Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
A/N: I am so sorry for the late update, but I've been… occupied. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! I wish you all the best and that you'll also enjoy this story over the holidays. I'll try to update quicker!
Chapter 2: Combat Training
LUCY'S POV
Gray, Erza, Juvia, Elfman, Mirajane and Warren all walked into the training room. At the sight of them, everybody immediately silenced; even those two annoying bastards, Chris and Damien. My eyes involuntarily trailed to my Captain, Gray and damn did he look good. Dammit Gray, don't you know that I love men in uniforms? Why are you wearing it anyways?!
"OKAY RECRUITS!" Gray yelled, breaking me out of my reverie. "Today is combat training. I will demonstrate all the basic punches and kicks for the ones that don't already know them or require a refresher. For those who are confident in your skills, you may go to your respective leaders from yesterday." He finished.
"Lucy." I heard a stern voice say, a comforting voice in my head, really.
I turned my head around and smiled. "Erza."
"Do you already know the basic techniques?" Erza asked and I laughed.
"What do you think?" I asked mischievously. I've been practicing the art Muay Thai ever since I was six. I'd be damned if I needed a refresher.
"I think not. Did you get a chance to see the rankings yesterday?" Erza smiled.
"Ah, the rankings… I totally forgot all about them." I said as Erza took my hand and led me to the left side of the room, away from Gray. I looked back to see who stayed with Gray and was surprised to find out that only Derek and I had left.
"That's rare of you to do. Normally, the recruits would be fretting over them, but then again you've never sparked me as a normal recruit. Anyways, would you like to know your results?" Erza asked as she tossed me a pair of hand wraps to tie around my hands.
"Hm… just tell me if I'm in the top three. Any lower and I'd have to double my efforts." I sighed.
"You're definitely in the top three, alright. Now, let's get to work! The sooner we harness your skills, the sooner you get a shut eye." Erza said as we bumped fists and both got into our fighting stance.
About three hours later, it was safe to say that I was ready for battle. I liked Erza a lot because she was strong and encouraging. She was a role model in my eyes, and I knew she liked me also because she has told me enough times. Currently, Erza and I were sitting on the ground with our backs to the walls resting up. I scanned the room and observed all their fighting styles in preparation for tomorrow, which were the combat matches. Chris Evans is quite agile on his feet, but has no power. Wendy Marvell is small and can maneuver around her opponent easily, but she still doesn't have enough power to strike one down. Levy McGarden was wow, she was strong. She was tiny and strong; she's one I have to watch out for. Damien Walker was a power fighter, but not fast enough on his feet and Derek Adams. Damn, now he is the one who's got my blood boiling in excitement. I want Derek Adams as my opponent; he's strong, agile and extremely fast. Now Derek would be a good opponent. I heard Erza sigh beside me and I turned my head to meet her gaze.
"What's up, Erza?" I asked curiously.
"You're smiling." Erza stated.
"Well smiling is something that seems to come to me naturally, but what about it?" I looked at her confused.
"You're smiling at Derek Adams. I think I know what's on your mind." Erza sighs again which causes me to laugh. "You want him as your opponent, don't you?" She asked as she stared intently at my face, awaiting my reaction.
I laughed again, damn Erza, you can even read my mind now. "Yes, yes I do want him as my opponent. I mean look at him! He's a worthy opponent, and pretty good looking if I may say so myself." I smirked which caused Erza to laugh.
"I'm sure he is." She chuckles. "I knew you weren't normal."
"Hm, what do you mean?" I asked as I turned my head back to observe Derek.
"Most would want an opponent like Wendy over there, but you. You want the strongest in the pack." She laughs.
"What's the point in fighting someone who you know you can beat?" I asked before I smiled at Derek's last attack. He executed a perfect upper cut to Elfman's chin, which knocked him down. He wins for this round; I laugh which is when Damien and I caught each other's eye. I smiled at him in appreciation and he winked at me. The one who was totally quiet yesterday just winked at me. I'd say he was cocky but he did just knock out his trainer… I shake my head and turn back to Erza.
"I saw that." She laughs which causes me to blush slightly. Dammit Erza! Sharp eyes as always. "I'm proud of you though, I can't count the number of rounds we've had a draw and let me tell you this now, I haven't had a draw with someone in Fairy Tail for around 6 years now." She smiles which completely caught me off guard. Six years?! I wasn't ever the cocky type but after hearing that, I was pretty confident about tomorrow. Well maybe fighting everyone except Derek. He was the alpha male in this pack and I couldn't wait to knock him down, that's if he doesn't knock me down first.
"Maybe you outta fight some opponents who're the same level as you Erza." I smirked. Erza just hasn't been fighting the right opponents, she's been fighting ones who were always on a lower caliber then her, thus her multiple amount of victories, not that I doubt them, but she'd find it more of a challenge if she went up against someone like… Laxus Dreyer. Yes, that's someone I'd also like to fight one day.
"Hey Lucy, you want to spar with Chris Evans over there?" Erza said with a huge grin on her face.
"Hm, why?" I asked curiously. She had something on her mind.
"Just give that guy some…encouragement to try harder." She said as she stood up.
"To try harder? Why the hell…" I asked but trailed off looking at Gray's aggravated face which caused me to laugh and stand up along with her. We walked over to Gray and pulled him of his fight, if you could call it that, with Chris.
"What's up girls?" He asked happily. Way too happy, he was probably just glad that we've gotten him away from his annoying recruit for a few moments.
I laughed at Chris' stance, which alone was already wrong. "We're here to save you." I answered for Erza.
"My top notch recruit is here to give your pathetic excuse of a recruit some encouragement for future improvements." Erza said with a straight face, which caused me to laugh.
"I've been at it for a few hours; maybe if you knock him up he'll understand how shit he really is doing." Gray said eyeing me skeptically.
"Well then, if you'll excuse me." I said with a huge grin on my face. "This will be interesting." I muttered under my breath as I made my way over to Chris.
"Chris Evans." I said to catch his attention.
"Yeah, what is it Lucy? Here to ask me out?" He asked cockily which earned him a laugh from me.
"Not a chance. Here to beat you up, or more so what they call it, give you some encouragement to try harder." I laughed.
"O ho ho? Think you can beat me? Come on, let's go." He said with a grin on his face. I sported back a grin of my own. I told you how I wasn't normally cocky but with the way this shit head is acting, I think I can make an exception.
I bumped fists with him in the middle before I readied myself in battle stance. We started off slowly rotating in a circle; I was waiting for his first attack, but if he was going to take all day, I'll be damned and so I threw a punch his way which he surprisingly dodged by a hair. He smiled at me thinking he's got the upper hand. Aw baby, that'll never happen. Not in a million goddamn years, I laughed. He throws a right punch my way which I easily dodge to the left and countered by throwing a right hook to his face, which he stubbornly left undefended. The smack vibrated threw my ears and left a satisfied sound. Mm, that landed well. Good job Lucy, I prided myself. I hear him grunt in pain and falter a bit.
"Come on, Chris. You're not going to last long this way. Knock me down, try it!" I encouraged him, as I threw a midsection kick to him, knocking the breath out of him for a few seconds.
"I can't… hurt a girl." He answered. You little pansy. Is that what you have to say to me? I immediately halt my actions and laugh full heartedly. I laugh so hard that Gray and Erza came to calm me down.
"Why are you laughing Lucy?" Gray asked me as he soothed my back in attempt to seize my laughter.
"B-because of your damned recruit. Oh I'd be damned, but your recruit, he says he can't knock me down because I'm a girl. How the hell is he supposed to go on missions that have female targets?" I said in between laughs. Gray and Erza ended up laughing along with me. They both knew that was why he couldn't knock me down. He was a little pansy, and all of us knew it. Grays hand trailed down and held my wrists.
"I guess you did come here to save me after all." He says in between laughs. "That was kind deed you've done. I now know that he is a sore loser, that'll be helpful in the future. Thank you, Lucy." Gray said as he looked me directly in the eye. His eyes were pretty, I thought and his hands were cold.