3. journey

"I'm hungry… can we get something to eat?"

"Aye…but, Lucy won't let us. She's so mean!"

Lucy sighed. "I'm not letting you because we just had breakfast. We have to hurry because Master wants us there by noon. It would be faster if we could take the train, but Natsu doesn't want to." She said, glaring at Natsu.

"Ah! We are not going on that death machine no matter what! I'll die!" Natsu shouted.

"I think you're being a bit dramatic." Lucy said, crossing her arms. "And, besides, it's not like we're going on the train. We're already past Magnolia Station. It just takes so long on foot."

All of a sudden, Natsu stopped and looked up. His mouth opened like he was about to say something, but nothing came out. "Natsu," Happy said, looking worried. "What's wrong?"

Lucy looked straight ahead and gasped. "What is that?" She whispered in shock.

Ahead of them was a huge building that was several stories high. It was painted black and had a big sign with a skull that said 'Azerath'. Outside the building, there were bodies that were drained and lifeless.

"T-this must be their headquarters…" Happy said.

Lucy took one step back staggering in fear. "What's with all the bodies? They… killed all these people?"

Natsu's eyes narrowed in anger. "I don't know who these Azerath guys are, but I don't like them. Let's go."

Lucy, Natsu, and Happy slowly walked forward toward the big building. Once they got near the bodies, they gasped.

Natsu looked at them. "These were… wizards from Blue Pegasus? They have the marking."

Lucy gasped. "No…"

"These guys are really that powerful and heartless? What did Blue Pegasus ever do to them?" Happy said in anger.

Natsu's fist lit up with fire. "Those bastards…"

Lucy grabbed his arm and gently pulled him back. "Natsu, no. Master told us not to fight."

Natsu gritted his teeth, but nodded once. "Yeah. Let's just go in there to see what it's like. That way, we could get more information."

Happy nodded. "I agree. Master will be happy to get any information he can get. After all, he did say this required spying."

Lucy sighed. "Well, I guess we have no other choice. Let's go."

The three of them walked to the door and slowly pulled it open. No one was in the room and the lights were off. "That's weird. No one's in this room." Lucy said, turning her head from side to side.

"Well, there's other rooms," Natsu pointed out. "It's a huge place."

They stepped through the door and closed it quietly behind them. "Shhh," Lucy whispered. "We have to be completely quiet."

They crept carefully across the room, sliding along the wall. All of a sudden, there was a loud explosion that sent Lucy, Natsu, and Happy to the floor. A man with spiky black hair appeared in the room and smiled evilly.

"Thought you could get past us, you little brats?" he said in a gravelly voice.

Natsu narrowed his eyes. "Damn it. They found us."

The man laughed. "Found you? We knew you were here all along… you damned Fairy Tail wizards."

Natsu jumped to his feet and lit his fist up with fire. "We're not gonna let you guys hurt any more innocent guilds. And we won't let you tarnish Fairy Tail's name! We will defeat you!" he shouted as he lunged toward the man with a fiery fist.

"What do we do?" Lucy whispered to herself. "Can we really defeat these guys? Master told us not to fight…"

The man fell back and sprung himself up. "I see… you're the salamander of Fairy Tail. Natsu, isn't it? My name is Gorou. I have the power to make anything explode, including you. There's no way you'll beat me!" Gorou said as he plunged his fist to the wall and made it explode.

Lucy started to fall and Happy grabbed her and pulled her up. He extended his wings and flew up to the ceiling. "Thanks, Happy." Lucy said and looked down at Natsu, who did another attack on Gorou.

Natsu looked up. "Lucy, get out of here. Look in some other rooms to investigate."

"Natsu… are you going to be okay?"

Natsu did one stiff nod. "I'll defeat this guy. I swear it on the name of my guild!"

Lucy nodded understandingly and Happy flew her to the next room. Once they got there, Happy set her down and started walking beside her.

"I hope Natsu will be alright." Lucy said, looking worried.

Happy looked up at her. "He will. Because he's a Fairy Tail wizard!"