*Lucy's POV*
We had finished the job early and now we were at a spa to relax. Erza and I headed for the women's bath and just relaxed.
"This feels great." I said.
Erza stood up, "Nice moon tonight."
I noticed that she still had her armor on.
"Erza, you know you can take your armor off. Right?" I said.
"I'm more relaxed with it on." she said, she was sort of pouting.
"I see, but isn't it uncomfortable?" I asked.
She sighed and her armor poofed away. I smiled softly at her. I knew why she wore armor. She was protecting herself. She's grown, obviously, from the girl I met years ago.
"Look at you. Such a beautiful lady." I said.
She blushed and ducked her head, "You are too."
I smiled at her and lifted her head. She looked at me and we bumped foreheads. She relaxed and I took the time to give her a massage. She stiffened a little when I had her turn around but I reassured her that it was okay. She turned around and I kissed her scars. I knew she was self conscious about those as I knew where she got them from. She played it off as a battle wound whenever it was someone who didn't know, but I knew.
Apparently, she was relaxed enough to fall asleep. So I picked her up and took her to her room. She sighed in her sleep and I held her. I ignored the pillow fight that Natsu and Gray were having in favor of protecting Erza. Soon we headed back to the guild.
*Erza's POV*
I decided that my team needed a vacation and so we headed for the Akane Resort. We had fun at the beach, playing and swimming. It was getting late and I decided to sit on a lounge chair. It was a nice temperature outside and I drifted off to sleep.
-Dream-
There were boats coming towards a deserted place and people coming out of it. Once inside, they were forced to start working and if they disobeyed then they would be punished. When they wre done, they would be put in prison cells. A little Erza collapsed having worked too hard and the guard didn't like that so some strange creature was barking at her, making her cry. There was an old man standing in front of her protecting her with a wicked smile.
"Don't you see? There's no freedom in this world."
-Dream End-
I jolted awake and took short breaths and looked at my wrists. "Just a dream. I must have fallen asleep." I muttered.
I stood up and stared at the setting sun before looking in the mirror. I requiped into my armor when Lucy came in.
"Erza, do you wanna come and play some games with Gray and Natsu with me?" Lucy asked as she was in a red dress.
I smiled and requiped into a purple dress, "How do I look?" I asked.
She smiled, "Beautiful."
I blushed a little and followed her out.
*Lucy's POV*
I stayed with Erza and we played. However, it took a turn when a group of people came. The dealer changed and Erza recognized the man who changed.
"Sho?" she asked.
"It has been a while sister," he said.
"You…" Erza started, "You were safe?"
"Safe?"
The lights went out. A rope made its way around me and I let it. Tensing just enough that it wasn't noticeable but convincing, while switching with Gemini. It was obvious that Erza knew these people. And that they wanted Erza back so they took her. I hid and followed in the shadows. Natsu, Gray, and Juvia, who apparently is stalking Gray, followed too.
We made it to the island where the tower was and saw some guards. Natsu wanted to charge in but Gray knocked some sense into him. We made it under the tower and Juvia and I took care of the mages that wanted to stop us. But it was easy, too easy. More guards came but before we could do anything Erza cut them down.
"Erza." Gray and Natsu said.
Erza looked surprised, "You? What are you doing inside the tower?"
"We were looking for you." Natsu said.
"Go home! This place is far too dangerous." Erza said.
It was a false bravado from her. Natsu wanted revenge on the blockhead.
"You have to go" Erza said.
I stepped closer to her.
"Those guys kidnapped you. I can't just let that slide." Natsu yelled before running off.
"Wait Natsu!" Erza called out but he was already gone.
"What a moron. We better go help him." Gray said.
Erza stepped in front to stop him, "No. I'll bring him back to the guild with me. But you need to leave immediately."
I stepped closer to her, "You're being ridiculous Erza. We'll help you." I said.
Erza stepped back, "I don't want your help, this is my problem and it doesn't involve you." she said.
Gray got in her face, "How can you say that? You saw Natsu, I'd say we're plenty involved."
Erza stopped walking.
"Erza, I know what this tower is to you. The people who took you are probably friends of yours right? We're your friends too and no matter what, we're here to help you. We've got your back." I told her.
"She's right." Gray said.
Erza startled, "Leave!"
I saw the minute shaking and drew her into my arms. She struggled a little but eventually calmed down. She turned into me and told Gray her story. I knew her story as we had met years ago when she first escaped. I held her close as she talked. She made it through and I kept my hold on her.
"I have to fight Jellal." she said as a tear fell from her eye, "I have no choice...I have to do it."
Sho came back and accused Erza of lying, but Erza didn't say anything.
"Did you ever think he might be lying?" Gray asked.
"If you truly knew Erza, then you'd know she wouldn't do something so horrible." I said.
"You only think you know her. You weren't there back then. You don't know anything about us. After you left, Jellal's words were my only salvation." Sho said. "And now your trying to tell me that it was a lie?"
"That's right." another voice appeared.
"I don't understand." Sho said.
"I had to fool you and the others into thinking I killed them, but I hoped our attack would lead them here." the man explained.
I let her go and the man hugged her.
"So you knew all along?" Erza said.
The man smiled, "I've always believed in you Erza and there's nothing that can change that."
Erza smiled as she hugged back, "Simon."
Sho had a break down and Erza comforted him to the best of her ability. We made a plan to take down Jellal and to try and keep Natsu and Wally from clashing. We split, Juvia came with me and the others continued on when we heard noise.
"You babes dig my destruction solo?" a man asked.
He introduced himself as Vidaldus Taka and Juvia tried to take him out. Her water lock didn't do much as the guy's hair soaked it all up. Unfortunately, Juvia got turned into his succubus, which made me angry. And which also caught the attention of mama. I haven't been able to release my full power yet so this might be fun. I released my aura and drowned out his guitar.
We fought and kept going. I heard Juvia's voice in my head.
"Lucy." I heard.
"I hear ya. Don't worry, I'm gonna get ya out now." I said.
"Really?"
"Of course. We're friends after all." I smiled.
I pulled out mama's key.
"What the hell are you smiling about?" Vidaldus yelled.
"None of your business you pathetic excuse for a rock star. For making my friend become one of your slaves, I'll leave you to the punishment of my mamma. How does that sound?" I said.
He responded by strumming his guitar making Juvia come at me in a trail of a water tornado.
"Lucy! Dodge! Please!" I heard Juvia say.
I smirked as I felt her key warm in my hand. "It's alright Juvia."
I waited til she was close enough before plunging her key into Juvia's chest.
"Open Gate of the Water Bearer, Aquarius!" I said.
And there she was in all her glory. She had her urn above her head ready to strike. I hugged her of course.
"Its good to see you." I said.
Aquarius smiled before turning to our guests. "Now who the hell are you?" she growled.
Just like that, Aquarius went full mamma bear mode and completely decimated Vidaldus. I grabbed Juvia out of the whirlpool as Aquarius went to town. Then Juvia and I managed a unison raid, finishing off Vidaldus.
*Aquarius' POV*
Once I completed my task, I grabbed my little girl in my arms and held her. What? I happen to like holding her and she hasn't complained. I didn't even care that I was summoned in that water lady's body. I cared about keeping my baby girl safe.
*Erza's POV*
I fought this Ikaruga lady and was happy that Lucy pushed me all those years ago. As I fought, I remembered her teaching. I remembered her words of encouragement. This lady had nothing on Lucy and I will not lose! I will make Lucy proud. Lucy always said to keep a sharp eye and open mind. I kept a sharp eye and noticed that Ikaruga had flaws, ticks where openings appeared. I attacked and took her down in those openings.
*Lucy's POV*
I knew it was horrible but I had to let her do it.
"To be honest with you, deep down, I'd rather not help Erza in her fight with Jellal." I said.
"What? Why?" Simon asked.
"Because something tells me that deep down she wants to save Jellal."
Simon bowed his head, "Your right, deep down in her heart she could never truly hate the boy. Jellal is cunning and knows how to play with her emotions."
I felt the magic energy around me shift.
"Lucy, I can't stop them. The magic council is aiming the Etherion blast to your location in ten minutes. I'll try to stall for as long as I can but until you hear otherwise, its coming down in ten."
"Well shit. The Magic council is planning on firing the Etherion blast and it's heading our way in ten minutes." I said.
And in those ten minutes, we managed to make it to Erza. Just in time for the tower to change into something else. A giant fricken lacrima. For once, Natsu didn't annoy me.
"Natsu, there's a strong possibility that I'll have to use my full powers. When I do you might want to steer clear of me." I said.
"Why?" he asked.
"Get ready Natsu, I see the blue headed bastard now." I said.
We split, I grabbed Erza and Natsu went after Jellal. I pulled her into my lap with a gentle smile.
"Natsu...Lucy…" she said.
"You look like you've seen better days." I told her and smiled.
She couldn't move so apparently Natsu took that as a chance to tickle her.
"Stop. You two have to get out of here as fast as you can." she said.
"We ain't leaving, since you can't do the fighting, we'll just have to do it for ya." Natsu said.
"Besides, you've done enough fighting for one day Erza. Let us handle it from here." I told her.
"You can't...he's too powerful...besides the two of you don't know anything about him." Erza said.
I looked her in the eye, "Erza, you told me remember? I know what he means to you."
She had a tear falling from her right eye, "Please, just this once, do as I ask you."
I leant down and kissed it away, placing my forehead on hers, "We can't do that Erza. The one who needs to do what their asked right now is you. We'll fight Jellal, then we'll go home...together."
I made her sleep. Then with my wolf magic bubbling to the surface I turned and snarled at Jellal.
"You have some nerve to attack her." I snarled.
"Your even more foolhardily than the rumors make you out to be. What kind of sick satisfaction do you get from striking a defenseless friend?" Jellal asked.
"Pot meet kettle."
I could hold off my magic for now, let Natsu get his fight. However, once Natsu was down it was on. It didn't help that the full moon was on the rise.
*The Spirit King's POV*
I could feel the magic shift and the spirits that had Lucy as their holder ran towards the viewing bowl. Aquarius was the first to the screen, followed quickly by Lupus and Cancer. Leo was there as well. Honestly, I can't remember a time where so many spirits were concerned about one mage. I couldn't help myself and I decided to watch as well. I watched as the human that managed to gain my respect for changed form. She changed into a giant golden wolf. One that looked extremely powerful. She expounded her energy and took down half the tower in one blast. We all watched as Lucy took a spell head on, dissipated it into nothing. All the spirits were wanting to go to help Lucy but apparently Lucy had a good grip on their gates, forcing them closed.
Then the pink haired fellow got up and joined the fight. Lucy moved over to the red head and stood protectively over her. I watched as they took the blue haired fellow down.
*Erza's POV*
We were running away from the tower when Lucy stopped.
"Lucy? What's wrong?" I asked.
Suddenly I found myself in a bubble.
"Lucy? What is this? What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'll make sure you make it out of here Erza. I promise I'll stop it. There's no need to worry. I'll make sure you guys get out of here alive." Lucy said as she began to merge with the lacrima.
I fought Simon to try and get to her, but it was too late. After a few moments, we found ourselves on the shore. And I began looking around the shore. I could sense it, she's still here. I know she is. And then I found her, laying on the ground. I ran over to her and grabbed her. I was so happy she was still here. The next few days we spent resting in the nearby town. Unfortunately, Milliana, Sho, and Wally all left. We sent them off with a Fairy Tail send off and we headed home. I also unashamedly held Lucy's hand on the way back. Over the time we spent recovering, Lucy helped me a lot. I discovered that I liked her more than just a friend and shyly asked her out. She smiled at me and accepted. So here we are today as a couple. When we got home there were some changes to the guild. We have a cafe, a mini Lucy figurine, and a pool. Natsu was grumbling a bit, saying how he didn't like change.
Juvia, the one who helped us at the Tower, had joined the guild.
"We've also added another new member to the guild. Someone you might recognize." Master said and we all looked to see who it was.
It was Gajeel.
"Gajeel!" Natsu growled, "Why'd you let him in here Gramps?!"
It appears that Natsu is the only one with the problem.
Juvia stepped in between, "Calm down, I asked him to come along with me."
Natsu didn't care and went to attack but then Lucy stepped up in between Gajeel and Natsu and put a hand on Gajeel's chest. Gajeel looked down at Lucy and I could see his eyes soften.
"If you ever feel like sparing together, let me know kay?" Lucy said.
Natsu moved and grabbed Lucy's arm and tugged her away from Gajeel harshly, "If you think I'm gonna let you take what's mine away from me you've got another thing coming pal!"
In the next second found Natsu buried in the guild floor, courtesy of a Lucy kick and Lucy standing over him snarling.
"You do not own me Dragneel. I am not yours, nor am I an object. I am not a toy to be hoarded. Get this in your fire addled brain right now Dragneel. Pull this stunt again and I'll make whatever Virgo's punishment look like a grease spot. That's not including what my pack would do to you if they found out. Oh, and if you ever listened to Igneel, you would know that Gajeel is my kin and has been for years." Lucy snarled at Natsu.
Then she turned to Gajeel, "Hey, care to pull of one show? I know you still have it." she said and it was a complete one eighty from her attitude towards Natsu.
Gajeel smirked, "Always Bunny."
So we were treated to Mira singing and a show that Gajeel and Lucy apparently had. Then Natsu ruined it by starting a guild brawl. I had to get retribution for my cake.
*Lucy's POV*
As soon as Erza's cake went down, I knew I had to step in. I grabbed her around the waist and whispered in her ear.
"You join the fight, you don't get the special cake."
She stopped fighting and looked at me with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Cake?" she asked.
I chuckled and nodded. Her face lit up in a childlike glee and we were out of the guild before anyone noticed we were gone.
AN: Hey guys. So sorry for the late update. Lately I've had a bit of homework to do and school is taking up most of my time as I'm in college.
Anyway, what do you think? Up next is the Battle of Fairy Tail with a twist. I've hinted at it in a previous chapter.
