Chapter 16

Mhm. Disclaimer. You can check how much of this stuff I own on chapter 1 or even 10

"HEAT WAVE!"

Ignea's yells echoed throughout the open air training ground as his magic attack knocked over another wave of new members he was training with, causing a round of muffled laughter from those assembled to watch the spectacle of the most respected lieutenant in the military tear through their comrades, for sport, of course.

The groans of the men and women he had just knocked over caused the staff wielder to laugh. But rather than be offended, his opponents knew he was laughing at their reactions, not their inability to defeat, or even hit him. They shortly conceded his victory with weary smiles before returning to their mirthful companions.

"So who's next?" The white headed lieutenant called jovially with his arms spread invitingly

"I will be." A clear and cold voice called, the crowd split to allow the owner of the voice to step forward, Ignea's eyes narrowed slightly but his grin didn't waver

"Erza! That's great; perhaps today you could actually give me a challenge." The man taunted the ginger woman who, clad in her revealing, if surprisingly effective black armour, was approaching the simple battlefield with her magic spear: the Ten Commandments already in her hands and ready for battle, as it always was. The red head scoffed at Ignea's taunt

"I heard about your pitiful performance with Sabertooth, our holding cells are overflowing with them, and not only that but the jailers have specific orders not to let anyone from the second division in. What's with that Ignea? Don't want me to hurt your little friends?"

"Can it Knightwalker! as much as we all find your obsessive sadism endearing, they're all prisoners of war and human beings to boot, besides, they have information we want and the more of them we have, the easier it will be to get" Ignea rebutted as he readied his staff

With no pre warning, Erza shot forward, rapidly closing the distance between herself and her white clad opponent. Ignea swiftly redirected the thrust that would have pierced his chest with almost no difficulty despite the armoured padding it sported, stupid magic weapons being able to cut through leather like air, Ignea thought as he silently dodged another thrust before swing his staff low in an attempt to trip Erza up

She predictably jumped over the low swipe and raised her spear horizontally above her head to block the following downward swing. Erza raised her right leg in an attempt to kick Ignea away with a shot to the chest but he had done the same and their shins collided with a resounding thud, Erza feeling nothing due to the black greaves covering her lower legs but left Ignea quietly smarting from the sharp contact

Ignea then rapidly thrust the end of the dragon's fang at Erza's torso multiple times, only for her to dodge and swerve, avoiding every hit. she spun her spear in a twirl, knocking the staff back then driving the blunt end into Ignea's stomach, causing the man to double over, only for his body to be hit straight again from an uppercut delivered by the same leg he had blocked earlier and then sent sprawling from a straight kick delivered by her other leg

"Come on Ignea, as much as I enjoy beating you black and blue it's not as fun if you don't fight back, stop dicking around and fight me seriously!" the red head taunted the man who was catching his breath as he lay on his back in the grass, letting out a huff he spin kicked his way up on to his feet and rushed her

The blows being exchanged were now much faster and skilled, no longer dumbed down for the small mass of people watching the bout. the two combatants gave and received almost equal amounts of damage thanks to the rare mistake and small holes in their technique, it was clear that Erza was better with her weapon than Ignea but he more than made up for it with his unpredictability, sometimes using his fists and feet as much as his weapon

Once, an expertly executed combo left Ignea without the dragon's fang and frantically dodging Erza's thrusts and swipes, she had smugly yelled at him to concede to which he had only laughed. In anger Erza over extend on a thrust and thus allowing for Ignea to penetrate her defences. he had looked her dead in the eye as his fist connected with her unarmoured stomach, knocking the air out of her, his leg had then swept her's out from under her, as she fell he had jumped and used her falling stomach as a spring board to backflip over to where his staff had fallen

After about an hour had passed, no victor was clear but both parties were panting in fatigue, the tiredness and relative inexperience caused Ignea to become careless and after an extremely close glancing shot and a punishing hit to the head, leaving him reeling as the world spun he held up his hand in a sign of surrender

"Ok ok, I give, I'm exhausted, I suppose you can have this one Knightwalker" the lieutenant jokingly surrendered as he promptly sat down to catch his breath. During the entire bout no magic attacks had been exchanged and Erza's spear hadn't changed from its original form, mostly due to the damage it could've caused to their audience and because the two of them preferred to test their raw strength against the other rather than their weapon's magical aptitude

"I suppose instead of killing you, you can help me and my division in the next raid we make on Fairy Tail" Erza seemed to decide after catching her breath

"What, why!?" Ignea exclaimed in surprise

"Is there a problem lieutenant?" Erza spat not exactly liking the fact that Ignea could still meet her blow for blow in a non-magical battle or the, if she was being frank, suspicious tone he had taken to pose that question

"No, of course not commander, you just surprised me is all, our disdain for one another isn't exactly new news why would you want me to help you with one of your prided raids?" Erza glared at Ignea, who was in her eyes being incredibly disrespectful towards her

"It's not my idea" she huffed offhandedly as she turned to leave, beginning to grin as it dawned on Ignea

"By the way, Millianna wanted to see you" she said with a smug look

"Ho boy am I tired." Lucy complained to Mira and Cana across the bar

"Jeeze blondie, quit yer bitchin', we know, you're tired, only just got yer magic power back and it's bigger than ever, blah blah. Sure it's pretty impressive helping to take down a demon and all but I really stopped caring about how tired you are after the third time you said it" the tipsy brunette playfully reprimanded

"Cana! Be nice" Mira exclaimed in shock at Cana's attitude towards Fairy Tail's newest rising star

"Aaaand you! When was the last time you had any fun? Heh when was the last time you went on a daaaate?" the card mage asked suggestively over her tankard of sickly-sweet smelling liquid, causing the barmaid to blush and look away towards the second floor

"That doesn't matter Cana, I'm happy with my life, I'm helpful and that's enough" the ex-demon mage said wistfully and Cana wisely remainder silent, unwilling to peruse the topic further, at least while she was still mostly sober

"So Lucy, how's life now you've got a taste of Fairy Tail?" Cana asked the key mage who was carefully inspecting designs for the battle gear she was going to try and get for Virgo

"I love it! It's better than I could have ever imagined, everything is so lively and homely. I've only been her two weeks and my life had already got indefinitely more exciting" Lucy exclaimed

"Good to hear blondie, it even seems that Erza's taken a liking to you as well, I wouldn't be surprised if she invited you, Gray and Lisanna to join a team with her after how well you guys did." The card mage hypothesised and Mira nodded

"It would be good for her, she's always been a bit of a loner and after the Beast incident she's only really taken jobs on her own" the white haired barmaid analysed

"Speaking of Erza, do you know where she it? I need to talk to her." Lucy asked her new friends who she was already completely loyal to, there's no way she could go back to her life after these two weeks, no matter what father wants, she thought

"Knowing her, she probably slept in, she'll be here soon" Mira consoled. Just as she said that one of the guild's doors was kicked open and the armoured figure of Erza confidently strode in

"Speak of a demon… and one shall appear." Cana quipped sarcastically

"Hey Erza!" Lucy called, waving her arm to get the red head's attention, the warrior in question seemed to be surprised someone was calling her over, she was popular and loved in fairy tail but it was rare she got close to anyone. She made her way to the three women at the bar and sat down

"Strawberry cake and a lemonade please Mira" she ordered before turning to Lucy

"Yes?" she asked, wondering why the blonde had called her over

"I uh… Was wondering if you could help me with something." Lucy explained, Erza scrutinised her for a moment before shrugging

"Sure what do you need?" she asked while she turned to the plate of cake Mira had placed in front of her with quiet thanks

"I'm looking for a place to get magic weapons and armour, preferably that I can get hand tailored and that isn't too expensive" Lucy explained getting straight to the point, Erza's eyes lit up at the mention of her passion and she immediately thought of the places she herself had gotten armour in the past

"For yourself? I thought you were a celestial spirit mage why would you need armour?"

"No, not for me, for Virgo, my new zodiac spirit. I need to get her some gear for a battle form" Lucy explained

"Battle form?" Erza asked, expressing the curiosity of both Mira and Cana as well

"Oh, well uhh, every spirit has at least one form; its basic one and umm, Y'know what, just let me show you" Lucy tried to explain before reaching for her keys

"Open! Gate of the little dog: Canis Minor; Nikora!"

When the silver light of Lucy's summon quickly faded, a small snowman looking creature was quietly shivering on the bar top. Erza's eyes quickly turned into stars as she was awestruck with the cuteness of the small spirit and only the urgent need to devour strawberry cake was keeping her from immediately grabbing the creature and hugging it

"This is Plue, say hi Plue"

"Plue!" the sprit barked excitedly, causing Mira to coo

"It's adorable Lucy. But why call it Plue? I thought spirits were named after the stars, shouldn't his name be Nikora, or Canis Minor?" Mira asked

"Oh, I called him Plue because that's what he says and there are tonnes of Canis Minor spirits, and their keys are fairly common. Plus he's just too cute to go around calling him Nikora! But I digress; this is Plue's normal form…" Lucy explained

"But he looks nothing like a little dog, why is he called the spirit of it?" Cana questioned

"I'm getting to that. Plue! Anima form!" as Lucy commanded the small spirit its body was enveloped in silver light and once it faded a small but vicious looking dog stood in its place.

"This is Plue's Anima form, most spirits have either this or an Arma form, it turns them into the animal they represent or a weapon/object for the spirit mage to use. In addition the golden spirits of the twelve zodiac have a third form on top their normal one and either Anima or Arma; their battle form." Lucy explained while Plue went over to Erza and jumped down, landing on her lap and growling contentedly as the requip mage began to pet him

"If my understanding is correct it kinda works a bit like if you mixed your magic, Erza and Lisanna's, their bodies can change even if I generally choose not to and they can equip a set of armour and weapons that enhance them magically, the stronger the set and the more bizarre the change, the greater the strain on me to keep them equipped on the spirits so they're better to be used as last resorts and trump cards." Lucy finished explaining

"And so you need my help to get your new spirit gear for her battle form" Erza deduced then nodded, downed the glass of lemonade and stood up causing Plue to quickly jump back up onto the bartop with a small annoyed bark

"Let's go, you can tell me what you have in mind while we walk" Erza commanded then began to stride off

"Thank you! Plue, you can return now" Lucy dismissed the small spirit who barked once more then disappeared in flash of silver. Lucy quickly matched Erza's fast pace and walked beside her as she explained what she needed. The red head listened attentively, occasionally inputting ideas and corrections as the pair made their way down Magnolia's high street

Lieutenant Millianna Knightwalker of the Royal army's second magic war division was a woman of average height and preppy composure, with a cute face and an easy going nature it was hard to believe she was in any way related to the sadistic monster that was the fairy hunter: Erza Knightwalker

That was until you got to know her; Millianna had a deep seated and intense hatred for all things feline, especially the exceed and it often got in the way of her judgement. The sob story she told everyone was that her and Erza's parents had been killed by the exceeds and then the teacher she and her older sister trained under to achieve revenge had met the same fate.

The story had done well in cultivating hatred among the populous towards the exceed, whether it was true or not was unknown but Natsu suspected it was a misunderstanding. You see, there was a legend in Edolas that the ruler of the Exceeds had the power to decide who lived and died, on their command a human would simply drop dead if they so wished.

This legend was in fact total bullshit but only a select few had even realised it, the story was a rumour spread around by the exceeds themselves about a generation ago to try and make the humans more complacent and easier to manipulate, the tactic had worked for a time but it had now turned into nationwide fear and hatred and a misplaced sense of pride and superiority in the winged felines and it was only a matter of time before war broke out.

Millianna's general choice of attire was much more conservative than her older sister's; she wore snug plate metal armour underneath a purple and black cloak that covered her entire torso. She generally used an excessively large double headed war axe made of a dark metal and stylised with the gaping maws of the black wolf; the historical enemy of the Exceed

While Erza was the figure head for torture and sadism in the army, Millianna was really no different, the two Knightwalkers were dangerous women and while one hated him with a fiery passion … the other did the exact opposite, the brown haired younger sister to the walking taking hate machine that was Erza Knightwalker was completely smitten with the mysterious albino lieutenant of the first division

And despite all his thick headedness and brief periods of pure idiocy, Ignea knew this well, he just pretended he didn't, to keep up appearances and to prevent awkwardness. He got along with Millianna well enough to call her a friend, at least when she wasn't discreetly doting on him or hurting something.

It couldn't really be said he was leading her on as he never really showed any interest in relationships beyond professional, much to Millianna's chagrin and Erza's endless amusement; but the Knightwalkers were nothing if not stubborn. Besides she was a valuable ally if and when he could be bothered to muster the brain power to manipulate her, or when Pantherlily came up with an idea that needed the second division's at least partial participation.

"Erza said you wanted to see me?" Ignea said bluntly having found Millianna in her quarters she and Erza shared by following his nose

"Ignea! It's so good to see you! Did big-sis give you the good news! I convinced her to let you come with me next time we attack fairy tail! Isn't that great!?" Millianna exclaimed quickly and excitedly, silently praying for her apparently clueless love interest's approval

"Uh yea… Great, I can't wait" he responded with trepidation. No one ever quite got used to Millianna's super happy attitude and her quick fire exclamations were quite confusing at times

"I know right! It's going to be great! I almost can't wait!" She squealed almost before he finished taking

"Mhm" Ignea inputted noncommittally, secretly not looking forward to it in the slightest

"Anyway, Erza said you wanted to talk to me? Is there something you need from the first division?" He asked, genuinely clueless. Millianna giggled at his confusion before becoming rather bashful

"A-actually Ignea, I-I wanted to ask you something" she quietly asked, almost too quietly to be heard, but you know how it is, dragon hearing and all that.

"Uhh sure…" Ignea ventured.

"ACTUALLY! Nevermind! It doesn't matter, that is all lieutenant, I uhh just wanted to see what you… Uhh… Thought about the upcoming raid! You can go!" She rushed out with a red face and frantic arm movements.

"Ok then, I'll see you then lieutenant." Ignea quickly saluted and made his way off, lest she muster up the courage to actually go through with asking him out, now that would be awkward, for everyone, and the last thing he needed was Erza hating more than she already did.

Phew, she didn't go through with it, that's the last thing I want to deal with right now

I chickened out. Again! Ugh curse it all, next time! Next time for sure!

They had visited almost a dozen shops and blacksmiths in Magnolia, its close towns and villages by the time the sun began to set. They finally deciding on a local smith shop founded by graduated apprentices of Heart Kreuz

The blacksmiths had recognised Erza and had been extremely helpful and respectful; they had swiftly and accurately taken Virgo's measurements before beginning to work. They claimed the commission would take about a month and it would be delivered to the guild hall when they were done, Erza had accepted, haggled the price down and paid the deposit despite Lucy's protests.

"Why did you pay for the set? It's for my spirit, you should have let me." Lucy complained as the two exited the shop

"Lucy. I did it because you've only been on two missions, neither of which you were paid for, so on top your rent, which Mira has told me you still need to pay, even if you could afford to pay them, it would set you back. Besides now you're part of Fairy Tail, we're all your brothers and sisters, doesn't that make you my sister as well? Can't I buy something nice for my sister every once in a while?" Erza asked and turned to smile kindly at Lucy whose steps faltered

"Oh" Lucy breathed out in surprise as her face broke into a bright smile and tears pricked at her eyes, she wiped them away before they could fall and she jogged slightly to catch back up with Erza

The blonde's smile persisted and Erza concluded that she had fun during this shopping trip with the bubbly celestial spirit mage and would decidedly not mind doing something like it again. As the two approached the guild in companionable silence they heard shouting from inside, as Lucy opened the hall doors the words became clearer

"Come on Gramps! You've gotta let me go!" Gray exclaimed to the impassive Makarov

"I said no, this mission is well above your class" Makarov stated

"I'm fine to go with him Gramps" Lisanna said plainly

"So are we" a woman with long lime green hair under a western stetson hat said as she sat opposite a man with long black hair covering one of his eyes

"Gray seems pretty desperate to go, between the four of us it should be fine shouldn't it master?" the man said

"Hmm I suppose, but I would still feel better if you had a S class member with you" the short moustached man conceded

"What's going on over here" Erza demanded

"Erza! You've got to help me with this! Ur sent in a S class request, I've got to help her!" Gray hastily explained to the surprised red head

"Ur? Your teacher?" Erza asked beginning to understand why Gray was so worked up, he hadn't seen the woman who had basically raised him for coming up on a decade, he was understandably desperate to go and help her with anything she needed. This was also the reason that Lisanna and the gunslingers had so readily agreed to join him

"Let me see the mission." the requip mage requested and Makarov handed her a sheet of paper. While Erza read it over the guild was silent, wondering how this situation was going to play out

"Master, if I formed a team consisting of myself, Lisanna, Lucy and Gray and the Gunslingers accompanied us, would that be sufficient for this request?" Erza asked directly

"More than enough. Mira, send a message back to Ur, fairy tail is sending a team of six mages including one S class." Makarov said before turning back to the bar and lifting his tankard, thus signalling the end of the discussion. Erza immediately took charge

"We leave first thing the day after tomorrow, is that fine with everybody?" Erza asked getting a nod out of Lisanna and verbal confirmations from the gun mages, Gray frowned at the delay but knew that the international trains didn't run on Sundays anyway so conceded with slight reluctance

"Uhh Erza, I don't mean to question you choice making or be self-deprecating but am I really qualified for an S class mission, is me coming along such a good idea?" Lucy asked apprehensively

"Probably not." Erza put bluntly causing Lucy to deadpan

"But we like you, we could very well form the team without you it" Lisanna explained having readily agreed with Erza's choice of teammates, Gray just nodded in agreement. For the second time in less than an hour Lucy's face was all smiles

"I won't let you down!" She said with conviction

No news other than my Beta being a bit dumb. In case you didn't get the memo I'm replacing Galuna Island with something else. I've got it all sorted out but ideas and constructive criticism are, as always, welcome.

Only two reviews last chapter. What's with that? Even though the graph thingies tell me more of you viewed the last chapter than any of my others. Oh well it's not really a big deal. In good news: the two I got pushed me past the story this one took a lot of its inspiration from, that's right folks: Snow storm has more Reviews than Lisanna of the snow (go read it).

Soon I'll change the cover pic as well, my Beta draws, isn't she useful? When she does her job properly that is