Chapter 40

Normal P.O.V.

Leaves crackle underfoot as the group of six step out onto the road. They're cautious as they look around but when no danger arises they turn and walk down the road where, in the distance, a town can be seen.

Laxus stops causing the others to stop as well and he turns to the wolves. "Alright, girls, shift, you know we can't be recognized if we're to reach the entrance to the glaciers by night fall."

Kuma and Crystal look at each other and roll their eyes at his bossiness, but soon Crystal's fur is disappearing and she's pulling a coat out of Wendy's bag while Kuma shifts to a cat and climbs Gajeel to sit on his shoulder.

The exceeds follow her example, each landing to sit on a slayer's shoulder or in Carla's case, transforming to walk beside Wendy.

Wendy shivers, the colder air of the north going straight to her bones, and steps closer to Natsu. His above average temperature keeping the air around him at a much more comfortable temperature.

They continue walking in silence, the past few months of travel, and having to avoid squadrons of rune knights, wearing on them.

At the edge of town they're put on full alert when a group of rune knights walk out of an alley. The stench of alcohol that hangs around the group is enough for the slayers to relax and they pass them without a problem.

When they reach the center of town Laxus turns to them. "Gajeel, you're coming with me to call Gramps. Wendy," he looks at the sky slayer and she smiles.

"I know, Crystal is coming with me."

Laxus nods and turns to Natsu, scowling. "Natsu, Kuma's going with you, but if I see any sparks or flames I'm handing you over to Mira and Erza when we get back."

Natsu frowns. "I'm not that idiotic and I don't think she's up for much trouble today."

Everyone looks at Kuma where she still sits on Gajeel's shoulder and as they watch she yawns and her tail taps against Gajeel's shoulder. Natsu holds out his arm and tilts his head. "Come on, Kuma, let's go see what we can find."

Kuma leaps without a warning and lands on his arm, slightly digging her claws into his arm to keep from falling, then walks up to sit on his shoulder.

Natsu turns and waves as he goes to walk down a side street and Laxus calls out, "The edge of town at sunset!"

The fire slayer doesn't respond and Laxus shakes his head in frustration. He looks back at Wendy to find her and Crystal already gone and he runs a hand over his face then turns to Gajeel to find the iron slayer arching an eyebrow at him.

"You and me both know Salamander's the alpha so why the hell are you trying to tell him what to do?"

Laxus turns and walks away, the iron slayer walking quickly to catch up to him and the lightning slayer sighs as his eyes roam over the buildings looking for one in particular.

"He may be, but so far he's done nothing to take control. This venture needs at least some type of control."

Gajeel snorts. "Are you sure he hasn't been taking control by not taking control?"

They stop in front of a run down looking building and Laxus arches an eyebrow. "How the hell would he be doing that?"

The iron slayer knocks on the door of the building and looks at the lightning slayer with an eyebrow arched. "Have you seriously not noticed how he's been letting Bear take the lead? Especially with how she's been acting lately. I hate to say it but Salamander's smart by giving Bear room to sort herself out."

Both slayers turn to the door as it creaks open an inch, revealing one light blue eye surrounded by darkness.

The eye disappears for half a second as if blinking and Laxus clears his throat. "The fairy takes flight at dawn."

A second after Laxus utters the words the door slams shut and chains clank on the other side of the door before it swings open again. This time enough light shines through the doorway for them to see a frail short old woman about a foot taller than Makarov. She's dressed in a dark blue almost navy shawl that hides everything but her face from the slayers.

"Welcome, fairy children, please come in." She takes a step back and holds a hand out behind her as she speaks and Gajeel and Laxus step inside while she shuts the door behind them.

The interior is darker than any normal human would be able to see, but the slayers can see well enough to make out a dark oak paneled room with matching hardwood floors. The only furniture in the room is a table with a large dimly lit lacrima sitting on a stand.

"Would you perhaps like some tea while you call the third?" When both slayers shake their heads the elderly woman gestures to the table. "Very well, you may as well use your time wisely before the local rune knights take notice of your companions."

Gajeel eyes the woman suspiciously while Laxus walks up to the lacrima and zaps it with his lightning causing it to brighten up the entire room and a projection of the Fairy Tail guild bar to appear overhead.

Since it's so early in the morning the guildhall is relatively empty save Cana, who's already working on a barrel, Mira and her siblings, and Makarov.

The master of the guild sits on the bar, his face turned away so the slayers only see his side profile as he sits on the bar sipping from a mug.

"I take it you've reached the entrance to the glaciers?"

Gajeel crosses his arms over his head and grunts while Laxus sets his hands on the edge of the table and leans in. "Yeah, Gramps, we're set to fly over the tolls after the sun sets."

Makarov nods and sets his mug down, turning to look at the slayers. "Be careful, brats, that town and the edge of the glaciers is extremely dangerous. The natural dangers are not a problem with both Kuma and her friend there, but you must also think of the human dangers. Outlaws, rogue mages, dark guilds, and rune knights roam the land between that town and the ice passages."

The iron slayer pushes Laxus out of the way and cuts Makarov off. "We hear you, Gramps, but now we need to know, have there been any new attacks reported?"

The corner of the master's lips turns up in a semblance of a smile. "There has, but they caught the lupus responsible for it and as we speak the order is being processed by the magic council to halt all searches for Kuma." Then the smile disappears. "But it will be awhile before it reaches the area around you so stay on your toes. In the meantime put Laxus back on."

Laxus pushes Gajeel away from the lacrima.

"I'm here, Gramps."

"Excellent, here's what you need to know in order to get over the tolls without setting off the alarms..."


Grizzly out for the night.