Chapter 4:
Cowardly Lion
A/N: Aw you guys, I'm so proud of you! Since I updated chapter 3 I've been getting plenty of reviews! Let's do that again with this chapter!
Story Starts:
Our group of "heroes" we're last seen still treading through the rigorous forest with upbeat hearts and benevolent hearts.
"Damn it Metal breath quit breathing my air!"
"News flash Straw face: We don't need to breath!"
So far, two of our leading males in the group have been arguing nonstop since Tin man joined up with the group. The only girl in the group, Lucy, sighed at the sight of the two bickering. Our hapless heroine is slowly losing patience with the two boys.
Scarecrow and Tin man rammed their heads into each other.
"I'm really getting sick of looking at your face!" Scarecrow growled.
"Not exactly enjoying the view either!" Tin man growled back.
"I'm getting sick of BOTH of you," Lucy scowled as she and Plue forged on ahead.
"Ah! Wait up Lucy!" Scarecrow called then twisted and glared at Tin man. "Great, now you made Lucy mad at me!"
"It's your fault too, dumb-ass!"
"WILL BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!" Lucy yelled at them.
~Meanwhile~
Unbeknownst to the group they were being watched by a pair of golden eyes with stylish sunglasses.
"A g-girl…" the figure muttered. "This time, I can do it… I can do it…"
~Back to our group~
"So Tin man," Lucy asked the metal Gazille look-alike. "Do you know what's in this forest?"
Tin man paused and stared at the jungle of trees surrounding them.
"We're in the Forest of the Wild," he said.
"Forest of the Wild?" Scarecrow questioned. "What's that?"
"Supposedly it was given that title because of the creatures that occupy the joint," he shrugged.
Lucy squeezed Plue tightly. "What sort of creatures?"
"Mostly Lions, Tigers, and Bears."
"Lions!" Scarecrow exclaimed excitedly.
"Tigers?" Lucy gulped.
"Plue…" Plue said.
"So if we run into any," Lucy sweat-dropped nervously.
Tin man snorted. "What? You're worried about some small-fry animals, bunny girl?"
"Why shouldn't I be?" Lucy huffed, annoyed with the nickname Tin man had been calling her since they met. "I do care about our safety after all."
Tin man snorted again, "Please. I'm about the only dangerous thing you'll ever see."
"What about me?" Scarecrow narrowed his eyes.
"You don't count, you're way too weak," Tin man smirked.
Scarecrow exploded into another fury and busted heads with Tin man.
Lucy yelled at the two of them, "Could you two please stop fighting for two seconds and just focus on getting to Emerald City!"
A loud roar filled the air! The group froze and searched for the owner of the sound. A figure appeared behind Lucy and tried to grab her until Scarecrow leaped into action and kicked the person aside.
"You ok Lucy?" Scarecrow asked.
"Yeah." Lucy nodded.
"Ow, what the hell was that for?" the person spoke. The group went slowly went towards him and Lucy gasped.
"Loki!"
The figure was another boy around their age with golden mane-like hair and incredible good looks. He wore a golden fur coat and shades that covered his amber eyes. Indeed it was another dead ringer for one of Lucy's friends back home.
The boy looked up and said, "Loki? My name is Lion." When he noticed he was addressing Lucy he blushed furiously and looked away.
"Yes, if he's a wild animal let's cook him right up," Scarecrow licked his lips.
Lucy smacked him on his head, "We're not eating him you idiot!"
Tin man placed his foot on Lion's chest and held him down hard. "Alright kitty, why exactly were you following us for?" he interrogated the captive Lion.
"Tin man don't hurt him!" Lucy cried.
Tin man glowered at her, "Why shouldn't I? For all we know he could be an agent of Witch Ultear."
"That doesn't mean you have to hurt him," Lucy scolded. "We can just talk to him peacefully."
She went to Lion and smiled at him, "Can you tell us what you want?"
Lion again blushed furiously at Lucy speaking to him. He was stuttering unrecognizable words until he held her gaze with a blank frown. "I wanted to talk, got a problem with that cow?"
Lucy punched his head. Lion cried and howled, "Damn it! Not again!"
"Not cool to be rude, dude." Scarecrow frowned.
"That's my problem," Lion protested avoiding Lucy's gaze. "I can't talk properly to girls. Ever since I can remember I could never speak properly to girls. I feel so nervous my heart feels like it's going to explode and then I just blurt out the wrong thing…and end up getting hit."
"You're afraid of talking to girls?" Tin man snickered. "What a wuss!"
"When I saw you," Lion continued still avoiding Lucy's eyes. "I thought maybe after a while I could change, but I still lack the courage."
"Hey then why not come with us?" Scarecrow beamed.
"Huh?" Lucy, Tin man, Lion said in unison.
"Why not?" Scarecrow folded his hand between his head. "Listen, Lion, we're all going to see this wizard guy for something special why not come with us to get a gift too?"
"Yeah," Lucy smiled. She's pleased at how Scarecrow actually came up with a good idea. "After all, Tin man here needs a heart," Tin man scoffed. "I want to go home, and Natsu needs a brain-."
"And fire powers!" he added.
"Like I said, he really needs a brain," Lucy sweat-dropped. "If he can do all that he can get you some courage."
"That would be great." He nervously smiled, and zipped his head away from Lucy's direction.
"Tin man can you get your foot off him now?" Lucy glared at Tin man.
Tin man reluctantly lifted his foot and gave Lion a chance to stand up.
"Do you mind if I come with you?" Lion asked Tin man.
Tin man shrugged, "As long as you don't slow me down or get in my way, I won't have to kill you."
"Good to know," Lion chuckled nervously.
Lucy grabbed Lion's hand. Scarecrow flinched at the action and narrowed his eyes at the gesture.
"Shall we go?" Lucy smiled.
Lion blushed over 10 shades of red, stuttering like crazy, until he gave her another blank stare and said in a monotone voice. "Quit wasting time and lead the way, stupid cow."
Lucy punched Lion repeatedly. Tin man and Scarecrow then regarded Lucy with newfound respect and a lesson to learn: Never ever call Lucy a cow.
~Back at the West~
Again, the Wicked Witch of the West Ultear frowned as she waved her hand over her crystal ball.
"Another ally to that wench's party?" she sneered. "Not only that, but she's almost at Emerald City."
At this rate Lucy would still be in possession of the shoes if Ultear didn't act fast. But then she had an idea. Flowers…
"Happy," she ordered her winged assistant. "Bring me my Hypnos Poppy pollen. I'm not of the game just yet."
"Aye." Happy saluted.
Chapter 4/End
A/N: Yay! Now the gang is complete! Remember, the goal is 5 reviews or more just like the previous chapter! Please review!
