Rave Master Fan Fiction ❯ Upon a Shooting Star ❯ Chapter 4: First Mission, Redux ( Chapter 4 )

Author’s Corner:
SSD: Whoohoo! Next chapter! I really am on a roll…although I may take a break after this one…Lucy: Lucy Kick! *kicks SSD into a wall*SSD: *groan* Need to learn how to dodge that…I lost my ninja skills…Lucy: *glare* As a fellow writer, I am NOT allowing you to give up on this! You hear me?!SSD: Err…yeah…sure…anyway, pretty much a filler chapter this time, next couple chapters are. Missions you go on before the start of the story, some more Aquarius since I haven’t brought her in in a while and maybe you getting closer to someone.Lucy: *turns pink* Not Natsu?SSD: Not Natsu.Lucy: Oh. Okay…who then?SSD: You’ll see. Carry on with the disclaimer.Lucy: Silverserpentdragon does- do we really have to do this? I think it’s apparent by now after the first four chapters. See previous chapters for disclaimer.SSD:….that was just cheating.Lucy: *blows a raspberry*USSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSS

Chapter 4: First Mission, Redux

Lucy stretched, sitting up in her new apartment, paid for by her father. [Not that I mind the change…but I liked my old apartment…] She thought sadly as she looked around the unfamiliar setting. [Although…maybe Dad won’t lose the Konzern this time, since we have a good relationship. Still…I should start saving up Jewels, both for any keys I come across and for future rent.] The not-quite buxom blonde started getting ready for the day, going through her morning rituals. She beamed as she stepped outside. “Time to head to the guild and get my first job!”“That is a fine idea.”“WAAAAH!” Lucy shrieked and jumped, scambling with a hand on her whip as she looked behind her. She blinked at the familiar scarlet hair. “Oh, Erza…you startled me.”Erza blinked and tilted her head. “I apologize, you may hit me if that will be recompense. Although, I was not aware that I had introduced myself. You are Lucy, correct?”Lucy nodded. “Y-yeah, and I overheard your name yesterday at the guild. It’s nice to meet you formally this time.”Erza smiled. “Indeed. If you are up to it, perhaps you would care to join me on a job today? I would like to see your proficiency in your magic.”Lucy blinked. “Oh, um, sure. I don’t mind, that would be great actually!”Erza’s smile became warmer. “Excellent. I shall select a job and then we shall be on our way.”Lucy nodded emphatically. “Right. Uhh…n-nothing S-class though…right?”Erza frowned in confusion. “S-class? As much as I am flattered, I am not S-class yet, though I do hope to participate in the Trials this year.”Lucy blinked. [Erza isn’t S-Class yet? Is Mirajane then?] “Oh, what about that silver haired girl then? The one you were fighting?” She meeped as Erza growled.“I vow to become S-class before that demon harlot does, of that you can be sure.” She then stonily marches toward the guild.Lucy gulped. “Right…I forgot about their rivalry at this stage…” She shook her head and ran after Erza. “Erza, wait up for me!”When the two entered the guild, it was, of course, a disaster like usual. Lucy blinked at seeing Azule tending the bar before remembering that Mirajane was still…wild child stage…Erza scowled as she marched over and smacked Gray and Natsu’s heads together…unknowingly causing them to mash lips as well. Lucy gawked and stared wide eyed, torn between laughing hysterically….and crying in hysterical laughter as the two boys’ eyes widened in horror and disgust. “Are you two fighting again?” She yanked them apart.“Oh god, blegh!”“I’m gonna be sick, mrf….”Both boys clutched their mouths, scraping at their tongues with their fingernails. The rest of the guild finally broke from their stupor to laugh uproariously at the scene. Cana clutched her gut from laughing too hard. “Oh, their faces! Good one, Erza, that was just priceless!”Erza blinked in confusion, completely unaware of what she did. Makarov stared in wide eyed shock, mug tilted to the side and spilling his ale to the floor in a steady stream.Laxus glanced over to the noise, again in irritation and pulled on his sound pod, turning the music up louder.Lucy skirted the edge of the scene, still holding back snickers as she went to investigate the job board. [Let’s see…what’s a good first job?]Erza walked straight past the group, irritated by their reaction, to join Lucy. She grabbed the first job her eyes landed on and tugged Lucy away. “Come along, Lucy, we have work to do.”Cana blinked and stood up. “Hey! Kalia and I called dibs on getting a mission with Lucy first!”Kalia sulked in her seat. “I-I’ts…okay…r-really…”Lucy looke d at them sheepishly. “Sorry, maybe when I get back, alright?”Cana nodded. “Fine, we’ll hold you to that!”Natsu whined. “Aww, but I wanted to do a mission with Lugi.”“It’s Lu-cy!” Erza took the blonde’s arm and tugged her out of the guild. “And maybe after Cana and Kalia’s mission.”“Yes!”Laxus snorted. “I don’t get the appeal.”Bickslow shrugged, tongue hanging out. “Sunshine seems pretty popular for her second day here.”Freed nodded. “So it appears.”Evergreen pouted. “Whatever, she’s still a flat-chested shrimp. Let’s take a mission, Laxus.” She subtly pushed her breasts up a bit.Laxus grunted in agreement and stalked to the S-class board. “Tch. Let’s get this over with.”Lucy sat across from Erza as the train set out from the station. “So…what mission are we going on?”Erza colored a bit. “I…did not look, to be honest.” She pulled out the flier and set it in front of them.Lucy blinked at the reward. “20000 jewel just for taking out a pack of bandits? Isn’t that…a little on the cheap side?”Erza nodded. “Yes, but Oricus Town is small and primarily farmland. They more than likely cannot afford much more.”“Oh, I suppose that makes sense.” Lucy fiddled with her keys a bit. “So, what kind of magic do you use?”Erza smiled. “I use Requip, once I make S-class, I will be able to purchase more armors to increase my versatility. And you, Lucy? I see you have those Celestial Keys.”Lucy blinked. “Oh, yeah, I use Celestial Spirit Magic, and I also have an affinity for Water Magic. Azule also trained me in weapon usage, although I’m better with a whip or dagger than anything else.”Erza nodded. “I see, I am afraid I do not have a whip in my inventory, but I shall look to see if I can find one suitable as I see you do not have one.”Lucy shook her head. “You don’t have to do that.”“I insist, we are teammates after all.” The redhead smiled at her.Lucy blinked. “A-alright then…”Lucy gasped at the landscape that met them and felt anger swell in her. “How dare they do this…” The crops were all torn up and ravaged, the townsfolk trying their best to clear up the area.Erza laid a hand on Lucy’s shoulder, gripping it tightly. “This injustice will not go unpunished. Let’s speak with the client and see about tracking down the bandits’ camp.”Lucy nodded firmly as they made their way through the desolate area to the mayor’s house. Even that was in ruins with half of the building blown apart. The elderly man sat on the steps of his home, looking up as they approached.Erza took the lead. “We are the mages from Fairy Tail, you sent in a request to eliminate some bandits?”The man wept and took Erza’s hand, the scarlet haired girl appearing flustered. “Thank you for coming. We couldn’t keep up with their “protection” payments anymore and…we had sent requests to other guilds but we got no response. We apologize for such a paltry sum, but”Erza cut him off. “Say no more. We can plainly see your plight and will do our best to see these people come to justice. You have my word on that.”Lucy nodded. “Right! Scumbags like these stand no chance against Fairy Tail mages!”Erza smiled indulgently and nodded in affirmation. The mayor cried tears of joy and hope. “Oh thank you…thank you…”“Do not thank us until we have apprehended the bandits.”“Of course, one of our woodsmen, Cole, he has been tracking them for a while now just in the instance a guild took our request. He is usually by the stables, what is left of them.” The mayor stated sadly.Lucy nodded as she and Erza headed to where the old man gestured. Lucy gasped, seeing blood stains on the broken wood. A burly man with copper hair shoves a pile of debris clear of the empty stalls. He turns furious brown eyes at them. “What do you want?”Erza, unphased, stepped forward. “Are you Cole? The mayor directed us to you.”Cole looked over them both and snorted. “You’re the mages they sent? I guess this town really does mean so little to you big city folk.” He growled at them.Lucy puffed up defensively. “Yes we’re mages, we’re from Fairy Tail and we came to help. Don’t underestimate us just because we’re girls.”Erza nodded beside her. “Indeed, we choose to help you. Make no mistake that these bandits will be put down.”Cole looked them over again before grudgingly accepting their help. “Fine. I’ve tracked the bastards down to a grove in the forest, when you see wisteria blossoms, you know you’re in the right place.”Lucy blinked. “Wisteria? What does that have to do with anything?”Cole shrugged. “No idea. Just be careful, some of them are mages too.”Erza nodded. “We will. Rest assured, they will face justice.”Cole scowled. “They better, they took all our livestock and work horses too, poor Shadowblaze put up too much of a fight against them.” His eyes locked on the bloodstains in pain.Lucy clenched her fists. “Let’s go, Erza.” Determination lit her. [They won’t get away with this…]The two girls wandered the forest path, watching their steps to keep from making any unnecessary sound. Lucy held a hand out to stop Erza, pointing down at the disturbed leaves.“I think it’s a trap, let’s find a way around.”Erza’s eyes widened in surprise. “Thank you, I almost walked right into it.”Lucy smiled timdly. “Let’s keep going.”Erza nodded as they walked around, her eyes staying peeled this time to catch other traps. “We must be getting close, I can spot another three traps now that I am aware of them.”Lucy nodded as the carefully crept in the undergrowth. Erza stopped her, pointing out a wisteria tree. “We’re getting close.”The blonde nodded s the sounds of revelry started to get louder the closer they got to the wisteria grove. The two girls peeked through the bushes.“There are the bandits. Twenty…possibly twenty-five including the leader.”Lucy nodded. “Leave this to me.” She winked as she stood up, ignoring Erza’s alarmed face.“Lucy!”Lucy ignored her as she stumbled into the clearing, falling to her knees. “Oww! Ooh, I hate forests!” The blonde pouts, tears welling in her eyes as she looks around, fear clouding her as she backs. “U-umm….sorry to intrude…”The leader got over his shock and grinned. “Oh, no. Don’t mind us, missy. You’re just in time for the party.” He gestured to his lackeys as the crept behind Lucy.“Party? I like parties, a friend of mine absolutely loves them.” She smiled as she whirled to face one of the cronies, Scorpio and Aquarius’ keys in her hand as she glared at him. “Open, Gate of the Scorpion, Gate of the Water Bearer, Scorpio! Aquarius!”“We are!”“What now, urchin?” Aquarius then perked up at seeing Scorpio summoned with her, then she saw all the bandits. “Tch. I guess it’s been a while since we had a date in the human world.”Scorpio smirked and then glared as the men all ogled Aquarius. “I think a fighting date hardly counts as one, we’ll go out properly later, babe. Sand Buster!” He blasted half the bandits with his tail. “Don’t be staring at my mermaid princess like that!”Aquarius cooed. “Scorpio…don’t worry, I’ll get rid of my half. Take this!” She waved her jug and washed another portion away, effectively clearing out the bandits.The leader wiped the water from his face, growling angrily. “You…little bitch.”Lucy meeped, seeing him still standing. She fell down to dodge a slicing sheet of wind. “I think I found the mage, Erza!”Erza leapt from the bushes, taking the leader by surprise and ramming a fist into his face, effectively knocking him out. “Good work, Lucy. Let’s take the stolen merchandise back to town.” She turned back to see Lucy talking with her spirits.“Thanks for your help, guys, I hope I didn’t interrupt your date.”Scorpio grinned and ruffled her hair. “Nah, missy, it was only getting started. Give us more of a heads up next time, though, ya dig?”Aquarius tucked herself into Scorpio’s hold as she looked fondly at Lucy. “And next time, bring your own boyfriend instead of calling mine.”Lucy flushed. “I’m thirteen! Dad would kill anyone that tried to date me right now!”Aquarius smirked. “Sucks to be you then. Now, we’re going on a real date. Don’t bother us for a couple days.” The two spirits faded back to the spirit world.Erza chuckled. “Your spirits are something else, I don’t believe I have ever seen another Celestial Mage be so candid with them.”Lucy laughed. “Well, they are my friends, and family.” She smiled sadly. “They helped me get through my mother’s death so…I don’t mind how they act. I know they will always be there for me.”Erza nodded and blinked as she caught a flash of gold. She crouched down beside the leader and fished through his pockets before coming out with a golden key. “Lucy, can you tell me what this is?”Lucy walked over and gasped. “That’s the key for Pisces but…” [It’s not supposed to be here! Or…did I just get it before Yukino could?] She took the key from Erza’s hand.Erza nodded. “We shall see if it belongs to anyone in the town. If not, then it belongs to you.”Lucy nodded numbly, still in shock as Erza bound all twenty two bandits together and started dragging them back to town.[That makes five gate keys…I only had two this time in the last time…am I really changing things that much?] The blonde mage jogged after Erza to catch up, absently clipping Pisces to her belt.The elderly mayor thanked them both profusely as the bandits were deposited in front of him. Several brave townsfolk were already guiding the stolen livestock that was still alive back to their proper place.“I cannot thank you enough. Your payment, as promised.”Erza held out her hand. “No, use that money to help rebuild your town. We do have a question, we found a Celestial Gate Key in the leader’s possession, did it belong to any of the townfolk?”The mayor frowned in confusion. “No? I don’t recall anyone mentioning a key was taken. If you found on him then I suggest you keep it, I’m sure it will be in better hands.”Erza nodded. “Thank you. If that is all, we will head back to Magnolia. I wish you well in your endeavors.” She turned and walked away, Lucy following. Lucy smiled, staring down at her new key. “I can’t believe I have five of the Zodiacs now…”Erza smiled as they boarded the train. “It would seem to be fortuitous to you. Are you going to collect all of them?”Lucy blinked. “I…hadn’t thought of that to be honest…If I did…I’d be the first Celestial Mage to do so since they were created. I don’t know what would happen then.”Erza nodded. “Perhaps. I am sorry about the reward-““Don’t be, those people needed it far more than we did.” Lucy smiled reassuringly. “And Fairy Tail works to make everyone happy, right?”Erza blinked and slowly smiled. “Yes, we aim to make the world better for everyone in it.”Lucy glanced out at the setting sun as the landscape raced by them. “Still…it was fun.”Erza nodded. “You did very well today for your first mission. Azule-nee taught you well.” She smiled slightly. “Perhaps if you kept this performance up, I may have another challenger during the S-class Trials. Summoning two spirits at once is supposed to be difficult, correct? Especially two Zodiacs?”Lucy blinked and flushed. “Oh, no way! I’m no where near strong enough to take on the S-class trials. And for the multiple spirits…it is, but Mama told me she was able to keep out three at once and they were all Zodiacs.”Erza nodded. “I see…so the ability is hereditary. If it helps, I can aid you by looking out for gate keys for you on my more challenging missions?”Lucy blinked. “You don’t have to, I actually enjoy looking for them myself. It feels more rewarding that way, you know?”Erza nodded in understanding. “I see…it helps you form a closer bond to the spirit.”“Yeah…it does.”As Magnolia loomed into view, Lucy couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “Let’s tell everyone we’re home.”Erza smiled back. “Agreed.” The two headed back to the guild they called home.Lucy sighed as she entered her apartment and kicked her shoes off. She smiled as she sat in the chair at her writing desk and picked up the pen.Dear Mama, Sorry it’s been so long since I wrote you, even if this is the first time in this lifetime. I wish I could have told you everything, but those extra six years I treasured deeply. You see, Mama, twelve years into this future…I made a wish on a shooting star, and it came true….I have so much more to tell you…about everything…USSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSSUSS USSUSSUSSAuthor’s Postscript:
SSD: Whew, another chapter done. But yeah, Lucy is still only 13 so no real romance just yet. There will be crushes abound, but nothing definite until they get older. Lucy: I was…completely badass there!SSD: ….are you sure Laxus isn’t corrupting you already?Lucy: Huh? But, really, you made me totally kick ass there. It was so awesome!SSD:….you did have the advantage of surprise…and the bandits totally failed their initiative roll…Lucy: You’re still rolling out these encounters?SSD: Yes. Hence the whole kissing scene with Natsu and Gray, satisfies the Yaoi fans and it was hilarious. The dice told me to, I swear.Natsu, Gray and Juvia: SSD!!!!SSD: *pales* Uhh…Lucy? I’m out of here. Bye! *vanishes out of a side exit.* *faintly* Oh! Uh…hi Gray…Natsu…Juvia…*sounds of pain*Lucy: *blinks and tucks away dice, showing SSD failed to avoid by 1* Okay, I’ll admit…this is kinda fun…Erza: *shakes head*