I don't own anything.
Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Erza and even Juvia arrived at Akane Beach. It didn't take long for them to start doing their own thing under the sun. Natsu put a towel on the beach before laying down on said towel. As he enjoyed the warmth of the sun's rays. Lucy enacted to go swimming while Erza proceed to surf. Juvia and Gray were playing volleyball. Everyone would unwind in their own way. Erza walk over to Natsu as she saw how at ease he was despite everything. Though seeing Natsu not covered in clothing allowed Erza to see what he looked like underneath the clothes. The female's face slightly heating up before she fought the urge down. No, no, Natsu is a great comrade. No need to think of him in that way. Erza failed to snuff out any growing attraction towards Natsu.
'Don't think about it!' Erza thought.
Erza took in a deep breath as she slapped her face with one free hand. As the other one was holding the surf board that she had brought on the trip. Natsu knowing Erza was next to him due to his heightened sense finally looked at the woman. After hearing her slap herself.
"What's up?" Natsu asked.
He watch as Erza completely stiffen the female became a bit more red in face. Did Natsu just catch Erza checking him out? The male raised a brow because clearly he must have been seeing things. The Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail was checking him out? Natsu blinked but when he open his eyes again. He saw that Erza was as composed as ever.
'Yep I was seeing shit.' Natsu thought.
Erza got herself under control by the time Natsu had blinked at her. It would be a unintentionally win for her because she did not need to be caught eyeing Natsu by anyone.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to surf." Erza answered.
Him? Surfing? He could try it.
"You'll have to teach me because I have no idea what I'm doing." Natsu said.
Which Erza did her best to teach Natsu but being a beginner surfer made it to where Natsu washed out alot. Erza would be laughing at his expense. Natsu seeing this walk over to Erza.
"Ha, ha very funny." Natsu dryly commented.
Erza took in a gulf of fresh air.
"Sorry, sorry co-"
Natsu got his revenge by pushing Erza into the water. Erza found herself in the water before coming back up. The female standing tall with water dripping from her hair. Her eyebrow twitched while Natsu was grinning at her. The nerve of him!
"Now we are even." Natsu stated.
"Like hell we are!" Erza roared.
Erza tried to push him into the water but Natsu resisted as he was clearly stronger than her. Erza couldn't get him to budge and Natsu began to cackle.
"Nice try Scarl-"
Erza back away as she used her surfboard to send water flying into Natsu's face. Natsu stopped laughing as he glared at Erza. The female giving him a smug expression.
"Now we are even." Erza proudly proclaimed.
To Natsu they were in fact not even and soon people on the beach watch Erza and Natsu would go at it without restraint. Despite the water war the pair were enjoying themselves. Everyone would have a wonderful time until the evening sun began to show and that's when they would move back to the hotel resort. Erza would be by herself on a chair that was located on the balcony of the room that everyone shared. She had her eyes close with a smile on her face. Erza remembered the volleyball match that her and Lucy had won.
'It was a enjoyable day. A very enjoyable one.' Erza thought.
The female guard lowered as she drifted off to sleep. She began to dream about watching people in rags being whipped as a man yelled at them to go faster. She could hear the lowering of equipment down to the bottom floor. Erza felt the impact of bricks against her body. She remember the guard ready to strike her with his whip.
'Erza freedom does not exist in this world!'
Erza woke up with a fright as she sat upright in a instant. Erza looked at her arms and hands as they were covered in a cold sweat.
'A dream?' Erza thought.
Erza look up to see the night sky. Yes, Erza just had a nightmare. Erza got up from her seat before maneuvering to go into the room. It became evident it was used due to a notecard being placed on the table. She picked it up to see what was on said card.
I made you dinner with it being in the fridge for safe keeping. Natsu.
She should thank him for doing something so sweet for her. Erza notice something else on the card. Apparently, Lucy found the note and wrote something on said note.
When are you two going out huh?
Erza felt a vein sprouting on her head. The answer was never and her mood went from pleased to bitter. She let out a exasperated breath. Erza put the note back onto the table before looking to the window. Erza got closer to them as she could see her own reflection. The female admiring her beauty but couldn't grow a smile. The female felt so vulnerable. She would requip into her standard outfit. The woman felt more comfortable, more secure, and more safe in her suit of armor.
"It's true, I feel more at ease in my armor. I guess there's no help for a woman like me." Erza said.
The door to their room would open as Erza face the door to see who would come into said room. It would be Lucy.
"Your awake Erza!" Lucy happily stated.
Erza sent Lucy a cold look that made the younger female freeze.
"Lucy. Do not ever tease me about being with Natsu ever again." Erza warned.
Lucy gulped before replying.
"Yes ma'am, it won't happen again." Lucy spoke.
Erza relax not by growing a smile but by getting rid of the cold look in her eyes. Lucy seeing Erza let the matter go had breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Why did you come back here?" Erza asked.
Lucy's excitement came back in full swing.
"They have a casino in the basement! You want to try it out!?" Lucy asked.
"I can't say I ever enjoyed gambling." Erza answered.
"Gray and Juvia are already down there." Lucy spoke.
Erza raised a brow.
"What about Natsu?" Erza asked.
Lucy sweat drop.
"He's too good with cards and got kicked out from the room about a hour ago. They let him stay only because he didn't take the earnings." Lucy explained.
Natsu? She shouldn't be surprised considering his earlier exploits and he did break into her meeting with the Magic Council.
"Aside from cards what else can one do?" Erza asked.
Lucy watch as Erza requip into a very form fitting dress that showed off all of Erza's more...appealing nature.
"You know, you can dress more casually."
Lucy was planning to go in with the baggy t shirt that she was currently wearing.
"Once I decide to go, I'm not going half baked." Erza stated.
'Erza's style no doubt.' Lucy thought.
"Follow me!" Lucy declared.
Natsu stood outside behind the building. He had a lacrima in one hand as he made his report to Hades.
"Natsu, you're near a area of importance. The Tower of Heaven to be exact nor normally we would take it under our control. However, the council is already onto us thanks to Jellal Fernandez's actions. I need you to eliminate Jellal and to destroy the tower to erase any trace of our involvement. This must be done right now." Hades spoke.
"It will be done." Natsu said.
"Good. Ultear will take care of everything within the Magic Council." Hades spoke.
The communication ended as Natsu put the lacrima into his pocket. He should return to the party before saying a private matter had came up that he had to attend too.
Gray was at a bar sitting on one of the many stools at the location. A drink in one hand as he downed it in one go. This was the life!
"Ah, Gray!"
Gray turn his head to see Juvia in a dress and he instantly blushed at seeing her in such a outfit. She looked great in that dress. It didn't help that the dress help to enhance her assets.
'Out the gutter! Out of the gutter!' Gray thought.
They were already having a wonderful time. He did not need to ruin it by seemingly being a creep. Juvia sat down next to him.
"Do you think Juvia will be able to join Fairy Tail?" Juvia asked.
"I don't know but if we got Erza to stand down. I'm sure you have a shot." Gray answered.
Juvia grew a smile only to have someone backhand her off of the stool. The female hitting the ground in a daze. Gray immediately got up to face the person that attacked Juvia. He didn't wait to send out a orb of ice at the attacker and it landed as the man hit the ground hard.
"You prick!" Gray yelled.
The attacker got up while dusting himself off as if to say that Gray's attack didn't even faze him.
"You must be Gray Fullbuster. If you don't mind, tell me where Erza is."
"As if I'd tell you." Gray stated.
Erza and Lucy were enjoying what the Casino had to offer despite Erza not doing so well with cards. The pair were in a separate room from Gray and Juvia. As a result, they along with the other guests weren't privvy on what was happening with Gray. The atmosphere was vibrant unlike in the bar area. Erza lost another round.
"Better luck next time?" Lucy offered.
Erza could not stand to lose! She must get her money back! Erza looked at the smiling dealer. That weasel! She'd get her revenge.
"Another round!" Erza voice boomed with rage.
"New Dealer." Someone said.
Erza watch as the house dealer would be replaced with a entirely new one. Erza found that this dealer was strangely familiar. She watch him shuffle the deck of cards in his hands. The Dealer gave Erza five cards with each card being given to her in the face up position.
"In this round we won't be betting a few coins or some small time money." The Dealer said.
Erza saw the letter on each card and it spelled out, "Death."
"Let's gamble our lives big sister Erza."
Erza's eyes widen at realizing who this person is and at realizing this person. She began to sweat as her eyes showed shock.
"Shô..." Erza breathed out.
Lucy looked back and forth the between pair.
"Long time no see big sis." Shô told Erza.
Erza face fell into that of relief.
"So you are alright..." Erza said.
Shô look unimpressed.
"Okay?" He asked.
Erza had seen her mistake. Her face fell as she tried to salvage the situation.
"No I mean..."
Shô gave Erza a nasty grin. The female losing her words as she was overcome with too much grief to talk.
"You mean what?" Shô asked.
The person that had attacked Juvia put two fingers against his head as he telepathy spoke with someone.
"So you found her? Good I'll just have to do some clean up." The Attacker spoke.
The entire Casino went dark as every light would be turned off. Gray couldn't see anything.
"What the hell is this?" Gray asked.
"It's magic of The Dark Lineage. The Black Moment." The Attacker spoke from behind Gray.
Gray would be attacked with a spell.
"What's with all the darkness!?" Lucy asked.
"Something is wrong..." Erza commented.
The lights slowly turned back on as the lights would now reveal that Shô was not in the same spot as last time.
"Shô...?" Erza asked.
"Over here big sis." Shô said.
The pair turned around as they left their seats. Lucy and Erza would now face Shô as they saw him standing a few feet in front of them. The male dropping a bunch of cards on the ground. Lucy saw the cards on the floor as they looked strange. She looked up to see that the once filled room was now empty. Lucy look back to the cards as she was hit with a wave of realization.
"Those people are now trapped in those cards!" Lucy shouted.
Erza could hear the pleas of helpless people coming from the cards that they were trapped in and she looked at Shô with shock. Shô on his part only grew a smile.
"Why the face? After all I learned how to use magic. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise." Shô stated.
"But...how...?" Erza asked.
"Nyaa!" Someone came into the conversation.
Lucy found herself being restrained with cat like rope. Her wrists and her neck would be under restraints as she was yanked backwards.
'What the!?' Lucy thought.
They tightened around her wrists and neck like a vice. As she found her wrists bond together. The female felt a hand grab a hold of her arm.
"Lucy!" Erza yelled.
Lucy saw a cat like female that had in all likelihood restrained her. Lucy tried fighting back but the rope around her neck tightened as it began to choke her.
"Bad kitty! We can't be having any of that!" The cat lady spoke.
"Milliana!? What are you doing!? Lucy is a friend of mine!" Erza stated.
Milliana tilted her head to the side while putting a finger to her chin.
"Friend?" Milliana asked.
"But we were your friends, weren't we big sis?" Shô asked.
Lucy found herself able to breath albeit barely.
'They're her old friends!?' Lucy thought.
Erza found herself caught in a bad position as she was reminded at what she did.
"That is...true." Erza weakly said.
"That is until you betrayed us."
Erza had to look away as she was left completely vulnerable in the open. She hated feeling that way but that's how she felt.
"Her!? Betrayal? You're downright delusional."
Everyone looked at the voice that entered the conversation. It would be none other than Natsu with someone over his shoulder. Natsu threw the person in the middle of everyone. As they got a good look at the man. He was unconscious.
"Natsu." Lucy got out.
Lucy was happy that Natsu was here. They could definitely turn things around now.
"Natsu!" Erza shouted.
"Wally!" Milliana yelled.
Erza look over to see Shô quickly retrieving the unconscious male. He would glare at Natsu.
"I don't know who you jokers are but this circus is coming to a end." Natsu stated.
The lights went out again as it became pitch black.
"Crap! Cover Erza!"
Lucy and Erza covered their eyes while Natsu bathed the dark room in bright light. As Shô and Milliana had their vision become blinded from the bright light.
"Ack!" Milliana yelled.
"Shit!" Shô exclaimed.
There would be a loud crashing sound but because everyone was blinded by the light. They couldn't see it. It took a good half a minute before anyone could see what the hell had happened. At this point, the hotel's lights were restored and this allowed Erza to see someone right next to Wally. The man slowly getting up.
"You think I'm scared of a little dark? You must be a fool." Natsu said.
"Simon!? You too!" Erza yelled.
This new person that had tried to attack Natsu is known as Simon. The man sparing Erza a glance before putting his attention back on Natsu.
"Safe to say, you're stronger than all us here." Simon spoke.
"I'm not letting you take Erza to The Tower of Haven." Natsu spat.
"But you'll have no choice but to let us take Erza back or do you want all of the hostages to die?" Shô asked.
Natsu saw all of the cards. If he knew about enchantment magic. He could have gotten all if the people out of the cards but that was far beyond his skill level.
'They clearly had this planned.' Natsu thought.
"Erza who are these people!? Why did he call you his sister!?" Lucy yelled.
Shô and Millianna went to Simon's side. Natsu knew better than to outright attack them. He wasn't going to get these people killed but these goons were seriously pissing him off.
"We were once closed friends with Erza." Simon said.
"Considering how lousy you guys are now. There's a good reason that she broke ties with you." Natsu nonchalantly stated.
"Natsu! Don't talk about them like that!" Erza spoke.
Natsu looked at Erza. The female sweating, hands in a fist, fists at her side, guilt in her eyes. Hell, Erza looked away from him. He hadn't seen Erza in this state ever. What the hell was going on with her? Natsu looked back at the trio.
"Hmmm from where I'm standing, they think you betrayed them. It's funny because that's unbelievable." Natsu stated.
"It's true, she betrayed us and we have now came to get her back!" Shô stated.
"Do the right thing Er-chan unless you want everyone here but Natsu die?" Milliana asked.
Erza and Natsu were put in a tough position. Lucy was held hostage, everyone in the room was held hostage, Gray and Juvia were MIA.
"I'll...I'll go back." Erza stated.
"Oh, thank you so much! Jellal will be so pleased to hear the news that you're willing going back to The Tower of Heaven!" Shô spoke.
It was simple and easy after that as the group got that they wanted before leaving with Erza. Lucy could feel the murderous intent coming from Natsu. She began to nervously sweat.
"Natsu...we'll get her back." Lucy said.
Natsu walked over to the down Lucy before physically breaking the bindings that held Lucy in place. He got up as he showed his back to her.
"Where's Gray and Juvia?" Natsu asked.
"I know Gray went to the bar." Lucy answered.
Natsu walked away without a word of thanks. Lucy could tell that Natsu was not only angry but highly upset.
'I should have been able to do more!' Lucy thought.
Surprise attack or not, she had been useless in helping the situation. Yet despite the defeat. She knew nothing would get done. Lucy would have to take action.
"Don't worry Erza, I promise I won't let you down again." Lucy said.
She chased after Natsu.