Chapter 18: The Mark of Family
The guild hall buzzed louder than ever, members crowding around the bar to get a better look at the new recruit.
Lucy stood nervously at the counter, Mirajane smiling warmly as she held up the magical stamp. "So, Lucy, where would you like your guild mark? And what color?"
Lucy fidgeted, glancing down at her hand. "Um… right hand. The back of it. And… pink, please."
Mirajane nodded sweetly and pressed the stamp gently against Lucy's hand. A soft glow spread before fading, leaving the Fairy Tail insignia shimmering in vibrant pink.
Lucy's eyes sparkled as she held up her hand. "It's… it's beautiful…" Her heart swelled—it was real. She was one of them now.
"Congratulations!" Mirajane clapped her hands. "You're officially a Fairy Tail wizard!"
The guild erupted into cheers, raising mugs and shouting Lucy's name.
Snow-White Mark
Lucy turned to Menma, who leaned against a pillar nearby, calm as ever. "Um, Menma-san… where's your mark?"
He glanced down at his left hand, flexing it slightly. There, etched across the back of his hand, was a gleaming snow-white Fairy Tail emblem.
"It's been there since the day I joined," he said evenly. "Snow white… it suited me."
Natsu tilted his head. "Eh? Snow white? That's kinda cool."
Happy chimed in with his usual grin. "It makes him look mysterious, aye sir!"
Lucy blinked, staring at it. Snow white… it really does match him. Quiet, calm, unshakable.
Chaos Begins
"Oi, Natsu!" Gray shouted from across the hall, already stripping off his shirt without realizing. "Bet I can knock you flat before you can say 'flame brain'!"
Natsu jumped up instantly. "You're on, ice princess!"
They clashed in the middle of the hall, fire and ice bursting in every direction.
Lucy ducked behind the counter with a yelp. "W-why are they fighting already?!"
Mirajane giggled. "Oh, don't worry, they do this all the time."
Cana lifted her barrel, already half-drunk. "First brawl of the day! Who's betting on Gray?"
"Not me," someone shouted. "Natsu's got this!"
Menma sighed, chains flickering around his wrist as he casually snagged a flying chair before it hit Lucy, dropping it gently to the floor. "Hn. Some things never change."
Lucy peeked over the counter nervously. "I-Is it always like this?"
Mirajane leaned on her hand with a teasing smile. "This? Oh no… this is one of the quieter days."
Lucy paled. "Quieter?!"
Lucy's First Mug
Before she could protest further, Cana pushed a frothing mug into Lucy's hands. "Drink up! New members gotta celebrate."
"I-I don't really—" Lucy started, but Cana tipped the mug toward her lips anyway. Lucy sputtered, coughing on the foam.
Natsu, mid-fight, laughed so hard he got socked by Gray. "Pffft—welcome to Fairy Tail, Lucy!"
Happy floated down onto Lucy's head, patting her hair. "You'll get used to it. Maybe."
Lucy groaned, slamming the mug down. "What kind of guild is this?!"
Menma's lips twitched—just barely, but enough to be noticed. It was the faintest hint of a smile.
Lucy stared at him. For some reason, that tiny expression made her chest feel lighter. Maybe this is where I really belong…