A/n: In this chapter we are introduced to a character of mine who I love very much.


Chapter Eight: A Promise to Ur

Morning came sooner than Noelle would have liked. After her dream, she hadn't slept very well, partially from the dream, and the other due to the fact that Gray was a very aggressive when it came to cuddling. It had taken her more time than she would care to admit to wiggle out of him arms, and get safely tucked into her own bed, though she was much more weary towards him. After laying in bed a moment later, her blue eyes fluttered open and peaked around the room to find that she was the only one still sleeping.

"Where is everyone?" Noelle asked in a groggy voice.

"Morning! I was just about to wake you," said Lucy. "We're getting ready to head out, so you might want to get dressed. The boys are waiting outside for us." Lucy said as she slipped her pajamas off of her curvaceous body.

"Yeah, sure, okay." Noelle said as a light blush sprinkled over her cheeks. Yawning, she stood up and stretched before locating her clothes. When she found them she quickly stripped down to her lacy purple and black bra, with a pair of lacy black panties that left little to the imagination. As she was beginning to put her vest on the door was kicked open by an impatient Natsu.

"Hey! What the heck is taking the two of you so..." Natsu's mouth dropped open seeing the indecent girls. "HOLY CRAP!" The fire mage yelled, spewing flames from his mouth.

It didn't help that Gray chose that moment to barge in.

"What are you screaming about fire face - HOLY CRAP!" Gray yelled, his face turning red.

Noelle and Lucy's faces turned ten different shades of red that was quickly replaced by anger. "GET THE HELL OUT YOU PERVERTS!" They both screamed, scrambling to cover themselves, while chucking pillows and other items lying around at the boys; they apologized quickly and fled the room with bleeding noses.

Noelle and Lucy hurried to change.

Lucy didn't seem a bit annoyed by the boys, but Noelle was completely mortified. It shouldn't have bothered her as much considering the amount of time she spent in her underwear with Ur and everyone, but even back then she usually wore a sports bra and shorts, and she also wasn't...as developed...as she is now. Noelle protectively covered her chest while refusing to make eye contact with anyone. Marlow was snickering from her shoulder which only furthered her embarrassment. But by far, the worst thing about it all, was the fact that Gray would keep glancing her way, and then hurry and look away with blushing cheeks whenever she caught him.

And then his eyes started to move lower which prompted Noelle to march ahead of the group, trying her best to hide her scarlet blush behind her hair while ignoring Marlow's out blown laughter.

'Stupid hormonal boys!'


"Do you guys think we'll really be able to find a way to life the curse?" Natsu had asked his friends as they began their search of the island.

"Well we don't have much of a choice," Gray says. "The village may think the moon is cursed but everyone else likes it, and destroying it might really mess things up."

"Not to mention that it's physically impossible to destroy the moon," Noelle added. "We really don't have any other choice but to find another solution."

"You're right! If we didn't have the moon the tides would get all crazy and at night the sky would be pitch black!"

Noelle sighed. "Calm down Natsu. The moon isn't going anywhere."

"Would you guys keep it down?" Horologium spoke giving Noelle a scare. "We don't know what's lurking out here, so we shouldn't drawn any attention to ourselves. The Lady demands impatiently." He speaks as if he's reading a book.

Noelle shot a glare back at Lucy who looked rather sheepish at the moment. "Lucy, you really need to stop using your spirits like a taxi service. What if you were in a situation and you really needed them, but couldn't summon them because you were too lazy to walk on your own?"

Noelle knew that summoning her spirits took a lot out of her, which is why she wished she used them more responsibly.

"Yeah, you should walk on your own." Natsu looks back at them annoyed.

"They're right. Do you just summon your spirits because you're lazy?" Gray asks Lucy.

Lucy glared at them and clenched her teeth as a blush rose on her cheeks. "Listen," She spoke through the spirit. "This curse is freaking me out. We have no idea what we are up against, and I'm scared. She says nervously."

"Curses aren't real, Lucy," Noelle said, patting the clock. "And besides, you're a wizard, you're bound to face things that are a lot scarier than some dumb made up curse."

"That's not very comforting. The Lady says annoyed."

"Well, then your shit out of luck! The dragon retorts mockingly." Noelle smirked.

"Are you kidding?! This is awesome! S-Class quests rule!" Natsu cheered with his fists in the air.

Noelle was going to comment when the ground started to shake. They all froze.

"What was that?" Noelle asked as she looked around for the source.

They all looked behind themselves just in time to see a large shadowy figure looming over them. The shape takes on that of a large rat dressed in a strange maid outfit. The rat glares down at them and lets out a scratchy chuckle.

"What the heck is that?!" Natsu yells with a mixture of panic and horror.

"It's huge!" Says Gray.

"Is that...a giant rat?" Noelle sweatdropped. "With a maid fetish?"

"What are you waiting for? Beat it up you guys! She yells frantically." Lucy/Horologium says.

Noelle, Gray, and Natsu, all nod to each other as they prepare to attack.

"Ice-Make: Blades!" Noelle performs the sealing magic and sharp blades of ice extend from her wrists to her elbows.

With a focused glare Noelle charges at the rat; dodging and weaving it's massive fists that slam down on the ground. "Yaah!" Noelle leaps into the air and spins, slashing one of her blades across the rats snout and the other against its chest.

Noelle noticed the rat sucked in a breath and jumped down landing beside Gray who created a perfectly crafted shield from ice. A horrible scent invaded her nose as the rat spit out a acid mist.

Happy and Marlow had been smart enough to climb in Horologium with Lucy, but it didn't last long as the spirit went away leaving them all crying, "Stinky!" as the stink invaded their noses.

The rat laughed and stalked towards them.

"Let's goooo!" Natsu who had been temporarily knocked out yelled, getting to his feet and running ahead with the others not too far behind.

Noelle and Gray seemed to have similar plans in stopping the rats.

"Ice-Make: Floor!"

"Ice-Make: Spikes!"

From Gray's attack the ground became covered in a thin layer of ice that sent that rat crashing to the ground. Noelle's attack caused large icicles to shoot up from the ground, creating a temporary barrier for them to escape.

"Come on!" Gray yelled grabbing Slayers hand and running to catch up with the others.


Lucky for the group they were able to take shelter in what seemed to be an abandoned temple that was rundown and in poor condition. Noelle was afraid to breathe wrong, in fear that the whole place would come crashing down on them.

"Is this place safe to be in?" Noelle asks stepping over a hole in the floor.

"Would you rather be here of out there with the rat?" Gray smirked at her.

Noelle glared at Gray. "The rat would probably keep me better company, and cause me less grief."

"This place is massive!" Lucy said in awe, ignoring the bickering wizards behind her. She walked around the building, examining all the art that was drawn on the walls.

"Careful Lucy," Noelle said grabbing her arm as she stepped a little too close to a hole. "You don't want to fall down there."

"Oh, heh, thanks." She nervously laughed and rubbed the back of her head.

"I wonder how old this place is?" Gray said with a hand dug in his pocket.

"What are those?" Natsu asks noticing the wall.

"There moons," Gray says. "It makes sense. Galuna used to be called the Island of The Moon."

Lucy tapped a finger to her chin. "The moon island, moon curse, and weird moon symbols; you really gotta wonder what it all means." She says thoughtfully.

"I think it means that these people have a weird fetish for the moon," Noelle said with her finger on her chin. "That aside - this place gives me a bad feeling."

"Scared?" Gray teased.

"Far from it," Noelle said. "There's a magic in the air, it's familiar, and yet I can't place my finger on it," She narrows her eyes at the ground and tries to focus her senses on the familiar magic, but she can't place it. "Very familiar.." she whispers.

"Man this place is a wreck. The floor doesn't even look safe to walk on!"

A shiver cascaded down Noelle's spine as the words left Natsu's mouth; trouble shortly followed. "Natsu don't -" her warning came too late. The floor caved beneath them, and they were all send hurdling towards the ground. Noelle squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for a painful landing that never came. Slowly, she pried her eyes open, sighing in relief when she seen that Marlow had taken hold off her.

"Thanks, Marlow." She breathed easily as her hand held her chest.

"Don't mention it. If you die I'll have no one to feed me." Marlow shrugged.

"I feel so loved." Noelle pouted.

Marlow roughly dropped Noelle onto her feet just as Natsu had popped out from under a pile of rubble. "Is everyone okay?!" Natus yelled, earning glares from all of his friends.

"You almost killed us you idiot!" Noelle yelled furiously.

"I'd be better if you hadn't knocked out the floor!" Lucy yelled at him.

"Here's a thought: If you think before you act, maybe you wouldn't cause so much destruction!"

Noelle laughed."Natsu? Thinking? Get real Gray."

"Hey!"

"Can you fly us out, Happy, Marlow?" Lucy asked in a hopeful yet doubtful voice.

Happy shook his head. "No, sorry."

"Our wings wouldn't last long enough to carry you all out." Marlow frowned.

"We are underneath the temple." Gray sighed.

"Wow! This is so cool. Hey, a secret tunnel!"

Natsu's eyes twinkled and before anyone could speak, he had pranced away through a random tunnel. Noelle groaned and reluctantly followed behind him, partially to keep Natsu from getting himself killed, and largely because the scent had grown stronger since they had fallen.

She could hear Gray in the background yelling something about a crazy person, most likely aimed at Natsu.


"..Woah.."

When Noelle caught up to Natsu she gave him a hard smack upside his head. "Idiot!" she yelled at him. "What the hell is wrong with you - taking off like that?! We don't know anything about this place, and the last thing we need is you getting yourself killed!" Noelle frowned when he didn't respond. At the same time, the bad feeling that had been lingering around her all day spiked; why? "Hey, Smokey, are you okay?" Noelle asked, waving her hands in front of his face.

Natsu blinked and pointed in front of him.

"What is it?" Noelle asked looking behind her.

She wished she hadn't. That feeling of eeriness increased tenfold, and her heart plunged into her chest. Her blue eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. The sight before her left her breathless, and not in the good kind of way. Noelle felt numb. Her heart began to accelerate, and cold sweat started tor un down her face. Her stomach was doing more flips and turns than it would have in any vehicle, and her heart, already frail; shattered into thousands of little, tiny, pieces.

"N-n-n-o! T-this can't be real! Why...why is it here?!..."

The magic she had sensed before, the one that had felt so familiar to her, all made sense now. Before her and Natsu was a giant, solidified rock of ice; shimmering in beautiful hues of blue, and purple, each shard of ice reflecting against the open moonlight that shined down on them. The way the moon rays danced upon the ice, made it seem as if it were made of millions of glittering diamonds. From inside the ice, stood a massive, blackened shadow of a monster Noelle had hoped to never have to see again.

Noelle stepped back shaking like a leaf, too stunned to speak.

Natsu noticed her change of behavior but didn't question on it, he was more focused on whatever the hell it was in front of them.

"Hey guys, what's that?" He asked so casually, so carefree, blissfully unaware of the monster sealed away.

Noelle was so paralyzed with fear that she hadn't even realized the others had caught up with them. She had only snapped out of her trance when she felt the anger surging off Gray, and the sorrow filled crack of his voice as he spoke.

"That's...impossible," He stood shocked. "It's Deliora. But how?...how could this happen; why is it here?!" Gray's fist curled and his voice raised in volume. "What the hell is it doing on Galuna Island?!"

Noelle desperately wished to know the same thing. It should still be on the Northern Continent!

"There's no way," Gray's body was shaking with anger. He was on the verge of a breakdown, and Noelle understood why he was feeling strongly.

"You've seen this thing before?" Natsu asked.

Gray ground his teeth together and looked at the monster in seething rage.

Lucy grabbed Gray's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. "Gray, please try to calm down." She says. it's obvious seeing her friend so upset is upsetting her. "Now, can you tell us about it?" She asks when he's calm enough.

Noelle answers for him. "It's Deliora. The Demon of Destruction." Her voice is full of venom, yet her eyes are full of sadness. Marlow rather than make a sarcastic remark, instead nestled himself in Noelle's arms and affectionately rubbed his head against her chin.

"Demon of construction?" Natsu snorts.

"Destruction." Happy corrects him with a sigh.

The sound of footsteps echoing in the distance pulls the group from their thoughts. Quickly they run and hide behind a large mound of rocks and camouflage themselves against the darkness. Noelle crouches down beside Gray and focuses her hearing. Her ear twitches as a unfamiliar male voice echoes throughout the cave.

"The voices seem to be coming from down here." He speaks in a cool, slightly sinister voice.

Noelle peaks through the cracks of the rocks and narrows her eyes at the man; he has blue hair and crazy eyebrows. "I hate being awake during the day. So Toby, were you exposed to the Moon Drip? You've got those pointy ears." He asks his canine like companion.

Marlow's eyes widened. "Whoa...a werewolf!' he whispered excitedly. Noelle thought the man looked more like a dog, rather than a fearsome werewolf.

"I already told you they are a fashion statement you jerk!" Toby, she presumed, angrily barked, quite literally. He had the body of human but his face was more of a dogs face. A very strange one.

"Calm down. I was just teasing you." The blue-haired one says, annoyed by the the other.

"You don't have to be so mean about it." Toby said in pouty voice.

"Yuka, Toby, something terrible has happened," A new comer, a female, with pink hair and a dark blue leather dress, spoke sadly to them.

"What now, Sherry?" Yuka asked.

"It's Angelica, she's been attacked and I'm sad."

"You're moping around because someone beat up your stupid pet rat?!" Toby barked angrily. He seemed to be a loose cannon.

"She's not a rat! She's a brave hunter, prowling the jungle to protect us. She is, love." The way she emphasized the word love sent a shiver down Noelle's spine.

"Sherry, my darling blossom, please don't be sad; it's not befitting of someone as beautiful as you," A new voice said. "You have nothing fear M'Lady! For I am the fearless knight - Barnet Jutsus - and I will protect you from any evil that threatens to come your way!"

Noelle sweatdropped. 'Does this guy hear himself?'

The man in question was tall, with tan skin, and dark purple hair that spiked off to the right side of his head, while the back fell slightly longer; his face was well sculpted, even with the nasty scar that slash across it, and the smaller one that intercepted it; his face was matched by his prideful silver eyes, that gleamed underneath the moonlight.

The man - Barnet, as he had called himself - wore a tight fitting, long sleeved black shirt that showed off his muscular physique; a gleaming piece of silver arm was placed over his chest, and silver arm guards covered his arms, as well as a pair of silver gloves; snug fitted brown pants hugged his lower half, and tucked into steel-toed boots. Over his ensemble he wore a velvet red cape, that was full of tears and holes, and appeared to be singed near the bottom.

Noelle could just barely make out a large sword on his back that was obsidian in color, and wrapped in golden ribbon.

"I don't know who these people are, but talk about a bunch of weirdos!" Lucy whispered. "Especially the chick with the pet rat."

Noelle snorted. "Are we in any position to judge them?"

"From their scent I can tell that their not from the island." Natsu said focusing on the group.

"He's right." Noelle nodded. 'Are they the ones responsible for bringing Deliora here?'

"And they don't look like they have the demon curse." Happy whispered.

"Intruders you say?" Yuka says snapping the group from their conversation.

The woman sighed sadly. "And it's almost time to begin collecting moonlight again. Oh, this makes me so sad," She frowned. "This news will displease the Cold Emperor. We should get ride of them before he finds out. Yes, me must find them, before the moons first light."

"Agreed." Yuka smiles and Toby growls.

"It is the sworn duty of a knight to dispose of his enemies," Barnet declared, pointing his sword at Deliora. "None shall stand in the way of the Cold Emperor!"

"Since they've seen Deliora we can't allow them to live. We'll give them the gift of eternal rest. We'll give them love."

"You're talking about death, right?" Toby asked.

Just as Noelle was brainstorming ways for them to escape, Happy and Marlow had picked up loose stones and thrown them in the opposite direction of them, alerting the strange groups attention.

What was that?" Sherry questioned.

"Over there!"

They group of four all take off running out of the tunnel allowing the Fairy Tail crew to step out and stretch their achy muscles.

"Good work you two." Noelle praised the cats.

"Yeah, nice jobs cats." Lucy smiled.

"Come on! We should have grabbed them and beat some answers out of them!"

Of course Natsu was thinking with his fist and not his brain.

"Not yet," Lucy shook her head. "We've gotta do some investigating."

"Man, this job keeps getting more and more complicated." Natsu sighed.

"Right? Like who is this Cold Emperor guy?" Happy asks.

"Someone who really likes the cold?" Marlow suggested dryly.

"Deliora," Gray said pulling them back to the elephant - or rather monster - in the room. "I still don't understand what anyone would want with it. And how the hell were they even able to find it?"

"That's a very good question." Noelle said with narrowed eyes. "To be brought so far..."

"Was it hidden somewhere?" Lucy asked.

"It was sealed away inside a glacier on the Northern Continent." Noelle sighed.

"A decade ago this immortal demon ravaged Isvan; countless people lost their lives," Gray's voice was solemn. "The woman who taught me how to use my -" Gray glanced at Noelle. "Our magic," he corrected himself. "Our Master - Ur - sacrificed everything to seal it away. I don't know if it has anything to do with the curse on this island, but I do know that it doesn't belong here. This Cold Emperor. We have to find out who is it. If they tarnish our Master's legacy, their gonna regret the day they were born!"

"Everything is so clear now," Noelle laughed dryly.

Lucy and Natsu seemed to be confused.

"It's so clear. The dream, the smell, that lingering feeling, I should have known!" Noelle yelled and smashed her fists into the side of the wall, leaving an ident of her fist behind.

"Damn it," she hissed wiping her tears "I should have known!"

"Noelle, are you okay? Why are you crying?" Lucy asked while gently laying a hand on Noelle's shoulder. She didn't like seeing Noelle get so upset, and not knowing how to help her.

Noelle looked at Lucy with miserable sadness written in her eyes.

"Ur was someone very precious to me," Noelle spoke through clenched teeth. "She was somebody I cherished, and looked up to. I had found Ur not too long after my foster mother, Isoldeth, disappeared; she took me under her wing, and taught me how to use Maker Magic.."

Noelle's tears fell faster.

"Ur...Ur was like a mother to me. She was a very important figured in my life," Noelle's canine bared and her eyes shaped into slits. "On Isoldeth's life, and those I hold precious to my heart; this Cold Emperor - whoever the hell he is - will be sorry. I will not stand idly by and allow them to trample all over Ur's legacy!" Noelle howled with a fire lit behind her eyes.

'I'll stop them no matter what it takes. I'll protect your legacy, Ur; I won't let them get away with this.'


End Note: Whoo! Welcome to the story, Barnet - you lovable pervert! God, I missed these characters. I forgot how much I loved writing this story, and how excited I am to get to the later chapters. Though, once the Galuna Island Arc is finished, I'll be slowing down and incorporating my own spins to the story such a missions, arcs, and the like. I don't want the story to go by too quickly, ya know?

I'll be deleting the Ice Slayer once this story passes it in chapters.