Chapter 2: Visible Signs of Distress.
"Hooray for the Thunder Legion!"
"Good job guys!"
"You sure showed those bandits!"
Fairy Tail was celebrating the victory of the Thunder Legion over a team of bandits. Freed, Evergreen and Bickslow were basking in the glory but their leader Laxus was staying humble and silent. Nevertheless, the entire guild was celebrating. All except for Natsu.
"This stinks." He complained. "How come Laxus and his team manage to complete their job and we have to go home empty handed?"
"Maybe because the bandits they caught couldn't turn into mist." Grey replied. He was only clad in his boxers.
"You trying to pick a fight with me Ice Boy!?" Natsu got ready to fight.
"Bring it on Flame Brain!" Grey did the same."
"Guys! Stop fighting before Erza makes you!" Lucy cried out. She knew how scary Erza was when she was angry, Mirajane approached the trio with refreshments in hand. "Speaking of which, where is Erza?" She asked."
"I don't know." Lucy admitted. "She said she would meet us here today but I haven't seen her."
"Maybe she's fishing for cakefish!" Happy suggested.
"Is that even a real fish?"
Before Happy could answer, there was a loud thud at the entrance of the guild hall. Erza entered the building and approached the group. To everyone's surprise, she was wearing a green sweater instead of her armor.
"Hey Erza!" Natsu shouted. "Like the new look!"
"What's wrong?" Grey asked. "A little cold?"
"The strangest thing happened after we returned from our mission." Erza confessed. "My Heart Kreuz armor broke apart. I think it might have something to do with the spell Mist cast on me."
"That's awful." Lucy said fretfully.
"I'll be alright. I already made plans to restore the armor and I have extra non-requip clothes for cases such as this."
"Yeah well don't worry." Natsu assured. "Well make sure Mist gets put behind bars yet."
"Unless Flame Brain here messes it up again." Grey remarked.
"What do you mean!? Your the one who loused everything up!"
"Boys. I'm only going to ask you to stop once. So please stop." Erza said calmly, surprising Lucy, Happy and Mirajane.
"Did Erza just try to stop Natsu and Grey's fighting without violence?" Mirajane asked. Happy hugged Lucy's leg. "Lucy, I'm scared."
"Me too Happy. Me too."
Natsu and Grey were too busy arguing with each other to notice Erza's offer of peace. Now she was getting angry.
"That's enough!" Erza requped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor and summoned a swarm of swords, scaring Natsu and Grey.
"How many time I have to tell you to d- ack!
All of a sudden, Erza doubled over in pain. The swords fell to the floor and shattered as if they were made of glass. Erza's armor was beginning to crack as well, flaking off of her body little by little, Most distressing of all were the violet markings that traced over Erza's veins, causing even more pain.
"Oh no Erza!" Lucy rushed to her friends side while calling out to Natsu and Grey. "Get help! Quickly.
As Erza slipped into unconsciousness, she could see the rest of her guild rushing to her aid.