DW: I would like to thank moonlightbutterflye, yukihane, RebelAngel91210, Francis Wolfang, xjakx, Srsttats and Chibi Warrior II for reviewing.
Chapter 20: Infilration
Lucy, Natsu, Erza, Gray and Mirajane sat together in a small passenger compartment on a train that taking them north.
After agreeing to help them locate the Red Hand's base, Lucy was hand cuffed to ensure that she would not attempt to double-cross them. Natsu trusted her, but the others were not so sure. She had agreed to help find the Red Hand base and stop their plans in destroying the world, but for all they knew, it could be a trick. Lucy knew that the suspicion was justified, but she couldn't help but feel a little down about it. She was determined to make them see that she really had changed. Soon, she would help set things right.
The train was taking them north to the city of Antsiranana. On the way, they passed through vast forests and crossed numerous rivers. As they went on, hills became a more regular feature. After several hours, they arrived at the city of Antsiranana.
They then step out of the train and walked through the city. Lucy wore a heavy robe to disguise the fact that she was handcuffed. She could easily break the handcuffs if she wanted to, but she felt that willingly keeping them on would make the others more likely to trust her. She led them to a place where they could buy a boat. The boat was extremely poorly made, and there were beer bottles in the back left by factory workers. Lucy bought it with the vast amounts of money she had at her disposal. The others were rather hesitant getting into the boat. It looked like it would fall apart at the slightest touch. Finally, they stepped into the boat. They started it up and began driving, hoping to reach the island where the Red Hand is located as soon as possible.
Mirajane drove while Gray, Nastu, Lucy and Erza sat together at the back of the boat, guarding Lucy to make sure she doesn't do anything suspicious. Despite Natsu's reassurances, they were still highly suspicious. Who wouldn't be after what Lucy had put them through? Erza was particularly suspicious, and kept her hand on her gun at all times. As Mirajane drives into the sea, Lucy gives her directions, directing her where to go.
That night, they are now driving through the island nation of Seychelles. As they drive through the nation, they drive pass the Seychellois island of Mahe. Everybody in the boat turn their heads to the island as they drive pass it.
On the island, there were small wooden houses. Children were laughing and playing on the shore and the adults are smiling and even singing in unison as they work and do their daily routines. The villagers are all in high spirits.
"Everybody on the island is so peaceful, isn't it?" ERza sighed.
"Yeah. That's why we can't let the Red Hand destroy the world. We can't let them take away our peace. Everybody in the world is depending on us.
The next day, Mirajane continues driving the boat while Lucy continues giving her directions.
Finally, after 32 hours of travelling, they saw an island in the distance. Everybody except Lucy widen their eyes in awe. It was a small rocky island. On top of the gully was the Red Hand's base. It was an awe-inspiring structure. Its base was like a huge pyramid. Towards the top, the pyramid turned into a massive obelisk that was at least 1,600 feet high, making it taller than the Petronas Towers in Malaysia. The entire structure was made out of white stainless steel.
Lucy then tells Mirajane of a secret way to enter the base. She tells her to drive into a cavern under a gully that is located at the other side of the island. At first, everyone thought Lucy is leading them to a trap, but when they arrived at the said cavern, they sighed in relief when there are no guards at sight.
Mirajane slowly drives into the dark cavern and turns on the boat lights. Soon, they arrived at a small wooden pier. Natsu, Lucy and Erza step out of the boat while Gray and Mirajane remained.
"Are you sure you guys want to do this yourselves with Lucy?" Gray asked Natsu and Erza.
"Yes. Besides, we need at least two people to warn the military bases about their nuclear weapons." Erza said.
Gray sighed. "Fine. Mirajane and I will contact the US military and tell them to contact all the bases in the world to remove Project Cerberus from their missiles." Gray said.
"Will you tell them about Lucy?" Nastu asked worriedly. He now trusts Lucy and he doesn't want her to get into trouble again.
"Don't worry. If she does help the both of you, we won't." Mirajane said. She turns to Lucy. "Don't try to do anything to backstab Natsu and Erza, because if you do, we'll get you for this."
"Don't worry. I won't." Lucy nodded.
Mirajane turns back to Natsu. "I'll also try calling my brother for backup." Mirajane said.
"Try not to get yourselves killed." Gray added. Natsu, Erza and Lucy all nod their heads.
"Good luck." Mirajane said.
With that, Mirajane turns the boat around. As she and Gray leave the cavern, Gray turns his head to Natsu, Erza and Lucy and took a glance at them one last time before saluting, wishing them good luck.
"Alright Lucy, guide us into the base." Natsu said to Lucy.
"It will be easier if I had this robe and my handcuffs off." Lucy said.
"And then what? You can take this chance to kill us? I don't think so!" ERza said.
"Erza! Not again! She's now going to help us infiltrate the base and you still don't trust her?" Natsu asked.
"I would have thought you'd have realized it by now, but your reasoning is flawed," Lucy said irritably, "If I wanted to kill you, I could do so in an instant, even with handcuffs on."
"That's enough. Both of you stop it. That kind of talk will get us nowhere," Natsu said, angry at Erza for being so suspicious and at Lucy for talking in such a provocative way. "We will remove Lucy from her restraints."
Natsu then help Lucy remove her robe. Lucy then lift up the handcuffs, which had been snapped into several pieces.
"Alright, let's go." Lucy said. "Follow me."
END OF CHAPTER