This story is so much fun to write! I hope you guys are enjoying it as well...
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail... which saddens me greatly
Chapter 2: The Search Begins
"So, where should we begin?" Lucy asked the two other girls. The takeover and solid script mage both looked around at all the thousands of books. Levy and Mira practically lived there while Lucy tended to only be there when her and her team got into trouble.
"Where do you think Mira? Probably maps, don't ya think?" Levy asked Mira. Mira nodded and began to look around.
"Now where did I put those maps," Mira mumbled as she looked around. As she was looking she happened to trip causing a pile of books to fall on top of her. "AH!" she yelled and tried to get up.
"Are you okay?!" Levy asked running over to help Mira up. Lucy walked over to help, but something on the top of the pile of books. The book in question read Maps of Earthland.
"Is this the book we want?" Lucy asked holding up the book so both Levy and Mira could see.
"Yes! Looks like my clumsiness actually helped something for a change," Mira said with a smile. The three girls then moved to the crowded table. With all of the books on the table Levy had to clear it so the three girls could look at it. "Now that I think about it I haven't really seen a map of Earthland, only of Fiore," Lucy commented.
"That is common of the council. A couple years ago they had a lot of the main big maps burned. They claimed it was to stop the encouragement of illegal immigration, or really immigration at all. Of course it really was for the means of greater control over the people. Found that out through secret documents I grabbed during my first imprisonment," Levy explained. The two other wizards looked rather impressed at Levy's vast amount of knowledge on this subject.
"You really know your stuff Levy, but I don't get one thing," Lucy wondered aloud, "if the council burned all of the maps how do we have this one?"
"Great observation by celestial friend," Levy said grinning. One thing Levy loved was people who showed an interest in knowing more. "You see, the council overlooked guild, thinking they would mainly have local maps since guilds normally took local jobs. This guild happened to be one of the ones who was able to keep this book," Levy explained to the two of them.
"You aren't the only one who has valuable information Levy. Because I work for sorcerer weekly I get tidbits about some of the farther lands that they think I don't hear," Mira explained.
"Well, let's look at the map and see what all is out there," Lucy said a little jealous that her two friends knew so much. Then again, it was kind of Levy's job to dig up any dirt and bad stuff the council did as leader of the resistance and Mira just happened to hear things. Maybe she should listen closer.
When looking at the map they found that their world was a lot bigger than just the little country of Fiore. In total there was 15 countries: Fiore, Isvan, Principality of Veronica, Seven, Bosco, Iceberg, Minstrel, Midi, Desierto, Joya, Bellum, Sin, Caelum, Enca, and the Pergrande Kingdom. (A/N These are the actually names… Weird but true) How are we ever going to find Natsu, Lucy thought feeling defeated. She never knew there was so much out there. Sure she knew Bisca had moved from the west, but she never knew there was so much! "This is a lot," Lucy said amazed.
"Yes it really is," Levy said smiling at her awestruck friend. "Now, Mira, have you heard of any weird sightings in any of these areas? Try to think of some that are reptilian in nature," Levy to asked Mira. The white haired takeover mage thought for a moment.
"I think I have, let me see that map," Mira said. The memory of where it was foggy, but she did remember hearing that there were strange flying reptiles in an area of Earthland. At the time she figured it had been a new species, never once considering it might be dragons. Levy handed the book to Mira so she could examine it further. "Yes! Now I remember where it was! It was here," MIra said pointing to the island country of Caelum.
"Caelum? Like the celestial spirit?" Lucy asked confused. There were several times she had seen Caelum's key for sale, after all it was only a silver keyed spirit.
"It was probably named after him. I have no idea, I never found the records to the other countries. The council probably only has them in the countries," Levy said with a shrug.
"So you think he could be being held there?" Lucy asked. That was a lot quicker than I expected, Lucy thought to herself. Not that it being fast was bad, it was quite the quicker they found him the quicker she could see him again.
"Possibly, if my memory is correct," Mira said with a sigh. Sadly Mira didn't have the best memory for these kinds of things. It certainly wasn't as good as Levy's.
"I will call Queen and see if she was anything on this stuff. Maybe some members of the resistance know something, we have people everywhere after all," Levy said before taking out her cell to call Queen.
"You have a cell phone?!" Lucy asked shocked. A cell phone was a rare luxray anymore, something few people had. Even she had never had one growing up.
"One of the few perks about leading a rebel organization," Levy said with a shrug. Before Lucy could question her more Queen had picked up the phone.
"Hello? Levy? Is something wrong?" Queen asked worriedly through the phone. Even though Levy had the power to call anyone anytime she rarely did so unless it was an emergency. Levy hated using her power in a careless way.
"Yes, my friend Natsu Dragneel has been taken from the infirmary. We have reason to believe that he was taken by dragons and that Ella's mind control is still affecting him. Here comes what I need from you, read? Can you see if there have been any rare sightings in Caelum? Narrow it down to things flying and replitalian like," Levy explained to Queen. It was time like these she was thankful for her power, even if it was a burden at times. If she could use her power to save and help Natsu than maybe it would make up for the fact she was the reason he . Plus, this could help the resistance. The existence of dragons… Did the council know?
"I see, I will look into it. I will give you this information within the hour. How did it go with Fairy Tail, if I may ask before I go looking," Queen told her. Queen was always so formal, even with Levy. Personalism seemed to be her forte, which is why she was her vice.
"Thank you so much Queen, I don't know what I would do without you. It went well, nearly everyone is joining us," Levy told her happily.
"Nearly?" Queen caused Levy to laugh, nothing got passed Queen. People really should know that Queen ran more of the things than Levy, though Levy did do a lot as well.
"Nothing gets passed you, does it? Why you are my vice I guess. There is a small team going to look for Natsu, so they don't know if they can help us. When they find Natsu and take him back here they will help, most likely with Natsu's help as well," Levy explained to her vice.
"I see, okay. I will get that information for you. Talk to you once I get everything, bye," Queen said before hanging up. Sighing Levy put away her phone. Once this ends I hope she can find happiness and purpose, Levy thought sadly before walking over to the other two mages. The two seemed to be in a light conversation. Will I be able to find purpose after this is all done? Levy wondered. The answer came to her quickly though, I already have a reason, many in fact. I have Fairy Tail, Gajeel, my friends. Plus, I have this nagging feeling that people will look for me to build a new council and order after this is all said and done.
"So?" Lucy asked noticing that Levy had gotten back.
"Queen is going to look into it. She told me she will be back with us within the hour. We're in good hands," Levy said with a smile. No doubt Queen would something. Even if the rumors weren't actually Caelum, she would find where they were. Let's just say Queen was very loyal to Levy. Many of the resistance members were. They saw her as a mother figure and she saved many of their lives.
"I hope you are right," Lucy said worriedly. Despite the fact lucy was trying to act brave Levy knew that she was worried.
An hour later Queen called Levy back. "Hello?' Levy said answering her call. Both Mira and Lucy looked anxious to hear Queen's findings. Even Levy had to admit she was on the edge of her seat to know. They had to find Natsu quick, before the council knew about any of this.
"Hello, it's me. Whoever told you the sightings are in Caelum are correct. I dug into and saw that the most frequent and most reported sightings have been near the volcano on the northeast side of the island, which makes sense if we are dealing with dragons. There is a cave within the volcanoes that the locals say houses monsters, or as I think, dragons. I am sending Harmony over there with maps to help out in the investigation. Finding someone to take them to the volcano might be hard since the dragons are feared by locals," Queen told Levy.
"Understood! Thank you so much Queen. Don't worry about the team, they are probably the best team to ever go," Levy said confidently.
"I hope this ends up alright. I will see you when you come back to make battle plans. Keep me posted in how everything is going," Queen said before hanging up. Always so abrupt, but she kept the resistance a float which was more than enough to make up for it.
"So?" Lucy said who was actually on the edge of her chair. Levy couldn't help but laugh a little at Lucy's cuteness. Lucy really did love Natsu. It was so obvious, like when Gajeel and Levy had liked each other before they started to date. It was only a matter of time. Perhaps Gajeel was right and said that this would bring the two finally together.
"Queen found it. Turns out Mira was right, it was Caelum. Queen said that she is sending Harmony over with some maps, she thinks she has the place pinpointed as to where the dragons are keeping Natsu. Now the key here is to find a local to take you to that place, which Queen said would be hard. Turns out locals are scared of the dragons, calling them monsters," Levy explained to the two girls.
"I am sure someone will help you guys. For now we should focus on packing you guys up and buying you ferry tickets," Mira said. Lucy nodded still a little dazed that they have actually found not only Natsu, but dragons as well. This is all happening so fast, she thought a little worriedly. Was this truly going to be where he was? Mira sensed Lucy's worry so she put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Don't worry Lucy, you'll find him. Natsu's father was a dragon so I doubt they mean any harm."
"Chances are they sensed Ella's strange magic so they wanted to help," Levy commented. Ella's magic was nothing to mess with that's for sure. Grateful for the concern, Lucy smiled at her friends. "Now come on, we need to tell Gray and Wendy and help you all pack," Levy told Lucy. The three of them went to go look for Gray and Wendy.
Upon entering the main guild hall they saw Gajeel and Gray talking while Wendy was talking to Lisanna. The guild seemed abuzz from this afternoons antics. "Gray! Wendy!" Lucy called. The two wizards called quickly made their way to Lucy wanting to know more about their new found mission.
"So? Did you find where the idiot might be?" Natsu asked. Lucy sweat dropped, it certainly made you feel nice when the one you loved was being called an idiot.
"If by idiot you mean Natsu, then yes. He's in a country called Caelum, Harmony is bringing some maps. We need to pack," Lucy told the two.
"I am already packed, Erza got me into the habit of always having something packed. I will go buy the ferry tickets while you two pack," Gray said before turning to leave. Erza does rub off on people, especially Gray and Natsu it seemed. It was like she was the big sister neither of them got to have.
"Well, I guess we should pack Lucy-san. Sounds like this could be a long trip," Wendy commented. Sadly Wendy was right, finding Natsu could prove to me a longer trip than Lucy would like.
"I will help you two pack. Queen texted me some stuff, like climate and stuff so you two can pack. It is a tropical climate. So, lots of water proof stuff along with short sleeves," Levy explained. The two girls nodded. Levy compiled a list of clothes and the three girls managed to get them all pack.
"Wendy? What is this?" Carla asked rubbing her eyes- she had just woken up from a nap. Wendy grimaced, she hadn't told Carla yet. No way was she letting Carla come though, too dangerous. The last thing she needed was for Carla to die.
"Well, Natsu-san has gone missing, we think he was taken by dragons for some reason, we haven't figure out why. Anyway, I agreed to go find him with Gray-san and Lucy-san. We think he is in Caelum, an island country," Wendy explained.
"Then I am coming too," Carla said firmly. No! I can't let her come! It's just too dangerous, Wendy thought biting her lip.
"You can't, I won't let you," Wendy told her as she continued to pack according to Levy's instructions. Before Carla could protest Levy but in.
"Carla, I think it is best you let her do this one on her own. She'll be well protected," Levy promised. Carla didn't look so convinced.
"Carla, I promise you Gray and I will make sure she is safe the entire time," Lucy said. Even though Lucy didn't exactly agree with Carla not coming she knew that it meant a lot to Wendy. If that is what Wendy wants I can't stop her, after all, she is the one helping me, Lucy thought to herself.
"Fine, but please be back soon. I will worry," Carla said, concern filling her voice. Wendy smiled and nodded before hugging Carla.
"It'll be okay Carla, I'll be okay," Wendy told her, holding her close. Tear welled up in both of their eyes, but before they could spill there was a knock at the door.
"That is probably Harmony with the maps," Levy said going to get the door. When she opened it she found that it was Harmony. "Come in Harmony," she said with a smile. Harmony nodded and walked in, handing the maps to Lucy.
"I hope these are useful in finding him," Harmony said, "I wish I could be of more help."
"No, no, this is very helpful. How are you doing?" Lucy asked concerned. Even though the poor girl was hurt she still brought them maps.
"A lot better, but agent Queen still has me doing errands like this instead of missions. That'll probably last a while though. Well, good luck you guys, good luck Wendy," Harmony said smiling at them all.
"Thank you Harmony, good luck to you too," Wendy said before Harmony left. "I guess we should go see if Gray has the tickets," Wendy said sadly. It sucked leaving Carla behind, but it was for the best.
"See you soon Wendy, be safe," Carla said hugging Wendy.
"I promise I will, I will be back as soon as I can," Wendy said before leaving with Levy and Lucy.
"She's all grown up now," Carla said as proud tears rolled down her face. Is this how a parent feels when they watch their kid leave for the first time? Carla wondered.
Once the trio got to the guild they found Gray with the ferry tickets. "Ready to go guys?" Gray asked. The two other girls nodded. "Well, good luck to you Levy. Wish I could help but I have an idiot to find and bring home. Hopefully we'll be back in time to join in with you all," Gray said with a smirk.
"Yeah, but safety should be your number one concern," Levy told them. They all agreed to stay safe as they left. Before they were out of sight Lucy turned around and did the guild signature salute. Levy did the same back, tears rolling down her face. Why must saying goodbye be so hard?
"You're worried about them, aren't you?" Harmony asked.
Sighing Levy responded, "Of course I am, they are my best friends."
"We have bigger things to worry about, come on. We have a lot of planning to do," Harmony said motioning for Levy to follow her into the guildhall. I hate to admit it but she's right, we have a war to plan. Be safe guys, Levy thought before following Harmony into the guildhall.
How will Fairy Tail prepare for the upcoming war? Will Lahar finally hear what the council is REALLY up to? Find all that out and more in chapter 3: preparations
As always, please reiview!