Chapter 2: Mission to Akane Beach

She was standing next to a solitary boat, small figure made smaller by the wide ocean before her. Riku jumped down from his spot, but his foot caught and he tumbled over himself landing ungracefully a few feet from her. She turned at the noise, scarlet hair spinning around her to reveal an eye patch covering one eye, tears in the other.

"Riku," she gasped, almost as if she'd seen a ghost. "What are you doing here?"

"Erza," he replied, sitting up. "What happened to your eye?"

Before he could feel embarrassed about his own bluntness he was knocked down again by the force of Erza slamming into his own small frame, sending them both back against the ground. She buried her face into his neck and Riku felt heat rushing across his face in surprise at the sudden contact. From her spot he heard her half speak, half sob, "I thought they killed you after you lost your temper!"

"No," Riku said patting her back awkwardly. "They just moved me to the other side of the island. I was with some other kids for a bit, but then I was in solitary. I heard there was a revolt."

Erza pulled back suddenly, looking almost fearfully at the R-system towering above them. "That's right. We-I have to go." She moved towards the boat again.

"Wait, I'm coming too," Riku said standing up and following her onto the boat.

"You can't because Jellal..." Erza began, but she trailed off as Riku stood before her, feet planted firmly on the boat, though he already felt his stomach turning unpleasantly as it rocked.

The scene changed and they were on the sea with thunder and lightening above them and waves crashing their dingy boat around in the waves, determined to tear them to pieces. Erza was holding onto the small mast and Riku was doing his best to keep down his vomit and reach her, stomach flat against the desk, arms and legs crawling slower than he'd ever moved before. An especially large wave rose and as it smashed down between them the boat split into two and both were thrown into the sea's shadowy depth.

Riku gasped for air as his eyes shot open. He stared around hurriedly, looking for Erza in the waves. Except there were no waves. He was in a forest, leaning against a tree on the ground.

He was wet though. He heard a chuckle to his left and turned, narrowing his eyes at his too-pleased partner.

Mystogan had a guilty look on his face, at least what Riku could see of it. He was squatting at Riku's sitting height, dark eyes dancing underneath his blue hair and silver forehead protector. Although his mouth was covered by the usual green mask, Riku knew he was grinning broadly underneath. His bandaged covered arms were placed on his knees, balancing himself.

"Bad dream," Mystogan asked. "Or good dream?"

"Why am I wet," Riku asked, avoiding the question.

Mystogan stood and stretched his back. "You were mumbling and twitching. I thought it would help you wake up. Besides, you stared calling for Er-"

"I'm awake now," Riku cut in, cheeks flaming with heat and cutting Mystogan off before he could continue. "I was just tired. We did just close another Anima Portal, right after defeating a whole sea monster."

"And don't forget the 10 hour train ride to get there," Mystogan added. Riku's stomach turned and he felt the red from his cheek disappear almost instantly at the very memory of it.

"The whole point is, I needed a nap," Riku replied. "And a drink, but we don't have that second one."

"Well, you were napping for a very long time," Mystogan shrugged. "And we need to go to the guild today to get some more info from Master."

"We," Riku repeated raising his eyebrow. Mystogan shot him another look of glee and Riku sighed. He knew what that meant. "Can't you put them all to sleep again? Then we can BOTH go and have some peace and quiet while we drink," Riku proposed, waving to his partner magic staffs that were leaning against the tree behind him.

"Can't muster it right now," replied Mystogan in a tone that let Riku know he was in for a losing fight. "Besides, I did it last time and all you'd talk about for like two hours was how pretty Erza looked napping. I can't put up with that torture again." Mystogan grabbed his stave and secured it to his back, beginning his walk towards Magnolia's city edge.

"I did not," Riku snapped, leaping up and hurrying to catch up.

"Just blend in with the shadows."

"That's Shadow Dragon Slayer Magic and you know it."

"What are you again?"

"You're being obnoxious."

They fell into silence as they walked, entering into Magnolia and heading towards the guildhall. Riku took note of the towns people whispering and pointing as they passed. He pulled at his long sleeved high collar shirt, attempting to hide a bit behind his collar and his red cloak. He didn't much like this attention, but he supposed they had every right to look. They hardly ever saw Mystogan in the flesh, he either put them to sleep or sent Riku to get the intel or supplies they needed. Finally they reached the guildhall and Mystogan paused.

"Honestly though," he said in a lowered voice. "Are you alright after our last fight? You used a lot of power, I was worried you'd try your takeover spell for a moment there and lose control."

"No, I'm fine," Riku said, pushing his hair back. "Sorry for worrying you, I'm working on the whole control thing."

Mystogan nodded, giving Riku a final once over before pushing the guild doors open. The sound within was deafening and Riku turned to his partner only to find he had disappeared. I should have guessed, sighed Riku as he crossed the threshold into the overwhelming chaos within.

"Riku Starlight, come have a drink," Cana called from the bar. Riku nodded his greeting her way and headed towards the bar, taking the seat in-between the brown haired magic card holder and a blonde, exasperated looking mage he didn't know. The blonde was looking at the source of the majority of the noise, cheers and yells at the brawl in the middle of the guildhall which seemed to consist of Elfman, Natsu, Gray, and more jumping in every second. Riku rolled his eyes. Natsu and Gray were always like this, he didn't understand how anyone put up with it.

"Honestly, they should be getting ready to go, not fighting," the blonde muttered throwing a dark look at the brawl. "We need to head out soon if we plan to make it on time to check in at Akane Resort."

Riku took a quick swig of the whiskey Mira put in front of him, feeling the refreshing warmth trickle down his throat before giving Cana and Mira a questioning look.

"Loke gave Lucy and the rest of her team some resort tickets," Mira explained, motioning to the blonde. Lucy turned to Riku and held out her hand, with its pink fairy tail guildmark. Was this another one of Loke's girlfriends?

"I'm Lucy!"

Riku took her hand and shook it, "Riku."

"Riku here is the elusive Mystogan's partner. Where is our favorite recluse today," Cana slurred, topping off Riku's cup even though it had only a few sips missing.

"Avoiding all this," Riku replied taking another sip, but he almost choked when he heard a familiar voice.

"Natsu! Gray! No fighting!"

"Here's the warden now," Cana giggled as Erza, in her usual armor, appeared glaring at the two boys in question.

"Fight? whose fighting," called Natsu, who was promptly punched in the jaw by Elfman's beast arm. Lucy sighed next to Riku and shook her head, hiding a smile behind her hand.

"Erza, don't worry about them," Cana called. "Have a drink and look who showed up!"

Erza moved her gaze from the brawl to meet Riku's. eyes softening at she recognized him. Riku froze unintentionally, hand gripping the cup so hard that it shattered, leaving whiskey splattering across the counter. He hurriedly took the napkin from Mira, who looked very pleased for no reason, and begin wiping up the spill, kicking himself mentally.

"Riku, it's so good to see you!"

He turned and before he could react further, Erza wrapped him in a hug. If his face could catch on fire from embarrassment, he was sure it would have. I wonder if that's ever happened to Natsu, he wondered briefly as Erza pulled away.

"H-hey Erza. How are you?"

"Good. Lucy and I are going to Akane Resort this evening, if these idiots get packed and ready, anyway," Erza said motioning to the brawl which had increased in size. "I'm glad you stopped by, can I speak with you privately?"

"P-privately?"

"Prrrriiiivvvaaattteeelllyyy," Cana repeated to Riku, wiggling her eyebrows in a way that Riku did NOT appreciate in the least. He appreciated it even less when Mira and Lucy exchanged a look similar to a cat with a freshly caught canary in its mouth. Next time he was going to make Mystogan put them all to sleep for sure, this was too much. Erza turned to lead the way, and Riku snatched Cana's drink and finished it, slamming the cup down again. That'll distract her, he figured as the card mage cussed at his retreating back.

Erza led him from the main guildhall to a side hallway in between the bar and the kitchen. She looked suddenly nervous, shifting slightly from one foot to the other. "I got you something on my last mission," she said finally, holding out her hands. A light appeared there as she re-equipped a long winged sword into her palms. "It's not much but..."

Riku's mouth was hanging open and he closed it quickly, trying to put some moisture in his dry throat as he took the hilt and held it before him. "Wow, Erza," he breathed.

"I commissioned it from a blacksmith," she continued, face determined, though her hand didn't seem able to stay completely still, tugging at the hem of her blue skirt. "It should compliment your powers nicely."

"This is really nice, Erza," Riku said. "I really appreciate it. I'll treasure it!"

"I thought it would be a good gift for your guild day."

Riku's eyes widened. He'd completely lost track of time. Was it already the anniversary of his arrival to the guild? And if his guild day was here, then that meant- shit.

"It's okay if you forgot. I nearly forgot as well," Erza continued.

"Oh no, Erza, I didn't forget," Riku said hurriedly. "I just wasn't sure I'd be back in time. I have a gift for you, but I can't re-equip it here, you know? I'll have to give it to you another time."

"Of course," Erza agreed nodding. She suddenly looked much more at ease. "We will plan a lunch when we both return!"

"Yeah," Riku agreed. "That reminds me, I need to speak to Master about something. Have you seen him?"

"I believe he's out, though Mira said any business from the Master had been left with her, so perhaps she knows the information you need," Erza said thoughtfully. "I should also go, we must make it to the resort on time."

...

Later that evening, when things had quieted down a bit in the guildhall and Cana was asleep on her cards, Riku turned to Mira. She was drying some cups and putting them away carefully.

"Mira, is it true Master isn't here," Riku asked.

"It's true," Mira agreed. She put up the last cup and turned to him. "But I think he was expecting you to stop by because he left me a letter for you."

"A letter?"

"Yes," Mira said, reaching under the bar and taking out a box of papers. She sifted through them carefully before catching Riku's curious look. "These are all the jobs that were approved to go on the board later this week. You should see the box of rejects. It's almost as big as the box of requests that have been sorted yet. Ah! Here it is!"

She held up the envelope which read To Riku & Mystogan.

"Thanks Mira," Riku said hopping off his stool and grabbing the sword Erza had given him. He steadied himself for a moment. Guess I had a bit more than I realized. Oh well, he thought as he tucked the sword safely on his back and hurried from the guildhall to the city park. As expected, Mystogan was waiting for him under the sakura trees, head tilted to the branches above him, silent and in thought. He turned his head when the sound of Riku approaching caught his ears.

"You have a new weapon," Mystogan observed. "And some information?"

"Yeah," Riku replied handing over the unopened letter. He waited as Mystogan opened it, peering up at the stars above twinkling down at him.

"Well, that settles it then," Mystogan said refolding the letter and tucking it into his coat and beginning to walk towards the forest again. "There's a strange disturbance that we'll need to investigate. Might be another Anima Portal, might just be some odd activity."

"Where is it," Riku asked falling into step with him. "And do we have to take a train again?"

"We'll walk tonight and catch a train tomorrow," Mystogan replied apologetically. "There's no way around it. Time is of the essence and it's in Southern Fiore."

"Southern Fiore?"

"Yes," Mystogan replied looking at the sky again, "its in town next to Akane Beach."

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