A/N 1: OMG I AM DONE! Well, with this fanfiction anyway. I hope anyone who catches this enjoyed the whole story. Future reviews, etc may or may not go acknowledged.
A/N 2: Thank you to the ever talented Tumblr user lindako for the awesome cover art! She also has an account on Deviant Art (lindako).
(Again, based on Carried Underwood's song, Renegade Runaway, so if you want to hear it, you can listen to the track with the lyric video. (Search for it on YouTube).)
Chapter Ten: Flyin' 'Cross the Desert Dirt
~With the Renegades~
The girls had picked up their belongings and made it to the outskirts of Magnolia City before anyone could notice. They went further west to make their camp in a forest that stood after the hills that marked the entrance of the town.
Lucy found herself in a bit of a daze as she thought of Natsu and the life she could have had with him, but she wouldn't change her current position if given the chance. She was able to finally seek revenge on the man responsible for her mother's death, and also her father's. Granted, now, she could no longer return home since she was a wanted criminal, she accepted her fate, and accepted her new life with open arms.
"Such a shame. He was a good looking man." she absentmindedly said out loud as Levy was standing next to her.
"They all were." the short bluenette agreed. "Even if he constantly made fun of my height."
Lucy turned and looked to her friend.
"I just hope that they will all be all right now."
"It'll take a lot more than a simple gunshot wound to the leg to take down Jellal." Erza commented.
Lucy and Juvia looked at their leader puzzled, while Levy got wide-eyed.
"You purposely shot him in the leg, didn't you?"
"So what if I did?" Erza retorted.
"I thought he moved to dodge the bullet. I honestly thought you were aiming for his chest." Levy confessed.
Erza narrowed her eyebrows at the thought.
"I would never shoot my fiancee there."
"You're still engaged, then?" Lucy asked confused.
"We haven't broken it off yet, so yeah."
Levy and Juvia broke out into a couple of fits of giggles as the four started to organize everything better on their horses.
"So, where to now, E?" Levy inquired.
Erza was silent. She debated on telling the girls, but she knew she had no choice.
"I am thinking Hargeon."
"Hargeon?" Juvia asked surprised. "Isn't that a two day ride from here?"
"Yes." Erza answered. "I have friends who might be able to help us out, for a couple of days, at least."
The three agreed and the four left on their journey down to Hargeon.
~At the Sheriff's Office~
Assistant Deputy Laxus Dreyar still was in a bit of a shock after his friend's surprise resignation the night before. Telling his grandfather was not something he wanted to do either, but it had to be done. So, when the time came the following morning, Sheriff Dreyar held an emergency meeting to inform the station of the open position. He also let everyone know that the next day there would be an exam of sorts for those interested.
After the meeting, Laxus made his way to the jail cell and carefully opened the door to release his prisoner.
"Mira?"
"Hmph!" she huffed as she looked away from him.
If Mira could have folded her arms she would have, but the situation she was in did not allow her to do so.
He held his head low as he continued.
"You're free to go now." he said softly as he approached her.
She stood up slowly and held her hands out to be uncuffed.
"Why the hell have I still been handcuffed all this time?"
"Sorry. I was absent-minded when I put you in here."
"Don't you mean 'threw' me in here?" she retorted as she rubbed her wrists. "The way you handled the whole situation was wrong, and it hurt. In more ways than one."
He looked up at her and met her eye to eye.
"What do you mean?" he asked as he noticed her rubbing her wrists.
"You put the handcuffs on too hard. See? I have a mark on each wrist." she started to explain. "And my arm. You had one helluva tight grasp on it. It hurts too."
Laxus swallowed as he looked at her upper arm. He could see the very faint marks of his fingers and hand on it, which meant he had in fact held on a bit too tightly for anyone's comfort.
"Sorry."
"Apology not accepted."
"What?"
"At least not yet. I am not ready to forgive you just yet."
"Understood." he replied. "Just tell me what you want me to do."
Mira was quiet for a few moments before answering.
"I'll let you know. But for right now, I need to get back to my inn and saloon and see what chaotic situations have arisen. Give me a few days."
He nodded as he watched her walk out of the sheriff's office and into the street. Laxus then sat down at his desk and jumped when he heard his grandfather go off on three very unlucky individuals. He then watched as the three headed out the door and see his grandfather come out of his personal office with a very disappointed look on his face.
"That can't be good." he said out loud, but loud enough that only he heard it.
~At Jellal's Residence~
Once awoke, Jellal Fernandes made sure all was right with his property before deciding to pack up a bag and loading his horse. As he was leading his trusty steed out of his small barn, he was met with three very familiar faces.
"What are you guys doing here?" he asked in shock.
"Well, we sort of..kind of..just quit." Natsu stretched out.
Jellal, surprised, looked at their three faces.
"What?"
"Yeah, we handed in our badges and guns too." Grey clarified.
Jellal didn't ask them any questions on why they would do such a thing, but he did have his own personal assumptions. Therefore, once the tension in the air was broke, the three joined him on his journey to find his fiancee, as well as the other ladies.
"Where exactly are we headed? I mean, they do have a day head start." Gajeel inquired.
"Hargeon."
"Really Jellal?" Natsu asked shocked.
"Yes. I have this sinking feeling that that is where Erza is leading the girls. We both know a couple of people there that would help her. If she is going somewhere to hide for a few days, weeks or months, Hargeon is the place."
"Isn't that a two day ride?"
"Yeah, it is Natsu."
"Okay! Let's ride!" Natsu yelled as he snapped the reigns on his horse to gain some speed.
The others shook their heads as they watched him, and eventually followed his lead.
"Hey dummy! Hargeon's the other way!" Jellal yelled steering him in the right direction, and causing Gajeel and Grey to laugh out loud.
~The Next Day~
The girls made it to the outskirts of Hargeon by nightfall, much to their delight. Lucy perched herself on top of a small boulder nearby and looked at the small town all lit up.
"Wow."
"Yeah, it's not as magnificent as the city, but it is still beautiful." Erza commented. "We'll camp here tonight and then get an early start in the morning. If we can find my friend's house early enough, we can relax inside the comfort of an actual home."
"Good plan. Can we rearm ourselves here too?" Levy asked. "I am all out of bullets, as are Juvia, Lucy and you."
"I'll ask my friend for assistance in that department." Erza answered.
The three set up camp quickly and then crashed for the evening.
Once morning rolled around, Erza found Lucy already awake and most of their stuff packed.
"Early riser?"
"Sometimes." Lucy said quietly. "I hope I didn't make any noise."
"Nah, but thank you for packing most of it up."
"Eh, it's okay. Shall we wake the two sleeping beauties?"
"I'll get them up."
Lucy nodded as she climbed off of the boulder and headed towards the group. Once Erza woke up Juvia and Levy, the four finished packing and then made their way into town.
Erza led the three through the winding streets of Hargeon, which made Levy and Lucy nervous.
"E, are you lost?"
"No…I know where I am going. I am doing this on purpose."
Levy raised an eyebrow at her and then looked to Lucy, which caused Levy to let out a small giggle.
"It should be…right around…here!" Erza said as she stopped abruptly.
"Huh?" Lucy slipped out as Erza dismounted.
"I know it doesn't look like much, but it's my friend's home."
The trio looked at Erza and then slowly dismounted.
"ERZA!" a little girl yelled as she came out of the house. "I am SO SO SO HAPPY that you are here!" she said as she ran into Erza and hugged her.
Erza smiled as she noticed a man walking out as well.
"Hello Azuka! Hi Alzack!"
"Hello E! Go ahead and get inside. I'll bring the horses around." he quickly greeted and then left his five year old daughter to bring their guests inside.
"Introductions later?" Lucy asked confused.
"Yes." Erza stated as Azuka pulled her inside.
They were greeted by Bisca inside, and once Alzack came inside, proper greetings took place.
"So, you must be tired. We have plenty of room here for the four of you. Make yourselves at home." Bisca offered with a huge smile on her face.
"There are two bathrooms upstairs, and a third on the third floor." Alzack stated.
"Wow. Impressive."
"Yeah, well, we've done a lot of work to this house, E, since you were here last." Bisca teased.
Azuka gave the girls a quick tour of the house and the girls decided who would bathe first. Once everyone was freshened up, they joined Alzack and Bisca downstairs for some light refreshments.
"We need to figure out to get so you girls are cooped up in this house all day. It's so nice this time of year here. It'd be a shame for you not to enjoy the weather." Bisca stated.
"Yeah, but Bisca, they need to change their appearance, especially their hair."
"What do you mean, Alzack?" Lucy asked confused.
"You have blonde hair. Erza's scarlet is too noticable. And these two with the blue hair stand out, especially since you are the Renegades." he explained. "You need to cut and dye it a different color."
"Cut?"
"And dye?"
Juvia and Lucy were absolutely mortified at the thought. Luckily, they weren't alone.
"NO!" Azuka yelled. "They can get some wigs!" she suggested. "Arabella's mommy owns a shop. She can help."
Bisca smiled. Once the plans were decided, she headed to her daughter's friend's mom's store and picked up four new wigs. Ones that didn't stand out so much. Once the girls practiced putting them on, they were good to go out the next day.
"My head itches." Levy complained as she carefully scratched her head where the blonde wig on her was irritating her scalp.
"This isn't something you get used to on the first day of wearing them." Bisca commented. "I wore one for the first month I was here since my green hair was unacceptable for most of the older generation, but then I got over it and said forget it." she finished with a small laugh.
"All right, let's test these babies out!" Erza said with a newfound excitement, much to the other's surprise.
Their new disguises worked wonderfully for them for the first few hours of their day out. However, Erza got tired from having to scratch her head from it itching.
"I swear something is wrong with this thing." she complained as she scratched her head once again as they walked out of a dessert shop carrying two small packages.
"Mine was bothering me earlier, but I am fine now. I wonder if the threading is messed up on yours." Levy commented. "Should we head back to the house to take them off for a bit?"
"Nah. I'll suffer." Erza replied as she stood up straight and took a deep breath.
They stopped to look at a window at a jewelry store, admiring the pieces that were on display. Lucy pointed out a necklace, causing Levy to stand on her toes to get a better view. Erza and Juvia smiled at a couple of the pieces as well. Erza then turned to her right to look back in the direction they had just come from due to some very loud men with familiar voices.
"Well, shit!"
"Huh? What's wrong Erza?" Lucy inquired worried.
"Maybe we should head back for a little bit after all." Erza answered changing her mind and rushing the girls away from the window display.
They headed back to the Connell residence without fully knowing what had just happened, and all were confused.
~With the Guys~
"So this is Hargeon." Grey stated as they slowly meandered into town on horseback. "Where are your friends at, Jellal?"
"We aren't staying with them. We can stay at an inn near their house." Jellal answered.
"Why can't we -" Natsu started.
"Because I am sure the girls are already there. It wouldn't be right to barge in and intrude. Bisca and Alzack already have enough on their plate with harboring some wanted criminals." Jellal answered as his last part of his explanation turned into a whisper.
"Good idea. I'll pay for the first night." Gajeel offered.
The three other men looked at him puzzled, but shrugged. Once they found the closest inn to the Connell residence, they checked in, and rest a bit before venturing out for lunch. As they were walking, Natsu and Grey started to fight, which the two older men had to break up and scold the two like they were toddlers. It was amusing for some of the residents of Hargeon, but some others thought the behavior was a bit disgraceful for grown men. They approached a dessert shop, and Jellal wasn't looking at the cakes on display, but rather a set of very familiar dark brown eyes with mismatched black hair.
"Crap."
"What?"
"Er, I thought I saw someone else I knew." Jellal quickly lied. He, truthfully, didn't want to tell them he realized the girls were now in disguise.
"Oh. Okay. Well, you coming in here, or what?" Grey asked as he motioned for the store.
"Sure."
After devouring a slice of cake, the four men made their way back to their inn to relax and bathe. Even for some men, a nice hot shower or bath is always welcomed.
~The Next Morning~
The girls were slowly getting ready head out around eleven o'clock. Once they met down in the Connell's parlour, Lucy, Juvia and Levy were surprised to see that Erza decided to just put her own hair up and not use a wig.
"Really, E?"
"Eh, it's okay." the scarlet haired woman shrugged. "I'll be careful and pay attention to my surroundings."
"Okay, so shall we go?" Lucy suggested trying to change the topic.
The other agreed and the four headed down to the docks to wander around down there. Juvia and Erza were walking ahead of Lucy and Levy carrying on their own conversations about what else they could do in Hargeon before departing.
All of a sudden, both Lucy and Levy felt hands wrap around their mouths and waists. Levy was quickly scooped up and whisked away where she couldn't make a sound. Lucy was just held in one location. Erza and Juvia stopped, after realizing they couldn't hear their friends voices any longer. They both turned around simultaneously concerned, but were greeted by a male body in front of them.
"Shit!" Erza said out loud recognizing the male in front of her.
"Hello Officer Fullbuster." Juvia greeted and then heard Erza let out a small 'eep' in shock. She turned to see that Assistant Deputy Fernandes had his arms wrapped tightly around Erza.
"Ladies, don't scream." Jellal ordered with a grin.
Erza swallowed as she caught her breath.
"You know you should never sneak up on me, right?" Erza asked noticing her fiancee was not loosening his grip.
"But it was fun this way."
"How did you know it was us?" Juvia asked worried as she saw Gajeel and Natsu approach with a very surprised Lucy and Levy, the latter still over Gajeel's shoulder.
"Gajeel, put her down now." Jellal ordered shaking his head.
Luckily he did as was asked and put Levy down on the ground, where she straightened herself out and grunted.
"If it wasn't for Erza's trademark hair, we wouldn't have know it was you from behind." Grey finally answered Juvia.
"Great, so now you caught us." Levy said in a huff. "I guess that means we're going to jail, am I right?"
The four men were quiet, which did not go unnoticed by the girls.
"What? What is it?" Lucy asked puzzled. "Did we miss something?"
"Well…." Natsu started.
"We would arrest you if we had our guns." Grey started.
"And handcuffs." Gajeel continued.
"And badges." Jellal finished.
It took a few seconds for the girls to process their combined statements.
"If?" Erza questioned. "What do you mean by 'if'?"
"Jellal handed in his badge first, and we followed the next morning, much to Sheriff Dreyar's dismay." Grey answered.
"Wait, so you aren't cops anymore? And you can't arrest us?"
"That is correct, Shorty." Gajeel answered with a grin.
He was about continue to say something else, but Erza was recognized.
"IT'S TITANIA! THE RENEGADE RUNAWAYS ARE HERE IN HARGEON! SOMEONE GET THE SHERIFF!" a man yelled causing the group to blanche.
"Shit!" Erza loudly stated.
"See? You should have worn your wig. Now what are we going to do?" Levy scolded her.
Natsu was gazing off to the west at the water, and was very quiet. He hesitated, but he eventually spoke.
"I think I know where we can go." he blurted out as he still looking at the water.
"Where?" Lucy asked confused as she saw him staring. "The only thing in that direction is Alvarez."
"Not just Alvarez." Natsu said as he turned himself around. "Follow me. Don't ask questions. I'll explain once we're on….a boat." he ended with a shudder.
The group didn't ask any questions. They followed him and waited until they were able to get safe passage on a boat that would take them to their unknown destination.
"A word of warning. I may get seasick." Natsu stated before the boat departed the pier.
He found a decent place to sit next to the railing as the group gathered around him.
"So, explain. Where are we going, Salamander?" Gajeel inquired.
Natsu swallowed.
"We aren't going to Alvarez, but we are headed in that general direction." he started, obviously worried. "There's an island out there that I know of, but I have never been to. My brother lives their with his wife, and that's where she is from originally."
"Back up - brother?" Grey questioned. "In all the years I have known you, I didn't know you had - er have a brother. What gives?"
"He's older than me. He left the force when he was twenty when he decided he wanted to marry the love of his life, who I met when I was five. I haven't seen them in quite some time." he said and then paused as he looked out at the water. "Zeref was also on the force. You three may have heard stories. I don't know why he had to leave the force and leave me behind, but that is what he chose to do. I never questioned it. I originally thought he just moved and got a job as an officer in another town. When I joined the Magnolia City Sheriff's Office, I found out otherwise, but didn't tell anyone."
The group remained quiet as they listened.
"So, they have lived on this island this whole time?"
"I am assuming so, Luce." Natsu answered and then a shrug.
"Do you think your brother and sister-in-law will be willing to let us stay with them?" Levy asked.
"I am not sure. But it's worth a shot, right? If not, we can head farther west to Alvarez."
The group shrugged and decided to change the topic, much to Natsu's enjoyment since the water was getting rougher and he was, in fact, about to heave overboard.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at their destination and the captain of the ship they were on left them with two rowboats. Before getting off of the boat, Erza and Jellal asked for him to run to the Connell's residence to give them a letter and any assistance they would require to bring their belongings to them in the future. The captain agreed and would do it quietly not to gather any attention. Jellal also requested that he find a way to get his belongings to them from the inn, which the first mate agreed to help out with by getting the crew involved.
Once on land, Natsu sprawled out on the sand causing the others to laugh.
"Land! Glorious land! Oh, how I've missed you!" he cried causing the group to burst out into an even louder laughter. Natsu quickly stood up and brushed himself off. "To be fair, I did warn you I may get seasick." he said and then led them through the terrain.
"Do you even know where we are going?" Grey asked worried he was about to get lost.
"Relax. This island isn't that big. The tree is the biggest thing here, and we are walking through all of its roots."
Before long, the group made it to their destination, and boy was it a sight to behold.
"Holy!" Lucy slipped. "That's like half the size of my childhood home."
"Truly, it is." Levy added. "Is this where your brother is?" she added as the group heard a branch crack from behind them.
"Who the hell are you people?" a voice asked in shock.
They all turned around slowly and were greeted by a man with jet black hair.
"ZEREF!" Natsu yelled and then showed his toothy grin.
"Na-Natsu?" the man asked in shock as he blinked multiple times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"Hi!" Natsu greeted.
Zeref scratched his head as he tried to process what would possess his brother to come to this island and find him.
"You haven't aged a day!" Natsu commented noting his appearance. "I thought, for sure, by now you would have a few grey hairs like dad."
"Uhh…right, so, before I explain, that - welcome to Tenrou Island everyone. If you would, please follow me inside."
"Did you just say…"
"Tenrou Island?" Lucy finished Levy's question.
Zeref let out a nervous laugh before nodding.
"Come inside."
The group hesitantly followed him, slightly confused as to why he was being so cautious. Once inside the house, they marveled at the ornate interior of the building.
"MAVIS! WE HAVE COMPANY!" Zeref yelled as he continued walking.
Not long after they all heard footsteps running into their location.
"Huh? What do you mean we have com…pan..ee?" a woman with long blonde hair asked. "Oh, hello." she greeted confused.
"Bring tea?"
"Uh…sure."
"I'll help." Lucy offered.
"Thanks."
Lucy followed Mavis while Zeref brought the others to one of the larger parlor rooms that were in the house. Mavis and Lucy met up with them, and as Mavis served the tea to everyone, Natsu introduced everyone to one another formally. Mavis regaled the group with the story of how when Natsu was younger, he never left Mavis alone and 'clinged to her leg' causing the group to erupt into laughter.
After a small spell of awkward silence, Lucy broke it.
"So, Zeref, are the rumors about Tenrou Island true? Is it really cursed?"
He cleared his throat before speaking.
"In a way I guess you could say it is."
"Cursed?"
Zeref let out an amused laugh as he thought of what to say.
"There is something wrong with this island. It seems that your aging slows down if you live on here for too long. Natsu noticed it when he saw me just now. It may have taken about seven years for me to believe it, but it is true. I haven't aged physically, and I don't know how long this will last."
"I grew up here, so it's weird for outsiders to believe that I am the age that I am. I have ventured to both Alvarez and Ishgar, and have spent quiet a lot of time in those countries, and have aged 'normally' there, but once I came back here, my aging slowed down again." Mavis added.
"Wait, so how old are you exactly?"
"Old enough to be your…mother." Mavis answered Gajeel.
"Try grandmother." Zeref added with an amused grin.
"WHAT?" everyone asked in shock.
"Oh dear." Mavis said embarrassed.
"I've learned to accept it." Zeref started. "I am aware of how old my wife actually is, but I still love her."
"So this life here…" Natsu trailed.
"It's fine. No worries. We grow our own food, catch our own fish, and we live here in peace and quiet. No one comes to bother us…."
"Except for your annoying little brother, apparently." Grey stated.
"You are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you like." Mavis stated. "We have plenty to go around. You'll need to pull your weight though."
"We can all agree to that." Jellal stated.
"Okay, you are free to leave whenever you want." Zeref explained and then got quiet. "What brought you here in the first place to begin with?"
"Oh, right, so please listen carefully." Erza started before Natsu could.
She explained the whole story about them being the 'Renegade Runaways' and the guys being the law. Lucy and the others chimed in when Erza couldn't find the right words, or what else to tell.
"Oh, well, that's interesting." Mavis teased. "Criminal or not, you are welcome to be here. So, welcome! And let's try and figure out living arrangements here. We have plenty of rooms and such."
"I guess since you're wanted criminals in Ishgar, and that you fellas are now accomplices, it might be up to me to help the Connells with your belongings?" Zeref asked amused.
"Yeah, if you wouldn't mind, bro." Natsu commented with a cheesy grin.
So, with a new future on the horizon, the group of eight now lived on Tenrou Island for the time being…
~The End~
A/N 3: Okay, so it's been a long road in between me writing and posting this story. I hope anyone that reads this enjoyed it immensely, if not, a little is okay too. I do not plan to continue this story, so please do not ask. Thank you for all of those who have followed, favorited, and reviewed this fanfiction.
Thanks to the following users for following: Nalu forever 2002
Thanks to the following user for adding this story to your favorites: Nalu forever 2002
Review Responses:
Jess Dardin: I tried to make it good. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter.