Chapter 2

Team Natsu

It had been taken a couple days since Ryoko and Marie joined the guild. All that time, Ryoko learned about her new guild members and taken on a few jobs to pass the time. She had formed a couple of close friendships. Mira and her brother became close to her as well as Cana. She even patched things up with Gajeel, well mostly. They still had a few kinks to work on. It didn't help that when he introduced her to Juvia, he purposely pushed those certain Gray buttons, forever branding Ryoko as a love revival. Funny thing is, she hasn't met Gray yet.

Two days ago…

"Hey Juvia, you might like the little Squirt here," Gajeel said as he called Juvia over to their table.

A woman with blue hair and a white dress came over and smiled at the two of them. "Hello, I'm Juvia Lockser, it's nice to meet you," she said as she shook her hand before turning to Gajeel. "Why do you say that?"

"Because she's a slayer like me but her magic is ice AND water," he said with an evil grin.

Juvia's once smiling face turned sour. "A new rival! You will not take Gray from me!" she declared.

Ryoko looked at Gajeel then back to Juvia. "Um...who?" she asked naively

Ryoko chuckled at the memory but it didn't last. Before she knew what was going on, the doors to the guild hall slammed open. "We're back!" shouted an overly happy pink haired mage before his face frowned. Behind him stood a blue cat, a blonde woman, a redheaded woman in armor, and a dark haired man about to strip.

This must be Team Natsu. Ryoko thought as she watched them walk in. Levy was explaining all the new additions to the guild. Most of the group was receptive, except the man with the pink hair. At one point, Master walked over and introduced Juvia as a new member as well as Gajeel. Juvia got a warmer welcome than Gajeel. Almost instantly, he was head to head with the pink haired mage. Master got between the two and separated them. "This is the last of the newest members, Ryoko and Marie," he introduced.

The blue cat flew over and smiled at Marie as she sat next to Ryoko. "Hi! I'm Happy," he introduced.

"My name is Marie," she said as she stood up and gave a slight bow.

"I"m Ryoko. I didn't know there were any other talking flying cats out there," Ryoko said as she smiled at Happy.

"I'm Gray Fullbuster," said the half naked mage. "This is Lucy, Erza and that grumpy hot headed idiot is Natsu."

Ryoko nodded a hello to everyone as she shook their hands. Gray and Erza took a seat at her table to get to know here as Lucy went over to the bar and Natsu grumbled about the guild hall. "So what kind of magic do you use, Ryoko?" Erza asked as she received a piece of strawberry cake.

"Oh, I'm a Dragon Slayer," Ryoko said as they both sweat dropped as Natsu suddenly got interested.

"You're a Dragon Slayer? What kind?" he asked.

"Ice and water," ryoko said as she smiled. "I hear you control fire."

"Yup, that's me! The mighty fire Dragon Slayer!" he said before a thought hit him. "Hey do you know where dragon is?"

"Dragons," she corrected.

"What?"

"Dragons. I had two dragons and no I don't know where Tatsuya and Kasumi went to. They disappeared 7 years ago. I've been looking for my parents ever since then," she explained.

"Just like Gajeel and myself," Natsu commented as Mira came on stage to sing.

Ryoko smiled before turning back to Gray and Erza but she could still feel Natsu's gaze on her. "So how come you have two nature's?" Gray asked.

"Each one of my parents held one of those natures. My dad is the ice dragon and my mom is the water dragon. Since ice and water are the same thing but just two different states, it was easy to learn both," Ryoko explained as she listened to Mira's song.

"You must be a strong Dragon Slayer to wield both at the same time," Erza observed.

"I'm not a big fighter unless I have to," Ryoko explained. Her calm demeanor was clear to Gray and Erza. By now, Gajeel was on the stage, singing his song.

"Better lover than a fighter. I can dig that. Bet our magics would compliment each other really well. I'm an ice make wizard," Gray explained. "You should join our team."

Ryoko smiled at Gray before feeling like an icy look of death was gazing her way. It was strong enough to make her shiver. "Thanks but I think I'll stick to solo missions for now," she said feeling as if she had narrowly escaped death.

"That's cool, offer still stands thougth," he said before turning to the mages fighting. Successfully knocking Erza's cake from her hand.

Ryoko quickly got the feeling to get out while she could and grabbed Marie for a quick getaway. As the doors closed behind her, shocked to still be able to hear the chaos inside. Shaking her head she walked out into the warmth of Magnolia air and towards her new home. Before the chaos, she managed a conversation with the Master about her participation in the Fantasia Parade. Ryoko had declined. She was too new and really hated being the center of attention. So she would go on a job instead. Marie hadn't agreed with her but didn't challenge her decision.

Ryoko smiled and waved at the landlady who had suddenly become very sweet to her. Things were settling in and she was finally feeling at home. This warm feeling didn't last though, as Marie turned on her. "You should participate in the parade. You're a member of Fairy Tail and should join in their festivities," Marie chided.

"I know but not this year. I'm just still too new. Besides, you know how I am. All eyes on the new kid? No way. Sidelines work just fine for me," Ryoko said as she kicked off her shoes and went into the kitchen. She made Marie her favorite fish dinner and herself a big bowl of pasta. They ate in silence. Marie was mildly annoyed at Ryoko and decided the silent treatment would work for the evening. Ryoko didn't mind. Her thoughts were drifting. Three Dragon Slayers now called Fairy Tail home. And Ryoko couldn't help but think of Natsu. There was something about him. Something nagging at her, but she just didn't know what it was.

After her dinner and a nice soak in her bath, she snuggled into her bed and looked out her window. Something was coming, she just didn't know. Perhaps it was something with Natsu or maybe something on the wind. She did know that tomorrow was going to be a long day.

The next day, Ryoko spent it shopping around Magnolia. She ended up getting more items for her apartment, including the most comfortable pillow ever. She couldn't stop hugging it as she and Marie walked to get lunch before heading back to pack for their job. Once she was ready to go, they headed for the guild. They had to check in with the Master before they departed. However, when she got there, it was packed full.

"What the hell?" Ryoko asked as she squeezed past them to get to the bar.

"What is this?" Marie asked Happy as he flew over to them with a fish in hand.

"It's the Missy Fairy Tail pageant. We got Lucy involved so she could pay her rent. Are you entering too, Ryoko?" Happy asked.

"Absolutely not! Sorry Happy, but I am not looking to be ogled by my fellow guild mates," she said as Cana came on in her bikini. By this point, Happy flew over to sit with Natsu and his friends. "And definitely not dressed like that."

"Well at least you have some sense. Honestly, what are these girls thinking?" Marie said as Mira finished up and Erza requips into a goth lolita outfit.

"Now that's not something I wouldn't have pictured the Great Erza in. I think she's got this," Ryoko chuckled. Surprised that she was getting into this "Marie, let's stay until the end. Watching the guys is just too funny."

"My spirits and I are going to do a little cheer for you guys!" Lucy said as she came on stage and broke out her pom poms.

"Oh! She's a celestial wizard! How cool." Ryoko said as she thought of Blue Pegasus' tales of Karen. But Ryoko was pulled from her thoughts as a woman dressed in green and turned Lucy to stone. Before she knew it, the whole guild was in an uproar as it was revealed that the other girls were also statues.

That's when he appeared. Laxus Dreyer. Ryoko had heard about him and his Thunder Legion. Marie grabbed her arm to keep her back. With Laxus being a lightning nature wizard, Ryoko was down to one nature: Ice. Water and electricity didn't play well on any level. Laxus looked over at her and smiled. She just stared back, unafraid. "So that's the newest Dragon Slayer. You seem to be growing quite the collection, old man."

"Laxus, stop this at once!" Master shouted at his grandson.

Laxus just laughed as he explained his plan. It was going to be a fairy battle and the last wizard standing was the winner. Ryoko may have been new but she was now going to be forced, to fight her new friends. With a lightning strike, Laxus was gone and the remaining guild members were running out the door. Master followed only to be stopped by an invisible barrier. Ryoko looked at Marie. "What do we do?" she asked.

"We have 3 hours to save the girls. We should help!" Marie said as she made her way to the entrance. Ryoko hesitated. She didn't want to fight them but she knew that she didn't have a choice.

She quickly joined with Marie and stopped next to the Master who looked up at her. "Ryoko, I hate having to do this to you but I need your help. I think you might have the power to stop Laxus. So please stop him," he pleaded as Natsu woke and bolted right into the barrier.

"Don't tell me you're over 80 too!" Master shouted at Natsu.

"I don't think so! What the hell?! I can't get through this crap! Aww come on! I want to fight!" Natsu said ash he continued to try to push through the barrier.

Ryoko placed her hand against the barrier and found she too was unable to pass through. "I know I'm not a statue and I'm pretty sure I'm not over 80. Perhaps Freed placed an underlying enchantement, preventing Natus and myself from passing," Ryoko commented even though she was a bit worried. If many of Fairy Tail's strongest members were stuck in the guild then how would they stop Laxus.

Natsu looked over a Ryoko as she moved back towards the statued girls. He didn't understand her. Here he was clawing at the barrier and she was sitting calmly next to statue Lucy. He knew she was new to the guild but he couldn't understand why she's not angry. She was stuck in the guild hall and unable to fight that jerk Laxus.

"Ryoko, why are you just sitting here? Why aren't you angry?" Natsu questioned.

"What point is there to get angry? We can't get out without following the rules of the enchantment. So because we can't break the barrier with brute force, I'm trying to think of a different way to get out," she explained, her annoyance dripping on every word.

Natsu calmed down for a moment. She may not approach the problem the same as he does she still cares. "So….do you have any ideas?" he asked.

Before she could answer, Gajeel came out from the shadows. "Gajeel? You're still here! We need your help! You might be the only one that can take out Laxus. Time to fight for your guild, my boy!" Master said as a spark of hope was heard in his voice.

"Alright, I guess I'll have to beat that idiot down, since Salamander isn't capable of doing the job," Gajeel said as he gave Natsu an evil smile but as he moved to go through the barrier, he too was blocked. "What the hell?"

"What? Are you over 80 too?" Natsu shouted.

"Do I look like I'm over 80?! We're all trapped in here!" Gajeel said as he tried to push against the barrier.

"Alright. I guess I'll wake her up. Man I really wanted to beat Laxus myself," Natsu said as he walked to the stage.

"Who are you talking about?" Ryoko asked.

"Erza. I'm gonna use my fire to melt the stone away," Natsu said as his flames engulfed his hands.

"You can't melt stone, you idiot. You'll cook her!" Master shouted, just in time for her to crack. The boys began to panic. Gajeel even suggested that the two combine their magic to fix her but it was too late. Erza was back to normal.

"I feel hot," she said before turning her sights on Natsu and smacking him.

Ryoko chuckled. After all this, there still was a lighter side, to the wizards of Fairy Tail. Ryoko listened as they discussed not only Erza's return but the mysterious Mystogan. So, some of the strongest wizards in the guild were finally joining the battle but their sights were on Laxus.

Before long Erza and Evergreen were locked in battle. And not soon after that, the girls were restored to their normal selves. Ryoko was relieved, trapped, but still relieved that they had freed the hostages. "Alright! Let's start the Fairy Tail Battle 2.0! Right now! Right now!" Natsu shouted, his hands again, engulfed in flames. Natsu over excitement to fight his fellow wizards was starting to really get to Ryoko.

With a soft smile, she walked past him and gently touched his shoulders. Though it was the briefest of moments, that simple touch was enough to freeze his flaming hands. "You need to calm down, Natsu. Save your energy for Laxus," she said before sitting down at one of the tables.

"What the hell?! She froze my fire! Not even Gray can freeze my fire!" he shouted as he danced around trying to free himself.

They heard Laxus voice as the enchantments took on the face of a skull. He had unleashed the Thunder Palace and had taken all of Magnolia hostage. What is he doing? Why would hurt so many? He's a Fairy Tail member and the grandson of the Master. How could he do all this? Ryoko thought. Ryoko looked over at the Master and realized that Laxus was killing him. He clutched his heart as sweat beaded his forehead. "MASTER!" Ryoko shouted as she ran to him.

Mira went off for his medicine but the damage was done. The Master's heart was broken for his children and for his grandson. They moved him to the infirmary. But Ryoko was angry. Laxus. Your own family. Your friends. How can you do this?! Ryoko looked at the two other Dragon Slayers. Rage clear on their faces as well.

The remaining wizards moved to the roof and looked at the Thunder Palace. Hundreds of orbs filled with lightning surrounded all of Magnolia. If Laxus detonated them, then he could wipe all of Magnolia from the map. Bisca requipped one of her riffles and destroyed one of the floating orbs. They all cheered but the excitement didn't last as lightning struck Bisca. Body link?! How low is Laxus willing to go? She thought as Cana ran to the aid of Bisca. The girls formulated a plan all the while the Dragon Slayers were useless. Stuck and unable to save anyone.

"Does anyone know how to rewrite enchantments?" Ryoko asked.

"You read my mind, Ryo!" Levy said as she pulled out her wizard glasses. "His enchantments are like my solid script magic. So I'll see what I can do to set you free."

"Thanks Levy, I have completely faith in you that you'll be able to set us free," Ryoko said as she watched her get to work. Levy was going to need to focus solely on the enchantment but even as they sat there. All the while, the Dragons raged on deep inside clawing at their cage, wanting to be set free.

I hope you enjoyed the second chapter! Third one will be up before you know it! Please review and let me know what you think! Thanks!