Chapter 7: Servants

The mages looked into the other car to see men in long gray coats and hats tying passengers' hands behind their backs and then tying them together in pairs. They were then seated on the floor.

"Who are you?" Gray yelled, getting the men's attention. They turned and sneered at the team.

"We're the Servants, but despite our name, we control others," the one closest to the wizards said. "Now you going to let us tie you up and take you too, like good slaves."

"How about no," Natsu said. He then went on the offensive. "Fire Dragon Iron Punch!" The attack hit the man square in the chest and sent him flying into three others. The rest of the Servants drew guns or swords, but Beth and Gray were too quick for them to land any hits.

"Ice Make: Hammer!" Gray yelled and sent the hammer into the remaining Servants, knocking them into one group.

"Amber Shot!" Beth said as she put her hands out in front of her. A big blob of tree sap shot at the slavers and encased them, leaving only their heads exposed. However, they could still move and stood up. The others took a fighting stance, but Beth didn't even flinch. Just then, the sap hardened and froze the Servants in their tracks. They looked down in confusion and defeat.

"These guys look like the guys we fought at the mines," Happy said.

"Crap. It's those guys," one of the Servants whispered to the others as Natsu left without the others noticing.

"Wait, you know us?" Erza asked as the mages started to untie people. The Servants didn't answer, but looked at them with fear, deadpanned, and shock.

"Word in our group travels fast," one answered. Just then the train started moving again. Luckily, Beth just finished untying the person she was behind and was able to pop some peppermint and ginger leaves in her mouth. But she still lurched when the train swayed.

"Where's Natsu?" Gray asked looking around. Everyone then noticed he was gone. Beth rolled her eyes and walked to the door. But the train rocked and she nearly fell over, and put a fist to her mouth. Erza walked over to her and picked her up, and took her to their seat. Lucy, Happy, and Gray walked towards the engine and found the head of the train. They also saw Natsu hunched over by the brake lever.

"Natsu what were you thinking?" Gray asked walking over to his friend.

"That we get this train ride over with," he said as he put his weight on Gray. Lucy came over and helped Natsu and Gray along. When they got to their seat, Beth was laying on the seat opposite Erza and Erza was staring out the window. They got Natsu next to Beth and she gave him some leaves. Soon the group was chatting away and Beth was dozing, and Natsu followed her half an hour later.

—

The team arrived at the guild hall after another hour. They stopped just outside the hall.

"So, what are you planning to do know?" Erza asked Beth.

She hesitated for a moment. "Are your jobs always like this? Going to different places and defeating people doing wrong?" Beth asked.

"Yeah, that's what life is at the guild. Why are you asking?" Gray said.

Her face settled into a determined look. "I want to join Fairy Tail. If I can be stronger and go to different places, I have a chance to find my family." They smiled and walked inside.

"Hey Mira!" Happy said when they saw their friend. She looked up and smiled at them.

"Welcome back! Did you guys have any luck?" She greeted.

"We didn't find them. But they aren't confirmed dead, either. Just missing," Beth said. "I also want to join Fairy Tail. That's okay, right?"

"Of course," Mira said smiling. "Where would you like your stamp?" she asked as she brought it out. Beth put her right hand palm down on the table. Mira applied the stamp, and a forest green Fairy Tail mark was left behind.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail," Natsu said, smiling brightly and giving Beth a pat in the back.

"Thank you very much!" Beth said. She admired the stamp and smiled. She paused for a second and looked at Mira. "Are there any forests around here?"

"There is one out of town a little. Why?" Mira responded.

"So I can train." With that, she left the hall to see the surrounding woods.

—

One hour later

"Wow. I'd never thought I'd see one of these," Beth said as she walked up to a tall tree with red bark and tiny, needle like leaves pointing the same direction as the needles next to it, making it soft. She reached out and touched the tree. She closed her eyes as a rush of energy went through her. "A giant sequoia. Soil must be good around here," She mused. "An endangered species of tree that is the last of it's genius, Sequoiadendron, and one of the only three redwood trees species left." She opened her eyes and took her hand off the tree. "At least I can grow more now, and keep them from going extinct." She rapped her knuckles on the tree and a cone fell. It was similar to a pine cone, but bigger, rounder, and had smooth sides. She stuck it in her pocket.

Beth stood back from the tree and grew a wall of gigas cedar wood. "Forest Dragon's Leaf Sword!" As she said the spell, two leaves sprung from her wrists, covering the back of the hands. She dashed at the wood wall she made and tried to attack it. Swinging the weapon, she managed a slice in the wall, splinters flying off and a tiny hole in the inch thick wood. She smiled at her work. "That's a lot more power than I had before." She then decided to try to destroy the wood wall.

"Forest Dragon's Pineapple Grenade!" A pineapple grew in Beth's hand and she threw it at her target. Upon impact, the pineapple exploded, the pieces layering the field with the barbs. The wall also exploded. "Awesome. That sequoia gave some real power magically and physically." She then walked off to see if she could find another new tree, but she heard shouts before she got far, and the voice sounded familiar.

Beth is now a Fairy and seems to like her surroundings. What do you all think? Have a good weekend! Go get 'em tigers!

-ThinMintE