Previously on…
"Thank you Ur, for raising a person such as Gray, that deserves to be protected.", I caught a flash of a smile, as the ice dissolved into water, and joined the rest to flow into the ocean.
As I rejoined the others at the entrance to the villagers temporary housing, I caught up to Erza.
"So did the come to the conclusion they were done?", I asked seeing everyone's thoughtful faces.
"Of course.", Erza responded, her gaze straight ahead.
"And did you crush their frail little hopes?", I grinned at my partner.
"Like an enemy.",she replied without missing a beat, a small smile appearing on her face.
"Hey, where is everybody? Are you sure they came here?", Natsu asked as the storage area appeared deserted.
"Yeah, this has been their camp. I wonder where they could've gone.", Lucy pondered aloud.
"HELLOOO!", Happy yelled out as he floated along, Stella flying next to him.
"Nice villagers, are you here?", Stella called out as well.
"Since we're here, I'm going to grab bandages and some medicine.", Gray announced as he ducked into the tent he and I had awoken in this morning.
"I'll help you.", I followed him into the tent and helped him begin to gather things when I paused in my movements.
"Something wrong?", Gray asked, stopping as well.
I lowered my head and whispered as a tear dripped down my cheek, "I hope you know Gray, Ur is so proud of you. She's glad you're happy and safe."
"What'd you say, I didn't quite catch it.", Gray said leaning in a bit, then falling back with a gulp. "Uh, crap, don't cry!", Gray started to panic, like all men do when a woman starts to cry.
I let out a small laugh, and wiped my eyes. "Never mind Gray, it's nothing. I'm just happy that you're okay, that we're all okay."
Gray frowned at me, "You sure are acting funny."
With that my attitude did a one-eighty. SMACK! "Ow, what the hell Aquila? One second you're crying and I'm checking up on you, and the next you're beating me to death. Make up your mind. Ow dammit!", Gray whined as he cradled the back of his thick skull.
"Quit crying you damn stripper, come on, let's see what's going on outside, I'm starting to catch some scents.", I ran out of the tent leaving a groaning Gray behind. I paused at the exit however, and turned and walked back to Gray. I swiftly darted in and laid a kiss on his cheek. "I'm glad you're okay stripper.", with that, I strode out of the tent to scent a herd amassing at the village. I called out to Gray that I was following Natsu, Erza, and Lucy's scents, then began to track them back to the village, where everything was miraculously repaired.
I caught up to Erza where she stood observing from the front of the village.
"Yo.", I called out as I approached her, "You got a plan, it looks like we're going to have to finish this."
"Yes, I do believe I've almost figured it out, I just need a few more answers.", Erza stated with a nod of her head. I grinned and clapped her on her shoulder.
"Well you know you've always got me if you need me. But since I've had to babysit these wizards for a while, I think I'll let you take point, yeah?", I grinned as Erza cast me an exasperated look.
"What am I going to do with you?", She rolled her eyes with a sigh. I merely laughed then watched as she called the meeting to order.
"I need to ask you all a few questions.", Erza announced. The villagers began to gather, whispering amongst themselves.
"Let me make sure I have my facts straight. The first time everyone in the village took on these demonic forms is when the moon began to turn purple. Is that correct?", Erza asked.
"Yes, During the day we're fine but when the moon rises, we transform into what you see now.", Moka responded.
I listened intently as Erza continued her questioning, establishing they had seen the glowing purple light, had tried to see what was going on to no avail, the time in which they had been changing, and was then interrupted by Lucy's pitfall trap. I stifled a giggle, but not my grin at Natsu and Gray's shock, as well as Lucy's panic. I learned that they were forbidden by village lore to go near the temple, and pieces began to fall into place.
The moon drip never affected Lyon or his followers all of whom are human, then the other facts, temples are holy places, demons aren't able to enter them, underneath them, like Deliora was yes, but not through the front door. Their transformed forms are demons, and the one aspect of themselves that remains is a demon limb, which leaves me inclined to believe…
My thoughts were interrupted by Erza's call. I looked up from where I had been leaning against a house, to see her transforming into her Giant armor.
"Aquila, you and Natsu follow me, I could use your assistance to destroy the moon.", Erza called out as she began to ascend one of the towers.
I cackled along with Natsu while Gray, Lucy, Happy, and Stella stared at us in shock as we climbed the tower.
"This is giant's armor. It increase my strength and allows me to throw farther. And this…", Erza held her hand out and requipped a giant lance, part of the same set of armor as her armor, " is the spear of Haja, it repels darkness."
"I see, so you're going to using the spear to knock the moon out of the sky!", Natsu cheered excitedly as I smirked. Erza's actions had confirmed my own conjectures. The villagers weren't human at all, they were demon to begin with, that why a demon limb was always continuous, whatever their form.
"That's right Natsu. I'm going to need to use your firepower as a boost, and Aquila, I want you to cover the spear in ice, then using your cryokinesis, help to guide it up and help me to fling it.", Erza directed. "Natsu, we'll need to time our attack perfectly, but I want you to hit the back of the spear, as I throw it. It should give me just enough power, with our attacks combined."
Natsu cackled with glee, once more as we assumed our positions. I laid my hands on the spear and froze it over, then stepped back. I lifted my arms and felt my ice respond, lifting the spear just slightly.
"NOW NATSU!", Erza yelled as she and I moved in sync, her throwing the spear and cupping my hands together to help focus my cryokinesis, we threw the spear in sync, with Natsu adding an extra dose of power to the end of it.
I steered the spear right towards the moon, it hurtling up through the air.
"ALMOST THERE!", Erza yelled, as the crowd beneath us watched, spellbound.
As we watched the spear strike, something appeared to crack and fracture, then pieces of purple began to fall from the sky, revealing a beautiful white full moon.
"Huh, What's going on?!", Natsu asked Erza, who merely gestured to me.
"This is what was causing the transformations. A membrane of moon essence was covering the sky.", I explained.
I watched as the villagers began to glow with a golden light. Then remain in their demon forms. Their true forms.
"Now that the shell has been broken, everything will go back to the way it was three years ago.", Erza stated with a smile.
"What's wrong with them?! They're not transforming.", Gray stated as Lucy covered her mouth in shock.
"That's not right, we fixed the problem, didn't we?", Stella asked, floating up to me as I stepped of the ladder after descending from the tower.
"We did, Stella. Don't worry.", I patted my cat comfortingly as she flopped onto my head.
"The moon drip never had any affect on their appearance. However, it seems to have altered their memories.", Erza explained as we walked over to Lucy and Gray.
"What do you mean?", Lucy asked, confused.
"They think they're humans transformed into demons, but actually it's the other way round.", Erza smiled, amused as I was by the vast misunderstanding.
"Then you mean, they're-?", Lucy's voice trembled with the unspoken question.
"Bingo, we have a winner!", I grinned as Lucy and Gray jumped in shock.
"Is that true? Our memories are all hazy, did we look like humans when you all met us?", one asked.
"Yes, you did look like humans, but only due to the fact that you have the ability to don human appearances. Your mixed up memories led you to believe that your temporary states were actually true forms. In actuality, you all merely fell victim to the moon drip's side effects.", Erza explained to the confused demons. I grinned, I did love it when a job was done and we got to play Sherlock and Watson and explain it all to everyone.
"Why Erza, do explain why Lyon and ourselves weren't affected?", I stated with a bit of a mocking tone, I did love giving her opportunities to explain our collective genius.
"You seem to have figured it out almost as quickly as I did, Aquila. Why don't you explain?", Erza cocked an eyebrow at me as I cast her another grin.
"Why, I'd love to Erza. The answer is simple. Lyon and ourselves are all human. As for deducing this lovely little mystery, well it all made sense once the villagers confessed their inability to go to the temple. The moonlight was sacred, so creatures of darkness, such as demons couldn't go near it.", I explained with a bow and a flourish.
As I stood, my ears pricked and I turned to see a figure shuffling up. "I knew I could trust you and your friends. Thanks wizards! I owe you one.", Bobo stood before us, alive and well, I felt my heart flutter in relief. There were no parents who had killed their children in this village.
"GHOST!", Lucy screamed as she clung to Happy.
"For god's sake, there are no such things as ghosts! There's no doubt an explanation.", I snapped at the hysterical Lucy.
"I really hope you kids can forgive me for not telling you the truth sooner!", Bobo called down from where he floated in the air on wings. "I was the only one who didn't have any memory loss. I had to leave because everyone went nuts! I knew I was a demon, but everyone else, they thought they were cursed humans!", Bobo let out another laugh as he remained high in the air.
"Bobo…", Moka's eyes filled with tears and his wings snapped out. He launched himself into the air and enveloped his son in a hug. With that, everyone else leapt into the air and began to celebrate Bobo's return.
I smiled and surreptitiously wiped away a tear. I was happy that somewhere in this messed up world, there was a reunion like this between a separated parent and child.
I exchanged grins with the rest of my team mates as we watched them soar above us.
"Tonight we shall have a feast to celebrate!", I heard Moka announce from his position in the sky.
"Alright a party!", I whistled loudly.
Later that evening…
The party was in full swing. The food was delicious, the company was amazing and it was wonderful to see the villagers so happy. Natsu was going nuts, eating a bunch of fire off of the torches, while Lucy and Erza talked to the villagers. Stella and Happy sat in a corner, both of their faces eating succulent fish.
I stood from my position next to Erza and walked over to Gray, who was sitting by himself against a fencepost. I walked over and slid down next to him.
"Oh, hey Aquila.", Gray said as I sat next to him.
"Hey yourself. How're you holding up?", I asked, motioning to his abdomen, which was covered in bruises.
"Well enough, how about you, are you o-", Gray went to respond but was interrupted by a group of demon women.
"Hey, you're looking better than earlier.", The lead one, a blue demon girl =, said with a smile.
"Do I know you?", Gray asked with a frown as I struggled not to roll my eyes. I knew exactly what was coming for Mr. I can't keep my shirt on.
"Maybe this will help.", The girl shifted into her human form, revealing her to be Lulu, the girl who had directed us to Erza's tent earlier.
"I remember you.", Gray stated
"I look a little different now huh?", She grinned and the urge to roll my eyes intensified.
"Just so you know, every girl in out village has totally fallen for you, because we think you're like the coolest guy ever!", One girl crouched next to him, wiggling like a worm and blushing bright red.
"Yeah, she's right. We think you're super awesome, Gray!", a second one leaned down next to him.
"But you probably think we're cuter in our human forms, don't you?", a third flung the accusation at him.
God, what was it with girls that they liked to throw themselves at Gray. Not like popsicle pants was all that special.
"No. That's not true. I think you ladies look fine the way you are.", Gray spoke slowly, with earnesty, which caused the females to go into overload mode.
"You've got to be the sweetest guy I've ever met!"
"You know just what to say to a girl!"
"Let's hit the dancefloor!"
The fangirling and high pitched voices got to me. With a loud harrumph, I stood up next to Gray and slung my arms around his waist.
"Sorry girls, he's claimed for the night. Better luck with Natsu, if Lucy lets you near him.", I gave a saccharine sweet smile then grabbed Gray's hand and began to drag him to the dancefloor.
"Hey, slow down Aquila, jeez, what was that all about?!", Gray demanded to know as we got to the dancefloor.
I regarded him with a doubtful face. "And I thought Natsu was obtuse.", I stated after a minute.
"Hey, don't compare me to that flame-brain! I'm not obtuse!", Gray growled as he yanked me closer on the dancefloor, as we began to dance to reverberating drums. (A/N I Normally hate putting these in the middle of the chapter, but I wrote the next bit listen to Bamboleo by the Gipsy Kings, and I recommend listening to it while reading the next part)
I spun away from Gray, as I began to sway to the music. I winked at the ice mage and gestured him for to join me. He rolled his eyes, but took my hand and the lead.
He and I swayed together for a moment, then he spun me out, and I extended out, and then spun back in, finding myself contained against him, our hands clasped and my arms crossed over my chest. I slid up against him for a minute and slid back down, my style more suited for a club or the guild hall than a feast but we made it work. He released one of my hands and by working together, spun me over one of his arms, as we began to get up close and personal. It was all in good fun, but I had notion that his chest was rather nice feeling. I shoved that idea into the back of my head and continued to dance.
He began to force me to back up as the music began to switch to something into something more salsa toned. Then we began to dance. He dipped me back, then pulled me back up and I broke away from him. I began to salsa solo as he watched me. I spun around and with a wink, I began to roll my hips and lean backwards, giving quite the show. Gray grinned at the unspoken challenge in my eyes and began to close in on me. As he placed his hands around my waist,and spun me as I extended back even further, my leg extended even further into the air. He swung me back upright and we twirled around several times and as the song ended he dipped me one last time, leaving me half-way bent to the ground and one of my legs pointing up to the sky.
The music halted and he quickly yanked me up as we saw the approach of two of Lyon's minions, Bushy brows and Pinky.
Erza stood up and directed a terse look at the two. "How can I help you?", she spoke the words through gritted teeth.
"You Fairy Tailers really are tough. The Cold Emperor is so banged up, he couldn't make it down here.", Bushy brows stated with a manic grin.
"So we have come in his place.", Pinky declared.
"Wait a minute, didn't Lyon tell you guys we were cool?", Lucy demanded to know as she shot to her feet.
"Yes, but we wanted to settle things with you ourselves.", Pinky said with a smile.
"Alright show me what you got!", Natsu's hand exploded into flames, as he grinned at them.
"Wait Natsu!", Bobo called out to him, "We appreciate all your help, but we can't depend on you all forever. It's our turn to defend our village."
"Normally I would agree with you gentlemen. But, I think it's best if I handle this one.", Erza stated as she strode towards the two.
"We meet again Titania of Fairy Tail. You gave poor Angelica quite a beating earlier.", Pinky stated with a smirk. I let go of Gray's hand and walked over to stand next to Erza.
"She seems like a formidable opponent, though the other one was horribly injured last night, she appears to not be too much of a bother.", Bushy brows commented with a grin.
I snarled at his commentary, "That's mighty big talk for some minions. Let me tell you since it seems your precious emperor was too afraid too, I was the one who laid the smack down on him and I'll do the same to you!"
Bushy brows let out a chuckle as he inspected me, and I snarled again, and felt my hair begin to crystallize into ice once more,
"Be careful, she can control inanimate objects!", Lucy called out.
"Don't even bother using magic with thick brows.", Natsu added in a bored tone.
"Well then, I guess we'll just have to do this the old fashioned way, right Erza?!", I called out as I shifted into a fighting stance,
"Indeed!", she responded as we moved in a flash, her moving for PInky, myself going for bushy brows.
I sent a vicious right straight into his face, no doubt breaking his nose on impact. He was out for the count. Erza swept into a kick that knocked Pinky down as well. I could hear the murmurs behind us as the demons realized what we could do.
"They knocked them down without any magic!", Lucy murmured, shocked.
"That's Erza and Aquila for you, they're the strongest!", Stella chirped and I stifled a smile.
"You two are truly amazing warriors.", Pinky said as she slowly rose to her feet.
"No kidding. We're no match for you.", Bushy brows said with a sad smile.
"So you guys didn't come here to fight?", Lucy asked, her voice rising with hope.
"I doubt this is going to make up for all the trouble we caused you, but we wanted to apologize in person.", Bushy brows said as he lowered his head.
"Oh so you guys came here to settle things in a good way!", Happy stated with an enlightened expression.
"The Cold Emperor told us everything. Thanks to you, we can finally let go of the pain Deliora caused us so many years ago.", Pinky said as she stared at her feet.
"You mean you were victims of Deliora too?", Gray asked as he stepped up to the rest of us.
"When we were children the monster ravaged our village. We watche dit murder all of our friends and family.", Bushy brows stated with heavy sorrow in his voice.
"The Cold Emperor had a plan to kill Deliora once and for all. That's why we joined him.", Pinky continued, her voice soft.
"You see, we wanted revenge and we were so focused getting it we never realized we were hurting innocent people.", Bushy brows and Pinky kept their eyes on the ground as they explained their tale.
As their tale finished, and they apologized Natsu popped up behind them with a grin. "Alrighty then! You guys should stay and join in on the feast!, he crowed into Pinky and Bushy Brows faces.
"But we were enemies a few seconds ago!", Bushy Brows stated in shock.
"I don't think it's a good idea because I'm trying to watch my figure and-", Pinky's protest was cut off as Natsu wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders.
"Enough with the excuses! Live a little would ya?!", He cheered as he dragged them to a table. As we joined them, I smiled at Natsu's obnoxious way of including the rest of the night we feasted, and partied until we dropped.
We awoke the next morning to find that Pinky and Bushy Brows had disappeared. We shrugged and resumed our packing, for now that the mission was complete, we needed to return to the guild.
I crouched next to Gray, while he hissed like a snake as I dabbed antiseptic onto his wounds. "Hold still, you big baby!", I scolded him as he whined that he didn't need it. I gently moved the hair on his forehead aside to see a cut just above his eyebrow. I pursed my lips at it, "I think this one is going to leave a scar."
"Whatever, doesn't matter to me.", Gray blew it off, the insufferable jerk.
"But it's on your face!", Lucy exclaimed as she stood a little ways off from me.
"I don't mind having a few scars, as long as I can see them. It's the ones you can't see that sting.", Gray stated with a small smile as he stared at the ground. I ignored Natsu, Lucy and Gray as they began to bicker amongst themselves.
Oh Gray, if only you knew, that visible scars can be just as bad, can be physical manifestations of invisible scars…
As we stood at the entrance to the village, Erza turned down the money on the behalf of everyone involved, however, she did accept the gate key for Lucy. I snickered as Natsu and Gray pitched a bitch-fit over the fact that they got no money.
We moved to the beach and then I had to admit, I was impressed, as we stared up at the pirate ship Erza had commandeered to carry her to the island, and take us off of it.
As we boarded the ship, I managed a half-hearted smile and wave, before I joined Natsu is up-chucking over the side of the boat, getting my sick all over the port side.
"Alas, Me ship!", The captain bemoaned his beloved ship as we set sail for Hargeon.
Two days later… Magnolia
"We're home!", Natsu cheered as Happy flew loops around him.
"Feels nice to be back, and I'm in the mood for some beer, maybe Cana wants to go bar-hopping tonight!", I mused aloud as we made our way towards the guild.
"I'm bummed, all that time and hard work for some lousy gate key…", Gray moaned.
"Well, I'm sorry, but it wasn't an official job. Just be glad you got something.", Erza stated with a smile.
"She's got a point. Now quit your complaining!", Lucy declared with a smile.
"It's easy for you, Lucy. You got a key!", Stella purred from on top of Lucy's head. I had to admit, I was almost jealous, my cat had bonded with the celestial mage, and had taken to resting on her head like she usually did mine. Lucy began to bucer with Happy, Natsu, and Gray, albeit half-heartedly. I laughed at their antics as they were debating Sagittarius's looks. The sun was shining, the bells were ringing, it was a perfect day-
"Don't you all seem carefree?", a cold voice spoke from behind us. I froze and creaked around to see Erza standing there, in all here radiant fury. "It's almost as if you all have forgotten you face punishment when we get back to the guild."
As Lucy and the boys tried to plead their case with Erza, I grabbed Stella and then began to sneak away, hoping that if I made it to my house before she caught me, I could ice it over and hideout for a few weeks. I did not make it that far however.
I yelped as a sword appeared, hovering in front of my face. "Don't think I've forgotten you either, Aquila.", I drooped as I returned to Erza's side.
"Do you think Master's going to give us, that punishment!", Happy yelped as Erza glared at us.
"NO! JUST KILL ME NOW!", Gray howled, "I don't think I can live through it again.
I shivered at the thought of that punishment. I watched as Lucy began to panic as Natsu was dragged away by Erza. We followed like lambs to slaughter, knowing that to flee meant certain death, and to stay meant only a smaller chance of death. We made our way to the guild, all bracing ourselves for that punishment.
A/N: Alright, the chapter ends here! Thanks so much for the patience and support, I'm sorry for the mini hiatus, but I do have a life outside of writing and October is always my busiest month. Thanks to you all for being so patient, I hope you enjoyed the extra long chapter! Remember to review!