Coco: Hello, guys, here's the rewritten chapter ten, and I hope you like it :D
"It is so good to be home." Rizzo said as she stretched her arms over her head.
Natsu seemed to share her sentiment since he kept running around excitedly, and while the others were glad their guildmates came home, they were getting a bit annoyed. As they told Natsu to shut-up, Rizzo chuckled as she smiled.
"Isn't he precious when he gets all excited?" Mirajane asked giggling.
Not many shared her way of thinking as they kept looking at their fire-breathing pinkette in annoyance. Lucy just groaned as she sat with Rizzo while laying her head on the table.
"I can't believe those stupid arrest and trial were just for show." Lucy complained. "All that worrying for nothing."
Gray, who was sitting beside Rizzo on the other side of the table, made an "aha" gesture while hitting his fist into his open palm.
"So she wasn't a sacrificial lamb but a scapegoat." Gray concluded.
Rizzo frowned at Gray since she didn't really appreciate his little joke. What if she actually had been a sacrificial lamb? Would he really not have cared at all? Some guildmate he is. Elfman just looked at Gray in disbelief while a bit more than just a little concerned about Gray's coldness.
"You must be one heck of an ice wizard because even your jokes leave me cold." Elfman said.
Gray just grinned before looking to Rizzo who gave a huff. She turned away from the two of them with an annoyed look on her face. What was up with her? Just a second ago she was happy about being home. Rizzo then sighed as she looked to Natsu.
"Hey, Natsu, what about your fight with Erza?" She asked.
Her question brought Natsu to a complete halt as he looked at Rizzo with wide eyes. His fight with Erza?
"Yeah, you gonna finish it or not?!" Elfman asked.
As a large grin pulled across Natsu's face, Lucy sweat-dropped knowing things weren't going to end well here in a second. Natsu turned towards Erza, who has been rather silent since Natsu and Rizzo's return, as she was drinking tea.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Natsu said. "So what do you say? Wanna pick up where we left off?"
"I'm not in the mood right now." Erza said.
Natsu, who cracked his knuckles, wasn't about to take no for an answer as he lit his fist on fire.
"I'm not letting you off the hook that easy!" Natsu said as he charged forward.
Erza sighed wondering why he couldn't have just left things alone. She wasn't in the mood for all this. She stood though, however, as Natsu got closer. Then before any of them could blink, she hit Natsu hard in the gut sending him to the floor with no fight left in him whatsoever. Rizzo winced knowing he'd be feeling that for a while.
"How's that?" Erza asked. "Are you satisfied?"
Natsu just continued to twitch on the ground with Rizzo hurrying to his side to check on him.
"And he's out!" Happy declared.
As Elfman and Gray laughed at his defeat, Rizzo helped Natsu into a sitting position while letting him lean back into her for support. He held his aching stomach while surprised he didn't lose his lunch after taking a hit like that.
"Why don't you two shut-up?!" Rizzo snapped at Elfman and Gray. "I don't see either of you challenging Erza! Even if you did, you'd lose."
This brought Elfman to silence as it did Gray, but the ice-make wizard looked ready to pick a bone with Rizzo. However, before they could, a sort of drowsiness settled over the guild. Rizzo frowned rubbing at her eyes with one hand as she wondered why she felt so sleepy all of a sudden. However, she soon realized who was causing this as many members of the guild started dropping.
"Mystogan." Rizzo murmured before falling over with Natsu hitting the floor beside her.
She soon fell into slumber with the others as their mysterious guildmate—Mystogan—came walking through the door. He carefully walked past his guildmates who laid scattered on the floor to go to the request board. He grabbed one that suited him off the board before going over to Makarov who was barely managing to stay awake himself.
"I shall return." Mystogan said as he was showing what job he took to Makarov.
"No, wait," Makarov said. "Lift your sleeping spell before you go."
Mystogan gave a single nod before turning to leave with the job request in hand.
"Five…four," He counted down as he moved towards the door. "Three…two…one."
He disappeared through the door without a trace as the others all woke in an instant. Rizzo groaned from her spot on the floor then pushed herself up into a sitting position to look around. Yep, he's already gone. Why couldn't he ever come in like a normal person?
"Ah, man," Jet groaned. "Was Mystogan here?"
"What a jerk." Droy complained.
"Does he have to put us to sleep every time he comes here?" Levy asked.
Just like everyone else, she was growing tired of falling to sleep randomly due to their guildmate. Just what could he be hiding? Rizzo rubbed at her eyes then looked up as Gray offered her a hand. She took it while letting him help her up.
"I don't know what's with him, but I'm tired of the midday naps." Rizzo complained.
"Well, you know how Mystogan is." Gray said.
Lucy blinked in confusion as her fuzzy brain tried to keep up with the conversation.
"Who's this Mystogan guy?" Lucy asked.
She's heard his name mentioned before, but no one has really explained who he is. Another member of the guild she was guessing.
"Well, for one he's a contender for Fairy Tail's strongest wizard." Elfman said.
"Really?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah," Gray said as he retook his seat.
He pinched the bridge of his nose as the last of the drowsiness was wearing off, which always left an uncomfortable feeling. Rizzo sat down beside him while leaning against the table with her chin resting on her arms.
"And for some reason he doesn't want anyone to see what he looks like." Gray continued. "So whenever he comes here to take a job, he casts a sleeping spell."
"That's kind of creepy." Lucy said.
"More like annoying." Rizzo said. "I don't know why he feels the need to hide his face from his family."
Lucy blinked at Rizzo as the pinkette continued to rest her chin on her arms, which were folded on the table.
"I think only Master Makarov has only seen his face before." Rizzo said.
"Yeah," Gray said nodding.
"That's not true." A voice came from above. "I've seen him before."
While Lucy jumped slightly in surprise, Rizzo grimaced knowing who that voice belonged to. She looked up with the rest of the guild to see Laxus leaning against the railing with a cocky look on his face. Rizzo frowned wondering why he was home. And if he was home, where's his Thunder Legion? And what about Amara? He always kept her at his side.
"Laxus!" Elfman exclaimed.
Other members of the guild were surprised to see the S-class Wizard home since he rarely stayed around here. Not since he got a major personality change and became a douchebag—at least that's how Rizzo sees it.
"Talk about rare." Macao said.
"You're never here." Wakaba added.
"Wish he'd go back to wherever he came from." Rizzo grumbled.
If he could come home then where are her brothers? She'd much rather them be here than Laxus.
"And here's another contender." Gray said.
Lucy looked at Laxus more closely guessing he was another S-class wizard amongst the guild. Just how many were there? And just how powerful were they?
"And so is she." Gray said turning his eyes to next to Laxus.
Rizzo and Lucy looked where he did to see a small form next to Laxus. The woman next to Laxus appeared to be a bit older than Rizzo and Lucy. And she was beautiful. Her turquoise hair flowed down past her waist, and her bangs framed her heart-shaped face. They brought attention to her lavender eyes, which her lightened in appearance due to her dark lashes. She was petite in size with a figure close in an hour-glass shape. She looked so delicate and fragile next to Laxus who towered over her.
She wore a dress shirt with a priest like collar that had a small, silver cross in the middle. She then had on a black skirt that went up past her waist to mid-torso. It had silver buttons on the right and left side on the front, and it was helped up with black suspenders. She then had on black tights that covered her legs. With Black boots on her feet.
"Hmm, Amara's back too. Rizzo said. "Not a surprise since Laxus made it home."
Lucy's eyes widened. So that's Amara? She wasn't what Lucy was expecting. The blonde had been thinking Amara would be more like Erza. In armor or some other tough looking getup. Not to mention taller.
"Mystogan's just a little shy." Laxus said. "You should all respect his privacy."
Rizzo rolled her eyes at Laxus as the blonde man's voice seemed to finally wake Natsu who had remained unconscious longer than the others.
"Alright, Laxus!" Natsu said as he quickly got to his feet. "You and me—right now!"
As some members of the guild sweat-dropped at Natsu's challenge, Laxus scoffed. Amara's lips twitched up in amusement as Natsu shook his fist at Laxus.
"Getting your butt kicked once today wasn't enough?" Gray asked.
He then grunted in pain when Rizzo, who had sat up completely, gave his leg a sharp pinch. He glared down at her as she stuck her tongue out at him in return.
"Yeah, pal," Laxus said to Natsu. "If you can't even win against the redhead, why bother with me?"
His words sent anger spiking through Erza as she turned to glare up at Laxus.
"What are you trying to say?" Erza demanded.
"That you're weaker than him." Rizzo said point blank.
She then gasped when Gray put his hand over her mouth with his other arm looping around her.
"Don't make it worse!" He hissed under his breath at Rizzo.
She glared at him heatedly while ready to bite his fingers off if he didn't move them.
"Rizz is right!" Laxus said while holding out his arms grandly. "But here's another translation, I'm saying I'm the guild's strongest wizard."
Rizzo pushed Gray's hand away from her mouth while getting out of his hold to stand up.
"I wouldn't go that far if I were you, Laxus." Rizzo said pointing up at him. "I don't recall you ever beating old man Gildarts in a fight. And what about the last time you and Breccan went at it? Didn't that end in a draw? Not to mention, Mystogan and Sven and Amara. Even Erza. You're all S-Class. Meaning all the same level in this guild."
Laxus snorted not seeming to be discouraged by Rizzo's words. Rizzo even narrowed her eyes when seeing the cocky grin still on his face. Amara sighed at the look of distaste shared between Laxus and Rizzo. She misses when the two had been so close.
"Rizzo is right, but if you don't think so, come down here and prove it." Natsu challenged as he stood up on one of the guild tables.
"You come to me, little man." Laxus goaded.
"With pleasure!" Natsu said.
He started running towards the bar to hop over it, so he could make it to the steps that lead to the second floor. However, he didn't get any farther than that since Makarov used his giant magic to grow out his hand and arm to smash Natsu under his fist.
"Ow." Rizzo said. "That had to hurt."
Lucy looked at her as if she was crazy because Natsu obviously had to be in pain. He was hit by a giant's fist!
"You're not allowed on the second floor, Natsu." Makarov said. "At least not yet."
Laxus chuckled as he placed his chin on his arms, which were resting on the banister as he leaned over.
"Think you made him grumpy." Laxus mocked.
"Shut-up!" Natsu snapped as he tried to get free.
He couldn't get free, however, as Makarov made sure to keep Natsu down on the ground.
"That's enough out of you, Laxus." Makarov said.
"The most powerful one in the guild isn't some chick or some hooded weirdo. Or the nerd into science" Laxus said. "And it's definitely not a man who's afraid of the light."
Rizzo's teeth grit together knowing that was a jab at Breccan. Laxus's grin seemed to grow when seeing Rizzo's angered expression.
"You want to know what the strongest wizard looks like? You're looking right at him!" Laxus said pointing at himself.
Rizzo glared up at Laxus while ready to make him eat those words someday.
"Those are some big words, Laxus." A new voice said. "I see your ego hasn't changed since we last saw each other.
People gasped turning their heads to see another S-Class Wizard managed to find his way home. This man just sat casually at the bar with a coat hung up behind his chair. He had long violet hair that was in a high ponytail. Even then his hair fell past his shoulders. He had a small goatee style beard at the end of his chin-it was really just a turf of hair. The eyes he had on Laxus were striking silver in color with slightly silted pupils.
He wore a dark blue muscle shirt that hugged him tightly to even show off the muscles in his back. He then had on black cargo pants that were tucked into black combat boots. He also wore bandages around his hands that went up to his elbows. Finally on top his head were some old-fashioned rounded sunglasses that were deep red in color. He looked like the opposite of Amara. He was dark and he looked scary. He looked like he could be dangerous. Lucy blinked wondering who this guy was.
"Whoa, Breccan's home too." Alzach said.
"We never have this many of our S-Class wizards home all at once." Bisca said.
"And Laxus and Breccan can't stand each other." Cana said then took a chug of liquor. "There's going to be a fight."
As the guild whispered together, Lucy started to worry. Was there really going to be a right between two S-Class wizards right in front of her?
"Oh, if it isn't the prince of darkness himself." Laxus said with a mocking smirk. "What's wrong? Did my words rub you the wrong way? Going to do anything about it?"
Laxus's hands sparked with electricity as he waited for Breccan to do something. Amara shook her head knowing this wouldn't end well. Breccan didn't look too concerned with fighting as he tapped his glasses to make them fall over his eyes. At least that's what Lucy thought until he then leaned back in his chair while holding up his hand, which ignited in a purplish-black flame. It was darker than Macao's purple flame, and sent chills down Lucy's spine.
"Looks like they are going to fight." Rizzo said grinning as Natsu moved to sit beside her on the table.
"Great!" Natsu said. "This is going to be good!"
It was tensely silent for a moment before Makarov banged his cane on the bar making everyone turn towards him.
"That's enough, both of you." Makarov said sternly. "There will be no fighting today. Not when we just finished with the Magic Council."
Rizzo and Natsu both yawned as Laxus and Breccan dropped their hands with their magic disappearing.
"Good, now," Makarov continued. "Breccan we need to speak about your last few jobs. And the new one you'll be taking."
Makarov jumped off the bar while heading for one of the back rooms that acted as his office.
"Yes, Master." Breccan said as he stood.
He took his coat with him while placing it over his shoulders. He went to follow the Master, but paused at the table Rizzo was at. Lucy watched as Rizzo hurried to her feet then jumped into Breccan's arms when he held them open. Rizzo had a big grin on her face as she hugged Breccan tightly. Breccan's expression changed as well from that cold one he had been sending at Laxus as he grinned.
"Behave until I get back, alright?" Breccan said as he stepped back to look down at her. "I don't want any reports about another trip to the council."
Rizzo laughed nervously as she scratched the back of her head.
"Right." Rizzo said nodding. "I'll be on my best behavior."
Breccan didn't seem too convinced as he looked to Natsu.
"Just look out for her." Breccan said. "Asking you two not to get into trouble is just a waste of breath anyway."
Natsu grinned broadly as he put his arm around Rizzo's shoulders.
"Always do." Natsu said.
Breccan nodded his head before going after the Master again. However, he surprised Lucy by ruffling her hair as he passed.
"Welcome to the guild." He said as he went on.
Lucy watched him go until he disappeared into the back.
"I wonder what kind of cool S-Class Quest Master is sending him on this time." Rizzo said looking to Natsu. "Man, I am so jealous. I can't wait until we can go on those kind of quests."
"I know, right?" Natsu asked with wide eyes. "Once we make it to the top, no one will stop us from going to the second floor!"
The two shared a high-five as Lucy tilted her head in confusion wondering what the two were talking about. S-Class quest? What was that? She then watched as the two took off saying something about training to reach the top. Happy was right behind them as usual as their guild mates laughed at their energy. Lucy, who saw still confused, sat down at the bar as Mirajane was cleaning some glasses.
"Hey, Mira, let me ask you something." Lucy said getting the older girl's attention. "Why can't we go up to the second floor?"
"That area is reserved for advanced members of the guild." Mirajane explained. "Jobs listed on the request board up there make the ones down here look like child's play in comparison. They're called S-Class quests."
This caught Lucy's attention since Rizzo had used that term before leaving with Natsu.
"S-Class?" Lucy asked.
"They're jobs so danger that one wrong move could be your last." Mirajane asked. "But with that risk comes a higher reward. Master Makarov picks the wizard he thinks are capable of handling these jobs. There are only eight people that are considered S-Class. That includes: Laxus, Mystogan, Erza, Amara, and Breccan."
Lucy looked on in awe realizing just how many cool wizards were in Fairy Tail. Maybe one day, she could be like them.
A few days passed within the guild with little to no excitement. Rizzo and Natsu spent most of their time out training. It was as if Laxus had really riled them up. Lucy had tried waiting patiently for them to return to the guildhall to take a job with Natsu and Happy, but she was really hurting for money. Especially with rent coming up, so here she was at the request board looking for something she could take on solo. It'd be her first solo job, so she wasn't looking for anything too adventurous. Just enough to pay her rent and other living expenses. As she was looking, a job flyer caught her attention.
"'Celestial Wizards wanted.'" She murmured as she read the words in bold print before moving on. "'Looking for Celestial Wizard to join me in my next adventure as I search for'..."
Lucy trailed off as she kept reading the words over and over. This couldn't be real. It just couldn't be!
"'For the primordial zodiac'?!" Lucy asked loudly getting many eyes on her as she snatched the request off the board. "This can't be real!"
"Ah, Lucy, are you okay?" Wakaba asked.
"Yeah, what's with that request that has you so riled up?" Macao added.
Lucy whirled around to face the guild while clutching the request to her chest.
"This request is to help find the Primordial Zodiac!" Lucy said. "They are legendary amongst Celestial Wizards! They're supposed to be the first twelve spirits in existence ever-Besides the Celestial King, of course. They keys are said to be made of stellanium."
"You mean that mineral that absorbs starlight?" Levy asked.
Lucy nodded her head as she continued to smile broadly. She couldn't believe she was holding a job request like this in her hand. It was like a dream come true.
"They are the strongest keys in existence, and are said to have changed the tides of war and influenced a lot in the human world." Lucy said. "People used to pay a lot for one Celestial Wizard if they had one of these keys. And no one has ever possessed more than three of these keys at a time."
"If they're so legendary, why haven't we heard of them?" Jet asked curiously.
"Yeah, you'd think more people would know about them." Droy added.
"It's because no one has seen or heard of these keys being anywhere in over four hundred years." Makarov piped up from the bar. "They drifted into legend. No one really believes in them anymore. I'm honestly surprised anyone is bringing them up now. Who is the job request from, Lucy?"
Lucy blinked before looking down at the paper. She had been so excited about going after the primordial zodiac that she didn't even think to see who the client's name was. She read it over before gasping again.
"It's from Indy-Anna Jones herself!" Lucy squealed. "The famous adventure historian, author, and publisher of Magica Historia!"
Indy-Anna Jones was a young wizard like Lucy, but she also had high ranking degrees in many forms of knowledge. She works at a university for higher learning. However, on the side she goes on wild adventures to discover magical items. Her goal is to uncover the secrets and history of the magic wizards used today and have used for centuries. She writes about her adventures in her novels then she publishes most of her findings in her magazine Magica Historia-A History of Magic. Lucy has read everything she's ever written.
"Wow, really?" Levy asked. "That's big, girl. Just think if you accept the job, you could appear in her next novel!"
Lucy blushed at the very thought as her heart raced in excitement. She then nodded in determination as she made her decision.
"Master, I'm going to take this job!" Lucy said taking it over to him for him to see the details.
Makarov took the flyer to look at while humming to himself as he read the details.
"Lucy, I don't think this would be a good first solo mission, my dear." Makarov said looking up at Lucy. "You see, here it says this job will take you out of Fiore."
Lucy blinked before looking to where Makarov pointed. As she looked closely, she saw that at the bottom that Makarov was right. This job asked for the wizard to accompany Professor Jones to the Island Nation of Kea. If Lucy remembers right, Kea was a small nation with barely any wizards. Though the magic practiced there was mostly Celestial Magic. Though not the kind like Lucy's. Their Celestial Magic was mostly Heavenly Body magic so to use in war.
"Oh, " Lucy said deflating slightly.
She bit her lip wondering who to ask. Natsu was out training with Rizzo and Happy, and based on how serious they were taking their training, she didn't want to interrupt them. But she wasn't sure who else to take. Erza was gone on her own job, which she took yesterday. Gray? No, he left early this morning. Was there anyone she could ask? Lucy then looked towards the door as it opened with Rizzo walking in.
"Hello, Rizzo, taking a break from training?" Mirajane asked.
"Yeah, I really need a job." Rizzo said. "Rent's coming up, and I promised the girls I'd make dinner for Laki's birthday, so I need money for that too."
Lucy's face lit up because she could totally split her reward with Rizzo. Looks like she has someone to go with after all.
"Hey, Rizzo!" Lucy called getting her attention. "Want to go on a job with me?"
Lucy hoped she said yes because she wasn't sure who else to ask. When Rizzo grinned, Lucy let out a sigh of relief.
"Sure!" Rizzo said nodding.
Lucy's smile grew as she took the flyer back from Makarov.
"So, Master, are we good to go?" Lucy asked.
Makarov chuckled as he scratched the side of his cheek.
"I suppose so." Makarov said. "Rizzo, be sure to take care of things. I'm counting on you to take care of Lucy.
"Sure thing, Gramps!" Rizzo said giving a salute.
Lucy let out a laugh as she ran off towards the door where Rizzo waited. Looks like it was time for another adventure to start.