Hey folks. Just logged back onto this site on my laptop after a while. I can see y'all want more of "Ice Devil's Angel," which makes me happy to hear. However, to get back into the groove of things, I've been given a golden opportunity by none other than the famous GraLu author, LadySVI, to take on her story "Bride of the Ice God," which originally belongs to the author writer4everr.
The reason Lady-san abandoned it was because her idea of where it should've gone didn't match with the plot of what writer4everr had and decided to pass it on to me to publish. So, that's what I'll be doing for the next couple of months for you guys while I try to re-establish my ideas and outline with "Ice Devil's Angel."
Anyway! Hope everyone is doing well!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its character. I do not own this plot. This plot belongs to writer4everr.
Bride of the Ice God
Chapter Eight
SCORE!
8 8 8
So one might think... Lucy! You have the possible supernatural ability to summon/control celestial beings! How freaking awesome is that?! Go tell somebody and shove it in their faces and brag about it!
Well, Lucy did the exact opposite.
She went back to the palace with Gray and kept her lips sealed about the incident. The thing was, after experimenting in private a bit, she found she could only get herself to glow gold a bit before it shimmered or "powered out" because she really didn't know what to do or what to expect. She felt herself a little frightened about it as well. In reality, she had no idea what in the world was going on. Every time she tried summoning, she felt mentally and physically exhausted even though she summoned nothing at all.
No wonder the job was cut only for gods and goddesses. I'm only human, Lucy found herself bitterly thinking.
The blonde sighed lightly. She didn't want to worry anybody or place attention on herself, so she just let it pass. Besides, everyone was too preoccupied with their godly duties or the politics of the supernatural world to be worried about her.
It was after lunch the next afternoon, and the whole palace was buzzing around. Lucy, on the other hand, was moping around Gray's chambers. Well, she guessed it could be considered hers as well, but she was uncomfortable with the thought and what it implied. Everybody was busy with preparations, but here she was twiddling her thumbs. She fell back on the bed and closed her eyes in boredom.
"God, there's nothing to do..." she sighed in annoyance.
"Well then, maybe you could help me," Gray's voice spoke with the same amount of annoyance.
Lucy lazily opened one eye and saw Gray standing there. His expression was blank, and he had a pile of neatly folded clothes in his hand.
"Sure," Lucy said slowly, standing up. "To relieve this boredom, I'll even help you out. That's how desperate I am." She couldn't help the slight lace of sarcasm in her voice.
Gray glowered at her, but she just shrugged and took the clothes out of his hand. "What can I help you out with?" she prompted.
"You can take those to Lisanna. She should be in the East Annex."
"Oh right, let me just head over there." Lucy rolled her eyes acrimoniously. "You forget, Gray. I'm directionally challenged."
"Is there anything you can do?" he mocked.
Lucy smiled cheekily. "I can annoy you."
"Oh yeah, I'm sure you're an expert at that by now."
"You give me tons of opportunities to practice."
"..."
Lucy laughed quietly. "Well, you a- AHH!" She yelped when cold, ice water splashed on her face. She glared at the Ice God. "Cheater! You can't bring supernatural powers into witty banter!"
Gray chuckled and dropped a towel on top of her head. "We didn't establish any rules, did we?" He flashed her a devilish smirk that had her bristling.
Lucy wished she could've summoned that mermaid Aquarius right now to wipe that stupid smirk off his face. Her eyes narrowed, lips curling into a distasteful pout. "That's foul play."
"My apologies, Lady Heartfilia," Gray bowed, a slight upward tug on his lips.
Lucy smacked his arm. He knew that formalities annoyed her to no end.
"But really," Lucy said, getting back on track. "What can I do? I was so bored that I organized your kimonos."
Gray gave her a strange look. "You what?"
"And I color-coded all of them too," she added proudly.
"That's not something to be proud of," Gray said, raising his brows. "I only have blue kimonos."
Lucy deflated. "But you have different shades..."
Gray shook his head in disbelief. "You really are something," he muttered before giving a short, quiet laugh. "But you're right. I can't keep you cooped up in here." He mused to himself for a moment. "That reminds me actually... My mother wants me to meet some people - some gods and goddesses that came early for the banquet. You can greet them with me."
"But my hair's soaked. I probably look like a mess right now, no thanks to you," Lucy grumbled.
"You look fine to me," he shrugged. "Your hair is already drying. C'mon, they're not too important. Just say hi and smile."
"You really don't understand girls at all," Lucy frowned. "We can't just smile and think we look pretty. We need to get ready. As in change, do my hair, some makeup, etcetera!"
"You're right," Gray deadpanned. "I don't understand." He tugged on her arm. "Let's go."
Lucy protested feebly, but the Ice God's grip was strong, so she was just carried away. They came down the hallway to the very first floor where Lucy could see Mika and three other people standing there.
The first was a tall, thin pale man with round spectacles and curly ginger hair. He carried a sketchbook in one hand, and he wore an all-black kimono with a plain white obi. The second was a just as tall man but with a way more imposing build, and he was dressed in grey and silver robes with a black obi that matched his unruly raven locks. Due to the lighting in the room, Lucy was able to see the piercings studded throughout his face and ears, and his red eyes were intense but looked slightly annoyed by the girl beside him.
As for the girl, she blue hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, and her kimono matched. Lucy blinked, rubbing her eyes, thinking that they were playing tricks on her. The blue-haired girl's kimono seemed to move, such as the churning sea before a storm or the passive, calm waves that touched the shore. She wasn't completely sure which one, but whichever, she didn't care at the moment when she noticed how immediately and excitedly she perked up when Gray stepped into her vision.
"Ah," Mika smiled prettily at her. "You brought Lucy! How wonderful!"
The blue-haired girl frowned as she viewed her in contempt. "Juvia smells a mortal."
Lucy bit the inside of her cheek and made sure her face didn't react at all whatsoever but really wanted to roll her eyes into another dimension; however, instead opted for the single eyebrow raise because really? It wasn't even a full thirty seconds, and she was already annoyed by this goddess' presence.
"That may be because I am one," Lucy responded as airily as she could.
The intimidating man beside her grumbled, his voice deep and rough. "Sorry about her." He gestured to the blue woman - Juvia, apparently - who glared at him in return. "I'm Gajeel Redfox, God of Iron," he introduced. "You already met my wife, Levy, the other day."
"Ah, yes," Lucy smiled. "She is absolutely wonderful. Hopefully I get to see more of her?"
He gave her a crooked smile, seeming to like her. "I'll let her know."
"Allow me to introduce myself as well," the tall, thin ginger-haired man spoke. "My name is Reedus Jonah, God of Art." He smiled politely. "It's nice to finally meet you, Lady Lucy."
Lucy felt awkward but nodded in respect with a slight curtsy. "Likewise."
Juvia stepped up and battered her eyelashes at Gray. "Well, Juvia supposes she can introduce herself to Lucy."
The way the goddess spat out her name made her angry, especially without the title. Lucy wasn't one for formalities, but it was a clear sign of disrespect that she even noticed the rest of the gods present were not pleased. The blonde eyed Mika and noticed her tight expression. She was still smiling, but she was clearly not happy with Juvia's behavior.
"Lord Gray already knows Juvia intimately," she purred, shooting Lucy a smug smile like she was supposed to be jealous or something. "Juvia's full name is Juvia Lockser, Goddess of Water and the perfect match for Lord Gray." She gave Lucy a once over. "Juvia supposed it's nice to meet Lucy."
Mika ignored Juvia's introduction and wrapped a supportive and encouraging arm around Lucy's shoulders. "This is Lucy Heartfilia. She just came to us recently by fate." She smiled and announced, "Gray and her were bonded!"
Juvia's jaw dropped slightly, to Lucy's immense satisfaction, and she spluttered, "Wait, what? Juvia didn't think it was possible! She's a mortal!"
Gajeel grinned and slapped Gray on the back. "Glad to know you won't be spending the rest of your days withering away alone."
"Thanks," Gray responded dryly.
Juvia interjected with a snarl. "She's a mortal! She will age and die!"
"Yes, great way to put things," Lucy commented sarcastically, not able to hold the attitude back any longer.
Mika's eyes hardened at Juvia's harsh words. "Enough. There are ways to turn mortals. You know that Juvia. I know that you might be a tad bit upset, but it is joyous news for me to hear that my son has finally found his match."
Silence hung in the air at the finality and authority in the elder goddess' words. The tensions, however, didn't bother Lucy in the slightest because she was too busy thinking about Mika's words, about turning mortals, and whether the Goddess of Agriculture was already planning for her to turn.
A handmaiden came by with a tray of drinks and whispered into the Goddess of Agriculture's ear.
"I see. Thank you," she muttered and turned back to us. "My apologies, but it seems Reedus, Gajeel, and I have to depart for further complications in tonight's planning. It seems incompetence is contagious." She wrung her hands together and curtsied her leave to Juvia and the rest of us as an apology before leaving with Reedus and Gajeel at her heels.
The handmaiden placed the tray of drinks down before she flitted off.
It was only Juvia, Gray, and Lucy left there standing. Juvia was glaring at Lucy for existing, Lucy was glaring at Gray for making her come, and Gray just stared off into space trying to ignore the tension.
Juvia scoffed under her breath and grabbed a drink from the tray. "So Lucy, has Lord Gray told you about Juvia?"
The blonde's expression and voice remained passive. "No, actually he hasn't."
She snorted. "Maybe Lord Gray didn't want to hurt Lucy's feelings?" she suggested with a wink to Gray, who just grimaced.
"Juvia, stop it," he gritted out.
She swatted him playfully. "Oh c'mon Lord Gray, didn't you tell her about us?"
Lucy's rage was boiling as she continued to take the onslaught of "subtle" jabs. Juvia continued on, flirting one-sidedly with Gray and making light of the fact that I was a mortal.
"Has Lucy tried these delicious fruit cocktails? Juvia supposes you haven't seeing as the mortal world is just so primitive. I can't imagine living in such conditions–"
"What the hell is your problem?" Lucy cut in sharply, no longer able to take it.
Juvia looked over at me wide-eyed.
Gray put a hand on my shoulder. "Save it."
The blonde shrugged him off. "What's your problem?" she repeated, voice like ice, and utterly pissed off.
The Water Goddess had the audacity to feign an innocent look. "Juvia has no idea what you're talking about." Her eyes slid to Gray as she grabbed onto his arm. "Do you, Lord Gray?"
Lucy grit her teeth, deliberating whether she should rip this goddess' hair out or not. She clenched her fists, trying to calm herself. Ignore her, Lucy.
Juvia giggled. "Aw, the human is getting jealous!"
"Juvia..." Gray's tone was warning.
"Juvia and Lucy are just having some fun."
The Water Goddess stepped closer to her, a vicious smile on her lips. She leaned in to whisper in Lucy's ear. Gray stared at her warily and mouthed, "Ignore her." Lucy threw him a scathing glare because this goddess was now all up in her face and invading her space.
"What do you want?" Lucy asked evenly. She really wanted to shove this woman away, but she wanted to keep things civil. It was a meeting with influential gods and goddesses that she was not willing to disturb. She did not want to mess it up.
Juvia smiled sweetly, too sweetly. "Look, Lucy may think she has some kind of claim to Lord Gray just because she got lucky and bonded to him. But Lucy shouldn't think she is special now."
Gray looked ready to intervene, but Lucy shot him a look and motioned for him to stop. She wanted to hear what the rest of Juvia's crap.
"Go on," Lucy raised a brow.
Juvia's glare intensified. "Juvia really hate mortals," she spat. "And Juvia will personally make sure Lucy belongs to whatever sad village she came from. That is, if Lucy's parents want her back. What kind of parents would allow their child to be sacrificed?" She grinned maliciously. "If Lucy's parents didn't even want her, what makes Lucy think she is welcomed here?"
Rage filled Lucy. She remembered her mother's tears when her name was called. She remember her father's troubled gaze as she walked to the village shaman to be sent to the Ice God. Yes, her parents hadn't stepped in, but it was not there place to interfere with godly matter. Lucy knew that. She knew, but it still hurt. The words of the Water Goddess cut deep because what if she was right. Doubt filled the blonde, but she shook it off as it began to eat her from the inside. Lucy thought about walking away at that moment. She really did, but she didn't. Instead, she did the one thing she wanted to do more than anything in the world in that moment.
Lucy punched her square in the jaw, eliciting a satisfying shriek as Juvia fell backwards onto the floor. She held her jaw, whimpering in pain. Gray stood to the side, arms crossed and a small, crooked smile on his face, as if he couldn't have handled it better.
The blonde shot him a triumphant grin and walked away from Juvia.
Ohhhh yeahhh, score one for Lucy Heartfilia.
Hope this brings back some hope to some fans who thought this was gone forever. Sorry if it wasn't as good as Lady-san's own personal style to it, but I'll just get this out for you guys.
Have a nice day :)