Good evening I hope you all are feeling better than I am. Finals are in two weeks and my boss decided to schedule me for 32 hours this week. Thankfully I've got A's in all my college courses. So I'm fine. Just stressed. Also not feeling well, but this Wisconsin weather I tell ya. It was in the 70's on Thursday and snow on Saturday. Like come on mother nature enough winter! LOL. Anyways I hope you all are really well. I had a hard time getting this chapter up due to a very serious event that happened in my hometown. I won't bore you with the details, but it's been a really hard couple of days. Sending love your guys' way! Thanks for reading!
Taylor
Team Rogue made it to Fraso in about and hour and a half. They were glad to be off the train. The slayer's motion sickness treatments were wearing off. The five mages looked around the tiny town. Levy had been right the town only had a couple necessity shops. They found the inn, and went to check in for the night. They had work to do, before they could go scope out the area. Levy had told them they could stay in inn a couple nights, before needing to establish a camp. They had decided on two rooms, well Levy did. They all didn't get a say.
"So, Lisanna and I in one room you guys in the other?" Erza asked.
"I mean, I think Freed be more comfortable with you guys, but he's more than welcome to stay with us these couple of days. Once we're out there, he'll need to stay with us. Levy's orders. But he's quiet so I don't think either of us has a problem with it." Sting said.
"I want to stay with the girls as long as I can. I want to try a couple new runes with Lisanna, to try and keep her extra safe. I don't know if they'll work or but it's worth a try." Freed responded.
"No problem man." Sting said. The group started walking to the inn. They had very little luggage. One backpack each. As Freed, Erza, and Rogue walked faster; Sting slowed his pace to match Lisanna's. He knew she was feeling the withdraws from her mate. "Hey." He said grabbing her hand softly.
"I-I promise I'll get better." Lisanna said, and Sting could only chuckle.
"No, you won't." He pulled her into a hug. "It's gonna suck for the both of us, but we need to stay strong. They'll be okay. We all will. You and I get each other right now. We're the only one's that can understand this awful situation. So, let's make a pact." He smiled brightly at her.
"I'd like that." She said softly, moving from his embrace.
"When you miss Natsu so bad, you don't think you can go on, come to me. I will convince you, you can. I'll take care of you the way Lucy has to for Gajeel. I'm a great guy. I'll take care of your mental state."
"Then I'll help you as well. Let me extend the same offer. I'm no Yukino, but I can help the best I can. We're the only one's that will feel all the awful feelings that come with separation of mates. I intend to pick myself up in the next few hours, and take some of the fire Natsu has instilled in me, and run with the wild. He's taught me a lot since coming home." She smiled at him, and they headed into the inn where their friends already were.
"Levy McGarden has already paid for the hotel rooms. She also says not to be mad at her, it's the least she can do." The front desk man said to Rogue.
"I'm going to have to talk to her about this, but thank you." Rogue said, unamused that Levy felt the need to pay for it.
"Hey, leave it until this is all over. She's trying her hardest to help in anyway she can. Let her have this." Sting said, letting Lisanna go. "It's her way of saying she's still here. It makes her feel better, and she's going to need that."
"He's right. I know Levy very well, and if she can't support us in person, she'll do it another way. She's always been that way. It's who she is." Erza said. They group all looked at each other than froze.
"This is the beginning isn't it?" Freed asked. "This is where we start our war." They moved up the stairs, and to their rooms for a few moments. They needed to start scoping the area, but they needed a moment to each other. It seemed everyone took a corner to just thing. Rogue had sent a nice text to Levy, thanking her and telling her they had made it.
Lisanna took out her phone. She sent Natsu a quick I love you and I made it text. He responded with he was about to where he was supposed to be. She knew she couldn't text him more. She had just wanted to say she loved him. She stared at the wall. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't even supposed to be back on Earthland. She was supposed to still be dead. There wasn't supposed to be a her and Natsu, especially not a married Dragneel couple. Still, she couldn't imagine being back in Edolas. She loved those guys like family as well, but this was her real family. She had come home to Natsu, who had never moved on. She had been so scared that he would've fallen for someone else, and after meeting Lucy, she feared it was her. But Natsu surprised her. Very shortly after coming home, he kissed her and told her everything he had wanted to say before she died. He never forgot her, and never wanted to. They waited on mating, because she needed time with her family. Her and Natsu were exclusive. They were with each other, just not mating. They went on dates, and kissed, held hands, said I love you, but she needed time to be with her family. Mating usually meant moving right in with your mate, and she needed her family a little long.
Erza let out a sigh. This battle weighed heavily on her. She hadn't been the greatest friend to Lucy. She had been so upset over things with Jallal that she let her anger overflow to everyone around her. She let hate, frustration, and confusion ruin her relationship with one of her closest friends. Someone she counted as a sister. She opened her phone and sent a text to both Laxus and Lucy, explaining how sorry she was and that her anger was never towards them. She was just going through some tough things. Almost immediately Lucy responded with a long text about how much she still loved her, and that it was all okay. Everything was okay between them. She knew how hard things could be with relationships. And no matter what she loved her. They were sisters till death. Erza started to cry. Then Laxus' text came in. He had written more than you'd ever expect him to, for anyone other than Lucy. He explained how much he understood. He would've attacked someone the same way, if one of the girls got with a jackass like himself. He knew that her heart was in the right place, even if she was hurt and angry at Jallal and taking it out on them. It was all going to be okay. It always would. He was thankful for her agreeing to fight this battle. They needed her. Lucy needed her. Everything would be better after this fight was over. They were all stressed. She cried a little harder at that. It wasn't like Laxus to be this way, at least not to her. She realized everything she had known about Laxus was wrong.
Freed was battling his guilt. He knew more about this battle than he had wanted too. After digging into the letter, and the fact no one knew of this dark council, he found a small almost unimportant breakthrough. However, that little breakthrough turned into something bigger and badder than he had ever thought. He didn't know what Loke had told them, but he sure hoped that they knew the full danger of this. It wasn't going to be an easy battle, and he needed to focus on Lisanna. Levy had tough him over the phone a new rune that might be able to help make Lis stronger. Besides Kinana it was no secret that Lis was the second weakest. It wasn't to say she wasn't strong, but her years in Edolas with no magic had taken a toll on her magic. Levy had taught him a special rune that could help make Lis stronger, by borrowing magic from the Celestial World. It was going to take practice, though. It was a complex rune, and was connected to the stars. It was a rune like no other, but he swore he'd get it down for Lisanna's safety. Laxus would kill him if he didn't give this fight his all.
Sting, for the first time in forever, was silent. He was trapped in his mind. He was scared. He was a lot like Natsu. He believed he could take down anything and everything. But right now? Now he feared he may not be able to beat this. He knew his mate was in the best hands there were. She was with Lucy, which put him at ease. They could do raids, and with them both being celestial mages, they were powerful. Yukie had even found a few more keys. There was nothing those two girls couldn't do. Lucy had become a great friend to everyone in Sabertooth. She was a calming presence which was nice sometimes, since everyone else in both guilds were rowdy and obnoxious. He and Yukie hadn't even talk about kids yet. It wasn't like they were rushing that, but he knew she was having baby fever. Honestly, having kids scared him. He wanted them of course, but things like what they're going through right now, made it hard. He never wanted to bring a life into this world that he couldn't protect. He needed to protect his mate and hatchlings the best he could, and that was hard with alliances like these in the world. People would always want them dead, but it'd be worth it. Little combinations of him and Yukie running around. He loved that thought. It was the push he needed to fight this war, even if she wasn't right next to him. She was always in his heart, and that's all that mattered.
Rogue was meditating. Well, and praying hard to whatever was out there. He needed to lead this team. He needed to hold it together, even though all he wanted to do was fall apart. He had a feeling that maybe this battle was starting sooner than they had all hoped. There was something unsettling about this place, and he feared what they'd find in the forest. He had a job to protect this group, all of them. They needed him, and he needed them. It was a strategic move putting them all together. They needed the brains, brawn, and the grace. They needed something to remind them what they're missing back home, and Lis was the best person for that. He knew that she and Sting would be inseparable, but that was okay. They needed each other, and he knew Sting would still rely on him with the things he knew Lis couldn't take. But even Rogue wanted to fight harder, so that the sad, depressed girl could get home safely to her mate. Lis was the key for them. She was going to make their hearts hurt. He knew she'd snap out of it in battle, but while not on the field, she'd be a little gloomy. That wasn't anything like her either. She was about as bad as Natsu with the cheerfulness. It was heartbreaking to see her like this.
It was a few minutes later that the group all met in the hallway of the inn. "You guys ready?" Sting said cheerfully. It was a fake cheerfulness, but he was trying and that was the most important thing.
"I'm ready for this to be over." Lisanna let out a small giggle. "And it hasn't even started yet."
"Pretty sure your mate will just burn everything down right away." Erza chuckled.
"That forest will be no more." Freed added. Rogue let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in. They all seemed to have just needed a moment. Even if this wasn't the most authentic conversation it was still better than crying and hating everything.
"We should get going." Rogue paused. "But I have one thing to say before we go." They all looked at him. "We may not all be close. We may not know each other very well. But we fight as a team. No berating each other. No fear in asking for help. No feelings of not being strong enough. We were chosen as a team for a reason. We are together in this. It doesn't matter what mistakes you made in the past, or what we may make now, we are a team. And we won't leave anyone behind." They all smiled at each other. Erza grabbed Lis' hand. And she squeezed Erza's back.
"Let's kick some major butt!" Lis yelled. They all headed out to the forest. Where Freed and Lis started practicing the new rune, while the other's explored nearby. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary, until they saw a flower out of place.
"Marigolds don't grow here." Erza said, touching the leaf. All the sudden a hologram popped up. "Sting! Rogue! Here!" The two slayers made it just in time to see the message. Sting quickly took out his phone to record it for Levy to analyze. All the sudden a girl with pink hair showed up.
"That's the bartender from Midnight Rift!" Sting said.
"Hello slayers, slayer friends. My name is Ava Reed. I should look familiar. I was your bartender while you were on your honeymoon. I'm surprised you caught this small out of place detail. This is a recording. I have no clue when you arrived, or if the fight is going on. Welcome to your personal Hell. We knew you guys would want to fight away from civilians. You guys don't want any casualties in this battle, but there will be at least twelve." She laughed a bit. "This forest has some unique animals in it, some will be nice other's, however, are vicious, and may kill someone. They may all look the same, but trust me, some are scarier than others. It doesn't matter if you try and execute them all before we fight here. I can keep them coming. I hope you guys enjoy the few surprises along the way. There are a few more out of place objects, that might give some insight on this battle. We'll see you shortly. And don't forget, the slayers and mates will me executed." The screen went blank, and the flower withered away.
"How can someone who was so nice to us, be so mean." Sting said. Rogue and Erza weren't with them when they met her, but even they could see the façade that she was giving. She spoke a lot like Mira, when Mira was pissed. It was condescending and sickly sweet. It made everyone's blood go cold.
"She's got to be the leader. For all that she's talked about and is doing, she has to be, right?" Erza asked.
"I'm not sure. Just because we've seen her first doesn't necessarily mean she's the leader, but it's a real possibility." Sting responded.
"I think we've got it down Lisanna!" Freed exclaimed excitedly. "How do you feel?"
"Extremely powerful. Like I could take down my husband." She said softly. She looked at her glowing hands. "So, this magic is part of the stars?"
"Yeah. Levy said it'd be good for you to have the extra boost. I can't use it on anyone outside of your group. Since you guy's are part of the stars it works for you guys, but won't for anyone else."
"Wow." Was all she said.
Sting, Rogue, and Erza walked back to them. Sting had sent the video to Levy, simply saying they found something. They all saw Lis glowing.
"She looks powerful." Sting joked.
"I feel powerful." Lis responded. She started to mess with her magic, to really see how much more powerful she was.
"Here's the thing." Freed said. "I can do this for any slayer or mate, since you all were inducted into the stars, it works on all of you. So, if you guys need an extra boost, it's an option."
"Great! I can be more overpowered!" Sting cheered causing everyone to laugh.
Levy received the video, and right away went to start analyzing it. Perun was next to her along with Loke. All the sudden baby A kicked her. "Damnit! That hurts!" She yelled. Loke and Perun could only laugh. "Oh shut it!" She was a little grumpy today. She was missing her mate pretty bad today. She just kept telling herself that Lu was with him. He was in good hands.
"It'll all be worth it, when those two are born." Loke said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "I know it's getting harder for you without him being around, but every mate is going through this now too. It all evens out now." Levy sighed.
"No. They should get to be with their mates. I know I need to be here for reasons and all that BS, but just because I'm miserable doesn't mean that they have to be."
"I know you feel that way, but it's for the best anyways. Mates and slayers should never fight hard battles together. They're a distraction and are too overprotective. It has to be this way." Perun said. "But about this video." They watched the video four times, without speaking. All their heads were working in over-drive. They were looking for anything and everything out of the ordinary. Levy paused the video before it could be played a fifth time.
"She's the bartender. She's the one that put Lucy on edge." Levy pushed herself up from the floor, where she had been studying celestial tactics. She went to a white board that had been brought in for her. "She's the manipulator. She's the one that puts Lu on edge. Her name's Ava if I remember right."
"It is." Loke said. "She's the oldest. She's their leader." He stood up, to walk to the board. "She also can use some elemental magic. On top of the dark magic. We have studied her the hardest." He handed her a folder. "Everything we know about her is in here. This will help you profile her. We don't know much about where she came from, but we've tracked her since the slayers were saved by fate."
"Okay. Looks like I've got a shit ton of work to do." Baby B decided to kick her then. "I hate him not being here to talk me out of punching them back." She sighed heavily. "I'm gonna ground the Hell out of them for this." She giggled rubbing her tummy, to help them calm down. "I'm gonna send my mate a small text with a picture of my belly, then I'll get digging." Perun and Loke nodded, before leaving. She sighed heavily, and rolled her shirt up. She stood in front of a mirror, and put on her best fake smile, with her tongue out and a wink. She sent it to her husband, with the simple statement saying, "Kicking like crazy. Smile through the pain. Always in my heart.". She smiled to herself, before singing softly to her babies. "I'm no daddy while singing, but I'll do." She took a seat on the floor, and started digging into the file she had been given.