The group of eight hurriedly descended towards the dungeons, expressions of concentration and determination on their faces. Wendy, Carla, and Meredy were all determined to protect everyone, seeing as they were the only ones with the ability to use their magic.
Soon enough, they all arrived in the dungeon area. It was one long hallway with cells on each side of it. The first couple cells they came across were empty and devoid of any human habitation. However, after five minutes of searching, they finally came across something that made them both scowl and smile.
It was a cell that contained four people that were familiar to them. Three men and one petite young woman. All four of them were chained to the wall inside the cell.
The three men were either asleep or unconscious, but the woman was still awake. She didn't notice the group approaching the cell door.
Wendy reached the cell first and gripped the bars. "Levy-san!"
Levy looked up at the sound of her name and shocked colored her expression when she saw the person who called out to her. "Wendy?" she said in shock. She then took in the rest of the people behind her. "Wait, what's going on?"
"We're going to bust you and everyone else out of here," Wendy said as she backed away.
Levy tried to move towards them but forgot about the chains keeping her against the wall. "Ow!" she said as the chains pulled at her ankles.
"Hang in there Levy-san, we'll get you out," Wendy said. She turned to her best friend. "Let's do it, Carla."
Levy looked over at the young white-haired girl in surprise. "Carla?"
"We'll explain everything once we get you and everyone else out of here," a pink-haired girl Levy recognized as Meredy stated.
Wendy and the white-haired girl - Carla, Levy reminded herself - suddenly kicked the door where the lock was and the door banged open, a gust flowing through the cell as it did.
The sudden gust of wind woke the other occupants of the cell. "Ugh, what?" Jet groaned out. Droy blinked rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
The other man, however, stared at the newcomers in shock. "What in the name of Zeref is going on?" Gajeel snapped. "And who is that?" He nodded his head at Carla.
She rolled her eyes. "It's starting to get really annoying whenever someone doesn't recognize me," she said disdainfully.
Gajeel's eyes widened. He knew that voice...and now that he was focusing, her scent was familiar
"Carla?"
"Yes," she said impatiently. "Now let's save the questions for later, or would you rather remained encased in shackles?"
By this time Jet and Droy were lucid enough to realize what was happening, but that didn't stop them from gawking at the newcomers in surprise.
Wendy approached Levy, raising one of her hands as she went. "Sky Dragon's Crushing Fang!"
She slashed at the chains holding her arms and ankles back, releasing her. Levy sighed as she rubbed at her wrists and smiled at the young girl. "ArigatÅ Wendy," she said gratefully.
Erza came in to steady and walk her out of the cell. "Where are we going?" she asked. "We can't exactly just walk people out of the castle and then come back in."
"There's a large room at the end of this hallway," Natsu spoke up. "The air current is flowing strongly that way. The room seems to be as big as the room the party the King threw for us was in all those months ago."
Erza nodded and started leading Levy down the hall. Wendy used 'Sky Dragon's Crushing Fang' again to get Jet, Droy, and Gajeel out of their chains.
"Why are we so unsteady?" Jet asked as he was freed.
"Those runes on your body not only block you from your magic but they also sap some of your physical strength," Meredy explained as she helped him walk out. "You'll get used to it but since you guys weren't able to move around you still feel pretty weak. It's like when your leg falls asleep; walking around will make the feeling go away."
Jet nodded in understanding, an 'ah ha!' expression on his face.
Natsu and Gray (with Happy still sitting on Natsu's shoulder, grumbling about not being able to help) assisted Droy along, but Gajeel refused help, even though his legs were shaking slightly.
"You guys keep going," Wendy said. "Lisanna, Carla, and I will keep freeing people. You guys can come back to help the others when you get done."
"Hai."
The three girls hurried passed the others to another cell. Wendy and Carla kicked the cell door in without looking to see who was in it. Lisanna hurried in and saw three more people chained up. "Wakaba-san! Macao-san!" she exclaimed. "Romeo! Guys, wake up!"
The two older men stirred at her voice but Romeo didn't move at all. Wendy hurried over to him and placed her hands on his shoulders to shake him slightly. "Romeo," she said worriedly. "Romeo, please, wake up."
After a moment he started groaning, his eyes fluttering before they opened completely, showing his slightly dazed eyes. They widened in shock when he saw who it was in front of him. "Wendy?" he breathed out in shock.
She smiled, tears entering her eyes slightly. "Hi Romeo," she said softly. "We're here to get you guys out."
"You're okay," he said in relief. "I was scared they might've gotten you and the others."
Wendy shook her head. "No, they missed us. We're going to get you and everyone out."
Wendy did her 'Sky Dragon's Crushing Fang' attack again and freed Romeo. She helped him stand up. "Whoa," he said as he felt his legs start to shake a little. "Why do I feel so weak?"
"It's those runes on your body," Wendy explained. "They block your magic and sap your energy at the same time."
"Oh."
"Ow, my head," came Macao's voice.
"How much did we drink last night," Wakaba muttered.
"Lisanna, help Romeo," Wendy said to the Animal Take-Over Mage. "I'll free Wakaba-san and Macao-san."
"Hai."
Wendy walked over to the two and freed them swiftly before she helped Macao up and Carla helped Wakaba. "Hey, I've never seen you before," Wakaba said as he stared down at Carla. "What's your name?"
Carla rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Wakaba-san, we'll explain everything as soon as we get you and everyone else safe," Wendy hurried to explain, seeing her friend's frustration.
"Oh, alright," he said. "All I remember is those people from the Magic Council and then everything goes dark. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in this cell."
"Let's just get you, Macao-san, and Romeo to a safe place with everyone else," Wendy said.
She and the other two walked the three men out of their cell and began to walk them down the hall.
"Wendy!"
Erza was jogging towards them, Meredy, Natsu, and Gray not far behind her. "We've got them to the room at the end of the hall," Meredy explained. "But there are five other hallways leading away from it too."
"I think that's where some of the other guilds are in cells," Erza interjected.
"I recognized some of the scents coming from those directions too," Natsu added while nodding.
"We should get Fairy Tail situated first," Lisanna suggested. "After Levy and Freed take these runes off our bodies, we'll be able to fight and defend ourselves better. Then, just in case something happens, we'll be ready."
Erza nodded slowly. "Sounds like a plan," she said. "Gray, Natsu, and I will take these three. You guys go free everyone else."
"Hai," Wendy nodded.
And their plan went from there. Wendy and Carla went from cell to cell, freeing people from their chains while Erza, Natsu, Gray, Meredy, and Lisanna led them to the room at the end of the hallway.
The reactions from seeing Meredy, Wendy and Carla varied. Most were shocked at seeing the normally shy and introverted dragon slayer have an air of confidence that she didn't have before leaving the guild. She now had a glint in her eye, one that said quite clearly, 'I may seem innocent and sweet but if pushed too far, I will take you down - hard.' When people saw Carla, they were in awe at her human form and the amount of magic power they can sense from her.
Seeing as most of the guild doesn't interact with Meredy enough to know her, there was just a general shock when it came to her.
In one cell that was holding Mirajane, Elfman, Cana, and Juvia, the three girls were greeted with happiness, joy, and relief that they were safe. Juvia practically threw herself at Meredy to wrap the girl up in a hug when she was freed.
In another cell, one that held Makarov, Laxus and the Thunder Legion, Laxus ruffled Wendy's hair in a rare act of affection. Makarov literally burst into tears.
Finally, after thirty painstaking minutes of cutting through chains, freeing their friends, and leading everyone to the room at the end of the hall, Erza explained to everyone what was going on.
"Kami-sama," Mira breathed out in shock. The others weren't looking so good either. "And now you're saying that Jellal and Lucy are facing the ones responsible for all of this right now?"
Erza's jaw clenched at the mention of Lucy but nodded her head in answer to Mira's question. Everyone was in awe over the fact that it was Jellal and Lucy who were confronting the bad guys. A question running through almost everyone's minds was 'How much stronger did she get?'
"Levy," Meredy spoke up as she walked towards her. "Tell me how to undo the runes on you. Then you can undo the ones on Freed and the both of you can start taking them off of everyone."
"Alright," Levy said in agreement. "That sounds reasonable. Now first, you'll have to..."
Erza turned away from them to gaze at the wall, tuning out their conversation. Her eyes were unseeing as she became lost in her thoughts.
She hated feeling weak. She hated feeling powerless. The runes on her body prevented her from using her magic; her greatest weapon, and her greatest shield. Not being able to use her magic makes her mind wander to the time she was a slave in the Tower of Heaven, unable to help her friends and being forced, day after day, to work until she dropped. The day she staged a rebellion, she found the strength within herself to fight back. She used that strength to inspire others to fight against the injustice of it all. But she failed to safe Grandpa Rob, someone she loved, who ended up sacrificing himself for her.
When she saw someone she cared about to be struck down...when she saw someone she loved taken from her, it gave her the ability to use her magic to keep fighting. Her magic wasn't just a weapon though, it was her shield. Her magic allowed her to feel safe from any harm coming to her. Being able to use magic meant that she wasn't weak, and could protect those she holds so close to her heart.
But now, she's cut off from it, and the only way to access it was to get rid of the runes on her body. She couldn't even help her oldest friend fight the ones responsible for everything.
And speaking of Jellal...
It never occurred to her that he could have feelings for someone other than her. It never occurred to her that he could trust someone as he trusted her. And even if it happened, it never occurred to her that it was Lucy of all people.
She didn't know pain and suffering as she and Jellal did, she doesn't know how to fight for freedom as she and Jellal did. At least, she thinks so. Her and Jellal were slaves, while Lucy was living in luxury in a mansion and having her every whim catered to.
He says he loves her. How is that even possible? He and I...we have a connection, one I'm pretty sure that they don't have. We've been together since we were children, and they've only known each other since he showed up with Ultear and Meredy that day before the Grand Magic Games started up. So...how is it that he loves her, but doesn't love me!? It doesn't make any sense!
"Got it!"
Meredy's triumphant shout broke Erza out of her thoughts and she turned to see a grinning Meredy standing next to Levy; a Levy who doesn't have the runes on her body anymore.
"Wow," Meredy said as she wiped her brow. "That was really tough, especially since I know practically nothing about runes. You're pretty smart Levy."
She blushed. "Well, let's see if it worked," she said as she turned to face the wall.
She thinks it worked, she doesn't feel weak anymore, but it was better safe than sorry.
Everyone held their breath. They were hoping it worked, because if Levy still didn't have her magic even after the runes were removed from her body...well, they didn't want to think about it.
Levy sucked in a deep breath before letting it out quickly. "Solid Script: Bullet!"
To her and everyone else's immense joy, the word 'Bullet' appeared in front of her outstretched hand and energy pellets shot out from it. As soon as the attack was over, everyone let out cheers at the top of their lungs.
"It worked!" Levy shouted among the cheers. "It works! We can get our magic back! Freed, come over here so I can get yours off! If we work together, we can have everyone's off in no time!"
Freed nodded. "Of course!"
Levy quickly got started on taking the runes of a Freed. Unlike Meredy, she was familiar with the art of runes and was able to work quickly through the array on Freed's body. These particular runes were old, used on magical animals centuries ago. So while they were simple, she hasn't been used that much if at all.
Finally, she was able to get the runes off. "There!" she said as she stepped back. "All done."
Erza stepped towards them. "Take mine off," she said, slightly demanding. "I want to go help Jellal."
Meredy frowned at her. "That's not the plan Erza," she said. "They want us down here to help everyone."
Erza scowled over at her. "Levy and Freed should be able to get these things off of everyone, and then they can help too."
Meredy narrowed her eyes and stepped closer. "Hey," she hissed quietly as Freed went towards Natsu and Levy stepped away so they can have a semblance of privacy. "You need to get it together Titania. You wanting to go help Jellal isn't just because you actually want to help him, it's you wanting to prove something."
Erza glared at her furiously but Meredy wasn't deterred. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"I think I do," Meredy retorted. "You've been acting weird around Lucy ever since last night. You found out about her and Jellal, didn't you?"
Erza didn't answer.
Meredy leaned back and studied her. "That's what I thought. Listen, if you want to be a bitch about it" - Ezra's eyes flashed - "then do it when we're not trying to save our friends. Okay?"
Meredy didn't give Erza a chance to explain, turning on her heel and headed back towards Wendy and Carla.
By this time, Freed had gotten the runes off of Natsu, who was staring at the flames in his hand lovingly, and Gray, who has taken his shirt off, and started towards Lisanna, who was standing with her siblings.
Erza scowled and turned towards Levy. "Take them off," she said angrily.
Levy hurried to comply.
Erza gazed around herself as Levy worked. Her eyes ended up landing on Meredy, Wendy, and Carla. Meredy was talking to them about something, but it wasn't hard for Erza to figure out what. As soon as she finished speaking, Wendy and Carla turned to look at her with furious expressions on their faces.
Erza was surprised that their looks actually sent a shiver down her spine.
"Done," Levy said as she finished.
Erza nodded, feeling her strength return to her and the familiar hum of her magic in her core.
Erza looked at everyone as Levy went to help someone else. "I'm going to go help Jellal," she announced, ignoring Meredy's glare and Wendy and Carla's scowls.
"No, you're not going anywhere."
Everyone whipped their heads towards where the new voice came from.
A black haired woman with pale skin, black eyes, and red lips stood in front of a group of fifteen other women. They were blocking the hallway where the cells the Fairy Tail members were held in were located.
Erza narrowed her eyes at them. She stepped forward and summoned a sword, inwardly happy that she can do so once again, and demanded, "And just who are you?"
The woman who spoke earlier smirked at the sword pointed at her. "The name's Aiza," she said, her eyes passing over every member of Fairy Tail.
Levy gasped. "Minna," she said, "I recognize that name. She's the guild master of the dark guild 'Black Widow'."
Everyone focused on the woman again as she chuckled. "You're pretty smart girly," she said. "But you people hadn't noticed everything yet."
She pointedly looked away from them and around the room. Everyone else copied her movement and noticed what she was talking about.
The other five doorways that led to the cells of other guilds were also blocked by groups of people. They were surrounded.
Levy's eyes widened.
All of them are members of dark guilds. What are they doing here?
"Now, it's pretty simple," Aiza said in a lazy drawl as she watched the members of Fairy Tail begin to panic. "You lot aren't leaving this place. Can't have you rushing to help your comrades fight our employers, now can we?"
"How'd you know our friends are here?" Levy asked suspiciously. "Especially since you're down here, and not where they supposedly are? If you knew where they were why didn't you or any of your...guild mates go after them?"
She smirked. "That would be telling, wouldn't it?"
Levy narrowed her eyes at her. But after a moment of neither side doing anything, she figured it out. "Oh no," she uttered in shock.
"What is it, Levy?" Erza asked, not taking her eyes off of the woman in front of her, her sword steady.
"They knew you guys would come and save us," Levy explained in a whisper, only allowing those closest to her to hear. "That's why these dark guild members are down here. They're here to keep us from helping Jellal and Lucy!"
"That's why it was so easy to get in here," Gray said in realization. "They were expecting us."
"We can't stay here!" Natsu protested. "We have to help Lucy!"
"Lucy can take care of herself Natsu," Meredy hissed under her breath at him. "And so can Jellal," - she shot a glare at Erza - "but the other members of Fairy Tail don't have their magic back yet. Who's going to help them if we all leave?"
Natsu scowled but didn't say anything, silently agreeing with her statement. Erza glared at Meredy but she also didn't say anything. She was inwardly cursing her logic, however. As much as she wished she was at Jellal's side right now, she couldn't leave her Nakama defenseless.
Wendy straightened up and glared at Aiza. "Minna," she called out. "We have no choice but to fight them. Carla, Meredy, Erza, Natsu, Gray, and I all have our magic and can fend off the enemy. Levy and Freed, use your magic to get the runes off everyone else. When you get your magic back, you can help the rest of us fend them off."
Most of Fairy Tail was staring at Wendy in shock. They were used to the shy little girl who tended to their wounds after a bar fight. Admittedly, she had shown her capacity to fight in the Grand Magic Games and in the dragon attack. But seeing her like this? Taking charge, ordering people, her eyes having a glint in them that promised pain? This was a Wendy they haven't met yet.
Exactly what did she do the last couple of months to change into what she is now? And if she's changed this much, how much did Lucy change? How much more powerful did they become?
Meredy and Carla were the only ones who weren't shocked by her behavior.
One of the girls behind Aiza let out a derisive laugh and stepped forward. "You really think you can take us on, little girl?" she asked condescendingly.
Wendy narrowed her eyes.
Before anyone can so much as blink, Wendy took a breath and said, "Sky Dragon's Roar!"
The members of Fairy Tail were shocked by her boldness. But, they were even more shocked by the nature of her attack. They were used to seeing her roar be a big, twisting, chaotic funnel of wind. However, this time, her dragon's roar was narrow and swift, a tunnel of precise attack. It caught the woman in the stomach and sent her flying back and into the wall with a loud 'THUMP'. She slid down the wall to the floor, a dazed look on her face.
Everyone turned to look at Wendy, shock or awe or anger or indifference on their faces.
Meredy chose to take charge at that point. "Fairy Tail!" she called out. "Protect your Nakama!"
They didn't hesitate. Meredy, Wendy, Carla, Erza, Gray, Natsu, and Lisanna who got her runes off by Freed, were circling other Fairy Tail members who didn't have access to their magic yet along with Freed and Levy.
Aiza smirked at them. Especially at Erza, who was right across from her.
"Alright Fairy Tail," she said tauntingly. "Let's go to war."