Update number 2, and its the one I think most people were waiting on! I really am sorry. I know it seems odd that I just stopped writing, and the truth is I didn't. I had some of the chapter already done. It was just a case of finding the time to finish it.
So here it is! Hope you enjoy :)
Chapter 9
As the team headed off to their set locations, the rest of the guild watched on in awe. Guildarts was the first to reach Evergreen, who looked awfully uncomfortable.
"Ah, Guildarts! I'm not on your team am I?" she asked, puzzled and slightly disappointed that Elfman hadn't come to save her.
"We've had to split up according to our strengths" he explained "Elfman needs to break the chains around Laxus. I was stronger here" he replied.
"Ah, well I suppose if it's to save Laxus then that's okay" she sighed.
"Can I ask something?" Guildarts said, as he began smashing the rocks. "What is the deal with you guys and Laxus?"
Evergreen blushed. "It isn't like that!" She looked away nervously. "We just…respect him I guess"
"Do you just respect Elfman too?"
Evergreen turned even redder than before. "I..i…I don't know what you mean!"
Guildarts laughed. "You look at him the same way my daughter looks at alcohol. It's not my place to say anything, but I think you guys are good together" he chuckled as he finished smashing the remaining rocks. "There…ahhh!" Evergreen landed a swift kick to his stomache.
"WE ARE NOT TOGETHER!" she yelled, storming off. "….and thanks"
Meanwhile, Natsu had reached Gray and the large mass of flames around him.
"Tch, trust you ice loser to be stuck like this" he snarled. "I suppose you want my help right?"
"Ha!" Gray mocked back. "You're so puny I'll bet you can't even eat these flames"
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Natsu growled, the inner monster fighting to get out. He took in a deep breath and began to swallow up the flames. The mass began to reduce and Natsu couldn't help but rub it in. As the anger and jealousy bubbled inside him, small scales began to break through his skin, branding him. Unfortunately, Natsu was too busy gloating to notice.
"Look Gray! Look how awesome I am!"
"Shut up and get on with it flame pants!" He sighed.
"WHAAA…"
Before a further fight ensued, a large blast of water came from behind them and died out the rest of the flames. Gray dropped down to the floor gracefully, before being tackled to the ground by his number one fan.
"Gray sama! Juvia has saved you. Will Gray sama reward Juvia with a kiss? Hmmmmm?" Juvia gushed.
"Juvia?" Natsu looked puzzled. "I thought you were going to get Cana"
Gray turned his attention to Natsu. "So where is she?"
Juvia looked guilty. "Juvia wanted to save Gray sama"
"Where is Cana?" Natsu demanded.
Just then, the screens that had been tracking the groups' progress changed to a shot of Cana, still trapped in a bubble of water.
"It looks like Cana is running out of both time and air" came the masters' voice. Natsu looked over at Juvia.
"WHERE IS SHE?" he screamed.
"B..b…b…y….the….guild.." she muttered. "She's…"
But Natsu was long gone.
"Juvia" Gray sighed. "You put your guild mate in jeopardy. She could be seriously hurt"
Juvia looked at the ground. "Juvia knows. Juvia just wanted to make sure Gray sama was safe. Juvia is sorry" a single tear rolled down her cheek, followed by soft sobs. Gray gathered her in his arms.
"Come now, there's no reason to cry" he smiled "Let's go find the others"
As Natsu rushed toward Cana, he felt a surge of power begin to roll through him. It was warm, like being wrapped in a blanket. It gave him energy to drive forward.
"Cana!" he called out, seeing her eyes closed and her body hunching over. Digging deep inside himself, Natsu shot out a blast of flames at the bubble around her. It rippled, but bounced back into shape. He groaned, stopping before her.
"Cana!" he yelled, banging against the bubble. Then something inside him clicked, like a light bulb turning on. Surrounding his body in flames, Natsu began to force his way inside. The bubble parted and allowed him to burn his way through. When he had reached Cana, he picked her up and carried her back out. She breathed heavily as the air filled her lungs.
"Ah, Natsu! Thanks for coming to get me" Cana said, shaking the water out her hair. She turned and saw the anger in his eyes. "Is everything okay?"
"Juvia put you in danger. You could have been seriously hurt. And what if it wasn't you? What if it was like….like…"
"Like Lucy?" Cana asked. "Natsu you have to sort your feelings out. She's with Gray right now. It's something you gotta learn to deal with"
A calling alerted them to others approaching. Erza arrived first, shortly followed by the girl in question.
"We heard what happened from Gray" Erza explained. "Lucy thought maybe Aquarius would be of help but it looks like you got it covered" she said.
Natsu nodded as Cana stood to shake more water off herself. "It's all good" she smiled "just a little wet is all"
Lucy sighed "We really have to have words with Juvia. She has to understand that her feelings are affecting those around her too"
Cana looked at Natsu. "Couldn't have said it better myself"
With everyone successfully saved, all the pairs returned to the guild where the Master greeted them. He chuckled slightly.
"Good job brats. You understood the value of your own powers and of friendships. All things that are important to being the best mage you can be. However, one pair have been disqualified, for cheating. That pair is….Erza and Laxus"
"EHHHHHHH!" Erza yelled "But I saved Lucy as planned"
"Yes you did" Makarov nodded "But Laxus there freed himself"
Laxus tutted. "Shouldn't have made it so easy gramps. And beast boy over there took too long"
"What was that?!" Elfman growled.
"Now now" Master sighed. "Rules are rules and I have to disqualify you both. Moving forward are just the four pairs". Erza sank to the floor in sadness whilst Laxus simply waved goodbye and left.
"For the rest of you" Mira spoke up, appearing from behind the bar "The next task is going to be held out at sea. Go get your swimming costumes ready!" she giggled.
Lucy couldn't decide between her blue bikini or her red one. The blue had cute little tassels that added extra cuteness to the look, but the red one made her eyes pop out. She muttered and whined as she switched between the two, unaware she had an onlooker.
"I like the red one"
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" in shock, Lucy failed to recognise her guildmate and punched Natsu so hard he stumbled into the wall.
"Geeze! That was a little much don't you think?" he muttered, dusting himself off the ground. "I was only complimenting you"
Lucy sighed in annoyance. "You made me jump" she grumbled "It's what happens when you let yourself in somewhere unannounced"
Natsu rubbed his head and flashed her a grin. "Well yeah sure, but that was a serious kick. Anyway, as I was saying. I think you should go for the red one"
Lucy looked down and for the first time remembered that she was standing there in just a bikini. She blushed and grabbed a towel in an attempt to cover herself slightly. "Well I wasn't asking for your opinion. Now get outta here!"
Natsu's grin widened as he took a step towards her. The power inside him bubbled, fuelled on by his new scales. Lust coursed throughout his body, making him feel stronger than ever. Lucy looked at him with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "You're right" he murmured, his voice deeper, more sultry "You didn't ask. But I'm telling you. The red makes you look hotter than humanly possible". As he stepped closer and closer, Lucy felt herself glued to the spot. Something was different about Natsu, strange even. Like he was saying and doing things he wouldn't normally do. Fortunately for her, she wouldn't have to put up with it for long.
"Yo, Lucy! You ready?" Gray called from outside. Both Natsu and Lucy turned their attention to the window. Lucy rushed over and waved at him.
"I'll be down soon" she called, before turning to tell Natsu to leave. However, when she turned back, he had gone.
Mirajane smirked as she planned out the next activity. "Maassttteeerrrr" she purred happily. "It's woooorrrrkkkiiiinnngg"
Makarov was in no mood for jokes or fun. He could sense the air shifting as Natsu's power changed and grew. It wasn't a safe atmosphere, and it certainly wasn't a good one. "I hope so Mira. He is really struggling to fight it back. And it appears to have adapted to him. I don't think he will necessarily recognise when it hits" he muttered, holding his head in his hands.
Mira brought him over a cool beer. "Do not fear master. Natsu has a lot more sense than we give him credit for. He will be okay"
…
As the remaining contestants lined up at the shores edge, the rest of the guild cheered them on from the shore. Natsu was overwhelming pleased to see that Lucy had worn the red bikini he had told her to. Not that she had done it on purpose she kept reminding herself every time she caught his eye. Gray and Juvia wore matching blue bathing suits, presumably Juvia's idea. They had a lighter blue panel that seemed to shine in the sun. Lucy looked over at her boyfriend and gave him a wave, blushing at his nearly naked appearance. Evergreen looked beautiful in a green swimsuit very similar to her usual attire, and Elfman wore a simple pair of trunks. For not the first time the two seemed slightly out of breath and avoided looking directly at one another. The final team was Cana and Guildarts. Guildarts had insisted that Cana wear a full bodysuit to cover herself and avoid the looks of male members. She had begrudgingly agreed, and was even more annoyed when Guildarts had worn a matching one. On the backs were the words 'Daughter' and 'Father' respectively.
"I look ridiculous" Cana whined, downing yet more wine. Guildarts smiled and patted her head.
"My ridiculous Daughter" he grinned, waving to the crowd.
The Master stood before them all, lost in thought. He looked over each pair and finally nodded, as if he had reached a decision.
"Alright brats" he called out. "Here's how this thing works. We drop you in the water. You find your partner, get your assigned item from the bottom and come back here. Only the first two will go ahead to the final"
Mutterings from the guild rose and the pairs looked between one another.
"The final?" Lucy called out.
The Master nodded. "We need the strongest two and this test will really push you"
Elfman laughed loudly. "A bit of swimming is a test? Easy!"
"You may think that now" Makarov ginned. "But you haven't been in the water yet"
The Master had given each pair five minutes to gather themselves and set out a strategy. Lucy was currently reeling off her spirits and what they could do for them but Natsu was transfixed by the sight of her. The red bikini really did make her eyes stand out, as well as showing off generous amounts of curves. He was completely and utterly smitten, and he was determined to win her over.
"…and obviously Aquarius thrives underwater so…Natsu are you listening?"
He looked up and nodded furiously. "You use whatever you need Lucy. Imma sniff you out. You have a distinctive smell" Natsu winked.
Lucy blushed slightly. "Well alright then. We have to be prepared for what else might be in there. I mean, there could be obvious dangers, but also maybe hidden ones too"
Natsu smiled. "As long as we're together Lucy, we will be fine". She smiled back at him, making him feel warm inside. "Lucy…"
She turned to look at him "Yes?"
"I lov…."
Before he could finish, Natsu felt himself float upwards. He looked across and noticed all the other participants were too. They hovered off in different directions over the sea, and after they heard a faint beep, Natsu saw himself and everyone else drop down into the sea.
Tehe, Im so cruel :P
