Authors Notes- And at long last here is the final chapter of A Princess And Her Knight. It has been a weird and wacky ride but I'm also kinda glad to be finished this fic as much as I loved it. As you already know I don't own Fairytail. Hiro Mashima owns that I am merely borrowing them for my own amusement.
This was outrageous. This was an insult. The Mistress thought as she watched all the chaos through out her beloved guild. Makarov's Fairytail vermin were running around the place like they owned it. Causing destruction in their wake. Gritting her teeth she pulled her robe tighter around herself, magic crackling at her fingertips as she stepped out of her bedroom. Anger shining in her eyes as she prepared to fight those who dare attack her guild.
Makarov was going to pay for this.
"Lucy, look out!" Natsu shouted, shoving her out of the way as a ball of black fire hurdled towards her. Crashing into the wall behind her. Lucy gasped as she watched as the fire ate through the wall, swallowing thickly she tore her gaze away from it to nod her thanks to Natsu as she pushed passed him. Her heart threatening to burst from her chest. She needed to find Erza, dread forming in her gut as her mind play scenario after scenario of what could be happening to Erza.
Anger soon replaced dread as she climbed up the stairs, her ears perking when she heard the tell-tale sound of metal clashing against metal and Erza's enraged voice! Lucy's heart skipping a beat once more as she rounded the corner. A hopeful smile on her lips as Erza. Sweet, beautiful Erza stood before her, bloodied and bruised and looking like the most magnificent she had ever seen. Easing her grip on her whip Lucy moved towards Erza.
However, her relief was short lived when she felt an arm around her neck, squeezing tightly.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" An all too familiar voice cooed in Lucy's ear, sending shivers down her spine. "Look who I have here, Red. You're little friend." Cecilia said, glancing to Erza as Erza turned around and glowered at her.
"Let her go." Erza growled, her blade out in front of her.
Cecilia out a growl of her own as she pressed a blade tighter to Lucy's neck, making the blonde wince as the blade sliced into her neck. A small trickle of blood trailing down her pale neck.
She had enough. Erza thought, as she clenched her jaw so hard she could feel her teeth crack. All this pain, not just what she endured at the hands of this guild. But for what they had done to those other girls. And now... a low growl escaped her throat, anger rising. And now she dare threatened the woman she loved.
Letting out an enraged roar she lunged at Cecilia. Laughing Cecilia leapt out of the way as she tossed Lucy to the ground. Magical restraints wrapping around her arms and legs, keeping the celestial wizard from interfering with their fight. After all, Cecilia mused as she cast one final glance at Lucy. Despite what The Mistress had wanted, despite what the powers that be wanted she really didn't care who was the sacrifice as long as one or both of these bitches died tonight.
Cecilia was aiming to kill them both. "You stay there, darling." She cooed, before turning her gaze to a visibly angry Erza. "While I butcher your girlfriend." And with that she lunged at Erza.
The red haired wizard lunging at her as well, an enraged roar escaping Erza's lips.
Lucy squeezed her eyes shut as the clang of metal reached her ears. She kept her eyes closed as they two woman continued to fight, she wasn't going to open her eyes until the fight was all over. As she wanted nothing more than for this fight to be over, for everything to be nothing but a bad dream. She wanted this all to be one messed up dream and to go to the guild and be with her friends. Not here in this place of nightmares and pain. She wanted to take Erza and go home.
This needed to stop, Makarov thought as he picked his way through the chaos his children were creating. Taking a step back when a White Rose guild member was thrown across the room, landing in a boneless heap on the floor. Glancing in the direction the woman was thrown from, and seeing Elfman in the direction she had come from. The Takeover mage smiling sheepishly at the old master.
Shaking his head Makarov continued on through the hall, searching for one particular person. Though he had to admit he had never encountered, but he couldn't think of anyone who hasn't heard of this guilds depraved actions. All in an effort to resurrect something they called the Old Goddess. And now here he was making his way through said guild as the fight went one behind him. Another thing he knew was that the body of this so called Old Goddess lay within the depths of this guild. And though it was only a story, a theory had popped up on how to prevent this 'Old Goddess' from being awoken was to destroy the tome that held her body.
Clenching his fists Makarov growled. If destroying it was what needed to be done to prevent his children and the rest of the world from suffering then so be it.
"Gramps! Hey, Gramps!" Natsu's voice called out to him.
Turning around he saw the Fire Dragon slayer slam two White Rose guild members heads together. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked, dropping the limp bodies to the ground.
Makarov watched as Natsu drew closer, a new thought forming in his head as he looked to the pink haired boy. But immediately thought what better person to help him, After all, of all the things Natsu was known for doing going overboard was something the kid did best. And Makarov told himself as he looked to Natsu, he knew he would not be able to get to the resting place without facing some sort of opposition. Clenching his jaw Makarov beckoned Natsu closer and told him his plan.
Smiling when he saw the eager look in the young mans eyes as he listened to his plan. Maybe with Natsu by his side things would be far easier. Boy, they had no idea of what was awaiting for them as moved further into the guild. Little did they know was that they were being watched...
She wasn't a fool. The Mistress thought, as she crossed her legs. The slit in the dress exposing her bare thigh as she watched the chaos through a viewing lacrima. Her lip curled in disgust as she took in the damage these Fairytail fools were doing to her beloved guild. Blood stained the intricate rose design on the once pristine marble floor. If it was any other time she would have marveled at how the rich red blood stood out against the white stone petals.
But she could only see, only focus on the two Fairytail wizards making their way through the guild as if they owned the place. And not only that! But she had overheard their little conversation, knew their plan. So here she sat ready for them, or rather... The Mistress glanced off into the darkness before her. And from the darkness peer two sets of eyes. Her pets were ready for them. After all, why should she sully herself dealing with insignificant vermin? Besides she had another thorn in her side. Her gaze settled on another viewing lacrima which showed that fool Cecilia fighting Erza Scarlet. While that bloody celestial lay bound on the floor. She heaved a tired sigh. She knew Cecilia's blood lust would soon get the better of her. It had been growing out of hand for a long time.
And though it pained her to do so poor Cecilia would not be joining her sisters in the new world. The Mistress sighed once more, but it was for the best. However, before she could dwell on that thought any longer she heard the door to the cellar smash open. Her painted lips curling into a cold smile. Her pets playmates were finally here...
Natsu couldn't put his finger on it, but he could feel that something was off. Something he told himself didn't smell right. Shaking that feeling off Natsu felt his heartbeat quickening, a toothy grin forming on his face. Unless this 'Mistress' of the guild, who had hurt his friends and countless others was opposed to showering on a regular basis he had to guess a couple of those beasts were lurking in the depths.
What luck! Natsu thought, fire engulfing his clenched fists. He had been wanting to fight one of those creatures Erza and Lucy had told him about the one they had fought. Looked like it was his lucky day. Ignoring Makarov's orders for him to stop he wasted no time racing down the stairs, taking tow at a time until he came to the bottom.
"All right!" Natsu shouted loud enough to shake the walls, his voice echoing back to him. "Whoever you are come on out I want to fight!"
"My oh my..." A sultry voice purred from the inky depths of the cellar. Makarov coming up behind Natsu. "What a boisterous young man you are. Fire Dragon slayer." Without a warning the lights snapped on, momentarily blinding the two men. But not for long.
Blinking Natsu removed his hands from his face, eyes widening when he found not one but two of the strange beasts looming over him, saliva dripping from maws with rows upon rows of jagged looking teeth. As for what they looked like Natsu really couldn't put a finger on it, but the one on the left looked mostly like a lion, while the one of the right looked like some sort of winged serpent. Not that Natsu was going to complain a fight was a fight.
"You must be the lady who runs this dump." Natsu said, ignoring the hulking beasts to address before him, smirking at the indignant look on her face.
"Dump?! Young man I'll have you know that you are in the White Rose guild the most-"
"Blah, blah, blah!" Natsu cut in, earning a sidelong glance from Makarov, and a murderous one from The Mistress.
Got to hand it to Natsu, Makarov thought, turning his gaze to the woman before him. He did know how to cut right to the point, and offend people while doing so.
"You know I don't care, right?" Natsu continued without prompting. "You hurt people, families, and worst of all..." Natsu trailed off with a dangerous growled. "You hurt my friends."
The Mistress let out a long suffering sigh. Obviously the young dragon slayer was an uneducated brute she clearly thought him to be. She should have known that the moment he had come rushing head first into danger without a second thought. Obviously not one big on brains it seemed. So definitely not one she should waste her breath on. After all, this ones energy was better wasted dying to her beloved beasts. Shaking her head she eased herself back into her chair. But before that happened she figured she'd entertain them, they did come all this way after all.
"I know what you're after." She said, taking a sip from her wine glass. "You wish to destroy the Old Goddess before she has a chance to awaken, are you not?"
"You got that right, sweetheart." Natsu growled. "Now bring her out here so I can do just that."
The Mistress shook her head once more, another tired sigh escaping her lips as exhaustion gripped her. This boy was tiresome... "Young man I don't need to being her anywhere for she is right here." She said, gesturing to the large stone statue sitting off to one side. Natsu's gaze following hers to the enormous statue, his jaw dropping. "Encased within this statue is the one you seek."
That was all Natsu needed to know, with an earth shattering roar he lunged at the statue. And effort, though a good one but one in vain, as one of the creatures swung its snake-like tail, catching him in the mid-section. Knocking the wind out of his lungs. Dropping to the ground Natsu gasped in pain.
The Mistress let out a bitter sounding laugh as she watched as Natsu slowly and painfully got to his feet. His eyes narrowing as he glared up at the serpentine monstrosity loomed over him, saliva dripping from its jaws.
Natsu grinned, this was going to be fun...
This was harder than she had initially thought. Erza mused, as she dropped to one knee, exhaustion gripping her, sweat pouring down her face matting her hair to her face.
"God, you look so pathetic." Cecilia taunted, running a hand through her own sweat soaked hair. "I mean look at you, you can barely even stand up. Then again I guess I did do quite a number on you during out little session." She said, spitting onto the ground at Erza's feet. Taking note of the various wounds on Erza's body.
Biting down on her bottom lip as she reached over and dug her fingers into one of the wounds, pulling a pained scream from the Fairytail wizard as she did so.
"T-that's enough." Lucy managed to choke out. Tears glistening in her eyes.
Cecilia turned her attention to Lucy. Flashing her a toothy smile as she released Erza, watching as she dropped to the ground.
"Y-you leave her alone." Erza snarled, as she watched as Cecilia, anger blazing in those brown eyes of hers.
Cecilia laughed, she knew she liked Erza for a reason. No matter what Cecilia did to her Erza never broke...at least... not yet. But, Cecilia had an idea on what would break her, and it had something to do with the blonde woman laying at her feet. Pulling back her foot she kicked Lucy in the ribs. Her grin widening when she felt a few of them crack from the blow. Pulling her foot back once more she struck Lucy in the face, breaking her nose, blood spilling down past her lips.
"I said that's enough!" Erza roared with enough force that she actually startled Cecilia.
Blinking Cecilia spun around just in time as Erza's blade sliced into her shoulder, slicing through flesh. Blood spurting from the wound, making Cecilia cry out in pain. Blood spilling out from between her fingers as she glared at Erza, jaw clenched. Anger, poor Cecilia found out, especially when that anger stemmed from her hurting someone she obviously cared about, was not something Cecilia expected. But, she wasn't going to let that stop her as she lunged at Erza with a blade of her own.
Only to have Erza block her attack. Another pained cry escaping her lips as Erza's blade sliced across her stomach. Blood blossoming across her shirt and onto the ground. The pain from her wounds spurring her on as Cecilia charged at Erza. She went for the killing blow, she wanted to remove her stupid head from her stupid shoulders. Unfortunately Erza was far faster and far more prepared. Cecilia's eyes widened as Erza's blade sliced through her chest, her mouth falling open, blood spilling from it as she looked down at the blade in disbelief.
How? How could this happen? Cecilia looked up at Erza and saw...nothing. No look of satisfaction, or anger or anything. Saying nothing Erza planted her foot on Cecilia's chest and pushed her off the blade. After what seemed Erza turned to where Lucy lay, the blonde woman looking up at her with terrified eyes. Erza's features softened as she watched as the binds that had once held Lucy dissipated into nothing.
"A-are you okay?" Erza asked, helping Lucy to her feet.
Bottom lip trembling Lucy nodded. A look of relief washed over Erza's features as she pulled Lucy flush against her, and did something she had always wanted to do. Placing a hand on the back of Lucy's head she pressed her lips to Lucy's in a tender kiss.
Smiling against Erza's lips Lucy returned the kiss. After what seemed like forever they pulled away breathless.
"I...uh..." Lucy stammered, cheeks flushed.
"Shhhh." Erza murmured as she slowly and reluctantly pulled away from Lucy. As much as either of them would have loved to spend time in each others arms things were far from over...
The Mistress laughed as the Fairytail boy was flung into the wall with a pained grunt. The two beasts looming over him as he struggled to his feet. Letting out an earsplitting roar the lion beast lunged for the dragon slayer, fangs bared. However, before the beast could land the killing blow Makarov's fist connected with its stomach sending it flying backwards.
Hissing in outrage the reptilian beast sunk its fangs into Makarov's forearm. Letting out a pained cry as its venom began to course through his body, causing him to drop to his knees clutching at his arm. The Mistress let out a cruel laugh as the Fairytail guild master shrunk down to his normal size, beads of sweat forming on the old mans forehead.
"So," she cooed, as she slid from her seat, and slowly made her way towards the old man. "This is how it ends for Fairytail's master." She crouched down before him. "Shivering and in pain until the very end, what a way to go." Forcing his head up to meet her cool gaze.
Raising her hand she was about to show the old fool some mercy before the venom did its job, when- CRASH!
Looking up she was greeted by the sound of the door to the cellar being torn apart, and there standing at the top of the stairs were Erza, Lucy, and several other members of Fairytail.
Well, The Mistress thought, releasing Makarov and turned fully towards them. It had seemed that not only had Cecilia had failed to dispose of Erza, but also lost her own life in he process. Good riddance, she thought. One less headache she would have to deal with. Running a hand through her hair she looked to Erza, magic crackling at her fingertips. The two beasts at her sides like loyal dogs, looking at the intruders hungrily.
The lion beast stepping out in front of her. A low rumble escaping its lips as it looked to her. Obviously the beast didn't think she should sully her hands this these vermin. Nodding to it she moved back to her seat, resting her head on her fist, intent on watching the carnage ensue.
Letting out a bellowing roar the lion beast charged at the group, the serpent one close behind. Slobbering jaws opened wide, ready to devour those before them.
However Natsu wasn't down for the count yet. Letting out a roar of his own as his fist connected with the side of the lion beasts face. Blinking The Mistress looked to Natsu as the beast tumbled away from them. While Erza was looking like she was on her last legs lunged at the serpentine beast. An earsplitting screech sounding from said beast as her blade sliced through its neck. Spraying more of its toxic blood spraying onto the ground. Steaming rising from the various puddles of it as the serpentine dropped to the ground dead.
Seeming upset at the death of one of it's own the lion beast let out an earth shattering roar that shook the walls. Dust raining down on the group before scanning the area around it. Its eyes settling on Natsu once more just as the dragon leaped at it. His fist connecting with its snout. And to make things worst Erza and Lucy soon joined the fray. Erza's blade slicing into its right forepaw, more of the black blood dripping onto the once immaculate floor.
"Fight all you want," The Mistress taunted, resting her head on her hands, the corner of her mouth turning upwards. "No matter what you'll never get out of here alive."
However no sooner had those words left her mouth did she realize her mistake as the lion beasts armored tail crashed into the Old Goddess' tome. Shattering it completely when Natsu lured the creature into attacking it.
"No!" She gasped, eyes wide in terror as large chunks of stone came crashing down on her. Then... nothing as darkness swallowed her up.
This had to end. Erza thought as her blade sliced through the beasts back leg. Blood splattered onto her armor. Hissing between her teeth as it ate its way through it and began to burn her skin. Ignoring the pain Erza, while ignoring Lucy's cries slid under the beast as bit of rock rained down on them. The enraged screams on The Mistress were drowned out. Blood splattering out from under the rock. Indicating that The Mistress' life had been cut short.
Shaking that thought from her head Erza focused on the task at hand, gritting her teeth she drove her blade through the beasts stomach, and was rewarded with a pain filled scream.
Thrashing around the beast soon dropped to its side, its intestines spilling from it's gut. Armored tail thrashing against the ruined remains of the statue. And as it stopped there was one final heaving sigh then silence at long last.
Heaving a tired sigh Lucy took a moment to look around. Noting that both beasts were dead. But that was not what caught her attention, looking up her eyes widened when she saw something seeping from the ruined tome. Wisps of black smoke escaped from the tome and began to quickly disappear as quickly as it arrived. A small sigh escaping from somewhere as the group looked on. Silence permeating the cellar, when Lucy finally spoke.
"It's over, isn't it?" she asked, her voice sounding dull as if she didn't dare hope, not after all they had been through.
"It is finally," Erza confirmed as she moved towards the blonde, wanting nothing more than to take her in her arms and hold her tight. If not for the fact that she was covered in gunk. Instead Erza offered her a tired, but warm smile instead. It was finally over.
Two Months Later.
"You're messing with me." Lucy commented one morning as she sat at the bar, laughing slightly as she looked to Erza.
The two of them sitting side by side, fingers entwined as they looked at each other. "What makes you think that?" Erza asked, a dreamy smile on her lips as she rested her head on her knuckles, eyes glued on Lucy.
"Oh, I don't know it's just back when I joined the guild I was enraptured with you. That the idea of you being interested in me just seems..." Lucy trailed off, trying to find the right words. "Unfathomable."
At that Erza let out a laugh. "Please," Erza said, moving her hand up and down Lucy's hand. Relishing the feel of skin beneath her fingers. She loved touching Lucy whether it was running her fingers through her hair or brushing her fingers against her cheek Lucy was just so... wonderful. "You really should give yourself more credit, Lucy."
At that Lucy felt her cheeks redden as she looked away from Erza for a moment. To think that Erza Scarlet of all people would have been interested in her. It almost felt like a dream, especially after what they endured in the last few months. Since then things between them had slowly growing between them. She had been by Erza's side while she had recovered. Sometimes spending days bedridden and feverish. A nasty side effect of the chimera's toxic blood. Courtesy of Erza being practically doused in the stuff. And day after day Lucy was by her side sometimes accompanied by Natsu or various other members of the guild. But Lucy most of all. And that was what cemented her feelings for her.
In fact Erza had a perfect idea on how they could spend more time together. Away, Erza glanced around the guild, seeing that Natsu and Gray were at it again, away from the chaos of this guild and somewhere a little more quiet. Biting down on her bottom lip she she pulled out the flyer she all but snatched from the job board before anyone could get to it.
"But enough of that." Erza said, getting Lucy's attention, holding the flyer out to her. "I was wondering if you're interesting on accompanying me on a little job?"
Lucy blinked, memories of what transpired on their last job together. When a prod from Erza jerked her from those thoughts with a light-hearted laugh.
"Oh, don't you worry." Erza cut in, giving her a warm smile. "I assure you nothing serious is going to happen." She said. Holding up the flyer for her to see.
The blonde woman's eyes lighting up when she saw that the flyer was advertising a job at beach resort. "Erza..." Lucy said, "I'd love to."
At those words Erza felt her heart skip a beat at the thought of having some alone time with Lucy. Though as much as Erza hoped everything went smoothly for them she knew that with Lucy by her side things would be all right...
Authors Notes- And thus this concludes A Princess And her Knight. Ten pages later... I wish I had more to say but I need to head to bed. Have a goodnight, and this is Blackjack signing off.