Chapter Nine: Paper Cut

Lucy POV:

According to Horologium it was almost three o'clock when I finally got up off the floor and stretched out my tired muscles. I had been sitting in an awkward position for the last hour reading one of the several books Pauz had pointed out that he thought might be helpful. Crux had just finished memorising some of the tomes that dealt with previous spirit key location when I saw Pauz gesture upwards to the floors above.

"If you'd follow me I could show you the location of books that could help you with your other questions if you'd like."

Smiling at him and starting to follow, I quickly called back out Pyxis so he could track our route so I could find the different sections when I came back tomorrow. Walking next to Pauz I couldn't help but ask about his friendship with Gray.

"Pauz if you don't mind how did you and Gray actually met?"

Clutching his strange book closer to him I waited as he started speaking with a small sad smile on his face.

"When I was younger I was part of a dark guild that was rivals with Fairy Tail. I met Gray when my master set out a plan to destroy your guild. Gray and I became friends though neither of us at the time knew about our separate plans. It was only after I learned Gray was intent on joining Fairy Tail and why that I well that I had a change of heart. Thought not before I almost got Gray and I killed."

I wasn't actually that surprised at the story, I had noticed over the years that half our enemies ended up becoming our friends after a fashion: Leon, Gajeel, Jellal, the Oración Seis members, heck even the Great Black Wizard Zeref was technically now a member of Fairy Tail. If it came too it I think we could even probably convince the god Ankchosa to join up if he ever decided to pick a fight with us. Fairy Tail just seemed to draw in lost souls and give them the home they were looking for. Smiling over at Pauz as we walked I couldn't help but laugh.

"It makes me happy to know that Fairy Tail has always been like that; a place for kids to find a home when they need it. I remember the first time I walked through the doors, it was so lively and chaotic, I just couldn't imagine…"

Acting on instinct having been warned in the nick of time I jumped back and screamed out to Pauz.

"Watch out!"

Suddenly several knifes appeared where we had been standing impaling the floor and announcing the mages arrival. Looking where the attack had come from I spotted five heavily armed men stood at the edge of the library staircase. Each man seemed to be dressed similar in a dark blue cloak with some kind of mask covering their face. Knowing a fight when I saw one I quickly sent back Pyxis and Crux and quietly and in stealth mode silently called out Scutum to buy me a little time to think. Staying behind the invisible barrier created by the shield spirit as it offered some protection for Pauz and me, I quickly formulated a plan as several more knifes bounced off the shield harmlessly. Grabbing the two keys I needed it was a double gold summoning this time.

"Aries Leo I need you, come on out."

Even before the light faded I placed the White Ram Aries' key against my chest and pushed forth my power. I had learn the concentration counted not the words so didn't even bother to speak out loud as I called forth the star dress to match Aries and got ready for battle.

"Princess your prince has come."

I ignored Loke's comment and had just dismissed Scutum back to the spirit world to save power for the battle when dozens of sheets of paper suddenly started flying through the air passed me and attacked the five men by the stairs. A quick glance at Pauz assured me that my new friend could take care of himself as the paper tornado seemed to move to his bidding. I really should have made the connection that Pauz was a mage considering he had been in a dark guild. I guess my mind had been elsewhere. Focusing back into the fight I knew I had to be mindful of the delicate nature of my surrounding as I suddenly had awful flashbacks of the look on master's face every time team Natsu got back from a mission.

"Aries quickly give me a wool wall surrounding the bookshelves in this area. Loke take the guy on the left and keep him away from the books as much as you can."

"I'm sorry Lucy-sama I'll try."

Smiling at Aries to show I believed in her, I knew I didn't need to worry about Loke as I knew he could handle himself easily. Focusing on my opponents I blocked out Loke's shouts of Regulus Impact and readied my Fleuve d'etoiles. Telling Aries to wait for my signal telepathically I suddenly shot my whip forward grabbing one of the men before he could move closer with his sword. As the other one raced forward with what looked like twin daggers at the ready I jerked his friend and literally threw him into his rushing comrade.

"Now!"

Aries wool bombs went off right on time scorching the men and the surrounding area. I couldn't help but think I was lucky I had asked her to place the wool walls in advance. Not wanting to let her do all the work just for good measure I followed up her attack with my own Aries star dress Hamal attack which squished the intruders flat under a slab of concentrated heavy wool. Risking a quick glance at Leo I saw he was busy duelling with the other mage and seemed to be holding his own. Not wanting to get in his way as I knew his pride would be hurt especially in front of Aries I let him take care of it as I turned and checked on Pauz. Before I'd even finished turning I saw the two other men were on the floor unconscious covered in paper fragments. Impressed with the damage done I saw all the men were now out for the count. As my clothes returned to normal, I smiled in thanks at both Aries and Leo.

"Aries you were brilliant, those bombs went off right when I needed them. Thank you for all your help I couldn't have done it without you"

Blushing and stammering, Aries departed with her customary 'I'm sorry' leaving me to deal with Leo and his ever annoying flirting. Forcing his gate closed before he could get even a word out about his undying love as I had heard it all before I turned just in time to hear Pauz make a comment as he pulled out a mini communication lacrima from his pocket.

"You know I'm pleasantly surprised at such minute damage seeing as how destruction and Fairy Tail wizards usually go together. Oh well now let us see first Edmond, Edmond can you hear me, good I need you to send the Rune Knight to section twenty-six stairwell G we were attack by intruders. We'll secure them while we wait though please tell them to hurry."

Looking round I was a shocked myself at the little damage that had been caused by the short fight; in fact other than the light scorch marks on the floor from Aries' bombs most of the burn marks and sliced texts were mainly Pauz and the thugs' responsibility. I couldn't help feel slight pride at my self-restraint but I also felt a little annoyed as well; if my team could show half of this type of control then maybe we wouldn't always lose my rent money every mission. Shaking off that depressive thought, I figured I might as well help Pauz tie up the men while we waited for the Rune Knights to show up. It actually felt kind of strange to wait for them to come instead of making a run for it and hoping they didn't find me. You know you should change your life when being seen by the authorities as an innocent party is a novel concept.

Seeing that one of the men was starting to come round I quickly finished tying him up with one of the stairwell rope banisters Pauz had handed me. I was just about finished when I had an idea. Though it wasn't really my area of expertise I realised that I could do with some information. Now normally this would be where Erza stepped in and threaten them with a sword, or where Natsu appeared and lit his hand on fire and grinned evilly. Making do with what I had I steeled myself and grabbed the slowly waking up mage by his collar and shook him.

"Hey idiot, why the hell did you people attack us?"

Not getting any answer other than a weak glare I quickly thought, I didn't have long till the Rune Knights got there so I was going to have to improvise. Grabbing my whip I wrapped it around his neck and squeezed. Seeing him pale and started choking I waited a few seconds then loosened it up.

"I asked you a question and unless you want me to hang you from the rafter until you turn blue I suggest you make with the answers."

I seriously couldn't believe what I was saying though by the look on his face it seemed to have worked.

"Rowena, Rowena paid us."

Before I could get any more I heard the sound of several stomping boots coming from the staircase. Letting go I quickly back away as I watched the Rune Knights finally show up. I guess I would just have to hope that the name I extracted would be helpful: Rowena who the heck is that. I couldn't help but sigh quietly, apparently there was someone else looking for either the staff or the key typical why was my life never easy. Not knowing which it was I could only watch as a couple of the Knights started to cart the men away after one of the magic knights waved some kind of wand in their faces. I was about to move further away when what I assumed was the head knight surprised me by stopping and handing me a slip of paper. Glancing at it as he disappeared with the rest of them down the stairs I saw that he had given me some kind of receipt. Showing it to Pauz in bewilderment I waited as he spoke.

"Oh that's a bounty receipt, it seems that one or more of the men had a price on his head and that paper is proof to show that you can claim the reward."

As Pauz resumed our trek through the library back towards the next section I couldn't help but be bemused. This would be the first time that I had gotten paid for being attacked, heck normally Fairy Tail wizards just fought because the bad guys deserved it; most of the time we ended up getting billed for the damages particularly Team Natsu. Shaking off the thoughts especially about my old team I quickly followed Pauz further into the library's cavernous depths towards where I assumed he thought possible information on the Mashima people and the Staff of Shonen would be. Seeing the vast stores of books in front of me I knew that this was going to be a long few days as I once more took out Pyxis and Crux's keys ready to get back to work.