Chapter 29: Sickness

A day passes, newspapers of Demons attacks on the Empire was spread across the entire nation, also mentioning of Run's death and the Joyou's destruction being the Demons doing and Night Raid was cleared of that attack.

At the Revolutionary Base in the South.

Bols was leaving while riding on a horse wearing cloak with hoodie.

Early in the morning before.

He was talking in his new home's living room with Spear and her father Chouri. "Are you serious, they found out?"

Spear clenched her hands tightly. "I'm afraid so, you have to leave now, I have feeling something will happen, also I found out there's some people that are arriving here in 3 days and want you wiped from exist because those people you...killed who were also friends and others were relatives of them, if they find you here things might get ugly, so my father and I will take you and family out of this base and into another safe village from the southeast, there is a small village and there is a friend that can you escort you out."

Bols thought about this for second and clenched his hands tightly then looked directly at the two. "No, I mean I want you to escort my wife and daughter only away."

Spear and Chouri gasped in surprise. "What, why?" They both asked.

The masked man looked down at the floor and clenched his hands tightly. "I'm grateful that you, your father, and Team Natsu was able to help me this far, but right now I have to get to my former teammates."

Spear knew who he was talking about. "The Jaegers, what for?" Bols picked up a newspaper and opened a page that had Run's picture.

Spear observed the picture. "I see, I read about the news, finding out the Joyou Village was keeping hidden documents on other incidents was one thing, but Dr stylish is alive and now a Demon, and now Run is dead."

Chouri could see this but had a question. "I see, but what does this have do with you returning to the Capital?" The Former Prime Minister and his daughter the masked man trembling and then he put his hands on his mask's eyes starting to sob. "Run is dead, my two friends are probably devastated about it, they don't know I'm alive." Then he removed his hands from his eyes which were dripping tears down his cheeks. "I CAN'T BE HERE LONGER, I NEED TO BE THERE FOR MY FRIENDS, I DON'T CARE IF I GET KILLED AS LONG AS I CAN BE THERE FOR MY FRIENDS!"

Back in the afternoon.

Bols continued to have thoughts on what fate might be waiting him. "Night Raid will find me either way, honestly I hope don't run into them or any of the Demons, but for now I must get to the Empire to help Kurome and Wave, only question is what do I do or say?.

At Night Raid's dining room.

Everyone was gathered with mourning faces.

Tatsumi was hugging himself. "Damn it, Chelsea..." He wiped his eyes with his arm.

Gray leaning against the wall shedding tears. "Chelsea, why did she have to die?"

Mine's eyes had tears that dripped down to her cheeks and had anger in her eyes. "Chelsea might been a piece of crap, but she was worried about us despite the stuff she said."

Gajeel slammed his fist against the wall. "Damn it, why didn't we go with the girls, we could've stopped that Demon!" Levy took hold of her friend's arm. "Easy, none of us knew this would happen."

Wendy was lowering her head sniffling. "Its not fair."

Carla was sitting on a couch arm with her arms crossed. "Chelsea might have been negative but she showed deep concern for us."

Natsu growled angrily. "Man, this crap!" Juvia was quiet but shed a tears.

Lily had his eyes closed. "Such a girl like Chelsea, she was quite recon assassin and did a good job with her Imperial Arms."

"Aye." Happy saluted sadly.

Najenda sighed. "Look, we don't have time to sit here letting out tears." Everyone looked at the boss. "One of the Jaegers was killed, that gives us an advantage."

Natsu growled. "Look captain, Run might've been our enemy, but he just wanted to the Empire's corruption to be over with!" That point from the Dragon Slayer was truth. "Even so, Run was still our enemy, no matter how he suffered of his students death, he choose to join the Empire, like we said no matter who is good and kind-hearted if they choose to fight with beside the Empire, then its clear they're our enemies." Najenda stated.

Leone decided to speak. "The boss is right, I admit that Run's intentions were good, but he refused to join us because he didn't see how much Empire was corrupted in other words, he choose his path and that's that."

"I have to agree." Everyone looked at Akame. "In meantime, we must continue the mission on battle against Empire, however the Demons are still a problem, Poison Ivy was just defeated by Mine's Imperial Arms, but she'll return just like that other Demon Fang."

Gray coughed. "Yes, but I was able to find..." He coughed.

Akame then lift up Gray's shirt which made everyone exclaim in shock even Juvia felt a jealousy boil inside her. "What the hell are you doing?!" The ice wizard panicked with a flustered face.

Akame just stared at his body and moved around. "Hmm, I figured you were sick, but how may I ask?"

Levy admitted that was true. "Yes, from what the others told us, you look very sick." Taran observed the ice wizard's condition. "Uh oh, I think its magic Dificiency disease, its a disease that wizards in earthland get whenever they start to run out magic when that happens that wizard dies."

Everyone gasped not believing what they heard.

"Yes, normally Ethernano helps replenish a wizards magic." Levy explained.

"That reminds me, when we entered this world each of us felt some kind of sensation when we entered the ancient gateway." Lucy added.

"If that's the case, how can we still use our magic?" Carla wondered.

"Yeah, Ethernano isn't in this world barely a little in Edolas either." Happy added.

Erza then came up with answer. "Perhaps it was the gateway that gave us the ability to use our Magic, all of us felt an sensation when we entered, Gray must've used much magic including Juvia and Taran before us."

"That means..." Everyone had a bad feeling. "Its only of matter of time when the disease starts to take its toll on Juvia and Taran."

Taran didn't like that neither did Juvia.

Najenda cleared her throat. "If that's the case, Gray should remain here." Everyone gasped. "What, boss are you sure?" Lubbock asked.

"Yes, however we must find this new Hellscore, only problem is finding it." Najenda replied.

Gray then remembered something. "Wait, I asked General Esdeath about that, I normally wouldn't believe her words, but this is the only option we got, she mentioned that there was a secret lab in the valley we took to get to Kyoroch."

"If that's the case, we must get to the valley!" Mine proclaimed.

"Hold on, even if we go there, One or more of the Demons might be guarding this hidden lab." Akame stated.

Leone hissed. "Who cares, those bastards will pay for killing Chelsea." For once Mine agreed to that. "Yeah, those fiends will pay dearly!"

"In that case, I will go!" Everyone looked at Mirajane who had her arm raised. "I will destroy the hellscore with my Take Over Magic, which can absorb Demons."

Night Raid was surprised as Najenda was too. "Alright, Lisanna, Elfman will assist Mirajane on finding the hidden lab."

"Even if you three find and destroy it, who knows what tricks the Demons have up their sleeve let alone how many will be guarding this lab." Tatsumi said with concern.

Taran raised her hand. "I will go, I can teleport them out of the lab if anything goes wrong." Najenda giggled. "Very well then, Mine, you shall go."

Lubbock raised his hand. "I'm still working on Shambhala, but this time I will start using it soon." Najenda smiled which the green haired man noticed. "I will look forward to that."

Tatsumi raised his hand. "I will like to go too, besides I have feeling someone I know is there..." Everyone was confused what he meant by that. "Trust me on this."

Seeing that young swordsman made up his mind as Mine grabbed Tatsumi's wrist. "Hey idiot, I'm glad we're going together." The browned haired boy blushed red as the others made just smiled expect for Gajeel who turned away. "You two can do that gushy crap later."

Najenda stood up. "Also, there are still Wild Hunt Members so, its possible they're making a plan, listen Leone, Akame, Erza, Mine, Gajeel, Lily, and Levy around the locations of our encampments." She took out the map and with two marks on the locations. "Here is one of them, the five of you will scout around the forest area nearby for any enemy forces."

The seven nodded. "Yes, boss!"

"Susanoo, you will remain here with me, Juvia you stay here as well." Najenda ordered.

Su nodded. "Understood, commander."

Juvia giggled. "I shall stay here to by my darling's side."

Everyone sweatdropped as Najenda cleared her throat. "Ahem, anyway Team Natsu I shall give you mission sometime later today."

Leone raised her arm. "Um boss, I have something to discuss with you and only the Night Raid assassins. " Najenda was confused as well as the others were expect for Mine and Leone. "Very well then."

Back at the Empire.

Wave was outside the entrance talking with some people causing a riot and protests angrily.

"THIS PLACE IS A SICK JOKE!"

"Yeah, not to mention sick liars!"

"The Jaegers knew who the attackers that destroyed Joyou village and pinned it on Night Raid!"

Wave growled in frustration. "We only did it so wouldn't cause a panic!"

Then browned haired man began to approach him and raising his hand. "Always with the excuses, that's how this Empire is making excuses to avoid a problem." Hearing that angered Wave that grabbed him by his wrist tightly. "Hey, let me go!"

"I will not listen anymore of this!" Wave shouted. "Either all of you cool it, otherwise I'll put you under arrest!"

Then a soda can hit him on face releasing other man as Wave rubbed his head that was just hit.

A woman then approached the man and hugged him. "You hurt my boyfriend, I hope you rot in hell you empire bastard!" Wave was feeling anger boil inside him.

One of the Imperial Guards shot the woman in the arm making her scream in pain. "No!" The man yelled as he put his hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright?"

Wave quickly took action and put his arm out. "Seize your firing!" The guards lowered their guns. "Let's go back inside."

A short time later Wave went into the conference room and punched the door behind him. "Damn it, how can I put up with this?" Run's death instantly went through his head which made him clenched his hands. "Run, you're dead, how can I deal with this riot?"

Kurome was in her room resting in bed shedding tears as images of Run's corpse went through her head. "Run is gone, if only Wave and I weren't sleeping he would still be alive!"

In the throne room.

A guard bowed to the Empire Officials. "The citizens are going crazy, Wave or the guards can't contain them well."

The hunchback official gritted his teeth. "Damn it, if this keeps up the people will surely turn against us."

A younger official lowered his head clenching his hands. "Not to mention, Kurome is in her room after seeing Run's body."

A helmet wearing official whimpered in fright "If the Jaegers can't deal with this then we're screwed, not mention Budo and Esdeath were just defeated but were still barely alive."

A white haired official had other thoughts. "Agreed, those Demons of Tartaros are around and caused a few deaths, on top of that they destroyed Joyou village and now Dr Stylish is alive but he's one of them now!"

The bald official turned to the Emperor. "Your highness, its only of matter of time before the Empire crumbles to the ground."

For once the Emperor Makoto was started to realize that too. "This Empire is crumbling under our reign, we haven't ruled fair as we claim?"

Minister Honest was walking towards them. "Nonsense, the officials just have fear taken over them, we shall use the strongest weapon we have, I know what is it." Makoto was curious. "Show me what you're referring to."

At Wild Hunt headquarters.

Dorothea was talking with Izou and Suzuka. "This is a big chance for immortality."

Izou didn't buy this. "I thought you said that shit was nothing."

Dorothea giggled. "Yes, but if what Dr Stylish says is true, then the Demons must have info on immortality, imagine if we could get our hands on it, but to do that we must meet the Demons again at least one of them or so."

Izou didn't like this for some reason. "You realize those are Demons and they hate humans."

Suzuka had to agree but was little interested. "That maybe true, but we could get stronger."

Dorothea giggled even more. "That might be true too, however I have to stay here for a some things." She got from her chair and approached a huge tanker that contain Cosmina who was transforming into a spider Danger beast. "Its only matter of time before she awakens then eat anyone in sight when that happens she'll get stronger and stronger." The Alchemist also remembered her last meeting with the Minister.

Flashback

Dorothea was in the dining with the Minister. "I shall have my ambitions slaughter those Revolutionary armies including those Wizards, she'll eat them alive while they scream in horror."

Honest wiped his mouth. "Very well, I will look forward to that."

Dorothea then turned away. "Yes, however I will seek out those Demons and find more of this Immortality."

Flashback ends.

Dorothea then smiled maliciously at the tanker. "Now Cosmina awaken and we shall make those revolution pests suffer but first we'll seek out the Demons!"

At the valley outside the Capital.

The demons gathered around.

"So you heard that Gray was informed about our hideout?" Saki asked.

Rachena looked directly at the leader. "Yes, its only matter of time until if they attack."

Nearby Poison Ivy was in the tanker still recovering as Lumy looked at plant woman. "Fu, fu, fu, no matter in few minutes Poison Ivy will awaken."

"In that case, here's the missions." Every Demon looked at Saki. "Kay, Lamy, Beni, Dr Stylish will remain here to guard the lab."

The four Demon nodded.

"Fang, Leon, and Rachena will be with me to explore areas outside the capital." Saki added. "I have feeling that Night Raid will tracking down Wild Hunt again."

Later that day.

At one of the Revolutionary encampments.

The area was crawling with soldiers searching around the outside gates.

"Did you hear, the rumor is that Bols is still alive."

"How's that possible?"

"Don't know, but Bols will be hunted down, I heard there a people that want him dead for killing their friends and family that Bols destroyed."

Just then stomping sounds were coming from which caused dust to appear from the ground which cleared quickly and there was a giant humanoid Danger Beast spider. "ITS A DANGER BEAST ASSAULT!"

The danger beast charged with below scream as soldier took their rifles and fired at the creature but didn't no damage then the beast charged through the large wood gate and slaughtered a lot of the soldiers.

Just then Izou approached a few soldiers. "Like chickens running with their heads chopped off." He drew his sword and cut some soldiers heads off.

Dorothea was on a tent draining blood off a solider. "Such tasty lunch, anyway Cosmina feast on these livestock!" The new Cosmina devoured the dead soldiers.

A half hour later A woman wielding Extase approaching the camp side with soldiers behind her. "What is this?" Horrified at this that camp site was a disaster seeing the corpses of many dead soldiers that were eaten.

"Report this to Night Raid about this, also inform there wasn't any sign of Bols or his family." The Extase User ordered.

"Yes, lady Bianca!" (I gave this new wielder of Extase a name).

Dorothea was making her way through the forest until three figures went appeared in dirty trail ahead. "So its you, the Demons of Tartaros."

Saki, Fang, and Rachena just smiled.

"So I take you're a member of Wild Hunt?" Saki assumed.

Dorothea grinned. "You got it right, I heard you and your comrades caused quite a ruckus in the Empire not to mention Joyou village."

Izou prepared to draw his sword until Dorothea put her arm out. "However I would like know something about Immorality."

Hearing that made the Demons wonder why the girl wanted to know that. "Ha, you want give a lesson to a pipsqueak like you." Fang laughed amusingly.

Saki put her arm out in front of Wolf Demon. "Enough, are you trying to make a deal or something with us?"

Dorothea giggled. "Smart I see, yes, I would like to know of anything you have on immorality."

Rachena was in the trees and had her eyes on the Spider Danger Beast. "I would like to kill that spider copy freak, but I suppose that'll come in due time."

"What's in this for us?" Fang asked.

Dorothea already had that answer. "I will be attacking another Revolutionary camp base, no doubt Night Raid and some fairy Tail wizards will be there to stop us."

Saki thought of this for a minute. "Hmm, alright tell us the location of this other came base and promise not to get in our way then we'll lay all of the information of immorality at your feet."

Dorothea felt excited about this. "You got yourself a deal." She handed the info on the camp base that they were attacking. "We need to do something first, so meet us at the location in a hour or 2."

Saki then had another idea. "Very well, however I got something else I must ask about those who oppose the Empire's policies."

Wild Hunt wondered what the the Demon meant.

At the Empire conference room.

Esdeath was talking with her remaining Jaegers at the table. The commander hat her hand on her head. "To think Run was killed by the Demons, normally I would think Night Raid did it, but large gap hole he had was nothing an Imperial Arms can do nor it was a sword wound."

Wave clenched his hands tightly as image of Run's dead body went through his head. "Damn it, how can we fight more of these enemies without more back up."

Esdeath cleared her throat. "Anyway, we have a mission now, there's a rumor that Danger Beast was roaming around the forest outside the Capital, it wasn't like the humans from what I heard but it did have a human body while the rest was a spider." She closed her eyes and put her elbows on her the table. "Anyway, there's not a doubt that Night Raid shall try to confront it, as for me I need to meet with the Jasches Squad in the throne room in a hour and as for you two, your mission starts when the Revolutionary starts their invasion but I'll give you the further details on it when the war starts."

"Yes ma'am!" The two saluted.

Wave had a sudden question. "Excuse me, I know this isn't the time to ask, but what did you feel about Gray, do you still love him after he turned you down?"

The commander eyed at the country man. "Yes, even Bols gave the advice on romance, its one thing I can't give up on." Even so Wave was still concerned about some things. "Even if friends are friends or foes?"

Esdeath then smiled maliciously. "It doesn't matter when the times comes for me to fight Gray, I will give it my all I expect him to do the same, after all he's the son of Silver Fullbuster and a former member of Fairy Tail, and I will kill those Demons of Tartaros as well!"

Wave was left in shock while Kurome just smiled.

"Anyway, as for the Demons of Tarataros, I suggest you guys not to engage in battle with them yet, as much as it pains me to admit it, they're strong." Esdeath stated not looking at her team then a real thought of Run's death. "Run, you were loyal Jaeger but you fell victim to the Demons facing them is foolish, so you died cause you were weak."

She walked out of the room leaving the two Jaegers in confusion of what their commander was spacing out on about. "Anyway, after you return

Deep in the forest mountains was a camp site and on a cliff edge was Izou, Dorothea, and Cosmina.

"That's another camp, shall we attack?" Izou asked.

"Yes, another meal for each of us." Dorothea replied licking her lips then another thought came to her. " Where are the Demons are, its seems like they're..."

Footsteps were heard behind them and the three turend around expect for Cosmina. "Quite the sight you three freaks are looking at." Fang cackled.

"That's enough Fang, anyway I assume that's Cosmina, the microphone woman." Saki guess pointing at the spider beast.

Dorothea giggled. "Yes, I was able to use my knowledge and my equipment to make her into something stronger, so basically she'll get stronger on the more flesh of humans and other creatures she eats, also the Empire is impressed that one of your own killed one Night raid assassin."

Saki just smiled. "Is that so?"

Dorothea had another thought on her mind.

Flashback scene.

Dorothea along with Izou, and Suzuka were talking in the conference with Minister Honest, General Budo, and the empire officials.

"Are you certain those Demons weren't lying?" The hunchback official asked.

Dorothea just smiled. "From what Saki and the Demons told us, its seem Run had his own reasons of joining the Jaegers, that was to secretly oppose against us all."

Minister Honest gritted his teeth as he chewed his meat quickly. "Either way, its no doubt that the other Jaegers might have decided to go on with Run's plan."

Izou had his piece to say. "Yes, but we learned one of the Demons killed one Night raid assassin."

Minister Honest looked impressed. "Quite interesting, however Esdeath probably doesn't about her team's plan."

Budo agreed to that. "Yes, we'll have to deal with that later right now we deal with anyone that invades the Capital."

Suzuka clicked her tongue. "Such a pity for Esdeath, who knows what her reaction will be that her own team has other ideas for the empire."

Flashback ends.

Suddenly something came from the trees and slashed the back of Cosmina's head.

"Its Akame of Night Raid!" Dorothea exclaimed.

Akame landed on the ground after attacking the monster Cosmina and looked directly at the enemies but she was noticed two of the Demons. "The Demons of Tartaros are here?"

Saki then had a creepy smile on her face. "Yes, I heard you lost one of your Night Raid friends."

Hearing that got Izou and Dorothea's attention.

Fang cackled loudly. "Ha, ha, ha, that's right, Poison Ivy struck on her back and killed her!"

Izou was little impressed. "So those Demons manage to kill one Night Raid member impressive."

Dorothea wished that she would've seen that. "That's no fun, I wished I could've killed one, but rather impressive I admit."

Rachena was hiding approaching the encampment. "It'll time for my feast."

At the entrance to the valley path.

Mirajane approached with the other behind her. "Its time for us to put an end to these Demons' lab."

Lisanna felt a bit nervous. "Yeah, but it won't be easy, we must be cautious."

Taran cracked her knuckles. "Those Demons will be tough and each of them has Curse powers."

Mine huffed. "We shall get our revenge on those fiends."

Tatsumi had other thoughts. "That bird woman, she had the same clothes that Sayo wore, even though her face was a little different I feel like it was her."

Elfman put his fist into other hand's palm. "Let's man up and fight those Demons!"

Mirajane then put her hands out. "I have a plan, but I will need you guys to close your eyes once get we get deeper into the valley, please." The other didn't know what she was planning.

"Ok then if you say so." Lisanna replied.

"Then let's go!" Mirajane proclaimed as they walked into the valley.

Meanwhile at Night Raid hideout.

Najenda was talking with Natsu, Happy, Carla, Lucy, and Wendy. "Did you guys meet Bols when you were going through the forest that's near the valley that leads to Kyoroch?"

Team Natsu was nervous realizing that the boss was suspicious.

Natsu stepped in. "Yes, I know what we did was wrong, but Bols' family was with still with him, we didn't want him to die, he has a daughter and a wife." The pinkette man lowered his head. "His daughter would be sad, I know how that feels if Bols died, I know what's like to lose a father." Memories of Igneel's death went through his mind, seeing the only father he had that was killed instantly in front of his eyes and said he loved his him.

Lucy started to teary up but held any sobbing. "I know that feeling too, my father died before I returned to home, I was wreck and I found the letter he sent me, he loved me so much and helped pay my rent while my friends and I were gone after the fight with Acnologia."

Wendy cupped her hands. "Please Miss Najenda, we didn't any harm, I know you don't like how we helped an enemy like Kurome and Run, but there's one thing we can't ignore, our beliefs which is what we have to keep faith in our friends."

Carla had to speak. "She's right, Bols did tell us he would accept his fate whenever the war is over even though that will be hard."

Happy started to tear up. "Please lady Najenda, we're really sorry, but we only wanted to help Bols spend more time with his family, and show him a way out of this nightmare."

Najenda lit a cigarette and blow out smoke with her right eye shut closed. "You know that helping an enemy isn't good for us even though Bols doesn't have his Imperial Arms, he might inform of our hideout even he doesn't the people that were killed have friends and maybe distant relatives, therefore they might want Bols dead out of revenge."

Team Natsu shaken up nervously as Najenda got up from her seat looking at them straight in their eyes and then small smile appeared on her face. "However I think I know something else on your reason..." Hearing that made the young wizards tilt their heads in confusion. "Back then, Chelsea told us something the day before her death."

Back the day before Chelsea's death.

Chelsea was in the dining room leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "I told them one wizards named Levy about her and friends being too nice like Bulat and Sheele were, if they keep that up then they'll be killed sooner or later..." A smile appeared on the red head teen's face. "But then Erza then told me that would worse cause that would be betrayal to themselves including what they believe in, so I see that Fairy Tail has more beliefs than any of us have."

Leone, Akame, and all Night Raid assassins were astonished at what they heard.

Present day.

Natsu decided to speak his piece. "Look captain, we know it was wrong, but he deserved another chance to live, I believe that masked guy is kind otherwise he wouldn't have such a nice daughter and wife."

Lucy agreed to that which was rare. "He's right, Bols did feel bad for the destruction he caused, believe us like we believe in him."

Wendy cupped her hands. "Yeah, I know he won't doing anything to hurt us."

Carla sighed. "We understand the differences in this world as we learned, but there are some we can't accept."

Happy put his paw up. "Aye, we also learned forgiveness can be powerful too."

Najenda walked pass the wizards and stopped at the door and she glanced at them. "Even if that's true, there are people out there that probably want Bols dead, those victims of the destroyed villages might have friends or other family members that want him dead even Bols is sorry what he did is still unforgivable..." Team Natsu didn't want to admit that was a bit true. "But his fate isn't decided yet so therefore." Team Natsu got worried what the boss was going to say. "His fate will decided after the war, is that understood?"

Team Natsu didn't like the sound of that but had to accept it. "Yes..."

Najenda then pulled the door open. "For your mission today, look after Gray and guard the hideout."

"Aye!" Happy and Natsu saluted.

Lucy nodded. "Yes ma'am."

Wendy bowed her head. "Thanks Miss Najenda."

Carla bowed her head too. "Indeed."

Najenda walked out the room as a small smile formed on her face. "If only people in our world were like Fairy Tail and their friends from Earthland, this Empire would be a peaceful one."

End of chapter.