Coco: Here's another chapter coming at ya! Told you it wouldn't take long for me to get the chapters out for this arc. Just remember to vote on the poll, okay?~
At the mention of the redhead's name, almost every single member of the guild started freaking out as Lucy stood there with wide eyes as she watched everyone else's reaction. Natsu and Gray instantly stopped fighting as Rizzo frowned in annoyance.
"Whoa, just mention her, and the entire place freaks out." Lucy said.
"Well, she is the strongest female wizard we've got in Fairy Tail." Mirajane said. "She's more than a bit intimidating."
"She's just a pain in the ass." Rizzo corrected as she sat down with a huff.
The sound of footsteps soon reached the guild as almost everyone sat on edge.
"That must be her." Laki said.
"Sounds like her footsteps." Wakaba added.
"The air has gone completely still." Macao said.
Due to everyone else's reactions, Lucy started to feel scared at the thought of meeting Erza. Said woman finally walked into the room while carrying what looked like a large horn or claw. She sat it down with a loud thud.
"I have returned." Erza said. "Where is Master Makarov?"
"Welcome back, Erza." Mirajane said. "Master's away at a conference right now."
"I see." Erza said as she looked around the room.
Rizzo was sure the older woman was trying to already find faults to complain about. She could never just come home, say hi, and enjoy the comfortable atmosphere.
"What's that humongous thing you've got there?" Krov asked.
"It's the horn of a monster I defeated." Erza said. "The locals were so grateful that they decorated and gave it to me as a souvenir. Do you have a problem with it?"
Everyone answered immediately that it wasn't a problem as Rizzo rolled her eyes. Some then started to whisper nervously together.
"Now listen up, while on the road I heard a few things." Erza said. "Word is Fairy Tail is causing nothing but trouble as of late. Master Makarov may not care, but I most certainly do. Cana,"
Cana, who had been drinking a large barrel of alcohol, froze after bringing the drink away from her mouth.
"Start controlling your drinking habit." Erza ordered. "Vijeeter, please take the dancing outside."
Rizzo frowned because there was nothing wrong with Cana enjoying her alcohol or Vijeeter expressing himself through dance. It was even part of his magic! It'd be like asking her not to play her guitar. Besides, it wasn't like he was hurting anyone.
"Wakaba, get rid of that filthy habit!" Erza ordered.
Rizzo's frown deepened once more. Wakaba exceled using smoke in his magic like Vijeeter used his through dance. If Wakaba 'quit' that 'filthy habit' he'd have to find some kind of other magic to continue as a wizard.
"Nab, I knew I'd find you doddering in front of the request board." Erza said. "Just pick a job!"
Rizzo shook her head. It always annoyed her how Erza could boss people around like she does, which is one of the reasons why Rizzo can't stand her.
"Macao," Erza began then sighed. "I don't even know where to begin with you. You cause so much trouble, I've almost given up."
Macao hung his head, and everyone felt sympathetic towards the man. It was bad when Erza rebutted you, but it was worse if she didn't even know what to say.
"She's really tearing into everyone." Lucy whispered. "It's like she's taken over."
"That's Erza for you." Happy said.
"Saying that, she's still saner than everyone else here." Lucy continued. "I don't understand why everyone's so afraid of her."
Rizzo snorted because once Lucy gets to know Erza, she won't be saying that much longer.
"Are Natsu, Gray, and Rizzo here?" Erza asked.
"Aye." Happy said.
Rizzo glanced over her shoulder at Erza while wondering what the redheaded wanted with her.
"Hey there, Erza." Gray said as he shook with Natsu. "We're just hanging out as good friends tend to do."
"Aye!" Natsu said nervously.
"Why is Natsu acting like Happy?!" Lucy asked freaking out.
She's never seen Natsu act like a scared little kid, and Gray looked as if he might pass out.
"That's great." Erza said. "I'm pleased to see you two getting along so well. However, it's usual for even the best of friends to lock horns every now and then."
"I wouldn't call us the best of friends." Gray said.
"Aye." Natsu added.
"What's gotten into Natsu?" Lucy asked.
She couldn't handle all this weirdness. She felt disturbed by how the two were acting.
"He's scared." Mirajane said. "A few years ago, he challenged Erza to a fight, and got beat up pretty bad."
"That was a stupid thing to do." Lucy said.
"After that she found Gray walking around naked, so she decided to beat him up too." Macao explained.
"And let's not forget, she also beat up Loke for trying to hit on her." Cana added. "He totally deserved it though.
Rizzo gagged not understanding why anyone would flirt with Erza. Sure she was pretty, but she had a horrible personality. Hearing her gag, Erza turned towards Rizzo.
"Oh, Rizzo, there you are." Erza said then frowned. "You really shouldn't sit in such an unladylike manner."
"Bite me." Rizzo replied.
Everyone stiffened when Rizzo said that, and Natsu and Gray were quick to grab Rizzo to pull her up on her feet. She frowned as they squished her in between them.
"She means welcome home!" Gray said laughing nervously.
"Aye!" Natsu said nodding.
"No, I meant what I said." Rizzo said. "Want me to say it again?"
"NO!" Everyone shouted.
Lucy jumped at the loud shouting, and Rizzo rolled her eyes still not looking scared. She knows Erza could kick her ass, but Rizzo refused to be afraid of her. Erza narrowed her eyes at Rizzo.
"Rizzo, Natsu, Gray, I need you to do me a favor." Erza said.
All three people blinked in confusion as they stood up straighter. However, the boys did keep hold on Rizzo as if they expected her to go up and smack Erza for even thinking of asking a favor of her, which has happened before. It hadn't ended prettily.
"While traveling I overheard something that has me worried." Erza said. "Normally, I would consult with the Master before acting, but he isn't here. And this is a matter of at most urgency. The three of you are some of the strongest wizards here. I could really use your help."
Everyone started murmuring in surprise as said three wizards exchanged glances.
"We'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning." Erza declared.
Rizzo narrowed her eyes because she wasn't about to let Erza just boss her around.
"Who said we'd even agree?" Rizzo asked as she pulled her arms away from the boys to cross over her chest. "Honestly, I don't want to go anywhere with you. Besides, I can't go on a really long job. I need to be somewhere nearby when the Master returns because I have things to discuss with him."
Everyone froze really hoping a fight didn't break out as the two girls stared at each other. Rizzo stood her ground through the stare out, and Lucy felt awed at Rizzo's strong will. After seeing how everyone else reacted to Erza, Lucy could see it took a lot of guts to stand up to the redheaded woman.
"Besides, I'm sure you three can handle it." Rizzo said as she snapped her fingers to send her guitar backed where it belonged. "If not, maybe you should give up your title as S-class, Erza."
Mouths dropped open in shock at Rizzo's words as the pinkette went to leave. She's had enough of all this. She was going to go to her room in Fairy Hills and take a nap. Erza sighed calmly as she looked after Rizzo.
"I know we have our differences, Rizzo, but I could really use your help." Erza said. "What I am looking into has something to do with some kind of magic called Lullaby."
Everyone instantly noticed how Rizzo stopped walking at the mention of this 'Lullaby' magic. Gray frowned at the mention of this magic again as well as Rizzo turned around to stare at Erza.
"Lullaby?" Rizzo asked.
Erza's brow quirked when noticing how on edge Rizzo seemed to be. If this Lullaby had someone like Rizzo scared, Erza knew she had been right to come home as soon as possible to get help.
"That's what I heard." Erza said. "Interested now?"
Rizzo frowned as she looked down at the ground with her hands clenching into fists. She didn't want to go anywhere with Erza. However, it seems as if this Lullaby business was legit, which spells so much trouble for everyone. Looks, like the only way to make sure no one innocent is hurt is to go along with Erza. It seems as if the redhead was her best lead in finding it. And waiting for the Master wasn't an option anymore it seemed.
"I'll see you in the morning." Rizzo finally said then left.
As the door shut behind her, Lucy wondered what this Lullaby thing even was. Whatever it was it had to be dangerous, right?
Rizzo arrived at the train station the next morning with one bag thrown over her shoulder. She found Natsu and Gary bumping heads as Lucy and Happy were sitting off to the side. Rizzo tilted her head at the odd snowman looking creature in Lucy's lap.
"Lucy, why are you joining us?" Rizzo asked curiously.
Lucy gasped looking over at Rizzo surprised to see her all of a sudden because she hadn't heard her arrive.
"Ah, Mira, asked me to come to watch Natsu, Gray…and you." Lucy admited. "She was hoping I could keep you all from fighting."
Rizzo blinked then looked over to the two fighting boys…Lucy isn't doing a good job, is she? Rizzo shrugged not really caring.
"Keeping Rizzo and Gray from fighting won't be hard while Erza is around." Happy said. "Because Gray is too scared to anger Erza, and Rizzo is too busy getting annoyed by Erza to care about Gray…Well, as long as he keeps his clothes on."
Lucy nodded her head while praying that Erza and Rizzo didn't get into a fight. She definitely won't be able to break them up. Rizzo sighed as she stood beside Natsu and Gray as they continued fighting with a troubled look on her face, which didn't go unnoticed by the members of her guild. Natsu could see that she was on edge. She's been like that since Erza mentioned something about a Lullaby.
"Hey, Rizz, you okay?" Natsu asked.
Rizzo gave Natsu a smile as she reached out to ruffle his hair in a fashion a big sister would do to her little brother.
"I'm fine, Natsu." Rizzo said. "Let's just get this all taken care of. The less time I have to deal with Erza the best."
Natsu nodded though he was still a bit concerned about his best friend.
"Hey, don't go pissing her off." Gray said. "The last time you both fought the guild had nearly been destroyed. You can't beat her anyway, so I don't see why you try."
Rizzo punched Gray right in the face, which had Lucy jumping. They weren't going to fight now, are they?!
"Speaking of that pain in the ass, where the hell is she?" Rizzo asked acting as if she didn't just punch Gray.
"Sorry, I'm late." Said woman said as she showed up. "Have you been waiting long?"
Gray and Natsu jumped in fright as everyone turned to look at Erza. Before they put their arms around each other as if they were best friends.
"No, not at all." Lucy said.
Lucy's mouth then dropped open in shock when seeing all the luggage Erza brought. Rizzo opened her mouth probably have to make some rude quip. However, Gray grabbed her before she could, and brought her close in his arms, so her back was pressed against his chest.
"Don't piss her off." Gray whispered in her ear.
Rizzo frowned while trying to ignore how her face heated up when Gray's lips brushed against her ear.
"Gray, personal space." Rizzo said.
"Yeah, let her go." Natsu hissed under his breath.
Gray frowned at Natsu looking ready to start a fight, but when Erza, who was speaking with Lucy, glanced back at them, they both hugged Rizzo, which squished them together. Rizzo's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. Once Erza looked away, Natsu and Gray started butting heads with Rizzo still in between them. Gray even still had his arms around Rizzo. Erza glanced back at them again, and they were back to buddy-buddy with Rizzo getting more annoyed by the second. When Erza looked away this time, Rizzo punched Gray in the face again. He fell backwards onto the ground as Rizzo dusted off her clothes.
"Anyway, shouldn't we get going?" Rizzo asked nonchalantly.
She wanted to get this show on the road as soon as freaking possible. She wanted to get Lullaby under lock and key again if these guys did manage to get their hands on it, and she didn't want to work with Erza any longer than necessary.
"Yes, I suppose we should get going." Erza agreed.
"Actually, Erza, I'll come with you, but only on one condition." Natsu said.
Rizzo blinked curiously as to what Natsu might want from Erza. Said woman also looked curious as well.
"Shut-up!" Gray hissed at Natsu.
Natsu ignored Gray as he waited for Erza to reply.
"Alright, let's hear it." Erza said.
"Kay, let's have a rematch once we get back to Fairy Tail." Natsu said grinning.
Rizzo smiled with a small laugh leaving her lips as Gray looked at Natsu as if he was crazy.
"What's wrong with you?" Gray asked as he placed his hand on Natsu's shoulder. "You got some kind of death wish?
Rizzo grabbed Gray's wrist to pull his hand off of Natsu. Gray looked at Rizzo curiously, and she shook her head at him to tell Gray to butt out. Gray frowned though stayed quiet.
"I'm a lot stronger than I was last time." Natsu said. "This time it will be way different cause I'm going to beat you."
"Yes, I can tell you've improved." Erza said. "As whether you can beat me, we'll just have to see. I accept your challenge."
"Oh yeah," Natsu said. "I'm fired up!"
Rizzo, who was sitting in between Natsu and Gray with Happy in her lap, looked at Natsu sympathetically as he groaned while holding his stomach.
"I swear, you're totally pathetic, Natsu." Gray said. "One minute you're picking a fight, and the next you're like this."
"I think your little problem is more pathetic." Rizzo quipped. "At least Natsu's condition isn't mental."
Gray frowned at Rizzo though said nothing, so he wouldn't bring down the wrath of Erza on them.
"Must be tough on him getting place to place." Lucy said.
"Don't worry." Erza said. "Come sit next to me."
Rizzo frowned thinking that was a very bad idea. Lucy and Natsu traded places , so now that Lucy was besides Rizzo and Natsu beside Erza.
"Now just relax." Erza said as Natsu leaned against her.
"Aye." Natsu said weakly.
Erza then punched Natsu right in the gut to knock him out. Rizzo looked ready to attack, but Gray put his arm around her to stop her from jumping up.
"That should make the trip a little easier on him." Erza said smiling.
Rizzo's eye brow twitched in annoyance as Gray prayed she didn't start a fight with Erza on the train.
"Erza, I think it's about time you start filling us in." Gray, who still had his arm around Rizzo, said. "I mean, what kind of mission are we going on here? You mentioned something about Lullaby?"
Just the mention of the thing had Rizzo stiffening beside him. He looked down at her as her hands clenched into fists in her lap.
"Of course." Erza said. "I have reason to believe that the dark guild Eisenwald is planning something big. I'm not certain what exactly, but it has something to deal with a magical item called Lullaby."
Erza then looked to Rizzo since the pinkette seemed to know so much about it.
"You seem familiar with this device, Rizzo." Erza said. "What can you tell us about it?"
Rizzo sighed as she reached back with one hand to scratch the back of her head.
"Lullaby…my grandfather told me about it." Rizzo said. "It was made by a disciple of Cosette Sweeney the creator of Music Magic—my ancestor."
While Lucy was shocked to hear Rizzo's ancestor had created a form of magic, the others nodded already knowing this.
"Cosette's disciple made this cursed flute to kill his enemies by lulling them into eternal slumber." Rizzo explained. "However, the flute was taken and turned into something much more—something much darker. By what my grandfather once told me when I was little, Lullaby is capable of mass murder."
Everyone froze looking at Rizzo with wide eyes. Something like that existed?
"Are you certain of this, Rizzo?" Erza said.
Rizzo nodded her head while remembering the story her grandfather told her quite vividly.
"Cosette had been enraged at what her disciple had done, and went to destroy the flute." Rizzo said. "However, it was too late because by then the Black Wizard Zeref, who had heard of the boy's creation, took the flute and turned into something more…he turned it into some kind of demon."
Lucy shuddered looking more freaked out by the second. A demon flute? Could such a thing really exist? Rizzo then looked to Erza.
"Now tell me, Erza," Rizzo began. "Are you certain these wizards were talking about Lullaby?"
Erza nodded her head in confirmation making Rizzo frown. This wasn't good. That thing in the hands of a dark guild could only spell disaster. They needed to hurry.
Rizzo walked ahead of everyone with her hands stuffed in her black vest pockets. She wasn't listening as the others spoke behind her. She was lost in her own thoughts.
"Hey, wait, where's Natsu?" Happy asked getting Rizzo's attention.
Everyone turned seeing the train departing, and they all knew that Natsu had to be on it. Rizzo face-palmed rather hard that it left a red mark. She was so deep in her thoughts she forgot about her best friend!
"Uh-oh, there he goes." Happy said.
He waved after the train as Rizzo nearly face-palmed once more while mad at herself.
"I was so busy that I forgot about him." Erza said. "I am such a fool. Natsu hates all forms of transportation. This is all my fault. I need one of you to come and hit me for my penitence."
While Gray and Lucy didn't think that was a good idea, Rizzo whacked Erza hard over the head without hesitation. Gray and Lucy looked at Rizzo as if she was crazy. They then looked to Erza thinking the redhead would retaliate, but Erza just thanked Rizzo who nodded. Lucy nearly fell down face first. Everyone in this guild really was crazy.
"Anyway, let's go find the emergency break. We need to stop that train." Rizzo said.
"You're right." Erza said. "We need to get Natsu back."
"Do we really have to?" Gray asked.
The answer he got was a punch on the back of his head from Rizzo as Lucy sweat-dropped. What's with this guild and violence?
"I'm sure the control room is this way." Erza said while not even acknowledging Rizzo's act of violence.
They were soon able to find the control room, and without hesitation, Erza pulled the emergency break. As she was speaking with the man in charge, Lucy hung her head.
"I'm now starting to realize that the wizards of Fairy Tail are all a little insane." Lucy said.
"Hey, not all of us." Gray, who lost his clothes again, said.
"Oh yeah, where is your clothes?!" Lucy demanded.
"Who knows?" Rizzo asked shrugging.
Rizzo sat on top of the magic mobile with Gray as they went racing to get to the train Natsu was on. After they had stopped it, Erza borrowed this magic mobile to get them to Natsu. They zoomed over the dirt getting closer to the train.
"It's moving again!" Rizzo said pointing. "And is it just me or does it seem like part of that train car is missing?"
"It's gone." Gray said. "You think Natsu got in a fight or something?"
Rizzo tilted her head guessing it was possible, and if he's in a fight that moving train won't help him.
"We need to hurry things up." Rizzo said.
Though considering how fast Erza was already going. Rizzo would say the redhead was almost at her limit—speed wise.
"Natsu!" Lucy cried as the pinkette they were coming for burst through one of the train's windows.
He came flying back towards the group with Rizzo's eyes widening when she realized he was heading in a straight collision course to her and Gray.
"Shit!" She cursed as she rolled over the side of the magic mobile while holding on tight to the side.
Lucy gasped wondering what Rizzo was doing, but before she could ask Natsu hit Gray head on causing them both to fall off. As they hit the ground behind them, Erza brought the magic mobile to a screeching halt. Rizzo looked back at where the boys were as they remain motionless on the ground. Good thing she moved out of the way.
"That was close." Rizzo said.
Lucy sweat-dropped now understanding why Rizzo was so quick to move. Erza backed up the magic mobile to where the guys were lying, and once stopped, Rizzo jumped off to go check on the boys. Lucy was right behind her with Happy and Erza following.
"Natsu, are you alright?" Erza asked.
"Aye." Natsu said weakly.
Rizzo looked at her best friend sympathetically as she leaned over him and Gray with her hands on her hips.
"I guess that's one way to make an entrance." She said chuckling.
"Aye!" Happy agreed from beside her.
Lucy once again questioned her guildmates' sanity as Gray and Natsu both hopped up to their feet.
"That hurt, you idiot!" Gray snapped then turned to Rizzo. "And why didn't you tell me to move if you knew what was going to happen?!"
"You should have been smart enough to move yourself." Rizzo deadpanned. "It's not my fault you're an idiot."
Gray glared at Rizzo with his brow twitching in annoyance. It twitched even more when Rizzo stuck her tongue out at him.
"Yeah, what she said!" Natsu agreed. "And why did you guys leave me on the train?!"
Rizzo sighed turning to look at Natsu in an apologetic manner. She hadn't meant to leave him like that.
"Sorry, Natsu." Rizzo apologized. "I wasn't paying close enough attention. Are you okay?"
Natsu forgot all about his annoyance as he looked at Rizzo's truly apologetic expression.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Natsu said. "Don't worry about it."
He then grunted in pain when Erza gave him a hug, which meant his head was slammed into her breastplate. Lucy winced knowing that had to hurt.
"I'm just glad you're alright." Erza said.
Natsu mumbled something in reply that was hard to understand as he stumbled away from Erza who let him go.
"Like, I said I'm fine though I was attacked by some kind of weirdo on the train." Natsu said.
Rizzo had thought so considering there had been a large hole in the top of the train cart Natsu had been in.
"Are you serious?" Lucy asked concerned.
"I think he the dude who dragged away the guys who were gonna eat Happy." Natsu said as he crossed his arms over his nest. "Said he was with Eisenwald."
Rizzo's eyes widened along with the others because the Eisenwald guild is who they're after. One of them was on the train with them the entire time? A split second later, Erza smacked Natsu so hard he hit the ground while seeing stars. As Gray and Lucy watched on with wide eyes, Rizzo narrowed hers wondering why the hell Erza decided to abuse Natsu so suddenly.
"You fool!" Erza snapped. "That is exactly who we're chasing after on this mission! Why did you let him get away?!"
Natsu held his cheek while looking up at the redhead in confusion. It wasn't like he knew about any of this.
"What?" He asked. "This is the first I've heard about it."
"I explained everything on the train!" Erza said. "You should listen when people talk to you!"
Everyone then gasped when Rizzo, who had walked over to Erza, whacked the redhead over the head. Natsu looked at Rizzo as if she's gone crazy as Gray gave a groan.
"She's gone and done it now." Gray said.
Lucy held Happy close as Erza turned her head up to glare at Rizzo who gave her a deadpanned expression in return.
"Hey, Genius, did you happen to forget that you knocked Natsu out during our train ride?" Rizzo asked.
Her question brought pause to Erza's anger as the redhead looked at her curiously. Rizzo sighed guessing she forgot all about it.
"You knocked Natsu out the help him cope with riding on the train." Rizzo said. "That means he was unconscious the entire time we had our little discussion, understand?"
Erza's eyes widened as she realized Rizzo was right. She had completely forgotten about knocking out Natsu to help him with his motion sickness.
"You're right." Erza said shocking the others. "How could I be so stupid? I deserved being hit for that penitence. Natsu,"
She turned towards the pinkette who jumped in fright as he wondered what was going to happen next. She knelt down next to Natsu, which had him leaning away cautiously.
"I hope you can forgive me for my foolishness!" Erza said hugging him once more meaning his head hit her breastplate…again.
Rizzo sighed at the scene as Lucy, Gray, and Happy continued to watch in shock from the sidelines.
"Now that that's settled, we need to get going." Rizzo said. "Eisenwald isn't going to stop themselves."
"You're right!" Erza said as she stood. "Everyone back into the magic mobile. We have a lot of ground to cover!"
As Lucy and Gray did as Erza ordered, Rizzo helped Natsu off the ground as Happy landed on her shoulder. The three headed towards the mobile with Rizzo knowing they had to hurry. There wasn't a moment to lose.