Ah AP Exams, my old nemesis... Time to totally ignore for fanfiction. Also if you like this theme, my Across Hearts thing for Zelda BOTW is out and you don't really need to know the fandom because I barely know the fandom. Just lots of family trust building and child angst.
Her blood flowed sluggishly, a slow mush through veins as drowsy eyelids pushed open. A sting emerges from the base of her neck, the branded mark hissing as her fingers graze the seven and a point prodding against the fingerpad. With a heavy effort, Ria lifts her weighed down head and her blurred vision blinks against the murk. Silhouettes structure firmly as her pupils dilate to the darkness surrounding her. The muscles of her body burn, any magic flowing through them dried, but the child stumbles to her feet. Her body bangs against a barrier, her palm noticing the cool, sleek texture. Her fingerprints smudge the polished glass. Nostrils flare and the narrow nose immediately scrunch in distaste at the smell of antiseptic.
"One? Two? Hellooo?" Ria calls out as she muddles her way along the wall, squinting through the glass.
A light turns on overhead, swarming the area with burning light. Ria hisses at the sudden glow, palms rubbing her eyes as her pupils readjusted. The icy irises peer through splits between her fingers. A young woman is accompanied by a thin, tall man with dark hair. The woman's green hair shifts as she turns.
"She...n't look…gerous," The words are cut off and murky, buffered by the glass and Ria's weakened human ears.
The duo approaches the enclosure, stepping into the light it provided. The kitsune's lip curled back to reveal her teeth, a hiss rising from her throat as the man's features define. With a stoic face, the dark haired man, skin toned from a different sun and eyes pinched in a different shape not accustomed to Fiore, raises a small device.
Pain shoots through the girl's body from the neck and the hiss strangles into a pained scream. Small hands grip the back of the neck as Ria falls to the ground.
Princess Hisui startles and pushes against the glass holding the experiment into the enclosed room. Her mouth sets, stomach twisting sickeningly.
"What did you do?"
"It's merely a precautionary device Your Highness. This is a botched experiment. However, unlike the others, I believe this one can be saved. Until we can fix her unfortunately, well we have to keep our scientist safe."
"I asked what you did," Hisui states firmly. Her eyes guilty trail back to the child curled on the floor. How old did that article say she was? Four? A baby still, and Mirajane's as well…
"It's just a small device implanted in the neck. It's not human Princess, no need to feel bad. The others have one as well, although they are less likely to respond to the conversion. They might just have to be contained or put down. Not much to do with 'em," The scientist mourns woefully. "Such a shame. Come along now Princess."
"I want to watch her a little longer," Huisi insists.
"Alright," The man relents with a shrug. "I have to keep things in order. I am sure your two Garou Knights will keep you company."
Kamika watches the demon behind the glass shift. Thin arms push her upward, shake the jolt off her body. Those cold eyes catch her through the barrier, narrow in a glare and the nose twitches. Cosmos eyes the experiment with a respectful detachment, like one looks at a wyvern in a showing.
"A beautiful specimen. Although I never would have guessed that the little thing clinging to Mirajane's leg could do damage like that man," Cosmo sighs.
"Fairy Tail has been causing a ruckus all afternoon. They've had to physically restrain Mirajane, and Laxus took out a group of Council Knights. He paid the fine and the poor lackeys were too frightened to press charges," Kamika informs as she fingers a piece of paper.
"Hell hath no fury," Huisi responds with a set mouth. Her stomach coils once more, twisting and pulling sickeningly.
The kitsune inches closer to the glass, the three watch her with confused interest. Ria stands, hands pushed against the glass to balance herself. With a mouth set in determination, the girl pulls down the collar of her torn shirt, the purple emblem on full display.
"I hope you're right," The princess responds. "Pray that Fairy Tail does raise a little hell," She meets Ria's hand through the glass. "I'm sorry Ria. The Council controls this issue."
…
Mirajane exhaustedly drops her head against Laxus' shoulder, throat burning with rawness and eyes red with restrained tears. Her boyfriend runs a hand alongside her arm, a soft kiss pressed against her temple despite the horde of onlookers. The muscles tighten as a choked sob releases from the woman's throat as she curls up, pressing into the man's chest to muffle the sound.
Teeth dig into the plump bottom lip as Mirajane releases a heavy breath from her nostrils. The platinum twists back towards the light, the arm wrapped around her shoulders shifting with her movement, and wipes at the water condensed in her tear ducts.
"Can those Council bastards really just take 'er?" Natsu laments as he pulls at his pink spikes.
"If that guy was really Council employed, than yes," Lucy sighs as rubs Happy between the ears, one hand beneath her chin. "It's voluntary manslaughter under the law. She, technically, didn't have to kill him."
"He was going to kill Evergreen! It was self defense!" The dragonslayer yells as he stands with a flourish.
"I'm not arguing with you Natsu, but it's what the Council has charged her with." Lucy snaps back and her hand slides into her hand into the blonde locks.
"Can't we, I dunno, do something?!"
"There's no bail. She's been labeled a threat. Without outright breaking the law, no!" Natsu's blonde teammate meets his challenge as she stands as well.
"Then break the law! We do it all the time!"
"That's not a good th-"
"You two stop right now!"
The guild turns to watch as Makarov jumps down from the banister of the hotel's dining area. He plants himself on a table.
"This is no time for infighting," The guild master chasties. "One of our own is in danger. Now, we will try to handle this civilly," The old man narrows his eyes on the destructive dragonslayer. "But, but-" Makarov continues, "If civility doesn't work, to hell with the council. We will storm that damned place and get back our member. Right Fairy Tail?!"
A roar erupts from the mages as they jump up, a horde of energetic fairies ready for war. The spectral image of the first master glimmers into existence. She smiles sadly at the distraught mother, Mirajane's blue eyes being pulled toward the ghost.
"Master Mavis," She greet and straightens her back.
"Don't worry Mirajane. We'll get through this, all the children of this guild will remain safe in the embrace of their friends. Besides, they don't have that," The spirit's hand motions to the sphere gripped between the mage's fingers.
The platinum unfurls her fingers, the pearly hue of the orb glinting under the low light. A finger pad gingerly traces over the smooth surface, brows furrow at the dull sheen of the normally illumescient orb.
"Kitsunes are very peculiar creatures. Capricious in nature, playful one minute and lethal the next. So rare as well, and leaking with magic so old and grand that it even invades their veins," Mavis informs with a smile. "You know in ancient times, a kitsune's orb was worth a lot of money, comparable to millions of jewels. Bring the kitsune with and a king may offer you his daughter in exchange."
"First Master, what are you trying to say. You're rambling in circles," Laxus huffs and glowers at the small ghost's whimsical smirk.
"Your daughters pretty smart; I'm sure that you'll figure this out in the time that this guild prepares. Also, look up that Tiger girl, her claws will be a good ally," Mavis adds as she shimmers. "I can't wait to properly meet this Asvoria."
Laxus' scowl deepens as the old ghost flickers out of sight. He tcks in frustration and stands, muscles rippling with pent up energy.
"Little-"
"Don't insult the First Master," Mira chides as she takes in a calming breath. She rotates the orb in her fingers, eyes squinting at the corners. "Ria, why is this so important?"
"It's her reserve right?" Laxus supplies as he takes it in his fingers carefully.
"Yes, but can that really be it?" The platinum asks. "She didn't want the Council to have it. It can't just be an extra container, her internal one absorbed her reserve at the arena. What is this really? Levy?"
The bluenette's head pops up, twists, "Yeah?"
"Research this for me? I'm missing a piece."
…
Ria pulls against the leather face muzzle strapped to her face. Claws raking against the metal lock cinched behind her head. Her breath is hot against the metal bars restraining her teeth, the dulled gray wires heating with each frustrated huff. A jolt spikes down her neck, causing her hands to halt their task to push against the device implanted in her neck.
The kitsune hisses at the scientist relaxing behind the glass, slitted pupils constricting as they watch her. Her lip pulls over her teeth, white glinting even through the bars, as her shape begins to morph. Ria startles when the muzzle shifts with her and her fox cranium shakes violently, ears flapping with the movement. She growls when she hears chuckles from through the glass. She ignores the ageing slab of meat laying by the feeding port as she unsheathes her claws. The dark nails scrap against the cement flooring, slight crevices being pulled up with the motion.
Her ears twitch when the two scientist leave the room, discussing coffee and DNA, but she continues her digging.
The lights flicker out as the shifting pair of scientist flip the switch and close the door after pushing a bowl through the gate at the bottom of the door. Paws push at the gate as the door to the observation shuts. A growl filters through the stale air when the gate refuses to nudge and she twists around to pace the enclosement. Her nose twitches above the still water and her entire body recoils at the aroma wafting above the liquid. A paw aggressively pushes it away, staining the corner with a wet mark and a loud metal din.
Paws return to raking across the cement, a clean patch of floor scarred by the creature's claws as they sharpen to points. Ria drops onto her haunches, a back leg hooking to the leather and catching the rim. Dull thuds pull at the muzzle, her fur flattening and leather pushing against her skull as her nails drag across the device. The muscle strains and burns slightly at the awkward angle, her hind leg dropping to the ground. The kitsune huffs in annoyance before the stubby device creates an itch across her skin. Shoulders droop in discontent, and the demon drops against the cement floor. The claws of her paws stretch out from beneath, the nails glinting under the dim lighting of her cage as her paw splays. Eyes set determinedly and the kitsune sits back up, her hind leg raises again and with a hard jerk slices through the flesh at the back of the neck.
Sticky blood dribbles down the creature's neck, dripping slowly and pooling at the tips of the locks of fur. Red matted the shiny silver into thick clumps, weighed down with blood. The chest heaves, muscles clenching through the pain. With stiff legs, Asvoria stumbles her way over to the abandoned meal from hours prior. Claws shred the raw meat, old blood dribbling from the mass of flesh as it is torn through, sinew littering the floor. Snout wrinkled in disgust, the fox drops herself into the mess, red pushing through her clean strands of sleek silver and staining her macabre. She stands, paws the hunk of cow meat to the corner with the spilled water laced in drugs.
Ria jumps awake when the lights blindly flare to life, white blurring her vision, and the harsh slam of a hand against the glass. Her muzzle automatically shrivels at the snug look on the scientist's face. She fakes the spasm of pain when the button of her remote is pressed and bites her tongue at the insult filtering through the glass.
Her ears twist as the food gate opens and closes with a sharp snap. Her icy eyes stay placid as the lacrima unwinds the bars of the muzzle to allow her to eat. The fox drops to the ground and ignores, feels eye bars relap. Her ears droop, nose longing for the smell of daphne or rain. Ears wishing for the steady beat similar to a light snare, the roar of thunder, the soft whispers of goodnight wishes.
Eyes blink close, sadly, mournfully, lonely.
So as I said earlier, I have my AP tests and will be urber busy, so I don't know if the next chpter will be out on time or if it will be as long. Paitence please.