So yeah, summer school. MW from 1145-9pm and TTh from 430-8pm you want to talk about torture...
Here's the next chapter.
Cobra scowled as he was woken from a dream of his golden haired angel. The last he had seen her, he had watched her ridiculous play from the dark of the theater. He had nearly lost his shit when she lost her clothing, glad that the psychotic red head had saved Lucy's dignity, even though she was the one that had sliced up the clothing. The blonde's silent byplay was hilarious however, and he wished the rest of the people in the audience could hear her. He took care of Bora after the play. It was glorious, hearing the blue haired son of a bitch scream. He had been tempted to rip the man's dick off, and shove it up his ass, and then decided he didn't want to touch it. Lucy was his to protect, his to take revenge for. He'd let Natsu and her god forsaken team do what they could because they made her soul sing with happiness, but she was his to protect, so long as he could protect himself from Brain.
He couldn't be with her, if Brain killed him.
He had sworn to himself that he would be with her eventually. He started to shorten his sentence, ratting out several of the guilds under the Seis, and a great many more under Grimoire Heart. He wasn't going to touch the ones under Tartaros. He had no desire to attract the ire of the demons.
"It's time," Racer said, making sure Cobra was paying attention.
I know what you've been doing, Racer thought.
Cobra didn't spare him a glance, and Racer grinned, a bit of Sawyer showing through. I can't say if you're doing the right thing, and I don't know why you're doing it, but be careful. You're still our brother.
Suddenly Cobra was shoved into one of the rooms, Angel and Midnight already inside.
He snarled, and Angel gave him a haughty look. Even Midnight was awake for this.
Midnight took a deep breath, and Cobra felt Macbeth come out, looking at him in concern. He envied them the ability to hide their true selves. He wondered if he had another part of himself that he had just forgotten about sometimes. Only she seemed to bring Erik out anymore, and he couldn't have her until he had redeemed himself.
"Brain won't be happy, we've been covering for you, but…"
The other three exchanged looks, and Macbeth continued, "We need to know what's going on. We're your family."
Cobra growled, getting defensive. Each stared at him, letting their original personalities come out for him to hear. His snarls grew less, and slowly, he reminded himself that they weren't the enemy. He pulled out a picture he had taken of her at the play. He had somehow managed to capture just her, without the other nonsense that had been going on. Each studied the picture and Cobra shifted uncomfortably. "Her name is Lucy," he rumbled, "Her soul, calls to mine, and mine to hers. I need to be a better person, so I can be with her."
Macbeth snorted, "You aren't going to do that snarling at everyone. Including her guild."
Cobra shifted uncomfortably again, taking the picture back from Sorano, whose face had softened. "What are we going to do? Fairy Tail is part of the task force to stop us."
Cobra blinked not having heard that yet. He hoped that she wasn't part of the force that was sent. A low growl rolled out, and Sorano stepped back. They all knew that Cobra had a hard time keeping the innocent part of him and the part Brain created separated. After all, Cobra had been born in the tower.
"You know Brain just thinks of us as disposable pawns right?" Cobra rumbled, "He won't stop for anything except complete destruction. It's what the demon we've sealed away wants, and it's what he wants."
Macbeth drew in a deep breath, clenching his fist. "If you heard it, it must be true."
Suddenly Erik felt bad for his friend, knowing that he had hurt the boy that had been looking up to Brain. Angel resurfaced, scowling, "What about the plan? You're just going to abandon that? You can have her if we follow through. She could become as dark as you."
Cobra shook his head, shaking his head as he backed up, "No! I refuse to change her. She's- She's-"
Sawyer put a hand on his shoulder, calming him. Cobra looked down, defeated, "I don't want to change anything."
"So we kill Brain."
All of them looked at Angel, who was palming her keys, trying to determine which one would be able to do the job.
Sawyer looked at them each individually, wondering if any of them had the power to actually kill the man that made them into the Seis. Cobra maybe, had the power, if he could get past his fear of the man. That fear, however, was very real.
"We'll play it by ear," Midnight said, looking at his brother in all but blood, remembering the boy that did everything he could to keep them safe in the tower, calling them his new family.
Angel snorted, "You sure you're going to be able to keep awake for that?"
Midnight yawned, "Just wait to see what I can do."
Racer snickered, and then sobered up, "We have to worry about Hot Eye as well."
Midnight yawned again, "I'll take care of him if you can take care of Brain. We'll do this, for you."
"For you," Angel and Racer repeated.
Cobra's chest felt warm, and he resolved to protect his family, no matter what.
Lucy bit her lip as Makarov watched her carefully.
"Can you do this, child?"
"I-"
"I'm hoping you can get him to defect. I can possibly get him to spend parole in Fairy Tail if that's the case."
Lucy clenched her fist, "I'll try."
Makarov smiled at her, "You'll be fine."
Lucy nodded, giving him a brilliant smile, "I'm a Fairy Tail mage after all."
Natsu was waiting for her outside with Happy on his shoulder. "You good Luce?"
She gave him a nod and a small smile. He returned it with a toothy one of his own. "Don't worry Luce. You'll get him to join us and he'll join our team and we'll have even more fun adventures."
Lucy blinked before giggling, not questioning how Natsu knew about Erik. She had a feeling he had been reading her letters to her mother. "You need to stop reading my personal correspondence."
"Corre- what?"
Lucy sighed, wondering how this strange teenager became her best friend one more time.
"Come on Lushy!" Happy purred out, "Let's go!"
Lucy blinked, and looked down at her outfit before shrugging. She joined the rest of the chosen team and they headed out of the guild towards the designated location.
Cobra nodded to Angel as he pointed her out, both of them hidden in the trees. Lucy was giggling at something Natsu had said as they made their way to the Blue Pegasus house. Angel studied her with critical eyes, gaze lingering on the girls keys and whip before sighing in defeat.
She fingered her own. "Once I get arrested, the contracts with my spirits will break. Make sure she gets them."
Cobra's inner dragon purred, glad his sister was thinking of his mate. She glanced at him, amused, before pulling out Gemini's key, gazing fondly at it. She had always liked the twins best. "Time to get to work."
Cobra nodded, settling into position, Cubellios further up the tree. Angel darted away, heading towards the house. He watched as the other guilds arrived, scowling when he counted in his head again. There was still one guild missing. Then he saw her. She smelled of the breeze after a rain storm and her soul and thoughts were all scrambled nerves. He blinked disbelievingly as he wondered why Cait Shelter would send a child barely into her teenage years. It was rather cruel.
He began whistled for Cubellios, jumping on top of her as they made their way towards where Brain and the rest were waiting.
Brain raised an eyebrow, already expecting a report.
"Four from Fairy Tail, fire dragon slayer, the ice make, Titania, and a Celestial Mage," he said dully, acting bored out of his mind, "Four from Blue Pegasus, the main guy being that little perv with his three disciples."
Brain nodded, obviously knowing who they were, and dismissing them just as easily.
"Three from Lamia Scale. Another ice make, a doll manipulator and Jura."
Brain scowled, the first reaction he had gotten since he had arrived. He heard the echoes of Wizard Saint in Brain's thoughts and sighed, knowing that Angel would 'take out' him first.
Well, either her or Titania. But Lucy was friends with Titania.
"The Nirvits sent a little girl with blue hair."
Brain perked up at that, and Cobra tried hard to keep his face neutral. Brain obviously knew her. Angel walked up a few minutes later, an image of Lucy squealing over Wendy fresh in her mind.
You sure you want to be a good guy?
Cobra glanced at her and shrugged and she sighed.
For you.
"So the kid from Cait Shelter, her name is Wendy. Pervy wasn't sure what kind of magic she used. They're planning on using their magic bomber to destroy our base."
Brain grinned, a slightly terrifying look for the tall man. "I'll kidnap the girl," he said, turning to Racer, "Racer, go get the coffin and bring it to our hiding place. I'll bring her straight there. Angel, use Caelum to destroy the bomber."
Brain then turned to the rest, "The rest of you, if you encounter them, make sure they don't make it into the forest. Spread the word amongst the last of our guilds."
Angel just smirked as Racer ran off with a glance at Cobra. Brain was too deep in his plans for Nirvana to notice. Cobra walked forward to stand next to Midnight, gently tapping the other man's head. Cobra grinned when Midnight didn't even flinch, though he had come to full consciousness.
I heard.
It wasn't long before there was a humming overhead, and they looked up to see the weirdest looking airship any of them had seen. Personally Cobra thought it was a blessing to destroy the monstrosity. Angel was quick to take out two key points, causing a lot of smoke, and the bomber to begin to fall. It was Hoteye who did a little extra damage, destroying a wing when the bomber hit the ground.
Cobra held back a wince, and turned as he heard the distant footsteps and shouts. "They're coming."
Midnight gave a soft snort that only Cobra heard, and Brain turned, ready to greet their 'guests.'
The group showed up, and Cobra could see Brain actively searching for Wendy, who was hiding behind a rock. The most powerful member was missing, as was the perv. Cobra glanced at Angel's triumphant look, and she silently, and slowly began to form a plan in her mind as the group before them slowly counted the five of them. Brain had already started to mock them.
Lucy had already identified Midnight as someone to be terrified of, and Cobra almost wished he could tell her that Midnight was on his side, and therefore, hers.
She glanced at him and Cubellios nervously, and felt her soul call out. His answered, and he had to keep his face from softening. Cubellios blocked his sight, asking for attention. He scratched the underside of the snake's jaw, grateful. Brain couldn't know the game was up now.
Angel planned too slow. Brain suddenly spotted Wendy and grinned triumphantly. He shot his magic out even as Natsu had enough and began his attack. Cobra nodded to Angel, and moved to intercept the fire dragon slayer. This caused the rest of them except Lucy to attack, who was following Brain's magic to a horrified Wendy.
Wendy shrieked as she was grabbed, the small blue cat grabbing onto her even as Brain dragged her away.
"Trust me," Cobra growled into the fire dragon slayer's ear, pushing him back towards the group and towards Lucy. Suddenly the whole group was hit by a large spell, and Cobra sighed in satisfaction as the Wizard Saint saved them. He listened for a moment, and had to keep from grinning when neither Brain nor Hoteye realized he hadn't run with them.
Cobra had to make sure she was ok.
Jura scowled at him, putting his hands together as if getting ready to attack and Cobra shook his head, putting a finger to his lips.
The man frowned, confused, thoughts making it difficult to hear where the rest of the Seis had gone. Once Cobra was sure they were far enough away, he turned back to see Jura holding back the little perv, who looked like he was going to attack.
Suddenly there was a loud crack and fire bust through the protective wall of earth and stone.
"Good going Natsu," called out a sweetly sarcastic voice as it coughed away dirt and smoke.
"What? It got us out!"
Cobra snorted as the pink hair of the fire dragon slayer appeared, followed by the golden blond of the other half of his soul. He was tempted to run up to her, but felt that it would be seen by the two older men as an attack.
Natsu finished helping her out and caught sight of him, large grin spreading on his face and Cobra had to face palm at the thoughts running through the pinkette's head.
"Shut up," he told the other dragon slayer, even as he held everyone else back from attacking the solo member of the Oracion Seis.
Lucy smiled nervously at him, glad he was there, and that warmed him.
"What is going on?"
Cobra glanced at the Wizard Saint, still wary. He was beginning to feel nervous, and Cubellios was reacting to it, hissing at the larger man.
Lucy, taking a chance, stepped forward, reaching out towards the venomous snake. Cobra attempted to relax as Cubellios watched the blonde, who was trying to figure out the source of some magic that was familiar to her.
Cubellios nudged the girl's hand, and Lucy relaxed smiling, and glancing at him. Cobra felt his face soften, even if he didn't relax his guard a bit.
"Lucy," Titania said sharply, getting ready to attack should Cobra grab her.
Cobra snorted, scowling as he looked at the rest of the group, Natsu obviously trying to hold her back.
"He's on our side," the pinkette snapped, obviously afraid of an enraged red head but standing up for him anyways.
Cobra snorted, "Not really."
Natsu gave him a deadpan stare, "Fine, you're on Lucy's side."
Cobra nodded, and Lucy snickered at the confused looks even as she looked at him, eyes shining brightly.
Cobra turned an ear back to the forest, "Brain's given the girl fifteen minutes to decide whether or not to resurrect Jellal. There's about 10 of those left."
Titania gasped, and Natsu's own soul grew darker and more focused. The rest of the group also stiffened and Cobra sighed.
"The last three of our dark guilds are in the forest looking for Nirvana, as I should be. Your friend is in that direction," he said, pointing. He listened again and then scowled, "Stupid girl."
"Wendy's healed him, hasn't she?" Lucy asked softly.
Cobra nodded, and then blinked, turning fully in the direction of their base, before snickering, "Brain lost control of Jellal. I have to go."
Be careful.
"Midnight, Angel and Racer are on my side," he suddenly growled out, "But they won't risk Brain finding out and killing them. Be careful, because they won't hesitate to kill you."
With that he left, hearing Lucy's mind working fast.
Lucy glanced back at her companions, "We should split up. We're going to get attacked either way, so we'd best put teams together."
Natsu nodded at her and glanced at Gray, who scowled. Erza clenched her fists.
Lucy noticed this, "Erza, you go after Jellal. Natsu, Gray, cut straight through to get Wendy."
They all nodded, and took off and Lucy looked at the rest of them. Jura was obviously still worn out, but in good fighting condition. "Sheria, you and Lyon take the western route. Eve, Ren, and Ichiya take the eastern. Jura, you need to rest a bit."
"I will follow Sheria and Lyon, I am fine."
She studied him, frowning, but nodded. She then looked at Hibiki, "Hibiki, does your archive magic have anything that will help us to destroy Nirvana?"
"I'm looking," he said shortly, and Lucy nodded, watching the rest as they took off.
He glanced at her, "Why aren't you going with them?"
"Can you walk and search at the same time?"
He shook his head, turning back to his work. She fingered her keys, acting as guard while he searched, ignoring the glances she kept getting. Natsu understood, and she didn't want to waste time explaining everything to everyone else. It wasn't just her secret to keep.
She tightened her hand into a fist, wondering how the others were getting on, and what exactly was up with Jellal. She kept scanning the forest line, heart pounding. She hoped she had made the right decision letting Erza go after Jellal and Erik. Hibiki made a frustrated noise, and Lucy turned to look at him. He gave her a wry smile, "Hit a block. I'll keep looking."
Lucy nodded to him, turning to look back at the forest. She wondered how long had passed since they went their separate ways. She hoped she had made the right decisions. She was even more surprised that no one had argued with her, as the least experienced of the group.
She bit her lip, keeping her eyes on the woods. She thought she saw a flash of light in the general direction of where Erik had said the camp was and clenched her jaw. Ice, she decided, Hopefully they'll be back soon.
She was unprepared when ten minutes later, Natsu crashed through the underbrush with Happy, Charle, and Wendy in his arms. Lucy smiled at them, eyes searching for Gray.
"Gray's fighting Richter," Natsu informed her and Lucy sighed.
"You mean Racer," she corrected, taking the Exceeds from him so he could lay Wendy down without dropping her. They weren't hard to rouse, but it did take a few precious minutes, and not long after, a bright pillar of light could be seen, interlaced with waves of darkness.
"That can't be good," Lucy whispered.
"It's not," Hibiki said, coming to stand next to them, "Nirvana's been unsealed."
Wendy gulped, taking short, harsh breaths, "This is my fault. I thought, he… This is my fault!"
Hibiki was quick to attack, much to the dismay of the rest of the group. Natsu snarled, ready to attack when Hibiki put his hands up, "While she's unconscious there's no chance for her to become dark. While she was panicking about Nirvana she was prone to becoming a dark wizard."
Lucy scowled, "There wasn't another way?"
Hibiki shook his head and Charle picked Wendy up, "We need to move. We can't let that thing finish getting unsealed."
They all nodded, heading into the woods towards the pillar.
Cobra scowled, first wondering why he couldn't find the blue haired bastard, and then upon finding him, wondering why he couldn't hear him. He kept himself hidden, especially after Lucy's friend, Erza found the blueberry headed amnesiac, her thoughts a cacophony of thoughts that revolved around Jellal, protecting Lucy from himself, and oddly enough strawberry cake, though that was on the backburner.
He shook his head, watching as a thought finally popped into Jellal's empty head, and even that only a name. Wonder if that makes them a soul mate couple, he wondered idly, even as he scowled at the two. He listened out to the woods for a moment before grumbling. He slid out of his hiding spot, moving forward towards the two, knowing Brain would be too far on his guard for him to kill him just yet. He hoped Lucy was staying behind, and not getting involved in any of this. He didn't even have time to come up with a plan with these two, not that he thought the red headed girl scout would condone killing Brain.
But Brain had to die, and he had to die before the seal was released on the monster trapped within him.
Once Brain was close enough to listen in, Cobra opened his mouth, snarky diatribe already on his lips.
Lucy gulped, glancing back at Natsu as she faced down Angel. He looked miserable, despite the raft not really moving. She glanced over at Hibiki, who appeared to be processing what a smirking Angel had just revealed. She looked back at the white haired girl, who's smirk had turned into a thoughtful frown. Lucy gulped, feeling like she was being judged.
"Let Ares go."
Angel raised an eyebrow, "You're all out of magic and keys, and you dare to make that demand of me?"
Lucy clenched her fist, eyes tearing, knowing she was out of options, "It isn't right. Let Ares go!"
Angel scowled, motioning to Gemini to knock the girl out. Gemini Lucy smirked, raising Caelum, only to pause when a memory of Lucy's hit her, and she froze, crying. "I-"
Angel frowned, wondering what was taking so long. "Gemini?"
"I can't. She loves us. I can't!"
A startled look passed over Angel's face as Gemini simply disappeared, closing her own gate. She was half tempted to try to force the gate open again when Caelum landed in front of her. "Caelum, fire!"
Lucy flinched, waiting for death, only to realize there was no pain.
Angel stared down at the celestial spirit, "You too huh?"
Lucy gave a small smile in thanks to the spirit even as it disappeared. Looked like Angel was out of spirits too. Maybe she could reason with Erik's friend. She tried to stand again, only to pause at Angel's horrified look, and the sudden grasp of hands at her neck.
No, Hibiki!
The hands then loosened, and she had the oddest feeling of learning, even though she was not studying anything, and it was taking over everything.
"I think you might just be able to use it," Hibiki whispered, and Lucy felt her magic go nearly out of control as she whispered the incantation he had just put in her head. Part of her rebelled, not wanting to hurt Angel at all, but the spell kept going. As soon as she said the final line, she collapsed into the water, almost unable to keep herself standing. She glanced at Angel, who was still lying in the water, and moved forward to make sure she was breathing. She pulled her up to the shore, whispering that she was sorry it had come to that.
"Me too," was the response she got, as Angel opened one eye, "Take them."
Lucy opened her mouth to protest, and Angel wheezed out a laugh, "Once I'm arrested, my contracts will break. Take them."
Lucy nodded, grabbing the keys, and moving to check on Natsu as Angel relaxed, smiling.
Thanks for all the good feedback and reviews. And thanks to infinitely panda for beta-ing this for me. I'll get the next chapter up after I get most of my homework done.