Welcome back, ladies and gents, to my Fairy Tail OC series. Now I promised action this chapter and action you will receive. So without further ado, on with the story.

The train sped along the tracks as the early morning sun peaked over the horizon. Zilar and Mimi's compartment was illuminated in a glorious blood orange. The train rocked and bumped as they both slept. Zilar's arm was still around Mimi's shoulder and Mimi still rested and clung to his warm chest. The window into the corridor was suddenly obscured by a dark figure. It stared into the cabin with hidden eyes, making sure they were fast asleep. They were still in deep slumber. A small, orange glow came from the door. Tiny sparks flew as the glow ran along the middle of the two metal sliding door. The glow faded away and the dark figure took one last look before he too vanished. Nothing happened for a moment, but soon Zilar woke with a stir. Something was wrong. The air was becoming...thinner. It was slightly harder to breath and he knew they were in trouble. They were being attacked in their sleep. He turned to Mimi and shook her awake.

"Mimi," he said urgently, "Mimi wake up." She turned away and remained asleep. Zilar grunted frustratedly. He turned her head towards him and flicked her hard in the forehead. This got her awake.

"AH," Mimi exclaimed. "What the hell wa-"

"We do not have time for that," Zilar said. "We have got to...to get out o-of here." He was beginning to get short on breath, as was Mimi. Zilar tried the door, but found it hot to the touch. He looked closer and saw the metal had been welded shut. Mimi then tried to open the window, but she couldn't. She banged her hands on it, but nothing worked.

"What the hell is going on," she said breathlessly. She tried shouldering the glass, but got blasted back. Purple runes pulsated around the window.

"The door is melted shut and that's a magical barrier. There is no getting out through there," Zilar said. He slowly dropped to his knees, weezing and gasping. But Mimi wasn't giving up so easily.

"Zilar, grab my hand and hold on tight," Mimi commanded, Zilar did so. She stepped onto the seats and placed her hand on the ceiling. A black magic circle formed and her hand began slowly sinking through the ceiling. It would be quicker, but she had never tried Shadow-Transposition with another person before. She prayed that she was able to drag Zilar through. Slowly but surely, the rest of Mimi's body sank through and so did Zilar's. When her arm reached out, it was blasted by an enormous gust of wind. As she figured, whoever cast the barrier spell was too lazy to block the walls and ceiling. She pulled herself and Zilar to the roof of the train. Zilar was dazed, but quickly came to as soon as fresh air ran through his lungs. He pushed himself up and braced himself against the wind. Not that he needed to, he was in his natural element.

"You...you saved me," Zilar shouted over the wind.

"Of course," she smiled back at him, "we're partners." Zilar began to smile but stopped and looked shocked.

"GET BACK," he yelled, tackling her out of the way just before a large fiery blast blew a hole in the train's roof. Zilar skidded down the roof clinging onto Mimi for dear life. He came to a stop just before the end of the train car. He looked back at the hole as a man with short ash gray hair leapt up through it. He wore a yellow sleeveless shirt and deep red parachute pants with black boots. He also had a gray mark on his neck that looked like a toothed cat of some sort. He smirked over at the two.

"You two are alive? That's good," he shouted down at them. "I was hoping you'd put up a fight."

"Who are you and what do you want with us," Zilar shouted back. The man laughed.

"I'm Han and I come from the Blood Panthers Guild," he answered. "As for what I want with you." An orange magic circle appeared before him.

"WHY TO KILL YOU OF COURSE," he shouted as he cast a spell. "FLAMES OF OBLIVION!" A huge, twisting mass of fire was coming right at Zilar and Mimi.

"SHINING WIND SLICE!" A blast of wind split the inferno right down the middle and dispersed it. When the flames cleared, Han looked very displeased.

"Oh, think you're so tough cause you can blow a little wind, do ya'," Han yelled. "Well let's see how big you talk when I have you begging for mercy!"

"Mimi," Zilar called to her. She looked up at his figure, semi-eclipsing the sun. "I owe you a great debt for saving me back there. Allow me the honor of repaying it here and now." Despite the fright she felt at nearly being incinerated just a moment ago, she felt a calming warmth knowing Zilar was right beside her. He took a few steps forward and prepared for battle, a sky blue magic circle forming at his feet.

"I give no quarter to those who harm my friends," he said. "I will make your suffering swift as the breeze." The Mage, Han, gave another fuming blast of fire. Which Zilar expertly blasted aside with powerful gusts of wind. He fought his way threw the flames until he was nearly caught by a blast flanking his right. Zilar leapt into the air to avoid it.

"HA," Han shouted, "WAY TO LEAVE YOUR TEAMMATE VULNERABLE! FIRE DISCS!" He quickly shot 4 flat blades of fire towards Mimi.

"SHADOW SPIKES!" A barrage of black spikes shot up from the roof and blocked the discs.

"So much for being vulnerable," Mimi said with a triumphant smirk. Zilar was coming down upon Han now.

"WIND PILLAR MAELSTROM!" An enormous funnel of wind blasted down onto Han. He spun uncontrollably until finally flying off the train.

"SHADOW HAWKS!" Mimi spawned two jet black hawks which swooped down and caught the dazed Han before he could crash to the ground. They flew him back onto the roof and dropped him down. He fell unceremoniously onto his back, unable to move. Zilar and Mimi approached him.

"Shadow Shackles." Two shadows locked themselves around Han and pinned him to the roof. When the train stopped at Rodowa Station, Zilar and Mimi turned him over to the Magic Council Military. They stopped for a moment to sit down and rest. They were both rather exhausted.

"You know," Mimi began, "we make a really good team."

"I agree," Zilar said. "And once again, I must thank you for saving me."

"O-Oh, t-that was nothing. ANYONE would've done the same," she sputtered. She was blushing and twiddling her thumbs. Zilar smiled at her, she was very cute.

"But sadly, this is not yet the end of our journey," Zilar said solemnly. "Do you remember the name of the Guild he was from?"

"It was...umm," Mimi thought back, "Blood Panthers, right?"

"Exactly," Zilar said, "and that is the very same Guild we are here to stop." Realization sank into Mimi's expression. Their job was still far from over.

After their battle on board the train, Zilar and Mimi planned a tactical R&R session at a local inn. They were gonna shower, rest for a while, and plan their next move to stop the infamous Blood Panthers. Mimi was first to shower and she was currently resting in bed while Zilar was now taking his turn to wash up. Mimi relaxed and stared up at the ceiling, but something was making her feel a little uneasy.

"This feels...strange," she thought to herself. "Zilar and I, sharing a room together. I'm not sure whether to feel nervous or happy. Now I'm having weird thoughts about him again. Coming out of the bathroom, still wet with a towel wrapped around his waist. Walking towards me, his body heat intensified from the shower he took. And then...and...AND THEN." She sat up quickly and shook her head, as though hoping the thoughts she was having would fall out through her ears.

"NO NO NO NO! That's not it at all," she said, trying to calm herself. "We're only sharing this room as a TEAM. It's entirely at a professional capacity. Nothing more, nothing less." She laid back down, feeling at ease now that she vocally put her feelings in check. The bathroom door cracked open, steam slowly billowing out. Zilar poked his head out, his wet silver hair hanging down.

"Uh, I do not mean to bother you. But could you check on my clothes in the dryer machine," he asked politely.

"Oh yeah, sure," Mimi got up and walked to the other side of the room. The washing and drying machines were powered by water and wind lacrimas. She opened the drying machine and pulled out Zilar's jacket and pants. She walked over to the bathroom door and curtly handed him his garments.

"Here you go," she said, calmly averting her eyes from the door. Only his head and arm were poking out, but she didn't wanna take the chance of seeing something she wasn't planning on seeing.

"Thank you," he replied with a kind smile. He took his clothes and disappeared back into the bathroom to get dressed. Mimi went back and fell onto the bed, relaxing once more. A few minutes later, Zilar walked out of the bathroom.

"That is much better," he sighed. He walked over and sat on the other side of the bed. Mimi looked up at him and noticed his hair was still soaking wet. Steady drops of water were dropping onto his side of the bed.

"What the hell, man," she exclaimed. "Why didn't you dry your hair!?"

"Oh, I normally just let it air dry," he answered as though it was obvious.

"Is that why it always looks so wild and messy," she asked.

"Well, uh," he looked away bashfully, "I have always found the 'wild and messy' look to be very alluring. And I think it suits me rather well." Mimi shook her head. It was a little ridiculous, but she did agree that the look suited him.

"Can't you blow dry it with your magic or something," she suggested.

"I would not use my magic for such a trivial purpose," he said defensively. "I do things very naturally. It is the way I was trained." Mimi sighed.

"Look, you're messing up the bed with the water. If you won't dry your hair," she got up up and reached for a towel, "I will." Zilar looked behind him and noticed the wet stain on the bedsheet.

"Well...I do suppose I am making a mess," he admitted.

"Exactly, so sit here on my side and let me dry you off," she demanded. Zilar chuckled a bit.

"Very well then," he moved onto the opposite side of the bed and Mimi sat behind him. She began drying his long, silver hair with a towel. It took some time and when she was finished his hair maintained it's wild, unruly look. At least it was dry.

"There, now you won't make a mess," she teased.

"Thank you, Mimi," he said. He grabbed his satchel and took out a bunch of white, silver, and sky blue beads.

"Would you like me to help braid your hair," she asked.

"I would appreciate that, thank you," Zilar said. She sat next to him and took the beads.

"So what, 6 on each side or something," she inquired.

"Yes," he answered, "2 of each on both sides. In alternating order of white, silver, then blue." Mimi stared at Zilar with an annoyed expression.

"You know, you can be really picky sometimes," she said.

"Oh, I-I apologize," he said, flustered, "I can do it if you wish."

"Oh shut up and let me braid, dammit," she said, irritated. She began tying braids on each side of his forehead. She slid the beads on in order and tied a knot so they would stay on.

"There," she said simply, "is that alright?"

"Yes," he replied, "thank you again." Mimi smiled.

"Right then," she said, standing up, "we should go check around the town, y'know? Investigate the guild." Zilar nodded in agreement. They both left the inn and walked about the town. It seemed like an overall peaceful place. Wholesome and devoid of whatever terror the Blood Panthers supposedly struck upon them. They stopped by a few shops in town and asked about the trouble they had with the dark guild. This did not help, the people's moods instantly changed at the guild's mention. Either the townspeople didn't have much information to give or they were too scared to give it. However, they were most often referenced to the local town pub, an establishment known as the Drunken Warlock. Whenever Blood Panther members would descend upon the town, they would convene there before and after ransacking shops and assaulting townsfolk. Zilar and Mimi decided to move their search for answers there.

"Hmm, so this is the place," Zilar said as they walked in.

"Ugh, I don't know if it's just me, but the air in here is gross and musty," Mimi remarked, covering her mouth and nose. She was right. The atmosphere was thick with the smell of alcohol, sweat, and an undertone of vomit. It was truly not a pleasant sight.

"You can wait outside if you prefer," Zilar said.

"Please, I can handle myself," Mimi replied. She and Zilar walked to and sat at the bar. The bartender was a stocky and elderly gentleman. He was wiping off the countertop before they walked in.

"Welcome, can I get you two something to drink," the man asked.

"No thank you," Zilar said politely, "we come from the Fairy Tail guild and we wanted to ask you a few questions if it is not too much trouble."

"Ah, so you're the mages the Mayor sent for," the man said. "Well, I'll help in anyway I can. I want those rotten Panthers sent off more than anyone else."

"What can you tell us about the Blood Panthers," Zilar asked.

"They come in here every few months or so," the man said. "Trash my bar as well as the rest of the town. Time was, this pub was a local scene where people from in and out of town came to drink and enjoy life. But ever since the Blood Panthers came along it's just a place for sorry townsfolk to come in and drown their sorrows."

"Do you know if the Blood Panthers have a hideout and where it might be," Mimi chimed in.

"I take it they've gotta go somewhere when they decide to leave us be," the man said. "The mountains to the west of town might be a good guess as any. Lots of caves and catacombs running through them. Be the perfect place to have some kinda hidden base or something."

"One last thing, how many members of the guild come here," Zilar asked.

"Well, it's normally a Fire mage, but I see you took care of him just a couple hours ago. Others are an Air mage, a Requip mage, a Sand mage, and a Letter mage," the man answered. The first and last mage caught Zilar and Mimi's attention.

"Would you excuse us for a moment, sir," Zilar asked the bartender.

"Sure thing," the man said. He walked away to sort his liquor shelves. Zilar and Mimi turned to each other.

"Did you hear the first one," Zilar asked quietly.

"Yeah, an Air mage," she said. "That's why all the air was getting sucked out of our train cabin. And the Letter mage obviously made those runes on the door and window so we couldn't escape. It's all beginning to piece together."

"I agree. Perhaps we should return to the inn," Zilar suggested. "It has been a long day. We should think of a strategy, sleep on it, and move out early tomorrow morning." Mimi nodded. While they were conversing, a man with dark purple hair walked in and sat at the very end of the bar. He wore dark green and purple robes and had a distant expression. The bartender looked over to him and immediately froze in silent fear.

"That's...that's," he thought in a panic, "the Blood Panther's Air mage."

It would seem that Zilar and Mimi are in a predicament and they don't even know it! The Blood Panther's Air Mage is right before their eyes. What may happen next? Find out next chapter! Thank you for reading!