To Protect You

Chapter Eight: From comrades to enemies.

I'm back!

It's been too long. Man, I still feel so horrible just dropping off of the face of the earth. In case you guys are wondering, yes, I am alright. The boy's funerals were great help with closure. They died prematurely but I know most of it was fulfilling. Those two were both amazing boys and great friends. I still love them and I will miss them. But I know...well... I hope they knew how much they meant to all of us. As I was telling morbidEmpire, I actually took Taco Bell to their funeral and after everyone had left, I ate Taco Bell with them one last time. As weird as that may sound, it really helped me begin to heal and I'm back to writing.

And I'm seventeen now so there's that. And it's my two year anniversary of joining WattPad.

And you're still here!!! This book is full steam ahead!

This week's chapter will (I hope) give a good twist! Be prepared my loves (and this one will be better than chapter seven).

This week's chapter is dedicated to sakurablossom98 mainly because you leave the nicest comments on my books and they make me so happy so...hugs for you! (/^3^)/

I hope you guys enjoy Chapter Eight!!

~Dylan

------

"It's kind of nice not having the ever present threat of vomit on your shoes for once..." Lucy said softly, scuffing the heel of her boot on the floor of the carriage, her blonde hair falling over her shoulders. Gray's arms were crossed, his white jacket creased around his elbows as he leaned against the window and Mira was quiet, her eyes latched on the ground as she leaned back next to him. Levy looked at her friend and offered a small smile, aiding the blondes attempt at cracking a joke.

"I still miss Sting-sama..." Yukino murmured, her blue eyes staying on the floor.

"And Orga-kun." Lector said softly.

"Rogue..." Frosch sniffed, his large eyes full of tears.

"Come on, everyone." Eve said. "If we don't have high spirits, we won't be able to do anything to help our friends."

"Eve's right, Yukino." Lucy said, smiling at her fellow celestial wizard. "I know you miss them but we have to keep our heads held high." Yukino looked at her and offered a small smile, her fingers running softly over the surface of Pisces and Libra's keys.

"You're right."

"I found it." Hibiki said and the carriage stopped, the boars tugging the wooden container snorting in annoyance as Hibiki could be heard jumping down from the drivers mount. Another, less graceful set, followed and the door of the carriage swung open, Ichiya bowing deeply to the people inside.

"Let's rest, Mira-chan." Eve said, smiling at her, causing the white haired girl to look up at him. Eve, Lyon and Jura all climbed out, Ren, Lucy, Levy, Yukino, Mira and Gray climbing out after them with Gray shutting the door tightly shut.

"You found where Natsu and the others are?" Lucy asked hopefully and Hibiki shook his head.

"No, but I found the whereabouts of Black Enigma's guild. It's supposedly hidden and hard to get to but with as many of us as there is, I'm sure we'll be fine." He said, making the group all give a collective sigh of relief. Gray looked up as Hibiki stepped forward, raising his hand and pointing in the direction they had been traveling.

"If we continue to head this way, according to my data, we'll reach them in another few hours."

"So soon?" Yukino asked, eyes widening.

"Let's go rescue Natsu!" Happy exclaimed.

"And the others, Happy." Charle reminded him.

"Aye!"

A crash through the cart made Yukino jump away from the wooden carriage. The boars snorted and squealed in surprise before light engulfed one and wind engulfed the other, shooting the two animals off in opposite directions. Everyone looked up before Lucy looked down at the ruins of the cart.

"Bomb!" She shouted, pushing Yukino forward. The bomb detonated, causing everyone to be blown forward with a cry, Lucy skidding forward on her side. She let out a surprised yip as a hand on her back stopped and pulled her into a strong chest, her fingers immediately clutching the fabric of a pink shirt.

Hibiki let out a yell and Lucy heard the sickening sound of metal piercing skin and knew the boy was hurt, pulling back from his chest to look at him in concern.

"Hibiki!" She exclaimed, staring horridly at his unconscious features.

"What the hell?!" Ren gasped, Sherry held to his chest. His fiancée clung to him her blue eyes wide as she stared at their attackers. Levy had been caught by Pantherlily, Happy and Charle clinging to her chest as the large exceed held them close. Gray held Ichiya by the back of his pants as Eve huddled over Mira, his blonde eyebrows drawn together.

Lyon and Yukino were clutching each other, both white haired teen holding an exceed, Yukino holding Frosch tightly to her chest as Lyon held Lector in between them.

"W-What..."

"Sting-kun?!" Lector exclaimed loudly, large eyes widened.

"Cheria!!" Sherry gasped happily.

"And me!" Came a high pitched voice as a small girl with white hair jumped down from, seemingly, the sky. Lucy glared at the girl as she stood, revealing a teen about the size of Levy, causing Lily to snarl. "The names Haruka Peters! Nice ta meet ya!" She drawled, beaming at the group and holding up a peace sign. She wore a skirt that was decorated with tassels and the bottom, brushing against the startling magenta of her leggings. She wore boots similar to what Asuka and Bisca wore and even wore a large jacket over a tight magenta top that had tassels decorating the underside of each of her arms. And, just like Bisca and Asuka, wore a cowboy hat on the back of her head, white hair pulled back into a low ponytail beneath the brim of the tan hat.

"What the hell?" Lyon said, holding Yukino back from running to Sting.

Ichiya let out a yell, causing Lucy to jerk her head in his direction. Cheria stood before him, hands behind her as Ichiya slammed into the remains of the carriage, Haruka simply taking a step to the side to avoid him.

"Sugōi! Akami-chan's Magic is super cool don't you think? She's controlling them from our hide out! Now you're friends are your enemies! Oh my goodness this is so dramatic!!" Haruka whistled, admiring the small man.

"Ice Make: Hammer!" Gray snarled, slamming his fist down into his palm. Haruka looked up before the hammer crashed down, crushing her. The ice Mage smirked triumphantly before a light giggle came out. Haruka rose from the smoke, causing everyone's eyes to widen.

"Oh God." Lucy gasped, her eyes wide from horror as her fingers covered her mouth. Haruka stood there, her clothes torn to shreds. Her body showed the damage of being crushed by a huge hammer made of ice but...she was standing.

And her left arm, which was missing, was climbing up her leg, the fingers of her hand clinging to her skirt and slow making its way towards the stump of her shoulder.

"Did you really think I would be that easy to destroy?" Haruka taunted, the fingers on her right hand brushing against her lips.

"W-What the hell?" Gray gasped. "What is she?!"

-----

Haruka Peters...is she immortal? And what is it that is causing Sting and Cheria to attack? How will things turn out for the Wizards?!

Find out in Chapter Nine: Light and Wind vs Stars and Ice.