Chapter 14- Day 3-The Hooded Figure
"Hello to you too," Ultear said, a smirk pulling her lips. She patted the spot next to her on the ground. "Tell me what happened."
"Where's Meredy," Riku asked curiously, sitting down where she patted.
"She went to grab some food. There is a stream nearby and she's a pretty good fisher."
Riku relayed what had happened in the cells under the castle as Ultear patiently listening. This close, Riku could see her youth. She was probably just a few years older than he was. An image of the small girl holding the hand of her mother flashed in his mind, but he shook it away. This wasn't the time to be thinking of his weird dreams, especially because he was still struggling to look at Ultear in the eye for longer than a few moments. Her eyes still weirded him out, but he wasn't sure why. You can't just ask those sorts of things, could you?
Ultear's brow wrinkled in concern at his movement. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Riku said hurriedly, "just some invasive thoughts, you know? Sometimes they won't leave you alone."
"I know," Ultear said sympathetically. "Your instinct is that the kidnappers were not hired by Raven Tail? Why not?"
"First, it's an assumption they made that Raven Tail would want Lucy," Riku explained. "But Master always said that his son was out to get all of Fairy Tail and that was long before Lucy joined. Not to mention, they already sent Lucy to the infirmary on day one. Why would they want to target her instead of different members?"
Ultear nodded thoughtfully, encouraging Riku to continue.
"So then the question is who would want Lucy specifically or a celestial wizard in general," Riku asked. "You knew the guy. Would Zeref want a celestial wizard?"
"I didn't know Zeref personally," Ultear sputtered.
Riku waved his hand as if shooing away a fly. "Studied his work. Whatever. Same thing, right?"
"It is not," Ultear snapped, but she didn't seem too offended as she continued. "Anyway, in my work I never came across anything to do with celestial wizards specifically. We focused mostly on the Books of Zeref, but there wasn't any mention of celestial magic there."
"What about Lucys," Riku asked.
"You think the Books of Zeref mention Lucy specifically," Ultear asked exasperated. Riku shrugged.
"I dunno. I haven't read them."
"No," Ultear replied, her face stern though her eyes danced with amusement. "None of the books of Zeref mention any Lucys. Even if they did, it would be a Lucy from over 400 years ago."
Riku leaned against the tree and yawned lazily crossing his arms. "Well, my instinct says it isn't Raven Tail and it's even less likely to be another competing guild. So, either Lucy Heartfilia is a wanted woman by some unknown evil or its connected to Zeref."
"I'm back," Meredy called triumphantly, appearing from the trees. She held up five fish proudly, "And I am victorious! Hi Riku! Are you staying for dinner?"
"I wouldn't want to take your food," Riku said uneasily.
"Don't worry about that," Ultear replied.
"Yes, stay," Meredy chirped. "We'll bring out the good china."
"Alright," he agreed.
"Perfect," Ultear said, taking the fish from Meredy and shoving them into Riku's arms. "You can gut them for us."
...
Riku woke up as the sun just began to show its first rays. His back was killing him. He moved to sit up, but stopped almost immediately feeling the weight of something around his shoulders. He peered around him taking in his surroundings. He was still in the woods. He could see Jellal asleep on the other side of the fire pit, which was now nothing but ash. Riku heard faint breathing behind him. Peering up he could see that Ultear was also leaning against a tree asleep, her arm wrapped securely around Riku's collar bone and shoulder, almost protectively. Riku moved very delicately so she didn't wake up. Meredy's head was on Ultear's lap as she also slept. He looked at them mone by one as he stretched. They looked so calm and peaceful when they slept. His eyes fell back on Ultear, who rearranged her arm now that Riku had gone. Her brow furrowed for a moment before returning to its peaceful expression. They were an odd bunch, he supposed, but not the worst to ever live.
He began heading back to town, thinking about his plan for the day. Should he watch the game from a new bar in case anything new developed? Or perhaps attempt to go to the arena to see if anything in the stands caught his eyes while Jellal was busy? Either way he had a few hours of sleep before he needed to decide.
As he reached his room he went for his pocket to get his keys. Inside, his hand brushed something. He dug it out, tossing his keys on the bedside table and flopping down on the bed. He peered at what he'd pulled from his pocket: a pinkish rose, with beautiful petals of ice. But it wasn't cold like ice, nor was it melting in the heat of the room. Riku put the rose on his bedside table and turned to try and go back to sleep, the pink ice rose watching from his bedside table.
...
A few hours later, Riku found himself panting as he pulled himself up the last few inches of the statue. He was finally at the top of the statue, right on the head of the king next to the arena. He lay face down on the statue to catch his breath until he heard a giggle. Pushing himself over he saw Meredy and Ultear watching him, both looking far too amused.
"You do this climb EVERY day," he panted.
Meredy held out her hand to help him up. "Ultear's powers make it easier."
"You did well," Ultear commented, turning back to the orb before her.
Riku muttered darkly to himself moving towards the orb to peer in as well.
"They just finished introducing the new judge," Meredy explained. "Lahar from the Magic Council. Hopefully Jellal stays out of sight and doesn't make himself noticeable today."
Riku nodded as the first event of the day was introduced: Pandemonium. Riku felt a smile pull across his face as Erza entered the arena, looking cool and confident, even as a giant building descended from the sky. The pumpkin headed announcer explained that the monsters inside were classed from D to S, the D-class being quite formidable, whilst the S-class could rival a Wizard Saint. The rules of the game were simple: each competitor would go in one by one and fight a number of monsters for points. They could select how many monsters they wished to face, but the level of monster they get was random. If they lose, their previous victories would still be counted, but they would be out of the event. The game would go on until all 100 monsters are defeated or everyone's Magic Power runs out. They drew straws to see who would go first. Erza chose number one and stepping forward. She declared she would challenge one hundred monsters, shocking the crowd and the women on the statue.
"She's serious," Meredy gasped looking at Riku, who nodded.
"One hundred monsters won't stop the Queen of the Fairies," Riku assured her excitedly. He pointed to the orb. "Just watch this!"
Riku didn't go out of his way to fight the way Natsu did, but he certainly enjoyed a good fight (when the time was right). And the time was right! Erza entered the building and began defeating all the monsters. Finally, as the last monster fell and Erza returned to the cheers of the crowds, Riku released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Worried," Ultear observed with a smirk.
"Of course not," Riku shot her a glare. "I knew she'd do it."
"You just seemed nervous at the end," Ultear teased.
"Well, I wasn't," snapped Riku. Meredy giggled.
"You two fight like siblings," she said.
Riku looked determinedly back at the orb as Cana removed her long sleeve coat to reveal a glittering tattoo on her right forearm. She broke the machine by shooting her power into the measuring machine, earning Fairy Tail A first place and Fairy Tail B second place in the event. Riku gave a cry of victory, earning himself an elbow in the ribs from Ultear and a reminder that they were suppose to stay hidden.
Riku made sure to keep his volume to a manageable level as the battles began. First, Millianna of Mermaid Heel defeated Semmes of Team Quatro Puppy.
"Can you cut to the Mermaid Heel team," Riku asked. Ultear complied and the orb showed the team looking intensely at the battle below, except for Kagura, whose arms were crossed, her usual serious look on her face. Riku's eyes trailed to her sealed sword again. So that's for Jellal, huh? Riku thought. Simon's sister out to get revenge, not to mention Milliana. What's Jellal going to do? What's Erza going to do?
The orb moved again back to the battles as Eve of Team Blue Pegasus was beaten by Rufus from Sabertooth.
"He uses lost magic," Ultear observed calmly.
"But not Zeref magic," Meredy added as Riku opened his mouth. Riku closed it obediently.
The third match was between Laxus and Team Raven Tail's Alexei. Riku got a second reminder to keep it down as he let out a loud string of curse words as Alexei began to beat Laxus. I've never even seen someone get a hand on Laxus, Riku thought astonished as punch after punch made contact with the blonde mage. Then, just when it seemed as Laxus was done for, the image changed before their eyes. Instead of Laxus laying beaten on the ground, he stood triumphantly, bringing his fist down to his side. Around him lay the Raven Tail Team, knocked out.
"An illusion," Ultear observed.
"Those fucking cheaters," Riku shouted. "I'll ki-"This time Ultear seemed to have lost patience. She brought her hand down hard on his head, making him bite his tongue and hiss in pain.
"Alright, alright," Riku scowled as Meredy tried to his her laughter.
"They're being taken into custody," observed Ultear, she looked sideways to Riku. "Is it worth finding out more information from them?"
"Certainly not right now," Riku rubbed his head in thought. "Maybe later tonight when this loss is a bit less fresh."
"Agreed," Ultear nodded. In the orb the next match was announced between Wendy and Sherria from Team Lamia Scale.
"Ul," Meredy began, suddenly stiff.
"I feel it too," Ultear agreed. In his ear, Riku heard her voice say, Jellal, do you feel that?
I do, Jellal's voice replied. I'm in the stands looking for the source of Zeref's Magic.
Should I come as well, Riku asked.
Not yet, Jellal replied quickly. We don't want to scare the source before we can identify it.
The three mages on the statue head watched with intense silence as the battle began, both girls revealing they controlled air magic. The girls exchanged blows, but it was clear Sherria had the upper hand.
"God Slayer Magic," muttered Ultear. She glanced at Meredy who nodded.
"Just like Zancrow," Ultear agreed.
Riku focused on the match. Wendy gathers her Magic Power and unleashed the Secret Dragon Slayer Technique Shattering Light: Sky Drill, knocking Sherria through the air and to the ground. But before the announcer could declare Wendy the winner, Sherria suddenly stood, all of her wounds healed. Sherria prepared her attack: Sky God's Secret Arts Heavenly Gathering of Clouds. Riku inched closer to the orb, eyes straining to see the attack. Just as it was about to hit Wendy, the attack veered off, just barely missing her. The time ran out and the match ended in a tie, giving both teams five points.
Riku sighed in relief, but Meredy and Ultear still looked focused.
Jellal, is it her, Ultear's voice asked.
No, Jellal's voice replied as Sherria knelt to heal Wendy. It's moving now. Out of the stadium. Riku-
I'm on it, Riku replied. He turned to Ultear and Meredy. "I'll block the exit on the other side."
Ultear nodded and with a wave of her hand Riku found himself at the edge of the arena.
"That's how they get up on the statue," Riku fumed, rushing towards the arena where hundreds of people were flooding out. He didn't see Jellal anywhere.
Riku, I'm having a bit of an issue, Jellal said. The figure left through one of the three north exits. They have a black and white cloak with their hood up.
Got it, replied Riku and he was off, searching the crowds for a black and white hooded figure. It was difficult to move through the crowd of people, and even more difficult to spot individuals. Even with his enhanced senses he had to navigate around the strangers, many of who didn't care why he was trying to go passed them. After stomping on many toes and dodging a few punches and shoves, he spotted the figure.
With new determination he hustled after them, down along the river bank as the sun began to slowly make its descent and the dusk air became more crisp. The figure moved into an alley way and Riku followed close behind. He paused, panting, one arm grabbing his sword from his back.
"Don't move, Zeref," Riku said, widening his stance for a better defense if needed.
"Riku," the figure asked. It was a familiar female voice that answered from beneath the hood. Reaching up she pulled back the cloak to reveal, not Zeref, but Lucy Heartfilia.
"L-Lucy," Riku asked stunned. "No way, what are you-"
Lucy held up a hand to silence him. "We don't have time right now."
"We're about to make time," demanded Riku. "Are you working with Zeref?"
"With Zeref," Lucy repeated stunned. "No, of course not. I can't explain it all yet, I'm trying to save us all, but I can't tell you the details yet. There is still too much unanswered."
"That's not going to cut it," Riku said. He put his sword back and held up his hands for her to see. "Come on, Lucy. We're guild mates. Just tell me whats happening. Do Natsu, Erza, and Gray know about this?"
"I'll tell you what I know, but you can't tell anyone," she said, Lucy's lips began to tremble and her eyes watered up. "Not Natsu, not Erza, not Gray, and not Lucy. Not yet."
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