A/N- Hey! I have another chapter for you guys. There a couple of characters who will be making an appearance in this chapter. And that part of the chapter was really fun to write.
Yes I did skip when Tawna was 16. that was not a mistake. Not going to lie i could not think of something.
There was a lot of Review questions. Many of them were answered within the chapter. To the ones that were not I will be answering in the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
Chapter 33
Katawna 15 years old
"Okay Romeo," Tawna says tying her long pink hair into a high pony tail, "If you wanna join the guild, you are gonna have to go through some training."
"Tawna," Romeo complains. The teen has dragged the eight-year-old out back to the guild's training spot. The rest of the guild has also migrated outside to watch their training session.
"No complaining," Tawna scowls placing her hands on her hips. The teen has ditched her usual jeans, heeled boots, and tank top; for short black shorts, crop top, thigh high socks and running shoes. "I had to go through training when I joined the guild."
"Except you got dragged into training after you joined the guild, not before." Macao states sitting at a nearby table.
"Natsu didn't expect me to join the guild when I was seven," Tawna rolls her eyes, "So I don't think training went through his mind."
"He also didn't expect you to blast him through the guild wall, either." Wakaba laughs.
"Wait," Alzack pauses holding a one-year-old bouncy Asuka on his lap, "Is that how you joined the guild?"
"He was being mean," Tawna pouts, "If you ask me he deserved it."
"That was the first time we all saw what she was really capable of." Wakaba giggles at the memory.
"Still," Romeo complains, "Why do I need to train… ack!"
"Katawna!" Macao shouts over the guild's laughter. The teen had swept the kid's feet out from under him, making him topple to the ground.
"Lesson one," Tawna states, "Expect the unexpected."
"Tawna," Romeo growls jumping to his feet. Small blue flames ignite in his palm and tries to charge at the teen.
"No magic," Tawna says blasting the kid with water, extinguishing his flames.
"Hey!" Romeo shouts annoyed, "Then what is this training about?"
"Just because you can use magic, doesn't mean you know how to fight." Tawna states crossing her arms in front of her small chest. "You first need to learn hand to hand combat, then you can add in your magic."
"This is dumb," Romeo pouts crossing his arms.
Tawna rolls her eyes and moves her long legs over to the kid. Over the last couple of years, she has gotten taller, but she is still petite. Due to the extensive damage and trauma her body went through after her accident, her growth was affected. According to Porlyusica, she might have gotten around Lucy's height, but she is closer to Levy's. She still may grow a little more, but it won't be much.
"First fighting lesson," Tawna says looking down to Romeo, "Balance,"
"My balance is great," Romeo boasts proudly. Tawna rolls her large eyes and taps the kid's chest, easily knocking him to the ground.
"Sure it is," Tawna states looking to the kid who is now on the ground, "I'm positive Asuka has better balance than you, and she's one."
"And your balance is so good?" Romeo glares standing trying to knock Tawna over by pushing her in different directions.
"Are you done?" Tawna huffs annoyed, "Would you like me to take off my leg? It would give an advantage." Tawna says placing her hand on the kid's head, pushing him back.
"Why is balance so important anyways?" Romeo grumbles. Tawna sighs annoyed, this is gonna be harder than she thought.
"Max," Tawna says glancing over her shoulder, "Come here."
"Uh, sure." The sand wizard says coming over the teen. "What am I doing?"
"I'm using you for a demonstration, we're gonna spar," Tawna says stepping back into a fighting stance.
"You're going down this time," Max states putting his fists up, "You had an unfair advantage last time."
"I did not," Tawna rolls her eyes, "We were at the beach, I had water and you had sand. We were on an even playing field." Tawna smirks and blue magic circle appears in front of her "Water Canon!"
"Ack!" Max shouts as the water hits him in the chest. "Hey, who said we were starting?"
"Me," Tawna smirks as she prepares another attack. Max is prepared this time and is able to block the water with his sand magic and sends an attack of sand to the teen. She easily flips out of the way, and land right in front of the sands wizard. Max throws a punch and Tawna blocks in with her forearm and connects her left knee with his stomach.
When it comes to sparing with those in the guild, Tawna holds back using her right leg in hand to hand combat. Because of the prosthetic, her kicks are much harder and can cause some damage.
The knee that connected to Max's stomach makes him stumble slightly, but quickly regains his balance and begins to throw punches again. Tawna takes this opportunity to teach Romeo some lessons about balance.
"Balance is really important," Tawna says in the mist of blocking and dodging Max's punches. "Because…" She smirks kicking max back making him stumble, with a combination of punches, "Once you knock your opponent's center of balance off…" From the last kick Max has not been able to regain his balance completely and is stumbling backwards, "You can use their own weight against them." She smirks, the infamous Dragneel smirk and notices Max is leaning back. She elbows him in side and then steps back and uses her left leg to kick him in the chest knocking him on his back.
"Damn it, Tawna," Max groans rubbing his face with his hands, "I want a re-match."
"Let it go, Max," Warren laughs, "You don't have a chance against her,"
"Neither do you," Max glares to his friend as he stands.
"Sorry, Max," Tawna says, "It was the only way I could think of teaching Romeo about balance." The teen looks to the kid who is still standing off to the side, "Romeo, do you understand the importance of balance now?"
"You just gave yourself the opportunity to beat up Max," Romeo mumbles crossing his arms. Tawna sighs annoyed and glares to the kid.
"That it," Tawna snaps, "Two miles, now!" Tawna shouts pointing down the hill.
"What!" Romeo shouts back to his older sister figure, "You're crazy!"
"Either you run," Tawna says raising her hand with a small blue magic circle, "Or I'll make you run." Romeo's eyes widen, and books it down the hill.
"Tawna!" Macao shouts, "don't threaten to use Blood Grip on my kid!"
"Do you really think I would do that," Tawna rolls her eyes, "It got him to run, didn't it." She says glancing down the hill, "Did I tell you to stop!" she runs down the hill after the kid.
"Katawna, you better go easy on him!" Macao shouts, followed by shouts and a terrified scream from his son.
"That is easy compared to what Natsu and Gray put her through," Wakaba laughs.
The rest of the guild migrated into the hall after the two failed to return. They could still hear the two shout and argue with each other, but they had no idea where they had went, or to be more accurate, where Tawna had chased Romeo. The sun has now started to set, when Tawna enters the guild.
"Wow," Wakaba laughs, "You have been gone for hours.
"Where have you been?" Macao scowls looking at the teen.
"Calm down," Tawna smiles as she picks up Asuka who had toddled over to her, "We were just in the forest." She says tickling the baby's belly getting a giggle from the little girl. Romeo comes stumbling into the guild, disheveled and sweaty, just looking exhausted.
"I thought I told you to go easy on him," Macao says annoyed.
"I did," Tawna says in baby talk as she plays with Asuka. The teen glances to Romeo who is moping at the bar. She adjusts Asuka on her hip and walks over to the kid. Standing across the bar from him, she reaches in cupboard grabbing the item she is looking for. "Where do you want it,"
"Huh?" Romeo says raising his head.
"Where do you want your guild mark." Tawna smiles holding the guilds stamp.
"I thought I couldn't join the guild until I finished training," Romeo huffs lowering his head to the bar once again.
"I know you're ready to join the guild," She states.
"What makes you say that?" Romeo says raising his head again.
"You're like Natsu," Tawna smiles sadly, gaining the attention of the whole guild, "You have a fire in your soul." Romeo raises his eyes to Tawna's. "And you never gave up once today. No matter what I threw at you today, you tried your hardest, even when I threw you in the river."
"You threw him in the river?" Macao shouts.
"Lesson number 35, Water combat." Tawna smirks glancing to Macao, then turns back to Romeo, "You proved to me today, that you are ready to be an official Fairy Tail wizard. Now where do you want your guild mark."
"Shoulder," Romeo says quietly, "Like Natsu's." Tawna smiles and places it on his left shoulder, opposite where her brother's lays on his right shoulder. "Congrats Romeo, you're now officially a member of Fairy Tail."
Katawna 17 years old
"YOU LITTLE RUNT!"
"Katawna!" Macao reprimands. Romeo had caught the book she was reading on fire and the Dragon Slayer was not happy.
"You're dead!" 17-year-old Katawna yells chasing 10-year-old Romeo out of the small guild.
"Katawna, Romeo! Knock it off!" Macao shouts as his son and Tawna run out. "Damn, I'm too old for this." He sighs causing Wakaba to laugh.
"You think Romeo would learn not to mess with her, especially after she gets back from a long mission." Wakaba laughs with Elie sitting on the table in front of him, eating Tawna's apple she left when she ran out of the guild.
"I swear that boy is gonna get himself killed one of these days." Macao sighs,
"Don't worry," Wakaba grins, "She just got her leg adjusted, it's stiff, she's not gonna catch him."
"I don't know," Alzack says with 3-year-old Asuka on his lap, "She's pretty mad."
"You wanna bet," Wakaba laughs.
"You're on," Alzack grins as more people in the guild get in on the bet. Macao is pulled out of the conversation by a lacrama call coming in. He answers the call and two teen wizards on the other side. One with short blonde hair and the other with longer black hair.
"Hello, how can I help you?" Macao asks the two teen boys.
"Is this the Fairy Tail Guild?" the blonde one asks.
"Yes," Macao nods over the shouts of bets going in the guild behind him.
"I'm Sting," The blonde one says, "And this is Rogue," He says pointing to the other wizard, "We're looking for Katawna Dragneel."
"She just ran out, but…" Macao is cut off by a scream in the distance, followed by laugher from those in the guild.
"Told you she was gonna catch him," The guns wizard laughs, "Now pay up," He holds out his hand receiving the payment from Wakaba.
"but," Macao sighs looking back to the lacrama, "If you two could hold on for a sec, she will be back in a moment." Sting and Rogue nod in response.
A few minutes later, the sound of heels echo through the hall as Tawna walks back into the guild dusting off her low-rise jeans, and crop top.
"Tawna!" Elie smiles flying on to her shoulder, munching on an apple.
"Elie, that's my apple," The teen says taking the apple back from the grinning Calico.
"Katawna," Macao scowls turning from the lacrama, "Where's Romeo?"
"Oh, he's coming," She says running her hand through her long wavy pink hair. A second later, Romeo tip-toes into the hall, dirty, disheveled and shaking.
"What did you do to my kid?" Macao shouts, making the teen roll her large green eyes.
"I just taught him to leave me alone," Tawna states crossing her arms in front of her chest, glaring at the 10-year-old, "And to watch where he throws his flames."
"That doesn't mean you maul my kid," Macao argues.
"Oh, don't be dramatic, he's fine," Tawna argues back, "I just roughed him up a bit. I had worse done to me when I was his age."
"I swear," Macao rubs his temples, "You two kids are gonna be the death of me,"
"Tawna's right, stop being dramatic." Wakaba laughs, "The kid needs to learn to fight at some point."
"See, I was helping him, right Romeo." Tawna states glancing to the shaking kid.
"Uhh, s-s-ure." He stutters.
"We'll deal with it later," Macao sighs, rubbing his temples, "But there's a Lacrama call for you." Tawna sighs and walks over the lacrama sitting on the bar.
"Yeah," Tawna says taking a bite from her apple looking at to two guys on the other side of the call.
"I guess they're right when they said, she was beautiful and dangerous," Sting whispers to Rogue.
"Excuse me," Tawna glares to the blonde.
"Idiot," Rogue shakes his head elbowing the blonde in the ribs. Locking eyes with Sting, she recognizes his spiky blonde hair, scar, and bright blue eyes. She knows he's the boy she had come into contact with a few times when she was younger.
"What do you want," Tawna sighs, "I don't have all day." She says giving Elie a bite of her apple.
"I'm Sting and this is Rogue," The blonde states, "We're from Sabertooth, we have a job request that requests the use of dragon slayers."
"I've heard of you two," Tawna states, "You two are Dragon Slayers, why do you need me?"
"They said getting you in on the job may be beneficial," Rogue states.
"What kind of job is this?" Tawna asks leaning against the bar.
"Getting rid of some bandits," Sting states.
"Why would they need Dragon Slayers to get rid of bandits?" Tawna scowls.
"Heck if I know," Sting shrugs, "Apparently, these guys are tough to catch." Tawna thinks for a moment and turns back to the guild.
"Bisca," She says, "While I was gone, you and Alzack tried to catch some bandits, right?"
"Yeah, but they disappeared on us," Bisca states, "We couldn't find them after the initial meeting."
"Hmmm," Tawna thinks.
"It must be the same guys." Rogue states flatly.
"I still don't understand why they need Dragon Slayers," Sting crosses his arms in front of his chest.
"Tracking," Tawna states, handing the rest of her apple to her exceed.
"Huh?" Sting scowls.
"They must need us to track them, our sense of smell is animal like, and I can sense water in other's bodies." Tawna explains, "If anyone can find these guys, it should be us."
"Makes sense," Rogue nods.
"Do you have any idea where their last location was?" Tawna questions.
"Around Mt Hakabe," Sting states, "but that was a few days ago. It's rumored they are heading south."
"That means they shouldn't be too far outside Magnolia," Tawna thinks then looks up to the two Dragon Slayers, "When were you planning on leaving?"
"Tomorrow," Rogue says glancing up from the ground, "We will be passing through Magnolia, so we can meet you at your guild."
"Sounds good," Tawna nods.
"You're going on another mission," Macao sighs, "You just got back from one last night."
"Don't worry so much," Tawna rolls her eyes, "I'm fine, this shouldn't take more than a couple days at the most." She shakes her head,
"But your leg…" Macao starts.
"My leg is fine." Tawna snaps and turns back to the lacrama. "Tomorrow, when you get into town, walk to the end of main street and there will be a road heading up to the hills. Take that up to the top and you will be at the guild."
"Got it," Sting states, "You better be ready when we get there, we don't have much time to waste."
"Don't worry, I'll be ready." She scowls at Stings attitude.
"We'll see you then," Rogue nods, before the lacrama goes dark.
"I still can't believe you agreed to go another mission," Macao sighs. The small guild has migrated outside in the sunny weather. Many are watching at Katawna prepares for her mission with saber Tooth's Twin Dragon Slayers.
"Chill out Macao," Tawna shakes her head, "This shouldn't be a difficult mission," The 17 year old says as she packs her spare leg into her backpack, "With three dragon slayers tracking these goons, it should be quick. I'll be gone three days, tops."
"I wouldn't underestimate these guys, Tawna." Bisca adds, "They are strong."
"Don't worry, I'm not stupid," Tawna states, "But the blond one from Saber doesn't seem like the smartest in the bunch."
"Do you know anything about those two Dragon Slayers?" Alzack asks, as he lets Asuka down, and the three-year-old runs over to Tawna.
"They have been in Sorcerer's Weekly a few times." Tawna states as her lifts Asuka onto her hip, "I've heard they are powerful. Rogue seems like the calm one of the pair. Sting seems cocky."
"You should be able to handle Sting, "Wakaba smirks, "I don't think I have ever met anyone as cocky as your brother was." Tawna just looks down and sighs, she tries to put on a mask in front of everyone, but when Natsu comes up in a conversation it's difficult.
"You mean as my brother is," Tawna scowls.
"Sorry," Wakaba says looking down ashamed. Tawna rolls her eyes and adjusts Asuka on her hip, as the young child plays with the loose pink hair.
Coming up the hill two 17 year old boys and their exceeds make their trek to the small Fairy Tail guild hall.
"I still don't understand why she has to come with us," Sting groans hiking the hill.
"Yeah," His red exceed boasts, "We shouldn't need extra help with Sting around.
"Fro thinks so too," Frosch the little exceed in a frog costume cheers.
"Get over it," Rogue shakes his head, "It's what the client wanted, and you've heard the stories, she not someone to be messed with."
"Tell me about it," Sting states, "I read that she beat up a guy so badly on a date, she sent him to the hospital."
"That's not the point, Sting," Rogue sighs, "she's a skilled wizard, she will be useful." he says as they see the small guild hall. It's a little hobble compared to their old one. All the members are carelessly milling around outside in the warm sun. The two Dragon Slayer, easily spot who they are looking for. The thin, petite young woman stands out in the guild, her thin body, with just the right amount of curves, long legs, and her wavy, iconic pink hair.
"Damn," Sting whispers, "She's even more gorgeous than they say."
"Behave," Rogue grits his teeth elbowing the blond beside him, "Or she will be putting you in the hospital."
"Sting could take her," Lector smirks.
"Quiet," Rogue warns to Stings exceed.
The pink hair Dragon Slayer, turns seeing the two young men approaching the guild. She places Asuka back onto the ground and picks up her backpack.
"You ready, Dragneel?" Sting shouts, making the girl roll her eyes.
"Calm down," Tawna snaps, "I'm comin'. Elie let's go." Tawna says.
"Coming," The Calico smiles floating next to Tawna's head. Turning to the guild to say goodbye, she feels a tug on her leg. Looking down she's met with the eyes of a sad three-year-old.
"You weaving agwen?" Asuka asks sadly. Tawna kneels and places a hand on her little head.
"Only for a couple days, Squirt." She says, "It won't be long like last time." The child still has a sad look on her face and looks down to the ground, "When I get back, we're gonna spend the entire day together, okay?"
"Weally?" Asuka smiles.
"Really," Tawna nods. Standing straight she strides over to the two males, standing in front of both, even with heels Tawna's head is at their noses. Tawna just walks past the two staring Dragon Slayers, Tawna stops and turns, putting her hands on her hips. "Are you coming, or are you gonna stand there and stare?"
"Let's go," Rogue states turning to leave, "The bandits shouldn't be too far outside of Magnolia.
"If we go through the East Forest we should be able to cut them off." Tawna states as they walk down the mountain path.
"Then lead the way Short Stuff," Sting smirks motioning for Tawna to take the lead.
"Don't start with me, Eucliffe," Tawna snaps.
"Tawna," Elie says from her shoulder, trying to calm her best friend. Tawna sighs and turns walking a head, leading the way to the East Forest.
Making their way deep in to the forest, Tawna tries to avoid conversation with the two boys. Rogue is quiet in general, and anytime Sting opens his mouth she just wants to pull her hair out. She has never met anyone who infuriates her so much.
"Dragneel," Sting's cocky voice echoes behind her and Elie, "Do you even know where you are going."
"I have traveled through these woods since I was a kid." Tawna scowls glancing back to the blonde, "In about two more hours we will be just outside the town, where we will camp."
"Damn, so much attitude is such a small body," Sting mumbles.
"Knock it off," Rogue growls elbowing him in the ribs.
"What is she gonna do…" Sting pauses seeing the Water Dragon Slayer glaring standing in front of him with a Water sword pointing at his neck.
"One more comment about my size, and you are gonna wish you were dead." Tawna warns retracting the water back into the hilt of the sword and slipping it back into its holster at the base of her back.
"Sting," Rogue snaps, "You are just asking to be punched."
"Calm down, I'm just having some fun." Sting smirks.
Continuing walking through the thick forest they come across the stream, Tawna creates ice steps across. She crosses first, followed by Rogue and his exceed, then once Sting begins to cross Tawna melts the ice, making him fall into the water.
"Damn it, Dragneel!" Sting shouts climbing out of the water, "What was that for?" he scowls looking down to the teen. Tawna flicks her wrist and all the water drenching his clothes and hair are gone and back into the river. Sting's eyes widen briefly, as if he is remembering an old memory, then glances back to the short dragon slayer.
"That's for all your little comments you've been making behind my back," Tawna scowls.
"What, I'm just havin' some fun," Sting smirks.
"Do you even think before you speak, or is that too hard for that small brain of yours," Tawna smirks.
"Oh no," Elie says stepping back near Rogue. She can tell her and Sting are about to go at it.
"Are you gonna let her talk to you like that, Sting?" Lector shouts making Elie glare at him.
"What was that, Dragneel?" Sting glares to the pink headed wizard.
"You heard me," Tawna scowls taking a step forward.
"You have a big attitude," Sting snaps.
"I rather have a big attitude than a big mouth," Tawna growls.
"I have a big mouth," Sting states bending slightly to look Tawna in the eyes, "You're one to talk. What happened to that sweet, sassy, and goofy, little dragon slayer from the once famous Fairy Tail guild?" Sting presses.
"That girl," Tawna fumes, "died 5 years ago!"
"Yeah, along with your brother and the rest of your guild." Sting states. Tawna snaps, and slams him against the nearest tree.
"Tawna, stop!" Elie shouts.
"Sting!" Lector shouts. Tawna presses her arm against Sting's throat and slams her right knee between his legs just below his crotch. Sting's eyes widen hearing the metal of her leg connect with the tree, cracking the wood.
"Don't you ever say anything about my brother!" Tawna snaps, "Or my guild. You will never understand the Hell I have gone through!"
"Enough!" Rogue shouts prying Tawna from Sting. Sting catches his breath and looks back to the Pink haired Dragon Slayer.
"We're camping here," Tawna snaps, and turns and walks away from the two boys and their exceeds.
"Tawna, wait!" Elie shouts flying after her.
"You just had to bring up her brother," Rogue sighs looking to Sting who is rubbing his neck.
"Shut up," He snaps, "But damn, I didn't think she was that strong." Sting says looking to the pink dragon slayer who has taken a seat in front of a tree down the stream. Tawna sits with her legs bent, watching the stream flow by. Raising her hand and making orbs of water dance up and down.
"Katawna?" Elie asks setting next to her, "Are you okay."
"I'm fine," Tawna sighs, "I just lost my temper."
"He had been pushing your buttons all day," Elie says looking up to her best friend, "but, you didn't have to almost suffocate him."
"I know," Tawna cringes moving her right leg and unlacing her heeled combat boots and sliding them off.
"Is your leg okay?" Elie asks concerned as the Twin Dragon Slayers set up camp behind them.
"It's fine," Tawna sighs rubbing where the metal meets her thigh, "just sore," Tawna doesn't like talking about her leg with other's around. Even though her leg is common knowledge in the wizard community, she still isn't comfortable talking about it around just anyone.
"Well, you did get it adjusted yesterday." Elie states, "Normally you have a week to get used to it."
"Yeah," Tawna sighs, "I think it might be time to get a new one. This one is good, but it's getting a bit beat up. It might be time to retire this one to the spare leg pile"
"When we get back, maybe we can go to Dr. Gerald." Elie smiles glancing briefly behind Tawna.
"What are you looking at?" Tawna asks glancing to the Calico.
"Sting is looking at you," Elie says quietly.
"Great," Tawna sighs, starting to fish of dinner, piling fish one by one in a pile next to the exceed, "He's probably still fuming that I slammed him into the tree."
"He doesn't have that look on his face at all." The Calico smiles and places her black and orange paws on her cheeks, "He llliiiikkkkeeessss yyyyyoooooouuuu."
"ELIE!" Tawna shouts dropping the orb of water containing a fish back into the stream with a splash. Tawna sighs and looks back to the other Dragon Slayers, who are both now looking at her. Catching her glance, they quickly go back to what they were doing. Tawna turns back to Elie who is giggling.
"Out of all things you had to pick up from Happy, it had to be that," Tawna hisses, making Elie laugh more. "And no he doesn't, and nor do I want anything to do with him." Tawna stands, tossing her boots to her bag and grabs a few fish. "Now, help bring these fish over." She scowls to her Calico companion. Tawna walks over in her stocking feet over to the fire they had started, setting the pile of fish down.
"You got all these fish?" Sting asks glancing down to Tawna. Without her heels, the top of her head is about at his chin.
"Yeah," Tawna sighs, setting up stakes of fish over the fire, "I don't know how many fishing trips I got dragged on when I was younger, because of my magic." Tawna tosses a raw fish to Lector and Frosch, both looking surprised. "Go ahead," Tawna states to the exceeds, "There's plenty."
"thanks," Lector says quietly.
"Thank you!" Frosch cheers as they quietly start munching on their fish. Rogue comes back over and they all sit around the fire, eating through the large pile of fish. Not much chat was going on. Tawna and Sting were both still quiet from their argument, with minimum words being said. Until Rogue breaks the silence.
"So, what's the plan for the morning?" Rogue asks taking another bite of fish, "How are we gonna go about this ambush?"
"There is a clearing right over that hill," Tawna states pointing behind them to the hill, "My guess is that they will cut through it to get to the town. We will have to wait, I don't know about you two, but I can pick up a person's scent when they are a couple miles out, and I can sense the water in their bodies when the get a little closer."
"So, we are just gonna wait and then attack?" Sting asks furrowing his eyebrows.
"That's pretty much all we can do," Tawna shrugs, glancing between the two dragon slayers, "When we can, attack how we see fit and stop them. The authorities from the town are gonna be near to take them into custody, then we can leave."
"That's it?" Sting asks, "is that how you Fairy Tail wizards do it, just wing it?"
"Pretty much," Tawna says rolling her eyes. "If you hadn't noticed, we were never the ones who planned things out. Even if we did plan, it all went to Hell anyways." She states leaning against the log.
"No wonder your guild went down the tubes," Sting states.
"We didn't go down the tubes," Tawna snaps, "We may not be as strong as we once were, but we are still here."
"Surprisingly," Rogue states, "You guys were known for destroying stuff."
"Not gonna lie," Tawna sighs, "It's true, we definitely know how to break stuff." She sighs and glances up to the stars above.
"We should turn in for the night." Rogue states, "We have a long day tomorrow." He stands and grabs Frosch and going over to his sleeping bag. Tawna puts out the fire and sets up her sleeping bag a little ways away. As Sting crawls into his sleeping bag he catches Elie and Tawna talking.
"Maybe you should take it off," Elie suggests.
"I'm not taking off my leg, Elie." Tawna sighs.
"But, it's bugging you," Elie argues.
"I know, but I barely take it off around people at the guild, do you expect me to do it around two guys I barely know?" Tawna' sighs.
"then, why don't you put on your spare, and when we get home, you can rest this leg?" Elie pushes.
"I can't use my magic through that leg," Tawna states, "Just leave it, Elie. After tomorrow I'll change into my spare leg."
"Okay," Elie sighs, "Night Tawna."
"Night Elie." Tawna says turning over in her sleeping back.
Sting didn't mean to eavesdrop on their conversation, but because of his Dragon Slayer hearing, it wasn't hard to miss what they were saying. He had heard about her leg, but not much was known about it. The younger Dragneel had been featured in Sorcerers Weekly a couple of times, once even in a spread about wizards who made a comeback from serious injuries, she was the youngest mentioned on the list. Even through the many stories about her, there is a foggy cloud about what happened to her leg. The Water Dragon Slayer has kept that information private.
Sting has always wondered what happened. He knows she's the Fairy Tail girl he ran into all those years go in a storm. She had both of her legs back then, and when he ran into her again only months later, she was completely different. Sting shakes the thoughts from his head, and decides to turn in for the night as well.
The sun has risen over the horizon in the distance, as Tawna begins to awake. As she opens her eyes she is met with a fluffy tail and paws on her face.
"Elie," Tawna mumbles through the fur.
"Yummy, kiwis," Elie mumbles in her sleep.
"Elie, wake up." Tawna quietly laughs hearing her best friend's mumbles, "Elie, get off me." Tawna huffs grabbing the cat by the scruff of her neck lifting her from her face. Lifting the cat up, Elie still sleeps soundly dangling above the Dragon Slayer. Tawna shakes her head, then furrows her brows when she feels more fur at her sides. "What?" Tawna looks to her sides and see's both Lector and Frosch curled up on either side of her. "Why?" Tawna sighs annoyed.
She's brought out of her annoyance, when she catches a scent. It's not one she recognizes, and she's also sensing bodies of water and lots of them. Tawna places Elie onto her sleeping bag and carefully slides out, making sure not to disturb the other two sleeping exceeds. Sliding on her boots, she walks over to the river, placing her hand on the surface.
The water in the river is connected to the life in the forest. Its waters span for miles through the trees, and grass. Connecting her magic to the water, her eyes shoot open sensing a disturbance in the grass and shrubs coming toward their camp.
"Everyone up!" Tawna shouts turning to the two sleeping Dragon Slayers. Rogue shoots up right away, as do the three exceeds, but Sting lays still snoring.
"What's happening," Rogue asks walking closer.
"The bandits took a different route," Tawna states, "They are coming over the hill any moment." Tawna glances to Sting and sighs annoyed. "Get up!" She shouts blasting him with cold water.
"WHAT THE HELL, DRAGNEEL!" Sting shouts jumping up and strides over to the pink haired teen.
"Cool it, Eucliffe!" Tawna scowls, waving her hand to dry Sting in the process. "Get ready to fight, we have company."
"What?" sting asks confused.
"The bandits have taken a different course." Rogue states, "They are heading straight for us."
"I thought you said they were going the other way?" Sting glares down to Tawna.
"It was a theory," Tawna fumes, "I'm sorry, I can't read minds."
"Tawna, calm down," Elie says landing on her shoulder. Tawna huffs and turns from Sting. Tawna's ears perk up a bit hearing a click. She glances between Sting and Rogue, and it seems that neither one of them have heard it. Then a blast sounds.
"GET DOWN!" Tawna shouts knocking Sting to the ground, just before the blast hit him. Landing on top of him, she sits up straddling his waist. Sting looks up surprised, by her actions, then more blasts erupt from the tree line towards the group and bandits break through the tree line. "Stay alert, there are many of them still hiding in the tree line" Tawna shouts jumping from a still shocked Sting.
"Let's spread out," Rogue states, getting ready to fight, "Sting, get up." He says annoyed looking to his partner who is still on the ground. Shaking his head, Sting jumps to his feet. The first wave, charges to the Dragon Slayers.
"I can sense at least 30 of them," Tawna states dodging magical bullets, "but there could be more."
"I'm Sting can take care of 20 of them by himself," Lector boasts, making Tawna roll her eyes. Looking up she sees a bandit running towards her with a large sword. She reaches behind her and grabs her own swords. Water flows out of the handles, freezing into ice. The bandit's sword comes down and she blocks it easily with her own ice katanas. Pushing up, and turning quickly she's moves out of the way of the blade and kicks him in the side knocking him to the ground.
Around her, blasts of shadow and light take out bandits left and right easily. She had heard many stories of these two, and she's impressed that they are living up to the claims the tales have said. Melting the ice and slipping the katana's back into their holsters. More bandits have come towards her, because of her small size, it seems they are targeting her over Sting and Rogue.
"Water Dragon Cyclone!" Tawna shouts expelling a large tornado from her hands, tossing a few bandits to the side.
"Is that the best you can do, Dragneel?" Sting says sporting a cocky smirk.
"Shut it, Eucliffe!" Tawna snaps. "Water whips!" Two streams of water expand from her hands, wrapping around two of the bandits. Whipping them off the ground, she slams the both together and tosses them into the river. "Water Dragon Currents!" Her board of ice forms and she hops onto a wave. Tawna surfs around a group bandits, swirling around making the water tornado grow smaller. Surfing out of the tornado, Tawna lands on the ground and makes the column of water collapse on itself, throwing the bandits in all directions. One of the bandits that went flying, takes out the bandit Sting was currently fighting.
"Dragneel," Sting states annoyed and only receives the infamous Dragneel smirk as an answer. Suddenly a larger bandit charges towards Tawna, making her flip out of the way.
"I'm gonna take out the little one," The bandit growls as his comrades fall around him.
"Bring it," Tawna snaps to the large man. She attacks first, primarily using her right leg to land kicks against the man. He tries to block her kicks with his forearm, but he ends up pulling it back, hissing in pain, and the audible sound of metal hitting bone echoes..
"You little runt!" He shouts pulling out his magical whip. Tawna quickly dodges his whip attacks, by flipping out of the way. Tawna is losing her temper a bit with this man, so when she lands on the ground she punches it creating geysers to shoot up around the large bandit.
"Water cannon!" She shouts as water explosions go off around him, knocking him unbalanced. Seeing this occur, Tawna takes this opportunity to strike, but she too is caught off guard. He twirls his whip around and snaps it to Katawna, wrapping it around her right leg.
"Tawna!" Elie shouts concerned as Tawna is dragged towards the bandit.
"Damn you," Tawna growls, trying to get out of the whip's grip.
"What are you going to do now, Little Girl," He taunts.
"Let her go!" Sting shouts sending white blast to the bandit
"Release her," Rogue shouts shout sending shadow magic as well.
"Oh she's not going anywhere," The bandit sneers and begins to spin Tawna. Trying to ignore the churning in her stomach, Tawna thinks of the one things she could do to get out of his grip and she places her hands on the sides of her leg.
"Huh?" The bandit say confused at the change in weight he is wielding. Looking to his whip he's shocked to only see a boot and stocking.
"What?" Sting states confused. From the momentum Tawna acquired in the spin, she is shot off in Stings direction, grabbing on the small tree behind him, she swings around and launches herself back to the bandit, knocking him to the ground in a kick.
"Katawna!" Elie shouts concerned for her friend as Tawna lands rolling, into a stand. Both Sting's and Rogues eyes widen seeing Tawna standing in front of them with an ice leg, connecting to her scarred thigh. "Tawna!" Elie shouts flying over to assist her.
"I'm fine," Tawna huffs glaring to the man in front of her. The large bandit growls and his whip releases the prosthetic leg, slamming it to the ground. The force of the throw, Tawna can tell that leg is history. Losing her temper, she looks to the last ten men standing before her. Raising her hands in front of her blue magic circles appear on the chest of each men. Her magic energy begins to build around her as one by one she lifts the remaining men into the air.
The men begin to scream and shout in fear of losing the control of their bodies. And one by one, she slams them into trees, tossing them in to the forest, or sending them down the river. Finally, she makes it to the big one. Keeping him in her grip she walks in front of him, releasing the grip she uses her temporary ice leg and kicks him in the side of the head knocking him out. Leaving him to lay with the rest of his buddies. Tawna turns and is met by wide eyes.
"What was the Hell was that?" Sting asks shocked.
"That was why I have been known a monster." Tawna snaps limping past him to retrieve her leg.
"Tawna," Elie says softly landing on the ground next to her. Tawna bends over grabbing the leg, she removes the boot and sock and the metal falls to shambles.
"Damn," Tawna sighs drooping her head, "there no saving this one." Tawna tosses the broken metal to the ground sighing, "Elie, did my spare make it through the fight?"
"I'll check," Elie says flying over to their destroyed camp sight.
"Why can't you just use the ice leg?" Rogue inquires as Sting and himself approach.
"It's only a temporary fix," Tawna grumbles, "The moment I run out of magic energy, the moment I become legless."
"Katawna," Elie says approaching with an old, dented, dull, well used spare leg. "It's not in the best shape." She says placing the leg in Tawna's hands, "This leg already had an issue keeping the knee in place, but I don't think it's going to stay now." Tawna can tell by holding the leg, the knee is barely connected, let alone who knows if it will make it the walk home.
"Of course," Tawna huffs, "These two legs are completely different models. I can't even make a patch job with the other's parts." Tawna plops to the ground and melts the ice from her stub and quickly slide the old leg on, connecting it. She tries to ignore the eyes of the two boys watching her. Using the sock from her right leg, she rips if and ties it around the knee, and sliding her boot. "This is gonna have to do." She sighs standing and her knee buckling under the weight.
"Tawna," Elie says concerned.
"Damn," She grumbles, "I'll be fine."
"We should get going," Rogue states, "We need to check in with the client."
"Fro thinks so too," Frosch cheers.
"Let's go, Dragneel," Sting states easily tossing the petite teen over his shoulder.
"PUT ME DOWN!" Tawna shouts banging her fists against his back and kicking her left leg.
"Quit squirming!" Sting snaps as they start their journey back.
"I said put me down!" Tawna snaps placing her hand at the base of his back freezing it.
"Hey!" Sting growls, "Watch where you freeze!"
"I'll freeze more than just your back, if you don't put me down!" Tawna fumes.
"You have a busted leg," Sting glares over his shoulder, "You'll just slow us down."
"Yeah, you should be appreciative of Sting," Lector boast, "You show him some respect."
"Shut it cat," Tawna snaps to the red exceed. "I don't need help,"
"Sure you don't," Sting mocks, "OW!"
"HAND OF ASS!" Tawna shouts hit him repeatedly again.
"Don't hit Sting!"
"He's the one who needs to show Tawna some respect!"
"Damn it, Dragneel."
"Unhand me, I rather crawl home than be carried by you!"
"Rogue has taken the lead and shakes his hearing the two behind him argue.
"This is going to be a long trip back," He sighs to his exceed.
"Fro thinks so too." The frog costume wearing exceed smiles.
A/N- I thought this was a good place to end this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please keep reviewing, I love hearing your thoughts. I hope you all have a great day!