The hippocampus or hippocamp, also hippokampoi, often called a sea-horse in English, is a mythological creature shared by Phoenician, Etruscan, and Greek mythology, though its name has a Greek origin. The hippocampus has typically been depicted as having the upper body of a horse with the lower body of a fish.

Hope you all enjoy!

[Break Line]

Natsu took a swing of his deer as he rolled his shoulders. A thin sheet of sweat covered his body as he glanced at the short white hair woman in his bed, naked for his eyes to see. He figured he would relieve his built up stress after the magic seal was undone.

It only further pissed him off as piece by piece it was all coming back to him. He felt a burning fire in his chest, one that got hotter and hotter as the hour when by. Add on the fact the blondie he wanted not only rejected him but was going to marry that blue haired guy pissed him off more than he would like to think.

His senses were coming back. He was hearing things he would rather not hear, smell things he shouldn't, and even see things he never saw before. His teeth hurt, and as he looked in the mirror, he found fangs gleaming back at him.

Placing on a pair of pants, Natsu moved towards the window. He felt it more than he saw it, but what he saw was a small gleam of gold. It was small almost impossible to see but thanks to his newfound eyesight, he saw it and this weird feeling gripped his chest as he realized what it could mean.

He was going to stay but his feet had another idea for him as he soon found himself storming out, ignoring the shouts of Lisanna as she asked where he was going. Rolling his eyes, he raced towards Lucy's house. He knew Erza stayed as well as the stupid stripper.

With a burst of speed that even surprised him, he ran. Wondering what was going on.

******[Break Line] ******

Swinging her twin double giant axes, Lucy fought alongside Jellal and Cobra as they fought off a swarm of Nightcrawlers. Each looking different but the same breed of monster. As she swung her axe, Lucy saw one that sent shivers down her spine. It was over Angel's body, ripping into her flesh as it tore into her body to pieces. Her Panther hissing and growling as his yellow skin glowed in the dark.

Grinding her teeth together, Lucy shot a bolt of light hitting the Nightcrawlers. It screamed loud as it screaked in pain. It was one that she would remember for the rest of her days. But no matter how much she or the rest cut down, it seemed like it was a never-ending attack.

"Loke." She chanted as a bright light shinned as he appeared but didn't say anything but swing his glowing fist. "Can you make a light shield?" She asked as she changed into his star-cross dress.

His star dress form was one she loved the most but would never say it out loud. At least not to the faces of her spirits. She didn't want Aquarius drowning her.

A long black cloth wrapped around her waist, her left and right leg bore with a slit down her legs, brown leather boots that reached mid-thigh with golden swirls on the boot. Her stomach and chest bare expect with a bikini strapless black top, a black ruff neckless with a golden chain that dropped down as twin circles band wrapped around her chest as the thin golden chain attached to her golden bands. Both of her arms with golden arm guards as it reached the top of both arms and her hair let loose in its golden glory.

Pooling the magic into her hands, Lucy shot bolts of light, hitting the Nightcrawlers again and again. It was a never-ending process she knew she wouldn't be able to keep up and with only half the night still left, she wasn't sure they would make it.

"Of course." He shouted back as he growled as he pushed the weight of the creature off him as his light burned its flesh. "When you're ready."

"Jellal. Cobra." She shouted as she motion for her Panther to move closer to Angel's body and Panther. Sucking in a deep breath in, she begins to chant, "Of Light and Holy, Shine and Gleam, repeal those that are unworthy, Triple Light Barrier." As she finished the spell, she jumped off Nova as her body glowed, the screaks of the Nightcrawler echoed as the light burn their skin as three barriers exploded out of her as she slammed her fist on the ground.

Both Jellal and Cobra rushed into the barriers as their Panthers hissed and slashed at those that came close. Both breathing heavily as they signed in relief. "This fucking doesn't make sense." Cobra hissed out as he spat venom at a Nightcrawler.

"Are you able to keep this up, Lucy?" Jellal asked as he removed his torn jacket off to the side as he moved closer to her.

Taking a deep breath in, she nodded. "I'm going to have too since there's so many of them." She paused as she glanced at the Snake Panther who was sniffing at what was left of Angel's body. "Can someone at least calm…Angels Panther!" She asked as she kept her breathing even.

It was Cobra who unmounted his Panther before moving to the yellow Snake Panther. His own Snake Panther hissing low, warning the other one. He was whispering something too low for her to hear but in seconds, he had its large yellow head between his hands. A deep rumbling echoed from within its own chest.

She wasn't sure if she really saw it, but Lucy swore she saw a tear run down its face.

Her own chest tightens in pain. How was she even going to tell Yukino about her sister? Lucy may never have gotten along with Angel but she never wanted this kind of death on anyone.

With a shaken deep breath, she looked up only to come face to face with a Nightcrawler outside her barriers. Its pale face and black hole eyes sent a shiver down her spine. It opens its black mouth as it screamed, one she felt deep in her bones and sent a spike of fear into her heart.

Its body one that matched that of a spider, but its legs were instead hands. Long fingers curled outside her barriers as it hissed in anger. Blood dripped from its mouth as it pulled something behind its body.

But what she saw, she wished she hadn't. It was the leg of Angel as it tore a chunk from the bloody body piece. Soon, others came and ripped into the body piece. Her face paled as she held her food down as it threatens to come back up. The sounds of flesh being taken apart as the sound of bone being crushed as they bite into the flesh.

It was like nothing she's ever seen. The whole forest was covered in them. Not one spot clear from Nightcrawlers. But the more dangerous thing happen was her magic. Already, she was running low since coming here. Lucy could feel it draining fast. And she feared she may not even make it to the two-hour mark.

"I have a plan," Jellal said as he moved to stand next to her. Cobra turned his head slightly to look as he showed he was listening. "I'll take every drop of magic I have left and cast a spell powerful to kill them, but we'll have a ten-second count to ride out of here."

Cobra narrowed his eyes before he cured. "What?" She asked as she looked at both men.

"Means, you have a second to get on your Panther and ride out of here fast." That didn't sound so back, "You have to drop the barriers in order to do that." He finished.

Her face paled. She would only have a second to get on Nova without getting grabbed by one of the Nightcrawlers. But if it was the only way out of here, she'll have to do it. Either way, her magic was running out fast. This spell wasn't easy to hold since it takes large amounts of magic to sustain it.

It was the main reason why Jellal refused to allow her to make the barriers for the city. It would drain her faster than she could keep it up and the cost of doing it could have very well have killed her. But here, Lucy wasn't sure.

She didn't really have a choice here either! It was make it happen or die. She'll rather live for another day. Looking at Jellal, she nodded.

It was now or never.

He smiled a little as he placed his hand on her head, "Alright, get on your Panther, Lucy get Nova near you. I'll get the rest of Angel's body and tie it on the back of Seigren. That way we can place her body to rest."

They all nodded as Lucy motion Nova near her. Her purrs were the only thing keeping her calm. "I can place a barrier around each of us as we ride out of here, but I'll only last ten seconds or less since it's going to takes more magic than keeping it in on place."

Cobra hissed in anger as he nodded. Mounting his own Panther, before grabbing the reins of Angels Panther in his hands. There was no way he was leaving the Panther behind. It would only last seconds with this many Nightcrawlers. It'll be torn to pieces if left behind. He had no desire to hear it scream. He already heard Angel's scream as she was torn to pieces, he wasn't going to let her Panther suffer the same fate. The least he could do.

"Ready," Jellal asked. They both nodded as their muscles clenched. "On the count of three, I'm going to cast my spell."

It was like everything became quiet. Lucy could hear her blood flowing in her body as she got ready.

"One."

Her heart pounding in her chest almost hurt. Sweat running down her forehead as she clenched her calf muscles.

"Two."

Taking a deep breath in as she felt Cobra move behind her to cover her. She sent him a nod in thanks as he rolled his eyes. He was never one to like being thanked for anything.

"Three."

Her body exploded with the rest of her magic as a bright light shined high above the sky, the Nightcrawlers shrieking in pain as she grabbed the hardness and jumped on Nova's back as they all rode out of there. Her magic creating a path for them.

She could feel Jellal's magic before he even spoke. "The Light of the Seven Stars Shall be you Judge," He chanted as he took a deep breath in, the sky above them exploded as it becomes clear. Giving anyone outside a perfect view of the stars and galaxies. She could feel the pressure of his magic before he cast his spell, "Grand Chariot!"

It was that second her magic ran out, her body stiffens as she felt her heartbeat skip a beat with the sudden pain that flared her body. She gasped as she felt something slash her back as it burned as Cobra cured and clawed the creature with his poison claw.

"Ride faster," Jellal shouted as the first explosion hit the ground, a flash of light as the Nightcrawlers screamed as another earth-shattering explosion hit. They could felt the heat of the magic power as it destroyed the creatures behind her.

Like falling stars, it looked like the stars themselves were falling to help them out. One by one, seven large stars fell, making a beautiful explosion of blue and gold in its wake. A sight to see.

Glancing behind her, Lucy's heart leapt into her throat as she watched one of the Nightcrawler latched onto Cobra's Panther as it roared in pain. He turned his head only to be clawed in his right eye as he roared in pain and clenching his face.

"Cobra." She shouted as Lucy motion her Panther closer. With the last bit of magic, she summons a blast of light energy into the creature as she grabbed Cobra with her other hand as he was leaning towards the side. "Hand on," Lucy shouted over the explosion and screams of Nightcrawlers.

He latched onto her arm to help balance himself as Jellal ran on his other side to help protect him. The blast of heat and fire roaring right behind them as they saw the tree line to their freedom. Just as the heat was about to reach them, They cleared the path as they rode into the clearing, never slowing down.

They didn't have to look behind them to know that the Nightcrawlers were all dead and the forest was burning. Sure they would get in trouble with the Magic Court but it was there lives vs the forest. They chose their lives instead.

At least they live for another day. That is if they made it to there base without calling the attention of other creatures with their blood.

"Fucking shit! We made it." Cobra moaned out as he hissed in pain.

Both her and Jellal couldn't help but laugh as they shook their head. "Let's just hurry back to base." Was all she said as they all agreed to head home for the time being.

[Break Line]

Lucy wasn't sure how they did it, but they made it back to base. She could feel the burning pain across her back, and the most alarming was she felt her blood run down her back and pooling in her saddle. Her face covered in sweat as she felt the burning pain throb.

The sun slowly rose as she and the rest of her group signed in relief. Blood splattered their bodies, clothes torn in places and there Panthers covered in claw marks. If someone were to look at them, they would gasp in horror.

What more alarm Lucy was Cobra's eye. She feared he would lose sight in it. He heard her no doubt as he glanced at her and confirmed her fear.

The Panthers walked as they huffed in pain. The chirps they released as they communicated with each other.

The house soon came back in view, as they reached the rune barrier surrounding the house. "Jellal, take Cobra to the house. I'll make sure the Panthers are taken cared off." Lucy said as she motion for them to stop at the side of the house. He opens his mouth to protest but stopped when she beat him to it, "With that arm, you won't be able to do anything."

And it was true. His left arm was clawed up. Add on the fact he had another claw mark on his right leg that was bleeding out, she knew she could hold up longer with her wound than them since they have been fighting longer than she was before she came along.

All three dismounted, Jellal helping Cobra despite his protest and she grabbed the reins of the other Panthers. Despite them being hurt, she still needed to be careful. At least with Nova and Seigren, she would be fine with but it was Angels and Cobra's Panther that had her alert. They could very well turn and attack her if she moved the wrong way.

"Jellal," She heard Erza shout as the sound of footsteps was heard, "What happen?"

She hears another set of footsteps as she unbuckled Nova's saddle. So much for getting a new saddle. Flinching in pain, she held her breath as she took the weight of the saddle as she placed it on the wall of the barn. Moving to Seigren, she did the same.

"Lucy." The husky voice of Natsu as he cursed once he saw her back. She only turned to face him before she moved to Cobra's Panther. It hissed in warning as she held her hand out. Waiting for her too stiff her.

"It's okay." She said as she moved a little closer. "I just want to take the saddle off you." Holding her breath, she waits for the Snake to nodded at her. It looked at her for a few seconds before it moved to the side, waited. Smiling, Lucy quickly took the saddle off as she ran her fingers over the grey smooth skin of the female Panther. "That's a good girl."

Once done, she motions it forward as she placed it in one of the stables to rest. Giving her food, Lucy did the same for the other to before moving to the last one. It's yellow skin bright with the splatters of dried blood. Lucy wasn't even sure how it would react to her.

"Lucy." Jumping in shook, she felt a warm hand of Natsu as he grabbed her shoulder to hold her still. He cursed as he saw the four long claw marks. They were deep and may need stitches. "Come inside and get treated."

She was already shaking her head as she shrugged him off. Holding in the flinch of pain that flared up. "I have one more to go." She ignored his growl as he clenched his fist. Taking a deep breath in, Lucy held out both of her hands, Nova already by her side in case the male Panther attacked her. "Easy, boy. Easy." She whispered as she grew closer to the yellow male.

It wasn't even like he heard her as she felt her heart clench in pain. Her own eyes stung as she saw the tear run down his yellow skin. Most never really thought of Panthers as smart animals, but they are. They felt just as strongly or more. There were a few cases where the Panther could die after its Tamer was killed. Depression hits them hard, it's like they die from heartbreak.

Biting her lip, she ran her fingers on his warm skin as she moved to let him see her. "It's alright. You did everything you could." Hesitating for a second, she slowly rested her forehead in his large head. It always amazed her when she knows her head is not never half the size of theirs.

Letting what's left of her magic out, she let it shine through her. Her body glowing a soft golden color as she felt the Snake Panther finally look at her. Its brown eyes filled with a sadness that instantly had her eyes water as she saw the raw emotions in its large brown eyes. It whined as if it was crying for the loss of its Tamer.

"It's okay boy." She whispered again, "I'll make sure you get back home with someone you know." She promised as she ran her fingers over its large head.

Natsu only looked on as he saw her. He was in awed when he saw her magic. A gold he wanted to snatched and run with. His chest heated as he huffed, smoke leaking out of his parted lips as he leaned over the stable doors. Watching her, he watched as she left the door open before feeding the yellow Panther.

"Are you done?" He asked as he moved to stand only to get her Panther to block his way.

Lucy only smiled as she ran her hand over the smooth skin of her Panther. "Nova." She said as her smile only widen as Nova hissed before moving to her own stable. Laying in her own space, she tucked her head in as she cuffed in protest.

Rolling her eyes at her own Panther, Lucy followed Natsu out as they made their way to the house. Pushing the door open, they were met with Cobra cursing someone. "Blondie, is my Panther good?" He shouted as another curse was hear.

Humming in amusement, Lucy made her way to the medic room as she watched Cobra hiss something as Erza looked at him as if she wanted to kill him. "Stay still." She hissed out as she tightens the wrap around his left arm.

She rushed to answer as she saw Cobra was about to question her again, "I'm sure you know since you probably heard me the whole time, but yes. She's fine."

He nodded as something flashed as in his eyes before it was gone, "And Star?" She paused as she narrowed her eyes before she realized it was the yellow Panther he was talking about and from the nod she was given, then she was right. She didn't even get to answer as she only thought of the Panther before he cursed, "That bad!"

Nodding at Cobra, she only swallowed the lump that seemed liked to be stuck in her throat. "Since Angel is…dead," She paused as she watched the other three look at her in surprise, "I feel like we should bring in Yukino here to get the Panther. That way she could take it home where he belongs."

Even Jellal nodded at the idea as he flinched at the pain that shot up as he shifted to sit up, "I do believe that would be wise."

As much as they both wanted to do that, it was up to Cobra since Angel was his partner and one of the few that were consider his fiancé by the Magic Court, just like she was considered one of the few he would consider marrying if he didn't get married by age twenty-five.

"Do what you wanna do Blondie." Rolling her eyes, she was about to phone Yukino before he called her out, "And get that cut taken cared of before calling Yukino. Can't have another of my fiancés' die on the same day."

The room was dead silent as everyone took in what he said. The only ones who understood what he meant was Jellal and herself but the other three only snapped their heads towards her. To her credit, her cheeks redden as she understood what the under meaning hinted at.

Waving her hands, she quickly explains before they thought she was marrying two men, " It's not what you think. The Magic Court paired those that are compatible with each other, magic wise if we're not married by twenty-five. It's to make sure we at least have children before we get killed."

Erza's face reddens as she glanced at Jellal before looking at Lucy. "Why?"

Sitting on one of the beds, she motion for Jellal to explain since he only chuckled, "It does not mean anything. It's more like an arrange married if we don't find a partner to marry before we turn twenty-five." He explains as he paused before continuing on, "We all get at least five other people to think about marrying if we don't meet the deadline."

"Then who are you matched with?" Gray asked as he looked at him, his eyebrow raised in wonder.

Jellal only smiled softly before motioning to Lucy, "The only one I'm compatible with is Lucy here."

The awkward silence was almost too much to bare as Natsu moved to work on her back. The heat spiked around him as she felt the heat sting her back. It was Cobra who spoke before anyone could ask her, which she was thankful.

"I'm compatible with Lucy here, Angel who was killed in the field and two others I don't care to remember the names of."

Now that she thought about it, it was like they were being matched by the Court. Both Gray and Erza looked at her as she flushed in embarrassment. "Jellal, Cobra, Sting from Sabertooth guild and Rogue who is also in the Sabertooth guild. Those are the only ones since I don't have the fifth one yet.

She flinched as Natsu tighten his hold on her shoulder as she felt the hot breath of his over her shoulders. "Do you all get retested at some point?"

Lucy paused as she thought of it only to be surprised that it was so close. Nodding at his question, she only hissed in pain as she arched her back in pain, "Yea," She hissed between her teeth, "The data is coming up to be retested since it'll be a month free of those creatures soon."

The one month is one month every Tamer looked forward too. It was the one month everyone at least got to heal, train more Tamers and get more Tamers into their Guilds. It was also the perfect time to hold the yearly games. It was a way for the Magic Court to see who was matched with who? Who got married? And the new levels of those that got stronger.

"I do believe everyone will be tested again once you all relearn your magic," Jellal said as everyone flushed at the idea of being matched with other people.

She nodded as she further explained, "For one month, we're being called to the Capital to compete and test our magic with each other. More or less, to see who's married, and all." She explained as Natsu finished with her back as she moved to at least make some room between them, "Its great fun but it also gives us the time to who's alive also."

"Sounds like fun," Erza said as she nodded.

Grey only crossed his arms over his chest as he too nodded. "Do we get money for competing?"

Holding her smirk, Lucy nodded. "Both Jellal and I always win." And since their teamwork had years to master, it was a given. Add on the face both of them were very powerful as it was. Jellal only blushed as he coughed into his fist.

"Of course, since we join or forming a Guild here, it'll be the Guild joining as a team to win."

They were all quite as they let it all sink in. But it was Natsu who broke the silence. "What are you going to do about Juvia one she learns about you being paired up with other women?" Natsu asked as Gray only groaned as Erza smirked. It was like they knew something they didn't. Wasn't sure if Lucy wanted to know.

[Break line]

Another chapter up. Thanks for all those that waited. I'm more than happy with this chapter. More than 4000 words. Talk about long. Sorry for taking so long in posting it. A lot of stuff happen. I had to push my classes off until I save up money to move out of my parents' home. Plan on moving to New Orleans. If anyone been there, let me knew it is wonderful but I do plan on going there for my birthday this summer to make sure it's a place I want to move too. And ways comment and leave reviews.

Also, if anyone has watched Vampire Diaries, me and my sister are in a fight in deciding what kind of big cat shifter Caroline would likely be. If you wanna put in there two cents in and help with the winner then fill free to give your option.

Until next time my beloved Tamers.