Hello guys. I'm back earlier than I usually am, I know, but it's due to the fact that I put One Piece fic on hold for an indefinite time for reasons I explain in said fic. So I'm back with the 17th chapter right after the 16th but maybe another fic will come to take my One Piece fic place (2 choices for me at this point: a new crossover Fairy Tail x Kamen Rider Build or another crossover, One Piece x My Hero Academia). But at the moment, let us concentrate we on this 17th chapter.
And I'd like to thank RedDeWeeaboo for his very nice review. Thanks man, it's really awesome to know that some people like what I'm doing. It give me strength to keep it alive.
Chapter 17: queen of the fashion and King of deaths
The mages still needed several minutes to get over the commotion. The fight against Alexander had been much rougher than they would have thought. But as the famous saying said : all's well that ends well. Once the chaos was over, the first thing that broke the newly installed silence that reigned over the now ruined city was the Connell family who went to retrieve their daughter who had been put aside by Aries before disappearing to allow Lucy to call the Spirits King.
- " ASUKA ! "
- " DADDY, MOMMY ! "
The small family was finally back together, Bisca on her knees hugging her daughter tightly in her arms, the girl hugging her back before being inspected by both adults, checking if their daughter wasn't hurt. Which was the case, but nothing really bad. She had some scratches here and there, among which one more important than the others on her upper right arm, probably obtained when the Strizer had thrown her out of his golem. By looking at their daughter in the eyes, Alzack and Bisca saw small tears pearling in the corners of her eyes: the girl tried to stay strong for her parents, sniffing loudly to prevent her from crying which made them smiles softly.
- " I am so glad that you are well. " Said Bisca, caressing the cheek of her daughter who smiled slightly. " But why would you fire at the naughty man ? He could have hurt you badly, you know. "
- " I wanted to protect you, like everybody do at the guild. " Answered Asuka shyly, as if she expected to be punished for doing something as dangerous, which made her parents smile, Alzack caressing the top of her head in a soothing way.
- " I see. Don't worry, as long as you are not hurt, it is all that matters. And we are proud of you. " That answer from Alzack made the girl grin before she ran up to join the 3 other mages, her parents following her closely, the small family approaching the group.
Cana was carrying with difficulty her father, an action which was not facilitated by the latter state, his body still badly bruised by the fight and the magic locking stone he now had in his organism. But she really had no choice, dragging the older mage towards Lucy who was still laying on her back, breathing deeply trying to get her strengths back, strength that had melted away when she called upon the king. Speaking of the king, she raised her right hand which held the famous azure colored key and looked at it, a light smile on her lips. Even if the invocation of the king was dangerous, she already thought of a way to use its power, even partially, hopefully without taking so much risk, but she'll have to train a lot for that. She was joined shortly after by the other mages, Asuka kneeling down near her.
- " Lucy are you ok ? " asked the little girl, worried.
- " Yes, I'm all right. I just need a little bit of rest. Thank you for saving me, Asuka. " Answered the blonde, Asuka tilting her head, as if she did not understand what she said.
- " Why do you thank me ? It's normal to protect our family. " The answer of the girl took the mages by surprise, hoping it might meant what they thought.
- " What do you mean ? " Asked Cana, trying to see if they understood well.
- " The guild is like a family, no ? Thus Lucy and Cana are my big sisters. " The words of Asuka made the mages smile proudly, Cana going as far as abandoning Gildarts one moment to embrace the girl.
- "You're so sweet, you know that ?" she said while her dad came close to the little girl.
- " And I ? What am I for you ? " Asked Gildarts like a child, pointing at his own face.
- " You are Grandpa Gildarts ! " She had answered so proudly and quickly that the 4 young mages erupted with laughter looking at the outraged face of their older comrade and father who was almost sniveling while trying to reason the girl, only managing to make her laugh too. Once the laughing fit ended, Cana turned to her father, who was now sulking, to ask him a question.
- " Hey, dad, all jokes aside, how are you ? "
- " I'll be better when this thing will have been removed from me. Where is Mr. Mountain, I need that ass to correct his bullshit. "
- " There's no need to make him do that. "
This new voice drew the attention of the mages on the crater where was now standing a young man with middle-length blonde hair and dressed like a surfer some of them knew well.
- " You ! You are the Strizer of the sky that Romeo, Wendy, Happy, Carla and Cherrya beat. What do you want ? " Answered Cana, getting ready to fight if needed.
- " No need to stress you out for nothing. Just relax, I didn't came here to fight, just to get back some affairs. " Answered Daniel by gesturing at Alexander who was stretched out on some kind of stretcher made of clouds which floated next to him. " I have to admit that I'm surprised. No one could have predict the fact that blondie here could call the Stellar Spirit King. "
- " When you said that there's no need to make him help us, what do you mean by that ? " Asked Gildarts, slightly anxious.
- " He had planned to use his Lock Stone during his fight and he made us a technical description of the stone and how he would use it. It's a small pebbles the size of a dice which will be dissolved by your body and leaves no residue. In a few days, your magic will return, I swear it on my life. "
This explanation, although nice, because it meant Gildarts was going to be able to get his powers back, also left them perplexed.
- " Why would he try to create a stone that make us unable to use our power temporary when he could make it permanent ? It doesn't make sense. " Wondered Alzack, Daniel offering him a quick and mysterious answer.
- " Maybe we have no interest in rendering you unable to fight for good. I just hope that Lock Stone won't take too much time to dissolve, that could change our schedule. " He explained, finishing on a murmur before turning to the mages, who had apparently heard everything. " Oops. Looks like I said too much. Too bad. Bye ! " And he disappeared with Alexander in a small tornado, leaving 5 totally stunned mages behind them.
- " What did he meant by that ? " Worried Bisca while helping Lucy to get up, Gildarts still held by Cana.
- " No idea. But it's not by staying here that we'll answer this question. So let's return to the guild and tell everything to Makarof and the others. "
Agreeing with the 5th master of the guild, they began to head towards the station when they were stopped by the inhabitants who had just returned, visibly pissed by what they city had become.
- " Hey, you all. We are very grateful of you for having stopped this dude, but who is going to pay for the repairs ? " The mages paused for a moment and then, without warning, took off in a sprint, angered inhabitants in hot pursuit.
/- Magnolia -/
The sun was setting down on the city of Magnolia, most of the businesses had closed their doors but there is one who was still occupied by 2 people. More exactly, it was Natsu and his new friend and adviser in human relations, Rachel. The rainbow eyed beauty was behind her counter, counting the money she won during the day, which had was very successful. On the other side, Natsu had collapsed on the counter, apparently brought down by something. He heave a deep sigh which, judging by the slightly annoyed expression on Rachel's face, was not the first one.
- " If you just came here to sigh and groan on my counter, you can go back home. "
- " It is just that, well. I followed your advices to change myself but it didn't work that well. Everybody looks at me as if I had a second head that sprouted overnight. " Complained Natsu, at the same time disappointed that his changes have not the expected effect with his friends but also tired to have to play such a role as much as that.
- " Stop complaining and man up a little, please. It's not that terrible, yes ? " Rachel tried to calm the situation, persuaded that the Dragon Slayer was complaining a little too much. But Natsu's face, clearly saying 'are you fucking kidding me' said otherwise.
- " Today, Makarov called Porlyusica because they thought that I was under the influence of some sort of spell and when they discovered that it was not the case, they began to treat me like I was a guy disguised as myself. I think that I have all the rights to feel like bad. "
Ah. Rachel did not expect that. Putting her accounts on the side, she turned to Natsu, who was sighing again.
- " You know, I think that we went too far. The change was probably too rough for them. Which is understandable, when I think of it. "
- " So what do you propose ? " Asked Natsu, all ears about what the young woman could propose.
- " Stop pretending. Go back to who you always were. " Proposed Rachel. " Besides, now that I think about it, it was a bad idea to try to make you change. That would have never worked. "
- " You could just say that I am irremediable while you're at it. " Natsu said, feeling hurt, not appreciating the comment, which Rachel quickly rectified.
- " No, I didn't wanted to say it like that. I mean that to change oneself just to please somebody is never the solution. It is necessary that people love you and appreciates you for what you are really. And also, I am sure that your loved one will never return your feelings if you change too much. "
- " So I begin to behave like before ? It's back at square one, that's it ? " Asked Natsu trying to be sure he had understood.
- " Yes and no. Let us say that you can be yourself by changing small details. Roughly, just do what your instinct tells you to do and everything should be alright. "
Natsu agreed by shaking his head, a small smile appearing on his face, apparently satisfied with this plan. And to be honest, he had not participated in a fight at the guild since he had begun to follow Rachel's advices and it seriously itched him to fight once again.
- " Well, I think it's now time for you to go back home. Tomorrow will be a new day. " Said Rachel by putting her account book in a drawer. " Keep me updated about how things go, okay ? "
- " Okay, let's do it like that. Goodbye, Rachel ! "
Natsu heads out of the shop, Rachel closing behind him before disappearing in the back shop, Natsu going home with a big smile on his face, already looking forward tomorrow.
/-The next day-/
Lucy and her group finally approached the guild. They had managed to get into the train at Westcoal by calming the inhabitants by promising them to take care of paying the damages even if the citizen swore they'd tell the council about it. They were now standing in front of the door, Asuka already skipping in front of the building, determined to enter it as quickly as possible. The Connells opened the door and they entered a rather quiet guild hall, which was normal given that it was still too early for anything to go out of the track. The present mages turned their heads to the newcomers, surprised seeing Gildarts with the Connells and Lucy and Cana. But the main surprise was certainly to see that they were covered with wounds, including Gildarts.
- " What happened to you ? " Asked Makarov, clearly shocked to see them all coming back together when they had left separately.
- " A Strizer at Westcoal. Earth one. We got rid of it, but he made us suffer, that bastard. " Briefly explained Gildarts before putting a hand on his stomach. " He even made me unable to use my magic. "
- " WHAT ?! "
This new information was certainly too much for the guild which could just not imagine Gildarts being rendered useless. But the mage quickly reassured them before they began panicking
- "Calm down, it's only temporary. It's a stone which I have in the stomach, courtesy of the Strizer which is going to dissolve given time. I'm even starting to feel my magic coming back little by little, but I won't be able to fight for some time."
- "It doesn't matter. What's important is that you are all well." Answered the master before smiling. "But I am proud of you. Now, we are reduced to 5 remaining Strizers."
- "You can especially be proud of them." Corrected Gildarts by gesturing at the 4 other mages. "They almost did everything. Even this little imp." He ended by putting his hand on the head of Asuka which smiled proudly. Which surprised the other mages, Makarov giving her a curious look.
- "Really Asuka ? And what did you do ?"
- "She saved my life by distracting the Strizer." Answered Lucy by embracing the girl. "She shot him in the eye with her small pistol while he held her hostage."
Everybody began smiling, shared between pride and surprise with the bravery the girl displayed, Makarov approaching to put his hand on top of Asuka's head.
- "It would seem that the future of this guild is already assured with such recruit."
Nobody had nothing to add to that, each one of them going to congratulate and get more information from the various wounded mages when the door reopened, letting Natsu appear. The fairies didn't know how to react. For some time, Natsu had scared them with his sudden change in attitude. But as they were about to see, it won't be the case anymore.
- "YO EVERYBODY !" Roared the dragon through the hall with his big toothy smile, back in action after one, long absence. "Before saying anything, I am sorry for my recent attitude. I tried to change, to be less childish, but it was just boring in the end so here I am again."
- "I don't know if we can really believe that, ash breath." Threw Gray, not convinced, which changed quickly with what happen next.
- "Nice of you to open your trap, ice prick, I have a lot of punch that need to land on your face. " He said while walking to the ice mage, the other mages now persuaded that everything went back to as it was before when Natsu stopped when he reached Lucy. " Ah, you are back, where were you ? "
- " We fucked up some Strizer while we just wanted to rest. Nothing out of the ordinary. " Simply explained Cana, Natsu shaking his head in an approving gesture.
- " That's great. I hope that it was not too rough … Wait, what's that key Lucy ? " Wondered the pink by taking Lucy's new key in his hands, before she ripped it away from his hand in the next second.
- " Speaking about key, Lucy. Something strange happened with my golden keys, even Ophiuchus's one. Does something happened to yours ? "
- " Not completely. This key is for the Stellar Spirit King. " This sentence had dropped a bombshell among the mages, in particular those knowing the King in person did not dare to believe it.
- " It's impossible ! This key does not exist, it is a legend! " Shouted Yukino, not believing it.
- " If it's really a legend, then Lucy is holding one in her hand. " Countered Bisca. " We saw her summoning him with our own eyes. She really called the King to face the Strizer. "
- " It's awesome ! Lucy, you are strong as hell ! Well, you always were, but that is just awesome ! " Complimented Natsu, which made the blonde slightly blush, but then she calmed the enthusiasm of the others who already were starting to imagine things.
- " Calm down, Okay. It is great, I understand that, but calling the old man consume so much magic that it can be dangerous for me. And he can only stay in our world 3 minutes at the most. So it's not the summoning I'll do the most. "
- " Moreover, now that I think about it, we learnt something about those guys" Intervened Alzack. " After we have beaten the Strizer of the earth, Daniel the Strizer of the sky whom we had already beaten arrived to pick his buddy and he said that they had no interest to neutralize us definitively and that if Gildarts needed too much time to get his powers back, that could put them out of their schedule. " These words made the present mages think, Makarov in particular.
- " That thus means that they have projects for us and that time is precious for them. " Deduced Makarov, worried before raising his head towards his 'children'. " The most important thing is to stay on our guard and to pay attention so we won't be taken by surprise. In the meantime, resume a normal activity. "
And they obeyed, each returning to their activities, the mages that came back from Westcoal Town being brought to the infirmary to be look after their wounds. As for Natsu…
- " Well, where was I ? Ah yes ! COME THERE, ICE CUBE ! " And for the first time after quite a long time, too much to the taste of the guild, a huge fight began, chairs, bench and tables flying everywhere, sign that Natsu was finally back to his old self, much for the pleasure of everyone.
/-The next day-/
Lucy and Cana were sitting at a table, discussing everything and nothing, Lucy's gaze was glued to her glass, full of doubts, which had plunged the 2 young women into the silence.
- " It is because of somebody. "
Cana picked her nose out of her barrel to turn to her best friend, not understanding from where this sentence came from after such a long silence.
- " Who is what ? "
- " Natsu. No one change their attitude so brutally overnight like that. He probably met someone that makes him change so much. " Her own sentence hurt her given that she was persuaded, without knowing why, that it was a woman and the idea that a woman could make his change so much hurt her. She was going to shed some light on that matter, mumbling her plan at top speed under Cana's disenchanted look who shook her head while sighing before returning to her barrel.
But a few seconds later, by the corner of their eyes, they noticed a detail which they had under their eyes since yesterday but which they had not took the time to contemplate. Most of the mages had changed their look, even the Exceeds were concerned. Both mages didn't understand what happened and they decided that they needed to know more about it and questioned the first person they saw, which was Lisanna.
- " Hey Lisanna ! Cana and I had a question. " Called Lucy, the white hair mage stopping and going towards them.
- " Yes what is it ? "
- " We would like to know where you find all these new clothes ? You emptied up a store or what ? " Wondered Cana, which made Lisanna laugh slightly.
- " No, not at all. There is a new store in town which sells a great deal of garment for the mages. There is absolutely everything. And the owner is really nice. " Explained the mage, her answer interesting the 2 friends.
- " And where is this shop ? " Asked Lucy, interested in what Lisanna had just explained.
- "I'll show you. Follow me." And they left the guild, following the young white haired mage until they finally arrived in front of a store with a white and grey facade with small pink diamonds drawn here and there. Over the shop window was attached a sign with the name of the store : "Diamonds Nest". They entered inside and Lucy and Cana were more than surprised by the monstrous quantity of clothes and different accessories, for all sizes and for every type of corpulence which were exposed on many stand. While they were still enthralled by what they saw, a desire for a shopping spree growing inside of them, a newcomer appeared, interrupting their musing.
- "Hello, how can I help you ? Oh, hi, Lisanna !"
- "Hello, Rachel. I would like you to meet my friends Cana and ..."
- "Lucy. I already know her." Rachel's sudden interruption took the 3 young women by surprise, wondering how she can know the blonde.
- "Sorry, but we never met before." Indicated Lucy, which Rachel only half agreed with.
- "Yes and no. I was in the same train leaving Drastara. It's me who looked after your burns. They did get better I hope ?"
- "Uh. Yes and thank you for that, even if it is little late." Thanked Lucy before realizing what it also implied. "But then, you know Natsu ?"
- "There's no problem, and yes, we spent the whole train ride together. The kind of thing which tend to get people closer."
- "It's even him who introduced us to this place." This sentence thrown by Lisanna was like a bomb on the 2 mages, Cana being pleasantly surprised that Natsu knows such a place but Lucy was more like suspicious about that. Why would Natsu do some advertisement for a clothing store ?
- "Well, let's go back to the main subject. You are here in my temple ! Men, women, children, whether you are a mage or nor, all will find what they are looking for here ! You need to go on a mission on a volcano ? Do not hesitate and go for my fireproofed clothes ! Need for an evening dress for an infiltration which risks to end in fight ? A whole selection of dresses, suits and other clothes at the same time elegant and cut for the fight are at your disposal ! In need for accessories to transport and not lose your weapons or important objects ? Makeover ? Fashion advices ? The Fashion Queen is at your service ! Do not hesitate !"
Rachel's speech had enthralled both mages who now had only one desire : check the truthfulness of the beautiful stylist words. No more than 2 minutes were needed for the women to find themselves in a crazy run after clothes, literally drinking the advices from Rachel. However, Lucy remained suspicious. This girl knew Natsu, very well even according to what she said, she was a beauty queen, seemed hyper nice and she emanated an intense joy of life. But deep inside her, Lucy felt that she was a threat. She was going to shed some light on all those questions in her head and she would finally know the why behind the Natsu's strange attitude. Lucy's mental monologue was interrupted by Rachel who had left the mages just to fetch a box in the back shop which she had just put on the counter.
- " By the way, you know where Erza is ? Her order arrived and she still hasn't come to get it. "
- " She's not here today. " Answered Lucy, forgetting her doubts about the young woman to answer her, her face marked by a small sad smile. " She left to pay a visit to a friend who died too early. "
/- In a train -/
Erza sat in a car, watching the landscape scrolling on which the sun was slowly lying down without paying attention to. Her mind was focused on a memory. A particularly painful memory. Indeed, today was the anniversary of Simon's death, her childhood friend. She and he had been slaves with their friend Miliana, Sho, Wally and Jellal at the time of the construction of the Tower of Heaven, the tower where he was killed by Jellal, at the time corrupted by the malefic powers of Zeref. An act which had branded the former companions of misfortune. If she was in this train, it was to go to honor the memory of the young man where they had raised a small grave on his behalf, not far from the casino where Erza had, a few years ago, met her friends again for the first time since their childhood as slaves. But she was not alone in this train. Jellal was with her, the mage having been dragged along by the warrior, not feeling like he deserved visiting the grave of the one that he had killed with his own hands. But Erza had refused his refusal.
Her heart squeezed by a whole lot of feelings that flooded her, they got off the train when the latter reached their destination. Thanks to her magic, Erza had changed clothes, now wearing a simple pair of jeans and a black docker whom she had found at Rachel's and she went to buy some flowers at a florist situated not far. Walking slowly, they walked toward the beach when suddenly, Kagura and Miliana appeared from another street, arms filled with flower bouquet. There a little moment of silence, Jellal feeling even more embarrassed since he still hasn't forgiven himself for what he had done and he had a hard time staying still in the presence of the two woman who, 2-3 years ago had sworn to kill him for what he had done.
- "It looks like we all had the same idea, this time" Noticed Erza, who was slightly amused by the situation, quickly joined by Kagura.
- "Indeed, but it is not that bad of a situation, I am sure that Simon will be delighted to see us all gathered in the same place." She ended, making Jellal lower his head, the guilt eating him more and more as time passed by.
- "If we all had the same idea, then let us go together. And you too Jellal." Said Erza, Jellal staying nevertheless undecided. But pushed by the group, he eventually follows them, walking beside Erza, fleeing the eyes of the latter, the knight mage making what she could to prevent him from feeling as guilty. They were so worried by the other than they walked into Miliana and Kagura, the latter having stopped brutally in the middle of the way.
- "Uh, guys. Anybody commanded garlands and lanterns for the tomb ?" Asked Miliana by pointing at what she had in front of her, a show which took by surprise the other mages present. Everywhere around the grave of fortune of Simon had been placed colorful garlands and lanterns, as if somebody had wanted to cheer up the place. Colored skulls had been also placed here and there, and baskets full of fruits and foods were placed in front of the grave on small altars. But the most surprising was the presence of a thin man dressed in black on his knee in front of the grave, cleaning the grave while seemingly praying. This stranger, by feeling the presences of the mages staring at him from behind, turned his head to reveal a pale face with middle-length black hair and same colored eyes.
- "Buenas Noches. If you came up to there with flowers, it might mean that you know the person who rests here, isn't it ?" He asked, not obtaining any answer, the mages too surprised to see somebody here to answer. "I hope that all those decorations doesn't disturb you. It's a tradition which I liked a lot and that I took from my abuela."
- " What kind of tradition makes you decorate the graves of people you don't know ? " Wondered Miliana trying to clarify the situation.
- " El Dia de los Muertos. A party to honor our dead by making diverse offerings to help them pass in the afterlife. It's also the occasion to take care of their graves. I am someone which had a lot of respect for the death, this is why I allowed myself to take care of this grave when I saw the state it was in. I hope that you can forgive me. "
- " There are no problems. " Answered Kagura, by heading toward the tomb. " I should even thank you for doing it. For my brother. "
The stranger shook his head in recognition and went away a little, leaving the time to each mage to honor the memory of their friend and brother. When he saw that Jellal seemed to hesitate, he encouraged him.
- "Go talk to him. Whether you feel like deserving it or not, talking to him will do good to you. Nobody lives well if he keeps such things as regrets and remorse on his heart. And especially do not hold your feelings. Let them go out, that will help you feel better. To keep such feelings locked is going to destroy you from the inside. Just say sorry. It will probably be enough for you."
Taking his courage in his hands, Jellal finally walked up to the grave, sitting down in front of the stone. He stayed there, looking at the grave sadly. And it was after several minutes of silence that he finally expressed himself, with a voice broken by the emotion.
- " I am sorry, Simon. I am so sorry. "
By pronouncing these few words, all the feelings he had kept locked inside him suddenly got out, his eyes filling little by little with tears until he eventually began weeping buckets, brought down by regret and sorrow, Erza going to embrace him to comfort the poor guy, quickly joined by the others who too had tears in their eyes, despite feeling quite weird being so close to him. But to be honest, seeing somebody like Jellal purely and simply collapse out of grief, that was the kind of thing that could shake anyone. A sweet scene that ended brutally when the stranger decided to add his own little comment.
- " You look submerged by your emotions. Remorse is one hell of a emotion. If you feel like excusing to Simon, I could always sent you all to him. "
The threat did not escape the mages, after all this stranger didn't even tried to be subtle about it. They all got up together, Erza advancing to the stranger.
- " Wait a seconds. What's with that threat ? Later, you spoke about remorse. How do you know that Jellal felt guilty ? And how can you know that her brother is named Simon ? "
- " I know that name because it's written on the tombstone." This answer made the mages sweat dropped, he actually had a point, but that doesn't explained the rest. "As for the remorse thing, it's because I made my researches, like everybody else. " The bad smile of this mysterious character and the mention of researches and 'others' made the mages minds clicked, now understanding what he insinuated, but not fast enough to dodge what came next.
PASO OSCURO !
A black mass appeared under the feet of the mages who were snatched in a dark whirlwind and a few seconds later, they landed on the beach not far from where they had been, the stranger materializing from a shadow, walking towards them.
- " Well, this would be a nice place. I didn't lied by saying that I respect the deaths, so I won't fight in a cemetery or near any kind of grave. Moreover, when I say that I respect THE death, why not send her a selection of some mages ? "
- " So you are one of them. You are a Strizer. " Concluded Miliana, before Kagura add some comment of her own.
- " We have already beaten 7 of your companions and you think you have a chance ? "
- " Yes. Because I doesn't fight like the others. " By saying it, a black aura filled with a blood thirst they've never seen in the other Strizers was swirling around him. " Soy Esteban Mendoza, Strizer of the darkness. Bienvenidos en mi pesadilla. "
OK, it does not feel good for our mages. Prepare yourselves for a fight in a rather unusual style. I hope that this chapter will have pleased you. Anyway, I'll see you next time. Goodbye !
Next time: Nightmarish mental torture. Unexpected rescuers. The lights drilling the darkness.