Chapter 3
Story name; The Fairy's Jinchuriki.
Summary: "The boy who eats fire." She murmured. Eventual Lucy/Erza paring. Lucy is the nine tails Jinchuriki.
Disclaimer; I own nothing. This is written for my own amusement.
A/N; So this is a fairly large chapter, enjoy!"
It was all so surreal.
Looking back on the last few days Lucy could hardly believe it. They were all amazing, hell; they thought 'she' was amazing. By showing some semblance of her overwhelming power, Fairy Tail had flocked to her. It was a new feeling, to have others react such a way.
She found she'd not anticipated such a smooth transition.
She was so frightened at her outburst of strength it took all she had not to bolt, run like she always did and beg for forgiveness. Even having tossed the white haired Mage clear across the room, Elfman had merely laughed it off, spouting off some nonsensical yammering of manliness.
Frozen by shock it was all she could do to force a hesitant smile.
None, not a single one of them had been the slightest bit upset, if anything; having contributed to the brawl somehow segmented her into them. They flooded her with questions. What is your magic, name, where she came from?
She didn't like questions like that.
It was all too much. Thankfully, sensing her rather pensive behavior to their attention Cana had stolen her away. The bar stool brunette who she had just met, was surprisingly a wonderful person.
Talking adamantly, she just babbled on, this and that about their guild. Dragging her over to the woman's ever present bar stool. They talked for what seemed forever, Lucy actually found herself laughing along to the other woman's stories of a certain Dragon Slayer as a child.
Speaking of whom, curious eyes scanned the quickly waning guild for the pink haired teen. She found him sullenly looking over a large board, Lucy was informed was the mission posting.
The mission desk or board was the place the guild put up all available mission requests. All screened and approved missions were placed there, of course there were a few exceptions. Lucy had learned the Master and MiraJane were the ones to personally examine the missions determining if Fairy Tail would actually post them or if they were worthy of S-class.
It had been a bit of a shock to learn the kind, sweet bar maid was such an important figure head in the guild, Cana had also informed her she was one of the strongest. S-class in rank, figuring the woman freely passed the closed off upper reaches of the guild. She'd never read anything to assume Mira was a powerful Mage.
It gave the smiling white haired woman far more respect in Lucy's opinion.
Curious at the odd place Natsu had chosen to sulk, the blonde couldn't resist walking over to him. Giving Cana a small hug of gratitude (which the brass woman whole heartily returned) and a promise to speak later, Lucy quickly made her way to him.
Her foot steps were quiet, stride long with purpose. A feeling of playfulness taking hold, the agile girl grinning to herself. As the boy reluctantly looked over the various documents scattered across the wide board he looked defeat, his attention occupied.
Casually leaning an arm across the post, Lucy was poised like a fox, silently stalking just off the boy's shoulder. With a silent 'shhh' mouthed out she quieted the cats greeting.
Natsu grumbled to himself back and forth, his frustration becoming evident. "There's never anything good on this piece of-"
"Gwahhh!"
Finally having noticed her, the boy jumped seeing her hovering over him. His face painted a scarlet red before bolting backwards right over the mission board flipping backwards.
She couldn't help but laugh despite knowing the boy had just taken a perverted glance down her shirt. It hadn't been her plan but his face was just too funny. Her laughter echoed across the guild her side even stitching. Curious glances eyed the two of them but she hardly cared.
Leaning over, Lucy peered down at the grumbling boy through her disheveled locks, allowing them to flow down across her face. "Pervert." She teased.
Natsu sputtered. His face took another shade of deep red.
A noise echoed across the guild. Curious, Lucy turned to see a small black haired boy walking in. His cheeks red, fist clinched; he marched right up to the master.
"How come my dad hasn't come back yet?"
Drinking from a large mug the master stilled his drink, eyes peering over to the boy. "Your starting to work my nerves kid." He grumbled taking another sip before sighing. "Look, your father is a very accomplished wizard. Have faith, he'll be fine."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Natsu rise, suddenly interested.
"But sir. . . He said he would be back in three days. It's been over a week now!"
The master raised an eyebrow. "If I recall correctly, your father took the job on Mt. Hakobe isn't that right?"
"Yeah, that's not even that far away! Why won't anyone go and check on him?
"Now listen up!" The master bellowed. "Your old man is a wizard kid. And like any other wizard he can take care of himself. Now go home, have some milk and cookies and wait-"
The child Romeo punched him. It was so slow, a blow that a Wizard Saint never should have allowed to happen. He was allowing him to vent, she realized. Even as the boy stormed out of the guild hall the Master remained where he was, his old tired eyes looking up to the ceiling.
Blue eyes looked over in surprise to see Natsu smash a fist through the request board.
"Natsu?" She questioned only to have him storm out following Romeo.
"When is that kid ever going to grow up?" Someone muttered.
Another tall tanned man with a skull necklace shook his head. "You know how he can get. Probably going to mount Hakobe to rescue Macoa himself."
"Remember Nabb, we can't choice another's path. We-"
Lucy wasn't listening anymore, the Master's voice trailing off. She was already moving at a slight run to catch up to the boy. Not bothering to hide her presence, Natsu noticed her.
"What are you doing?" He asked not unkindly. Looking over his shoulder he was genuinely curious as he eyed her.
Shrugging she kept her stride alongside his own. Arms folded cleanly behind her back, head looking away she looked as if her being there was nothing but a coincidence. "Can't I take a walk?"
"You're following me." He drawled.
"Not exactly." She countered.
"You kinda are." He narrowed his eyes. "Where are you walking too?"
She seemed to consider his question for a moment. Fingers gliding across her pursed lips, head tilting in thought. "Thought I might walk this way for a bit, maybe take a train ride."
"And then?"
"Might take a hike." She pondered aloud. "I hear mount Hakobe is nice this time of year." She pointedly ignored his muttered, 'and cold'.
The Dragon Slayer sighed loudly even as his feline companion was snickering perched across his shoulder. He turned to her, eyes serious, "Could be dangerous, monsters running around even."
"There is that." She agreed. "I guess it's a good thing you'll be there hm? Dragons eat monsters isn't that right?" She smirked at him.
His stride quickening toward the train station he nodded. "You're damn right."
And just like that, Lucy was with him. An unspoken agreement going between the two, she couldn't have known it then but this was only the beginning. The start of a team.
TFJ
(Lucy)
Seating across from one very queasy looking Natsu, Lucy eyed the boy with trepidation. With Happy firmly placed in her lap, two slinder arms around she was ready to bolt at a moments notice. At any second the boy looked as if he was about to hurl.
"What's the matter with you?"
Natsu eyed her, glaring before his sickness caught back up. "Trains." He moaned before a hand covered his lips.
Well, that was helpful, she thought dryly.
Thankfully Happy interjected. "Natsu has motion sickness. He gets really sick on any kind of transportation."
She eyed the cat with a narrowed gaze. "He fly's with you doesn't he?" She pointed out.
"Happy isn't transportation, he's my friend." Natsu told her before promptly sticking his head out the window.
"And that makes sense." She scoffed.
"If only Erza was here..." He abruptly had to shove a hand over his face, turning a very uncomfortable shade of green.
Despite herself Lucy tried not to sound too interested in the name he'd just mentioned. The Erza?
"W-why would you need her?" Inwardly winching at the stutter to her own girlish question, the girl pointedly avoided the little blue cat peering up at her curiously. Natsu as usual, was clueless. Either the motion sickness affecting him or just being the boy's average attention span he only groaned in response to her slightly higher than usual question.
"I'd be there already if she was here." He mumbled.
Furrowing her brow, blue eyes looked to the cat for confirmation only to see him nodding sagely. "That clears things up . . ."
Happy laughed, "Erza knocks him out." He stated matter a fact.
She could feel herself pale. "She what?"
"That's Erza." Happy shrugged like it was supposed to explain everything.
"Riiiight. Well, is there anything that I can do Natsu? Do you want anything to eat or, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"
Swaying to his feet, the Dragon Slayer was just moments away from killing over but more importantly he was trying to punch himself in the stomach. Rising to stop him she was momentarily slowed by surprise.
With a vicious blow to his stomach the boy peered over looking like he was about to slip unconscious but instead. . .
Raising both hands up to his mouth a pained expression crossed the now very blue boy. He gagged. Flinching back, Lucy was holding the tiny talking cat out infront as a shield, ignoring his cries. Thankfully, the boy held it back.
He stumbled half a step before standing. Amazingly he was going to try again. Sensing where this would take them Lucy wisely intervened. "Stop that!" She abolished.
With perhaps more force then was necessary, Lucy guided him back to his seat. With a hand on either shoulder and pushing down, hard. "Seat." She instructed. Huffing at his amazing stupidity she rolled her eyes before adding, "And don't do that."
"Sorry-ughh-" Again, he bolted to the window head hanging out like a dog.
Sighing Lucy patted his back awkwardly. "It's okay." She said with a smile.
TFJ
The mountain side of mount Hakobe was a dreary place, Lucy decided. The damp hill side made travel difficult. With the mucky terrain, each step was a calculated risk. It was unstable, whole ledges threatening to give way. That thought was made apparently clear as Natsu tumbled down the slopped hillside they had just navigated.
She could only shake her head. "Happy?"
"Aye." The cat chirped already flying down. They had agreed from the beginning that they weren't going to use the magic feline as transport. Given the dangers of their mission they couldn't afford to waste Happy's already small reserves of Magic. Besides, being two of them he wouldn't have been able to carry them both anyway.
A chill blew across the exposed skin of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. Hugging the borrowed jacket tight against her chest the loose material didn't do much to stop the cutting the breeze. She was going to murder Gray.
It was her own fault really. Ice mages didn't get cold. That single thought alone should have raised some questions as to why the 'ICE' make wizard had a jacket to being with. It must have been a style choice more than anything.
While it was very comfortable and breathed well, so it was almost useless against the chill hanging over them like a physical presence.
Watching Happy airlift the fire spitting boy back to the surface she couldn't fight the jealously tingling the back of her mind. While most of her reasoning was born of selfish reasons like his apparent immune of the cold, there was something more. A deeper seeded jealously that longed for his touch of Magic. She shook her head clearing those thoughts. Those kinds of thoughts weren't helping anything.
"You alright Natsu?"
The question was little more than a formality. Dragon Slayers it turned out, were very durable creatures. Natsu proved that fact on a daily bases. Proving her point said creature shrugged giving her a cheeky smile along with a thumbs up for good measure.
"What an idiot."
"Whose side are you on Happy?"
Before the two could descend into an argument, Lucy marched forward pulling the pair along, tail and scarf alike.
"Keep it up and we'll lose our element of surprise." She chastised.
"According to the villagers the monster's cave should be at the peak."
Having spoken to the previous mission contact Macao had, they had inquired the Mages whereabouts, even learning a fair deal about the mission. The small village residing on the cold mountain had a bit of a problem. They were being plagued by two anamorphs.
Furious creatures, born with a natural affinity to magic, the beasts could even use a strange variation of take over magic. It wasn't exactly the same, in the sense they didn't actually take anything. Most Mages, or in some cases monsters, take over users typically, as one would expect given the name, taking the body of another being. Either for their power or simple survival.
Anamorphs were a tad different, they copied the magic of others. Somehow gaining the ability to adapt to nearly any environment the monsters could mold their body, changing it drastically to fit a challenge. They were very dangerous creatures. If memory served, they ranged from anywhere to 'B-rank to upper A. Depending on the size.
The small village had sent the request out quite some time ago, there were reports of missing persons. Abductions. People taken right out of their very homes. It was a very unpleasant situation. Thankfully Macao had reportly already killed one.
Romeo's crying upset face seemed to flash before Natsu's eyes when the villagers said Macao disappeared after that.
"Why do you guess it settled all the way up here?"
"I'm not sure." She answered honestly.
"Guys." A small voice gained their attention. "I think I figured out why he stays up here."
Curious the two humans followed the cats gaze. "Shit." Natsu swore. She couldn't help but second that. Perched atop an impressive ledge they could see for miles with her perfect clarity.
Right before their eyes was the town. In the quiet little village different citizens could be seen going about their lives. She could also see the trail they had hiked up.
"There goes our surprise."
This was a disaster. The entire mission was now in jeopardy. Their chances of saving the captured wizard just took a serious blow. Hell, if the beast was smart it would have turned tail and bolted the moment it was in danger.
It was a morbid thought but her critical brain she couldn't stop herself from seeing the obvious. Macao, was in very serious danger.
Despite the dangers the trio clearly weren't about to turn around. There was too much at stake, they wouldn't give up on a fellow guild member like that. Lucy hadn't been a member long but already Fairy Tail had cemented itself in her heart. She would save him.
Continuing up the treacherous terrain it didn't take long to find the massive cave overlooking the town below. Obviously, this was the place.
It was difficult to see even to Lucy's acute eye sight. The cave was dark, only the barest of light shimmered through the opening before trailing off the deeper it sunk into the mountain.
Lucy eyed the darkness with trepidation. Exploring caves wasn't on her to do list.
A frustrated groan rumbled in the girl's throat. This mission was falling apart. The dangers they faced were already stacked against them, adding a blind search into the almost literal lion's den didn't help things. Forgetting the very dangerous monster lurking about, plunging into an unknown cavern was pretty damn foolish.
Well, they did have one advantage. Eyes flittering to the pink haired teen he was eyeing the darkness with distain as well. Having a human glow stick certainly improved their odds.
"Natsu,' she began.
He cut her off with an ear bleeding below. "Hey, Macao!" The Dragon Slayer being no less than a foot beside her, the boy's already thunderous voice rattled her skull.
Reflex grasping her ears Lucy scowled murderously at the pink haired teen. Quickly reaching out she silenced him pulling him up by his scarf. "Quiet!" She hissed.
Seeing the surprise filtering across his eyes Lucy stilled her anger. Slowly uncoiling the tight grasp around his scarf, her hand lingered undeterred on top the scaly material. "Sorry," She muttered.
Releasing her grip entirely, she began to turn away but a grip across her shoulder held her.
Somehow finding a courage she hadn't realized was there Lucy found herself meeting Natsu's gaze. She expected anger, righteous fury and the all too familiar revulsion but it just wasn't there. His demur while serious wasn't threatening. His bright eyes bore into her own with an intensity she didn't recognize. "Lucy, does sound hurt you?"
She really needed a better poker face. While not inconceivable there were clues but it was still surprising Natsu of all people could pick up on such a subtle cue. After all, she'd only shown her discomfort twice. She didn't think Natsu was stupid, certainly not, it's just the boy didn't seem to show the patience for anything but fighting.
Her answer on the tip of her tongue hesitated freezing her words. Lie, her mind suddenly screamed. Everything in her body was tight anticipation. It went against the grain to be this open, to share parts of the animal within, the demon. It was a weakness. A glaring hole in her otherwise perfect power.
Her mind whirled at what it meant to reveal something like this. Cruel, lesser people would; have used it against her in the past with devastating results. Why would she do this again? Then again, on the train, Natsu had been more than honest about his motion sickness.
He hadn't hesitated, hadn't thought, he just told her. It was odd that he would willingly talk about such a crippling ailment. It was personal, easily abusable if it ever come down to a fight.
"Yes," She told him neutrally. "It's not just sound, it's all types of sensory overload. Sound, smell, sight, large quantities of it can be . . . detrimental."
"And just now?"
"You just startled me." She quickly assured. "I'm fine, really. Normally it isn't such an issue. My nerves are just wound up."
That was a bit of an understatement. Her nerves or instincts rather, tended to rule her. If an impulse was strong or sudden enough she could act very out of character. It wasn't exactly hard to determine the cause.
The demon resting inside her soul was a part of her. She was a part of it. There wasn't much of separation, just a tiny sheet of paper holding the beast's cell in place. Her anger, her emotion, when she felt strongly enough was a filter. It was too easily influenced, too easily corrupted.
It was why the reason she was the way she was after all. Strong, fast, vicious. There had to be a down side. All power had its consequences. With heightened senses came with it all its traps. At a time long ago Lucy could remember the pain and anguish a large crowd or loud noise could cause.
Crowds were uncomfortable, trains painful, anything beyond that, agony. After her first episode she tended to stay away from crowds. It had lessoned with time, thankfully; over the years Lucy had found it easier and easier to once again return to people, that didn't mean it wasn't uncomfortable, or that she enjoyed it.
"Right," He said, sounding lighter. Scratching the back of his head in a pose that screamed sheepish. "Sorry about that. I guess I'm a little on edge myself."
"We'll find him." She promised. "No matter how long it takes. We'll find him."
Natsu nodded his head.
Natsu's undying resolution was not something you challenged. Even only knowing the boy for a few days, with all her heart she believed his promise. More importantly Romeo believed him. They would bring his father home. It was the least Lucy could do.
Her scarred and troubled mind went to a dark place. To a time barely recognizable in her conscious memory. It was more a nightmare than an actual memory, for; they weren't truly her memories. The screams echoing across a shattered town still clear . . .
The flames suddenly erupting to her left kick started Lucy back to the present. With half a step she gave the boy some space. Like a switch had been flicked the dark terrible little cave gave a start, shadows pushed back into the furthest reaches the eye could see.
It was only then Lucy noticed her erratic heart thumping wildly in her chest. It had been so real, too real, to a startling degree she recalled the hellish nightmare that was her past.
A reprimand was on the tip of her tongue, just moments from being voiced. It was good Natsu recognized the dangers the dark represented but she didn't think his entire body lighting a flame was necessary. That was when she noted the contrasting color glued to the ceiling.
Glossing over the ceiling caverns the blot of silver was barely noticeable but focusing in her eyes picked it up. A trigger tipped her razor-sharp eyes before she was consciously aware. Where the cave was smooth, eroded from water the lumpy form was stirring slightly from the light. It coiled before reacting.
Like a bat the reptilian creature uncoiled, slow, placid, the beast wrapped around the pillar of rocks sliding down the cave. Large, bug eyed irises peered out taking in the three intruders. Its skin tightened showing a shiver running down the beasts transparent skin, a growl escaping a tiny mouth. Large, massive eyes adorned the creatures odd face.
It stared at them. They stared back.
Baring its teeth, the anamorph revealed rows upon rows of tiny teeth packed in its compact maw.
Instinctually, Lucy knew the look all too well. A cornered animal, defensive, vicious, ready to fight. Her jaw set, a growl of her own slipping out.
"Where's Macao?" Natsu growled.
Unsurprisingly the beast didn't answer. Lucy would have pointed out the obvious but Natsu was already charging in.
A flaming fist just missed the odd creature as it managed to duck under the blow jumping back on all fours.
Large intelligent eyes searched over Natsu. A magic circle appeared.
Both Natsu and Lucy watched, amazement clear across their eyes as the anamoprh changed before their eyes, it's body shifting, molding to a new form.
Its color flared from a sickly see through to a charcoal black mixed with bright red. Flames ripped across the arms and legs, large eyes turning a bright blue.
Lucy stiffened at the sight. "Natsu, it copied your magic!"
Natsu looked back at her startled at the revelation. Clearly he wasn't as well versed in magical creatures. The awful gut clinching thought that she never told him occurring.
Being in a guild Lucy had just naturally assumed the boy was aware of a monster like this. They were well known across the continent, hell; they were on a mission to slay one. It was common knowledge to seek out information vital if one didn't know. Why the hell hadn't he asked at the village? She had been stupid to assume he would but still . . .
Seeing the animal suck in a large intake of air Lucy rushed forward. Natsu was a Dragon Slayer; fire to a large degree couldn't burn him, let alone harm. That was against regular fire though. Lucy had no way of knowing what would happen if his own spells were turned against him.
Moving at an impressive speed Lucy knocked herself into the boy shoulder checking him out of the way. She had just enough time to dodge the breath of flames streaming out of the animals maw.
Even clearing the blast it was pretty damn hot. Lucy felt like her skin might broil under the intense heat. Her shirt scorched, the edges darkening over, even her shoes melted slightly.
Falling back she let out a premature sigh of relief. She was glad she hadn't taken an attack like that directly. She mentally cataloged breathe attacks as very destructive and to avoid at all costs.
Lucy looked over to see Natsu flying toward the beast.
"Fire Dragon's wing attack!"
A whip of fire trailed the literally flaming teen as he burled into the beast's similar strike. The flare of bright explosive fire in such a small cave was so intense Lucy was forced to shield her eyes.
"Nice save Lucy."
Turning to the small fluttering closing in, Lucy quickly grabbed the cat before vaulting backwards. The cat squealed in surprise but she held him firm to her chest. Not a second later, their previous spot was engulfed in another spraying blast from the anamorph.
"Geez." She grumbled into a fury ear. "Happy, how much do you know about Natsu's magic? Can he fight effectively against his own power like this?"
The cat looked at her questionable, his face taking the question very serious. Tiny paws patting his head in thought. "Not a clue." He shrugged.
Lucy deadpanned.
"You're his best friend?" She asked dubious. "That's really all you can say?"
"Aww don't worry so much Lucy." He pawed her cheek. "Natsu is all fired up. There's no way that monster can beat him. Not with that level of fire anyway."
She hummed in response hoping the cat was right. She couldn't help but think about the level of flame comment, did that mean a higher level of fire could hurt him?
She tried not to worry about it. Natsu was a very powerful mage. Against a fire user, even if they were copying his own strength, it still left him at an advantage. She would trust her friend.
There was something else she needed to do.
Quickly passing the marvelous display Lucy snuck by the battling duo, Happy perched atop her shoulder. She caught the tail end of Natsu pummeling the flaming beast across the jaw.
Navigating across the large cave was much easier thanks to the bright light the battle was providing, and without the threat of monsters lurking she didn't try to hide her advance. It didn't take her very long to find the spot they had first spotted the beast.
She had no way of knowing if she was going the right way, just going off a hunch. It goes to reason if the beast slept in that particular spot then he probably ate there as well.
Coming upon the animals sleeping spot a grizzly sight met the two. Gaze peering up liquid dripped down across the floor at random intervals, it wasn't water.
Bodies lined the ceiling, strung up by a thin wire like substance.
Sensing the little cat across her shoulder tense up Lucy was quick to act. "Happy," She started. "Stay with me alright? I need you. You have to find Macao for me. Can you do that?"
He looked squeamish, unprepared for such a horrific sight. She didn't blame him; the sight of so much death was unsettling. Lucy was just more accustomed to death.
"Happy," She gave the cat a gentle stir. "We need you."
He looked at her for a moment, she wandered if her words reached him but he eventually nodded. Pointing out he identified a black haired man toward the front. "T-there he is." He voiced.
His words were timid and afraid. Lucy tried her best to console him. "Good," She praised petting his head lightly. "Can you fly me up there? He can't stay like that."
He looked unsure. It was possible his power might be linked to his emotional state. Happy gave a nod all the same, wings sprouting.
Macao was alive, albeit battered. He was just knocked out. It was huge relief that seemed to brighten the cat if only just.
Whatever was holding him was strong though. It was tough, and flexible. Even to her own strength it took several tries to eventually removing the bindings across the man's ankles.
With great care Lucy did her best to steady the man in her arms as they lowered him to the ground. Aware of his battered state, she didn't want to risk further injury. Gliding gracefully to the ground Lucy hide the man amongst the rocks, away from the action. She didn't want him accidently getting involved.
Even as she went about placing the older wizard across the ground she could still hear Natsu's battle. It was roaring off in the distance and the sheer power the boy was using was startling. She hadn't realized Natsu was so powerful.
Burning as bright as the sun itself, the Dragon Slayer was insane. The beast was clearly on the ropes; under Natsu's relentless assault it left little doubt who would be the winner. Natsu was amazing, he was going to win!
Lucy felt herself double take at what happened next.
Suddenly stopping their brawl the anamorph peered over the side of the mountain motioning Natsu to come take a look.
"Natsu! Come on, you can't seriously fall for...and there he goes."
Peering over the edge curiously the Dragon Slayer was pushed over. It only took a slight nudge with the monsters tail to send him tumbling.
With an exasperated sigh Lucy followed the pink haired boy's progress noting his rapid decent. Screaming flames as he went Natsu's bellow echoed easily to her ears. For a moment she thought he was going to use the flames to correct himself maybe even fly up but that was asking too much of the brain dead teen.
Spinning rapidly his thrashing only made him fall even faster.
"Natsu..." Happy sighed worriedly.
"Go ahead." She told him. Looking up in surprise, Lucy quickly waved the anxious cat off. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Turning to the monster she cracked her knuckles against an open palm. "It'll be over by the time you get back." Besides, she wanted a bit of privacy.
"Okay...If you're sure." Reluctantly the blue cat sprung his wings and flew over the ledge. Flying away at impressive speed blue eyes were already turning away.
She wasn't overly concerned with her friends. Even if the fire breathing boy managed to hit the ground his ridiculous dragon like body would protect him and besides, Happy was going to reach him anyways. It really made worrying worthless. She had other things to worry about.
Like how to slaughter this beast for instance.
For the first time in what seemed like a lifetime Lucy opened herself up to her inner power.
Being flooded with dark energy the girl could already feel her body changing.
A snarl escaped her lips, two protruding fangs hanging over her bottom lip. Throwing her hands to her side's claw daggers ripped from her fingernails. The three whisker marks on each cheek deepened enhancing her already feral look.
Last were her eyes.
Gone were the striking blue passed from her mother, replaced with something far more sinister. A deep crimson surrounded a black slitted iris.
Staring at her quizzically the armored monster bent its head in confusion. Just as she thought the monster was far more intelligent then it appeared. It was scouring across her form with its large eyes judging her.
"Don't bother." She told it. It was a dark sound not entirely her own. "Your trying to guess my magic right? Using it to adapt to my ability? That's a shame." Waggling a finger in the beast's direction she only smirked a fang filled smile. "I don't have magic."
As the monster snarled barring its teeth in her direction, she figured the beast got the gist of her taunt. Before she knew it another magic circle surrounded the creature's body.
For the life of her, Lucy just couldn't seem to be worried with the change. It was a terrible problem she fought when in this state, allowing the demons influence always had a nice little side effect. Arrogance.
Floored with the nine tails demons power she was the physical embodiment of evil. A demon in human form, cruel, vicious and oh so violent. When accepting 'her' power she ceased to just be Lucy. Their bond was a powerful one, the medium hardly noticeable.
Sharing the demons thoughts, its memories, its very soul, Lucy felt powerful. Snide and condensing, the world felt beneath her.
Cranking her head to side with a snap, Lucy grinded her teeth together. Her fangs bit painfully splitting her lip. The copper taste of blood filtered across her tongue. For good measure a shaky hand lifted to her hair tugging on it slightly.
"I won't lose control. Not now." She chanted the slow mantra a few times.
It was difficult, oh so freaking difficult but she eventually felt in control. More or less. "So you like to prey on the weak ,huh?" She found herself ask.
The beast didn't answer, not that she expected it to. Instead it stalked, curling around her looking for a chance to strike. The monster was intelligence enough to pick up on the threat. Cautious, it remained just out of reach, the fact it couldn't read her power making it more hesitant then when fighting Natsu.
The thirst for the monsters blood was a seething rage bouncing off evil thoughts. Her own desire flooding, magnified by her demonic state.
"How many I wonder?" She inquired. "How many fathers have you taken from their children? Mothers. Loved ones. That ends today."
The beast stirred its body pint up ready to strike.
"You were going to kill Macoa too right? He hurt your mate. You took him for spite. Bound him up like an animal and left him for dead."
Lucy realized how close the creature was getting. His newly formed armored looked like a battering ram. It wanted to charge her, test her strength with its own. That was fine by her. She was baiting it after all.
Close quarter combat was her specialty. Even without her demonic power Lucy was a force in hand to hand combat. In truth, her full strength might be over doing it. Without a clear advantage, she very much doubted this monster could give her too much trouble.
The anamorph lunged.
With a snarl Lucy leaped as well.
The two contrasting forces collided violently. Using its shoulder as a battering ram the beast was met with Lucy's extended elbow. The anamorph snapped, biting at her exposed side. She returned the favor, her open palm stopping him cold.
Smashing her fist into his teeth she felt the satisfying 'crunch' of teeth cracking. The sharp little razors bite into her open hand, some even staying; that hardly deterred her.
Fueled by a demonic induced adrenaline high, she barely felt it. Grabbing the monsters head she squeezed, her claws digging into the side of its face and forehead.
The anamoph trashed. Feeling the blood seep through her fingers, Lucy knew enough of her own animal instincts to know how dangerous a hurt and cornered beast could be. The animal struck back and forth wildly but Lucy kept him at arm's length, she didn't take into account a certain aspect though.
Whipping its tail out the long appendage struck her gut, a 'whoosh' of air escaping. That one hurt.
Having the wind knocked forcible out of your lungs was always a painful experience.
Forced back a step Lucy involuntary lost her grip on the animal. The beast took full advantage. Bouncing back the monster lunged at the momentarily frozen girl. It's rock hard head smashing into her chin.
Taking sharp breathe to fill her deflated lungs, her teeth clicked shut painfully. She was reeling back but she wasn't done, not by a long shot. Allowing her body to fall back against the fierce blow, Lucy twisted turning at the moment the beast went to capitalize.
Just as she expected, the monster lunged with a reckless abandon, but Lucy was already moving. Showing her athleticism, the blonde was twisting, angling her body as she fell backwards.
The animal was going to shoot clean over her, but she wasn't done. Reaching out just as the beast became level she turned hurtling him over her shoulder in a monstrous display of power.
If she was strong before resorting to the nine tails, Lucy was a brute now. Her physical strength alone was nearly doubled.
In short, she was a monster.
The animal hardly reacted expect for what she thought to be surprise flashing across those large, too intelligent eyes.
She slammed its head against the cave floor.
The ground gave a rumble of protest before buckling. A human size crater opening up in the hard, dense ground. The very cave shook at the destruction, for a split moment it looked as if the entire thing might fall around her.
She pounded the animal's small skull into the ground. Over and over she slung his body over her shoulder into the unforgiving ground. It wasn't enough, the beast wasn't quite finished. Reeling back Lucy pulled all her momentum into an overhand may lay of a strike, punching the beast square across the chest.
The ground quaked, splitting across the ground and ceiling alike.
Dust flew, as well as debris obscuring the anamorph from view. Not to her though.
With sharp slitted crimson eyes, Lucy watched the beast mangled body laying still in its rocky tomb. For several moment she waited, the rumbling of the cave filling the air with a dense echoing 'Boom' that seemed to go on endlessly.
Hovering over the crumbled body, it was hard to believe the beast to truly be alive. She hadn't held back with that strike. Defensive armor or not the beast clearly had several nasty cracks along its contorted ribs, its arms and legs angled oddly.
She took a step forward to examine the damage. A mistake.
Suddenly, the beast eyes flew open, it's tattered body somehow launching forward, a magic circle ensnarling it's midsection.
Keen eyes saw the outlying of spike forming across. She would have laughed had it not come out so viciously cruel.
Spikes launched themselves from the changeling. Being so close there was no chance of dodging. So she didn't try to dodge. Moving even closer her arms struck out grabbing the beast in a tight embrace.
The spikes struck out piercing her body.
"LUCY!" Twin voices called out but she ignored them.
Chuckling to herself, a cough of blood escaped a split lip. Even as the pronged weapons cut into her body, diving through muscle and in some places bone Lucy didn't release the beast. In fact she tightened her grip.
"D-do you want to know what my special ability is?" She spoke low, husky the pain effecting her despite her determination. The animal's eyes widened in fear trying valiantly to shake the impossible steal arms holding him close but Lucy didn't budge. Even as the spikes moved painfully across her body she refused to relent.
"Any wound. No matter how serious or how life threatening will heal. In short, you can't beat me."
Slamming her forehead into the suddenly unprotected skull of her opponent the beast slackened in her hold. Unconscious gripped hold taking the monster into its starry goodnight. As the monster fell its magic descended taking with it the spikes.
The spikes flew back with a sickening crunch as it left her.
A gasp of pain left her, staggering a step before she caught herself. Walking forward she loomed over the fallen beast. For a brief moment she stilled. Closing her eyes it took a great bit of concentration but when she opened them again they were once again blue.
"A monster like you doesn't deserve to live. One who willingly separates a child from their father isn't worthy of the gifts bestowed you."
Turning to her two friends a pensive look crossed her face. Facing the possibility that Romeo would lose his father Lucy hadn't hesitated. She had acted at full strength using all her terrible power to slay the beast. Watching the dumbstruck faces cross the dragon teen and his cat Lucy was worried sick. She hadn't realized they were watching.
"Oh man... We gotta get her on our team!"
"Aye!"
Dancing with joy the two Fairy Tail mages were shouting loudly at having the strongest team in the guild. The brightest smile Lucy ever had graced her lips. The gratitude and emotions running over.
"Come on you clowns." She said teasing the two lightly. "Let's get Macoa home."
A/N; So no Natsu POV in this chapter, don't worry he'll be back.
So we finally got to see Lucy in action. I've been getting a few questions about her power lately. She isn't god mode or anything; let's just clear that up right now. She is much stronger than in cannon Lucy though.
So I did decide to completely omit the takeover monkey thing, I've always found it to be lacking. It was shown in Fairy Tail, that Natsu could actually beat one of those things as a child, so realistically I just couldn't see it as being a threat. That's why I made a new monster.
Oh and in case you're curious, the anamorph was largely based off those dragon machine things that copy power. For the life of me I can't remember what season they were in but oh well.
So, as always please tell me what you guys thought of this chapter.
-Love RRR