1 - The Girl in the Clover Field
The mission paid well, 1 million jewels exactly, and that was something Lucy Heartfilia could not pass up. The job was to serve as a caretaker for some noble family's daughter and they would provide her with shelter and food during her stay. That's why she had forbidden Natsu from coming with her, no matter how much he pouted. Any damages he would cause could surely strip her of her reward.
She arrived dragging her luggage behind her into Hargeon Town, to the Bei Fong residence. They lived in a huge manor, surrounded by an even bigger stone wall. Lucy could not help but stare in awe at her surroundings as they led her through the iron gate. It was no bigger than her old home, except this manor was much more archaic.
Inside, marble columns lined the way to the staircase that split upwards to lead in two separate wings. Several darker tiles dotted the white floor and her heels clicked when she walked upon them. A huge gold and crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, catching and reflecting the light in the room.
"Announcing, Ms. Heartfilia of Fairy Tail," the butler that had led her inside announced as he bowed at the waist.
A couple dressed in robes of dark greens and gold stood in front of the Celestial Mage.
"Fairy Tail?" The woman spoke up. "Oh my." She covered her mouth with her fan. Her dark hair streaked with gray was piled atop her head.
"Miwa, don't be like that," the man said, patting her arm. "I've heard that Fairy Tail's core members are among the strongest in Fiore."
Miwa made a sound of derision. "Does that explain why the guild is currently ranked last, Cheng?"
Lucy smiled uneasily. "I assure you both; I'm perfectly capable of handling this job."
"You look too green," Miwa said, stepping forward. She stared at Lucy, inspecting her face. "How old are you?"
"Dear, please," Cheng said, pulling his wife back and turning to Lucy. "We've had difficulties keeping our daughter…in place. Our own staff cannot handle her; they are normal people like us."
"Our daughter keeps running off into the city without regards to our family reputation," Miwa interrupted. "What will people think about us with her running off at random hours of the night?"
"We thought another mage could aid us in keeping her here, where it's safe. At least until we can get her to understand that this is for her own good."
Lucy hid her frown by bowing respectfully. "I promise that my celestial spirits and I will keep her safe."
Miwa gave an 'hmm' while Cheng smiled brightly. "Excellent, Yi will escort you to our daughter." He clapped his hands and called for Yi.
A plump maid stepped forward and bowed at the three. "Ms. Heartfilia, if you would please follow me."
Lucy nodded and followed her. Suddenly she heard fingers snap and someone snatched her suitcase away. She spun around to see the butler who had escorted her holding it.
"You won't need this. We will give you proper clothing here," Miwa said.
She watched in shock as they carried her suitcase out of sight. Those were brand new clothes. She sighed and followed Yi outside with slumped shoulders.
"Our mistress is just beyond that hill. I'm afraid she won't let me disturb her," Yi said, indicating she would have to go alone.
Lucy's eyes brightened as she stared in awe at the lush garden. If the front was impressive, this one was even better. A small walkway led from the back door all the way to the middle, where it circled around a white fountain, breaking off into different directions all around. The fountain itself was of a mermaid holding and urn on her shoulder, from which the water poured out. There were bushes of flowers everywhere, from lilies to chrysanthemums and everything in between. Near the back of the garden, extending all the way to the back corner of the residence barriers, there was a tiny hill, dipping down into unknown depths.
Lucy walked down the path until she reached the end and kept going towards the hill. When she arrived she saw that it wasn't as steep as she thought and she could carefully make her way down. At the very bottom, she saw a field of green clovers and in the middle was a girl laying on her back.
Her head faced away from the Celestial Mage, one arm over her stomach. Her black hair splayed all around her. She dressed in the green and gold robes of her family, though her feet were bare and dirty at the soles. She didn't look any older than Lucy.
"Excuse me," Lucy said. She received no response. She stepped forward and cleared her throat. Still nothing. She let out a choked gasp when she realized the girl's chest wasn't moving.
This seemed to startle the girl, as her eyes snapped open. They were a brilliant green to match her clothes. She turned to the sound and narrowed her eyes accusingly when she saw the blonde. "Who are you?"
Lucy sighed in relief. "I'm Lucy of Fairy Tail. I'm here because your parents said they needed a caretaker for you."
The girl groaned and sat up, twisting from side to side to stretch her back. She pushed herself up with her arms. "I don't need someone protecting me, so you can just leave now."
Lucy frowned. "Look, your parents gave me this job for a reason. It's my duty now to keep you safe."
She glared intensely at Lucy and dropped into a fighting stance, feet apart and knees bent. "Fine, you want to do this the hard way?" She stamped her foot on the ground and a huge chunk of earth rose in midair.
Lucy stepped back. She uses earth magic!
The girl threw her arms back, making the piece break in two. She closed her fists and shot each one forward, sending the rock flying towards Lucy.
Lucy quickly pulled out one of her golden keys. "Open, a Gate to the Golden Bull! Taurus!"
A tall, muscular Minotaur appeared before the Celestial Mage, wielding a huge battle-axe. With a swing of its arms it sliced the rock, stopping it before it hit its target.
"Moo! I will protect Lucy-san's boobs at all cost!" Taurus declared, clearly love-struck with his owner.
Lucy nearly fell over. "You should focus on the fight!"
The Bei Fong girl gritted her teeth and moved her arms in a circle. Immediately the ground beneath Lucy and Taurus crumbled and both fell through the gaping hole. With another wave of her arms, the earth closed up over the hole. "That ought to take care of that."
Suddenly the ground trembled beneath her and she gasped as Lucy broke through the earth, held up by a pink-haired woman in a maid outfit and shackles. "Open, a Gate to the Maiden! Virgo!"
"You just won't quit won't you?" the girl spun and put her hands together, shooting them upwards. Pieces of earth flew at Lucy and Virgo.
Virgo whirled around and her chains whipped away the projectiles. Once her and Lucy were on solid ground, she put her hands to the ground.
"Spica Lock!" she called out and the earth rose, entrapping the Bei Fong girl in a ball.
"You did it, Virgo!" Lucy cheered.
"Should I be punished, princess?" Virgo asked, bowing.
Lucy sighed. "But you won."
A rumbling sound alerted them and they both turned around. The Spica Lock burst and the girl stood, glaring at the Mage and her Spirit. She jabbed her arm up and a rock column burst out of the ground, hitting Virgo and sending her airborne. She stamped her foot and sent another barrage of rocks, which struck the Maiden and made her fall to the ground.
"Virgo!" Lucy cried out, running towards her.
"I'm sorry, princess. She caught Virgo by surprise," the spirit said as she disappeared.
The girl pointed at Lucy. "I don't need anyone protecting me," she spat. "I'm the greatest Earth Mage in the world, not some defenseless little flower."
"Your parents-"
"My parents don't know anything about me! They still treat me like I'm some little girl who can't take care of herself." She stamped the ground and Lucy cried out as she sunk, the earth reaching to her thighs. "Well guess what? I can take care of myself and I don't need anyone's help, got that?"
Lucy began to slowly sink lower into the ground, to her dismay. "H-help!"
"Don't worry," a man with orange hair said as it appeared before them. He wore a suit and tie, pushing up his sunglasses. "I'll protect you, Lucy."
"Loke!"
"Another one? What does it take to keep you down?" the Bei Fong girl said.
"I won't let you hurt my Lucy," Loke said, holding his fist up. There was a ring on his index finger.
"Bring it; I can take whatever you throw."
Loke's entire body began to glow a brilliant yellow. The girl stepped back, her eyes wide. The air around them quivered with the sheer power of his attack. "Lion Brilliance!"
The light burst forward, covering everything in its path. The girl had to shield her eyes with her arms. The light was so bright that it burned her eyes. She raised her arms and a wall of earth rose up in front of her, shielding her. She still had to squint against all the light. It was gone as soon as it came and when she lowered the earth, Loke was gone. Only Lucy stood there, barely opening her eyes.
"Where-?" Before she could finish, someone put their arms under hers and pulled her up. She craned her neck to find Loke holding her.
"Gotcha."
"Let me go!" the girl protested, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.
"Please, calm down," Lucy said. "We aren't your enemy."
"Then tell your boyfriend to let go of me!"
Lucy turned a deep shade of red. "H-he is not my boyfriend!"
"I'll let you go if you promise to not attack us anymore. A truce, alright?" Loke asked.
The girl blew her bangs out of her eyes, her bottom lip jutting out. "Fine."
Loke let her go and she dropped to the ground, spinning around to face him directly. He narrowed his eyes, ready to defend himself if necessary.
"Listen, your parents gave our guild this job and I took it because I needed the money," Lucy said. "I really didn't know, I'm sorry."
The girl turned to Lucy with narrowed eyes. She finally sighed and relaxed, her head dropping. "Do you know how boring it gets being all alone in here?" Her eyes were on the ground. "Only daughters run in our family."
"I know how you feel," Lucy said. "I'm an only daughter too."
The girl, for the first time since she'd met her, smiled. She spread out her arms, palms out and freed Lucy from her confine. "My name's Tuwa. It's nice to meet you, Lucy."
"Maybe we should head inside. Your parents might start to worry."
Tuwa nodded. "Come on, I'll show you to my room."
Lucy and Loke followed her up the hill and to the manor.
"There's something about that girl," Loke whispered to the Celestial Mage.
"What is it?"
"She's a spirit too," he said.
Lucy stared after the dark-haired girl with her brows furrowed. "A…spirit? But her parents and the maids-"
He nodded. "I know. I'll try to figure out what I can. Just be careful, I sense a strong magical presence within her."
Lucy stared at the grass as she walked. Just what kind of job had she gotten into and what kind of person – or thing – was she looking after? She could only wait until she found out.
A/N: So technically this is a crossover between two fandoms, except not really because it features an OC and it's all within the FT universe. Anyways, hope you like! Please R&R
