After bringing Gatomon back to the guild, it sparked the expected frenzy among the female members, just like before.
Gatomon's cute, cat-like appearance—with those perky ears, the lively sparkle in its eyes, and that slightly tsundere edge to its personality—had them all hooked in an instant.
From Mirajane and Lisanna, who were usually so composed behind the bar, to Levy buried in her books and Cana with her endless mugs of ale, nobody could resist.
"Oh my god! Is that a new Summoned Beast? It's so adorable!" one of them squealed, probably Lisanna, her eyes lighting up like stars.
"It's a kitty! Look at those fluffy ears—I just want to pet them!" another chimed in, reaching out tentatively.
"And that long tail! With the golden ring on the end—it's perfect!" someone else added, crowding closer.
"Ace! Please let it stay! We'll take such good care of it, we promise!" they all pleaded in unison, their voices overlapping in a chorus of excitement.
Gatomon found itself surrounded by this enthusiastic swarm of women.
On the outside, it tried to keep up an elegant posture, standing tall with its paws neatly together, but the signs of discomfort were there if you looked close: its tail puffed up just a bit at the tip, and its eyes darted around warily, like it was plotting an escape route.
It wasn't used to this kind of attention, not in a place like this guild hall bustling with mages and magic.
Gatomon shot a pleading glance over at Ace, hoping for some backup, but its master was already settled at the bar, casually sipping a drink with Natsu and Gray.
Ace caught the look and just gave a helpless shrug, his expression clearly saying, 'Sorry, you're on your own this time.'
He even raised his glass in a mock toast before turning back to whatever banter he had going with the two rivals.
At least Gatomon had the raw strength to handle itself—it could take on a whole group of Champion-level Digimon if push came to shove.
That thought gave it enough confidence to duck behind Ace's chair, using him as a shield while it smoothed down its ruffled fur with quick, careful pats of its paws.
"Phew... that was close. I'm saved," Gatomon muttered under its breath, one paw still pressed to its chest as if to calm a racing heart.
Ace glanced down with a soft chuckle. "You'll get used to it eventually. They're all harmless, really—just excited."
He reached over and gave Gatomon's head a gentle pat, and despite itself, Gatomon leaned into it, eyes squinting in quiet enjoyment.
But it stuck close to Ace's side after that, not willing to venture out again anytime soon.
Over at another table, Lucy was slumped over, staring at her empty wallet and the pitiful scraps of savings left inside.
She'd snagged the Virgo key from Duke Everlue, which was a win, sure, but the reward money?
Gone, vanished into thin air on who-knows-what.
Rent was due next month, along with all those living expenses piling up, and she still hadn't landed a decent, well-paying job to cover it.
'Sigh... Do I really have to borrow from one of the members?' she thought, her head dropping onto her arms in defeat.
It felt so embarrassing.
She was supposed to be an independent Celestial Spirit Mage, standing on her own two feet, not begging for handouts like some newbie.
Just then, Loke sauntered by, humming some upbeat tune under his breath, looking as slick as ever in his suit.
He noticed Lucy's gloomy expression and paused, pushing up his glasses with that trademark troubled smile.
"Yo, new girl. You're cute and all, but fate's a cruel thing sometimes. Better give up any ideas about me right now. Between us... yeah, it's just impossible."
Lucy lifted her head slowly, staring at him with a blank expression that quickly twisted into annoyance.
Dark lines seemed to etch themselves across her forehead as she processed his narcissistic nonsense.
All her money worries? Poof, washed away in a tidal wave of sheer speechlessness.
"Who—who even has ideas about you?! You self-absorbed narcissist! Playboy! Just get away from me already!"
"Oh my, don't be too sad about the rejection, miss," Loke replied, his tone dripping with fake sympathy, even as his feet were already carrying him away at a brisk pace.
He slipped off without a backward glance, leaving Lucy grinding her teeth, her fists clenched on the table.
But only a few minutes later, Loke came barreling back into the hall like a whirlwind, his face twisted in pure, unprecedented panic.
He skidded to a stop and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Th-this is bad!! Erza is back—!!!"
"What?!"
"E-Erza?!"
"Isn't she supposed to be on a long-term mission?!"
"Quick! Hide the booze! Straighten up those tables! Natsu! Gray! Cut it out with the fighting!"
The name "Erza" hit the guild like a thunderclap, sparking a commotion that was easily ten times wilder than if they'd been ambushed by enemies.
The once-rowdy crowd snapped into action with this unbelievable efficiency—people flipping tables back upright, sweeping away trash, even slapping the nappers awake so they could scramble to proper seats.
It was chaos, but the organized kind.
"Wh-what's happening?" Lucy stammered, her eyes wide as she watched the guild transform from a messy tavern to something almost orderly in seconds.
Everyone's faces were a mix of awe, outright fear, and nervous tension, and it made her own heart start pounding in her chest.
'Who is this Erza person? How does she have everyone this scared?' Lucy's mind raced with wild images—a super she-devil, maybe eight feet tall and just as wide, with a ferocious scowl and a temper that could level buildings.
Just as her imagination spiraled further—
Thud... thud... thud...
Heavy footsteps echoed from the street outside, rhythmic and oppressive, each one getting closer and landing like a weight on everyone's nerves.
The guild doors creaked open slowly.
First thing in was this massive, ferocious horn, carried in and dropped right in the center of the hall with a dull thud that kicked up a puff of dust.
Then came the figure behind it—tall, upright, radiating majesty and raw power as she stepped inside.
She had waist-length scarlet hair that flowed like a banner, and her face was beautiful, but those eyes... they held this stern, heroic intensity that made it hard to hold her gaze.
She wore magnificent silver-white armor, sleek and form-fitting, with an indigo pleated skirt that reached her knees, showing off her straight, slender calves.
Her left hand rested lightly on the hilt of the sword at her waist, right hand hanging at her side.
Just standing there, she exuded this queen-like aura, surveying her domain, and the already quiet room felt like it dropped a few degrees colder.
Erza's eyes scanned the hall like precise scanners, sweeping over every corner, every member.
Wherever her gaze landed, people stiffened up, heads dropping, not daring to look back.
"Hmph." She seemed mildly satisfied with the orderly setup and gave a light nod.
But then her attention snagged on the little slip-ups—the liquor bottle peeking from Macao's sleeve where he hadn't hidden it fully, the cigarette ash scattered at Wakaba's feet, the empty barrel rolling lazily next to Cana.
"Wakaba, you've got three seconds to clean that ash up." Erza said, her tone flat.
"Cana, you're drinking way too much lately."
Then her gaze locked on Natsu and Gray. "Natsu, Gray. Looks like you two are getting along for once."
"Aye!/Yes, my queen!" The ones called out responded in loud, hurried voices, no hint of defiance anywhere.
Lucy sat there, mouth agape, watching it all unfold.
This Erza wasn't the monster she'd pictured—not at all.
She was beautiful, powerful, with this incredible presence, like a Valkyrie ripped from some epic knight's tale.
But the way the guild reacted, shrinking like mice before a cat, still blew her mind.
And Natsu and Gray? The guys who'd been brawling like cats and dogs minutes ago were now hugging each other tight, Natsu even throwing in a goofy "Aye~" in Happy's voice, trying to play it off.
It was hilarious, unbelievable, and a little sad all at once.
Erza was about to keep up her inspection when her eyes finally drifted to the bar, landing on the guy leisurely sipping juice, with that elegant white cat perched on his shoulder.
Something rippled in Erza's eyes, just for a split second, and her cold, serious expression softened ever so slightly.
She strode across the silent hall, boots clicking, and stopped right in front of Ace.
"So you're here in the guild," she said, her voice still cool, but if you paid attention, it lacked that sharp edge she'd used on the others.
Ace set down his juice and smiled up at her. "Yeah, I just got back not too long ago. You, though, Erza—it seems like every time I'm around the guild, you're off on some mission. Rare to actually run into you."
At his words, Erza's eyes lowered just a touch.
Lately, her mind had been a mess, thoughts swirling in turmoil, leaving her agitated.
She'd been taking on all these long-term, dangerous missions on purpose—partly to push her limits and train, partly to stay away from the guild, to dodge certain people and situations that threw her off balance.
Numbing it all with heavy work seemed easier.
"Perfect timing, then," Erza said, lifting her gaze and shoving those thoughts aside.
Her expression sharpened back to serious as she looked at Ace and extended the invitation.
"I've got a mission near Oshibana Town... this might be classify as S-class quest, I need a partner—someone strong, reliable. Ace, you willing to join me on this?"
"Whoa—!"
The hall stayed quiet on the surface, but inside everyone's heads, a storm was brewing. Erza inviting Ace to team up? Actively? That was unheard of!
Erza's strength was top-tier in the guild, no question, and she was all about going solo—independent, efficient, rarely asking for partners.
Ace was right up there too, an S-Class mage with power that nobody could quite pin down.
The two of them together? That'd be the strongest duo the guild had seen in ages.
What kind of mission called for that kind of firepower?
Ace's mind clicked at the mention of "Oshibana Town."
'Oshibana... Lullaby? That cursed flute thing?'
He glanced toward the backyard, then over at Lucy, who was looking nervous and curious all at once, and an idea sparked.
"I've got no problem teaming up with you, Erza," Ace said, still smiling.
A faint light started to gleam in her eyes, but then he added, "But since it's S-Class and heading to a spot like Oshibana, maybe more hands on deck? Plus, the new folks could use some real experience."
"What do you mean?" Erza frowned a little.
"Let's bring Natsu and Gray," Ace suggested, nodding toward the backyard. "Those two have energy to burn—good chance to let them loose."
"Fine," Erza agreed with a nod.
"And," Ace continued, turning to Lucy, who'd been staring in surprise, "let's include Lucy too. She's new, needs the training."
"Celestial Spirit Magic could come in handy in weird situations."
"Huh?! Me too? On an S-Class quest?" Lucy pointed at herself, shock mixing with a burst of joy, though nervousness won out mostly.
Erza didn't respond right away this time.
She'd heard about the new blonde girl—Ace and Natsu had brought her in, and she seemed close to Ace already.
Strength-wise, she looked green, but her eyes were clear, no sign of being a pushover who'd drag them down.
"Fine," Erza nodded again, sealing it. "Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Happy. Plus you and me, Ace. Get ready—we leave for Oshibana in one hour."
Natsu and Gray just stared at each other, blank-faced, like the world had narrowed to just them and nobody else's words could penetrate.
"I-I understand! I'll get ready right now!" Lucy jumped up, excitement kicking in as she rushed off to her apartment to pack.
Ace watched Natsu and Gray still locked in their stare-down, then glanced at Lucy's retreating figure, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
'The cursed flute of Lullaby, huh?' He wondered what surprises awaited beyond just Eisenwald's dark mages.
The strongest team—temporary version—was about to deploy!
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