Walking through the hallways, Minerva headed for her father's throne room. Sting had just delivered the girl's blood to her. Now she had to make a report on the progress of the mission at hand. The blood of a Heartfilia was crucial for their plan to increase in power and take over the neighboring countries.
The wishing star of the Heartfilia family was a power that could rival that of all the ten wizard saints together. But it's flaw is the star has a mind of its own and will only obey those it deems worthy. For the past 400 years the star only obeyed the will of the Heartfilia Clan members, who were said to have the purist hearts among men. That's why the previous king wanted them as his successor. Until the day it went missing along with the heir at the time.
But now it has been found again, it seems it still favors the Heartfilia's. That's why the girl's blood was needed. With it, they could trick the wishing star into working for them. But it seemed to easy. Perhaps they missed an ingredient. Minerva had handed the blood and star jewel over to their research team to complete the task. Now she just had to give a progress report to their rightful king.
-X-
Natsu, Happy, Mira, Levy, and Gajeel all sliped through the streets of the capital in cloaks, making their way over to the Castle. Erza was with Gray and Juvia and Crime Sorciére a few blocks behind them, in order not to attract to much attention. They had just finished there strategy meeting at the Sun Bar a few minutes ago.
"I just got in contact with gramps," Erza informed them. "he said Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus have agreed to rise up with us along with Mermaid Heel. Well go together and secure Lucy's safety then will attack with the main force. We have forty minutes to get in and get out."
Coming up on the Castle gates, the group took a B line to the right and into a dirty alley way where they came upon an entrance to the sewer system.
"Remember, this is a stealth mission. We can't allow the army to see us." Mira stepped in and laid out a map of the underground on the table. "The sewer system leads directly under and into the Castle. This is how we're getting in."
Natsu lifted the entrance and hopped in first. A foul smelling odor immediately enveloped him but ignored it and continued down the pathway with the others. Mira led the way since she had the map. Erza and her group would stay above waiting for the call in case help was needed.
After a bit of wandering a door could be seen at the end of the corridor. Natsu took the lead and together they ran forward. Cautiously opening door and peering inside. No gaurds were insight so the group entered the Castle's underground halls.
"The cell block is in the northern side of the Castle. We'll be entering by the eastern wing so when we get in we'll want to head north."
Taking a sharp right turn, Natsu and co. headed for the cell block where they beleived Lucy was being held.
-X-
"Yukino. Status report." Minerva commanded.
"Yes ma'am." A girl with a white pixie hair cut bowed. "The star is still unresponsive. We seem to be missing and ingredient." Yukino voiced.
"I can see that. Keep at it, I'll go update our king." With her last words hanging in the air, Yukino turned over to the stone and looked over at the beat up and bleeding blonde strapped to an upright board. She couldn't understand what they were missing. The blood should have been enough.
Yukino thought back. If what enabled the Heartfilia s to use the star was their pure and loving hearts. Then perhaps what she needed to was to extract the purity of her emotions from her body, if worked it should enable them to use the star as much as they wanted. But as a price, the blonde would be left an empty shell incapable of any pure emotion.
"Then we'll simply have to kill her when we're done." She decided. "I'm sure Sting will be pleased."
-X-
Finally arriving at the cells, twenty-five minutes had past. Now they were left with fifteen minutes. Natsu tried to sniff her out but couldn't seem to find her.
"I don't understand." He growled. "Lucy should be here."
"I can't smell her either." Gajeel agreed.
"Perhaps they moved her." Mira suggested as she looked into the cells.
"That's not good, what if we can't find her before the main force arrive." Levy sniffled quietly. "Then they'll have the upper hand."
"Don't worry shrimp." Gajeel walked up to her. "We'll find her." As if on cue, a guard walked down the flight of stairs opposite of them and walked into the hall. The group hid from sight and when he passed, Natsu jumped him and slammed him into the wall.
"Where is she?!" He demanded.
"I don't know what your talking about!" The guard said suprised at the studded intrusion.
"Lucy Heartfilia! You bastards took her against her will!" He bellowed into his ear.
"I'm just and underling! They don't tell me anything!" He shouted in terror.
"Well then I guess you won't be missed." Natsu spat and used his fire magic on the guy. Instantly he screamed out for mercy.
"Okay! Okay! I know who your talking about!" The guard screamed out and Natsu stopped his fire.
"Where is she?!" He growled.
"She was moved to the research facility on the third floor." He told them. Natsu dropped the man and ran to the staircase. There was no need to be quiet anymore. They had run out of time. The main force should be here any moment.
"Mira!" Natsu shouted. "Take everyone and fall back to regroup with Erza! I can handle Lucy!" He shouted back at her.
"Are you sure?" Mira questioned.
"Of course! Now go!" Mira did as he said and turned around and the others followed her, except for Happy. As soon as Natsu exited the underground labyrinth, he was greeted with screams that could be heard three floors down.
"LUCY!"
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Sorry no update last week, me busy
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