p data-p-id="c8791180639e7809d8b20da236c5255c"em"Everyone,"/em she spoke in a sweet, but serious tone. em"We have a situation here."/em/p
p data-p-id="db906f54de900fd4cf7b52fbfc4aa0e4""Mira?" Erza asked with concern. So this is the 'Mira' Natsu was talking about. She was one of the escapees of the Kindergarten. I hope she's not as intimidating as Erza. "What's wrong?"/p
p data-p-id="0103178afd4d645a0fa226454a8fcc90""Follow me." She beckoned us outside onto the porch. I looked around, but there appeared to be nothing wrong. It was peaceful and quiet. Though it seemed a little dark for it to be only 2 in the evening./p
p data-p-id="2781339f1d2eff2e9523dbaf8d1ccccb""I don't get it." Natsu said as he scratched his chin. "What exactly are we fighting?"/p
p data-p-id="a7c28b374223fee8fca7d356dd7224b2""Everyone, look up." Mira said. In the sky? What is there to look at? It's just a cloudless, blue, peaceful... wait is that an eyeball?! It looked a bit pink and it covered the rays of the sun. A giant salmon-colored diamond was in the center and it acted like it was staring right at me./p
p data-p-id="7b261f2aa72188fd4ce8d1fc14c25f3a""Umm..." I whispered as I pointed to the weird eyeball blocking the sun. "What the hell is that?"/p
p data-p-id="f4a4e3a9f2cf820b61650f5b69c077e4""That's a gem." Mira then turned around to face me directly, but she was surprised to see the new face. She inspected me until her face lit up. emHere we go again. /em"Layla! Is that you? It's been some time!" She then gave me a tight hug. "I missed you."/p
p data-p-id="06d8c9254dc39dc28f64fbb327d50db6""Umm... I'm not Layla." I muttered. "Layla is my mother. My name is Lucy... and I'm her daughter." Mira then pulled away and made me face her. She looked at again, but she then gave a sweet smile. She seems nice already./p
p data-p-id="4f7ae34feb9722ca0dd627a93ead3ac1""My name is Mirajane, but you can call me Mira. It's a pleasure to meet you." She held out her hand and I took it without hesitation. "I guess you already know all about us so I don't need to explain. I am Moonstone."/p
p data-p-id="aa7d9d5e997df252069b51a2bb87ba6d""It's a pleasure to meet you too." I tried to match her smile, but she looked much more prettier than I did. It was as if she had the perfect smile everyone wanted. It hurt to stare at her for too long./p
p data-p-id="32f9f9ec375e4459d3704bae8bac0f5a""emAhem," /emWe were interrupted by a low grunt from Erza. She seemed a little uncomfortable. "I don't mean to interrupt, but we have a giant gem blocking the sun and it seems to be getting closer to us." Mirajane and I separated to see the eye growing bigger./p
p data-p-id="1a5eb08dabef6621511e9bf830309be2""Oh yes." Mirajane's smile then disappeared. "I just came back from a mission, but the gem suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The more we wait, the larger it becomes so we have to hurry and take care of this situation."/p
p data-p-id="28d1326fa0cf594845986a297bd9e393""I see." Erza said with a nod. "We need a plan. The distance seems pretty far so we need to somehow reach it from here. Anyone have any ideas?"/p
p data-p-id="5009d4e8c975663fc22e7b7ebc9dd279""I've got one!" Natsu yelled happily. "What if I wake up Happy and he can fly us to the gem?" Gray snickered at his reply./p
p data-p-id="5b6fe58ff58bc9c2eac90736be186ef1""Are you serious? The sun is more than a million miles away and you expect a flying cat to take you there? And how hot will it be when you get closer? I already feel sorry for the poor cat." Gray said./p
p data-p-id="6bb8d870ebd9fc80420707f856d9f3e0""Why?" Natsu pouted. "Do you have any other ideas?"/p
p data-p-id="a9c4ffcbd1dab203a86afb277e414441""No, but at least I know when to think before I speak." Gray sneered. Oh no, not again! As Natsu's vein popped out of his forehead, Erza hit both their heads together. They cried out in pain as Erza glared at both of them./p
p data-p-id="cdbffa577fc122b2cec86bc09d90092c""We don't have time for insolence!" She seethed. "We need to be serious here! Now emyou/em are going to listen to emme/em!" Her expression became darker and a dark aura surrounded her. We were all struck with goosebumps. "You two are going to get along and fuse. Your fusion has the best weapon in range to hit the gem. Use your arrows to shoot it down. emDo /ememI/emem make myself /ememclear/emem?"/em Natsu and Gray whimpered in unison as sweat rolled down the chins. They were really scared, she's even scaring me and she's not venting at me. Mira just smiled like usual./p
p data-p-id="57c41b3965cf9e0fbb4e1afbf02b0a27""Oh my," she giggled. "They're fighting again."/p
p data-p-id="af0f568eb0a7ac85187e428928ed8e2d""Um... should we stop them?" I asked./p
p data-p-id="642e0be4d415ecdf3607ba258506b1d0""Oh no, this is normal." She beamed. Natsu and Gray ran to different sides and breathed in. Gray then started doing a samba routine as Natsu broke it down on the floor. Their gems started to gleam as they stepped closer together. I started scratching my gem from all the excitement. I didn't get to see them actually fuse together since I was eaten by a bird the last time they did it. They looked so into their dance that they weren't hitting each other like before. As soon as their hands touched, their bodies glowed a blinding white as their forms combined into one. Their height skyrocketed and the light dispersed to reveal a giant man. The same wide grin shined brightly against his lavender skin. He kept his sunglasses on as he cracked his knuckles./p
p data-p-id="3314391b6a4284202df1ad3ca9ad6b44"em"Ladies and gentlemen, Topaz is in the house!"/em He yelled to the sky. He then crouched to my size and made a fist. em"How ya doing, Lucy?"/em I laughed and fist bumped back./p
p data-p-id="8332d1069764da8ca631494f25e4b166""I'm fine. How about you?"/p
p data-p-id="30512ef5be5cd376d611a61ae5615458"em"I am GREAT!" /emhe said with loud enthusiasm./p
p data-p-id="334ccae215f61e50034438e206d0f998""Focus Topaz!" Erza screamed. "Hurry and shoot your arrows!"/p
p data-p-id="465649617705f39472a995456222af01"em"Alright alright!" /emTopaz said with a "No need to tighten your pants, boss!"/em Topaz seriously didn't fear Erza, but she looked a bit pissed at his reaction. He then formed a fireball in his right hands while his left hands formed ice. He then smashed his hands together and formed his bow. He then created a frozen ice arrow and aimed it straight for the diamond eye. He then pulled back, focusing, and he let go. The arrow whizzed past us in a flash as it raced across the sky. We crossed our fingers, hoping it will hit. The comet got really close to the eye and we cheered, until it missed. We gasped when it fell straight down towards the sea. Even Topaz stared in amazement./p
p data-p-id="243c1656a5475aafb95eb9fb81258b3d"em"That's not possible."/em He muttered. He then shot another arrow, but the same thing happened again. He lost his grin and started to shoot arrows simutaneously. All of them plummeted towards the sea. Topaz had the most annoyed look on his face. Suddenly, he started shaking his head forcibly. He tried to stop, but he couldn't stop himself./p
p data-p-id="8df910c31f5c0b116772c8c3ced64e8e""This is your fault!" Natsu's distorted voice yelled. His head then started to shake again as Topaz winced in pain./p
p data-p-id="20af31e783e766bc5b9df981ffe65f78""How is this my fault?" Gray screamed in an unclear voice. Topaz then screamed as he started to whiten and shrink. He then divided and Natsu and Gray flew back. They looked pretty furious at each other./p
p data-p-id="bcd30286a0cccab9d215d8fda6311611""What do you mean I'm not good enough?" Natsu screamed. "I'm as powerful as you are! Maybe I'm better than you!"/p
p data-p-id="8ae94ebf4bb72dbe1793f5a70473bcb2""Heh, as if." Gray snickered. "You'll never beat me."/p
p data-p-id="9963c1974983ed1abea8861c76fc2ed0""Fine, prove it. Right here, right emnow./em" Natsu said through gritted teeth. He then was surrounded in bright red flames./p
p data-p-id="f51926080a919ec1cd0b7052f774bfe3""Gladly." Gray said as his hands were forming ice. They were serious. Erza had no expression; she seemed a little too calm about this. She then approached the two boys and grabbed Gray by the shirt. She then held him above her head./p
p data-p-id="144183291ad5ee057824a46344c34225""If you're going to fight," Erza growled as she started to spin him. "Then fight the emactual/em enemy!" She then threw him straight toward the circular gem. I heard Gray's frightened screams as he flew. I would be throwing up by now. Unfortunately, he still didn't reach the gem and fell into the ocean. I looked to Natsu who was sweating the Niagara Falls. I would be too. "Would you like to fly, Natsu?" Natsu quickly shook his head and hid behind me. "Mira, why don't you try? You have superstrength after all."/p
p data-p-id="502a4336a5b4f6a7ed3cde39e2dd67b6""But I don't want to throw Natsu into the air." Mira sighed./p
p data-p-id="6ed762630703811cb31f8ea7e6f2543c""Wait," I wondered. "Erza doesn't have superstrength?"/p
p data-p-id="27b15616d06a9cc8d21585d8e65e67a5""No," Natsu muttered. "That's her normal strength. Mira is at least 10 times stronger."/p
p data-p-id="658768271456ba1a71b10e2e16458fba""Are you kidding me?" I shivered. Natsu's right: she is a monster./p
p data-p-id="38ebd78139f16a90f94b722901dddce1""Then will you throw me?" Erza asked. "I won't fail as easily as Gray did."/p
p data-p-id="efee4e04ed796f286249f66e671bdbae""Well, I can try." She then picked Erza up above her head. Erza then was covered in light and changed into metal winged armor. Her dress looked like it made of silver as it shined. Her sword was long and sharp, but complimented her outfit./p
p data-p-id="ab5feeda7a344df2f982650d9f38b360""Throw me." Erza commanded. Mirajane then bent her legs, steadying her position, then jumped into the sky as high as the clouds. She left clouds of sand behind her as she leaped life a frog. Then she threw her as fast as a baseball to the gem. Mirajane fell, but she landed on her two feet when she landed. I was so surprised that I couldn't keep my mouth shut from the sand. Erza was flying at the speed of light, getting closer and closer to the diamond. She's going to hit it... she's definetly going to hit it. Erza got closer, but suddenly, gravity pulled her down into the water. I gasped in shock. I was sure she was going to make it. I then heard panting coming from the shore. I walked down to see Gray gasping for breath as he laid in the sand. He was soaked./p
p data-p-id="fc4e6b6d2091decd8e49f94f40f8c8e9""What happened Gray?" I asked./p
p data-p-id="f5453b2055e844c1f14a74cd590695d0""What do you think?" He asked sarcastically. "I was just thrown against my will and I didn't even make it. It seems the gravitational pull is stronger there. I had to wrestle a shark before swimming here. Don't throw anyone else; it won't work."/p
p data-p-id="85b45a5dd6f6b5d32ff8f0d5f022baf4""Umm... too late for that. Mira already threw Erza."/p
p data-p-id="25efb88146fed92fedc41ac33b9cf63b""Did she make it?"/p
p data-p-id="ba6f824d03ef3f870dba36d0ee8ceebb""No." I said./p
p data-p-id="554458f7af22dd7e6d02ed508add2cb6""Told you so."/p
p data-p-id="1ed32686d08b5d5ca1198fab7d191506""But what can we do? We can't fight it if we can't reach it."/p
p data-p-id="2b856fc2081b0709e48ca39b5ae3f01a""I don't know," Gray then looked to the giant gem in the sky. "But we have to think of a way fast. Erza won't be back for a while. I saw the shark bring some his friends to finish me off."/p
p data-p-id="c81f2711eb7d28dd4c731aa3d2159ba5""Oh... let's go back to Mira and Natsu." I said as I helped pull him to his feet. We walked back to what remained of the group, but they all seemed dumbfounded./p
p data-p-id="5a392b638aee40dfa567f89fbaa4729c""I wonder what else we can do." Mira said in a saddened manner. "If only Layla were here. She'd know what to do."/p
p data-p-id="681157c49dafd377fa501fa4e1e6e354""What would she do?" I asked. Mira looked at me in surprise. "If she were here, what plan would she make?" Everyone thought for a while until Mira clapped her hands together./p
p data-p-id="2dea2eb84930acf5bf8dfbe286bac1b0""She would use the light cannon! It could reach galaxies from here!" She then stopped herself and her smile fell. "But we don't know where it is or how to activate it. Only Layla knew how." Natsu's face then lit up in response./p
p data-p-id="8d063727d8c0686d2447ef683b408eed""I know where it is!" Natsu yelled. "Well, kinda."/p
p data-p-id="724c385f5a258354e2101254689a1c6e""What do you mean?" Gray asked./p
p data-p-id="0c07e389313c157c1cb70347062b8b86""Layla wanted me to hide the cannon so I helped her put it in the secret room." Natsu grinned./p
p data-p-id="ac945a345ba72922e2c313159f62c7bf""We have a secret room?" Gray then locked his arms together. "I never heard about it."/p
p data-p-id="80c9d8076901be5d8936f83f9c3f441c""That's why it's called a emsecre/emt room, dumbass." Natsu smirked./p
p data-p-id="e8e4f9e6bfb099bf552961a61e11ebef""Shut up, idiot." Gray pouted. Natsu got him good for once./p
p data-p-id="74e56a6d5baebd1b3058e503853c1129""Then let's go!" Mira chimed./p
p data-p-id="e4acf9a0021544bd172d83db9c40d266""Wait, shouldn't we wait for Erza" Natsu asked./p
p data-p-id="d811abca6ecc95324eb461c8391a3f6a""Trust me," Gray confided. "She won't be out for a emlon/emg time." We all ran back to the beach house, following Natsu's lead. We ran up the stairs and into my room. Wait, why my room?/p
p data-p-id="8e2d6c0ba37f5e5298c62bd804de4fda""What are we doing here?" Gray wondered. "Why would the cannon be in Jude's room?"/p
p data-p-id="62df1f530ee504577d0a41057f1692db""Be quiet Gray." Natsu said, closing his eyes and sniffing the air. "I'm trying to remember where it was." He then opened his eyelids and ran towards the dresser. "I need some help." Mira then came over, and with a single one-handed push, the dresser moved to the corner of the room. We then saw a giant square hole. Natsu crawled in, signaling us to follow him. I scratched at my gem, remembering my fear of closed spaces. It looked tight and black in there, but I didn't want to burden them. I took a deep breath and crawled into the darkness. I sensed we were in the black hole so I tried standing up. Fortunately, I didn't hit my head, but it was still pitched black./p
p data-p-id="4c814e4857d54272b8c19b0177b59ef8""You better not be messing with us." Gray mumbled./p
p data-p-id="f60ca38d96bdf7f2bf07dc8074ee86d9""Hold on..." Natsu muttered. I then heard a click and a single light bulb went on. I could finally see what was around me. There was a giant map on the wall with red circles and Xs marked everywhere. There was a table in the middle of the room filled with books of pictures and observations. On the sides were weapons I've never seen before. Natsu disappeared to the back and was pulling at something. It appeared to be a giant pink cannon that was shriveled like a rose./p
p data-p-id="b3aeb98a01bc49871c5f44158c6fcb7c""The light cannon..." Gray said in amazement. "It was here this entire time?"/p
p data-p-id="6e727b2209847f3ad90584ee7a625d10""Awesome, right?" Natsu grinned. "It's now my secret base."/p
p data-p-id="9c5811ada88f9d50d2c572969f39435a""Not anymore." Gray smirked. "C'mon, let's get this out of the house. I don't want this going off by mistake." Gray pushed the cannon, but it barely budged./p
p data-p-id="80660daeaca04b1cd917ee53226e30d5""I got it." Mira said as she easily pushed it out of the hole. We crawled back outside and Natsu resealed the hole with the dresser. As we went onto the porch, Mira carried the giant cannon on her shoulder down the stairs. She then set it down near the shore. "So how did Layla activate it?"/p
p data-p-id="ba70f9d3853b4045bdc52fe8c48e12ad""I don't know. Maybe Lucy should try. She has her gem after all." Natsu said. Everyone looked to me with hope./p
p data-p-id="1762057154e481a8b1d29e3bd5380653""I can try." I said nervously while approaching the cannon. I touched the cannon and shut my eyes. "CANNON ON!" Nothing happened. "OPEN SESAME!" Still nothing. "Abracadabra?" What was I even saying?/p
p data-p-id="5bc5b767a93186c14a2b7d2f2546e070""Did you try saying 'please'?" Natsu asked. I face-palmed myself./p
p data-p-id="538a40f2472dd612f0734c7e08331a4e""It was a long shot anyway." Gray sighed./p
p data-p-id="404e14d06dfea77545cbaf306cb63866""It's okay," Mira said as she patted my back. "Better luck next time."/p
p data-p-id="7cb5394661c55d95a81cfefccd9adcf8""What are you doing?" We then saw Erza emerge out of the water. She looked a bit stressed out. I guess she met the shark's friends. She saw the light cannon and frowned. "Why do you have that?"/p
p data-p-id="5680a63cd0bb8bc7e67024788125b589""We were trying to figure this thing out." Natsu said, observing the cannon. "Maybe there's some switch."/p
p data-p-id="bac6c9f08be8cd948d7474ec30fb0fc1""There's no switch." Erza replied. "Only Layla can activate it. We have to think of another plan."/p
p data-p-id="25f7fafd1b1bf1594e0c5367f151bbc3""But I can help!" I said, sounding confident. "Let me try again!"/p
p data-p-id="f20b56a76c75ca6b0501e5f172d52a9e""It's a lost cause. Give up."/p
p data-p-id="a3fd577fb25d3765c8efa9858c794b2d""No! I don't want to burden to you, but-"/p
p data-p-id="34ea24812aec493a3f052f7c8e712a11""You emwill/em being a burden if you don't stop this now." Erza said coldly. Her words hurt, but I shook it off./p
p data-p-id="b3e81e578e895d077ff96dd875f6d16a""I have Layla's gem! If you will just give me some time, I can try-"/p
p data-p-id="768474aa592a0a31cbcce6bf6a2b81c7""emEnough!"/em Erza said, pissed. She glared at me and held the collar of my shirt. "You are being a emnuisance!/em You may be Layla's daughter, but you will never embe /emher! Stop trying to act like her! If you're not going to help, then emleave!" /emShe then let go of my shirt and raged off./p
p data-p-id="99e1547133747a888fc266e489287d03""Erza! Wait!" Mira yelled as she ran after her. Gray looked me with pity and went with Mira. Maybe I am just a burden. I fell onto my knees and I felt a tear roll down my cheek. Natsu walked beside me and wiped my tears away./p
p data-p-id="83ee5f892a993b6c5527a1e87095c2c9""I'm so sorry." Natsu said./p
p data-p-id="21e7a45bde76f5ed127659fea1a75f51"em"/ememDon't/emem be, /ememit's/emem the truth."/em I said with a pained smile. em"I really am just a nuisance."/em/p
p data-p-id="1f388239bb25a7627a348bc0cf52b639"strongTo be continued.../strong/p
p data-p-id="db906f54de900fd4cf7b52fbfc4aa0e4""Mira?" Erza asked with concern. So this is the 'Mira' Natsu was talking about. She was one of the escapees of the Kindergarten. I hope she's not as intimidating as Erza. "What's wrong?"/p
p data-p-id="0103178afd4d645a0fa226454a8fcc90""Follow me." She beckoned us outside onto the porch. I looked around, but there appeared to be nothing wrong. It was peaceful and quiet. Though it seemed a little dark for it to be only 2 in the evening./p
p data-p-id="2781339f1d2eff2e9523dbaf8d1ccccb""I don't get it." Natsu said as he scratched his chin. "What exactly are we fighting?"/p
p data-p-id="a7c28b374223fee8fca7d356dd7224b2""Everyone, look up." Mira said. In the sky? What is there to look at? It's just a cloudless, blue, peaceful... wait is that an eyeball?! It looked a bit pink and it covered the rays of the sun. A giant salmon-colored diamond was in the center and it acted like it was staring right at me./p
p data-p-id="7b261f2aa72188fd4ce8d1fc14c25f3a""Umm..." I whispered as I pointed to the weird eyeball blocking the sun. "What the hell is that?"/p
p data-p-id="f4a4e3a9f2cf820b61650f5b69c077e4""That's a gem." Mira then turned around to face me directly, but she was surprised to see the new face. She inspected me until her face lit up. emHere we go again. /em"Layla! Is that you? It's been some time!" She then gave me a tight hug. "I missed you."/p
p data-p-id="06d8c9254dc39dc28f64fbb327d50db6""Umm... I'm not Layla." I muttered. "Layla is my mother. My name is Lucy... and I'm her daughter." Mira then pulled away and made me face her. She looked at again, but she then gave a sweet smile. She seems nice already./p
p data-p-id="4f7ae34feb9722ca0dd627a93ead3ac1""My name is Mirajane, but you can call me Mira. It's a pleasure to meet you." She held out her hand and I took it without hesitation. "I guess you already know all about us so I don't need to explain. I am Moonstone."/p
p data-p-id="aa7d9d5e997df252069b51a2bb87ba6d""It's a pleasure to meet you too." I tried to match her smile, but she looked much more prettier than I did. It was as if she had the perfect smile everyone wanted. It hurt to stare at her for too long./p
p data-p-id="32f9f9ec375e4459d3704bae8bac0f5a""emAhem," /emWe were interrupted by a low grunt from Erza. She seemed a little uncomfortable. "I don't mean to interrupt, but we have a giant gem blocking the sun and it seems to be getting closer to us." Mirajane and I separated to see the eye growing bigger./p
p data-p-id="1a5eb08dabef6621511e9bf830309be2""Oh yes." Mirajane's smile then disappeared. "I just came back from a mission, but the gem suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The more we wait, the larger it becomes so we have to hurry and take care of this situation."/p
p data-p-id="28d1326fa0cf594845986a297bd9e393""I see." Erza said with a nod. "We need a plan. The distance seems pretty far so we need to somehow reach it from here. Anyone have any ideas?"/p
p data-p-id="5009d4e8c975663fc22e7b7ebc9dd279""I've got one!" Natsu yelled happily. "What if I wake up Happy and he can fly us to the gem?" Gray snickered at his reply./p
p data-p-id="5b6fe58ff58bc9c2eac90736be186ef1""Are you serious? The sun is more than a million miles away and you expect a flying cat to take you there? And how hot will it be when you get closer? I already feel sorry for the poor cat." Gray said./p
p data-p-id="6bb8d870ebd9fc80420707f856d9f3e0""Why?" Natsu pouted. "Do you have any other ideas?"/p
p data-p-id="a9c4ffcbd1dab203a86afb277e414441""No, but at least I know when to think before I speak." Gray sneered. Oh no, not again! As Natsu's vein popped out of his forehead, Erza hit both their heads together. They cried out in pain as Erza glared at both of them./p
p data-p-id="cdbffa577fc122b2cec86bc09d90092c""We don't have time for insolence!" She seethed. "We need to be serious here! Now emyou/em are going to listen to emme/em!" Her expression became darker and a dark aura surrounded her. We were all struck with goosebumps. "You two are going to get along and fuse. Your fusion has the best weapon in range to hit the gem. Use your arrows to shoot it down. emDo /ememI/emem make myself /ememclear/emem?"/em Natsu and Gray whimpered in unison as sweat rolled down the chins. They were really scared, she's even scaring me and she's not venting at me. Mira just smiled like usual./p
p data-p-id="57c41b3965cf9e0fbb4e1afbf02b0a27""Oh my," she giggled. "They're fighting again."/p
p data-p-id="af0f568eb0a7ac85187e428928ed8e2d""Um... should we stop them?" I asked./p
p data-p-id="642e0be4d415ecdf3607ba258506b1d0""Oh no, this is normal." She beamed. Natsu and Gray ran to different sides and breathed in. Gray then started doing a samba routine as Natsu broke it down on the floor. Their gems started to gleam as they stepped closer together. I started scratching my gem from all the excitement. I didn't get to see them actually fuse together since I was eaten by a bird the last time they did it. They looked so into their dance that they weren't hitting each other like before. As soon as their hands touched, their bodies glowed a blinding white as their forms combined into one. Their height skyrocketed and the light dispersed to reveal a giant man. The same wide grin shined brightly against his lavender skin. He kept his sunglasses on as he cracked his knuckles./p
p data-p-id="3314391b6a4284202df1ad3ca9ad6b44"em"Ladies and gentlemen, Topaz is in the house!"/em He yelled to the sky. He then crouched to my size and made a fist. em"How ya doing, Lucy?"/em I laughed and fist bumped back./p
p data-p-id="8332d1069764da8ca631494f25e4b166""I'm fine. How about you?"/p
p data-p-id="30512ef5be5cd376d611a61ae5615458"em"I am GREAT!" /emhe said with loud enthusiasm./p
p data-p-id="334ccae215f61e50034438e206d0f998""Focus Topaz!" Erza screamed. "Hurry and shoot your arrows!"/p
p data-p-id="465649617705f39472a995456222af01"em"Alright alright!" /emTopaz said with a "No need to tighten your pants, boss!"/em Topaz seriously didn't fear Erza, but she looked a bit pissed at his reaction. He then formed a fireball in his right hands while his left hands formed ice. He then smashed his hands together and formed his bow. He then created a frozen ice arrow and aimed it straight for the diamond eye. He then pulled back, focusing, and he let go. The arrow whizzed past us in a flash as it raced across the sky. We crossed our fingers, hoping it will hit. The comet got really close to the eye and we cheered, until it missed. We gasped when it fell straight down towards the sea. Even Topaz stared in amazement./p
p data-p-id="243c1656a5475aafb95eb9fb81258b3d"em"That's not possible."/em He muttered. He then shot another arrow, but the same thing happened again. He lost his grin and started to shoot arrows simutaneously. All of them plummeted towards the sea. Topaz had the most annoyed look on his face. Suddenly, he started shaking his head forcibly. He tried to stop, but he couldn't stop himself./p
p data-p-id="8df910c31f5c0b116772c8c3ced64e8e""This is your fault!" Natsu's distorted voice yelled. His head then started to shake again as Topaz winced in pain./p
p data-p-id="20af31e783e766bc5b9df981ffe65f78""How is this my fault?" Gray screamed in an unclear voice. Topaz then screamed as he started to whiten and shrink. He then divided and Natsu and Gray flew back. They looked pretty furious at each other./p
p data-p-id="bcd30286a0cccab9d215d8fda6311611""What do you mean I'm not good enough?" Natsu screamed. "I'm as powerful as you are! Maybe I'm better than you!"/p
p data-p-id="8ae94ebf4bb72dbe1793f5a70473bcb2""Heh, as if." Gray snickered. "You'll never beat me."/p
p data-p-id="9963c1974983ed1abea8861c76fc2ed0""Fine, prove it. Right here, right emnow./em" Natsu said through gritted teeth. He then was surrounded in bright red flames./p
p data-p-id="f51926080a919ec1cd0b7052f774bfe3""Gladly." Gray said as his hands were forming ice. They were serious. Erza had no expression; she seemed a little too calm about this. She then approached the two boys and grabbed Gray by the shirt. She then held him above her head./p
p data-p-id="144183291ad5ee057824a46344c34225""If you're going to fight," Erza growled as she started to spin him. "Then fight the emactual/em enemy!" She then threw him straight toward the circular gem. I heard Gray's frightened screams as he flew. I would be throwing up by now. Unfortunately, he still didn't reach the gem and fell into the ocean. I looked to Natsu who was sweating the Niagara Falls. I would be too. "Would you like to fly, Natsu?" Natsu quickly shook his head and hid behind me. "Mira, why don't you try? You have superstrength after all."/p
p data-p-id="502a4336a5b4f6a7ed3cde39e2dd67b6""But I don't want to throw Natsu into the air." Mira sighed./p
p data-p-id="6ed762630703811cb31f8ea7e6f2543c""Wait," I wondered. "Erza doesn't have superstrength?"/p
p data-p-id="27b15616d06a9cc8d21585d8e65e67a5""No," Natsu muttered. "That's her normal strength. Mira is at least 10 times stronger."/p
p data-p-id="658768271456ba1a71b10e2e16458fba""Are you kidding me?" I shivered. Natsu's right: she is a monster./p
p data-p-id="38ebd78139f16a90f94b722901dddce1""Then will you throw me?" Erza asked. "I won't fail as easily as Gray did."/p
p data-p-id="efee4e04ed796f286249f66e671bdbae""Well, I can try." She then picked Erza up above her head. Erza then was covered in light and changed into metal winged armor. Her dress looked like it made of silver as it shined. Her sword was long and sharp, but complimented her outfit./p
p data-p-id="ab5feeda7a344df2f982650d9f38b360""Throw me." Erza commanded. Mirajane then bent her legs, steadying her position, then jumped into the sky as high as the clouds. She left clouds of sand behind her as she leaped life a frog. Then she threw her as fast as a baseball to the gem. Mirajane fell, but she landed on her two feet when she landed. I was so surprised that I couldn't keep my mouth shut from the sand. Erza was flying at the speed of light, getting closer and closer to the diamond. She's going to hit it... she's definetly going to hit it. Erza got closer, but suddenly, gravity pulled her down into the water. I gasped in shock. I was sure she was going to make it. I then heard panting coming from the shore. I walked down to see Gray gasping for breath as he laid in the sand. He was soaked./p
p data-p-id="fc4e6b6d2091decd8e49f94f40f8c8e9""What happened Gray?" I asked./p
p data-p-id="f5453b2055e844c1f14a74cd590695d0""What do you think?" He asked sarcastically. "I was just thrown against my will and I didn't even make it. It seems the gravitational pull is stronger there. I had to wrestle a shark before swimming here. Don't throw anyone else; it won't work."/p
p data-p-id="85b45a5dd6f6b5d32ff8f0d5f022baf4""Umm... too late for that. Mira already threw Erza."/p
p data-p-id="25efb88146fed92fedc41ac33b9cf63b""Did she make it?"/p
p data-p-id="ba6f824d03ef3f870dba36d0ee8ceebb""No." I said./p
p data-p-id="554458f7af22dd7e6d02ed508add2cb6""Told you so."/p
p data-p-id="1ed32686d08b5d5ca1198fab7d191506""But what can we do? We can't fight it if we can't reach it."/p
p data-p-id="2b856fc2081b0709e48ca39b5ae3f01a""I don't know," Gray then looked to the giant gem in the sky. "But we have to think of a way fast. Erza won't be back for a while. I saw the shark bring some his friends to finish me off."/p
p data-p-id="c81f2711eb7d28dd4c731aa3d2159ba5""Oh... let's go back to Mira and Natsu." I said as I helped pull him to his feet. We walked back to what remained of the group, but they all seemed dumbfounded./p
p data-p-id="5a392b638aee40dfa567f89fbaa4729c""I wonder what else we can do." Mira said in a saddened manner. "If only Layla were here. She'd know what to do."/p
p data-p-id="681157c49dafd377fa501fa4e1e6e354""What would she do?" I asked. Mira looked at me in surprise. "If she were here, what plan would she make?" Everyone thought for a while until Mira clapped her hands together./p
p data-p-id="2dea2eb84930acf5bf8dfbe286bac1b0""She would use the light cannon! It could reach galaxies from here!" She then stopped herself and her smile fell. "But we don't know where it is or how to activate it. Only Layla knew how." Natsu's face then lit up in response./p
p data-p-id="8d063727d8c0686d2447ef683b408eed""I know where it is!" Natsu yelled. "Well, kinda."/p
p data-p-id="724c385f5a258354e2101254689a1c6e""What do you mean?" Gray asked./p
p data-p-id="0c07e389313c157c1cb70347062b8b86""Layla wanted me to hide the cannon so I helped her put it in the secret room." Natsu grinned./p
p data-p-id="ac945a345ba72922e2c313159f62c7bf""We have a secret room?" Gray then locked his arms together. "I never heard about it."/p
p data-p-id="80c9d8076901be5d8936f83f9c3f441c""That's why it's called a emsecre/emt room, dumbass." Natsu smirked./p
p data-p-id="e8e4f9e6bfb099bf552961a61e11ebef""Shut up, idiot." Gray pouted. Natsu got him good for once./p
p data-p-id="74e56a6d5baebd1b3058e503853c1129""Then let's go!" Mira chimed./p
p data-p-id="e4acf9a0021544bd172d83db9c40d266""Wait, shouldn't we wait for Erza" Natsu asked./p
p data-p-id="d811abca6ecc95324eb461c8391a3f6a""Trust me," Gray confided. "She won't be out for a emlon/emg time." We all ran back to the beach house, following Natsu's lead. We ran up the stairs and into my room. Wait, why my room?/p
p data-p-id="8e2d6c0ba37f5e5298c62bd804de4fda""What are we doing here?" Gray wondered. "Why would the cannon be in Jude's room?"/p
p data-p-id="62df1f530ee504577d0a41057f1692db""Be quiet Gray." Natsu said, closing his eyes and sniffing the air. "I'm trying to remember where it was." He then opened his eyelids and ran towards the dresser. "I need some help." Mira then came over, and with a single one-handed push, the dresser moved to the corner of the room. We then saw a giant square hole. Natsu crawled in, signaling us to follow him. I scratched at my gem, remembering my fear of closed spaces. It looked tight and black in there, but I didn't want to burden them. I took a deep breath and crawled into the darkness. I sensed we were in the black hole so I tried standing up. Fortunately, I didn't hit my head, but it was still pitched black./p
p data-p-id="4c814e4857d54272b8c19b0177b59ef8""You better not be messing with us." Gray mumbled./p
p data-p-id="f60ca38d96bdf7f2bf07dc8074ee86d9""Hold on..." Natsu muttered. I then heard a click and a single light bulb went on. I could finally see what was around me. There was a giant map on the wall with red circles and Xs marked everywhere. There was a table in the middle of the room filled with books of pictures and observations. On the sides were weapons I've never seen before. Natsu disappeared to the back and was pulling at something. It appeared to be a giant pink cannon that was shriveled like a rose./p
p data-p-id="b3aeb98a01bc49871c5f44158c6fcb7c""The light cannon..." Gray said in amazement. "It was here this entire time?"/p
p data-p-id="6e727b2209847f3ad90584ee7a625d10""Awesome, right?" Natsu grinned. "It's now my secret base."/p
p data-p-id="9c5811ada88f9d50d2c572969f39435a""Not anymore." Gray smirked. "C'mon, let's get this out of the house. I don't want this going off by mistake." Gray pushed the cannon, but it barely budged./p
p data-p-id="80660daeaca04b1cd917ee53226e30d5""I got it." Mira said as she easily pushed it out of the hole. We crawled back outside and Natsu resealed the hole with the dresser. As we went onto the porch, Mira carried the giant cannon on her shoulder down the stairs. She then set it down near the shore. "So how did Layla activate it?"/p
p data-p-id="ba70f9d3853b4045bdc52fe8c48e12ad""I don't know. Maybe Lucy should try. She has her gem after all." Natsu said. Everyone looked to me with hope./p
p data-p-id="1762057154e481a8b1d29e3bd5380653""I can try." I said nervously while approaching the cannon. I touched the cannon and shut my eyes. "CANNON ON!" Nothing happened. "OPEN SESAME!" Still nothing. "Abracadabra?" What was I even saying?/p
p data-p-id="5bc5b767a93186c14a2b7d2f2546e070""Did you try saying 'please'?" Natsu asked. I face-palmed myself./p
p data-p-id="538a40f2472dd612f0734c7e08331a4e""It was a long shot anyway." Gray sighed./p
p data-p-id="404e14d06dfea77545cbaf306cb63866""It's okay," Mira said as she patted my back. "Better luck next time."/p
p data-p-id="7cb5394661c55d95a81cfefccd9adcf8""What are you doing?" We then saw Erza emerge out of the water. She looked a bit stressed out. I guess she met the shark's friends. She saw the light cannon and frowned. "Why do you have that?"/p
p data-p-id="5680a63cd0bb8bc7e67024788125b589""We were trying to figure this thing out." Natsu said, observing the cannon. "Maybe there's some switch."/p
p data-p-id="bac6c9f08be8cd948d7474ec30fb0fc1""There's no switch." Erza replied. "Only Layla can activate it. We have to think of another plan."/p
p data-p-id="25f7fafd1b1bf1594e0c5367f151bbc3""But I can help!" I said, sounding confident. "Let me try again!"/p
p data-p-id="f20b56a76c75ca6b0501e5f172d52a9e""It's a lost cause. Give up."/p
p data-p-id="a3fd577fb25d3765c8efa9858c794b2d""No! I don't want to burden to you, but-"/p
p data-p-id="34ea24812aec493a3f052f7c8e712a11""You emwill/em being a burden if you don't stop this now." Erza said coldly. Her words hurt, but I shook it off./p
p data-p-id="b3e81e578e895d077ff96dd875f6d16a""I have Layla's gem! If you will just give me some time, I can try-"/p
p data-p-id="768474aa592a0a31cbcce6bf6a2b81c7""emEnough!"/em Erza said, pissed. She glared at me and held the collar of my shirt. "You are being a emnuisance!/em You may be Layla's daughter, but you will never embe /emher! Stop trying to act like her! If you're not going to help, then emleave!" /emShe then let go of my shirt and raged off./p
p data-p-id="99e1547133747a888fc266e489287d03""Erza! Wait!" Mira yelled as she ran after her. Gray looked me with pity and went with Mira. Maybe I am just a burden. I fell onto my knees and I felt a tear roll down my cheek. Natsu walked beside me and wiped my tears away./p
p data-p-id="83ee5f892a993b6c5527a1e87095c2c9""I'm so sorry." Natsu said./p
p data-p-id="21e7a45bde76f5ed127659fea1a75f51"em"/ememDon't/emem be, /ememit's/emem the truth."/em I said with a pained smile. em"I really am just a nuisance."/em/p
p data-p-id="1f388239bb25a7627a348bc0cf52b639"strongTo be continued.../strong/p