"Everyone! Pay attention, please!" Nick Drake shouted out loud, grabbing the attention of everyone. "We can finally start taking jobs again! It is only a temporary counter, but take all the jobs you can!" As he finished, the cheers of joy spread through the building as half of the members were already at the request board. "And Nab! You're forbidden to stay in front of the board for more than 3 minutes!"
"What?! But-" Nab wanted to protest, but Nick was faster.
"You don't need a job that'll make you pass your limits right now! You need money to help the guild! So shut up and pick a job, or go and help around the building!" Nick said in an authoritative voice, ending the conversation as Nab grumbles and went to sit down.
"...Nick, what happened to you?" The one who asks was Lucy as he stares at him in shock. "I...Have never thought you were this strict."
"No, Luce. I'm not been strict." Nick responded with a deadpan expression. "You know that Nab is always on the board looking for jobs to push his limits. Right now? We can't let him do that."
"Arf! Arf!" Rocky agreed as he jumps into the counter.
"There's a point in that." Lucy turns to the side to see Cana drinking, again. "We need tons of cash if we want to finish restoring the guild. We can't afford to slack around."
"...Cana. I don't think you're the most adequate person to say those words." Nick commented with a droplet. The brunette beauty has not once helped in restoring the place...80 percent of the time.
"What'cha mean, love?~"
"You know what I mean, Miss Bottomless Wine," he said to her. He then turns to Lucy, "By the way, did you got the Celestial Keys that Loke found?"
"Y-Yeah…" Lucy rests her head on the counter, and her hands went back to her butt. "I want to tell him my thanks, but…"
"Yeah, he still has 'Celestialphobia'…By the way, why are you touching your ass?" Cana asked her, noticing that her friend had been massaging her rear for a while.
"...Let just say one of my Celestial Spirits was very 'upset' for letting her drop in the ground…" Lucy said as she began to sweated, remembering a certain blue-haired mermaid with a scowling face and a whip in hand. "And...decide to make me remember it…"
"Hahaha! Sucks to be you, Luce!" Cana began to laugh without care.
"Want me to ice it down for you?" Gray appeared with some ice in hand.
"Please spare me from your sexual harassment."
"Oy, Blondie! Show me your red butt!" Mirajane appeared with a devil smile and her hands wiggling like a maniac.
"Aye! Me too! I want to see Lucy's Big Red Butt!" Happy appeared with his paws on his mouth.
"Spare me the overt sexual harassment as well!"
"I'm too am curious about this 'Red Butt' of yours." Sayla joins the conversation while reading a book.
"Why would you be curious about MY butt, Sayla?!"
"I wonder how much red it can make itself with my fire?" Natsu asked himself while ignited his hand on fire.
"Why are you guys bullying me?!"
"Okay guys, that's enough," Nick stops them all, for the relief of the Blonde. "We can ask about her butt getting redder later."
"Whyyyy?!" Lucy was a crying mess, burning in embarrassment and crying in humiliation as the other laugh out.
Before the conversation could continue, a table was sent crashing into Natsu and Gray, making the rest to jump at this sudden attack.
"Try to say that again!"
They all turn to see Erza at the center of the guild, glaring hard at none other than Laxus, who had a smug smile plaster in his face.
"I'll repeat it; We don't need weaklings on this guild!" Laxus repeat the words that anger the scarlet-haired. He then looks and points at Shadow Gear, who was still in recovery from Gajeel's assault, "Especially these guys! You three were so pitiful! Getting humiliated by a pathetic guild like Phantom Lord!... Oh wait, I know why it happened; is because NOBODY knows you guys! Hahahahahaha! How is it?! To be famous now that you guys were easily beaten up in humiliation?!" his laughter was seriously pissing everyone off, while the three members look down in shame and anger. Especially Levy, who was by the weakest of the group when it comes to fighting.
"Bastard hasn't even been here for more than ten minutes and is already mouthing like a prick." Gray scoff with an annoyed expression.
"Tell me about it, I just want him to pick a job and leave already," Cana commented, drinking again to remove the mad thoughts going through her head right now.
"And you there!" Laxus suddenly point at Lucy, who yelp a little, "You Celestial Spirit shit…This is all your fault!" The blonde girl gritted her teeth in anger because he was right, as well stronger than her.
"That's far enough, Laxus!" Erza had enough, losing her patience with the blonde guy.
"Nobody is blaming anyone for what happened! Besides, you have no right to blame since you didn't come to help in the fight!" Mirajane shouts angrily at him. He wasn't here to help, so he has no right to judge!
"That's right! That fight had nothing to do with me! But if I was here, I wouldn't have let the Guild get destroy!" Laxus respond. "This place doesn't need pathetic weaklings like all of you-"
*SWOOSH* *SLASH* *STAB*
Whatever the blonde was about to say die in his mouth when a blur went past his face, and into the wall. Suddenly, a small gash appeared in Laxus's cheek, blood beginning to drip out. He raised a hand and touch his new wound, feeling the red liquid in his finger, he stares at it with tiny eyes, in anger. He looks at his back to see a knife stab against a log, some of the members staring at it in fear, before looking at the direction it came from, so did the others, and they were all surprised, even Laxus, to see Nick Drake in a throwing position while sporting a very annoyed expression. Rocky next to him with a growling sound coming out of his mouth as he stands ready to attack.
"I suggest you watch your mouth, Laxus. I don't believe you of all people have the right to say who's a weakling here, nor who's at fault here. Especially for Lucy." The brunette spoke up, earning a glare from the blonde.
"Oho? And you're going to do something about it, you third rate wizard?" Laxus asked as lighting began to emit around his body. "Because if I remember correctly, I'm the S-Class Wizard, and you're an A-Class weak-"
"I'm not the one who needs a rock to fight back."
…
…
…
"...What?" Laxus suddenly surprise the others as his expression turn one of shock. "What...did you….How the-"
"You heard me loud and clear, Laxus." Nick jump over the counter, followed by Rocky, before making his way to the lighting wizard. "You brag that you're the strongest and everyone is a weakling, forgetting the fact that YOU are the bigger weakling here since you need that to even fight someone like Erza or Mira." Nick finally reaches Laxus raising his head at the tall man. "The truth is that ever since you got your magic, you did nothing but feed your ego of being the strongest. Is pathetic of you to act like an Emperor when you haven't even been given the crown to mess around with…So, do yourself a favor; go take a month-long S-Class mission so you continue trying to prove yourself how strong you are. But rest assured, the moment you reach that peak, I'll be sure…" Nick's body emitted green light out to compete against the yellow light coming out of Laxus body in anger. "To drop you back down to reality." As a bonus, the canine jump into his shoulder, showing his sharp teeth at the lighting mage, his eyes glowing red and his fur standing up.
Everyone stared at them both, either in amazed or fright. Amazed because not only did someone spoke up to Laxus for the first time, but it was Nick, the one who's quieter it, in complete seriousness and standing up to the blonde. Natsu, Happy, and Gray starred in amazed. Lucy was scared and confused but was happy that her friend defending her. Erza was silent but couldn't stop a small smirk plastered in her face. Mira, Cana, and Sayla didn't even try to hide their smirks.
Back to the duo, they glaring competition ended when Laxus suddenly smirks at him, although he looks impressed, rather than mad. "Heh! Well, at least there's Hope for this Guild…Too bad for you because when I inherited Fairy Tail, I'm taking care of you and your mutt first."
"Go ahead. Because as logic comes; you will never take me nor my 'mutt' down. Not how your acting right now." Nick respond to his challenge.
"Arf! Arf!"
"We'll see about that." With that, Laxus turn around and walked a few steps before disappearing in a flash of Lightning.
It was silent for a few moments before a clapping sound was heard, Nick turn to see his model girl clapping with an angelic smile. Soon after, Erza follows her example, then Cana and Sayla, and soon everyone began to clap at the brunette.
"Nice job, Nicky!"
"Now that's a Man attitude if I ever have seen one!"
"I expect nothing less from my Master."
"Woohoo! I would pay again to see that shit! Laxus ran away with his tail between his legs!"
"Got to agreed with Firestick on that one."
"Aye!"
Nick look at everyone as they all clap and praised him. He smiles just a bit before raising his hand, motion everyone to stop. "Thanks for the praises, but don't let bad thoughts roam your head. Laxus is still part of Fairy Tail, and the last thing I need is people hating him because of obvious reasons." He said in an authoritative voice. "Even though he's right, some of us were weak, that doesn't mean will stop training, we are the Strongest Guild in Fiore, right?!"
"Yeah!"
"Then I suggest that everyone start working so that our Guild returns to glory!"
"YEAH!"
With those words, everyone returned to their previous objectives. Nick wanted to return to his previous position, but Mirajane had other plans as she tackle-hug him into the ground, followed by an embarrassed Erza trying to separate her from him.
"...Hey…What nonsense was Laxus talking about before? The hold 'inherit' the Guild thing?" Lucy asked the brunette next to her.
"Nonsense?" The card wizard looks at her with a raised eyebrow, "You didn't know? Laxus is the Old Man's Grandson."
"...EHHHHHHHHHHH?!" Lucy shot from her seat in a slight shock. "T-That asshole and the Master are related?!"
"Shocking, I know," Gray answer her. "Once the master retires, chances are that Laxus will take over his spot."
"Like hell! That bastard will only bring pain and suffering to Fairy Tail if we let him go like that!" Natsu shouts in anger at the thought.
"I truly want to use my Curse on him, but Master order that I shouldn't waste my magic with him," Sayla commented as she returns to her book.
"I-Isn't there someone else that can take the Master position than him?" Lucy asked the others with a dreadful look.
"Don't worry too much, rumor has it that Gramps isn't letting his position off yet because of that." Cana explains as he drops her mug, "As for other candidates, there's Mystogan, Gildarts, Erza, and Nicky."
"Eh? Only those four? What about Mira?" Lucy asked in confusion.
"No way. Sis is not one to take the paperwork to her table." Elfman commented with a fear look and sweat dripping. A cloud thought of Mira destroying all paperwork wasn't a pleasant image. Besides, her modeling career would make it impossible for her.
Nick finally reach the others, having a tired expression. "Jeez, too much to handle for the day." He began to scratch his hair. "I guess I should go on a mission...Hey, Natsu!"
"What?"
"Want to go on a mission?"
"Hell yeah!"
He then turns the others, "Yo! Gray! Luce! Sayla! You three are welcome to come."
"Sure. You'll be needing real support to help you."
"Fine by me! I need rent money either way."
"If Master wishes."
And finally, to the last two, "Erza? Mira?"
"You can count on me!"
"I see no problem there." Erza said with a thought in mind, "Actually…Why don't we make it official?" Everyone turned to her in confusion. "I have a sense that we've been together ever since the Eisenwald incident-"
('Just now?') Everyone asked with droplets.
"Why don't we make the Team official? With the six of us. Or eight, if you count Happy and Rocky." She said, although, she had a tiny smirk as she saw Mirajane getting mad.
"...Well, I guess I don't see the problem," Nick said with a thoughtful expression, "We have been working together perfectly…What you guys think?"
"Absolutely!" Lucy agreed without hesitation, along with a nod from Sayla, a 'bark' from Rocky and an 'Aye!' from Happy.
"S-Sure!" Both Natsu and Gray, although, they were sweating while looking indirectly at each other. ('I-I don't want to be on the same team with Stripper/Firestick!')
"Perfect! Then, let's hurry and do a job-"
"Fucking Harlot bitch! You forgot about me on purpose!" Mirajane finally snap at Erza, who looked at her in confusion
"What? You actually can fight?" she tilted her head to the side. Her eyes had an evil glint in them.
"That's it!" Mirajane yelled and threw herself at her, beginning the brawl of women's.
As they do that, everyone began to celebrate for them, "About time they made it official." Macao said with a big smile.
"Yeah! With this, we have the Strongest Team in Fairy Tail!" Wakaba added before nudging Cana, "So? Are you okay with letting your partner be in another team?"
"Puah~ What's the problem? Is not like he'll forget me." Cana said with her relax tone, "Besides, it's not like I can handle four people butt heading with each other."
"Yeah...I can believe you." Jet said before realizing something, "But wait...Lucy in that team? Is that even allow?"
"W-Well, if she took out Aquarius...then I guess…" Droy responds with a hand on his chin.
"T-True isn't it?" Levy responds as she sweatdropped at her friend being dissed indirectly.
(Sometime later)
All members of Team Nick (Temporary name according to Nick) were already finishing their job.
"GAH!" A random guy scream as his face smashed against the table before landing close to his fallen comrades.
"These guys are wizards?" Natsu asked as he squashed a thug through the wall with his hand.
"I barely did any training," Gray commented as he had frozen the head of a dark wizard while stomping another down with his feet.
"Boring Humans. Your lives aren't even worth writing on the Shinigami's List." Sayla said as she was seated on top of a pile of defeated bad guys.
"You think you will get away with this?!" One of the few who was awake, but weakened, question out. "Just wait until our Master gets here! He'll pulverize you!" he said, earning a few grunts of approval. Suddenly, the ceiling above broke down, smashing the floor hard. Everyone stared at it before the bad guys' eyes widened in fear. "M-Master?!"
"The hell? This guy was so weak." Nick said as he stretched his arms while yawning, on his feet was the Master of this Dark Guild, beaten to death and moaning in pain.
"Welp! If that's your Master, then you all are seriously weak!" Happy chirped out, depressing the bad guys a lot.
"We're done up here~!" Mirajane sang as she floats down the stairs, with Erza following her with her hands on her armor hips, as she stares at their mess and Rocky who was dragging a bag with something inside.
"That's our Erza and Mirajane!" Lucy said as a bad guy was behind, his weapon ready to cut her, only to be smashed down by a cow that was standing in two legs, had a Superman underwear and a giant battle-ax.
From the corner of Mira and Erza's eyes, two dark wizards were running away. In mere seconds, they capture them both, each of their heels digging on their butts, hard. The poor victims were terrified to the core as the S-Class Wizards glare at them with dark auras. "You were trying to run away? Looks like punishment is in order." Erza said in a demonic voice as she Requip her sword out. Meanwhile, Mira was having purple lighting coming out of her hands while giggling like a true sadistic.
"Miss Erza! Miss Mirajane! Punish me toooooo~" Taurus now out with heart-shaped eyes.
"Force Gate Closure!" Lucy quickly sends her spirit back to the Spirit World before he could do anything else.
"...A walking/talking cow with a Speedos…Now I have seen everything." Nick said in the most surprise expression he could make.
"That took less time than I thought," Erza commented as they all began to leave the Guild.
"With how weak they were? I'm not surprised." Gray said with his arms on his back...and his clothes gone.
"That suck~" Mirajane whined before jumping into Nick's back, "I barely release all my energy~"
"Why the hell do you need to release energy, slut? We all know you just need to get those panties of yours wet and is done." Erza said with a jealous look and a devil smirk.
"What was that, ginger head? Says the one who masturbates three times a day over some stupid book." Mirajane responds with the equal stare, except it was of anger than jealousy.
"Can you both stop? You can decide who's the better whore later." Sayla said as she was trying to read her book, but the bickering of these two wasn't allowing her.
"Who are you calling a whore?!" Erza and Mirajane now look at the Etherious, who didn't even bother to look up.
From the back, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Happy, and Rocky had droplets on their head. "For wizards that almost destroy an entire guild...they sure have a lot of energy." the blonde commented, sounding a little mad.
"...Wanna join the fray? If you act quickly, you could get Nick to yourself." Gray teased her, which work like a charm…all too well
"Why would I want to join?!" Lucy kicks him hard in the face, sending him flying into the air. She proceeded to look at Natsu and Happy, who were paled like a ghost, "If any of you two even start something, so help me God." She said in a very threatening voice while the Ice Mage crash in the ground. Very far away, a hidden blue-haired woman felt anger and shock at seeing one of her beloved been treated like that.
"Aye, mam!" Both Natsu and Happy saluted like soldiers while sweat drip madly from their forehead.
('Man...I sometimes feel that I'm the mature one of the group…') The brunette thought with a sigh, as he looks up to the sky for a bit. ('...Just two more weeks before the Trials...Let's hope I did the right thing.')
Later on, the group stays on an Inn. Relaxing from the mission that barely wasted energy. "Man~ A Spa is what I needed!" Lucy let a content sigh as she let the water of the hot spring to wash off her body.
"I must agree." She heard Erza said. She looks to the direction of the Armor wizard, only for her eyes to widen in absolute disbelief... because the scarlet haired woman was entering the place still in her armor. "Relaxing in a bath from time to time is good for the skin."
"Then why are you still in your armor?!" Lucy asked with disbelief and bloodshot eyes. "You're not planning to enter like that, are you?!"
"Of course not," Erza replied calming as she Requip out of her armor, leaving her naked. "A spa is for complete relaxation."
"W-Woah…" the Celestial Wizard was taken back by the beauty of the Armor Wizard's body. "Y-You're gorgeous even without the armor, Erza!"
"Hmm? You think so?" The red-haired said as she looks down at herself, "Maybe I should go around more like this?"
"NO PLEASE!" the blonde couldn't let her do that! She would embarrass herself in front of the Guild. She could even imagine the Guildmaster having a large nosebleed.
"I was just kidding." Erza had the gals to chuckle at her.
"With how your slutty magic works? Could have fooled me." A tick mark appeared in the forehead of Erza when she heard the voice and remark of the Demon of Fairy Tail. Mirajane was on the far side, washing her beautiful and smooth body.
"Hoh? I don't believe you have the right to remark. You're the only one in the guild who shows off her skin for dirty old men on magazines." Now it was Mira's turn to get a tick mark and an angry expression.
As they both began to shoot lightning from their eyes, Lucy was staring at them with amazed at their bodies, seriously! They have what any man would want and what any woman needs! "And there they go." Lucy heard right next to her, and saw Sayla, nude, with her back against a rock. Her humongous breasts were floating in the water!
('How is that possible?!') the blonde began to cry, how can she competed like this when three girls with bodies of Goddess outclass her in every way! But while she stares at her, she notices the new addition to her body...the Dragon Mark. ('Huh? Since when Sayla had a mark?') she asked herself.
"Shut up Tomato Can! You're just jealous that my boobs are superior to yours!" Mira shouts as she pushes her bags of fun up high.
"Jealous?! Over those flat-bottom plates?! You must truly be desperate!" Erza replied while shamelessly pushing her breasts up as Mira.
(On the other side, Men's Bathroom)
"Man...A Spa of relaxation surely is the best." Nick said as he lets the water soothe his muscles.
"Nothing beats a hot bath after a accomplish mission," Natsu commented as steam escape his nose.
"For once, I agreed with Flame Brain," Gray said, which is weird since he's an ice wizard.
"Blub." Happy said something but his mouth was in the water, so only bubbles came out. Rocky was doggy paddling in the water, moving around.
The three (five if you include their animal friends) were relaxing on their side of the bath. Which was great for them. No Erza to scold them, no Mirajane to teased them, no catfights and not even a single insult been thrown in the air…Just peace.
"W-What?! How are they big?!"
"Impossible! Mine is bigger by an inch!"
"An inch my ass! Those strawberry cakes are finally messing that brain of yours!"
"Don't even start! Those sweets have done nothing to you!"
If only the screams of Erza and Mira wouldn't have been heard from the other side. The boys had sweatdrop forming in their heads. Why did they have to suffer through all this? Which God have they anger? Zeus? Poseidon? Hades? Ares?
*Boing-Boing*
"Kya! W-What are you doing?!"
"H-How the hell are they bigger than mine?! Sayla, I understand, but YOU?!"
"T-They look illogical large."
"Kya! Stop groping them!"
"Hmph. Whores and their horny bitches. Why am I not surprised?"
It didn't help that apparently, they involved poor innocent Lucy in their shenanigans as they heard the sound of something been squish. Natsu and Gray had a hard time trying to control their heated faces as the moanings began to escalate quickly. Nick, on the other hand, let a heavy sigh out, even though his face was blushing as well as the girls' talk continues.
"All right! That's it! We groping each other won't end this!"
"So? You suggest something?"
"That's right...Let's go and ask Nick! He won't have a problem-"
"YOU FOUR ARE GOING TO STAY THERE, OR I SWEAR; YOU ALL ARE GETTING SEVEN ACROSS THE ASS!" Nick shout, the embarrassment finally caught him. He didn't get a response from his Model girl, which meant they drop the discussion. He let a heavy sight out before hearing several screams of women. He looks forward...and saw that Natsu and Gray were nowhere to be found.
"Hahahahaha!" And if Happy's laughter meant anything, as well Rocky's staring at the door, those two ran out to protect what little dignity of the being known as male was left of them. With a certain black-haired boy forgetting to cover himself yet again.
('...I pity you, Gray. I do.')
(Later)
"We are doing this!" Shouted Mirajane as she was in a white kimono, holding two pillows on each arm and smiling very evil.
"You all are going down! Hard!" Natsu shouts in excitement as he had five, that's right, pillows in his arms, along with fire bursting through his mouth. He was dressed in a red kimono.
"Shut up. I'm trying to fall asleep here." Gray yawn as he tried to catch some Z's, even though he was beginning to disrobed his blue kimono. Only to receive a pillow to the face. "Oh! Now you don't it!" With rage, he picks up a pillow from the stack behind him...he didn't know where they came from, nor did he care. A certain Water mage was hidden behind a tree as usual and was happy for being of use.
"All Pillows are at my command! Prepare to be exterminated!" Erza appeared in her red kimono and holding several pillows while sporting a challenge expression.
"Today...your stories will end!" Sayla said in her purple kimono while several pillows float around her, ready to be launch.
"What the hell is going on?!" Lucy, in her pink and white kimonos, screams as she sweats at the intensity of the room. The only ones who were normal were Happy, who was munching a fish from out of nowhere, Rocky, who rolled into a ball and began to yawn, and Nick, who….was already asleep. ('How is it that he can sleep with all this noise?!') one of the few mysteries of the Earth Dragon Slayer.
"Take this, Tomato Hair!" Mirajane sent a powerful pillow at Erza, who jump out of the way and let the piece of bed slam into Natsu's face.
"Oh, that's it!" In response, the Fire Wizard sent his pillow at her, but the Demon dodges it, making it crash against the side of Gray's face.
"You've done it now!" the Ice-Make Wizard threw it at him, only for Natsu to jump to the side, and the pillow hit Sayla right in the face, hard.
The pillow slips down, showing a very calm Etherious, "...It would seem I have my first victim." and with that, three pillows were sent forward.
And with that, pillows began to fly through the air, with Lucy, Happy and Rocky taking cover behind a barricade of pillows they made. "They're insane! This isn't a pillow fight; is a war!" the Celestial Wizard said as she felt a pillow flying over her and crash against the wall...denting it. "...Wait! Nick!" She looks over, trying to find her friend, only to sweatdrop when she saw that the brunette was okay, and still sleeping...in the middle of the crossfire. "Just...how?"
"Because he's Nick!" Was Happy's response.
"Arf!" And the dog agreed.
"...I need fresh air." She gave up as she slowly evaded the pillows and made her way to the exit, and it was just inches away from the door...when a pillow finally hit her, the force sending her crashing through the door and into the outside. "Whyyyy~?!"
"I pity that girl." Happy said with a sweatdrop, along with Rocky who simply went to check on her.
At that specific moment, Nick began to yawn from his sleep as he stood up from the floor. And then, a pillow landed on his lap, he looks at it with a tired expression before looking around, seeing Natsu, Erza, Gray, Mira, and Sayla having a pillow fight while noticing that Lucy was out of the room, been check by his furry friend. He blinks once...and a light bulb came to his mind. "There's a Pillow Fight going and I wasn't told?!" when he said that, a record scratch hard as everyone present stop and got paled as ghosts. They move their heads like robots in the same direction...only to see a star-eyed brunette.
"Nobody...move…!" Erza whispered low and hard. If there's one thing they all are afraid of, is Nick's childish play...he doesn't know to contain himself.
"Achoo!"
…
…
…
…
…
…
"...YOU'RE DEAD, SON! YOU'RE ALL FUCKING DEAD!"
(Minutes Later)
"Woohoo…That was great!" Nick said as he was outside of the room, stretching his arms up, and behind was...a mountain of pillows, with Natsu's limbs sticking out, Gray's head having been knocked out into the door, Sayla pass out against the wall after a headshot, and Mirajane was...with her butt in the air as she was hit hard as well.
('Snrk! This is too good!') Erza managed to survive the slaughter with her armor, with a snicker escaping his lips at seeing her rival in a pitiful state, ('Shame that I don't have a lacrima camera.') she said before looking at Nick, he was now sitting outside, looking up at the sky. She suddenly realized something…Lucy was out for a walk, Mira and Sayla were out cold. ('I'm alone...with Nick…!') Her face turns red, she's alone with the brunette! She had been wanting this for a very long time! She doesn't even remember the last time they both were alone. Technically, they're not alone per see, but…
Anyways, she doesn't have any interruptions standing in her way to Nick. Erza shook the red out of her face and went to sit next to him. "Beautiful night we have."
"...Agreed." Nick said before looking at the sky, "The stars look a bit... brighter than before…"
The Armor Wizard notice the tone of his voice and immediately knew something was bothering. "Nick? Is there a problem?" She asked him.
"...I got summoned to the Council two days ago," he said, surprising Erza a lot, "Because Jose lost his position, they ask me to become a Wizard Saint." And this information shock her even more.
"Nick... that's amazing." She said in an amazed tone, to think the Magic Council would ask Nick of all people to become a Wizard Saint. "A-And? What did you say?"
"...I accepted." He answers her, shocking her even more. "I stood silent for a long time...but after defeating Jose, people will ask for me...and others will come after the one who could defeat a Former Wizard Saint without a problem."
Erza was proud of this, it was obvious that it was a high honor to receive such an important position in all of Era. However...Proud or Happy was not the words that express the brunette's attitude at the moment. Worried, doubt, and hesitation were more of what he looks. "...Is there a problem with that?"
Nick didn't speak for a moment...just simply look back at his self-proclaimed servant. "...Is Sayla...If she's found out, I know those old men will come to her, demanding that I give her to them...Her kind is dangerous, and they'll do anything to make sure that danger is gone." He clenched his fist hard, "And if they find out...Tartarus will not be far from them."
"...Is that's it?" Erza chuckle at this, making Nick raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You're always so serious when it comes to Sayla's safety...even when you are strong enough to stop anyone."
"...It wasn't enough when she was attacked." that dropped the mood. "Forgive my rudeness, Erza...but you weren't there...You didn't see how they were enjoying killing her very slowly...how she wasn't even fighting back...Just accepting everything…" He clenched his fist hard, remembering that day was not easy for him. To see someone dear to him being in that position...I don't need to explain that kind of feeling, don't I?
He then felt a hand land on top of his, he was surprised to see that it was a smooth hand and not an armored glove. He then rose his eyes to see Erza's chocolate ones. "And you don't plan on letting that to happen again, right?" she asked him, in which he simply stared at her as if she just asked a dumb question. "Precisely. You won't let anything happen to her, because you refuse to let it happen again…" she held his hand tighter. "And don't forget, we are here as well. Sayla is our friend too, and we won't let anyone take her away."
Her words, while not completely gone, did manage to calm his doubt a bit. Still, he did crack a smile at her…and then felt some sort of pillow on his left side of the face, and the world was sideways. His eyes look down to see that he was in Erza's lap. "...What's this?"
"Hmm. Is been too long since I had you like this." Erza simply said as her hands began to brush his brown hair.
"It hasn't been that long." Nick gave her a deadpan expression.
"That's not the point." Erza wasn't affected by his stare. "We haven't had some alone time in a while…" she suddenly pinch and pulled his cheek, making the brunette flinch at the sudden pain. "Are you ignoring your Big Sister on purpose?"
"For what? So that I get hurt like this?" Nick said with a small teardrop coming out of his eye. "Besides...You're the one been busy all the time. Not me."
"...You do bring a point." Erza responded, stopping his pinching. "I apologize."
"...Can't exactly blame you," To further her satisfaction, Nick comfort his head more on her lap, the smell of strawberry entering his nostrils, "You're an S-Class Mage, after all...Say, Strawberry?"
"...W-What?" She spoke, blushing at the surname he gave her.
"Remember when I was called by the Council to cover up the Incident of Eisenwald?" She nods at this, "...When I almost got there, I was meet with a blue-haired and tattoo man." He didn't need to see to know that Erza flinches and paled at the description. "He told me...to stay away from you." her hand stops brushing his hair. "...I guess there just things you can't say, no matter the trust one has."
How discomfort. Here was she, the great Titania, trying to get some good time with the one boy who was both the object of affection as well the only man to ever beat her, only for him to bring a description of the one person she couldn't even talk about...and for Nick to say that she can't tell him even with trust.
"Let's not say anything about our past, hmm? For the sake of us both."
Is not like she doesn't want to say it...but lives other than hers were at stake. Very important lives.
She then felt a hand caressed her cheek, she looks down to see Nick smiling at her, "...You have your reasons for not telling me, so I won't pester you around." he said as he used one finger moving some of her hair from her right eye. "And taking the world's out of your mouth, we are here...I'll heard you when you're ready."
The Battle Mage look at him with a sad smile, while placing her hand on his, "I'm sorry...Is not that I don't want to…"
('...So they do have a story together.') Nick thought hard. ('But what is it...Is there something in her past that's stopping her from speaking?') he will have to search for this later on. Even while enjoying the pillow lap of his big sister figure, one thing will be bothering his mind for the night.
Siegrain, or whatever he is called, has something holding her against her throat. Very soon...he'll figure out what he did to her.
Some days later, everything went back to normal in the Guild reconstruction.
"The hell is wrong with you!"
"Is your fault that we ended like this!"
And to prove that point, both Natsu and Gray were arguing with each other yet again. Only that they both were covered in bandages around their bodies.
"Why they look so hurt?" Elfman began speaking up as he watched them scream. "Was the mission hard for them?"
"No. Apparently, those wounds are from a 'pillow fight'," Cana replied to him as she drinks more beer.
The Strauss sibling had an incredulous look in his face, "That's from a pillow fight? Since when those things became lethal?"
"Nicky was involved."
…
…
…
"...How they're alive?" Elfman's confusion turns into amazed.
"I'M NOT AT FAULT! BESIDES, JUST BECAUSE YOU WERE K.O. FIRST DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN BLAME ME ON IT!"
"OF COURSE I CAN! IF YOU SIMPLY COULDN'T SNEEZE, WE WOULDN'T BE LIKE THIS!
"NO, I'M NOT!"
"YES, YOU ARE!" They both turn to the blonde celestial mage, "LUCY, TELL THIS ICE PRICK/LAVA HEAD THAT-" There words drown in their throats when Lucy glared at them.
"Shut up. Both of you are getting annoying." Both boys shrunk back in fear.
"S-Sorry."
"Wow! Lucy just managed to shut them up!"
"Just go to show how much she had grown."
"Is something the matter, Luce?" That question came from the brunette as he walks up from to her from the bar counter. "You been a little...grumpy since we came back." He asked her.
The celestial mage let a sigh out of her mouth, "Sorry...is just that I'm having some much in mind." She drops down her head on the table. "Is all Loke's fault!"
"Why? He finally captured you with his charms?" Nick teased her, although, for some reason, he was thinking of ways to hurt the ring magic-user. Don't ask him why.
"N-No!" The blush of the blonde was like Erza's hair, "Is just that he simply is a jerk! He even went as far as to trick me into believing that he was dying!" she let an annoyed sigh out. "I mean, I was just trying to be nice for what he did-" the moment she looked up to her friend, she stop her rant.
Nick had stopped cleaning the vase in his hands, his green eyes stare at her as if she said something forbidden. Then, those emerald pupils harden as he places everything down, and grab the blonde by the shoulders, "Lucy...Did he...said he didn't have much time left?"
The Celestial Mage look at him in surprise, "E-Eh? How did you know?"
Once she confirms his expectations, the brunette's mind was pounding hard its walls, ('Loke...Is it already time?...But why did you tell Lucy? A Celestial Wizard no less?') If that's not enough, this happened.
"Excuse me?" He looks to the side and saw several girls around, some were searching for something, or rather, someone. "Have you seen Loke?" One of them said while others asked his location, and others asked who are the rest of the girls.
"Loke's Harem, I presume?" Nick asked, making the girls raised their eyebrows. "...What? You all have been around Loke for so long, you're practically his harem…('Of cheap girls')" he told them, with the last part on his head. (AN: Call me rude, but can anyone of you tell me the name of at least one of them?… Thought so.) "Anyway, what do you want with him?" The brunette asks them, having suspicious of his early thoughts been confirmed. And if the girl's upset expression meant anything…
"He tried to break up with me all of a sudden last night!"
"I hate to say it, but me too!"
"Me too!"
"Why would he do something like that?!" One by one, all-girls began to complain like little children asking for the bigger ice cone. Of course, they were all ignored by the Earth Wizard/Bartender, who had a serious expression. He proceeded to look at the blonde, who yelp at the sudden look.
It also made the girls look at her!
"Who's that?"
"She's kinda cute..."
"And she's got huge breasts!"
"Is she Loke's new girl?!"
"Luce…" Nick jump over the counter, landing on the other side, ignoring the stares of anger and jealousy of the girls. He quickly placed his hands on her shoulders, "I don't know why...but if he said to you that, then I guess you're my only hope on stopping him." His tone was dead serious.
"E-Eh? W-What?" the Former Heiress was confused at what he was saying.
"Tell me...What do you know of Karen Lilica?"
(That Evening)
The Ring Wizard was located on a small, isolated cliff, and was surrounded on three sides by a beautiful waterfall on the South part of Magnolia. In front of him was an aging grave, and it had an inscription on it.
'Here lies Karen Lilica'
The orange-haired let a sigh out from his mouth while having a solemn look on his face. How long was it that he last remember that name, when she was alive. One of Magnolia's greatest Celestial Wizards; her beauty and power were to be respected...and it went way beyond her mind. So much, he sometimes wonders how everything would have gone if he simply…
No...He did what he must to do...No matter what the law was.
"Loke."
His eyes widened when he heard that familiar voice behind him. He looks back and saw the blonde celestial mage. "You made everyone worried when you disappear today," Lucy said.
"Lucy, what are you doing-?" Loke tried to ask her.
"This is Karen's grave, isn't it?" Lucy asked, which caused Loke's eyes to widen once again, "One of the greatest Celestial Wizards to have ever exist...She was your owner, wasn't she?" she softly spoke as she locked eyes with him, "Leo, the Lion?"
"...Drake told you, didn't he?" The now revealed Spirit said with a small smile. "I knew you would figure it out my secret, but not this quick…"
"I alone figure out your true self. Nick only said Karren's name." the busty blonde began explaining. "I am a Celestial Spirit Wizard, I should have noticed before...but I didn't. Normally, when the summoner who holds your key dies, your contract is broken. You're then forced back to the celestial spirit world until your next summoner appears. Karen died, yet you're still here. There must be a reason why you can't return to the celestial spirit world." She finished, before seeing that Loke wasn't denying her. "Nick refused to give a straight answer...But I'm sure-"
"He a stubborn one, I'll give him that." Loke began to say a dark laugh, "He's not even a Celestial Wizard, and it only took him one look on me to know who I am...and that was only three years ago."
"Three years?!" Lucy gasped in shock. "You been in the real world for three long years?!" And then she realized what his words meant that night. "You...You truly are dying, aren't you?"
"...That's right." Loke said as he rubbed the back of his head, "I've reached the end of my line. I'm running out of strength."
"I can help you!" Lucy exclaimed, taking a step towards Loke, "Tell me why you can't return to the celestial spirit world, and I'll try to open the gate for you!"
"I don't need your help." Loke calmly said as he shook his head.
"What are you talking about?! If we don't act soon you'll die!" Lucy yelled, taking another step towards Loke, "Please, let me help you!"
"...Heh. You speak just like Nick." Loke chuckles while lowering his face down, confusing the blonde. Did Nick try to help him before? "When he learned of me, he tried to help as well...but it was not worthed."
"Not worthed?! What nonsense-"
"The reason I'm not going back...is because I broke a sacred bond between summoner and spirit." Loke cut her off, "For that...I was exiled for the Spirit World."
"E-Exiled? W-Why-?" The next words that came out of Loke's mouth shut her up for good.
"Because I killed Karen."
(Meanwhile, not to Far Away from there)
While the Spirit of the Lion explains his sin to Lucy, the Earth Dragon Slayer was sitting on top of a boulder, next to him was Rocky, chewing in a bone he found somewhere. Nick had a great view of the waterfall, but he couldn't see either of his friends. ('As much as I want to, I can't do anything for Loke...I'm not a Celestial Mage, so I stop pestering you.') He thought hard as he threw some pebbles on his mouth, crushing them like gum. He hated to see Loke like that and do nothing but watched for years.
He heard the story from him after getting a bit of his trust. Karren, while famous, was very harsh with her Spirits, she would use them as if they were tools. The one who she used more was Loke's childhood friend, Ares. Having enough, he forced out of the Spirit World and demand her to break their contracts with her. Karren didn't budge, so Loke stayed in the real world for months, which made the wizard unable to use her magic. Been desperate, she tried to change his mind, but he was dead set on the condition. And then...she went on a job and die. The Lion Spirit didn't want that, just that she breaks the contract of Ares and him with her. And now, he was been punish for this…
What a load of Bull!
Sure, what he did cause her to be desperate, despite the reasons. In the end, she chose to go to that job! She knew the consequences! She knew her condition! And yet, she went for it and die! When someone is like that, they know what they are putting themselves into! He's responsible? Of making her desperate, that is! Her death? As cruel as it sounds, that's her fault!
('And if I'm not mistaking...I'm sure that she knew it too.')
Suddenly, a giant vortex began to form in front of the waterfall, breaking Nick's concentration. He could feel the spiritual power, and then, began to see a shadow of a giant appearing from it. "Is time...Lucy, the life of our resident womanizer is in your hands...Save our brother from his own 'sins'."
The moment he said that he felt it. Lucy's magical power rising. He could feel all of her Spirits been summoned all at once. It was so overwhelming, Nick felt his forehead sweating, ('...I knew she was strong...but this...it might be way more powerful than I thought!') he then felt Rock whimper, he looks at it and saw that he had a concern expression on his furry face. ('Is so much, he's getting concerned…') with that said, the brunette saw how the magic began to drop down, as well the tall figure disappear in smokes. He then closed his eyes and nod.
Maybe is time to repay her for all those years ago.
(Back with Lucy)
"Haha!" Lucy laughed weakly, as she smiled at Loke, "What did I tell you?!"
The Lion Spirit was clear of all charges, he didn't know how, but Lucy...she did it. The Celestial King has been clear up of the accusation and he can return to the Celestial World, the reason why he was shining and looking like a ghost. Loke smiled at the blonde before grabbing and squeezing her hand. "Lucy...Thank you." his body finally disappears, leaving only his Golden Key on his new master's hands. "I look forward to working with you...and tell Nick, that I'm sorry for worrying him…" his voice finally faded away.
"I will…" Lucy tightly grips the new golden key in her hand. She smiled down at the key and let out a sigh of relief knowing that everything was going to be fine. Her ears caught the sound of footsteps heading in her direction. She looks up and was surprised to see Nick coming out, his dog next to him. "N-Nick?"
"Looks like everything came out well, huh?" the Earth Mage said as Rocky went up to her, placing his paws on her lap.
"...Yeah, it did." She said, before remembering what Loke said, "You...always knew that Loke was a Spirit, didn't you?"
"Yes." Nick simply said, "Always knew it. However, his privacy was for him only, also that I couldn't do anything to help him since I'm not a Celestial Wizard." He approached her and stopped a few inches from her, he dropped to eye level with her, "But you could, and you save him from his sins." he praised as he ruffled her hair like a child. "You truly belong in Fairy Tail with us, Luce." the blonde couldn't help but blush a little at the praise she was receiving.
"Thanks, Nick." She felt her entire body warm up a little from his touch. And then, she felt her body getting lifted, and then she found herself been carried bridal Style by the brunette, "H-Hey! W-What are you doing!?" She stuttered, blushing crimson.
"What does it look like, dummy?" Nick replied as Rocky jump and landed on Lucy's lap, getting comfortable on it before rolling up. "Summoning all your Spirits at the same time isn't without a cost. You practically can't move at all, can't you?" Her face turned even redder if that's even possible. He was kind of right at that point.
"Y-Yeah...but..." She started poking her fingers together to go along with her flustered face. Her movements made clear that she didn't want to bother him like this...Then again, this position felt so right. Being in his arms felt so warm and right.
Nick couldn't help but chuckle at this, she's been to pure and cute all together. "You better stop been cute, you might get me to start liking you even more." Was he teasing or being serious? Nobody knew. Only that, on that night, Lucy Heartfilia never felt so embarrassed in her life before. Her face was red, her cheeks felt like they were on fire and her heartbeat against her chest so hard it felt like it was trying to escape her body. But she also learns something important.
She finally is starting to like Nick Drake even more than just a friend now.