AN: Sorry about the confusion with this chapter. I kept realizing I was missing things or had them written wrong.
"What's this?" I asked patting my amulet to make sure it was seeable.
"This is a communication lacrima, after a single mage has activated them all you put it in your ear and can hear what every one is saying," Levy said putting one in her left ear.
"Wow! Technology just keeps getting better," I exclaimed putting it in my left ear, "Are they always on?" I asked Levy.
"Yes," Gajeel growled in my ear. I whipped around to find him sitting up a tree, not even looking at us.
"Thanks Gajeel, I'll keep that in mind," I said. It felt weird to talk to empty space, but I did that anyway, "Is everyone in position?" A stream of affirmatives came in my ear.
"Scouts forward," I commanded. The underbrush barely rustled as Levy left to scout ahead our sector. I settled in to wait.
The scouts' reports were decisive: the games had started and the head awning was in my sector. Bixlow had the sector with the front door, I had the back, and Laxus and Erza were on the sides. I moved to the edge of the tree line and gave the signal to move out.
Gajeel quickly shot ahead of me. As soon as I spotted Levy on the wall she disappeared. Gajeel quickly followed her.
When I reached the top there was barely a hint that we were in. As I surveyed the arena I called on Lucy for a report.
"We've made it to the lower levels and are working our way down. Blue has guards on lock down," she whispered. I nodded before remembering that she couldn't see me, "Good work, keep going."
"Puppets, Jazz, Lightning" I addressed Bixlow, Gajeel, and Laxus, "time for phase two."
The command given I worked my way towards the head awning. It still was a gaudy purple color, nice of them to make it so easy to spot. I stopped before entering. The man in charge was laughable. He was a walking cliché sitting on a chaise eating grapes. Word quickly got to him of phase two. We needed a distraction to help draw the guards away from the prisoners and up so we could make it easier to arrest them. The man merely flicked his fingers at the other man and continued watching a group of men fight what looked like lions with maces as tails. Those were new. I couldn't remember any animals being used before. It was strictly humans fighting humans. The other man stiffly stood and strode out.
"I need a report on the collars the men in the arena are wearing," I whispered. Two of the people under the awning had them too. The answer came from Levy.
"it looks like a lacrima similar to the ones you can find in shock collars," her voice wobbled and she continued, "I believe they are spelled to only be taken off by certain people and are used in discipline."
"Hear that people? Anyone with a collar is a slave and is only to be harmed in self-defense. Continue with phase two," I whispered. I stood and slipped into the room. Only one of the slaves looked up. I held a finger to my lips. She stared hard at me, then looked to the man on the chair and the men in the ring. Her lips pressed into a firm line and she stayed put. I smiled at her as I left.
Once I hit the hallway I started running after the other man. He had just reached the corner and I ran faster. I did not expect him to stop just out of view and wait for me. But when I rounded the corner I had to throw myself back to avoid the blade he had drawn.
"Give me one good reason not to kill you," he growled and pressed the tip against my throat.
"Freedom," I whispered. There was a change in his face, but the blade still rested on my neck. "You just reported a disturbance didn't you?" I asked him, "let me guess, to the right of the entrance? Red always knew how to get things started." The pressure lessened.
"Why does that matter, Champion?" He spat the last word like a curse.
"Ok, you recognize the amulet, but not the face. But you have been promoted to what? Some sort of guard? Is Head of Guard still a thing" I thought out loud hoping the others would keep about their business and just listen. "Listen I got out. And I want to help everyone else get out too. I have friends all throughout the Arena. Help us help you."
He stayed silent for a moment. Then the sword was gone and he asked, "I would be Captain of the Guard if not for the collar. What's the plan?"
I sighed in relief and stood. "This is strictly professional, no theatrics, no mass killings. I have people working on a distraction to draw out the guards and others heading towards the prison cells. You want to help I need you to spread the word to not fight back against us. You want to fight fine, do it against the guards. My people will not hesitate to defend themselves if that means a few casualties. I'm here to save lives not needlessly lose them. For now, my name's Champion. Give anyone that name and they should leave you alone. You got that guys?" I said turning form the man.
"Loud and clear," came the response.
"Good, I've got-" I turned to the man.
"Elric."
"a man named Elric with me. He's the Head of the Guard. He's goanna be our inside man letting people know who's on who's side. Let him do his work and direct his people if he's not around. I want status reports in 10." With a nod at Elric I turned back to the awning. I found it odd that there were no guards before. When I got back I stood just out of line of sight by the door. When the woman who saw me before poked her head out I realized why.
"Name's Ellie, I'm one of His Holiness's guards. What are you doing skulking about Champion?" She spat at me.
"Wow, how much has the roll of Champion changed to make you guys hat me so much?" I asked. She just stared at me.
"Ok then. I'm here to take down the Arena," I murmured. She snorted. And looked at me unbelieving.
"Look you heard Elric tell His Holiness that there was a disturbance, right?" I hoped this worked with her too, "Those are my people drawing the guards away. Seen any leave the Ring?" There was a flicker in her eyebrows and I knew they had. "Believe me or not I am here to make sure these lunatics see justice. Which I hope will be the inside of jail cell. Now are you going to help me escort His Holiness to my people outside or report me?"
It was a gamble and I knew it. But It would be easier to take him out with her help while everyone was still distracted by the games. She stared at me again. Her lips pressed again and I wondered if she always did that when thinking.
"Help me take down the others," she whispered. I grinned, "Please let me. I'm jumping to Phase Three. Continue on with Phase two until reports."
I walked into the room and announced, "Does anyone have a problem with me arresting His Holiness?"
The room was silent and only the other slaves didn't look surprised. Two full members stood in shock behind His Holiness blocking his view of me. Two other slaves stood by the wall. Ellie walked in behind me.
"Girls, it'd be best if you come with us too," She said to the slaves. They scurried out the door. At their movement the members came at us. It was quick work to bring them down. Ellie merely stood out of my way.
With them out of the way I addressed the man who could see us clearly now. I cautiously walked forward.
"By the power vested in me by the Magic Council, you are hereby under arrest for human trafficking, manslaughter, reckless endangerment, fraud, and first degree murder," I said with authority.