Lucy's POV
The wind tousled my hair, and I let it loose from the high ponytail that I had put it up in.
"Ah, this feels so good!" I exclaimed, earning a chuckle from the great dragon I was riding on.
"And here I thought you would've gotten used to it by now" Silvia said, being the motherly figure I had in my life.
"Who could get used to something as I awesome as this?" I replied, seeing a faint blush taint Silvia's cheeks. Seeing that we had been flying for about an hour, I asked her to land on an island that was directly below us.
"Huh? Why are we stopping?"
"Well, you've been flying for a long time, and I don't want to overwork you. Also, it's basically dark already, so I should go set up a camp somewhere" I pointed out, already being able to see the faint glow of the moon arising from the clouds.
"Oh, if that's the case, I'll take my leave. See you later!" Silvia shouted out hurriedly as her gate started to close, leaving me alone. Shrugging my shoulders and stretching out my arms, I woke up my legs from the long flight. I then took in my surroundings. The island was filled to the brim with beautiful plants, flowers, fruits, and trees. Smiling in content, I chose a clear area near the shore, seeing that it was basically surrounded by edible fruits and vegetables. Of course, I could call Virgo to get me some 5 star gourmet meal, but I wanted to sit back and enjoy nature for once.
My mind set, I got some of my supplies from the Spirit World, and began to set up a tent and prepare some fire. I was interrupted, though, while I was in the middle of hammering down the stakes with a rock. I heard a rustling noise in the bushes, and stood up slowly to inspect the sound. Drawing a knife from the inside of my jacket, I held it in front of me dangerously, heightening my senses to try and spot the disturbance. Closing my eyes, I heard another rustle, and immediately threw my knife straight to my right. Hearing a thud, I went to investigate, but found, surprisingly, a pale Zeref as the knife I threw landed centimeters away from his left eye, firmly lodged into a firm tree.
"Woah, sorry there…" He trailed off, regaining his composure. I merely laughed at him.
"What are you afraid of? You're freaking immortal!" I shouted over my laughter. He looked away, a tinge of annoyance, as well as embarrassment, in his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever" He groaned, rubbing he back of his neck. Realizing the situation I was in, though, I brandished another knife, charging it with holy magic and taking a defensive position.
"What do you want and why did you come here?" I asked, shoving him against a tree while holding the blade millimeters away from his neck. He merely sighed, apparently unalarmed.
"Look here, I just wanted to speak with Igneel" He said, his eyebrows arched up now, probably wondering why I was even so defensive in the first place.
Letting him go, I closed my eyes and massaged the back of my neck.
"As I asked you before, what relation do you have with my friend? This is such a pain…" I trailed off, cracking my neck, wishing that I could just have a massage right now. I was tired, and wanted nothing more than to just bite into some sweet fruit while falling into slumber.
"Well, he's basically my adopted father, since, you know,
SPOILER ALERT FORM THE MANGA
I'm Natsu's brother and all" He explained quite calmly. My eyes widened. Natsu never told me that. My mind numb, I took out my key, and summoned Igneel, sitting down on a nearby rock. A part of me was confused, but then, there was that one big part, tugging at me, my conscience, and making my chest tighten. I thought that we told each other everything… How come he never told me something as important as this? Counting the Tenrou incident, we've known each other for like, 8 years… we were best friends… best friends tell each other everything. Looking up, I examined the sky once again, thinking of Natsu. It was bright, as usual, but for some reason, I didn't feel anything except for pain. How could something so bright be so unreachable…?
Zeref's POV
"Now tell me, please, how you managed to be beaten by a mere human, and a Fairy at that" I hurriedly yelled, glancing over at the seemingly hurt mage.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I'll have you know, my son is what you call a fairy as well" Igneel retorted, ignoring my question. Tapping my foot impatiently, I repeated myself.
"Didn't you promise that you wouldn't get caught, no matter what it would take…? Anyways, this is going to cause a lot of trouble for Acnologia, since he really doesn't like humans, I really don't want to deal with another one of his rampages. Remember what happened last time?" I scolded my own father, which was a little weird, but it had to be done.
"Hah, that old fart can do what he wants. King of dragons, my tail. I'm also a king, and I can do whatever I want!" Igneel whined like a child, and I simply sighed again. Turning around, I went to address the girl, apparently named 'Lucy' from what I remembered.
"Well, you can have him, but you're going to be in a lot of trouble from now on" I hinted, going to glare at Igneel only to find that he was cowering in the Celestial Spirit world.
"Huh? Why?" Lucy asked, cocking her head to one side.
"Acnologia doesn't like the dragons being caught because-" She cut me off, was this a habit for her?, and rambled on excitedly.
"Oh, Acnologia! I'm on my way to catch him right now, since he's one of the only dragon keys I don't have" I looked at her, shocked. She threw a knife at me, and I quickly regained my composure and dodged nonchalantly. She looked at me for a few seconds, then burst out into a fit of laughter. Already annoyed as it was, a vein popped on my forehead.
"And what gives you the right to laugh at me, someone who could easily kill you with one touch?" I asked, a little embarrassed and a little impatient at the same time.
"Sorry, it's just that you're so weird! Before, when I threw a knife at you, you were so shocked, but when I actually held the knife to your throat, you were super calm. And then, when I said that I have the dragon keys, you were super stunned, but when I threw another knife at you, it was as if nothing happened!" She exclaimed as she tried to calm herself down, but only ended up in making herself laugh more. Watching her silly behavior, I couldn't help but crack a smile, because no matter how evil you may consider yourself to be, or how evil others consider yourself to be, the truth of the matter would always stay the same. Laughing was, in fact, contagious. Getting over myself, I asked her in a serious voice as I snapped back to reality what she was doing.
"You aren't really going to go after Acnologia, are you? I mean, even I can't defeat him, so you basically have no chance whatsoever" I told her, not minding the glare sent my way.
"Well, excuse me for not being the lord of all evil, almighty Zeref" She mocked, and did a little curtsy, in which I responded with a bow of my own.
"Well, I need all of the Gates of the Reborn Souls in order to defeat an enemy. He's after me, and I think he's targeting my guild now, but I can only defeat him if- Wait! Why do you even care? If anything, wouldn't it be better for you if I die?" She asked, only listing out the facts. That was true, why did I care? Well, she had to be someone unique to be able to make me laugh. Coming up with dazed answer, I simply replied,
"Looking after dad?"
"Why does that sound more like a question than a statement?" She shot back, and I leaned against the tree I was already against. Not coming up with anything, I shrugged.
"Really? That's all?"
"I guess"
"You're weird"
I scoffed.
"Maybe that's because you're not used to evil" I said, closing my eyes slowly.
"But you're not evil, just cursed, right?" My eyes shot open.
"Curse of contradictions. If anything, the amount of live you've taken should just prove by itself how much you respect it"
"That's… the second time anyone's correctly identified my curse" I whispered to myself almost inaudibly, but, somehow, she was able to pick up on that.
"First was Mavis?" She asked, knowing the answer.
"How did you hear that?" I questioned, becoming more interested in this girl by the second.
"Dragon Slayer"
"Why have two types of magic?"
"It makes me feel safe. Also, I need to be strong in order to complete my mission"
Lucy's POV
"Well, I'm going to go back and set up camp. This conversation was interesting, as well" I said, waving and turning to go back to where I previously was. He said nothing, and I sighed in relief at that. I didn't want to become more involved with him than I already had, yet… something about him was interesting. Maybe it was as he said, I wasn't used to evil? Looking at my tent, I felt a little defeated. This wasn't going to do. Kicking it down, I slumped down against the tree, eventually coming to stop as I stayed in that position, crouching down and staring at the earth below me.
"Let me call Virgo…" I mumbled to myself, wanting to have at least a sturdy camp. Was this what evil did to you? Make you feel like this? Well, no wonder evil was bad… but, Zeref wasn't evil, right? Right now, I'm more concerned with Natsu though…
Natsu's POV
It's been a few days since Lucy left, and I'm beginning to get worried. Everyone was almost fully healed, and the worst pain I had was just a few aches, and I was one of the more badly injured.
"I hope she doesn't do anything reckless…" I said to myself as I waved to the rest of the gang, who were making their way over to where I was sitting at the bar.
"Haha, you're one to talk, you idiot" Gray took his turn at cheering me up, and it worked. I cracked a smile.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Besides, Lucy isn't the type of person to just run hysterically into a battle without a plan, right?" I reassured myself, and I knew that Lucy was fine.
Lucy's POV
Maybe this wasn't the best idea. Running hysterically into battle without a plan, I mean. Moving islands overnight, I had spotted Acnologia, and for some reason, I thought that it was a great idea to wake the slumbering dragon up, instead of taking the one in a million chance of defeating the dragon in its sleep, without a problem. Nope, now I was dealing with a very angry Acnologia running, no, more like flying after me as I tried to find a suitable clearing to face off against the massive dragon.
"I WAS SLEEPING YOU IMBECILE!" He roared, and landed in front of me, blocking my path. Gulping, I chastised myself. Yup, this definitely wasn't the best plan. Stammering, and knees buckling, I wondered what happened to my somewhat courage and determination from before.
"I-I-I-I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DU-Oof!" I tripped over air, it seemed, as I face planted, embarrassing myself. Acnologia sighed, and changed into his human form.
"Very well, don't want to kill you and risk being found out. Anyway, come at me" He yawned, picking some earwax out of his ear.
"I open thee, Gates of the Reborn Souls! Gate of the Fire Dragon, Igneel!" I yelled, and relief flooded over me as the said dragon appeared at my side.
"SUP!" He roared, earning a bored stare from the opponent.
"Oh, it's you" Acnologia said, uninterested.
"HEY! ACKNOWLEDGE ME, YOU OLD BAFOON!" Igneel roared, pissed off.
"What did you call me…?!" There was the tiniest bit of anger in the king's voice, and I backed up immediately, drawing my katana and lighting up with a bit too much holy magic, almost up until the point where I was a human flashlight. Hiding against a tree, I watched as Acnologia converted back into his dragon form.
Whispering, I used my ace.
"I open thee, Gates of the Reborn Souls, I summon thee, Gates of the Twin Dragons. Secret Art: Space warp" At my call the twin dragons appeared, joining the party, but were invisible and floated softly behind Acnologia, waiting for my signal.
Meanwhile, the two frontal opponents were butting heads, roar after roar, and I put n some ear plugs to keep my ear drums from tearing. When they both stopped to breathe, I gave the signal. Weisslogia and Skiadrum straight up tackled Acnologia to the ground, pinning him down.
"HOLY-" Acnologia cringed as the dragons appeared out of nowhere, and Igneel jumped, but his tail got caught in a tree, and he cried out in agony. Face palming, I sent the fire dragon back, not being able to take the comedy act. Bracing myself for the magical loss I summoned one of my new keys.
"I open thee, Gates of the Tortured Souls, Dame!" I was taking a chance, summoning a dragon from the same set of keys as Acnologia, but Dame was the king of the Tortured souls, so he was the most powerful dragon I had on me. I kneeled, all of the magic I was using taking its toll on me. I had two Reborn Soul gates out, and I had two Tortured Soul gates out, all at once on top of that. This was going to leave me with an ache later. Acnologia's eyes widened once he saw Dame, who I actually never fought. Dame wanted to come with me vouluntarily, so it was thanks to him that I was able to get most of the dragons.
"O-oh, how's it going, Dame?' he stuttered, obviously nervous.
"I don't have time for this… Dragon King's Secret Art: Temporary Death!" Dame shouted, and Acnologia fell unconscious instantly. Taking his key from under his wing, I sent the others back as I stopped to catch my breath. Looking at the watch I was wearing, it read 9:47. I've been out for almost a week. I need to get back soon, before it's too late.
Master's POV
The guild doors flew open, and a shadowy figure emerged.
"Well, is this the famous Fairy Tail? It doesn't look like much. I'm Kukyo, nice to meet you!" The said man exclaimed, yawning at the end of his sentence. I glared at him.
"Get out of my guild…" I said threateningly, but he just laughed.
"Nope!"
"You leave me no choice… Fairy La-" I was cut off by a knife plunging into my stomach, and I sunk down in pain. I watched in horror as the hall was immersed in shadows, and saw my children, one by one, fall onto the cold floor. Feeling my own conciousness fade, I clenched my fist and pointed it towards Kukyo.
"Fairy Bind…" I whispered before I fell. A white, bright orb of holy magic left me, and sped towards Kukyo, tying him up, and leaving him screaming in pain.
"DAMN YOU!" Those were the last words I heard before I hit the floor as well, and I smirked in content.
Lucy's POV
I ran, gripping the handle of my whip, teeth clenched. He's here. I can feel it. He's here. He's here. Why's he here? Did he hurt them? Why's he here? These were the only thoughts running through my head as I picked up speed. I was just outside of Magnolia. Breaking through some bushes, I saw the familiar street of my home. Being close enough, I thought of the guild, and immediately teleported there.
Once there, I busted down the doors, and choked back a scream. Everyone was sprawled onto the ground, but I didn't see any visible blood. Thank goodness…
I turned my attention to a very annoyed Kukyo, apparently wiping off some traces of magic off of him, burns all over his body as he winced each time he accidentally touched one of them. Kneeling, he turned to face me.
"Tch. Why are you here? I can't use them as bait now…" He growled, and I glared. Pulling out my whip, I flicked it at his feet, officially angry.
"Hah? Stop bothering me, pest. I have to take care of this scum..." Kukyo said in a tone I've never heard him use before. My magic flared up, and I yelled at him.
"YOU CAN'T JUST COME AND GO WHEN YOU WANT! YOU CAN'T JUST WALTZ INTO MY GUILD AND HURT PEOPLE WHEN YOU WANT TO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I WON'T ALLOW IT! I WON'T ALLOW IT!" I screamed going mad as I kicked down tables and chairs out of my way. "you can't…"
Taking my whip, I quickly snatched his neck, and drew him towards me. Strangling him with it, I took a knife charged with poison magic, and stabbed him square in the heart. He fell, but his wounds quickly healed, probably thanks to that stupid, stupid crystal underground. Throwing my whip at him again, I growled as he dodged it easily now his wounds were healed.
"Wow, you look pissed. It's actually a nice look for you" He said mockingly, dodging my attacks. My eyes widened when he disappeared, and I felt a blade stab me in the back as he reappeared behind me.
"I'm not that easy to beat, sweetheart, now if you'd just…" I interrupted him by turning around and punching him in the face.
Kicking his feet from under him, I had him in a choke hold. Tightening my grip, I stabbed him in the same place as before, not giving up this chance. I felt his breathing stop momentarily as I placed my lips on his neck. Placing a stigma on him, I raised my head, where my eyes were no longer hid by my bangs. I was angry. He had hurt them.
"If I can't kill you, then I'll make you suffer" I whispered, into his ear, and smiled when I felt him shiver. Charging my whip with lightning, I wrapped it around his wrists, binding him while he was being electrocuted.
"Celestial Dragon's Iron Fist!" That was only the start of the train of attacks that I sent to him. By the time I had vented out all of my anger, and could think clearly again, he was battered and bruised, and was bleeding from multiple places. I let him go hurriedly, and gasped momentarily. Had I gone too far? Shit, I had let my emotions take control again… I looked, though I hate to admit it, worriedly, at the limp body in front of me, and watched as he staggered up onto his feet, and stared at me square in the eye. Then, he laughed.
"You did a good job. I was almost considering processing the pain. However, that's not good enough. You're not good enough. And you never will be. Hope you can get that through your thick skull…" He trailed off as he vanished, leaving me standing there, contemplating what I've become.
I'm so sorry that I haven't uploaded! First, I had a lot of chaos at school for Jazz Band auditions, and after that, my document started to glitch out, so I had to rewrite it after waiting a few days for my computer to cool off! I'm SUPER sorry!
FatedGateway
