Chapter Sixteen: 15 Minutes
"It's been over an hour."
Fairy Tail had been forced to retreat from Phantom as the Master had been injured. He was in bad condition, and was being tended to by Porlyusica. Many of there members were injured and Noelle was among the worst of them. A couple of her ribs had been broken in her fight with Roxie, and she had received a minor concussion. He was worried for her, but Polyusica ensured him that she'd be fine with the medicine she had given her, and said it wouldn't be long before she woke up. She had went on to explain to him that Noelle's magic allowed her to heal faster than the average mage which had eased his nerves.
Even so, he still couldn't help but be worried.
Gray sighed and stared down at Noelle. Her pale skin was blotted with purple and ugly yellow bruises that were complimented by cuts and scrapes, some that would no doubt leave behind a scar. Gray frowned. If he had stepped in when he wanted to than this would have never happened. But he didn't. Why didn't he? Sure, she would have probably been mad at him - but at least she'd be awake, she would be angry, but she'd be okay.
Gray hung his head low. "This is my fault." he sighed pitifully.
"Would you shut up? The whole self-pity thing is really annoying.
Gray's eyes widened when he looked up and seen Noelle staring at him.
Noelle groaned as her eyes opened. She resisted scowling at the light that burned her eyes, and instead focused on her surrounding. White walls. Beds. Medicine. Tacky decor. The infirmary. Sighing, she tried to sit up, and winced a sharp pain jerked through her. Noelle clutched her side and looked down to see that her clothes had been replaced by hospital garb, and the majority of her body was wrapped in bandage.
"I got beat that badly, huh?" Noelle scowled. How the hell could she have lost so badly? Roxie could barely land a scratch on her when they were younger, but now she had hospitalized her?! Just how strong had she gotten in the years they've been apart? Noelle frowned. Maybe she was just getting weak. That thought didn't sit with her well.
She'll be ready next time.
"This my fault.
Noelle's frown deepened when she seen Gray sitting at the edge of her bed. He looked like a bump-on-a-log and quite frankly, it was pissing her off. Why was he so upset? She was the one who got her ass handed to her. It should be her wallowing around in her sorrows; not him. Noelle forced herself into a sitting position while ignoring the pain, and glared coldly at Gray.
"Would you shut up? This whole self-pity thing is really annoying."
Gray's eyes widened and looked at Noelle in surprise.
"I'm the one who got my ass handed to me, not you; knock it off." She huffed and folded her arms over her chest. "How long have I been here? And what happened? Did we win? Is everyone okay?"
Questions were flying out of her mouth as she tried to remember what happened, but the only thing she could remember was the look of shock on Roxie's face, and Gray calling out to her as she succumbed to the darkness.
'I won't lose next time, Roxie.'
Gray felt relief wash over him seeing she was alright. He even mustered up a smile as he spoke.
"It's been over an hour since you blacked out. Porlyusica said you'd be fine as long as you took it easy and didn't go rushing off into any battles." His grin widened when he seen her nose scrunch. "As for what happened with Phantom, well, we were forced to retreat. The Master was injured and is in critical condition. Porlyusica is looking after him, but we haven't gotten any word from her in a while. As for everyone else, a lot of our members were injured, but other than that, we're doing okay."
Noelle was lost in her thoughts as she thought over what Gray told her. The Master was in critical condition. She knew Jose had to be strong to be named one of the Ten Wizard Saints, but even so, she never imagined he'd be able to defeat Master Makarov. And just how many of them had been injured? Were Erza and Natsu okay? What about Happy and Marlow? What about - Lucy! How was she doing? Noelle clutched her sheets between her fists and resisted the urge to cry. Everyone was suffering, and it was all because of Phantom! She didn't understand it! Why did this have to happen?
How could Roxie associate herself with them? After everything she had been through with them - with him! Why would she join a guild that was no better than them?
"There ain't many places in the world for people like me, pretty mama."
But Noelle was no better than Roxie. They had both been manipulated into becoming shells of their former selves. Slaves to greed. If what Roxie said was true, then what right did Noelle have to hope for a bright future?
"Why did Phantom even attack us?" Noelle choked. "It doesn't make any sense."
Gray frowned. He knew the answer but he didn't know how Noelle would react when he told her.
He sighed. "They're after Lucy."
Noelle gasped. "Lucy! What the hell do they want with her?! Is she okay?!" There was no way in hell that Noelle was going to let Phantom get anywhere enar Lucy!
"Have you ever heard about the Heartfilia family?"
"Yeah, that's Lucy family," Noelle said. "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"They were hired by Lucy's father. She ran away from home and I guess he's trying to get her back."
Anger surged through Noelle. "Her father did this? He's the reason we were attacked? What a scumbag! How could he do that to his own flesh and blood?!" Noelle practically screamed, slamming her fist down on the bed. "How is she - how is Lucy doing?"
Gray seemed surprised. Was he expecting her to be angry at Lucy? It's not her fault. We don't get to pick and choose our families. Obviously she's dealing with something they know nothing about, and Noelle is not about to start questioning her either. Frankly, she didn't care. She's her friend, and nothing is going to change that.
"She's pretty shaken up." Gray said, scratching the back of his neck. "We've tried to tell her that this has nothing to do with her, but she's not convinced, and Elfman didn't make it any better either..." He sweatdropped remembering Elfman's "word of encouragement". He shook his head and stared at Noelle with a thoughtful expression on his face. "So, how are you feeling? You look lost in thought."
"I was useless."
Gray blinked in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Noelle's hair shadowed her face. "I wasn't able to beat her, even though I was giving it everything I had; and the worst part is, that she was holding back. Roxie has an insane amount of magical enery, half she didn't even use in our fight, and I still lost. I know she was taking it easy on me, Roxie would never really hurt me, and I wouldn't seriously hurt her, either. It just pisses me off! I used to always come out on top, and I lost so damn easily! I tried so hard...but got nowhere."
Noelle laughed sourly.
"I guess you're right, Gray. Ur would ashamed of me."
Hot tears brimmed her eyes and fell down her face. Crying again. All she ever does is cry anymore, it would seem.
"And Isoldeth, she probably could see how weak I was, and that's why she left, right? Because I was no good, right, Gray?" Noelle's voice cracked as the tears came faster. "I couldn't even be there for Lucy when she needed me, after what she did for me!"
Guilt washed heavily over Gray. He didn't really mean what he had said, he only wanted to help...and he only ended up hurting her. Man, he really was clueless when it came to woman, wasn't he? Gray looked at Noelle who was crying into her knees and frowned. Part of him wanted to take her into his arms and let her know everything would be okay, that he was there for her, but she'd only get even more mad than she already was...
But it was worth the risk, right?
Noelle gasped as she felt herself being ently tugged towards Gray, and into his lap. Her face turned red and a stinging pain ripped through her insides. Noelle scowled and tried to wiggle away, but his grip was firm. "Gray, let me go," She said glaring at him. "I'm fine, alright? Just le me go." Noelle tried to look strong, but Gray seen right through her. She huffed and turned her head away from him. Whatever he had to say, she didn't want to hear it.
"I'm sorry."
Her eyes widened and she found herself facing him. "What?"
"I said I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you like I did," He frowned. "I couldn't stand seeing you being beaten down like that. None of us could. I knew if I rushed in and tried to play hero that you would chew my head off; so I improvised. In my defense, it sounded a lot better in my head," he chuckled, the faintest hint of a blush on his cheeks. "I just wanted to help, alright? I don't like seeing you get hurt, I care about you."
The words slipped from his mouth before he knew what he was saying. Both of their eyes widened and their faces turned scarlet.
"You care about me?" She squeaked.
"Well yeah, I care about everyone in Fairy Tail," Gray said. It wasn't the smoothest recovery. He just hoped she'd leave it at that and not question him too hard. Who knows what else he might say if pushed hard enough.
There was doubt to his words but Noelle didn't question it. She'd rather just leave it as it is rather than make it anymore awkward then it already is.
"Oh, right. That makes sense," She blushed lightly. "And I forgive you...I know you were only trying to help." Noelle looked up at him and smiled shyly. "I appreciate it, Gray."
Again Gray seemed shocked, but he smiled none-the-less. "You're welcome."
"Gray..." She whispered, leaning in close to him.
Gray's eyes widened and his heart began to race. Was she going to?! His mind was clouded by thoughts as he found himself parting his lips to speak. "Y-yeah?"
Noelle looked at him through her lashes and batted her eyes. Gray was sweating bullets as Noelle leaned in closer to him, until their forheads were touching.
"If you ever pull that crap again," She spoke softly. "You're going to regret it." And just as his eyes widened in shock she pulled back and pounded her fist into his face.
"Don't you ever talk about Isoldeth like that again, got it!?"
"Ow! Yeah, I get it, gees! So much for trying to help!"
Gray was beginning to think he'd never understand this woman.
"Are you sure about this? You should be resting. Porlyusica said -"
"I don't care," Noelle rolled her eyes. "I've been in worst condition. Besides, I want to see how Lucy is doing myself." And was that so wrong? She and Lucy had grown very close since they met, and Noelle couldn't imagine that she was very stable at the moment. The guild she had come to love had been attack, her friends injured, and all because of her very own father. It would be enough to make any person break.
Noelle knew Gray wanted to protest. She wanted to tell him off, bu the room had suddenly started shaking with bits of debris falling from the ceiling.
"What is this?!" Noelle yelled. She grabbed on to Gray so she wouldn't lose her balance. "Why is the guild shaking?
Suddenly Marlow came flying into the room looking distraught, which was an odd thing to see from him.
"There you two are! What are you waiting for? You have to come see this!"
"Marlow! What the hell is going on?!" Noelle demanded.
"Just come on!"
Noelle couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was a building; tall and might, on a moving island of sorts, and it was coming straight towards them - towards Fairy Tail.
"Is that...no, it can't be! The Phantom Guild! They'd go so far as to bring their guild to us?! What is wrong with these people?! They've completely lost their minds!"
"I never anticipated this. I can't believe they'd go to such extremes to attack us!" Erza gasped.
Noelle was surprised to see Erza shaking, whether from fear, or anger, she couldn't tell; but the fear in her eyes was undeniable. If Erza was afraid, than this meant bad news for then. If things weren't bad enough the Phantom Guild suddenly parked it's self in the ocean. One of the walls of the building rose and out of it came a bronze canon that was pointed straight at them. The canon expanded, becoming longer, and much deadlier looking. The canon was swirling with purple energy as it prepared to fire.
Noelle could feel sweat running down her face as she stared at the weapon. "What the hell is that thing?" She asked but no one answered. Her guild mates - her friends - they were scared. Fearful of what Phantom was going to do to them. "Erza, what do we do?" Noelle turned her attention to the red-headed wizard.
"Everyone, run!" Erza commanded. "Get out of here now!"
Erza went running forward as everyone backed up. "Erza what the hell are you thinking?!" Noelle yelled as she pushed herself away from Gray.
"Erza!" Mirajane cried.
"Don't be stupid!" Macao yelled.
"Erza listen to them! There's no way you can stop that thing!" Noelle cried in fear of my friends life. "Why does she have to be so damn stubborn?!"
Their cries went on death ears as Erza requipped into an armor Noelle's never seen before.
"She requipped!" Cana yelled over the commotion of the guild.
"What are you doing?!" Loke demanded of her.
"Protecting the guildhall!" Erza declared.
They all begged for her to come back; she was defiant. Erza yelled at them to stay back, and put up her shields as the Jupiter blast was fired. Noelle could feel tears filling her eyes. The fear of losing someone else squeezed her heart. "I-I can't let her do this!" Noelle tried to run but was held back. "Barnet! Let me go!" She screamed at the gallant knight, who carried a solemn look.
"You would only get in her way. She'll be fine. I'm sure of it. We must have faith in her."
Noelle knew deep down that hew as right, but still...if something happened to Erza because of them, she would never be able to forgive herself. Noelle tried to relax and nodded to Barnet to let him know she understood. She seen that Gray was struggling to hold Natsu back and walked over to them, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"She's going to be fine Natsu. We just need to believe in her."
"But!"
"Trust her." Noelle said more sternly. Even if she wasn't convinced herself.
The blast of magic fought against Erza's shield as she struggled to force it back. Her armor began to crack and break away as her shield began to fall apart. Noelle's heart skipped a beat. "You can do it Erza, don't give up!" She yelled, in hopes that hearing words of encouragement would help her triumph, and they did. The magic from the Jupiter canon faded in once big explosion that sent Erza flying through the air and crashing to the ground.
"ERZA!" Natsu and Noelle screamed.
The two rushed over to the fallen wizard to check that she was okay. Her armor had been completely destroyed, but she was still alive - low on magical energy. Noelle frowned knowing that if the canon was to fire again there would be no way to stop it.
"I don't believe it," Macao gasped. "She was actually able to stop it."
"Once again Erza is the manliest one in the guild." Elfman said.
"Yeah, but look." Cana said pointing out Erza's fragile state.
"Makarov has fallen," Jose's voice rang through the air. "And now Erza can no longer stand. Any chance of victory has slipped through your fingers. Surrender Lucy Heartfilia immediately. You have no choice."
Noelle glared at Phantom Lord with her fist bared. "No way in hell." She hissed acidly.
"That's not going to happen!" Alzach shouted.
"Like any guild would have over one of their own to a monster like you!" Bisca spat out.
"You hear that?!" Macao shouted. "Lucy's staying put!"
Everyone in the guild echoed in agreement and spoke in Lucy's defense. Not a single soul there would dare hand her over to scum like Phantom Lord.
"I won't ask again," Jose said in warning.
Suddenly Erza slammed her fist on the ground and screamed at Jose with pure rage in her voice.
"We would never betray her like that! You'd have to kill us first!"
The guild roared in agreement. Lucy couldn't believe that they would all risk their lives for someone like her. It was her fault they were in this mess in the first place. They should be mad at her - not defending her! Lucy hugged herself as the tears fell from her eyes.
"You can stop asking now because we're not going to give you any other answer!" Natsu screamed. "We're taking every last one of you jerks down!"
"Lucy is staying right here where she belongs!" Noelle yelled in pure rage. "And that's here in Fairy Tail! She's a member of our family and there's no way we're going to let you scumbags get your hands anywhere near her!"
Lucy's body was shaking as she cried harder than before. How could they look at her like family...after all of this. Lucy was questioning whether she should give herself up or not when she felt someone wrapping their arms around her shoulder. Her eyes widened when she seen it was Noelle.
"Lucy," Noelle wiped her tears. "Stay strong. We're here for you - I'm here for you."
"N-Noelle.." she sobbed and weakly nodded.
"If this is what you want, then I'll give you a second helping of Jupiter!" Jose screamed. "You've got fifteen minutes to ponder the folly of your actions!"
"They're going to fire at us again?!" Loke shouted.
Erza having used to much magic had passed out at that moment.
"Erza!" Noelle cried.
"Oh no, she's out!" Gray yelled. "And she's the only reason we survived that first blast."
Cloaked purple ghostly entities began to appear in the air and fly around the Fairy Tail mages. Noelle sniffed the air taking note that they didn't have any scent to them, meaning they weren't real.
"You're in quite the quandary, aren't you, Fairy Tail?" Jose mocked them. "There's only two ways this situation can play out: either my troops will tears you apart, or you'll be blown away by Jupiter."
"Are you kidding me?!" Macao said. "If he fires at us he'll kill his own men!"
"Surely he's bluffing. Who would do a thing like that?" Wakkba nervously laughed.
"No, he'll do it," Cana said. "Those phantom soldiers are created by Jose's shade magic. They're not human, so it won't matter to him if they're destroyed."
"What the heck are phantom soldiers?!" Bisca yelled.
"You saying there ghosts?!" Alzach said.
"We've gotta do something to take out that Jupiter Canon." Cana said.
"I'ma smash that thing to pieces! I only got fifteen minutes to wreck it, right?" Natsu roared and Cana nodded. "Come on Happy!"
There was no way in hell that Noelle was about to let Natsu have all the fun. She smirked and chased after him. "Wait for me, moron!" Noelle yelled as Marlow lifted her into the air. She'd get these jerks back for everything they've done to her guild and Lucy, and she would show Roxie that she hasn't gotten soft, too.
"Noelle! What are you doing?!" Gray yelled at her. "What did I tell you?!"
Noelle scoffed. "I don't give a damn! Lucy is in pain because of these bastards, and I'm not going to let that slide! I'm going to make sure they never mess with Lucy of this guild ever again.
Gray sighed watching Noelle fly away. "She never listens," He smirked and shook his head. "Come on, Elfman. We're going to storm that place too!"
End Note: Edolas is so far away, but it's the Arc that I'm the most excited for right now! Bah! Ah well.
