Chapter Eleven: Noelle Vs. Barnet the Knight of Justice!
Tension was thick in the air, and everyone seemed to be unsure of what to say, or what to do. Noelle wanted to cut through the unbearable silence, but her mind was clouded by her thoughts; why was all of this happening?
"Are you guys sure this is the demon your Master sealed away?" Lucy asked breaking the silence.
"There's no doubt about it." Noelle and Gray both answered.
"I wonder why it was transported all the way from the Northern Continent to Galuna Island." Happy whispered aloud.
"You don't think the demon could have something to do with the islands curse, do you?" Lucy asks.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it did. It may be enclosed in ice, but that things still alive." Gray shrugged, glaring at the demon within the ice.
"Sweet! Give me a go at it! I ain't afraid of no stinking demon!" Natsu wound his fists and grinned at the chunk of ice. "A little fire oughta do the trick!"
"You know brute force isn't the only way to solve a problem, Natsu." Lucy sighed at his recklessness.
Noelle's eyes narrowed dangerously and her fists balled at her sides. Noelle didn't think; she acted. Without missing a beat she brought her fist back and threw it into Natsu's face, mirrored by Gray who apparently had the same idea.
"Gray and Noelle just punched Natsu!" Happy yelled stunned by their actions.
"K-O!" Marlow cheered, pumping his stubby fists. "Hit him again, give him a left, and a right! POW! Right in the kisser!"
"What's the deal?! Why'd you guys hit me!?" Natsu whined holding both sides of his sore and swollen face.
Gray stared at Natsu menacingly. "I don't want you and your flames anywhere near it! if that ice melts and Deliora is revived, there's no way we'd be able to stop it!"
"Come on, do you think a huge chunk of ice would be that easy to melt?" Natsu said, annoyed that he had been ambushed by the ice wizards.
"No."
Noelle glared at Natsu. "I don't give a damn about Deliora," she snarled. "That ice is Ur. Her spirit lives on it, so keep your filthy flames away from it!"
"Man, you ice jerks are so cold!" Natsu threw his hands up and walked away from them.
Noelle knew his flames couldn't melt the ice alone, but just the thought of it made her blood boil.
"Are you guys okay?" Lucy whispered concerned for her friends. It hurt her to see them so angry.
Natsu didn't care for this. "I'm the one who got hit for no good reason! Watch your tempers!"
"Please, your one to talk." Happy giggled.
"Many years ago our Master Ur cast a spell called Iced Shell on this demon," Noelle said. "This type of ice can't be melted. Not even the most powerful flame spell would have any effect on it.
"I don't understand," Gray sighed. "If they knew the ice couldn't be melted, why'd they bring it here? It doesn't make any sense."
"Maybe they didn't know? They might have brought it here to try to melt it somehow." Lucy said.
"But why would they do that?!" Gray exploded.
"U-um I have no idea!" Lucy squeaked and ducked behind Natsu.
"This isn't Lucy's fault, Gray," Noelle gently held onto his arm. "Relax a little, okay? We're going to get to the bottom of this. Promise." Noelle smiled.
Gray looked down at her hand with a frown. Noelle had expected him to brush it aside, but to her surprise, he moved it so he was holding it instead. Gray gave her hand a slight squeeze that had her facing burning red.
"I don't get it. Who would bring Deliora here, and why?" Gray was beginning to grow restless with all the unanswered questions around them.
"We need answers. Let's go find those guys." Natsu says, probably itching for a fight.
Lucy nods. "Yeah, okay."
"No. We're going to stay here and wait." Gray declared. He didn't bother looking at him; he was solely focused on the ice.
"Wait for what?" Happy and Marlow both ask.
"For the moon to come out, right?" Noelle glances at him. "Sounds like a plan to me."
"The moon? But it's the middle of the afternoon! Forget that," Natsu fans his hands,."If I have to hang out here I'll die of boredom!"
"But Gray, why does the moon matter?" Lucy asks ignoring Natsu.
"I have a feeling that the curse on this island and Deliora are somehow connected to it, and I heard those guys we saw earlier say something about collecting moonlight."
Lucy nodded. "I heard that too. I guess waiting until nightfall is the only way we are going to figure out what's going on here."
Noelle frowned. "Moonlight? Is that how they plan to revive Deliora?"
"I'M NOT WAITING! WE'VE GOT WORK TO D-"
"You're getting on my last nerve, Natsu!" Noelle yelled, swinging around to the fire slayer, and slamming her foot full force into his gut, that was followed by an uppercut. "Do us all a favor and shut up for a while, okay?" Noelle smirked and let him drop to the ground.
Lucy looked absolutely horrified while Gray only gave a weak snort.
"Noelle is scary!" Happy said with large tears falling down his face.
"You finally did something useful!" Marlow cheered giving her a thumbs-up.
After everything had settled down the group had split off in their own way. Lucy, Happy, and Marlow were sitting near Natsu, and Gray sat on a rock that was placed in front of the ice. Noelle had made herself comfortable by leaning against the ice as a back support. The coolness brought a comforting feeling to her. Discreetly, she snuck a glance at Natsu to make sure the wizard was doing okay. She hadn't meant to hit him so hard, but he had gotten on her nerves; and needed to be dealt with someway.
"Must be nice," Lucy hummed. "He doesn't have to worry about anything but eating, sleeping, and fighting."
"Aye, that's Natsu for you."
"I gotta admit I'm a little it jealous."
That wasn't true at all. "Natsu has a lot more to worry about than just those three things, Lucy," Noelle said sternly. "There's more to being a Dragon Slayer than eating, sleeping, and fighting. That's like saying all Celestial Wizards are cowards who use their spirits as tools. Don't forget that Natsu is hurting deep down, too. He may put on a brave face, but he misses Igneel just as much as I miss Isoldeth, and you miss your mother."
Noelle looked away when seeing the shocked and hurt expression on Lucy's face. She hadn't meant for it to come out so cold; but Lucy was insulting both hurt and Natsu. They both had plenty to worry about, but chose to keep it hidden; but it didn't make it hurt any less.
Noelle decided to check on Gray and see how he was doing. He was still staring at the ice with his hands cuffed under his chin. Noelle sat down next to him with her knees cradling her chest. She rested her arms across of them, and nestled her chin in her arms. At first she had found her dream about Ur odd. She hadn't dreamed of her Master in years - but it all made sense now. Noelle had been with Ur longer than Gray, but not quite as long as Lyon; Ur loved them all equally. No one was treated differently than the other, which made her so great in Noelle's eyes. Ur was such a strong woman, with an even stronger heart. Even though she carried her own scars over her heart, she made room for them. They were her precious students.
Noelle smiled reminiscing about her teacher.
"You didn't think this was going to be easy, did you, Noelle? I did warn you that training with me wasn't going to be an easy task. Don't expect me to go soft on you because you're a child; how else would you learn?"
Noelle stood in snow up to her ankles with only a loose pair of black shorts and a dark blue training bra on. Ur had this odd habit of making them train in their underwear. It was to teach them to endure the cold - it was embarrassing. Her body wasn't affected by the cold anyways! Why did she have to do this?
"I never asked you to easy on me, Ur! Come on - give me everything you've got - I can take!"
Ur smirked, and before Noelle could even blink she was being smacked in the face by an icy hammer. She laid on the ground dazed, as Ur stood over her with a triumphant smirk, and Gray and Lyon stood off to the side laughing their frozen butts off.
"Is that all you've got?" Ur grinned.
"Tsk. Lucky shot." Noelle grumbled and got back up. "Alright! Round two, let's go!"
Noelle smiled at the memory. She was so confident back then.
"You know, you're a lot like her. It's kinda scary, actually." Noelle laughed. "I'm just glad I was able to break that stupid stripping habit; look at all the trouble it's gotten you into."
Gray mustered up a smile that made Noelle's heart skip a beat.
"I know I agreed to wait but this is so boring." Lucy whined like a child.
"Aye.."
"I'm bored too." Marlow sighed.
"Oh I know!" Lucy beamed pulling out a silver key. "Open," She swung her key. "Gate of the Harp Constellation: Lyra!"
A very happy Spirit appeared. She had a blue and pink dress on that reminded Noelle of something out of a nursery rhyme, and she had large white wings on her back, as well as a large harp.
"Oh wow. I haven't seen you in forever Lucy!" Lyra happily said, waving her hands a mile a minute.
"Hey Lyra." Lucy greeted her.
"Say, how come you never call me anymore? It's not fair! I would love to help you out, but you ignore me; you meanie!" Lyra childishly accused Lucy.
"Meanie, huh? You're the one who told me you were only available three days a month."
"Are you sure about that?" Lyra sweatdropped.
"Great, another weirdo." Happy sighed closing his eyes.
"So what would you like to hear me sing? Any requests?"
"Nope," Lucy shrugged. "Whatever you want."
"Do you know any songs about fish?" Happy asks.
"How about a song about death?" Marlow grinned sickly.
"Kay! I got a song I think you're going to love Lucy!" Lyra shouted with a thumbs-up.
"Lyra has the most beautiful singing voice!" Lucy smiled.
"Well, Mira's a singer to you know, and she sings song about fish for me." Happy pouted.
Noelle's eyes fluttered shut as Lyra began to sing a song that she hadn't heard, in a very long time.
Located in a small mountain village surrounded by mountains of snow, is a medium wooden home. Inside, is a woman, sitting in a large, red leather chair clutching a small child to her chest. The child is a young Noelle, who is about three years old. Noelle's head is pressed against the woman's bosom, and her small hands are twisted into her dress. The woman, who's face is blurred out, smiles down at her; lovingly stroking her hair.
"Can't sleep mama," Noelle tiredly pouts. "Sing for me. Please?" Noelle looks up at the woman's face with big, innocent blue eyes.
"What would you like to hear me sing, my beloved snowflake?"
Noelle thought for a minute and shook her head. "You choose mama."
The woman smiles and taps her chin in thought. "I believe I have just the song! Ah, Nicholai, what are you doing awake?" The woman looks up and notices a small boy, around six years old, watching them with messy white hair, and tired purple eyes.
"I couldn't sleep." Nicholai grumbles while rubbing at his eyes.
"Nicky!" Noelle's eyes light up and her small, stubby arms reach out towards her brother. "Bubba! Come! Mama's going to sing!"
Nicholai smiles at the young girls and makes his way over to the large chair. He pulls himself up in the lap of the woman, and gently takes the young girl from her embrace, setting her down on his lap and using her head as a chin wrest, and his arms coiled around her tiny waist.
"Comfy?" He grins down at her.
"Uh-huh!" Noelle grins back. "Sing mama, sing!"
The woman laughs and hugs her children close to her. "Listen closely my lovelies." She whispered, as she began to sing her melody.
"Words are born into air
And quickly fade out in the wind
But they find there way inside you
Where they live on forever more
When the skies are dark and full of rain
Look inside your heart
Light, so warm and all the glow
Shinning just like the sun
You can see just how much you've grown
How strong you are
Love will open up to you
And it starts from the day from the day you first heard those words
Ooooooooh"
The soft voice of their mother lures the children into a gentle slumber. She smiles down at her children; her youngest, safely tucked against her brothers chest, snoring softly; and her oldest, hugging his sister lovingly, a smile on his face as he gently snored. Her chest swelled with love and pride for the children she held dear to her heart.
"Momma loves her little snowdrops."
Noelle smiled in her sleep, enjoying the warmth and comfort and sense of security she felt, when being close to her mother and brother. It was moments like these that she cherished, and wished could last forever.
But nothing last forever.
Everything has to end.
No matter how badly we wish for them to stay.
Noelle's eyes snap open and she instinctively clutches a hand to her chest. She slowly breathes in and out, and takes a minute to gather her surroundings; she's still in the cave. Noelle frowns, hurt, and sadness, pinches at her chest. A memory of a time long forgotten.
"Gray, what's wrong?" Lucy asks having noticed his behavior.
Noelle forces her feelings aside and spares a glance at Gray from the corner of her eye. His fingers are interlocked, turning white from the pressure he's applying to them, and his black hair shades his eyes from view. But the tear that slides down his cheek is unmistakable.
With the attention now on him Gray swipes the tear away and speaks in a shaky voice. "Nothing. I'm fine."
"You seem upset." Happy frowned. Marlow looked at Noelle a bit sadly.
"Well, one of Lyra's talents is singing songs that relate to what her audience is feeling." She looks from Gray to Noelle with sadness.
"Did her song make you cry?" The little blue cat asks.
"I," He pauses. "Wasn't crying."
"I think we should skip the singing. We need to stay quiet, we don't want to be found out." Noelle sighed.
"She's right." Gray nodded, though he was more quiet than usual.
An hour had passed and everyone except for Noelle and Gray has fallen asleep. At first, the silence between them was comforting, but now, it was starting to bug her. Silence made her think, made her remember things, neither of which she wanted to do. She glanced at Gray who had his head down, streaks of tears were stained on his cheek. Noelle frowned. She didn't like this - she didn't like seeing him this way; so sad, so vulnerable. It didn't feel right.
"You know, there's nothing wrong with crying. Its what makes us human, right? Everyone does it," Noelle smiled and swiped the tears from Gray's cheeks. "And for a guy to cry, that's pretty damn manly, I bet Elfman would agree, don't you think?"
There was the tiniest hint of a smile on his face. "You're such a weirdo," He smiled and finally looked up at her. His eyes were red and puffy, and filled with so many emotions. It made her want to hug him.
So she did.
"Was your dream about?..."
"Ur? Yeah," Noelle nodded her head. "I had snuck out of the house one night while you all were asleep. I was really upset about Isoldeth, and my family. Ur found me crying, and comforted me; she stayed with me until I cried myself to sleep, and then carried me to our room." Noelle sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I should...I should have done something, anything! I should have stopped her from casting that damn spell! But I was so weak, and scared. I stood back like a coward as our Master sacrificed herself."
The tears were falling freely, but she didn't care. Ever since that day she watched Ur sacrifice herself she had felt guilty. She had the power to kill a dragon for God sakes! She could have easily taken Deliora out! At least, that's what she told herself. Truthfully, she didn't know if she could have or not, but she didn't even try, she just watched as Ur gave her life up.
At this point Noelle was sobbing grossly and didn't care if she woke the others up or not. She had kept these feeling caged inside her for yeas, and she'd be lying if she said it didn't feel good to let them go.
The sudden feeling of being pulled into a warm embrace made Noelle tense and halted her crying. "Gray.." She whispered, weakly trying to push him away, but the wizard didn't budge. Noelle sighs and buries her face in his shoulder.
"You aren't responsible, it's my fault," Gray whispers.
He sounded so broken; so lost. Noelle gently cupped his face and made sure he was looking at her. "Gray," She spoke quietly. "Your are not responsible for Ur's death."
"But-"
She placed a finger to his lips, "Even if you did go looking for Deliora, is isn't your fault," she said. "The only one responsible for what happened to Ur is Ur herself; she chose to cast the Iced Shell; she chose to sacrifice her life; to protect the ones most precious to her, that's just how Ur was. She was always looking out for her students," Noelle smiled and brushed his hair back. "So don't go blaming yourself."
"Noelle..." Gray said with his head lowered.
"Yeah?" she blinked.
It was so quick if she would have blinked she would have missed it. A simple kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you," he smiled up at her blue eyes. "So, um..." Gray coughed. Why did he do that?! The Ice mage felt like slapping himself!
Noelle squeaked and fell backwards onto her butt. "Guah! What the hell Gray?! Are you seriously trying to take advantage of me in a moment like this?!" Noelle yelled with a very red face.
Gray blinked. "What?! That's not - I wasn't! I was just thankful, okay?!"
"It wasn't like that!"
"That's what they all say, Fullbuster!"
"Argh! Just forget it, Yuletide!"
Lucy watched the two bicker with one another through half-lidded eyes. She chuckled quietly. Noelle had once said to her that there wasn't anyone capable in the world of thawing her heart.
But Lucy was starting to believe otherwise.
Nighttime had come and with it came a violent tremor that shook the ground. Noelle who had been sleeping snapped herself awake and took up a defensive stance.
"What the hell is happening?" She yelled as the ground shook beneath her feet.
"What's that weird noise?" Lucy mumbled while wiping the sleep from her eyes.
"Is it night yet?!" Natsu yelled jolting awake.
If things weren't strange enough a large magic circle suddenly appeared over Deliora. It was a pinkish-purple color that shined down a shimmering purple light on Deliora.
"It's a beam of light!"
"Shining down from the ceiling!"
Lucy and Natsu yelled.
"But why is it purple? It must be moonlight." Gray said backing away.
"Its shining on Deliora!" Lucy gasped.
"I don't think that's a coincidence."
"Natsu's right. We need to go investigate." Noelle nodded to her friends.
As they ran upstairs they suddenly stopped seeing yet another magic circle, similar to the one down below. Noelle furrowed her brows and sniffed the air.
"That smell.. it's so familiar." She knew it, but she couldn't place it quite yet.
"Why would someone cast a magic circle inside this old temple?" Gray says snapping Noelle from her thoughts.
"Let's find out!" Natsu yells.
Following Natsu's lead the group runs out of the temple and takes cover as they come across a group or people wearing robes and masks. They stand around the magic circle that bathes down on Deliora, chanting some strange words that Noelle can't make out.
"What are they doing?" She whispers.
"They're like a freaky cult of monster worshipers!" Marlow giggled.
"It looks like those robed freak are chanting some kind of spell to collect the moonlight." Natsu says as he crouches down beside Noelle.
"And shine it on Deliora," Lucy whispered. "But what for?"
"It's a spell called Moon Drip."Lyra, who appeared from nowhere, decided to answer.
"What are you still doing here?" Lucy asks in a scolding voice.
"I see. That's what they're trying to do."
"Okay tease, fill us in." Lucy told Lyra.
Lyra nodded and pointed at the strange people. "They're using the Moon Drip spell to melt the ice surrounding the demon underground so they can resurrect it."
"What?!" Natsu gasped.
"They can't! The ice used in an Iced Shell can't be melted." Gray quickly defended.
"He's right," Noelle nodded. "Second to my magic, Iced Shell is the strongest kind of ice known."
"I hate to say it but that's not entirely true," Lyra shook her head. "While the Iced Shell is strong it can be melted using Moon Drip; focused moon energy can break any magical spell."
"Idiots! They've never witnessed the wrath of Deliora!" Gray growled out.
"Calm down Gray," Noelle clamped a hand down on his shoulder."We aren't going to let that happen."
"I think what the islanders believe is a curse against them may actually be side affects of the Moon Drip," Lyra says in a hushed whisper. "Concentrated moon energy can contaminate their body, I'm afraid the poor islanders have been exposed to way too much of it."
"I'll make them pay!"
"Hold it," Lucy said punching Natsu. "Someone's coming this way."
Noelle's nose flared and the anger she had been feeling suddenly tripled. Her fist tightened and her canines enlarged themselves.
"I should have known." She growled towards the newcomer.
A man wearing a helmet and cloak walks with Yuka, Toby, Sherry, and Barnet, there's a confident stride in his walk, as well as an air of confidence around him.
"What a waste. I lost so much precious sleep for nothing," Complains Yuka. "We searched all day for the intruders but never found a trace of them."
"Maybe there wasn't any!" Toby yelled with rage lacing his voice.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news Cold Emperor," Sherry steps beside him. "We thought we had intruders during the day, but it seems they got away somehow. I can not speak of love in this situation."
"My Emperor," Barnet knelled before him. "What are your orders?"
"Intruders?" He speaks in a voice that sends chills down Noelle's spine and makes Gray's jaw drop.
"So that guys their leader." Natsu whispered darkly.
"He's trying to act all high and mighty wearing that stupid looking mask." Lucy scoffs.
"I don't know I think it looks kinda cool." Happy smiles, a blush dusting his cheeks.
Marlow looked at Noelle with scrunched brows. 'She knows him.'
"Has Deliora been awakened yet?" The "Cold Emperor" asks.
"It should be later tonight or tomorrow, sir."
"Which one is it girl!" Toby angrily barks.
"The time has almost come, if you see those intruders again, kill them. I don't want anyone getting in my way."
"They must have been villagers. They are the only other people on this island." Sherry says.
"Then destroy the village."
"Yes sir!"
"Understood."
Toby growled and nodded his head.
"As you wish, Emperor." Barnet bowed.
"What?!" Natsu hisses.
"But the villagers didn't have anything thing to do with it." There's fear and anger in Lucy's voice.
"Yeah..we gotta stop him.."
Noelle nodded. "For once," She smirked. "I agree with charcoal for brains."
"It's a shame there has to be bloodshed." The Cold Emperor speaks with a smile.
"That voice..no..it can't be!" Gray's quivering eyes lock with Noelle, as if asking for confirmation.
She nods at him with a tight-lipped frown.
"I've had enough of this sneaking around business! It's not the villagers, we're the intruders your after!" Natsu yelled unleashing a massive fireball in the air.
Noelle groaned and slapped a hand to her face. "You idiot!"
Yuka, Toby, Sherry, and Barnet all looked back with shock on their faces. Natsu grins at them, determination burning within his coal colored eyes.
"Geez I guess there's not turning back now, huh?" Lucy sighs and readies herself into a fighting stance.
"I want to help out too! Want me to sing?"
"No. I want you to go back."
"Aww your no fun."
"I know that mark. Their from Fairy Tail!" Sherry gasped.
"Interesting, those villagers must have gone to the magical guilds for help." Yuka says without interest.
"Don't worry about them. Go eradicate the village." The Cold Emperor says so easily that it even shocks his followers.
"What?" Lucy whispered.
"But why?" Natsu demands.
He chuckled. "Anyone who stands in my way, whether deliberately or not, is my enemy."
"Say what?!"
In that moment all hell broke loose. Natsu and Gray immediately charged him while Noelle and Lucy stayed back.
"You idiots!" Noelle scowled and jumped over the wall they had been hiding behind.
"Stop this crazy ceremony right now!" Gray screamed slamming his fists on the ground and creating jagged pillars of ice that raced towards the Cold Emperor.
The Cold Emperor was quick to act; slamming his palm on the ground and creating a thinner, more neater version of Gray's attack. The two attack collided into an explosion of ice.
"He's an ice wizard too?!" Happy yelled.
"Lyon!" Gray growled.
"Lyon?" Lucy said in confusion.
"I knew it!" Noelle scowled. "You son of a bitch! What the hell are you thinking, Lyon?!" Noelle yelled at him, furry within her eyes.
"How could you? Do you have any idea of what you're doing?!" Gray yelled furiously.
"Oh, Gray, It's been quite a while, hasn't it?" Lyon spoke so casually. As if speaking to a long lost friend.
"Why would you revive Deliora?!"
"To think, that you were one of the wizards called to this island to help those poor villagers. Did you come knowing you would find me? Or is this just mere coincidence? Not that it matters any to me."
With Lyon distracted Noelle ran at him from behind. "Ice Dragon: Wi - shit!" Noelle scowled and flipped backwards, narrowly dodging the blade that had been aimed at her. "You," she glared at Barnet. "Get out of my way."
"As a knight I have sworn to protect my Emperor," Barnet loudly declared. "But," trickles of sweat fell down his face. "As a gentleman, I cannot fight you. Please surrender, and I will ask that the Cold Emperor to spare you."
Noelle glared at him. "Over my dead body! Either fight me, or get out of my way; your choice," she narrowed her eyes and created a sword of ice. "Well?"
Barnet's cheeks were pink and he seemed to be having an internal debate with himself.
"It is against my honor to fight a woman - especially one as beautiful as you, so please, don't make me do this!" Barnet sobbed, large, comical, tears.
Noelle sweatdropped. "Why do I always get stuck with the weirdos?" She grumbled bitterly.
Lyon chuckled drawing Noelle's attention back to him. "Noelle, it's been even longer since I've seen you, and what a shame, you're still as weak as ever. Such a pity."
"You bastard!" Noelle drew her sword and prepared to strike, only to be blocked by Barnet.
"I cannot allow you to harm the Emperor," there were still tears in his eyes. "If that means we must duel, so be it!" Barnet weakly raised his sword in the air and got into a shaky stance. "Prepare yourself for I, Barnet Justus, has never lost in battle!"
"Well I, Noelle Yuletide, don't really care," Noelle rolled her eye., "So cut the knight crap and fight me like a man!"
"Acquaintances of yours Cold Emperor?" Yuka asks.
"Do as you were ordered. I can handle the intruders on my own."
"Hey wait, come back here!" Natsu yelled, not using his head and rushing to chase after them.
"No, Natsu wait! Don't go near him!" Gray yelled out to the idiotic fire slayer.
It was too late. Lyon hit his mark. Natsu started to slowly become absorbed into a ball of ice, only his head, arms, and legs remained unfrozen. If it weren't for the current situation Noelle would have laughed.
"Happy, Marlow, get Lucy out of here!" Noelle commanded and jumped back as Barnet weakly slashed at her. "Really? Is that the best you can do?"
Barnet pouted. "I cannot bring myself to harm you," he dramatically covered his eyes with his arm. "It goes against everything I believe in! If it weren't for your long, flowing hair, and your luscious curves," Barnet peaked back at Noelle with a goofy gaze. "If you were only a man! Why must fate be so cruel?!"
"So," Noelle glared. "You won't fight a woman. Why's that? Are you saying we're weak?" her eyes narrowed. "Listen, pal, the last thing I need is to be criticized by somebody like you," she raised her sword. "You either fight me, or I end you right here, right now, your choice."
"Noelle! Quit wasting your time with that guy and go with Lucy! She's going to need help back at the village," Gray ordered. "Lucy can't protect the village on her own! She needs your help. Now go!" Gray yelled at the top of his lungs, making it clear there was no room for argument.
Noelle stared at him for a moment and sighed. "Fine. Just hit him once for me, okay?" She smirked. "Oh, and do something with this guy," she pointed at Barnet. "He's really annoying."
"Your words hurt my Ladyship!"
"Good!" Noelle yelled and ran off.
"Quit following me!" Noelle scowled as Barnet chased after her. "Seriously, go away!"
"I cannot do that Ladyship! I won't allow you to interfere with the Emperor's plan." Barnet yelled from behind.
"You're not doing a very good job of that, are you?" Noelle scowled and skidded to a stop. Barnet seemed to be confused as she turned to face him. "So, you won't fight me because I'm a woman, right?"
Barnet nodded,."It would go against-"
"Yeah, yeah, your honor and all that bullshit," Noelle rolled her eyes. "What if I wasn't a woman? Would you be able to fight me then?"
Barnet's brows crinkled. "Well, I suppose. Forgive me Ladyship, but your words have confused me."
Noelle smirked as a purple magic suddenly surrounded her. Barnet blinked, watching as she disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.
"Ladyship?" he called. Had she disappeared? Barnet was about to call out again when a figure stepped from the smoke, but instead of the bodacious winterette he had been expecting, it was instead...a man?!
"L-Ladyship?!" Barnet yelled with a horrified face. "Your curves - they're gone!" his eyes filled with tears. "Don't tell me, you were a man all along?!"
The figure stepped forward, instead of Noelle stood a boy with pale skin and snowy hair, his hair spiked off to the side while being short on the other, he had blue eyes just like Noelle, but they more narrowed. He was wearing a long sleeved black top, white pants tucked into gray boots, and over his shirt he wore a denim vest with a fur hood.
"I knew learning Transformation Magic would come in handy, " Noelle? spoke. "Guess this means you'll be able to fight now," Noelle cracked her/his knuckles and got into a fighting stance. "Oh, and while I'm like this, call me Nick." "Nick" winked.
Barnet shuddered, "I see, well then," suddenly, Barnet's face grew dark and his body relaxed. "Prepare yourself, Nick, for this is the end, today you will die by my blade, and Justus will prevail." Barnet said as he drew his blade.
Nick laughed and crafted his own blade from ice. "That's funny pal," Nick drew his sword back and raced towards Barnet. "But there's no way in hell I'm about to let you or Lyon step anywhere near that village!"
The two charged at each other and clashed swords, Barnet pushed against Nick and Nick pushed back, Barnet jumped backwards and pointed his blade at Nick,.
"You handle a sword well - I'm impressed. But I am only just beginning!"
Again, they clashed. Nick's sword collided with Barnet's and crumbled into dust. He frowned. "So much for using my Maker Magic," he nimbly dodged as Barnet swung his sword. "Iron Fist of the Ice Dragon!"
Nick's fists crystallized over with ice. He charged at Barnet and reeled his fast back and aimed for his face - but Barnet was quick, he whirled around Nick and swung his leg into his back sending him flying. Nick groaned as he crashed down into the earth with blood dribbling from his mouth and down his chin.
Barnet smirked down at Nick with his blade resting against his shoulder. "Brave fairy, you have fought well, but once again, Justus has prevailed. Any last words?" Barnet drew his blade towards Nick's throat.
Nick was panting. The guy had one hell of a kick! He was hurt, but this wasn't over, he still had a trick up his sleeve.
"Please," Nick whispered - purple light surrounded him, and Nick reverted back to Noelle. "Won't you have some mercy? I thought you said you'd never hit a girl?" Noelle pouted.
Her shirt had been torn showing off her cleavage and her hair was a complete mess! She puckered her lips and puffed her chest out.
"Please, I'm begging you~" Noelle purred.
Blood gushes from Barnet's nose and a goofy smile plays on his lips. "O-Oh Ladyship! How I missed your radiant beauty!" Barnet tearfully cries, dropping his sword and opening his arms. "Let us not fight anymore!"
Noelle smirked and switched back into Nick. "Idiot," Nick smirked and crashed his fist into Barnet's face. "Are all knights as dumb as you are?"
Nick didn't give Barnet any time for a counter attack. He flipped onto his hands and swung his leg into Barnet's face - the mighty knight grunted and stumbled backwards glaring at Nick. Barnet opened his mouth to speak - probably to make another speech, heaven forbid, but before he could utter a word Nick headbutted him and then punched his face. Barnet scowled at him and aimed the hilt of his sword at Nick, but Nick dodged it with ease.
"It seems my sword is doing nothing to you," Barnet glared. "Very well then," Barnet dropped his sword and charged at Nick. "We'll settle this with our fists!"
Barnet socked Nick in his jaw and the Ice mage stumbled backwards. "Oh, shit that hurt!" Nick hissed as he held his throbbing jaw. "How can you be so cruel?!" Nick cried, switching back into Noelle, "What kind of man are you?!" Noelle buried her face in her hands and cried loudly.
Barnet's eye twitched. "I will not fall for that again Ladyship," he says, and yet, his heart is pounding and his body is already moving towards her. "Oh how I hate to see a beautiful woman cry! Please, Ladyship, do not shed anymore tears, it does not do you beauty justice!"
Noelle turned her back to Barnet and furiously shook her head. "It's too late!" Noelle held back a snicker. With her back turned to him, she whispered. "Ice Make: Canon" and held the icy weapon against herself.
"Ladyship? What was that?" Barnet asked curiously as he had seen the blue light from her magic.
"Barnet," Noelle whispered seductively. "Come here, won't you please?" she cooed and slipped down the strap of her shirt. "Don't keep me waiting." she winked back at him.
Hearts filled Barnet's eyes and blood gushed form his nose. "Oh Ladyship! I knew you couldn't resist my charm!" Barnet said as he rushed towards her with open arms. "let's us celebrate our newly found love with a passionate kiss!"
Noelle giggled and turned towards him with the weapon hidden behind her back. "Okay, pucker up!" she said teasingly.
Barnet closed his eyes and puckered his lips and Noelle smirked and grabbed the canon and pointed it at him.
"You really are an idiot, aren't you?"
Barnet's eyes flew open just in time to see a blast of ice coming towards him. There was no time to dodge. The icy canon ball crashed into his stomach and sent him flying across the island. Noelle shielded her eyes and watched him fly through the sky, whistling as he eventually fell to the ground.
Noelle sighed and threw her weapon to the ground. "Next time he'll know not to take me lightly."
"Half of the fight was you playing guess who with your genitals."
When did you get here?!" Noelle glared at Marlow.
"When you become a man. You aren't a very good actor."
"Oh shut up!"
End Notes: Lots of fluff this chapter, because why not? Don't worry, they aren't going to become a couple anytime soon. It's just fun to embarrass them :D
Lucky knows what's up.
