Changing Tides
Chapter 2 - Trial by Iron
by Contrail
Summary: Upon joining Phantom Lord, Juvia is made to prove her strength as a mage to the guild.
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima, and is being used without permission. No profit is being made from this story.
Juvia followed Jose Porla, Master of the Phantom Lord guild, as he lead her through the rain-drenched streets of Oak Town. She'd been surprised when he'd sought her out at the orphanage; While she'd worked hard to learn magic in hopes of one day joining a mage guild, she'd always expected that she'd have to be the one approaching them, not the other way around. But apparently he'd heard rumors of a girl surrounded by endless rain and had come to investigate. He'd been quite pleased after she'd shown him her skill at using Water magic, extending an invitation for her to join Phantom Lord. It was the first time she could remember that someone had actually wanted her around, so of course she had agreed to join. As they approached the guild building, the first word that came to her mind was imposing. It was built to resemble a castle, with a moat surrounding it and spikes lining the tops of the walls. She supposed such an intimidating appearance fit with the guild's name and reputation. Juvia hoped the actual members would be a bit more friendly, though.
Upon entering the guild, the Master's presence drew the attention of those seated at the tables arranged around the hall, silencing the various on-going conversations. Letting a thin smile stretch across his face, Jose addressed the assembled mages. "I have a new addition to our guild to introduce to all of you. This is Juvia Lockser." He gestured to where she was standing, to the right of and a little behind him. "She is a talented Water mage, so with her addition the Element 4 will finally be complete. I'm sure she will be capable of maintaining our reputation for excellence."
She could feel all of their eyes watching her, judging whether or not she was worthy or not to be part of Phantom Lord. She had the uncomfortable feeling that most of those assembled looked at her and found her wanting. Well, then she'd just have to show them that the Master's trust in her wasn't misplaced, right? Nervously, she bowed and said, "Ju-Juvia is glad to be joining you all."
An odd laugh filled the guild hall as one of the mages stood up and started walking towards the two of them. Most of the mages filling the hall looked like people you wouldn't really want to mess with, but the approaching man was the most dangerous looking one among them. An unruly mane of black hair cascaded down his back nearly to his waist, and his dark clothing was ripped and edged with metal studs. Matching piercings lined his arms and features, and his right arm was marked by a couple of scars. As he came closer she could make out his red, slit-pupiled eyes, staring straight at her. He stopped a few feet away from where she was standing. "Are ya sure this meek little girl has what it takes to be one of us, Master?"
Looking slightly amused, Jose turned towards her and said, "Let me introduce Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer, to you, my dear, since he's too rude to introduce himself." Her eyes went wide with surprise at that information - Dragon Slaying magic was very rare, thought to be lost, really, and was known to be quite powerful. Turning back to Gajeel, the Master continued, "I have seen what she is capable of myself, but if you would like a personal demonstration, why don't you fight a little match against her?"
Gajeel laughed another of those odd laughs of his. "Sounds like fun. Just don't get mad at me if I end up breaking her a bit."
"Oh, I don't think that will be too much of a concern," Jose replied lightly. "We'll take this to Acorn Plaza, since you're agreeable."
Gajeel nodded and made his way out the entrance past them. Once he was out the doors, Juvia leaned towards Jose and quietly asked, "Are you sure this is a good idea, Master? Juvia means, she…"
Jose shook his head slightly, cutting her off. "You should believe in yourself more. I have faith in the strength of your abilities. And you wouldn't want to disappoint me, now would you, Juvia?" While his voice remained even, something about the way he said the last sentence made her shiver a little.
"Ah, no… Juvia wouldn't want that. She will do her best against Gajeel-san," she answered.
He smiled at her again. "Then come along." She followed him as he made his way to where the duel was to happen. The rest of the guild was moving in that direction as well, some of them loudly wondering how badly Gajeel would beat her. Their destination was a large plaza, thankfully devoid of any fountains or statues that might be harmed by the fighting that was about to ensue. Gajeel was standing near the center of the plaza, waiting somewhat impatiently for her.
As she walked forward, the others spread out into a rough circle around the edges of the plaza to watch them. When she was only about ten feet away from Gajeel, he smirked at her and said, "Well, let's see whatcha got, girlie."
Juvia took a deep breath to steady her nerves. At least Gajeel's element was iron instead of something like fire or lightning. She should have a fighting chance at least. And she did have one trick up her sleeve that should be able to take him out immediately, if she was able to catch him with it… "Water Lock!" she called out, as a sphere of water began to coalesce around Gajeel, seeking to trap him in its depths. But he must have sensed its presence and quickly dashed away from it. With a sigh she let the water splash on to the ground below; She couldn't move it quickly enough to catch him now that he was aware of its presence.
Gajeel sneered at her from where he was now standing. "Cute little trap, but you'll have to try harder. Assuming you manage to survive this, anyway." Thrusting his right arm towards her, he shouted, "Iron Dragon's Club." The end of his arm transformed into a cylinder of iron and grew rapidly in her direction.
She pushed her magic to fill her body, feeling it change as the iron club hurtled towards her. Juvia could feel it tearing through the water that now made up her body, scattering most of her chest. As the rod retracted, silence descended on the crowd around them at the eerie sight of the hole punched straight through her chest, the edges trailing water droplets. She managed a small smile as she pulled herself back together. "Juvia's body is formed from the very rain around her. She is not harmed so easily."
Gajeel's momentarily surprised expression melted into a grin as he let out a laugh. "Gihihi, first time that's turned someone into a literal puddle. 'Least this way you're putting up a bit of a fight! Iron Dragon's Sword!" As he ran towards her, sword-arm raised, she shot a jet of water at him from her own arm, which he shrugged off easily. "Can't ya hit any harder than that?!" he asked as he slashed his jagged sword through her middles, separating her into two halves that quickly began mending themselves back together.
Gritting her teeth, her eyebrows pulling together, she shouted, "Water Slicer!" as she sent a handful of crescent shaped blades made out of compressed water cutting through the air towards Gajeel. He dodged most of them, but one of them managed to nick his left shoulder, drawing a little bit of blood. But Gajeel only grinned wider. "Gihi, not bad! But you won't get past this!" His skin began to change, turning metallic and growing scales, shredding his gloves in the process.
She sent out another waves of Water Slicers, but true to his words, his now-iron hide turned them aside. He struck out at her again with his newly clawed fists, and she returned fire with her water, but it was soon clear that they had reached a stalemate. Gajeel couldn't do any real damage to her as long as she maintained her watery body, but her attacks simply weren't strong enough to pierce his defenses either.
When the two of them separated to take a moment to catch their breath and regroup, the Master stepped forward from where he was watching with the rest of the guild, immediately catching both of their attention. "That's enough. I believe this has been a sufficient demonstration of Juvia's abilities," he said as he looked over the assembled crowd. Gajeel looked a little irritated at the interruption of their fight, but didn't seem to be inclined to dispute Jose's decision. As murmurs of acceptance drifted towards her from those gathered around them, she could tell that that they were no longer looking at her with doubt and condescension. Instead, their eyes held respect and even wariness of her strength. Even Gajeel's eyes no longer held their initial contempt and scorn for her, though she wasn't quite sure exactly what was there when he looked at her now.
Taking a deep breath, she let herself smile a little. She'd successfully passed her first trial as a member of Phantom Lord.
Geez, this one is over 1.5k words long! I don't think many of these will end up be that long. At least I hope not…
Thanks to everyone who reviewed and/or followed this! I'm glad there's at least a little bit of an audience for these, because I really enjoy writing about Juvia. :^)
