Chapter Two: Paizuri

Being immature is fun.

-FAIRY TAIL-

Erza, Gajeel, and Lucy boarded a train to Nockurz swiftly, as Gajeel was being pursued by Natsu all the way there. At the sight of a train, however, Natsu gave up the chase and turned around, shouting threats at Gajeel all the while. Grinning still, they purchased their tickets, letting out a little chuckle every now and then until they finally took their seats in the train.

"So, Nockurz... interesting name for the town," Lucy said.

"Perfect place for you, eh?" Gajeel said.

"Don't say such things. It is improper," Erza said, curtly.

"I hear it's improper to stare openly at your girlfriend's tits in public, no matter how big and glorious they are. You don't seem to have much of a problem with it, though," Gajeel said, his fanged mouth in an enormous grin.

Lucy let out a loud laugh, her face beet red. Erza seemed to go red with both anger and embarrassment. A vein pulsed in her forehead.

"Best part is when you consider that Luce here is actually underage. You still got a bit before what you two do in the dorms is legal, ya' know that?"

"...What?"

"Yeah, she's 17. Legal age of consent is 18."

"Gajeel, you're a jackass, sometimes," Lucy said, glaring daggers at the Iron Dragon Slayer.

"We can't participate in those activities anymore! I can't break the law!" Erza said, infuriated and distressed.

"Erza, love, it's alright. No one's gonna file anything. It's a law that requires pressing charges to be enforced."

"That's like saying someone has to be seen murdering someone for it to be illegal!"

"We're going to discuss this later."

"And not with words," Gajeel muttered.

"You stay out of this!" Lucy snapped.

"But I have so much to add to things."

"I'm gonna kill you!"

Erza sat quietly, staring out the window, her facial expression pained. Lucy glared daggers at Gajeel, shouting vicious things at him, while the Iron Dragon Slayer just kept throwing witty comments, grinning his toothy grin all the while. The train ride stayed about like that the rest of the way there, with occasional fights being broken up by a firm but silent Erza.

-FAIRY TAIRU-

When Erza, Lucy, and Gajeel stepped off the train, they immediately found the town of Nockurz to be just what it had been purported to be: quiet and afraid. Every window and door were loaded with magical charms of defense. Everyone walking around stared at the ground as they shuffled along, trying to make it through the crowds they were practically a part of.

"Place is scary...," Lucy said, her teeth chattering.

"Meh, just a stupid city," Gajeel said, "Reeks of humans. The steel is totally awesome, though. This place ain't got much, though. Small cities suck."

"Less of a city and more of a town," Lucy said.

"Town, small city, whatever. I don't really care about classification of smelly human dwellings. Steel is all I really care about in civilization."

Three men stood at the gate as they approached. Two were in guard uniform while the other wore normal civilian clothes. She had on a large black bonnet that obscured most of her face in shadow. Her lithe form seemed skeletal, like she recently hadn't eaten much. The heroes approached the gate, to be immediately accosted by the woman.

"Hello, are you the adventurers I posted for?" she asked.

"Yes, who are you?" Erza asked.

"Open the gates for them, please," the woman said to the guards.

"They human?" one asked.

"Yeah, just finished scanning 'em. The black-haired one's a little weird, but he ain't the fiend," the other said.

"A'righty then," the first one said, before pulling down the lever, opening the gate.

The group rushed inside the town, the gates slamming shut behind them. The woman sighed, then looked up at them, beginning to speak.

"I am Mrs. Kleevij... Well, Miss, now... You see, my husband went out one night, to investigate a weird sound we heard outside our window... I rolled over and went back to sleep, assuming he'd be back inside in moments, after seeing it was just a raccoon..."

She took out a handkerchief and blew her nose, violently, then used the clean edge to dab at her eyes.

"I'm sorry, it's just... I blamed myself for it ever since. Maybe I could've helped make sure he survived... somehow... but I didn't. He was the first to disappear. There's been no body. At first it was just men disappearing, then teenagers and women were slowly pulled in as well, by this thing. Eight people have died because of this beast... Please, help us. It comes out at night, we know for sure."

"We came out here to help," Lucy said, smiling, "So, give us any extra information you've got and we'll be sure to take down the fiend before it takes anymore."

"Well...," the woman trailed off, letting out a choked-up sob, "My youngest son got a glance at it... he said it was a beautiful woman with wild, red hair and glowing green eyes. It wore a tight, red, shiny dress, supposedly... looking human. A bit of a skank... but a human."

"...Sounds like a succubus to me," Gajeel said.

"Succubus?" Lucy asked.

"Oh, yeah, it's a supernatural thing. Kinda like a demon, but very different. A succubus... well, they hunt humans for dinner and a show, the show coming first, is all I'm saying," Gajeel explained, crossing his arms.

"Let's go," Erza said, "We'll need to find an inn to stay in until night comes. And we'll need to nap a bit, to ensure we can stay up all night, if need be."

Miss Fyllaish bid them good luck and walked away to what was presumably her house at a brisk pace. Immediately, Erza, Lucy, and Gajeel started walking into the town

"Well, if you two break the law again, I'm pretty sure a nap will be easy for you," Gajeel said, cackling.

"Shut up, someone'll hear you, and I totally give my consent," Lucy hissed.

"Hey, it's still totally against the rules. I'm surprised you never looked up anything about it, Erza," Gajeel replied.

"Shush, there's an inn," Erza said, holding up her hand, looking deeply aggravated.

They quickly entered the building, and Erza requested for two rooms. Gajeel looked like he was about to make a joke, then just said a flippant remark about getting a room to himself. Lucy, for one, was relieved, though Erza looked positively overjoyed at his restraint.

-FAIRY TAIL-

"I'm gonna kill him," Lucy said, as soon as they entered their room.

"No, don't. He's right. Our more intimate side is against the law," Erza said, simply, sitting on the bed.

"Look, do you really think that's an issue? That law is strictly there to make sure parents have a way of keeping their kids out of bad relationships. It's more for a 25 year old drug addict dating a 16 year old than for a 19 year old and a 17 year old! Come on, Erza, you're not taking this seriously," Lucy ranted, walking about the room, waving her arms angrily.

"But... the law is the law," Erza said, her voice forlorn.

"Ignore the law!"

"I can not."

"I betcha can't ignore this, either," Lucy said under her breath, removing her shirt.

"L-Lucy... no, you will not persuade me...!"

The bra fell to the floor with hardly a sound, yet to Erza it sounded like a two-ton weight was dropped. An angelic chorus rang in her eyes.

"So... what was against the law, again?" Erza asked.

"Us not having intimate relationships when we've been wound up tight by a jackass."

"Oh. Well, I will not break the law."

"Good girl."

-FAIRY TAIL-

"I wonder if those two know there's a peephole inbetween our rooms," Gajeel wondered, "Wow, never would've guessed Titania would have a birthmark there..."

-FAIRY TAIL-

The group managed to get about two hours of napping, before night fell. As soon as the moon was up, the three heroes exited the inn, to the distress of the innkeeper.

"Don't worry, we're mages. We're good at this sort of thing," Lucy said.

"Yeah, killing's my strong point," Gajeel said, grinning his usual demonic grin, to the apparent horror of the innkeeper.

They threw open the door to find a... great deal of open air and a few buildings. Quietly, Lucy shut the door behind her, and the group progressed through the city, searching for the succubus.

"Don't split up. Stick with the group," Erza ordered, under her breath.

"What do you think we are? Some stupid cartoon who splits up at the worst possible moment?" Gajeel retorted.

"Shush."

They continued walking through the quiet, eerie town, looking all about for any hint of the strange woman, the succubus. She had made nightly visits, getting several at a time. Surely, she wouldn't have given up just yet.

"Mmmm... three tasty morsels out and about? This is unusual. After the first two nights, it became a lot harder to find any prey walking the streets... Poor Paizuri was having trouble. So good of you to come out to me."

There the sexy female figure stood. She wore a tight shirt and skirt, both lacy and black, over pinkish-red skin that looked almost like scales. Her dark green eyes surveyed them, with a hint of lust, and somewhere deep... fear.

"Paizuri... why does that name sound really appealing?" Gajeel asked.

"Well, you could come find out," Paizuri said, her voice suddenly becoming almost like a song.

Gajeel's eyes widened for a moment, then half-closed. He walked over to Paizuri, his hands at his side. Erza reached out for him, when Paizuri held up her hand.

"No, no, no," Paizuri sang, "You'll be coming along, too, redhead. Become Paizuri's slave."

Erza totally stopped moving for a moment. Her eyes half-closed as well, and she walked towards Paizuri.

"Guys... what the hell are you doing?" Lucy asked, reaching out for Erza.

"Oh, you would make a good slave, as well. I may keep you around for a bit, to steal away your attributes. Though those may be fake. Come along, girl..."

Lucy looked at Paizuri, a brow raised, "What makes you think I'd do that?"

"...What? Why are you not obeying? My Charm magic is the best there is!"

Lucy growled, "Look, bitch, I don't like people who use Charm. So you used that on them? Unforgivable!"

"Oh, damn it, it's been so long since I encountered someone who'd been hit by a Charm magic that I hadn't even considered. Oh well, you're immune, but your friends aren't!" Paizuri babbled, before pointing at Lucy, "Red head, kill her."

Erza stepped forward, bringing up her sword. She blitzed forward, her sword raised high. Lucy let out a shriek; Erza brought her sword down, then stopped just short of Lucy's head. The blonde looked up at Erza's face, which was contorted in agony.

"...What? Oh, come on! Lemme guess, you two are either sisters or lovers. Given the wide difference in features, I'd say you two are lesbians. This night is just full of surprises," Paizuri snapped, "Red head, get back here and just defend me. Rock star, get her."

Gajeel's hands became iron claws, and he rushed towards Lucy, his eyes dull. Lucy threw herself to the side, avoiding his charge. She reached for her Keys, then cursed as she realized she couldn't do that. Instead, she pulled out her whip.

"Wow, you're a girl of taste," Paizuri said, "Have you used that on your lover any?"

Lucy blushed furiously, shaking her head, "That's digusting! Can it!"

Gajeel walked towards, Lucy, making his right hand a large axe. Lucy gulped, then cracked her whip; a shudder went down her spine, then she put a brave face on.

"Alright, Gajeel, forgive me for this," she whispered.

The whip snapped out and struck Gajeel in the face, causing him to stop for a moment. An angry blotch on his face, the emotionless form moved steadily closer, barely stopped. He raised his axe high and swung down, only for Lucy to easily dodge it. What on earth?

"It's difficult getting friends to fight friends... And really annoying to watch, after a while," Paizuri said, rolling her eyes, "And I bet I can't even entertain myself with you, new slave, while waiting, because you're all caught up in your big-titted wonder."

"Don't you dare do anything to Erza!" Lucy shouted.

"Not yet, I won't, don't you worry. I'll just wait until after you're dead, I suppose. Wait, Erza? So, you're Lucy, huh?"

"What the hell? How do you know that!?"

Erza seemed to twitch and Paizuri quirked a brow, "Awfully resistant. Dark hero, hurry up and kill that bitch."

Lucy turned back towards Gajeel, who was forming a lance of steel with his left hand. He stabbed out toward Lucy, who side-stepped the blow, then lashed out with her whip. A flurry of blows thwacked the Iron Dragon Slayer, to little effect. He slashed down towards Lucy, but she managed to duck under it, though it clipped a bit of her shirt. He slashed again, but only got a bit of her clothing again.

"Gajeel... I'm really sorry for this..."

Gajeel kept walking forward, his axe and spear both preparing to strike. Lucy, one eye open, the other one screwed shut in preparation for the horror to follow, reared back and swung forth her whip, vengefully. The whip cracked out and Gajeel shrieked. Lucy screwed both of her eyes shut tight.

"Bitch!" Gajeel shouted, before turning towards Paizuri, "Oh, you whore! This is your fault!"

Paizuri sighed, before letting down her top, "Slave, back under my control."

Gajeel blinked, then his eyes half-closed again. Lucy's whip found his neck and pulled him to the ground. The blonde-haired mage leaped forward and stomped hard on Gajeel's back. Paizuri sighed, securing her top.

"Oh, joy. Red head, defend me, while dark hero gets his bearings. Idiot made me turn up the Charm for nothing."

Lucy turned towards Erza, with burning eyes.

"Please, snap out of it!"

Erza stayed in front of Paizuri, her eyes dull as ever. Lucy cracked her whip, then sent it towards Paizuri with lightning speed. Erza slashed out her sword, and the whip caught it. Lucy jerked her whip back, but Erza's grip on the sword was too tight. The scarlet-haired swordswoman pulled on her sword and Lucy came hurtling forward after a moment of contesting her lover's strength. Erza grabbed Lucy tightly, then pushed her back. Lucy fell on her butt, now weaponless. Desperate, Lucy got to her feet and rushed forward, to the right of Erza. The older girl grabbed her shirt, stopping Lucy for a moment, then with a loud ripping sound, Lucy's shirt, already shredded by Gajeel's slashes, was torn off. For a moment, Erza completely stopped.

"Lucy...?"

Paizuri hissed, "Damn it, no."

She unclasped her top again, then let her black, lacey bra drop, exposing her sexy upper half to Erza, whose eyes went dull again. Lucy turned towards Paizuri, blushing, then back towards Erza.

"Wait," Lucy said, "the Charm started to wear off for a moment there."

"Red head, attack her!"

Erza stumbled forward, as Lucy let her own bra drop. Titania stopped in her tracks, stuttering Lucy's name again.

"Slave, look at me!" Paizuri snapped, letting her skirt fall away, revealing her to be totally nude aside from her bracelet.

Erza turned towards her, for a moment, then went back to staring at Lucy, who was blushing furiously, incredibly glad that all the citizens were locked up inside their homes with blocked-up windows. She looked at Erza, pleadingly, squeezing her chest out to emphasize them. The Ex-Quipper's eyes opened wide. She turned towards Paizuri, her swords held high.

"Wh-what!?" Paizuri shrieked, "But how!?"

Paizuri began to dance, shaking every asset as sultrily and sexily as possible. Erza twitched, then rushed forward. Paizuri screeched and fell on her butt.

"Fiend! I should slay you right here and now for what you did! Disgusting, improper thing!" Erza shouted, raising her swords high.

"Hey, it wasn't my idea! I don't usually kill anyone, but that stupid mind-control bitch made me!"

"...mind control...?" Erza hissed, "Venny?"

"Yeah, her. Look, she said I had to kill a bunch of people and give her all the energy. I've been starving out here despite getting so many hosts all at once and absorbing them beyond what I even want to... ugh..."

"You're working for her?" Erza snapped.

"She would've killed me! Wait, wait, she gave me something for you."

Paizuri fished around in her skirt and flung out something shiny to Lucy. Lucy caught them, surprised to find...

"My Keys!?"

"Yeah... she said something about you being even more worthless without your Keys... not worth killing, even," the succubus said.

"Oh yeah? I'll show her the worth I have, and how much stronger I am than her," Lucy growled.

"I'm sorry for what I've done...! Please, Venny was going to kill me!"

"Why didn't you just run away when she left you to prowl the town?" Lucy snapped.

"Bitch, I'mma kill you...!" Gajeel roared, half-stumbling towards Lucy.

"Hey, it was her fault!" Lucy shouted.

"You are the direct cause! I'll kill her afterwards... URGH."

Erza pulled back her arm from Gajeel's gut, letting him fall to the ground. Paizuri let out a screech.

"Explain. Now," Erza snapped.

"Venny placed a spell on me... she'll know that I've given you the Keys and that I've given her plenty of energy. She probably figures you'll kill me, now, and won't use the spell, because activating the spell would use up half of the energy I've given her... Please, I'll help you, I promise!"

Erza slammed the hilt of her sword directly into Paizuri's face, and the succubus fell back, unconscious. Lucy let out a screech, utterly surprised by the sudden, violent act. Gajeel gave a thumbs up, as he managed to get to his hands and knees.

"We're going to get her scanned. If the spell really is there, we'll know she's innocent and we'll break the spell ourselves. Maybe make her help us fight Venny. I don't really care. Let's go," Erza said, slinging Paizuri's naked body over her shoulder, "Lucy, put on her shirt, if you want. We'll rest at the inn for the night. Gajeel, you take first watch to make sure she doesn't wake up. Bind her, for now."

"...I think I'm going to love this night."

-FAIRY TAIL-

The next morning came with little incident, other than quickly getting the payment for the mission. Paizuri was still out cold when they left. They covered her up, for decency's sake, for the train ride back, cuffed and all. Paizuri remained quiet for the whole ride back, and no one pressed her to talk for the time being, though Gajeel kept grinning the whole ride back. His only comment for the trip was "Best mission ever".

"I wonder how Makarov's going to respond to this," Lucy said.

"He's gonna freaking love this."

"Certainly not. The master is more mature than that."

-FAIRY TAIL-

"I freaking love this," Makarov declared, "A succubus? Delightful for morale! She and Mirajane can double up on pin-ups! Fairy Tail shall gain all the more fame for it!"

"Hey, Mirajane is still Fairy Tail's number one pin-up girl! ...As disturbing to me as that is. STILL SHE IS THE GREATEST!" Elfman roared.

"Yes, yes, I never said anything about this girl... what's her name?"

"Paizuri."

"...Perfect. Couldn't think of a better codename myself!"

"What? No, that's her name," Lucy said.

Makarov blinked, "I... Sure."

"What's the big deal about her name?" Lucy asked.

"We'll tell you when you're older, Luce," Gajeel said, patting her head.

Lucy fumed, crossing her arms. Erza tilted her head.

"You don't know what her name means, Lucy?"

"...Why do you know, Erza?" Gajeel asked.

"Well, I came across the term in a magazine I subscribed to about three years ago."

Gajeel and Makarov hurriedly turned away, wiping at the imminent nosebleed.

"Does everyone insist on mocking my name?" Paizuri asked, "And... more importantly? Can that death spell be removed? Every second it's still in place is a second I could be busy dying."

"Oh, yes, fine, fine, ya big baby. We'll get Wendy on it," Makarov said, shooing them all away, "Now, I have Master duties to attend to. Excuse me."

He hopped off of his perch and walked off to his room. Erza and Lucy sighed, then called for Wendy.

"Do you know anything about curing death spells?" Erza asked.

"Uhhh... Death spells? Well, my magic can heal... but that seems really strange to ask about. They're not used much, because they're typically complex," Wendy said, "Who has the spell?"

Paizuri raised her hand and Wendy looked at her for a moment.

"You're really pretty. What's your name?"

"...Just call me Zuri."

"Okay! Now, then, where's the spell placed?" Wendy asked.

Paizuri gulped, "Um..."

"I don't recall seeing any markings on you," Lucy said.

"Well, they're placed in a pretty inopportune place."

"You were completely uncovered."

"Yes, but you never saw my back."

"...You're not serious."

"Did you ever think about getting a nice little tattoo on your bum? Yeah, don't."

"...oh god," Erza said, facepalming.

"Hey, I know, like, a lot about spells. I need to see this spell and exactly where it has been placed," Gajeel said, "I'm like, crazy knowledgeable."

"What, you didn't see it when you were watching her last night?"

"I was more concerned with her front, really. And I totally fell asleep about ten minutes into watch duty."

"...You're not allowed to watch hostages anymore," Lucy said.

"Hey, I had her wrapped in giant iron bindings. No way she was gonna get free."

"Okay, so, we're going to go into a private room to undo the spell. You're not included in the "we", Gajeel," Erza said.

"Awwww, but why? It's not like she'll care. I've never heard of a succubus who cares about modesty."

"What, I can't speak up for myself?"

"It is highly improper to be exposed in the Guild Hall!"

"Meh, fine. You guys are lame," Gajeel muttered.

Erza and Lucy each grabbed one of Paizuri's arms and lead her up to a room that would be completely empty.

-FAIRY TAIL-

"Get on the bed, face the pillow, pull down your skirt just enough for the spell and shut up," Erza said.

"Wow, you're forceful," Paizuri said, a lustful look on her face.

"Don't even think about it," Lucy said, shoving Paizuri towards the bed, "And don't say a thing to anyone about this. Also, just don't speak. Wendy's here."

Paizuri sighed, then walked over to bed and did as told. Wendy sat on the bed behind Paizuri, faced with the succubus' partially exposed rear. On the left side was a sinister, glowing mark that featured loops and dots. Wendy could vaguely pick up the smell of iron from it, and realized that it had been written in blood that was kept fresh by the magic it was infusing into Paizuri.

"This is so disturbing," Lucy muttered.

"If anyone ever hears about this, there will be bloodshed," Erza growled.

"Alright, Zuri... Do you remember how much it hurt to get the death spell placed there?" Wendy asked.

"Yeah... she carved it with her barbed dagger... It was a bi-... really painful..."

"Well, I'm sorry, but the nature of this spell will only allow pain for undoing it. You're going to experience the same pain. Erza, Lucy, this might hurt me, too. I can't tell, yet."

"...Oh good," the succubus muttered, "Now I get to feel really guilty..."

"You gonna be okay, Wendy?" Lucy asked.

"Oh, it won't do much to me, I'm sure...," Wendy said, her face blank.

Lucy and Erza looked on, worried, as Wendy began to chant under her breath, waving her hands in a flowing, beautiful dance of sorts. White energy formed in the air, beginning to coalesce into a seal, mid-air. With a shout, Wendy put both of her palms forward, pushing the seal directly into Paizuri's mark.

'I am so uncomfortable with being touched inapprorpiately by a minor...' Paizuri thought.

There was a flash of light, then both Wendy and Paizuri began to scream. Erza and Lucy immediately jumped towards Wendy, but the girl passed out a few seconds later. Paizuri was still thrasing about, letting out that bloodcurdling scream as the opposite magic met and clashed. Lucy picked up Wendy and handed her to Erza, who placed a finger on the child's wrist.

"She's still alive... just fatigued from the effort... poor girl," Erza said.

"I'll watch Paizuri... see if she lives. You take Wendy back to the dorms. She probably needs rest."

Lucy sat there, watching the demented succubus thrash and scream, horrified. This was what Venny had done to her. Venny had put this much pain into carving and forming the spell, just to control her. No wonder Paizuri had been so compliant and so desperate for their help.

"Venny... you'll get yours, I swear it," Lucy hissed, her fist clenched tight.