Hot and Cold

Attack On The Council

~*****~

It was seriously adorable to see Natsu getting along so well with the giants. "We owe you little people big time!" One giant exclaimed.

"We're just happy that we could help out!" I call back.

"Little people?" Wendy asked.

"I guess that would put you in an even smaller category, Wendy," Carla teased.

I held up the giant berry I'd been munching on. "Anyone kinda feel like this is way too big to eat?" I ask.

Lucy sighed. "We'll have plenty of leftovers, that's for sure."

I snorted in response. "Excuse me, but what exactly happened to you?" Erza asked the giants.

They all went silent as they stared down at her. "Honestly, I can't really remember much of anything." The giant Natsu was sitting on said.

"We were told that an Ice Demon Slayer raided the village," I mention through a mouthful of berry.

"Yeah! I remember grabbing my weapon to help fend him off." A bald giant hum.

"Everything's a blur after that," The scarred one mentions. Another giant hums in response.

"According to Atlus Flame, the Ice wizard confused him for a raging fire demon, and came to take him out," Lucy stated.

"So the whole village suffered because of a case of mistaken identity? That's far from uplifting." Erza mentioned.

"No doubt. And I got a feeling we've only scratched the surface of this thing." Gray comments. "The Succubus Eye creep told me somethin'. He said a netherworld gate had been opened because of me."

"A netherworld gate?" Erza echoed. "That's Tartaros!"

"Doesn't surprise me they'd make a move," I sigh lightly. "Succubus Eye works under them. They were obviously sent to keep the Eternal Flame frozen."

"So freezing the whole village wasn't about extinguishing Atlus Flame?" Wendy asked.

"It's possible, but it's all just speculation at this point." Carla shrugged.

"Who cares?! We finished the job, so let's party!" Natsu cheered.

"Party hardy!" Happy cheered in agreement.

"Has anyone seen Flare?" Lucy asked. I pick at my teeth and lean back, yawning lightly. "What's with the hide and seek? Hello~ Earthland to Flare~"

"DID SOMEONE SAY FLARE?!" The giants bellow, causing me to shriek as I leap out of the way of their feet. "Did she really come back?!"

Lucy tugged at Flare gently. "Hey, come on. They're waitin' on ya." Lucy hummed. "You're finally home, you should be happy!"

"Listen. I abandoned the village. I ran and never looked back. They hate me." Flare murmured delicately.

I pick at my teeth again. "Listen, no one can truly hate someone they cared about for so long. Why don't you just look at 'em?" I ask loudly.

Flare meekly steps out to greet them. "It's been a long time," One giant hums. "I hardly recognize you."

"You might still be tiny, but it's obvious you've grown." Another states.

"So, what was it like in the outside world?" A giant with curly hair asks.

Flare began playing with her fingers, staring at the ground. "I-It was a lot of fun... But it was also full of hardships." Flare admitted. After a moment, every single giant began to grin.