Hey everyone, here is chapter three. I'm going to be covering the Phantom Lord Arc which consists of episodes 21-29. Here is part one, I hope you enjoy it. Also thank you Paragon of Awesomeness for editing this chapter. Plus, I'm also looking for a new Beta-Reader for this story. If anyone is interested, please PM me.
Lucy, Happy, Natsu, Gray and Erza along with Lancer are returning from a job, ridding an evil spirit from a house. But what exactly will they be returning to I wonder…
Magnolia
[Lucy POV]
The walk back to the Fairy Tail guildhall has so far been uneventful. I mean other than the occasional argument between Lancer and Erza, that is. Those two have been arguing about the guild's protocol an awful lot, but they seem to be getting along a bit better... At least I hope so. After leaving the train, Lancer immediately went back into his spirit form to await further orders, so we all walked in silence until Natsu decided that we need to celebrate before entering the guildhall.
"That job was awesome!" Natsu cheered with his trade mark smile.
"Face it, you're lucky that I tagged along." Was Gray's response.
It was delivered in such a cool and calm manner that it sounded a little cocky to me.
"You mean after you begged to come along man, we didn't need your help."
'This coming from the guy that pretty much destroys everything he touches?' my Servant muttered to me through our mental link.
I gave an internal sigh and responded 'I know, Lancer, but what can we do?'
'We can put him in a strait jacket.'
'Lancer, we talked about this. You are not allowed to harm the members of Fairy Tail so long as your Master is a member.'
'I'm just saying, we could... It's an option.'
'We'll talk about this later. Right now I need to know why they decided to tag along when we could've easily handled this job by ourselves.'
I guess I was so caught up with my conversation with Lancer, that I didn't even notice that Natsu and Gray were about to have another fight. And once again Gray just had to strip. Luckily before it escalated any further Erza stepped in and did her signature 'face push'.
"Hey guys, when I took this job I thought that me and Lancer could handle it. I mean the reward wasn't worth that much." That was an understatement. The reason being is because our previous job ended as usual, I barely scratched enough Jewel together to pay my rent, which meant I had no money for food. So I thought that by taking a job that wasn't too difficult, I could get some money to pay for some food. So I had no idea why my friends had to tag along.
"Isn't it obvious?" Natsu then raised his right hand and brought to about the height of his face and clenched it into a fist. "We're Fairy Tail's strongest team! No job is too small for us."
"You got that right." Gray agreed with Natsu.
"Aye sir!"
Erza's face took on a sour expression for a second but then softened up and smiled.
"Even without Lancer's help, we are quite the capable bunch." Erza then looked at each one of us in turn and smiled at each one of us.
"Yeah we are!" was my reply. In truth I guess that was right, we were already a strong team and with Lancer we are even stronger now. He just needs to work on his teamwork skills.
We continued our walk towards that guildhall and everyone was looking at us with a mixture of sorrow and… pity?
'Hey Lancer, do you know why everyone is staring at us?' I mean, during his lifetime Lancer must've received looks of all kinds before. So maybe he knew why everyone is staring at us.
'I usually received this look when something bad happened to someone I knew. Which means, something happened while we were trying to get that crazy guy to go back into his house.'
"The way that they're staring, it feels like pity..." Erza then went still and shock was plastered all over her face.
I looked where she was staring and I saw our guildhall.
It had strange poles protruding from it.
"Come on, we've got to hurry!" Natsu was the first one to spring into action and we all followed him.
The closer we got, the more we saw. And the more we saw, the more scared I became. The strange poles that were coming out of our Guildhall were made out of metal, and they had a club liked ending with a ring around the base of the club with several rivets adorning it. All in all they were very strange and I couldn't help but gasp. This was cruel thing to do.
"Our guild..." Natsu's voice was dripping with anger and his body didn't hide all that well. "Someone did this to our guild!"
"It was Phantom Lord."
We all turned to face Mirajane who looked liked, she was doing everything in her power to keep from breaking into tears right there.
"No way, are you serious?" Gray asked in a monotone voice, obviously trying to keep calm.
"You mean... Phantom Lord did this?"
"Yup... They got us good."
(end scene)
The basement of the Fairy Tail guildhall. More commonly used for storage, the members have come here to nurse their broken spirits
Mirajane led us through the destroyed hall and took us down to the basement. With a look around, I saw that most of the members were here. Meaning that no one got injured when Phantom came to destroy our guild.
"Yo, waz' up... Uh kids?" Makarov looked and sounded drunk And was holding a beer glass in his left hand... His entire body reeked of alcohol, even worse than Cana.
He looked like he was siting on a crate that was being covered by a spare green flag that we had lying around.
"Uh... Hi?" I was unsure of what to ask about. I mean our guild has been destroyed and our master is drunk.
"I'm sorry we weren't here sooner, Master." Erza's voice sounded full of regret.
"Why are we all just standing around here for! Let's go teach these Phantom jerks a lesson!" Natsu clenched his right fist in determination.
Was he really planning on taking on the entire Phantom Lord guild?
"How'd the job go Lucy? Did ya finish it like a good little girl?" Makarov's smile was three miles wide and looked extremely perverted.
'Ok, that's it. I'm coming out!'
No sooner did Lancer tell me that, did he appear to my left. I took a quick glance around the room and most members - including Erza - visibly tensed, while others just didn't care. Their minds seemed to focused on more important things than the possibly mentally unstable Servant that is contracted to me.
"Listen to me and listen well old man. I will not let someone like you talk to my Master in such a manner." Lancer's face was set in a glare.
Lancer's standing up for me. I know that Master Makarov is drunk but still it's really good to know that he won't let people talk to me like that.
"Ah calm down Blue Boy, I'm only kidding." Makarov's smile only got wider.
Did he have a death wish! Lancer could kill him in an instant!
"LET ME AT HIM! I'M GOING TO RIP HIS BODY LIMB FROM LIMB!" Lancer roared, causing the basement support columns to shake.
Everyone who was in the basement turned to face us, their magic at the ready. They were not going to take any chances. In fact had I not stepped in front Lancer and gave him a bear hug, nothing would've stopped him.
"Lancer! We talked about this!" I shouted at him. "You need to stop threatening people who make fun of your appearance!"
It took a second for Lancer to relax, but I think I heard him mumble something about "needing a drink", and immediately walked over to where Cana was sitting and joined her.
"Master, do you understand the gravity of the situation?" Erza sounded calm but her face was set in stone.
"The guildhall has been completely destroyed!" Natsu's eyes narrows and his brows furrowed.
He must be pretty pissed off about this.
"Don't get yourselves so worked up over this. It's not like the end of the world or anything serious like that." Master Makarov then proceeded to take another swig of his beer.
"What?"
"It just goes to show how cowardly those thunderheads in Phantom Lord really are. They attacked when no one was around... Is that anything worth bragging about?"
"No one was here... Well, at least we can be grateful for that." Erza's voice sounded depressed that something like this would happen but she did relax a bit.
"It was after everybody left for the night." Mirajane's voice was barely above a whisper but I still head it, loud and clear.
"We shouldn't trouble ourselves with people don't even have the guts to face us head on. Forget about those fools, there not worth the trouble." Master Makarov still sounded drunk but the meaning was clear.
*Crash* I looked over to see Natsu putting his right fist into a barrel.
"Ain't happening Gramps! We can't just let them trash our place and get away with it!" Natsu looked and sounded extremely angry.
"I'm not talking about this any longer. We'll handle job requests down here while the upstairs is repaired." Master Makarov said with a note of finality.
"We shouldn't be worry about job requ-"
"Natsu! That's enough out of you!"
Master Makarov elongated his right arm and brought it to-
*Smack*
…Spank my ass instead of hitting Natsu.
"And you spanked me because?" Ok I admit it, I was curious as too why he spanked me. Was it because he missed or because he's a drunk perverted old man?
"Hands to yourself Guild Master." Mirajane did not sound too pleased with how he just acted.
"Hahahaha!" Master Makarov then got off the crate that he was sitting on and walked away.
"Where do you think you're going old man!" Natsu sounded even more angry upon learning that he was being ignored.
"Keep your dress on. I'm going to take a leak."
"Listen this is just as hard on him as it is on you. Besides, conflict between the guilds is strictly forbidden by the Magic Council." Mirajane's voice was so quiet but it did convey the meaning.
"That's not fair! Phantom Lord started this!" Natsu began to shake his fists in the air in anger but it was Erza who managed to calm him down.
"If the Master has decided not to retaliate, then we must respect his decision." Erza's sounded a little disappointed but she hid it well.
With that discussion over with, I walked over to where Lancer and Cana were seated and they looked like they were having a good time. I told Lancer that it was getting late and we should head back to the apartment. He complied and said his good byes to Cana. We both made our way through the ruined guildhall and exited the premises. I hope the situation doesn't get any worse.
(end scene)
[Lancer POV]
As we were making our way back to my Master's home, I just couldn't figure out why people cared so much about that building. It just doesn't make any sense. Why would they care so much about a building. Nobody got hurt, so what's the big deal? It eventually got to the point where I actually had to ask my Master what was the big deal.
"Hey lass, explain something to me. Why is everyone making a big fuss over the guildhall. I mean it's just a building right?"
"Lancer, it's not just a building. It's a place where friends can gather and talk and have fun. Its like the heart of the Fairy Tail guild." My Master's voice was slowly increasing in volume. "It's the essence of Fairy Tail itself, can you not understand that!"
She turned to face me and her face was fuming. I don't think I've ever seen it this red before. I thought she was going to try and strike me but instead she wrapped her arms around me and buried her face in my chest. She was crying. Nothing in my life prepared me for this so I didn't really know how to react. But her cries and sobs did lose a bit their vigour, even though I wasn't returning the embrace.
"Lancer..." I look down at my Master, with her red eyes and tear stained face. "Why, why would they attack our guildhall?" She all but pleaded with me.
I then grabbed her by the shoulders forcing herself off me and she looks at me with confusion. I look straight into her eyes and I chose my next words carefully.
"I don't know why they would attack the guildhall but I do know this... Fairy Tail is more than just a bunch of wood and bricks piled on top of each other." She rubbed her eyes and completely stopped her sniffling. I took this as a sign that I was on the right track. "The essence of Fairy Tail is not the building but the members themselves. Friendship, loyalty and companionship, that is the true essence of your guild, Master."
I paused for a second, but I could tell that she was looking much better. "So long as the members have these feelings in their hearts, then even a rundown tavern can be their guildhall. A kingdom is not made up of stone, but of people. Even a godforsaken desert or a murky swamp can be considered a kingdom, so long as the people stick to their ideals."
My little impromptu pep talk looked like it was working but then she wrapped her arms around me once more and began to cry again!
"Why are you crying again Master! Did I say something that made you upset or something?" I was confused as to why she would cry.
I mean I thought I did a pretty good job of calming her down.
"I'm crying because I'm happy, Lancer." She unwrapped herself and she was smiling warmly at me. "You are right, so long as the members of Fairy Tail remember those things, then it doesn't matter where we meet." She then took my hand and we continued our walk.
While I may not be most charismatic Servant around, I can really deliver a kick-ass speech.
(end scene)
[Lucy POV]
After about five more minutes we finally made it to my apartment. I had to hand it too Lancer. He does know how to cheer someone up. I couldn't help but blush. He was like a knight in shinning armour. I put both my hands to the sides of my face, and I swear I felt like I had a dreamy look in my eyes.
Shaking my head lightly I brought myself out of these thoughts. No, Lancer is my Servant. He is not a tool meant for teenage girl fantasies.
-Somewhere in the Throne of Heroes, another Lancer class Servant sneezes-
"Ah-choo!"
"Ha, I didn't think was possible for Heroic Spirits to get sick. This only proves my point that you are nothing but a lowly mongrel, and are unworthy of standing in my glorious presence!" said an all too familiar voice filled to the brim with arrogance.
"Hey Lancer, you're not sick enough to avoid aiding me in my campaign to conquer the world, are you?" a really deep, boisterous voice asked me.
"King of Conquerors, King of Heroes, I assure you both that that is not the case. I just feel like I have one less fan girl in the universe."
"Hahahaha, that's because you are not a Heroic Spirit worthy of having fan girls. I on the other hand, have too many to even begin counting." bragged the King of Heroes.
"Listen Diarmuid, don't let having one less fan girl determine your willingness to aid me in my glorious campaign." The King of Conquerors told me. "Now, why exactly to do you think you lost a fan girl?"
"Because I feel like another Servant has caught her eye." I took a solemn look on my face.
"Fear not Lancer. Once we are on our way to glorious conquest, we shall find this girl and force her to be one of your fans!"
"Uh, thank you Iskander. I really... appreciate it."
-We now return to Magnolia-
Lancer and I are standing outside my apartment door, we were having a discussion on what Lancer should do.
{flashback}
"Listen lass, I think I should go out on patrol on the city. To make sure that there are no Phantom Lord guild members sticking around." Lancer gave me a stern look.
"Listen Lancer, I know you want to make it as safe as possible, but I need you here." I told him returning his stare with one of my own. "You even told me, that I'm not strong enough to summon a Celestial Spirit AND keep feeding mana to you at the same time."
"Your home should be safe enough. Besides its not like I'm going out of town or anything. I'll still be able to get to you within seconds of something happening." Lancer gave a neutral expression.
"Lancer, what if they attack of other people in the building? What about them." My voice was full of concern for the tenants and landlady.
"Alright, fine. I'll stay until your home has been properly secured then I'm going out on patrol."
"That's all I wanted to hear."
{end flashback}
"Well, at least I'll be able to relax now." Opening the door I was greeted with the most horrific sight...
Erza, Happy, Gray and Natsu were inside my room! Trespassing on my property! So I did the only logical thing I can think of:
"What are you doing in my room! Get out!"
Scream at them and throw my suitcase at Natsu.
"Since the guild's been attacked we can only assume that there're still some Phantom members hanging around town. They probably figured out where most of us live by now." Erza stated with a monotone voice.
"Where we live!" Happy, happily exclaimed.
Ok, now I was scared. They actually raised a good point.
"So Mirajane suggested that we hold up together, you know, strength in numbers." Gray told me in usual his tone of voice.
"Yea I guess that makes sense." It really did because since there are more of us, the less likely we are to get injured.
"That's why everyone in Fairy Tail is having a slumber party tonight!" Happy added his two-cents to the conversation before Lancer spoke.
"Okay lass, since your home has been secured, I'm going out on patrol. Don't wait up for me." Lancer spoke to every one in the room, while making his way to the window over my bed.
"Okay Lancer but no killing." I tell him, hoping that he heard me.
He gave a wave of his right hand, acknowledging my order. He started to open up the window before...
"Wait Lancer." To my surprise it was Erza who spoke. "If you do run into any Phantom Lord members bring them to the guild for questioning."
"Sure Red, I'll get right on that..." Lancer turned to regard her with a smile on his face.
"Thank-"
"When you become my Master. Until then I follow Lucy's orders and no one else's. So up yours." Lancer turned to face her with smug look on his face. While Erza's face was contorted in anger.
"Lanc-er..." Erza grounded through her teeth.
"Um, Lancer maybe you should do as she says. Just this once." I was getting scared and so was everyone else. I think this is the second time that Lancer made her this angry.
"Fine lass, I just wanted to hear the order come from your mouth instead." He turned back to the window and jumped out.
I heard him land outside and the sound of his foot steps getting farther and farther away before disappearing completely.
Erza visibly relaxed before regarding me again. "As for why I am here, you are an attractive teenage girl, so I was not about to let these stay here without some supervision. At least while Natsu and Gray were around. Plus it would help me relax a bit more."
"There's no time to relax!" Natsu seemed pretty annoyed about not doing anything.
"So it was already decided that you would stay here." I deadpanned. I can't believe this, they are staying in my apartment? "But why did everyone have to come to my place?"
"Wow Lucy! You sure have a lot of dirty clothes!" Happy stated as he was rummaging through my stuff.
*gasp* "You better stop that right now or you're dead meat, cat!" I practically growled at Happy.
"Hey Happy, find anything to eat? I'm starving!" Nastu asked his cat companion.
"Look Erza, I found some frilly panties you might like." Happy said devilishly.
*wow*
"I can't believe that you would go out wearing something like this." Erza sounded increasingly embarrassed.
"I need to get some shut eye, so can you please keep it down." Gray decided to inform everyone.
I quickly took stock of what was happening around me; Gray was laying on my bed; Erza was looking at my panties; Natsu and Happy were eating all my food. Perfect, just perfect.
"You guys are taking this 'make yourself at home' thing way too far, you know that." I just had to tell them that. This was getting ridiculous.
"We have a serious problem here." Erza takes on a really serious expression. "You boys' hygiene. I refuse to sleep in a room that reeks of sweat."
"I don't want to take a bath." Natsu replied with a lazy attitude.
"But I've already gotten into bed." Gray stated, with a sleepy tone.
"Come now, do we need to take a bath together like we did when we were kids?" Erza lightly touched their shoulders making them shudder.
"Just what kind of relationship do you guys have!" I was shocked that Erza would even suggest such a thing!
"They're the strongest team!" Happy once again adding his two cents to the conversation.
"More like the strangest team!"
(end scene)
I was sitting in my bath feeling more tired and weak than normal. I guess Lancer found some Phantom Lord members and engaged them in battle, which of course meant him taking more of my mana. I took a breath to calm my nerves. So long as he's not killing anyone it should be fine. I got out of my bathtub, put on a white t-shirt and light pink pants with matching underwear, and went to inform the next person in line that it was avaliable. Who just happened to be Natsu.
"Ok Natsu, you're up." Natsu had his face on the table sleeping while Happy was happily eating away a fish.
I turned to face Gray who was at my desk.
"Want to take his spot Gray?"
Gray just gave me a grunt and nothing else.
"You really should. It was so relaxing." Erza informed Gray with a smile on her face.
"Gee, I'm glad you guys are so comfortable." I was exasperated. I can't believe this. They show up to my place and they practically take over everything.
"I suppose I should get dressed." Erza then got off my bed and stood up and requipped… into pajamas! She requipped into pajamas!
Her pajamas were light pink top and bottom, with dark pink crosses all over them. I was stunned beyond belief.
"Is that really how you change your clothes!" I just couldn't believe it.
All of the sudden I felt a little light headed. Had it not been standing so close to the table, I would've fallen on the floor and hit my head pretty hard.
"Lucy! Are you ok?" Happy asked me with concern in his voice, and he had a worried look on his face.
"Yea Happy, I'm fine. Lancer must be using up more Magic En- I mean, mana than I thought. He must be fighting with someone around town." I had to admit, to fuel a Servant was pretty taxing on me, especially since he was so far away, but I needed to stay awake, no need point in making him worry about me.
"Then let's go back him up! I'm tired of all this waiting around!" Natsu roared while slamming both his hands on the table, causing me to jump.
"Natsu, you know we can't do that. If he is fighting members of Phantom Lord then we can't do a thing, because fighting between the guilds is strictly forbidden." Erza took a serious expression on her face before speaking again. "Besides, this is actually a stroke of luck for us. Since Lancer is not officially part of the guild, he can apprehend and question any member of Phantom Lord he encounters without getting Fairy Tail into trouble with the Magic Council."
I took a seat at the table with Natsu and Happy. Gray didn't move from his spot at my desk and Erza sat back down on my bed.
"Do you guys know why Phantom Lord would do such a thing? I mean, is the rivalry between our two guilds that bad?"
"Not always. We've had our fair share of scuffles in the past but nothing on this magnitude." Erza seemed lost in thought, like she was trying to figure out why they would,do that.
"If Gramps, wasn't so scared of them we could wipe those punks out." Natsu strained to keep his voice under control, but a tic mark was clearly visible above his head.
"Come on. You know Master isn't afraid of them Natsu. You seem to forget that he's one of the Ten Wizard Saints." Gray replied to Natsu in his usual monotone voice.
I turned to address him but then I saw what was in his hands. The rough draft of the novel I was working on! I don't know how or why but I found the strength to stand up and walk right over to him and snatch it out of his hands.
"I never gave you permission to read that! Give it here!" I turned my back to Gray to make sure he wouldn't be able to read it.
"You can't snatch it out of my hands without telling me what happens next."
"Yes, I can. I promised Levy she would be the first to read it, so you're just going to have to wait." I tone left no room for argument.
Suddenly Erza outstretched her left arm and looked at me like I was going to give it to her!
"You're not getting it either!" With that out of the way, I made my way back to my chair to sit down. I felt more mana being drained and I knew I wouldn't be able to stand forever. "So what is this 'Ten Wizard Saints' title all about?"
"It's an extremely coveted title bestowed by the Magic Council to the ten most powerful Wizards on the continent."
"Really? The ten most powerful wizards?" I can't believe it, our Master is really that powerful?!
"Phantom Lord's master, Jose, is also a Wizard Saint." Happy took a depressed tone.
It actually made me sad that Happy wasn't, well... happy. And Erza seemed lost in thought for a few a moments.
"He's afraid. He's scared that there are too many members for us to handle!" Natsu slammed his right hand on the table with his left clenched in a fist.
The look he had in his eyes were scary. I couldn't place it but maybe this is what an angry Dragon looks like?
"Um, Natsu. Can we use our inside voice please." I felt a little scared trying to ask him to keep his cool.
"That's not the reason and you know it. It's just like Master and Mira said before. The consequences of us going to war with them, are not even worth the fight." Gray looked like he was trying to keep his voice calm. "The order of the magical world is at stake here."
"But I don't understand why... Are they that strong?"
"They ain't got nothing on us. We can take those clowns." Natsu sounded a bit too confident with that declaration.
"No. If we were to engage then in battle neither guild would survive. Their strength equals ours." Erza took a moments to pause before continuing. "Master Jose is also one of the Ten Wizard Saints. Making him on par with Makarov. They also have an elite group of Wizards similar to our S-Class wizards known as the Element Four. But their biggest threat is their resident Dragon Slayer: Blacksteel Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer. I believe that he's the one behind our guildhall's destruction."
I was about to respond before I felt another huge drain on my Mana. Lancer must be fighting really hard. I'm not sure if I can stay conscious much longer. My breathing began to quicken leaving me gasping for air, and I was starting to sweat pretty badly.
"Lucy are you ok? You look like hell." Was Gray's only response to my predicament.
"Lucy, you better lie down before you faint where you stand." I looked to see Natsu with genuine concern in his eyes. Even Erza had a look of worry.
"I'm fine. It's just that Lancer is fighting harder and longer then I originally anticipated. I should be fine in a few moments." I took a second to regain control of my breathing. "So Phantom Lord has a Dragon Slayer. I thought that Natsu was the only one?"
I looked at Natsu who only scoffed in response. "Wait, if he's the Iron Dragon Slayer... Does that mean he eats iron!" I can't believe my ears. He could eat iron!
I was going to continue talking but I felt one final drain and I remember losing my balance and falling. I felt a pair of hands grabbing me and sensing familiar presence before I blacked out.
(end scene)
[Lancer POV]
"Fine lass. I just wanted to hear the order from your mouth first." I turned to face the window again, but this time I jumped out.
Landing on the pavement below my Master's apartment, I took off in a random direction to start my patrol of the town. Deciding that I could cover more ground by travelling by rooftop, I quickly left the streets and starting free-running on the buildings.
Now this is more like it. I don't need to worry about crashing into anybody up here. I began to search for a good vantage point so I can have a good view of the town. I spotted the church only 200 metres to my right and headed that way. In no less than five jumps, I made it to the church and made my way to the top spire that was close to being a mile high.
*whistle* If only my Master was here to see this. It's such a calm night; maybe I was being a bit too paranoid. Pushing those thoughts out of my mind I quickly returned to my previous mindset of patrolling the town for any Phantom members... And maybe getting a pretty epic fight while I was out and about. No, a warrior can never be too careful. I mean a veteran soldier would recognize this as the calm before the storm... And so do I.
Making sure that every building within a five hundred meter radius was clear of potential hostiles, I climbed down 300 meters before jumping down to the nearest building, which was 100 meters away. Landing with a soft thud, I continued my patrol.
"Now, this doesn't make any sense. I've been on patrol for about an hour now, how come there is no sign of any Phantom Lord members..." I was brought out of my musings when I heard people talking. Deciding to investigate to see if they were part of Phantom Lord, I quickly covered the distance between us.
I landed on a rooftop that was fifty meters away from their location but upon getting closer I recognized who they were. The super annoying team Shadow something or other.
They can take care of themselves, I got more important things to do then- I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. It was someone with long black hair, who had olive coloured skin. He was wearing a navy blue vest, fingerless glove and skirt combo with white pants and black boots. But the strangest thing about his appearance was, that he had metal rivets adorning his face, all the way up his arms and around his wrists.
He was just about to hit Levy before I intercepted him. Using my right hand, I punched him on the left side of his face causing him to fly into some barrels. The first thing to register into my mind was... Damn, this guy's got a hard head.
I quickly turned around to look to see if they were injured. They appeared to be fine so I turned my attention to the Phantom Lord member.
"You three better get out of here. I can handle this guy on my own." My voice was calm but I was dripping with excitement. I can finally have a decent fight.
"No way! This could be the guy responsible for destroying our guildhall! We're staying." There was anger in his voice but there is no way that I'm letting them stay here.
I didn't want them here, for two reasons. One: because they would just get in my way. Two: because they would interrupt my fight.
So, I decided that I should take out two birds with one stone. I gave a hard gut shot with Gae Bolg's pummel to the blue haired girl, effectively winding her and knocking her out.
"What the hell man! Why'd you do that for!"
"Because you're just going to get in my way. Now get her out of her so I can deal with this joker." My voice was cold as ice as I said this. And my stare was even colder.
The two stooges looked at each other before they spoke again.
"We won't forget about this Lancer. If you don't rough him up good, then we are coming after you." There was resignation in their voices but their eyes were burning.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Ugh..." I quickly returned my attention to the matter at hand. "Who the hell are you? And why don't you smell right?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about Metal Head. I smell perfectly fine to me." This guy must have a sharp nose. Could he also be a Dragon Slayer?
"Don't pull that crap on me. You smell human but you also don't. So who or what the hell are you. Are you just another piece of Fairy Tail trash?" Metal Head practically growled at me. And if that glare meant anything, I guess I ruined his night by interrupting him.
"I guess you can call me a servant of Fairy Tail." Not entirely a lie nor the truth.
"So, old man Makarov actually hired a mercenary to fight for his pathetic guild, instead of using his members..." Metal Head looked like he was thinking this over. "No matter. I'll just beat you nice and quick, then hunt down those three Faries." His smile was that of a predator. "Hehehe, this is going to be fun."
(end scene)
This fight was proving to be more than I expected. First the guy is a Dragon Slayer. And not just any Dragon Slayer but an Iron Dragon Slayer. That was so great to know. I was just glad for my Protection From Arrows skill. Otherwise, I might have been trouble when he used those 'Demon Logs' of his. Still that didn't prove to anything on par with what he was using now.
"This is my Iron Dragon Sword. It can cut through anything, even that annoying red spear of yours." His voice is dripping with a cocky tone.
This punk actually thinks he can destroy Gae Bolg, with that demonic looking blade? He must be stupider than I thought... Maybe all Dragon Slayers are like this? I was brought out of my musings when he tried to take a swipe at my right side. If only I was allowed to kill. Instead I had to use the pommel, and it was proving to be very ineffective.
"Come on. Surely you can do better than that." His voice was set in a mocking tone, and it annoyed the hell out of me.
Alright, quick recap. He can transform his limbs into clubs and swords. His arms into lance-like projectiles... I guess he's avoiding using his Dragon's Roar to avoid unwanted attention... which is completely pointless because of the amount of destruction we've caused. I'm surprised that anybody can sleep through this.
I can sense my Master is starting to run out of mana to provide. If I don't end this soon, I just might end up putting her life in danger. So I need to step my game.
"I gotta say, if my orders were different then this fight would be over by now." I closed my eyes for a quick second before addressing him again. "Unfortunately, that is not the case. I have to detain and question any Phantom Lord members I come across."
"Tch, that sucks for you" Metal Head's smile only grew more wicked and sinister. "Luckily I'm allowed to do what I want to any Fairy scum I come across. Though this battle has taken longer then I expected I know it will be over soon."
I quickly charged at him using Gae Bolg's pummel to gut shot him. I followed up with by kicking him with my right foot on the left side of his face making him stagger for a few moments, before giving him an endless barrage of punches to his face.
"I'll show you!" With that declaration, he quickly gave an uppercut across my chest that almost connected to my head if I hadn't jumped back when I did.
Alright, I've taken a good amount of damage. My fingers are almost completely destroyed. I've got several cuts and bruises scattered all over my body. I have a serious wound on my chest, and my Master's mana was just about to run out. Looking over Metal Head, we wasn't fairing much better. Even though I couldn't kill him, I did use Gae Bolg's head to give him numerous small cuts across his body. Plus all the punches and objects I've knocked him into, he must have a few fractured bones. All in all, we were pretty evenly matched in terms of how badly we've been able to damage each other.
Although I'm pretty certain that this guy doesn't have A ranked Battle Continuation.
He quickly charged at me again but this time instead of dodging, I traced the word "Merkstave" in front of me, destroying his sword, and possibly breaking every bone in his left arm. I was just about to finish him, when I felt my Master about to collapse from me using too much mana.
"Damn." I cursed myself. "And I almost had him." Quickly using my Disengage skill, I retreated to return to my Master. As I took a few steps I thought I heard the sound of grinding metal but I paid it no mind, for there are more important things for me to worry about at the moment. I hope that those boys got the blue haired girl to safety. I mean it's been nearly thirty minutes since I started my fight with this guy.
(end scene)
[Lucy POV]
I woke up the next morning even more tired than usual, and I can't remember why. I guess it's all the stress that accumulated during the day. Looking to my right was Erza with a peaceful expression on her face.
"What the- Why is Erza in my room?" I sat up and quickly looked around. I saw Gray sleeping on the couch and Natsu on my guest futon with Happy sleeping on his face. I noticed Lancer in the corner leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed across his chest with one leg on the wall with his head looking down. Must be asleep.
"Actually, I've been waiting for you to wake up." Lancer then raised his raised his head and continued to talk. "So how ya feeling lass?"
"I could be better. I mean you did use a lot of mana last night." Lancer looked away with a pissed off look on his face. "Lancer... what's wrong?"
"I ran into a Phantom Lord member last night." He stated with anger seething in his voice. "He got away though, but I believe that he was the one responsible for destroying the guildhall."
Upon hearing this, Natsu, Gray, Erza and, Happy immediately jumped to their feet.
"You ran into the jerk that was responsible for trashing our place!" Natsu sounded a little too excited.
"Yes, but just like I explained to my Master, he got away." Lancer's voice was less angry but more irritated.
"Do you know how he was?" Erza was the one who looked at Lancer expectantly.
"Yes, I believe him to be an Iron Dragon Slayer." Natsu took on the same look Lancer had, just pure rage. "He was planning on ambushing that three man team, Shadow Something, but I was able to intercept him just in time."
Erza, Natsu and Gray all looked pissed off as Lancer was explaining, but they seemed relieved that he was able to stop Gajeel from hurting their fellow members.
"So Lancer, how did Gajeel get away?" Erza's voice was as cold as ice and hard as steel. "I thought that you said that you are far more powerful than any normal human could be."
"I was close to beating him, but unfortunately my Master was running out of mana to provide me with, so I had to retreat." Lancer met Erza's stare with one of his own and it was scary too watch.
Before things could escalate any further there was a knock at my door. Everybody turned to face the door as the knocking continued. I got up from bed and went to answer it.
"Land Lady? What are you doing here, I don't need to pay you until next week." I was confused, I never missed a payment date by some miracle and she hardly does surprise inspections.
"I just came to pass along a message. You're needed in South Gate Park. One of the other tenants saw a few Fairy Tail members fastened to the tree with restraints." Her voice was normal but I could see worry in her eyes.
In what could be called a hurricane, we each got dressed, ate a quick snack and we were running like mad men to South Gate Park. I just hope the other members are ok.
(end scene)
Magnolia South Gate Park
We got to South Gate Park within five minutes but already there was a crowd of people. I could make out people saying "Are they from Fairy Tail?" or "We better not get involved."
"Make way, we're from their guild." Erza's voice was the only one that seemed to penetrate the crowd. They opened up a hole for us to walk through.
Erza was walking up front with Natsu and Gray flanking her. I was behind Erza, and Happy was flying on my right side, with Lancer walking on my left side two meters behind me. And when we finally made it too the tree... what we saw was... Horrifying.
Levy, Jet and Droy looked like they barely got out of a fight with their lives intact. They were badly injured with blood leaking out through many different cuts and gashes. And Levy had the symbol of the Phantom Lord guild drawn on her stomach with black paint.
I wanted to look away but couldn't. I turned my attention to my team and Natsu was shaking, his fists clenched so tight, they looked pure white. Gray was looking down at the grass but I could see a mist forming around him. Erza was the only one who looked like she was controlling her anger.
I turned to face Lancer. I was trembling. I felt like my legs were going to give out from underneath me.
"Lancer..." My voice was hoarse and my throat was dry but I pressed on. "I thought you said that you protected them... I thought you said they got to safety?" I could feel tears starting to well up. I was going to start crying soon. I could feel it.
"Master," Lancer took a solemn look upon his face and he looked straight into my eyes. "I thought that those two took the girl to safety after I... incapacitated her."
I looked at him with a shocked expression. "You hit Levy!" My voice was so loud, that everyone present turned to face me. "I thought you said that they got away!"
"Now hold on let me explain." Lancer took a deep breath. "Yes, I hit her, but only because those two wanted to help me fight the Phantom Lord member. So to get rid of them, I had to change their priorities. Plus they had at least thirty minutes to get somewhere safe." Lancer refused to look at my eyes but instead bowed his head. "But unfortunately, it looks like they didn't get that far."
All of the sudden, we heard foot steps. I saw a staff with a smiley face in the middle of it. I knew immediately who it was. Except he was wearing white robes with fur trimming, with a blue symbol of a silver cross.
" Master..." That was all Erza spoke before Master Makarov interrupted her.
"I can take our headquarters being destroyed." I could feel a massive amount of magic energy being released from him. "But I will not let harm come to my children without taking revenge!" The staff that he was holding broke in two with a sickening crack.
I flinched, not really sure how to handle this. I looked at Lancer who had a feral look in his eyes and that smile on his face. He even summoned Gae Bolg, and I could feel the bloodlust thicken as his smile got wider.
"We have no choice but to go to war!"
(end scene)
[Lancer POV]
"I can't believe that my Master, myself and that white haired chick need to stay here while everyone else gets to have all the fun." I decided to recast my line into the lake behind - or what's left- of the Fairy Tail guildhall.
"This is so stupid. While I'm here playing baby sitter, they're probably kicking some serious ass right now." I was pissed off that we weren't invited to go help raid the Oak Town branch of the Phantom Lord guild. But what can I do about it? I wasn't summoned as an Archer class Servant, so I don't have Independent Action. Even if I wanted to go, I wouldn't be able to last long without my Master there.
*sigh* "We'll this sucks. The fish aren't even biting today." I chuckled to myself. My Master was so pissed off when I told how much I spent the other day.
{flashback}
All the members of Fairy Tail gathered in front of the main entrance to the guild hall to discuss the plan of attack.
"This is going to be awesome. We are going to war, so to speak." I was excited that I couldn't stop smiling. I'm going to kick some serious ass, and if a few of the Phantom Lord members happened to die... well every war has at least some casualties.
"Lancer, are you sure this is a wise thing to do?" My master gave me a look of concern. But whether it was for me, for Phantom or her friends, I had no idea.
"Nope, but it's going to be awesome!" I began to spin Gae Bolg, giving a few practise thrusts, and just smiling like a mad man.
"It's decided." I was snapped out of my musings by the voice of the Guild Master. "Mirajane, Lucy and Lancer will stay here to watch over Levy, Jet and Droy, and also protect the guildhall."
"Yes, we are going to- Wait, wait, wait, what? You mean we're not going!" I was beyond pissed off! I was furious! "Why can't we go exactly!"
"Because we can't trust you to not kill every member of Phantom Lord, Mirajane isn't powerful enough to help us out, and Lucy is not ready for something like this." Came the old man's reply.
I was gripping Gae Bolg so tight, I could've broken it right then and there. I was furious. Finally a chance to go to battle, and I was being denied that! This was beyond infuriating.
Taking a deep breath, I "politely and calmly" told everyone "I'm going fishing."
I quickly changed out of my usual blue body suit into the clothes that I bought yesterday. Which consisted of a button up yellow, red and green tye-die shirt, black leather pants and black shoes. Quickly dismissing Gae Bolg, I brought out a type A carbon fibre nine foot pole, with a line that can hold up too 300lbs. Complete with a lure, weight, and bobber kit. Very, very expensive.
"Lancer, when did you get all that?" My Master asked me with a curiosity written all over her face.
"Yesterday. Oh, by the way, you're down about 25,000 Jewel." I barely covered my ears in time before an ear splitting, dream ending scream pierced the air.
"WHAT! YOU SPENT 25,000 JEWEL ON CLOTHES!" Her face was so red, I thought it was going to explode.
"No, I only spent 200 Jewel on theclothes. The rest was on this fishing gear." I calmly told her with a smile hoping it would make her less angry... bad call on my part.
"WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY ON FISHING GEAR!"
"Hey, when it comes to fishing, you need the best of the best. Otherwise you won't be able to get anything bigger than fifty pounds." I was explained nonchalantly.
"Aye sir!" I didn't even notice Happy fly by my side.
"See, he agrees with me." I said while gesturing to Happy.
"Lancer, Happy will agree with anything so long as it involves fish." My Master took a deep breath before continuing. "Happy, I'll give you fifty fish if you smack Lancer."
I turned to look at Happy, who was looking between us for a good minute before coming up with a decision.
"Make it a hundred fish and you got a deal!" He finally decided.
"Hey Happy, I'll share whatever fish I catch if you don't hit me." Then I spread my arms as wide as they would go, while holding my pole in my right. "I'll even try to catch a fish this big."
"You got a deal Lancer!"
Maybe she was right about this cat. He does agree with anything so long as there is fish involved.
"We'll be back either later today, or tomorrow. See you three later."
Everyone who was going to Oak Town left, only leaving us three behind.
"I'm going to check up on Levy and her team. See ya guys later." And so my Master walked off.
"I better go try and get place cleaned up a bit before they get back." Mira, almost made it inside before I asked her if there are any good fishing spots inside Magnolia.
"You can always try the lake behind the guild, not sure if you'll catch anything but it is inside Magnolia." She politely replied.
"Thank you." I responded in kind.
{end flashback}
Which leads me to my current predicament. I've been fishing for nearly an hour now and I haven't even had one nibble. This is infuriating.
I was cut off from my musings when some storm clouds appeared out of no where and a torrential downpour began.
"The hell, it was sunny no less than a second a go. What's going on here?" I turned my eyes back to the lake and deciding that I've been out here long enough, I decided to head inside the guildhall. It took me five minutes to properly pack everything away before I could feel my Master in grave danger. I switched back to my blue body suit and re-armed myself with Gae Bolg.
I booked it like a bat out of hell. It didn't take me too long to find her. She was in a sphere of water, nearly unconscious and if I didn't act fast, she could die.
"You messed with the wrong woman! No prepare to face my wrath!" I practically growled through my teeth.
"And who is this, drip drip drop?" A girl wearing blue coat with yellow cuffs, a blue skirt, thigh high black stockings with black high heel shoes, holding a pink umbrella that was pink that had yellow hearts and a blue fur cap on nher head. Her hair was blue and it was all curled up at the end.
"Ah, Mademoiselle Juvia, I believe that this is the fine gentleman that Monsieur Gajeel had the privilege of fighting yesterday night." A man with a heavy French accent who wears a monocle over his right eye, wearing a brown suit over a white shirt with a red tie and four spike type things coming out from the sides of the collar with a black cape that was attached to both his elbows states.
"Lancer!" I turned my attention to my Master who was currently trapped in that water sphere. "Help me!"
"I'm working on it Master. Just hold on!" I shouted at her, hoping she would calm down.
"Master... You wouldn't perhaps be one of those Servants contracted through on of the Seven Crimson Keys would you, drip drip drop?"
"What's it to you if I am?" Damnit! Well there goes the element of surprise.
"Oh, you mean to tell me that this fine gentleman is a Servant. Si magnifique, this is great news!" The man in the suit cheered. "Mademoiselle Juvia, we must capture this Servant at once, tout suite!"
"Oui, Monsieur Sol, at once."
"Not happening!" I quickly charged at the woman and Master be damned, I'm killing them.
I shoved Gae Bolg where her heart should've been but except, instead of hitting a solid surface, I felt no resistance. In fact it was like striking...
"Physical attacks have no effect against my body made of water." The newly identified Juvia stated with her monotone voice. "You might want to try something else."
"Gladly!" Instead of pulling Gae Bolg out, I just swung it to right ripping through her body and then charged at Sol. I was aiming for his head but then he disappeared.
"No, no, no, no, no." I could hear his voice but I couldn't see him. "How do you expect to beat your opponent if you can't hit him?"
Then all of the sudden I could feel something constraining my legs and I looked down, to see the stone that made up the street encasing my legs up to my waist.
"What the fuck! That's a dirty trick." I was pissed off that they didn't have the guts to face me head on.
"You know the old saying, 'all is far in love and war.'" He then reappeared right in front of me."Now Juvia! Finish him off!"
"Water Lock!" That was all I heard before I too was in a water sphere like my Master. Unfortunately we lost this fight, but next time I will make them pay.
(end scene)
[Lucy POV]
One Hour Earlier...
Magnolia Hospital. A facility that specializes in the treatment of Wizards with the most high tech equipment to date
I was standing by the window, that was inside team Shadow Gear's room. I felt sad and depressed. How could this have happened.
"Levy, Jet and Droy. Why did this have to happen to you." I switched my. Attention to our guildhall in the distance. "How could Phantom Lord be this cruel?"
"Poor Levy, she's so nice." I took on a sad smile. "I mean, just the previous chapter she tried to help us back back to our original bodies."
I started to head to the doors when I looked back at them. Droy had his right arm in a cast, and several bandages on his head. Jet had his left leg in a cast suspended by a sling and Levy... I didn't even want to think about her injuries.
"Might as well do some shopping. I'm getting a little hungry."
fifty minutes later...
Though I won't admit it out loud I did kinda agree with Lancer, it sucks that guild decided to leave us three out of it. Despite knowing what Lancer would do to the members of Phantom Lord, he would have been a great benefit for the raid. But Levy and the boys need someone to look after them. So I guess it made sense.
The brown paper bag that was holding the groceries I bought begin to slide, I readjusted it to be a bit more comfortable position.
I bought a couple of apples, some bread, cheese, ham, sausage and milk. That should be able to feed both Mira and myself.
As I was making my way back to the guild, it started pouring rain. And not just a light rain, but a heavy rain. Not to mention a woman who had blue hair was towards me.
"Uh, who are you?" I was trying not to sound scared but something about this woman was creepy.
"Drip drip drop, Juvia's the rain woman. Drip drip drop." Her monotone voice was making her sound way more creepy. "It's always with me. And what sort of woman are you prey tell?" She didn't even stop or turn to face me, she just kept walking forward.
"I'm just the regular kind, nothing special here." Im just hoping to god that she didn't my Servant's Seal or if she did, have no idea what it meant. "Um, what's with all the drip dropping?"
She unfurled her pink umbrella before continuing to speak. "Pleasure to meet you... I'll be going now."
"You better take the rain with you!" I sounded a bit too angry but still, how rude of her to not even pay attention to the person she's speaking too.
"No, no no. No, no no. No, no, no, no, no, no." Now a man is coming out of the stone! "Bonjour, Mademoiselle."
"What the heck is with all the weirdos in this town!"
"Juvia, you must not shy away from the task at hand, remember?" The earth guy told his friend.
"No Monsieur Sol." Juvia replied to him.
"My monocle whispers many things ma Cherie. It tells me that this is woman is our sought after cible."
"Does it, so she's the one?"
"'Cible', that means target." This is not good. Focusing my will on the Servant's Seal, I called out to Lancer through the telepathic link. Hopefully, he can get here in time.
"Pardon me voice, I haven't even told you my name. I am Monsieur Sol of the Element Four. Also known as 'Sol of the Earth.' But I would ask you to call me 'Monsieur Sol', if you don't mind." Monsieur Sol was smiling wickedly, this is not good.
"I've heard of you, you're part of Phantom Lord. Were you the ones responsible for trashing our guild?" I could feel my anger rising. If they were responsible, I would let Lancer have his way with them.
"No, that was the work of Monsieur Gajeel. We were with him in spirit as the saying goes. Our orders are to take you back to the guild." He now had an evil look in his eyes. This is it then.
"Not going to happen!" Dropping the bag of groceries, I reached for my whip but before I could do that I was swallowed by a sphere of water.
"What're you-!" I could feel the water suffocating me. I'll pass out soon.
"Escape is futile, there is no way out of my Water Lock. Your stuck in there." Just as I was about to fall unconscious Lancer showed up.
"You messed with the wrong woman! No prepare to face my wrath!"
"And who is this, drip drip drop?"
"Ah, Mademoiselle Juvia, I believe that this is the fine gentleman that Monsieur Gajeel had the privilege of fighting yesterday night."
"Lancer!" I was close to passing out. "Help me!" Those were the lasts words I said before I lost conscious.
(end scene)
'Hey, Master. Wake up.'
My head is pounding and I feel a little fuzzy. With a groan I crack open my eyes to stare at the stone ground. I tried to move my arms to help lift me up but for some reason they feel restrained. And why was I hearing a voice come from nowhere?
'There we go, easy no need to rush.'
Instead of using my arms to lift my self up, I just shuffle my feet under myself so I take on a siting position. Where am I? Taking a look around I found myself in a type of dungeon. A heavy metal door, bare walls except for a small cot on the left side and four stone walls, floor and ceiling. Am I in a dungeon cell?
Allowing my eyes to wonder I see who was the owner of the voice that kept speaking to me. "Lancer!"
'Welcome back to the world of the living.'
Seeing Lancer did put my nerves at ease but except Lancer wasn't in his physical body.
'Lancer, why are you in your Spirit Form and not your physical form?' Instead of talking through my mouth I opted for my telepathic link with him, so we wouldn't be over heard.
'I don't know. But if I was to hazard a guess, I would think that it has something to do with the thing that is on your wrist.'
'The thing on my wrist? What are you talking about?' Twisting my arms that were bound by ropes I did feel something that wasn't rope. It felt like metal and it was wrapped around my left wrist, right above where my Servant's Seal was located.
'Why were we brought here?'
'I don't know lass, but I think we're about to find out.'
"So you're finally awake." The new voice sounded strange. I don't know how to describe it but it just feels strange. "I was getting worried about you Lucy."
"Who are you?" My voice was dripping worry and concern.
Upon asking my question, the lock clicked and the hinges of the metal door creaking, where a man wearing purple robes with pink trimming, a droopy stereo-typical purple wizarding hat that drooped to his left side, had a pair of bat like wings protruding from his back a white shirt, orange pants, brown shoes that curve up at the toes with cotton balls on the tips. white knee high socks and he's wearing the same blue symbol that Master Makarov was wearing when he wore his white robes.
"I am Master Jose Porla... of the Phantom Lord guild." Master Jose looked pretty smug about being the Guild Master.
"You're a Phantom!" Then I suddenly remembered what happened. I got capture by two members from Phantom Lord's Element Four.
"I'm sorry but this dingy cell and being tied up lie that must really be degrading, but that's how you treat a prisoner after all." Master Jose explained while still keeping up that smug tone of his.
'If only I could take on my physical form, I would be killing him right now,'
'Yea, and I would let you too.'
"You better let me go. When my friends come for me they'll-"
"Depending on your willingness to cooperate I'm prepared to treat someone like you, how you're supposed to treat someone like you."
"What do you mean by- AHHHH! A bug just crawled on me!" I was seriously creped out, a bug just crawled on me!
"You see, you don't need to stay here, do you." Master Jose crosses his arms over his chest before continuing. "I have a beautifully decorated suite just waiting for you if you promise to behave yourself."
With everything that has happened lately, there is only one question that I could think of. "Why... Why do you keep attacking us?"
"'Us?' What do you mean... Oh you mean why we keep attacking Fairy Tail?" Jose took on a sadistic grin before he finished talking. "It was a means to an end. And that's all."
"A means to an end?" I was confused, why would he attack us for that reason.
"You see," unfolding his arms he continued. "We were just working towards our main objective. And if we have to destroy Fairy Tail to acquire our target then so be it."
"What are you talking about?" This is getting me no where and I was becoming more and more confused.
"My, my, you really are a naïve little girl. This isn't what I was expecting from the daughter of a debutante." Jose looked pretty cocky with that smile of his. "I'm talking about you, "Lady Lucy" the privileged daughter of the wealthy Heartfillia Family."
Realization hit me. It can't be... how did he know?
"How do you know about that?" I was angry. No, I was furious. I thought I hid it so well.
"Well you see dear, we were hired by your father to take you back home. I mean he's so worried about you." That smile was even creepier than Lancer's smile. And that's saying a lot.
'Just wait until I can get my physical body back you asshole. Just you wait.'
"Worried! Hahaha..." That was a dry laugh, no real emotion behind it. "I've been gone for over a year and only now does he care that I'm not home."
I look at Master Jose with fire in my eyes. "I'm not going back to that house! I'd rather die then go home!"
"I know, I know, but you don't really have a choice in the matter. You're going home and that's final." He kneels down so that he's face to face with me. He cups the right side of my face in his right arm. "Besides, I got a few questions I want to ask you first."
Standing back up he looks down on me with that same sadistic smile of his. "First off, how in the hell did someone like you get a hold on a Crimson Key? There's supposedly only Seven in existence and are even rarer than a Gold Zodiac Key. So where did you get it?"
"I guess I just got lucky." Not the entire truth but not a lie either. I did get lucky. "But what is this thing on my wrist? And why can't my Servant materialise?"
"That's because of that metal band on your wrist," His face and voice are screaming cocky. "Is a type of Barrier. You're Servant can only draw enough mana from you to stay in his transparent state or "Spirit Form" if you will. And it can only be removed by either an active member of Phantom Lord or by defeating me in combat."
'Lancer, I got a plan to get us out of here. Just let me handle it.'
I can see Lancer giving me a suspicious look before nodding his head. Now time to put it into action.
"Please let me go."
"Let you go? Now why on Earth would I do that?" He sounded confused, good I can work with this.
"Please, I have to go to the bathroom." Come on, buy it, come on.
"Oh please, you really think that I'm going to fall for the oldest trick in the book?" He looks skeptical. I need to kick it up a notch if this is going to work.
"Please," I began to squirm in place hoping he would by it. "I really have to go. I'm dying here."
"Well if you insist." Yes it's working it's work- "Here ya go."
Jose pulls a bucket out of no where. That put a huge roadblock in my plan. "A bucket!"
"Hehehe, as you can see. I'm fully prepared to deal with any trick you happen to use." His face takes on that same confident look.
"Well if I have no other choice." I stand up and begin to squat over the bucket, while trying to remove my skirt and panties. "Here I go."
"You're actually going to use that!?" He looks shocked and surprised beyond description and promptly turns around. "I've never met such a lewd and vulgar young lady. I'm only turning around because I'm a gentleman."
He actually fell for it. Hook, line and sinker. Mustering up all my strength I delivered a power kick to his groin, causing Jose to cup his prized jewelry and fall to the ground in agonizing pain.
'Master, remind me to never get on your bad side.'
'Sure Lancer, no problem.'
I run to where I can see outside except, were not on a ground floor. Instead we're several stories high!
"Did I forget to mention that this cell is several stories high? And without the use of your Servant or your Celestial Spirits, you're stuck here." I turn around and Master Jose is making a huge effort of standing up. "You've got no choice but to stay here and be sent back home."
I was scared, there's no where to escape. I got no where to go, what do I do!
...
Wait, that voice, I know that voice.
Closing my eyes and steeling my nerves I jumped off of the balcony.
'Master! What the fuck are you doing! I can't save you while I'm in this form!'
'It's ok Lancer. I heard his voice in the distance, I know he's coming to save me.'
'Who the hell are you talking about?'
'I'm talking about...'
"Natsu!" I shouted his name from the top of my lungs, hoping he would here me.
"Lucy!"
I felt Natsu grab around my chest with his head in between my breasts but I could forget about that. He came to save me. That's all that matters. We both hit a rock wall, completely destroying it because of our momentum, and after the dust settled we finally get a good look at each other.
"Made it just in time." His voice was muffled but probably because his mouth is located under my right breast.
"Yeah, thanks Natsu." I was so happy. My friend came here, to save me.
Natsu was trying to loosen the ropes that kept my hands tried up. "There ya go, how does that feel?"
Now that my hands are free I brought them to inspect them and sure enough, there was that band. It looked pretty plain, not wider than .5cm but it fits my wrist perfectly. There was no excess, nothing. Like it was molded around it. "Much better, thank you Natsu."
"That's good news." Happy said. He seemed glad that I wasn't hurt. "Now we better head back to the guild."
"What!" Natsu sounded annoyed that they had to go back. "This is their headquarters! Let's get them!"
"We can't, Erza told us to retreat!"
"That's because she's a wimp!" Natsu brought his face down to Happy's level so he can look at him in the eye. "I'll face those guys by myself if I have to!"
"But what about Master Makarov!" Happy's voice was gaining volume. "Did you forget about what they did to the Master!"
"That's why I want to get revenge!"
"You're not strong enough! And besides, everybody's hurt!"
"I'm plenty strong and I'm not hurt!"
"Nab got a broken arm!"
"So, what. I'm way tougher than him anyway!"
"What about Macao!"
"He's an old man! Of course he would get injured easily."
Turning away from their argument I felt the guilt beginning to rise out of me. This is all my fault. If I didn't join, then none of this would've happened.
Turning back to look at Natsu and Happy having a glaring contest I apologized. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen." The tears were starting to fall from my face. I couldn't keep my emotions in check any longer. "All of this, is because of me. But I don't want to leave. I want to stay, because... because... I love Fairy Tail."
Natsu and Happy seemed confused about why I was saying these things but I could careless. I just felt so guilty.
"Maybe we should head back to the guild Natsu." Happy, looked over at Natsu with concern on his face.
*sigh* "Yea, I guess, you're right." They both headed towards me to try and comfort me.
"Here we go Lucy, come on stand up." Natsu was trying to be as careful as possible and I could he was trying to keep his voice calm and reassuring.
"Careful now, girls are delicate." Happy was offering some advice here and there but I was so touched that I felt like crying again.
"How about, I carry you on my back, how does that sound?"
I breakdown and cry again! I didn't deserve such kindness from my friends.
"Look you made her cry again!"
"I was just trying to help!"
(end scene)
Looking around the Fairy Tail basement, I became more guilty by the second. Members, some who I don't even know have broken arms and legs. Other have bandages wrapped around their arms, shoulders and heads. And I was the cause of all this. Macao and Wakaba are having a strategy meeting in the middle of all this, obviously preparing for another attack on their head quarters. Natsu is standing to my left, Happy is standing in front of me, Lancer, is to my right- still in his Spirit Form- and I'm sitting on a barrel in the back left corner of the basement.
'Lancer, this is all my fault. I'm the cause for all this. What should I do?'
"Don't be so hard on yourself Master. It's not your fault and its Phantom's fault that things went this far.'
"Don't worry. We'll get them back for what they've done." Gray calmly told me.
I just slumped further. I don't want this to escalate any further. I just want it to end. "I know, I'm not worried about getting them back. It's... this is all my fault."
"Being targeted by dangerous people is just on the many downsides of being rich." Elfman took pause for continuing. "Luckily you got a real man to protect you!"
"Would you give it a rest Elfman!" Gray sounded annoyed that Elfman would always find a way to make himself seem like a great man.
"I gotta say I was shocked when you told us about that, Lucy." Happy looked and sounded a little depressed. "Why did you hide this from us?"
"I wasn't trying to hide to anything." I was hurt that he thought I was hiding it. "I mean, I can't bring up the fact that I'm a runaway in casual conversation. I've been gone for a year and he doesn't care." I could feel the emotions that I've kept inside of me leaking out. "Now all of the sudden he wants me back." I could feel my voice becoming louder by the second. "He's done all these horrible things to force me to go home. I hate his guts!" The tears start welling up in my eyes and I could feel myself wanting to cry again.
I took second to collect myself before I continued talking. "Still, if I hadn't run away then none of this would've happened."
"Aw, come on. Don't be ridiculous, your dad's the one to blame." Elfan blatantly stated.
"You idiot." Gray sounded less than amused.
"Er, I mean it's Phantom's fault!" Elfman sounded a little guilty that he said that.
"No, I'm the cause for all this. If I didn't run away then none of this would've happened. I'm the one to blame." My voice took on a very depressed tone. "I'm just going to go back home, I'm sorry for bringing all this trouble to you guys." I'm about to stand up to leave before Natsu comes over and puts his right hand on left shoulder.
"I don't know about that," I turn my head so I'm looking at him. He's smiling but I don't know why. "I can't see you playing the part of the pretty princess in your mansion. Laughing with us in this filthy guildhall, going on jobs even if you freak out all the time. That's the real you, Lucy."
I stopped looking at him and turn my eyes to stare into the ground. "Why would you ever go back to the place that you ran away from? Who are you trying to kid, you're 'Lucy of Fairy Tail'." I turned to face Natsu raising his left arm and point his thumb at himself. "No more running, because you're one of us now."
The tears began to stream down my face, I couldn't keep them inside any longer.
"Hey come on, don't cry." Gray was trying to comfort me but I couldn't help it.
"Yea, real men are weak to womanly tears." I could see Elfman trying to contain his emotions but it just wasn't going to happen.
"I'm sorry but I just..."
*Crash*
Looking across the basement, I saw Mirajane destroying her communication lacrima. and she has tears in her eyes. I wonder what made her sad?
Then all of the sudden the ground began to shake. It felt like an earthquake!
"Hey. what's going on!" Gray sounded extremely surprised.
"Outside! Quick!" Alzac came down the stairs to tell us what was going on. Well left the basement in a flash.
(end scene)
When we got to the rear exit of Fairy Tail, what we saw stunned us beyond belief. It was Phantom's head quarters on six giant mechanical legs heading straight for us.
"What is that thing!" Natsu sounded scared that they would go to such lengths.
"It's a guildhall with ginormous legs!" Happy sounded shocked but he was able to keep it in check.
"Is it Phantom?" Loke sounded dumbfounded.
A quick glance around, everyone was showing their own states of shock and disbelief.
"How do we fight that thing!" Wakaba did bring up a good point. There is no way that we can take that thing on.
'Lancer, do you have any suggestions?'
'No Master... I got nothing.'
After taking one last step, it stopped moving but then something else happened. One of its towers opened up and a strange cannon came out of it. The cannon started to focus magic energy into a dark sphere and if I was correct, that much energy would be enough to destroy Fairy Tail.
Run! get out of here now!" Erza's voice penetrated everybody but nobody moved instead she moved to the cliff's edge and requipped into a different armor set.
"Don't be a fool Erza!" and "What the hell are you doing!" followed her the entire way to her destination.
It was a large, blue and navy colored armor. The breastplate is composed of different plates joined together, with four, prominent tube-like ornaments on the front, right above her breasts, below the high armored collar. The shoulder pads are very large and sport prominent plates shaped like spikes, protruding from a far darker part which composes the base of the structure. The armor is completed by a helmet which covers the top and the sides of her face, leaving the back part of her head exposed, and sporting prominent spikes jutting outwards.
"She's requipping!"
"What're you doing Erza!" Loke couldn't believe that she was doing this.
And neither could I for that matter.
"That's her Adamantine Armor!" Happy was able to recognize it in a second.
"I'm protecting the guild!" was her only reply. "Now stand back!"
I could see various people shouting but I was too stunned to pay attention. I can't believe that this is happening... What have I done?
The cannon fired, it was heading straight for the guild but Erza brought up the two halves of the shield together and a giant aqua blue magic circle appeared in front of her. I could see her armor starting to crack and fracture. She can't hold out for long.
And yet, she was able to stop the blast. But her armour was destroyed and she was exquipped into her white shirt and blue skirt. The damage was substantial. There was a huge ditch where the cannon and her armor collided.
"She actually managed to stop it." Macao was in disbelief.
"Once again, Erza is the manliest one in the guild." Elfman took on a somber tone.
"Yea but look at her. I don't think she can do that again." Cana was in shock but she was right. Erza wouldn't have the strength to do it again.
Natsu was the first one to act. He ran right over to here. "You ok, Erza! Say something!"
"Makarov has fallen." It was Master Jose over a loud speaker. "And now Erza can no longer stand. Any chance of victory is no longer an option for you. Surrender Lucy Heartfillia to us immediately. You no other choice."
"That's not going to happen!" Macao shouted.
"Like any guild would hand over one of their own to a monster like you!" Cana was practically screamed.
"You hear that, Lucy's staying put!" Wakaba was also telling off Phantom Lord.
All around me I can fellow guild mates stand up for me but I just feel guilty.
"I won't ask again!" Jose sounded pissed off that Fairy Tail isn't handing me over.
I began to sniffle again. Why must they be sop willing to protect me?
'Master, you ok?'
'Maybe I should just go with them. I don't want to cause Fairy Tail any more trouble.'
"We would never betray her like that! You'd have to kill us first!" Erza's voice rang out loud and clear.
"Yeah!" All the members second the notion.
"You can stop asking now, 'cause we're not giving you any other answer! We're going to take everyone of you jerks down!" Natsu's voice was filled with anger and fire.
'Lancer, I don't deserve such great people. I don't deserve them.'
'You know you do. They're your friends lass, you do deserve them.'
"If that's what you want, then I'll give you a second helping of Jupiter!" Jose sounded furious! "You got fifteen minutes to change your mind before Jupiter fires again!"
All the sudden, strange ghost like things came out of the Phantom's guild hall and there numbers are increasing by the second.
"You're in quite a quandary, aren't ya Fairy Tail! There are only two ways that this is going to play out. Either my troops will rip you apart or you'll be blown away by Jupiter!"
"Lucy!" I turn to my right and I see Mirajane. "Come with me."
She then leads to the front of Fairy Tail where Reedus is waiting for us.
"We have a hideout, and you're going to stay there until this is all over."
"No! I'm the reason why Fairy Tail is in this mess, I can't just abandon them while they're fighting to protect me." I can't believe Mira was trying to get me to leave.
"Nobody blames you Lucy. I don't see it that way and neither does anybody else." Mira took on a very serious tone. "We're not just fighting for you, it's for all of us. It's for the honour of our guild. We're proud to fight this battle, each and everyone of us. Now please just do what I say."
The last thing that I saw was Mirajane extending her left arms and what looked like a golden powder coming out of her hand and for some reason... I began to feel... very... sleepy.
A/N
Thanks for reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed. Please review, favorite and follow. Also I'm going to start having Lucy and Servant do a sort of recap, foreshadow or just talk about what's going on in the story. Well without Further ado, here's Lucy and Lancer.
Omake- Lucy and Lancer
"Oh man this chapter was crazy! I can't believe that my father is paying the Phantom Lord guild to attack Fairy Tail!" I was excited. This chapter was actually pretty good.
"Yea, but the one downside of this chapter is that I didn't get to fight enough people. Hopefully that mistake will be amended in chapter 4!" Lancer looked like a kid on Christmas when he said that.
"Well actually, Lancer. I hear that you're still stuck in your Spirit Form. So you won't be able to fight many people in the oncoming chapters." I responded in a monotone voice.
"What the hell! That bastard! When I met him, I'll shove Gae Bolg so far up his ass, it'll turn him into a spit roast!" Lancer looked pissed.
"Yeah, Lets not do that."
-"Next chapter, Phantom Lord Arc part 2!"-
"One more thing Lancer, what's this thing called the 'Dream Cycle?'"
"The dream cycle allows the Master of a Servant have dreams of the Servant's past, to see what they were like when alive."
"You think that the author will start adding that in?"
"Nah, he told me that he wanted you to do some self-exploration and ask us about our past."
"Oh, ok then."