Ice Dragoness

by Bugg18

Rewrite of Icelynn Lace: Ice Fire Dragon Slayer. Icelynn is the heart sister of Lucy Heartfilia, and the two put life of high society behind them to join the coolest guild in Fiore: Fairy Tail. This is Icelynn's story as the Ice Dragon slayer of Fairy Tail. And why is it that she feels drawn to the Lightning Dragon Slayer who may know more about her past then the two may realize?

8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8 – Emperors and Demons

~X~ Icelynn ~X~

The towns people of Magnolia all dived out of my way as I kept pushing myself. Reaching the usual staircase that takes Lucy and I right up to the guild, I took the steps two and three at a time. By the time I got to the top, I angrily marched the rest of the way so I wouldn't be out of breath and unable to speak when I got there.

Passing by a café, I noticed the three from the train again, waiting for Laxus as I had overheard them say before everyone got off. I don't know how they got around me seeing as I left the train first, but I was in too much of a hurry to really give a shit right now. Ignoring them in favor of hopefully getting my sister back before being expelled from the guild becomes the least of her problems, I kept on going. If they noticed me, they didn't show or speak of it amongst themselves.

Upon reaching the guild hall doors, I paused as I heard Makarov raising his voice.

"DAMN IT LAXUS! IF YOU SAW AN S-CLASS QUEST BEING STOLEN, YOU SHOULD HAVE INTERVENED! NOW THAT YOU HAVEN'T NATSU, LUCY, AND HAPPY ARE IN GRAVE DANGER. AS IS GRAY, SEEING AS HE JOINED THEM INSTEAD OF BRINGING THEM BACK! AND IF ICELYNN IS WITH THEM LIKE YOU ACUSE HER OF BEING, THEN THAT MEANS THAT THERE ARE TWO DRAGON SLAYERS TO BE BROUGHT HOME BY FORCE. YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO IS STRONG ENOUGH TO BRING THEM BACK BEFORE THEY GET THEMSELVES KILLED!" I heard him yell, as I sighed heavily.

Well, I can't exactly blame my accuser of pitching me in with Lucy and Natsu's shenanigans. We are sisters and close after all. Still, I'd better get in there and get the record set straight, and let Makarov know that I'm not going to just sit behind and wait for someone else to go and save my sister. If Laxus won't go like he's being ordered to, I'll go and track Erza down myself if I have to. I thought, as I pushed the doors open.

"Don't worry, you've only got one rogue dragon slayer to worry about." I called out, loud enough for everyone to notice me.

As I did, the entire guild hall fell silent, as Makarov stopped his shouting to look at me as well. At seeing me, he and everyone else in the room held looks of shock. Ignoring everyone else around me, including the gaze of Laxus on the second floor, I walked over to Makarov.

"Icelynn!?" he said, as his worry turned into a serious look. "Did you know about any of this?" he asked me, as I shook my head no.

"No. Not until just a little bit ago anyway. I went by my and Lucy's apartment to drop my things off, but I'd barely got in the door before I noticed this on the floor." I said, as I pulled out the stolen S-Class job request and held it out to him. "

Makarov barely had it in his hands before we heard a sarcastic chuckle coming from upstairs.

"Aw, how precious…" Laxus said, as we all turned our attention up there towards him. "Looks like someone's a back talker and a snitch." He said, as I narrowed my sharpened gaze at him. It took all of my will power to keep from baring my fangs and snarling at him.

"Oh, not at all…" I said, unable to keep the growl out of my voice. "I just came to bring it back to the guild where it belongs, and to see if there was anyone qualified who is willing to help me bring my sister back before something happens to her… And don't worry Laxus, I wasn't planning on asking you." I said, saying his name with a sneer.

Laxus cast yet another impressed, albeit annoyed glare my way as he scoffed at my words.

"Oh yeah? Like the old man is going to let anyone other than an S-Class mage go get them after Fullbuster failed at bringing Natsu back. You're just another weakling trying to bite off more than you can chew." He said, as I didn't even bother to stop the snarl this time.

When it slipped out, I also felt a small measure of my magic release from my body, making the air in my immediate vicinity turn frigid. As it did, the strangest thing happened. It was so quick that I almost thought that my eyes were playing tricks on me. Had they not sharpened with my senses, then I would have missed the slight look of shock and recognition flitter quickly across Laxus' face before he could fully make his expression neutral.

Whatever retort that had been on my tongue died out as uncertainty once again filled me.

"Fuck this shit…" I heard Laxus mutter a second later as he stood to his feet and moved towards the stairs leading down here to the first floor. Passing behind the bar, he moved towards where Makarov and I stood. As he did so, I couldn't help but notice that I was right about him being six foot and over now that we stood on the same floor. I'm five foot nine, and if I were to stand next to him, my head would come up to about his chin.

The perfect height to sink my fangs into his neck. I thought absentmindedly, as I found my eyes trailing down the bare skin of his neck, all the way down to the base of his throat. Which also remained bare due to the first few buttons of his shirt being left undone.

Realizing what I was doing, I snapped my eyes back up towards his face as I forced my dragon instincts to dominate the one challenging me back where they belonged. Luckily, Laxus was none the wiser seeing as he was more focused on the door beyond Makarov and me.

"Like you've always said old man, anyone in Fairy Tail is supposed to be able to take care of themselves." He said, as he began making his way towards the doors once more. "I've got better things to do than chase after a couple of losers who are probably going to wind up dead before anybody can find them." He said as the door slammed shut behind him.

Turning away from the door Laxus had just left through, I tried not to let the despair his words had ignited get to me. However, I couldn't seem to do the same thing for the strange feeling that odd expression gave me. The one that only lasted a split second.

Inside, I could feel the curiosity brewing within me. From the defensive words and loyal attitudes that I saw on his teammates faces back on the train, I know that he might not be as bad as he seems. Yet, this is the second time within a week that I've been subjected to his dickish attitude. Just what happened to make Laxus the way that he is now? Not to mention the odd way he seems to react to me.

Sure, I stood up to him like Natsu, although it wasn't with my fists, but Laxus easily lured Natsu into being beaten down. Not to mention what Gray had said the other day when Natsu then tried to challenge Laxus after being beaten by Erza. Gray's words made it clear that Laxus is able to kick Natsu's ass should he feel like it.

I can't help but wonder why.

Do I resemble someone he's made an enemy of from another guild? Or do I remind him of a past ex-girlfriend or lover that he came to despise? Maybe a friend who betrayed him? Whatever the answer to these questions are, only Laxus would know.

Even if this is the case or me just being paranoid, I won't be giving in to Laxus. Don't get me wrong, Laxus is handsome and built in a way most guys can only dream of. Not to mention he's got that bad boy sex appeal I've always had a small thing for, but I still won't surrender to him.

Hearing a sigh before me, I pulled myself from these thoughts as I faced the worried yet apologetic look on Makarov's face.

"Please don't mind him Icelynn." He said, as I looked back down at him. "I don't know what's gotten into that boy, but he is right about one thing. I fear that I cannot allow you to go off on your own. If Erza were here, and she was willing to let you go with her, then I would allow it. However, we have no idea when she'll be back from the latest job she's taken for the guild." He apologized, as I crossed my arms.

"Not even if I were to swear to go and track Erza down first?" I asked him then, as he looked up at me with stern eyes. Seeing them, I let out a heavy sigh. "Master, I respect how Fairy Tail works, I honestly do, but I'm not just going to sit here and do nothing. Especially seeing as not only my sister's life is in danger, but that of a comrade. But I'm not so stupid as to think I can do this on my own. If I have to take the same punishment as Natsu and Lucy when I get back, then so be it." I said, as Makarov simply kept his intense gaze on me.

The longer he went without answering me, the more I figured that I'd have to do things the hard way. I meant what I said, if I have to face a punishment for going, then I'll just have to take whatever it is he decides to do with us.

After a few more moments, Makarov sighed as he turned to look back at the bar where Mira was standing.

"Mira, bring the extra communication lacrima." He ordered, as my eyes widened in surprise. As Mira went upstairs to retrieve the lacrima, Makarov turned his stern gaze back towards me as he held the S-Class request back out to me. "Icelynn, I want you to take this with you, and give it directly to Erza the moment you see her. As for Erza, she should be due to pass through Hargeon in just a few hours. If you leave soon as Mira gets back, then you should be able to get there by train before she leaves on her way back here. If she isn't there, then wait for her, she shouldn't be long. When you've gone, I will go contact Erza and fill her in on the situation and tell her that you're coming. Once you find Erza, you are to contact the guild immediately to let us know. If she can't make it to you by sunset, then you are to check in with me. Tonight, and every night until you reach Erza. Will you be able to do that?" he asked me then, as I nodded my head once.

"Yes, sir." I said, as Mira came back down the stairs with the communication lacrima.

Mira handed it to Master Makarov, who then turned and held it out to me. I reached out to take it, but Makarov moved his hand back a bit before I could touch it. Looking up at him quizzically, I waited for him to speak. Apparently, he wants it to be clear how important this next part is.

"And Icelynn, I'm placing my full faith and trust in you to bring them back. If you don't follow my conditions to the letter, your punishment will be much harsher than what Natsu, Lucy, Happy, and Gray will face. Am I understood young lady?" he asked me, as I nodded my head once again.

"Loud and clear, Master." I said without hesitation. Giving me a nod, Makarov handed me both the communication lacrima and the request.

"Then go and watch yourself child. Even with Erza along, and though you're not going on the job, you still need to watch your every step. For the very reason that job was made an S-Class ranked quest, is still there on that island." He warned me, as I nodded.

"I will…" I said, as I readjusted my bag, which still hung on my shoulder. Turning, I headed for the door myself. Placing a hand on its surface, I bowed my head a bit. "Thank you…" I all but whispered as I pulled the door open and exited the guild.

~X~ Laxus ~X~

Leaning back against the wall I stood against, I kept my senses trained on what was being said inside. When I heard Gramps send Mira after a communications lacrima, I couldn't believe my ears.

So, the old man's putting his faith in her after all. I thought to myself, as I thought back to that moment her magic aura began dancing around her. Those hard, ice blue eyes glaring at me, and those fangs protruding from her lips. The very expression on her face had put me right back to the night everything changed for me. Not to mention the odd scent emanating from her.

The scent of fresh fallen snow…

No one else in the guild knows this, but I'm also a dragon slayer. Although, it isn't by birth or choice.

The magic powers of a slayer was forced on me by my dad, Ivan Dryer, when he implanted a dragon lacrima into my body. A lacrima that he had spent two years forming from the stolen magic he was draining out of this young girl. He never told me her name, or where she came from. Only that her dragon slaying magic was going to be what saved me from the weak and frail body I had been born with.

The pain from the lacrima being implanted into my body caused me to black out about half-way through the process. When I eventually woke up, I thankfully found myself on my own. My mind was hazy from the lacrima bonding to my body, but I was still able to stumble my way out of my Dad's lab. I'd even managed to find the cell that the girl he had been torturing was in and got it open.

With the bad way the girl was in, it was difficult, but we were eventually able to find our way out of that place. We'd barely made it outside before the two of us collapsed from our own separate ordeals. When I came to, I was in the hospital, and the girl was no where to be seen. Only my grandfather was there waiting for me to wake up. I had tried to ask Gramps about her, but he would just go quiet and give me this pitying look. By the time I was allowed to return home, I knew that he was giving me such a look and avoiding my questions because she hadn't made it.

Her dying was the only explanation that made sense.

It also made me realize that while my Dad was wrong in doing what he did, he was right about one thing. I was a weakling.

Had I been stronger, then I would have found a way to wake up sooner and get that girl out of that hell hole before she was beyond saving. However, seeing as this wasn't the case, that girl is now dead because of me. A fact that was further proven when I was finally old enough to join Fairy Tail as a mage once my magic powers stabilized.

By the simple fact that it didn't matter what sort of job I did, or how damn well I did it, that such results were expected because I was Laxus Dryer, the only grandson of Makarov Dryer, the Master of Fairy Tail. Yes, the lacrima made me stronger, but I was still far too weak to be seen under my own light, and not the shadow of my grandfather.

If anything, this only widened the gap that'd grown between the two of us when he expelled my Dad from the guild.

Fucking hell, I don't have time to be standing around remembering this shit. I scolded myself once again, as I let out a quiet, annoyed snarl. That Icelynn chick is definitely hot, but once again she's causing me nothing but trouble. Hearing Mira coming back down the stairs, I pushed myself from the wall and began making my way to the café my team was currently waiting at for me.

As I made my way back through the streets of Magnolia to meet up with them, I tried my best to push all of my thoughts on this chick out of my head. Whether or not this woman reminds me of that girl from back then, if I want to make Fairy Tail strong enough to stand against that guild my dad's been forming over the last few years since being expelled, I'll need to focus to finish making the plans and preparations. By the time I'm done, and my plan is a success, I'll be the master of a new and improved Fairy Tail. A strong guild where all the weaklings have been weeded out.

Only then would Raven Tail and any other guild who wishes to do Fairy Tail harm, wouldn't stand a chance in hell.

~X~ Icelynn ~X~

Watching as Erza read over the S-Class quest Happy had stolen for my sister and Natsu, I turned to look back at the lacrima that was currently lit up with my magic, showing Makarov's face as he too waited for her to finish reading it.

By the time she lowered the flier, her expression was just as grave as my own and our master's.

"To be honest with you Master, I have no idea what these fools were thinking, stealing a request of this level without clearance." Erza said, as she turned to look at the open lacrima. "However, I will do my best to ensure that they are brought home to face whatever punishment you deem necessary for such an offense." She said, as Makarov nodded his head once at her.

"Oh, I know you will Erza. Although, due to the nature of this request, I must ask you this one more time. Are you sure that you don't mind Icelynn tagging along?" He asked her, as Erza shook her head.

"Not at all." She said, before glancing at me. "If anything, her dragon slayer abilities would go a long way in helping me to track down Natsu and the rest. And besides, I highly doubt that Icelynn would have stayed behind. Instead of following our rogue guildmates footsteps, she chose to do things the right way. If anything, it should help to set an example for the four fools, and the rest of the guild for that matter." Erza answered, as I let out a snort.

"Damn right, I would have. The only reason Master Makarov even let me leave the guild was on the condition I contact him immediately after finding you." I stated, as I glanced between her and the lacrima.

"Ah, I see. Although, I must say that I'm surprised Master. I would have thought for sure that you would have tried to recruit Laxus to go with Icelynn. He was still at the guild when I left if I recall correctly." Erza stated, as I felt a low growl rise in my throat at the very mention of that bastard. Hearing me, Erza lifted a delicate eyebrow my way.

Shrugging it off, we both turned our attention back to the lacrima.

"Believe me, I ordered him to, but that dunderhead just tried to stir up more trouble like usual. Either way, all that matters is that Icelynn has found you, and the two of you can now find a way to get to Galuna Island and put an end to this issue. I want, Gray, Natsu, Happy, and Lucy brought back in one piece, by force if you must." Makarov ordered us, as Erza and I both gave him a nod. "Icelynn, I want you to follow Erza's lead in this. With the job they stole being of an S-Class rank, this is a S-Class situation, of which only Erza is qualified to deal with. If you pull the same stunt as Gray, like I said before you left, your punishment will be worse." He reminded me, as I nodded my head once.

"I still read you crystal clear Master." I answered him, as he nodded his head in return.

"With that being said, I also want you both to be careful. Come back in one piece yourselves." He told us, as his face begun to fade out of the lacrima.

When Makarov was gone, I cut my own magic.

"Alright, Icelynn, do you have any idea how long they've been gone on this mission?" Erza asked me then, as I put the lacrima in my bag and slung it over my shoulder.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I think they've got at least a day or less on us. I'd just gotten back from a job in Oshibana when I discovered that S-Class request on the floor of the apartment Lucy and I share." I answered her, as Erza picked up the rope of her little cart full of whatever shit she carries.

"If that is indeed the case, then they must have already arrived at the island and spoke with the clients who posted it. It's not good, but it'll at least give us a trail to follow." Erza said, as she turned to look out at the docks. "All we need to get going is to find a ship or boat to take us there."

"I'm not too bright on the idea of being on a ship, but if it's what I've got to do…" I said, brushing off the uneasiness I felt just thinking about being on the water. "The only problem is finding someone who'll take us to the island. With it being cursed and all, I highly doubt any of the fishing boats would be willing to ferry us over."

Humming in agreement, Erza put one of her steel gloved fingers to her chin in thought.

"Yes, that is an issue." She said, then turned to give me a questioning look. "Hold on, do you get motion sick like Natsu?" she asked me then, as I gave the boats sitting at the docks a wary look.

"Only on boats. I can ignore it for a bit if push comes to shove though. As for other modes of transportation, they don't seem to bother me as much." I answered her, as Erza gave me a look of understanding.

"I see…" she said, as she looked up towards the sky. Doing so myself, I could see that it was being lit up by the many colors that accompany the setting of the sun. "Let's get down there and start asking about. By the looks of it, by the time we set sail, it'll be dark."

I nodded towards her to show my compliance, however, before she could so much as take a single step to head down there, this pirate ship comes barreling into port. The crew firing their guns and such into the air to announce their arrival and to send people into a frenzy.

"Well, looks like we just found our ride." I muttered out loud, my eyes wide in surprise that our luck would start out this good.

"Yes, and all we have to do is teach these ingrates a lesson." Erza said, as she dropped the leading rope to her cart and summoned a sword. Dropping my own bag to sit next to it, I brought out my ice talons.

It took Erza and I no time to get the pirates under control. All we had to do was knock half of them unconscious, and Erza to plant her fist into the captain and a few other of his crew members heads before we were on their ship and on our way to Galuna Island.

AN HOUR LATER…

I swear, if I have to get on another fucking boat to save my sister, I'm going to tie her up and lock her away somewhere no one will ever find her… I silently swore to myself, as I put my forehead against the mast of the pirate ship Erza, and I had commandeered.

Towards the rear of the deck, at the helm stood the captain of this pirate ship, Erza looming behind him with that grave look she's had since we met up at Hargeon. Every once in a while, she'd glance over to check on me, but wouldn't say anything. Instead, preferring to keep this tub sailing as fast as it could go so that we can get off sooner rather than later.

After spending a little more time muttering curses under my breath, I eventually hear the pirate captain turn around to address Erza.

"Are you two ladies sure you want to go to Galuna Island?" he asked, his voice shaking from the fear and nervousness he felt.

"We are. Now just keep quiet and steer." Erza answered him, crossing her arms over her armored chest.

"Look, you can keep my darn ship if you'd just drop us off somewhere. I'm begging you lady, please don't make us go to that cursed island. They say that anyone who sets foot on Galuna is turned into a demon!" he fussed, as he then turned his attention out towards me. "What about you miss!? The curse is already trying to get ahold on you! Why give it the chance of completing the transformation!" he called down at me, only to receive a glare in his direction. Thankfully, he turned back to Erza to escape the scary look he was getting.

I'd been dealing with this bullshit from the pirates ever since Erza told them where it was that they were taking us. Soon as she uttered Galuna Island, they suspected me of being a victim to the curse rumored to be plaguing the island.

"Whatever the risks, Icelynn and I have both agreed to take that chance." Erza told him, as the captain turned a bit pale at finding that we won't be swayed from what he must see as our fool's errand.

"But, why must you go there?" he eventually asked, as Erza's grave expression began to show hints of determination.

"Those who break the rules and are guilty, must be punished without fail. That's all I can say on the matter." Erza simply told him, as the captain and a few of the other pirates lying about the deck began to look at Erza with awe.

Getting up, they all ran back to where Erza stood, and began shouting things like she's so cool and, she's so hot too. Just hearing them say such things while being on a boat just brought back very un-fond memories of a certain fake Salamander who tried to kidnap my sister to Bosco.

That being said, when I heard someone say that they don't like rule breakers either, I couldn't resist stumbling my way up to where they were.

"Don't like rule breakers, huh?" I asked them, as they nodded their heads. "Well then, how's this for a rule: Keep your asses at your stations so the ship can sail at max speed. Break that, and I'll turn you into an iceberg and drop your asses overboard." I snarled at them, baring my fangs as their flushed looks were replaced with pale ones.

"AYE, AYE MA'AM!" They all screamed as they turned and scrambled back to their proper places.

As they retreated, Erza turned to give me an appreciative look.

"Thank you, Icelynn. I thought that I was going to have to put them back in their places again." She thanked me, as I stumbled over to the edge of the boat. Watching me, Erza's look became that of concern. "Are you going to be alright over there?" she asked me a moment later.

"Soon as I get off this damn thing." I told her, as I put both of my hands up on the railing around the ship to keep myself steady should I need to lean over and start heaving. "You know, I might just see if Master Makarov will mind if I lock Lucy up in the guild's dungeon for a few days. Maybe then she'll learn to keep the BS I need to save her from strictly to the mainland."

"Well, you're not the only one thinking that way." Erza admitted, as she continued to watch where the ship was going.

Trying my best to ignore the rolling of my stomach, I pushed myself back to my full height as I turned troubled eyes towards my guild mate.

"Erza…" I called to get her attention. "I know that my sister and the others were wrong to take the S-Class request, but would Master Makarov really expel them over this?" I asked her once she looked my way.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Erza walked over to where I stood to place a hand on my shoulder.

"Personally, I think that if Fairy Tail had any other Master, then they would be." She answered me. "Luckily for them, we have Master Makarov. To him, although stealing the job was a dangerous and stupid thing to do, they didn't take it with the intention of purposely hurting anyone. Just to show off, despite the chances they could get themselves seriously hurt or worse." Erza finished, as she removed her hand.

"Has he ever had to expel anyone?" I asked her then, as her jaw clenched.

"As long as he's been in charge, there's probably been a few, although I can only recall one occasion. Unfortunately, the entire guild has been forbidden from speaking of this former member and the circumstances of which he was expelled." She answered me, as I nodded my head once.

I shouldn't be too surprised at this. After all, Fairy Tail has been around a long time, and like with everything else that's been around for that long is bound to have a few skeletons in the closet.

"Speaking of classified guild information, Makarov also asked me to tell you why the job of lifting the curse of Galuna Island was made an S-Class." Erza announced then, as I turned my attention back to her.

"I did wonder about that. There's all sorts of regular jobs that ask for the lifting of curses." I told her, as Erza nodded her head.

"You aren't wrong about that. However, things are a bit different in this situation." Erza explained. "Normally, curses like this aren't seen as dangerous as an S-Class request, but also much harder than the other jobs posted on the first floor of the guild. So, when Master has Mira post them, they ensure that a notice is attached to the flier. A notice that alerts whatever wizard or team that they need to either find a mage who excels at the nature of curses; or to seek the help of an available S-Class wizard. As for Galuna Island, it's not the curse that makes this job an S-Class rank; it's what's located there that makes it so." She said, as I turned a queasy, confused look her way.

"Located there?" I echoed, as the uneasy feeling in my gut began to grow, and not because of my sea sickness. "Wait, are you saying that there's something on that island?" I asked her then, as Erza nodded her head yes.

"Yes… I know that you've heard people around Hargeon mention the rumors about Galuna Island being infested with demons. I don't know about the inhabitants of the Island, but there is at least one demon on Galuna." Erza said, as I felt my eyes widen in shock.

"A demon?" I echoed once more, as Erza nodded her head once again.

"Yes, but not just any sort of demon." She answered, turning her head to face where we were going once more. "A stronger demon than that of which we faced together in Clover."

At hearing her say this, I felt my jaw drop open.

"Wait, are you saying that the demon on Galuna Island is from the Book of Zeref?" I asked her, as I felt my heart beginning to speed up a bit in worry.

"I'm afraid so… Only, we aren't dealing with something as simple as Lullaby this time. This time, the demon that may be involved is called Deliora." Erza said, as I tilted my head to the side.

"Deliora…" I repeated, only to pause when I realize how she said that last part. "Hold on, what do you mean by may be involved?" I asked.

"Unlike what most people believe, Deliora wasn't defeated at the last town it totally and utterly destroyed. Instead, it was sealed away. However, before the Magic Counsel could deploy the Rune Knights to collect it, Deliora disappeared. Over time, they came to believe that someone had somehow moved Deliora to Galuna Island. Seeing as it remained slumbering away in its confinement, hidden away from the world, the magic counsel decided to leave it be." Erza said, as she crossed her arms over her chest. "So, due to Deliora's presence, Era decreed that their request should be posted as nothing less than an S-Class rank. They did this because they feared that when someone went to lift the curse, that it would awaken the demon."

"And depending on how much magical energy was used to break the curse, the wizard could become drained to the point of being unable to fight. Leaving them at Deliora's mercy along with the people they were trying to help." I finished for her, as Erza nodded her head once.

"Precisely…" she agreed. "Let's just pray that we reach our comrades before it's too late."

~X~ Lucy ~X~

As Aquarius' wave finally rolled off of me and back into the sea, I seriously began to wonder what I was thinking in coming along with Natsu and Happy on this job. Seriously, I never thought I'd see the day I would have to summon Aquarius and get her to wash me away on purpose! Still, I guess I was lucky that this marionette mage girl chased me all the way to the beach.

Alright Lucy! With these messed up situations aside, you've still got a fight to finish! So, off your butt! I mentally yelled at myself, as I pushed my body up from the sand.

I could feel myself wobble all over the place, and I couldn't quite get my feet to be steady, but I was up and ready for whatever else this girl might try to pull.

"I hate that you tricked me with not only that little dog spirit of yours, but that temperamental mermaid. In the end, it didn't matter anyway, seeing as your spirit still wasn't able to destroy my rock doll!" the Love Marionette girl shouted, as she got to her feet as well, wobbling all over the place just as badly as I was.

"So, what!? That stupid puppet of yours can't do anything if you're not close to it! I knew that, which is why I had to get you away from it! Now you're too dizzy to walk a straight line!" I yelled back at her, as we suddenly stumbled into each other.

Giving this girl my best impression of one of my big sister's growls, we began blindly smacking around at each other and pulling each other's hair in true cat-fight fashion.

"THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSING WITH A MEMBER OF FAIRY TAIL!" I shouted again.

"HOW IN THE HELL DID WE END UP IN A STALEMATE!" The other girl shouted back, as we kept trying to pummel each other.

"NO, WE AREN'T! I'M THE WINNER HERE!" I declared.

"YOU CAN'T JUST DECLARE YOURSELF THE WINNER IN A FIGHT! NOT WHEN I DID IT! I WON!" she protested, as I shook my head to try and get rid of the rest of the dizziness brought on by the tidal wave Aquarius had made earlier.

Unlike this marionette mage who is so obsessed with love, I've been swept away by Aquarius so many times that it doesn't take me as long to get back to my senses. As I do, I hold out my arm and run towards the girl that I've been trying to deal with for the last little while now. Luckily for me, she's still trying to get back to being steady, and isn't able to dodge my arm as it goes right across her face.

As she falls to the sand, I hear her say something about her love for the cold emperor always burning eternally or something of the sort.

"Oh please, you're not going to die. So, don't be so dramatic, 'kay?" I tell her, as I give her a wink.

"Angelica…" the girl said, on the verge of passing out. "Avenge your master's death…" I heard her say, as she clearly didn't hear what I said about not being so dramatic.

Hearing a squeaky battle cry coming from the cliff behind me, I turn around just in time to see her giant pet rat, which I originally thought was one of her puppets, lunge at me. Letting out a startled yelp, I turned to try and get out of the rat's way. However, with all of the running and falling I've been doing and drain on my magic, I end up falling to my knees unable to get back up again.

With no place to run, all I could do was watch and prepare to be crushed by the rat descending upon me.

I squeaked in fear as I got ready to close my eyes.

However, before Angelica the rat could touch me, she was intercepted by two familiar people.

"Ice Dragon Wing Attack!" I heard the familiar voice of my sister say, as she threw her dragon slaying magic up into the rat's side, sending her flying towards the ready and waiting scarlet haired knight, who sliced the rat across the chest, batting her away as she did so.

By the time Angelica hit the ground, Erza and Icelynn both had already landed on their feet.

In seeing them, I felt so much happiness and relief filling me, that I was able to get back up on my feet. Feeling a huge smile cross my face, I began to run over towards them.

"Icelynn! Erza!" I called at them, waving as I ran. "I'm so happy to see…" I began as they finally turned to face me. However, the cold and angry look they threw my way, I felt my happiness shrivel up and die just as quickly as it sprang forth. "you…" I finished lamely, as I began to get really scared.

That's when I remembered…

Erza isn't going to be happy to see any of us because we broke guild rules and stole an S-Class job. Erza, whom even Gray and Natsu both are terrified of making angry. Then there was Icelynn, who could be just as equally terrifying as Erza was when angry. No doubt that coming home and finding me gone, then hearing about the stunt we pulled from the guild would have made her worry. Not to mention her whole hatred of having to go on board any kind of boat or ship. Trust me, she has a strict policy of you had better be hurt or dying before she'll get on one. Heaven help you if she does, and that's not the case.

And seeing as Galuna Island is, well an island, and Icelynn's eyes are that light shade they turn to when she's upset; then let's just say that the math looks rather horrific from my perspective…

We're so screwed… I thought to myself, as I felt the blood draining from my face.

~X~ Icelynn ~X~

Watching as Lucy went pale, I felt an odd sense of satisfaction in seeing that she actually is capable of realizing how much shit she's in. Still, even seeing this, I can't help but feel rather sore about my trip to this fucking island. Erza and I had barely been able to get our feet on dry land before I was bent over a bush and puking up my guts.

I was not a happy camper. However, in seeing that she isn't physically hurt, I felt my eyes go back to normal with the relief I felt in that.

"Lucy, I assume that you know why Icelynn and I are here." Erza stated then, her harsh, angry look from before back on her face as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"To… T-take us b-back…" Lucy stuttered, as she put on her best pleading look. "Promise that you won't hurt me…" she begged us in her best small and cutesy voice, as I gave her a warning growl.

"Oh, that puppy eyed look isn't going to save you this time Lucy." I told her, as she turned her worried eyes my way. All she could do against that was let out a nervous little laugh.

Catching the familiar scent of a certain blue cat, I turned to glance over my shoulder to see Happy approaching. With his focus being solely on my sister, he's yet to notice that Erza and I are standing by her.

"There you are Lucy! I was beginning to get worried!" he called, as he drew closer.

If they weren't in so much trouble, then I would have found it rather funny that he didn't see the two of us until he was overhead. The moment he did though, he quickly turned tail and tried to run. Sadly, he was only able to fly away for a mere second before I snatched his tail out of the air.

Making sure to hold it firmly, but not so tight as to physically hurt the little guy, I waited until the rest of him was forced to snap back to where his tail had been stopped. Making sure he wouldn't hit his head, I watched as he fell to dangle upside down in my grasp. Knowing that this was the end of things for him, he just stayed there without a fight.

"Alright, now that we have Happy, where are Natsu and Gray?" Erza asked my sister then, as I gave her a look to silently tell her that it would be in her best interest to answer honestly.

Sighing heavily, Lucy looked down for a second.

"Look, I'm really sorry that we took this job without permission, but there's been a lot of bad things going on here on this island." She said, as she looked back up at us. "There's this guy using this spell to revive a frozen demon! And this spell is causing the island's villagers to turn into monsters! It's making them suffer!" Lucy pleaded with us.

However, Erza would not be swayed.

"That's none of my concern." She stated, as Lucy gave her a desperate look.

"Please Erza, let us finish this job!" she begged us, turning to look at me after a few moments. "Please Icelynn, we can't leave things the way that they are now! Isn't there something you can do to convince her?" she asked me, as I sighed heavily.

However, before I could answer, Erza had leveled her sword at my sister's throat.

"It's obvious that while you do realize why Icelynn and I have come here to this island, but you also fail to see the gravity of just how much trouble you, Happy, and the other two are in." Erza said, her angry gaze and sword held steady. "You four have betrayed Master Makarov with your actions. Your punishment will be severe." She warned her, as Lucy began looking like she was about to pass out.

Sighing heavily once more, I slowly walked forward until I could reach up and push Erza's sword away from Lucy's neck with two of my fingers.

"Icelynn, what is the meaning of this?" Erza asked me in a low voice, as she gave me a pointed look.

"Erza, I agreed to follow your lead in coming here to retrieve my sister and the rest. And you and I both know that I know what sort of trouble Lucy, Natsu, Happy, and Gray face when we get back to Magnolia. However, Lucy is still my sister, and I don't appreciate sharp, pointy objects being leveled at a vital point on her body." I said, as I gave Erza a pointed look as well. "Especially not when it's the sword belonging to a guild mate."

As Erza searched my eyes, I kept my gaze locked on hers to show her that I'm not trying to join the troublemakers and gang up on her. Holding up my hands in a pacifying gesture, I then nodded back towards the still white as a sheet look Lucy has on her face.

"And besides, if you scare her so silly that she faints, how can Lucy help us narrow down our search for the other two?" I asked her then, as Erza considered my words.

After a few moments of tense silence, Erza lowered her sword.

"Alright, I will admit that you do have a point." She admitted, as I stepped out from between her and Lucy. "However, under guild rules, Happy and Lucy are not to leave my sight until we return to the guild. They are to become my prisoners until Natsu, and Gray are located." Erza declared, as she used her magic to re-quip some rope from her magical space.

"Wait, is that really necessary?" Lucy asked me then, as I gave her the same kind of pointed expression that I had given back to Erza.

"Lucy, at this point, I think it's either the rope or the sword." I told her, as Lucy let out yet another nervous laugh.

"Okay… Rope it is…" she said, giving in.

"Somehow, I thought you'd agree with that one." I muttered, as I took Happy over towards Erza. I traded the little blue cat for one measure of the rope Erza had brought forth and took it back over to my sister and began tying her up. By the time I was done, Erza had finished tying Happy up in such a way that he could hover above us, but not fly away.

Once the two were arrested, Erza then demanded that they tell us where Natsu and Gray are. According to Lucy and Happy, the two were still at the village about to take on the minions of that guy she tried to tell us about earlier. The one who is trying to awaken the demon Deliora. The Cold Emperor as he calls himself. So, the four of us began hiking back to the village.

When we got there though, there was no village to speak of, just ruins and no one in sight.

"Oh no…" I heard Lucy whisper, her eyes wide in shock as she took in what was left of the huts, and what looked to once be a high wall surrounding the place. "I can't believe this. It's gone…" she said, as she turned to look back at us, shooting a look of worry over at Erza.

"I believe you." Erza said, her stern look still in place. "I highly doubt that you would dare lie to me in the position you are currently in. Happy." She said, calling the little blue cat to attention and causing him to shiver in fear.

"A-aye?" he asked, as Erza glanced up his way.

"I am not taking the rope off, but I want you to fly up as high as you can and scout out where the surviving villagers are located. If Natsu and Gray aren't in the middle of a fight, and haven't found their way to us, then that's where they'll be. Understood?" Erza ordered, as Happy gave another aye, and flew up as quickly as Erza would allow him. Once Happy was above the treetops, she stopped feeding him the rope.

After about ten minutes of hovering around up there, Happy spotted what looked like a storage encampment with makeshift tents set up with people milling about. Erza reeled Happy back down to our level, then we all made our way towards the encampment. When we finally got there, a couple of guards stopped us by crossing their respective spears to block our path. As they did, I couldn't help but notice that each of them had one or two body parts that didn't look quite human…

"Halt!" one demanded, as the other eyed the ropes we had around my sister and Happy.

"Who are you and why are the wizards helping us tied up like that?" the other asked, voice just as full of demand as the first.

"My name is Erza Scarlet, and this is Icelynn. We are also wizards of Fairy Tail," Erza said, as the two guards simply adjusted the grip they had on their spears.

"Then show us your marks." The first one said, as Erza turned and held up her left arm for them to see the dark blue emblem that rested there. Nodding their heads at it, they then turned to look at me. When they did, I moved the strap of my shirt to show them the ice blue mark on the skin of the front side of my left shoulder. Nodding at me, I let my shirt slip back into place as the two guards began to glance between the two of us.

"Alright, now please explain why you have your guildmates tied up?" the first one said, as the second guard nodded his head in agreement.

"I don't understand why you would do that. Your guild sent them to help us, didn't they?" the second one asked.

"I do apologize, but these two fools plus two others have caused the guild some trouble. As for the job they came here to do, I fear that it is something I must discuss with your village elder or whomever is in charge." Erza answered them, as they turned to give each other uneasy looks.

Turning to each other, they held their hands up to their mouths as they began whispering to each other. Fortunately for Erza and me, I can still hear everything they're saying. Moving over towards Erza, I lowered my voice and repeated to her and a silent Lucy and Happy what I was hearing.

What do you think? Should we go get the Elder and bring him to the entrance? The first asked.

I don't think that would be a great idea. The Elder is still upset about having to leave Bobo's grave behind. If he comes anywhere near here, we'll have to catch him again. The second responded. What if we take them to the community tent they set up?

That could work. The Elder wouldn't have to go anywhere near the entrances to the camp, plus their wounded friend wouldn't have to go too far when he wakes up. The first said, as I felt a bit of worry build up in my stomach. The only thing keeping me from marching over and demanding to know what happened was the fact that they didn't say he had died or was close to it.

The only question now is whether or not they're talking about Natsu or Gray.

Still, knowing how Erza is, I didn't tell her this right away. She really would cause a spectacle if I did. However, she didn't miss the few seconds that I froze up. Before she could verbally ask me about it, I noticed as the two guards looked like they were about to step away from each other, so I did the same to get away from Erza before they could notice.

"I can take you to the community tent." The first guard said then, as Erza turned her attention away from me.

"Very well." She answered, as the guard turned to lead us into the camp.

Putting my hand on the small of Lucy's back, I guided my sister forward as we followed the guard and Erza, who still led Happy by the rope still around him. As we walked, Erza eventually slowed down enough to walk side by side with Lucy and I.

"Icelynn, what did they say at the end?" Erza asked, as I let out a soft sigh.

"Don't freak out, but they wanted to set us up at the community tent not only for the Elder's sake, but also for our wounded friend." I answered her, as the stern look in her eyes softened in concern for a few seconds.

"Did they say which friend it was?" she asked me, as I shook my head no.

"I can go find out though, then meet up with you once I do." I offered, as Erza nodded her head once.

"Alright. Just bring him back with you if possible." She said, as I nodded my head once.

Turning to give my sister a look to tell her to not try running off or something else stupid, I guided her closer to Erza before I broke away from our small group.

As I sifted through the various unknown scents around me and ignored the curious looks, I eventually picked up one that smelled familiar and remarkably similar to my own magic. Following it, I eventually came across a smaller tent big enough to house one person. Drawing up short to the flaps of the tent, I took one more sniff just to be certain the person inside was who I thought it was, and to make sure he was alone. When I smelled no one else, I pulled the flaps open to find Gray laying on a bedroll unconscious.

Making sure that no one was watching me, I slipped inside and let the flaps fall shut and I moved towards Gray.

Looking him over, I could see that he was as hurt as the two guards from before had said. Thanks to the villagers patching him up though, Gray seems like he'll be fine with a few days of rest. Which also means that, depending on when we find and capture Natsu, we'll have to wait until he wakes up before we can get everyone back home.

Damn it, Erza is going to be even less pleased. I thought tiredly to myself, as I checked Gray's injuries over myself. I had to redo only one bandage before I left him to rest.

Thankfully though, it was rather easy to find the tent Erza and Lucy had been guided to. In fact, it was only a few tents down from where I had found Gray. Stepping through the flaps of this tent, I found Erza inside reclining against some crates. Off to her left side, sitting on the ground next to each other were my sister and Happy. Both of which were still tied up.

"Icelynn, did you find out which of our missing comrades it was?" Erza asked me then, as I nodded my head once.

"It's Gray..." I answered her, as I moved towards one of the wooden support poles holding the tent up and leaned my back against it. "He's out cold a few tents down from here."

"He is injured then?" she asked next, as I nodded my head once more.

"Yeah, but it doesn't look overly serious. If anything, I'd suggest letting him rest for a day or two before we drag him back home. Which is also why I left Gray where I found him. Besides, we still have to find Natsu." I said, as Erza thought my words over.

"You do have a point." Erza agreed, as she crossed her legs and placed her folded hands on top of her knees as she thought on what our next step would be.

"Alright. We will rest here until Gray wakes up. If Natsu hasn't stumbled back into the village by then, then we'll go out together and look for him." Erza declared, as I shrugged my shoulders.

"Fine by me." I told her, as I dropped my bag from my shoulder. Pulling out my sleeping bag, I then got it set up to where Lucy could lay down and go to sleep on it. Ignoring the look Erza gave me as I did so.

Once again, I know my sister is in trouble, but I'm sure she used up quite a bit of her magic in fighting off that girl from before and her pet rat. She'll need her rest if we have to go through the jungle tomorrow to find Natsu. Once she was good, I moved to sit on the ground on Erza's right side and lean back against the crates.

I won't get much rest this way and I'll be sore, but it'll be something.

Yeah, as if my dreams would leave me alone even if I could. I thought sarcastically to myself as I closed my eyes.

The Next Morning…

Taking in a deep breath, I felt myself sit forward as I began to wake up. To be honest with you, I'm surprised I was even able to fall asleep for just a few hours in the first place. Still, with the way my ass and my back are feeling right now, it looks like I was right about being sore.

Letting out a yawn, I used the crates behind me to pull myself to my feet. Once I was up, I did what I could about stretching my sore muscles.

"Sleep well?" I heard Erza ask behind me, seeing as I was now facing away from her.

"Barely." I answered, as I turned around. As I did though, I could see that she looked even more irritated than she did yesterday. Looking about the tent, I had a really good guess as to why that was.

Lucy and Happy were already awake and dreading the day, but Gray hadn't shown up yet.

"I'm guessing you stayed up all night?" I asked her, as Erza glared over in Lucy and Happy's direction.

"No." she said, her tone getting rather sharp. "I didn't want them to do anything as foolish as trying to escape. I also wanted to be ready to intercept Gray once he wakes up." She answered.

"Now that you're awake though…" Erza began, as she glanced back at me. "After thinking on it last night, and seeing as we must wait, I think we should have Lucy get us up to date on what's been happening here on the island. I fear I may have been a little too impatient last night in trying to find the boys." She said, turning to look back at my sister. "Lucy, if you would start from the beginning." Erza ordered, as I moved to sit on one of the crates on the opposite side of Erza from my sister.

So, Lucy told us in detail what had happened since she and the others left Hargeon.

From her story, it looks like Gray did try to stop them before they left the mainland. However, Natsu managed to knock Gray unconscious, then took him with them after they found a boat willing to bring them to Galuna Island. On the way here, the ferryman disappeared on them, and the next thing they know, this huge wave catches them in the boat and hurls them against the island's shore, busting up the boat in the process.

Now that they were here on the island, and no boat to take them back, Gray decided to join forces with them. After that, they found the village, and spoke with the Elder about how to lift the curse.

According to Lucy, when the moon rises here on the island, it's not shiny and silver like it is back home. Instead, it's a shade of purple, and this purple moon is what causes the villagers who live on this island to be transformed into demons every single night. To help rid them of this curse, the Elder and his people wanted Natsu, Happy, Lucy, and Gray to destroy the moon.

To do this, Lucy reminded the other three about some kind of moon temple they had passed on the way to the village. When she asked the village Elder about it, she learned that they have never been able to go near that place. That, whenever someone does, they wind up back at the village with no memory of how they returned there.

In hearing about this, Lucy suspected that the temple might have clues about who and where the curse might have originated from. When they went to this temple, they found their answers, even if they weren't expected.

Deep within the temple, they came across this massive demon encased in ice. As soon as Lucy mentioned this demon, I figured that this was the demon Deliora Erza had told me about on the way here. However, both Erza and I were surprised when Lucy told us that she knew what Deliora was.

She, Natsu, and Happy were told this by Gray, who had seen Deliora before when he was just a little kid. Apparently, Deliora is the demon responsible for utterly destroying his hometown and killing his parents. Later on, it also added Gray's master Ur to its list of victims when she sacrificed her very flesh to seal this demon away using the spell known as Iced Shell.

It's a Maker-Magic spell for ice-based wizards, one that had been marked as a forbidden spell by the magic counsel. Forbidden because when a wizard casts this spell, it takes all of them, magic, body, and soul; and turns them into the very thing that seals the object, demon, or person away for all eternity. To most of the magical world, this ice can never be melted. However, more advanced wizards, or wizards who have studied such things extensively knows that this isn't entirely true.

It is true that normal methods can never melt this ice, but there are some advanced spells out there, and spells that have too many negative effects to really use safely that can get the job done. According to one of Lucy's spirits, whom she had summoned at the time; Lyra I believe she said, told them this in the temple as well.

At about this time, a magical circle appeared through the roof of the caves that the temple bleeds into and shined down directly onto where Deliora sat. As it grew to intensity, they saw that this purple light was melting the iced shell around Deliora's body. Seeing it, Lyra was able to identify the spell.

Moon Drip.

A spell that takes moon light and filters it in such a way that it can become magically toxic. Causing anything from magic sickness, to transformations like they saw down in the village.

At this point, despite being sent to bring Natsu and Lucy back home, Gray became fully invested in letting them go through with it. Not because it was an S-Class or anything, but because he wanted to protect his master's legacy. Not to mention that there's not much melting left to do with how little ice is left on the demon. So, fearing what would happen if Deliora wakes up, they all went to the part of the temple where the Moon Drip ritual was being cast on the top of the roof of the temple. Up there, Gray learned that it was his old rival and fellow pupil under his master.

Another ice make wizard named Lyon, who called himself the Cold Emperor.

In seeing Gray and the others, Lyon figured that it was the villagers who sent for help from the wizard guilds and decided to send his minions down to destroy the village. To him, they had become a nuisance, and therefore should be gotten rid of. Meanwhile, Lyon meant to deal with Gray, Natsu, Happy, and Lucy.

Not wanting the village to be in danger, Natsu had Happy take Lucy back there to provide some kind of protection. While she did that, Gray and Natsu both entered the fight, then Gray somehow got rid of Natsu to try and take care of Lyon himself. Or, at least this is what Natsu told her when he caught up with her at the village. After that, Lucy lost track of Gray until I found him last night.

As for Natsu, he and Lucy stayed at the village while they waited for Lyon's minions to strike. When they did, Lucy immediately got carried off by the giant rat the marionette girl had as a pet. Making her loose track of Natsu. Lucy and this marionette mage girl fought, Lucy defeated her, and we know the rest.

The whole time she spoke, Lucy's voice didn't waver, and her heartbeat remained steady, so I knew she wasn't lying. Looking over at Erza, I could see that she felt the same way.

"Happy, is what she said true?" Erza asked the little blue cat, who gave her a wary aye sir.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Erza looked towards the entrance to our tent. "I hope you all know just how foolish it was for you to steal this S-Class job. Most guilds would consider such an action grounds for expulsion. However, you lot are extremely fortunate that Master Makarov is a more forgiving guild master. Thanks to this, you all will be spared that fate at least this once. However, I don't want you to think he'll go easy on any of you when you all face whatever punishment Master Makarov decides to deal out." She scolded, not taking her eyes off the entrance to the tent.

As Erza let up on her scolding for now, Lucy let out a small sigh as she sagged down where she sat, looking at the ground right in front of her. Deciding to leave her to her thoughts, I sat back against the crates Erza and I sat on.

"Erza, what are we going to do about Deliora?" I asked her then, as she turned her harsh eyes towards me.

"Nothing." She answered, as I turned a worried look her way.

"If we don't at least look into it, and it wakes up, we'd be leaving everyone still on this island at it's mercy." I told her, as she hardened her look towards me. Off to the side, I could even hear Happy and Lucy gasp in slight fear as she did so. Ignoring them, I kept my eyes locked with Erza's.

"Icelynn, we've discussed what our job here on this island is. It's to bring these four idiots back home. Nothing more." She told me, as I narrowed my eyes back at her. "Unless you wish to be seen as guilty as well, Icelynn." She threatened, as I felt my lip twitch in the sudden need to bare my fangs at her.

"Guilty… Yeah, sure…" I scoffed, as I turned to look away from her. "Look Erza, we still have to find Natsu. How about you just think on what I just said, then we'll discuss this then. Sound good to you?" I asked her, not willing to just sit back and let this go.

"When we find Natsu, we'll be leaving. No ifs, ands, or buts to be discussed." She snapped at me, as I simply hummed to show I had at least heard her.

Erza can say what she wants, but it will be discussed again. I can't just abandon the villagers to that demon. Still, we'll have to wait for Gray before we try to locate Natsu. I thought to myself, as we all just sat there in the tense silence Erza and I had created. Save for the sniffling sounds Happy and Lucy both made every now and again. Poor things had their own set of twin rivers running down their faces. And was it just me, or were their tear tracks getting bigger as Erza's face darkened?

I didn't really get to ponder this though, seeing as a freshly awoken Gray chose this exact moment to walk into the tent. The moment Erza laid eyes on him, Gray all but broke out into a cold sweat.

"Gray Fullbuster, you made me wait." Erza told him, her voice firm. "Not smart."

"Erza!?" He said, his eyes wide in surprise as he then glanced over at me. "And Icelynn, you're here too?" he asked, as I gave him a nod in greeting. Looking away from me to Happy and my sister, he began to look a bit worried. "Wait, how come they're tied up?" he asked us then, as Erza glanced their way for a moment before focusing back on Gray.

"Lucy has gotten Icelynn and I up to speed with everything that happened so far." Erza explained, as she got on her feet. "Gray, I thought that you were sent to stop Natsu and these two fools. I'm rather disappointed." She said, as Gray looked on warily.

"Where is Natsu anyway?" he asked, as I hopped back on my feet as well.

"No one here knows. We were hoping that you'd be able to tell us where he went once you woke up." I told him, as Lucy looked up from her sniveling fest.

"Natsu was fighting the Cold Emperor's lackeys the last time I saw him, but by the time Erza had us go back to the village, it had been destroyed, and no Natsu in sight. Erza then demanded we take her to find you, but Happy and I had no idea where you had ended up." Lucy said, as Happy looked up next.

"That's when I flew up above the treetops and saw that the villagers had moved into this storage area, so we came here to see if you or Natsu had made it back yet. Only, when Icelynn went to look, she could only find you." Happy said, as Erza moved towards the entrance to the tent.

"Okay." She said, as she turned back to face us. "Icelynn is going to use her dragon slayer abilities to track down Natsu. Once we have him, we are all going back to the guild." Erza declared, as Gray gave her a look of protest.

"Hold up Erza!" he started. "If Lucy filled you guys in, then you know why we can't leave this island just yet! Not with what these people are going through!" he said, as Erza gave him the same look she did me a few moments ago.

"Your point?" she asked him coldly, as Gray began looking at her like she had grown a second head. "Icelynn and I were only dispatched to find these three for breaking the rules, and you for joining them. We aren't here to do anything other than that." She said, as Gray wiped the shock from his face.

"Rules!?" Gray repeated, as he gave Erza a hard, pleading look. "Erza, have you seen what happened to these people?" he asked her, as Erza told him that she had. "So, you know. You know, and you're just going to turn your back on them?" he asked, as Erza turned to glare at him.

"Their request is posted at every guild hall known to the wizarding world." She reminded him. "As for the villager's and their predicament, they would be better served if a wizard who is cleared for S-Class were to take the job. And need I remind you, that none of you are qualified for such a task."

"And what about Deliora!? Are we just going to stand by and let that monster loose!? They could break the iced shell keeping Deliora dormant at any time once the sun goes down!" Gray shouted, as Erza turned away.

"We find Natsu, then we all go home and let someone of a higher rank take care of him." Erza answered, as Gray's expression darkened.

"How can you be so heartless?" he snapped at her then, causing Erza to turn the same look she had given Lucy back on the beach to Gray.

"So…" she said, her voice even as she summoned a sword. "Are you choosing to defy Master Makarov as well?" she asked him, as she pointed her weapon at Gray.

Reaching up, Gray grabbed a hold of Erza's blade, gripping it so tight that his hand began to bleed a bit. Looking up, Gray matched the glare Erza was giving him.

"Do what you must." He told her, as Erza's eyes widened. Now that he had her full attention, Gray eased his own expression. "Look Erza, I'm not walking away from this. Not because I want to have bragging rights, or to make Master proud or anything of that sort; but because I know what's right, and abandoning these villagers to the wrath of the very same fucking demon that murdered my family isn't it." He told her calmly.

At his words, Erza began to tremble from the strength of the conviction Gray had just shown her. Deciding to let her mull it over, Gray let go of Erza's sword and made his way to the entrance of the tent. Pausing just before he went out, Gray looked over his shoulder back at her.

"I'm sorry Erza, but like I said, I'm seeing this through to the end. And there's nothing you can do to stop me." He told her, as he left the tent completely.

Watching as the tent flap fell closed, I then looked back at Erza, who could only continue to tremble as she fought between her absolute loyalty to the guild, and her morals as a living, breathing person. Letting out a heavy sigh, I couldn't help but find myself agreeing with Gray on the bit about Deliora going free.

Leaving when this demon could go free at any time isn't the right thing to do. Doing so would only put the blood of innocent people on our hands. If anything, the very thought of it made me feel even more ill than when I slayed that vulcan, and its blood caused me to flash back to more unpleasant times. Moving towards Erza, I slowly reached up and placed a hand on her armored shoulder. From the looks of it, she's still internally struggling with herself, but she won't be for much longer.

"Erza, I know you're not for us going up against Deliora, but Gray has a point." I told her, as she whirled around and knocked my hand from her shoulder.

"Icelynn…" she began, ready to scold me, but I didn't hesitate to bare my fangs and growl at her this time. Hearing me, Erza's gaze sharpened dangerously again, but she at least shut her mouth.

"Don't give me that!" I told her, only to close my eyes and take a calming breath. Once I got there, I opened my eyes again. "Look. I'm not suggesting that you and I take on the S-Class quest and finish it. Yes, it was made this way due to Deliora, but Deliora isn't the job itself. You heard Lucy just as well as I did, that the job isn't to slay the demon Deliora, but to destroy the moon. But S-Class quests, guilds, and their rules aside, can you really bring yourself to walk off this island and leave men, women, and for God's sake, children to be killed by that demon?" I asked her as Erza's trembling gradually began to fade as she at last thought my words over.

"But what about master's orders?" she asked, as I placed my hand on her shoulder once more.

"Well, killing Deliora isn't going to make us break them." I told her. "Like I said, the job is to destroy the moon, not the demon. Besides, I don't think Master Makarov will hold it against us if we go after and defeat Deliora to keep it from killing those who would be otherwise left helpless." I continued, as I dropped my hand from her shoulder, as a new worry began to grip me. "Not to mention, we might not have a choice in the long run." I said, as Lucy squeaked from where she was sitting.

"Wait, what do you mean?" she asked me, as I turned to glance her way before looking back at Erza.

"I mean, we don't know how long it's going to take us to track down Natsu. If Gray is right about the time frame of which the iced shell keeping Deliora sealed away fully breaks, then we might not have a choice in whether or not we end up fighting that demon. Especially if Natsu sniffs that monster out first and challenges it. Hell, with the way our luck normally goes, we could even stumble across Deliora while trying to find Natsu for all we know." I answered her, as Lucy's face turned white as a sheet.

As for Erza, she was still considering what I had just said. However, this time as I look at her, I feel she'll be coming around in just a few moments. Deciding to leave her to it, I turn to head out of the tent myself.

"Erza, I know that you're not heartless, and despite what he said out of anger, neither does Gray. I have full faith that you'll decide to do the right thing in the end." I said, glancing over my shoulder for a moment before facing forward once more. "That being said, I'm going to go and make sure that Gray hasn't left without us yet. If he goes to face Deliora alone while injured like he is, he'd more than likely die for sure." I told them, as I moved the flaps of the tent out of my way as I passed through them.

I'd only made it about a few feet away from the tent though before I heard Happy and Lucy shrieking in fear, followed by them begging Erza for mercy. That they have no control over Gray, and even though Luce and I are sisters, she can't control me either. In hearing them, I could only smile, knowing that Erza had literally cut them loose.

Well, for now anyway. I thought, as I began heading in the direction I had been going in before. Upping my walk into a jog, I began following Gray's scent to catch up to him.

It only took us about ten to fifteen minutes for me to catch up to Gray, then for him and I to wait for the others to catch up to us. Once we were all together, we began heading down the jungle path that would lead us to the moon temple where Deliora is being kept. As well as Lyon, or the Cold Emperor. Better known as Gray's former fellow student.

As we ran, Gray told us what happened on his side of things, and that if Natsu would be anywhere, it'd be back at the temple to try and beat up Lyon again, or to find a way to stop Deliora from being awakened before the moon rose.

However, what really caught my attention was when Gray told us why his childhood rival was trying to revive Deliora in the first place.

"Wait, so you're saying that the Cold Emperor is trying to resurrect Deliora just to turn around and defeat it?" Lucy asked him, as Gray hummed in affirmation.

"Even back before I met Lyon, he's always dreamed of surpassing Ur and her magical ability as an Ice-Make Wizard. Then, when she died after sealing Deliora away, and he could no longer challenge her; Lyon made it his lifelong goal to find a way to release Deliora, and do the one thing Ur couldn't do, which is to slay it." Gray explained, as he slowed to a stop.

Doing the same, I turned to look at Gray as Lucy, Happy, and Erza stopped as well to listen.

"Let me guess, he doesn't give a damn about who he has to hurt or kill to accomplish this?" I asked, as Gray nodded his head.

"Yeah, which is why I have to face him before tonight. There is something I've never got to tell him before now." Gray revealed, as he walked over towards a tree and placed his hand against it. At the way he stood tensely, with his hand pressed firmly against that tree, I could tell that this was something very personal for him, and not easy to let off his chest. "Ur made me promise her to keep this a secret from Lyon just before she cast the Iced Shell on Deliora…" he said, as I realized what it was that Gray must have had to keep secret for all the years that have passed since this promise was made.

"Wait… Are you saying that Lyon doesn't know the full extent of what the Iced Shell does?" I asked Gray, as he turned surprised eyes my way.

"You know about that spell?" He asked me, as I nodded my head once.

"Yes. I may be a dragon slayer, but ice is still my baser magic. It was one of the few spells my dragon Storm specifically forbid me from ever learning how to cast should I decide to explore other areas of magic." I answered him, as Gray looked away from me.

"What makes this spell so dangerous?" Erza asked, as I looked over at her.

"Iced Shell is considered a forbidden spell by the magic counsel." I answered, as Gray backed me up.

"Icelynn's right." He said, as he turned back to look at us again. "This spell was declared as forbidden due to how much it takes from the caster to seal an intended target away for all eternity. This is the same reason why Ur never told Lyon and I about it when she started teaching us. The only reason we ever learned about it in the first place was because Lyon admitted to stealing one of her more advanced spell books and reading it on his own. Ur then forbid us from ever attempting to cast it. I swear, that was one of the only two times I've ever seen her so angry."

"Okay, but what does it take from the one who casts it?" Lucy asked, worry and curiosity clear on her face.

"Any wizard who dares to cast Iced Shell, no matter how experienced, or how strong they are, all but looses their lives." I answered her, as Lucy, Erza, and Happy's eyes all widened. "And I mean that literally, by the way. The spell takes the wizard's body, magic, and mind, and transforms it into the very ice encasing whatever is being sealed away. Effectively making them a living prison so to speak." I explained, as Lucy gasped.

"So that means…" she began, unable to say the rest.

"It means that while Ur isn't with us…" Gray said, as we all looked back at him once more. "She isn't dead either."

Looking at the shocked faces the others had, and the Solemn one I wore, Gray turned saddened eyes away from us once more.

"Either way, that doesn't change the fact that It's my fault that she was forced to cast that damn spell in the first place." Gray muttered, as Erza, who had calmed down significantly, turned concerned eyes his way.

"What do you mean it's your fault?" she asked him, as Gray pushed away from the tree, clenching his fists as he faced away from our group. Walking further down the path, Gray then began to speak once more as we followed him.

"Ten years ago, Ur found me in the wreckage of my hometown. Lyon had already been learning under her for about a year or so. They pulled me out, treated my wounds, and helped me to bury my mom and my dad. When I got better, I begged Ur to teach me how to use magic, so that I could become strong enough to take revenge on Deliora; which had moved on to cause more terror and destruction somewhere else once it was done with my home. Ur decided to take me in after that, make me her student along with Lyon.

It took me a couple of months before I was able to cast my first maker magic spell. All that time she had us spend out in the snow practicing, barely a stitch of clothing on us to help us learn to adapt to the temperatures our magic would reach as we gradually advanced in our magic finally paid off. However, back then, I failed to see this style of magic as anything other than weaker magic that wouldn't give me so much as a chance against Deliora when I finally found and went to kill it.

The more I got the hang of being a maker type wizard, the more I began demanding that Ur teach me a stronger type of magic. Each time I'd spout off at the mouth about it, she'd remind me that she had already taught me powerful magic. That it's the freedom and unique style I'd one day develop that would give me the ability to make my magic as strong as I feel it needs to be.

But I was too blinded by the revenge I wanted to really listen to her.

Then one day, we were on our way back from town when a cart full of mercinaries or whatever passed by. As it did, I heard a couple of the passengers talking about Deliora, and where it was heading for next. A town called Brogo. By the time we got back to Ur's cabin, my mind was made up. I packed up my stuff and left for Brogo that very night. Ur and Lyon tried to get me to stay, but I wouldn't listen to them. Not even when Ur threatened to disown me as her pupil.

At this point, I didn't care if I died, so long as I could take my revenge on Deliora. By the time I even got to Brogo though, Deliora had already destroyed close to half of the town. I tried to fight Deliora then, but as you can probably guess, I not only got knocked on my ass, but got myself knocked out cold as well. Luckily, Ur and Lyon had followed me, and managed to get me out of Deliora's immediate warpath, but not before Ur became seriously hurt.

However, our problems didn't end there.

With the way we were all battered and bruised, Ur told us to run. It was clear that she meant to sacrifice herself to save us, and the rest of Brogo. When Lyon realized this, he snapped. He got angry at Ur, demanded to know why he had spent all of that time studying magic with her if she wasn't the best wizard there was. To him, Ur wouldn't loose to Deliora, that she was without a doubt stronger than it was. That she was the strongest wizard alive. He begged her to not prove him wrong, that doing so would somehow betray him.

He got so mad that Lyon ran forward and took on the stance you'd take to cast Iced Shell. That was the moment when Ur found out that Lyon knew about it, and that he had failed to read everything that magic book he found it in had to say about the spell. Ur tried to warn him, but he wouldn't listen as he began to cast the spell, saying that it was the only way to stop Deliora, which also inevitably drew Deliora's direct attention to the three of us.

Luckily, Ur stopped him, temporarily freezing him in a block of ice, knocking him out in the process. Once Lyon couldn't do anything else that was stupid, Ur told me what Iced Shell did to its caster. She also admitted that Lyon was right about it being the only way to stop Deliora.

Ur went forward and began to cast the spell, and as her body turned to the ice which now keeps Deliora sealed away, she had me promise to tell Lyon that casting the spell had killed her. When it was over, the rage and sadness I'd felt up until that point faded away. When she took me in, Ur vowed that she would find a way to absolve me of the darkness Deliora had left inside of me. When she sealed Deliora way, she made good on that promise.

Lyon, on the other hand, saw it differently. When I lied and told him that Ur had died like I promised, he blamed me. Said that I had murdered our master by challenging Deliora the way that I did. He then made a vow of his own, that he would one day find a way to free Deliora and kill it himself. After that, he became cold towards everything and everyone in his pursuit of his goal." Gray finished, as he kept walking.

"That's why I'm hoping that when I tell him about how Ur is still alive, he'll stop casting the moon drip spell." He said, as we all continued to follow him.

As I listened to Gray's story, I couldn't help but feel a small pang in my chest as I found myself thinking back to my dragon. I know that I've thought about it before, but I can't help but wonder why Storm had just up and left me like that. Could he have done it to protect me from something, like Gray's Master? If he's been gone this long, could that mean that the threat he drew away from me is still out there. Unless he got…

No! I know that Storm isn't dead. I'd feel it in my gut if he were. I reminded myself, as I turned my attention back to the path we were still following.

Thankfully, it wasn't long after this that the temple finally came into view. Upon seeing it though, Gray, Happy, and Lucy all stopped to stare at it in bewilderment.

"Wait, it wasn't tilted like this before, was it?" Lucy asked Gray, as she and Happy tilted their heads in the same way that the crooked temple was.

"No, but I'm willing to bet on who made it that way." Gray answered.

"Natsu more than likely." Erza agreed.

"Yeah, he's the only one crazy enough to do something like that." Happy said, as he and Lucy went to let their heads go back to their normal positions.

Unfortunately for the blue cat, he had turned his head a little too far and could no longer sit his head straight.

"I don't know how he managed it, but if Natsu got the temple to go crooked on purpose, then he had a great idea for once in his life." Gray muttered, as Happy began trying to get out of his stuck position. "So long as it's like this, the moon drip spell won't be able to hit Deliora."

"Well damn, who would have guessed that Natsu's destructive side could ever be a good thing." I agreed, as I began to hear a buzzing, whirling sound heading straight our way.

Turning to face the direction it was coming from; I caught the scent of a group of people who didn't smell like they came from the village. Reaching over for my sister, I grabbed her by the back of her belt, and tripped her to fall back into the bushes. While this was going on, Erza knocked Happy over in Lucy's direction. As the little cat hit the ground, we all tried not to flinch as his neck gave a loud crack. Luckily, the sound wasn't Happy's neck snapping, but letting off the pressure it sustained from him looking at the temple sideways for so long.

Now that those two were out of the way, it gave me, Erza, and Gray enough room to dodge the crescent shaped blades that came flying at us. As their weapons stuck harmlessly from the ground, the people they belonged to finally stepped out from the jungle, surrounding us. All of them were in purple ceremonial robes with white masks bearing a black symbol on the front.

Not only that, but they had more crescent blades on them as well.

"We've got you now, Fairy Tail!" One of the robed figures up front said, as they got ready to attack us once again.

"We cannot allow you to interfere with the Cold Emperor's plans!" another added.

"These are Lyon's goons. They were the ones performing the moon drip ritual." Gray said, identifying them.

Looking from side to side, Erza held up a hand as she summoned a sword to her side.

"I can handle this." She said, as the circle her sword materialized from disappeared.

"Are you sure about this Erza?" Gray asked her, as she took a defensive stance between us and the people who first appeared from the jungle.

"Yes, now go." She said, not taking her eyes off the enemy. "You still have to settle things with Lyon."

Taking her whip from her belt, Lucy took up her own stance off to the side of Erza, Happy standing next to her with a bony fish.

"We'll fight with her, so don't worry about us, okay?" she said, as Happy gave an Aye.

"Thanks, you guys…" Gray said, as he then turned to look my way. "What are you going to do Icelynn?" he asked, as I shrugged my shoulders.

"Guess I'll go with you. That way if any other interruptions pop up, I can deal with it myself and send you on ahead." I answered, as a thankful smile crossed his lips.

"Alright, then let's get in that temple then." He said, as we gave each other a nod.

Waiting until Erza and Lucy made the first move, I then turned towards the direction the temple was located in and took a deep breath.

"ICE DRAGON ROAR!" I called, as I let loose my breath attack at that portion of the ring of people keeping us in one spot. I made sure to keep my breath from running too cold, so that the people blocking our path would only fall over in a fit of shivers instead of being frozen solid.

"Gray, Icelynn, be careful!" Lucy called out to us, as we took our opening.

"Same goes to you sis!" I called back, just before the rest of our group and the idiots in robes left our line of sight.

As we ran, I put my hair up into a ponytail in anticipation for the fight ahead. Sure, I'd leave Lyon to Gray, but that doesn't mean that Lyon is going to be by himself when we find him.

If he isn't alone, then I'm hoping that at least Natsu is there. I thought to myself, as we ran. Because if Gray can't find a way to convince Lyon to stop using the moon drip spell, then I fear what he might resort to in order to stop Lyon…

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Next Chapter: Chapter 9 – Absolute Freeze: Iced Shell

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