Titania and The Hunter
Chapter 64: When Empires Fall
Just a little goofy fun before we get back into the swing of things.
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No kingdom stood forever.
No empire lasted from one age to the next.
As time passed many of the strongest and most resilient foundations in the world withered away.
Sometimes to the next more evolved power that came along. Or to some unexpected foe that fell the giants once believed unconquerable.
This was the day it happened. The day Fairy Tail was defeated. And it all started with-
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"You picked a job?"
"Yep!" Wendy happily proclaimed while smiling and holding up the quest flyer she had picked from the board. The blue-haired girl beamed with pride as she showed her friends the first quest she would be taking herself, "Master suggested that now that I've been here for over a week and have a little training to work with that I should go out and try a job."
"That's great Wendy!" Lucy congratulated her young friend, "But you're sure you're ready to do this?"
"I don't think it's a very difficult job. The ranking puts it at a C at most, so it seems about right for a first job I can take as a Fairy Tail Mage."
"Honestly I think you could probably handle something even tougher." Gray shrugged, "You're stronger than you think."
Wendy blushed at his praise and the nods of agreement Lucy and Mirajane gave in return, "T-Thank you for thinking so but I'll start off slow and work my way up to more difficult jobs."
"And there's no harm in that." Mirajane smiled before tilting her head, "What's the job anyway?"
"It's a request for physical and mental alleviation. A man is exhausted from his job and needs someone to help him reenergize. Since I have healing magic and support magic I thought this would be the perfect job for me."
"That is pretty much made for you." Gray agreed with a nod, "I'm pretty sure if anyone else in this guild were to try and help someone relax and recuperate they'd just..." He shrugged and looked between his older friends, "Kill them?"
Lucy hesitated, "I-I wouldn't go that far."
"I would." Mirajane said in a blasé tone and ignored her shocked expression, "We're not the best at not doing everything with maximum effort."
"Then she's found herself a job only she can do!" Carla announced with pride for her charge before looking at Wendy, "Where does this mission take place?"
"It was posted by a theater owner named Rabian in Onibus."
Lucy let out a squeak of fright and Gray spat his drink out over the table. The former Cait Mages looked at them in shock as Carla frowned in disgust, "What is wrong with you two?"
"Do you know this man?"
"Uh," Gray wiped his mouth, "We're acquainted."
"W-We did a job for him before." Lucy said while she shuddered in her seat, "I still regret it."
Wendy looked at Mirajane for clarification as the barmaid smiled and handed Gray a towel, "When the Fairy Titans first formed they took a job at a theater performing for that man. The show was...interesting."
"It was shit!" Gray corrected, "We weren't trained and we had no idea what we were doing and that bastard never gave us a break!"
Lucy nearly curled up into a fetal position in her seat, "So many shows. So many days. It never ended." The busty blonde looked over at her young friend with a dire expression, "W-Wendy, I-I know you might be perfect for this job, but I seriously think you should consider doing a different one."
"I-"
"Oh, what's this?" Makarov walked over when he noticed the commotion. He jumped up to the table, slipped on the drink Gray spat up, fell back and slammed his hear hard on the wood. He picked himself up and no one made an effort to note his embarrassing display, "Did I hear right, Wendy? You picked a job?"
"I-I did, Master."
He sat down and held out his hand, the newest member handing it over for him to see, "Onibus? That's a ways away. You ready for the travel?"
Wendy looked between Lucy and Gray and saw their silent protests to turn the job down. But then she thought about the last few days she had been in the guild. She had done what she could to help around the guild. She had been training with Naruto to discover how she could use her magic to fight and not just support. She had spent time in Fairy Hills with not just Erza but the other girls trying to get used to everything.
She was a Fairy Tail Mage now. She couldn't be scared of what the world could offer.
"Yes!" She nodded her head with a determined gaze, "I'm ready!"
"Glad to hear it my dear." Makarov smiled and handed the flyer back to Mirajane, "We'll register you and you can be on your way. We're trusting you to uphold the name and reputation of Fairy Tail while you are on this job. While you carry our symbol on your arm, you will also honor our values, our dignity, and our creed. Can we entrust you to do so?"
"Yes sir!"
"Good. But even though I trust you, I don't think I'm comfortable with sending a newcomer out by herself on her first job."
"No worries Master." Carla assured the elderly Mage, "I shall accompany Wendy on her travels-"
"Actually I think it would be good for her to expand her circle of interactions. So how about she go with..." Makarov didn't notice Carla's indignant gasp as he looked around the guild. He waved his hand, "Freed! Bickslow! Evergreen!"
The trio of the Raijinshū walked over, "Yes Master? Do you need something?"
"Are you three doing anything right now?"
"No. We're free at the moment."
"Have you met Wendy yet?"
"Oh yeah, the newbie, right?" Bickslow smiled with his tongue hanging out, unsettling Wendy and Carla both, "I heard she joined after helping the others beat the Oración Seis. Haven't gotten the chance to meet her personally yet."
"Well then this is a perfect opportunity. Wendy here is about to take her first job and could use some help. Do you mind joining her? It isn't a tough job but it is pretty far."
Evergreen groaned, "C'mon Master, that's such a bother. Cant you saddle this to someone else? You got two of the goody-goody brigade sitting right there that she came here with. They seem way more up to the task."
"Ever, enough." Freed said, the serious leader of the trio said before turning and bowing his head, "We would be honored to help her with her job, Master. You can count on us."
"Hmm, I know I can but Ever does raise a good point. Maybe some familiarity would be good too."
Carla breathed a sigh of relief-
"Happy!" He called out to the blue cat eating a fish on the counter, "You're joining them on a job."
"I am?"
"The male cat?!"
"Good luck you guys." Makarov waved them off, "Defer to Wendy for how you guys handle the job. Hope to see you soon."
Wendy found Happy floating over to her side as she looked up at the older trio joining her on her mission. She swallowed the nervous lump in her throat before steeling herself for the job ahead. It didn't matter if she was surrounded by unfamiliar people or heading out on a long journey.
She wouldn't let anything stand in her way!
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Wendy realized on the walk over to the train station that it was a very different thing to resolve oneself to not be nervous and then not feel that way at all a moment later.
The young Dragon Slayer was walking ahead not by choice but because her temporary entourage was following behind her. She hadn't even ordered them to do so. It was like they just naturally assumed the spot that would make her look more commanding as they walked by.
Of course for a nervous 12-year old girl like Wendy, all the attention she got walking down the street with a team of older, more capable Mages following her just left her feeling embarrassed.
"Hey look at that. It's a group from Fairy Tail."
"Aren't they Laxus' crew? Why are they following that young lady?"
"Could they be hounding her for something?"
"Actually it looks like they follow her now."
"Really? But she's so young, isn't she?"
"But she's already got them following her! She must be something else!"
Wendy's face burned with mortification as people talked about her while they passed. She wanted to tell them she wasn't leading a crew around and she wanted to tell her guildmates to stop just following her. But when she tried she got tongue-tied and couldn't say anything!
Happy noticed her frustration and flew up by her side, "Hey don't worry. I know they all might seem super scary but they won't hurt you."
"I-I know. I was just thinking-"
"I mean they were part of a giant brawl between the guild they instigated but besides that they're cool."
"Wait what?"
"We've arrived." Freed stepped up and grabbed their attention as they approached the train station, "We'll be able to take a train to our destination from here."
"R-Right!" Wendy nodded and stepped forward, "I'll buy our tickets and-"
"Excuse me everyone! Your attention please!" One of the conductors stepped out onto the platform and drew everyone's attention, "I'm sorry to inform you but we have complications on the tracks that are keeping us from traveling. We will keep you all updated with any news we get but for now we have to shut down."
"Huh, guess the railway is closed." Evergreen noted, the flashy brunette shrugging indifferently, "Guess we're not going. Does that mean we should start heading back?"
"Ah!" Bickslow reached over and grabbed her shoulder before she could walk away. The bespectacled woman frowned at the grinning masked Mage, "That ain't up to us Ever. It depends on what the Lil' Boss wants to do next."
"Lil' Boss!"
"Lil' Boss!"
"It's up to you!"
"Don't screw up!"
Wendy felt a sweat run down her chin hearing the magical totems flying around the tall man cheer her on. But Freed stepped forward and nodded with a focused expression, "We can't let an obstacle like this stand in the way of our job. It would reflect poorly on the name of Fairy Tail. So what shall we do?"
Hearing that repeated to her didn't ease Wendy's worries but it did help her focus. He was right. This may have been a hiccup but it couldn't stop them. She nodded, "We'll get there on foot."
Evergreen looked disheartened by the decision as Bickslow chuckled and Freed nod, "Then let's be on our way."
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"Hey we're back!" Naruto announced as they walked into the hall with some cake boxes in hand. The whiskered blond smiled and raised the boxes of treats up, "And we bring snacks! Although only one of them is for the guild. The rest have already been called."
"So good~." Erza joyfully moaned while munching on her cupcake.
"So tasty~." Koyuki beamed with delight, a little frosting around the young Senju's face as she walked alongside her big sister.
"Anyone up for a bite?"
"I am!" Lucy waved her hand and Gray chuckled as he asked for one too. Naruto placed the box down between them and they started to partake, "Oh this looks so good."
"It is good! Dig in!" Naruto said with a smile before he spotted Carla sitting on top of the table with a frown on her face, "What's with Giggles over there? And where's Wendy? I bet she'd love to try this out."
"You just missed her." Gray said around a mouthful of cake, "She, Happy, and the Raijinshū just went out on a mission together."
"She took a mission? And we missed it?" The blond dropped down in his seat with a sigh of disappointment, "Dammit that sucks. If she was going on her first mission today I wanted to stick around and see her off." He leaned back, "When did she leave?"
"A few hours ago?" Lucy titled her head curiously as Gray nodded in agreement, "They had a ways to go so they were going to take the train to their destination."
Erza stopped eating as she looked up in confusion, "The train? We passed the station while we were shopping - all the trains are down and haven't been running for hours." As she said that they looked up in surprise, "Did they not come back?"
"I-If the trains are down and she hasn't come back then where could she be?" Carla asked in a panic, "She wouldn't have traveled there by herself would she? H-How far is Onibus?"
"Onibus?"
"Wendy took a job to help that theater owner we worked with before." Lucy answered as Naruto grimaced in horror and Erza sat up ramrod straight, "And Carla, Wendy didn't go alone, remember? She has Happy and the Raijinshū with her."
"A bunch of strangers and the male cat?! That's even worse!" The little white cat stood up with a firm expression, "I have to go after them!"
"What? Why would-"
"I'll come too!" Erza declared.
"Huh?" The others around the table looked at the redhead in shock, surprised to see her doubt their friend's capabilities so quickly, "Erza are you serious? Isn't it a little early-"
"La le li lo lu." Erza sang her scales in an off-key tone while expanding her diaphram, "Ha ha ha HA ha ha haaaa. We need to make sure Wendy is safe."
Naruto palmed his face, "Oh fuck I can see where this is going. No!" The blond quickly put his foot down, looking between his starry-eyed girlfriend and the peeved little cat, "We don't need to chase after Wendy and the others. They're more than capable enough to handle a job at the theater."
"Uh," Lucy groaned with uncertainty as she looked at the whiskered blond, "We are talking about the same theater director who worked each and every one of us to the bone until we were begging for relief." She blinked and looked across the table at Erza as she continued to recite lines to herself, "Well most of us anyway."
Naruto paled at the thought of Wendy having to suffer through the torment they were forced to endure. And before the S-Class Mage could convince himself that they still couldn't interfere, Carla padded her way over and pointed directly into his face, "Before you go deciding anything, let me just ask you this question; are you worried at all that Wendy could be in trouble?"
...
...
...
"Fuck." Naruto sighed and stood up, "I'll go pack a bag."
"I'll get ready too!" Erza excitedly announced, "Lucy, pack your stuff and meet us outside the guild in an hour!"
"I'm coming too?!"
Erza nodded rapidly, "That's right! We're getting a reunion special ready for the play! Gray! You come - where'd Gray go?"
"Gray-niichan left the moment you started singing, Onee-chan." Koyuki said while licking the frosting off her lips, "He even left all his clothes behind again."
"Lucky bastard." Lucy and Naruto murmured in disdain.
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"I can't believe I got roped into this." Lucy bemoaned as she hoisted her bag over her shoulder, "I thought today would be my day off."
"Quit complaining." Carla chastised as she paced nervously in front of the guild, "Do you want to help Wendy or not?"
"Of course I want to help her. I just didn't think today was going to go this way." She shuddered, "I swore I would never go to Onibus again after last time."
"Was it really that bad at that theater?"
"Trust me you don't want Wendy working there for any reason."
"Hey! We're here!"
"About-" Carla was about to turn and call out to them but froze when she saw the unexplainable sight in front of her.
Naruto looked tired and unenthused with a pack hanging off his shoulder. And Erza looked like she had just won the lottery...dragging behind a huge carriage of clothes and boxes behind her.
"That's what we had to wait for?!" Carla cried out indignantly as she waved her paws around frantically, "What is with all the suitcases and boxes?! What could you possibly be taking with you that requires this much preparation?!"
"I was just making sure we were fully prepared for the journey ahead."
"I-Is that-" Lucy tilted her head as she looked in, "Are those props and costumes from the play?" She asked as she noticed the familiar dresses and outfits they had worn while doing their tour at the theater, "You kept them?" Erza nodded happily. Lucy looked towards the deflated Naruto and whispered by his side, "She really likes acting, doesn't she?"
"Sometimes she makes us reenact scenes from the play in character." The blond sighed heavily, "I barely ever get to play the prince."
"Oh you poor man."
"Are we all ready?" Erza asked eagerly while looking between their makeshift team. When they all reluctantly agreed she turned with her eyes brimming with excitement, "Then let's go make sure Wendy is okay! La la la LA la la la!"
"Did she ever get over her stage fright?"
"Not even a little."
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Wendy was biting her lips anxiously as they made their way through the forest. The group was making progress towards Onibus but it was still going to be quite a while before they reached their destination. She had made the choice to walk there and her team had followed her decision without complaint-
"God my feet are killing me!"
"Well what do you expect when you wear heels and boots on a hike to a faraway town?"
"I didn't wear these because we were going on a quest! I thought we were going shopping today!"
"I almost prefer this to shopping with you."
"Damn you both!"
Well no complaints directly to her. However since their mission started she had only struck up conversation with Happy. She wanted to fix that but couldn't figure out what she should say.
Should she ask them about when they joined the guild? Perhaps about the jobs they went on or the battles they had fought? Something to break the ice and start a conversation to-
"Ugh." Happy's pained groaning over their heads drew their attention upwards as the blue cat held his stomach, "I'm starving. I barely gorged on any fish before we came out here."
"That's true." Freed nodded, "With the change of plans from taking the train to trekking our way to Onibus, we've lost the free meal we had planned. From here on out we should probably consider hunting for our meal."
"By our own bootstraps!"
"Let's get hunting!"
"I wanna see the light leave its eyes!"
"Can we hunt for some fava beans and a nice chianti to pair it with?"
"Um," Wendy meekly raised her hand, "Can any of us hunt?"
"Hahaha, nope!" Bickslow laughed without a care in the world, "I'd probably just end of ruining whatever we hunted!"
"Idiot." Evergreen shook her head, scoffing and mocking her teammate's ineptitude, "With my magic I could easily find our prey and stop them from running away. One quick look into my eyes," She lowered her glasses and allowed a glint to shine off her eyes for an instant, "And they'll be instantly petrified."
"But we can't eat stone."
"Stop bitching to me about all your problems!"
Evergreen's shriek echoed through the forest and unsettled something. The Mages all looked around in surprise as they heard something ruffle through the trees and head their way. They prepared to be set upon by whatever was approaching-
A giant wave of flying creatures emerged through the trees and flew over their heads. They looked up in shock to see a giant flock of flying-
"Fish!" Happy exclaimed with saliva dripping from his mouth as he watched the fish sail through the sky, "It's a school of flying fish!"
"Fish can fly?" The Fairy Mages looked up in shock at the unbelievable sight, "Can you believe fish can actually fly?"
"I mean we spend almost every day seeing a cat thirsty for fish fly before our eyes. Is it so weird to see fish fly too?"
Evergreen opened her mouth to argue but paused after a second of thought. She shrugged, "I guess you have a point."
Wendy looked up at the Raijinshū, "Um, are flying fish edible?"
The older Fairies looked between each other before Bickslow shrugged, "I mean they're still fish, right? So they should be as good as a normal fish, right?"
"But some fish are poisonous, right?"
"Only certain ones and they only have it as a type of defensive mechanism against their predators."
"But what kind of predators does a flying fish need to defend itself from?"
"Guys! Guys! Look! I caught one!" They looked up as Happy swept down with a flying fish between his paws. The feline was drooling with anticipation as he held the wriggling fish in his grasp, "It looks so good and it smells so tasty and I gotta eat it now!"
"W-Wait Happy!" Wendy waved her arms, "We don't know if flying fish are edible or poisonous or-"
"They're fish! So they must be eaten!" Happy didn't waste a single second before he started to partake of the flying fish. He chewed and savored every bite, slowly eating more and more of the winged creature until he finally reached the tail. He chewed on the last remains of it before joyfully swallowing-
And immediately throwing it all up.
Wendy, Bickslow, and Evergreen watched with paling faces as the little cat projected vomit off to the side with a painful gag. He continued to do so for several seconds before it finally started to peter out and he was left to spit out the remains. With a twisted grimace the blue cat wiped his mouth and shuddered, "That was the worst thing I have ever eaten."
"Happy just said a fish tastes bad." Evergreen deflated, "Yeah, those things are inedible."
"Nonsense." Freed said with steeled determination as he stepped forward and drew his rapier out from his side, "Just because it didn't taste good to one person doesn't mean we should immediately sign it off as inedible. And we're in such dire conditions that we can't be picky about what we want to eat."
His sword blurred and flashed over his head as the flying fish over their heads suddenly stilled and fell through the air. A pile of them formed right before their eyes until Freed swung his sword and started to prepare the fish for their consumption.
Suddenly laid across a couple of stones and leaves were several meals prepared with the flying fish. Fillet. Cooked. Fried. Sushi. In an instant Freed had created several delectable meals out of the flying fish. Their mouths started to water and even Happy found himself tempted to partake in the meals again.
"Now we have something to sustain ourselves on." Freed sat down and started to eat the meals he had prepared, "We should eat up now while we can."
"H-How does it taste?"
"Horrid. Absolutely terrible." The green-haired man casually said as he took another bite, "But sustenance is sustenance."
...
Wendy reached into her bag and pulled out a few treats, "I had brought some snacks to have on the train ride over." She offered them up to the others, "They might not be much but you can take whatever you want."
"Aww, thanks Lil' Boss."
"Anything to avoid fish."
Bickslow and Evergreen happily took the snacks offered to them as Freed continued to force the terrible fish meals down his throat. Happy nibbled on a granola bar and hovered by her side, "I think you made a really good impression on them with this saving grace."
Wendy blushed and smiled knowing that she had finally broken the ice with her fellow Fairy Mages. As the young Dragon Slayer savored her food, she felt something twist and change in the atmosphere. She looked up and saw the dark clouds stretching out from the horizon.
There was a storm coming.
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Lucy gagged as she forced herself to swallow the terrible, uncooked fish they had caught out of the sky. Tears formed in the blonde Mage's eyes as she whimpered, "How could none of us have packed any food or snacks?"
"We were in a hurry." Erza tried to say sternly around a mouthful of fish and the desire to gag at just how awful it was. The redhead swallowed it and shuddered in disgust, "We should be glad we found something to eat at least."
"But how is it there was nothing else?" Carla wept with tears of her own, "No rabbits? No deer? Just these vile things?" She frowned and pointed a paw at the sole male in their group, "And what are you eating?!"
"Leaves and grass." Naruto groaned around a mouth full of greens he had picked. He almost threw up as he chewed on it as he paled in disgust, "It tastes as bad as it looks."
"Why aren't you eating these fish like the rest of us?"
"Because this tastes bad." He pointed to his greens, "But I've had that." He pointed at their fish, "And I'd rather have this than that."
"Isn't there anything else in this forest for us to eat?!"
"Everything else ran away because these damn fish taste so bad! Now stop griping and suffer through your food!"
Carla grumbled but continued to do so. The team of Fairy Mages continued to eat through their torturously disgusting meal in silence. Lucy swallowed a chunk of fish bone and wheezed, "Naruto, can you pass some leaves and grass over?" The older blond handed some over as she sighed, "Well at least this can't get any worse."
Thunder cracked above their heads and a heavy rainfall cascaded over the area.
Erza, Carla, and Naruto glared at Lucy as she moved her soaking wet bangs out of her face, "Should've guessed that was gonna happen."
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It had suddenly started raining during their trek by the mountains as Wendy was shocked by how quickly it reached them. But she realized that despite the heavy downpour she wasn't as soaked as she had expected. She looked up in surprise to see a dry spot formed over her from the four floating wooden heads.
"Don't worry Lil' Boss!"
"We'll keep you dry!"
"Or die trying!"
"I'm soaked to my cracks over here!"
"Bickslow-San?"
"Sorry Lil' Boss," The tall man took off his metal helmet as lightning flashed over their heads, "I'm just can't stand leaving the leader to get drenched like the rest of us."
"Thank you, Bickslow-San."
"Oh what! You'll help the newbie but leave the rest of us to get waterlogged!" Evergreen complained as she was soaked through to her skivvies, "We've known each other for how many years?!"
"A long time. Long enough that I know you could probably use a shower."
"I hate you. With all of my being I hate you."
"Guys! Guys!" Happy flew down through the torrent of rain and called out over it, "I see a cave over this way! We can hold out through the storm if we spend the night in there!"
"Lead the way." Freed said as they all followed the cat through the storm and towards an alcove in the side of a cliff. They ran inside and took a moment to catch their breath and dry off from the rain. They gathered whatever wood, dry leaves, and kindling they could find in the cave before Freed created a rune and set them ablaze, "If you feel cold then make sure to warm up by the fire."
"Thanks Freed." Evergreen quickly gave her friend a show of gratitude before sitting in front of the fire to try and dry off. She pulled on her hair and sighed as she watched the water spill while she wrung it out, "Dammit, we should have seen that rain coming. This outfit is ruined." She pulled off her boots and shook the water off them before looking up, "What about you kid? Shouldn't you be getting in by the fire?"
"O-Oh, I'm fine Evergreen-San." Wendy smiled, "I'm not really that wet. Bickslow-San's babies shielded me from most of it."
Bickslow snickered as he sat by the fire, "Glad to be of assistance."
"Yeah, real nice of you to help." Evergreen said with no small amount of venom in her voice. But then she looked up at the young Mage and ushered her over, "And even if you aren't soaked that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to warm up. If it keeps raining then it'll stay this cold for awhile."
Wendy looked around the fire and saw all of the Raijinshū around it with a spot open for her to join them. A small, happy smile showed on her face as she took the seat and warmed up by the fire, "Thank you very much."
"Hey, hey, make room." Happy squeezed in beside her after whipping around to dry off his fur and plopped down in front of the flame, "Ahhhh~, so warm~."
"It doesn't look like the storm is going to pass anytime soon." Freed looked out at the onslaught of rain before shaking his head, "I think we'll need to consider holding up in here for the night."
"It probably won't be comfortable, but it's our best chance of not hiking the rest of the way in the dark and rain."
"Man, it sucks that we have to rough it in a cave. If the stupid train was still working, we would've gotten there and be making our way home by now."
"I'm really sorry for inconveniencing all of you with this job." Wendy apologized to the older Mages, "If I was a little bit more reliable then I wouldn't need all of you to chaperone me on the job."
"Can't argue with that." Evergreen nonchalantly agreed with Wendy's self-deprecating. However the brunette pulled her knees in and stared at the flame as she yawned, "But it's hardly your fault kid. This is a pretty normal thing for anyone just joining the guild."
"That's right." Freed nodded as Bickslow relaxed back on his hands, "When we all joined the guild we have something of an evaluator with us on our first jobs. Not to judge whether they belong in the guild, but rather how well they work with others and handle their job requests."
"Yep, we all had to go through it."
"Really?" Wendy looked around as all they nodded in affirmation. She tilted her head, "Well I guess that makes it a little-"
The sky flashed and a massive crack of thunder rocked everything around them. Wendy squeaked and flinched as Happy had to cover his ears from the thunderous crash. Wendy slowly opened her eyes and realized none of the others even showed a slight reaction to the deafening thunder. She flushed in embarrassment and muttered, "S-Sorry. I'm not used to being this close to a thunderstorm."
"It's quite alright."
"No problem Lil' Boss."
"Thunder has lost pretty much all effect on us."
"I-It has? How so?"
"Well when you're around it all the time it loses most of its scariness. It reaches the point where it's basically white noise."
"How did that happen?"
"That's what happens when you follow Laxus."
"Laxus?" Wendy repeated the name, "Who is Laxus?"
She noticed the moment she asked that, the expressions on their faces fell slightly in response. Freed shifted the base of the fire around, "Laxus was our leader."
"Was?" Wendy repeated in shock, "D-Did he-"
"He's not dead." Evergreen shook her head, "I don't think there's anything in the world that could take out Laxus even if he was weakened."
"T-Then what-"
Happy nervously giggled, "Uh, before you showed up, Laxus caused a bit of...trouble." He noticed the frowns from the Raijinshū and shrugged, " Well he did! And you guys certainly didn't help!"
They looked aside in guilt as Wendy's curiosity was peaked, "What happened exactly?"
"Laxus was our leader. When we arrived in Fairy Tail he was the first person we were drawn to. His strength. His resolve. His guidance. It was all so magnetizing that we wanted to see whatever goals he had through to the end."
"Laxus was one of the strongest guys at the guild. Hell I'd bet he'd still be considered the strongest aside from Gildarts! He was a Dragon Slayer just like you and Natsu, but he could wield lightning like it was an extension of his arm."
"And he was Master's grandson, so it was almost guaranteed that he was next in line to succeed the title of guild master for Fairy Tail. And oh man we were looking forward to the day he'd take up the mantle!"
"Then...what happened?"
The Raijinshū floundered upon being asked that question but Happy spoke up at her side, "Laxus was super tough and one of the most powerful Mages, maybe even stronger than Naruto and Erza. But the problem was that he got really arrogant and always challenged everyone to stand up to him. Always mocking people. Always picking fights. He wanted to be in charge of Fairy Tail and make it a place where only the strong could be members. And a lot of us didn't agree with him on that choice."
"He wanted people to respect the name of Faity Tail as much as he did. He didn't want anyone to think we're weak, or disparage our name, or think they could attack us like Phantom Lord did." Freed continued, "I swear...before it started...he wanted to do it for the sake of the guild."
Wendy gulped and looked down at Happy as the blue cat answered, "He put a barrier around Magnolia and forced everyone in the guild to fight against each other. It was his attempt to prove who was strong enough and worthy enough to have the title of a Fairy Tail Mage. Everyone in the guild fought and was hurt and even the town was nearly destroyed." Happy paused, "Well actually I don't know how far Laxus would have gone. Some of the others think he wouldn't have gone so far to destroy Magnolia but I don't know myself."
"And we helped him." Freed said with a melancholy expression, "We fought our fellow members and attacked them when we could. What we did should have garnered our immediate expulsion from the guild. But Laxus took the brunt of the blame on himself and was excommunicated." Evergreen sighed and Bickslow leaned back against the side of the cave, "It must have broken Master's heart to send his grandson away like that, but Laxus didn't argue or fight back. He left without even properly saying goodbye."
Wendy was amazed by the story they told before she asked, "Where is he now?"
"We don't know. We've been trying to find ways to contact him or any news about him but he's completely vanished from the public eye."
"I know he is contemplating the nature of his mistakes and trying to become an even better man." Freed clenched his fist and trembled with admiration, "That's just the kind of person Laxus is. But he doesn't have to go it alone!" A bolt of lightning flashed outside and Freed rain into the rain as the thunder crashed, "Laxus! Where are you?! Show us how we can find you again?!"
"Freed! Get back in here!"
"Act like someone with common sense and don't scream at the thunderstorm over our heads!"
Wendy looked between the Raijinshū and curiously asked, "Do you think you'll ever see Laxus-San again?"
"Oh absolutely."
"Obviously."
"Without question."
"O-Oh." She was startled by how resolute their responses were and how quickly they answered, "You're surprisingly sure about that."
"Of course. Laxus is excommunicated for now but he'll be back."
"He loves the guild. More than anyone else I bet. And I think he just needs time to figure out how to show that dedication without butting heads with other people."
"I know that when the guild is in trouble - which is about every other week for us, look forward to that by the way kid - he'll be there to help us when we need it."
Happy looked doubtful, "Uh, I don't know. Laxus is tough but I don't know if he'll know everything like you guys think."
The sky flashed again and the thunder crashed but this time Wendy didn't flinch. She looked out through the cave opening and smiled fondly, "Maybe someday I'll be able to meet him myself. I think I'd like that."
########Hunter########
"'It is so uncomfortable in here!' She says while being crushed into a small corner of my interior."
"'Yeah we know! Horologium can't really fit this many people inside at once!' She explains while subtly maneuvering around so she isn't being pancaked to one wall."
"'You don't think my luggage is going to get ruined, do you? If the costumes' colors fade we'll never be able to join in on the play.' She remarks with dread and concern in her voice as her lusciously massive cart of luggage is left out in the rain."
"'Erza, now is not the time to be worrying about that! Be more worried that we might have to spend the night stuck like this!' He says desperately with a gag as something pierces his sternum."
"'Couldn't we have tried to find a cave before it got too heavy?' She complained in a low voice while struggling to breathe in my confined space."
"'The rain came in too quickly! It was between looking around for a spot in a monsoon or going in here!' She explains in a rush."
"'Do you think Wendy and the others are out in this thing?' He wonders in concern."
"'The Raijinshū are a capable bunch plus Wendy and Happy are quite resourceful. I'm sure they're - no! The dragon suit! It's getting soaked!' She cries in despair looking out longingly at her luggage."
"'Focus!' The little cat yells while trying to wave her paw around but finding no room to do so."
"'N-Naruto, can you please not move around so much? W-We're really packed in here and your back is rubbing against my...' She murmurs with a slight flush to try and hide her discomfort."
"'Lucy, sorry if I'm pushing up your boobs, but Erza's breastplate is pierced into my chest and she's too distracted to even change out of her armor. So you don't have to worry about me noticing them on my back because I'm in way too much pain.' He blatantly states without a shred of tact."
"'Oh. Okay. I guess that's good. Still kinda pisses me off though.' She remarks with a twitching brow in aggravation."
"'Wendy, please be safe.' She whispers, hoping nobody notices her naked concern while being confined inside of my chassis." The thunder cracked over their head and the clock Celestial Spirit with the quartet hidden inside his chest sighed, "Dear me, I hope I don't rust out here in the rain."
########Hunter########
Makarov yawned as he walked out into the guild's lobby as the day started to end. He smacked his lips and scratched his head as he walked out, "Okay kiddies, I think we're just about ready to call it a night. So I'll see you all..."
The old man paused when he noticed the guild was empty except for Mira at the counter with Koyuki eating a meal with her. He trotted over, "I don't think I've ever seen the guild this empty. Where is everyone?"
"Well most of them are out on jobs right now. However a few of them have taken it upon themselves to help our newest member in any way they can." At Makarov's curious expression she elaborated, "Naruto, Erza, Lucy, and Carla decided to follow after Wendy and her group to make sure they got there safely."
Makarov groaned, "Ugh, those damn kids. Don't they understand that there's no benefit in coddling the poor girl? The whole reason I sent the Raijinshū with her was so that she had backup already. Them going along was just a waste of time."
"Give 'em a break, Ojii-chan." Koyuki smiled with sauce on the corner of her mouth, "Onii-chan and Onee-chan have been worrying about Wendy for awhile. They really wanted to make sure she was okay and Sassy Happy felt the same way."
"Ugh, well if they need to do it just to ease their minds then so be it. But what about the others?"
"Um...more of the same." Mira admitted with a chuckle, "Gray didn't want to get dragged along with the first group so he avoided them. But then his conscience got the best of him and he decided to follow after to check on them. But the trains were still not moving. So he and Cana decided to reach Onibus some other way."
########Hunter########
"So you two need a ride to Onibus? Well we'd be more than willing to accommodate. But you're gonna need to pay us back. And if you can't pay, then we'd happily take a favor instead."
Gray and Cana shared a look of doubt before asking the owner of the establishment, "I think we know what you'd be needing us to do."
The owner creepily smiled, "That's right. If you want the ride, you're gonna have to work it off."
The erotic dance club blared with music as its patrons screamed and catcalled for more. The club owner smiled at the Fairy Mages and rubbed his hands in excitement, "Now one of you just has to do a few dances and we can carry you on your way to Onibus."
Cana sighed but shrugged her shoulders, "If it's just a few dances then I think it's fine."
"That's a noble sacrifice you're making Cana."
"Me?" The brunette scoffed, "You're the one who's going out there to dance."
"No I'm not!"
The two old friends glared each other down before the Card Mage smirked, "How about this? Whoever is wearing the least amount of clothes should be the dancer?"
Gray looked at her in confusion. She realized she barely wore enough to be considered a bikini, right? He smirked and shrugged, "Sure, you're on."
"Cool. I win."
"What? Look what you're wearing! At least I'm-" He looked down at himself and realized he was only wearing his boxers, "Sonuvabitch!"
"Get this guy a thong and some hot beats!"
########Hunter########
"And after that Lisanna, Elfman, Levy, Juvia, and Gajeel followed after because they were worried that so many people were leaving at once. They must've thought the job was more difficult than they originally thought."
########Hunter########
"Levy! You gotta reel him back in! This is crazy!"
"What am supposed to do about it?!"
"He listens to you!"
"He doesn't listen to anybody! That's why he started chasing cats through the streets like a madman!"
"Gajeel-kun!" Juvia called out into the alleys of Magnolia in search of the Dragon Slayer, "Please come back to us! We need to go check on the others! And Juvia can't help but think that something is happening to her Gray-sama that she should really be present to witness! So we need to go!"
A large shadow rushed through the darkness behind them while muttering, "Kitty, Kitty, kitty~."
"Gajeel! Act like a man and get your ass out here already!"
########Hunter########
"And then Natsu came back to find out everyone was gone and Happy had left on a mission. So he immediately decided that he would follow and meet them at Onibus." Mira tapped her chin, "I think the trains were working again by the time he left so he might be there by now."
########Hunter########
("Ladies and gentlemen we apologize for the delay. Unfortunately we have reports that there is a block further up ahead of the railway so we cannot continue our journey towards Onibus. I regret to inform you that we will be heading back towards Magnolia as soon as possible.")
"S-Sir?" An attendant looked down at him in concern, "Are you okay?"
"Blergh!" Natsu threw up in his mouth and swallowed it back down with a disgusted grimace. He moaned, "A-Are we almost in Onibus?"
"Unfortunately we're heading back to Magnolia right now."
"NoooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - BLERGH!"
########Hunter########
Makarov rubbed the bridge of his nose, "My kids are idiots, aren't they?"
Mira giggled, "It's funny how often you come to that realization."
"Yeah you'd think I'd have learned by now."
########Hunter########
"Look! Look!"
"Do you see that?!"
"On the horizon!"
"The town! The town!"
"They're right!" Happy called out over their heads with the totems floating by his side, "I can see it in the distance! It's Onibus!"
The team from Fairy Tail were trekking across the wide open plains adjacent to the town of Onibus. Wendy perked up with delight as she saw their goal in sight and looked to the others, "We're almost there everyone."
"Thank god!" Evergreen exclaimed as she grabbed the edges of her coat and started flapping their out, "I think I'm still carrying - like - three pounds of water weight from the soak last night! First thing we do after taking care of the job is get a giant breakfast. Agreed?"
Bickslow stretched his arms out and let them crack as he got out the knots, "I'm not usually up for following Ever's bitchy orders but I could splurge on a good breakfast."
"Before we start making plans let's make sure we focus." Freed stepped in and remained the voice of reason, "We should first and foremost finish our job." His teammates groaned but sounded off in reluctant agreement before the green-haired swordsman looked to the Dragon Slayer, "Wendy, are you ready?"
She excitedly nodded in return, "Absolutely." Her chest filled with nervousness, glee, and anticipation at the prospect of finally finishing their mission. It wasn't a difficult one except for the circumstances surrounding their travel, but it was still a job trusted to her with a team of her own. She smiled and made her way forward, "Come on everyone, it's time to-"
A burrow formed under the ground and suddenly appeared to be circling them. Wendy jumped back in surprise as Freed drew his sword, Evergreen her fan, and Bickslow's totems floated by his side. They watched the underground creature stop just in front of them before suddenly bursting out of the ground.
"Greetings!" A pink-haired maid popped out from the dirt and bowed her head respectfully, "My name is Virgo, the Celestial Spirit of the Maiden."
As Wendy and the others looked at her in surprise, Happy floated over to her, "Oh hey Virgo. What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Greetings Happy-sama, I was sent ahead to try and find help. The Princess requires assistance a few hundred yards back the way I came."
"Lucy-San?" Wendy asked, "Why is she here?"
"I'm afraid we don't have time to answer that right now. She is in desperate need of help. As is Erza-sama, Naruto-sama, and Carla-sama."
"Carla's in trouble!" Wendy immediately reacted and turned back, following the line in the underground Virgo's swimming had created reaching them. She ran along it and called out, "Hang on everyone! I'm coming!"
The Raijinshū and Happy didn't waste another second before following right after her, "Erza and Naruto are having trouble? How is that even possible?"
"From what I understand, everyone in the group failed to properly feed themselves from the day before and spent the entire night unable to sleep in Horologium-sama to escape the rain. This journey has left them starved, fatigued, and sleep-deprived. That isn't even to mention that problem with the sinkhole."
"Sinkhole?"
"Erza! Hold on!" A familiar voice cried out for his girlfriend as he, Lucy, and Carla stood on the edge of a giant crater in the plains. Naruto restlessly, helplessly watched the love of his life sinking into the deepest part of the sinkhole without being able to do anything, "Just a little longer! I-I'll come down and-"
"No you idiot!" Carla chide desperately before he could jump in, "You heard the maid's warning! The sinkhole is so volatile that if any of us tried to jump in after her then we'd just sink in faster!"
"But there has to be something we can do!"
"Just hold on!" Lucy tried to calm her worried friend, "Virgo should have reached the others by now. Once we're all together then we can-" She paused, noticing the other group approaching and smiled, "It's them! They're here!"
"Naruto-San! Lucy-San!"
"Wendy!"
"Carla!" The Dragon Slayer and white cat reunited with a sudden embrace they both reveled in. The blue haired girl pulled back and smiled before looking up at the others, "What are you doing here?"
"W-We heard that the train to Onibus was delayed and were worried about you." Lucy sheepishly admitted, "So we came out here to make sure you were okay but...well things haven't really gone according to plan."
"Erza!" Naruto called down to the redhead at the lowest point of the sinkhole, "Just hold on! We have everyone here! We'll get you out of there!"
"Just go on without me!" Erza called out to them with a resigned shake of her head, "I can feel it now. It's too late to save anything."
"Don't talk like that!" Naruto yelled before turning to the others, "Come on! There has to be a way to get her out of there!"
"I can try to create a field of runes to halt the progress of the sinkhole." Freed drew out his sword, "But I don't know if we will be able to pull her out if the sinkhole suddenly freezes at this point."
Bickslow clicked his teeth as his totem heads floated at his side, "I can try and balance on my babies while reaching down for her!"
"It's just a sinkhole!" Evergreen yelled in exasperation, "Can't we just jump down and pull her out?!"
"Virgo said it was too unstable for us to do that!" Lucy answered with fright in her voice, "She was our best chance at pulling Erza out before it's too late and even she can't get her out!"
The Celestial Spirit nodded, "That is correct. I attempted to retrieve Erza-sama once already but she is too heavy for even me to rescue her."
"I don't get that!" Naruto yelled, his nerves flayed as he was ready to risk it all and jump in to save the woman he loved, "She's wearing armor but she shouldn't weigh any more than a normal person!"
"Indeed, she doesn't. In fact if that were the case I would be able to retrieve her very easily. The problem stems from the fact that the exorbitant amount of luggage she is holding onto has already been sucked into the deepest part of the sinkhole and I cannot pull it out in its current condition."
...
All eyes turned to look down at Erza who meekly turned her head to avoid their gazes."
"Erza," Naruto's voice took on a demanding, authoritative tone that caused the fearless Titania to flinch, "Don't tell me the reason we're fretting and losing our minds up here about your safety is because you won't let go of your stupid luggage and all of those STUPID PROPS?!"
The redhead stammered, "B-But how will we put on the show without the proper costumes and accessories?!"
"Erza."
"I've been practicing so much with the lines and my characters!"
"Erza!"
"O-Oh! What about the sex, huh? The role play is more than enough of a reason to-"
"ERZA!"
"FINE! I'LL DROP THEM! JUST COME GET ME!" The great and powerful Titania struggled for a minute before finally relenting and releasing her hold on her luggage. The instant she let go, Virgo dropped through the earth and tunneled down, popping up through the sinkhole and carrying Erza along with her.
She landed by the rest of the group and nodded, "Erza-sama has been rescued."
"My costumes!" The S-Class Mage wept as she reached out longingly to the bottom of the sinkhole.
Lucy sighed and nodded, "Thanks Virgo."
"Do you wish to punish me, Princess?"
"Don't have nearly enough energy."
"Very well." She placed Erza down as she curled up on the ground and wept. The maid bowed her head, "Then I'll be off!"
The Celestial Spirit vanished and left the group of Fairy Mages alone. The first team then looked between the downtrodden Erza, the miffed Naruto, the exhausted Lucy, and the frazzled Carla after their long ordeal.
Bickslow shook his head, "How the fuck are these guys the strongest team in the guild?"
########Hunter########
"So you were really so worried about me that you came to check on us?"
"That's right." Carla guiltily admitted while she was carried in Wendy's arms, "I apologize Wendy. I should have trusted that you would be able to take care of yourself but I couldn't help but worry. The last time we were separated was during the Oración Seis incident and that was not a fond experience for either of us."
Wendy pouted in response, "I understand that but it still feels like you weren't trusting me to handle a job." She looked back with a small frown at the others, "You too Naruto-San, Erza-San, Lucy-San."
"We're sorry Wendy." Naruto groaned as he dragged his feet behind the group, keeping in step with Lucy as she struggled to stay awake and Erza who aimlessly walked forward with a dull, defeated expression, "We really couldn't stop worrying about you but you don't have to worry about it anymore. If this trip has been anything it's a sign from the universe to fuck off and leave well enough alone."
"Man, you guys look like one big collective shit." Ever noticed with a giggle, "Was it really that bad?"
"We were crammed inside a box for several hours to avoid the rain. And the fish we ate was so bad it's causing my stomach to turn." Lucy bemoaned, "I wanna go home!"
"It's alright Lucy," Happy patted his blonde friend's head before pointing forward, "We're almost done with the job. See?" They all looked forward and saw a big theater house in their sight, "We're back at the theater."
"NOOOOOOOOOO! FROM ONE HELL STRAIGHT INTO ANOTHER!"
As the older members of Fairy Tail stayed back/lost their minds, Wendy rushed over to the theater to finally handle the purpose of the job. She noticed a small man standing outside the theater in a suit and stepped up to him, "Excuse me, sir?"
"What is it?" He said in a curt and frantic tone as he nervously looked around, "I'm sorry young lady but can it wait? I am extremely busy right now."
"Y-You are Rabian-San, correct? The director in charge of the theater here, right?" Wendy turned and showed her Fairy tattoo, "I'm a Mage from the Fairy Tail guild. I'm here answering the request you left on our board for assistance with fatigue and exhaustion."
"Oh! That's you?" The short mustached man stepped down from the steps and met the young Mage directly, "Thank goodness you finally arrived."
"I apologize for the delay. There was a mishap with the train system by our guild-"
"Don't waste time!" The short man yelled in a deceptively commanding tone. Wendy immediately went silent and felt a sweat of surprise run down her cheek as Rabian patted his head, "There have been so many shows and so many performances with so little time to relax in the interim. I have a headache so bad it feels like it's splitting my brain apart!"
"So you need help with your exhaustion?" Wendy lightly pumped her arms, "Then I'm your Mage! Please hold still for a minute." She raised her hands and basked the theater director in a gentle green glow of magic. His expression started to ease as the tension in his body slowly dissipated. After about a minute of concentrating she lowered her hands and smiled, "How do you feel now?"
"I-I feel fantastic!" The mustached man exclaimed with joy as he jumped in place, "Oh it feels like a weight has been dragged off my head! I feel several years younger! Oh thank you little lady! Thank you so much!"
"You're quite welcome." Wendy happily smiled and accepted his gratitude.
"Here, let me get your payment." Rabian started digging into his pockets, "To be able to heal me so easily in just a matter of moments! Fairy Tail Mages really are something else!"
"I believe you worked with a few other members before this. Actually a few of them are right over there if you want-"
"Oh I can't remember." He pulled out some Jewel and handed it to Wendy with a grateful nod, "Thank you so much! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Y-You're welcome." She giggled while accepting her payment and bowed her head respectfully. As he rushed back into his theater, Wendy ran over to rejoin her friends, "I think we're finished."
"That's it?!" Lucy cried, "That's all it took?! We were here for days when we took a job with this guy but you're done like that?! I hate this town!"
"S-Sorry." She apologized before looking at her teammates, "We got our payment. How do you want to split-"
"Not necessary." Freed cut her off, "We may have traveled here together but you were the one who handled the job. That payment is yours."
Wendy was shocked by their generosity, and even though Ever did look like she wanted to argue for a moment the older brunette relented and shrugged noncommittally.
Carla watched her oldest friend thank her comrades and treasure the reward she earned. As she watched the young Dragon Slayer smile and receive the praise from her peers, she quietly came to a realization...
Wendy...wouldn't need to rely on her forever.
"Okay everyone, time to go home. I hope the guild is doing alright."
########Hunter########
"Cat. Cat. Cat. Cat."
The ravenous beast that was once the Iron Dragon Slayer prowled the backstreets of Magnolia in search of his target. He crawled on all fours, sniffing at the air in desperate need to find his future feline companion.
"Meow~. Meow~."
His ears twitched and he immediately sat up, spotting a figure with a cat tail run in the shadows and turn the corner away from him. He sprinted after it, "Wait cat! I need a cat to become the greatest Dragon Slayer! So stay right there and-"
He turned the corner and found Lisanna in a cat form standing besides Levy with the giant words 'MEOW' drawn into the air. Before Gajeel could figure out what was happening, Elfman charged into his chest and sent him flying through the air. He landed directly in a ball of water Juvia created over her head and was locked inside it.
"Juvia has him!" She called out, "How long should Juvia keep Gajeel-kun inside?"
"Until he drowns and passes out!"
"I-Isn't that a little extreme?"
"It's Gajeel! Anything less and we won't-"
A blade of steel pierced through the prison of water and allowed Gajeel to free himself. He dropped to the ground, soaked and panting for air as he spoke like a man obsessed, "Must. Find. Cat~."
"Oh dear god."
########Hunter########
("Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize if you feel a chill going down your spines. We've got a cold front coming in, with the one, the only, Icy Dazzletush!")
Gray emerged onto the stage in some skimpy, breakaway clothing to the riotous cheers of men and women alike. The owner of the establishment watched with an approving nod from the back, "Business has never been better. That boy was born to strut naked. But Alberona-San, you've already more than filled the requirement for our deal-"
Cana stopped counting the money for a moment and pulled down her sunglasses, "You got a problem with the cash coming in?"
"N-No, I didn't mean-"
"How about you shut your mouth and let our little money press keep lining our pockets, okay? Okay. Keep it up Gray we've almost secured that trip to Onibus!" She sat back in her luxurious chair and sipped on her glass of the finest liquor in town.
Gray sighed as he gyrated, "One day. One day they'll see I've got just as much to offer on the inside as I do the backside."
########Hunter########
("Um, apologies folks but we've hit another snag in the railway. We're going to have to head to the last station again.")
"Kill me." The broken mass of flesh that once was Natsu Dragneel pathetically wept for mercy, "Kill me~."
########Hunter########
Makarov Dreyar looked out over his empty guild and sighed, "So this is how it ends. Not with a bang but a whimper."
"I think you're exaggerating a little too much Master." Mira noted.
"Maybe. But hell I should take this reprieve while I get the chance." His arm stretched back and grabbed a mug before holding it up, "Mira! Fill it up!"
She could only sigh as she decided to indulge the old man's wishes.
########Hunter########
Done
Ever have one of those days where everything that could go wrong does? Well, now so does everyone in Fairy Tail.
This took a lot longer for me to write than I expected, and I only finished proofing it minutes before upload. I seriously need to shape up. I want to get more out soon!
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Thank You and Bye