Lucy P.O.V
I stare at the three jobs in front of me as four sets of eyes watch me across the table. Each job seems difficult but we all agreed we wanted a challenge. In the end Laxus decided to leave the final decision with me. I lift up the fist job examining it once more.
'This one has a mystery creature that no ones ever gotten a good look at, but the dark guild one has a mystery element too where we dont know their magic.'
I sigh and lift up the third job, it takes place in a well known resort town and involves a group of thieves, some of which know magic. I stifle a laugh as I look at the reward, passes for two weeks to one of the best resorts, and I immediately know it was Ever who insisted this job be included in the final decision. I already know it won't be this one, despite loving the idea of a nice week at a resort I know I need to be fair. Putting the paper down I look back to the monster quest.
"Definitely this one, we'll have to hunt it down first and i'm willing to bet it won't be an easy fight based on the description."
Bixlow lets out a loud laugh and jumps out of his seat as Freed and Ever reach into their pockets and pull out some money.
"Told you mine was the hardest, and theres no arguing with cosplayer cause she's the smartest one of us!"
"I resent that." Freed says as he errects a rune barrier around Bix who promptly smashes face first into it. "Not that you aren't incredibly intelligent Miss Lucy, I just dont like being called stupid by that moron."
I laugh and wave him off so he knows I understand perfectly. Ever grabs my hand and looks me straight in the eyes with tears streaming down her face.
"We could have gone to a resort Lucy, A Resort! Why!?" I laugh harder at her reaction even as I apologize. Laxus finally stands up gaining all of our attention.
"Alright calm down, the reward for the monster quest is pretty high so we can go to a resort for a few days afterwards, call it a welcome to the team vacation for Blondie."
Ever jumps up, dragging me along with her in a strong hug as she does, and lets out a squeal that nearly deafens me.
"Alright Ever stop before you Make Blondie go deaf. We'll leave for the job on Friday, hopefully we won't be there longer than a week." As always Laxus takes the lead and gets everyone serious, as soon as he finishes speaking Freed excuses himself to go make lists for the items we'll need before we leave. Next Bix And Laxus head down to the bar for a beer before their daily work out, and Evergreen leaves to talk to Elfman. I laugh a little as I watch the couple interact, she told me the other day at the spa that they were in fact dating now but keeping it quiet.
"So you're really going on another job with them?" I jump a bit as Gray pops up behind me.
"If you want to talk put on some damn clothes first Gray."
"Don't change the subject." He says even as he pulls on his pants and a shirt. "Look we get it, you dont like being coddled. You don't have to keep doing missions with them."
I can't help but give him a sad smile, Gray is like a protective big brother, but right now that isn't what I need.
"Look Gray, it's more than that. I've tried to train so much and everytime I turn around one of you guys are discouraging me and telling me to just accept my limitations, and that hurts so much ya know? It was like you were all constantly telling me that I wasn't capable of ever becoming better."
I look into his eyes hoping to see he understands but know he won't fully understand for a while yet.
"Then the way you guys just disrespect my space, forcing your way into my apartment, eating all my food and breaking things, then you wonder why I stress about money? Because I already got so little from our jobs because of all your destructive habits and the money I did get ended up feeding you guys and going to repairing my home." Gray has the good sense to look a little ashamed, but these are complaints i've shared before and I can't trust that he's learned yet.
"We just want to keep you safe. We love you so much, but I get it, and i'm sorry we hurt you like that. I can't promise that any of us will fully understand but know that we are trying okay?"
I smile a little, tears filling my eyes. The simple words tug at my heart giving me some hope that soon things will change for the better.
"Just remember holder type magic isn't very strong, don't expect to become crazy strong or anything."
I nod, a silent dismissal even as that hope inside my chest shatters. I almost don't say anything as he gets up to leave but decide that i'm done being quiet.
"You should just remember that Erza has holder type magic, and she is far more powerful than you."
The shock on his face says it all, and I don't give him time to reply as I stand up and walk away. A giddy feeling fills my chest as I go. 'I've wanted to say that for months.'
~Timeskip~
Friday comes faster than I thought and I jump out of bed as soon as I hear my alarm, excited to go on another job with the raijinshu.
I take a shower and change from my pyjamas into a pair of pale blue shorts and a simple red t-shirt, then double check my bag, keys, and whip.
"Alright, looks like i'm all ready to go." I pick up my bag, scan the apartment one more time and then make my way to the train station.
Within a few moments of beginning my walk I notice i'm being followed, and based on the mop of spiky pink hair popping out over top of a mail box I assume it is Natsu who trails behind me. Realizing he is planning to follow me on the job I take out a notepad and pen and write down, 'five tickets to Eyllwe please, and please don't tell a pink haired guy that's where i'm going. He is a friend trying to follow me and i'd really rather he not.'
As I arrive at the station I hand my little note to the man in the booth who reads it and nods his understanding. Soon the man hands me the four tickets in an envelope to conceal the writing on them. I smile, grateful for the small gesture and pay him. "Enjoy your visit to Anielle." He says with a wink, and I smile again, before I make my way down to the platform where we had all agreed to meet last night.
"Good morning Miss Lucy, Did you get the tickets? I was planning to once we'd all arrived." Freed is the only one to have arrived so far, and I make my way over to him.
"Yeah I figured i'd pick them up for us this time." I move a little closer and whisper the situation to him.
"Ah I see, I will refrain from saying the name of our destination then, and will inform the others."
"Thanks, and sorry about this, I know how impossible he can be. I'll try talking to him again when we get back about how unacceptable his behavior is." This I say loud enough for Natsu to hear, hoping he'll get the point.
Freed and I make small talk until Ever arrives and steals away my attention with a funny story about the time she walked into Laxus' house to find Freed wearing a frilly pink apron cooking dinner for a sick Laxus.
"It was the only apron I could find." Is his only defense as I laugh at the mental image.
Natsu P.O.V
Lucy laughs at the story Evergreen tells her, and I can't help but laugh myself even as I watch Laxus and Bixlow joining the group.
As soon as they start walking away I go buy a ticket to Anielle, intent on following them. It isn't that I dont trust the raijinshu, its that I worry about Lucy, and she's changed since she became closer friends with them. I remember what she'd said to Gray the other day and frown a bit.
'Lucy would never have said something like that before, shes seems so cold now.'
The train to Anielle pulls up and I rush on board hiding in a booth near the back, hoping they won't see me. As soon as the train starts moving I pass out.
Lucy P.O.V
"Hey, how far away is Anielle?" Ever gives me a confused look but answers anyways.
"About two days by train if I remember correctly, why?" I cringe a bit, feeling bad about sticking Natsu on a train for that long, but decide he deserves the punishment for the way hes been acting. No one asks me anything else, an act I greatly appreciate. It's nice to not always explain my every thought and movement to my team. Erza would have demanded why I wanted to know, no matter what.
I realize now how ridiculous they were to make me feel priviledged to be treated like a strong woman who doesnt have to explain herself, instead of like a weak child who isn't allowed any privacy. The thought sobers me and my smile fades.
"Hey Cosplayer, I don't know whats up but it's all okay, we're here for ya." I look around to Ever and Freed who look back at me with small smiles and my heart swells with gratitude.
"Thank you, I really am so happy I started going on jobs with you all." And I mean it with all my heart. Within a few weeks, this team has helped me gain so much confidence in myself, and helped me realize that its okay to speak my mind more, instead of sparing peoples feeling at the expense of my own. I know that they will never disrespect my decisions and they will support me in all my endeavors.
Soon we all fall into conversation and spend the four hour train ride laughing and telling eachother stories.
Laxus P.O.V
My only thought as we enter the town of Eyllwe is, 'Damn'. The place is trashed, most homes have gaping holes in the walls, and large wood splinters litter the streets.
"Whatever did this definitely needs to be taken care of, and soon." It's Lucy who speaks first, as she makes a face I know all to well. Its the same face Freed makes when he's taking in details and forming strategies.
"Lets find the mayor Laxus-Sama, we need more information." I nod to Freed and we silently make our way through the decrepit town. the citizens who brave the wreckage of their homes either look to us with hope, or mistrust. Some run away when they see our approach and I immediately understand that they have been terrorized for far too long by this creature.
"You're the wizards the mayor hired aren't you?" We turn to look at a middle aged man, who wears torn clothes. He looks almost angry with our presence.
"Yes sir, If you have any information we would be very grateful to hear it." Lucy answers the man, in a respectful tone that has the hardness in his eyes softening just a bit.
"Yeah, it'll kill you. That thing is some sorta demon, there's no stopping it." He doesn't wait for a response, just walks away leaving us to think on his words.
"Well he was pleasant." Ever snorts, attempting to lighten the mood but it doesnt really work. Lucy at least looks a little less sad now.
"C'mon, he's probably been through alot, the mayors house should be just up here if his directions were right." I say, and the group follow me on to the mayors home.
Natsu P.O.V
~Two days later.~
I jump off the death trap that is the train to Anielle. 'Two days, they picked a job that was two days away by train!?'
I look around the platform, waiting for Lucy to emerge, only she doesn't, instead the train leaves, and i'm left to gape at the now empty platform.
"She tricked me!" I shout suddenly as anger flares through me. I realize the raijinshu have really changed her for the worse and decide its time I get Levy involved. I decide to ask her to get me into Lucy's apartment as soon as I get back, and i won't leave until she agrees to stop going on missions with them.
Although I want nothing more than to just walk home, I realize its smarter to take the next train. Still the thought of two days aboard that death trap makes me shutter as I walk up to the ticket booth.
Lucy P.O.V
As it turns out, the creature we were hunting was far smarter than we'd originally suspected. The mayor had provided only very vague descriptions but among the unnecessary rambling was a single tidbit of information that helped immensely, or so we thought.
"I thought he said it was seen up here every night, its been four days." Bix whispers beside me, growing more and more impatient by the day.
"Maybe it knows we're here waiting for it, this thing is way to good at dodging us." I say, and its true. It seems everytime we get close the thing knows, and somehow gets away from us. Be it dodging our traps, or simply dissapearing somehow.
"But at this point our only hope is this spot, its the only place we know it can be found." Even as I say it I wonder how true the statement is.
"Quiet, I hear something." Its Laxus who speaks, and we all listen, silencing ourselves and watching the big tree that stands here, a few miles from town. People said they'd seen something climbing among its massive branches, so naturally we had to check it out up close. We had checked regularily every night so far but until know saw nothing.
Sure enough, something moves within the branches of the tree. It's large, probably the size of a bear if not bigger but nimble as it moves through the branches, it's a wonder Laxus even heard the creature with how silent it is, but he is a dragon slayer.
Moonlight lights up the tree, but the creature manages to stay in the shadows. Still from studying the creature I can see it has a long tail, and curled horns at the top of its head. it looks almost like a small dragon but as the moonlight shines on an exposed paw, I see the thing is covered in dark fur.
"Okay, move into position, once it hits Freed's barrier we'll get a better look." we listen to Laxus who whispers his directions quietly and all move into our pre-designated postions, surrounding the beast.
It moves steadily closer to the ground, about to step right where Freed placed his trap, only it doesn't. Instead it pushes off from the tree and shoots through the air coming directly for me. My hands seem to work faster than my mind as everything goes into slow motion. I hear the others yell my name, see Ever jump from her spot first to run for me, and then I see the creature, my first clear look. It really is like a huge cat, with a gaping mouth filled with too sharp teeth that are just waiting to tear me to shreds. It has four eyes, all completely black, and the horns i'd made out before curl forward almost like a bulls, ending in sharp points. Its the tail though, similar to that of a crocodile but with even more sharp spikes all along it that terrifies me. This thing has basically been sewn together into a perfect killing machine. No angle is truly safe.
Sharp claws poke out from the cat like paws and as I throw my hands out in front of myself I feel a familiar power overtake me. Vines shoot forward and ensnare the creature in a vice like grip, and push it back into Freed's barrier. Everything goes quiet and then Ever is beside me, pulling me into a tight hug.
"Oh thank god, I was so worried." I stare at the creature as it paces now inside its cage, staring at me.
"That was bloody terrifying." I manage to say, and its Bixlow who laughs first.
"I'm glad you used that awesome new spell, I was starting to get a little worried there." His babies circle around me, repeating the word worried as they do and it makes me smile.
"I guess I summoned the power without even thinking, kinda neat eh? I promise to explain more later." I say this more to Ever who looks confused at me but quickly moves on after I speak.
"Alright, stop fussing over blondie, she's fine, lets figure out what we're dealing with." But as Laxus says it a loud guttural growl echoes through the area. We all jump around and watch as the creature bursts into green flames and dissappears leaving behind nothing but a pile of ash.
~Timeskip, one week~
We stayed another week before deciding the creature was indeed gone. The town celebrated, happy to get back to their normal lives but we remained unconvinced. It all happened too easily. Still in the end there was nothing more for us to do, so we collected the reward and made our way back to the guild.
"Look the thing is gone, just stop thinking about it." Bix said as Freed and I continued to worry over the creatures sudden dissapearance.
"It all happened so suddenly though. I can't help but feel like theres something else going on." The train gives a lurch as I speak, and we hear Laxus try to stifle a groan of discomfort in the back.
"I agree with Miss Lucy, I believe i'll do some research when we get back to the guild."
"I can help you Freed, oh we should ask Levy to help, shes the best person to ask for help when it comes to research." He nods, a small smile on his face, and Ever groans beside me.
"Okay but at least lets also plan our little getaway, we spent way to many nights in smelly forests to give up an opportunity to relax in style." I laugh but agree with her, and we all begin planning where to go while the train trudges along the tracks. Soon we arrive in Magnolia and head off in our seperate directions. The sun has already begun setting as I step into my apartment and I freeze at the sight.
Its completely trashed. Natsu snores loudly on my bed, Gray is sprawled on the couch and I can hear Erza in my bathroom. My emotions swell and anger flares but I just pick up my bag, put the letters to my mother, my novel, and a few other possessions into another bag along with some more clothes and I walk out without a word.
I know they won't notice that i'd returned at all, not with the horrible mess they'd made, but I don't care. I just make my way to the guild where Ever said she'd be for a while longer.
I step into the guild and Levy immediately rushes up to me.
"Lu-chan i'm so sorry, Natsu said you asked him to go into your place to check on your plants and to get me to re-write the runes. I should have known better. I tried to get them to leave so I could re-write them again but Natsu has been staying there since you left." Tears spring to her eyes and I feel for my friend.
"It's okay Levy really. I know how they can be. Don't worry, I think i'm going to stay with Evergreen tonight and then ask the raijinshu to help me kick them out tomorrow."
We talk a little longer but Levy understands when I say i'm tired and lets me go find Ever who seems angrier about the whole ordeal than I am. She agrees though to letting me stay with her and soon I pass out on her spare bed without even bothering to change.
Evergreen P.O.V
I look at an exhausted Lucy eho sleeps soundly in my spare bed and sigh. She's become such a good friend to the entire team in such a short time, and I hate seeing her so upset. I decide I can't sleep knowing how team Natsu is behaving and decide on a little revenge to pass the time, starting with Erza's room.
I contact Bixlow aswell who is more than happy to assist me in taking a but of revenge for our new friend and make my way over to Erza's room. She isn't there but since Team Natsu doesn't know what boundries are I simply let myself in without caring. First I raid the fridge making a suprise picnic for my team, I use most of her food, and pack it into one of Erza's many coolers.
"Why does she need so many coolers?" I push past the though and decide to next go through her underwear drawer, i simply make a mess and set aside some more risque pieces, leaving a note next to them that says 'Do you really wear this? how scandalous.'
The rest of the place I leave in a state of disrepair, nothing too crazy but enough to annoy Erza when she returns. I decide I will replace the food I took but only after Erza realizes how much trouble she's been causing my best friend.
I drop off the cooler in my room then call bixlow again who answers his lacrima laughing hysterically.
"What did you do?" I ask as he continues to barely contain his laughter.
"I basically went to his place, made a zandwhich, broke a table then hung out on his bed naked until he got home., you should've seen his face!"
"Face, face, face." His creepy little spirit things repeat the word, and I let out a laugh of my own.
"Well i'm glad you're done, it seems Natsu has been sleeping at her place so we have plenty of time to makeover his home into a pink princess castle." Bixlow doesn't have to tolake his visor off for me to know his eyes are filled with excitement.
Soon we've met eachother in front of the fire dragon slayers horrible little shack. From Lucy's stories we knew he wouldn't respong to a good old fashioned trashung, so instead we use a bit of our reward money to buy everything we need in hot pink and deck the whole place out before setting off a glitter bomd in the main room.
True to form we make sure to preserve his things, and as further punishment we hide his hoard of money as well. In the end what we've done to the team is nothing compared to what they've put Lucy through, but we hope it will be enough to curb their horrendous behavior, at least for a while.
Lucy P.O.V
I wake up to the smell of bacon and am immediately hungry. I crack an open and see a breakfast sandwich sitting on the small bedside table, still wrapped in wax paper from a great cafè I frequent. I smile as I reach for it, grateful to Evergreen, especially as I realize I haven't eaten anything since breakfast yesterday.
"Goodmorning Lucy, I hope you enjoy your breakfast. I also packed us all a lovely lunch for today."
My face pales as I remember the discussion about the cooking skills of the raijinshu.
"Um, are you sure that you don't want me to cook?"
"Oh its just a few sandwiches, dont worry im more than capable of making sandwiches, its once you get heat involved that the problems start." We botboth laugh at that and I make quick work of my breakfast before jumping out of bed and grabbing a change of clothes.
As I change in the small bathroom, I swear I hear a muffled shout, a few moments later someone is pounding on Ever's door.
"It was you wasn't it! I demand you riemburse me for the things you stole right this second! And I want an apology for the invasion of my privacy!" Erza's voice clangs through Evergreen's small apartment, and I find myself sneaking closer to the door trying to stay hidden.
"Perhaps now you will think of how your behavior makes Lucy feel, and do remember that I only did a fraction of what you've done to her. Be grateful I didnt damage anything." Ever responds in a cool voice filled with barely contained rage and calmly closes the door in what I can only imagine is a stunned Erza's face.
I move towards her and hug her tightly from behind as a happiness fills me. "Thank you." Is all I manage to say as she turns around and hugs me right back.
"I'm sorry I didn't consult you, but last night I decided that I needed to get some revenge for you, I just couldn't let what they did slide."
I assure her that i'm perfectly alright with it, and laugh as she tells me about what happened with bixlow at Gray's and about thd re-decorating they did att Natsu's. Soon we are on our way to the guild where we decide we will meet up with the rest of the team so we can go kick Natsu out of my place.
As we walk up to the building I see Gray and Erza standing in front of the guild, they both look angrily at Ever but don't say anything as we walk past them. Laxus is the first to greet us.
"So i'm not saying I approve, but I understand why you did it, and I can honestly say from what Bix told me, and Erza's face, that I definitely find it funny." We all share a laugh and decide to not put off the inevitable. We move on to my apartment and as soon as we arrive Laxus takes the lead, charging in only after ecieving my permission.
Seconds later he emerges with a struggling Natsu held up by the back of his shirt, he kicks and punhes and yells but a zap from Laxus has him passed out. Happy follows after obediently, saying a quiet thank you to Laxus before heading over to me.
"Lushy, i'm really sorry about all the damage and everything, I took some money from home and left it on your desk for food. I'm sorry I didn't understand sooner." Small tears flow down his cheeks, wetting the blue fur, and I scoop him up, giving the cat a hug.
"Honestly you really do live up to your name. You just made me really happy. Thank you for understanding, maybe soon everyone else will." He smiles and nods before replying.
"And I bet soon you'll be able to kick Natsu's butt when he steals my fish." With a laugh he picks up Natsu and begins flying off in the direction of their own home. I feel bad for Happy having to return to the horror Ever and Bix left for them, and hope he'll understand why they did it.
Freed makes quick work of creating a new barrier, this time we know Levy won't mess with it so theres no reason to change it, then we spend a few hours cleaning up, before stopping for lunch.
As we all laugh and eat together I can't help but feel immensely happy, happier than i've been in a long time, and I find myself looking forward to having more adventures with the raijinshu.
No One P.O.V
A horrible creature appears in a flash of green flame that illumiates the overly dark room.
"Sorry for the rough summons my baby." A sultry deep womans voice echoes through the room as a hand strokes along the creatures back. She curls her hands around its horns, stroking them as well, not bothered at all by the dangerous creature. It purs beneath her touch and her blood red lips stretch into a smile.
"Don't worry my sweet Thorne, you'll be able to taste her blood very soon."
Thank you all for your continued support, I'm definitely trying to write more and keep this story going. I really am grateful to everyone who enjoys this story so far. This chapter contains some refrences to the throne of glass series by Sarah J Maas, and you may see some refrences to her books in the future. In throne of glass Eyllwe is actually if I remember right, another country, and Anielle is the hometown of one of the main characters. first person to name that character gets a shout out. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well and can't wait to write the next one.
ShirakaneChan