Alright! Another one! Woho! Well since we had some action in the last chapter it's time for some drama. It's time we continued with the story! A lot of you enjoyed the last chapter so I hope you all will enjoy this one too!
Marty: Yea Kera did get strong but of course one of the problems is that she's brutal and doesn't seem to know any mercy. Let's see how far that goes on ;)
Brainy girl: Speechless? ;)
Rez: In some point yea she is.
FTL Guest: Maybe, for now we know that the fusion is one of the reason, maybe there's another reason, you could be right ;) let's just continue on and find out!
TomBoyOfDeath98: No worries! Erza and the others are trying their best to get the old Kera back! You just have to cheer them on! Kera is going down a dangerous path and they will need to bring her back quick!
Luca: She is strong but she is also cruel. How far will she go? No one knows. Will they be able to rescue Kera in time? Let's hope so!
martin mistery: Well there has to be a back side to all the strength ;) but maybe if Erza and the others are able to bring her back she'll still have all the power in the world.
Guest: Not at all! She is like an anti-hero at the moment! Badass, kicking butt, but also cruel and brutal.
The day passed and night arrived. Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy and Juvia were all wondering where Kera and Erza were. They didn't believe that a scouting mission would take this long… on the other hand with Kera, who knows what could happen with the two of them.
"Shouldn't we go look for them?" Lucy asked. She was sitting one of the beds in the room they had rented out. Actually they had rented two rooms, one for the girls and one for the boys, but since they were more girls than boys one of them had to sleep with Gray and Natsu. They just didn't know who.
Gray snorted. "I'm not following them. Let's just wait for them, everything will be fine."
"Yea, also I wouldn't want to get on Kera's bad side at the moment. She's fucking scary! Even scarier than Erza!" Natsu shouted which caused all the girls to glare at him. He shrunk back slightly feeling the glares on him. "Sorry." He muttered.
Wendy sighed. "I know what Natsu means. Kera has changed so much… it's scary. She doesn't even seem happy anymore."
"There's a cloud of sadness and depression hanging around her." Juvia spoke looking down at the floor. "I have a feeling she hasn't even smiled for a long while."
"Well we have to find a way to make her smile again!" Natsu stated simply but the others weren't so sure about that.
Lucy shook her head a sad expression on her face. "I doubt that will be easy Natsu. That… fusion thing she went through with Crystol… it removed every bit of the Kera we once knew. She's a complete new person."
"Bullshit!" Natsu shouted standing up. "I refuse to believe that Kera is this… this… cold hearted person who doesn't care about anyone around her! That's not Kera! The Kera I know is warm and loving, she cares about the people she loves and will do anything to keep them safe!"
"Maybe that's why she did it."
They turned around to look at the two Exceeds that were sitting in the back corner. Happy was the one who had spoken up. Everyone could see the sad look on his face. The blue cat went on. "I mean Natsu is right. She would do anything to keep her friends safe… that's why she changed."
Everyone looked shocked. The Fire Dragon Slayer blinked. "So you're saying that Kera gave up her soul her… herself so we could be safe? She gave up her own happiness so we'd be… happy?"
Carla sighed as she turned around. "It would make sense. That foolish girl would do anything. And I also believe that she'd go through something like that."
"But why?" Gray asked still not understand why she'd go to such drastic measures…
Juvia looked at her beloved. "Maybe she found something. Maybe she discovered some sort of threat that made her do this."
"No…" Lucy shook her head. "That's not it."
Natsu looked up at her a little confused. "What are you saying Luce? You know why she did this?"
The blonde shook her head. "I can't believe I didn't see this before. It's clear why she done this. The threat was already there, it was always present."
The others started listening to her wondering what she had to say. The blonde looked at the others, still not believing it. "She done this because of Zeref."
Everyone went quiet. You could even hear the crickets outside chirping. Lucy put a hand against her forehead. "I mean… it's so obvious now. Zeref is the biggest threat in the entire world. He wants to destroy everything and it's clear that none of us stand a chance against him. Kera being the Queen of Dragons is the only one who even has a chance to stand up against him, yet she believes she isn't strong enough to protect her friends. That's why she fused her soul with Crystol. That's why she sacrificed herself, because she believes that this is the only way she can defeat Zeref."
"So she can protect her friends." Wendy muttered.
Natsu shook his head still not wanting to believe this. There was no way Kera would go to such lengths…
No…
He gritted his teeth.
She would…
"Damn it." He growled. "We should have seen this coming. We should have kept an eye on her." In some way he felt a little responsible. He shouldn't just have left like this. He should have stayed or at least should have gone with the brunette. He was like her older brother.
"There's nothing you could have done Natsu." Gray said looking over at the pink haired Dragon Slayer. "No one knew what she was doing. No one knew where she was even headed. Not even Erza was able to find her."
Natsu sighed rubbing his head. "But still…" He muttered. Kera done something drastic that changed her life completely. They should have been there for her. They should have done something.
They heard the door being thrown open. Two people came inside and it was clear that there was something wrong. First of all both Kera and Erza looked a little beaten up, a few scratches on their faces but that's not what worried them. The scary emotionless look on Erza's face worried them to death. Kera didn't look worried at all. She simply threw her cloak on one of the beds revealing her unusual clothes. Without saying a word she jumped out the window and climbed up the roof.
There was a second of silence and they all turned their attention towards the red head. "So… how did it go?" Gray asked.
It seemed Erza snapped that moment. With a frustrated yell she punched the side of the wall. The others flinched and took a step back. Erza closed her eyes as she gritted her teeth.
"What happened?" Lucy asked softly, trying not to anger her more.
Natsu scrunched up his nose. "You two weren't scouting were you?"
Erza took a deep breath before shaking her head. "No… we were not." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "We went to deal with one of the members…"
"That's not good." Gray commented and Erza shook her head. "No it was not…" She looked up at her friends with a small pleading look. "We need to find a way to bring her back."
"That bad?" Juvia asked and the red head simply nodded her head. She didn't even want to explain to them what happened. "We… she almost killed him if I hadn't stepped in. She was ruthless, didn't care about anything except on killing him, saying that he had to die." Shaking her head yet again she tried to go on. "Then when we tried to head back we got ambushed."
Erza still couldn't believe it. "She was ruthless, fast, powerful, and she crushed a man's leg making him tell her what she wanted to know. What I saw out there… that wasn't the Kera I used to know. That..."
"I don't know who that is…"
Sighing she slumped down on one of the beds holding her head. "I don't even know what to do."
The others all had a sad expression on their face. It's like Erza had almost given up hope.
Up on the roof Kera had her eyes closed. Due to her training she could even hear better now than before and she heard everything they were saying below her.
"She was ruthless, fast, powerful, and she crushed a man's leg making him tell her what she wanted to know. What I saw out there… that wasn't the Kera I used to know. That…"
"I don't know who that is…"
The brunette sighed. Erza was right… she wasn't the person she used to be. She figured that out herself. After the fusion with Crystol she became a whole new person. She was something new. So who was she?
The funny thing is… she doesn't know herself either.
"You are the Queen of Dragons, daughter of the great Queen Kayeleth. You are an Elemental Dragon Slayer, ready to fight against evil."
But who am I? Those are just labels that were thrown at me. Forced upon me… I don't even know who I am anymore…
Opening her eyes she looked up at the stars. The sky held no clouds to obscure the vision, so she could see thousands, maybe even millions of stars littering the beautiful night sky. And each one of those stars was a different unique being…
And here she was… not knowing who she was… not anymore…
All she done this last year was train, get stronger, only thinking of a way that could possibly make her more powerful so she could stop hiding and start fighting. Now she was stronger, she had the power and she was fighting against evil that was threatening the peace in the world… but she still felt empty… she was missing something…
But what?
She raised her arm into the sky waving it around slightly. Her eyes stayed on her arm as it stopped. "Have I lost my way? Have I lost my humanity?"
"You are still human Kera. You helped that little girl." Crystol reminded her. Kera closed her eyes for a moment remembering that little girl. Those men were about to kidnap her if it weren't for her. "But… I wanted to kill them… Erza is right… Fairy Tail wizards don't kill…"
"I don't…"
"What am I?" Kera asked lowering her arm next to her. "Who… am I?"
Crystol stayed quiet because truthfully… she didn't know what to say. She was there to guide her, prepare her and help her any way she can. She helped her in getting stronger and she helped her by fusing their souls together. They had to pay a small price but now Kera is almost unbeatable.
So why was she doubting herself?
Why did she think she was something… different?
"Kera… you know that these people have to be stopped."
Kera sighed slightly knowing what Crystol was getting at. "I know… they need to be stopped as soon as possible. No matter what it takes."
"So you know that we have to do this."
"I know… it's just…"
"Just what?"
Kera stayed quiet but then shook her head. "Never mind." Her eyes stayed on the stars up in the sky. Crystol couldn't understand this… she just couldn't. After all these changes… she still wondered if she was still human…
Or a monster…
The sun rose up indicating a new day. The last day was a bad day so everyone hoped that today was going to be better. Well… if they would wake up. Everyone was still fast asleep in their beds. After the rough day they had, especially Erza, they didn't even care of getting up.
Kera on the other hand was still on the roof sleeping. She was enjoying the fresh air and didn't want to be cooped up inside the building. With six other people it was already cramped in the room so she simply stayed on the roof.
She slept quietly on the roof enjoying the peace and quiet. The early sun rays warmed her face and she enjoyed it.
There was a short change of wind and immediately she knew something was wrong. Opening her eyes she saw something coming straight for her. Shit…
She braced herself as whatever it was came straight for her. She felt something hit her chest and the roof underneath her gave way. Oh crap…
The roof completely gave in and she crashed through the ceiling and down to the floor where her friends were resting. She saw something glint and immediately her reflexes kicked in. She raised her hands and caught something sharp before it hit her chest.
She could hear several gasps and screams from her friends, but she couldn't concentrate on them. When the dust started to disappear she could finally see who attacked and her and what her situation was. A strong and firm built woman was above her pushing down a sword to her chest.
Luckily she had grabbed the blade in time or else she would have been stabbed. Maybe she shouldn't have slept on the roof. She never did it before and here's the reason why.
"Fire Dragon: Roar!"
Kera saw the woman's eyes quickly moving to the side. She suddenly pulled the blade causing her to yell out in pain since she was holding it. It had already hurt that the blade was digging into her skin and it hurt even more when she suddenly pulled it back cutting across her hands. It was already too late to turn her hands into stone because the first attack was so sudden.
The woman had taken the now slightly bloodied blade and cut through the fire that Natsu had sent towards her. Unfortunately the slash went further and the woman was able to cut Natsu across the chest. He yelled out in pain before stumbling back.
"Requip!"
The woman had incredible reflexes as she was able to block an incoming attack from the red head. Erza though seemed to know her fighting style and quickly sent the attacker back. The mage was furious as her attacks became relentless. The woman knew she was in trouble.
Erza slashed her sword towards her shoulder but the woman was able to block the attack with her own sword. Her eyes moved across the room and noticed that the others were preparing themselves to fight her as well.
Quickly she blocked the next attack from Erza before throwing her sword up in the air. She kicked Erza in the stomach before jumping out the window. Erza quickly recovered and tried to run after her. "No stop!"
The red head turned around to see that Kera had called her out. Lucy had helped her back to her feet. "She's not worth it." She said simply. "She was trying a hit and run. Obviously it failed."
"T-That's what you say." Natsu gritted his teeth while clutching at his chest. There was a long gash which was bleeding.
Kera simply walked up to him pushing Lucy softly aside. "Sit still." She said simply. The pink haired mage complied and didn't move. Kneeling down she waved one of her bloody hands across his chest, a soft green glow appearing as well.
Natsu's eyes went wide as he watched his injury vanish. The others were shocked as well. The brunette took a step back and looked at her hands. Muttering something incoherent she closed her eyes. A soft green glow covered her hands and everyone could see her injury closing up as well.
"You… you can heal?" Natsu asked shocked.
Kera opened her eyes and nodded simply. "Yes, how's your chest?"
The Dragon Slayer touched his chest where his injury used to be and felt that nothing hurt. "It's… it's good. I… thank you."
It seemed she didn't care much about it. She simply turned her attention towards the others. "We have to get moving. They know where we are. It's not safe here anymore."
The others though were still a little surprised about her healing. Kera saw that they weren't moving and got a little annoyed. "We have to leave. Now." She sneered slightly snapping the others back to reality.
Kera grabbed her cloak from the rack where someone had put it and threw it over herself. "Fifteen minutes. Got it?" With that said she left the room.
Erza shook her head. "This day can't get worse…" She muttered.
Juvia smiled softly. "They say, after a bad start it can only get better." She tried to cheer her up and she hoped telling the red head this had worked slightly. Erza sighed. "I hope you're right Juvia."
Twenty minutes later everyone was already back on the road. They were walking this time because Kera and Erza had lost their horse. The other two horses they gave to the inn as payment for the damaged roof. Also Kera had given them a sack of gold. The others still had no idea where she got that from.
Wendy had walked up to the brunette obviously curious about something. "Hey Kera?" The Queen of Dragons turned her head to look at her. She was still wearing her cloak but her hood was down. "How can you heal?"
"I've… I've trained hard in that field. It took me a long time and a lot of hard work to master the art of healing… well I haven't mastered it, but you get what I mean." Kera said while giving the little girl a soft smile. "I knew, due to Crystol, I was able to heal. It was just finding a way for me to actively use it."
Wendy was a little amazed. "Wow… so… you don't really need me anymore…"
"What? No, we still need you Wendy." Kera said kneeling down to her. "Yes I might be able to heal now, but you're still the healer of this group. Not only that but you are the heart and soul of this team. You're a Dragon Slayer and an incredible wizard." Kera told her.
Erza gave the brunette a confused look. For some reason every time one of them tried to talk to her she would snap at them, yell, or they would end up fighting. Yet here she was talking to Wendy… like her usual self…
Was Wendy the key to bringing her back?
"You're more than just a healer Wendy." Kera told her. "You're an incredible strong wizard that can fight and you keep on fighting. You are strong willed and let no one else tell you otherwise. You're a strong member of this team and don't forget that."
Wendy smiled softly. "Thank you Kera."
"As long as you know who you are, that's all you need Wendy." The brunette told her with a soft smile, though Erza could see more out of it. There was something else hidden in that soft smile. Something… like… depression? No… that can't be right.
Gray took a step forward crossing his arms. "Well since you and Erza dealt with Draccus yesterday what's our next plan?" He asked.
Kera sighed. "The next plan… is for you to leave."
"WHAT!?" Everyone shouted in shock.
Erza gritted her teeth as she walked up to her. "How many times do I have to tell you? We're not leaving for any reason."
The brunette glared at her. "Don't you remember what you promised me at the start of this journey?"
"Yea that we would consider on listening to you." She said frowning slightly.
"Exactly, now consider it and leave." Kera sneered slightly while giving Erza such a death glare it hurt the elder.
Lucy got in between them before anything else could happen. The blonde pushed Erza back softly while turning her head towards the Dragon Slayer. "Why do you want us to leave? Could you at least give us an explanation?"
Erza scoffed. "That would be nice for once."
Kera gritted her teeth as she turned away. "I want you to leave because I don't want you to get involved in this."
They all looked confused. Didn't they all decide that they would help and get involved when they told Kera that they would be coming with her and help her? Why was she pushing them away so suddenly? "I don't…" Lucy started but Kera wasn't done yet.
The brunette had given Erza a soft glance. "You heard Draccus and the scout. They don't know yet that you are involved, that you're working with me. And I want to keep it that way. If they know that you guys are involved you will be targeted."
"We can handle them!" Natsu shouted slamming his fists together but Kera shook her head. "I was thinking that we could surprise them by working together so suddenly, but it seems that won't be happening anymore. In time they will know about you."
Juvia frowned slightly. "But we can still help."
Looking down at the ground Kera closed her eyes. "I'm sorry. It seems this woman… Lucretia is after me and my head. I don't want you to get involved. I don't want you to get hurt."
"That's part of the job description." Erza told her pushing Lucy away. "We are wizards and that's what we do. We go on dangerous jobs, we know we're putting our lives out there for the protection of others. We know the risks Kera. Don't act like we're clueless little children."
"I'm doing this to protect you!" Kera snapped at her, her anger slipping out once again. "I know you are prepared to do anything to help me, but I can't let you do that. I don't want you all fighting my battles for me. I can do this on my own."
She turned around and was about to leave but a hand grabbed her. She was about to fight back but an arm snaked around her neck and pulled her down to the ground. What the hell was going on!? She tried to grab for her attacker, yet felt she couldn't move at all. This person had her in a damn strong lock.
Raising her head she saw familiar pink hair and couldn't believe it. Natsu was the one who had pulled her in a lock.
Even the others were shocked.
Kera gritted her teeth. "Natsu let me go or I will…"
"You will what?" he asked glancing at her. He kept his arm around her neck. "We have to get to you somehow and talking hasn't worked so let's try something physical. Maybe then you'll listen."
"Natsu…" She warned but the pink haired Dragon Slayer ignored her. "No you're going to listen. Yes we understand that you want to fight your own battles but you have to understand that you don't have to do it by yourself. We help you. We don't think you're weak or anything. You are one of the strongest wizards out there! But that doesn't mean you should fight everything by yourself. And before you go again, yes we also get that you want to protect us. Erza was trying to protect us when she tried to sacrifice herself for us!" He snapped at her catching the attention of Erza but also of the brunette he was holding.
"She wanted to protect her friends, she wanted to sacrifice herself, but that was wrong." Natsu continued keeping a tight hold on her. "Doing things yourself, dying for your friends, sacrificing yourself for your friends is not the way! You don't die for your friends Kera! You live for them!" He shouted at her.
He had kept a tight hold on the brunette all this time since she was fighting to get out, but after he said those last few words to her he felt her slack. She wasn't fighting back.
Natsu looked down at Kera. "Erza is proof of that! She fights for you, she lives for you. And what do you do in return? You go sacrificing yourself, your own soul for something ridiculous!"
Kera gritted her teeth as she closed her eyes. All of a sudden a surge of power went through her and she was able to throw Natsu off of her. The boy was flung back by the sheer power that Kera let loose.
The brunette stood back on her feet and Natsu quickly got back up. He was ready to fight back. "Kera…" he started but she raised her hand.
There was a moment of silence before Kera spoke again. "I need to be alone for a moment." She said walking away from the group. Luckily for her no one dared to follow her.
Erza walked over to Natsu who was still keeping his gaze on the brunette. "Natsu…" She spoke.
He finally turned around his face turning back to his soft normal grin. "Yea? What's u…" He stopped when he suddenly felt a pair of arms snake around him. He blinked when he noticed that Erza was actually hugging him.
"Thank you." She whispered to him, a small tear falling down her face.
"Erza…" He started but the red head shook her head while still holding him in her embrace. "No… you… you may have finally gotten to her. Thank you…"
He smiled softly. "It's the least I could do."
Wow, so much drama! Also a little more in deep analysis of Kera and her feelings and what she thinks about her change. It seems nothing can go right at the moment. But maybe Natsu put some sense into her head at the end. What do you guys think? Let me know!
Until next time!