A/N: And here we are with the next chapter!
I don't own Fairy Tail!
I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 16: Bounty Hunter
July 28th, X784
Vincent leaned against a rock as the sun began to set above him, turning the cloudy sky a brilliant shade of orange.
"We'll be lucky if it doesn't rain," he muttered as he looked up at the colorful sky before turning his head to look over at the Sealed Forest far off in the distance, the three of them having made exceptionally good time, but deciding to wait until morning to enter the forest as Iva insisted it was too dangerous to enter otherwise. Though soon the call of a falcon would drag Vincent out of his thoughts as the silhouette of Jinjo could be made out against the orange sky before swooping down to land on one of Vincent's black, leather shoulder pads, "Cutting it close with nightfall, ain't ya," he mused as he reached up to remove a small, plastic tube from around Jinjo's neck and popping it open, scowling when he saw that it was empty, "Nothing again?" Vincent sighed as Jinjo flapped his wings, showing his agitation, "I'm not blaming you, don't worry," Vincent said as he reached up and scratched the side of Jinjo's head before walking over to the campfire that Iva and Rocco were starting.
"Your pigeon finally made it, huh?" Rocco scoffed before Iva smacked his hand, grabbing the stick he was holding before making a new pop up out of the ground and throwing that one into the fire.
"Don't waste my good snacks by throwing them on the fire," Iva grumbled before taking a bite out of the stick while Rocco shot her a dirty look, Iva quickly returning the look, "They taste horrible charred."
"Yeah, he finally made it back. Didn't think he'd find us so quickly though," Vincent stated as he rifled through a small pouch on his belt, pulling out a small, dried fish and holding it up to Jinjo, who quickly snatched it from his hand and swallowed it whole.
"Where'd he go?" Iva asked, her mouth full as she continued to snack on her stick.
"Like I said before he left, he was just delivering a letter for me, nothing important," Vincent replied, shooting a glance off to the side as Iva and Rocco gave him a curious look before turning to look at each other and shrug, "But anyways, what are we expecting to find here?" Vincent suddenly asked, quickly changing the topic.
"I don't really know," Iva answered quietly, "I haven't been home in… six years now. I don't know what the forest will be like or how it's changed without dad around to keep it in check."
"What do you mean by, 'keep it in check'?" Rocco asked as Iva stared down at the campfire.
"He kept the forest growing in certain ways to hide us. Unwelcome visitors would quickly become turned around and find themselves at the edge of the forest and unable to go past a certain depth in the forest," Iva explained as she chucked what was left of her stick into the fire as a bitter look crossed her face, her eyes narrowing, "But that didn't do much good when an enemy attacked us from the sky."
"That black dragon you mentioned," Rocco began to say as the shadows began to seemingly swell around them.
"Yeah… I don't know if he's still hanging around here, but if he is, you two have got to run," Iva insisted, "He'll kill you both if you stick around."
"As fun as dwelling on the worst possible scenario is, will we even be able to get to where you want to?" Vincent asked as Iva seemed to become lost in thought.
"I never controlled the forest myself, but with my magic, I should be able to make sure we get to where we need to. My magic is a bit different than dad's, but it's the closest thing to it," Iva answered.
"I'm still having a hard time believing this whole dragon thing, honestly," Vincent sighed, "They haven't been seen in Fiore for about four hundred years."
"I know, dad hid for years here in the forest. As far as I know, I'm the first human he had contact with in hundreds of years," Iva explained, "He wasn't really fond of visitors."
"It sounds a bit farfetched, sure. But this is a world of literal magic and I'm inclined to believe Iva," Rocco stated, "Besides, weirder things have happened than one or two dragons still existing. Hell, there are at least two other Dragon Slayers running around saying they learned magic from a dragon and up until recently, one of them was our guildmate."
"Yeah, I guess," Vincent sighed as he sat down, leaning against a log as he put his hands behind his head and reclined, stretching out his legs, "Still though, any idea what you're expecting to find?" he asked again as Iva's face fell.
"Bad memories, good memories, maybe some closure, hell of a lot of guilt, nothing you'd think is valuable," Iva responded.
"Fair enough," the purple haired mage shrugged as Jinjo made himself comfortable on the log.
"Sure you want to go in there?" Rocco asked, a bit of concern etched onto his face.
"Not really, no. But I need to," Iva responded as she began plucking some grass next to where she sat.
"I guess I can understand that," Rocco sighed before laying down himself.
"I guess I'm taking the first watch then," Iva sighed as she looked between the two men, who were now both laying down.
"You'd be correct," Vincent chirped.
"Yep," Rocco chimed.
"Wonderful," Iva sighed as she resigned herself to stay awake for a few more hours as a stick appeared in her hand as she began poking at the fire to get whatever fun out of it that she could.
. : + : .
In the distance, downwind of Iva, Rocco and Vincent, a robed figure stood atop a small cliff, their dark green eyes trained on the young woman in the distance as she kept watch near the campfire. The robed figure did not dare go any closer, for fear of being spotted and scaring off her quarry.
"I finally see her again after all this time, to think that she was hiding right under our noses, in Phantom Lord," the figure muttered, "I do wonder what became of Baumdrache though. Was her training completed? Or did the enemy find them too early?" the figure continued to muse, "I suppose a test will indeed be in order," the figure added as she heard the sounds of an armored figure approaching her from behind.
"Is that all you dragged me out here for, madam?" the armored figure asked, "To test some brat? Lemme guess, no killing or maiming her either?"
"Certainly not, her compatriots though are yours to deal with as you see fit."
"I suppose you lot have some grand reason as to why I'm stalking a little girl then?" the armored figure scoffed as he stepped up next her, her eyes quickly examining the man in his armor, which was nothing like plate mail, rather a series of metal plates attached to a jumpsuit with a pair of vambraces, shin guards and a black, metal helmet with a thin, glass visor to see through that otherwise completely concealed his face, all of it being laced in lachrima and covering him from head to toe.
"We do indeed have our 'grand reasons', but you're not being paid to know them, bounty hunter," the robed figure scoffed in return.
"I know it. The guild don't care much either way so long as you've got the jewels to pay for our, but more importantly, my services. You know I don't come cheap," the bounty hunter said sharply, his voice raspy and obscured by his helmet, as the woman let out a sigh.
"I'm well aware, Droga, and you'll find that our leader is more than prepared to pay you handsomely for this job," she answered with a wave of her hand as a chest appeared on the ground next to her, opening on its own to reveal a plethora of gold and gemstones.
"The most malleable form of wealth, good. Can trade this in anywhere. Heard a dark guild out in the waters would pay good for this," Droga stated before turning to look back over to his prey, "So then, what exactly is it that you want from old Droga?"
"Information mostly, stalk them, discover what became of the dragon in this forest and then test their abilities. Kill the two men if it pleases you, but do no permanent damage to the young woman, she's the main subject of this test."
"It's never simple with you cult types is it?" Droga sighed, "At least you lot are better than those looney Zeref worshippers. Always expecting me to single handedly revive their dead god when I'm not even a mage," Droga grumbled as he pulled a rifle off of his back before laying down, "I suggest you leave before you get spotted, cause I'm sure the reason you're sending me in is to keep yourself and your merry little group a secret and you don't want to be giving that away too soon, do ya?"
"So long as you understand your mission, bounty hunter," the woman responded coldly as she crossed her arms.
"What? Don't like being told what to do by a lowly bounty hunter?" Droga chuckled as he felt an ominous energy brewing around the woman.
"Do not push your luck, hunter. You can easily be replaced at a whim," the woman threatened as her robe billowed around her.
"If it were so simple, you'd have done it by now. But you haven't found anyone better yet, have you?" Droga replied, the woman seething at what she knew to be a sneer hiding beneath his helmet.
"The only reason you're still alive is because of your skill. I suggest you don't lose your edge or else that could change very quickly," the woman warned before quickly vanishing into thin air.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Droga chuckled to himself before examining the three mages through the scope of his rifle, his finger twitching on the trigger as his sights landed on Rocco's head, "It would be so easy… But that's not what the boss lady wants right now," he muttered before his finger moved away from the trigger, "Can't be giving myself away before I learn about this supposed dragon. Heh… a dragon. What's next? Zeref alive and well after all this time? Yeah right…" he continued to mutter as he began to settle in for a long, unmoving night of watching and waiting as the darkness of the cloudy night allowed him to all but disappear.
. : + : .
Raoul stepped off of the train in Clover Town, Lulu, Izzy and Kord following close behind him as they began to walk through the small station.
"I was expecting that train ride to be lot bumpier after I heard what Salamander did to those train tracks earlier this month," Izzy stated as she walked with a slight hop in her step, her hands clasped behind her back.
"It makes sense that they'd repair the train tracks first, considering its their only supply route into town," Raoul responded, "I heard the damage done in town during the battle against Lullaby was extensive."
"The rats completely destroyed the meeting hall from what I heard," Kord grumbled as the four of them exited the station and stepped out into the moonlight, seeing construction sights set up throughout the town and a particularly large crater on the far end where the Guild Master Meeting Hall used to stand.
"Oh my, these people have seen some hard times recently, haven't they?" Lulu gasped before quickly clasping her hands together in prayer.
"Yeah, the area is still a bit dangerous from what I've heard. While the Magic Council recovered most of the Demon Flute, Lullaby, there's a concern that some of the fragments are still missing," Raoul explained as they began to walk through the town.
"So that's what the cultists are after then?" Kord asked.
"Most likely."
"This hardly seems S-Class then, are the cultists known to be powerful?" Izzy questioned as she quickly ran ahead a short way to stand atop a small cliff overlooking the town nestled up against the mountains, seeing a large chunk of a nearby mountain missing.
"They're strong, yeah, but what's really dangerous here is a potential connection to one of the guilds leading the Balam Alliance," Raoul answered as the four of them stopped to take in the sight of the missing mountain.
"They're the guilds in charge of the magic underworld, right?" Izzy asked.
"That's them all right, so which guild is it the Council is worried about?" Kord asked.
"That's just it, it's the worst possible one, Tartaros," Raoul said as a heavy silence fell over the four mages.
"Is it believed that we'll encounter the dark guild, then?" Lulu asked, breaking the heavy silence.
"No, not unless we move quickly. The Council thinks the cultists plan to trade any fragments of Lullaby they find for power, and they don't think Tartaros will interfere unless the Cultists get their hands on some actual fragments," Raoul answered.
"Then let's not waste anymore time then," Kord stated before the four of them began to head down into town, "Lullaby was destroyed at the center of that crater, right?" Kord asked, pointing down into the crater.
"Yeah, that's where most of Lullaby was found by the Council," Raoul answered.
"Then I'll go and check the forest off in that direction!" Izzy declared, pointing at the tree line to the left of the crater before running off.
"I'll head to the mountains behind it," Kord stated as he picked up his walking speed.
"It looks like we're all splitting up then," said Lulu as she and Raoul came to a stop.
"Looks like it, got a preference?" Raoul asked as he leaned back, putting his weight on one leg.
"I'd like to stay here and look through the town and make sure the townspeople are alright, if that's fine with you," Lulu replied.
"Figured you'd want to check in on them. I'll head to the right of the crater then, so we've got someone checking all four sides of it," Raoul stated as he began to walk off.
"Okay, see you soon then," Lulu said with a wave before starting to move through town.
Raoul quickly made his way to the edge of Clover Town, the downhill incline quickening his pace as he ran down towards the crater, a sense of dread filling him the closer he came to the sight of the battle, a sense and feeling of evil thick in the air from the foul magic that was present in the area. He often didn't approve of Fairy Tail's use of excessive force, but in this instance, he felt it was entirely warranted due to the lingering aura he felt hanging over the town, which only grew stronger and stronger the closer he came to the crater.
"God this is an awful feeling, how can anyone stand it?" Raoul growled as he clenched his teeth as he came to a stop at the edge of the crater, "This is way worse than the feeling given off by Jose's magic," he remarked before making his way around the crater, unable to help but take quick glances down into it before refocusing back on the direction he was set to explore in. As he came to a stop on the right side of the crater, he couldn't help but feel something else, as if he was being watched, "That is not good," he growled, "I just hope whoever's watching chooses to not interfere," Raoul added before he stepped into the forested area in front of him as bits of metal flew out of a pouch he had on his lower back, beginning to orbit around him as he stepped through the trees, taking great care to look closely at his surroundings, "Dammit, this'll be like looking for a needle in a haystack," he muttered before the sound of a twig in the distance caught his attention, "Who's there!? Show yourself!"
"Well, well, well… Looks like the Magic Council got some more of their dogs to come out here, huh?" a small figure mused as they stepped out from behind a tree, her pale skin and black hair contrasting heavily in what moonlight could pierce through the tree canopy above them.
"A girl?" Raoul gawked, "Not exactly what I expected to find here when I'm told 'Zeref Cultist'. But if you're who I'm after, don't think I'll take it easy on you," Raoul warned as the bits of metal surrounding him began to spin rapidly in place.
"Good, you're not underestimating me, that means you'll make it interesting," the young girl said as a smirk appeared on her face, her dark blue eyes filled with excitement.
"What's your name kid?" Raoul asked as the two began walking in a lazy circle around each other.
"Misaki, not that you really care," she answered coldly.
"You're a long way from home, kiddo, sure this is what you want to do?"
"Oh, I'm certain, there's nothing left for me there. Only the Guild Master recognizes my talents," she replied, harshly swinging one of her arms in front of her as if to dismiss the idea. Raoul suddenly stopped in his tracks as his eyes briefly went downcast, before refocusing on the girl in front of him.
"You sound a lot like someone I once knew, kiddo, this isn't the place for you," Raoul stated as a harsh glare appeared on Misaki's face.
"Don't you dare preach to me about where I belong!" the girl snapped as a neon blue, magic interface appeared over her eyes and body, resembling bits of armor.
"Yeah, that's what I would've said too," Raoul chuckled before swinging an arm forward, spinning metal clashing against Misaki's magic armor with a loud clang that would signal the start of a desperate struggle.
Credits:
Droga Kauri – Dreadburner94
Misaki Akagitsune – Dreadburner94
A/N: A bit on the shorter end for chapters, but I like where I've gotten for this one since I got to set up for the next part of the S-Class mission, but we've also gotten to meet two more important villains for the story! Droga's a lot of fun and Misaki's an old character I've had laying around and decided to repurpose for this story. I also meant to mention this last chapter, but MyDearWatson and I decided to put this story and her Storm's Helm story into the same universe, so characters and ideas may be seen crossing over between the two from time to time, which is a lot of fun.
In other news, I've started up a second story I'm going to be actively working on called the Crocus Brigade, I'm still taking a few more characters for it, so if you're interested be sure to check it and the discord server for it out.
But anyways, I'd like to thank Grimnack, pokemonking0924, Benthino, bulk Locke the the grim head, LucasVAMP and MyDearWatson for the reviews! They are all appreciated.
That's all for now.
Your host,
Dreadburner94.