Thanks to SakuraIchigoDark, Shikuro-Chan 12, poki-grzyb, piranha pk and Yankee-Chan for your reviews :D
After hours and hours of tiresome walking, the pair stood at the top of a large mound of rocks. Gajeel could see their destination on the horizon. It appeared to be a run down manor made out of stones and bricks.
"So that is Raven Tail's hideout," PantherLily questioned, "Not exactly what I had expected it to look like."
"This is their current hideout" Gajeel corrected. "Their main base is nowhere near here. Ivan likes to make sure no one knows it's exact location, which is why he has several places like this scattered about Fiore."
PantherLily rubbed his chin, "Well that seems to make some sense. And I assume that you know where this main location is at?" he asked curiously.
Gajeel smirked, "Of course I do. I'm a spy after all, gi hee."
The small cat sighed, he should have known the answer to that question. There was no doubt that his partner was indeed good at what he does. PantherLily looked to the sky, "It's already sunset. We should probably hurry up of we plan to be there by nightfall, like you said" he suggested.
Gajeel nodded as he picked up his pace. Soon they would be at Raven Tail and able to find Levy and make sure she was ok.
It wasn't long before Gajeel and PantherLily made their way towards the massive doors of Raven Tail's hideout. Up in one of the tower windows Ivan looked out and could see that Gajeel had arrived.
"Go and welcome our guests, Nullpudding-chan," the guild master said to a short man standing behind him. "Bring him to me when you do" he added before Nullpudding left the guild master's office.
The dragon banged on the large doors and waited for someone to open them. He crossed his arms as PantherLily did the same, still sitting on his shoulder. "Remember, just follow my lead and everything will be fine" he said quietly to the Exceed.
Suddenly the doors flew open as the short man from Ivan's office stood in front of Gajeel, looking up at him. "Ah, Gajeel...you're right on time" Nullpuding said with a sinister grin that always seemed to be present on his face. He noticed the small cat on his shoulder. "What is this? You don't seem like the type to have a pet, Gajeel-san. Does the little kitty want a cat toy?" he said teasing the dragon and his partner. PantherLily narrowed his eyes at the comments made towards him.
"He, is none of your concern at the moment" Gajeel snarled as he walked past the short man and into the building. He stopped and waited for Nullpuding to close the doors. "Now if you don't mind, you're wasting my time with these stupid questions. Take me to Ivan, he's waiting for me" he said in a demanding and fearsome tone.
The grin that was on on Nulpudding's face dropped as he walked out in front of the dragon. "...This way" he said, motioning for Gajeel to follow.
PantherLily was surprised when he saw this side of Gajeel. He had never seen his friend be as intimidating as he was right now. "So this is how it is to be a member of this guild" he thought to himself as if taking mental notes.
After climbing several flights of stairs the trio made their way down a long hallway. There was a woman heading in their direction who had a creepy smile on her face. "Oh, well if it isn't the Master's favorite," she said teasingly.
"...Flare" Gajeel muttered. "You got a problem with me being more important in this guild than you?" he asked while giving a menacing glare.
The red haired woman's grin faded as a look of fear came across her face. She knew who Gajeel was and knew just how strong he was. Flare also knew just what kind of role he played in Raven Tail...he was definitely one to not cross. So she continued on her way down the flight of steps without so much as another word.
Ivan waited in his office with his hands behind his back, still standing at the window. There was a knock at the door, causing him to turn his head slightly towards the direction of the door. "Enter, Nullpudding-chan," he called.
Nullpudding opened the door slowly and entered the room. "Master Ivan, I have brought Gajeel to you as you requested" he said, bowing to his Master.
"You have done well...now leave us," he said without even turning around.
The short man continued bowing as he backed out of the room and closed the door behind him. After several seconds Ivan turned around to face Gajeel.
"Gajeel-chan, so nice of you to visit us on such short notice" Ivan said with a grin on his face.
The dragon clenched his teeth and started playing the part of an obedient member of Raven Tail. He bowed his head, "Master Ivan, it was no problem at all" he said. He raised his head back up and looked at the Raven Tail Master. "What is so important that you called me here so suddenly?" he asked.
Ivan walked away from the window and around his desk towards Gajeel. "What's more important is this creature you have with you, Gajeel-chan" he said examining the Exceed. "You know the rules of my guild, not outsiders are permitted," he said, acknowledging PantherLily not as a pet but as a person.
PantherLily hopped off Gajeel's shoulder and spread his wings, floating next to him. "This is my partner, PantherLily. I thought he would make a nice addition to Raven Tail and will be helpful with spying on Fairy Tail as well" he said, crossing his arms.
Ivan looked at the floating cat curiously. "Oh? Is that what you think?" he said as he walked around the pair. "And what makes you think I have any interest in a cute little kitty as a member of my guild?" he asked suspiciously.
Gajeel turned his head to his partner and nodded. "Show him" he said.
PantherLily lowered himself to the ground. The minute his feet touched the ground he shifted into his battle form, taking Ivan by surprise. The Exceed reached behind his back and unsheathed the sword that was strapped to his back. The sword grew twice its size as the now huge black cat gripped the sword and stared at the Raven Tail master menacingly.
The guild master clapped his hands slowly. "Very interesting," he said to PantehrLily. "I must say that I am impressed with what I've seen so far." Ivan ran his fingers through his beard as he thought. "Very well, Gajeel-chan. You're little friend may assist you with your duty for Raven Tail" he said as he placed a hand on Gajeel's shoulder in approval.
After hearing this PantherLily sheathed his sword and returned to his normal size. "Thank you, Master Ivan" he said while bowing, playing the part just as Gajeel Exceed floated back up and took his place once again on Gajeel's shoulder.
Ivan looked at the black cat and grinned. "I believe you will make a fine addition to Raven Tail" he said as he turned around and walked back over to his desk.
Gajeel was starting to feel impatient. He wanted to make sure Levy was here. "Master Ivan, about my being called here..." he said, reminding Ivan of the real purpose of this visit.
"Ah yes, of course Gajeel-chan" he said as he turned back around to face the dragon. "I will soon have in my possession a very old, yet powerful Grimoire. This book is so ancient that very few people are able to translate the contents that dwell within its pages" he said as he paced back and forth in front of the desk. "I needed someone who could translate it for me so I took it upon myself to acquire such a person from Fairy Tail."
PantherLily could feel Gajeel tensing up as the guild master spoke. Levy...so this is why the bastard kidnapped her. The Exceed flexed a paw on Gajeel's shoulder as if telling him to calm down and not lose his cool.
"Oh?" Gajeel asked. The guild master stopped pacing when he heard Gajeel speak and stood in front of him, looking at the dragon.
"Has my father noticed the disappearance of anyone from his guild, Gajeel? More specifically, the disappearance of the short blue haired girl?" Gajeel knew Ivan was serious in tone, he didn't say -chan after his name like he always does. The grin had disappeared off his face as well.
"No Master Ivan. To my knowledge everyone thinks that Levy McGarden is still on the job request she took a couple of days ago" he said calmly.
A grin appeared on Ivan's face once again. "Good" he said as he walked towards the door. "Now come, Gajeel-chan. There is someone here who I'm sure would love to see you" he said sadistically as he opened the door and walked out, motioning for Gajeel and PantherLily to follow.
"Someone wants to see me? Could he be talking about Levy? What in the hell is he planning?" the dragon asked himself but followed behind Ivan.