~*****~
Once again, I wake up to the sound of someone eating chips in my bed. I grumble and flop onto my back to glare up at the pink hair in my vision. "Listen, if you're gonna crash here, you need to stop eating all my chips. I swear, I've restocked my pantry three times in the past day." I mention through a yawn.
Natsu laughed. "Yeah, then you should stop buying the good kind! 'Sides, you said I could help myself to anything, didn't you?"
I groan again. "I did, didn't I? Shit." I grumble again before sitting up and patting at my hair. "All right, new rule. If there's one bag left, leave it for me."
"You got it, buddy!" Natsu cheered. "Hurry up and get dressed, we gotta pick a new job soon, I'm runnin' out of food money!"
"If you're having trouble, I don't mind spotting you, you know." I mention as I grasp my overcoat and lug it over my shoulders.
"Speaking of which, why do you always offer to give me or Lucy money?" Natsu asks.
My brow raises and I tromp over to the large chest I have in my bedroom. "Take a look see." I mention as a small ring of ice magic lifts from the chests keyhole. The chest pops open, and mountains of gold and jewels spill out.
"What the-- Where'd you get all this?!" Natsu exclaimed as he dug his hands through it.
"Igneel didn't leave you any treasure?" I ask as I push my finger in my ear. "Everest made sure that if I were ever alone, I'd have enough money to live lavishly. Although, I don't really bother with it. Having Jewel is nice and all, but I'd rather earn wealth through life experience."
Natsu just stared at me. "Igneel sure raised me differently. Matter of fact, I never got nothing like this!"
I snort and begin to laugh before palming his hair. "Take some! Get yourself something to eat later on, it's no problem!"
Natsu shook his head and helped me pack it all back up. "No way, I gotta earn my own jewel! But at least promise me you'll treat Happy and I to a five course meal at one of those fancy restaurants in town!"
"Aye! One with lots of fish!" Happy cheers as he flies through the door.
I laugh again. "Sure, why not. Now get out, I gotta get some pants."
Natsu and Happy tromp out of my room with the bag of chips he'd temporarily forgotten.
~*****~
The talk of Jewel halted when we arrived at the guild hall. It was loud, and rowdy, but I did get a kick out of Wakaba hitting on Mira, even though he had a wife. Man, she could sure ruin the mood quickly.
"I guess we should probably find another job." Natsu mentioned, his head resting on the table as if he were peeved.
"Aye! You refused Aria's offer, so we're almost out of food money!" Happy mention.
"If we'd taken that two million jewel reward, we'd be sittin' pretty." Lucy added. "And I can't let myself forget that rent's gonna be due next week."
"Why not just buy the house?" I ask with a dismissive wave of my hand.
"Not everyone is blessed with a hoard of dragon treasure." Lucy murmured. She sighed again. "Guess I better find work, too."
I yawn tiredly. "Think anyone would mind if I dozed off here?" I ask.
Natsu shrugged. "I'll let you know if I find a decent job for us."
I wave him off. "Got it~" I chirp before leaning against the table.
Although, I'm listening to Mira talk about the connection of the government and the guilds, and just when she finishes, someone grabs my shoulders. "And then the guys in black show up!" Natsu sneers in a dark tone. My head snaps upwards with a terrified whine escaping my lips. "That was almost too easy!" Natsu says with a deep laugh.
"Natsu!" I complain. "I froze my hands to the table!"
"Seriously, the guys Natsu's talking about exist. They're the dark guilds. They've chosen not to join any of the leagues. They're the bad apples. Most of them are involved in magical crime." Mira explains.
I approach Natsu and Lucy with a stoic expression. Dark Guilds I'd heard of. I'd been taken by one once, in an attempt to get the location of my dragon hoard for a rich baron had heard about, and wanted for himself. "Would you just go and pick us a job already?" Natsu hums.
"You have got to be kidding me." Lucy grumbles. "What makes you think I'd wanna do that?"
"Well, we are a team now, aren't we?" I mention.
"Yeah, and we picked the job last time!" Happy exclaimed. "It's either you or Aria's turn, and we pick you!"
"Just forget it cat," Lucy snapped as I laughed. "As far as I'm concerned, our team has been disbanded. And besides, you guys didn't actually want me. You just need me last time because I'm a blonde."
"Oh, don't be ridiculous. That's not the only reason we chose you." Natsu mentioned. "We picked you 'cause you're so nice!"
Lucy grimaces as I nod with a hum. "Hey, Lucy, Aria. I wouldn't stick with those losers if I were you." Gray mentions from his spot next to Cana. "You'll get plenty of offers from other teams."
"Your clothes." I mention loudly.
"Jerk!" Natsu chirped as Gray glanced down at his body.
"Did you just call me a jerk, Dragon Boy?" Gray asked as he got in Natsu's face.
"And what if I did? What are you gonna do about it?" Natsu asked as angrily.
"You mouth breather!"
"At least I'm not a coward!"
I sigh heavily and pinch at the bridge of my nose. "You know, using terms like Dragon for an insult hits me, too." I mention dryly as I glare at the two.
"Why don't you join the team of love with me, you two? Later tonight, just the three of us?" Loke asks as he wraps an arm around my waist. Irritation sweeps through me as his hand scrapes over my bare belly.
"Hands off before I freeze them off." I snap angrily.
"Sorry, you two are just so stunningly gorgeous. I have to keep my shades on when I look at you, two. Or I'll be blinded by your dazzling beauty." Loke continued.
I grimace and shove myself partially in front of Lucy. "Back off, before I make you." I snap again.
"For real, what girl falls for this?" Lucy hummed.
Something catches his eye, and he backs up in terror. "You're not a Celestial Wizard, are you?!" Loke exclaims as he backs away.
"Yeah, she's got cows and crabs and stuff!" Happy exclaims.
Loke screamed. "Precious fate, why must you toy with me so!? I'm sorry, but you and I can't be together, my dear!" Loke exclaimed before taking off.
"What's his deal?" I ask irritably, still rubbing at the spot where he touched, as if it would wipe it away.
"Loke's got a bad history with Celestial Wizards. Rumor has it he dated one and it didn't end up very well." Mira explains.
"No surprise--" My throat constricts as someone plows into me.
"Aria! Are you okay?!" Lucy shouts as I gaze at the spinning ceiling.
"Get off." I mutter irritably as I gaze down at the pink haired wizard currently pressed into my bare stomach. "And stop being stupid. The both of you."
"Natsu started it, I'm just following through." Gray explained, as if that would save him.
"You were the one who was provoking me!" Natsu growled as he sat on my thighs. "You dirty slimeball!"
"Oh yeah?" Gray retorted. "What exactly did I do to provoke you? You fire clown!"
They began to argue again as Lucy helped me stand. I stomped forward, grasped both their ears and tugged downwards until they were both whining and groaning for me to let go. "I want the both of you to stop arguing right now, cause the insults are gettin' stale! You wanna act like clowns? Get some new material!"
The guild laughs at us for a moment, but it's effectively cut off as Loke barges in. "Bad news!" He bellows. "It's Erza-- she's on her way here."
Chaos breaks out in the guild. "Wow, just mention Erza, and the whole place freaks out." Lucy murmurs.
"Well, she is the strongest female wizard we've got in Fairy Tail, and more than a bit intimidating." Mira retorts casually.
What sounds like a giant stomping towards the guild, coupled with the clink of armor, I can only presume that it's Erza approaching. And from the sounds of the other members, I seem to be correct.
"Jeez, from these reactions, you'd think she was some kind of demon or something." Lucy whimpers as she clasps onto my arm. "I'm so scared!" She whines as she hides in my cloak.
A woman enters the guild, adorned in heavy looking armor on her top with a blue skirt fluttering against her thighs. And from the flaming red hair and intense gaze, I assume everyone's fears are justified. The magical prowess radiates off of this woman, there was no doubt in my mind she wasn't to be trifled with. If I were a normal person, that is, but I did love a challenge, no matter how big.
Erza set down a large, jeweled horn as if it were all too easy. "I have returned. Where is Master Makarov?" Erza questions in an authorative tone.
"Wow, she's pretty." Lucy hums.
Mira doesn't seem all bothered by Erza's appearance, but I would just chalk that up to the intense magical prowess in herself that she decides to hide away. "Welcome back, Erza. The master's at a conference right now."
"I see." Erza sighs.
"So, um... what's that humongous thing you got there?" An unnamed guild member questions.
"It's the horn of a monster that I defeated." Erza states calmly. "The locals were so thankful they decorated it, and gave it to me as a souvenir. Do you have a problem with it?"
"No, not at all!"
"I bet she's heard about what happened at Mount Hakobe." Cana mentions casually.
"You think so? Aw, man, I'm a goner." Macao whined.
"She's not anything like I imagined." Lucy murmured.
"I don't understand why you'd expect a freakish monster like those two mentioned." I say as I jut my thumb towards Natsu and Gray.
"Now listen up!" Erza starts fiercely. "While I was on the road, I heard a few things. Word is, Fairy Tail is causing nothing but trouble as of late. Master Makarov may not care, but I most certainly do." She turns towards the drinking woman. "Cana--" She nearly chokes on the barrel of wine. "You need to start controlling your drinking. Vijeeter, please take the dancing outside." Now, I'm starting to like her. This is hilarious. "Wakaba, get rid of that filthy habit. Nab, I suspected I would find you dawdling in front of the request board. Just pick a job!" She turns on Macao, calls his name, and just sighs.
"Please just say something!" Macao pleads.
"I don't even know where to begin with you. You caused so much trouble. I've almost given up."
"She's really tearing into everyone. It's like she's taking over." Lucy mentions.
"That's Erza for ya!" Happy chirped.
"Even if she is kinda bossy, she's still saner than anyone else here." Lucy hums. "I don't understand why everyone is so afraid of her."
"Are Natsu and Gray here?" Erza questions.
Happy chirps in response, and as I gaze over, I expect them to be at odds, but they look downright friendly. "Oh, hey there, Erza!" Gray exclaims. "We're just hanging out like good friends tend to do."
"Aye!" Natsu mimics Happy.
"Oh, shit--" I snort.
"That's great. I'm quite pleased to see the two of you getting along so well. However, it's only natural for even the best of friends to lock horns every now and again." Erza explains.
"I don't know if we're the best of friends," Gray mentions.
"Aye," Natsu says again.
"Seriously, what's gotten into Natsu!" Lucy whines.
I snort again. "Damn, Erza must've scared him good for him to have a wire freeze over like that."
Mira laughs. "Yeah, that's what happened! A few years ago, he challenged Erza to a fight and she beat him up pretty bad."
"That was a stupid thing to do." Lucy hums.
"After that, she found Gray walking around naked, so she decided to beat him up, too." Macao adds.
"And lets not forget she also beat up Loke for trying to hit on her." Cana laughs. "He totally deserved it, though."
I shrug. "Can't say I blame her."
"Natsu, Gray, I need you to do me a favor." Erza hums. "While traveling, I overheard 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. The two of you are the strongest wizards here. I could really use your help."
Everyone in the guild began to murmur amongst themselves. "Guess she doesn't ask for help often." I hum to myself.
"We'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning." Erza ordered.
"Erza, Natsu, and Gray working together?" Mira sighed. "I never saw that one coming! This could be the most powerful team Fairy Tail's ever seen."
I hum again before stretching upwards with a yawn. "Y'know what? Now that my team member is busy, I'm gonna go home for the day." I mention to Lucy. "Also, you didn't wanna be part of my team anymore. Gotta get some ice cream for that burn."
Lucy puffed up. "I wasn't-- I didn't mean to--"
I snicker and stroll out of the guild hall without another word.
~*****~
I hummed lightly as I sat on my patio, spoon deep in some ice cream. "You should probably eat less ice cream if you don't wanna get fat, Aria." I hear Happy mention from behind me. I let out a shriek and my ice cream solidifies.
"Seriously, Happy!" I exclaim as I lob the frozen pint onto the table. The spoon that sat inside is jutting up at a strange angle from the sudden freeze. "Wait, you're here-- that means Natsu's somewhere in my house..."
Natsu appeared in the door, arms full of different treats. "Your darn right I am!" He exclaimed. "I can't believe I gotta team up with that slime ball!"
My brow furrows as I watch him unwrap each treat as he eats. "Wow... what a travesty." I mention.
Natsu grumbles through one of my last melon breads. "I was hopin' we could get a cool job today, so I could at least get some money."
I huff and pat his head. "There's always next time. Besides, doesn't Erza want you and Gray up early tomorrow?"
Natsu grumbles again before snapping his gaze up to me. "Go with us!"
I hum irritably. "What?" I ask.
"Come with us! C'mon, please! I don't wanna be on a team with Gray all by myself!"
"You'll have Erza," I snort.
"That's not funny!" Natsu bellowed. "You're pretty strong, so I'm sure Erza would appreciate the help of a wizard like you!"
I feel a flush crawl up my neck. "L-Listen, you can't be complimenting me like that, I get flustered easily." I mention through a cough. "Fine, I'll go."
"Thanks, Aria!" Natsu cheered. "You're the best! Now can I crash here?"
I snort again and begin to laugh. "Go for it, fire face."
"Thanks, Ice Queen!" Natsu mocks.
"Don't call me that!" I hiss.
~*****~
Natsu was downright unhappy when we made it to the Magnolia Train Station. I couldn't blame him. Out of everyone in Fairy Tail, he seemed the least bit interested in Gray. Just as the usually naked boy joins us, Natsu lets out a roar of irritation. "I hate this! Teaming up with you was the worst idea ever!"
"Yeah, tell me about it. Erza made a huge mistake asking a loser like you to come along." Gray retorted in the same amount of irritation.
"Fine, then! Why don't you just take care of it yourself?" Natsu growled. "I don't want to go anyway!"
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Gray shot back. "Then I'll get to watch her beat you senseless!"
"Nothing to see here..." I murmur irritably as passerbyers stood and watched them argue.
I grasped at their ears again and tugged them down. "Stop arguing, you're making a scene!" I hiss irritably. "I can stand a lot of things, but I can't stand when people stare!"
"See? You're making Aria uncomfortable!" Gray hisses at Natsu, even as both of them are hunched over, grasping at my hands to stop the pressure against their ears.
"Me? If anything, it's you who makes her uncomfortable, you slime ball!" Natsu hisses back.
"Sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long?" I hear a familiar voice behind me.
"No, not really." Lucy mentions as I quickly have my arms around Natsu and Gray's shoulders with a harsh whisper to play along from the two of them.
"WHOA! LOOK AT THAT LUGGAGE!" Happy exclaimed.
"All those belong to you?!" Lucy asked.
"It's time to go, good buddies!" Gray exclaimed as the three of us danced.
"Aye!" Natsu chirps.
"Listen, one Happy's enough!" Lucy whined. "And you're killing her, stop!"
Which was true. I was frothing at the mouth from the embarrassment. "Good, I really love to see the two of you getting along." Erza hummed. "And to make a new friend while doing so? What were your names? I believe I saw you two at the guild yesterday." Erza asked as Gray and Natsu released me in turn for dancing around like they were buddies.
As soon as her back is turned, though, Gray and Natsu are already glaring at one another. "My name's Lucy."
"And I'm Aria." I hum as I scratch at the back of my head to stifle flush on my face. "We just joined Fairy Tail. Mira asked Lucy to come along to learn a thing or two, but I'm afraid I'm only here because Natsu wanted me to come." I explain. "I hope you're okay with that."
Erza just smiles. "The more the merrier. I'm Erza. Wait, you're the girls I heard about. I was told you two defeated a mercenary gorilla using only your pinky finger."
I snorted and began to laugh. "Yeah, you shoulda seem him!"
Lucy, however, was not amused by the rumor. "Then it'll be good to have a wizard like you two on board. Thanks for your help."
"Oh, no, it's my pleasure!" Lucy stammered as I laughed.
Gray and Natsu finally stopped glaring at one another to speak. "Hey, Erza," Natsu started. "I'll come with you, but only under one condition." Natsu states firmly.
"Shut up!" Gray hisses.
"Oh, well, then lets hear it." Erza hums as she gazes around at him.
"'Kay. I wanna rematch when we get back to Fairy Tail!" Natsu exclaimed.
"What's wrong with you? Got some kind of death wish?" Gray asked.
"I'm a lot stronger than I was last time." Natsu mentions. "This time will be way different! 'Cause I'm gonna beat you!"
Erza doesn't speak for a moment. "Yes, I can tell you've improved. As to whether or not you can beat me, I suppose we'll have to see. I accept your challenge."
"Oh, yeah!" Natsu roared, flames licking at his body. "I'm fired up!"
"Can I have a go, too?" I ask curiously.
Erza glanced over at me. "You wish to fight me, too?"
I nod with a hum as Gray panics and shakes his head as if that'll make me stop. "I've fought a lot of great wizards, but I'd never even heard of your name until I reached Fairy Tail. Rumor is you're the strongest. And I love a challenge. As to whether I'll win or not, well, fate will decide that."
Erza smiles. "Then I accept your challenge as well. But be warned, I won't hold back."
Mist floats around my hand as I clench it. "I'd hold it against you if you did."
Erza laughs and nods.
~*****~
Natsu had refused to take the potion I'd brought to help with the motion sickness, and remained buried in my thighs as I sat besides him. "I swear, you're totally pathetic, Natsu." Gray grumbles from the other side of me. "One minute, you're picking a fight, the next you're like this."
"At least he's fully clothed most of the time." I retort plainly. Gray quickly checks to see if his clothes are on before grunting irritably.
"It's gotta be tough on him. Getting from place to place." Lucy mentions.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine." Erza grunts. "Are you sure you don't want him to sit with me, Aria?"
Natsu's grip on my leg suddenly tightened, and I figured that meant no. I chucked. "It's no problem. I know how hard motion sickness can be, that's why I developed my own potions to combat the symptoms. Sadly, it tastes worse than a mouthful of salt. But I do know that having someone distract you while you're suffering helps a lot." To prove my point, I start playing with Natsu's hair and he falls asleep immediately. "Now, I think it's time you started filling us in." I mention when I rest my hands on Natsu's hair. "What kind of mission are we going on here?"
Erza smiled. "Of course. I have reason to believe the Dark Guild Eisenwald is planning something big."
"Eisenwald?" I hum in confusion. I'd destroyed their last hideout when I was taken. I'm surprised they rebuilt so quick.
Erza nods in response. "I'm not sure what exactly, but it has to do with a magic item called Lullaby."
It finally clicks in my head. "Oh, I remember now!" I exclaim as I plop my hand on my fist.
"You know of Lullaby?" Erza questioned.
I nod. "A while back, a group of wizards attacked us as we were coming home from a mission. Well, when we beat them, one of them mentioned something about a Lullaby, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why it sounded familiar." I cock my head and scratch at my temple.
"I see. So you've run into the Eisenwald guild before." Erza nods.
I shrug. "I don't know if they were actually with Eisenwald, since I destroyed their last base, but I wouldn't put it past them." I explain. "Sometimes Dragon's left their hoards to their heirs, and I happen to be one of them. Well, Eisenwald got wind of it through a baron they'd been doing jobs for." Erza quirks an eyebrow at me. "They kidnapped me for a number of days, but I'd busted out without giving up the location of it, and destroyed their guild base. But when I was there, I kept hearing mention of the item called Lullaby. They weren't close to finding it then."
"When was this?" Gray asked curiously.
I hum curiously while counting on my fingers. "About six months ago."
Erza hummed again. "I wonder if those wizards you fought had broken away from the guild, and didn't want part of whatever was coming..."
"So this thing is so bad it even scares dark wizards?" Gray asks.
"I'm only hypothesizing. But whoever you saw dragging off Happy's kidnappers that day must've been from Eisenwald. It's obvious that they didn't want their plans getting out." Erza hummed.
"What do you think they're gonna try?" Lucy asks.
"Let me start from the beginning..." Erza hums.
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