#[ and just!! thinks a normal amount ab crocus....

[soulsolid-a]

     There are two people who Brook is eternally indebted towards to a degree that he knows well he would never be able to repay, no matter how many times he may die with his life dedicated towards them. First being Luffy, of course.

     While he’s well aware of the entire crew’s contributions, it’s Luffy to whom he pledged his second life to. Luffy had given him back everything. He’d given him back the sun, and with that, hope. Luffy had gave him back his shadow, had offered him a new home, and above all, told him that Laboon waited still. Nothing about that day was any less than a miracle, and Brook knows he would never be able to give to Luffy the same life that his captain gave to him, but his soul be damned if he would do his best to pay back even an ounce of it.

     The second person is, beyond shadow of a doubt, Crocus. Crocus had been a true friend in those three months the Rumbar Pirates had spent at the Twins Cape. They’d gotten along well, and Brook had been thrilled when the man was willing to look after Laboon for a few years. Though he’d never once truly doubted the man’s integrity, Brook still knew that — as time had passed in the fog — caring for a full grown whale, at the entrance to the Grand Line no less, was an incredibly taxing request to honor, and one he’d never wanted to have asked from the doctor. To learn that Crocus, after all this time, was still caring for Laboon, and to learn that Crocus had set sail in hopes to find them, it would have broken his heart from joy and guilt, had he still had one. He owes Crocus a debt he could never hope to make up for for having cared for Laboon for all these years, though he can hope to — at the very least — apologize with all his soul for their deaths and delay once their paths can finally crossed again once more.

[riverofmemoriesft]

. Between the Lines . 200

Lucy made her way into the guildhall the next morning feeling a little drained, but happy to be home. Natsu hadn't showed up at her apartment over the night and she wondered why, but said nothing about the matter. She merely expressed her delight in seeing him when he rose from where he'd been gulping down breakfast and grinned at her.

"Hey, Luce!" he called, waving. She made her way over to him as others called greetings, everyone happy to be home like she was. Mirajane was back behind the bar with Lisanna and Kinana, Cobra snoring away at the bar as he took a nap. Elfman was gone, but several others were there, everyone chattering excitedly. Erza, Jellal, Wendy, Gray, Juvia, and the cats were all seated with Natsu.

"What's everyone so talkative about?" she asked as she settled into a seat across from Natsu, beside Wendy.

Juvia beamed. "Fairy Tail has been granted the Fantasia Parade this year," she told her eagerly. "We'll be taking part in it!"

Lucy furrowed her brow. "The Fantasia Parade? What is that?"

"You weren't here last year," Erza said warmly. "We found you almost two or three weeks later. Jellal wasn't either. It's a huge parade to celebrate a day of harvest from hundreds of years ago. It's a festival day. This year, Fairy Tail's hosting the parade to celebrate our victory in the Grand Magic Games, against the dragons, and to show off our magic one final time before we claim it as a usual part of society."

Lucy's eyes widened. "I see," she said, resting her chin in her open palm with a thoughtful look.

"Anyways," Wendy said, bouncing up and down. "We were all assigned floats. Master and Mira went through and decided on who would work best together. Charle, Natsu, Happy, and I are all going to be working with Gajeel and Lily. We're going to do a dragon slayer float."

Happy purred excitedly and Charle rolled her eyes, telling them, "I see no point to any of this, it's not going to make things any more happy than they are."

Ignoring her, Natsu pouted. "I wanted to be on a float with all of you guys. Except for Gray."

Grinning, Gray rocked back in his seat. "Juvia, Erza, and I are on a float together. We've been given permission to design it and we came up with an idea of building a castle of ice with water around it and filling it. Erza will be on a balcony as some kind of knight."

"Good idea," Lucy praised, and then frowned, grabbing her phone. "Is this the e-mail Mira sent out last night?"

Jellal inclined his head. "Yes. You and I will be sharing a float, Lucy. If that's alright, of course?"

Lucy beamed. "That's perfectly fine. Thanks, now I don't have to look." She suddenly furrowed her brow. "I don't think I'll be summoning my Spirits though. They've been...off. I tried to summon Loke last night to talk with him, see if everything was okay, but his key nearly burned my hand. And this," she added, tapping the pendant on the choker she usually wore. "It actually gave me blisters." She showed them her palm.

"Luce," Natsu huffed as Wendy examined the wound. She didn't bother to use her magic, but reassured her it wouldn't scar when it healed. "Why didn't you text me or something?"

She shrugged. "It's not a big deal. Anyways I was wondering. Where were you last night? I thought you were stopping by to say good night before heading home."

He copied, shrugging and shoving a piece of bacon in his mouth. "Happy and I were cleanin'. Had an idea I'm gonna try. I'll do it after the Fantasia Parade." He exchanged a look with his friend and Happy flicked his tail.

"You'll like it, Lucy," Happy purred.

"Which reminds me...you needed help, right?" Gray glanced at him. "Jellal said he was free this afternoon. He and I can stop by. And Erza, too."

Wendy exchanged a confused look with Lucy when Natsu agreed, grinning at them happily. "Are we not invited?" Lucy demanded.

"No!" all of them said hastily. Including Jellal, who had wide eyes.

Gray paused suddenly, and then looked over at Jellal. "Actually, Wendy can come. She's pretty strong. We'll grab Gajeel, too, to help with the dragon slayer portions. Why don't you take Lucy out and start that training you mentioned earlier? You said you'd come up with an idea."

"You're just trying to keep me busy," Lucy muttered suspiciously.

"Yep," Gray agreed, smirking.

Jellal chuckled and told her, "He's right though. I did have an idea for training purposes if you were interested, Lucy. You've never been taught to turn your magic into a fighting type." Jellal smiled. "You use what's called holder magic. You use objects, though we know you're capable of more. So I want to see if we can perhaps give you the ability to turn it into more of a caster magic. You've gotten pretty good with Urano Metria. Why not figure out how far you can push your magic?"

"There are ancient abilities as well," Erza added, and then admitted, "Jellal and I skipped out on the welcome home party yesterday and started some research when he brought this up. We found that there was more rumors on the matter than actual truth, but Loke and your other Spirits can confirm our thoughts when they're up for it."

"Star Dress," Jellal offered. "I don't think even your mother was capable of it. The last one to use such a spell was one of your ancestors. Only the Heartfilia line is supposed to be able to use that spell. Of course, you're the only family that inherits celestial magic genetic wise."

Lucy flushed. "I suppose that's possible."

"It would take a lot of training," Jellal added. "So I'm thinking perhaps we can try and figure out how to access that kind of magic. The problem is, I think we'd need to ask your Spirits how to go around doing it."

"I'll talk with one of them when they stop being jerks," Lucy promised. "But I am interested in looking into doing magic like you were talking about. Natsu and Wendy are able to use their magic in a way that strengthens blows that would normally cause damage anyways. Being able to do that and even learning better hand-to-hand combat would give me an advantage and let me surprise someone should they attempt to come after my keys again."

"Most of us are pretty efficient in that," Erza said firmly. "We can all help teach you that."

Lucy found herself excited. Beaming around at her friends, she asked, "When do we start?"

Lucy found herself walking with down the street of Magnolia, a bored Cobra trailing behind them. Having overheard their plans, he'd decided that he was going to tag along. Jellal hadn't minded, and Lucy found that the two were on surprisingly good terms, having had quite a few walks with one another as well as Sorano and Meredy in Crocus.

Lucy's lips twitched as she turned a corner.

They were heading to a park, and they were going to have a little showing in which people were welcome to watch as Lucy trained. They figured if they advertised such matters, maybe they could start offering certain days a month to the public, seeing if they wanted to come and learn with mages how to defend themselves.

Makarov had given them the okay, of course, proud of them for coming up with such an idea.

When they arrived at the park, Lucy shrugged off her jacket, enjoying the warmth of the late morning. They'd stopped at her house so she could change and she found herself in a pair of spandex shorts and a tank top that hugged her curves. Cobra gave nasty looks to anyone who stared with too much interest, wearing a jacket lined with fur despite the heat.

Jellal shed a light jacket made of material to enhance his magic, smiling a fraction. Lucy arched a brow at the tight sleeveless shirt he'd worn. "Feeling a bit flashy today, are we?" She gestured to how well the shirt showed off the muscle he held.

Being a mage meant constant physical work, and it was better to be in shape. Everyone had a decent amount of muscle. Even Lucy found herself with a lot more bicep and abs then she'd had a year ago.

"I'm always flashy. Just not in public." Jellal swung his arms in massive circles, working his neck. Lucy waited patiently for him to start instructing her. "I'm assuming you can throw a punch?"

"Of course," Lucy huffed. "I'm not that hopeless."

Sprawling himself out in the grass, Cobra called, "You sure about that?"

"Shut up, no one asked you for your input," Lucy retorted.

"I did," Cobra replied.

Jellal laughed and then settled down. "Alright, Lucy. Let's see what you can do."

Lucy nodded and slid into a stance, remembering what Natsu had shown her in a brief playful match they'd had months before. Jellal struck before she expected, but she managed to duck and sweep out a leg, attempting to knock his legs out from under him as she'd seen Natsu do. He jumped a little to avoid the blow and then lightly grabbed her around the chest when she'd straightened, expertly swinging her down to the ground and pinning her there with a knee on her chest.

"Good," he praised, panting a little. He let her up, helping her to her feet. "Really good for a start. You're observant. I've seen Natsu use that move thousands of times." He planted his fisted hands on his hips. "Keep yourself light and balanced so that you can spring back as soon as you've used it though. My first tip is to not stay stationary."

Cobra yawned. "Keep your hair out of an enemy's grasp, Blondie. It gives them a huge advantage if they grab it."

Lucy touched her tied back ponytail and nodded. "Thanks."

Jellal praised Cobra in a murmur for his thoughtful input and then rocked back on his heels. "Ready to try again?"

She sat upon her self-proclaimed throne with her legs crossed at the knee. The iridescent clothing she wore shimmered in the light of the world she'd proudly conquered, even as her newly found kingdom crumpled beneath her. Spirits fled or disappeared, others turned to her for guidance, seeing as they couldn't turn to their King or Leo, who'd fallen to her clutches.

At her right was Hydra, his lips curved into a ridiculous grin that showed his delight at what was happening. Ophiuchus reluctantly stood at his side, jaw working furiously. It had subjected itself to her rule only after the other twelve had fallen, and she found herself proud.

She'd gained command over the thirteen Zodiac, even commanding a Spirit known for its defiance and hatred of all - excluding the woman who held its key. She found herself bothered that the little celestial mage was held in such high regard by Ophiuchus, who hated everyone else.

"Cassiopeia," Andromeda chimed softly from her left.

"Mm?" Cassiopeia questioned, looking to the child Spirit. Two giggling children stood beside her, hand in hand. Cassiopeia beamed, pleased. A third child stood a short distance away, watching impatiently.

"Leo seeks a word with you."

"Does he?" Cassiopeia murmured, standing swiftly. Her long golden hair tumbled down her back in a straight curtain. Silverish strands glinted in the light. "What does he want?"

The third child blinked once. "Leo seeks to enter the Mortal Realm, miss," she said honestly, her dark eyes glowing with excitement. "He requests that we all do."

Cassiopeia knelt before her and patted her blue-haired head. "Of course," she purred. "You are all granted permission. Go, wreak havoc, do as you see fit. Just remember to inform me of details of your fun, Aquarius. Tell that to the others, yes?"

"Yes, ma'am!" She beamed and then looked to the two children who stood with Andromeda. "Come on, Gemini! Let's go have fun!"

The twins exchanged sparkling eyed looks and tore off after her.

"What of us?" Hydra demanded impatiently. "Of this bastard?"

Ophiuchus growled and uncoiled its massive body. Cassiopeia struggled to not show her fear.

This Spirit was the one that concerned her, because it was the strongest, overpowering even Leo. It could have been the leader of its group had it wanted to. Yet it simply blinked lazily at her before leaving, black body moving swiftly.

Understanding swept through her.

"Tch," the new self-proclaimed Spirit Queen snorted.

"Warn your mage if you think it'll help. It's too late to do much good."

PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 223

The car barely skidded to a halt before it struck a woman who stood in the middle of the road.  Her chin was raised high, her cold gaze staring them down through the windshield, and Lucy made a strangled sound in her seat, reaching over to clutch Natsu’s arm.  

“Minerva,” she gasped, staring at the woman.  She looked nothing like Natsu remembered, with horns on either side of her head and black marks streaking over her pale skin.  But that glint in her eye-

Minerva’s lips, painted as red as ever, curved upwards.  She gave a little wave as someone thudded to the ground beside her.  He was blond, with inhuman features.  A tail and ears, hands that looked as if he’d dipped them into tar and tipped with atlons that sparked as he grinned maliciously at them with sharp teeth.  Natsu’s chest thundered with a sound akin to a growled snarl.  He protectively curled himself around Asuka, glaring viciously through simmering onyx eyes.  

Behind him, a giggle escaped Ali’s lips.  Their heads snapped to her.  

She smirked knowingly at them all, her eyes glowing cruelly.  

“Boom,” she chuckled.  

Lucy’s face paled.

“Boom!” the man beside Minerva screeched, slamming his taloned fingers into the ground, shoving them through pavement.  It splintered as something blasted through it.  

The car flew.

[soulsolid]

#[ talked ab b4 but thinks a normal amount of how brook still kind of feels like he Has to do something for the crew#[ and just. general his views of crews vs his role within it       feels he's lacking    but still does what he can bc he owes it to them#[ on top of genuinely caring for ofc but just     thats a whole nother post dsks#[ just!!!!#[ thinks a lot ab how brook feels like he knows he can never make it up to luffy and crocus....

     There are two people who Brook is eternally indebted towards to a degree that he knows well he would never be able to repay, no matter how many times he may die with his life dedicated towards them. First being Luffy, of course.

     While he’s well aware of the entire crew’s contributions, it’s Luffy to whom he pledged his second life to. Luffy had given him back everything. He’d given him back the sun, and with that, hope. Luffy had gave him back his shadow, had offered him a new home, and above all,told him that Laboon waited still. Nothing about that day was any less than a miracle, and Brook knows he would never be able to give to Luffy the same life that his captain gave to him, but his soul be damned if he would do his best to pay back even an ounce of it.

     The second person is, beyond shadow of a doubt, Crocus. Crocus had been a true friend in those three months the Rumbar Pirates had spent at the Twins Cape. They’d gotten along well, and Brook had been thrilled when the man was willing to look after Laboon for a few years. Though he’d never once truly doubted the man’s integrity, Brook still knew that — as time had passed in the fog — caring for a full grown whale, at the entrance to the Grand Line no less, was an incredibly taxing request to honor, and one he’d never wanted to have asked from the doctor. To learn that Crocus, after all this time, was still caring for Laboon, and to learn that Crocus had set sail in hopes to find them, it would have broken his heart from joy and guilt, had he still had one. He owes Crocus a debt he could never hope to make up for for having cared for Laboon for all these years, though he can hope to — at the very least — apologize with all his soul for their deaths and delay once their paths can finally crossed again once more.