Enjoy!

24 | Gihi

Sylvia

"Ali," My voice came out quiet, a low warning to the girl running in front of me.

"I know Sylv," She responded, not even bothering to glance at the shadows following closely behind us.

Literally, shadows were following us.

"Ali," I prompted her.

She just looked back at me and smiled, "We'll be just fine, gihi,"

Natsu

"Gajeel," I hissed out at him, my eyes widened in shock.

Immediately, a shadow forms in front of me and out of it Gajeel appears.

"I know," He said, his eyes darkened with suspicion, "You heard it to, eh?"

"Yah, I did," I said, lowly, "But how is that possible?"

"I don't know," Gajeel said, "I've never come across anyone who laughs li-,"

"Wait, what?" I ask, my face filled with confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Gajeel looks at me suspiciously, "What are you talking about?"

"How she noticed that your shadow was you and not just a random shadow," I said dumbfounded.

We both just looked at each other in silence.

"You mean to tell me that out of all that, the only thing you noticed was that her laugh reminded you of yours?!" I ask, snickering, "Gajeel, that's so self-centered!" I say, not at all attempting to cover up my laughter.

Gajeel's eyes turned from calm and collected to pure rage.

"Well finding someone who can spot my shadow is a hell of a lot more common than someone who laughs like me, idiot!" He yells.

"No one cares about the way you laugh, dragon breath!" I retaliate.

"Imbeciles!" A voice yells, sending fearful shivers down back, "You're losing them! Stop bickering like idiots and go after them!" Erza says, pointing her swords towards the direction they want, although her eyes threatened to use the sword on us.

Gajeel

I don't care what that flame brain says. I know nobody else has that laugh.

I mean why the hell would they?!

After Erza broke up our bickering we started after the two figures in front of us. As we chased after them, a feeling settled deep in my stomach. There was one thing I knew for sure and that was there is something up with these people.

Why do they smell so familiar?

Sylvia

They're close…..

"Ali," I whispered to her in the dark. We were currently hiding behind one of the buildings, managing to escape them while they bickered.

"I know," she replied.

Even in the dark, I could see her devilish smile. There were not many people I feared in this world, but Ali was one of them.

Mavis knows what she is capable of….

Gajeel

"I've got em!" Natsu shouted, and without even thinking bolted off in their direction.

Stupid Salamander! Always doing without thinking!

Then another thought crossed my mind…..

If he thinks he's gonna be the one to kick their asses first he's wrong!

With that last thought, I took off after him, Erza maintaining speed behind me.

To make sure we weren't just running off in some stupid direction, I tried to locate the scent of the two figures.

They're right there...

"Hey get off me!" I hear Natsu shout, "Wait! What are you doing-" I heard him shout, followed by explosions and flames of fire alighting the sky.

Once again, picking up my speed, I ran towards Natsu's direction.

However, as soon as I rounded the corner, I was met with a large metal fist flying in my direction, and before I could think it hit me in the face.

Then everything went black.

Erza

I heard a fist collide with Gajeel's face, followed by a loud thump, no doubt his body hitting the ground.

That wasn't the part that confused me, though. I know I heard Natsu's screams, so why was he suddenly so silent?

If I knew anything about Natsu it was that at this moment, he would normally be making fun of Gajeel for being knocked out so easily.

So why isn't he?

Sword drawn; I cautiously approached the alleyway behind the building.

Who are you people?

As I rounded the corner, I saw Gajeel and Natsu both tied up and knocked out.

The thing was, they were tied up with only ropes.

I was utterly confused.

Surely these people are so dumb that they think a couple of measly ropes would hold back two powerful mages. Not to mention that one of them is a fire wizard. This doesn't make sense.

"Queen Tatiana of the Fairies," I heard a strong feminine voice behind me, "I know what you're thinking and to answer your question we're not stupid, we just don't have the time, gihi," The voice laughed.

I turned around to meet the voice but was met with nothing but darkness.

What?! Where is she?

"Catch me if you can~" the voice mockingly sang out, coming from all directions.

"Show yourself!" I commanded, preparing myself to re-quip into more suitable armor.

"Gihi!" The voice was again laughed, "Have it your way,"

Emerging from the shadows was a young girl, not much younger than myself. She was drenched in long black straight hair, a black vest, black crop top, and skin as smooth as snow, and startling ruby red eye matched with a smile that said she was up to no good.

Finally, I know what I am up against.

My eyes narrowed in on my opponent. Her uncanny resemblance to a particular dragon slayer was throwing me off course. I had to focus.

"You know my name," I said confidently, "Now tell me yours,"

The girl lifted a hand up to her and mocked offense, "You don't know me?!" She exclaimed, her smile never leaving her face, "Auntie Erza how could you?!" She asked me mischievously.

My face must've shown my confusion because she laughed as if she was witnessing the funniest thing on earth.

"Fine, then," She said, smirking, "Maybe this will jog your memory," She said, and then made and extravagant bow, "Metalicana Redfox at your service, Ali for short," She said smiling.

"What?!" Gajeel's voice came from behind, "Metalicana is dead and even if he wasn't, he sure as hell ain't no girl so explain yourself!" He shouted, coming up from behind me, Natsu just sitting and watching the whole exchange.

Well, I guess they woke up.

"You really wanna know?" She asked, "Fight me and if you win, I'll tell you," She said.

"Gihi!" Gajeel chuckled, "you can try your best pipsqueak, but you ain't gonna win,"

The girl smiled.

"Watch me."

Author's Note

Hello My Lil Donuts!

LOL! Anybody still reading this fanfic?

It has been FOREVER since I have written for this story, and honestly, I am not exactly proud of this chapter but I am so ready to begin with the actual purpose of this story!

I know 24 chapters and we're finally getting things to move!

Well, how y'all holding up with the virus?

I'm going insane 😝

Lol hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!

Here's to hoping the next one is up sooner!

Thanks for Reading!

- Rissa

3