~*****~
I groan loudly as I rub at my head from being socked in the face by yet another attack from the cat machine. It gives a gleeful laugh. "Whoops! Silly me! I was having such a good time playing with you, I completely forgot about my mission! Gotta run!"
"Hey!" Natsu exclaimed. "You can't just punch Aria in the face and run off! Someone's gotta pay!"
I rub at my swelling cheek and grimace. "So not the time to be chivalrous." I mention irritably.
We all flinch as the church we'd been sent to protect explodes almost immediately. "Dammit!" Natsu barks.
"Why's he attacking the church?" Lucy asked.
"This is reprehensible!" Byro suddenly shouts as he runs after the cat machine. "Curse you!" He leaps up to attack.
"Quit your blabbin' and come fight me!" Natsu bellows as the cat machine tells Byro to follow out his orders. The two of us run up on him, ready to strike.
"Okay! Wow!" The machine cheers. "Another Lightning Bolt Bonus-- what the--"
"DON'T GET DISTRACTED!" I shout as I slam my heel into the creatures face.
"How did you hit me?!" The cat machine cries.
"You will suffer the consequences for this sinful destruction!" Byro snaps
"Fire Dragon Talon!" Natsu shouts.
"Ice Dragon Wing Attack!" I bark.
The machine starts patting at its chest. "What have you done to me?! Now I can't use my slot magic! I don't even know who I am without it! You're gonna give me an identity crisis!"
"I knew we'd get a hit in eventually!" Natsu smirks. "But that was nothin' compared to this! You ready, Aria?!"
"Oh, hell yeah!" I shout excitedly.
"Double Dragon Combo! Wing Attack!" We shout. "Double Dragon Breath Attack! Steam Roar!" The air hisses violently as our attacks blast the machine one after the other.
The two of us flinch at the strange-- and overwhelming scent-- suddenly invading the air. "Aw, man, now what?!" Natsu barked.
"God, it reeks!" I growl, my hands cupping my face.
"It would appear that the Infinity Clock has been activated." Byro hummed.
"Oh, no!" Lucy gasped. "We've gotta find a way to stop it!"
"I'm afraid I cannot help you with that." Byro said softly. "I've been ordered to take you to the Cardinal, Lucy Heartfilia."
"What?!" I snap through my hands.
"Why now all of a sudden?!" Lucy asks. "What could he possibly want with me?!"
"I don't quite understand it, either," Byro retorts. "But it's my duty to follow orders, so please, cooperate."
"You're not takin' her anywhere, got it?!" Natsu bellowed.
"I couldn't care less about your orders!" Lucy shouted angrily. "Look at that thing in the sky! We can't waste any time! I know you're just trying to do the right thing, but deep down, you've gotta know that's not it!"
"No, I don't." Byro stated.
"Byro." A strangely familiar voice echoes out. "You're only making this harder on yourself by thinking." We stare at the cat machine in shock as the zipper on it's face slowly slides down. "Why are you hesitating? Simply remain faithful to the doctrine and carry out your orders!" The stupid staff of the original Oracion Seis pops out of the machine's head.
"Not you again!" I exclaim loudly.
"That creepy talkin' stick!" Natsu gasps.
"My name is Klodoa," He reminds us. "I am the seventh member of the Oracion Seis. Otherwise known as the brains of the operation. You remember, dontcha?"
"I remember an annoying talkin' stick," I mention irritably. "And the name means six! Besides, the team only has six now, including you! How're you the seventh?"
"There's no need to hide the truth any longer. The time has come to reveal yourself!" Klodoa exclaims. "Shed that disguise you've been hiding behind and show these friends of yours who you really are!"
"Who, Michelle?" Lucy wondered. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! If you're trying to confuse me, it's not gonna work this time, stick man! That girl is Michelle Lobster! And she's like family! She's my sis! She traveled all over to find me and give me dad's memento. She's all the family I've got now that he's gone." Lucy rushes to Michelle and grasps her hands. "Don't worry, I won't fall for his tricks! I know better than to believe anything that creep has to say!" My stomach twists as Michelle doesn't answer. She tilts her head away, a strange look across her face. "Hey, what's wrong? Michelle? Please tell me it's not true. Please!"
"Careful," Natsu warns as we approach.
Michelle pushes Lucy away, tears running down her face. "I'm sorry I hurt you, Big Sister." Michelle hums. Strange magic wafts off of her, enveloping her in a bright, pinkish glow. When it clears, Michelle is no longer there. Instead, a strange looking woman stands there, dressed in dark green plants.
"Why... Michelle?" Lucy whimpers.
"You see?" The woman hums. "I truly am a member of the Neo-Oracion Seis. The Mistress of Deception. They call me Imitatia. We needed you and your friends to gather the parts of the Infinity Clock and assemble it for us. That's why I took the form of Michelle Lobster. It was the only way I could earn your trust."
"H-How could you be so cruel?" Lucy stammered as I grasped her arm tightly. "I treated you like family..."
"We're willing to do whatever it takes to emerge victorious. We attacked the churches in order to sever all known body links." Imitatia explains. "There by releasing the seal on the Infinity Clock. Now that that goal has been achieved. You are the only one who is still needed. Big Sister Lucy."
"What's gotten into you?" Lucy stammers. "Wait, I know! They must be controlling you with a spell! Don't worry, I'll help you!" She tries to move forward, roughly shaking off my arm.
"Lucy, no!" I snap as I regrasp her arm and tug her back.
"So you were lying to us the whole time, Michelle?!" Natsu growled.
"That's not my name," Imitatia hums, clutching her fist tight as it forms a shield.
"Answer me!" Natsu bellows.
"No, stop!" Lucy cries.
Just as it makes contact, he's blown away almost violently. "A critical hit, right off the bat! That's my girl!" Klodoa exclaims.
"Byro," Imitatia hums. "Don't tell me you've forgotten the orders Lapointe gave you? Take Lucy Heartfilia back to him at once."
I crowd Lucy behind me, staring wildly at both of them. "You are in no position to tell me what to do!" Byro snaps. "My loyalty lies with the church of Zentopia!" Imitatia callously throws a golden trinket at his face. "That belongs to the archbishop!" Byro exclaims.
"Whoever holds his gold seal wields the same authority as the archbishop himself." Klodoa hums.
"From this point forward, my orders and the archbishops are one and the same." Imitatia hums.
Byro kneels. "Very well. As you wish."
"Lucy--" I say urgently. "When I say run, I want you to run and don't look back."
"I can't leave you!" She hisses at me.
"It won't matter in the slightest if you do run," Imitatia retorts. "I plan on taking you both. I have a feeling you'll prove quite useful as a hostage."
"Just try it, you overgrown weed!" I hiss.
"Wait--" Lucy cries as she grasps on my arm. "Please-- Michelle! Just talk to me!"
"I said don't go near her!" I exclaim, shoving her back and feeling a rough strike against the back of my head. I stumble forward, my hand cupping at the swelling knot at the back. "Wrong move--" I hiss, turning my head. Scales cover my body, and just as I move to attack, another blow cracks across my face, sending me reeling. She was fast-- holy hell, she was fast. I hit the ground, staring blankly up at Lucy as she sobs violently. My world darkens as I see the dark green boot on Imitatia's foot sail towards my face.
~*****~
There's an annoying, constant drip of some liquid against my face. I grimace and try to swipe at it. The sounds of chains clanking loudly echoes through my ears before pain shoots down my arms. "What the hell--" I grimace, gazing around through the darkness. "Hey! Anyone out there?!" I bellow loudly, rattling the chains loudly as I try to free my arms that are suspended above me.
"Aria! You okay?!" Natsu's voice rings out. "Don't worry! We're gonna get you outta here!"
"Is Lucy there?!" I exclaim hopefully.
"No, it's the Butt Jiggle Gang!" Natsu shouts at me.
I shriek in disgust. "Ah, no! Not them!" I cry. I hear a commotion, and an acrid stench slips past my nose, causing me to gag violently. Natsu's face appears in front of my cell, a wide grin on his face for just a split second. He shunts back quickly and shoves at the incoming group he's got with him.
"No, no-- she's got, uh-- she's not decent!" He suddenly squeaks. I glance down and shout in surprise.
"Who the hell took my coat, huh?!" I bellow, shaking my chains so violently that they snap under the intense stress. I snap my hands against the sagging band I decided to wear that day and tugged it up almost violently. "Oh, someone's gonna pay! I made that one myself! Several yards of rare, woolen cuts were used, there's also the addition of fine, S-Grade Sheeps wool in the lining! Oh, I swear, I'm gonna break someone's knees for that one!"
My fist cracks against the metal bars. I hear Natsu try to stop me, but the bars curve outwards and explode with the barrier magic being blown away. "You-- uh, you broke through that easily?" Natsu stammered, staring at me with a pale face.
I turn to the group and glare down at them. "If you couldn't, then you need more training! Now let's get moving! We're gonna save Lucy, and then I'm gonna beat the snot outta whoever took my coat!"
"I think, uh-- I think the one of the Neo-Oracion Seis has it..." Coco stammers.
I clench my fist tightly. "I'll beat 'em all." I hiss.
~*****~
"Are you gonna at least tell me where we're going?!" Coco complained.
"To see the archbishop!" Natsu retorted.
"For what reason?" Coco gasped.
"To get payback, of course! If he thinks he can get away with usin' Michelle like a puppet, he's got another thing comin'! I'm gonna kick his butt!" Natsu exclaimed.
"The archbishop's butt?" Coco wondered. I glance back in confusion before I give a shrill shriek as Natsu collapses against my legs, sending me sprawling onto the ground. "What happened?! You okay?"
"Look-- up ahead--" Natsu stammers.
I choke back a gag and immediately cover my nose with my arms. "Alright lackeys! You ready to let it all out?" The leader of the Butt Jiggle Gang chirps.
"Yes sir!" His lackeys exclaim.
"What're you guys still doin' here?" Natsu complained.
"True scoundrels never leave empty handed," The leader hummed with a wiggle of his finger. "Ain't that right, boys?" They hum in response. "If we can't have the Infinity Clock, then we'll just have to take a different treasure!"
"Do whatever you want, just keep those weapons away from me!" I shout through my arms.
"Listen up, Lackeys! It's time for us to begin treasure-hunting!" The leader chirps.
"Yes sir!" They exclaim.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I leap away from the strange creature slamming into the ground where we stood. "You guys are so weak, I don't even have to use my rupture magic!" The weird... blocky creature exclaimed. He simply kicks the Butt Jiggle Gang into the air, sending them hurtling far away.
"What the--" Natsu gasps. "Who is that?"
"He's Gutman... The Cleaner." Coco stammered.
"He's the what now?" I ask, my nose basking in the clear air now that the butt gang was gone.
Gutman giggles. "This is gonna be fun, 'cause the three of have a buncha magic in ya!"
"Be careful," Coco warned. "He's much more powerful than he looks."
I perk up. "Really? I'm fired up now!"
"C'mon, that's my line!" Natsu complained.
I wave my hand at him. "You gotta let others try it out from time to time, it gets better each time I say it."
"We gotta stay faithful to Zentopia's doctrine, silly billy. In other words, we can never doubt it. Never ever." Gutman explains.
"But what'll you do if someone does doubt it?" Natsu asks, raising his hand high.
"You really wanna know?" Gutman asks. "Heathens go boom!"
"What is that?" Natsu gasps as a green circle of magic appears over his side.
"It's rupture magic! Get away from it!" Coco cries.
"It expands all the magic power inside of my target 'til they go boom boom!" Gutman chirps.
Natsu's body took a on a bright glow before he screams in agony, his back hitting the ground roughly. "Natsu!" I exclaim as I grasp onto his arm to him stand. "Are you all right?"
"I'll clean away anyone who goes against Zentopia." Gutman comments. "Starting with you!"
"That's what you think!" Natsu snaps.
"I'm not scared of you!" Gutman retorted. Another circle of magic appears in his hand, covering Natsu head to toe in the greenish glow. It sends him flying upwards.
"Wrong move, pal!" I shout as I run towards Gutman. My body slings up from the ground and into the air.
"Do you wanna dance, too?!" Gutman cheered. "Time to rupture!" There's an unbelievable wave of pain that crashes through me with each detonation of his magic. "You're gonna keep dancin' as long as you've got magic power!"
"We don't have the time to be messin' around with this loser," Natsu groans as he flops onto his front.
"Then I'll speed things up." Gutman hummed. "Ready for your last dance?" He starts moving, but his movements halt immediately. "How come I can't move?!"
"'Cause I totally immobilized you!" A familiar, yet very irritating voice echoes out.
"No way!" Natsu exclaims.
"What are you doing to me?" Gutman cried.
"I thought everybody who opposed the archbishop was like, evil. But with guys like you and the Neo-Oracion Seis hangin' around, I totally can't tell who's evil anymore." Mary Hughes says haughtily. "I'm totally confused now."
"Me, too..." Coco stammers gingerly.
"Look out!" I bark as a green glow emanates from Mary Hughes' body, sending her into the air.
"I don't need to move to use Rupture magic!" Gutman comments.
Mary gives a shriek at the pain. "Immobilizing people isn't all I do!" She exclaims after she hits the ground. "Watch this!" Gutman lifts up into the air and starts spinning. "Get out of here, now!"
"But Hughes!" Coco cries.
"Please." She says urgently. "This might be the only chance for one of us to find out what's really going on! Don't worry about me just go!"
"C'mon!" I exclaim to Natsu and Coco. We crash through the opposing wall and onto a stairwell that leads to a new room.
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