*DISCLAIMER*
As of writing/posting this, I have NOT FINISHED all of Fairy Tail, so please don't put spoilers past Season 1 in any reviews, thank you!
OC English and Japanese Voice Actors for this chapter:
Kenshin Kokoro: English VA: Justin Briner: Deku (My Hero Academia) Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elite) Siegfried (High School DxD)
Japanese VA: Noriaki Sugiyama: Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto) Shirou Emiya (Fate Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works & Heaven's Feel) Uryu Ishida (Bleach)
Kenshin
"I don't what to do Mira!" Ken said, his head falling onto the bar. "How could anyone know what to do in this situation?!"
He didn't see her, but he was sure Mira was giving him a sympathetic look, while at the same time looking at him like he was an idiot.
"Oh come on Ken, it's really not that hard," She said, poking the back of his head. "You just have to sit down and tell her how you feel! Honesty is the best way to a girl's heart!"
"But how am I supposed to just be honest?! I don't even know if I do like her!" Ken said, pulling his head back up and looking at her. "I can't just come out and say it without looking like an idiot!"
"Oh stop I'm sure you make yourself look like an idiot enough already, so it'll really be no different!" She said, somehow insulting him with a massive smile on her face.
"That was unnecessarily rude. The way you insult me so casually with such a cute smile is honestly disturbing," Ken grumbled, ignoring the breaking chairs and fight going on behind him, he wasn't even in the mood to break it up now.
Mira chuckled, and when Ken looked up at her, he realized it was really a miracle they somehow weren't related with how similar they both looked. She reached down and patted his head like he was a small child despite them being the same age, thankfully Natsu and Gray were too busy pummeling each other to notice, they never would have let him live it down.
"Oh Ken, I never thought I'd see the day you came to ask me for advice about a girl," She said, smiling as sweet as can be as she teased him. "Aren't you just the cutest most flustered little thing! I'm sure it drives Lucy crazy!"
"Mira…." Ken groaned, looking up at her, now blushing. "This is serious! I've only known her for just over a week, how do I have feelings for someone after only a week huh?!"
"Well Lucy's really pretty," She said, leaning on the bar with her smile aimed at him. "And she's come to see you every day since you brought her here."
"She does the same thing with Natsu!"
"Well you are all on a team now," She said encouragingly. "You just came back from that job yesterday! How did you two get along then?"
Ken shuddered. "Between crazy maids and that Everlue guy, we didn't really have much time to talk. It did go well in the end though, but even on the way back, we had to save Happy, we haven't really had a chance to talk without anyone else around for a bit."
"Well, right now you probably just got a crush on her then," A voice said from the left, and when Ken looked to the left Cana set down her barrel of booze. "Seriously, you both give each other kiss me eyes all the time it's honestly kinda disturbing."
"Cana's got a point!" Mira agreed.
That didn't help how embarrassed he was.
"We… we do not!" He argued back, wondering back to the last week to think if they really did or not. "That is completely un-true!"
Cana and Mira now both narrowed their eyes at him, and Ken deflated.
Cana sighed and patted his back. "Don't worry, You're just in a honeymoon phase, you both got a crush on each other. Just take it day by day for the next few weeks, and you'll know."
Ken's head perked up like he was a cat who'd heard the door open. Was Cana really going to be the source of him finally knowing what to do?
"I'll… know?" Ken asked her.
Mira snapped and nodded. "I get what she's saying! Right now, you don't know if you really have feelings for Lucy or not. Tell me Ken, do you think me and Cana are pretty? Erza? Levy?"
Ken nodded. "Of course I do. What's that have to do with Lucy?"
Cana sighed and shook her head. "You may be the least hopeless of all the guys in the guild, but that ain't a high bar to climb…. You think we're pretty but you don't got feelings for us right? What I'm saying, is give it a few more weeks with Lucy. Who knows, you may just see her as a good friend you think is pretty, but if its more then that, well you'll know."
Ken slowly nodded again, slightly understanding. "Okay… so how will I know?"
Cana shrugged. "You just will, it'll come."
Ken scoffed. "As if you have tons of experience-. OWWW!"
"Shut your mouth Angel Boy," She said bonking him on the head.
Mira giggled as Ken rubbed his head. "It's like she said Ken, you'll just know! Besides, you're on a team now, you'll go on plenty of missions like the other day."
Ken sighed, he got what they were saying, despite not getting how he would just 'know'. However, he did understand where the two of them were coming from, he got the advice he needed. They were missing one crucial point, that Ken didn't want to bring up to them for obvious reasons.
He really still thought Lucy was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen in his life.
"Yeah… plenty of jobs," Ken said, sighing as he downed the rest of his mug and held it over to Cana who had moved down the bar to sit next to him. "Speaking of jobs… I hope Erza's back soon. The letter I got today… it wasn't very hopeful."
Mira's eyes fell, and so did Cana's. Ken's heart sank as he remembered reading the letter from his stepfather this morning when he got to the guild.
Cana squeezed his shoulder reassuringly and nodded. "I'm sorry Ken, you know we got your back until you can find a cure."
"Yeah Ken, we know you'll find something soon," Mira said, trying to sound reassuring. "I know Erza should be back soon. Who knows, maybe the tip from the master will be what you need!"
Ken smiled, despite still feeling his stomach about to drop he was thankful to be there with them all. He turned back for a moment and saw Gray and Natsu arguing, Happy floating above them, along with all the rest of his Fairy Tail friends. He wouldn't want to be anywhere else, he knew that.
But it still bothered him to no end… he had all this strength at his fingertips, and he still couldn't do anything for his mom now.
He faked a smile at Mira and nodded. "Yeah, who knows, maybe after finding my brother it'll really all fall into place. I just hope Erza gets back soon."
"Want me to tag along with you both when you leave?" Cana said from next to him, she smiled when he looked over to her. "I know Master said S-class wizards only, but if you and Erza are going, then maybe he'll let me come along."
Ken managed to smile, he knew that Cana was plenty skilled enough to be S-class, she'd just gotten very unlucky in the trials the last few years. And as much as he loved Natsu, he thought this next job was going to require a good amount of subtlety, something Natsu was not known for.
"Yeah, that sounds nice, I'll talk to Master when he's back, thanks Cana," He said, before pulling the letter out of his pocket and showing it to them both. "From what my stepdad says… she has about six months of-."
"Ken! Mira, Cana, good morning!"
Ken turned, and he didn't know if it was 'just knowing', like Cana had described, but when he saw Lucy, he really did feel like all his troubles were melting away.
Snow Fairy: Fairy Tail OP 1
The Angel of Fairy Tail
Episode 3: The Wizard In Armor!
Lucy
"Morning Lucy!" "Morning!" Cana and Mira both said as she got towards the bar.
Ken smiled, a very relieved look on his face. "Ha, morning Lucy, recovered from yesterday's little escapade yet?"
She groaned and fell onto a barstool next to Ken. "Yeah… I still can't believe it went down like it did. I'm happy we were able to help, but turning down that reward means I don't have any money for rent next week!"
"You know I still have to come visit your apartment," Ken joked.
She scoffed. "I was surprised not to see you there with Natsu and Happy, they just broke in yesterday telling me that we'd found a job."
He chuckled nervously and rubbed his head. "Ha… yeah, I'll talk to them about that," he smiled at her and stepped off the stool, "but if you're rent's due, why don't we go pick out a job?"
Lucy's heart nearly exploded, he smiled so easily, and while sometimes he still seemed to stammer and get nervous around her, she was glad he seemed to be getting over it. She knew she liked Ken, she was smart enough to know that, but the truth of the matter was she didn't know what to do next about it at this point! Of course, she didn't want to tell anyone, for fear they'd blurt it out to him, and she wanted to tell him herself eventually.
After she became stronger she would tell him. There was no way Kenshin Kokoro would have feelings for her, not until she was strong enough to stand by him. So, she decided in the bath the previous night after they'd finally gotten back, that she'd simply be a part of his team, be his friend, and then one day when she was confident she'd grown into a better wizard, she'd tell him.
Still, it didn't mean she wouldn't get excited seeing how happy he was to see her.
"Sounds like fun! Should we get Natsu?" She asked him, standing off the stool with him.
"Yeah, but you should be the one to pick this time. Natsu picked last time," He told her.
She tilted her head. "Huh? But what about you? Don't you want a say?"
He shook his head but kept his smile. "I really don't mind. Besides, I may have to leave you guys for a few days soon anyway when Erza finally gets back."
Lucy's head pounded, as she nervously laughed and nodded. "Oh, yeah of course I remember! Um… are you sure you wanna go on a job now then?"
He kept smiling and nodded. "Of course, I don't mind. Can't have you living out on the streets now. Come on, let's go. Cana, I'll talk to master about what you said when he gets back, Mira, let me know when Erza gets here."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll hear her!" Mira said with a wave.
Cana just smirked. She didn't say anything, only making kissing noises with her mouth towards Ken.
Lucy looked at him confused. "Um, what's she doing-."
"Come on Lucy let's go pick a job!" Ken suddenly said, his face red as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her along after him.
She looked back to see Cana and Mira had both started laughing and talking together in a whisper, and it made Lucy slight nervous.
Oh man, does Cana like Ken too?! How could I compete with her when she has a body like that? Or… was she teasing him about me?! Lucy thought, smoke coming out of her ears as Ken held onto her wrist and they walked towards the job board. However, after a moment she realized what was happening and managed to calm down. Well… he does seem to like holding my hand or… well, my wrist.
She looked at his hand around her wrist and tried not to freak out. He'd done this plenty of times in the last week or so. The first night she met him, he'd had to keep her nearby so she could fly through the sky with him, they had literally first met by her falling into his arms. Either way… she was happy that they seemed to be getting more comfortable around each other.
Although she did quickly make sure to straight out her hair with her free hand.
"Jeez, come on Nab, you're still here?" He said, letting go of her when they got closer to the board. He looked at Nab and sighed. "Will you just pick a job already? I swear, I could leave for 7 years and when I came back you'd still be at the board."
Lucy chuckled and looked back towards everyone else. Natsu and Gray were nose to nose, but she couldn't help but think about the fact Ken had mentioned Erza Scarlett returning to the guild quite a few times. He seemed excited at the idea, and when she had asked him, she learned that apparently Ken and Erza had come to the guild together when they had first come.
Ken told her, that his mother and stepfather had said he needed to make it to Fairy Tail himself from his village in the mountains as a right of passage. On his way, he happened to run into Erza, and the two came together. That naturally led to them being pretty good friends. Ken seemed to be the only one not at least a little bit afraid of her. Lucy was anxious to meet her herself, according to Happy and Natsu she was scary and could destroy an entire town. According to Ken, she was overdramatic and liked cheesecake too much.
But both had agreed she was the strongest female wizard in Fairy Tail.
"I'm trying Ken!" Nab pleaded with him. "But they all just look-."
"Look too good to pass up I know," Ken said, sighing and holding out his hand. "Here, I'm gonna help you out."
Lucy's jaw dropped as it always did when Ken used his magic. In his hand, bright blue wisps of magic swirled like leaves dancing in the wind, until in his fingertips Ken held what looked like a dart.
"I'm gonna close my eyes, throw this and whatever it lands on you take it okay?" He said, closing his eyes before Nab could protest. "One, two, three! Okay, here you go Nab this one's all yours."
Before the larger wizard could protest Ken walked over to the board, grabbed the job his dart had landed on and handed it to Nab.
Nab looked down at the paper and his eyes went wide. "Woah, 100,000 jewel just to escort a caravan one town over?! Thanks Ken!"
Ken's jaw dropped. "W... well hold on a second Nab maybe you… and he's gone, so now he's moving fast huh?"
Lucy could help but chuckle at how his jaw dropped and how he stammered. He did that often. Ken would try to act all cool, tough, suave… but in reality he honestly had an awkwardness that Lucy found really cute.
He sighed, before groaning and looking up at her. "Sorry… that would have been perfect for us."
She chuckled and stepped next to him. "It's no problem, now let's see… wow, I didn't know wizard jobs are a lot more varied then I thought."
He sighed in disappointment but nodded. "Aha. You got everything from serving tables at a café to fighting massive monsters. How'd you find your first real job the other day?"
Lucy shuddered, the job at the Everlue Manor had gone smoothly in the grand scheme of things, but she couldn't help but be embarrassed. The worst was that she got rejected in a maid outfit right in front of Ken! Still, the job according to Ken had gone well, considering only one mansion was pretty much destroyed, it was better than an entire town like they had in Hargeon. The maids and two mercenary wizards Everlue had hired were no match for Ken and Natsu together.
They'd gotten the book, she'd gotten a new gold zodiac key, and she got to spend time with her new team which was a blast! It sucked she didn't get any money out of it, but deep down she knew that it was the right thing to do. The trip back had been even more eventful when Gray had shown up. Like at the Everlue Manor, the group of guys that had kidnapped Happy stood especially no chance now with the three of them there. It hadn't taken them long to get back to the guild after that.
She managed to shake off the embarrassment of the made incident and nodded. "It was pretty eventful that's for sure. I just wish I had been more help I mean, that Everlue guy was the worst, and must not have had working eyes, but I couldn't even get in as a maid!"
Ken went red for a minute and coughed into a fist. "Well, you're right I… for one, also… think he.. was… stupid. I think you looked well.. very nice!"
He… he complimented me!
"Wow, thanks Ken, I… appreciate it," She said, afraid that she was blushing. Her eyes went back up to his, as something else gnawed at her. "But one thing has been bugging me… it's what those guys who tried to eat Happy were talking about. Lullaby…"
He suddenly, didn't looked flustered anymore. He did that as well Lucy had learned, when it came time for the mission and to get serious, Ken could turn it on in an instant.
"You're right, it bothered me too," He said, his chin between his hands. He rubbed his white hair and fixed his brown trench coat. "Unfortunately, master's away at the Guild Master Conference, but I'll talk to Erza about it when she gets back. For now, let's get some work to take our mind off it, why don't you go ahead and pick?"
Lucy smiled, his confidence was infectious most of the time. "Alright! Time to earn my rent money!"
He nodded and turned around. "Hey Natsu! You done trying to snuggle with Gray yet, we're picking our next job!"
Lucy turned, and sure enough Natsu didn't seem to hear them. He was nose to nose with Gray arguing about something while Happy was being a bad influence by egging them on while the others watched. She nervously laughed and looked over to Ken who glared at them like his head was about to explode.
She chuckled. "Are you sure you don't just wanna wait for Erza to get back?"
Ken groaned as Natsu had a chair hit over his back. "I'm sure, you and Natsu need money more then I do. Besides, Erza and I always check in with each other when we get back, she won't go anywhere again without making sure to talk to me."
"Oh… well, you two must be close then!" She said anxiously.
Ken laughed and rubbed his head. "I guess you could say that."
"So, what's she really like? Everyone seems to think she's pretty scary."
He laughed. "HA, well I won't say she's not sometimes. But honestly? She's really a big softy, but there was one time she beat up Loke for hitting on her."
"That doesn't really surprise me," She laughed, smiling at him. "Well I can't wait to meet her then!"
"And I can't wait for you too! Just one sec," He said, turning to the fight and cracking his knuckles. "Alright you idiots, settle down now-. GAH!"
"STAY OUT OF THIS KEN!" "YEAH OR YOU'LL GET BEAT TOO ANGEL BOY!"
Both Gray and Natsu turned with annoyed looks in their eyes. Ken dodged the chair one of them threw, before slowly coming up and glaring at them both.
"Oho, you're both dead! IDIOTSSSS!"
"YEAH!"
"WOHOO!"
"GO KEN!"
"MY MONEYS ON NATSU!"
"GRAY'S TAKING THIS ONE!"
And the entire guild gathered around like it was a public sporting event as the three tried to beat the life out of each other. Lucy had gotten used to it, they normally started this way too. Gray and Natsu would fight, Ken would try to stop it, but somehow get dragged into it. She counted they were all even in terms of wins so far, which was pretty impressive all around for the three of them.
"Ha.. well, I guess I'll have to get used to it," She said, leaning against the railing. "Still… I'm still worried, what will happen if-."
"There's no need to be afraid Lucy!"
"GAHHH LOKE!" She yelled, as he had come out of nowhere to put an arm around her shoulder, pushing up his glasses over her shoulder.
"Ha, no need to scream, just like there's no need to be afraid!" He said, before leaning closer to her ear. "Listen, I've known Ken for a while, and trust me he's never looked at anyone like he's looked at you!"
HUH?! She thought, her face getting red as she looked over at the guy. Could he be lying? He had to be lying, because there was seriously no way.
"You… you're being serious?!" She said quietly, looking over as Ken punched Gray in the stomach and picked Natsu up in a headlock.
"Yes! Why don't you think I haven't asked you out yet despite your stunning beauty!" He said with a wink.
Andddd there it is, she thought, as she watched Natsu turn Ken around and slam him into the ground.
"I'm gonna be your wingman, no way I'm letting my friend Ken pass this up!" He said, keeping his arm around her. "You'll be together if it's the last thing I do!"
"Hey I… I didn't say I wanted that!" Lucy lied, she absolutely would.
Loke chuckled and stepped back in front of her. "Fear not Lucy, you don't need to lie. I can sense when love is… wait, hold on! GAH! Are those gate keys?!"
Lucy looked at him confused, then down at her keys. "Huh? Yeah why?"
"You're a… Celestial Wizard then?!" He choked stepping back from her.
She slowly nodded. "Yeah… why what's-."
"I CAN'T HELP YOU I'M SORRY!" He yelled, turning and running towards the exit. "I'M SORRY KEN!"
"Huh? Someone say my name?" Ken said, looking up from a punch he was about to throw at Gray.
"HA! TAKE THAT!"
"GAHHHHH!"
"HA! I TOLD YOU NATSU WOULD TAKE THIS ONE!"
"KEN!" Lucy yelled, rushing towards the request board where Ken had been punched over too.
"Ugh… my back," Ken groaned, as Lucy knelt next to him.
"YEAH I WIN!" Natsu cheered, which was followed by everyone else in the building cheering as well and bet money changing hands.
Lucy rolled her eyes, jeez this will really take some getting used too.
She turned back to ken. "Ken! Ken are you okay?"
He blinked a few times, looking up at her, before letting his head fall back down onto the ground. "Yeah… just trying to process the fact Natsu won't let me live that down for months."
"You bet I won't!" Natsu said, practically skipping over to them. "And stop acting like this is the first time I kicked your butt!"
Ken rolled his eyes, and Lucy got out of the way as Natsu reached down to help him up. Ken groaned again as he got up, dusted off his coat, and sighed, looking at Natsu and Happy.
"Well… I can't argue with that," He said, before smiling. "So, you two ready, Lucy here is gonna pick us out a job!"
"Aye!" Happy said from Natsu's head. "After that last job we could use some cash!"
"You got that right, we're practically broke!" Natsu complained, joining her and Ken at the board.
Lucy sighed. "You know we wouldn't be if we had taken that reward."
Ken chuckled, seemingly recovered from the fight like nothing happened. He turned to her with his bright blue eyes, and ran a hand through his hair.
"Oh come on, you know it was the right thing to do, we'll make up for it here," He said, shaking his head but still smiling. "Just try to pick something close."
Natsu turned to him. "You still leaving with Erza when she comes back?! Come on man, why can't I come?!"
"Sorry, S class only, you'll get there," Ken teased.
Natsu grumbled. "It's my year this year for sure…."
Ken chuckled and looked at her. "Alright, go-ahead Lucy."
Trust me, he's never looked at anyone like he's looked at you! Had Loke really been telling the truth? She'd figure out later, but for now, it was time for rent money.
"Alright!" She said, turning to the board. "Now… let's-."
"I'd steer clear of those losers if I were you Lucy," Grey shouted from a bench with Cana, new bruises on his stomach. "They'll do nothing but get you into trouble."
"Clothes Grey," Cana said between sips.
Grey yelped, and Lucy was about to say something but Ken did first.
"As cold as your ice Grey… jeez," He said, looking to Natsu. "Natsu don't-."
"WHO YOU CALLING A LOSER?!" Natsu yelled, stepping forward.
Didn't they JUST fight?! Lucy thought as Grey got up to follow Natsu.
"I'm calling you a loser you pyro!" Grey yelled back, the two face to face now ready to throwdown again.
Lucy looked on horrified as people seemed to be betting again on who would win. She turned to Ken and saw he was just rubbing and trying to crack his back.
He noticed her and shook his head. "There's no stopping them when they-."
"GUYS WE GOT BAD NEWS!"
The guild hall went silent, and everyone looked to the doors. Lucy froze for a moment when she saw Loke catching his breath and rushing to the center of the room. What he said played over in her head, was he really going to be her wingman? She wasn't very good at anything involving boys anyway, but somehow the idea of Loke being involved made her think he would only make matters worse not better. She'd stick to her original plan.
Next to her, Ken almost instinctively held out his hand, even standing in front of her. She looked down and saw the slightest bit of bright magic was forming in his palm and she thought for a second they might actually be attacked.
But then Loke dropped the news.
"ERZA'S BACK!"
Everyone screamed or yelped, suddenly not slumping their shoulders, cleaning up spills, even Natsu and Grey now hugged each other frightened instead of ready to kill each other like a moment ago. It scared Lucy for a moment too, what kind of person got this kind of reaction out of everyone?!
The only exception was Ken.
He sighed, but smiled as the magic disappeared and his hands went to his hips. "Honestly, they're all way too overdramatic."
Lucy had to agree with him, everyone started ducking down, dusting themselves off and cleaning up their messy plates and rushing them over to Mira, it was like their mother was coming home from a day at work. Even Natsu next to them, who was nose to nose with Grey again turned, as did Grey and they looked ready to fall over, they even grabbed onto each other they were so scared.
She couldn't help but wonder if maybe Ken was just crazy for not reacting like everyone else. He'd told Lucy that he and Erza had come to the guild together, so it made sense they were friends. She also had no right to feel any bit of jealousy at all of course, but hearing how close they were? Lucy would be lying if she wasn't at least a little bit intimidated.
And she was proven right when the door to the guild hall swung open and a massive shadow cast its way inside.
"Jeez, as bombastic as ever," Ken commented, having sat on one of the barstools near her.
"Is… is that…" Lucy muttered.
Ken nodded, smiling. "Erza likes getting trophies she probably killed the thing that dropped the tooth and drug it back here with all her other luggage."
"Luggage? She brings luggage with her on jobs?"
"Oh you have no idea…" Ken sighed, as he was proven right a moment later.
"It's a trophy from a monster that I killed during this job," Erza's voice said, as someone asked her about the massive tooth in the wagon behind her. "The villagers decorated it and gave it to me as a souvenir."
"An… interesting souvenir," Lucy said to Ken, as Erza began going around and scolding Wakaba for his pipe, Macao for getting lost on the mountain, along with other small things here and there, it made Lucy nervous. "I suddenly feel the need to straighten my hair…"
"Oh, I think it looks nice," Ken told her, smiling as he shook his head. "Erza just likes to keep everything in line. Between me and you I honestly think she'll be the next guild master."
Lucy forced herself not to blush at his compliment, because another question came to her mind. She looked up at Ken as he finished the drink he had. "Really? I honestly would have thought you would be the next guild master Ken."
Ken choked and coughed, Lucy quickly smacked his back and apologized.
He wiped his mouth and looked at her. "Ha… that's a responsibility I could do without. Erza's much more responsible then I am. Besides, she's beaten me plenty of times in fights."
Lucy couldn't believe it, someone who can beat Ken…? He seems unstoppable from the magic that I've seen him pull off.
"Besides," Ken said, shaking his head as Lucy looked at him. "I got… more important things to worry about right now."
Lucy felt guilty, his mom… and his brother, I can't believe I didn't think of that.
"Yeah… you're right," Lucy said, rubbing her head nervously. "I forgot, I'm sor-."
"And Nab!" Erza's voice yelled, making Lucy and Ken both jump. The red head looked over at the board and yelled. "Why are you standing?! Just pick out a… huh? Oh, it seems he's gone, that's surprising."
Ken chuckled and walked towards her, his hands in his trench coat. "Ha, I helped him pick out a job. Seems like yours went well."
Erza turned, her eyes going wide. "Ken!"
"Aha," Ken said with a cheesy smile. "What's up Erza, I actually needed to talk to- YOU! UGH!"
"I was worried! You didn't report back for a month imbecile!" Erza yelled, chopping her armored hand down on Ken's head sending him to the ground. "You and NATSU!"
"AHHH!" Natsu yelled, jumping into Gray's arms as both looked terrified.
"Do either of you realize how irresponsible that was?! Even if you're S class Ken, doesn't mean you get a pass for reporting back late!" She scolded, grabbing Ken's wrist as he rubbed his head with a groan.
Lucy wanted to yell out for Ken since the blow looked like it hurt, but what happened next made her jaw drop. Erza yanked Ken up off the floor, and with a loud bang of his head hitting her armored shoulder hugged him! Lucy's heart jumped out of her chest, the smile on Erza's face grew as she did and it was when Ken sighed and hugged her back that she really started to panic.
"They… they seem… close," Lucy said, as Mira came up next to her.
"Of course they are!" Mira said happily. "Erza and Ken showed up at the guild hall together after all! For the longest time when we were younger, Ken was the only one she'd talk too."
"Really… aw man…" Lucy said, feeling hope slip away. Of course, Ken had told her there was nothing going on between Erza and him… but that didn't mean something couldn't happen, the two were obviously close.
Mira giggled. "Hehe, I don't think you need to worry Lucy!"
"Huh?! Worry about what?!" She said, face red.
"Oh nothing," Mira teased as she walked towards the two. "Welcome back Erza!"
Erza nodded, her face stern again as she let go of Ken. "Thank you. Now, where's Master Makarov?"
"He's away at the guild masters conference," Mira told her looking to Ken. "Ken actually was the one looking for you since he got back."
Ken nodded and smiled at Erza. "Yeah, before he left Master Makarov gave me some pretty important info… it could be a lead. He said it would be S-class only if we go act on it, you got time?"
Erza smirked at Ken. "If it's for you and Mrs. Kokoro, of course Ken anything. However, I must ask your help first, I believe it to be a very important mission."
Lucy's eyes widened, she whispered to herself. "Mission…?"
"Ha, well if you're making that face it must be important," Ken said smiling as he nodded. "You know you can count me in."
"Good, but you're not the only one I'm taking," She said, before turning to the other side of the guild hall and yelling out. "Gray! Natsu! I'd like you both to come with me and Ken as well."
Natsu and Gray the minute Erza had come in and talked about how nice it was to see them getting along had jumped into each other's arms like old pals. However, the minute she turned away they were back at each other's throats. Now, they jumped to attention, and when Erza said she needed them, both went wide eyed and looked at her and Ken.
They were thinking the same thing as Lucy was, the same thing she heard whispered around the guild hall a moment later.
"Woah… Erza, Ken, Natsu and Gray, all four of them?!"
"That's insane… whatever it is, Erza must be really serious if all of them are going!"
"Even just Natsu and Ken alone is probably our strongest team, but all four? That's overkill, what could the mission be?"
Even Mira was mystified.
"Erza, Ken, Natsu and Gray…" She said from next to Lucy. "There's no doubt about it, this really is the strongest team Fairy Tail has ever seen."
"Yeah… yeah I bet," Lucy said looking at the four as Natsu and Gray came to chat with Erza and Ken both. "I read some of Fairy Tail's history, they stack up with some of them-."
"No… there's no competition," Mira said, looking at Lucy and shaking her head. "Ken's stepfather and Master Makarov were on a team, and they were strong but… no, I'm certain, this is the strongest team the guild has seen it its history."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Kenshin
"So, that's what Master told me," Ken told Erza as they waited for the train. "I'm gonna try to get him to let Cana come, we both know she's good enough to be S-class, but it'll be a pretty dangerous undertaking."
Erza nodded, chin between her armored fingers. "You're right. Even if it has nothing to do with Angel Wizards, a magical disaster of that magnitude certainly is alarming especially so close to the magic council."
"You think it could be a trap? It seems stupid doing something so close to the council."
"I'm not sure, you obviously know Angel Magic better than I do. What do you think?"
Ken sighed and shook his head. "Some of the most powerful Angel Wizards, ones with four wings or more, they're pretty arrogant and strong, but the magic council should be able to handle them."
"So, you believe it could be more powerful Angel Wizards?" Erza asked.
Hesitantly and with dread, Ken nodded. "Yeah… they'd have to have six wings at least to stand up to one of the wizard saints. If we're dealing with them well, lets just say that would be bad."
The power of an Angel Wizard grew obviously as they practiced magic and became able to hold more magical energy inside of them. Their control over magic energy, the power of their angel weapon if they have one, it all grew with training and practice. The best Angel Wizards even sprouted wings, they didn't need them to fly, but the number of wings an Angel Wizard had could tell you how strong they were and give you a semblance of the abilities they had.
The eight archangels had fourteen wings, there were no beings more powerful than them. Regular angels below them had twelve, they were the ones who most Angel Wizard half-bloods were children of. The most powerful Angel Wizards in history had ten wings-Ken's stepfather and mother were two of them-most older Angel Wizards could have eight at times but any amount above four was almost unheard of. Most of the more powerful Angel Wizards now would have four wings, or two wings, but most of them had no wings at all.
Ken himself had two wings. Wings would appear in sets of two when an Angel Wizard pushed themselves past their limits and increased in power, they didn't help you fly, but appeared when you needed them most to give you a boost of power.
If they really were dealing with Angel Wizards that had six wings? That would be bad. An Angel Wizard with six wings would be about the level of power of one of the Ten Wizard Saints. Regular Wizards of other kinds of magic of course were capable of defeating Angel Wizards, but the best way to defeat an Angel Wizard, was with another Angel Wizard, it was some of the most powerful magic on Fiore for a reason.
Erza contemplated the issue and nodded. "I see… well, it seems that either way we'll have to investigate. Could your brother had pulled something like this off?"
Ken nodded. "Yeah, you see it isn't the destruction of the forest that would require a lot of power, it's the confidence to do it so close to the most powerful wizards on Fiore. Still, it's the only lead we have… I have to check it out, especially if well…"
"If what that letter said about your mother is true… fear not Ken," Erza said, grabbing his shoulder as she smiled at him. "Together, we will save her. We'll find your brother, and the cause of this destruction as soon as this mission is complete. You have my word."
Ken smiled, having Erza around really calmed him down. Closer to the train were Natsu, Gray, Happy and Lucy who he knew was trying to keep them from killing each other. He felt bad leaving that to her, but he needed to talk to Erza. After explaining the lead Master Makarov had given him, she of course agreed to help, that was something he could always rely on with Erza. Their treck to the guild hall had been hell, they had been relying on each other for years.
And while in the current day they often took separate missions, Ken knew he could count on her.
It's also pretty nice to go on a mission with her, with all of us really! Yeah… everyone, Ken said, his gaze lingering on Lucy as she yelled at the two boys.
He turned and smiled at Erza. "Thanks Erza. I… know you don't like going near the magic council all that much because of… well, him."
Ken was the only one who knew, he had heard the story all those years ago on he and Erza's way to the guild. Nobody else knew, and Ken was honored she had trusted him enough to tell her full story.
Erza's face fell, but only for a moment. "For a friend, I'll stomach it of course. I'm doing this for your mother as well, she was always very good to me. I am quite excited to go back and see her, Aria as well."
Ken smiled. "Yeah, you should see Aria now she'll be at Fairy Tail before you know it."
"She's a powerful young wizard, I look forward to it," Erza said, smiling before her eyes went past him for a moment. "By the way Ken, before we left, Mira mentioned that you and Natsu were the ones who brought this girl to the guild?"
"Oh, you mean Lucy right?" Ken said, smiling as he looked back to see her with Happy yelling something at Natsu and Gray. "Yeah, Natsu and I found her in Hargeon on our way back, it was quite the little escapade."
He went on and told her about what had happened in the town, from him running into Lucy, to them taking down the fake salamanders ship and rescuing Lucy from it. He let her know about their job at Everlue Manor, and how she had officially joined he and Natsu's team. He toned down the amount of destruction they caused, but he was smiling from ear to ear by the time he was finished.
"She's a celestial wizard, and a good one at that," He said matter-of-factly, looking over at Lucy with his smile intact. "Yeah… I think she's gonna fit in just fine around here. She's already… um, Erza, why are you looking at me like that."
A wicked smirk had appeared on Erza's face. To most people she seemed stoic and serious all the time, but Ken happened to know deep down she had a twisted sense of humor.
"Oho, well you certainly seem to think highly of her Ken," She said with her arms closed.
Her tone worried him. "Uh… yeah, of course I do. Her magic is-."
"And her magic is the… only thing you think very highly of?" She said, walking up next to him and lowering her voice. "Don't think I haven't noticed that lingering gaze you've been giving her."
Ken's eyes widened, have I… really been staring?
"I do not have a 'lingering gaze'," He decided turning to look at her. "What are you implying?! Erza, it's really just- OAF!"
"Don't worry Ken! You are a dear, dear friend of mine, we've been on countless adventures together and have saved each other on multiple occasions!" Erza announced, as with her eyes full of determination grabbed Ken's shoulder with one hand and balled her other into a fist. "I will support you in your new endeavor in the quest of love! Fear not my dear friend, I will help you with all my might!"
Ken's head started spinning as he looked at her.
"Help… me? Um, okay?" He said, confused. "Endeavor of love what are you… uh, Erza! Erza wait, where are you going?! What do you mean by quest of love?!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Lucy
"YOU JERK WATCH YOUR FIRE!" Lucy yelled pounding the back of Natsu's head.
"OWW! I said I was sorry!" Natsu complained, rubbing the back of his head as Gray groaned and rubbed his from where Lucy had hit him.
Lucy sighed as she patted out the small smoldering embers on her skirt. The minute Erza had gone to talk with Ken, Natsu and Gray had been at each other's throats and Mira had specifically asked Lucy to make sure they didn't fight on this trip. She told Lucy the fights always ended up the same, Natsu and Gray would start fighting, Ken would try to stop it, but end up fighting too and with such an important mission they couldn't afford to be fighting.
Lucy rolled her eyes and turned back around, Erza and Ken were still having what seemed to be a pretty important conversation. She hadn't seen Ken look so serious in her few weeks of knowing him so far so it was a bit shocking to her. Erza and he looked like natural leaders, and according to the rest of the guild they acted as pseudo masters whenever Master Makarov was gone.
And not to mention they're both gorgeous… oh man why am I thinking about this now, she scolded herself in her mind. She didn't wanna focus on any feelings she may have had for Ken, not when she was on such an important mission with what was said to be Fairy Tails' strongest team. She couldn't afford to not show what she can do on a job like this, it was her chance to not only prove herself to Ken, but to the entire guild.
"But still…" She muttered as she looked at them. "They really do seem… close."
"You're jealousssss, Lucy's jealous!" Happy cooed from above her, and Lucy grabbed his tail and yanked him down.
"Quiet cat!" She yelled at him, making the cat laugh as she floated next to Lucy now.
"Haha, I'm just teasing! But come on it's not a big deal, Erza and Ken have always been close like this," Happy reminded her. "They're some of the strongest in the guild! They've even both beat Natsu up before!"
"Hey don't go reminding me!" Natsu groaned in annoyance as he stood up next to her, pounding his hand into his fist. "After this mission's done, I'm gonna beat Erza first, and then Ken after that! But… it is true, they did both beat me good before."
"True for me too," Gray said coming up next to them both. "I've come close, but each time we throw down, Erza and Ken win, it's annoying for sure, but just makes me wanna train to beat them."
"You said something smart for once," Natsu said begrudgingly as he huffed. "But if they're talking like that, it must be serious. Erza's always like that but Ken…?"
"You didn't hear? I overhead Ken talking to Mira earlier," Gray told them as he looked serious as well, looking at Lucy, Natsu and Happy. "Ken got a letter from home… Mrs. K isn't doing too good. They don't think she's got much longer left."
Lucy's eyes widened. "Mrs. K…? You… you mean Ken's mom?"
"Yeah, hasn't been doing good for a while now," Natsu said, sounding sad himself, he looked up. "Been that way for how long now Happy? Three years?"
"Four…" Happy said, floating to Natsu's shoulder. "And we're not closer to finding his brother either…"
Gray nodded. "It's rough, I know we got our differences Natsu, but I think we gotta band together, the whole guild does to help Ken after this mission."
"Especially if it's for Mrs. K!" Natsu said pounding his fist into his hand. "And when we find out who it was that made her sick, I'll make them pay myself!"
"Wait, hold on!" Lucy said, stepping in front of the two of them. "You all know about Ken's Mom being sick? He said everyone knew but, you all seem as if you know her."
Gray looked at her confused. "Yeah of course we all know her. His stepdad was one of the best wizards Fairy Tail's ever seen. Mrs. K was never in the guild, but growing up she would always stop by to see Ken, some of us even went to visit his village with him. She's always looked out for all of us."
"Yeah, and finding his brother is the only way we can help her," Natsu said, shaking his head. "But Mrs. K is tough; she's been holding on for four years now, I know she will for even longer!"
Lucy's mouth went dry. "I…I know she's sick, he told me she has been for some time? How's she been sick for four years? He didn't really say too much, but well… I didn't ask really."
"That's the thing, we don't know!" Happy told her. "Ken's brother was the last one to see their mom before she was sick!"
"Yeah, Ken says there was a big battle near their village four years ago now," Gray explained, shaking his head as the train pulled into the station. "His mom was a part of it."
"Some people attacked her and Ken's brother while they were training, they did… something to Mrs. K, and then Ken's brother disappeared," Natsu said, sounding angry. "No matter what they've tried, they can't find what's been wrong. Ken's brother well-."
"If he was there, he could be the only one that knows what kind of spell was used," Lucy finished, putting the pieces together, feeling her stomach sink. "If you can find his brother, there may be a chance we could know how to reverse what happened to his mom. I heard that too… you've all really been helping him all these years huh?"
"Of course we have, that's what the guild's about," Natsu said as if the answer was obvious. He smirked and pounded his fists together. "We'll make sure everything-."
"Alright! All ready to go team?" Ken said, as Lucy saw him walking towards them. His hands were in the pockets of his brown trench coat, his white hair blowing to the side.
Grey and Natsu nodded, and Lucy smiled. "You bet we are! So, Ken what are we- HUH?!"
"We're ready to move out!" Erza said, coming up behind Ken.
Lucy's jaw had dropped. Ken… wasn't lying about the luggage.
After getting over the sight of a massive cart of suitcases Erza was dragging, Lucy looked over and saw Ken only laughing at her reaction. She was suddenly self-conscious, but before he could say anything else to her, he turned back to Natsu and Grey. They struck up a conversation, in which Lucy vaguely hear them arguing about seating arrangements before they of course started arguing about it, she had no idea how but wasn't surprised by it anymore.
"So, you're Lucy," Erza's voice said, making Lucy jump and yelp. "I noticed you at the guild hall with Ken yesterday, he spoke very highly of you just now."
Lucy's spun around, her heart racing before she looked over at Ken arguing with the two boys. "He… he really did? Oh crap! I'm sorry, yes, I'm Lucy, it's nice to meet you I'm sorry for being so rude!"
"Don't worry, it's very nice to meet you Lucy," Erza said, as behind her I saw Ken trying to yank Natsu and Gray apart again. Erza smiled and crossed her arms. "It isn't often Ken gives our praise like he has for you for anyone else, I look forward to working with you."
Lucy's face got hot again, he… he was talking to her about me?! Speaking highly of me?!
"H…ha wow really?! I had no idea!" Lucy stammered to the red head. "Well, I certainly hope to live up to all the good things he said! Mira asked me to come and help keep an eye on the boys for you during the mission, I really hope it's not trouble."
Erza smiled and Lucy was relieved. Ken had kept telling her Erza wasn't some scary monster and that she was just a bit eccentric, and she was glad to see she seemed like the only sane one at least so far.
"Yes of course it's not a problem, as I said I look forward to fighting with someone that Ken spoke of so fondly," Erza said, balling her fist dramatically. "Yes… Ken's opinion is something I take great value in, just like Ken himself!"
Lucy stared, her mouth slightly falling open, why… is she smiling like that?
"Yes, Ken is a dear, dear friend of mine, possibly the greatest man I've ever known! I'm blessed to have such a close confidant; someone I trust more then anyone in this world!" She said, raising her fist and looking back at Lucy. "He's a phenomenal wizard, and an even better friend. Yes… a fantastic friend and wizard, I treasure nobody higher, not to mention he's extremely, extremely handsome! Yes! Very handsome! Don't you agree Lucy?!"
Lucy looked behind her and saw Ken currently with Natsu in a headlock and Gray yanking at his other arm. However, his head was turned and when he seemed to hear what Erza said he looked horrified.
But Lucy could only think one thing.
Yeah… yeah she's totally into him! I never stood a chance!
"Well Lucy? Don't you believe Ken has all of those amazing qualities I listed?" Erza asked again.
Lucy stuffed the depression into her stomach and just slowly nodded. "Y…yeah of course!"
"Mhm, good everyone should know how great Ken is!" She said, walking past her and looking to the group. "Alright team lets move out!"
Lucy sighed as she looked over at the equally dejected Ken, oh man… this is going to be a long trip.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Kenshin
"Alright, we're all clear," Ken said, sliding back into the seat next to Lucy.
"Wow, that was really fast," The blonde said. "Did you really fly all the way around the train that quick?"
Ken nodded. "Not a problem really, the more magic energy I pour into the air around me, the faster I can move when I'm flying. It gets pretty intense sometimes."
"That's so cool! You're able to fly faster then a train!" She exclaimed, holding her tiny snowman in her arms.
Ken tried not to blush. "Ha, that's nothing really, I could probably move even faster than that."
"You're being modest Ken," Erza pipped up, holding Natsu's unconscious head on her lap. "I've seen you move at least three times as fast as this train is."
"She's got a point, quit acting all humble it's annoying," Grey told him.
Ken laughed as he rubbed the back of his head. After getting onto the train, getting Lucy more acquainted with Erza, and Erza helping out Natsu's motion sickness by knocking him out the ride had gone off smoothly so far. Erza said they were going to Onibas, which was a bit out of the way. If it had been just the two of them, Ken could have flown him and Erza there in a flash, but he wasn't lying to Lucy when he said he could only have one other person in the air while flying.
Besides, this is a nice trip, the six of us, yeah… I just had no idea that this was Erza's idea of 'helping' me in the pursuit of love, Ken thought with a sigh.
Erza hadn't shut up about how 'amazing' Ken was the entire trip, every other word she said to Lucy concerned a time he had helped her out. It was really a glowing review, and a part of Ken was happy to hear Erza speak so highly of him, another part of him was thankful she was trying to make him look good in front of lucy.
However, he also realized that Lucy probably didn't see it that way. She'd been only talking and looking at him sparingly throughout the ride, and he was worried now she thought Erza was the one who liked him and that was the reason she was speaking so highly of him. Ken realized though, that this had to be the last of his worries. He needed to focus on the mission Erza had brought them on. She'd gone over her mission with them before Ken went outside to fly around the train just to double check for any threats, if Eisenwald and their leader Erigor were really planning something near here, he wanted to just be safe.
Lucy looked at him amazed again. "Wow, the more I hear about Angel Magic, the more powerful it keeps sounding, not many people can move that fast."
"I'm not even really that fast compared to some other Angel Wizards," Ken explained finding her eagerness cute. "Flying is a skill that some are better at then others, and how fast you can go really depends on how much magic energy you put out and your technique. My mom used to say some of the legendary Angel Wizards could move nearly at the speed of light."
"Woah the speed of light?!"
"Aha, although that's only a certain few in history, I'm not nearly that fast," He told her. "My younger sister Aria is an even better flyer then I am. I've never met anyone faster then her and she's only fifteen."
Lucy smiled and nodded. "I see, I remember you said you had a little sister!"
Ken scoffed. "She gives me a heart attack most of the time she's so reckless, but yeah I do, she's really strong."
"I'll say, lively, cunning and powerful," Erza said with a fond smile. "She's going to make a fine addition to the guild. How is she by the way Ken, it's been ages since I saw her."
"Yeah, she hasn't been around since she came to visit with your stepdad last year," Grey added.
"Wow, it seems like you all know her!" Lucy said.
Ken nodded. "That's because she's come to visit now and then, and normally Natsu, Erza and Grey will come with me when I go visit my village every month. She's basically a member already just not officially yet. She… stayed home the last few years to help watch after our mom."
"Oh… I see, so you both share a mom? I remember you telling me she was her and your stepdads daughter," Lucy asked.
"Yup, but we were basically one family her, my brother and me we always trained together," Ken told her.
"Ha, the more I hear about you Angel Wizards, the more amazed I am," Lucy started, looking down and chuckling. "Moving at the speed of light… you really sound invincible."
Ken's stomach lurched. That was a common misconception people had when they first learned about Angel Magic and Angel Wizards, and he wouldn't lie, on the surface, it did sound like they were invincible. Being able to control pure magic energy, project hundreds of weapons and magic circles, the ability to fly, move at speeds unthinkable to regular people, not to mention the Angel Weapons some received, it did sound like they were unbeatable.
But Ken knew that was far from the truth.
"I'm not invincible, none of us are believe me," Ken said, crossing his arms and looking down at his feet. "Most Angel Wizards aren't half-bloods like me, copying magic is a skill only a few can do, not everyone has an Angel Weapon like my sword. But… even me, I'm not unbeatable. Erza, Gray, Natsu, all of them have beat me in fights plenty of times."
"You're damn right we have, but you still get the best of me too often Angel Boy," Gray said with a smirk. "That'll change one day, you can be sure."
Ken smiled, to be honest, at times he felt a bit ostracized amongst the rest of Fairy Tail. He hadn't exactly been the humblest of kids when he was younger. It was only after Gildarts and his stepfather beat some sense into him that he really started to take his training as an Angel Wizard seriously. He really did believe he was invincible at one point, that just being born was enough for him to be one of the strongest wizards in the world, to be able to fulfill his dream of being a hero like his mother and stepfather were.
But now, he knew different. His mother always said, being born with Angel Magic was both a blessing and a curse, a blessing because it truly was arguably the most powerful magic on Fiore, on par with first generation Dragon Slayers and the like. It was a curse however, because the knowledge we were descended from angelic beings of pure magic energy… it often made them lazy and complacent, Ken even thought at times nobody should have the power that Angel Wizards could potentially have.
"Power is nothing if you can't use it to protect the people you care about," His mother would often say. "Being born with power means you have an obligation to protect those who don't. Your magic is a blessing and a curse, it'll allow you to be the hero you've always wanted to be, but it could also make you into something unrecognizable Ken. But I'm confident you'll use it to make a difference in this world."
Ken found himself smiling as he remembered the words. He could still hear his mothers voice. It had been so long since she spoke… but he could still remember. Lucy looked over at him, and when Ken caught her he blushed, and thankfully Erza saved him from having to explain why he was smiling.
"As modest as you're being and as right as you may be Ken, Angel Wizards are still among the most powerful wizards in the world," Erza explained, looking between them all. "And as Ken has told us, the best way to deal with an Angel Wizard, is with another Angel Wizard."
Ken's blood ran cold, he remembered that Erza had also overheard when learning about the lullaby flute, that Eisenwald apparently had an Angel Wizard in their guild now. One that sounded like they could be powerful.
"Well if there is another Angel Wizard, it's no problem!" Happy said, floating and landing ontop of Ken's head. "We'll just have Ken here beat'em up! And if he can't by himself, I'm sure with all of us here it'll be no problem."
Lucy squealed. "You mean we're going to have to fight someone with the same powers as Ken?!"
"It's not beating them that I'm worried about," Ken said, the thoughts nagging at him. He looked over to Erza. "It's why another Angel Wizard would be with a Dark Guild. If one of them had done that, my stepfather would have learned from another village elder and told me."
"Huh? You make it out like your stepfather knows about every Angel Wizard everywhere," Lucy said, looking at him.
"That's because he basically does… you see, Angel Wizards are really rare amongst magical guilds, most of us don't bother going to join them," Ken told her. "We mainly stay in the few villages in the mountains. My stepfather and mother are the chiefs of mine, which is the biggest one, Haven. All the chiefs regularly meet, and there really aren't many of us, so one joining a dark guild would have gotten around."
"That was the reason I was worried as well, if this a rouge Angel Wizard, I figured you'd want to know about it and confront them," Erza said, looking to Ken. "Do you have any idea if anyone in your village would do such a thing?"
"I'd like to think not," Ken said, sighing as she twisted one of longer pieces of white hair. "It could just be one rouge, but I'd still like to know what the hell made them join a dark guild."
"Could it be part of something bigger, like an attack against your village maybe?" Gray suggested.
Ken shook his head. "Nobody would dare attack Haven, even with my mom sick, nobody could beat my stepfather."
"Your stepfather is that strong?" Lucy asked.
Erza answered for him. "Mr. Kokoro was one of the greatest members Fairy Tail has ever seen, even Master Makarov says he should have been guild master."
"He could have easily been on of the wizard saints," Gray added in. "Probably would have been the strongest one too, Mr. K is the real deal."
"Wow… and between him and your mother, you sound like you had quite the training growing up Ken," Lucy asked, looking up at me.
Ken bit his lip, another blessing and curse. Blessing because he loved his stepfather and his mother and loved his childhood. A curse because… it was hard to live up to the two strongest Angel Wizards of this generation.
"I did, dads one of the best," Ken told them. "And he'd know if someone from Haven or another Angel Wizard village went rouge and joined a dark guild. So whoever this Angel Wizard is… the only conclusion I can make is that well…"
"They're… from another group from outside of the villages? Is that a bad thing?" Lucy asked them, sounding worried.
"Yes… a very bad thing," Erza said, sounding grave. "If the dark guilds begin to have the aid of Angel Wizards then…"
"We're in for a heap of trouble, I see now why you were so serious about this Erza," Gray said, sounding serious as well.
Ken's stomach continued to churn.
Lucy's eyes went wide. "Oh man I really shouldn't have come… but… if there's other Angel Wizards, that's fine right?! Ken, you'll beat them won't you?"
"Yeah! We ain't got nothing to worry about when our Angel Wizard's the best!" Happy said from the top of his head.
Ken only looked at her for a moment, but she really did believe what she was saying. She really did think that he was going to destroy an Angel Wizard that came their way. Ken wanted to smile at her, assure her and Happy he would beat any rouge Angel Wizard. That was what he wanted to do.
But the truth is… I've never fought another Angel Wizard before other then Caria when we were younger, I have no idea if I'll be up against an Angel Weapon, or if they have any wings, he thought, letting out a shaky sigh and steadying his heartbeat. It doesn't matter though, if this rouge really is working with a dark guild, they're a threat to Fairy Tail, to my friends, and I'll deal with them!
So, Ken smiled and nodded. "Yeah, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to us. You guys focus on storming and taking down Eisenwald, leave any Angel Wizard to me."
Lucy seemed to breath a sigh of relief. Gray and Erza smiled, Ken knew they could tell how he was really feeling, but he appreciated them not calling him out on it. They didn't, because they knew like him, he was going to do whatever he could no matter if he was nervous or not.
"Alright, we'll talk more when we get to Onibas for now, let's eat," Erza said, before smiling over at Lucy and Ken almost choked when she smirked. "Oh Lucy, why don't I tell you about a job where Ken and I were trapped in a dark forest, and when I was drained of magical energy he heroically saved my life and the life of an entire group of children!"
Lucy stammered. "Um… uh… sure! That sounds… great!"
Ken sighed and his head fell into his hands. He heard Gray laughing at him.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Lucy
"GAHHHHH! HOW ARE WE GOING SO FAST?!" Lucy yelled as she clutched the outside of the magic mobile with Erza at the front.
Ken-who was flying next to the car- came up next to the window. "The magic mobile is using Erza's magic power to go faster; she's giving it all she's got to catch the train! If you want, I can lash you up here with me and you can fly."
"I THINK IF I WAS DOING THIS IN THE OPEN AIR IT'D BE EVEN MORE SCARY!" She yelled back over the wind. "AND DON'T YOU LAUGH AT ME!"
"Ha, sorry, looks like you… up ahead! Erza there it is!" Ken started, before yelling to Erza and flying forward ahead of the car.
After finally getting to the station Erza realized she left Natsu on the train. And after Lucy finally resigned herself to the fact Erza was a little crazy as well, they'd rushed out after the train to get to him. Ken had jumped into the air right away; his brown trench coat blew back behind him as with his arms tucked at his side he matched the magic mobile they'd hijacked in speed as Erza drove it. Lucy was about to be sick inside the car with Happy, but she had it better then poor Gray who was stuck ontop of it outside.
Each minute that went by she was filled with more anxiety. Despite Ken's assurances they could be beat, the idea of fighting someone with his power was horrifying, not to mention they were already working with one of the most notorious dark guilds around! She hadn't told him… but she saw how apprehensive Ken was when she said he'd beat any Angel Wizard coming for them. She felt bad that her worry had caused her to basically beg him to protect them.
How am I going to catch up to him if I always have him saving me? I can't let that happen! I have to prove my worth, not just to him, but the whole guild! Lucy thought, steadying herself as she poked her head out the window.
Ken was flying next to Erza up front, both of them looking towards the train. Lucy narrowed her eyes and just before he came plunging out the window Lucy saw him.
"NATSU!" She yelled as the window of the train exploded and Natsu came flying out.
She heard Ken curse before slowing down his speed. He dashed through the air to the right and as Natsu screamed falling out the window he caught his friend and the two were sent flying back. Ken's beautiful bright blue magic energy still radiated around him, but the two smashed into the ground and were sent rolling back. Lucy herself was almost flung out the window when Erza came to a sudden stop.
She almost threw her guts up along with Happy as she reached for the door. Erza ran past her, and so did Gray. When she was finally free she tumbled out and rushed to her feet over to where she saw Ken rubbing his head with Natsu laying over him doing the same.
"Ugh… thanks… Ken," The dragon-slayer groaned.
"No… problem… gods sake you're getting heavy Natsu," Ken sighed, as he helped Natsu up to his feet.
"Ken, Natsu are you guys okay?!" Lucy yelled as she joined Erza and Gray.
Ken rubbed the dirt out of his white hair and nodded. "I think so… what's important is we got Natsu off the train."
"Haha, good thing we got a flying angel around!" Happy said, floating over to Natsu's shoulder.
"Yeah, but more importantly what the hell guys?!" Natsu yelled looking at all of us. "Why'd you leave me on the train?!"
Lucy breathed a sigh of relief; it certainly didn't seem like Natsu was hurt. What she was more concerned about was Ken, who slowly walked next to her and Gray after Natsu got up. She didn't have time to ask him what was wrong before Erza grabbed Natsu.
"It's my fault, I'm sorry Natsu," She said, making Natsu yelp when she clanged his head against her armor to hug him. "Please, please forgive me!"
"What the hell happened on that train anyway?" Gray asked.
Natsu groaned and rubbed his head. "I was out cold until the train stopped. I got jumped by this weird shadow guy, I think he was with the guys who were trying to eat Happy, he said was with Eisenwald and something about a flute called lullaby- AGH!"
"You idiot! That's the guild we were tracking down why didn't you stop him?!" Erza yelled slapping him back down to the ground.
Lucy squealed as Gray tried to pretend not to look.
"Ow what the heck this is the first I'm hearing of it!" Natsu complained. "Like I said, he said he something about Erigor and bringing that lullaby flute back to him."
"Lullaby…" Lucy said slowly, trying to wrack her brain for some kind of knowledge. And when she had it, her eyes went wide. "The flute that's song brings death…"
Everyone besides Ken turned to her now. She remembered more of the story as they did.
"Huh, certain death what are you saying? Some kind of incantation?" Gray asked her.
"It's death magic…" Lucy remembered, her panic starting to rise, she looked between the three of them. "It's an old forbidden spell, it's a flute that's said whoever hears it dies!"
"What the heck, is that even possible?!" Natsu yelled.
"Yes… certain kinds of magic have been outlawed, but ancient relics like this still remain," Erza said, balling her fist, her anger easily visible. "We need to go now! Ken, how fast can you… Ken?"
"Huh? Ken what the hecks gotten into you?" Natsu yelled, walking up next to him.
Lucy walked up next to him too. She looked up and his bright blue eyes were transfixed on the sky. She tried to look up and see what he was looking at but had no luck, all she saw were the clouds and sky.
"Ken… what is it?" Erza said, clearly worried as the rest of their team joined up next to Ken.
Ken had a look in his eyes Lucy hadn't seen yet. She'd seen him angry, worried, anxious, and despite it only being a few weeks she liked to think she had gotten to know him pretty well. The look he had then? She'd never seen it before. Eyes narrowed, fists and jaw clenched, Ken looked ready to explode.
"We're not alone…." He said softly, his eyes not leaving the sky.
Lucy's stomach dropped. "Not alone? There's nobody else here!"
The train continued on. They were in some barren hills with a few patches of grass around the canyon where the train tracks were, Lucy looked in each direction and saw nothing, nothing at all. She looked at Ken again and could feel power radiating from him, around his hands he saw blue misty magic started to form around his hands.
"I see, well, even more reason to get moving then," Erza said walking past Ken towards the magic mobile again. "If it's a dark wizard, we'll-."
"ERZA!"
The sky turned black, and Lucy saw first hand how fast Ken moved when he used his magic.
"GAH!" She yelled, feeling herself yanked forward, and before she knew it Ken, her, Erza, Happy, Natsu and Gray were all besides the magic mobile.
Ken shot both his hands upwards, and a bright blue shield formed a dome around them all and the magic mobile. Lucy screamed as she looked up and saw a hail of black projectiles, black magic thorns falling from the sky. They came so fast she was sure at first they were going to smash through the shield and skewer them, but Ken's shield held. A stream of magic shot up from his hands and formed the shield, and while he was laboring she saw him holding firm in between all of them.
"AGH! What the heck is going on?!" Lucy yelled.
"Natsu did that guy follow you out of the train?!" Gray yelled.
"No! He ran off, whoever this is it's someone else!" Natsu called back.
"Everyone stay calm!" Erza yelled at them, looking at Ken. "Are you alright Ken?!"
"Yeah! Just… don't move!" Ken yelled as his magic glowed more the shield continued to be pounded from above. Sweat fell down Ken's brown as he kept looking up. "This… this is Angel Magic!"
"Then the Angel Wizard's here?! I thought they would be with the other dark wizards!" Happy yelled from above Natsu.
"I don't know… but it's strong!" Ken yelled as the barrage of black thorns stopped and his shield exploded away with blue light as he let it disappear. He thrusted out his hand. "Switch on, Aerondight!"
The magic sword coalesced and dripped as if it had just been washed in Ken's hand. It was as beautiful as Lucy remembered, and when the smoke finally cleared, her eyes went up into the sky where the attack came from and her chest nearly exploded.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Natsu yelled, fire exploding in his fist. "Attacking us out of nowhere like that, face us head on!"
"For once I agree with him, quite smirking and come down here!" Gray yelled as icy mist formed in his hand.
Lucy waited for Erza to say something too, but she realized that Erza as well as Ken had realized exactly what she did about the boy floating above them covered in Angel Magic with another magic sword in his hand.
He… he has white hair! Exactly the same as Ken! She realized, as her eyes drifted down to Ken, who looked up at him with a steely gaze.
The boy scoffed, his sword resting on his shoulder. "A wizard of my caliber doesn't waste his time on trash like you pathetic guild wizards. You should've counted yourself lucky to be killed by Fragarachs power."
Natsu's eyes exploded. "Oh yeah?! Well when I'm finished with you I'll burn that wimpy sword of yours to a crisp!"
The boy didn't even look older then they were… but Lucy could feel the energy, the magic power he radiated, and it terrified her to the point she felt her knees shake. The same kind of blue magic radiated off him as the magic that came off Ken, but she felt none of the lively warmness she felt when being near Ken's magic. He had bright yellow eyes like a cat, his white hair was slicked back and at Natsu's insult he only smirked, pointing his sword down towards them.
Towards Ken.
"I'm not going to waste my time with you four insects, you don't deserve to be defeated by the blade bestowed upon me by my father," He yelled down, his eyes drawn to Ken now. "I'm here for you, Kenshin Kokoro. Wizard of Fairy Tail, my name is Barchiel, child of the Great Angel Tenshin Justinian! On my father's name, you'll fall here today, child of the lost generation!"
Next Time, Season 1, Episode 4: An Battle of Angels!: Erza, Ken, Natsu, Gray, Lucy and Happy are intercepted on their way to Onibas by a rouge Angel Wizard working for Eisenwald named Barchiel, wielding a magic Angel Weapon like Ken, his goal to kill him there. Ken for the first time fights another Angel Wizard, meanwhile, Erza and the rest of the team heads for Oshibana Station to stop Eisenwald and Erigor from the death flute Lullaby can be broadcasted to the ariwaves. Will Ken be able to stand up to someone with powers like his?
A/N: YO! We're back, and I'm very happy to bring you all the first chapter of one of my stories directly from my dorm room for the new school year! You see, during the summer months I work, but when I go back to school i put my job on hold giving me more time to write! I was pretty close to having this chapter for Ken finished for a long time so I'm glad to finally finish it, and with the cliffhanger I'm gonna get started on the next chapter for him really soon, as well as hopefully getting some official artwork for him soon!
So, in this chapter we finally get Erza into the picture, and learn about her and Ken's backstory and just as importantly, we learn more about Angel Wizards. I want to establish the power and rules of this version of Angel Magic and the OC villains you're going to see throughout the story. We'll also definitely be seeing Ken's stepfather Gabriel and sister Aria as well! We'll visit Angel Villages, as I like to do with my stories I like to add all my OC stuff as a compliment to the main story, so don't worry, there's going to be plenty of Ken effecting the main fairy tail plot as well!
We also get to see Erza trying to 'help' Ken impress Lucy xD As I said with the two of them, they'll be together relatively early, I'd say Tower of Heaven if not definitely battle of Fairy Tail so pretty early on in the scheme of things. However, for now, this Lullaby arc is going to be two more chapters I anticipate, before we move onto Galuna Island and then Phantom!
I hope that I've at least peaked your interest with Ken's backstory and Angel Magic, most Angel Weapons are based on Noble Phantasms from Fate which are based on ancient mythological magic weapons, for exampled Fragarach is a sword from Celtic myths, and Aerondight is the magic sword of Sir Lancelot in Arthurian legend.
This is all going to lead to some epic fights, and YES if anyone is wondering it won't just be Ken fighting the Angel Wizards! I got a lot planned and I'm excited for you all to see.
Once again you can all follow me on twitter akira_archer if you wanna see unhinged anime tweets and even updates about my stories! Also official art! As you can all see from my profile pic I'm getting some art done for my OCs! This one is Cian from my DanMachi story, but ken's coming soon!
Okay, review if you have the time and let me know what you think! Thanks a lot as usual everyone!