Coco: Here's the next chapter, guys :D I hope you like it as much as I did writing it.
"Deliora." Gray growled as he walked up to the ice that held the demon.
Rizzo watched him carefully as he moved. His movements were tense as if he was waiting for the monster to break free and attack. It also looked as if he was trying to control his body to lessen his shaking. He was afraid. Gray was never afraid, which had Rizzo concerned. She looked towards the demon. Just how powerful was this thing?
"Are you sure this is the same demon your master sealed away?" Natsu asked.
"There's no doubt about it." Gray said.
"I wonder why he was transported all the way from the Northern Continent to Galuna Island." Happy said.
Rizzo didn't know, but she really wanted to find out, so they could figure out a way to stop it all.
"You don't think this demon could have anything to do with this island's curse, do you?" Lucy asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it did." Gray said. "It might be enclosed in ice, but that thing's still alive."
"Sweet!" Natsu said. "Give me a go at it! I'm not afraid of stupid demon!"
He wound up his arm with an eager grin on his face. Rizzo, who stood on the other side of Gray, wondered how much magic it'd take to defeat the demon. Breccan was better at demon battling, but he wasn't here. Rizzo and her friends were, so they'd have to work this out on their own.
"You know, brute force isn't the only way to solve a problem, Natsu." Lucy said.
No, but it usually gets things done quicker than without brute force does. Beside brute force is much more fun because then breaking things is involved, and Rizzo liked breaking things. Though despite that, she knew they had to take care of this delicately. This wasn't a normal job request. S-Class were a whole new level.�
"A little fire ought to do the trick." Natsu said.
A millisecond later Gray viciously punched Natsu across the face to send the pink-haired wizard to the ground. Rizzo, Lucy, and Happy gasped in shock as Gray glared down at Natsu darkly. Rizzo was so surprised by the sudden attack that she couldn't even move to Natsu's defense.
"What's the deal?" Natsu asked. "What'd you hit me for, Gray?!"
"I don't want you and your flames anywhere near it." Gray growled out. "If that ice melts and Deliora is revived, there's no way we'd be able to stop it."
Natsu groaned in aggravation as he got back onto his feet while glaring at Gray.
"Come on," He complained. "Do you think a chunk of ice like that would be easy to melt?"
Gray seemed surprised by Natsu's question, but he then composed his features.
"No." Gray said.
Lucy frowned in concern then went up to Gray to place her hand on his back.
"Hey, are you okay?" Lucy asked as Rizzo finally moved to check on Natsu.
"I'm the one who got hit for no good reason!" Natsu pointed out. "Watch your temper, Man!"
"You're one to talk." Happy said.
Rizzo pat Natsu on top of his head as he continued to glare at Gray heatedly.
"Many years ago my master, Ur, cast a spell called Iced Shell on this demon." Gray explained. "Enclosing it in a form of ice that can't be melted. It's so strong that even the most powerful flame spells have no effect on it. If they knew the ice couldn't be melted, why'd they bring it here?"
Rizzo, who left Natsu's side, walked up to the ice run her finger down it, and when she pulled back water dripped off of her finger.
"They must have found some way to melt it, Gray." Rizzo said. "It's slick with fresh water."
Gray's eyes widened when he heard that and he stepped up himself to touch the ice. He pulled his hand back to see it was indeed wet.
"What the hell?!" He growled.
Lucy jumped back in fright as Rizzo even leaned away from the glare that Gray sent her way. It wasn't like she's the one who did this.
"Who could be doing this?" Gray asked. "And why?"
"I don't know, but glaring at me isn't going to change things." Rizzo said frowning.
Gray almost flinched back as he realized what he was doing. He looked away from Rizzo while apologizing, which had her brows shooting up. He was apologizing. She then sighed since she knew this couldn't be easy for him.�
"We need answers." Natsu said. "Let's go find those guys."
"Yeah." Lucy agreed.
"No." Gray said firmly. "We're going to stay here and wait."
Rizzo and the others looked at him in confusion as he continued to glare up at Deliora.
"Wait here for what?" Happy asked.
"For the moon to come out." Gray replied.
Rizzo blinked wondering if she had heard him correctly. They were going to wait that long?
"The moon?!" Natsu demanded. "But it's the middle of the afternoon. Forget that! If I have to hang out here all day, I'll die of boredom."
"Why does the moon matter?" Lucy asked while ignoring Natsu.
Natsu frowned at being ignored as he crossed in arms of his chest in annoyance.
"I have a feeling the curse on this island and Deliora are connected to it." Gray said. "And I heard those guys we saw earlier say something about collecting moonlight."
Rizzo sighed guessing that meant they really didn't have a choice in the matter.
"I heard that too." Lucy said.
"Yep." Rizzo said sighing. "I guess we have no choice but to wait."
"I'm not waiting!" Natsu snapped. "We've got work to do!"
He then fell backwards snoring, which had Rizzo chuckling in amusement. Lucy just sweat-dropped.
"Well, that was fast." Lucy said.
"Aye." Happy agreed.
Rizzo shook her head then glanced back at Gray as he sat away from the group. She sighed knowing he was trying to be a tough guy. She walked over to him, and at the sound of her approach, Gray looked up at her. His eyes then widened when Rizzo sat awfully closer to him. She hugged his arm then rest her head on his shoulder.
"Don't look so pathetic." Rizzo said. "It doesn't suit you."
Gray blinked before he snorted with a tiny half grin on his face as Rizzo's eyes closed. She planned to take a nap herself.
"We're here for you, Frosty." Rizzo said. "Though don't expect this all the time. I still think you're stupid."
Gray rolled his eyes then looked down at the ground. He used his right hand to cover Rizzo's hands as they held onto his left arm. He rest his head on top of hers while not noticing how Lucy was watching them with a smile. Lucy then looked to Natsu as he continued snoring, which had her sighing.
"Must be nice not worrying about anything besides eating, fight, and sleeping." She said.
"Aye, that's Natsu for you." Happy said nodding.
"I got to admit, I'm a little bit jealous." Lucy said then sighed once more. "I know I agreed to wait, but this is so boring."
"Aye." Happy agreed.
Rizzo moved her head to look back at the pair with an amused grin on her face. They haven't even been waiting that long and their already bored.
"Oh, I know!" Lucy said clapping her hands together.
As Happy looked at her curiously, Lucy brought out one of her silver keys.
"Open: Gate of the Harp Constellation, Lyra!" Lucy summoned.
After the puff of pink smoke disappeared, Rizzo blinked to look at the spirit. It looked like a little Bo Peep girl who was hyped on sugar as she waved rapidly at Lucy.
"Oh, wow, I haven't seen you in forever, Lucy!" Lyra said.
"Hey, Lyra." Lucy greeted.
Lyra got a serious look on her face as she moved to stand in front of her master.
"Say, how come you never call me anymore?" Lyra asked. "It's not fair! I would love to help you out, but you ignore me, Meanie."
This one also seems to like to talk really fast too.
"Meanie, huh?" Lucy asked. "You're the one who told me you're only available three days a month."
Lyra seemed shocked by this news as if she was hearing it for the first time. Rizzo sweat-dropped All of Lucy's spirits were certainly unique.
"Are you sure about that?" Lyra asked.
"Great, another weirdo." Happy deadpanned.
Lyra ignored Happy as she continued to smile at Lucy.
"So, what would you like to hear me sing?" Lyra asked. "Any requests?"
"Nope, whatever you want." Lucy answered.
Rizzo tilted her head as Happy tried to get Lyra to sing about fish. So Lyra was used for singing? That had to mean she wasn't a battle spirit. Rizzo was intrigued by this as she slightly turned to watch Lyra prepare to sing. Lyra started strumming her harp to this beautiful melody, which had Rizzo smiling. Lyra then opened her mouth to begin singing.
Words are into air
And quickly fade out in the wind
But they find their way inside you
Where they live on forevermore
When the skies are dark and full of rain
Look inside your heart
The light, so warm and all aglow
Shining just like the sun
Rizzo felt Gray shaking beside her, which had her turning to look at him. His hands were now clenched tightly in front of him as he clenched his jaw tensely. Rizzo was about to ask what was wrong when she saw a tear roll down his cheek, which had her eyes widening. And the longer Lyra played, the worse he shook.
You can see, just how much you've grown
How strong you are.
A love will open up to you
And it starts from the day that you, first heard those words...
Lyra continued to strop her harp and hum to the melody as Gray continued to shake. Rizzo moved to hug him tightly. She didn't know all this meant to Gray, but seeing her guild mate in such a state made her own chest tighten in pain. Gray kept his face in her shoulder as he tried to muffle his tears. However, they were heard, which brought the music to a halt. Lucy and Happy looked at Gray worriedly as Rizzo continued to hold him.
"Gray, what's wrong?" Lucy asked.
Gray quickly pulled back from Rizzo to wipe the tears from his cheeks.
"Nothing, I'm fine." Gray said.
Rizzo sighed. Typical boy.
"You seem upset." Happy said.
"Let's just leave him alone, everyone." Rizzo said as she stood and placed her hand on Gray's head. "And how about no music? We are trying to remain hidden after all."
Lucy nodded her head as she and Happy laid down to try and take a nap like Natsu. In a few minutes both of them were out like their Dragon Slayer friend. Rizzo moved away from Gray to look up at Deliora.
"We'll figure this all out, Frosty." Rizzo said getting Gray to look at her. "We might not get along, but you are my guild mate. These people who were stupid enough to tamper with your master's last great act and stupid enough to make you cry...they'll pay. I'll make sure of it."
Gray looked at Rizzo with wide eyes as she glared forward at the ice encased demon. He then looked to the side.
"Whatever, Pinky." Gray said. "Just don't get in my way."
Rizzo chuckled at his weak attempt of taking a jab at her.
Rizzo let out a sigh as she glanced over at the others to see they were all out cold still.
"Do you think it's almost nighttime?" Rizzo asked softly, so not to wake their sleeping friends.
"Close." Gray said as he looked up at the roof of the cave.
Rizzo let out a soft breath as she stared forward at Deliora.
The ground then suddenly started shaking rather hard, which woke up the others.
"What's that weird noise?" Lucy asked as she woke up.
"Is it night yet?!" Natsu demanded as he sat up quickly.
A purple beam of light shot down onto the frozen form of Deliora, which had the group jumping onto their feet.
"It's a beam of light." Lucy said.
"Shining down from the ceiling." Natsu added.
"But why is it purple?" Gray asked. "It must be moonlight."
"What's going on?" Happy asked trembling. "I'm getting scared, Gray."
Rizzo knelt down to scoop Happy into her arms, and the small feline hugged up to her.
"So, those people are using the moonlight to melt the ice it would seem." Rizzo said. "Or they're trying to."
And it would seem that they've been somewhat successful since water was dripping off the ice containing Deliora.
"We need to go." Gray said. "We have to find out where the light is coming from."
"Aye!" Happy agreed.
All five of them quickly left the cave, and found a set of stairs that took them higher and higher through the temple. They made it to one level to see another magic circle that was glowing with purple light.
"Why would someone cast a magic circle inside this old temple?" Gray asked.
"Let's find out." Natsu said.
They went to the next set of stairs that took them to the very top of the temple. There they found a circle of people in full robes chanting to the moon, which was bringing in the purple moonlight. The group quickly hid behind some rubble.
"The moon." Gray murmured.
"It looks like those robe freaks are chanting something to collect the moonlight like Rizzo thought they were." Natsu and.
"Yeah, to shine on Deliora." Lucy added. "But what for?"
Rizzo frowned wishing she hadn't been right. She didn't like the thought of a demon known for destruction being woken up after being frozen for so long. It'd probably be cranky and hungry, and they'd all suffer for it.
"It's a dispelling spell called Moon Drip."
Rizzo blinked in confusion at the new voice then turned her head to see…Lyra was still here? Didn't she leave a while ago?
"What are you still doing here?!" Lucy growled.
Lyra didn't even bat an eyelash at Lucy's annoyance, which made Rizzo wondered if any of Lucy's spirits actually noticed when their owner was annoyed with them. Or perhaps they just got so used to it that it doesn't faze them anymore.
"I see, that's what they're trying to do." Lyra said.
"Okay, Tease, fill us in." Lucy said.
Rizzo nodded in agreement since she wanted to know what exactly was going on. She was hoping her theory wasn't right.
"They're using the Moon Drip spell to melt the ice around that demon underground, so that they can resurrect it." Lyra explained.
"What?" Natsu and Rizzo hissed.
If that demon was revived who knew what kind of damage it could cause to not only this island but the mainland as well if it ever got that far.
"They can't!" Gray whisper-yelled. "Ice used in an Iced Shell can't be melted."
"I'm sorry to say, but that's not exactly true." Lyra said. "While the ice used in Iced Shell is strong it can be melted by the Moon Drip. Focused moonlight can break any magical spell."
"Oh, no." Happy murmured.
He climbed into Rizzo's lap for comfort, and the pinkette hugged Happy to ease him.
"Those idiots have never witnessed the wrath of Deliora!" Gray snapped.
Rizzo placed one of her hands on his shoulder, and he tried to relax his body when he felt her supportive touch.
"I think what the islanders think of as a curse against them might actually be side effects of the Moon Drip." Lyra continued. "Concentrated moon energy can contaminate the body. I'm afraid these islanders have been exposed to too much of it."
"I'll make them pay." Natsu growled.
He went to move, but Lucy told him to hold it as she took a cheap shot to his face. Natsu fell backwards into Rizzo and Happy.
"Someone's coming this way." Lucy said.
Rizzo and Happy, who were helping Natsu sit up, looked up as some guy in armor and those weirdos from earlier came into view.
"What a waste." That Yuka guy said. "I lost so much precious sleep for nothing. We searched all day for those intruders, but found no trace of them."
"Maybe there wasn't any!" Toby, who had been sleep walking, snapped.
Rizzo frowned really thinking someone needed to muzzle that dog if he kept snapping.
"I would have tracked them just fine if you three hadn't interfered." Turiel pointed out.
Yuka frowned at her as Toby took a snap towards her. Turiel ignored them both while not even batting an eyelash.
"I'm afraid we have some sad news, Cold Emperor." The weirdo love girl, Sherry, said. "We thought that we had some intruders during the day, but it seems as if they got away somehow. I cannot speak of love in this situation."
Lucy and Rizzo exchanged a glance while both mentally agreeing that they were glad to not be friends with love girl.
"Intruders?" The man asked.
Gray stiffened while pretty sure he recognized the voice of the man under the metal helmet.
"So, he's their leader, huh?" Natsu murmured.
Rizzo nodded while already planning to go for him first. Once a leader is taken out of commission the flunkies always panic, which would make it easier to take them out.
"He's trying to act all high and mighty wearing that stupid looking mask." Lucy said.
"I don't know." Happy whispered. "I think it looks kind of cool."
Rizzo chuckled softly as she pat Happy on top of his head while the feline admired the Cold Emperor's metal mask.
"Has Deliora been awakened yet?" He asked.
"It should be later tonight or tomorrow." Sherry assured the Cold Emperor.
"Which one, girl?!" Toby demanded.
Yeah, that doggy really needs to be muzzled. His outbursts were starting to really bug Rizzo.
"The time has almost come." The Cold Emperor said. "If you see those intruders again, kill them. I don't want anyone getting in my way."
Whoa, talk about cold. Rizzo then noticed that Gray was practically shaking, which had her looking at him in worry.
"They must have been villagers." Sherry said. "They're the only other people on this island."
"Then destroy the village." The Cold Emperor ordered.
"The entire village?" Turiel asked though was ignored
His other three flunkies were too quick to accept his order, which had Rizzo's gut churning. This is why she hated dark mages. They don't care who gets hurt as long as they get what they want.
"What?" Natsu hissed.
"But the villagers had nothing to do with this." Lucy said.
Rizzo frowned because this was their fault. It was them that came here, not the villagers. She couldn't let them pay for what her and her friends have done.
"Yeah, we gotta stop him." Natsu growled.
"It's a shame there has to be bloodshed." The Cold Emperor said.
He then smirked, which showed he obviously didn't care if innocent bystanders were hurt or worse. Rizzo shook in anger. She really, really hated dark mages.
"That voice." Gray murmured, which caught her attention. "It can't be."
Natsu jumped up suddenly from their hiding place, and to say Rizzo wasn't surprised was an understatement.
"I've had enough of this sneaking about business." Natsu said then collected fire into his mouth.
He let out a ball of fire into the air as Rizzo stood up guessing there was no point in hiding now.
"If it wasn't already obvious, your intruders are right here, and we're not villagers." Rizzo said casually as if discussing the weather.
"Yeah!" Natsu agreed.
Lucy stared at the two of them with her mouth hanging open in shock. Why the hell did they do that for?!
"Gees, I guess there's no turning back now, huh?" Lucy asked reaching for her keys.
"I want to help out too!" Lyra said excitedly. "Want me to sing?"
Lucy hung her head as the vein in her forehead pulsed vigorously due to her annoyance.
"No, I want you to go back." Lucy said.
"Awe~ you're no fun." Lyra whined.
Lyra disappeared back to the spirit world as the villains then noticed the mark of Natsu's shoulder. As Sherry gasped, a trumpet came to Rizzo's hand.
"I know that mark." Sherry said. "They're from Fairy Tail."
"Interesting." Yuka muttered. "Those villagers must have gone to the magical guilds for help."
And Rizzo was going to make sure they got the best help that they could get since Fairy Tail was on the job.
"Don't worry about them." The Cold Emperor said. "Go eradicate the village."
Rizzo's eyes widened as Natsu and Lucy asked the Cold Emperor why he still wanted to hurt the village. Rizzo didn't understand herself. He had the intruders, which were them, right in front of him. He didn't need to hurt the villages.
"Anyone who stands in my way whether deliberately or not is my enemy." The Cold Emperor said.
"Say WHAT?!" Natsu demanded.
"That's some pretty messed up logic, Man." Rizzo said.
"I have to agree with the Fairy Tail wizards." Turiel said tilting her head. "Those villagers are not in our way. If they were a threat by themselves, they wouldn't need to call for help."
Well, at least one of them was logical and not completely cold-blooded. The Cold Emperor just turned to glare at Turiel, but the ginger-haired woman didn't seem that frightened.
"You should listen to your comrade!" Rizzo said.
Natsu nodded in agreement then rushed forward, but Gray overtook him. He looked really, really pissed off.
"Why you!" He frowned then jumped into the air as he formed ice in his hand. "Stop this crazy ceremony right now!"
He slammed his hands to the ground with ice shooting out across it towards the villains while getting bigger as it went. The Cold Emperor jumped into the air and then used the same magic as Gray only with one hand as he landed on the ground with his hand slamming down. Rizzo gasped with the others in surprise at the attacks hit therefore cancelling each other out.
"He's an ice wizard too?!" Happy asked in disbelief.
Rizzo frowned in concern as she caught the livid expression on Gray's face as he glared at the Cold Emperor.
"Lyon." Gray growled.
His friends all stiffened in surprise when realizing that Gray knew the man behind the mask.
"How could you?" Gray asked. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
The man across from Gray merely smirked as if he found Gray's anger towards him amusing.
"Oh, Gray, it's been quite a while, hasn't it?" The Cold Emperor, or rather Lyon, asked pleasantly.
"Why would you try to revive Deliora?" Gray demanded.
Lyon ignored Gray's question once more as he gave Gray and his team a sweep to see what exactly he was up against. He almost wanted to laugh since they didn't seem like much. As if knowing that he was judging them, Rizzo glared at the guy while ready to kick his ass.
"To think you were one of the wizards called to this island to help those poor villagers." Lyon mocked. "Did you come knowing you would find me? Or is this just mere coincidence? Not that it makes any difference to me."
Gray just continued to glare at Lyon while feeling his anger growing with every passing second.
"An acquaintance of yours, Cold Emperor?" Yuka asked as Toby made growling noises.
"Do as you were ordered." Lyon said smoothly. "I can handle the intruders on my own."
"Yes, sir!" They all but Turiel said.
They all started to leave with Yuka and Toby dragging Turiel with them then disappeared in a flash, and Rizzo growled knowing she couldn't let them get away.
"Rizzo!" Natsu shouted.
"Right!" Rizzo said.
The two started running forward while ready to kick Lyon's ass, so to go after the other four.
"Rizzo, Natsu, no!" Gray shouted. "Don't go near him!"
It was too late. Lyon cast an icy spell that started freezing both Natsu. However, Rizzo whirled around him to start heading back towards the village, which was the plan all along.
"You going to be okay, Natsu?!" Rizzo called over her shoulder though kept going.
"Yeah, keep going!" Natsu shouted despite the situation.
Rizzo looked over her shoulder at Gray who watched her go. She gave him a parting grin.
"Don't look so worried, Gray!" She said. "I'll be back. Happy, grab Lucy! Time to move!"
"Aye!" Happy shouted grabbing the blonde to take up in the air. "See you back at the village!"
Those two went off into the air towards the village as Rizzo took the jungle route. While she wanted to stay at the boys' sides, the defenseless villagers came first.
"You two better be okay when we get back." Rizzo said under her breath.
Coco: End of the chapter! I hope you all liked it. Next chapter is when it gets really different from the last chapter as Rizzo and the others try to protect the village. Rizzo vs. Turiel is up next. See ya!