Hey guys! I'm back and with a new chapter! This one is the second last chapter. I will add a link to my Ao3, that way you can just continue with the story there without having to search other crossover stories to find part 2! That will be out probably either Monday or Tuesday. The last chapter will end up being finished today and if I get it done early, then I will post it today. If not then it will be out tomorrow along with the link.
Anyways, read on!
"Hello Erza, have you reached the village yet?" The guild master's voice come through the lacrima catching everyone's attention.
"Not yet master. But we have come up with a solid plan to rescue them. I sent Natsu and Gajeel ahead to take a number check, when they get back we'll have a more accurate number and can tweak the plan accordingly."
"Excellent, good thinking. We've got everyone set up and taking watches around Magnolia here incase they see you and have a contingency plan. I don't want to chance Magnolia in case they want revenge on us for interfering. And if you are there and they have men outside the village, you would have no-"
"Hey Erza, we have a problem." Natsu and Gajeel raced out of the dense treeline and square into the small clearing. Fearing the worst the group clambered to their feet and waited for Natsu to catch his breath.
"What is it Natsu?" Makarov called out.
"The problem is that there is no problem." Gajeel said scowling at the ground, chest heaving.
"What does that mean?" Gray asked.
"What he said, there is no problem." Natsu huffed. Gray sighed deeply.
"You mind elaborating there Slanty eyes?" Natsu glared at him.
"It means what I said it means droopy eyes." He shot back. Erza coughed.
"I sent you to get us some numbers, what happened to that?" She raised a brow at them.
"Oh no, we went. Trust me, we saw the village." Natsu replied.
"As for numbers? One." Gajeel rolled his eyes at everyone's confused look.
"One what?" Lucy asked quizzically.
"There was only one person there. Some old guy sitting by a fountain. That's it. No other smells." Gajeel said gruffly.
"That can't be right." Cana snorted.
"Nose doesn't lie." Gajeel shot her a glare. Cana stuck her tongue out at him.
"So, you could only pick up one scent?" Levy asked.
"Yeah shrimp. We even took the time to go around the village. Nothing. No trace of other people." Gajeel sat down on a rock next to her. Natsu spoke next.
"I looked in the window, there was no-one home. The beds were all made, but there was no food anywhere. I couldn't smell any."
"Me either. But what's weirder? The frontgate was wide open. No guards."
"So… What does that mean for us? Were we too late?" Lucy whispered. Natsu growled.
"No, there was no graves. No blood either. The village was clean, tidy." He moved to stand by her side, allowing her to lean on him. She let out a sigh of relief.
"Then, what do we do now?" Wendy asked, her face twisted in confusion. Cana and Juvia's face mirrored hers. Gray was oddly silent.
"You said there was only an old man there? No scent of others?" Mirajane's voice cut through the thick tension slowly suffocating the clearing.
"Yeah. Only him, just sitting there." Gajeel answered. Natsu frowned.
"He looked like he was waiting for something, or someone. But if there was no-one in the village, who was he waiting for?" He added.
"Maybe he sent the request." Levy said. The whole situation was wrong, she felt like they were staring at a giant puzzle without all the pieces. The more they worked at it, the less they knew.
"That could be possible. I don't like this new development anymore then you but perhaps there is more to than we know. Approach with caution and be wary. Take anything he says with a grain of salt." Makarov said, while taking a drink from a mug of beer.
"Yes Master." Erza replied.
"You got it Gramps." Natsu smirked. "I'm ready for anything he throws at us."
"Juvia will head Master's warning." The rainwoman nodded at the Lacrima showing a view of the bar top Makarov was sitting on, Kinana standing in the background washing cups.
"We'll be careful old man." Gajeel smirked. Levy reached over and smack his shoulder.
"Gajeel. Be more respectful." She scolded. He just grunted before rolling his eyes. She puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Report back after you've met with this man. I'll be waiting." Makarov's profile disappeared from view but not before they saw him chuckle at their antics and smiled into his cup.
"You heard Master, let's go." Erza turned to her bag and slipped the Lacrima into a side pocket, slinging the bag onto her shoulder afterwards. Everyone gathered up their bags and began the small trek to the village.
The forest grew denser for a whole before the tree's grew more spread out and there were fewer. A white fence slowly came into view with large gray buildings just behind it. They saw tents off to the southeast from where they approached.
"This is the training area. The supply cache is right over there." Natsu pointed to larger white tents lining the fence to their right on the inner side. A few barrels and what looked to a small archery range setup closest to them. A pair of training dummies with painted targets on their chests stood untouched with a small pile of wooden training swords in between them.
In the middle of the village, in plain sight, was a simple stone fountain. It's base was circular with a stone pillar sprouting from the middle. On top of the stone pillar was the statue of a small child, they were kneeling with their hands cupped and held out in front of them. The water was flowing from their outstretched hands and down into the base below them.
From where they were standing it was difficult to identify the gender but what held their attention most was the elderly man sitting peacefully along the rim, his withered fingers gently gliding along the water drawing patterns they couldn't see. His eyes were closed, his head tilted down towards the water. A small smile gracing his wrinkled face. The utter tranquillity of the scene before them almost deterred them from their objective.
"Hello, you must be the group I've been waiting for." He spoke and Lucy almost jumped at the sound of his voice. It was smooth but deep, definitely masculine. But the hint of youth had her miffled. It didn't sound like it belonged to someone his age.
"You were.. Waiting for us?" Wendy asked tentatively. His eyes opened and he looked up at the group. He nodded and beckoned the group over. No-one moved closer and he chuckled.
"It's quite alright. I'm not going to hurt you, and I can assure you there is no-one else here with me. Your two friends there should know that." The smile on his face grew but was no less friendly and open then when the guild members first saw him. Wendy took a small step forward and looked over her shoulder at the group, slowly following behind Mirajane as she practically glided over to the fountain. Levy gaped at her in shock before closing her mouth and blinking.
Lucy took timid steps towards Mirajane and Wendy, glancing behind her at her partner. Natsu was scratching the back of his neck wondering if he should follow after her. Gray sighed and shrugged at Erza, the latter watching each member closely before concluding the same thing they were all thinking.
'As long as we remain alert, it should be fine to talk with him. He may have the information we need'
"Now, I bet you're all wondering why I'm the only one in the village. Perhaps this will soothe your minds." The older man raised his hands and then lowered it. There was a small ripple in the air before the image of a small peaceful image fell.
In it's place was old ruins of a village, long overgrown by weeds. Vines crept up old stone walls and grass grew between worn stone pathways. Moss covered rocks littered the way and old wood fencing lay buried in the tall grass that skirted the village. Houses lay in pieces, their very building materials lying scattered around them. Where the watch towers stood now nothing more than broken wood and busted out walls.
"An illusion?" Lucy whispered. The elderly man sighed and seemingly aged a few years before them. The crows feet on his face, the taunt skin hung limply.
"Yes." An old withered voice replaced the boyish one from before. He paused, old eyes slowly drinking in the village. "Once, this village was as you saw it before. We had a general store, and the barn was once filled with animals. I remember running through the field with my sister, those were the days." He turned to face the group. "But those days are gone and so is the village."