Hey guys. I'm sorry for not updating that much, but I will be continuing this story. I just won't be updating as frequently because of school. Anyway, I hereby present Chapter 9!
Cries and sniffles could be heard throughout the unusually quiet guildhall. It's been a few days since Fairy Tail learned about the destruction of Tenrou Island. Many members left on jobs to raise money to search the waters nearby for survivors. Macao, however, stayed behind to keep an eye on the guild.
The creaking of doors disturbed the silence, and a tired voice said, "I'm back with some Jewels." Macao turned and saw Max, who had a sling around his broken arm.
"Max! What happened?" Macao asked as he stood up and ran over to the Sandstorm Mage.
"I was battling a few Vulcans. The last one surprised me, but I managed to beat him. Besides, I have 50,000 Jewel to help with the search," Max stated, his voice slightly strained. "I'm going to go get this healed, 'kay?" He handed the older man the 50,000 Jewel and walked out.
The bluenette turned around and trudged back to the bar sadly. He sat down and finally let the tears fall, but never made any sound.
He felt someone tug his shirt, so he looked down and met the eyes of Romeo. "Do you need something Romeo?" He asked gently, knowing that the little boy took everyone's death the hardest. 'No! They didn't die! They're just missing. Only missing.'
"When is everyone going to come back, Daddy? It's already been a week, and Natsu isn't back yet!" Romeo's voice started to shake. "Where are they?" He started crying. Macao picked him up and give him a hug.
"I don't know, son, but don't worry. We'll find them, okay? So don't cry." His words were of no use. Romeo only cried harder, until he was hiccuping and gasping for air. Macao rocked him back and forth in his arms, slowly lulling him into sleep.
"Poor boy," Wakaba said as he walked into the guild from his completed job. He placed down 25,000 Jewel on the bar counter, which totalled to 75,000 Jewel. "Anyway, I'm off. Found another good job to go on. I'll be back in about five days." His footsteps echoed as he also walked out the doors, a job flyer in his hands.
Macao stood and carried Romeo to the tables to lay him there. He went back to the jewels on the counter and put it in the jar that held all the money needed for search parties. He sat back down and sighed sadly, tears once again falling from his eyes.
One week had passed since Max and Wakaba returned from their jobs. Everyone in the guild was losing hope. A loud crash sounded through the silence.
"NO!" The Fairies looked at the doors and saw Lyon standing there, with Jura, Sherry, Yuka, and Toby. "WHERE'S GRAY? H-HE CAN'T BE GONE!" The silver-haired man scanned through the building, trying to find the familiar shade of black hair. Failing to find who he was looking for, Lyon fell to his knees. "No," he sobbed. "This isn't real! H-he can't just die."
The Ice-Make Mage felt arms surround him as he heard Sherry's comforting words. He held on to her as if she was his lifeline. Gray was like his brother. After learning under the same wizard and meeting again on Galuna Island and during the whole battle between them and the Oracion Seis, he formed an irreplaceable bond with him. The news of his death devastated him.
Fairy Tail watched sadly, their own tears falling. Bisca started sobbing as Alzack hugged her. Laki held her face in her hands as she weeped, and Romeo bawled his eyes out as he started wailing. Max and Warren leaned on each other for support as they shed their own tears. They all barely noticed the Trimens, Master Bob, and Yajima enter.
"Fairy Tail, the others and I have come here to tell you that we will help search for everyone that was on Tenrou Island," Mr. Yajima announced, catching the guild's attention.
"Y-Yajima-san, thank you! Thank you all so much!" Macao stated.
"Of course. You are all such good friends of ours. What kind of people would we be if we didn't help our friends in their time of need?" Jura claimed.
"Yeah, he's 'll be here through every step of the way," Hibiki declared.
"Y-you guys. T-thank you s-so much," Bisca said. The next hour was spent making plans and mapping our areas to search. Everyone donated money to the funding for the search and ships needed. After agreeing with the plans made, they all set out to search the waters nearby.
It's been a week and a half since Lucy started her training. During that short period of time, her power grew at a fast rate. She was able to use her katana and dagger very well, and she was able to keep out a Zodiac spirit for two hours with some magic left to help fight alongside her spirits.
Lucy couldn't believe how strong she was able to get in such a short amount of time. Then again, she actually trained the entire time, unlike before when her power only grew during fights on jobs. And even then, Natsu fought her fights most of the time.
'Wow, if this is how strong I got in only a week, who knows how strong I'll be in seven years!' She was cut out of her thoughts when she heard someone walk into her room. She turned around to see Grandeeney.
"Hello, Lucy," the Sky Dragon greeted.
"Hey Grandeeney! Is there anything you need?" Lucy asked.
"Yes, I do. You see, Corvus and I decided to see where you are currently standing in strength. So, we're going to send you out on a minor mission in Earthland," she informed. Lucy nodded, and was about to speak when the dragon continued. "Because you'll be going to Earthland, you'll be needing a mask and cloak to hide your identity. Along with a title. So, here you go."
She handed Lucy a bundle of cloth. Upon further inspection, it was a black cloak. When Lucy opened it, the inside looked like a galaxy, filled with nebulae and stars, and all twelve Zodiac constellations woven into the material. It had a large cowl, big enough to hide her blonde hair. The clasp was a black so dark that it looked like an endless abyss, ready to suck everything in. The cloak was also lined in glittering gold. All in all, the cloak looked absolutely breathtaking yet mysterious at the same time.
The mask was like an exact match to the cloak. It was covered with stars and galaxies, just like the inside of the cloak. It was also lined in gold, and if it was put on her face, it would cover half of her face, the bottom stopping just above her nose, with holes for her eyes. (A/N Basically, it looks like Rufus's mask, just a change in color.)
Along with the cloak and mask, there came black fingerless gloves that would end a few centimeters above her elbow, which would be tied with gold drawstrings. The gloves must have been to hide her guild mark.
"The cloak, mask, and gloves have been woven from the purest of starlight, with magic intertwined in it. You will wear these to hide your identity from others. Now, all we need is a name," Grandeeney stated.
"Well, my name should be something related to the stars," Lucy thought aloud.
"How about Star's Master?'" Igneel suggested as he, Metalicana, Skiadrum, Weisslogia, Pearl, and Grace walked into Lucy's room.
"Uh, no, because I don't allow my spirits to think of me as their master. AND WHY ARE YOU ALL IN MY ROOM?" She shrieked, which caused them to cover their ears. "Oh, sorry!"
"It's fine, Lucy. We just came because we wanted to be here to send you off!" Pearl said.
"Oh, okay," Lucy said sheepishly.
"For your name, I get why it has to do with stars. You've practically aced your magic," Metalicana commented.
"Thanks. Wait! Ace! How about Ace of the Stars! Ace for short," the Celestial Mage shouted excitedly.
"Yeah! You're a genius, Lucy!" Grace agreed.
"Hey, wait. You should be thanking me 'cuz I gave you the idea of using 'Ace.'" Metalicana pouted.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks Metalicana. Anyway, that will be my name! Ace of the Stars," Lucy said proudly.
"Great. Now, on this paper is the information needed. Meet the client to discuss details and then you'll be off. Oh, and promise me that you'll read the information once you reach Earthland," Grandeeney said.
"Oh. Okay, I promise," the blonde voiced. Then she tied her hair into a ponytail and put on the cloak. When she put on the mask, it magically attached itself to her face. Then with the dragons' help, Lucy put on the black gloves, effectively covering her guild mark. She grabbed the job flyer and put it in her short's pocket.
"Good luck, Lucy," all the dragons said as Lucy walked through the portal Grandeeney opened. In a blink of an eye, the blonde arrived at the edge of a forest, hidden from the town's view. Lucy then got rid of any expression on her face, putting on a calm and professional mask. She pulled the job request out of her pocket and was shocked at what it said.
Help! Strong mages needed to take out dark guild!
More information at the City Hall of Oak Town.
Payment: 60,000 Jewel
She had to take out a dark guild all by herself! She couldn't believe it, but she agreed to do the job, and she won't go back on her word. She walked out of the forest and saw a sign that proudly displayed the city's name: Oak Town.
Lucy walked towards a gift shop and went to the man at the counter. "Excuse me," she asked, her voice very stern, as if to say, Don't mess with me, "Do you know where City Hall is?"
"U-uh, y-yeah. Just up the street, take a right then go straight, Y-you can't miss it, ma'am," the poor man stuttered out.
"Thank you," Lucy said as she walked out and headed in that direction. After she took a right, she saw a huge building. She walked up to the doors and knocked.
The door opened and Lucy came face to face with a woman. "How may I help you, miss?" The woman asked.
"I am here for the job request to take down a dark guild," Lucy told her. The woman nodded and led her to dark mahogany doors. The woman, who Lucy guessed was a maid, knocked on the door.
"Yes?" A voice asked as the doors opened to show a man who looked to be in his thirties.
"A mage for the job has arrived," she said as she gestured at Lucy.
"Alright then. Please come in, miss…?" He drawled off at the end, waiting for her name.
"Ace of the Stars. Ace for short," Ace said curtly.
"Very well, Miss Ace. Are you by yourself?" The mayor asked.
Ace nodded, and followed the mayor inside. She sat on a chair as he sat in front of her.
"I want to thank you for coming. I am Jonathan Mitchell, the mayor of Oak Town. You see, my people have complained of mages that are from a dark guild that are stealing from their homes at late night, and the mages have even injured citizens. Luckily, they haven't killed anyone, but I'm worried it may happen soon. So please try to take out that dark guild! And I hope you brought some teammates with you because this dark guild is strong," Jonathan said, worry evident in his voice.
"Do not fear, sir. I can assure you that this dark guild will not have to be of your worries. And, I am very much capable of taking care of this dark guild," Ace promised. (A/N I will be addressing Lucy as Ace when she is in the mask. When she has it off, she will be addressed as Lucy.)
"Oh thank you! Thank you so very much!" Mayor Jonathan bowed down in gratitude. He bent back up and led Ace to the door. "I apologize for not having a room ready for you here, but if you go to one of the inns nearby, they will give you a room with a discount if you use the word 'Boogaloo.'"
"Alright then. I'll be back by tonight. Maybe tomorrow." Ace bid farewell to the mayor as she walked out of the mansion. After walking out of the gates, she went to the nearest inn, The Leafy Quercus Alba.
The building was bathed in a slight reddish glow from the setting sun. A light tinkling of a bell was heard as Ace pushed the doors open. The inside had a cozy feel to it, with walls made of wood and fairy lights hung around the area. In the lobby was a few chairs and a table, some townsfolk occupying the seats. To Ace's right was a small bar, with drinks and snacks being served by a beautiful young woman with dark black hair and hazel-brown eyes.
To Ace's front was the wooden desk with a Lacrima-Computer sitting to the side. There was a middle aged woman who bore a striking resemblance to the young bartender; dark black hair with a few graying strands and the same hazel eyes.
Ace figured that the older woman was who she should check in with. She walked to the front, still maintaining the professional expression on her face. "Excuse me miss, but is this where I can check in?" The blonde asked.
"Hmm? Why yes, it is. Do you wish to stay her for a few nights?" The older woman asked, kindness in her voice.
"Only one night please. Oh, and the mayor said that I should say 'Boogaloo' and I would get a discount," Ace responded.
"Oh, lovely! Because of the discount word, your room will go down from 10,500 Jewel to 9,500 Jewel," the receptionist told Ace. The blonde pulled out some jewel that she didn't know she had and payed the amount, the room keys handed to her after. "Room 203, hon."
Ace nodded and headed over to the stairs, not missing the gaze on of the men had on her. After climbing two sets of stairs, the Celestial Mage finally reached her room. Once she opened the door and got in, she went to the bed and finally let herself feel some emotion.
She couldn't believe it! Grandeeney planned this! Ace could never take on a job to beat a dark guild all by herself! She was going to flop this. Something would happen, like Ace would get captured, and maybe even get tortured, and Natsu won't be abl-. 'No! If I continue to let myself think this way, I'll fail the mission, and I can't let that happen! I need to think of a plan instead.'
Lucy took off her mask and cloak and placed them on the bed gently. She took a look around the room. There was a queen-sized bed and a desk with a lamp and chair next to the bed. A few feet away from the desk was a door that probably led to a bathroom.
The blonde headed over to the desk and sat down. Pulling out a piece of paper and pen, she started writing down ideas. Maybe she could call out Sagittarius and have him use his exploding arrows to get rid of the majority of the mages and then after take down the rest of the mages with her katana. That wasn't that bad, actually. If anything went wrong, she could call out Aries to help get rid of the rest and the job would be done!
That was a simple plan and not much could go wrong. Deciding that it would be her plan, she stood and stretched. Grabbing her mask, she placed it on her face and wrapped the cloak around her shoulders, then clasped it with the black button.
Ace opened the door and walked out, strolling down the stairs with a slight hop to her steps. She nodded her head to the receptionist and bartender and walked out of the inn, the tinkling of the bell still heard, despite the fact that she closed the door.
Ace decided to walk over to the forest she appeared in. It wasn't an exact location, but it was a start. Once she saw the same bush she hid in before, she started looking around the forest. After half an hour, she took a small break. The blonde was going to sit on a log nearby, but ended up bumping into a barrier.
"Oof. Ouch, that hurt! What is this? Looks like one of Freed's enchantments, but it isn't his writing style. Oh! Maybe the dark guild has a Rune Mage." Luckily, Ace's best friend was Levy, who excelled at Script Magic. After getting a light pen from nowhere, she started deciphering the enchantment and found a loophole. Once she stretchedthe poohole into something larger, she snuck through and a warehouse appeared.
Ace crept over to some rocks next to the building and hid there. She re-quipped Sagittarius's key into her hand and whispered, "Open, Gate of the Archer; Sagittarius."
"Moshi moshi, Lucy-sama. How may I be of help today?" Sagittarius greeted quietly, aware of the secrecy needed.
"Sagittarius, on my count, I want you to launch some of the exploding arrows you acquired a few days ago. And when you see me with my mask, please call me Ace so no one knows who I truly am," Ace instructed.
"Yes, of course, Ace-sama," the Celestial Spirit responded. A few seconds later, on Ace's command, Sagittarius released a single arrow, which multiplied into two, then four, then eight, then sixteen, and each landed on the warehouse, equally split apart. Multiple explosions were heard, along with cries of pain and alarm.
Ace told Sagittarius to follow her into the remains of the warehouse, where they both jumped into action. The archer launched regular arrows, each hitting their mark as Ace re-quipped her Epé d'Abàttáge into her hand and started cutting down more mages.
Attacks were exchanged, people were wounded and unconscious, but Ace triumphed over them all. In only ten minutes, all the dark wizards were on the floor, left unable to fight. The only person left was the guild's master.
Sagittarius disappeared in a flash of golden light, his words of encouragement echoing as Ace prepared to battle.
"Thank you Sagittarius," she called.
"You're very powerful, little girl, for being able to take out my guild so easily. But I won't be going down so quickly. Tell me your name, sweetheart," the guild master stated, her voice sickly sweet. She had dark green hair reaching the middle of her back in only a ponytail. Her cold and calculating eyes were a dull orange, contrasting to her pale skin. She wore a pale yellow long-sleeved shirt with bright red shorts stopping just above her knees. On her feet were lime-green combat boots, partially covered in silver glitter.
The woman was very beautiful, her almond-shaped eyes with an ovalish face and full lips, but her clothing looked as if she had a bath in a reverse rainbow with unicorn vomit.
While Ace was staring at the bright clothes, the guild master took that moment to kick Ace in the stomach, effectively knocking the air out of her. The blonde fell to her back, gasping for air. Her katana clattered across the floor after it got kicked out of her hand.
The guild master was very cunning, so she always dressed oddly to distract her opponents, then attack them.
"So, you're not telling me your name? Oh well. I'll tell you mine, though. I'm Hikari Vanescha, and I'll also be known as your killer," Hikari laughed out. She walked over to Ace's katana and picked it up. "How sad! Getting killed by your own weapon!" She studied the intricate designs and decided that she would keep this weapon.
She sauntered over to Ace's helpless form on the ground and lifted the weapon. She brought it down just as fast and watched as it pierced her ski-. Wait! It went through?
"Wha-? How? This doesn't make sense!" Hikari shrieked. She lifted the weapon up and brought it down. Once again, it didn't injure her.
"Hehe. You see, this weapon is the Epé d'Abàttáge, and it'll never harm me! So," Ace grabbed the hilt of the sword and tugged it out of the shocked guild master's hand, "Your plan backfires!" Ace stood up quickly and slashed down at Hikari. "Oxygen Blade!"
Pressured air shot out of the blade and cut itself into Hikari's skin. She fell unconscious due to the force of the spell, the thud of her body hitting the floor bringing satisfaction to Ace.
The victor scanned around and once she was sure that everyone was down, she went to a communication lacrima she spotted on the floor. Picking it up, she channeled magic into it and thought of the mayor. Just a few seconds later, his worried face showed.
"Miss Ace! Are you okay?" Mayor Jonathan asked, anxiety evident in his voice.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I just called to let you know that I took care of this dark guild. Oh wow, I just realized that I never knew their name!" Ace informed the mayor.
"Y-you did it? Oh thank you. Thank you!" He shouted. "I'll call the Rune Knights. Don't you worry, okay. I'll do all this!" The lacrima blacked out.
Ace giggled at his childish actions. Realizing that it will take a while, she at down and waited for the military to show up.
Twenty minutes later, Captain Lahar showed up with a small army.
"I take it that you are responsible for this?" Captain Lahar asked.
"Yes. I took care of this situation just a bit ago," Ace replied. After answering questions and telling them her name, she took off to go to to the mayor's mansion.
"Once again, I cannot thank you enough!" Mayor Jonathan continued to gush and praise Ace, making her feel slightly awkward. "Here is your reward! 60,000 Jewel, plus 10,000 more for completing this job so quickly!"
"I couldn't. I'll only take the listed payment, no need for more. Just your thanks is enough, sir," Ace assured the man.
"Oh, you're so kind, too!" The mayor started crying anime-style tears. Ace sweatdropped at that action.
"Anyway, I'll take my leave. Take care, sir." Ace bid farewell to the mayor and the maids she saw on her way.
In no time, Ace reached The Leafy Quercus Alba. She walked in, the bell alerting everyone to her presence, and to her shock, they all started thanking her. Everyone bowed and some even went on their knees to thank her, all except for one person. The same guy who seemed to have an interest in her the first time.
When no one was looking, he snuck out the door, no one noticing. Not even Ace.
After listening to everyone's thanks, Ace finally made it to her room. She opened the door and to her surprise, (Again) Grandeeney (In her human form) was sitting on her bed.
"Nice job, Ace of the Stars. You did very well," the Sky Dragon praised.
"Well, I would have been more prepared if you had told me the truth!" Ace's voice grew at the end.
"Well, dear, if I did that, you would have doubted yourself. Anyway, check out of your room so we can go back to the Dragon Realm. You can rest there," Grandeeney told Ace.
"Alright, but I'm letting it pass this one time," Ace huffed, stomping her foot childishly. When Grandeeney chuckled, Ace turned around and walked back to the receptionist.
"Excuse me, miss, but I will be checking out now," the blonde told the woman behind the desk.
"Of course, hon. If you would give me your keys, it'll be all done. Oh, and thanks again for the help you've been to us," the receptionist thanked, again.
"No problem," Ace said, repeating the words that she told everyone. She handed the keys back and turned around to walk out. The bell tinkled again, like the laughter of flittering fairies. 'Where'd that thought come from?'
"Ready to go?" Grandeeney's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Yeah!" Ace declared, placing her hand in the dragon's as they both walked through the portal leading back to the Dragon Realm.
And just a few days after that dark guild had been taken out, news and gossip of the powerful Ace of the Stars spread around Oak Town, leaking into other cities as well. And in just a few days after that dark guild had been taken out, Ace of the Stars was just beginning her journey of becoming a legend.
AAAAAAHHHHH! Finished Chapter 9! So happy! This is the longest chapter I have written! I hope you liked it!