//------------------------------// // Small Coalition Day 3: Recovery // Story: Spike the Fairy // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's 8:30 in the morning in the town of Hargeon. Spike wakes up after having a nightmare about drowning in the open sea. He looks around, panting, and sees his friends sleeping in their beds. "What happened?" Spike gets up, thinking he's still on Serpent's Fang. "Hold it there, Sailor," Popeye comes in with a tray of spinach rolls and water. "Popeye? Then that means..," Spike groans a little. "Hey, wait a minute! How did we end up back in Hargeon?!" Spike exclaims. "Calm down, Sailor. Here," Popeye gives Spike a glass of water. "Drink this and relax." Spike drinks the cup of water and relaxes a bit. Spike remembers the ambush and how each member of the Seven Deadly Sins beat each of his friends. Spike remembers the low-blow attack that rendered him defenseless. "How are my friends doing?" Spike asks. "Well, they're doing well, Sailor. Mind telling me what went down? I know Serpent's Fang has sunk." Spike takes a deep breath. Wendy and Sherria wake up feeling a bit woozy from yesterday's tidal wave ride. "My head hurts," Sherria has a headache. "My head feels like it's spinning continuously," Wendy said, holding onto her head. Carla wakes up feeling some back pain. "Ow..," Carla flinches when she stretches. She feels sore. "Those cannonballs hurt." "Ouchie..," Frosch feels the same pain as Carla when he woke up. Rogue wakes up. "Damn, that Shark guy is strong," Rogue remembers King Shark using Gajeel like a bat, playing baseball. "That's twice he's beaten me," Gajeel is pissed off after waking up. Kagura wakes up. She's angry that she lost to Raphael while using Cassidy as his weapon of choice. "I will get retribution from those two," Kagura balls her fist. Romeo wakes up. He feels sore from the attack Cherry Blendy used and colliding with Yukino. "My body hurts," Romeo stretches a bit. "I feel dizzy," Yukino said as she's waking up. Juvia wakes up feeling humiliated. Kain Hikaru controlled her body like a puppet a second time after having difficulties battling Krabster. Juvia covers her face with her hands in shame. Lyon wakes up feeling dizzy and sore. "Man, what happened?" Lyon gets up and stumbles a bit. "Okay, I need to sit," Lyon sits back down on the bed. Mark Anthony comes in to check on everyone. "Seems the lads and lassies are awake." "They're lucky to be alive, Captain Sparrow," Popeye said. "Question is, how did we end up back in Hargeon?" Kagura asks. "I can explain that." "Fairy Rage? What did you do?" Romeo asks. "Please, explain," Wendy politely asks. "After everyone was overboard and King Shark unleashed his tidal wave, I took control of Spike and cast the Ring of Defense spell at the last moment. Instead of us drowning, we coughed and gagged on the ride back to Hargeon." "You saved us..," Kagura is speechless. "Whoa," Lyon is in shock. "That explains why all of us didn't die," Rogue said. "Why did we ended up in Hargeon instead of elsewhere?" Carla asks. "Bluto. He wanted to make a statement that he and his crew are not to be trifled with. I can assume that the new members of the Seven Deadly Sins are the most feared and vicious ones of the group," Popeye said. Sherria starts shedding tears. She remembers that her mother is a member of the Seven Deadly Sins, and she's a Sky Demon. "Sherria, are you okay?" Wendy asks. "No.., my mother is a member of the Seven Deadly Sins. I was told she died conceiving me. Something doesn't make sense. Also, I'm not sure if I can defeat my own mother..," "Sorry about Serpent's Fang. We lost the ship," Lyon apologizes to Popeye. "I'm more concerned about you Sailors than my ship; no need to apologize. I'm happy to know you guys and gals are alright. Now, who are the newer sins of the Seven Deadly Sins?" "Lust..," Sherria wipes her tears. "My mother.., Cherry Blendy..," Sherria cries and goes to a different room. "I'll go check on Sherria," Romeo and Wendy go after Sherria. "Cassidy is Sloth of the Seven Deadly Sins. His slow movements seem weak at first glance but are incredibly strong. He's invincible and unbreakable skin. My sword couldn't scathe him." "I've seen what your sword can do. I've seen it on the lacrima vision when you and Erza took down Minerva together," Popeye said. "Kain Hikaru is Gluttony of the Seven Deadly Sins. He is fat but, he uses a cursed doll to alter anyone's body and force it to stay still, inflict pain or gain strength in a twisted way. He was a member of the Seven Kin of Purgatory. Natsu and Lucy defeated him in battle," Juvia said. "So, have you lads and lassies read Popeye's journal?" Mark Anthony asks. "I have. We know what King Shark, Rapahel, Bluto, and Krabster can do," Spike answers. "They took your cannons, Popeye," Carla said. "One more question. Have you kids ate spinach?" Popeye asks everyone in the room. They all shake their heads. "Of course. There's a reason why I encouraged you to eat your spinach," Popeye gets up. "As I said, it'll make you stronger. Within my cans of spinach, it enhances your magic power and strength tenfold. That's why Bluto has never defeated me in battle," Popeye chuckles, remembering all the times he dominated Bluto in close-quarters combat and everything else. "How are we going after the Seven Deadly Sins?" Spike asks Popeye. "Serpent's Fang is one of me prized ships and my baby but, it's not my favorite ship of the Seven Seas. I have one other that puts all the other ships to shame. The only reason why I didn't lend it to you kids is that I retired her." "What's it called?" Lyon asks. Popeye smirks. "Finich Spinach. It brings fear cause I'm strong to the finich cause I eat my spinach. I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!" Popeye blows his pipe twice. "Where is Finich Spinach?" Spike asks. Popeye smirks. "We're already inside Finich Spinach." "What!?" Spike, Carla, Kagura, Gajeel, Juvia, Lyon, Frosch, Rogue, and Yukino say in unison. "Finich Spinach is my home, but when she goes into the seas, so does my home," Popeye opens a closet to see the engine of his ship. He turns it on, and the alarms in Hargeon sound off. Everyone in Hargeon goes into their homes knowing that Popeye is about to set sail. "This is insane! Your home is a ship?!" Gajeel said in shock. "That's unheard of," Spike said in shock. "You learn something new every day," Popeye said. He pulls a string on the hatch, which reveals the steering wheel of Finich Spinach. "Captain Sparrow, up for one last grand adventure?" Mark Anthony goes into a spare closet and puts on his pirate attire. It consists of a black Captain's Hat, brown boots, a black jacket, a white shirt, and navy blue pants. He wields one of his prized swords, attached a magic pistol to his boots, a utility belt filled with different gadgets, and a new eyepatch. "I am, my old friend. It's time to end this once and for all," Captain Sparrow stands by Popeye. "Wait, don't you need your Sailors?" Lyon asks. "I have you, kids, on this adventure. My Sailors are not Wizards, and I refuse to drag them into a situation they may not return. As loyal as they are, this is my decision." Popeye steers his home from Hargeon. From the people's perspective, it looks like a house floating on water. Popeye knows where the Seven Deadly Sins will go next after taking their desire; to their homeland in the outskirts of Krack's Riverine. While Popeye is sailing Finich Spinach, Sherria continues to weep. Romeo and Wendy are doing everything they can to calm Sherria. Romeo takes a second to look out the window and notices something is amiss. "Guys! We're moving!" Romeo runs to the window to see the blue seas. "What?!" Wendy and Sherria look out the window. They see Hargeon farther away. "How is this possible?" Sherria sniffs. "I'll be back. I'll ask the guys," Romeo leaves Sherria and Wendy. "My mom.., a Sky Demon.., a.., Seven Deadly Sin..," Sherria is still in disbelief. "I can't believe this is happening to me..," Sherria starts crying again. Wendy rubs Sherria's back. "I promise you everything will be better." "How..? How..?" Sherria turns to Wendy; her eyes are red from the tears she shed. "Maybe she's under a bad influence, and you could be the one to set her free," Wendy suggests. "Demons has no shot against a God." "I'm a God Slayer, Wendy. Not a God," Sherria corrects Wendy's terminology. "Exactly. You have the power of taking a God down, which a God can vanquish Demons. You should have the power to defeat Demons as well, Sherria," Wendy tries to encourage Sherria. "I'm.., I'm not sure," Sherria has doubts about her capabilities. "How can I look at my mother in the face and muster enough to take her down..?" "Remember when Twilight Sparkle came to the Grand Magic Games?" "Yes, I remember, but what does Twilight Sparkle has to do with this scenario?" Sherria asks Wendy. "She raised Spike but failed as a mother. Spike ended up defeating her after the years of pain and anguish." "Wendy, my mom never raised me." "Did she abandoned you?" Sherria bites her lip a little. "Well, I was told she died conceiving me." "You were lied to, Sherria. You were abandoned and neglected by your mother in which she tried to kill you." Sherria looks down. "What's your point then?" "She's not your real mother. Who do you call mother throughout your life?" "My aunt, Blossom Blendy. However, she passed away years ago. I've been living with my cousin in the Lamia Scale Girl's Dorm." "My condolences to your family, Sherria," Wendy said. She understands Sherria's pain a bit more. "Wendy, I need some time alone to recover," Sherria stands up. "Before you go and cope, remember who you consider family." Sherria doesn't say a word and walks to a different room to be alone. Romeo returns to see Popeye and Captain Sparrow looking at the sonar. Everyone else is eating spinach rolls and drinking water. "This spinach needs iron for my tasting," Gajeel said. "I feel stronger eating this spinach," Kagura said. "It's crazy. I need to eat more spinach for the rest of my life," Lyon said. "Uh, what the hell is going on? What happened when I went with Wendy and Sherria?" Romeo is as confused as ever. "Here, Sailor," Popeye tosses Romeo a spinach roll. "Eat up if you want to be strong as Popeye," Popeye chuckles. "Uh, maybe later," Romeo holds onto the spinach roll. "Seriously, Romeo. Eat it," Carla said, eating hers. "Please explain what is happening," Romeo asks again. "So, turns out that Popeye's house is a retired ship of his called Finich Spinach. It's massive, according to him," Spike said, taking a bite out of his spinach roll. "You mean to tell me his house is a ship?" Romeo asks. "Please tell me you had your first drink, and you're drunk." "Nope, I'm serious," Spike finishes eating his spinach roll. "Beneath the house is a platform. Larger space to attack the Seven Deadly Sins when they attack." "Whoa," Romeo's eyes beam open in shock. "Remember Serpent's Fang, Sailor?" Captain Sparrow asks. "Yes, I remember," Romeo answers. "My ship is stronger and more durable than Serpent's Fang. In two days, we'll be sailing in Krack's Riverine. You'll get another chance to bring down the Seven Deadly Sins. However, all of you must refrain from attacking Bluto. He's mine. No more chances and no more allowing him to roam free." "Ours, Popeye. I have a score to settle with him for taking out my brothers." "Rogue," Gajeel turns to Rogue. "You and I will take on King Shark." "Agreed. Time for retribution," Rogue gets serious. "Juvia," Lyon turns to Juvia. "We have unfinished business with Krabster." "Agreed," Juvia nods. "By the way, we're partners, not lovers." "I-I-I wouldn't think of us being lovers," Lyon stutters in his speech. "Crap! Alright, I'll still need to impress her a bit more. Maybe, just maybe, she'll change her mind and start falling in love with me instead of Gray." "Yukino, I'll need your help against Raphael," Kagura said. "Count me in as well," Romeo said. "Very well, Kagura. I shall aid you against Raphael," Yukino said. "Kain Hikaru was tough, and he continued to curse himself for an advantage when I threw my punches at him. I may need help in bringing him down." "I'll fight by your side, Spike," Wendy enters the room after overhearing the conversations. "Here you go, Sailor," Popeye tosses Wendy a spinach roll. "Eat up. Spinach will help you get stronger," Popeye flexes his muscles. "Thanks," Wendy takes a bite out of the spinach roll. She feels her strength increasing as well as her magic power. "What's in the roll?" "Spinach!" Popeye chuckles. "Don't question it, Wendy. Eat it," Carla said, still eating hers. "Don't let Kain steal a strand of your hair. That's how he'll curse you," Juvia warns Wendy. "Spike, can you protection spell repel Mr.Cursy's curse?" Spike looks dumbfounded as he should have conjured the spell to do that yesterday during the Seven Deadly Sins confrontation. Spike groans and facepalms himself. "Why haven't I thought of that yesterday?" "I think it should work. When we're near Black Wing, we should input the spell on everyone." "No hair," Popeye removes his sailor hat. "That leaves with one other Deadly Sin. Lust. Who'll take on Cherry Blendy?" Yukino asks. "I will," Sherria enters the room. "Are you sure, Sherria?" Wendy asks. "Cherry Blendy is my mother but, she never raised me. My aunt and my uncle did. So did my cousin Sherry. Sherry is my only bloodline, while I have my friends in my family. I'm ready to fight the Sky Demon. Time to show why Demons are afraid of Gods." "Here you go, Sailor," Popeye tosses Sherria a spinach roll. "Yuck! I hate spinach!" Sherria pulls the spinach roll away from her. "Spinach helps you get stronger. Eat it. It's good for you," Popeye advises Sherria to eat her spinach. Sherria gags on the idea of eating spinach; she hates the taste of spinach. "I can't. It's not sweet and tastes bitter." "You can do it, Sherria. The same motivation you have for confronting your mom should be the same motivation to eat your spinach," Wendy said. "But..," Sherria looks at the spinach roll. "Every Sailor eats spinach. Your friends have eaten my spinach. Spinach is good for you, Sailor. It enhances your strength and magic power." "It does?" Sherria questions Popeye's claim. "Try it and prove me wrong. I dare you," Popeye stares at Sherria. "After I take a bite, I want cookies," Sherria said, looking at Popeye. "If you eat the spinach, Sherria. I will make my freshly baked homemade triple-decker nut-crazy vanilla cream cookies," Spike said. Sherria, Kagura, Yukino, Frosch, Romeo, and Lyon's hearts stop beating for a second after hearing the name of that cookie. "It's the cookie to die for," Wendy said, remembering the taste of the cookie. "Seriously?" Sherria turns to Wendy. "It's seven years overdue, and those cookies are delicious! If there is only one dessert, it'll be those cookies," Gajeel said. "You're moved over on those cookies?" Rogue asks Gajeel. "I would die to have another taste of those cookies," Gajeel proclaims. "Sherria, those cookies will shame every other cookie you've eaten in your life," Wendy declares. "I want one!" Sherria runs up to Spike. "Bake them! Now!" Sherria demands. "Up up up, you gotta eat your spinach first before I allow the dragon to bake in me kitchen," Popeye said. Sherria licks her lips and knows her body will reject the spinach. Her hand shakes, holding the spinach roll. Sherria takes a bit and covers her mouth, knowing that she wants to spit it out. She struggles chewing on the spinach roll while covering her mouth. After a few seconds, Sherria swallows the spinach roll bite and feels her magic power increasing. "Alright, Sailor. You have my permission to bake those cookies in me kitchen." "I'm on it. Where is your kitchen?" "Two rooms downstairs," Popeye answers. "Thanks," Spike looks for the stairs and head down. "I hate spinach," Sherria said. "You feel your magic power increased, right?" Popeye asks. Sherria sighs in defeat. "Yes." "Keep eating the spinach, and it'll help you get stronger physically and magically. It's how I grow me spinach," Popeye chuckles. "So, what can we do? Is there a training room on this vessel?" Lyon asks. "Sparrow. Take them to the lower sections of my ship. There's plenty of space for them to use their magic power and train." "Right away. Please follow me," Captain Sparrow slides a door to reveal a hidden staircase. Captain Sparrow takes everyone to the lower decks of Finich Spinach. They see how massive the training room is in the lower deck of Finich Spinach. There's a weight training area, a medium-size sparring arena, an MPF (Magic Power Finder) orb, a mini-bar for drinks and snacks. Everyone is amazed at the sight. "So, this is where the Sailors normally train and spar. I would say try not to go overboard with using your magic power. Popeye installed a magic absorption to use as power for the engines." "Similar to the Eclipse Gate when it absorbs magic power," Gajeel said. "Agreed," Carla, Wendy, and Yukino said in unison. "The only reason not to go overboard is that it can cause the engine to blow up, and there goes Popeye's home. There is an alarm that'll tell you to cease magic power usage. It'll flash lights as well. There's plenty of snacks and drinks at the mini-bar to your right. As for your sleeping quarters, I'll be rearranging them. Until then, have fun with your sparring, and I'll check on you every hour until we reach Krack's Riverine." "Thanks, Mark Anthony," Yukino said. "It's Captain Sparrow to you. All of you," Captain Sparrow smiles. He walks up the stairs. "Let's start training. It's time to get stronger to bring down the Seven Deadly Sins!" Romeo shouts. "Yeah!" Everyone cheers except for Sherria. She's focused on defeating her mother. "Sherria, let's continue our training from yesterday," Wendy smiles at Sherria. "Hey, I'm training with you two," Romeo said. Sherria slightly smiles. "Think you can keep up, Romeo?" "I know I can!" Romeo said. "Let's start," Wendy and Sherria create some space. Romeo, Sherria, and Wendy roar while engaging in close-quarter combat. Rogue and Gajeel continue their training while using their magic. Yukino and Kagura start sparring with each other. Lyon and Juvia start sparring and creating different move sets for their unison raid attacks. Carla decides to lift some very light weights while Frosch watches everyone engage in their sparring battles.