Finally managed to get another part written up, hope you guys enjoy it!
"Last night was pretty wild, huh?"
Rogue glanced at Sting before looking back at the newly destroyed inn where Sabertooth were staying during the games, the front door hanging off of it's hinges and the windows smashed. It wasn't much different on the inside, glass and rubble still scattered across the lobby, all from the hands of Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail.
"You could say that."
Sting was right to say the least, he didn't expect and attack to happen but then again he had heard rumours of the fire dragon slayer and his spontaneous actions before, knowing that it wasn't uncommon. But what surprised Rogue more was the fact that Natsu had challenged the whole Sabertooth guild including master Jiemma to a fight, something what no one in the guild would ever dare do.
He had guts, but he was stupid to think he had a chance against the whole guild when he was all alone.
Was this all over the treatment of Yukino?
Then again, Rogue could agree that what she was made to do was degrading and humiliating, yet it wasn't anything new in this guild. Anyone who messed up was forced to pay the price in any way the master saw fit as a punishment, and all the guild was forced to watch as it happened. But having the Celestial Spirit Mage strip in front of everyone was a new low for Jiemma, something he hadn't made anyone do until last night. The shadow dragon slayer felt sorry for the young woman, but kept quiet as she was made to remove her guild mark and leave immediately.
And even after that she was still thankful towards the master after what he had made her do.
He had questioned the guild's motives, asking his friend if this is how all the other guilds operate only to be told 'only the strong survive here'. Of course Sting would say that. In Sabertooth everyone is here for themselves, and only looking out for themselves. It wouldn't surprise Rogue that if ever anything went wrong on a job with his partner, Sting would throw him under the bus and put the blame on him just to secure his place in the guild.
Survival of the fittest, all for one and one for all.
"I'm sure that if he's smart enough, he won't try that again." Lector commented as he stood beside the blonde dragon slayer.
"Fro thinks so too!" the frog-suit wearing exceed added, perched on Rogue's shoulder.
"Damn straight." Sting smirked, "Now let's get going, the games will be starting soon." he added, the four of them making their way through the city towards Domus Flau.
The twin dragons and their exceeds made their way through the bustling streets of Crocus, the majority of the residents also making their way towards the battle arena ready for today's Grand Magic Games. Most of them paving a way for the two dragon slayers to get through quicker, along with some whispers amongst them about the events of last night, which could easily be heard with the advanced hearing of a dragon slayer.
"It seems news travels fast." Rogue mumbled.
Sting let out a frustrated huff as he halted, a frown setting on his face as his fists tightened. "That asshole. I'll make him pay for embarrassing the Sabertooth name."
"Don't waste your energy on that idiot, Sting. He's not worth it."
"Rogue's right, quit worrying about it. We'll show them why we are the number one guild in all of Fiore, just watch." Lector smirked, agreeing with the shadow dragon slayer as they continued walking, leaving Sting behind a few paces.
The blonde nodded, "You're right Lec-woah!" Sting steadied himself on the person who bumped into him, his hands placed on their shoulders to balance himself. Frustration built at the fact that someone had walked into him. Can't people in this city watch where the heck they're walking?! "Hey, watch it!" he shouted, his eyes instantly widening in regret when he noticed that it was a boy who had bumped into him.
Sting blinked several times as he took in the boy's appearance, noting that he looked somewhat familiar. Do I know this kid from somewhere? No, I possibly couldn't. Then again, Crocus is a big place. I've probably seen him around several times.
Feeling back that he had shouted at the young boy, noting the kids rather scared expression; his red eyes wide as he looked up at Sting with a startled look. The dragon slayer knelt down, now level with the boy as he shot him a small smile. "Sorry about that kid, didn't mean to scare you." he apologised.
The boy simply blinked, staring intently at the Sabertooth mage.
"Are you lost?"
The youngster shook his head, some of his hair falling into his eyes.
Sting raised a brow, "Then where are your-"
"Ryō."
Sting looked behind the kid to see a cloaked figure standing before them, unable to see their face as the hood was pulled up. The boy turned around looking at the figure before turning his gaze back to Sting.
"Ryō, come. We must get going." the person spoke again, their voice gentle. Sting assumed that they were female, possibly the child's mother.
The dragon slayer shot the boy another smile, mussing his hair up before standing back up at full height. "See you around kid."
The child known as Ryō nodded before running off to the hooded person, making their way through the the crowd.
"Sting! There you are, we thought we lost you." Rogue sighed as he approached his friend.
"Oh..." Sting stared blankly at his friend. "Sorry, a kid bumped into me." the blonde shrugged.
Rogue arched a brow before shaking his head, "Come, we must get going."
"Right." Sting nodded, trailing behind his friend. He took one more glance behind him, watching the boy and the other person's figure disappear thought the crowd.
Well, that was weird.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay here by yourself?" Kagura questioned for what seemed like the hundredth time as she fixed the knot of her tie in the mirror, her eyes briefly glancing back at Yukino who sat on the bed.
"Yes, I'll be fine."
The Mermaid nodded, satisfied with how she looked before making her way over to her bed, picking up Archenemy. "What are you going to do whilst we're gone?"
Yukino shrugged, "I might go explore the city, since most people will be at the arena."
Kagura accepted her answer with a curt nod, a knock at her room door interrupting the two women. "Come in." she spoke.
The door opened, Risley walking in. "Hope I'm not barging in on anything, but we gotta go."
The ace of Mermaid Heel nodded, making her way over to the door only to glance back at Yukino. "If you need anything just call via the communication lacrima."
"I doubt I will, but thank you. It's greatly appreciated." the Celestial Spirit mage shot the dark haired woman a smile. "Good luck in today's games."
Kagura only arched a brow at the White haired woman's supportive words, Risley laughing at her expression. "Luck? Our gal doesn't need luck to win." the shorter gravity mage smirked before walking out of the room, the swordswoman following not long after leaving Yukino alone. "Has she told you what she's going to do now that she's left Sabertooth?" Risley asked as she walked beside Kagura.
The taller woman's void expression hardened, her gloved hand gripping her katana tighter at the mention of that pitiful guild's name. "No, although I have offered her a place in Mermaid Heel." she replied.
Risley nodded, "It'd be nice to have a Celestial mage in our guild, plus she seems like a nice gal."
"She is. Such a shame that guild treated her in such a way."
The two made their way into the lobby of the inn, spotting Millianna, Beth and Araña waiting near the front doors.
"Ready for today?" the thread mage questioned as their two team mates made their way towards them.
"I'm so excited! I can't wait!" Millianna added, bouncing up and down in excitement. "By the way how is Yukino?" she asked.
Kagura rolled her eyes at the younger woman's excitement, only for a small smile to break out on her face. She could always count on Millianna to lighten her mood. "She's fine." the gravity mage replied before the women of Mermaid Heel made their way out of the inn, heading straight for Domus Flau for today's events.
"I wonder what's gonna happen today." Beth wondered out loud as she walked beside her guild mates.
"Who knows. Did you hear about that dragon slayer from Fairy Tail attacking Sabertooth?" Araña questioned.
Kagura kept quiet, knowing exactly what her friend was talking about. So Natsu really did barge into that guild last night after he had left her and Yukino alone. She couldn't exactly believe it, but then again she had heard about his behaviour and love for fights.
Risley's eyes widened in disbelief, "Really? Huh, whoever it was has some guts."
"No kidding, those guys are strong." Beth added.
Kagura scoffed, almost wanting to laugh at Beth's comment. "Strong? If anything that guild is nothing but pathetic." she sneered, the look of disgust returning to her face. Her guild mates halted at her words, their eyes widening at her insulting the current number one guild in Fiore.
"Is it wise to say that?"
Millianna nodded in agreement with Beth's question, "She's right, is it such a good idea to be talking about Sabertooth like that? Who knows, one of their members might overhear you."
The swordswoman only shrugged before continuing on walking, "Good. Maybe then I could humiliate them like the did with Yukino."
The two of them made their way through the now empty streets of Crocus, the pair eventually stopping when they made their way to the fountain in the centre of the city.
Looking around they noticed the coast was clear, the streets clear of anyone seeing them. Cheering could faintly be heard all the way from the arena the other side of the city. Pulling the hood of the cloak down the woman let out a sigh, "I wish you wouldn't run off like that Ryō, you had me worried.", the blonde shot the youngster a stern look.
"I'm sorry Lu."
The woman's gaze turned soft, a small smile lighting up her face as she placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's okay, I'm just glad that you're safe."
Silence fell between the two of them, before Ryō spoke. "Was that St-"
"Yeah, that was him." Lucy replied, cutting off the young boy from speaking the white dragon slayers name.
The raven haired boy nodded, noting that he had just ran into his father's old friend, the one that he killed. He didn't understand why his dad would do such a thing, he thought that friends looked out for one another, protected each other.
He then remembered his father wasn't the same man he used to be, not anymore.
Letting out a sigh at the thought of his father, Ryō sat on the bench next to Lucy, reaching in the front pocket of his shorts to pull out a photograph. It was of him and his parents, before everything had started to fall apart. They looked happy, the two of them with huge smiles on their faces as he was held in between them. From what Lucy told him the photo was taken when he had not long turned one years old, just before his father scummed to the darkness inside his heart.
The photograph was well worn, slightly crumpled and torn at the edges, but it was one of the only few mementos he had left of his parents, as well as his mother's ribbon and his father's magic.
"You were such a happy baby, your parents pride and joy." Lucy spoke as she observed the photograph in his hands.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Ryō's lips, "I just wish.."
"You will see them, again. I promise you-"
The raven haired boy's head snapped up, his ruby eyes widening as he stared ahead of himself. It was almost like he could feel a certain pressure, a familiar one as well as another three he was all too familiar with.
Lucy blinked at the sudden actions of the child, "Ryō, what's wro-"
"Dad...?" he muttered under his breath before standing from his seat and running away, straight for the Domus Flau.
"Ryō? Ryō! Stop!" Lucy ran after him, only to lose him after he faded into the shadows. She stopped running, catching her breath as she looked towards the battle arena, knowing that he was possibly heading towards there. Lucy knew the reason why he was heading there, she could feel the presence too. A great amount magic energy was radiating from the arena, her memory hazy as she thought of all the reasons he would run off like that.
And then she remembered, the battle between Fairy Tail and Sabertooth; the four dragons.