A/N: Fairy Tail ends Friday (officially next Wednesday), and I don't know how my heart is going to handle it. I can only hope that Mashima has a pretty decent ending in mind! I've watched Fairy Tail for 5 years now. I'm not going to give up on the man now! So, while the series may be ending, this story is far from over! This chapter took me a bit to write, but I hope you all like!
Warning, this chapter is a little bit on the T+ side for certain scenes and crude language. Just a fair warning!
Other than that, I don't own Fairy Tail.
Enjoy!
War of Fire
-O-
Chapter 4: Moving for Tomorrow
The water was pristine clear, the jagged rocks and fish being visible to the human eye. The crashing vibrations of the running water was a perfect sound barrier to the outside world. The forest was rid of human touch, the trees and running water was all that filled her ears.
It had been a few hours since she had left Hargeon, but she couldn't help but admire the serenity of the forest. The fresh smell of trees enriched her nostrils and she could only wish that life was as steady as the river that paved it's way through the ground.
Lucy sat, dipping her aching feet into the cold water.
Her wounds were still healing from her encounter with the Imperial captain and it hindered her slightly, but it wasn't enough to cause the blonde any worry. Especially after Yajima-san had given her a few trinkets to aid her in her journey.
Speaking of Yajima…
There was no hiding the smile that erupted on her lips as she pulled her two new gate keys from her belt. She giggled, clutching them close and allowing herself a moment of celebration.
"Way to go, Lucy!" She cheered, fist pumping into the air. After two long years of failure and dead ends, the blonde finally had reason to rejoice.
She started with the silver key, examining the symbol engraved. But, nothing came to the blonde.
"Why couldn't Yajima-san tell me what this silver key was?" A whine and she huffed, sighing in defeat.
Suddenly, the key began to glow and Lucy yelped, dropping it on the floor in front of her.
"What the?!"
Similar to the golden light that appeared at the summoning of a celestial spirit, there was a short burst of light and Lucy had to cover her face. When she uncovered her eyes, her jaw dropped at what appeared in front of her.
It appeared to be a… dog? Lucy's head cocked to her side as a small, white creature lay at her feet with a pointy nose that looked like it could pierce skin.
"And who are you, little fella?" She asked as she kneeled, smiling at the celestial being.
The white creature that resembled a dog began shaking it's head as it searched the surrounding area. When it's eyes landed back on the blonde, it stopped. "Pluueee~"
She raised a brow. "Pl..ue?"
"Plueeee!" It said again and it smiled, dancing in its place. Despite the odd appearance, Lucy found it rather cute.
"Well hi there, Plue. My name's Lucy. And I'm your new friend."
The white creature hummed in response and began dancing once more. "Puuu-punnn!"
Lucy laughed and rubbed its head. "I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand you. But, you seem happy. So, if you're happy, then I'm happy!"
Plue continued to shake in his step silently and Lucy grabbed his tiny paw. "So, what do you say, little guy? You ready for our contract?"
The white animal hummed happily in response and nodded it's head in response.
Lucy proceeded to close her eyes and chanted "Ir she rane id she rsarr ark heaxerr, I herekw rinnir she k'rk'rs id iir swi ke'rsr!"
The lost language of the celestial beings.
Another bright light appeared and both Lucy and Plue were encased in a golden sphere. The celestial mage could feel the dog like creature's life force intertwined with hers. The light shone brighter and then suddenly, it vanished.
Lucy opened her eyes and Plue smiled at her. His life was now connected to her own.
"Easy, huh?" The celestial being, which Lucy decided to name it a dog, nodded once more.
Deciding the company would be nice, she left Plue out to wonder around. Normally, leaving a celestial spirit outside it's gate for too long would drain the mage of all their magic power. But, Lucy could sense Plue's magical level, and it was low. When Yajima-san said he would make a good companion, he meant just that.
So, leaving him out wouldn't leave her without magic. If anything, it barely affected her reserves.
Being on her own the last two years has challenged her to push herself and her magic in ways she was never allowed to before. With the ban of magic, Lucy had to conceal her celestial powers since she was very young.
Her mother was also a celestial mage, a respected one at that. Because of magic restriction, her mother hadn't been able to hone her skills like their ancestors before them. But, she was strong enough to be wanted by the empire. Her mother's grace and class always bode well with the people as she was highly respected, even in the high ranks amongst the empire. She was a sought for woman with the dukes and governors across the land.
Even Lord Zeref held her mother in high esteem.
But, this put Lucy in perilous situations once her own magic appeared.
Layla Heartfilia was forced to serve under the reign of Emperor Zeref. And, this had cost her mother her life. Before her mother's demise, Layla Heartfilia taught Lucy everything she knew about celestial magic, ingrained the importance of the history of the celestial beings and their lineage. Lucy didn't understand it at the time, but now that she was older, she knew.
She knew that the only means in defeating the Emperor was to find all the golden gate keys.
After her mother's death, her father forbade her from ever touching her mother's keys again. He locked them away, to never be found by her. If it wasn't for Ms. Suppetto, Lucy would not have Aquarius, Taurus, Horcrux, and Hologium with her at this moment.
Her heart fell at the thought of home.
Two years already, huh?
Lucy's thoughts were broken when a soft paw landed on her knee. The blonde looked down to see Plue attempting to climb on her lap. Giggling at his struggle, Lucy grabbed him and pulled him in.
"Aren't you the cutest darn thing?" Plue vibrated to her response. But, when he reached for her keys, the blonde arched a brow in confusion.
"Puuuun!" He kept reaching for her keys and Lucy drew them out of her small pouch.
"You want these, little guy?" When Plue's eyes landed on her newly acquired key, he pulled it out.
Her eyes went wide.
"Oh! I get it! You want me to summon Cancer!" She exclaimed and Plue nodded.
Her heart began to race as Lucy clutched onto her new golden gate key tightly. It was exhilarating, and frightening, summoning a new spirit. She wasn't sure how this would go, as she hadn't had the opportunity to meet another celestial spirit besides those bestowed to her.
"Well, here goes nothing, Lucy." She muttered to herself.
"Open! Gate of the Crab! Cancer!"
A swirling vertex of wind blew around her and the trees began to sway with her as a golden light emerged, similar to the summoning of Aquarius and Taurus. Lucy narrowed her eyes slightly, her hand blocking the sheer brightness.
A black silhouette began to form in the middle of the golden sphere, it's appearance becoming more clear as the golden light disappeared.
She could hear snipping as the sound of slashing filled her ears. The air suddenly smelt salty, like the ocean, similar to that of Aquarius when being summoned. When the golden light vanished, Lucy was left agape.
There stood her new celestial spirit, almost two heads taller than Lucy. He was of darker complexion, his hair black and braided in red cornrows that ended in a shape that resembled that of crab pincers. In each of his hands, he held onto scissors, and on his back, 6 crab legs that stuck out from behind him. He was dressed in a blue buttoned down shirt and black slacks. He snipped left and right, his eyes hiding behind his sunglasses.
"Well, hello there, ebi. I'm Cancer." He snipped his scissors again in dramatic fashion.
Ebi…? Lucy thought to herself, knowing that meant shrimp… which didn't make sense because he was a crab like creature.
"Puu-puun!" Plue shook as he greeted the crab like man.
"Nikora! Oh wait, shall I say Plue instead, right ebi?" The white dog like creature nodded and Lucy looked at him in confusion?
Nikora? That was a silver key spirit, all right.
Lucy had read about the Nikora species when she was younger. They weren't very powerful, but they made great companions. Unfortunately, there were no pictures associated with the celestial spirit in the book she read about them. But, this was a pleasant surprise.
"Puu-puun!" The vibrating dog animal said as he pointed at Lucy, Cancer staring at her, waiting to hear her reply no doubt.
"Right! Hi! Hi! I'm Lucy!" She laughed nervously to herself, shaking her head at the sheer idiocy of her introduction.
"I know who you are, ebi. I've been waiting for you, ebi." He spoke in a cool tone. Well, at least he wasn't perverted like Taurus, or mean and bitter like Aquarius, Lucy thought to herself.
But she was thrown back by his statement. "Wait, what? You've been waiting for me?"
He nodded, snipping at his left and right once more. "Layla Heartfilia was my previous master, ebi. She left me with that old man when things got dicey with that old emperor with that hideous haircut. I knew you were coming for me eventually, ebi."
Lucy's eyes went wide.
Her… mother left this gate key waiting for her? And, she left this key with Yajima-san?
With sudden realization, it all made sense now. The reason Yajima-san knew who she was, and what she was looking for. He knew she had to have been Layla's daughter. There resemblance is uncanny. As she grew older, people thought she was Layla Heartfilia herself.
But… it didn't make sense? Lucy thought to herself as she looked upon her newly acquired key. How did her mother know Yajima-san? Obviously the man was in connection with the Resistance. And, it was obvious he dealt in illegal matters; not that his ownership of the black magic market was frowned upon.
How was her mother connected to all this?
It seemed her mother kept more secrets than she had previously thought.
"Don't look so down, ebi! You just as beautiful as your mother, you know? Except, your mother had rockin, stylin' hair! What happened to yours, ebi?"
Lucy couldn't help but laugh at the horrid look on the crab like creatures face. He was snipping his scissors, gazing at the blonde's hair in disdain.
"Well, when you're on the run from the empire, you don't really have the luxury to bathe and take proper care of your hair, you know?" She explained and the crab like man shook his head, cross his hands.
"No, no ebi. No master of mine will done this dreaded look."
She would admit that she was a little worse for wear. With her blonde hair constantly hidden under her brown cloak, she wasn't surprised by its constant fritz and dryness. Being a fugitive and a girl was not an ideal combination.
Currently, her hair was up in a ponytail, her ends curly and dry from the humidity of the forest air. She twirled a finger around her tips and sheepishly smiled.
"Wait, Master?" Lucy asked, not realizing the implications of his words.
Cancer smiled and snipped at his scissors. "Of course, ebi. Aquarius and Taurus told me lots about you. Once I met you myself, I decided, ebi."
Lucy sweat dropped, only imagining what both her celestial spirits could have said about her. Taurus probably spoke only in lewd and perverse comments, and Aquarius probably degraded her, calling her a stupid brat on more than one occasion. The mermaid spirit made it known her mother was a much better master than she was.
"I can only imagine what they told you." Cancer shared in her laughter, Lucy envious of their ability to travel through different worlds. She had heard great stories about the Celestial Realm and the slow passage of time. The Celestial Spirit King took great lengths in protecting his faithful spirits and blessed them with a magical world that man couldn't touch.
At least, that's what the history books spoke of.
"Before we get to the summoning contract, please allow me to fix that hair of yours, ebi. I would be doing such an injustice to you if I let you continue on like this." The blonde wanted to be offended by his comment, but he was genuine in his intentions. So, she decided to let him do his bidding.
"Well, what kind of Master would I be if I didn't let my spirits indulge in their own desires? Clip away, Cancer!" A sharp smile appeared on the crab man's face and he snipped away at his scissors again.
He was so fast, Lucy barely saw him. In a matter of seconds, Cancer appeared in front of her. His speed was incredible! She never realized how fast this spirit moved! She could hear the snipping at her hair, watching as pieces of her blonde locks fell.
Lucy had read that Cancer was gifted with the ability to move faster than the human eye could see. If trained well enough, it was even possible to phase through solid objects. She wondered if Cancer could do something like that at this moment.
"Done, ebi." The mage blinked, astonished at the sheer speed of her soon to be new spirit. She could see Plue nodding in approval, giving her what appeared to be thumbs up. "Take a look for yourself."
Out of thin air, Cancer pulled out a mirror and placed it in front of Lucy. Blinking once, twice she gasped at the magic that her new celestial spirit pulled.
No longer was her hair knotty and frizzy. Cancer had trimmed the dead ends, applied some celestial magic she would imagine as her blonde locks were shimmering like they use too before she left home. The pony tail was gone, in it's place a braid that fell behind her back, her bands locked away.
In another life, Lucy would be ecstatic to have her own personal hair stylist.
Instead, she was ecstatic to have another ally that would help her in her fight against the empire.
"Oh wow! I almost forgot what styling my hair looked like! Thank you so much, Cancer!"
He smiled and Lucy admired her new hair due. "You're welcome, ebi."
"Puu-puun!"
"You like it too, Plue?" The white Nikora danced happily in it's place and Lucy chuckled.
"Now, she would get that contract going, ebi?"
Her laughter died out and Lucy remembered they had an order of business to attend to. The most important part of the bondage between a celestial spirit and mage: the contract. Similar to what she did with Plue, Lucy outreached her hand. Cancer put his scissors down and grasped tightly.
"Ir she rane id she rsarr ark heaxerr, I herekw rinnir she k'rk'rs id iir swi ke'rsr!"
The same phrase Lucy spoke just before Cancer's summoning, a golden sphere appeared around the two. Unlike Plue's small amounts of power, the blonde was almost overwhelmed by the amount of power flowing through her. The crab's life force intertwined with hers, feeling all of Cancer's emotions.
The overflowing of power began to fade and the golden light that surrounded the mage and spirit disappeared. Once it disappeared, Lucy released a heavy sigh. She opened her eyes and found Cancer smiling at her.
"Looks like it's a done deal, ebi."
"Looks like it." Lucy suddenly felt faint as she fell back slightly. The sweat that formed on the corners of her forehead indicated that she may have pushed herself to far in the last few hours.
"Take care of yourself, ebi. It won't do me any good to have just made a contract with my new master if you're dead, ebi." His crab leg extended out towards her and grabbed her before she fell. She thanked him silently.
"Enough of this master talk. No spirits of mine are pawns or objects. We are friends, okay? Family."
The crab chuckled and nodded. "You're a cool cat, ebi. Aquarius was right about ya."
This caused Lucy to raise a brow. What was that mermaid saying about her now?
"Wait, what did she say?" but Cancer threw her a mischievous smirk.
He began to fade as a white light surrounded him. Lucy knew what that meant.
"No can do, ebi. The mermaid will drown me if I say anything. You know how she is." He smiled playful and snipped with his scissors again. "Until next time, ebi!"
"Wait! Cancer! What did she say!"
But it was too late as the crab spirit disappeared back to where he appeared from. Lucy sighed, dropping her head. Why did she even bother? It was probably just another cheap insult to Lucy's ability as a celestial mage. Aquarius did a great job in chastising her for not being as strong as her mother, but also using her in battle. The blonde didn't understand what Aquarius wanted her to do.
In a world as bleak as this one, Lucy had no choice but to fight sometimes.
"Puu-puun…" Lucy looked over at the companion spirit and sighed.
"Might as well get some rest before we continue heading out. What do you say, Plue? You wanna join me?"
"Puuuun!"
Lucy rubbed the white Nikora's head smiled. It was going to be a nice change to have a companion now. Those silent walks weren't nearly as fun as when she was with someone else. Not that she ever really had a chance to travel with another person. When she did, it was only for a few hours before they parted ways.
Finding a hidden spot, Lucy laid down with Plue cuddling up to her. She allowed herself a moment's rest and embraced the sounds of nature before returning to her land of dreams where life wasn't cruel, and war didn't exist.
-O-
There was loud laughter as old drunkards and callous imperial soldiers who were off duty watched the woman dance in the darkness that was the bar/brothel. They hooted and hollered for the woman to continue on with her suggestive dancing. A bar fight broke out on the other side of the bar, glasses and bottle flying.
A man with a sinister smile laughed as she rubbed at the dark ring on his finger, watching the ladies dancing on the table rail, licking his lips in delight. He saw women dragging the hungry men from their seats into the private rooms in the back. His pompous smirk grew.
All the ladies, but none for him.
There was a faint glow from his dark ring, hardly noticeable by the commotion and loudness of the bar and brothel.
"Come to me." He spoke softly and the women dancing on the tables stopped, upsetting the drunk men who were spending the little money they had.
Three women came to his side, lustful smiles on their faces as one straddled his hips, the other draping herself over his shoulder, another massaging his neck. He hummed in response, loving the feel of having three women on him.
"Ladies, what a pleasure it is to have you this evening." They all giggled in his response.
"No, the pleasure is all ours, right ladies?" The woman straddling his lips answered, her thin clothing falling off almost instantly.
"Hey jack ass! Those were our women! Who the hell do you think you are!" One drunkard stood up, his eyes red and cheeks pink.
"Yeah! Don't take all the whores for yourself!"
"Give them back!"
More men collectively gathered, staring him down with drunken rage. Some of the men had weapons in their hands, others using their bare fists. The ladies that draped over him hardly paid notice to the growing animosity.
The dark haired man merely smiled.
"Ladies, please do tell these gentlemen who you would rather spend your evening with, if you will?"
The ring on his finger glowed once more, stronger and brighter than before. Without notice, the eyes of the woman shone with a purple tint.
"Our master for the night will be this gentlemen here. His reward for us is quite handsome. Just like he is." The woman straddled on his hip came closer to him, her body fleshed against his. The other two women nodded their heads in agreement.
"The fuck you say to me, you whore?" One of the drunkards came towards the woman, but was stopped in his step as a chair came flying at him. He was knocked to the other side of the room, and the rest of the patrons looked wide eyed at the man on the floor.
"The hell! Where the fuck did that damn chair come from?"
His hand moved, and so did multiple pieces of furniture. Before he even had time to scream, the man was buried in furniture, crushed by the overpowering weight.
"Now, don't be so crude. You must treat women with the utmost respect. They are in fact, beautiful creatures." His mouth found the woman's straddling lap as his hands found the crown jewels of the other two ladies.
The off duty guards immediately stood up.
Patrons alike disbursed and went back to their seats, grumbling to themselves. Once the imperial soldiers were involved, they looked the other way.
"You! What did you do?" An imperial soldier asked, pointing his finger at him.
Leaving the lips of his woman, the dark haired man smiled. "Why, nothing of course? I am just here enjoying my company."
"Bullshit. You want to explain how all this shit landed on that man?" The imperial soldier pressed, but the dark haired man merely chuckled.
His ring began to glow.
"I have a proposition for you, my dear solider. I give you these two lovely woman draped on either side of my arms and we forget this little scuffle even occurred? How about it?"
There was an intensity, and the soldier's eyes tinted purple. His frown dropped and a lecherous smile appeared.
"There's nothing to see here, boys. Instead, why don't we have some fun with our new ladies." The other off duty imperial guards snickered as they watched the two whores on the dark haired man's side with hungry eyes.
"I promise you ladies that my new friends will treat you just well, right gentlemen?" With dark eyes, the man looked over at the soldiers and they smiled.
"Oh yeah. We will show them a good time." The ladies at his left and right stood from their spot and walked over to the group of imperial soldiers, dragging them back to the corner of the bar they were sitting at.
He looked over his special guest for the night. "Now, what shall I do with you?"
"Anything you want, handsome." She replied sultry in his ear. Her toxic voice made his shiver, certain parts of his body riling in excitement. His hand grabbed at her waist and he growled in response.
"Bora sir!"
At the call of his name, the dark haired man groaned, his head laying on the shoulder of the beautiful woman on top of him. His dark eyes glowered at the overweight man running at him. On his hands and knees, he was breathing heavily, sweat running down the corners of his head.
"Can't you see that I am busy?!" The woman on his lap was now peppering his throat with kisses and her hands – oh God, her hands.
"Yes, sir. Absolutely sir." He was a nervous wreck, blubbering like a fool. Remind him why he hired morons to help run his trade market?
"Then leave."
"But sir! There has been a delay on the shipment!"
Bora's mind stopped as his crony stated his claim. He grabbed the whore off his hip and pushed her to the ground, the woman crying out by the man's rough gesture. A glare etched on his face and the dark tattoo above his eyes began to glow.
"Say that to me again?" The man gulped in fear a dark purple aura surrounded him.
"There's trouble at the dock!"
Bora's hand wrapped itself around his henchmen's neck, suffocating him as her glowered deep into his soul. The man was scratching at his throat, trying to lessen the hold on his neck. He was choking, Bora increasing the grip.
"What did you do?!"
-O-
The explosion knocked her a few feet, skidding on her side across the wooden port. Splinters and broken pieces of wood jabbed into her skin. She hissed in pain, her entire left arm in agony.
Who would have thought she would be back at Hargeon so soon?
At the sound of men shouting, Lucy stood up frantically. She began to run towards the remaining crates stationed in the harbor. The blonde bit down on her lip, a fierce glare knotting her brows together. The tears pricked at the rims of her eyes as she thought about the grotesque and inhumane things she would see behind these doors.
It was disgusting, revolting, sickening enough to make her stomach completely churn. This world was cruel enough, why add to the unforgiving atrocities that were war? They should all be banding together to destroy the empire! Not add to the filth of their wrong doings!
"Open! Gate of the Bull! Taurus!"
As perverted as her bull spirit could be, he was a faithful companion, and a powerful ally. He was one of her most powerful spirits.
"Mooooo! We getting another one, Lucy?" Instead of the perverted gleam, and lecherous phrases he would pester her with, Taurus was frowning, clutching his battle axe tightly in his hands.
She nodded sharply. "You know what to do, Taurus!"
"I will not stand for the mistreatment of women! Mooooo!" The celestial spirit aimed his axe at the metal crate and cut right through it, the chains falling and the doors falling into the ocean. There were loud screams on the other side of the doors, shrieking and crying collective alike.
"Hurry and come out, please! There isn't much time!"
Lucy shouted and women began to scurry out of the crates, tears of relief cascading down their cheeks. She could see the horror and fear in their eyes as they ran past her, thanking her for rescuing them. With harden brown eyes, Lucy assured her emotions were in control as she nodded, a firm smile on her lips.
"Bless you!"
"Thank you!"
"Thank the heavens!"
"Everyone run! We need to get away from here!"
"Moooo! Hurry on out, ladies! Huuuuurrrrrryyyyyyy!" Taurus, rarely playing the role of gentlemen, helped the remaining women out of the crate. Lucy was at his side, assuring the women there safety.
She dug her nails into the palms of her hands, feeling her nails through the fabric of the fingerless gloves. Lucy was furious. She was filled with rage and despair, her heart crying out to the poor women who were victims in this barbarous and callous world, women who were captured and kidnapped, women who couldn't fight back.
Lucy had traveled to the nearest village, Plue walking along with her when she noticed a rather long caravan parked outside the village grounds. She thought nothing of it until she saw a suspicious character hop off the vehicle. The scar that ran jagged down eye and the tying of his belt left her feeling uneasy.
Once she was in town, she could feel the discomfort as people were sure to stay away from the streets and avoid making eye contact with their new guests. These travelers had quite the pretentious and boastful air to them, teasing and rudely addressing the market owners of the small village.
Her patience and will was tested when they threw an older woman to the ground, her grandson stepping in to help his grandmother. They knocked the boy away and Lucy reached for her keys instantly.
Before he could lay another hand on them, Lucy grabbed the man's hand and shoved him away.
"Back off, you jerk!"
"The hell? And who the hell are you?!"
Knowing it was safe for Lucy to reveal herself because there wasn't presence of the imperial army here, the blonde pulled her hood down.
"You coward. Picking on the elders and young boys. Have you no class?"
Whistles could be heard around them and the man growled.
"You bitch. I don't care if you're good lookin! I'm going to smack you around!"
Lucy smirked, cracking her knuckles. This was perfect. Now was the opportunity to test out her new power enhancing gloves Yajima had given her.
Before she even had a chance to retaliate, the man that had knocked the grandmother to the floor went flying into the air instantly. Lucy was shocked as no one was standing directly near him besides herself.
That's when he showed his face.
Lucy paid no thought to it at first, grateful that someone stood up to the ruthless bullies that hurt an innocent old woman. The man degraded the vile traveler, helped the woman up, and compensated her for their troubles.
The stranger that came to the rescue was a tall dark, blue haired man with black eyes. What really caught Lucy's attention was the tattoo above his right eye. It was x shaped, the lines curving away from one another. She felt like she had seen it before…
He donned somewhat of an arrogant smile, but his benevolence what was caught everyone's attention.
"My, my. Aren't you a pretty thing? Were you really planning on taking that man on yourself?"
Lucy was slightly disgusted and didn't understand that attraction to the man. Suddenly, he was being crowded around by the ladies in the village. Sure, he fended off a jackass. But, this guy was up there with him.
"I've dealt with worse than that pig." She spat and the man laughed.
"You really are something, aren't you my dear?"
Instead of indulging in the conversation, Lucy shrugged her shoulders. "I just can't stand to see the innocent be taken advantage of. We have enough of that with this war."
A glint in his eyes and Lucy shuddered.
"That indeed we do."
Taking her eyes off him, Lucy checked on the grandmother and her grandson, who both thanked her for her kind gesture. Unlike the other woman who were flocking around him, these two paid no mind to him other than thanking him for his 'kind gesture,' if that's what they wanted to call it.
"You know miss, I'm having a party on my boat tonight. You're welcomed to come, if interested. My boat is over at the Hargeon dock."
Lucy almost vomited at his invitation. Like she would be caught with this pompous man. She hid her disgust with a strained smile.
"Sounds like a good time, but I'm afraid that I just left Hargeon. My travels take me elsewhere. But, thanks for the offer."
It was faint, and hardly noticeable in the broad sunlight, but the ring on his left hand emitted a small, purple light. Lucy narrowed her eyes. Could he be using…?
The man smiled and shrugged his shoulders, pulling his hand away. "Well, if you should change your mind, you know where to find me." He winked and Lucy felt her skin crawl.
There was a knot in her stomach, a dreadful feeling creeping in her. Carefully, she watched as this man slithered away from the crowd around him. Knowing it was awful idea, Lucy followed.
He and the man he had knocked away earlier were arguing as they made their way back to the caravan that stood parked outside the village.
Something just didn't sit well with her. The caravan and that man were making it's way on the road back to Hargeon and she had every indication to follow. Her heart and mind were pulling her back, and she knew it was the right thing to do despite being in Hargeon just yesterday.
What she found when she finally caught up to them made her hurl the contents of her stomach.
She watched with wide eyes as woman, chained and shackled, were horded out of the caravan, like animals in an assembly line. The women looked famished, eyes exhausted and full of fear. Some were thin, worn down, while others were beaten, bruised, and bloody.
Tears cascaded down her cheeks when she saw children, young girls, being pushed along.
That's when it clicked; why this man made her skin crawl and leave a distasteful taste in her mouth.
This was Bora, Bora of Prominence.
He was an illegal magic user, but not of the good kind. He didn't use his magic for good, to fight for the people of this country. He wasn't a freedom fighter, using his ability to fight against Zeref.
No, this man was a monster.
Bora of Prominence was a sex traffic slave trader.
During her travels, she had heard stories about his high and righteous act, luring women with his gentle like personality. Using charm magic, he lured all his victims right to him, selling women off to buyers within Fiore and other outside countries. He tore up families and defiled women for his own selfish and personal gain. It made Lucy sick.
There was no way she could let this go on. If she could do something here, she would.
She waited until nightfall and found the crates they were hurling women into. And used Taurus to help rescue and free them from their future imprisonment.
They continued the extraction, reaching the remaining two crates in the harbor, Taurus knocking down the gates while Lucy fought off against the guards. The magical enhancers that Yajima had given her helped her become swifter and more powerful in fights. She was able to fend off easier. And it helped that these men were just henchmen with no magical abilities. Once Taurus was done freeing the women from the remaining crates, he stood right by her side.
They were fending off the last of the henchmen, when a dark, ominous magic surrounded them. She frantically searched the area as a purple colored flame surrounded her and Taurus.
"What's going on, now?!" She shouted, but her question was soon answered as the ring leader of these atrocious dealings finally emerged from the purple flames.
"When we met, I just knew. I just knew you were something." His voice was strident and daunting, it made Lucy gulp as she clenched her fist tighter. She could hear Taurus huff, palming his battle axe. "To think that you destroyed months, MONTHS of work."
A raucous laugh and he put his hand to his forehead, shaking it slightly. The heat was beginning to become uncomfortable, the purple flames creating a sticky atmosphere around her.
"You are sick. How could you do this to those poor women! You monster!" Lucy shouted, eyes shifting to Taurus. He gave a curt nod in understanding.
An evil chuckle and he stuck out his hand. "Monster? Oh no, dear. You haven't seen what monstrous things I could do."
The flames began to form a vortex around her and she found herself suffocating. She fell to the floor, on all fours, coughing furiously. No matter how many breaths she took, the purple flames were like poison to her lungs.
"Miss Lucy!" She could hear Taurus yell.
"That's no way to treat a woman, moooooo!"
Struggling to keep her eyes open, she began to crawl, find her way out of the vortex.
"A… celestial mage?" She could hear his cackling on the other side of the flames, wanting nothing more than to wipe his smirk off his face. "You really are intriguing."
Because of their contact, Lucy could feel Taurus' life force chip away with each hit Bora landed on him. Not wanting Taurus to suffer like he had only two days ago, she decided to force close his gate.
"Close! Gate of the Bull!"
Lucy could hear Taurus' cries of protest, but the bull vanished, the golden specks all that were left of his presence in the battlefield.
At his forced closure, the purple flames disappeared and Lucy took a deep breath, still on all fours, choking, forcing herself to excavate the poisonous flames from her body.
"My charm magic has no effect on you, does it?" Through one half lidded eye, she could see him standing above her. She was still struggling to find her breath. "You are a strong one, indeed."
Bora kneeled down to her and grabbed her chin forcefully. Lucy attempted to rip herself away from his touch, but he forced her back into this view.
"You aren't worth the months of work, but you will still bring a hefty price from the buyers."
Her eyes went wide and before she could counter attack, strong arms gripped each side of her arms, pulling her up.
"Get your hands off of me!" She managed to yell, though her throat was dry from the spell of coughing fits from earlier.
"Feisty little lady, aren't ya?" The man on her left said and the other drooled.
"Get her to the ship. I must salvage what I can from her mess."
Lucy went wide eyed and struggled against their hold. "Don't you dare touch those women, you pig! Do what you want with me, but don't hurt them!"
A hard grip on her chin and Bora's maniacal eyes bore into hers. "Trust me, celestial mage, I have every intention too."
The men began to laugh and Lucy felt fear creep into her chest. A sense of dread filled her, her heart dropping to her stomach. She had always been Lucky Lucy. For two years now, the blonde managed to escape trouble.
But, this time, her luck might just run out.
"Take her out of my sight. And be sure to grab those keys of hers. She's more trouble than you think." After barking his orders, Bora retreated away from her and Lucy tried to pull away. She squirmed in their arms, blocking their view from her keys.
"Don't you dare touch them!" Biting down on the arm of one of her kidnappers, he hissed and pulled away. "Stay away from my keys!"
"You idiot! She's just a stupid girl!" The other man grabbed her and Lucy proceeded to kick him in the man's most prized area. He immediately groaned and fell to the floor, the celestial mage proceeding to head butt the other man.
But it was to avail as the purple flame wrapped around her, burning her skin.
"Ahhhhhh!" she screamed in pain, falling to the floor, clutching her arms tightly.
"Must I do everything myself!" Bora's disgusting voice reached her ears and Lucy looked through teary eyes as the man put his hand on her head. "Sleep."
Despite her protest and the pain, Lucy did just that.
-O-
It was the swaying the woke her.
The back and forth movement had her head spinning when she woke. The room she was locked in, the items moved with her, sometimes landing on her, sometimes barely scrapping by her. But, when she awoke, she definitely knew she wasn't on land.
Groaning, there was a heaviness in her body as she shifted in her spot. Opening her eyes, Lucy felt the grogginess of her body. In attempt to move, there was a tightness around her. Coming to her complete senses, the blonde realized that she was tied up.
The ropes were wounded tightly around her body and the more she struggled, the more it chafed away at her.
Immediately looking for her keys, doubt settling as they were nowhere to be found. Not having her keys left her vulnerable and naked. Discomfort filled her, panic rising to her chest.
How dare they take her keys.
They belonged to her. Her keys were her most precious items.
Anxiety rose and Lucy distraughtly looked around the room, looking for a possible exit way. Bora may have not been stupid enough, but his henchmen were. And by the looks of it, Bora wasn't the one who put her in here.
She found her balance and walked over to the door. Turning around, she felt for the knob and once having a grip on it, she turned it, hoping it would be unlocked. When the door opened, she thanked the heavens for the idiocy of men.
The hallway was black, the moon light shining through the windows. She could hear loud voices coming down the hall, light emitting under the door frame. Bora did say he was having a party tonight. Most likely where he was going to drug his next victims and carry them out of the country.
Three tasks Lucy needed to get done tonight. And she wasn't sure she could. But, she had to try. Even if it meant it killed her. 1, get these damn ropes off of her. 2, find her keys. She needed to get them back. And 3, rescues the girls and get off this damn ship. If she could take Bora out, that would be ideal. But for now, escape was her number 1 priority.
Stumbling across the hall, the blonde knew she needed to be more quieter. It was likely every person on the ship was probably at that party he was having, so odds were in her favor right now. With luck, she managed to get a few doors open, looking for something that may be able to cut through the rope.
It wasn't until she reached the last room that she found a knife sitting atop of the table. Hope entered her and her chances were looking bright once more. She gripped it tightly and sat down, hoping to begin cutting away.
"I'ms gunna grabs sumthin' froms' in here, 'kay!" A rough, drunk voice spoke outside the door and Lucy froze.
"Alright, you old drunk. But, hurry it up!"
Heart racing and the knife gripped tightly in her tied hands, Lucy breathed nervously, watching as the door opened. She crept to the side, hoping to be out of sight, to catch the man by surprise. It would be difficult getting the upper hand, but she felt like she could.
"Nows where'd I'd put dat darn things?" He began shuffling around and the blonde took this opportunity to take him out.
Lucy has never killed a man.
She knew it was war, and it was killed or be killed. But, she had hoped that it would never come to it.
But, if she had too…
The blonde gulped.
When he turned around to face her…
"Lucyyyyy kick!"
He stumbled back and the blonde gave him another swift kick to his head, the man rendering useless as he fell unconscious. Sighing in relief, Lucy hid in the shadows, knowing there was still at least one more out there.
"What's taking you so long, you dolt?"
The blonde took this opportunity to shove him into the door, head butting the man. She heard him hiss, his hands reaching for the source of pain immediately. Lucy swiftly kicked him in his abdomen, kneeing him in the face when he bent over.
He collapsed and Lucy looked both ways before running to another room.
Looking behind her, the celestial mage paid no attention to her front as she made sure the guys she took down, stayed down.
Her mistake.
Crashing into a hard back, Lucy almost bounced off, stumbling backwards, falling on her behind.
"What the hell?" And that's when she recognized the eyes.
It was the same man from the village, the one who almost hit an innocent woman. In his hands, he was dragging an unconscious woman, also tied up similarly to Lucy. She glared, and wished nothing more than for the wretched ropes to be off.
If they were, she'd raise hell.
"What the? The celestial mage? How the hell did you get out?" Tossing the woman in his arms to the floor like a rag doll, this angered Lucy more. Removing chivalry and gender, no human should be treated this way.
"You really have no class, do you?" She challenged and the man spit next to her. A leery smile and he reached his grubby hands at her.
"Boss said you were feisty. He wasn't kiddin'. Think I'll have my fun now before your just spoils."
Lucy swallowed her fear and pushed herself up immediately. She would not allow herself to be given up this way; forced to expose yourself to someone you don't know, be hurt in ways that leave you broken hearted. She refused to have her own will and freedom taken from her.
"I don't think so." Lucy stood up, and threw a kick towards his head.
Chuckling, he grabbed her leg and she struggled against his hold. Panic once again in her chest and she attempted to hold back.
"You're not so tough without your keys, are you?" She couldn't move and his gleaming eyes had her petrified. A hard line on her lips and Lucy gritted her teeth.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Another voice joined and the man let go of her foot. Lucy found her balance, looking for a means of escape.
"Stupid blondie got out. Just teaching her a lesson, ya know? For ruining all our hard work."
The other man that joined didn't seem convinced and rolled his eyes. "Right. Well, it's a good thing you have her because the boss wants her anyway."
Saved… Lucy thought to herself, but this gave her time to think, think of a way to get her keys back, and get the hell out of here.
The sensible man grabbed Lucy by the arm and pulled her away from the lecherous pervert that looked at her like she was a piece of meat.
The man remained silent as he guided her through the hall, to the door that led to the entrance of the party room, she imagined. He didn't say anything, just held her tight.
"This way."
Lucy just glared as he pushed the door open, her eyes having to adjust to the brightness in contrast to the darkness of the hallway. Her eyes went wide at the scene in front of her.
Loud music boomed away as men were drinking, snickering at the unconscious women that loitered the room. Women of all sorts were laid across the room, dressed in elegant dresses, blacked out on the floor and couch.
The blonde bit her lip, blood drawing.
Horrible, disgusting, scoundrels!
"Ah, just who I wanted to see."
His voice was nails on a chalkboard. That pathetic excuse of a man made her cringe.
Lucy glowered at him, but Bora merely smiled as he titled his drink towards her.
"I was having a good day today, celestial mage. The birds were chirping, the sky was singing. My shipment was prepared and ready to sail across Fiore. I could practically feel the money in my pockets." His dark eyes narrowed towards her as he stood from his seat. He walked towards Lucy and sneered down at her.
"But then arrives this pretty little blonde with a gutsy attitude who challenges my henchmen and ruins my shipments. Not to mention, lets my assets escape and takes out a number of my men. On top of that, is also a celestial mage." His voice draws out, coated in malice and contempt.
"I didn't ruin anything! I saved those girls from imprisonment!" She bit back, but Bora seethed.
"So that makes you, what? A hero? Don't make me laugh, girl!" the sex traffic slave trader laughed with a sinister grin as he wiped away at his eyes. "The world is at war. Nobody cares who lives and who dies as long as there is a winner. You have to do whatever you can to survive and this is how I survive. This is how I live my life! And I have to say, it is quite wondrous."
She growled, not believing the words coming out of his mouth.
"This world is cruel, and wicked, mage. People die every day. Either you have what it takes to survive, or you die." He ran his hand down her face. "And then there are people who refuse to die, but are desperate enough to live. So, they will take whatever measure, whatever option, that is presented to them so they can continue to live."
"You never gave them an option! You just kidnap them!" Tears pricked at her eyes, thinking of all those scared and frightened woman she rescued from the crates. Those poor women who didn't have a choice and were ripped from their homes.
Another eerie smile. "It's just good business."
Tears began to run down her cheeks, not understanding how this man could be so cruel. How could he lack basic understanding and empathy? How could he not care about the disaster he leaves behind in his wake?
"Just… good business? Just good business!?" She shouted at him. "How can you sit there and say that when you are exploiting women, children! You have to know what happens to these women and children once sold? They have no life! They have no future! They are beaten, bruised, hurt in ways that can't be imaginable! How can you condone and continue engaging in this type of business!?"
"Save the speech for someone who cares, girl." He waved her off, Lucy's eyes landing on her keys, which were set on the table right next to him. "Business is business. As long as the money comes in, I don't care what I have to do to obtain it."
The words this man spoke so clearly resembled someone she knew from not far long ago. Their desire for money and attaining it in whatever ways they could, not caring who they hurt or what they sacrifice along the way. For Bora, his humanity. And for her father...
Her.
"Why? You could use your magic for good! You are a skilled mage, I have seen it. You could use that good to fight against the empire! Fight against the Emperor! Join the Resistance and do good in this world! It doesn't have to be like this! You could use your power to make a difference!" Her labored breath caused her chest to rise harshly, eyes pleading to Bora the Prominence, hoping she could get through to him.
The room remained silent as Bora leered down towards her, no visible reaction to her speech.
Until he began to cackle, then erupted into a series of laughing fits. The room joined in his laughter and Lucy felt like she was being swallowed whole.
"Do you fellows hear this? Oh! This is rich!" Bora fell into his chair, wiping away at the tears in his eyes as he looked down at the blonde.
"Newsflash, blondie. I don't care about this pathetic war! It doesn't matter what side you fight on because in the end, no side truly wins! Fight with the Resistance you say? Tch, don't make me laugh! Those idiots only live to get themselves killed! They don't stand a chance against the Imperial army and the Emperor. They are just a pack of wild dogs, waiting to be mauled off by the wolves."
Bora gabbed Lucy's chin and tilted it towards him. "Those who are blessed with magical abilities, myself and yourself included, are at the top of the food chain. Magic less humans are beneath us. We are the predators in this world, celestial mage. Don't you see it? We have abilities that no one can touch."
That was talk of the empire. Acting like they were higher than the common people. They were human, just like the old baker man in Hargeon, or the kind market grandmother in that old village. Magic didn't make them any better.
"Say! I have a proposition for you!" Bora's eyes lit up with excitement as he padded down on his palm.
Oh great, this was going to be rich.
"Join me! You're a smart girl! Clearly, you've outsmarted others and you've gotten around on your own long enough. Join me and we will be the most thriving business outside of the empire!" Lucy's jaw dropped in pure disgust.
Join him?! Was he nuts!?
"Like I would ever join you!" There was no hesitation in her reply as she answered him immediately. Her furious reply followed with a spit to his face. The room gasped.
The excitement vanished, disdain replacing his discontent with her answer.
A loud slap noise echoed throughout the room as Bora made sure to hit her with his ring hand. Lucy could feel the swelling in his cheek, but not enough to draw blood. She looked back at him with anger.
"I gave you a chance, a chance to be something great. And you spit on my opportunity. Stupid mage. You will regret your decision."
Lucy could feel the room grow hotter, the purple flames from earlier surrounding her. The air began to feel think, hot and she couldn't breathe once more.
When she was enclosed in Natsu's flames, they didn't burn her. His flames were warm, and collective, growing ablaze by his command.
But Bora's flames were toxic, suffocating her. They filled her lungs and nostrils, poisoning her from the inside. The heat scathed at her, making her fall to the floor. Her forehead hit the floor as sweat profusely ran down the corners of her head. Coughing was only making her throat more raw, she began gasping for fresh air.
"You are despicable." She managed to insult, before succumbing to his purple poison. Bora smiled as he laughed, not caring about the words she spoke.
Failure.
That's what she felt as her eyes fell to the darkness. She hadn't accomplished a thing. She only had three of the twelve golden gate keys, the empire still had complete reign over all of Fiore, she never did get a chance to join the Resistance.
She never got the opportunity to make peace with her father.
Her mother would be so disappointed.
But, there was nothing she could do. She was left out of options, her keys out of arms reach. Tears once again began to run down her cheeks as she thought about Aquarius, and Taurus, and her newly acquired friends Plue and Cancer.
What would happen to her keys? Who was going to care for them? Who was going to watch over them? And assure that nothing happened to them?
She couldn't die yet.
She had to continue fighting for her life. She couldn't give up just yet.
"Stay down, celestial mage." A heavy foot on her back threw her to the ground and Lucy couldn't move, her hands literally tied behind her back. If only she could just move-!
There was a rumbling, and the ship began to sway back and forth. Bora's purple fire was dissipated as his focus was elsewhere.
"The hell?" She could hear him say.
The rumbling grew closer and closer until there was a loud snap! A large explosion appeared above them and Lucy could hear the croaking of the ship, the wood splintering in half as the boat rocked with the sway of the ocean.
A loud thump landed behind her and Lucy hoisted herself up from the ground, now that the air was clearer and more breathable.
"I heard there was a party tonight. But, I think my invitation got lost in the mail. Hope you don't mind that I stop by."
"Aye sir! I hope you all have fish!"
Her eyes went wide as she recognized the voices of the intruders.
Tears of joy kissed her eyes as a smile formed at her lips.
"Natsu! Happy!" She couldn't stop the overwhelming feeling of relief that entered her. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you two!"
"What's up, Lucy?" Happy greeted her as he flew over towards her. "Sheesh, what trouble you in now?"
Happy managed to cut through the thick rope and her hands were immediately free. She embraced the cat, despite only knowing the two boys for a day.
"What the hell is this?! Who are you? And what are you doing on my boat?!" Bora activated his magic circles, his purple flames appearing.
"I told ya we would see each other again, didn't I?" Natsu spoke as his eyes slit, the black orbs she first met turning to olive green. A smirk on his lips and Lucy jumped to his side.
"Yeah, I guess you did." She answered, returning a smile of her own.
The Salamander of the Resistance looked her over, and asked "Did he hurt ya bad?"
She shook her head in response. "Nothing I couldn't handle. He has my keys though. So, I can only fight hand to hand. He has a pretty lethal flame magic that makes your lungs feel like they are burning away."
Orange flames appeared around Natsu's hands and he grinned.
"No problem."
And he charged forward towards Bora, who released his own magic.
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
"Prominence: Red Shower!"
Bullets of purple flames attacked the pink haired man as Natsu's intense flames overpowered Bora's magic. Bora's men all took steps back, backing away from the intense heat emitting from the Salamander's attack. Lucy took this opportunity to run towards the table and snatch her keys. Once in her hands, she tied the belt back around her waist.
The boat began rocking once more and everyone began to fall to one side.
Lucy was falling over until a tail wrapped around her and she was being pulled up.
"Up we go!" Happy said as he sky rocketed out of the ship.
"Happy!? What about Natsu?!" She shouted, the air resistance deafening her scream.
"He'll be just fine!"
The girls!
It was then that she remembered the poor girls that were stashed away on the boat. She needed to get that boat back to the main land!
"Happy! I need you to put me down!" The blue cat looked at her with an incredulous stare.
"You want me to what?!"
"I need you to put me back on the boat! There are girls in there that if not Bora, one of his other cronies will sail away with! They are going to ruin their lives and I cannot allow that to happen!" She explained and Happy seemed to understand what she was saying.
He nodded and they flew back towards the boat, where Natsu was exchanging blows with Bora.
"Fire Dragon Claws!" Natsu's feet were on fire, his flames shining so brightly in the dark of the night, over the dark sea. Lucy could see Bora's nervous face as he summoned chains of purple fire.
He dodged Natsu's powerful kick and the pink haired mage blew a hole into the boat.
Lucy watched in horror as Bora threw a hurl of purple flames towards Natsu.
"Natsu! Watch out!" Screaming at the top of her lungs, Happy flew as fast as he could to get Lucy to aid him, but the flames were already covering his body.
Bora laughed as the flames consumed the Salamander. Happy dropped Lucy on the ship and she could only watch with sad eyes as the flames ate away.
"Oh no." She gasped, her hands covering her mouth.
"That's what comes to those who ruin my ship."
The flames began to move, in a swirling motion as a loud slurping noise was heard. Lucy's brows knitted together in confusion and Bora watched as his flames turned into a vortex that was growing smaller and smaller.
"As if flames could beat Natsu!" Happy said with a smile. Lucy shifted her gaze back and forth between the cat and the freedom fighter.
"Man, these flames are disgusting!"
Lucy and Bora could only watch in complete astonishment as Natsu ate Bora's purple flames. He slurped them up like they were noodles, wiping away at his mouth. Lucy was the first to recover as her eyes looked back to Happy.
Bora continued staring with his jaw on the floor, eyes nearly leaving his sockets.
"Yo-You ju-just ate my flames!"
"Yeah, and they were nasty… just like you." He said coolly and Lucy could feel the heat rise to her cheeks.
"He-He could eat fire..?" She asked, and Happy nodded.
"You bet! It's how he powers up! Once Natsu gets a good chunk in, he's all fired up!"
So cool! Lucy couldn't help but admire the power that the Salamander had. He was a dragon slayer. A real, live dragon slayer with ability to enhance his magic by eating his element.
The boat rocked once more, and they all tripped over their feet, falling to the deck.
"Oww, that hurt." Lucy said as she grabbed the side of the boat, hoisting herself up. Happy flew next to her and Bora also stood in his stance.
But Natsu remained on the floor. This caused the blonde mage to worry.
"Natsu?"
"Oh no." Lucy could hear the blue feline say as he flew over towards his companion.
"Happy, I think I'm going to be sick!"
And Natsu quickly made his way up, scrambling towards the edge of the boat as he hurled into the ocean. Both Bora and Lucy looked at Natsu with dots in their eyes, not understanding what was going on.
"Did the Old Man's magic liquid wear off already?!" Happy said in distress as he attempted to grab the pyromaniac.
"Happy, I don't feel so goo- ugh!" And there he went, over the edge again.
Bora began to chuckle as the fire appeared in his hands again.
"What an amateur! Motion sickness? Hah! What a loser!"
Motion sickness!?
She remembered briefly the exchange Natsu had with Yajima-san, the old shop owner handing him a bottle with blue liquid. That was a liquid potion to help relieve his motion sickness! And it had worn off!
Lucy reacted quickly as Bora aimed at Natsu and Happy. Using her own strength and speed with the help of the old man, the blonde mage landed a hard kick to Bora's face.
"Don't even think about it!"
Bora went flying as Lucy landed in front of the duo. Happy was rubbing at Natsu's back, watching with frightful eyes as the blonde shielded them both.
She aimed towards him again, landing a few punches to his face, kneeing him in the abdomen. She would lie if she said it didn't feel good to get a shot at him. Lucy smirked as she huffed, watching the horrid man stumble in his step.
The dark haired man began to chuckle as the tattoo above his eyes glowed. It made Lucy's insides shiver, the creepiness that settled in his eyes.
Bora's flames intensified, his prominence magic overpowering Lucy's magic sensing ability.
"I've had enough of this! Die!"
A beam of purple fire was aimed at the trio and Lucy knew she only had one shot to do this.
"Open! Gate of the water bearer! Aquarius!"
Lucy lost sight of Bora's powerful gleam as the golden light appeared, Aquarius taking form in thin air. Her scaly, blue tail appeared first, her silky, pale body emitting a glow in the moonlight and her long, blue hair taking shape.
The sheer power of her most powerful celestial spirit was enough to bring Bora to his knees.
"Look at the giant fish! Can I eat it!?" Happy was the first to speak as drool left the corner of his mouth.
Lucy and Aquarius ignored his comment, and the moody spirit turned her sharp, blue eyes at her master.
"Didn't I tell you not to summon me!? I'm on a week-long vacation that was abrupted by you!"
Aquarius shamefully scolded Lucy, a vein appearing on the corner of her forehead.
"I know what you said, but I need you to push this boat to shore!" She commanded and Aquarius leered at her, glowering down at her.
"Huuuuuuuuh? You need me to do what now!?"
"Lucy, I don't need think this fish likes you very much. If you want, I will take it off your hands for you!"
The celestial mage appreciated Happy's commentary, she really did, but the stupid cat needed to shut it!
"You stupid feline! Shut it!" Aquarius shouted.
Happy went stone cold. "Aye sir!"
"Tha-that's another celestial being." Bora spoke to himself and his fear increased.
"Please just do as I ask! I don't have time to sit here and argue with you! The lives of Natsu, Happy, and these girls are at stake!" Lucy argued, frowning at her most trusted spirit.
Aquarius looked like her head was about to explode as Lucy commanded her with such disrespect! The mermaid took a moment to survey the area and see the mess that the blonde had gotten herself into this time around.
"Tch! You brat! Watch the way you talk to me!"
The jar in Aquarius' hands began to rumble and water began to form at the roof. The ocean began to move, the waves pushing the boat back towards land. Bora landed on his behind as Aquarius used the water in her jar to command the ocean tide.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Water rushed out, pouring over Natsu, Lucy, Happy, Bora, and the boat. With a harsh pull, the boat was carried back towards land, crashing hard into the Hargeon dock. Lucy and Happy flew off, landing on the sandy beach with a hard thump.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that, again! Got it, brat?!" Aquarius appeared in front of Lucy and the blonde nodded.
"Thank you, Aquarius." A smile of sincerity lifted on her lips and the blue mermaid halted in her scolding for a moment, only to sigh roughly.
"I will be resuming my week-long vacation with my boyfriend. So don't you dare call me, got it?!"
And with that, the mermaid spirit disappeared into the night.
Lucy sighed in relief. She was hoping she wouldn't have to use Aquarius in the near future anytime soon.
"What the hell did you do?!" Bora shoved pieces of wood off of him as his eyes blazed in fury. The tattoo above his eye began to glow once again and the fire circled around his body.
With Happy next to her, Lucy stood confident, ready to take down this lecherous, pompous man.
"Stopped you from any of your future business dealings." A confident smirk arose and she readied her fighting stance.
Before Bora could even attempt to lay a finger on the duo, orange, yellow flames bellowed from below him, engulfing the dark haired man in an inferno of bright fire.
Natsu appeared from under the rubble of the crashed ship, his a flaming fist jabbed under the sex slave trader going flying into the beach. His henchmen ran after him, asking him if he was okay.
"Boss!? Boss! You okay!?"
"Bora! Come on now! Don't die on us!"
"You really love to hear yourself talk, don't you?" Natsu said as the flames around his hands heightened.
No longer on the rocky sea, the Salamander of the Resistance stood tall on top of the ship wreck. The scaly white scarf wrapped around his neck floated around him as the atmosphere was crisp.
"Wait, I think I know who this guy is." One man said, his voice quivering.
"Hold on… yeah! Yeah it has to be him! He's the real deal!" Another man said.
Bora sat up, groaning, nursing his swollen chin. "What the hell are you idiots going on about now!?"
"That man, that fire eater. He's the Salamander."
Bora's eyes went wide. "You don't mean…"
"Oh yeah! That's the Salamander of the Resistance! He's a freedom fighter!"
"How dare you abuse your magic and take advantage of the innocent." Natsu spoke, his voice smoky. "Magic is supposed to be used to help people, not hurt them. You use your lousy magic to make money. Pathetic. You don't deserve your magical abilities."
"Oh man! You're in for a real treat, Lucy!" Happy excitedly flew around her as Natsu took closer steps towards Bora and his men.
"You're disgusting. We're over here trying to stop a war and save people from the that shit head emperor and you're over here causing a mess. We already have one major problem we gotta deal with! Don't go causing more issues for us! You stupid fake!"
Two giant balls of flames erupted in his hands, bright enough to lighten up the surrounding area. If it hadn't been for Natsu standing in the middle of the beach, Lucy would have thought the sun was out!
"I'm real sick of you guys and your awful stench. Get out of my face." Planting his feet, Natsu powered up as more flames surrounded his body, traveling to his hands. Bringing both his hands together, the collective flames grew, forming a giant ball of fire.
"Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!"
Lucy had to cover her eyes from the sheer brightness of the looming ball of fire. She could hear the screams of Bora and his men, screams of pain and agony. Looking away, she didn't want to see the aftermath of Natsu's powerful attack.
She knew if she looked back, she would see nothing but the charred remains of Bora and his cronies.
Despite the grotesque images she had witnessed earlier, she didn't wish death on Bora. But, without a proper democracy to properly charge Bora and his crimes, he would be free to continue with his business and enslave innocent women and children.
Until the empire was brought to its knees, atrocities like what Bora did would never end.
Instead of looking at the remains of their bodies, Lucy made haste towards the girls stuck in the rubble that was Bora's boat. She could hear their groans and pleas for help.
Helping them one by one, Lucy smiled as the girls thanked her with teary and grateful eyes. Once every girl was out of that boat, the blonde mage sighed in relief.
"Great job today, team!"
Happy appeared next to her and she jumped.
Stupid cat…!
Lucy calmed her breathing and threw an exhausting smile at the duo.
"I would have been done for without you two. So thanks for the save. That's twice I owe you." And she truly was thankful to them. Without Natsu and Happy, Lucy would be halfway to somewhere over the ocean right now.
Natsu smiled and crossed his arms. "Couldn't have done it without ya, Luigi!"
An eye twitch and Lucy glared at the snickering boys in front of her.
"Lucy! My name is Lucy! Would it kill ya to get it right!?"
But both boys just fell to the floor, clutching their stomachs in laughter.
She had to admit though that their cackles were infectious as she found herself laughing alongside with them. Lucy couldn't recall the last time she had felt so free and light.
She did what she could to forget the dead and lifeless faces in her dreams, even if she hadn't directly killed someone. It was all she could to barely stay afloat. Lucy used her resolve to push her forward and swallowed down her fear.
But right here, at this moment, Lucy felt like she could relieve herself of the burdens of the world and allow her shoulders to shake with laughter.
Their celebration was short lived as the clanking of armor filled their ears and hurried voices were growing closer.
The imperial army was here.
Natsu stood immediately, grabbing his bag and hooking it on his back.
"We gotta get out of here!" He shouted towards Lucy and Happy, urging them to follow his lead. Lucy knew her chances at outrunning the Imperial army were better with the Salamander, so she did just that.
As they ran, Natsu grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the sandy beach, guiding her into the Hargeon forest.
"Where are we going?" She asked as they ran deep into the forest, Happy flying above Natsu's head. He turned back towards her and grinned, his teeth so bright and his demeanor overflowing with jubilance.
"You said you wanted to join the Resistance, didn't you?"
Lucy almost stopped in her tracks hadn't it been for the imperial army they were outrunning. Her brown eyes were wide as saucers as Natsu continued running forward.
"But, I need to find my -"
"Yeah, you need to find your keys! We know!" Happy finished for her with a chuckle, flying down to her level.
"What better way to find your keys than with the Resistance? You can find your keys and save the world? How about it?" Natsu looked back at her with a sly grin, his black eyes bearing down at him so deeply, so keenly.
Her? Lucy? Join the Resistance?
Heart jumped, doing somersaults in the air.
This was all she ever wanted since she was a child.
To make a difference and help the world by taking down the evil emperor. All she wanted was a chance to prove herself useful, to not be a burden and give the people of this country and chance to live free of tyranny.
And here was this man, this silly, yet powerful pink haired man with a blue feline companion, offering her the opportunity.
The smile on her face continued to grow.
"So, let's go!"
A/N: HOLY CRAP GUYS. THIS CHAPTER TOOK FOREVER TO WRITE. I'm still sighing at the amount of time it took!
It's not easy writing dark characters for me, so I hope this turned out okay! Bora is portrayed as harmless in the manga. Once Natsu takes care of him, that was pretty much the end of him there. But, what I thought was interesting, was his women slave trade background and how that was so easily ignored. It ended up working perfectly for my story and I was able to twist it and make Bora darker and more evil than his FT canon counterpart.
I hope you guys liked the end scene! I tried to tie it in closely to the manga, but I also wanted it to be different. Natsu and Lucy are off to Fai- I mean, the Resistance! It's just so easy to say Fairy Tail!
The introduction is now finished, after four chapters, and we get started with the thick of the story. This story isn't going to be short, fair warning. I'm looking around 50 chapters or so. It's going to be a wild ride so I hope you are all ready.
Be sure to let me know your thoughts! Reviews are always appreciated!
Until next time!
Dark Waffle