Double-Update?!?! YES WE DID!! As always, Wifey is a lot faster with her chapters than I am. XD
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KEY:
Thoughts
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Wendy sipped on her lemonade as she watched everyone return to training after diner. Juvia and Cana had returned laughing and covered in paint, which Juvia remedied. Levy had managed to eat more than Gajeel, just like she had for breakfast and lunch.
"Why am I so hungry!" she had barely got the exasperation out before devouring another sandwich.
"I told you dove, you used a lot of energy last night." Ramal chuckled. "You've got to replenish yourself. And it doesn't help that you insisted on training so early."
Now Wendy watched as Gajeel taught her hand to hand. She needs to know how to defend against someone much stronger than herself, Gajeels thoughts rang in her head. He had been telling himself that all morning, and had only just now managed to pry the girl from her father. Baghira lounged near her where she sat on a picnic table, his tail flicking lazily.
"You seem troubled small one. What is it?"
It always startled Wendy when the spirit spoke directly into her mind, she nearly dropped her glass. She sighed and set it aside, leaning her back against the table. "I don't have any useful powers. And even if I did, no one will let me help. They keep treating me like a child."
"But you are a child." Baghira got up and trotted closer to her, sitting beside her feet.
"I'm almost sixteen, that's not a child," she muttered to herself.
Baghira chuckled deep in his chest as he looked out over the field. "Yes, it is small one. Even my Levy is still a child, and my Ramal. Truly, everyone is a child at heart. No one should have to fight in the battles that are to come."
They sat quietly for long moments, Wendy running her fingers through his strange ghostly fur. He was warm and solid, yet fog lifted where her fingers traveled. "You called Ramal yours, like Levy. Were you his spirit too?"
Baghira was quiet, Wendy began to think she had upset him before he finally spoke up. "I was not his spirit, but my mate was. My Katreesh."
"Can... Can I ask what happened to her?"
He gave a small nod. "She was always at Ramals side, especially when he went to war. He never called for her, but she was always there to save him. It was thanks to her, in his last battle, that he only lost his leg. She gave her life for his."
Wendy stared at him wide eyed and had to blink back tears. "But, she's a spirit. You... You can die?"
He looked up at her, a small sad smile seemed to appear on his muzzle. "When we are summoned, we are given physical forms. Those physical forms can die just like any other, and the soul moves on. Nothing is eternal, not even the dragon."
Wendy was hugging him before she knew it, burying her face into his furry neck as she sniffed. A low purr rumbled through her as Baghira rubbed his face against her. She stayed like that for a long moment before sitting up and wiping her eyes.
"Stay a child for as long as you can Wendy, it can be taken from you before you know it." With that, Baghira trotted off towards Levy, who was heading towards them. Some time during her talk, Regin had come outside, and was now sparing with Gajeel.
Wendy had enough time to compose herself before Levy reached her. "Heya Wen!"
"Hi Levy, get a good workout?" Wendy asked with a grin.
Levy let out a tired groan as she slumped onto the bench beside her. "I'm thinking I should have rested like dad said, I'm dead on my feet." She worked a kink out of her neck before stretching. "But I don't have much of a choice do I? We don't know when Etherios is going to strike, we have to be ready for anything."
Wendy nodded as she listened to Levy go on about what Gajeel had taught her. Not only had she watched, but he had started teaching Wendy much of the same when she turned fourteen. "No cousin of mine is going to go without knowing a little self-defense." He had said. She could give Natsu a run for his money when she wanted.
At the mention of Etherios, as usual, Wendy became angry. Because of that man, Erza had died trying to protect them, and who knew how many times before that. Michelle had been attacked as well as Wendy herself, the cut on her neck itched even now. Then there was Gajeel, who was almost drowned in some bizarre goo. Gajeel, who wouldn't have come back if it wasn't for Jellal and Erzas quick thinking. Gajeel, who she had nightmares of never waking up again.
Wendy was a kind gentle soul, and she never hated anyone as much as she hated Etherios. She vaguely heard her glass on the picnic table move, the glass clinking. It wasn't until Levy stopped talking that Wendy turned to look at the glass, that was shakily hovering and inch above the wood. She gasped and the glass dropped, tumbling over and rolling off the table. She shared a glance with Levy as she swallowed nervously before leaning over and picking up the glass.
They were quiet for a moment before Levy spoke up. "Well, if you didn't want to listen to me talking about getting achey and sweaty you could have just said so."
It was not what Wendy was expecting, which is why she let out a startled laugh, slapping her hand over her mouth.
"No having fun over there!" Regin called from where she had Gajeel pinned to the ground, pulling his leg back hard and causing his back to bow.
"For the love of god woman I'm tapping I'm tapping!" Gajeel called as he slapped the dirt. Regin laughed before releasing him and standing, though Wendys attention was back on Levy.
"So, have you done that before?" she asked quietly.
Wendy shook her head. "No, never. I was just thinking about, how much I hate Etherios, and I don't hate anyone. I was remembering everything we've been through and I just... I don't know."
Levy smiled gently. "I'v heard strong emotions can unleash hidden powers, maybe you've had telekinesis all along and have just never had access to it until now."
Wendy nodded before starting to smile. "Hey, maybe I can be helpful now! This is something I can do!" She heard Levys thoughts before she had a chance to voice them. "No no, listen. This is a distance thing! I can still be out of the way, and help from a distance!"
Wendy waited with bated breath as she listened to Levy think. After several long moments, Levy smiled and propped her head up on her hand. You're something else. "You realize the Wendy brigade isn't going to be happy with that." She jerked a thumb to a suddenly soaked Gajeel and Regin, who were both running after Natsu.
Wendy giggled and Levy ran a hand through her short hair. "Good thing for you, I enjoy breaking the rules."
"You, the would be lawyer?"
Levy snorted, "It just means I know all the loopholes. You and I will practice once everyone's gone to bed. Then you can surprise everyone."
