"Our advance is measured in corpses, not meters."
- Lynn B. Washington, Commander of the 7th Legion
A/N: If you're enjoying the story so far, please consider writing a review!
While it wasn't nearly as hot as it was back in his hometown, Jack had to admit the Fioren city of Akane was positively scorching this time of year.
Beams of flaring sunlight assaulted the earth with a fiery, vindictive passion, coating its surface in a road of burning hellfire that was just daring you to walk on it barefoot. Make no mistake, you can't go on vacation without catching some rays, but the weather gods went a bit overboard this particular time. There wasn't a single cloud in the bright skies above, allowing him to gaze upon the breathtaking ocean view unhindered.
It was a bit strange, really. Despite being so close to the Cobalt Sea, natural rain was quite uncommon in the surrounding drylands. He'd barely seen a drizzle throughout his entire stay here.
Jack could only assume those Admiralty cocksnots were involved somehow, screwing around with other people's water seemed to be Lord Arlon's favourite pastime.
Unfortunately, there wasn't anything he could really do about it, since they were now forced to work together. Bolton could tolerate the noble's blatant racism and self-righteous bullshit for now. The new order he would establish, the new world he and Draclana would create, didn't have a place for guys like him.
Sod the Magical Council and their pathetic illusion of authority, Chemical B is a testament to true power.
All those who doubted him since his arrival in Ishgar, all those who laughed at him, they would see soon enough.
Even though he had more money than one can spend in ten lifetimes, the oligarch wasn't really that interested in what you'd call a glamorous lifestyle, such as the ones lived by his wealthier colleagues. One-hundred-year-old wines? He'd rather have a beer. O'deurves? He'd rather have a burger. Stay in a mansion? He would sleep in the hammock. However, you'd have to be a blind bloody fool not to admire the beautiful villa Jack choose for his little summer getaway.
Located just fifteen short miles from downtown Akane, the property could be seen all the way from Rose Garden.
Looming over the nearby farmlands and lush green plains, it was perfect for one seeking isolation, peace, and quiet. Five huge floors of guestrooms and lounges packed with elaborate furniture, made from the finest Elvaran pyrewood a Lord Admiral could pillage.
The outside was just as, if not more, impressive as the inside. Skillfully carved pillars and gold-trimmed windows could be seen at every turn, quite possibly putting all of Mercurius to shame. His gardeners were also starting to prove their worth, as there wasn't a single shrub untrimmed, not a single weed in sight, just a thriving yard of blooming flowers. It had fountains, a lavish bar, and almost every other luxury a greedy narcissist could ask for.
The asking price was just two hundred million, what a steal! Jack would have guessed two-fifty at least, but he wasn't in the real estate business. Crenshaw got this place for him at a significantly lower price, the man would have to thank her properly later, over a bottle, of course.
But for now, Johannes was content with just sitting back and enjoying the view, and no, not of the ocean. He leaned back in his patio chair and released a blissful sigh.
"Jaaaaaack, come swim with us!"
The girls continued splashing each other playfully as they glided through the pool, displaying persuasive looks and flirtatious smiles. Some women, such as Erza Scarlet, use blades and sheer will to fight their battles, others, like Vice President Crenshaw, use their wits.
Respectable, but they're nothing compared to his favourite of the bunch. He always had a thing for doe eyes. "Yeah, you promised! I don't bite… unless you want me to." These fine ladies were out on vacation, just like him, and seemed very interested in Jack back in that nightclub he visited the previous evening. When the man discovered they all packed two-piece swimsuits intended for the beach, he simply couldn't resist letting them tag along.
In all honesty, do you blame him?
"There's plenty of Bolton to go around, doll. I'll be there in a minute." The smooth, soft touch of a woman's hand caressed Jack's face as he took another sip from his glass.
"Or you could just sit back and let me take care of you, charmer. Your choice."
Johannes grinned lasciviously as the woman occupying his lap wrapped her slender arms around him, bringing their faces mere inches away from each other.
"Well, ain't you a forward one." He took hold of the woman's naked thigh, massaging it roughly in a borderline painful grip. Bolton was simply… testing the waters, seeing just how far this pretty little tart could bend before she broke. To the girl's credit, a brief wince of pain was all Jack managed to squeeze out. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't his intention to hurt anybody in these types of situations, he was just having a bit of fun, but Jack's idea of a good time, needless to say, could get a little rough here and there.
She started by drawing imaginary circles on his bare, muscular chest. "So you're from Antegria? How exotic. Princess Hisui is a very lucky lady." Although the girl appeared relaxed and seductive on the outside, Bolton could tell she was on the verge of panic on the inside.
He could literally hear it, her heart pounding erratically behind that tiny bikini she wore.
Fear.
"Oh, you're too kind, missy. But she's not important right now. I've got my eyes set on a few other ladies, three, to be exact. C'mon, let's join your friends in the pool."
Just before she allowed him to stand, the young woman's attention was seized by the end table next to Jack's chair, or more specifically, the drinking glass that laid upon it. It was so… red, even for wine, and held a certain glow to it you wouldn't see in anything else. The girl swore she witnessed the crimson liquid slosh around in the cup, despite it being on a completely unmoving surface.
"What's that? Looks delicious."
Johannes followed her line of vision and waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, that's from, uh, Hargeon. Yeah. A friend of mine was kind enough to give me a bottle for the trail home when I visited last."
The wine looked so rich, so appetizing, just begging for her to take a sip.
"Mind if I have a taste?"
Bolton clicked his tongue before answering.
"Trust me, sweetheart, you wouldn't like it."
The woman was clearly disappointed but did nothing to prod him further. She could practically feel the glass calling out to her, like a siren from the ocean, like a lamp to a moth. It was odd, but at that very moment, there was nothing she desired more.
"No warrant, huh? That's too bad. I'll tell the boss you swung by."
Jack's sharp ears picked up a conversation on the other side of a large, golden gate, designed to fend off any unwelcome visitors.
"We are representatives of the Magic Council, and rest assured, we're only here to talk. I'm sure Johannes can spare a few minutes from his dreadfully packed schedule to assist us. I heard he's a helpful man."
"Yeah, and he's also a man who doesn't like to be disturbed. Hit the road, pretty boy, before I lose my temper."
"That any way to speak to a Rune Knight, hillbilly?"
"Mest, calm yourself-"
"Rune Knights? Heh. I picked more interesting things from my nose. You city boys probably can't read, but the sign says private property." The guard reached for his sidearm. "Leave, or I'll riddle you with holes."
Bolton sighed. Although he was tempted to just sit back and let the situation play out, doing the opposite would be far more amusing in the long run. Hands still glued to the woman's shapely figure, he decided to pacify the confrontation before it escalated any further.
"Let 'em through, Yoren," called Jack from his chair.
"But sir," the gunner replied, "they're lawmen!"
"They could be space hookers for all I care, send them through!"
Reluctantly, the guard did as he was told, opening the gate and allowing them to enter his little slice of paradise unopposed. The two girls still swimming in the pool glanced curiously as they approached, unsure what Fiore's top peacekeeping agency was doing in a hotspot like Akane. Both were dressed in matching white and navy robes, but their expressions differed so much from each other that it's hard to believe they worked in the same unit. One had glasses and a clam, unwavering gaze, clearly a man of logic. The other had a scar, complete with a seriously pissed-off look to go along with it.
The girl sitting on Jack's lap was given no indication that he wanted her to leave, so she stayed where she was. "Captain Lahar. Long time no talk. I'd offer you something to drink, but I don't really give a fuck." The second man, who Johannes didn't recognize, snarled angrily at his comment but didn't get a chance to reply.
"Foul-mouthed as ever, Mr. Bolton. We just have a few questions for you, and then you can get back to… whatever this is. I'll try to keep it brief."
He was never big on the Rune Knights, they were just overgrown children playing Cowboys and Indians, prancing around in silly costumes pretending to be something they're not. What did those blokes even do nowadays? Where were they during the Nirvana incident? Where were they when Grimoire Heart ran amok? Fairy Tail and the other legal guilds have done more for this nation than the Council ever has, it was just a fact.
Become a Rune Knight? Why don't you just stamp LOSER on your forehead? There would be little difference.
"Shouldn't you be out hunting Tartaros right now? Or maybe you should go crawling to Salamander again. I've lost count of how times he had to save your four-eyed ass."
"Watch your damn tongue."
The aristocrat sneered and set his bored gaze on the scarred man, who seemed far less tolerant than his companion. "I don't care how rich or tough you think you are. We've got questions, and you're going to cough up some answers. Understand, partner?" A few of Bolton's guards stationed nearby, who were heavily armed, scowled viciously in the knight's direction. To their disappointment, Jack waved them off before they could take any serious action.
"Big words for such a little man," his blue eyes narrowed, "wait… I know you. Mest? Mest Gryder? Christ, look at this!"
Mest went stiff at the oligarch's mockery.
"Yeah… yeah, I remember. New Everton, two years back. You were out drowning your sorrows in some rundown shithole, bitching about what happened to Fairy Tail back on Tenrou Island. Some might have searched for ways to bring them back, but you chose to drink like an alcoholic father. God, what a colossal waste of seven years."
"Said the pot to the kettle. You're drinking at nine in the morning? Why don't you drag your Antegrien hide to a twelve-step program?"
"Now, the difference is I'm a relatively successful drunk. You were a bit of a failure, but I see you've finally lost your training wheels. Make no mistake, putting a cloak on a fuck-up doesn't change the fact that he's still a fuck-up. C'mon, Gryder, leaving all those young men and women to rot beneath the waves while you lived a full life, that's cruel."
Mest balled his fists behind his back but couldn't think of anything to say in retaliation. If only Johannes was there, bleeding on the sand alongside them, he'd change his tune in a heartbeat.
"Yeah, well I wouldn't be human if I didn't make any mistakes. If you think my conscience is devoid of any guilt, you're dead wrong, Black Jack."
Bolton grunted.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, I really don't care. Why don't we stop flirting and cut to the chase? Tell me what you want or get the hell out."
Mest gaped at Lahar in disbelief, but the Rune Knight responded with a look that basically said are you really surprised? "With respect, Johannes," he pointed at the woman, "this conversation should be held in private. If it wouldn't offend them, could you please ask these ladies to leave?" Jack pulled her closer.
"Why? Want to take her place?"
"This is a sensitive topic, and I would appreciate it if you ceased the sarcasm."
Rolling his eyes, Bolton pat the girl on the rear and signaled for her to get up. "Why don't you grab your friends and go fix yourself a drink inside, Luv? I'll be with you shortly." After a quick glance at the lawmen, she nodded and skipped off. His guards were out of hearing distance, so the trio could now discuss their issues undisturbed.
"Take a seat."
"We'll stand."
The captain adjusted his spectacles and glared through its lenses. "Let's talk about Arlon Rainfall, or more specifically, the atrocities he's been committing." Well, this was bound to come up sooner or later. "Ah, yes. What's happening down there is inexcusable. Elves make up 10% of my workforce, you know, seeing immigrants being treated like that, it's wrong."
The other Rune Knight grimaced. "Well, you couldn't care about them that much. Think we don't see it? He's never even considered teaming up with you before, so why now? What did you offer him?" Johannes simply shrugged. "Look, Rainfall owns the sea, I own the land, it's a business partnership. We're doing nothing wrong besides making money. Hell, if you're so curious, why don't you go down there and ask him yourself? Better yet, ask the Trade Union." Lahar rose an eyebrow skeptically.
"The Trade Union you own?"
"Wow, that's cynical. Look, as far as I'm concerned, your councilmen brought this elf thing on themselves. They're the ones who made him a Wizard Saint, not me. That shiny pendant you wrapped around his neck is a license to kill, to fuck people around. But, I'm sure he has his reasons."
"I see." The man didn't seem terribly convinced. "We have a theory of what this partnership might lead to. Toma's Foreign Rights Act is the only thing standing between Rainfall and the elves' utter annihilation. What if you provided a solution to that problem? In exchange for swaying the nobles to go along with your marital scheme, you'd turn a blind eye to Arlon's war crimes once you take control of parliament. Am I ringing any bells, Johannes?"
"Huh, did you come up with that all by yourself, four-eyes? Our friendship's cleaner than a nun's knickers. In fact, I'm offended that you'd even suggest such a thing. The man's one cold bastard, but he's not completely mental. His guys are only hanging those who have it coming. Blame that dumb bitch, Clover, she's the war criminal here. The new Fiore I'm building will have equal rights for all, no matter how stupid their ears look."
He took a casual sip from his glass as the Rune Knights continued staring.
"Very well, Mr. Bolton. However, if innocent lives are thrown away like scraps on your plate, we will come for you. That's a promise." The oligarch chuckled obnoxiously. These idiots didn't have a chance in hell of containing him.
"Cool. Are we done? I'm on vacation, in case you haven't noticed." After resisting the urge to hit Jack with another insult, Mest dug something out of his satchel and thrust it on the table.
"Does he look familiar to you?"
A sketch, crudely drawn but still legible, printed on a sheet of aging parchment. It was of an adult male, in his mid to late sixties, with a balding scalp and twisted features, whoever drew this clearly didn't get his good side.
"Doctor Palamos Richmond, Father of the Dark Healing Arts, and Ishgar's most wanted. Where is he?"
Bolton shrugged apathetically.
"Never heard of him. What, you think I'm omniscient or something?"
"No, but we think you're bloody lying. His last known location is some dump on the outskirts of New Everton, your home turf. You've got eyes covering every inch of the place, you must have seen something. Let's hear it, redneck."
A twinge of anger shot through Jack's stomach.
"Shut your fucking mouth, Gryder. Who the fuck do you think you are? Marching into a man's home just to spit in his face. If this was Antegria, I'd put a bullet in your head and move on with my day. Know what? When I'm sitting on that pretty throne in Crocus, maybe I'll disband your platoon, just for kicks."
"And I think harbouring a deranged maniac might hurt your chances, but hey, that's up to King Toma."
"Look, I don't know where he is, I don't know why's he's here, I don't know what he wants. With Mard Geer prancing about, this asshole should be the least of your concerns."
That's right, just one fib after the other, it wasn't even a challenge for the brunet anymore, he made it look easy. Lahar and his boy scout troop could tear the whole city apart, brick by brick, and they still wouldn't find him. Richmond is a figure who operates in the shadows, like a villain from your favourite mystery novel. You wouldn't ever see the good doctor unless he wanted to be seen.
"Huh, I feel kinda bad. There are so many lunatics running around these parts, free as a bird, and we have no idea where they are. Believe it or not, the Bolton Company has a certain level of respect for the Magic Council. Let us help."
Mest folded his arms. "Well, if we ever need a brothel remodeled, you'll be the first to know."
"Looks like you got some jokes to along with that hideous scar of yours. Want a real knee-slapper?" Jack leaned in and smiled.
"Jellal Fernandes is in Port Ryhard."
The eyes of both men went wide, mild shock overcoming their conscience. "Lies. He's impossible to track. How would you know?" The Rune Knight Captain remembered what transpired in Era, how the councilmen were fooled into firing the Etherion Canon, the city was laid to waste, undoing decades of progress, all due to the will of a single madman.
This… Tower of Heaven, what it was capable of doing, the thought alone disgusted him. "As you said, I've got eyes everywhere, even beyond the Stormwall. Really, it's not that hard finding a dude with blue hair and a big-ass tattoo. Meredy from Grimoire Heart's with him, but there's no sign of the Time Witch, I've lost track of her during the Grand Magic Games. Consider this a gesture of good faith."
Lord Rainfall was most likely unaware of the two criminals' presence. If he was, they'd be swinging in no time. This would have to be discussed during the summit in Seabreeze. "How do we know you're not trying to deceive us, Black Jack?"
Johannes simply shrugged.
"Oh, you don't, that's the fun part. You only have my word, but what possible reason would I have for not telling the truth?" Lahar and Mest exchanged glances. "Very well. Did your men see what they were up to?"
"It seems like they're looking for something, or probably someone. If I had to guess, those pricks are taking advantage of the chaos to stir up some trouble, maybe disrupt naval trade. An angry Arlon isn't good for business, so seeing Jellal's head on a pike is a-okay to me."
Now, this served as a bit of a dilemma for the Rune Knights. If the oligarch's information led to Fernandes's capture, they'd owe him a favour, a big one, that was disturbing in its own right, but it was a small price to pay in order to get a murderous convict off the streets.
Lahar recalled the time when he first arrested Jellal all those years ago, how Fairy Tail vouched for him and claimed that he was a decent man, who helped bring down the Oración Seis. Utter nonsense.
"Thank you for the tip, Mr. Bolton. We'll see what can be done, and if you do hear anything related to Doctor Richmond, just give us a shout."
"Yeah, piss off, four-eyes."
Johannes raised his glass in their direction and grinned.
"Happy hunting, boys. God bless you."
Before the two lawmen made their leave, Mest let out a sly grin of his own and pulled another item from his satchel, but unlike the sketch, it was far more attention-grabbing. "One more thing, I didn't know you were so popular with the ladies, Jack, or should I say Fairies. What's Hisui going to say?"
Bolton choked on his drink, causing a few nearby guards to glance at him briefly in alarm.
"What the fuck!"
Even Lahar had to force back a snicker, his reaction was far better than they hoped. It was the newest copy of Sorcerer Weekly, fresh from the printing house. Enraged, Jack snatched the offending magazine from the amused knight's hand to get a better look, hoping Draclana was just playing tricks on him, sadly, that wasn't the case.
"POWER COUPLE FIGHTS EVIL: CHANCE MEETING OR SOMETHING MORE?"
Christ, the fucking title wasn't even catchy. On the cover was a photograph taken three weeks ago, when he and those Fairy Tail wizards took down a springtail colony back in Oaktown. However, it seemed to be centered far more on him and that barmaid more so than her siblings. Jason even had the gall to put a giant pink heart around their faces, and to a village idiot who didn't know any better, it did look quite suggestive. They were both smiling, and Jack had an arm wrapped around her like a trophy wife. This was certainly press he didn't need right now.
That reporter was bloody dead.
"Wow, that Mirajane really is a beauty, ain't she? This issue just came out a couple of hours ago, I assumed you didn't have one yet. It's a good read, I assure you. Well, enjoy the sun, Johannes, we'll get out of your hair." The two officers made their exit with varying degrees of satisfaction, allowing Jack to seethe in peace. Crenshaw could debunk this whole thing, it would just take a bit of time.
That damn Strauss girl…
No matter how hard he tried to forget about their encounter, no matter how hard to tried to let the whole thing go, her face invaded his thoughts at every turn, that kind, selfless, beautiful face. What was it that separated the barmaid from every other fling? Bolton shook his head in flustered irritation, she wasn't important right now, in the grand scheme of things, her life didn't even really matter. Mirajane was just an insignificant footnote in the dark void of his memories, another tool to further Draclana's master plan.
But… that didn't mean Johannes couldn't have a bit of fun with her first, right? The Demon was scheduled to arrive in Akane with the rest of her guild, maybe he should pop in for a spell.
Before he started wrecking the place, of course.
Hastily, Jack got up and rushed back inside, leaving the crimson liquid in his cup to glimmer in the sunlight.
"Lucy! Sit up straight, that posture's not good for your neck!"
"Cana! Put the bottle down, there'll be plenty of drinking opportunities later!"
"Gray! For heaven's sake, put on a shirt!"
Laxus snickered as his friends rushed to obey Titania's ridiculous commands. It didn't matter if they were back in Magnolia, in a war against another guild, or even on a relaxing train ride, Erza would always be Erza. Fearless, strong… and bossy. The Fairies couldn't have been on board for more than an hour, and yet the scarlet-haired warrior found at least a dozen reasons to give them a hard time, or maybe it was two dozen? He'd lost count.
This has been going on for years, and while most of the wizards hated being on the receiving end of an Erza smackdown, they could unanimously agree she only had the best of intentions, regardless of how it may appear to an untrained eye.
"Wendy. There seems to be a food stain on your skirt, please clean it up before we reach the station."
Ugh, but that didn't change the fact it was freaking annoying. The lightning mage shot a brief glance across the aisle, to where his fellow Dragon Slayers sat.
Natsu and Gajeel were predictably both too sick to register a single thing that was going on in the cart around them, instead, they concentrated their efforts on not hurling all over the floor. He envied them, almost, at least those two didn't have to put up with Scarlet's nagging. Laxus's motion sickness was no cakewalk, but over time, he adapted, learned to coexist with his condition, and it eventually downgraded into nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Those boys, however, still had some learning to do.
"Now listen up! I understand this is a time of leisure, but you will behave accordingly in the public eye! We're still representing Fairy Tail, so let's not give the Magic Council an excuse to chastise us by behaving like animals. Clear?"
Everyone seated, who was still conscious, each raised a single hand and cheered.
"Aye, ma'am!"
Their ride continued peacefully for about another hour. Of course, the ten Fairies were the coach's only occupants, as they all had First Class passes gifted by Johannes Bolton. It definitely was a nice commodity, traveling in a spacious and comfortable environment, certainly better than being packed together with dozens of people for agonizingly long periods of time.
Mirajane smiled. With everyone working so hard these past few months to win the GMGs, it was nice to just sit back and talk with each other, to relish in the present company.
"Don't go making googly eyes at my Gray, you floozy! His heart belongs to no one but me!"
Lucy sighed in exasperation.
"I wasn't looking anywhere even near him. Geez, Juvia, we've been over this like a hundred times, I'm not interested in him like that!"
The rain woman huffed, folded her arms, and crossed her legs with a tantalizing amount of sass.
"You're not fooling anyone. I'll be watching you." Deciding not to dignify that outrageous comment with a response, the girl simply rolled her eyes.
"What's wrong, blondie, hair not pink enough?"
"Now don't you start, Cana."
The brunette smirked, and after making absolute certainty that Titania wasn't watching, she took a swig from her flask. "Seriously, what's the deal with you and the pyro? You go on jobs together, you drink together, he stays at your house, hell, he dug up a whole tree for you that one time. I'm sure we're all curious, so spill, how far have you gotten?"
Wendy blushed at what the alcoholic was implying, Juvia seemed somewhat interested, and Mira just narrowed her eyes.
"I don't see how that's any of our business, Cana. Let it go." The barmaid's request sounded motherly, but still held an apt amount of firmness to it.
"Alright, fine. Keep your secrets. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if Natsu had the hots for you. Dragons are hard to tame, but I'm sure you'd manage."
Lucy didn't respond, instead, she quickly glanced over to where the lovable idiot was sitting, thankful that he was out cold, otherwise, he probably would have heard their entire conversation. Seeing the Celestial Wizard's sudden case of embarrassment, Wendy, as an act of kindness, decided to change the subject.
"So, um, what's Mr. Bolton like, Mira? Do you think he'll make a good king?" The model shrugged her shoulders and offered a cheery look, recalling the time they spent together fighting in that old iron mine.
"Who knows? I guess only time will tell. The Antregriens love him, so Jack couldn't be all that bad. Maybe he'll make Fiore better than it ever was." Cana let out another sly expression. "Jack? You're on a first-name basis? Well, Bolton ain't hard on the eyes, so I'm not exactly shocked you made a pass at him."
"Oh, it's nothing of the sort, even calling us friends would be a stretch."
"Really? What would you tell him if he was standing right in front of you?"
"I'd say, hi Jack! This is my boozer friend, Cana. She loves cheap drinks and easy money, I'm sure you'd like her."
The other girls giggled as Mira put on a cute, high-pitched voice, which left the alcoholic feeling quite chastened. Their train ride proceeded in relative harmony, a rare accomplishment for a wizard guild, especially one as rowdy as Fairy Tail. Erza and Gray were reminiscing about all the jobs they've completed together, Natsu and Gajeel were still out cold, and the others were discussing the long list of things they wanted to do in the resort.
"Wow… it's beautiful!"
Looking gleefully out the window, Lucy took in the stunning view of Akane as their train approached the city, it was even more awe-inspiring than she remembered. Monstrous buildings adorned with wild, flashing lights stretched as far as the eye could see, luxurious hotels designed to allure and entice. Even a nobleman would be impressed.
It seems the local government has been hard at work these past seven years, everything was bigger, better, and glitzier, especially the amusement park, which definitely had a larger variety of attractions than the blonde remembered seeing.
Well, at least little Wendy had something to look forward to, considering that she wasn't old enough to drink or gamble. The Ferris wheel was particularly jaw-dropping, it must have been at least four hundred feet tall. She could only imagine what the city would look like at night from that high up.
Lucy would ask Natsu to ride with her, but for obvious reasons, he would almost certainly decline.
The resort was cute, but what truly drew Lucy in was the ocean, with its sparkling, clear water, though she was never overly fond of swimming or boating. Knowing Aquarius could be summoned to get her out of a pinch, however, made the blonde appreciate it so much more. "Ugh… are we t-there yet? I'm dying here!" came an unsteady voice from a few rows back. "We'll be arriving shortly, Natsu. I'm sure a few more minutes won't kill you." Erza sounded reassuring, but even a halfwit could decipher the amusement in her tone. Gray chuckled at his rival's miserable state, and the Dragon Slayer made a note to smack him later, out of Titania's presence, of course.
The train wheels screeched against the metal tracks below, bringing forth a swift and abrupt halt. Seeing the doors open, Akane's guests of honour stood up and quickly made their way outside, eager to stretch their legs and take in the new sights.
Well, barring a few exceptions.
Lucy giggled and gently shook her semi-conscious friend. "C'mon, Natsu, let's go. We're not leaving without you." Still groaning, he stood up and mumbled something incoherent under his breath before shakily leaving the cart, with Gajeel following closely behind them. The Dragon Slayers weren't exactly thrilled about having to leave their trusty cat companions at home, but the resort had a strict no pets policy.
Basterds. Exceeds weren't damn pets. Natsu's heart ached just thinking about the look on Happy's face as they were leaving Magnolia. He would have to bring some fish back, or the feline would never stop crying.
Here they were, Akane, Sin City.
On a regular day, McCarren International Train Station would be thoroughly packed, even this early in the morning. However, First Class visitors were dropped off at a different terminal, one far less populated, so that was nice. Mirajane could see some attendants loading their suitcases into a wagon nearby, which she assumed would be taken directly to the hotel. The barmaid felt a bit sorry for them, seeing as they had significantly more luggage than one can expect from a ten-man group, but that was primarily Erza's fault. The knight was a gifted master in Requip Magic, so what did she need all those bags for? Hm. A question for the philosophers.
"Eat led, snowflake!"
A sudden crash reverberated off the large stone walls, and Gray was knocked back a few feet by a thick rod of iron. Mira sighed. The boys have been here for literally ten seconds and fights were already starting to break out. It's funny, Gajeel was projectile vomiting a few minutes ago, but here he was now, casting spells like a bloodthirsty, impulsive warrior.
"Don't make me hurt you, buddy!"
A magic circle appeared in the ice wizard's hand, preparing to throw something back in retaliation. Apparently, they've forgotten what Erza said earlier. The redhead growled and pinched the bridge of her nose, and the rest of their party either chortled or balked about how childish they were acting. This little fit was probably instigated by something dumb, like all the others. At least no one, aside from a few concerned-looking employees, was around to see it.
"I swear, a knight can't even polish her sword peacefully in this madhouse." Taking a few powerful steps forward, Titania resolved to de-escalate the battle before it truly began.
However, everyone was so focused on the ensuing skirmish that nobody heard the plated footsteps coming up behind them.
"Enough. I hope you all behave yourselves in the resort, Fairy Tail, this isn't a guildhall. Any more disturbances will not be tolerated."
Gray and Gajeel snarled aggressively at each other but thought it'd be wise not to push their luck. All the mages turned towards the source of that sudden, authoritative voice, only to be met with a pair of stern, onyx eyes.
"Listen, pal," began Laxus, "these idiots won't be causing any more problems, you have our word." The man didn't look overly persuaded but offered a polite nod regardless. "Glad to hear it, Mr. Dreyar. On behalf of the Bolton Corporation, welcome to Akane."
The tall man who addressed them didn't come alone, behind him were two other figures, one clearly male, and the other a female. These people weren't police officers or security guards of any kind, they were soldiers, but not of the royal army. Erza's eyes narrowed slightly, and Lucy appeared concerned. So these were some of Jack's personal thugs? How unexpected.
"I'm First Lieutenant Noda, this is Yoren and Renbrook. We'll be acting as your escort through the city."
"Sorry, amigo, you're not my type." Mira shot Laxus a ferocious glare for that comment, which admittedly had… a bit of an effect on him, and he decided to refrain from making any more snippy remarks in the immediate future. The officer, however, seemed unfazed. "I know this is unorthodox, but Johannes simply wants to ensure you arrive in a safe and efficient manner. Legal wizards such as yourselves tend to attract danger, I'm sure you understand."
All three were clad in back iron armor from head to toe, leaving only a part of their faces visible. They each carried swords, as expected, but Erza couldn't help but notice the holsters at their hips. Guns. What a boorish and flat-out vulgar weapon. While she did respect Bisca and Alzack, the knight couldn't help but disagree with the couple's weapon of choice. A true fighter used a blade, and therefore wouldn't need to take cowardly pot shots at an opponent from hundreds of yards away.
There was little doubt the three were Antegrien.
The Bolton's Company's logo was imprinted on their spaulders, but what was truly fascinating about the uniforms they wore was the symbol etched on their collars. Two twin thunderbolts, perfectly parallel to each other, stylish, yet deadly, serving as a soundless demand for esteem and admiration. The trio wasn't from an ordinary squadron, they must be part of some special unit.
"The 7th Legion has been inspired by your guild's heroics in Crocus, Lady Scarlet, but even seasoned combatants such as yourselves need rest. There's a carriage outside waiting for you. Don't worry, we won't stick around for long."
The knight vaguely remembered Kagura mentioning that name a few times. Where do all disgraced heroes and sorcerers end up? The 7th Legion, Earth Land's most elite and ruthless private army, comprised of thousands of hardcore murderers who would be happy to kill an infant if Black Jack commanded it. They even had their own arrogant little motto.
"Our advance is measured in corpses, not meters."
Erza felt a twinge of disdain shoot through her system. One should only take lives when absolutely necessary, to protect those dearest to you. The cold art of warfare shouldn't be used as a business model.
Damn Legionnaires. She'll be keeping her eye on them.
Natsu and Gajeel both grimaced. More transportation?! This didn't seem like a very pleasant start! Seeing their dismay, Noda pulled something out of his satchel and approached the two irritated Dragon Slayers, hoping to calm their nerves.
"Sir Dragneel, Sir Redfox, Johannes has informed me of your… illness," he held out a couple of small vials, containing weird, amber liquid, "these will help. Drink them before boarding the cart, and all your suffering will vanish. Temporarily."
The pyro lit up like a Christmas tree as he took hold of the potion, offering a quick nod of thanks, while Gajeel just furrowed his brows. "Huh. I don't usually take candy from strangers. I'm not gonna grow a second head or anything, will I?"
The lieutenant shrugged. "Pour it onto the ground if you want, that's your decision. In hindsight, you'd come to regret it. Bolton Company products are as pure as it gets."
Cana snorted at the man from nearby. "C'mon, metalhead, what do think is going to happen?"
Natsu popped the cap off, downing the vial like a shot glass. He didn't care what it was, anything that could help with nausea whilst in a vehicle is definitely worth the risk. After glaring at the officer for a few distrustful moments, Gajeel reluctantly followed suit, the taste reminding him of apple cider, but sourer.
"Excellent. Now, follow us, if you please. Paradise awaits."
The Fairies were greeted with a large, spacious cart as they were led outside the terminal, being pulled by a pair of majestic-looking white stallions, bred to perfection. Lucy remembered riding a few horses in the early stages of her childhood, but none of them even compared with these two. Well, she assumed the richest man in Fiore would be able to afford such luxuries.
As the ten mages boarded, a few excited children from nearby began pointing in their direction, clearly recognizing them from the GMGs. Wendy and Cana couldn't help but smile and waved back at them. After everyone was safe and secure inside the coach, Noda and his soldiers mounted their own horses and signaled the carriage driver to get a move on.
Sat beside Gray and Erza, Natsu could only sit anxiously in suspense, waiting for his inevitable, soul-crushing case of motion sickness to kick in like it had done so many times before.
But it didn't. Not this time.
This… what was this wonderful feeling? The wheels were clearly spinning, but he wasn't throwing up!
"Aw, yeah! I don't know what that crap was, but it worked! I'm fired up now!" The carefree Dragon Slayer's joy seemed to be infectious, seeing as everyone else shared a hearty laugh at his overenthusiastic reaction. "Wow, Pinky, it looks like you can finally ride with the grownups for once. I'd drink to that."
Gajeel also seemed to be in disbelief. Whatever that potion was made from, no matter how foul the ingredients, he quickly convinced himself that he didn't care. The man wondered how much Bolton was charging per hit, or maybe this was just another way for the aristocrat to screw them over, by getting them hooked on some snake oil before jacking up the price. It was a simplistic yet brutally effective scam, but even if they cost a million per vial, he'd buy it. No questions asked.
Navigating through the busy streets of downtown Akane, they passed by many intricate buildings on their way to the resort, each one more impressive than the last. This was undeniably a high contrast to what any of them were used to, and yes, staying here for a week or two would be heavenly, but living here? No. Magnolia would always be their home.
"Hear the news, lads? Lynn Washington's finally back from Pergrande. You better get yer shit together, Yoren, or you'll be scrubbing toilets until yer palms bleed."
"Mind your own goddamn business, Renbrook. No chick's holding me down, not even her. Speaking of women, these are some fine numbers we're transporting here. Who'd be a better fuck, Noda, the redhead, or the barmaid?"
The ears of all four dragons in the cart perked up in sudden alarm.
"Can it, Staff Sergeant. Save your vulgarities for later, now's not the time."
"I can't think of a better time, Lieutenant, I'm dying of boredom here. Scarlet would be one helluva lay, no doubts there."
"Oi, are you mad, you dangly ring tosser?"
The three legionnaires escorting them rode a short distance behind the carriage, and to an average Joe, they'd be well out of earshot, but of course, Natsu and the other Slayers could hear everything that rolled off that man's disgusting tongue.
"Thanks for the input, what would we do without you, soldier? Washington should make you co-general with wisdom like yours. You don't want to end up court-martialed, do you?"
"Aye, Yoren, keep yer flaccid prick in yer trousers. Those girls are off-limits, Crenshaw's orders."
"Kiss my ass, Renbrook, you'll never get a man with that attitude. Actually, now that I think about it… the dumb blonde, Heartfilia, the one with all those little keys. I'd fuck her."
Wendy and Gajeel appeared thoroughly revolted. How dare he say that about Lucy?! Temper flaring, Natsu wanted to walk out there, pull that scumbag off his horse, and smash his skull into the pavement. A wave of uneasiness passed through the carriage, it didn't take a genius to figure out their beloved pyro was pissed about something.
Reaching across the aisle, Laxus put a hand on the young man's shoulder before he got any bright ideas.
"Chill out, we're not here to throw hands. Just sit down, shut up, and ignore them. Think of the consequences." How ironic. Seven years ago, the lighting mage would gladly split that guy's head open, now he's Mr. Nice Guy? An additional warning glare from Erza convinced Natsu to stay where he was, although his anger never fully dissipated.
Shortly after, the silhouette of their destination could be seen approaching rapidly in the distance, but whether it's paradise or not, remains to be seen.
