Narrator: The Thunder Legion have been summoned to the kingdom of Stella, a small Island only accessible by boat. With little information to go on rather then a meeting point with the employer the feeling for this mission is rather...uncertain. What will happen when the Thunder Legion finally reach Stella? What sort of job could all three wizards possibly be needed for? Why was Laxus not required? These are the questions that plague the mind of Freed but will he receive the answers he needs?
The kingdom of Stella was a glorious spectacle...aside from it being in the middle of the ocean and completely cut off from everything else. That was the only thing that bothered Bickslow-he felt cut off. The only way to or from the island was a small boat and honestly he was in no hurry to re-board that thing. They strolled the streets of Stella, Evergreen's eyes were peering at the stalls and the foreign clothing that she would, no doubt, acquire. Currently she was studying a green gown that was half translucent with silver patterns.
"Heh! Don't you think you show enough?" Bickslow smirked. The woman glared over her shoulder toward him.
"Enough, you two," Freed's voice poked a hole in Bickslow's fun. He cocked a brow and cast a look toward Freed. "Aw come on man!"
"As it stands we're already lost," Freed pointed out. "We don't have much time until our meeting with our employer."
"Anyone else notice how everyone is looking at us funny?" Ever said quietly, her eyes shifting carefully behind her glasses. Bickslow and Freed took note of her words and studied the people in the streets. She was right, they were watching the three mages like a lamb would watch a lion. Why? The three stood a long moment now.
"It might be wise to hurry on our way," Freed said before turning and beginning through the streets, "As I recall we are looking for a bar of some sort. Bar Altair I believe."
"A bar? How professional, I was hoping for a nice restaurant at least," Ever grumbled.
Freed turned and looked to a passing woman, giving her a faint smile. "Excuse me, you wouldn't by chance know where Bar Altair is?"
The woman paused, shocked she had been stopped by him. Her large brown eyes were wide as she studied Freed, the jade hair, the rapier from his hip. Her eyes then went to Bickslow you could see nothing but his grinning mouth and lolling guild marked tongue and then to Evergreen. Without a word the woman raised a hand and pointed a finger through the city toward the North.
"Thank you," Freed smiled. The woman turned without a second glance and left, quickly. Freed frowned.
"Such friendly people," Ever scoffed. "You think they'd be grateful to have the Thunder Legion in their city..."
The bar was small. Filled with patrons, smoky with waitress's dressed in bunny like uniforms. How perfect. Bickslow grinned wide as he witnessed the women strolling through the bar, hips flicking. Freed was flushing a shade of pink as a woman stopped next to him, bending low and placing a tankard in front of him. Ever had indeed purchased the dress from earlier and was now sat cross legged allowing the soft material to slid up her legs and bare her thighs. Many of the male patrons within the bar were studying her with great intrigue though with every pair of eyes she noted watching her she instantly shut them out. That only solidified the idea that the Thunder Legion's Evergreen had been taken off the market. Freed and Bickslow exchanged quick glances before smirking to themselves. There was a woman on the stage, spinning and dancing with great grace and poise. This is where Bickslow focused his attention. There wasn't much else going on..besides she was a looker. Freed was attempting to regain some poise after having the woman's breasts pushed under his nose.
"Lighten up, man!" Bickslow clapped a hand on the jade haired mages back. Freed buckled from the force before straightening again.
"Remember why we're here, Bickslow. We are here to meet with our employer."
"Well I hope he shows himself soon-all these men are starting to give me the creeps," Ever huffed wafting her hand in the air as if trying to cool herself. She sat back in her seat and tapped her foot against the table leg. Bickslow continued to drink. Freed kept his eyes on the door of the bar. No one who entered appeared to notice them nor want to have anything to do with them...surely someone must know something? Makarov had said this was the place, the mission details had specified this to the meeting location and as time ticked by Freed began to realize that perhaps...they had got it wrong. No surely not. How long should they wait? The light was fading from the street that spilled through the bar's colored windows, being replaced by the faint glow of street lamps. This wasn't right and it was beginning to play on Freed's mind. Something about this whole thing didn't feel right at all...and after the chaos that Natsu and his team had caused when here previously? Why would someone desire more wizards from Fairy Tail to come...? The more Freed thought, the more questions were arising and the more uncomfortable he grew. Bickslow and Ever seemed none the less bothered and continued to chat among themselves, Bickslow's babies sat quietly on the table chiming in every so often after their master had spoken. Freed kept his arms folded and thoughts to himself...for now. They would wait one more hour he had decided. If nothing changed then they would leave, it would be wasted time for them but ultimately they wouldn't wait forever.
Time wore on. Freed wouldn't remain. It was far too strange, and quiet for that matter. The rest of the patrons had left, even the staff seemed to have vanished into the back rooms of the bar and hadn't been seen for some time. Had they been forgotten about? Freed lifted his head and studied the bar. Empty. Silent. Aside from Bickslow's and Evergreen's mutterings.
"Bickslow-we should be leaving."
"You sure we can't hang around? I'm just getting started!"
"Freed's right," Ever nodded. "Look. This whole place is deserted, I could have sworn there were people here just a few minutes ago..."
All three turned their attention to the surrounding bar. All the patrons, waitress's and work staff were nowhere to be seen.
"Well that's weird," Bickslow mused, sitting back in his seat.
"I fear a welcome may have never been intended. Do you feel that?" Freed hissed rising from his seat and setting a hand on the hilt of his rapier. Bickslow sighed, Ever stiffened. Magic power. There was somebody else here and it wasn't the bar staff. Ever cast her eyes around the bar and sighed, folding her arms and pushing the glasses up the bridge of her nose. With a scoff she shook her head. Why would anyone dare challenge them? The Thunder Legion were not going to simply lie down.
"Ready babies?" Bickslow grinned, sitting forward. All five totems sprung to life rising off the table and floating, bleating happily.
"Let's go!"
There was a crash and snapping of wood. The Thunder Legion leapt to action. Rising from their seats, Freed was quick to summon a protection enchantment. Bickslow, using his expert acrobatics easily leapt across the bar landing easily on the stage. Evergreen wings unfurled on her back and she jumped upward. Ever twisted in the air, casting a look down. There was a sharp snapping sound from above her. The roof? Ever looked up to see the ceiling crashing down toward her. Without time to think the wood and slate instantly knocked into her sending her tumbling back toward the floor with a cry. Something whipped past her as she landed harshly on the top of one of the tables. Her back snapping the wood in half. Evergreen growled.
Bickslow spun to see Evergreen crashing back down. Up wasn't the way to go it would seem. What had just happened? Who would have been that quick?
"You okay there, Evergreen?" Bickslow called.
"Fine!" She responded. There was a stomp from across the stage. Bickslow turned to see the silhouette of a man posing across from him. The man was burly and dark skinned, for a moment Bickslow assumed it Elfman but was quick to realize that was not who he was dealing with it. The man had pale green dreadlocked hair with stones dangling from the tips, he was also tattooed with many tribal patterns. Elfman's long lost cousin perhaps?
"Who are you supposed to be?" Bickslow snarled.
"Francoise. Catelyn." The man spoke.
"Hell of a name you got there," Bickslow cocked a brow, "Let me introduce you to my babies! Babies?" he sent the five totems hurtling forward through the air. The babies soared forward with glee buzzing with excitement sending a barrage of blasts toward the man across from Bickslow. Their shots were true and shortly the seith mage lost sight of the man as he was consumed with smoke. Bickslow grinned wide, his tongue rolling from his mouth. No problem, just as he suspected.
Freed heard a seductive giggle from behind him. He spun, hand on hilt. Before him he saw a woman, silver hair hung around her dark face, gleaming eyes watched him with murderous intent. Her shapely hips were cocked, a white gloved hand perched on her right hand side.
"Hiya, sweetie. Wanna see true poetry in motion?" she grinned baring her thighs.
Freed grinned in response. "There are other ways to get ones attention," Freed pointed out, "I don't know who you are or what you want with us but you have most certainly crossed the wrong people. Dark Écriture: Destruction!" Freed lunged forward, hand on the hilt of his weapon. She giggled again stretching her slim legs before twisting her body and spinning quickly.
"That won't work on me!" She grinned. Freed's attack was deflected uselessly to the side. What? No. Freed heard a loud crash and watched Evergreen tumble from the air. A force knocked into him a split second later, a hard force which sent the air straight from his lungs, he stumbled across the bar knocking into a nearby table. The woman giggled before baring her legs again and stamping a bare foot to the floor sending a shockwave toward him. Freed cursed leaping to his feet attempting to brace himself only to be thrown back once more.
The air cleared. The babies returned to him eagerly, proud of their feat. Bickslow's grin however dropped when he saw the smoke clearing. The man was still stood, just in an alternate position to the one before. The man's muscles twitched and bulged.
"What? How you still standing?" Bickslow growled.
"Excellent work, Francoise. Catelyn."
It was then Bickslow noticed it, there were two little dolls floating before the man opposing him. Two small dolls with curled hair in little dresses. What?
"And people call me weird for playing with dolls! Least my babies don't look like that!"
"Playtime is over for you. Francoise. Catelyn." The man spoke again.
"Getting real tired of you!"
Without warning Francoise and Catelyn sent flames springing forward. Hurtling across the stage.
"Babies, X Format-" his words were cut undoubtedly short when a force threw him to the side. Bickslow gasped in surprise quickly regaining himself. "Who was that?" Bickslow searched for the culprit but all he got in response were the words; "Too slow!" The flames from Francoise and Catelyn cut through the air toward him.
"Shit!" Bickslow growled as the flames bared down against him.
Ever lifted herself from the ruins of the wood. Bickslow had his work cut out for him. Dolls vs dolls? How would that play out? Freed fared little better. The woman he currently faced bounced back toward the stage landing gracefully next to the posing man. Who were these people? They had come out of nowhere? Was this the job in question? Ever cursed under her breath. Her friends were getting hurt and she was just lying there? Get up. Finding her feet Ever prepared herself and spoke loudly.
"Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!" She called. Shards of concentrated dust turned to energy needles springing forward toward the woman and man on stage. The woman, a sharply thing, easily outmanoeuvred her attack. The man on stage summoned his dolls and seemingly burnt her attack to a halt. Then Ever was hit with that same unbelievable force. She turned and just caught a glimpse of yellow and a flash of blue hurtle toward her. It sent her tumbling to her feet, crashing into the side of the bar wall and through it. She rolled to a halt on the cobbles outside. It was someone, someone using magic to best them. Speed magic. It had to have been. Her body ached but she rose anyway. Reaching up Ever ripped the glasses off her face and waited. He'd come again and when he did she'd petrify the culprit.
Freed snarled as he rose from the clutter of broken furniture. This woman was strong, perhaps he'd underestimated her due to her looks. Not again. He spun and using his blade in time with his words he spoke; 'Dark Ecriture; Absolute Shadow!" Freed's coat was stripped away being replaced by the familiar dark armor. He spun and kicked out just as the woman made another bid for him. Their legs clashed against one another but his attack was again stopped. It was then he took note of the gauntlets that wrapped the lower half of her legs. Stellanium.
"Oh!" She chimed excitedly, "I love a challenge! But beauty conquers all!" She grinned before spinning and kicking again. Freed fought her toe to toe. Keeping her readily at bay while she returned the favour. She was powerful, that was clear but the more plaguing question; who were they? Freed knocked her back finally. She stumbled back a look of shock on her face. Freed stood over her.
"You're strong I will grant you that. Who are you people?"
"You've never heard of the Three Stars?" the woman seemed disgruntled by Freed's lack of knowledge. She kicked out before putting a hand on a table and flipping easily onto its surface showing her gauntlet clad legs. "I am Swan, the leg fighter!"
Freed was puzzled. Then he recalled it. He had heard Erza mention something briefly when they had returned from there last venture. A woman who fought with her legs. This must have been the very same woman. "What do you people want?" Freed demanded.
"Why you or course!" the woman, Swan, grinned. She spun sending a shockwave across the bar. It demolished every inch of furniture and decoration in its path. Freed braced but once again felt a force crash against him knocking his guard down. The shockwave hit him hard swiftly followed by the woman descending on him from above. She planted a hard kick to his chest sending him sprawling back. He crashed into someone who grunted in annoyance. Bickslow. The pair were defenceless now against Catelyn and Francoise onslaught of flames. Both men were thrown back, through the rear wall of the bar and into the cobbled alley.
Bickslow cast a weary glance toward Freed, the mages armor melted away now as he lay on the floor.
"Come on, we're not done yet," Bickslow encouraged. Freed made no response. "Dammit," he grunted. Bickslow cast his eyes up to see the woman bounce gracefully through the demolished wall. The form of the two dolls followed by the large flexing obsessed man and a young man with blue spiky hair and a keen expression. Reminded Bickslow of Natsu-that wasn't a good thing. All three looked smug. Cocky bastards. Bickslow needed to distract them. Pulling his arms beneath him he rose to his hands and knees. The three stood before him didn't look too keen now. Freed, next to him, also rose up.
"You think we're done?" Bickslow cocked a brow beneath the cover of his visor.
"You'd be greatly mistaken," Freed followed. "Evergreen now!" The woman was stood on, what remained of the, rooftop. With a nod she leapt into the air extending her hands and allowing various particles of dust to drift down through the air.
"Fairy Bomb: Gremlin!" The woman bellowed. The particles sparked and ignited before opening into a powerful explosion which surrounded the Three Stars.
"Line Formation!" Bickslow followed. The totems whizzed into formation, each one hoping atop the other until they formed a line. The dolls emitted a green glow before a vertical crescent-shaped ray shot forward toward the Three Stars engulfing them quickly. The silver haired woman cried out, the tall man bellowed and the younger man howled.
"Your turn buddy," Bickslow cast a look to Freed.
Wrapping his hand around the rapier hilt, Freed nodded darting forward to face the three incapacitated mages. With a single swift strike the three were sent spiralling back across the alley and into the wall of an opposing building. Ever landed next to her comrades, cocked her hips and grinned. Bickslow folded his arms and poked his tongue out, Freed gently allowed his hand to slip from the hilt of his rapier and nodded.
"They thought they could fight the Thunder Legion," Ever scoffed. There were grumbles from across the street, the female, Swan, managing to pull herself upright. Her brow was cut, a bruising spreading on her neck and exposed collarbone. The younger boy sat upright with a begrudged glare and the man, with a severely swollen left eye, sat up rubbing his brow.
"Swan was it?" Freed asked loudly looking to the woman. The younger boy scowled at Freed's words. "What guild are you from and why have you attacked us?"
"You're tougher then you look," the younger mage responded first, wiping at his bloodied nose.
"Pipe down, twerp," Ever shot the boy a look.
"Don't speak to him like that!" Swan snapped rising to her feet now. Ever opened her mouth to retaliate again but instead she shrieked loudly collapsing to her knees.
"Evergreen?" Freed spun to face her.
"What do you think you're playing at? No one messes with the Thunder Legion," Bickslow growled stepping in front of Ever and Freed. "Babies?"
Ever cried in pain, her arms wrapping around her body as she twisted. Freed held her shoulders attempting to soothe her or even find out what was happening but she couldn't seem to form words. Bickslow had seen all the Three Stars magic-none of them had this kind of power. He noted the five totems floating next to him. He'd show these wizards. Before another movement could be made chains sprung from the darkness.
"Bickslow look out!" Freed called. The seith mage turned too late. Chains wrapped around his body and wrists. Without pause he was ripped off his feet by the force of the chains and thrown against a wall, before being hurled against the floor, back to the wall before finally being smashed into the floor once more. The wind was thrown from his body, he felt like his bones had been shattered. Evergreen continued to cry in pain. Bickslow looked to the Three Stars but they too seemed to be rooted to the spot, Swan's eyes were filled with fear. His babies were spiralling in the air, unsure, afraid. The chains didn't relent their grip. Following them he looked to their caster-a woman. She stepped from the shadows, her skin was pale as snow, hair as black as night with crimson ribbon twisted among her thick inky hair short cropped hair. She was slim and elegant. She wore a low cut white blouse beneath a red laced bodice, her trousers leather and black, boots laced. Her expression was solemn. Evergreen finally silenced her shrieking. Bickslow realized it was only due to the fact she had lost consciousness.
"Crap," Bickslow grunted. "Normally wouldn't mind getting tied up by a chick but even this is a bit much."
"Unhand him at once," Freed demanded rising to his feet, standing over Ever. The black haired woman cast a look to Freed before her eyes darkened. More chains sprung forth attempting to ensnare Freed. He leapt back away uttering; Dark Écriture: Wings. Bickslow attempting to break the chains that surrounded him but to no effect. Freed managed to avoid the woman's attempts to ensnare him until Francoise and Catelyn began to attack also. Bickslow felt so damn helpless. After a short moment Freed screamed in pain, the wings vanishing from his back and his body plummeting to the floor.
"Freed!" Bickslow roared. The black haired woman turned to Bickslow now and studied him a long moment.
"He's the one we need," She nodded in approval. What the hell did that mean?