SEARCH PARTY
BREATHING HEAVILY, Natsu's eyes peered over the table, ready and apprehensive. Gray scoffed and looked away from a blue-haired girl beside him, her lustful gaze irritating him. With his safety assured, the Salamander sat on his chair, chucking chilli peppers in his mouth.
"Who're you hiding from, Natsu?" Happy sat on the table.
"Erza." He swallowed. "Man, she hasn't been here for the past two days and I'm still freakin' over her punishment."
"Sounds like BDSM to me." Lucy sipped her coffee.
"Said the girl carrying the whip." Natsu munched.
"Why does everyone assume that!?"
"Maybe you should change the weapon." Gray shrugged. "Try handcuffs or a neck brace."
"I think that'd make things worse." Her eyes drooped.
"Is that the kind of girl you'd like, Gray?" The blue-haired girl smiled eagerly. "I can be whatever you want!"
"Geez, Juvia, ease up!" He shuddered. "Man, only freaks like Lucy and her spirits like that crap."
"Hey!" Lucy growled.
"That explains all the giggling I hear in your room at night." Happy smirked.
"You were eavesdropping!?" Her face reddened in anger.
"Huh, thought you'd say there wasn't any giggling in the first place." Juvia shrugged.
"Yeah, what happens there, anyway?" Natsu's brow curved. "The way it sounds, it's like a man's laughing there too."
"Does my laugh sound that bad?" Lucy winced.
"Maybe I should explain why I'm wearing earmuffs in the summer." Juvia's eyes drooped.
"Oh, shut up!" Lucy frowned.
"Hey, so how's Loke doing?" Levy sipped her coffee.
Lucy sighed, lowering her head. "He insisted that I send him back." Her brows stitched. "I didn't want him to return to that place just to suffer, but he said that he'd be fine with the Celestial King protecting them."
"So, is the age changing thing affecting him too?"
"Well, he's an energy construct, so it'd take millions of years before he'd destabilize. Loke said that he's looking for a way out of the dimension, so they'll just have to endure it."
"I'm sure it was hard on you."
"Yeah." Lucy sighed. "I just hope they don't end up dying."
Natsu ate more chilli peppers. "Think it's got something to do with the streak in the sky?"
"Not sure." Lucy stroked her chin. "Maybe –,"
He jumped up and spat fire at the ceiling. "Yeah! I'm all fired up now!"
"What're you doing?!" Lucy jerked back.
"I ate all that chilli to heat up my fire and it worked!" He jumped on the table. "Ooh yeah!"
"Get off the table, you idiot!" Gray frowned.
Natsu ran around, spraying fire around when the door burst open, making everyone jerk back as footsteps echoed through the hall. Erza walked up to him, frowning deeply and making him back away. She pointed at the floor in front of her and he moved toward her with a stoop, avoiding eye contact.
"Hey, Erza." He groaned.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you." She folded her arms.
"Heh, heh, could we just bury the hatchet?" He grinned uneasily. "C'mon, all I did was miss; was it that bad?"
"I've been thinking about a suitable punishment for the past two days and I came to my conclusion."
"Two straight days?" Droy leaned toward Jet. "Man, he's in for it now."
"And what conclusion is that?" Natsu raised his head.
"I came up with nothing."
"What?"
"Yeah, I kept thinking, but … I kept getting … distracted." Her eyes roamed. "So …" She kicked him in the gut. "I'll just do that."
He groaned as he bent over. "You're gonna kick me?"
"Yes, repeatedly till I get bored." She walked toward the bar.
"C'mon, that's just cruel."
"No, it's not."
"Guess she's the one who's into BDSM." Happy chuckled.
"I heard that!"
"Sorry!" Happy jumped under the table.
With a throaty sigh, Erza moved past the bar and took a paper from the billboard, stepping up to the centre of the room. With eyes studying its occupants, she read the ad with a slight frown and cleared her throat.
"Listen up!" She drew their attention. "Word's come that a mysterious wealthy man's hiring different guilds for missions and unlike others before, there is no limit to the number of guilds or guild members that can participate."
"Whoa, that sounds cool!" A grin lit up Natsu's wide-eyed expression.
"What's the mission?" Lucy's brows stitched.
"It's a massive treasure hunt and ads went out three days ago, so many guilds have taken up the challenge already." She squinted at the text. "The objective is to obtain different pieces of an artefact via magic trackers and return them to the client. The guild that collects them all receives the grand prize of a twenty million Jewel."
"Twenty million?" Lucy's mouth fell agape.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Gray stood up.
"I could clear out restaurants with that cash!" Natsu laughed.
"Don't you already?" The obese Droy's frowned as he munched on a large turkey leg.
Mirajane looked around the room and winced. "Mmm, I don't think we should celebrate just yet." She wiped a glass. "I mean, there's gotta be some catch or something, plus several battles would erupt cuz guilds are battling for the artefacts."
"Yeah, what's the catch?" Lucy crossed her arms. "How's it that all guilds and guild members are welcome? Sounds a little shady to me."
"Well, the only notable detail, other than a disclaimer stating that they're not responsible for any deaths or injury resultant to the quest, the ad states that the missions are SS class and the islands are riddled with deadly monsters." Erza folded up the paper.
"What the hell!" Laki jerked back.
"You want us to go on SS class missions?" Gajeel frowned.
"That's completely reckless!" Carla's face hardened.
"Whoa, that's so awesome! Yeah, I'm fired up n –," Natsu's arms shot up then he balled up and moaned. "Dammit, I haven't eating for the past five minutes."
"Erza, you've gotta be joking." Lucy's brows furrowed. "You can't honestly think we can handle SS class missions when only four of us are S class wizards and two of 'em are absent, including Gildarts who's the only one qualified for them."
"That's exactly what I'm thinking." Erza tapped her chin. "You're a mind reader, aren't you?"
"What the hell!?" Gray frowned. "You wanna get us killed?!"
"I want you to shape up and improve." Erza pocketed the paper. "We can only move forward if we work as a team. We're the Fairy Tail guild; nothing can stop us."
"Not if Hiro Mashima's not behind the wheel." Natsu shuddered.
"Natsu, I'd expect more enthusiasm from you."
"Not when I'm low on food like this." He shivered. "I'm dying."
"Yeah, I don't think the power of friendship's on our side this time, especially with these writers." Max rubbed the back of his neck.
"Judging from their previous works, we're so dead." Warren shook his head.
"Come on, have more pride in the strength of our guild." Erza beamed. "We've got two S Class wizards –,"
"Actually, I can't help 'cuz I'll be checking in on the Master." Mirajane smiled uneasily. "Sorry."
"Well, you have one S Class wizard on your side and the whole guild going on this mission." Erza placed her fists on her hips. "We'll succeed, I assure you."
"Yeah, come on, guys!" Natsu jumped up. "We can s-ss-…" He passed out.
Erza looked at him, seeing him stare at the ceiling in a daze. "Anyway." She sighed. "We'll be moving out in four hours, so pack light and carry the essentials; nothing that'd bulk up your luggage and make sure you carry anything that can aid you in battle." She lifted Natsu, shouldering him. "I'll be back." She left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Gray frowned and sat at his chair, beside Juvia who stared at him dreamily. "You think we can skip out on this mission? I know we're strong and all, but this's ridiculous, even for twenty million Jewel."
"Well, you've gotta to take it up with Laxus." Juvia's eyes drooped and Gray groaned.
SEAGULLS LITTERED the skies, widening her smile as the clicking of dolphins and the crashing waves met her ears. With a drawn-out sigh, Wendy leaned on the guardrail of the Fairy Tail guild's massive sail ship, enjoying the view of the oceans as she basked in the sun.
"Ah, I love the sea." She grinned. "Don't you, Carla?"
"It's relaxing." Carla sat on the railing. "At least it's not scorching hot like it was during the S Class trials."
"Please, don't remind me about that." The girl winced. "I hated being enemies with my friends even if it was a contest."
"And now I wish I didn't, because I'm now reminded of Natsu's idiotic –," He ran up nearby and puked into the waters below. "… Motion sickness." She sighed.
"Ugh." Natsu shuddered. "Why does God hate me?"
"No, He doesn't." Wendy patted his shoulder.
"Why can't you just cast that miracle spell on me so I won't throw up the whole time?" He struggled to turn to her.
"Well, it's effect's been wearing off each time I've used it." She laughed uneasily. "Guess you're immune."
He vomited again, shivering as he pulled back and wiped his mouth. "I don't understand this though; if you're a Dragon Slayer, how come you don't have motion sickness?"
"Hmm, that is a good question." Carla crossed her arms.
"I don't know." Wendy smiled unsurely. "I've just never experienced it."
"Even Rogue and Sting are affected by it, so what makes you so special?" He frowned at her, though his eyes fixed behind her.
"I don't know." Wendy shrugged.
"That's unfair." He passed out.
"Natsu?" Wendy knelt beside him.
With a huff, Lucy stared at her Gate Keys splayed over the table. They were ten Gold and four Silver; her fourteen Celestial Spirits, all of whom were suffering constant erratic growth in a desolate dimension. Sifting her mind, she wondered what she'd do next. Would she summon each one of them to find out what was going on? Maybe Crux would be helpful, but it was clear that they were all at a loss.
Shaken from her thoughts, Lucy raised her head to see Levy seated across from her, a warm smile adorning her. Pocketing the keys, the blonde sighed as the blue-haired mage slid a glass of juice to her.
"Thanks, Levy." Lucy received it.
"Figure anything out yet?"
"Nothing." She sighed. "I thought of contacting Yukino, but I had no time to." She took a sip. "I just hope she's on the island."
"You think she'd have the same issue?" Levy's brows stitched.
"There's no other conclusion to make." She shrugged. "It just hurts me imaging the pain they're enduring while I'm out here doing nothing."
"Try thinking about something else." She placed her hand on hers. "It's not your fault and the Celestial King will protect them. For your own health, focus on finding a solution rather than worrying; it'll be alright."
"Thanks." Lucy sighed.
"We've arrived!" Erza pointed forward from the captain's deck, spinning the wheel.
Lucy turned to her, raising her brow "Uh, Erza, isn't the ship steered by Lacrima?"
"Yes, it is." Erza spun the wheel repeatedly.
"Then why're you …"
"I can't take it anymore!" Natsu jumped overboard. "Geronimo!"
"Wait, Natsu!" Happy ran after him.
A splash met their ears, bringing a frown to Gray's face. "Natsu, you can't swim!"
"Really?" Natsu gurgled and his voice deadened out of earshot.
"Nah, just kidding." Gray chuckled then frowned when no response came. "… Natsu?"
"Huh, he actually drowned." Happy shrugged.
"Aren't you gonna help him!?" Lucy ran up to the guardrail.
Spitting into a bucket, Erza hummed to herself as she spun the wheel of the ship, enjoying the pointless action. She whistled the Mickey Mouse tune as an island drew closer on the horizon, adjusting her captain's hat.
STEEL CLANGED as people nailed their tents down in a large open area encircled by forests and mountains in the distance. Several Guild flags waved up high; littered around as wizards were in a frenzy, setting up camp. Putting her suitcase down, Lucy smiled as she gained confidence in the outcome of their mission.
"What was I afraid of? This'll be a piece of cake." She placed a hand on her hip.
Dragging a washed up, unconscious Natsu behind her, Erza frowned as she lugged him along. "How is it that you literally forgot him in the ocean?"
"You mean you swam after that numbskull?" Gray leaned against the men's tent, across from theirs.
"We need our entire fighting force if we hope to win the quest." She left Natsu lying in front of their tent and entered it.
Squatting beside the pink-haired mage, Lucy shook him. "Natsu? Natsu, are you okay?"
"Ha! What?!" He shot up, arms flailing. He looked around and unknowingly cupped her breast.
"Perv!" She slapped him.
"As Laxus said; 'lucky punk'." Gray entered the men's tent.
Juvia walked past Lucy, glaring at her. "I'm watching you." Her eyes narrowed as she followed him into the tent.
"Hey, what're you doing here!?" Gray's voice came.
"We need to stick together, my beloved!"
Shaking her head, Lucy walked away from Natsu who rose to his feet, entering the opposite tent where Erza sat near her sleeping bag, clad in a sleeping gown. "Hey, Erza, what is it?" She walked up to her.
"Nothing." She leaned back. "I just wanted to ask why there's so much giggling in your apartment at night."
"I was reading a novel!"
"What kind of novel?" Erza's brow curved.
Lucy groaned. "Why do you people keep stalking me?"
A loud screeching sound came, that of a loud speaker adjusting, drawing the attention of the girls in the tent. Stepping out of it, Lucy and the people on the campsite looked up at the sky, seeing a large blimp descending toward them. A rope ladder rolled out of it and a man climbed down, a microphone in hand.
"Let me clarify, that was an accident on my part." The man cleared his throat. "I am Mr Fringe and I'm glad to see the contestants are here. Welcome to Sea Crest Island and let me clarify that this'll be the first of many missions on different islands across Fiore." He studied the guild members present. "I assume you have already read the ads placed in your guild halls, so you already know the details. Whoever can collect all six artefacts and take them to the location that'll appear on your trackers after completing the quest will win the grand prize of twenty million Jewel."
"What's so important about these artefacts that they're worth a twenty million Jewel to our client?" A silver-haired man, member of the Lamia Scale guild, Lyon, stepped forward. "Not saying the prize should be changed, I'm just curious as to what we're actually collecting for our anonymous client. I assume you aren't him, are you?"
"You're right, I'm just his employee, but let me clarify that he didn't disclose the reasons for his actions to anyone, including myself." Mr Fringe frowned slightly. "Let me clarify as well that the artefacts must remain intact and should not come in contact with water. The contest will take a maximum of one month and whoever can deliver the artefacts in its first half will receive an extra bonus. Let me also clarify, as aforementioned, that we take no responsibility for injuries or deaths resultant of the missions; you all came at your own risk."
Small boxes descended via parachute toward each guild camping ground. "Each box has a tracker capable of picking up the faint magical energy signature of the artefacts. Let me clarify that each guild will receive five each, offering the opportunity to split up into teams to begin your search. There're no rules, other than the aforementioned, so heed this warning; keep you guard up. There's no way to be disqualified, so if one guild steals from another, then too bad." Murmurs spread. "In fact, stealing trackers from other guilds gives you an advantage; the guild with the highest number of trackers can have a greater chance in locating the artefacts. As for murder, that can be reported to the police, but the client is not responsible for anything that transpires during the missions, especially being eaten by monsters." He sifted people's discomfited expressions. "Well, that was depressing." He chuckled. "Anyway, good luck to you all!" He climbed on the ladder as it was reeled up.
People dispersed as the blimp ascended, returning to their camps as Lucy walked around. Seeing the Sabertooth guild's tents across the area, she ran toward it happily, seeing Yukino, a silver-haired girl, standing outside one of them. Making eye contact, the girls beamed as they embraced each other excitedly.
"Lucy, how are you?" Yukino pulled back.
"Thank God you're here; I've been meaning to talk to you." Lucy stepped back.
Yukino's brows stitched as she sighed. "It's happened to you too, huh?"
"Your spirits ages are changing too?"
"Yes." She huffed. "It seems it's affecting their power as well, cuz they sometimes come unconscious. It was horrifying when Libra came in a near-foetal state in the middle of a mission and I panicked. Luckily she was forced back, or she'd have been in serious trouble."
"Leo, well Loke anyway, said that the spirits ages kept on changing." Lucy frowned.
"After what I saw, I'm certain that they're not spirits."
"So … what are they then? They come from a different dimension, they're very powerful –,"
"But spirits aren't born." Yukino looked down. "They're not supposed to grow either; they just exist and are immortal. The Celestial Spirits aren't really spirits."
"Then how can they all have bought into a lie for centuries?" Lucy's brow curved. "Many wizards, long before we were born, had contracts with them. I've been with Aquarius since childhood and she's never changed. Even in old photos when she was with my mum, she looked the same."
"Well, then they're different beings altogether." Yukino shook her head. "It's a lot to take in and I can't even believe what am I saying, but they're not spirits."
"Then what are they? How do they age?" Lucy frowned.
Fingering her key chain, Lucy thought hard, the question ringing in her mind. The pattering of feet met their ears and they turned to see other wizards approach them. They were Lyon, Sir Ichiya, a fiery haired dwarf from Blue Pegasus and the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth, the blonde-haired Sting and the raven-haired Rogue.
"Welcome, young ladies to the grandest of missions yet seen in Fiore." Sir Ichiya smiled, pointing to his right.
"I assume your entire guild's here." Lyon turned to Lucy.
"Yeah, they're setting up camp." She pointed to her right.
"The parfum of competition is everywhere." Sir Ichiya breathed in deeply. "Quite a lovely fragrance, though I shall not let our previous intercourses impede my sportsmanship, Miss Lucy." He pointed to his left. "The Blue Pegasus guild won't hold back on Fairy Tail." He turned to his left, shifting into a pose. "Man."
"I think you could've used another word." Lucy winced.
"I wonder what you're doing here anyway." Rogue growled at Ichiya.
"Don't be like that, Rogue; we're friends with them, aren't we?" Sting placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Not in this contest!" Natsu's voice came.
"Hey, Natsu, it's been a long time." Lyon smiled.
"Yeah, I'm fired up now!" He raised his fists, flames bursting out of them. "Let's do this! I'm gonna fight the whole lotta ya right now!"
"Aren't we supposed to be looking for the artefacts, not fighting?" Lucy raised her hands.
"Doesn't mean it won't happen soon enough, so why wait?" Natsu cracked his knuckles. "What do say, huh, Sting?"
"Bring it on!" White energy exuded from Sting's body.
Natsu moved to punch him when Gray grabbed his collar and dragged him along. "Hey, what're you doing, man!?"
"Erza wants us back at camp so she can assign the teams." Gray frowned.
"Can't ya see I'm in the middle a' somethin'?!"
"Well, that has to wait." Gray huffed. "That includes you, Lucy."
"Uh, okay." She turned to Yukino. "I'll see you later then."
"'Kay, Lucy." She nodded.
Ichiya pointed to his right with both hands, lifting his leg up. "Man."
DIFFERENT DOTS blinked on the Lacrima she held, bringing a smile to Erza's face. "This is excellent. With this, I can keep track of the different teams Fairy Tail has doing the search."
"Where'd you get that Lacrima anyway?" Lucy turned to her.
"From the Blue Pegasus guild; it uses Archive Magic to track wizards' magic signatures and I had it locked on our teammates."
"Don't you think our team's a little overdone?" Lucy's brow rose.
"There's no reason to change something that's worked." Erza pocketed the Lacrima. "Team Natsu's still Fairy Tail's strongest."
"Thought you'd change the name since you're Guild Master now." Gray looked at the forest that lined their path.
"I've grown used to it." Erza smiled and fished out a device designed like a smartphone. "Now, let's see if we can find an artefact before we set up camp."
"C'mon, you made us dismantle the first camp and now you wanna find it before we set up the one for our team? It's 6pm for crying out loud! Couldn't we just start tomorrow?" Lucy groaned.
"Now, there's no need for whining." Erza looked at the tracker. "The early bird catches the worm, y'know?"
"The bird has to sleep first." Lucy's eyes drooped.
"Come now, where's your motivation?" Erza turned to her. "Your spirit? Fairy Tail's split up into teams and the one that gets the most artefacts gets the biggest cut; don't you wanna prove ours' best?"
"Can't you just make it so you get the largest cut no matter what and have everyone else do the hard work?" Gray gestured.
"Yeah and why'd you decide to create teams with weak people? I mean, I love Cana n' all, but her, Jet, Droy, Romeo and Laki aren't a very powerful team." Lucy chuckled slightly.
"Would've been smarter to put one strong member in each team to even things up."
"It'll work, trust me." Erza smiled. "If things don't go well, I'll change things when we rendezvous."
"Where'd you put Wendy anyway?" Gray turned to her.
"She's with Gajeel, Juvia, Bisca and Alzack."
"That's a powerful team; pretty imbalanced." He folded his arms.
"At least Kinana's not here." Lucy shrugged.
"Yeah, if she was here, she'd end up hurt pretty bad." Gray huffed. "Lucky Nab was absent today, or he'd be here."
"You people don't have enthusiasm anymore." Erza turned to them. "Look at Natsu; he's pumped for our mission."
Natsu ran around in front of them, looking around the forest with Happy on his back; bringing a frown to Lucy's face. "I think he's more interested in monsters than the mission."
"Nonsense." Erza walked up to Natsu, draping her arm over his shoulder. "Come Natsu; let's show them what true enthusiasm is. What do you say? You and me, leading the Fairy Tail guild." She looked at the setting sun.
"Why him of all people? Couldn't have picked someone like me or Laxus?" Gray raised his brow.
"Guess she recognizes a person who's as crazy as she is." Happy smirked.
"You don't have the spirit, Gray." Erza placed her hand on her hip.
"And you think he does?" Gray pointed at Natsu who was sleeping while standing beside her.
"He just needs encouragement." She smiled and smacked him upside the head, knocking him out cold.
"Um, isn't that a lil much, Erza?" Lucy winced.
"There's no such thing." Erza walked onward. "Let's keep going!"
"You're gonna leave him behind?" Gray pointed at Natsu.
"Oh, his airhead will float him to our camp like a kite." Happy hovered above him.
"You're a really bad friend, you know that, Happy?" Lucy's eyes drooped.
"Says the girl who let him drown."
"Hey, I had new shoes on!"
"You were in a bikini." Gray folded his arms.
"They were still new."
"I was in a bikini too, how'd you not notice me?!" Juvia jumped out of the woods near Gray, shouldering a backpack.
"Whoa, Juvia, where'd you come from?" He backed up.
"You ditched your team?" Lucy raised her brow.
"Yes, and it seems I was right to." Juvia glared at her. "You were flaunting your boobs around my beloved Gray; you won't have him!"
"I wasn't doing anything." Lucy winced.
"C'mon, Juvi –," Gray frowned, turning to where Natsu was. "Hey, where'd Natsu go?"
A loud roar came from their right, grabbing their attention as they tensed up. Stepping up to the end of a cliff, Erza looked at valley below where Natsu was running toward a large monster. The creature stood on four legs, had a crocodilian snout, a red coat of fur with spikes littering its head and back, tapering to its large tail with a mace-like tip.
Lucy saw the battle, nodding as she pulled up her sleeves and balled up her fists, frowning determinedly. "Mmm-hmm." She walked away. "I'm going home."
"You're not backing out." Erza grabbed her arm.
"But I can't summon my Celestial Spirits!" She squirmed.
"That shouldn't snuff out your fighting spirit." Erza dragged her along and jumped off the cliff.
"But I don't have one!"
Tossing his bag aside, Gray held his arms at his side, a fist in a palm. "Ice Make: Lance!" He shot them forward.
Ice lances shot out before him, raining on the monster as it smacked Natsu onto a tree nearby. Avoiding the onslaught, the creature growled as electricity surged around its body and shot toward Gray and Juvia. Intercepting it, Erza deflected the attack with a large spear and landed before the monster. A bright light exuded from her, transforming her attire into golden, light blue armour.
Placing his hands on the ground, Gray forged an iceberg that grew out beneath the beast and encased it. Natsu flew up to the monster, his arms ablaze and punched the creature out of the structure, flinging it toward Erza who held her spear at the ready. Holding the weapon before her, she sent bolts of lightning at it, flinging it toward the cliff where Gray and Juvia were.
"Water Slicer!" Juvia swung her arm to the right, sending strips of water that smacked the beast, hurling it to Lucy.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" She ran out of the way, barely dodging the creature as it crashed. "I can't fight the thing, remember! No Spirits here!"
"Well, then come up with something!" Natsu ran toward the creature, blazing arms at his sides. "Or do you wanna fall back, huh?"
"This isn't a contest, y'know!"
"Actually, it is." Juvia flew past her with water swirling around her midsection.
"Alright, fine, you want me to fight?" She drew a whip from her belt and cracked it. "Here goes nothing." She struck the beast as it rose to its feet, angering it as it absorbed the electricity surging through the weapon.
"Fire Dragon, Iron –," Natsu lunged at the beast with a punch and it shot lightning at him with its tail, flinging him into the air.
"Hey, why'd ya power it up?" Gray ran past Lucy.
"I didn't know, okay?" She stepped back.
Erza swung her spear down, sending an arc of lightning at the monster and it absorbed it, growling as it turned to her. The beast sent the attack back, washing over her and sending her hurling into the woods, cleaving her through a tree and onto the ground. Shuddering, she struggled to her feet and leaned against a tree, shivering as blood trickled down her lip.
Wiping it, she transformed into another attire, a heavy plated golden armour with a large spear. Natsu jumped into the air and spat fire onto the monster, engulfing it in flames. The beast moved out of the way and sent lightning at him, nearly hitting him as he quickly dove to the ground.
Huffing, he got to his feet as he sized up the beast. "Man, how do you take down this thing?"
"Natsu!" Erza stepped out of the forest. "Remember what we did on Galuna Island?"
"What, the moon thing?" He turned to her.
"Yeah, let's try it on the monster and see if we can take it down before it attacks again." She ran toward him. "Gray –,"
"Already got the idea."
Juvia held her arms at her side and shot them forward, sending a torrent of water that wrapped around the monster, lifting it into the air. Placing his hands on the ground, Gray erected a large iceberg that encased the creature, freezing the whirlpool along with it. Erza held her spear over her shoulder, aiming it at the beast.
"Now, Natsu!"
Fires exploded from Natsu's elbow and fist as he ran up behind her, punching the back of the spear, propelling it as she threw it at the iceberg. Flames burst out of the sides of the blade as it shot through the air, piercing through the structure and the creature, skewering it and impaling it into the ground. Panting heavily, Erza transformed back into her initial attire and ran toward the creature.
"Did we get it?" Gray ran up beside her.
The others caught up to them as they looked at the beast, studying it to see if it was alive or not. It had a large hole in its chest, burrowing through its flesh and out of its spine, blood running profusely from the wound. Shaking her head, Erza walked away from the carcass and the others followed her, Lucy shuddering at the grotesque sight.
Gray frowned as he looked at Erza, seeing her look around uneasily. "Something wrong, Erza?"
"Something's bothering me." She turned to him. "That monster; it's one of the types I fought at the Grand Magic games."
"Really?" Gray raised his brow. "Well, it sure was tougher than 'em cuz you couldn't have taken it out easily on your own."
"Why'd such a creature be here?" Juvia turned to the carcass.
"This's probably the island they got the monsters from." Lucy shrugged. "No big deal, right?"
"Let's hope so." Erza walked on then stopped, looking around. "Where'd Natsu go?"
"He was just right –," Lucy turned around then groaned. "God dammit."
"We've gotta spread out and find him." Erza frowned.
"Or let him just sniff his way back to us." Gray folded his arms. "Not like he can't take care of himself and if he's in danger, he'd send Happy to tell us."
"Yeah, I'm pretty beat to go off looking for him again." Lucy stretched.
Erza sifted her thoughts then sighed. "Fine, let's keep moving."
HAVING SAID her goodnights, Lucy entered her tent, the crackling of the fire meeting her ears as she moved toward her sleeping bag. She glanced at Gray who stood on guard, wondering if they'd be attacked at night. Shrugging it off, she moved over to her suitcase, checking to ensure that it was properly locked.
She'd smuggled several books from the magic library under the guild hall to further her investigation. There had to be something she'd find out that'd uncover the mystery of the Celestial Spirits. Huffing, she got into her sleeping bag, assuring herself that Natsu was okay.
"WE SHOULD get back to the others, Natsu; it isn't safe." Happy soared over him. "What'll happen if we get lost?"
"My nose will guide us." Natsu pushed aside large leaves that obscured their path.
"But won't our friends need us?"
Natsu stopped, frowning as he thought hard. Shaking his head, he continued on. "They'll be fine with Erza protecting them; I need to do this, Happy."
"Hmm, okay." Happy looked around.
"Now, let's just –," Natsu screamed as he fell into a hole.
"Natsu!"
Natsu plummeted down a deep hole, his body grazing against the rocks around him as he descended. Landing with a thud, he rubbed his head as he looked around the dark space, raising his head to see Happy fly down to him. He grunted as he tried to stand, leaning against a rock when he stepped on something metal.
"Natsu, are you okay?" Happy hovered before him.
"Yeah, just a lil bruised." He bent over and picked up the object.
"What's that?"
"I dunno." In his hand lay a large triangular piece of gold, its base rounded and thick, its body littered with hieroglyphics.
Response to Reviewer:
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