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Chapter 3: Return of Erza

Lucy and Cynthia were looking at a request board looking for a job. The last one offered two million J, but they brought along Natsu and Happy who messed it up big time. Cynthia needed the money to pay the rent for her apartment that was due. Natsu and Happy were in new better shape with their money situation.

There was one job that caught Lucy's eyes. It was one about slaying a Volcano Demon. Lucy scoffed. The so-called "demons" these days were just some creatures playing pretend of the real monstrosities. They are nowhere close to the destructive power of real demons, a fact Lucy discovered with her powers.

Mira told Cynthia and Lucy that Makarov was off at a conference with the other guild masters. If she needed a job, she could just ask her. And Lucy and Cynthia knew all too well how the guilds work, and the existence of dark guilds. Lucy herself took down a couple on her travels.

"You know," said Cynthia, noticing Lucy's eyes on the job, "it could be a real demon this time."

Lucy scoffed with a smile. "If it were a real demon, then a few towns and cities would be burned down already and the job would have a bigger reward."

Natsu joined in. "C'mon, Lucy. Would you pick us a job already?"

"Since when was there an 'us'?!" hissed Lucy.

"We are a team after all," said Natsu, "and we picked the last job."

"I don't mind being on a team with you." added Cynthia.

"Forget it, dragon boy." Lucy scoffed, "As far as I'm concerned, our team disbanded after the shtick you pulled on that last job."

"That's right." said Gray, "You should just join a different team than be with that jerk."

Lucy didn't know what came over her. Maybe it was because she considered herself the only one to give Natsu names. Or maybe it was the fact Gray forgot his clothes again. Whatever the reason, Lucy punched Gray into a few tables the next second.

"Fortunately," said Lucy, wiping her hand, "Natsu isn't the most annoying person I've met here."

"You just don't want anyone calling Natsu any names like that." noted Cynthia with a peculiar smile.

Lucy gasped at the statement. Her cheeks even went a little red. Then, Cynthia got an invite from Loke. More like being hit on. Cynthia was no stranger to guys like him, and all she did was use her Illusion magic.

"Beast of Tenrou."

A giant feline predator of the earth sprang to life before Loke at Cynthia's command. It wasn't real, but the real power of her magic was the fear she put into people's senses. That made Loke think twice. When he glanced at Lucy he suddenly shuddered up and left.

Suddenly, he came back barging through the doors of the guild and shouted, "I got some bad news. Erza's back."

The whole guild froze, and Lucy could see the fear in their eyes. She was shocked to find Natsu cowering in fear. Lucy turned to Cynthia for information, who was also shaking head-to-toe.

"Erza's the strongest woman in Fairy Tail." Cynthia informed, "Also known as Titannia, she a terror to the wizard underground. She's awesome as she is scary."

Lucy figured that Erza was S-Class then if she was so well-known and powerful. Unlike Cynthia, she was excited to meet her.

Heavy footsteps approached the hall. From the light of day revealed a woman with long, scarlet hair in armor carrying a horn multiple times bigger than herself with one hand.

'Definitely has the strong factor on her side.' thought Lucy, 'Could she be like me?'

Lucy sniffed the air for the distinct scent of a demon. Erza held no trace of the power that Lucy held. When Erza set down the horn, she started to boss everyone around on how to behave. She paused when she couldn't find Gray next to Natsu.

"Where is Gray Fullbuster?" Erza demanded.

"Over there." squeaked Happy, pointing to the hole in the wall.

Erza glared at Natsu. "Natsu, did you do this?"

"No way!" exclaimed Natsu in a panic, pointing to Lucy. "It was this gal."

Erza turned her overpowering glare upon Lucy. She could feel the weight of a giant from those eyes. Lucy had to admit Erza was pretty intimidating, but she's met many others in her travels like this. To the guild's shock, Lucy kept her cool easily.

"Do you have a reason for making a hole in the wall with Gray?" demanded Lucy.

"Think about it this way." Lucy answered, "Those two always fight and start a brawl in here. It makes sense to knock one of them out before they start a fight."

Erza smiled. "Good thinking."

"WHAT!?" cried the guild.

Erza glanced between Lucy and Cynthia. "You two are new members, aren't you?"

"That's correct." said Lucy, "I am Lucy Heartfilia."

"Would you mind showing what magic you use?" asked Erza, "It must be powerful to combat against Gray."

Lucy smirked like a demon. "Gladly."

Lucy's demon skin grew up her arm to transform half of her body in a crimson coat and the air around her became torrid. Her eyes flashed pink with a demon's glare that puts fear in the hearts of men. Some of the guild members shifted in their seats before Lucy.

Erza was taken by surprise. "I never knew that someone else shared the same magic of Natsu's."

"It's called Demon Slayer magic by the way." Lucy clarified, simmering down her power to a low heat.

"And what about you?" Erza asked Cynthia.

"I am Cynthia Vermillion." answered Cynthia, eager to impress, "I use Celestial and Illusion magic."

A squirrel crawled up to Erza's shoulder and nuzzled its face into her cheek. Erza picked it up gently and pet it with a finger. It disappeared into sparkles of light.

"That's my magic." said Cynthia.

"Wow, it felt so real." Erza complimented, "That's incredible magic. Now then I'll just get-"

"Where is the bitch that-" cried Gray as he crawled out of the hole, "Oh god, Erza's here!"

"Get over here, Gray." Erza demanded with a wrathful stare.

Once Lucy, Cynthia, Natsu, and Gray stood before Erza, she briefed, "On my travels, I heard something that has me worried. Normally, I would consult with the master before acting, but he's not here and this is a matter of utmost urgency. As far as I know, you four are the strongest wizards here. I could really use her help."

Lucy kinda liked this Erza. Commanding, yet compassionate. Erza might be the most sane person in the entire guild.

"Can I say something?" said Lucy.

Erza nodded. Lucy continued, "I get you're the intimidating type. Heck, most of the people here listen because of it. But you're not going to sway me around with fear. But I do respect you, so I'll respect any orders you'll give me. Are we good?"

Lucy reached out a hand. There was a long pause between them, and half of the guild expected Erza to put Lucy into the ground. To everyone's surprise, Erza graciously accepted and shook Lucy's hand.

"Nicely spoken, Lucy." said Erza with a smile, "I look forward fighting alongside you."

"DID THAT JUST HAPPEN!?" screamed the guild.

Cynthia's eyes sparkled when she looked at Lucy.

"Erza, Mira, who cares?!" squeaked Cynthia, "You're the coolest person I know, Lucy."

"An Illusion caster, a fire Dragon and Demon Slayer, an Ice Maker wizard, and Erza?!" gasped Mira, "This could be the most powerful team in Fairy Tail ever."


Tomorrow morning, Fairy Tail's most powerful team arrived at the train station. Once Erza was nowhere to be seen, Gray and Natsu started bickering once again. Cynthia sat on a bench to not get involved, but Lucy approached the pair. Mira did ask her to make them stop fighting or else Erza would beat the shit out of them. Lucy would prefer herself to the beating.

Gray was taken by surprise as Lucy smacked him to the ground. He got up and glared at Lucy.

"What the hell?" cried Gray.

"Why would think twice before starting a fight, alright?" Lucy snarled.

Natsu laughed, thinking he was free of punishment. However, Natsu got his turn with a swift knock on his head. A red bump was left on impact.

"There." said Lucy, "That should make things equal."

"As if you would hit Natsu any harder." commented Cynthia with raised eyebrows.

When Erza arrived, Lucy and Cynthia were shocked at the mountain of luggage she pulled by a cart. Instantly, Natsu and Gray started acting friendly. The creepy thing of it all was that this act turned Natsu into Happy with the whole, "Aye!," thing.

The ride was complete torture for the slayers. As Natsu slumped in his seat to try and hold in his lunch, Lucy convulsed from the pain of all the cramps through her body.

"On any vehicle, both of you are pathetic it seems." said Gray.

"Fuck - you." groaned Lucy.

Erza was familiar to Natsu's ailment, but she raised an eyebrow on Lucy's condition.

"What seems to be the problem with Lucy?" Erza asked Cynthia.

"Like Natsu, she can't handle being on a vehicle." Cynthia answered, "The moment a vehicle starts moving, all her muscles start to cramp up."

Even Erza winced at the thought of having cramps all over. At least she could take care of Natsu. As Erza brought Natsu close to her with an air of care, Lucy couldn't help but give Erza a demon's stare. To her surprise, Erza knocked Natsu out with a punch to the gut instead of whatever Lucy thought she was going to do. Cynthia noticed and knew exactly what Lucy was thinking. Erza could try knocking out Lucy herself, but she doubted that she could even come close to inflicting enough pain to overcome Lucy's cramps.

"Erza," said Gray, "I think it's about time you started filling us in."

"Of course." Erza explained, "I believe the dark guild Eisenwald is in possession of a powerful artifact called Lullabye."

Lucy suddenly became tense. Her demon powers flared up at the mention of Lullabye. The pain of her cramps didn't seem to faze her.

"Did you just say Lullabye?!" Lucy cried, "Tell me, did you mean that Lullabye?!"

"Y-Yes." said Erza, "What do you know about it?"

"Be glad I came along." said Lucy, "Ever heard of the Demons of Zeref?"

"The Demons of Zeref?" said Erza. Even Cynthia was at a loss. Gray simply turned an eye on Lucy, listening.

"This Lullabye," explained Lucy, "it is one of demons created by Zeref, the black wizard. They are powerful entities with vile natures and powerful magic. They want nothing but the destruction of humanity. I know that they are out there still out there, plotting our demise from the shadows." Lucy's fists tightened as her anger rose to a critical point. She could never forgive for what they did to her and what they took away. After Lucy found and killed every demon of Zeref's creation, she would end the black wizard.

"If this is true Lucy," said Erza, "then we are fortunate that it is in a sealed state. The ones who I overheard said that they were taking it to a man named Erigor, a ruthless man who's killed many for money."

Erigor. That name rang a few bells in Lucy and even Cynthia's memories. In the north of Ishgar where they raided bandit camps, they heard a few say the names of Erigor, but it was all fuzzy. Once they got to their destination, they would be storming Eisenwald in full force. Lucy was gladly ready to pulverize some bastards and anyone who carries Lullabye. However, if she was going in with a team, she should know her allies' abilities.

"What magic do you use, Erza?" Cynthia asked.

"Erza's magic is pretty." said Happy, "She makes her enemies bleed."

"To be honest," said Erza, turning to Gray, "I think Gray's is much more beautiful."

Lucy looked to Gray. He clasped his hands together and a cold mist was produced. Before her eyes, Gray made an ice sculpture of the Fairy Tail mark.

"It's an ice brand of Maker magic." said Gray.

"It's so pretty." squeaked Cynthia.

"That's good." said Lucy, "Now I know that I won't have to hold back for the sake of you two. I'm really fired up."

They arrived at Onibas Station. Lucy was ecstatic feeling her body relax finally and sprang off the train. However, there was one thing they left out as the train sped off into the distance.

"We left Natsu on the train." said Happy.

Lucy felt her legs turn to lead as she cried, "How could I have forgotten Natsu?"

"You seem awfully worried for Natsu, Lucy." commented Cynthia with a sneer.

"Shut up."

After they used the emergency brakes at the train station, they resorted using a magic-fueled vehicle to get to Natsu. Lucy tried to fight through the pain of her cramps for his sake. Her heart nearly stopped when Lucy saw Natsu jump out of the window of the moving train. Gray, who was on top of the hood, couldn't catch him.

"Fire Demon's Whip Lash."

Lucy summoned a whip of fire and swung it around Natsu's ankle. She lashed back with all her strength to pull him back. The pull had too much force in it, and both Natsu and Lucy fell out of the motor vehicle. When they came to, Natsu felt something soft over his face and his eyes were locked with Lucy's. Some charm took over them just to stare at each other.

"Aww, you two are so cute." cooed Cynthia. Lucy broke from her trance and went red when she realized her chest was over Natsu's face. She scrambled to her feet, shrugging away from Natsu to hide her face that was as red as her demon skin.

"Natsu, are you alright?" asked Erza.

"Yeah." said Natsu, "Some guy from Eisenwald attacked me."

"You fool!" exclaimed Erza, smacking Natsu to the ground, "That's exactly who we're looking for."

"This is the first time I've heard of this." said Natsu.

Yet again, Lucy's body moved on its own and she zipped between Natsu and Erza before she could bark on Natsu more.

"Could you just chill for a minute, Erza!?" cried Lucy, "Of course Natsu doesn't know. You knocked him out on the train, remember?"

Erza stopped speechless. She then remembered that she actually did knock out Natsu on the whole train ride.

"You're right!" said Erza, "How could I be so stupid? Please punish me for my stupidity?"

"Let's not get carried away." said Cynthia.

Happy flew by Lucy's shoulder with a mischievous smile.

"You liiiike him." teased Happy.

Lucy grabbed Happy by his throat and gave him a demon's eye.

"Shut," growled Lucy, "the - fuck - up, cat."

"By the way Natsu," asked Gray, "what was this guy like?"

"Not much," said Natsu, "but he did have this weird flute with him. It had a skull with three eyes."

"That must be Lullabye." exclaimed Erza.

"If it is," said Lucy, "then we gotta hurry. That flute is worse than death magic. Those maniacs could kill thousands."

They rallied back into the car (Natsu and Lucy grudgingly) and Erza powered it and sped off after the Eisenwald to stop whatever madness they had in store.


I'll be taking a break from Fairy Tail EX and work on this. Enjoy, and stick around for more.