I rose with a groan as a banging on the door penetrated my sleep. Stella was curled up in her perch, snoring away. That cat could sleep through a battle. Muttering about how if it was a salesman I would freeze them solid, I yanked my door open.
"Geez, you sure can sleep. I've been out here for 10 minutes banging away on your door.", Gray complained as he stepped into my house.
"What's the big deal, I was sleeping!" I groused as Gray made himself comfortable.
"Have you forgotten already, Ice princess? Or are you still too asleep to notice what's going on? Today's the day. Erza versus Natsu.", Gray leaned back onto my couch.
With that remembered, I moved to go to my room and dress, when I recalled what I was wearing.
"Geez, you're as dumb as Natsu. Go put some clothes on." Gray stated, which was ironic as he began to peel himself out of his pants.
"You're one to talk, pervert!", I shoved him off the couch and yelled behind me as I disappeared into my room. I threw on my bandeau, and a black vest, the dark blue and black going well together and leaving me guild mark on my chest visible. I threw on shorts and made my way back into the living area as I yanked my combat boots on.
"Alright, let's go." Gray stated as he stood from my couch.
"Hm, oof, What's going on Aquila?", Stella had awoken and floated down to land on my head. With a twitch of my eyebrow, I reached up and covered her eyes.
"Nothing much, just getting ready to go see Erza fight Natsu. Also…", I slid Stella into my arms, keeping her eyes covered, then kicked Gray straight through the door. He laid groaning on my lawn and I dropped his clothes, including his boxers on top of him. "Keep your damn pants on in front of my cat, perv!", I locked the remainder of the door and started down the path to the guild.
"Oh, Aquila, can I fly you there, can I, can I?!", Stella squirmed excitedly. I laughed and placed her on the path.
"Go for it!" I encouraged her as she closed her eyes and concentrated on using her magic. When she succeeded and her wings appeared, she flew up and wrapped her tail around my waist.
"Alright! Next stop, Fairy Tail!", Stella cheered as she took off for the guild hall.
As we neared the guild hall, we could see the formations of the crowd beginning to form. "Alright, steady as we go, let's try a gentle landing Stella, I know you can do it!", I instructed my cat, who began to lower us slowly, slowly, and that ground was coming up very fast.
"Alright Stella, landing struts it is!" I yelped as I used my magic to create a slide to gently glide us to the ground.
"You always make an entrance, Aquila!" I heard a chipper voice behind me direct as we slid to a stop. I turned to see Mira and Elfman watching me.
"She always comes in like a REAL MAN!", Elfman bellowed and I let out a laugh.
"Aw, you guys are too kind. Mira, any chance the bar is open for breakfast?" I let the hope in my voice shine through as my stomach and Stella's let out a chorus of growls.
"I'm afraid not, though if you want, I can go whip you up a smoothie." Mira offered and I waved her off.
"Nah, I'll just get popsicle to make me a feast when he shows up. I'm off to find Cana."
"And why is that?"
I grinned at Mira, "Because, we both know if there's a chance to lay odds on something, Cana is always the bookie and I intend to place a bet. Come on Stella!", then I strode off to where a majority of the crowd seemed to be concentrated.
"Place your bets, I'm offering three to one on Erza and two to one on Natsu!", I overheard the voice of Cana through the crowd and shoved my through. "Ah, Aquila, my lovely, what can I do you for?" Cana cackled as she crouched by a board that calculated how many were betting on Erza and how many on Natsu.
"Why, Cana darling only offer me the best odds! I'll take ten to one, my money's on Erza and if I win big, you and I can hit the bars afterwards." I winked at Cana who let out a laugh.
"How could I possibly refuse Aquila? After this you and me, a contest."
"You're on, and now I must go cheer on my partner, we'll meet up after the match." I walked off with a laugh, towards the shock of red hair I could see in the crowd.
"Erza!", I waved as Stella walked off to go beg Mira for breakfast.
"Aquila, are you recovered from our travels?", Erza asked with a smile.
"You know me, a good sleep and I'm raring to go! The better question is how are you feeling?"
"I feel fine, this should be nice and relaxing." I grinned at her then sidled closer and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.
"Just between you and me, I have ten to one on you for winning the match, so do my bank a favor and don't lose." I whispered desperately into her ear.
"I shall try my best. You had better go join Mira and Gray. The match is bound to start soon, seeing as Natsu has arrived." No sooner than her words were spoken then a wave of heat rushed over us.
"I see your point, best of luck, I know you'll kick his ass!" I whooped as I ran over to Gray and Lucy.
As I approached I could hear Lucy saying, "W-wait, they're serious?!"
I threw my arms around her from behind. "Of course they're serious Lucy!"
"Aquila! You're here too! But what will happen to Fairy Tail's strongest team if they fight?", Lucy mumbled. With a frown I released her from my hold.
"What are you talking about?", Gray asked Lucy.
"Ezra, Aquila, you, and Natsu are Fairy Tail's strongest members, you're the top 4 wizards in the guild-"
"Who told you that crap?" Gray interrupted her. Mirajane's eyes welled up with tears and she proceeded to start sobbing.
"Nice going icicle breath, you made her cry.", Lucy said with acid. I did my duty as Mira's friend by smacking him over the head.
"There are plenty of strong wizards in the guild, REAL MEN, like me!" Elfman declared.
"Yeah, but you've got to admit, Erza and Aquila are the strongest female wizards.", :evy stated, it seems that she had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
"As for the strongest man, you can't disregard Mystogan or Laxus.", Jet added. Gray was still attempting to stop Mirajane's crying when I smacked him.
"SHH!", I hissed when he glared at me, "The match is starting."
"How many years has it been since we fought like this?", Erza mused as the two faced off.
"It was different back then. I was a kid. Today, I'm going to beat you!" Natsu declared.
"I'm going to fight for real too. It's been a while since I truly tested my strength!" Erza declared as the glow of her requip surrounded her. She requipped into Flame Empress armor, a powerful choice, indeed. It would half Natsu's fire's power. Happy took one look and decided to change his bet. Lucy was panicking at the sight of it, and unsure of who to cheer on.
Natsu grinned and lit his fists up, "Flame Empress armor, huh? That's perfect! Now I can go all out without any hesitation!"
Makarov stepped forward to officially start and referee the match. "Begin!"
Natsu flew forward and struck out with his fists and Erza dodged to the left, while sending a flaming slash at Natsu. He ducked down to dodge, and struck back with a fiery kick, that Erza blocked with her sword. She struck out once again with a flaming slash that was narrowly dodged by a backwards handspring. Erza began to rush him when Natsu let loose his roar, which Erza merely dodged to the right while continuing on her original course, which led in front of an unfortunate section of the crowd, who, got fried, extra-crispy. They moved to collide once more when the sound of a gong interrupted them.
We all turned to see one of the frog-like creatures that work for the council approaching the battle. "That's enough. Everyone stay where you are. I am an emissary for the wizarding council.", as murmurs broke out in the crowd, it continued, "For the eleven crimes committed during the recent Eisenwald incident, including destruction of property, Erza Scarlet and Aquila Orion, you are both under arrest."
"Wh-what?!", Natsu roared.
"Both of you are to submit yourselves to the authority of the council and come with me to be present for your hearings.", the creature declared.
Erza requipped into her everyday armor and walked forward, and had handcuffs placed on her by the creature. "Tch. Sorry Cana, looks like our contest will have to wait.", I walked forward and let out a growl as the handcuffs were placed around my hands. The temperature dropped several degrees. As we were led into a magic mobile used for the transportation of prisoners, a scuffle broke out behind us. Erza and I turned to see Natsu trying to destroy the wagon, roaring about our innocence. Erza smiled at him as we were shut into the magic mobile.
"Come now Erza, don't tell me you're actually worried. This will be as typical as can be." I spoke into the darkness, neither Erza or I could see each other, as a precaution, I suppose.
"I'm not worried. You know how these hearings go. It's merely a formality to look like they maintain control. We don't need to worry.", Erza responded quietly.
"You don't sound like you're not worried."
"Imerely prefer not to have any interaction with the council."
"Erza does this have to do with why you attacked that one council member?"
"I can't say."
"Why not? We're partners, aren't we?"
"Aquila, I can't. To tell you would put so many people in danger."
I let our conversation drop, and felt ashamed for pressuring Erza to tell me. Trust was a two way street and neither of us were willing to cross it when it came to our pasts. I stared down into the darkness, wishing I had never thought of my past.
When we arrived at the council we were escorted by two of the frogs out of the magic mobile and were on our way to the courtroom, when we came across him.
"Siegrain!", Erza whispered.
"It's been awhile, Erza. And I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting your friend.", the blue-haired councilman said. Erza fell into a defensive position and followed suit.
"Don't be so defensive. This a projection, my body is in Era. All the geezers behind those doors are projections, too. There was no reason for us to personally come for such trifling business." Siegrain said, his voice dripping with poisonous honey.
I growled at the man, "We are members of Fairy Tail, blueberry, and we don't take kindly to being trifling business."
He turned his smirking face towards me, and I strained against the cuffs. "Now who might you be? Oh I know, you're Aquila Orion, are you not? The oldest dragon slayer, the ice dragon slayer, the only equal to Erza Scarlet. You certainly possess some fire." His words would sound like compliments if it weren't for his mocking tone.
I let my skin begin to freeze and felt the hallway's temperature drop several degrees.
"I'm not fire buddy, I'm ice and if you don't quit with the insults, you're going to feel my frozen foot up your-"
"Aquila, enough.", Erza cut me off, never taking her eyes off of Siegrain. "Now I see. This was your doing? This is a pathetic farce!"
"That's not nice. I stood up for Fairy Tail. But the geezers had to come up with someone to take the blame for this incident, out of fear for blaming themselves. You two are scapegoats.", Siegrain began to walk away from Erza and I.
"Shut your mouth, asshole!", I snarled and made to lunge at him when Erza held her arm out in front of me. I glared at the councilman as frost began to spread beneath my feet.
"Now, now, there's no need for that. Now emissary, please escort Miss Orion into the chamber for her hearing, and then return for Miss Scarlet.", Siegrain instructed the frog. It nodded and gestured for me to follow it but I refused to move.
I made eye contact with Erza and we began a silent conversation.
Are you sure you want me to go?
I'll be fine.
That's not what I'm asking you. Do you want me to go?
He's a councilman, we need to follow his orders.
Erza, don't dodge my question.
"Aquila, it will be fine, just go, I will see you in a moment.", Erza stated out loud, breaking eye contact with me and turning her gaze back to Siegrain.
I glared at the councilman, "If she isn't in there in 2 minutes, I'll bust out of these cuffs, and you won't like it when I kick your ass and leave you to rot." With that as my final statement, I turned and allowed the frog to escort me into the hearing chamber.
I was led to the defendant's box where I stood and began to count down the seconds until I could go and kick that pretty boy's ass. I was sorely disappointed when a minute later, Erza led into the box and Siegrain shimmered into existence in his council seat.
The frog-like creature began to speak, "This wizard hearing will now come to order. Defendant's Erza Scarlet and Aquila Orion, please take the stand.", Erza and I stepped forward.
"Defendant Erza Scarlet, you stand accused of the partial destruction of Oshibana Station during the recent Lullaby incident perpetrated by Eisenwald, as well as the destruction of the Ryusika George Railway, and the complete destruction of the residential area of the town Clover. Aquila Orion, you stand accused of being an accomplice to all the aforementioned crimes. According to eyewitness testimony, the persons responsible were an armor-clad female wizard and a female wizard covered in ice who-", and then the doors exploded. "What one earth?", the judge stammered out as a horribly disguised Natsu burst into the room.
"I'm the armor-clad female wizard. Just try and catch me, I dare you!", Natsu began to spout small sparks of flame as I lost it. Erza was humiliated and in shock and I could do nothing but roll around on the floor, laughing until I could barely breath. "I'm Erza dammit, so tell what am I accused of?!", he continued to flame and jump around as Erza stared at him in horror. I finally managed to calm down enough to stop laughing, took one look at the council, and started all over again.
"Take them to a cell." The judge stated stunned.
"I'm so sorry.", Erza began to bow and apologize while Natsu rolled at her not to, and I attempted to stop laughing long enough to breath. Guards came in and dragged Natsu out, followed by Erza and myself, though I was still giggling furiously. They escorted us to a cell and threw Natsu in, then we followed him and were locked in. As soon as the guards were out of sight, Erza turned to a Natsu with a pissed expression.
"You leave me utterly speechless, you're stupidity knows no bounds! This was merely a formality!", Erza scolded Natsu, who looked utterly confused.
"It was a farce Natsu. So the council could demonstrate just how powerful they are, and how even they can bring down the Mighty Titania Erza and Glacial Aquila.", I explained further.
"I still don't get it.", Natsu complained.
Erza narrowed her eyes and leaned in towards the dragon slayer, "In short it means, we would be found guilty, but wouldn't be punished! We could've been back to the guild in time for a slice of cake but YOU had to go on a rampage!"
"WHAT?!", Natsu was shocked and more than a little ashamed. "Sorry."
"Still, it did make me happy.", Erza admitted with a smile, and pulled Natsu into a hug. I stifled a laugh at the thunk his head made on her armor. I cracked a smile.
"Ahem, you all are free to go.", a frog stepped over from the shadows. "The council has deemed your actions necessary in the face of danger.", the frog began to unlock the door and escorted us to the entrance where they slammed the door behind us.
"Friendly, aren't they?", I muttered.
"Well, we best get back to the guild, there's a train station about two miles away.", Erza declared and Natsu and I shared a look of mutual horror. There was no stopping the Queen of the Fairies though, and Natsu and I found ourselves feeling like we were going to hurl on a two hour ride back to Magnolia.
As soon as we arrived, Natsu and I practically threw ourselves out of the train. We made our way back to the guild, where I was mobbed by Stella as soon as I stepped inside the doors. Natsu began to run around, yelling about freedom and just generally disturbing the peace.
Erza slid into a table and cooed when Mira deposited a piece of strawberry cake in front of her. I slid into a bar seat next to Cana, who slid me an icy mug full of beer. "So Natsu, what about your battle with Erza?", Elfman called from his seat next to Gray and Lucy.
"Oh yeah, I forgot! Erza! Let's pick up from where we left off!", Natsu yelled.
"Don't be silly. I'm tired.", Erza stated while she devoured her cake.
"Here I come!", Natsu rushed at her. Erza sighed. She stood from where she was sitting and knocked Natsu out with one punch to the gut. Gray, Lucy, and Elfman stared at the defeated dragon slayer in shock.
"We have a winner!", Happy declared, and Gray and Elfman lost it. I grinned and slung my arm around Cana's waist.
"Well Cana, it look like I won on those ten to one odds, care to hit the bars?", I winked at one of my best friends who grinned.
"Why, I thought, you'd… never ask…", Cana's speech began to slur and she slumped over and I followed her into slumber, my last thought being that damn Mystogan.
After an unknown time period, my eyes shot open. "Ugh, I hate his damn sleep magic!" I groaned as I eased myself back into a sitting sleeping position. The other guild members began to rouse and grumbled about being put to sleep. Gray began to explain to Lucy who Mystogan was, and why he put us all to sleep.
"Don't be nosy. Mystogan is shy.", a cocky voice called from the second floor. I growled, Laxus, the master's grandson, and a general pain in the ass was apparently in town.
"Laxus, Fight me!", Natsu yelled up at him.
"Didn't Erza just take you down?", Gray reminded Natsu.
"Yeah, you've got no chance against me if you can't even beat mere Erza.", Laxus yelled back. I let another growl loose and Cana let out a noise of frustration and I realized the area I was in was now a veritable winter and Cana's lips had frozen to the lip of her beer barrel. I grimaced and reined my aura back in.
"What does that mean?", Erza yelled up at Laxus.
"It means I'm the strongest!", Laxus yelled. I stood from my seat and turned to face Laxus.
"That so? Why don't we test your theory?", I snarled up at him as I began to coat my fists with ice.
He ignored me, the bastard, and taunted Natsu, who Makarov smashed to a pulp when he attempted to run up to the second floor, the S-class floor. "Got yourself in trouble!", Laxus taunted from the second floor.
"Laxus, that's enough out of you!", Master growled and Laxus took the opportunity to make one last bullshit statement.
"I refuse to let anyone else take the title of Fairy Tail's strongest, not even Erza, or Aquila, or Mystogan. I'm Fairy Tail's strongest wizard."
I rolled my eyes, he needed to put a check on his megalomania. I sighed and stood. "Mira could you bring me dinner on the second floor, I need to work on some paperwork to do with our last mission and pick a new job."
"Sure thing, Aquila. Just try not to kill Laxus while you're up there.", Mira grinned and proceeded to begin whipping up my dinner. I strode up the stairs and sat at one of the tables, far away from where Laxus was smirking at me. I began to rifle through the paperwork, when I caught a flash of blue. I discreetly took a whiff of the air and could smell Happy. What was he doing on the second floor? He wasn't allowed up here. I watched out of the corner of my eye as he snagged a job and flew off with it. I scowled. I was going to find out what job request he had taken and why. I stood and then remembered I had paperwork to file. I glared at it and then walked downstairs to see that only Mira, Lucy, and a few others were still in the guild. I walked into the archives and began to file the papers as quickly as I could. "Come on Stella!", I called to my cat, who was talking with Mira at the bar. She said goodbye and flew over to me.
Once I was done I walked out of the archives and took a whiff of the air. I noticed that Lucy was gone and Mira was closing up. I called out my goodbyes to Mira and Elfman as I followed my nose out through the door, looking for Natsu and Happy, what were they up to? As we walked I explained what I was doing to Stella, who yawned in response. I smiled at her and encouraged her to go home. With a sleepy nod she flew off.
I weaved through the streets until I came upon a canal where there was an apartment. I could smell Lucy, Natsu, and Happy were all inside, but the apartment must belong to Lucy as her scent was the most predominant.
I walked inside and found that Lucy had left her door open. I leaned in the doorway waited for them to notice I was there.
"How did you get that? You're not allowed in the second floor!", Lucy screamed as Happy showed her the stolen job.
"I stole it! I'm so good even Aquila didn't notice me.", Happy bragged. I couldn't let that insult to my sense go by unchallenged so I made my presence known.
"Actually, Aquila did notice you take it. And then she noticed that you were meeting up with your accomplices at this lovely apartment.", I stated with a steely tone. Lucy yelped and Happy began to beg for forgiveness and blame it all on Natsu. Natsu began to stammer and I laughed. They all froze and blinked at me.
"Oh relax, I'm not as stern as Erza. You want to go on an S-class right?", I clarified and Happy and Natsu nodded in unison. Lucy was waffling between to go or not to go. "I'll go with you, so that way you won't get in as much trouble. Lucy, you don't have to go but I would recommend you do, it says that they are offering a zodiac key as one of the rewards.", I grinned at Lucy's sudden change of mind.
"We can swing by my place on our way out of town so I can grab a pack and see if Stella wants to come. Let's go!", Natsu and Happy cheered as we began to make our way out of town, headed for Galuna Island, and adventure!