I own nothing.
What do you mean, you think Zen is alive? Arman demanded.
The Dark Eagle. He looks too much like Farron not to be him, Cristoff said, wishing Kaleb could pluck the image from his mind but the connection was too stretched.
"Has anyone caught your eye?" the man asked, stepping into the box.
"Yes. How much is the Dark Eagle?" Lucy asked.
"He's not for sale."
"Everyone's for sale for the right price." She leaned in close. "Even you. Not that I'd bother to pay to take you." Her eyes glanced over him as her threat lingered. "If you won't tell me how much, then who owns the Dark Eagle? I'll make the arrangements without the middle man."
"He's owned by the king's brother."
"Hm." Her eyes were cold. "That'll do. You can go now."
The man scurried away.
"Can you teach me how to do that?" Meredy asked.
"Fuck that. Teach me," Erik said. "He looked ready to piss his pants."
She scrunched her nose. "I think he did."
You're not planning on buying my son, are you?
No. I just wanted to know who we needed to visit, Lucy replied. She felt the dogs join them in the box.
"Come on. We got what we needed."
I think we should bring a hundred mages, Kaleb said.
No. Family and the rest of our respective teams, Lucy refuted as they walked out of the coliseum.
Why so few? Meredy asked.
I don't want anyone getting caught between Emi and me tearing this shithole down. We'll have five dragon slayers. I've spent my entire career watching how much damage one can do, we've got this.
Emzadi giggled and Laxus barked out a laugh. In the background of the link, the sounds of Kaleb, Farron, and Arman preparing for war could be heard. As they passed a stand, Lucy bought a map of the city.
The city would've been nice, if not for the coliseum. The streets were clean and busy. The castle overlooking it was impressive. At face value, it looked normal. The signs for the slave markets were vague and easily hidden for delegations from countries like Bosco or Fiore. The women, even some of the wealthier ones, all looked downtrodden and showed signs of abuse or neglect.
They got into the apartment they'd rented in the city center. A house might have had more privacy, but none wanted to risk a repeat of Ganier's death.
"Farron, where does the brother live? We have a map," Cristoff asked.
His residence is technically off palace grounds. There's a mansion south-east of the palace.
"I see it," Vander said, circling it on the map. "That's a large property. It'll give us some sound coverage."
Yes. That was deliberate. There's rumors that he enjoys some deviances.
"What qualifies as a deviance in Pergrande?" Meredy asked.
"Enjoying sex with women is one," Vander said.
Don't get side-tracked, Kaleb interrupted. Lucy? Cristoff? Do either of you have a plan?
"Yeah. Most of one anyways. How long will it take you to get here?" Lucy said.
We're flying straight there so around sixteen hours. Around dawn.
"I want to give any slaves that want it a chance to flee," Lucy said.
"Lucy, do you remember Chimera's Roar?" Meredy asked.
"The dark guild that my team went to deal with only to find out you got there first? Vaguely." There were a few chuckles from the Fiorians who'd been in that situation with Crime Sorciere before as well.
"We used fireworks to distract the guards and get the hostages out. That way we didn't hurt anyone."
Do you two remember how to rig them up again? Kaleb asked.
"Yeah. We'll just need supplies," Erik confirmed.
"Okay. Vander, you get them what they need. We'll plant them tonight," Lucy said.
"We as in the group or as in you and Van?" Cristoff asked.
"Me and Van. Meredy, Erik, Bix are going to deal with the brother. Cris, head back to Bellum and get the intercept. Van can only Void jump with one person, so it'll be the two of us. It'll give us a chance to plant the bombs and retrieve the keys."
Do you know where they are? Kaleb asked.
"Yes. They're underground but Canes Venatici can get me close and Virgo can dig down. We'll also build some tunnels down there. Once the keys are removed, I'm willing to bet the structural integrity of the cave will collapse."
"Why are you sending my mate without me?"
"Because she's the best interrogator. Erik and Bix will be able to detect lies. I want to know if he bought Zen, understood?"
"Yeah."
You have your marching orders. Kaleb, make the plan for those you're taking with you, Arman said.
Yes, Dad.
Lucy, Kaleb said once she knew that everyone else was no longer connected. Please be careful.
I will be. See you tomorrow.
*.*.*
"This place is creepy at night," Lucy muttered as she and Vander waited for the next shift change. They'd spent most of the afternoon tracking the guards' shift changes.
"It's not during the day?"
"No. It's just repulsive then."
Lucy was in Gemini's star dress. With the exception of maybe Scorpio's, the star dress covered the most, even if she looked like a jester. It was her best stealth outfit though.
"It's time. Let's go."
Vander jumped them into the first level of the coliseum where Lucy summoned the hunting dogs.
"Caroli, you're with me. Superba, stay with Vander."
Before they'd had the chance to split up, a guard found them.
"What are-"
Before he could finish, Lucy had unfurled her rantai then wrapped it around the man's neck. She didn't hesitate to snap it but did to touch him and allow herself to take on his appearance.
"This is gross," she said, looking at herself.
"You didn't hesitate," Vander said. "I can't decide if I'm a good influence or a bad one."
"Both," she said, poking his side before disappearing down a different corridor.
Meredy had said to place the explosives in solid areas to limit unintentional damage. Her steps echoed down the stone hallways, so she placed a few of the ones that Erik had said were louder, so the noise would reverberate.
"Here's the cave," Caroli said, pawing at the ground.
"Open, gate of the virgin! Virgo!"
"Princess?" she asked with what passed as confusion on her generally apathetic face.
"Yes. I'm in Gemini's star dress."
"Of course. I can sense them." She drilled down then reappeared. "I reached the cave, but I couldn't enter. Punishment for my failure?"
Lucy reached over and flicked her nose before shaking her head at the blissful look on Virgo's face.
"Thank you, Princess." The spirit disappeared to make the other tunnels as Lucy dropped down the hole.
She felt the resistance of her ancestor's spell. Part of her wished there'd be an apparition or test, but it seemed like it just wanted to confirm that the celestial mage retrieving the keys was female.
The four keys rested on pillows on an altar in the center of the cave. When she reached for them, her hand was shocked away. A form appeared. While she knew that the Heartfilia genetics were strong, she underestimated how strong until she was looking at the projection of Anna Heartfilia.
"Welcome," she said. "While you passed the first test, finding this place, and are female, I must protect the keys from those that would harm them. In this place, a spirit may end their contract if they wish and the key will disappear from your possession. Only a spirit with which you are contracted, may retrieve the keys."
"Open, gate of the lion! Leo!"
"Hello, Lucy." His eyes widened when he saw Anna. "I forgot how hot she was."
"Loke," Lucy admonished. "Please, just get the keys."
"I, Leo the Lion, leader of the Zodiac, declare Lucy Heartfilia worthy of the keys."
Anna smiled. "Thank you, Leo. May your stars ever shine bright." Anna and the golden cloud over the keys disappeared.
"You know, I wish Karen had followed through with her attempts to find these keys. It would've made things easier," Loke said, looking around. "You should drop the star dress. I can feel you running low."
"All right. Thank you, Loke."
Loke disappeared and she touched Virgo's key to send her back as well before sending Gemini back. She sighed, feeling the weight fall off. The only spirits still out were Canes Venatici. Even her dragon refused to return. Looking around the cave, she realized that she didn't know how to get back up.
Superba, can you bring Vander to me, please?
She had to wait a few minutes before she heard Vander's laughter.
"Get stuck?"
"Shut up and help me, please." Lucy watched as a shadow dangled down.
"Grab on."
"You sure?"
"All of my weapons and my clothes are shadows. You'll be fine." She sighed and grabbed ahold of the shadow, holding tight as he pulled her up. "See? That wasn't so bad."
"How do your clothes not disappear when you're in magic cancelling cuffs?"
"That's what you're wondering?" he asked as he helped her place the last of her fireworks.
"Well yeah."
"As long as they're already on, the cuffs can't make them disappear. Now, if I was cuffed naked, I wouldn't be able to summon them to clothe myself."
"Hm. Can you put me on the roof?"
"Yeah." He Void jumped them onto the roof of their inn. "Why did you want to be up here?"
"I used too much magic. I need to soak up some starlight. Especially before tomorrow."
"I wish we could save him tonight."
"You know why we can't. One mess up and we could all end up dead or slaves."
"If I'd tried once to get into Skys Reach-"
"No. Don't do that to yourself. There was never a reason for you to risk your life doing a mission here. It's luck or fate that we were here now."
Vander chuckled. "That's some Kaleb level wisdom."
"Yeah. He rubs off on me. Don't tell him that."
He doesn't need to. That ring keeps us connected.
You couldn't have told me that ages ago?
It is a Promise ring.
She could hear the teasing in his tone. Bite me
When we get home.
She blushed and smiled. It was the first time she'd truly considered White Sea 'home'. Or maybe it was just that he was.
*.*.*
It amazed Meredy that the man was cheap enough to believe that his slaves would lay down their lives to protect him instead of hiring guards. Instead, most parted as soon as they saw the blades of light hovering around Meredy. Some even pointed in the direction of Kasret.
He was lying in his room naked. Like many Pergrandian noblemen, he was heavier set but with just enough definition to show there was some muscle beneath the flub. He was pale and brown hair was cut short.
"Hello, Prince Kasret," Meredy said a dark grin. "Bix, the door. Are we interrupting?"
"I think we are," Erik said.
"What do you want?" Kasret asked.
"I've always wanted a pony," Meredy said. "What about you?" she asked turning to look at Erik, knowing that he was watching Kasret.
"Harvati venom."
"My brother can get you that," Bickslow chimed from beside the door.
"Really? We'll have to see about that later."
"More immediately though," Meredy said, turning back to Kasret, "I want to know who you bought the Dark Eagle from."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Meredy gestured for one of her swords to go through him. Bickslow, who had never seen her magic, gawked as Kasret screamed out.
"Now, here's how this is going to go. You're going to die tonight. That's a given. Whether it's fast or slow, painful or painless- that's all up to you. And before go into the spiel about how your brother will avenge you, there won't be a mark on you. The swords go straight to your pain receptors. You'll scream in agony until you go into shock.
"So, back to my question: who did you buy the Eagle from?"
"He's dead. I killed him myself. He said Eagle was well-trained."
"Cobra?"
"He's telling the truth. Eagle nearly killed Karadin, the king."
"Shame that he wasn't successful," Bickslow said darkly.
"That'll be dealt with later," Meredy said. She gestured for half the swords to strike Kasret who writhed in silent pain. Then, she glanced up when Erik put a hand on her shoulder. There were two tears at the ease which she tortured him.
"It's a necessary evil."
"I know. I just wish it didn't come so easily," she said with a sigh.
"He's not screaming," Bickslow commented.
"One of the swords paralyzed his vocal chords."
"I don't know why you asked L-Cosplayer to teach you to be scary. You're terrifying."
"Yeah, but she can do that without magic." Meredy gestured for the rest of the blades to strike him and he fell still.
"Is he dead?" Bickslow asked.
"I don't hear his heartbeat anymore so probably," Erik said.
"The body can't handle that much pain. It goes into shock with then stops the heart."
"Can you do that with pleasure receptors?"
"I've been meaning to try with Cris but haven't yet. If you annoy me, I'll try with you first. That way, if I screw up-" She shrugged.
"Terrifying woman," Erik said affectionately.
"I try." She walked over and checked his pulse. "He's gone. Let's get out of here."
The three walked out. The slaves, once they found out they were free of him, heaped the praises.
"What do you want us to do?" one asked.
"In the morning, get everyone and anything you want and burn this place to the ground," Erik said.
"Yes, sir," he said, nodding.
"I like being called 'sir,'" Erik said.
"Would you like me to suck you, sir?" Bickslow said into his ear.
"Knock it off. We don't have time for that tonight. Tomorrow's going to be insane."
"She's right. We'll finish that when we get back to Bosco."
.~*~.
ETA: Thirty minutes.
We're in position… See you soon.
-.-.-.-
Zen was in his cage when the first explosion went off. It didn't shake the building, but it was loud. Other gladiators said they could see bright flashes of light. Sensing Andromeda had come so naturally that he didn't know how to search her out.
"They actually did it," he breathed as he watched the guards scramble. The gladiators that weren't slaves, that volunteered, were released to help defend the coliseum.
-.-.-.-
"You know, that's more than I was expecting," Lucy said, kissing Kaleb quickly as additional mages beyond the dozen she'd expected ran off the airship.
Kaleb was staying on his ship while Farron moved to pilot the intercept. They both planned to hover above to coordinate the attack. Arman had reluctantly agreed to stay behind in Bosco to untangle what would inevitably be a diplomatic mess. He'd also, grudgingly, said not to kill Karadin.
"Yeah. They're strictly on slave duty."
"I want only the dragon slayers with me to deal with the gladiators," she said, kissing him one more time before joining the fray.
Lucy had noticed the bracelet that Bickslow had started wearing but hadn't thought much of it. Boscan men wore a lot of jewelry in general. That's until she saw him tear the charms off. They grew into full sized totems.
"Damn, that's cool."
"Xally's idea with some help from R and D," he said, laughing Pipi nuzzled Lucy.
"Come on. We've got some mayhem to create."
Joined by Vander, the four started tearing through the guards.
"Lucy," Vander yelled. She caught the tossed shadow sword and stabbed it through a guard before it disappeared and grabbed the guard's blade.
While she still struggled to teleport, she'd gotten good at using her short jumps and the meteor spell in combat. She caught one guard as he was headed towards Erik.
"Tink, I had that one," he complained.
"Sorry." She felt Virgo's key warm up on her hip. Kaleb, tell everyone that the west wing of the coliseum is collapsing in ten and to get out now.
Understood.
We've got the sex slaves out, Lucy heard Emzadi say. South wing is clear.
Be careful of the west wing but start demolition, Farron said.
Lucy and Vander split off from Bickslow and Erik.
"Where are we?" Vander said. He looked over the railing. "Shit. We went the wrong direction."
"You know, we should've taken a tour of this place," Lucy said, running down the pathway, trying to find stairs down.
"We could jump."
"I can't fly. Can you?"
Two guards found them. She realized that they must've heard them from downstairs.
"Go! I've got them," Vander ordered.
She dodged past them, kicking the one that tried to follow her.
"Open, gate of the lion! Leo!" When Loke appeared she said, "Get the slaves out. I'm going for Zen."
"Got it."
She skidded to a stop when she found Zen. It wasn't so much that she saw him, but that she felt him. Her magic tugged her to a stop. For a moment, she just stood there staring at him.
"I…um." She shook her head. "I'm Lucy. I'm your rescuer today. Thuban," she cast, creating a small star in her hand and dropping it onto the lock.
She'd just opened the cage when a guard came running at her. On her other side, a gladiator whose desire to kill Zen trumped his need for freedom attacked. She felt the sharp pain of the guard's blade nicking her as she shifted out of the way and into the cage.
Zen's eyes focused on the injury. Between his anger that she'd been injured while trying to get him out and the instinctive pull of his magic towards hers, he could stop his wings. His magic surged beyond what the magic cancelling cuffs were meant to contain and broke off.
When Vander stepped out of a shadow, the magic billowed at him. The feathers shot out like a porcupine's bristles as he moved to protect Lucy.
"I'm a good guy!" Vander said, Void jumping out of the way.
"Zen, stop!" Lucy yelled. Zen's magic pushed against her like being submerged in the ocean. It was suffocating. Her ears popped.
"He's an archangel! Turn off the dragon!" Loke screamed.
She'd barely heard him but did as he said. Suddenly, the pulsing stopped, and the arm wrapped Lucy relaxed. The man's expression had turned into what Lucy could only describe as puppy dog adoration.
"It's okay. No one's going to hurt you," Lucy said, never looking away from Zen. "Van, can you get Emi here? I think it'll be easier if someone jumped us to one of the airships."
"She's on her way."
It's taking too long, Lucy thought, not caring that Kaleb could hear her. Instead, she focused on his magic and, still holding onto Zen, jumped.
"Lucy!" Kaleb said when she appeared on the deck of the airship.
Her eyes were wide and apologetic. "I messed up," she murmured, lifting her hand away from the bloody gash in her abdomen and falling forward.