Coco: Hello, everyone :D I have yet another chapter for you. I'm kind of drawing out this chapter since I'm having so much fun with it. And to set up a few things that will be seen later on in the story. You might not notice it early on, but soon you'll connect the dots...I hope XD
Anyway, there is a new poll up on my page to check out. I know I took away GaLe, but I don't plan to live cute little Levy single. She deserves love. So check out the poll. I put three options:
Jet or Droy (though I don't think either of those pairings would work out. Like Levy said, she doesn't believe in dating teammates)
An OC who has been part of the guild for a while. Like for at least like 3 years ago or earlier.
An OC who will be brought in later on and be new to the guild.
It's up to you, so go vote XD
As soon as the ship docked, Rizzo jumped overboard causing Lucy to gasp in worry.
"Rizzo, be careful!" Lucy chided as Rizzo landed on the dock.
Rizzo looked up at Lucy giving a carefree grin. Much like the ones Natsu gives her daily. It was almost scary how much alike the two pinkettes were.
"She seems ready to get going." Indy said as she stood beside Lucy.
Next to them the men were setting down the ramp with men on the dock securing it.
"Yeah," Lucy said chuckling. "Probably ready to face those monsters."
The two women the walked down the ramp to where Rizzo was waiting on them.
"So, Indy, where to first?" Rizzo asked. "I'm ready for monster bashing, creepy crypt exploring fun."
Lucy sighed though wasn't surprised. Everyone in Fairy Tail seemed ready to get to the fighting part of every job. She was certain many members of the guild didn't take jobs without fighting involved. Or at least danger involved. Her guild mates are crazy.
"I was planning to check in to an inn for the night, but we made it were sooner than I thought despite the storm." Indy said. "If you wish, we can head straight for the jungle. We will have to end up camping before reaching the tomb. However, there would be no leaving the jungle without staying at least one night within its domain."
Lucy shuddered just thinking about what could happen to them while they were in there. Especially at night. Monsters could easily pick them off. Lucy then shook her head to push those thoughts to the side. She couldn't be scared off. Inside that jungle was a tomb that held a Primordial Zodiac Key. She had to keep telling herself that, and even if they made it all the way to find it empty, at least she tried. She's a Fairy Tail wizard now. She couldn't give up on a job after giving her word to see it through.
"Works for me." Rizzo said still grinning broadly. "Lucy?"
Rizzo and Indy looked to Lucy to make sure she was okay with heading for the jungle now.
"Let's get going." Lucy said then blinked. "But, wait, don't we need permission to go into the tomb? I mean, we are just visitors here."
"I took care of that before I even sent out the job request." Indy said as she pulled out some official looking papers from her bag. "The people of Kea were very kind to give us permission. They said anyone brave enough to go into the tomb was welcomed there."
Lucy was sure stupid enough was a better way to put it, but at least they had permission. She'd rather keep from angering an entire nation by treading somewhere they didn't have permission to be.
"Well, now that that's settled, let's get going." Rizzo said. "If we keep standing around here, we really will have to stay here tonight."
The two companions nodded their heads before starting to head through the town. Lucy looked around taking in the sights thinking everything looked so beautiful. There were large white marble structures with tall, prestigious white pillars. There were people dressed in fine robes and togas walking around with laurels wrapped in their hair as well. It was like they had stepped into a history book. Everything here was so traditional. Lucy was then distracted when hearing what sounded like metal clashing with metal. Their party of three came to a halt as they looked to what appeared to be a fighting ring.
The ring was surrounded by stone seats where a few people were scattered about watching those in the middle of the ring fighting. It was two women dressed in tightfitting strapless body suits. The suits also didn't have legs, so it revealed a lot of skin. They also had on strapless leather armor that stopped at their torso. They then had on brown knee-high-boots that had metal plates on them like armor. They both carried a shield and spear in hand as they fought each other. Each swing was strong and precise showing their skill.
"Whoa." Lucy said.
"They're the Amazons." Indy said. "Warrior women of Kea. They are a separate affiliation to Kea's army. They mostly pray to Kea's god of war Ares and his sister Athena known for her perfect war strategies. But they also look to Laelaps for guidance."
After Indy said that, Rizzo noticed the engravings on their shields resembled a dog.
"Laelaps was partnered with the first Amazon—Otrera." Indy said. "The two fought in many battles together. During their time together, Otrera created the Amazons. Women who swore to take up the path of a warrior. That means they forsaken motherhood and swore to never love because this would distract them from their duty as warriors. Any Amazon who breaks these rules, it immediately exiled and seen as a disgrace. There is even an old legend that once an Amazon breaks her vow that in the eyes of Laelaps their guardian deity, she has lost all rights to the great spirit's protection and guidance."
Lucy's brow furrowed. Sounds like a tough life. She never really gave much thought of ever being a mother…but the thought of having to give it up completely put a bad taste in her mouth. Not to mention, she wanted to find love someday.
"Sounds hardcore." Rizzo said crossing her arms over her chest. "So are they just soldiers. "Or do they practice magic as well."
"Some do." Indy said as they kept walking. "Those with the silver circlets around their heads are magic practitioners."
She nodded towards the Amazons sitting the stands. Some of them indeed had silver circlets around their heads. However, one wore a circlet made of gold, and wore a long red crape as well. There was also a large black dog at her feet.
"That one there is the current leader of the Amazons." Indy said looking back forward. "It means she has proven herself the strongest of her peers and that their elders chose her worthy of leadership."
"She sounds tough." Rizzo said grinning as she subconscious cracked her knuckles. "Wonder just how strong she is."
Lucy paled already knowing what was going through Rizzo's mind. Lucy quickly grabbed Rizzo to pull her along.
"No!" Lucy said firmly. "We don't have time for you to be picking fights! We're here on a job, remember?"
Indy watched in amusement as Rizzo pouted at Lucy who continued to pull her along. Fairy Tail wizards were certainly interesting.
"Yeah, yeah," Rizzo said. "I know."
Lucy nodded in satisfaction while glad Rizzo didn't go down there to challenge that Amazon. Who knows what would have happened. Not to mention Lucy wasn't sure if Rizzo could beat someone that scary. These Amazons sound like a bunch of Erzas.
"Good." Lucy said. "Now let's keep going. You're the one who said we needed to hurry, right, Rizzo?"
When Lucy didn't get a reply, she blinked before turning her head to where Rizzo had been. When Lucy didn't see the pinkette, she gasped. She whirled around seeing Rizzo had went right down to that fighting ring. She walked right through making the two fighting Amazons pause in what they were doing.
"No, she can't be serious." Lucy said looking ready to cry.
It seems she was because Rizzo stopped right in front of the leader of the Amazons with her hands on her hips.
"I hear you're pretty strong." Rizzo said. "I'm curious. Who's stronger? The Amazonian Wizard of Kea or the Musical Wizard of Fiore?"
"Rizzo, no!" Lucy screamed while running towards her guild mate.
Indy watched them go curious to see what would happen. Who is stronger? A Kea Wizard or a Fiore Wizard? Whatever is going to happen…it'd surely make an interesting chapter in her next novel.
Natsu let out a sigh as he laid back on the grass while looking up at the sky. The wind lightly blew through the East Forest causing the trees around him and Happy to rustle.
"Training's not the same without Rizzo." Natsu complained as he put his hands behind his head.
"I know," Happy said as he sat next to Natsu. "But you know she needed the money for her rent and Laki's birthday."
Natsu knew that but didn't change the fact he wanted his best friend to be back.
"Maybe Lucy will go on a job with us." Natsu said. "She's fun to be around too, ya know?"
"Aye!" Happy said holding up his paw. "But when I went by the guild earlier to get some fish, I heard Rizzo and Lucy took a job together."
Natsu sat up in a sitting position to look down at his little blue buddy with wide eyes.
"Those two went on a job together?!" He asked. "Why didn't they invite us?!"
"Well, I heard Lucy was going to take the job solo, but Master didn't want her to." Happy explained. "Apparently the job took them out of the kingdom, so Master wanted Lucy to go with a more experienced member of the guild. Rizzo happened to walk in about then too. So, Lucy asked Rizzo. Besides us, Erza, and Gray, Rizzo is the only one Lucy ever went on a job with. I guess Lucy was just more comfortable asking Rizz."
Natsu supposed that made since. Though he wished they would have asked him to go with them. He then grinned. Ah, he could go with them next time. Besides, Lucy's never been on a really fun job until she's had one alone with Rizzo. Those were always the best.
"Well," Natsu began as he flipped back into feet. "Gotta get back to training. With that new technique Rizzo showed us the other day, I have to catch up to her."
"Aye, sir!" Happy said as he shot up into the air with his wings. "Then we she gets back, she'll have to catch up to you!"
Natsu laughed nodding his head as he gave his little buddy a pat on the head. He and Rizzo always were close on pair in skill. True he had more brute strength than Rizzo, but she had more control and precision. That was where he lacked. Together they balanced each other out. It was why combo attacks were so easy for them. Together they were an unstoppable force, but to be that force training was necessary. So, he better be getting back to it.
"I wonder if Rizzo is going to use that technique during her training." Happy said.
"I don't know, Little buddy." Natsu said. "She did say she needed to test it out in an actual fight, so maybe she will."
Rizzo grinned down at the Amazon in front of her as she looked at Rizzo curiously in return. Lucy was behind her look between the two nervously. Would this woman even accept Rizzo's challenge? And if she did, who would win? Some of the Amazons laughed at Rizzo. They obviously didn't think much of her, but they quietened their laughter when their leader raised her hand.
The woman was a bit older than Rizzo with golden blonde hair. Her eyes were also blue in color, and she had bronze colored skin as did most people of Kea. She was also muscular built like Erza meaning she trained a lot.
"And just who are you?" The woman asked.
"Rizzo Sweeney of the Fairy Tail Guild." Rizzo said. "How about you?"
"Antiope." The woman replied. "Leader of the Amazons."
Rizzo grinned at the older woman as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"So how about it?" Rizzo asked. "How's about a friendly match between two wizards?"
Once more laughter rose up between the ranks of the Amazons present. Their laughter didn't set with Lucy who was worried about all of this.
"I am not just some wizard." Antiope pointed out. "I am also a warrior. I trained not only in the art of magic, but I also trained my body. Most wizards from your country don't do as I have, do they?"
"No, but I think you'll find a Fairy Tail wizard a bit different that your average wizard." Rizzo said oozing confidence. "Besides, you're not the only wizard I know that uses weapons and fights close combat."
Erza immediately popped into Lucy's mind. She thought the same earlier. The Amazons were like Erza. But if Rizzo can't beat Erza, how'd she beat the strongest Amazon? Antiope let out a chuckle with her lips twitching up. She then stood with the red cape falling to the ground at her feet.
"If you truly wish to cross blades with me, Rizzo of Fairy Tail, I will oblige." Antiope said while holding out her hand.
A sword was immediately given to her by one of the other Amazons. One offered a shield as well, which she took in her other hand.
"I will admit I am curious myself." Antiope said as she pointed her sword at Rizzo. "Who is stronger? I can tell you are no pushover. So I look forward to this fight."
"I can't believe this is happening." Lucy said pulling at her hair. "Rizzo, what about our job?!
Rizzo blinked seeming to remember Lucy and Indy were with her. She turned her head looking to her two companions.
"Oh yeah…" Rizzo said scratching the back of her head. "You don't mind if we take a short detour, do you, Professor?"
Lucy looked to Indy hoping the Professor helped her reign Rizzo in. If they don't do something now, they're really will be a fight. However, those hopes went down the drain as Indy smiled.
"I don't mind." Indy said. "Please, continue."
"Oh yeah!" Rizzo said turning back ground. "You heard the boss, Lucy. This fight is a go!"
Lucy hung her head knowing this wasn't going to go well at all. Things were going to get destroyed, and Master Makarov was not going to be happy.
"Alright, Antiope!" Rizzo said while holding up her fist. "I'm ready to get started when you are. Let's do this thing!"
Back in Magnolia in the Fairy Tail guildhall, everything was going as normal. Though it seemed a bit more peaceful on this day with Rizzo out on a job and Natsu still training in the forest. Almost too peaceful.
"Gees, I never knew quiet could be so unnerving." Wakaba said. "It's just not the same without Rizzo and Natsu here."
"Tell me about it." Macao said.
Others sighed in agreement as they continued to sit in a peaceful silence. Even Gray wasn't really liking the silence. Of course, he'd never admit to missing those two pink-haired idiots. The second they come home, he'd wish they were gone again.
"I wonder if Lucy and Rizzo have made it to Kea yet." Laki commented.
"Most likely." Makarov spoke up from the bar. "I heard there was a storm over Kea earlier today, but something had suddenly made it disperse. From what I hear, there was a large lightning discharge that caused the clouds to disperse."
Laxus, who was up on the second floor, tilted his head to look down at the second floor. Lightning discharge? Only one person could have caused that. He taught it to her. Amara watched Laxus as the blonde's lips twitched up partially. What could he be thinking about?
"Do you think it was caused by magic?" Bisca asked.
"If it was, I bet I can tell you who caused it." Alzack said chuckling. "Rizzo must have gotten into a fight with something."
There was some laughter around the guild as the others were certain Alzack was right.
"There are monster that swim around Kea." Levy said. "There's no telling how much fights she's going to get into."
"Yeah, and how much stuff she's going to break." Jet added.
Makarov groaned just imagining how much the bill would have to pay for the damages. Rizzo and Natsu were the worst at destroying things.
"Maybe Lucy will be able to keep her in check." Droy said.
It was silent for a moment before everyone in the guild busted out laughing. That'd be the day. Laxus even scoffed.
"That twerp has never known how to take it easy." Laxus said as he leaned back in his chair.
He closed his eyes with his hands behind his head as if he was going to nap. Amara watched him a few more moments before a small smile appeared on her face. He still cares. Even if he doesn't want to admit it.
Rizzo stood on one side of the fighting ring as Antiope stood on the other. The two faced each other as people, who had heard about one of their Amazons fighting a foreigner, gathered to sit around the ring. Lucy and Indy sat with the other onlookers with Lucy not looking happy. Rizzo knew Lucy wasn't exactly happy with her, but she couldn't help herself.
The challenge was right in front of her. How could she have walked away from it? Besides, this will be an effective way to gauge just how much Rizzo has grown in skill and power. If she manages to beat someone as skilled and strong as people make Antiope to be, she'll be closer to her one true goal.
"Are you sure you wish to do this, Fairy Tail Wizard?" Antiope questioned. "I believe you'll find me a much stronger opponent than you are accustomed to."
Rizzo chuckled as she cracked her knuckles with her magic building around her.
"That last line of yours was something I was just about to say to you." Rizzo said. "I'll figure you for not knowing since you've most likely never heard of our guild. But something you should never do is underestimate the power of a Fairy Tail wizard."
Antiope grinned herself while thinking she might actually have a challenge on her hands. Rizzo shifted her foot slightly, which sent Antiope forward on attack. She jumped seeing to fly towards Rizzo who had to bend backwards to avoided being hit by the swing of her sword. Lucy gasped with the force of the slash cut the pillars behind the fighting pair in half. Just how strong was this woman?! Rizzo then threw her fist towards to catch Antiope in the gut. The blonde went jumping backwards to land a few feet away from Rizzo. She chuckled.
"That punch stung a bit." Antiope said. "But there was no magic behind it."
"As I said, I am a Musical Wizard." Rizzo said. "My magic doesn't rely on my fists or a weapon. But this—!"
She held out her hand with her violin and bow appearing out of a green magic circle. She took them both in hand while preparing to play. Some Amazons laughed at Rizzo's choice of "weapon" as Lucy's hands clenched in her lap. They really shouldn't laugh at Rizzo. They had no idea just how strong she is. She helped Erza take down all those Eisenwald as if it was child's play. Lucy was even certain that Rizzo could have done it all on her own.
"Get her, Rizzo!" Lucy shouted. "Show 'em Fairy Tail wizards don't hold any punches!"
Indy looked at Lucy with slightly widened eyes because she thought the blonde was against all this. However, based on her angry expression, Indy would have to guess the Amazons' laughter had provoked her. In the ring, Rizzo grinned.
"You got it, Lu." Rizzo said. "Song of the Dancing Wind!"
She played the fast-paced melody on her violin sending a torrent of wind towards Antiope. The blonde merely smirked before slashing out with the backlash created from the swing canceling out Rizzo's attack. It even contacted with the pinkette sending her flying backwards. Lucy gasped thinking might fall out of the ring, which would end the make—claiming Antiope the winner. However, Rizzo landed on her feet while digging them into the ground to bring herself to a skidding halt just at the edge of the ring. Lucy let out a sigh of relief because she had been worried there for a second.
"Ya know, I think I've got you figured out, Antiope." Rizzo said as she adjusted her collar. "Wind magic is your specialty, isn't it?"
Some of the Amazons gasped at Rizzo question as Antiope narrowed her eyes.
"How'd you figure that out?" Antiope questioned while not denying Rizzo's claim.
The pinkette smirked as Lucy looked between the two fighting. So, when those pillars were cut in half it was because Antiope had been using magic? It wasn't because of the strength behind her swings?
"Well, first off, I provoked you to attack me first." Rizzo said. "I knew as the warrior you are, you wouldn't allow your opponent to make the first move. So I changed my footing to make you think I was preparing to attack. You did exactly as I wanted when you rushed forward."
Antiope frowned. She played into her opponent's hand. That was a rookie mistake that even the younger Amazons never made.
"When you managed to cut those pillars in half even if when they were a few good feet behind us, I knew something had to be up." Rizzo said. "I know someone much stronger than both of us who couldn't do that without magic backing her up."
Rizzo was of course speaking about Erza. Even if the redhead does get on her last ever-loving nerve, Rizzo can't deny Erza is the stronger wizard.
"I had a feeling you used some kind of air or wind magic." Rizzo continued. "All I had to do was confirm this theory, which is why I used wind magic myself. When you canceled out my wind with that slash of yours, it confirmed my theory. You use pressurized wind behind your attacks to make them stronger."
Antiope gripped her sword tightly. Never has anyone she ever fought—outside the Amazons, of course—figured out her secret so quickly. Just two swings from her sword, and this foreigner knew exactly how she used her magic and what magic she used.
"Your guildmate is very intelligent, Lucy." Indy commented. "To have figured out her opponent's true power in such little time is truly amazing."
"Yeah." Lucy said as she smiled. "The wizards in Fairy Tail are so amazing. It was one of the reasons I joined. But even know they continue to surprise me."
As she was saying that, Rizzo switched out her violin to her guitar. Lucy knows she has more instruments than that at her disposal, but Rizzo always seemed to go for her guitar and violin the most. Her strongest instruments.
"Song of the Hailstorm." Rizzo said then started playing dark sounding rifts on her guitar.
Clouds started to appear above the ring causing the onlookers to gasp. They had never seen weather magic like this. Gust of wind also whirled around almost creating a vortex around the two. Antiope frowned knowing creating her own wind currents in this mess was going to be near impossible. Though she was certain this was why Rizzo chose this magic.
However, how could she attack while she is using her magic to create this storm? The hail that was falling was not large enough to cause drama. All it really was, was an annoyance. Rizzo had to know this, so what could she be plaining. Antiope frowned knowing her next move had to be carefully thought out. She couldn't go rushing in carelessly. Doing that once already proved to be a mistake considering Rizzo already figured out her magic.
"You should make your next move." Rizzo warned Antiope. "Because I'm about to make mine."
Suddenly another instrument appeared next to Rizzo. This one was cello. It floated next to its master with bow at the ready.
"Duet Mode." Rizzo said. "Song of Shattering Earth."
As Rizzo continued her first song on violin, the cello added in putting a deep vibrato into the song. It played a tune separate from Rizzo's, but it metled in perfectly. The deep notes it played seemed feel everyone in anticipation. Antiope wasn't sure what was going on. However, she had to silence that cello before its magic could take effect. She jumped forward ready to try a direct attack once more. She might not be able to use her wind in this vortex.
However, she still had her skills as an Amazon. Just as she was about to reach Rizzo, the earth between them shook and cracked before splitting wide open. Antiope gasped as sharp, jagged pieces of earth shot up from the split. They converged on her while hitting her hard. She went flying up into the air with her Amazons gasping. How could this be happening? Their leader was being bested by a foreigner!
Antiope fell back towards the ground, and as soon as she hit the earth quickly shifted to form a cocoon around her—starting from the shoulders down. She was completely pinned unable to move. How could this be? She was bested in a fight, and her opponent had barely made two moves. She has never suffered such a defeat. Were all Fiore wizards as strong as she? Antiope closed her eyes knowing the fight was over. Even with her strength, she could not break the earth around her.
"I…I surrender." Antiope said.
As her Amazons—and Lucy—gasped in shock, Rizzo let out a breath finishing her two pieces. Both her instruments went back into the separate dimension she keeps them in as she let out a huff. Her magic disappeared with the storm vanishing. The damage to the ground did not repair itself, however. Though she hopes she doesn't have to pay for that. The only thing that did disappear from that last song was the earth around Antiope. The Amazon Leader sat up while looking to her opponent as Rizzo walked over to her to hold out her hand.
"That was fun." Rizzo said. "We should do it again sometime."
Antiope looked at the wizard in front of her with wide eyes. She then chuckled while reaching out to gasp Rizzo's hand. Next time she'll be sure not to underestimate her opponent. And next time she and Rizzo fight, she'll be the victor.
"Sure." Antiope said.