Aura Final: The Smallest Light

I stood across from Kagura stunned as I held the blue rock in my hand. I had no idea what this thing was or even if I could use it, but Kagura had faith in me and I didn't want to let her down. A couple of days after she showed me the lacrima, we told Wendy & the others. Suffice to say Wendy didn't have the same confidence in the plan as we had.
…
"Absolutely not, it's too much of a risk." Wendy objected as the others gathered around.
"But Wendy-"Aura began to protest.
"No. We don't know what could happen if you used that kind of power on your own."
"It's a chance we have to take Wendy." Kagura spoke up stepping in front of Aura. "Draven's influence grows with each passing day, and sooner or later he is going to find us. We have to use this chance to change things."
Wendy let up a little and indulged her curiosity at the pairs plan. "Ok, what do you propose we do with the Lacrima?"
"I'm going to eat it." Aura yelled surprising everyone but Kagura.
"You're what?"
"I said I'm going to eat it. It contains all kinds of magical power right? So I'm going to eat it and use the power inside to boost my teleportation magic, make a jump into the past, and kill Draven before he awakens."
Wendy looked at the young girl in shock, she then turned her attention to Kagura whose look was as equally determined as the Aura's. Wendy placed her hand on her head and sighed "I expected this from Aura, but you actually believe this could work Kagura?"
"I do."
"You're both insane."
"Actually it's not that bad of an idea when you break it down." A voice called from behind the three. Wendy turned around to see Jellal walking towards the three.
Wendy sighed as he stood next to her, his hand under his chin in a thinking pose. "You can't tell me you believe in this as well Jellal."
"Years ago when I fought Natsu at the Tower of Heaven, he was able to use Dragon force and managed to defeat me by absorbing energy from an Etherion infused lacrima." Jellal said looking at the three.
"But that was a one in a million chance, only Natsu would be capable of something like that. Besides Aura hasn't been able to access Dragon force yet." Wendy continued to protest as she and Jellal started to debate back and forth on the topic.
"Kagura, what's Dragon Force?" Aura asked looking at the ever stoic swordswoman.
"Dragon Force is a highly advanced Dragon Slayer ability. The user's body starts to resemble a Dragon's and their magic increases 10 fold. Your father could use this ability, as can Wendy but she only accessed it a couple of years ago." Aura stood in awe as she thought of what Kagura said.
"I think we should let her try it." Another voice spoke up.
Jellal & Wendy stopped arguing to notice that this time it was Levy voicing her opinion. "Levy? You're on their side too?" Wendy asked confused.
"Well it's not like we have many options left. More and more of us are being hunted each day, and aren't making any ground against Draven. So I think putting our faith in their plan is worth a shot." She put her hand over her heart as she spoke.
Wendy was still uneasy about the idea, but Aura's next words opened her eyes. "What if I can use Dragon Force? Will you let me go then?"
Wendy's eyes opened in surprise as she looked at the determination in the girls eyes, they reminded her of Erza. "Aura…"
"If I can learn to use Dragon Force, that's what you're worried about isn't it?" Aura asked her face still brimming with grit.
Wendy thought to herself as she looked at Aura. She's just turned 18 and she's ready to do something so dangerous. She smirked to herself. Well she IS the daughter of Natsu & Erza, it makes sense that their traits are in her blood. She looked at Aura, her eyes equally fierce, "Fine. If you can learn to use the Dragon Force, I'll let you enact this plan of yours."
Aura's eyes widened in excitement, "Yes! Thank you Wendy, I won't let you down."
"Don't get too excited Aura. If you can't master Dragon Force in 5 months, you put the lacrima back and we never speak of this again."
Aura nodded, "It's a bet."
"Good, we'll start training tomorrow; but be ready, this time I'm not holding back." Wendy said as she walked away from Aura.
…
I thought I was ready for Wendy's training, but I had no idea how much she was actually holding back. Once she activated Dragon Force, I couldn't keep up with her. She moved too fast, hit too hard, & thought too complex for me to handle. The first day of training I didn't even last 30 seconds against her.
The next time was barely under a minute, suffice to say that I suffered many injuries and broken bones while training with her. She was amazing, in battle she was overcome with a ferocity that was only matched by Kagura but as soon as training was over she returned to her kind self. Levy told me that Wendy used to be gentle all the time, but Draven's attacks changed all of that.
While I managed to last longer and longer each passing day, I still was far from achieving Dragon Force; and it was starting to become evident that I wasn't going to reach it before the deadline. Things seemed hopeless as I watched Kagura & I's last hope slip away.
However, the day of the deadline, the unthinkable happened; and our hand was forced.
…
"Agh!" Aura shouted in pain as she flew backwards, digging her heels into the ground to slow her momentum. She gripped her side as the blood dripped from her mouth, the rest of her body covered in cuts and bruises.
Opposite of her was Wendy, her white Dragon Force aura circling her body; scales on her arms and on the side of her face as she stood with her palm open facing Aura. Her body was just as fresh as the two began 5 hours earlier, nary a scratch on the woman. She returned her hand to her side as the aura dissipated and the scales faded.
She sighed, slightly disappointed as she began cooling down her body with deep exhalations. When the scales and aura had completely disappeared as she walked towards Aura who was barely standing as she continued to hold onto her side.
"Why did you stop?" Aura asked through labored breathes as Wendy came ever closer.
"Today's the last day of your training Aura." Wendy said as she began to heal the young girl.
"I know that." Aura said irritated looking away from Wendy, she knew that she had failed in her vow, she still had yet to reach Dragon Force.
"You've made incredible progress these past few months, I'm proud of you." Wendy looked at Aura with a smile as she continued healing her.
Aura sat on the ground looking away frustrated. She failed, she couldn't keep her promise to Kagura and it was hitting her hard.
Wendy stood up after she finished healing Aura, she extended her hand towards the girl but Aura didn't acknowledge it. "Come on Aura. Let's go back home."
"No, let's keep going I can still do it."
"You've made a lot of progress, but you need to rest Aura."
"No it's not. I still can't use Dragon Force! I need to keep going, please Wendy give me some more time." Aura pleaded.
Wendy sighed "Aura you don't understand, you-"suddenly the air around the two grew cold. Wendy's eyes opened in shock, she had felt this presence before. It can't be, not here, not now. She turned her attention towards Aura who could barely move, fear overtaking her. Dammit, we aren't ready to face him yet. How did he find us?
Aura's entire being felt heavy as her body shook. She had felt this feeling, this fear before. She felt it the night her parents were killed, when Luana died. This ominous, terrifying feeling could only be caused by one thing, one person…she recited his name aloud, her voice quaking in fear as the chill ran up her spine.
"Draven."
Quickly realizing what was coming, Wendy grabbed Aura and threw her towards the hideout. "Wendy!" Aura called as the others ran outside to see what the commotion was. All of them, save Kagura & Jellal were frozen in fear as they watched the figures approach through the trees.
"How did he find us?" Levy asked as she covered her mouth in shock.
"I don't know but-Kagura!" He reached his hand out but Kagura was too fast as she raced to Wendy's side.
SHING!
Wendy turned her head, barely noticing what was going on behind her. "Kagura."
"Wendy you have to be more careful, you can't let your guard down around them." She said to her friend as she struggled against her mysterious opponent. She swiped them away as they landed on the ground on their feet.
Kagura stood up, standing back to back with Wendy as they saw their enemies.
"I was hoping you were still alive Kagura. Now I can pay you back for what you did to me." A menacing voice called to the swordswoman.
Kagura grabbed her blade and set herself to fight. "Forgive me, it was my fault for allowing you to remain breathing after our last battle…Minerva."
"Dammit! Minerva's here as well?" Jellal yelled in anger as he threw off his coat, Wendy & Kagura can't take her in their weakened by state. He raced off but felt a presence above him, dodging before he collided with it. The mass created a crater in the Earth, and Jellal tensed his muscles as the dust settled.
"Don't ruin their fun Jellal, let the women have their girl time." A mocking voice said as a silhouette began to emerge from the crater. He knew the voice all too well, it was also one he hoped to never hear again.
"How did you find us Draven?"
"I believe I extracted the information from one of your comrades. What was his name again? Ah yes…Jura. As his name suggests he was Iron as a Rock, for the first 5 days. Then he sang like a bird, oh the secrets he shared with me."
Jellal's eyes tightened with rage as he heard how Draven had tortured his friend, but before he could make a move; Wendy, once again enveloped in Dragon Force attacked the madman.
BOOM!
The impact of her punch shook the very heavens, but Draven merely blocked it with one arm as he looked behind him at the grimacing Dragon. "Wendy, my you've grown into a gorgeous young woman. I see you've learned Dragon Force since the last time I saw you, what's it been? 2 years?" He continued on as Wendy jumped back to ready another attack. "So hostile, what's wrong? Not happy to see me? Is it because that scar I gave you on your back?"
Wendy & Jellal backed away in opposite directions, ignoring the despots taunts as they planned to pincer him in one attack. "What about Kagura?" Jellal yelled to Wendy worriedly.
"Don't worry Kagura can handle Minerva on her own. We should focus on Draven, he's the bigger threat." She said as she looked at her opponent determined. This is bad, we are nowhere near ready to face him head on like this. We need to find a way to escape.
She tried to keep her cool as Draven continued to mock her, but his next words caused all of that calm to crumble. "Or are you still angry because I ran my hand through that young girl's stomach while you watched?" his smirk piercing Wendy's soul.
Wendy flash backed to the night Luana died, the mission was to get an assessment on Draven's main force but things soon when south when they were spotted and had to run. Luana was confident she could take Draven, but her confidence was her undoing. Wendy tensed her body in a rage, but before she could move someone beat her to the punch.
"YOU BASTARD!"
POW!
A hard kick struck Draven in the back of the head, catching him off guard and knocking him off balance. He braced himself before he fell over, his eyes red with anger. "Who dares?!" he looked over to see Aura standing a small way away from him.
"Aura you idiot! Get back!" Wendy yelled, but her words didn't reach.
"Ragghh!" Aura charged Draven, her previous fear and apprehension being drowned out by her uncontrollable rage at how the madman callously stated how he killed Luana. All she could see was red as her fists enveloped in flame.
She's fast. Draven thought a bit hesitant as he saw the young girl advancing towards him. Within seconds Aura was under him raising her flame fist for an uppercut, but he dodged just in time and swiped at her. She vanished! Draven thought as his target was no longer in view.
Where did she, "Oof!" his thought process interrupted as a fist struck his face hard, sending him sliding against the ground. Aura landed on her feet breathing heavily as she grinded her teeth in anger.
Wendy looked one but she was more worried about Aura than happy at the hits she landed. She's wearing down, she's still having trouble using her two magics together. "Aura get back!" Wendy yelled in vain as Aura continued to stare down a re-positioned Draven. If she keeps this up she'll burn herself out.
Draven wiped the blood from his mouth and smirked. "You're strong girl." He looked at Aura, noticing the fire covering her body. "You must Titania and Salamander's other daughter. Was your sister the one I killed?"
FWIP!
She teleported again! Draven opened his eyes but this time he was ready for Aura as she appeared before him, the two exchanging fast and fierce blows, the impact rocking the trees.
"How is this possible?" Wendy looked at the two in amazement, "She's keeping up with him and she's not even using Dragon Force."
Minerva & Kagura were also engaged in a furious fight, but even they knew of the events unfolding behind them.
Impossible, Master Draven is actually being pressured by that girl.
Aura…
BAM! BAM! BAM!
No words were exchanged, only punches. Draven became slightly interested in Aura but he could sense her was power fading.
"Agh!" A hard fist struck her in the face but she kept going. A few more punches and it was easy to see that the tide of the fight was changing.
She's slowing down, he's going to kill her. Wendy thought as her heart began to sink.
"This is the end girl." Draven pulled back his fist to deliver the final blow but Aura blocked just in time, the fierce punch sending her careening into the hideout. She crashed through the wall until she hit the bar, back against the wall as her pupils and magic aura faded.
"Aura!" Wendy yelled as she and Jellal rushed Draven.
"Aura!" Kagura tried to rush to her aid but she felt the wind shift and jumped back, narrowly escaping Minerva's swipe.
"You'd best keep your eyes on me Kagura." Minerva once again rushed the swordswoman but Kagura's stance shifted and Minerva felt an intense pressure on her body.
Her momentum completely stalled she found herself kneeling before Kagura as the raven haired wizard gripped the hilt of her blade. Kagura's eyes were cold and dark, giving off an intense killing intent. Minerva found her body shaking as she could only look up and accept her fate.
"I have no more time to play with you Minerva." Her voice was cold as Minerva closed her eyes to await the inevitable.
SLASH!
The attack could be heard all the way near the hideout as everyone turned to the woods to see Kagura emerging alone. Once they saw her sword stained with blood they knew the result of the battle.
Wendy looked at Kagura as she approached, "Kagura you-" Wendy began in shock. "Wendy check on Aura." Kagura interrupted as she positioned her blade. "Jellal and I can handle Draven until you return." Wendy nodded she knew this was no time for arguing as she rushed to Aura's side.
Kagura, you really unsheathed your sword. It's been years since you've done that.
Wendy reached the hideout and healed Aura. "Levy!" she called to the blue haired wizard who ran over immediately. "You have to take Aura away from here. There is another safe house we use on long missions a few miles outside the forest, take the Lacrima with you."
"But Wendy, what about you and the others?"
"Go now, we need Aura." Wendy retorted completely ignoring Levy's question as she ran back to the battlefield. "Wendy!" Levy called but to no avail. She looked at the still unconscious Aura as she helped her to her feet.
"Lure! Millianna!" Levy called as the two ran over to her.
"Millianna, grab the Lacrima. Lure you take Aura." She said as she handed the girl to Lure.
"What are we doing Levy?" the boy asked confused.
"We're leaving."
"But what about Kagura & the others?" Millianna asked as she held the Lacrima in her hands.
"They're buying us time to escape but we have to go now."
"We-we can't just leave them here." Lure began to protest.
"We have no choice, we have to take Aura and go."
"But-"
"Do you think you can help them?" Levy asked Lure, her tone cold as his eyes widened with realization as he watched the four wizards wage war a few meters away. Three of the world's strongest wizards and Draven was handling them with near ease, not even Wendy's Dragon Force or Kagura's unsheathed Archenemy made much of a difference.
"The only chance we have is Aura & Kagura's plan, without that everyone's deaths would have been for nothing."
Lure gritted his teeth in anger as he thought of his parents and how Draven took them away from him along with all of his friends. He then looked at Aura's unconscious form as Levy placed her in his hands and nodded silently. The three then made their way towards the safe house.
BOOM!
The three briefly looked back to see a huge beam of light cut through the dark clouds and slowly dimmed, it must have been Wendy, but they knew they couldn't check on them. They continued their way to the safe house.
…
*Gasp* Aura awakened to find herself in a bed and in a room a good deal smaller than hers at the hideout. She sat up but felt a slight tug on her ribs, she peeled away the covers to see her body nearly covered in bandages. She tried to get up but this time she felt a pressure on her legs, looking at the edge of the bed she saw Millianna lying on them, the cat girl stirring as she felt Aura move around.
She rubbed her eyes to see what was going on, and when her eyes fell on Aura she couldn't help but let the tears stream down her face. She attacked Aura with a vicious hug as the two fell to the bed, Millianna's tears staining the pillow.
"Aura-you're awake." She said sobbing, "We've been so worried about you."
"Ok Millianna ok." Aura said slightly smiling as she patted her friends back. "Can you let up some? Your kinda hurting me."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Millianna sat back in her seat. "We thought you would never wake up."
"How long was I out? A couple of hours?"
Millianna's face grew somber, "You've asleep for a week Aura."
Aura's eyes widened in shock, "Where are the others?"
"Lure & Levy are downstairs."
"What about Wendy, Kagura, & Jellal?"
Millianna looked down at the ground, she couldn't face Aura after she asked that question.
"Millianna answer me-agh, dammit." She yelled as she suddenly felt pain in her side again.
"Aura calm down you still need rest, you're not fully healed yet."
Aura ignored Millianna's pleas and got up from the bed, holding her side as she walked down the stairs of the new safe house. She made it to the bottom, Millianna still following her as she found Lure & Levy in the kitchen cooking lunch.
Levy's eyes widened in shock but mostly happiness, "Aura you're awake."
"Where are Wendy & the others?" Aura's tone was cold.
"Aura calm down." Lure tried to mediate the situation as he stood between the two.
Levy continued to cut meat, completely ignoring Aura.
"Answer me Levy! Where are they?!" Aura yelled in anger.
Levy stopped cutting and looked at Aura, "Get dressed and I'll show you."
Aura reluctantly complied and went back up stairs. A few minutes later Aura was fully dressed and the four walked out of the door. After about five hours of walking back through the forest, they arrived at their destination…the old hideout.
Aura's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the destruction brought upon her second home, but something even more harrowing came into view as she looked a bit further into the woods. There in a small clearing not to far from the ruins of the resistance hideout, three rocks stood straight up in the ground. Aura walked closer to them as her body began to shake.
"No." She said in disbelief as she fell to her knees before the tombstones. Wendy, Kagura, & Jellal three of the mightiest wizards in the world, the three with any hope of defeating Draven had fallen to him. She began to sob as the others walked to her side.
She turned around and looked at her three friends in anger, "Why?!"
"Wendy told us to escape with you and we did." Levy answered calmly
"Why did you listen to her?!"
"We weren't in a position to argue with her Aura. You were knocked out and we had little options."
"You could have stayed, you could have fought! You left them to die! You-"Aura's eyes widened as she looked back at the graves.
"Where's Kagura's sword?"
"When we came back to bury them, we didn't see it. Draven must have taken it." Lure said sullenly
"I'm going to get it." Aura said standing up.
Lure pleaded with her, "Aura come on don't be stupid. You can barely stand upright."
"I don't care. I'm not going to let Draven do what he wants. I'm going to find him and-"
SMACK!
Aura touched her cheek as it glowed red from the imprint left on it, she looked to the left to see a sobbing Millianna, her hand across her chest, making it clear that she was the one who slapped the young dragon. "Will you stop being selfish for once?!"
"Millianna…" Aura said low as she held her cheek.
"Kagura and the others died protecting you Aura, and I'm not going to let you ruin their sacrifice by getting yourself killed! If you want to beat Draven, you have to stick to the plan. But more importantly you have to live!"
"What plan?" Aura asked as her eyes widened in confusion.
Levy reached into her vest pocket and pulled something out. She held her hand in front of Aura as she slowly opened it. Aura's eyes widened as she saw the brilliant blue Lacrima in Levy's hand. "We still have one hope left Aura, and it's you."
…
Aura put on her clothes as the sun broke through her blinds. It had been one month since she saw Kagura, Wendy, & Jellal's graves and she was determined to make their sacrifices worth something. She put on her pants and her brown button up shirt, rolling up the sleeves just below her elbow. She then looked at the mark on her arm, her family's crest emblazoned on it as she looked out of the window. The day had come at last, the day where hope would finally reawaken.
She took her father's scarf, now red due to all of the blood staining it over the years, and tied it around her head as her long wine red hair draped over it covering the back. She walked down stairs with lacrima In hand.
She looked to see Levy, Lure, & Millianna staring back at her at the bottom of the stairs, each of their eyes as determined as hers. They foursome made their way outside.
"Are you sure you're ready for this Aura?" Millianna asked still a bit concerned.
"It doesn't really matter if I'm ready or not, this is the only shot we have to make the world better." Aura answered as she gripped the lacrima tightly.
"Remember Aura," Levy began, "If it all possible, you shouldn't talk to anyone from the past, let alone members of Fairy Tail. And if a situation arises that;s out of your control, you can't tell them of the future."
"I know."
"You can't see Jellal, Kagura, Wendy, and you especially can't interact with Natsu & Erza."
Aura looked down and gripped the lacrima tighter, "I know."
"Good luck." Levy said smiling at her.
"You can do it Aura!" Millianna said smiling.
"Try not to mess things up too much." Lure commented smirking.
Aura smiled at her friends, "Thank you guys. I won't fail."
She moved the lacrima to her mouth and bit off a piece. Suddenly a flurry of magical energy surged through the young girl's body, she almost couldn't stand it. She managed to concentrate the energy long enough to muster a teleportation.
FWIP!
She disappeared, leaving behind her friends, but taking their hopes with her.
"You think she'll be okay?" Millianna asked worried.
"She'll be fine. She is the daughter of Salamander & Titania after all, not too many things will keep her down. We just have to make sure we're here when she returns." Levy answered confidently as the three looked into the sky. She then smirked, "Although she'll probably break our promise as soon as she gets there."
…
Aura eyes opened wide as she sat up. She looked around her to see that she was in the middle of a field. She checked to see if everything was where It was supposed to be. Noticing everything seemed in order she took out the lacrima fragment in her pocket. Did I make it? she stood up and walked into a nearby town.
She looked around amazed as she found everything was so pristine and lively and people were actually roaming the streets. She almost wanted to cry at how different everything was. This is Oshibana. I really made it, I did it! She then heard voices in the distance.
"Aw man that job was a bust!" an annoyed voice yelled in annoyance as it drew closer, Aura moved into a nearby alley as the voices grew louder.
"We could have gotten more money if you hadn't destroyed everything in sight Fire Freak." Another voice called, disparaging the previous one.
"You wanna fight pervert?" the other voice yelled back.
"Calm down you two." This time it was a woman's voice trying to calm the two men down.
"Lucy is right, stop your childish bickering you two." Another woman called, her voice more authoritative than the other girls.
As the group walked past the alley Aura was hiding in, time seemed to slow down as the group came into view. Her eyes widened in astonishment. Gray Fullbuster, Happy, Lucy Heartfilia, and more importantly…
"Mother…Father." She said in a whisper as she looked at Natsu & Erza walking past. Her eyes began to water, but she held back the tears as she ran back through the alley.
Mother… Erza heard the low whisper, and turn around for a moment, looking at the alleyway they just passed.
"You okay Erza?" Gray asked confused.
"Yes, I-I'm fine. I just thought I heard a voice call to me in the alleyway."
"I heard it too." Natsu added as he stood next to Erza.
"Well there are a lot of people here so maybe you heard one of them." Lucy commented.
"Hmmm, maybe you're right. Come on let's go eat to celebrate the completion of another job, on me." Erza said as she turned around and continued to walk forward.
"Alright!" Natsu yelled happily completely forgetting the voice.
"Can we go to a place that serves fish?" Happy asked as he floated behind the group. Their voices began to fade in the distance.