A/N: Hey everyone! I hope your enjoying this so far x3 I'm really excited to write it! Thanks for everyone who has this on alert and I hope you like this next chapter x3 Hikari will warm up eventually xD Feel free to review!
Chapter 2: Dragon Slayer
"The moment has come."
Hidden deep in the underground of a great mountain, workings of a dark magic took place. Whispers of an incantation could be heard from the dark guild that gathered at the heart of it, the leader watching in silence as the magic slowly came to life. Long have they waited for this opportunity…this chance to make themselves great. How? With the awakening of an evil demon that lay sealed into the mountain wall.
"The moment of triumph…" spoke a hooded figure, who stood before the trapped entity. "The moment where not only dark guilds, but every guild will bow down to us. With him, a new era will start. With him, we can create a new world. Now rise…awaken from your sleep…Gaimeka!"
As soon as his name was spoken, the seal holding the demon back broke, the mountain shaking moments after. The quake got stronger as it continued, and eventually, the wall began to break, a rock fist protruding from it.
"Rise…" the guild leader spoke. "Rise!"
Soon enough, a whole body made of stone broke through until the entirety of who they were summoning was standing before them, his red eyes gleaming down at the mass of people.
"My lord…" the leader spoke, getting down on his knees and bowing, the rest of the guild following suit. "My lord, it was us who awakened you. It was us who broke you free from your eternal slumber. We are your humble servants."
The demon scanned over the bowing figures, his breathing heavy as he listened to one speak.
"You…who awakened me…" he repeated, his voice deep.
"Yes!" the leader replied looking up. "We awoke you so you may finish what you had started before being confined to your prison!"
A low growl escaped from Gaimeka before more words were spoken.
"Well done…"
Now the leader, and the guild itself, were expecting some sort of reward from this creature, a huge praise for doing what they had done. They were willing to follow him and take every order. However, what happened next was not what anyone was expecting. Before anything else could be said, the demon took his stone hand and swiped the leader off the ground, squeezing his body tightly as he held him close to his face.
"My…lord…" he spoke, gasping for air. This caused Gaimeka to simply laugh, sending shivers down the spines of every wizard in there.
"You pathetic fools." It growled lowly. "Yes indeed you have set me free, and for that I am grateful. It's too bad no one here will live to tell the tale."
"What?" the leader asked, he and the others now in a panic. "But…we can help! This world has changed since your time and we can-gah!"
The demon squeezed him tighter, the man losing air quickly.
"I do not need help to survive, therefore there is no reason anyone here should live. It was a wizard who trapped me, so now, all wizards will die. You all have the honor of being the first."
Yes…hidden deep in the underground of a great mountain, workings of a dark magic took place, and when that dark magic came to life, it began its work…and no one could hear the screams.
So far, things seemed to be going as she planned. She found her way to Magnolia, despite getting lost a few times, found the guild, got accepted, and even found the Salamander as well. And now that she was settled into her own place, she was ready to start some work. So, after a bit of breakfast, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed to the guild hall. The earlier, the better in her mind. She could get her hands on good paying jobs before anyone else could, and as she arrived and stepped inside, another benefit of being early came forth.
"Less people…"
Definitely less people. There wasn't as many in there yet as there were yesterday when she first walked in. Not so many eyes staring, and those who were there that did stare, she simply ignored.
Scanning the area, she soon found the board that carried all the job requests on it and headed in that direction.
"Good morning, Hikari-chan."
And there went her peace and quiet.
"How did you sleep? Were you able to find a nice place?"
At this point, Hikari had reached the board and was now glancing at each request in attempt to find the one she wanted. And, to shut the white haired girl up, she continued to ignore, but…that didn't seem to work.
"By the way, my name is Mirajane. Mirajane Strauss."
"Mira-nee!"
"Lisanna!"
Another white haired female, though her style was a little shorter, joined Mirajane, hugging her from behind.
"Good morning, Lisanna." The woman said with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did!" Lisanna replied. "Hey Mira-nee, do you think we could…oh…" The girl's eyes were now on the child. "Who's this?"
"This is Hikari." Her sister answered. "She just joined yesterday."
"Awwww." Said Lisanna, kneeling all bright eyed over the dark haired girl. "She looks so cute! Hi! My name is Lisanna!"
The elder girl held out her hand to shake, but Hikari paid no mind to it, caring less about any introductions.
"Uh…Hikari?"
"Kyaaa!"
Mid conversation, the door to the guild slammed open, Natsu and his pal Happy stepping inside.
"Let's hurry up and pick a job already! I wanna go out and kick some butt!"
"Aye!" Shouted Happy.
"Someone please help me…" Hikari thought with a sigh. "Bring back the peace and quiet...and note to self. You need to start coming even earlier…"
"Calm down, Natsu." Said Lucy, walking in from behind. "Did you really have to kick the door down?"
"Of course, he's Natsu." Said a dark haired male, also walking in. "He doesn't think before he does stupid things."
"Who are you calling stupid, mint breath?" Natsu shouted, flames forming around his hands.
"The person who can't even walk into the guild without breaking things, flame breath." The guy said back. "Honestly Natsu, you really are stupid sometimes."
"Why you little-"
"Natsu…Gray…"
Last to follow the others in was Erza, armored as usual as she stared the other two down.
"Quit fighting and let's find a job. You two really don't always need to be-"
Her sentence stopped short when her eyes fell upon a familiar face.
"Hikari?"
This was the first time the child reacted to being spoken to, turning to face her and the crew when her name was called.
"Erza…" she thought to herself, her face showing no emotion as they locked gazes. There were parts of her that still wondered why this woman seemed so warm yesterday and why she helped her when those boys came around when usually, no other adult would even try.
"It was just a fluke. It was nothing." This is what she summed it up to. So Erza helped her out once. Didn't make her good. Probably just some pity gesture or something.
"You!"
Natsu disturbed this little silent moment by storming up to the girl, who in return, simply turned away and looked at the board again.
"You brat! Don't think I've forgotten what you said yesterday! You're a guild member now, which means I can really fight you! Let's go!"
"You've got to be kidding me…" Hikari thought.
"Come on! I'll show you there's nothing girly about me!"
"Natsu! Always so rash…she's just a kid." Lisanna piped in.
"But Lisanna…she called my hair girly yesterday! There's nothing girly about me and I'm gonna make sure she doesn't forget that!"
"You really do get worked up over the simplest things, don't you?" Lisanna said with a smirk. Walking over, she ruffled his pink hair. "I don't think it looks girly at all. I love your hair. It fits you well."
"Li…Lisanna…" Natsu said with a blush.
"She liiiiiikes you…" giggled Happy.
"Shut it!" Natsu turned his attention back to Hikari. "Just watch it! One of these days I….huh, where did she go?"
While they were chatting and yelling away, Hikari, tired of hearing it, slipped out of the mini crowd, a paper in hand, and was heading towards the door.
"Get back here!" Natsu raged.
"How annoying…" she thought
"Hikari."
This newer voice caused her to stop in her tracks. This one was one she would not ignore. Turning, she locked eyes with its owner.
"Yes, Master."
Makarov came walking up with his hands behind his back, stopping a few feet away from the female.
"Already starting your first job?"
"Yes. I mentioned yesterday I would be doing so." She replied.
"Indeed…well there is one thing I forgot to mention to you."
"What's that?" she asked.
Makarov eyed the other for a moment, not blinking once, before speaking.
"You're not allowed to go on jobs on your own yet."
There was silence throughout the hall when these words were stated.
"Wait…what?" Hikari asked, eyes furrowed.
"I said, until further notice, I don't want you going on jobs by yourself."
Hikari's eyes widened when she heard this, her calm, quiet personality quickly disappearing.
"Why?" she asked. "Can't people do jobs on their own?"
"They can." He replied. "But you are new here, and a child at that."
"A child that can take care of herself!" she said back. "I can do this. I don't need anyone's help!"
"But I am not sure of that." He told her. "I don't even know what your gift is. How am I to know you can fare on your own?"
"But I can! I don't need anyone babysitting me! I can handle anything that comes my way!"
"It's not babysitting, it's team work. For now, you'll be safe going with other people."
"What does it matter to you if I am safe or not?" Hikari asked. "I'm telling you I can handle a job!"
"It matters because you are a member of this guild and if I feel that someone in this family will be in too much danger, they will be protected."
"But this isn't my family." She spat back.
"This guild became your family the moment you joined."
Hikari remained silent, infuriated at what she was being told. No way was this her family, no matter what the old man said. It was stupid…illogical. She barely knew anyone and no one knew her. How could she be considered family? It was a guild. Simple as that.
"That is my final word on it. If you wish to go on a job, then you will need to find someone to go with you."
Hikari clutched the paper in her hand, getting angrier by the second. What was his deal? H mentioned nothing of this yesterday. She thought she would be able to do jobs freely, and now she wouldn't be able to do anything like it unless someone else joined her.
"Ha!" Natsu said, pointing at her. "Guess you're out of luck, brat! No one is going to want to go on a job with you!"
Although she wanted to punch him for it, she knew Natsu was right. No one would want to join her, which meant no jobs, and that didn't settle with her in the slightest. No way was she giving up this fight.
"Master, I-"
"We'll take her."
Silence again filled the room the moment another voice spoke. The speaker walked from the crowd and stood beside the angered girl, facing the master.
"Hmm…you'll be willing to do this…Erza?"
Hikari's eyes widened a bit more when she saw the woman stand beside her.
"Erza…"
Was this woman trying to help her again? And if she was, then why? What was the point of it? The two hardly knew each other, but she seemed perfectly fine in doing so. It didn't make sense.
"Yes." Erza spoke. "The team and I will be happy to assist her on this job and any other job she may want in the future."
She then turned and faced Hikari, that warm smile from the day before returning.
"Don't worry, we don't mind helping at all."
Hikari felt a little blush forming, and before it could show clearly, she turned her head away, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What do you mean we don't mind!" Natsu spat. "There's no way we are helping this little brat! Let someone else take her! I don't want to have to be stuck with-"
Before the dragon slayer could finish his sentence, Erza had shot him her signature evil glare.
"We're helping."
And that gaze, as usual, shut Natsu right up
"I hate that look…" he said meekly.
"Aye…" Happy replied, hiding behind Natsu's head. "Erza-chan is scary."
"I think helping her is a great idea!"
Stepping out from the crowd now was Lucy, whom, though Hikari never officially met her knew her name from hearing it the day before.
"Erza is right!" she said with a smile. "You won't need to worry. We'll help you out the best we can!"
"And a job is a job." Gray mentioned, joining them as well. "So I guess I can't complain much."
Erza, looking back at the child, spotted the paper in her hand.
"What job were you interested in?"
Hikari did not like this idea. She did not like it at all. She didn't come here to work with other people on jobs. She came here to work on her own, to raise her own money and do things independently. However, she knew that in a guild, a Master's word was law, and there was no backing out of it. If she wanted to work, she would have to do so with others. Yes, she could leave the guild if she really didn't like that rule, but from what she heard people say, this was the strongest one around, and stronger was what she needed to become. So, reluctantly, she held out the paper to Erza and handed it to her without a word. Taking it, the woman scanned its contents.
"This one is perfect." She said. "Right in the neighboring town. There's a band of thieves that have been stealing from local trade guilds. "
"A band of thieves?" Gray asked. "Sounds like we can have a little fun."
"It's decided. We'll go." She handed the paper back to the child, flashing her a warm smile. "We'll do this together."
Hikari took the paper from her hand, and, still not happy about this whole plan, simply turned away and walked out.
"Whatever. Let's just get this done and over with."
"That little ungrateful-"
"Nastu!" Erza said, stopping him before he could finish. "Everyone. Let's go."
And with that, she walked out, Lucy and Gray following suit with a sulking Natsu following last.
When all was said and done, Mirajane walked over and stood beside Makarov.
"She doesn't seem too happy about this. Why did you make it so she couldn't do anything on her own?"
"So she can learn that in this guild, you are never on your own." He replied. "You heard what she said. She thinks she can handle things on her own and take whatever comes at her. She is probably under the impression she has to do things by herself, which is not true. She'd probably even deny help in the most serious of situations. That way of thinking can lead her to her death if it is not changed. She wanted training, and here it is. She will learn that it's ok to work with and rely on others when needed."
Mirajane glanced at the doorway where the crew had left, a small smile growing on her face.
"Well, if there is anyone who can help change that thought, it's them. Let's hope she sees it."
"Hmm…why do you think she is so quiet?"
The four mages, along with Hikari, were already half way to the next town. Hikari, wanting to stay as far away as possible, was a bit ahead of them, not really in the mood to mingle. She still wasn't happy about the arrangement, but knew she really had no other choice.
"I don't know." Erza replied to Lucy. "She probably has a lot on her mind. "
"Let her stay quiet." Natsu spoke. "I don't feel like hearing her voice."
"Don't be so mean." Lucy said back, shooting her friend a glare.
"Well she started it!" He told her. "Plus, I don't like her smell. There's something funny about it."
"You're just saying that because you don't like her." Lucy mumbled.
"No, he's right." Gray commented. "I may not be able to smell it, but I can feel it. There's some strong magic to her, but I don't know what. "
"Strong magic?" Lucy thought. Could Hikari be holding a lot of magical power?
"I'm going to and try talking to her." The blond stated.
"What's the point?" Natsu asked. ". If she wants to be alone, let her be alone. All she does is ignore us, so just ignore her. "
"Hikari already seems scary." Happy added. "I don't want to see it get worst."
"That's not how it works." Erza cut in, pulling her cart. "Just because she says she wants me be alone doesn't mean that's how she really feels. The people who claim to be strong and independent like that are usually the ones who want attention the most…the ones who feel the loneliest."
"Erza…" Lucy said softly. If anyone in the guild knew about loneliness, it was definitely her. Eying the woman, she could see her gaze locked on Hikari, seriousness in her eyes.
"Erza must think Hikari feels that way…and if that's really true…"
"Hikari!"
Without a second thought, the celestial spirit user ran to catch up with the girl, slowing to a walk when she was by her side.
"Hey, Hikari-chan." She said with a smile. "Um, are you excited about your first job?"
The reaction, as always, was silence, the girl acting as if Lucy wasn't even there.
"I remember being nervous on mine, but with everyone here together, we'll definitely be ok."
Still nothing, but she wasn't giving up.
"This team is really amazing. I mean, I don't think I am that great, but look at Natsu. His dragon slayer gifts are amazing. He had a tendency to charge head on right into things, but he's a really good friend and a good person. Gray is really good with his ice. He might not seem that friendly, but he really is nice. Everyone would probably be ok if he stopped randomly stripping though…and then there's Erza. Erza uses re-equip magic. You should see some of the armor and weapons she can use. She's so strong, and really pretty, too! I myself use Celestial Magic. I use celestial spirits, like Cancer and Leo, to help me fight. It's really-"
"You talk a lot…you know that?"
It was the first time Hikari had spoken on the trip, and they were not exactly the words Lucy expected.
"Well I….um…I was-"
"It's really annoying. Is this why you don't have a boyfriend?"
….
Yep. Arrow right through the heart. Meekly, she travelled back to the gang, a bit of her pride destroyed.
"I'm starting to think that Natsu may be right on this one…" she said, feeling defeated. "I don't talk that much, do I? Now I don't know? Can I really not get a boyfriend because of it? Oh no, this is-"
"We're here."
Everyone stopped in their tracks, including Hikari, right at the top of a hill that led to the town.
"We need to find where their base is and stop them." Erza said.
"Hopefully that won't take long." Natsu piped in. "I'm hungry."
"Aye…" Happy said sadly, rubbing his tummy. "I want some fish."
Looking down at the eleven year old, who was also gazing at the down, Erza stepped a little closer, and comfortingly, she spoke.
"There's nothing to be scared of, you know that? Nothing bad is going to happen. The team will protect you…I'll protect you."
Believe it or not, despite the emotionless glare she shot up at the woman, those words actually touched Hikari's heart a little. It was a quick one second feeling that made it tremble a bit and even feel warm, and though it disappeared quickly, a mark was left behind…a little crack in the ice that surrounded the young girl's heart. Those had been more words she had never heard from an adult before. However, she would not let herself fall for it. She knew people could be cruel, and she wasn't about to play into that.
"Who says I need protecting?" Hikari asked her. "You don't even know what I can do. I may not be the strongest wizard in the world, but I know how to fight and hold my own. I don't need protecting from you or anyone here. Please do well to remember that."
And with that, she headed towards the town on her own. Erza wanted to call out, but held back in the end, instead motioned the rest to follow.
"Let's go…"
When they arrived, the streets were bustling and busy with people. Kids were running about, shops were selling, and-
"Fish! Natsu, fish!"
"Yes! I'm starving!"
"Natsu!" shouted Lucy. "This isn't the time to eat! We have a job to do!"
"I can't do the job on an empty stomach!" he said back, handing some jewels to the shop owner.
"Aye, Lucy!" Happy said. "You can have some, too!"
"No thanks…I don't eat raw fish…"
"Where do we look first?" Gray asked.
"I'm not sure." Erza replied. "They're thieves, so I highly doubt they would hide right here in town. To start, let's ask one of the nearby trade guilds. That's where the thieves are targeting. Maybe they will have some knowledge of where they would be. Natsu!"
"But Erza-"
"Thieves! Help! Stop them!"
"Whaaa-" Natsu jumped. "No no no! We paid!"
"Not you idiot!" Gray shouted. "There!"
Down the street, two men busted out of a trade guild building, The Iron Horse.
"Well they didn't take long to find…" Gray said.
Turning quickly, one of them, a hooded figure, faced the guild, and with a quick hand movement, sent a bolt of lightning towards the man screaming for someone to help.
"They're wizards, too!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Follow them!" shouted Erza.
"No!"
Erza stopped in her tracks, looking very confused at the person standing in front of her.
"Hikari?"
"Hikari we have to go after them!" Gray told her. "That's what we're here for!"
Without a word, she turned and watched as the two men ran farther. It was when they were just out of sight did she turn back around.
"Now we run."
"What? Why did you wait?" Lucy asked.
"We want their base, don't we?" Hikari asked in return. "Why defeat them now if we can just follow them to their location, that way, if there is more, we can just defeat them all at once."
"But I wanted to beat the information out of them!" Natsu snapped.
"Or you could save your energy for the real fight." Hikari said back. "You should really start thinking before you do things…"
"Say that again you little-"
"Enough!" Erza said. "She's right. If we keep our presence hidden until their base is located, we can launch a surprise attack. Let's go."
With the plan in mind, they each began running after the two thieves, taking care not to get caught. After some time, they ended up leaving the town in general, coming across a rundown building not too far from it.
"It looks like an old factory." Gray said quietly.
"Doesn't surprise me." Erza replied. "Thieves have a tendency to make their homes in old, abandon buildings. We should make a plan. Gray, you-"
"Forget plans!" Natsu shouted. "I am going to kick some ass now!"
And before anyone could stop him, he sped towards the building.
"Damn that Natsu!" snapped Erza. "He really doesn't think before doing something stupid."
"That's our Natsu." Happy replied.
"You bastards! I'll teach you why should shouldn't steal from other guilds!" Natsu shouted as he neared the building. When he was inches away, a flame grew on one of his wrists and he literally punched in the wall, making a hole right in the building before jumping inside.
"Natsu!" Lucy shouted.
The other four had followed and caught up, jumping through the hole as well. When they did, it didn't take them long to realize that they were completely surrounded, men covering almost the whole area.
"Well look at what we have here." One of them said. "Some more wizards have come to stop us."
"More?" another asked. "We beat the last few that came by. Really pathetic they were…"
"And such bad manners, too." A fat one added. "You know, it's impolite to enter someone's home without knocking."
"Yeah, well it's impolite to be stealing what isn't yours!" Natsu shouted. "And Fairy Tail won't let you get away with it!"
"Oh? Fairy Tail?" asked a slender man, his tone sarcastic. "I don't really remember you….your guild must not be that important…"
"What?!" Natsu raged. "I'll kick your ass so hard you'll never forget us!"
"Let's see…there's four of you and a kid and over forty of us…and who will be doing the ass kicking?"
"Why am I never counted?" Happy cried.
"I thought so…" the man continued slyly. "Let's get them!"
All at once, the thieves went at them, and right before their eyes, Fairy Tail magic came to life.
"Gate of the Maiden!" Lucy shouted, bringing out a golden key. "Virgo!"
In a matter of seconds, a female dressed in a maid uniform was summoned.
"Is it time to be punished?" she asked.
"No!" Lucy shouted, slightly frustrated. "Punish them!"
"Ice make…Lance!"
Gray entered next, using his magic to make a handful of ice lances to shoot towards the enemies.
"Heaven's Wheel Armor!"
Erza popped in after, and, using the reequip magic Lucy told her about earlier, she transformed into a whole new set of armor…and definitely a scarier one. Moments after, at least twenty different blades were summoned, all faced towards the thieves.
"Dance my blades!" she shouted, and with that, they spend towards the now running men at the speed of light.
"Don't know Fairy Tail?" Natsu asked, both of his fists now glowing with flames. "As I said, I'll make it so you never forget. Fire Dragon's Iron fist!"
And…during all this, what was Hikari doing?
"Ne….you guys are taking all the fun…"
"At least we're doing something!" Natsu yelled.
"Which means you don't need me, right?" Hikari asked, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the wall. "It looks like you've got a handle on things."
"You're pissing me off!" he said back. "Lucy! Watch out!"
One of the thieves when to shoot magic at Lucy, but Natsu managed to knock her out of the way, Lucy landing right beside Hikari.
"One almost got you there." Hikari told her.
"Hikari!" she said, a little angered. "Why aren't you doing anything?"
"They seem to have in under control." She shrugged.
"But you should still help anyways!"
"Why?"
"Because you are part of this guild! I don't know what your problem is and I don't know why you seem not to care, but the moment you joined, we became friends! We became family, and family always backs each other up! And you might not like us, but regardless of that, we would still protect you anyways. You should do the same!"
Hikari simply raised a brow at these words. That was the second time she heard the whole speech about family. What was with them? Just because she joined didn't mean she was part of some family. That was ridiculous. No one was that accepting so quickly. Looking away from Lucy and back at the fight, she finally got the urge to join, but…
"Oh look…" Hikari stated. "You guys did it."
"No thanks to you!" Natsu shouted. "This was the stupid job you wanted to take in the first place and you didn't even fight."
"Not my fault you took away all my fun, flame boy." She said back.
Natsu was about to yell again, but before he could, another figure dressed in a long red jacket came jumping down from the ceiling.
"Well done, Fairy Tail." He spoke, his dark eyes cast down upon them. "It seems you have beaten my crew…not surprising…they aren't very strong. You will not leave alive, however, for you may have beaten them, but you cannot defeat me!"
"If you're their leader, you're probably just as weak as them!" Natsu shouted.
"You think?" he asked, conjuring some flames in his hands. "You underestimate my power. "
"He's a fire mage." Lucy said.
"That's right, little girl." He replied. "And the greatest fire mage around. My fire is even stronger than yours…Salamander."
"Like hell it is!" Natsu spat. "I'll eat your flames!"
"Fool…" he said back. "You know nothing of my strength. Your flames are nothing compared to-"
"You know…for someone who is this great villain, you talk a lot."
The fire mage's gaze shot to Hikari, who was still leaning against the wall.
"The smart move would be less talking, more fighting. You're just killing time."
"Shut it brat!" he snapped. "What do you know about fighting? You're just a little girl."
"Clearly more than you." She replied, walking forward. "For you are still standing there talking. You really mustn't be all that great."
"Hikari! Stay back!" Erza shouted, running in her direction, but before she could get there, she felt a hand grab her shoulder.
"Gray!"
"Wait…" he told her, his eyes furrowed as he watched the little girl. "I can feel it again…that strong magic…"
"People like you are really annoying." Hikari told the man. "You almost seem too worthless to fight."
"Why you-"
"And you still talk…"
"How about I burn off your tongue?" he asked angrily. "That will teach you not to speak to those who can kill you in half a second! But I am not feeling that generous today, so death it is….fire bomb!"
Before anyone could really react, a large ball of fire shot towards Hikari, hitting her head on and making yet another hole in the wall not far behind her.
"Hikari!" Erza shouted.
"Children." The mage said with an evil laugh. "So disrespectful to their elders. This will shut her up for good."
"Hikari!" All four ran over to where she had been standing, all in a panic, but before more could be said, the flames surrounding the area suddenly…disappeared?
"Wait…what's going on…" Lucy asked. "Is she…the flames!"
Right before their eyes, Hikari was sucking the flames into her body, letting out a little burp once she had finished.
"How delicious…"
"What…" Gray asked. "How did you…"
"Ne…and here I thought these guys took all of my fun. Guess I have you to play with…can't let all of this extra energy go to waste after all…"
"She just…ate the flames…like Natsu does…" Lucy stuttered out.
"That must be the power I've been feeling…" Gray said, just as shocked. "She's a…but she can't be…"
"She can't eat the flames!" Natsu whined. "That's my thing!"
"And that's all you are concerned about?" Lucy asked. "And…and look…her body is covered in flames…completely. Is it possible that she's really a…a…"
Erza froze as she watched. She as well could not believe what was going on before her.
"Hikari…" she said softly.
Walking over to a nearby large pipe connected to the wall, Hikari placed both of her hands on top of it before continuing to speak.
"I never understood people like you." She told the fire mage. "Full of talk, but never really as powerful as they say. Such a waste of a fight you'll be…but…since it seems I have to…"
The pipe she had been touching, which was as big as her, then began to melt, bits dripping onto the ground. When it was melted through, she picked it up and swung it over her shoulder before locking gazes with the enemy, a smirk on her face.
"Ready to play?"
"What?!" He asked, also full of shock. "You little…I will not lose to a-"
"Too late!" And with that, she ran towards him, quickly swinging the pipe and knocking him down, but she didn't stop there. She kept knocking him around like he was some rag doll.
"Her speed…" Erza said softly. "She's so fast…and her power…"
Eventually, Hikari did throw the pipe down, but only to do her final move.
"This should teach you to mess with the wrong people….Fire Dragon's Roar!"
After taking a deep breath, a massive amount of fire shot out of Hikari's mouth, hitting the other and completely knocking him out.
"That's my move, too!" Natsu shouted.
"Seriously, Natsu…" Lucy asked, rubbing her head.
When she was finished, she stopped and looked around at the fallen thieves, simply coking a brow.
"Wow…you guys seemed just too easy. Might want to think about how weak you are before stealing again…"
"Hikari!"
The other began running in her direction, Happy flying and getting their first.
"Hikari-chan!" Happy shouted, flying towards her. "You're a….ow ow ow ow! Hot!"
Half way there, Happy ended up having to stop, flying right back to Natsu after he did.
"It's too hot to be near her!"
"Too hot?" Gray asked, holding out his hand to the girl. "How is it…ah!"
He pulled his hand back, rubbing it a little. "We can hardly get near you."
"Well duh…" she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Can you not see my whole body surrounded by flames?"
"But we've been near Natsu when his flames have been out and it never got that hot." Lucy said back.
"Her flames can't be hotter than mine!" Natsu whined.
"Hikari…" Lucy said softly. "You're…a…dragon slayer?"
The young girl let out a sigh, a little frustrated this conversation was happening now.
"I was really hoping it would be awhile before people saw this, but…whatever. Yes. I'm a dragon slayer."
"But from who?" Natsu asked. "Fire is your element, but Igneel was my Father. He didn't have anyone else."
"Atlas Flame."
Everyone turned and looked towards Erza, who still did not take her sight of the child.
"Atlas Flame?" Gray asked.
"He's another fire dragon." Erza replied. "But what makes him different from Igneel is that his whole body is made of flames, so it almost looks like a skeleton made of fire. Anyone who touches that flame will get severely burned. They say the heat is equivalent to the fires of hell."
Hikari merely smirked at this explanation.
"Clever you are." She told her. "Yes. Atlas Flame is my Father. He taught me everything I know before disappearing. In being his child, you won't be able to come near me with my flames up for they are as hot as his. Oh, I also learned from him that he and Igneel were good friends, and about your existence, Natsu. I'm surprised you didn't really catch on to my magic."
"I thought the smell seemed similar, but I just couldn't place it." He told her. "Atlas Flame…"
Finally letting her flames down, Hikari let out a sigh and turned away.
"Whatever, now you know. I'll be leaving now."
"Wait!" Lucy asked. "Where are you going?"
"Back to the guild." Hikari replied. "Master only said you had to be with me during a job. Doesn't mean I need to walk home with you. I really don't feel like it."
"But-"
"Later."
And with that, she walked out.
"Another dragon slayer…" Lucy said softly. "Another fire one at that. I didn't see that coming."
"Things should really be interesting now." Said Gray. "Wait till the Master finds out."
"But I can still kick her ass!" Natsu spewed. "This doesn't change anything!"
"I would hate to see those two in a fight…" Lucy said meekly. "They would probably set the whole guild on fire…Erza?"
Erza, who was now back in her normal armor, had her eyes glued to where Hikari was previously standing.
"Erza, are you ok?" Lucy asked.
Erza still didn't answer, her mind deep in thought. When she did finally speak…
"Can you guys get home without me?"
"What?" Gray asked.
"Just answer. Can you get home without me?"
Gray simply cocked his eyebrow.
"Why?"
"So annoying…"
Remembering the way home, and wanting to stay away from the others, Hikari had set off on her own. She was not happy that she had to reveal herself. She was planning on keeping that quiet for as long as she could, but thanks to the Master forcing her to team with others for now, that secret didn't last.
"Atlas…"
She was only three when she had met him. After events she did not wish to remember, he had taken her under his wing, treated her as his own, and trained her, teaching her how to read, write, and even fight at a young age. He was her only family, for the blood relatives that were in charge of her at the time…
"Yuki…"
Guilt racked at her at the thought of her dearest friend. She knew what she had done was for the good, but…
"Hikari-chan…you have to leave…"
"No! I'm not leaving you behind!"
"You have to."
"I won't!"
"Hikari-chan…they won't hurt me…but they will hurt you."
"Who cares! Let them! I'm not leaving you!"
"Please…"
"Then come with me! I'll take care of you."
"I'm sick, Hikari-chan. My body won't handle it. You're strong. You have magic."
"But-"
"You can't stay…for me…Hikari…."
"Yuki-chan…"
"Please…"
"…I will come back for you. I will come back, and I will save you from your Mother. I will save you from this town….Yuki-chan…I'll…"
"Hikari!"
The younger girl snapped from her thoughts, stopping in her tracks and turning to the voice behind her, her eyes widening a little when she saw who it was.
"Erza?"
"Hikari…." When the woman had finally caught up, she stopped right beside the child. "Hikari…I'm coming home with you."
Hikari peered behind her. Did she really just run all this way to do so?
"Are you stupid?" she asked. "I said I wanted to be on my own."
"I'm walking with you."
"What about the reward?"
"The rest are collecting it and bringing it back."
"And your cart?"
"Gray is taking it."
"Well, regardless, I said-"
"I'm walking with you."
The two were silent for a moment, a dead serious gaze in the woman's eyes. What was she playing at? Hikari wanted to argue it more, but had a feeling that no matter what she said or how fast she ran, Erza would still follow. So instead, she just turned around and continued on.
"Suit yourself. It's a waste of time when you can just be with your friends. I have no interest in talking to you."
"Understood." The woman replied, walking beside her.
"Understood?" Hikari asked herself. "She's going to follow anyways? Why isn't she with them? Why does she want to follow me? It doesn't make sense. She knows now that I can handle my own…so why…"
Stopping in her tracks again, she stared up at the other, her normally neutral expression around everyone now hinting a bit of anger.
"What are you playing at? You helped me yesterday, and you were the first to offer to help on the job. Why all the helping? What, do you think all this being nice is going to get me to talk more or something? That with the warmth you get me to feel, I will magically become some happy, friendly person? That I'll want to be around everyone and be friends? Are you seriously that stupid? I have no interest in friends or this family the Master and Lucy spoke about. I'm here to get stronger. I don't need you or anyone and can do things myself, so just quit while you are ahead. Understand?"
"I do." Erza replied.
"Good, then go away."
"I understand what you are saying, but I am still walking home with you."
"What? Why? Why do you try to help me? Why aren't you going back with your friends? Why are you staying?"
She just didn't understand it. Everyone in the past always left her alone, and over time, she preferred it that way. When she left her town, there were people here and there who tried being nice, but she would always cast them away and it would work. Why wasn't it working now?
"Why?"
Reaching out, Erza placed her hand on Hikari's shoulder, gently squeezing it before speaking out two simple words.
"Why not?"
At this, Hikari's heart clenched. Her heart didn't just tremble slightly like it had before around Erza, but shook, a funny little burn now swimming in her chest. What was this? Why…not? There were a millions reason to not be with her, but…Erza clearly was not going anywhere. She was going to stay by Hikari's side. She would not be alone.
She watched as the woman walked ahead of her a bit, still confused as her heart danced around with the little spark in her chest that ignited.
"I don't get it…I just don't…get it…"
Seeing that the child wasn't beside her yet, she turned back to face her, still flashing that comforting smile.
"Oh...another thing…it's good to know I can get you to feel warmth."
Hikari's eyes widened at this, her mind now remembering what had been said.
"Oh no…I did say those words…didn't I?"
"….Baka!"
Embarrassed, a very red faced Hikari ran and caught up with the other shooting her a death glare before walking ahead a bit.
"I don't know what you're talking about! You heard wrong!"
Erza had to giggle at this, which left the little girl blushing even more. She would never just freely admit to that statement. Though she stupidly said it before, she would make sure to not say it again and she would work harder to stay away from her in the future, but…somewhere deep down inside of her…she had a feeling that no matter how much she ran, she'd never escape Erza's warmth.