Vivi sat alone in the guildhall watching as everyone was celebrating her and her brothers' arrival to the guild. Chris was arguing with Laxus over in the corner, which wasn't surprising. The two always butt heads whenever Laxus visited Satyr Reed too. Dom was speaking to some of the older members of the guild while Morgan was trying to avoid everyone. However, Macao and Wakaba—Vivi believes their names were—were trying to get Morgan to open up. Then Matt was laughing and running around with Natsu since the two had instantly bonded due to both of them being Dragon Slayers.
"What are you doing over here by yourself?" A voice asked.
Vivi blinked before turning to look at one of the older girls. Vivi thinks Gray and Natsu called her Erza earlier. They had been acting very scared of her too.
"Um, I just wanted to sit here to watch everyone, I guess." Vivi said smiling shyly at Erza. "Everyone here seems like a lot of fun."
Erza chuckled before sitting down next to Vivi. As she moved next to Vivi, the younger girl took note of her beautifully scarlet-colored hair.
"Is something wrong?" Erza asked as she noticed Vivi's staring.
"No," Vivi said, smiling. "I just think your hair is really pretty."
Erza blushed at the sincere, kind compliment as she reached up to touch her hair. No one has called her hair really pretty since she came here.
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"Whoa, that's still so hard to believe." Lucy said as the group continued to move on. "What changed?"
"She started getting on my nerves." Vivi said shrugging.
Lucy nearly fell over at Vivi's simple statement as Indy chuckled. This was certainly one of the more entertaining adventures she's ever been on. Lucy then straightened up as she looked to Vivi.
"Why do I feel like there's actually more to the story?" Lucy asked with a quirked brow.
"Because there is." Vivi said. "But that's a tale for another time, Lulu."
Vivi pat Lucy on top the head as if patting a younger sibling on top their head. Lucy complained since she didn't want her hair missed up.
"Besides, I don't really think there's time to tell old stories." Vivi said with her expression turning serious. "We've made it to the center of the jungle. Notice how quiet it is?"
Lucy blinked forgetting about Vivi's hand on her head. As she stood there concentrating, she realized it had gotten unusually quiet. Much different than the quiet earlier. There wasn't even the sound of birds or bugs chirping. The silence was certainly unnerving, and had her hand reaching for her keys for comfort.
"There are definitely predators in the area." Indy said looking around. "And I'm sure some of them know we've entered the area."
Just as she said that, a large lion—larger than normal lions—jumped from the trees heading right for them. Lucy let out a scream while ducking down and covering her head. In a flash, Vivi had her guitar in hand, and swung it like a bat with the backside of it catching the lion in the side of the face. It went flying in the air to crash into some trees a few feet away.
"It's a Nemean Lion." Indy said as the beast started getting its bearings. "It's hide is impenetrable even by the strongest of weapons. Even our magic will prove useless against the feline."
Lucy, who stood back up, whimpered because that didn't sound good. How were they going to fight something like that? Beside her, Vivi chuckled as she set her guitar over her shoulder.
"Sounds like a challenge." Vivi said. "Lucy, take the good professor and go on. I'll handle the big kitty."
As if it felt mocked by her words, the Nemean Lion roared at Vivi, which just has Vivi smirking.
"Vivi, are you sure?" Lucy asked. "You heard Indy. Our magic is practically useless against this thing."
"Practically doesn't mean completely, Lu." Vivi said. "Now get going. I'm going to make you an opening."
Lucy frowned though nodded her head. Vivi's probably been in predicaments like this before. Lucy just had to trust her.
"Okay, Indy, let's go." Lucy said taking Indy's wrist. "We have to trust Vivi on this."
"Alright." Indy said though was a bit concerned for Vivi as well.
The young professor didn't need the deaths of these wizards on her hands. She'd never forgive herself. Vivi held the guitar in both hands as she faced the lion.
"Lucy, once you go on, you'll be without me until I catch up." Vivi warned the blonde. "So, it'll be up to you to protect the professor."
Lucy was a bit nervous, but she also knew she had to do this. She had to take care of Indy and get her to the tomb. Vivi couldn't be the one pulling all the weight.
"Don't worry." Lucy said. "I've got this."
Vivi grinned nodding her head. She then slammed down on her guitar strings sending a high-pitched screeching noise towards the Nemean Lion. It roared in pain while shaking its head to try and fight against the offending noise. Lucy didn't waste time in pulling Indy along as they ran passed the Nemean Lion. Lucy wasn't about to waste this opening. Once they were gone and out of sight, Vivi changed chords on her guitar as she riffed it from the bottom to the top. As she played three shapes seemed to form around her.
"Melody of the Wild Things." She said as the Nemean Lion got back onto its paws.
Three large monster-like creatures appeared around Vivi while roaring at the Nemean Lion. The large feline seemed slightly shocked by the sudden appearance of these creatures but continued to stand its ground. It roared back at them then charged forward. They ran right back at it with one of them backhanding the feline to send it flying backwards. The other two jumped after it while landing on it to crush it into the ground. Vivi ripped a riff up her guitar with the three monsters increasing their speed as they battered the Nemean Lion. Vivi cut off mid-chord with her monsters jumping back to her side. As the dust cleared, the Nemean Lion—though dazed—climbed out of the crater made from its body to roar at Vivi and her monsters.
"Damn." Vivi said though was grinning. "You're one tough bastard. That's okay though. Now let's dance, Kitty!"
Vivi changed chords on her guitar with the monsters disappearing in poofs of smoke.
"Let's see how well you do under extreme heat." Vivi said. "Melody of Hellfire!"
The jungle around them exploded into a heated pool of lava and fire as cracks appeared in the earth with little demons crawling out as they cackled. The Nemean Lion roared at them as another explosion shot through the earth.
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Lucy jumped when the explosion happened behind them though kept running. She knew that had to be caused by Vivi, so that meant the bluenette was alright.
"Are you sure we should have left her?" Indy asked. "She could be really hurt by that Nemean Lion. Even the locals—the warriors—avoid them at all cost."
Lucy was worried— obviously . She didn't want to leave her guildmate behind. However, Vivi knew what she was doing. Lucy had to have faith that her friend would catch up. Until then she had to keep their client safe, which also means keeping her reassured.
"Everything will be fine." Lucy said. "Vivi is going to be the strongest female wizard in Fairy Tail someday. As if she'd let some oversized house-cat get the best of her!"
Indy's brows furrowed while seeing Lucy was not only trying to convince Indy of that but herself as well. However, the look in the blonde's eyes showed she did trust her guildmate despite her worry.
"Now where do we go from here?" Lucy asked Indy. "We can't just keep running aimlessly like this."
"We're on the right path." Indy assured Lucy. "The tomb should be visible soon."
Lucy blinked looking forward once more. Now that Indy mentioned it, Lucy was starting to see what seemed like the outline of a building in the distance. They were almost there. If they could get in there, and Lucy get to the key, maybe she could make a quick contract with Millhiore. With a spirit like that she can easily go back to help Vivi if the bluenette was still in battle. They continued running forward with the sound of fighting starting to go a bit fainter.
"There it is." Lucy said as they finally reached the bottom steps towards the tomb.
"Yes." Indy said smiling. "Though I am a bit surprised we didn't run into any more trouble on the way here."
"Don't say stuff like that." Lucy whined. "Or bad things will happen."
Indy chuckled at the blonde's antics though she did apologize. Lucy nodded her head in acceptance of said apology before turning towards the steps in front of them. Inside awaited a monster… and possibly the one of the first Celestial Spirits in existence. Lucy knew this wouldn't be easy. Especially with Vivi back there fighting her own opponent. But Lucy would not stop here. Despite her fear, she's going to push forward.
"Okay, Indy." Lucy said. "Let's do this."
Indy nodded then followed after Lucy as the blonde started up the steps. They moved forward quickly yet cautiously since they didn't know what awaited them inside. They reached the entrance of the tomb with a cool gust of air coming from the entrance. It ruffled their hair and clothes as the peered into the darkness.
"Man, it's so dark in there, I can't see a thing." Lucy said frowning.
"Here." Indy said bringing out a flashlight from her bag. "Use this."
Lucy took it—wishing she had brought her own—before turning it on. Light spilled into the tomb opening to reveal cold stone walls that had vines going through the structure and spider webs clinging to whatever they could reach. Definitely wasn't a warm welcome, but at least the monster inside wasn't waiting for them first thing. The two women stepped inside slowly while taking in their surroundings. When nothing came to attack them right away, Lucy let out a sigh of relief.
"So far so good." She said. "Now let's go find that key."
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In the center of the tomb—deep in the dark—a light started to shine within the darkness. A bright, bluish glow that resembled the light of a star.
… Someone is there… A Celestial Wizard approaches…
"Hey, is it just me or is this place super creepy?" A voice came through the darkness.
It was faint, but reached the ears of the one who has been sitting in the dark for some time—waiting.
… that voice… Anna?
The light grew brighter revealing the source of the light to be a key. A key made of stellanium. This key looked like any other key besides the material which is was made from. However, at the top of the key, it was decorated with black ivory to look like the body of a dog. A regal dog—sitting back on her haunches with her head held high.
"Eeek! What was that?!" The voice sounded through the darkness again.
… No, the voice wasn't Anna's voice… yet it still seemed so familiar…
The spirit within the key shifted wanting to see the owner of the voice. Who were they? And have they come to rescue her from her life of loneliness?