A/n: Wow, been a while since I updated this, huh? Sorry bout that. For a while I lost interest in Fairy Tail since the manga had gone to shit, and eneded on a shit note that left so many things unresolved. So. Much. Wated. Potential. Granted, there were a few good moments to it - but not nearly enough. Why do I stay then? Because I developed an unhealthy attachment to these damn characters and love them way too much to let bad writing get to me. Let's not forget that this damn series is what got me back into writing and made me so many wonderful friends.
(YOU BETTER BELIEVE I'M LOOKING AT YOU, COCO!)
This chapter is kinda meh, but whatever. I blanked. Next one will be better! :D
COVER ART: The cover art for this story was made by the lovely, lovely, WintoruniPon on Deviantart. She is an incredibly artist, and makes beautiful oc's, and does amazing commissions when they're open. She is one of the few artists I'll trust to draw my characters, since I know that she'll do so flawlessly; I've never been disappointed by her.
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Lion and The Fox
Cyneric's lime-colored eyes were focused intensely on the blonde before him. Honestly, he had hoped for someone that would be of challenge to him and his spirits - and carried mroe moral. Oh well, nothing he could do about it now, right? With a flourish he pulls a silver key from his coat pocket.
"Let us begin. Come forth, my lovely! Open: Fate of The Fox, Vulpecula!"
Lucy swallowed thickly. A bell chimed, and golden light filled the area they were standing in, fading slowly to reveal a tal, curvaceous, fox-like woman with beautiful, thick, long orange hair with highlights of red and yellow, that danced around her like fire, falling to her ankles. Her caramel skin was practically glowing, enhancing her youthful ace, and cat-like eyes that reflected the colors of a sunset.
Vulpecula stared at Lucy with lucid emotions, the orange ears on top her head twitching ever so often, as the big, fluffy, orange and white tail lashed out behind her. The spirit seemed to hum as she smoothed out the white furiosde kimono she wore that was patterned with golden, and red, flames. Simple wooden sandals adorned her feet, and golden jewelry was found on most of her body.
She was a very beatiful spirit, Lucy thought.
Vulpecula bowled graciously to Cyneric. "Master, might I have what it is you have summoned me for today?" She asked in a soft, sultry voice. "Is this the...enemy?" The words were bitter on her tongue.
Cyneric scowled. "My lovely, how many times have I told you now not to call me by that horrible name; it's dirty." Cyneric's lime eye rolled towards Lucy with unspoken hatred. "And yes, this wench is in fact our "enemy", if you can even call her that. Regardless, dispose of her quickly so that we may leave this wretched place."
Lucy sweat-dropped. This guy had some serious issues! Not to mention his high-horse attitude was seriously grating on her nerves.
Vulpecula's posture straightened. "As you wish Mas - ah, Cyneric, yes - I will take care of her." Vulpecula held her right hand out. In a burst of golden light, a crimson katana appeared; wrapped in silken, gold ribbon.
"I'm sorry, but this battle will be the end for you, young fairy. I will spare no mercy towards those who threaten Master Cyneric's life. Lucy Heartfillia, your life ends today."
Lucy's eyes widened. "I never told you my name! So how do you know it?"
She had never met the spirit before in her life, and yet it seemed she knew who she was. But that wasn't possible, right?"
Vulpecula winced but quickly recovered. Her fingers tightened around her sword, as she shook her head.
"Pointless chatter."
The fox seemed to be hesitant, before charging towards the blonde, her sword becoming bathed in a fiery glow.
"Perish!"
Lucy squealed frightfully and jumped out of the way. Quickly, she pulled out a key and pointed it forward.
"Open: Gate of The Lion, Loke!"
Vulpecula's eyes widened as the spirit was summoned. The once calm demeanor she held, slowly changed to that of boiling rage. Her elongated fangs bared, and the fur on her body stood straight. The fingers that held onto the sword turned white from the pressure being applied. Her eyes sharpened, and narrowed. Gone was the elegant creature, replaced by a feral beast.
"You!" Vulpecula snarled.
Loke smiled at the spirit. "Hey there beautiful, long time no see. Don't tell me you're still angry at me? That was so long ago now." The spirit ran a hand through his mane like hair and sighed. "How many more times do I have to apologize?"
"You bastard - I'll kill you!"
Cyneric and Lucy were both left surprised when the fox spirit's sword clambered to the ground, and she dropped to all fours; speeding at Loke at blinding speed, snarling ferociously and lashing out with elongated claws.
"She's like a completely different person!" Lucy cried out. "Hey Loke, how do you know her?" Lucy asked curiously. It would seem that the spirits had a connected past, and not a good one by any means.
Loke grunted dodging Vulpecula's wild strikes. "It's a long story beautiful. Another time, okay? Maybe over dinner?" Loke winked, jumping away from a slash aimed at his face.
Vulpecula snarled and slashed her claws once more. Missing again, they ripped through his jacket, leaving behind three jagged cuts. Vulpecula was shaking; she was losing control. Her actions were wild, and had no thought behind them. She'd never be able to win this way.
"You haven't changed at all you son of a bitch! It's always the same crap spewing out of your mouth, over and over again! You have no regard for anyone's feelings, do you!?"
Loke was silent, infuriating her more.
Cyneric watched his beloved friend fight with a heavy heart. This wasn't Vulpecula, not at all. The Vulpecula he knew was a kind, gentle spirit; polite, and well-mannered. She never cursed, or let her anger show - it was rare that her emotions got the better of her. In fact, the last time she had let her emotions show, was when she showed up in the middle of the night, crying her eyes out and clinging to him as if her very life depended on it. He had spent the whole night through morning comforting her, and listening to her broken sobs, not knowing how to help her. When she had finally calmed herself down, she had expressed to him that man she loved and who she thought loved her, had been lying to her, engaging with other woman, and stringing her along like a puppet; he felt rage like no other.
Cyneric didn't like when his spirits where hurt. They were his world, and the one's who mattered the most to him. To see his most beloved and cherished friend, hurting made him angry...no, it was much, much worse.
It fucking enraged him.
Cyneric's jaw clenched. Wordlessly, he picked up the fallen sword, and moved to his spirit who was now on the ground, shedding tears of anger, as the one responsible for her breakdown stood there, having the audacity to look guilty; yet he made no move.
He crouched beside her, and brushed the hair from her beautiful sunset-colored eyes.
"Vulpecula, return to the spirit world at once. I shall take it from here."
The spirit's eyes snapped open wide. Cyneric flinched. She tried to oppose, but he held his hand out; there would be no arguing here.
"I do not wish to see you in such a state. Please, return, and take some time to yourself. I will deal...with him." Cyneric glared brutally at Loke. "And I will spare him no mercy."
The fox-spirit hung her head, and disappeared. All was still for a moment, until Cyneric rose to his feet, and marched towards the lion-sprit.
"Loke the Lion. Your name is not one that is new to me. It would seem you are the one who is responsible for my pain of my friend, correct? The cause of her tears and frustration - the one who had reduced her pride to nothing. As a Celestial Wizard, there is no greater shame than not being able to care for your spirits, as they care for you. Back then I wasn't able to heal her wounds. But, it seems as if fate had smiled down upon me today, and given me a chance to correct my mistake. And I will."
"You will die by my hands, Leo the Lion."
Lucy frowned. The Celestial Wizard pulled her whip from her hip, and cracked it. Her brown eyes held determination in them, as she glared at the man threatening her friend. Lucy would never let someone lay a hand on her spirit - not if she had something to do with it.
"Loke, I'll take care of this guy." Lucy said.
Loke's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? This guy isn't placing games, Lucy!"
"And neither am I!" She snapped. "I'm not going to stand here and let this creep hurt you!" Lucy's voice was firm, and though he could sense her nervousness, he smiled, and laughed.
"Alright then, beautiful. But don't hesitate to call me if you need me, got that?"
Lucy smiled and nodded, turning her attention back to Cyneric as Loke disappeared. Cyneric felt his rage boiling over as the spirit vanished, withouth giving him the chance to avenge his friend.
Cyneric charged Lucy, swinging the blade in his hands like a wild animal. Lucy dodged clumsily, sweating as the blade got too close for comfort. He swung again, this time nicking her shoulder blade. Her teeth grit as she the burning sensation settled into her flesh, and blood dribbled down her arm from her open wound.
She quickly somersaulted backwards to avoid Cyneric's furious swings of the sword. He was going all out; there no holding back. Lucy could understand why Cyneric felt the need to protect his spirit, but that didn't mean she was going to sit idly by and let her have his way with her spirits; not as long as she was standing.
"You cannot dodge forever, harlot!" Cyneric roared. "It was foolish for you to believe you could actually stand up to me in battle. My battle is with Leo the Lion." Cyneric sneered.
"That's not going to happen!" Lucy yelled. "I'm not letting you anywhere near Loke!"
Cyneric glared at Lucy and pointed his sword at her. "Then you will die!" The blade of his sword started to glow in an orange hue that was followed by the crackling of embers as the sword ignited in flames.
"Morning Glory!"
Lucy's eyes widened as the orange hue of fire spread around Cyneric as he charged at her. There was no way she could avoid that! And there was no water, so she couldn't summon Aquarius. Lucy felt the sweat drip down her forehead and the heat of the flames drew near her.
"NOW DIE!"
"Water Slicer!"
Cyneric's eyes widened as a crescent blade of water sliced through his sword and doused his flames. He jumped back to avoid the water as it targeted him. Cyneric caught sight of the blue-haired girl and glared.
"Juvia!" Lucy gasped. "What are you doing here? Where's Noelle?"
"Noelle-Chan is fine and looking for Natsu-San and Gray-San," Juvia said. "Noelle-Chan asked Juvia to look for you, and to make sure you were alright," Juvia then set her sights on Cyneric. "Juvia will not allow you to harm her friends; even if Lucy-San is Juvia's love rival!"
Lucy sweat-dropped, though she way grateful for Juvia's help.
"Without your weapon you are defenseless," Juvia said. "Give up now."
Cyneric scoffed. "Don't think that because I am unarmed I am of no use," He said as he held a palm towards her. "Divine Blessing: Strike of The Seven Stars!"
Seven magic circles formed a circle above Cyneric and were hued in a golden light. Juvia stood protectively in front of Lucy with determination burning behind her eyes. She wouldn't allowed for Lucy to be harmed. With a snap of Cyneric's fingers the golden circles ignited with light and fired of seven, balls of the light that went hurdling towards Lucy and Juvia.
"Juvia, get out of the way!" Lucy cried.
"Please realx, Lucy-San. Juvia will be fine."
Cyneric smirked as his attack targeted the girl and exploded in a burst of golden light and intense heat. There wasn't a wizard alive who was capable of surviving his Divine Blessing: Strike of The Seven Stars; it was one of his most powerful spells.
"Two fairies fall and soon, the rest will follow."
End Note: I thought this chapter was good enough for me to get back into writing this story. Even with my feelings towards Fairy Tail, I still love Noelle and all my other Fairy Tail babies, and will never abandon them. I'm excited to jump back into this story and carry on with the characters I love, and I know you all will be, too.
To reiterate, the cover was made by WintoruniPon on DeviantArt, who you should definitely follow.
