I own none of these characters except my own. All the official Fairy Tail characters are owned by Hiro Mashima.
Ch 10: Noobs Aren't Losers
Well soccer conditioning is rough Celestia thought to herself as she sat outside the boys locker room, reviewing what happened. Zeref was a ruthless coach and had already cut half of the boys who had showed up for try-outs that day. She reviewed his notes and he had already chosen the varsity team and was now working on the junior varsity team. His notes were a little confusing to her since she was a little new to the concept of soccer. From years of exposure from Natsu, she knew the basic rules and a little bit of the skills needed but she isn't quite clear about what type of training or what the specific rules are. Making plans to visit the library tomorrow, she made a mental note to check books on soccer rules and a brush up on first aid.
"Hey Ce. let's roll!" A rough hand grabbed her arm and pulled her up. Grabbing her bag while being pulled up, she landed easily on her feet and dusted off her pants. "You seem impatient to get out of here. What's the rush? Hungry?" Her cousin's arm was then draped over her shoulder and he leaned against her as he retorted, "You should know the answer to the question by now. I feel like I could eat a ship full of food. Steaks, hamburgers, pizza…" He drooled and snuggled up to Celestia as if she was said food. "I need some MEAT!" She rolled her eyes at his extra affection for his food and lead him towards the parking lot, "You are so excessive sometimes. I can't believe you."
In front of the locker room door, a pair of dark blue eyes stared at the pair leaving. Sting chewed his bottom lip and his crossed arms tightened over his chest. Who is this girl? What is her relationship with Natsu? He analyzed their behavior and added it to his previous inferences. She's obviously important to him from how overprotective he is. I never seen him this close to someone of the opposite sex before… Are they dating? He shook his head, doubting his idol. I may admire him but he is a real coconut head. He wouldn't know someone is flirting with him even if they kissed him… It doesn't mean I can rule out that option.
"Cadence, your father and I are surprised that you suddenly decided to become the soccer team's manager and we were a little cautious at first. But after we discussed it further, we saw the potential behind this "choice" of yours." Her mother's voice whispered into her head as she shoved her uniform and tracksuit into her go away bag, frustration clear in her motions. She had expected this kind of reaction from them but it still bothers her how intent they were to marry her off like she was some object to bid on. "I hope you bring home a lovely son-in-law soon…" The words sent her fuming as she walked over to the bathroom to fix the arrangement she had on the sink counter. She moved the cups of toothpaste, brushes, along with the flowerpots to the opposite of where it was before. Her next victim would be the reflective surfaces in the bathroom which she scrubbed vigorously until it sparkled and shined.
With her frustration leaving her body, she packed the rest of her belongings and flopped onto her bed, covering her face with her hands. Sighing, she relished the silent calmness of the current situation and tried to empty her mind of her parents. Calm down Celestia. You only have two more years left before you get out of this stupid prison… Well until the parentals sell you off to the highest bidding prince which benefits them. Maybe I'll find my own mindless puppet of a prince to use as my stepping stone to the throne. She chuckled at her own sarcastic remark and a thought crossed her mind. Maybe I can use that useless second in line Prince Sting Eucliffe. She waved her hand through the air as if to dispel such an idiotic idea. Not likely. I would not be able to deal with his stupidity too long. Our personalities would clash too much.
"Yip! Yip! Yip!" A small warm body landed upon her upper body and a warm wet tongue lapped at her hands. Smiling, laughter trickled from her lips as she moved the tiny body from on top of her. Hugging it to her chest, she placed a kiss on its head before getting off the bed, "Why hello there Ophiuchus. I missed you all day, buddy." Ophiuchus responded by licking her cheek which only made her laugh more. Ophiuchus was her pet dog and is a mixed Yorkshire terrier breed. She found him cowering in one of the neighboring villages' alleyways as a small puppy and gained its trust after a few weeks of bringing food for it every day. Wanting to make sure it was healthy, she took it to a certified veterinarian who vaccinated the puppy and gave Celestia clear instructions on how to raise the pup. With a few bumps in the road, she raised the puppy into the 2 year dog it is now. Her parents (and still do) disapprove of her choice of a pet but let her keep the pup as a bargain for her to do what they want.
Though her parents take advantage of their bargain time and time again, she doesn't regret her choice. Ophiuchus is one of the best things in her world and she loves him more than anything. Carrying him carefully in one arm and her bag in the other, she descended to the lowest level of the palace to exit.
"Ready to go?" Yuuta inquired from the exit where she was leaning against a pillar in her full set of armor. Ophiuchus yipped at the sight of Yuuta and scrambled to be put on the ground to which Celestia obliged. Ophiuchus yipped as he ran around Yuuta's heels while she escorted Celestia outside to the carriage awaiting her.
"Celestia!"
Looking up, Celestia made out Hatsune waving at her from the window of her room, tears streaming down her face as she sadly watched her friends leave. Shaking her head, she waved back and called out in her usual worried tone, "Go back inside. I gave you the night off for a reason. I'll see you tomorrow."
Yuuta had opened the carriage door while Celestia said goodbye and held her hand out as leverage for Celestia. Helping her inside, Yuuta then placed the dog on the ground into her lap where he fit perfectly. Closing the door definitively behind her, she leaped onto the back of the carriage and motioned for the footmen to start the journey.
"You're as small as a peanut to fit inside my heart…"
"Wow that line was cheesier than I remembered." Celestia murmured as she popped another handful of popcorn into her mouth, snuggling into the beanbag chair with Ophiuchus sleeping snuggly in her lap. A series of similar breathes came from Wendy who was now sleeping soundly in the beanbag next to her. They had finished all their work earlier and had decided to do an all night rom-com marathon despite having school the next day. However the latest Wendy have ever stayed up her entire life was 11 PM which she passed out at exactly on the dot after two Disney movies and halfway through the episode of Strong Girl Bong-Soon. Looking over at Wendy's sleeping face, she decided to wrap up for the night and sleep early for once. Carefully moving the puppy onto a safer spot on the beanbag with a small blanket thrown over it, she then walked over to her flat screen television and rubbed the ears of the white cat, Carla (Wendy's cat) resting in the cat bed next to it. Once she turned off the television with a press of a button, she walked over to Wendy. Hooking her arms under Wendy's knees and back, she carried her to her bed where she laid Wendy comfortably in the comforter and drew the blankets over her shoulders, tucking it gently under her chin.
Once Wendy was snug in bed, Celestia cleaned up the rest of the snacks and then turned off the lights in the room. Closing the door gently behind her, she softly treaded down the hall to the last door where loud music and screaming came from. Knocking on the door with her elbow, she then softly kicked the door open and stepped inside without waiting for authorization. "Hey I just came to leave some of our leftover snacks for you to finish." She laid the bowls of popcorn and chip down on the coffee table next to Natsu who was screaming bloody murder as he was deeply engaged in a virtual gun battle.
"Thanks Ce. I was starving." Natsu replied shortly as his fingers jammed the buttons on the controller in his hands. As the seconds trickled down, Natsu seemed to get more and more intense, curses leaving his mouth in a flurry but with a big smile on his face. The buzzer sounded an end and Natsu threw his controller in rage, swearing in a more enrage manner. Not wanting to get caught in another revenge plot for Natsu, Celestia started to back out of the room, "Well, don't stay up too late. I'm going to go to bed now-"
Natsu grabbed her wrist as she took two steps away and pulled her into the sofa, right onto his lap, a pleading look on his face. Shaking her head, she pushed against Natsu's hands which held a firm grip on her waist, "Natsu I swear let go of me. I don't want to get caught in another vengeance match that is none of my business."
Whining sounds came from his mouth and Natsu's hold on her tightened as he wrapped her into a bear hug, "Please play with meeee! Sting that asshole beat me and I can't stand how how how-" He got to a loss of words. Sighing, Celestia filled in for Natsu's incompetence, "Arrogance. He's arrogant." Natsu snapped his fingers and pointed at her. "Yes exactly. You hate him too so it shouldn't be a problem."
"Non." She refused in French and crossed her arms in defiance.
"Please! I'll do anything you want." He pleaded and placed his hands together in a praying motion, "I'll give you a ride home for the rest of my season and yours no matter what."
"..." A moment of silence passed over her and Celestia let out a big sigh as her resolve broke. Holding her hand out, she requested firmly, "Hand me a controller."
His devious grin spread his face and in two minutes, Celestia was positioned for battle on the other end of the sofa with her own controller and headpiece and was signed in as Player 1 as opposed to the personalized nicknames of the other players. However she turned her mic up as she didn't want to speak and instead listen to the conversation going on between the players.
"Square up, Sting Eucliffe because you're not going to win the next match."
"Speak for yourself, Flame Brain because I'm on your heels."
"Gihi you guys should pay attention elsewhere. The dark horse may take this round.'
"I'm out of all of your leagues right now. No one can beat me but I'd like to see you try."
Her eyes scanned the list of names and pieced them together with the recognized voices through the headset. "Salamander" is Natsu. "Iron_Dragon" has to be Gajeel. "xxIceDemonxx" must be Gray. Oh God Sting must be "light_#1". Jeez what a narcissistic nerd. There are five players excluding me but I didn't hear four voices speaking… Must be Sting's quiet older brother. Hatsune's partner, Rogue Cheney. "xshadowx" must be him. I like his name. Not too cocky. Quite cool in my opinion. She thought as she practiced maneuvers on the controller, mashing the buttons in a series.
"I'm so ready to crush Gray and Sting and everyone!" Natsu cackled as he stared intently at the screen as the seconds counted down.
We can hear you, Idiot. You didn't turn up your mic.
What makes you think you can end me, Flame Brain. You didn't even beat me in that run during tryouts today.
"Shut up Ice Princess. I totally stole that ball from you just when you were about to make that goal." He growled and stared harder at the timer which said ten seconds left on the timer. Celestia rolled her eyes at the trash talk passed between them. Leaning over, she wrapped her lithe fingers around his mic to muffle it and pulled it closer to his eyes. "Hey for me to win I need you to make yourself a bigger target for me. As a "noob" they'll want to take me out first for easy points." She explained and Natsu made a fist and pledged, "Oh course I'll do anything for my nakama."
"Where do you pull this cringey lines?" She murmured and leaned back into her seat just as the last three seconds ticked down, starting the match. "They're not cringey. They're cool!" He retorted and pulled his mic down, immediately starting to trash talk the others again.
A buzzer rang to start the match and a banner came across the screen to announce the map level. Delighted with the map choice, her lips were smirking as it was her favorite map which she holds a legendary score on. The map is a city with a main square to rain terror on and smaller buildings around it to hide in. Another buzzer sounded for the start of the event and all the players spawned in a random point in the smaller buildings.
"Whoever's a man come and face me in the center! I'll show you guys whose number one! Especially you Sting!" Natsu roared and immediately sent his player towards the main square. Immediately in her ear piece, she heard aggravated responses from the other players and knew that they would go after Natsu in the center making them easier targets. Her only problem now is Rogue. She knew he was as hot headed as them but she wondered how much this game meant to him. Would he be a follower or will he aim to win?
Sneaking behind them, she quietly and steadily made her way over to one of the buildings near the edge of the battlefield in the center where they have started shooting each other already. Despite Natsu being a dense idiot, he coincidentally made it easier for her to shoot by positioning himself in front of her building, bringing all of the competitors with her. She quickly noticed the amount of players which were five. So he's a follower this round? This is going to be easy work. With her fingers carefully rolling over the buttons, she positioned the muzzle of her gun along the windowsill.
Profanities flew and screamed from her headphones as all the players were eliminated almost instantaneously. Shots after shot was fired and not even Natsu was spared which made him glare angrily at her and he would have sold her out if she didn't shove her foot in his face to shut him up. All the other players rue vengeance but was unable to deliver since they couldn't pinpoint who did it. None of them could believe it was the noob "Player 1" who obliterated them. Shots were now careless shot as they quickly tried to eliminate each other to catch up to the top player. The same tactic was used over and over again as the boys foolishly kept fighting against each other instead of teaming up against her. A buzzer sounded for the end of the five minute match and Celestia let out a whistle of approval as she ranked up a new high score on the level. Letting out a yawn, she threw the controller on the cushion next to her and kissed Natsu on the top of his head as a "good night".
"I'm going to head to bed definitely this time. Don't try to stop me." She warned and made her way to the door, energy drained. "Hey wait! Why did you betray me like that? I thought I was your comrade!" Natsu complained and cried crocodile tears, betrayed by her actions. She looked back with her resting bitch face and raised an eyebrow at his behavior. "Well I thought you wanted me to win against Sting so I assumed I should take as many points as possible." She deadpanned, not feeling a shred of regret.
"But I'm your familyyyyyyyyyy." He screeched and pouted his lip in defiance. "Gajeel's your family and you swore to annihilate him." She threw back a crosscheck and with that defeat, she left the room back to Wendy's where a warm bed awaited her.
Author's Note
So this will be the last chapter I am uploading. Please give me your thoughts of what you, the reader, thinks of the story and I am open to criticism.