AN: *Death stands over me as I am typing* Hey everyone! I apologize for not updating sooner, since both my computer and busy weeks have been detrimental to me updating. So this chapter will cover the two episodes with Everlue Mansion and the trip back. So enjoy! *Coughs up bloody hairball*
On another note: Dear Guest(s), I actually based the wizard names off of the eight winds of magic, since they had them first in Warhammer Fantasy Battles before Warhammer Age of Sigmar (There is a difference but I am not going to get into it), and have stated before that I will not go into Age of Sigmar (It is too annoying to me). As for the Dwarfs not pursuing their grudges, these Dwarfs feel it would be detrimental to their Oaths to the Heartphilia Clan, and hence only the Slayer Cult is allowed to pursue them, with the Slayer Lord holding onto the Hold's Book of Grudges. Hope that answers your questions so far. Thanks again to all who have left reviews for both Hunters of Sins and Grim Slayers of Fairy Tail as well as following them!
"I really appreciate the dwarf clans in building this house for me and the others but..." Lucy thought out loud before then sinking down into the tub with only the upper half of her head out of the water before turning her head upwards to stare at the grim dwarf effigy above her, sighing as she says "I just wish they had not gone overboard with a mansion. I mean I understood that to incorporate guarding runes, it would have to be bigger, but a tunnel that accesses their Underway and fortifications for a possible siege? I seriously think their militaristic views tend to get the better of them."
Lucy then got out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her body and hair, adding "I mean the dining hall, great hall, and bathing halls are completely unnescessary. There is seventeen bedrooms, three of which are two rooms basically and include each their own private bathrooms. I seriously wonder if Grimek had input on the plans?" and as she opens the door, sees Natsu, Happy, and Liz in her bedroom around her drinking table, who wave to her with smiles as Natsu greets warmly "Nice place Lucy! I guess someone in your group of friends must be rich to afford this!" at which Lucy kicks both Happy and Natsu into a wall as she asks angrily "How did you both get in here?! The guard runes should have activated to keep you out unless I gave you permission to enter?!"
"But you did give us permission! Remember yesterday?" Natsu asked from the floor as he rubbed his cheek, which Lucy blushes as she remembers but retorts "Yeah but I thought it would be later, like after breakfast or lunch?! It is also common courtesy to knock before entering!" at which Liz says happily "We did but we received no answer, so I let them in with me to see if you were okay. We then decided to wait when we realized you were bathing." which Lucy groans and facepalms at, saying "Apparently the Dwarfs guard runes need improvement as well and need to not make reinforced stone doors for the bedrooms."
"Still it is a nice place you have here!" Happy compliments as he begins to scratch the wall, though breaks his claws after tearing through the wall paper, screaming in pain before Liz starts applying first aid to his paws. "I hope you realize not to scratch other peoples things Happy. Dwarfs, as I have said before, build things to last, so you really should think twice when something is mentioned to be Dwarf Crafted." Lucy scolds Happy worriedly. Even though she was annoyed Happy damaged her wallpaper, she knows he could have gotten seriously injured if he managed to damage the wall.
"Hey what's this?" Natsu asked from behind Lucy, who noticed him near her writing desk with papers on top. "Nocheatingforyou!" Liz shouts quickly as she punches Natsu into the ground as Lucy hurriedly puts the papers in her desk and locks it. "OW! What was that for?!" Natsu asks annoyed that he got beaten up for trying to look at the papers. "Oh that's her bmph." Liz begins to explain before Lucy covers her mouth, laughing nervously before she says "It's nothing!" which doesn't convince Natsu and Happy really, the former stating blankly "Nothing huh?".
A hour later, Natsu and Happy are eating some bread and eggs across from Lucy, now dressed in a maroon shirt with a strange insignia on the front and rolled up light blue jeans with a white belt, and Liz, both of who are eating as well. "Listen I know I promised to let you two run a mission by me and Liz but this is some what ridiculous. So unless there is anything else you wanted to ask, I suggest asking now before I get ill tempered." Lucy explains exasperated. "Come on we're really sorry about barging in." Natsu apologized once more before trying to deflect the anger by asking "Why don't you show us your Spirit Keys and how they work?" which slightly upsets Lucy more as she clarifies "They are Celestial Spirits actually." before then contemplating on something she remembered "Come to think of it, I still need to make a contract with key I got from Hargeon. Interested in watching?"
This startles Natsu and Happy, who begin to conspiratorily whisper with Liz, Happy hoping it's not a blood pact, Natsu convinced it could be both annoying and a bit scary, and Liz agreeing with both, which Lucy then states "You three know I can hear you and Liz you've seen me make contracts with Cancer and Horologium." at which Liz remembers as she brings a fist into her palm, apologizing "Oh right! Sorry."
"I call upon thee, in the world of the Celestial Spirits. I beckon you to my side at once. Pass through the gate. Open Gate of Canis Minor. Come Nikola!" Lucy chants having her arm stretched forward with the silver key in hand before bringing said arm down quickly in front of her, summoning a shivering white animal with a orange drill for a nose. Natsu and Happy are both surprised temporarily, before trying to reassure Lucy as if she failed, saying "Nice try." at which Lucy then states angrily "I didn't mess up, I meant to do that!"
The summoned spirit then gets hugged by Lucy, who finds it absolutely adorable, cooing "You are such a adorable cutie." as Liz just smiles oblivious, while Natsu and Happy stare on dumbfounded, the former asking "You think so?" at which Lucy explains what most Celestial Mages do with Nikola. "I don't think I like the sound of this whole pet thing." Happy whispers conspiratorially with Natsu, who adds "Especially with a weird master like Loonie." though Lucy then states in annoyance "My name is Lucy, and I can still hear you two."
Lucy then sighs before asking the spirit "Alright, let's start working on our contract shall we?" which the spirit raises a paw in agreement. Lucy then begins asking days that it is available as Natsu and Happy look on bored, not expecting this. "Well that's about it." Lucy finalizes with a smile, causing the spirit to jump in joy. "Wow that was easy." Happy states, with Natsu agreeing, before Lucy adds in explanation "It may seem trivial to you two but it is really important. You see the contract relies heavily on the promise of that is made between the spirit and the mage, which with Dwarf traditions valuing such things, is easy for me and I always make it a point to always keep my word." at which Liz then asks with a smile "So what's his name, Lu?"
"Isn't it Nikola?" Happy asks which Lucy then states "No that's the species." before then thinking a bit on it. "I know!" Lucy exclaims before calling to the spirit "Come here Plue." which the spirit acknowledges. "Plue huh?" Natsu, Happy, and Liz ask, all weirded out by the name choice. "I think it sounds really great for him. Besides, Liz you named the last one remember. I doubt Plue is worse then that." Lucy explains, confusing both Happy and Natsu, though Liz rubs the back of her neck sheepishly, knowing what Lucy referred to.
"So even though his sign is the little dog, he doesn't bark? That's weird." Happy states at which Lucy then retorts "Well I don't hear you meowing over there." at which Plue begins to dance in front of the four, confusing both Happy and Lucy but as soon as he finishes, Natsu and Liz raise thumbs out, saying in agreement "You are totally right Plue!" which Plue then smiles and puts a thumb as well, which Lucy then shouts in shock "Wait you two could understand him?!"
"So me and Happy definitely wanted you both on our team for a job." Natsu explained with a carefree grin, which confused Lucy before Liz added "Plue suggested it, saying that because of our relations with Dwarfs make us extremely trustworthy. Add to the fact that it would also allow us to get to know some new members when we team up with other guild members for jobs." which made Lucy smile in excitement and agreed, which Liz then asked "So you promise to work with them on jobs, Lu?" at which Lucy nods in agreement, stating "On the Oath of being Oathkin of Dwarfs, they have my word!"
"Alright team then let's get to work! I have our first job right here!" Natsu states while holding up the job request. Lucy grabs it, saying in excitement "Oh this is so exciting for me to be working with two veteran members of Fairy Tail already. Let me see." but misses the mischievous glints in both Liz and Natsu's eyes. "So the job is in Shirotsume Town, paying 200,000 Jewels for stealing some book from some rich guy named Duke Everlue!" Lucy reads and adds at the end "This sounds too good to be true!"
"Sounds like a piece of cake right?" Natsu asks with a shit eating grin, before Lucy then notices something near the bottom and reads "Please note, Everlue is a dirty old man looking for maids with blonde hair?!" before then turning to the three in shock, Natsu asks smugly "We know two blonde girls don't we?" as Happy then adds teasing "And I bet we can find some maid uniforms." while Liz then adds carefreely "Plus my cousin gave her word as a Dwarf to do the job so she can't back out."
"Why ye no good little grobi squig herders." Lucy begins saying in realization before shouting loudly "That's not fair! You three tricked me!" at which Liz added "Well you should have noticed that I asked if you would give your word as a Dwarf being a sign I was up to no good Lu." before Lucy then retorts loudly "But I'm your cousin and land lady! Why would I have to expect that deviousness from you?!" which Natsu then tries to calm things down, saying "Now, now, don't be that way Lucy. Liz is also going to help as well. Now both of you get into character and address Happy here as your master." which Lucy shouts in defiance and indignantly "NO WAY!"
After Lucy, Natsu, Happy, and Liz had left Magnolia, Aqshy, Ghur, and Chamon, notice that three other members of their guild seemed disappointed about not getting a the job. Among them is a young, petite teenage girl of slender build who stands just below-average height for her age. Her shoulder-length blue hair, which has eyebrow-length bangs, is tied up with a colorful bandana around her head. She also wears a blue sleveless jacket over a yellow bikini top, white pants with rolled up sleeves, and sandals. Around her neck is a white necklace with a Rose within a Onadland Cross. At either side of her are two slim young men.
One is tall with black hair kept in an unusual, distinctive hairstyle, with a tuft of hair on top of his head jutting upwards and then curving frontwards, being reminiscent of a plant's stem. His hair also extends in a rounded form on his forehead, and is cut on both sides of his head in a spiraling motif. He also has dark eyes with thin dark eyebrows pointing downwards at their outer edges; his rectangular-shaped face sporting sharp features, with prominent cheekbones. His outfit consisted of a simple white shirt, green checkered pants, and dark shoes with lighter soles. He also sports a pair of distinctive belts crossing his chest, each passing over one of his shoulders. These belts are reminiscent of bandoliers, sporting rectangular cases on them.
The other man is of average height, with orange hair, kept jutting backwards at the sides of his head. He has a sharp face, a prominent, flat and defined nose pointing downwards, and distinctive teeth, with a protruding, sharp, triangular-shaped upper molar complemented by a chipped portion on the lower row, something which allows him to close his teeth completely despite such a peculiar physical irregularity. He wears a open, light-brown coat with yellowish fur trimmings on its edges and sleeves, which reaches down below his elbows. Below it is a high-collared purple shirt, with its collar mostly left open, which is sometimes seen left hanging over the checkered belt below it, with a rectangular buckle, and others tucked inside the baggy dark pants covering his legs, in turn tucked inside dark boots. He has a bracelet composed of thin ropes around his right wrist with a watch around his left. The most distinctive piece of his attire though is probably the fancy, extremely high hat matching his coat, with a large brim and fur trimmings over its entire length, at regular intervals, plus a large furry ball on its top.
They were Jet, Droy, and Levy McGarden, the girl known for entirely different reasons. "Sorry friends. Lucy, Liz, Natsu, and Happy took that job." Ghur laughed before bringing a mug of beer to his lips, before Levy then said in disappointment "Man I could have really used that money." before their guildmaster said sagely whilst sitting on top of the bar counter "Don't despair Levy. It's probably for the best, since it's changed." which got the six members attention, with Grimek coming in as Chamon asked sarcastically "Wait don't tell us! They canceled at the last minute didn't they?" at which Makarov smirked before answering "On the contrary. The client has raised the reward to two million." which caused the six to talk among themselves in surprise, before Grimek heard that pay was equivalent to fighting monsters job requests, which the Dwarf then approached the old guild master, stating gruffly to him seriously "We need to talk... privately, sir. It relates to... me group of friends." with the look Grimek giving Makarov concern as to what the Dwarf had to say.
On a carriage to Shirotsume Town, Lucy asks sickeningly sweet "So how are you enjoying the trip so far, Master? Anything else I can get for you?" which Natsu replies in illness "I could really use a barf bag right about now." with Happy shouting indignantly in annoyance "Hey I called dibs on being the master, so I should be making the orders!" at which Liz says reassuringly in character "Oh let Lu be Natsu's maid, Master Happy. I would gladly get you anything you need." which provokes Lucy in stating in anger "Shut up, Liz! You are partially to blame for this."
"Anyways, Natsu why did you and Happy need me and Liz? I mean you could have just brought one of us for this job right?" Lucy asks in curiosity, which Natsu answers honestly "Well I figured that you were such a nice person and I did not feel like separating you from your cousin." which causes Lucy to blush in surprise from the compliment momentarily before Natsu then adds "But your so weird." which Lucy then thinks "Just when I think he is actually a nice guy, he just has to say stuff like that.".
"Now that I think about it, this job is just up my alley." Lucy explains with a smile, which Happy then asks "Really? You seemed really against it a little while ago. What changed?" before Lucy then adds "Yeah but if this Perv likes pretty girls, then I'm obviously perfect for the job." before Happy then states "You humans all look the same to me." which Liz laughs and claps at.
"Now since Liz is living at my place and we both will be doing most of the work, we're going to split the reward, fifty, thirty, ten, and ten." Lucy explains before Happy then asks "Wow you both want only ten percent?" at which Lucy shouts angrily "Me and Liz are the fifty and thirty!" before stretching Happy's face with her hands, causing the feline to beg for forgivness as Liz tries to calm Lucy.
Upon arriving at Shirotsume, Natsu then states "I am never getting on one of those things again. Man am I hungry." with Happy adding that he says that every time, before Liz then asks "Can't you just eat your own fire?" with Lucy nodding in agreement before Natsu says sarcastically "Don't say stupid things like that. Would Lucy eat Plue or that cow of hers?" which Lucy denies she would ever do, before he then continues "Or you eat..." pausing as he realizes he has never seen Liz use her magic, and asks "Wait, what magic do you even use?" at which Liz smiles before answering "It's a secret!" causing Natsu to stumble a bit.
"So you can eat fire but just not your own? That's lame" Lucy states from their previous comment, before the four are just outside a restaurant. "Let's get something to eat guys, then head over to the employer." Natsu suggests before Lucy says "Me and Liz will pass. We need to do something before then." confusing the other three before Lucy drags Liz away, who wants to eat as well. "What's with her? We're supposed to eat as a team." Natsu explains before Happy shrugs in indifference.
Later Natsu and Happy are eating a large meal, suggesting to save certain fattening foods for their friends later before being interrupted by Lucy asking in annoyance "Hold up, just what is that supposed to mean cat?" from behind Natsu, with the two beginning to face her though see not only her in a maid outfit but Liz as well, though the later is uncomfortable about something.
"Have you had enough food master? Do you wish to have some more? Your wish is my command." Lucy asks shyly in character as Liz begins crying comically but does not seem to bother Lucy, though Natsu and Happy seem to have been shocked about their attire before whispering loudly to each other, with Happy asking "What do we do? We were joking about the costume but she took it seriously and dressed Liz up as well." while Natsu answers "We'll just have to go along with it. Just don't say anything." as Lucy develops some angry tic marks before stating in restrained annoyance "I can still hear you." as Liz still comically cries in the background behind her.
The group later arrives at the house of their client and seated while on a couch while they wait. "Greetings, I'm the client and my name is Kaby Melon." a old man with a lip moustache in a business suit greets as he seats himself across from the four, which Natsu and Happy comment on how tasty his name sounded, while Lucy then tells them to apologize for being so rude, though she can not shake the feeling she has heard the name somewhere before. "It's alright, I get that a lot." Kaby laughs it off before then continues in seriousness "Let me reiterate the mission, Duke Everlue is in possession of a book called Daybreak. I want you to burn it." at which Natsu smiled as he then states happily "Heh, don't worry. I'll burn the whole place down if you want." though Lucy scolds the two, not wanting to go to jail because of them, and asks Kaby "If it is no problem, can I ask why, sir?" at which Liz states in a rather depressed tone "For 200,000, who cares Lu." though Kaby states in correction "Actually the reward has been raised to two million, I thought you were aware it had changed." which surprises all four of them though Liz goes back into a depressed state soon after.
"Two Million Jewels split four ways, I stink at math but I know that's a lot!" Natsu shouts as the gears in his head to work out the reward. "Wait, I know! Liz gets One Million, I get 500,000, you get 500,000, and Lucy gets all the rest!" Happy states as Natsu agrees with him, though Lucy butts in, shouting angrily "That means I would not get any money!" before then calming down and asks "Why raise the reward then?" as Kaby then answers while tightening his hands together "Well, it's just that important to me. That book needs to be destroyed, no matter the cost." which gets Natsu fired up, frightening Lucy a bit before he then grabs both Liz and Lucy by their wrists running out of Kaby's house to do their mission.
A few minutes later, Lucy and Liz, in their maid outfits, stand outside the front gates to Everlue's mansion, Lucy stating she is answering the maid ad while Liz still looks depressed at something still. However from behind both of them, what could be described as a giant gorilla like maid with pink hair bursts from the ground, scaring Lucy but strangely uneffecting Liz, who is still depressed. "I assume since you both here are dressed as maids, that you both wish to apply to the add in the paper by the master?" the gorilla maid stated before at which Lucy agrees before hearing a weird laugh of boyhoyoho before a smaller figure burst from the ground as well.
The newcomer's attire consisted of a business black suit with a golden button on the front and a red lapel flower on his left breast. However his nose hairs were extremely long and curled and his hair a side swept though cut a bit to short. "Did I hear someone say master?!" the man asks, which Lucy internally screams "More like a fat wanna be Dwarf pale grobi that got mauled by a bear!" before the man that must have been Everlue says in seriousness "Now let's see if either of you could work to be maids for me." while studying Lucy first, who replies nervously under his gaze "Well I hope you like what you see!"
"I'll pass, so scram ugly." Everlue says in disgust as he turns away from her. Lucy, having only been ever called that by a few friends in Onadheim, including Aqshy, is shocked in disbelief as Lucy is hefted by her maid belt by the gorilla maid, who states "You heard the man, Ugly." causing another blow to her pride. "I'm sorry but a man of my stature has certain standards he has to uphold." Everlue explains as four more maids appear though could be considered ugly in others books, before he then continues "I only accept the most fairest of the fair and exotic girls to be my maids." as the girls fawn over him before all hear Liz groan in gloom. As Everlue gazes upon Liz though, he shouts rather loudly "YOU! You my dear are positively exquisite! I would gladly hire you though!" at which Lucy's jaw drops from shock that her cousin was able to convince Everlue but not her, and Liz was not even trying!
However, Liz says in dejection "I'll pass.", shocking everyone present that Liz would say it so casually, as Everlue then adds "But my dear! Why on earth would you pass on working for someone as glorious as me?!" at which Liz explains "Well first is that we come as a pair and secondly, the one you called ugly is my cousin and a role model to me, so why should I, a ugly copycat, be allowed entrance as well?" which Everlue pales at realizing he might of scared of this exotic blonde by disregarding her cousin. "I apologize, I would gladly have her as well! How else can I make it up to you my dear? Just name it, so long as it is not a pay raise." though Liz perks up a bit as she lays her terms out "I would like you to allow me and my cousin to live in the mansion as well, while also allowing my cousin into the library. She's a really big book nerd" as Lucy shouts indignantly "Hey!" before continuing "even learning the entire Klinkarhun language from a friend, and so can translate anything written by Dwarfs" which gets Everlue's interest further on Lucy.
"I also wish you to allow her boyfriend to come visit her as well, as they really love each other, and can I not wear shoes please. I feel really uncomfortable with them and would feel much more free if I don't wear them." Liz finishes before shifting her feet, still feeling uncomfortable in said clothing. "Of course! I would be more then happy to oblige you my tanned goddess. If I may make a request to your cousin to read a stone in my personal Library, I would be much more appreciative of her services." Everlue agrees while adding something of interest to Lucy, before further stating "I expect you to start soon my dear!" and opens the gates before entering himself with his maids, leaving Liz smiling as she kicks off the bothersome footwear, while Lucy looks a bit dumbfounded before then asking confused "What just happened?" at which Liz replied with a smile "I just got you in as well, with Natsu and Happy."
"So who's Lucy's boyfriend?" Natsu asks with a smile as he approaches both with a smile, Happy saying "Aye!" in agreement. Lucy is also a bit curious by what Liz meant by boyfriend as well and on how she got Happy and Natsu, but stops at realizing who she meant was Lucy's boyfriend. "Isn't it obvious Natsu? That's you." Liz states with a Cheshire grin as Happy both cheers and laughs as Natsu and Lucy's faces change to ones of horror. "I strongly dislike you right now Liz." Lucy states in annoyance as Liz retorts "Then stop trying to put footwear on me! I hate that!" which Lucy sighs as Natsu seems to be still too shocked. However, hovering unknown above them is a crystal like eye, allowing Everlue and three shadowed men watch them, though they can not hear them. "So these two are from Fairy Tail huh?" Everlue states with a smirk as one of the men then asks "Don't you mean the three of them?" at which Everlue corrects harshly "Nonsense, that beautiful tanned goddess probably knows nothing of their affiliation. If you have the chance, dispose of the cat and the boy but capture the girl, as I bet her beautiful cousin wasn't lying about her knowing dwarf speech and I would get her eternal gratitude. Boya-ho-ho" which the three men acknowledge, though are unnerved by his fascination with Liz.
Not long after, Liz has escorted Lucy, Natsu, and Happy to the central library, dusting the shelves as to keep up their infiltration rouse. Lucy spots a stone with actual dwarf Khazalid on it, and heads over to read it, surprised about something as Liz comes over to investigate what she found, which Lucy whispers to her discovery. Natsu and Happy are browsing the books for Daybreak and surprisingly Natsu finds it by pure accident. "Well guess that wraps up this mission. Two Million Jewels here we come." Natsu said as his lights is fist on fire before Lucy suddenly grabs the book out of Natsu's hands and shouts excitedly "Wait, this book was written by Kamu Zaleon! I thought I read all of his works but this must be a unpublished novel." and hugs it tightly to her chest, as Natsu then arrogantly replies "So who cares, it all burns the same to me." at which Lucy hugs the book protectively, warning Natsu to back off as she claims it is a lost literature treasure and will kick his behind if he tries anything to it.
"What about the mission?" Happy asks with a intimidating blank look which Lucy says to forget the mission but upsets Happy further as he then says "Failure is not an option!" as Lucy backs away from them both, saying nervously "Come on you guys. How about we bring it with us to the client. I'm sure we need to know the reason for it." though does not seem to convince either Happy or Natsu. However they are interrupted by Everlue popping up from the ground, which Happy then asks if it would not have been easier to come in through the door. "I knew you low life wizards were sniffing around here for something, but I never would have thought is was that stupid book." Everlue explains, ignoring Happy's comment, which momentarily confuses the group at why it was important to Kaby but not worthwhile to Everlue.
"Well that's great! That means I get to keep it, right?" Lucy asks cheerfully though Everlue throws a tantrum, shouting angrily "No, it's mine! So return it to me immediately!" which Lucy then says in annoyance "Greedy gut grobi." at which Everlue sticks a finger up his nose before stating blankly "Shut your mouth Ugly. The only reason I tolerate you is because of your exotic goddess of a cousin and your ability to translate dwarf speech" which damages Lucy's pride once more at being called ugly. "Lucy just give me the-" Natsu begins to shout but stops as everyone begins to feel a chilly aura coming from the side, which upon turning to examine, see Liz standing there with a smile but instead of feeling warm and friendly, felt like it screamed danger to all of them in their primal instincts, particularly Everlue, who was sweating at her demeanor. "Liz you need to calm down. It's fine, I'll just read the book and no one has to get hurt." Lucy says shakily, trying to calm her cousin, which the sudden dangerous aura recedes, with Liz going back to dusting, though only the dwarf stone.
"Soo- I'm going to read the book now." Lucy states and plops down before reading, surprising Natsu, Happy, and Everlue at her decision, though are wary of actually assaulting her with Liz present. Annoyed, Everlue then shouts "Come forth, Vanish Brothers and Cerman von Isa! Defend my property!" at which the wall nearby on the second floor opens, to reveal the two men, identified by Happy to be members of a mercenary guild, though the later wears old rusty plate armor with skulls, bat wings, and had a dread like aura surrounding him. Suddenly Lucy discovers that the book holds some secret, and shouts to Natsu and Liz "I need you two to keep them busy, I need the time to decipher this. Also remember what I told you Liz." and runs away with it. Everlue begins to ponder on what he may have missed in it and the secrets it holds, then orders the mercenaries to deal with Natsu, and to not harm Liz, despite how Lucy told Liz to stall them,and follows Lucy while Happy leaves to back her up at Natsu's urging, and is left to fight the Vanish Brothers and Cerman with Liz.
"Big talk for a guy about to get his behind handed to him by us. You wanna restrain the girl Cerman?" the man with a afro asks the dreadful knight, who replies with a sinister raspy voice "No. My contract was to ensure Everlue's property was unharmed and that his employee's were kept in good health. I am not needed here." which confuses everyone except Liz present as he unsheathes his blade, thinking he might actually fight, though it releases a dreadful shrieking noise, forcing the other maids to flee the mansion as Natsu and the Vanish Brothers cover their ears from the painful sound, though Natsu notices Liz not bothering to cover her ears, nor running, but glares instead at the armored warrior, though later notices when the noise ceases, that he is no longer present.
"Damn that man. Does he have to unleash his shrieking cursed blade to leave every time?" the more traditional brother asks in annoyance though notices the girl is not even phased by what happened, then adds "Brother, let's take the Fire Wizard. That girl probably is more trouble then she is worth." which the other vanish brother agrees to.
As they begin their duel, they notice Liz pick the large carved stone be lifted by Liz and taken out of the mansion, though the vanish brothers felt that she was just being tidy since all the other maids left. Natsu feels that the stone means something to either her or Lucy and plans to talk to them after, and continues his duel unhindered.
Meanwhile with Lucy, she finds something of great interest in the book, before noticing slight vibrations behind her, jumping out of the way as Everlue appears from behind to catch her but failing. "How did you know I was behind you?" at which Lucy states with a smirk "Dwarf Miners are known to detect the slightest disturbance underground in their mines, sort of like a sixth sense for them. The vibrations in the metal is also easier to sense you as well." though Everlue dismisses it and orders her to tell him the secret of the book, saying "I promise to not harm you and call my bodyguards off your friends if you do. Plus I doubt the secret is of little concern for you."
However, Happy arrives and interrupts Everlue by kicking him in the face. As Happy's magic runs out , Lucy takes out her bow quickly and looses arrow into Happy's backpack, pinning him to the wall, causing the feline to shout indignantly at why she did so. "I don't want you to smell like sewage. The smell would be staying a few weeks even after a bath and I would rather not deal with that." Lucy explains before turning her attention to Everlue once more.
"There is no way even with that cat, you will defeat me with my Diver Magic! Boyoyoyo!" Everlue states before beginig a renewed assault. "Listen I already know the whole story now, with it being a bad story about a trashy little grobi hero named Duke Everlue." Lucy shouts as she dodges, to which Everlue momentarily pauses to say "What the devil is a grobi?! I wouldn't say the main protagonist trashy either, but yes the story itself is crap and to think it was written by the great Kamu Zaleon."
"I can't believe your arrogance! You black mailed him to write it!" Lucy shouts in annoyance to which Happy asks confused "Blackmail?"
"What's the big deal? Any writer would have jumped at the oppurtunity to have me as their muse but he had the audacity to say no. So I made it a ultimatum and told him to write the novel or his family would be stripped of his citizenship." Everlue explained though Happy then asks "But then they would be unable to join any of the guilds and not make a living. Do you really have that power?" to which Lucy instantly says "Maybe for Fiore, but not Onadland or The Dwarf Realms." with Everlue replying happily "Nonsense, I would merely have the Dwarfs annihilated and this Onadland removed from the face of the world."
"Except that Fiore's wealth is dependent on the two groups and would backfire on you." Lucy states evenly, though is shaking in anger at Everlue's arrogance that his wealth and influence could allow him to start a war with two nations and a small territory within Fiore, not knowing how strong each of their respective military are. "Besides I got him to write it didn't I? But I didn't like his attitude and decided he would write better from a prison cell. Boyoyoyo." Everlue stated with glee as Lucy then adds "You had him confined for three whole years in solitary confinement." surprising Happy as Everlue replies arrogantly "Maybe it took him that long to appreciate me."
"More like he couldn't bear to spread your filthy lies though he knew he had to satisfy you stupid vane grobi ego for a hero of truth and justice, or his family would suffer." Lucy explained while Everlue then asks finally "Tell me how do you know this?" which Lucy shows the book "DAYBREAK" and states "It's all here, in black and white, and there is something you never knew about Kamu Zaleon, is that he was a mage before he was a writer, and he used the last of his magic to hide the true contents of this story from you." enraging Everlue to try and steal the book back, though Lucy easily dodges him.
"But that is not all, since this book was never written for you anyways. Also, You are no friend of the Dawi, as they condemn this sort of activity and would never stoop so low to have someone chronicle them selves without fault, as every being has faults and quirks that make them who they are, as well as buying dwarf items off the black market, claiming that the Dawi forged such wondrous items for you." then summons forth her Celestial Spirit Cancer before unsheathing her sword and shield to fight Everlue. Happy, having freed himself from the arrow, begins to drool at Cancers appearance before being smacked on the head by Lucy with her shield.
Everlue shakes in anger and some fear, then summons Virgo, who surprisingly turns out to be that gorilla maid from before, though appears with Natsu Dragneel riding on her back. "Nasu! What are you doing there?" Lucy asks loudly in surprise, which Natsu explains in reply "I don't know. I just saw her laying on the ground knocked out and went to check if she was okay. When I grabbed her, she suddenly got up and I ended up here." while Virgo it seems to be trying to figure out what happened.
"Wait if you grabbed her and arrived here that means you passed through the spirit world? That's impossible!" Lucy shouts in unbelief, finding it impossible for him to survive in the spirit world. Natsu asks what he should do at which she tells Cancer to help her with Everlue while Natsu handles Virgo. Together Natsu beats Virgo easily with his magic while Lucy knocks Everlue unconscious as he tries to attack her from beneath the ground, a rune on Lucy's shield glowing briefly, moving her arm suddenly against Everlue's head butt, which Lucy asks Cancer to shave his head of all his hair, leaving not a single strand on his head.
Unfortunately because of all the holes that Everlue dug, cause the mansion to give way and begins to collapse, forcing Natsu, Lucy, and Happy to leave for outside, though Happy sees Virgo begin to stand up in the dust, a footprint on her face from being kicked by someone. Natsu then says that Lucy should be proud for destroying the mansion and keeping with the Fairy Tail tradition of causing mayhem, though she cries comically that she may be charged with arson, saying it was a bad omen and such.
Later at Kaby Melon's home with Lucy, Natsu, and Happy Kaby is surprised when Lucy hands him the book. "Why are you handing me this? I asked you to burn it, not retrieve it." Kaby asks which Lucy then asks "Yes but if you really want to destroy it, I wish you to do it yourself, as I belief that your father would rather not want to let some stranger to destroy it. Since he was a wizard as well, known as Zekua Melon" which Kaby is surprised as well as Natsu and Happy that Kaby is Kemu's son, which he then admits to and begins to explain why he wanted the book to be destroyed.
He explains that he was angry at his father for being gone for three years and never contacting his family. When his father came home, he swore to never write again and cut his writing hand off. Kamu died soon after and Kaby's anger turned to remorse. This made him want to destroy the book to save his father's honor as a great writer. As he lights a match, Lucy tells him to stop and look, with a sudden wind blowing out the match, the book begins to glow and the letters on the cover rearrange from "DAYBREAK" to read "DEAR KABY". Then all the other words start to change and Lucy then reveals in to everyone "The book was actually written for Kaby, not Everlue or himself. He didn't stop writing because he was ashamed, but because he had finished his greatest master piece, a novel containing everything to his beloved son."
Natsu ponders something for a moment before telling Kaby that he doesn't owe them anything, which Kaby begins to protest before Lucy explains with a smile "Our job was to destroy the book, Mr. Melon. We failed that and we should get going." with Natsu adding "It would damage Fairy Tail's good name accepting a reward. Besides you should go home with your wife." surprising The Melons and Lucy. On the way back, Lucy continues to grimace on how Natsu knew they were poor by their scent, though Natsu smiles smugly before stating that those papers are for a novel she's writing, which she is embarrassed by and begs him not to tell anyone, he replies that he wouldn't even if it was bad, since Liz would just power kick him, though it does not reassure her after he said even if it was bad.
The next morning, Natsu, Happy, and Lucy, who is inside Horologium to ride in as they go through a swamp, are taking a shortcut to return to Fairy Tail which Happy claims he has a great smell of direction, which Horologium relays what Lucy is saying " 'I am pretty sure that is dogs but is probably better then Larz or Ghur's sense of direction, since Ghur has no direction sense what so ever while Larz is just to unable to comprehend even a simple direction unless you spell it out for him.' she says in exasperation." As they climb ashore from the Swamp, Natsu senses something and jumps to attack it, causing Lucy to dismiss Horologium and reach of her bow and arrows.
However, Gray jumps out while fighting Natsu, explaining how he was trying to use the bathroom, though Lucy is confused to why Happy did not smell him then. The two of them continue to fight for a while before things calm down, with Gray then explaining as they eat lunch "There is a shortcut to Magnolia through her." which Happy smiles while fishing, before Lucy then asks "I see. So why did you not smell Gray ahead of us Happy?" which the feline replies with a smug grin "THere are some things you don't want to smell." which Gray stands up to protest before being pounded into the ground by a mailed fist, belonging to Liz, surprising Natsu, Happy, and Lucy.
"Monster down!" Liz laughs as Lucy then begins to scold her about attacking a fellow guild member, as Natsu adds mockingly "I don't know Lucy. Liz may have a point though I don't think Grey is that scary." as he laughs. "Well we should hurry on home before Erza comes back. She is one." Gray states, causing Natsu to pale in memory as Lucy says in wonder "Really? The Erza?! I can't wait to meet her!" but then asks "Wait, what kind of woman is Erza? I haven't seen any pictures of her in Sorceror Weekly." to which all the boys, including Happy, reply "Scary." which freaks out Lucy a bit but causes Liz to fall over in a fit of laughter.
"Wild Animal?" Gray suggests to Natsu, who suggests in turn "Vile Beast?" though Happy then replies loudly "More like a full on monster!" which confuses Lucy a bit. "one thing I think we can agree on is she is that scary, well maybe even more." Gray states, which Natsu adds in suggestion "Like she can blow away a mountain with a single kick scary?" to which the boys begin to argue about how many mountains she could take down with a single kick when angry, though Liz then asks "So she is more like a tame version of Unthor then?" which cause the boys to look at her confused as Lucy pales at her Uncle being mentioned.
"No way. Erza is the strongest woman of Fairy Tail. How could this Unthor be more scary then her?" Grey asks to which Liz explains "Well Unthor has beaten everyone within a inch of their lives when they befriend either me or Lucy. Not only that, but he enjoys fighting more then even you Natsu." and points to the pinkette, which the boys begin to look at Lucy for confirmation, but see her unconscious from an overdose of fear. "Trust me, Unthor is someone you don't want to piss off if you want to live." Liz adds with a laugh before turning to address Lucy "I sent the Oath Stone back to Karak Trado via Runebearer, Lucy, and he says the Dwarf Clans will exempt this month's rent for you." which Lucy snaps up to and sighs at in content, though confuses the boys.
"I also ran into some nifty guys, with one guy able to use Sand Magic, another a flaming chicken, twin brothers, and a mage that predicted my friends would have trouble amongst themselves and that a ice rock would find someone special but that the stars point towards great trouble with water and women. Saved them from some shadows that leapt from the ground. Mentioned also something called Lullaby. Plan to run it by Unthor and Grimek when we get back to Magnolia" Liz later stated, causing Lucy to sweat nervously as the boys were further confused.
Elsewhere, the citizens of a town look on in amazement as a young woman with red hair and armor walks through town carrying a large horn on her shoulder, passing by a really tall fat man with a mustache, who seems confused of where he is and stops to ask her "Do you know how to get to Magnolia, miss? I am supposed to meet my sister and friends there but seem to be lost." to which the young woman stops and points down the road she is travelling, explaining"Sure thing. Continue straight down this road, and you'll be there by tomorrow morning. " to which the larger man thanks her and leaves to find his animal companion.
Passing through the town as well, a Dwarf drives a cart with a large carved stone, similar to the one Liz carried out of Everlue's mansion, stating to himself "Thee Oath Stone of Dead Beard Valley. At long last it can be returned ta it's rightful place. I would ave gone so far as ta suggest tha Lady Goldheart's rent be suspended by a ear, let alone a month. Buh accede to tha deal I shall that thee Lady asks of me, I will." and continues along.
AN: So we see them return something to the Dwarfs of historical importance and some new characters. Hope everyone is looking forward to the Lullaby Arc! As always, leave a follow/favorite and a review especially as they are always helpful to me. As for the Plated Knight, think Wight King, and for the tall fat man, think Ogre. Hope to see you all in the next series of chapters (This chapter was having difficulties uploading and hence I am suggesting to be patient with new chapters because of it). Have a great week end my fans and my the ancestors smile down on you! XD *Nurgle aims blowgun at me* Don't do it if you want me to approve a tie breaker in your favor Nurgle, I am already sick enough as it is already. *Glares at him as he lower the weapon* Smart.