me well, we I will say my goodbyes before I leave, since who knows, it may take me 10 years to finish this. But the one I am picking… is this one." Gildarts said that, as he shown the piece of paper of a mission. Not realising that this mission not only will be failure, but will also lead to a missing arm, and a run in of the final boss of the canon.