Crescendo


Outside the office, Jet and Droy are waiting for her. Smiling weakly at them, Levy pulls her backpack strap higher on her shoulder but shakes her head 'no'.

"So the Master has decided to back Redfox. The bastard must have weaseled a deal out of the old man, promised some drug fueled money...or something!" Jet growled, grasping at straws for why their plea had failed.

Droy rolled his eyes, just as incensed as their friend. "For all his drinking habits and peeking on girls, the Master is smart enough not to take bribes. He's got friends in the City Council and with Mayor Gran Doma. For someone with those kind of connections, why would a kid from a school that is nothing but trouble have any sway unless Master had a use for him?"

"You think he has Redfox running errands or something? Keeping tabs on other school?" Jet parroted, eyes narrowing in thought.

This conversation is making her head hurt in frustration and from stress of the situation. "Let's drop it for now, okay? The Master pointed out that Redfox hasn't hurt anyone so we can't call him out on anything right yet. For now we will wait until he makes a move and then bring our case back to the Master."

Jet didn't look like he wanted to leave the topic alone but still agreed to wait. Hoping to sound a little more positive, Levy rocked back and forth on her heels.

"I'm heading to the gym. Wanna go?"

Wincing, Droy shook his head, "I've got an essay due tomorrow."

She turned to Jet but he just gave her an apologetic smile, "Love to Levs but they got me on cleaning duty for the men's dorms."

Nodding, Levy turned away to make her way to the school gym. The high ceiling building is bright and loud as their home team went through a practice game. Grey Fullbuster, captain and point guard, bolted in a blur of black and blue to score an effortless point. The gym looked to be split in half though as the other side was used for the martial arts club, led by none other than Erza Scarlet. Despite it being practice, the gym was filled to about 70% due to Erza and Grey's popularity.

Spotting a blonde with a notebook open and a pen scribbling furiously on the bottom row of bleachers, Levy smiled and jogged over to her best friend. Lucy worked as a reporter for the Academy's small paper covering school events, the Student Council and interviews for entertainment purposes. It isn't Lucy's dream job of being a popular author but it will have to do for now.

Sitting down by her friend, Levy bumped her shoulder against the blonde's. Lucy smiled but didn't look up from her notes.

"Hard at work?" Levy inquired as she ruffled through her bag to find a water bottle.

"Yeah. Just interviewed Grey about the upcoming game against Pegasus next week and Erza is confident in her rematch with Minerva. No matter what, they fight with pride in the name of FA."

Smiling, Levy sipped her water as Erza had her students run a drill for the twelfth time.

"Yeah. They always look to be going at war. What about Natsu? I noticed he isn't in a club of any sorts. He's full of energy and very athletic."

Biting at the end of her pen, Lucy shrugged as she reached for her latte, "Dunno. Maybe it's better that way though. At least we'll have less damage to the building if he's not picking fights, right? That idiot always goes overboard."

The two girls laughed together when the four sided scoreboard in the middle of the gym suddenly made a loud beeping sound, only to turn into a video display of Master Makarov's office. A hush fell over the gym as a large hand jerked the camera to the left so that a familiar face is shown. Dread filled Levy's stomach as Laxus smirked into the camera, propping a muscular arm on his grandfather's desk.

"Hey, fairies. Just letting you know I'm taking over the school for a bit. Everyone better stay in their designated areas since we've got you all where we want you. If you don't comply, my friends will use force to make you sit, stay and obey like the pups you are."

As Levy tore her eyes away from the display, she watched in a daze as people dressed in black stepped into all the exits in pairs of two. They were armed with different weapons such as guns, batons and one even had a sword?!

"I would rethink fighting against us. Or do you want your precious Master to be in worse shape?"

Her heart stopped as the camera was pushed to the left, showing a wrinkled hand lying lifeless on the floor, the rest of the body hidden from view by the giant desk. Levy felt horrible, the guilt and self-hate welling up inside.

'I was just there! I could have helped him!'

"Just sit tight," said Laxus as he leaned his head back into the camera, a toothy grin plastered on his smug face, "A new master will be in office very soon. Ha ha ha ha ha!"

The live video cut out but the roar of outrage become too loud as students made for the exits. Levy watched as several students made to leave but the people in black threatened them back with their weapons. Most had guns, one even fired into the ceiling to make it clear they are loaded.

"I have to get to the Master," Levy found herself mumbling as she took a step back to the entrance she walked though not ten minutes earlier. A hand clamped onto her arm and Lucy shook her lightly.

"Don't!" she pleaded, eyeing the two in black uneasily who now blocked the exit. One wore a hoodie that kept his face from view as he stood with his arms crossed over his chest, feet apart in a challenging stance. His partner held the sheathed sword in one hand, his posture laid back as he stared at the two of them.

"The master could be hurt. His heart medication…what if…I have to…" Levy couldn't hear Lucy, only feel her try to tug her back towards the safety of the bleachers.

"Get back," the one with the sword ordered harshly as he took a step towards her, raising the sheath to block her way.

"The Master could be dying and you expect me to listen to you?" Levy demanded as she shook Lucy off to glare at the one who spoke. "If you really think anyone in this room is not going to fight to get to his side, you're an idiot!"

She is shaking, her adrenaline and fear scrambling to dominate her nerves but Levy is determined to reach the Master's side. The man seemed to notice this and hesitated to take another step. A hand rested gently on her shoulder and Levy turned to see none other than Erza.

The redhead narrowed her eyes on the two, her hand gripping a little tighter. "Can you get to the Master?"

"I can try." If Erza were to create a big enough opening, she could dash through or around these two to make a break for the main office. Nodding with a grim face, Erza fell into a Horse Stance that meant she would fight with Kung Fu.

"I'll take on the other one," came Mira's voice as she raised her fists while standing to Erza's right, "since I recognized your voice at once, Freed."

Freed didn't waste a minute to pull the fabric mask from his face, an lazy grin gracing his thin lips.

"Can never get one past you, huh Mira?"

As answer, she ran for him and kicked fast at his face. The sheath came up to block her by catching in the arch of her boot, the sharp heel inches away from his left eye.

"Oooh, angry are we?" he mused as he pushed her back, unsheathing the sword to point the tip at her.

Beside them, Erza glared at the other one with a hoodie.

"Levy, stay behind me," she ordered as the hoodie guy stepped forward, only to fall into Horse stance as well. Her eyes widened as he lunged for her with a clenched fist which she blocked with her forearm, and the deadly dance had begun. Levy watched as they blurred into a flurry of kicks and punches, their feet whirling in circles.

Seconds later, Mira and Erza are back to back with Levy holding her breath as the two men jumped forward for another attack.

"Now!" Mira yelled out as Erza reached around to clamp a hand on the white haired girl's arm. They whirled around so that the other was on the opposite side and with the added momentum, kicked the two men back. Freed was thrown against the bleachers from Erza's kick and Mira's sent the hooded man slamming against the cement wall with a pain filled groan.

Levy saw her chance and ran past them for the hallway. Already she is retracing her steps that led to the main offices where Makarov is located. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to choke back the fear. All sorts of scenarios raced through her head concerning the Master.

'Please!' Levy prayed in desperation as she ran, 'Please let him be okay!'


Closing the door to his grandfather's office firmly behind him, Laxus reached up to rub at the tense muscles at the back of his neck. Going two months with little sleep is really starting to take its toll. Leaning against the door that lead the front office stood Gajeel Redfox, a Rockstar in one hand that he tossed forward. Catching it in midstride, Laxus opened it and downed it in three gulps.

"What's the status of the op?" he asked as he crushed the can in-between his large fists, feeling the burn of the energy drink settle into his stomach.

"On schedule. I just inserted the flash drive into the main computer. We have about a thirty minute window to work with, in theory," he replied only to hiss out a curse as his Bluetooth earpiece let out a high pitched screech.

Raising a brow, Laxus smirked as the other man rubbed at his ear, "Totomaru heard you?"

"Bastard listens to everything. Can't ever take a joke when it comes to his tech."

Just as he tossed his crunched up can into the air, Laxus noticed movement further down the hall and his smirk only grew wider. "Looks like we got company. He's all yours."

With a low laugh, Gajeel turned and punched a hand into a fist, "Good. 'Tomaru says don't touch the flash drive since technology hates you."

The blonde grunted as Gajeel sauntered down the hallway towards a figure that walked out of the shadows and into the dim light. Pink hair fell over narrowed black eyes, a vein bulging at his temple as Natsu Dragneel glared at the two with murderous intent.

"What the hell are you doing, Laxus? The Master don't deserve this!"

Gajeel felt seriously irritated at being ignored. "If you want to get to him, you gotta get through me."

The pink youth snarled as he lowered himself into a fighting stance, wiping away blood from the side of his mouth. It was then Gajeel noticed the bruises on his face and arms, the dirt marks from where he most likely fell against the ground. Chances are he fought his way through the motorcycle gang they hired as sentries that were to guard the entire perimeter of the academy grounds for the duration of the operation.

"You both are going to regret this, "Natsu promised in a dark voice, teeth gnashing with a hint of fang.

An unholy light gleamed in Gajeel's eyes as he gestured for Dragneel to come to him, "This won't be like last time, Salamander. You'll be the one beaten beyond all recognition."


To be continued!

See? I didn't forget about this one! Things are getting heated! If you haven't noticed already, I've kinda borrowed a few things from the Fantasia Festival arc. But the results will have a twist I hope will keep you dear readers entertained! Loaf you! Till the next chapter!