Knightwalker awoke the next morning in Erza's room. She rubbed the remnants of sleep from her eyes and sat upright on the bed. She looked at the floor and saw her counterpart lying peacefully on the ground. Erza had given Knightwalker the bed to sleep in despite her protests. Knightwalker hated being caudle, and the thought of Scarlet being the one caudleing upset her even more; but she was never one to complain about someone's kindness…at least not anymore.
Knightwalker put on her clothes and slowly opened the door to Erza's room. "Where are you going?" Erza asked still lying on the floor not looking at her counterpart.
Knightwalker didn't answer but she stopped moving the door. Erza looked out the window at the rising sun. "Natsu may still be sleeping at this hour."
"If he is he's a fool. The day has already started." She opened door and began to step out.
…
Knightwalker walked the streets of Magnolia until she reached the edge of the town. In a small clearing with low tree cover Knightwalker's eyes rested upon a yellow bungalow with two tree branches stick from the front, a circular window in between. A tall stone chimney extended from the ground to the sky, awkwardly colliding with the abodes red tile roofing, the foundation of the house was also stone.
Is this where he lives? Knightwalker questioned as she walked towards the front door. She raised her hand to knock, but she was caught off guard when the door creaked open on its own. Instinctively she drew her 10 Commandments and slowly walked in. She looked at the floor as she heard a noise coming from the kitchen.
There are garments and miscellaneous items everywhere, there must have been some kind of struggle. She moved closer and the sound got louder. Did the bandits find Dragneel? She could see a pair of shadows from the entrance to the kitchen, she gripped her spear and burst into the kitchen with vigor.
"Speak fast! Who are you and what have you done with…" her voice trailed off when she looked at the table, there stuffing their faces sat a blue cat and…
"Dragneel?" her eyes opened wide in confusion and she slowly lowered her spear.
Natsu & Happy looked up from the table, their cheeks stuffed with food. "Hey Knightwalker." Natsu asked, food spilling from his mouth.
"Feering bedder?" Happy chimed in.
Knightwalker sheathed her spear and turned around, "Finish eating before you speak, it's improper to talk with your mouthful."
Natsu & Happy looked at one another and swallowed their food whole. Natsu chuckled a bit, "Sorry about that, are you feeling better?"
"Natsu was worried about you." Happy began to tease, "He talked about you all night."
"Shut up!" Natsu yelled swiping at the blue cat, but missed when Happy flew into the air with his wings. He tried to catch the mischievous feline but Happy kept evading his grasp until Natsu fell from his seat and fell on his face with a loud thud.
"Oww!" he winced in his pain as he felt his sore face.
"What happened here Dragneel?" Knightwalker asked sternly.
Natsu fixed himself and sat on the ground with his legs crossed. "What do you mean?"
"This place is a mess, did those bandits attack you in your home?"
"Huh?" Natsu looked at her confused. "No, this is just how the place always looks." He stood up and reached for his scarf which was sitting in the corner of the kitchen.
Knightwalker stood slighted surprised, "How can you stand to live in such filth?"
Natsu looked around and shrugged, "I don't know, just do I guess. Let's go Happy." He placed his back and walked past Knightwalker, Happy flying right after.
"Aye sir."
Natsu reached the front door and opened it. "You coming Knightwalker?"
Knightwalker followed the pair outside and closed the door behind her. "Where are you going Dragneel?" she asked with her arms crossed.
"Me and Happy are going to those bandit guys hideout of course." He replied giving her his signature toothy grin. "Are you going?" he asked with a slightly expectant look.
Knightwalker gave no reply.
"You're not scared of them are you?" he teased trying to provoke some kind of answer.
Knightwalker pointed her spear at his throat, her icy stare chilling his bones. "I fear nothing."
Natsu put his hands up in surrender, "Ok ok. You're not scared." Knightwalker lowered her spear and walked past him.
"Good, you'd best remember that." A smirk appeared on her face. "I'll accompany you."
"Wow she's scarier than our Erza." Happy commented as he & Natsu watched Knightwalker walk away.
"Yeah, you might be right." Natsu agreed as the two began to follow Knightwalker.
"Knightwalker!" Natsu yelled before she had gotten too far ahead.
"What is it Dragneel?" Knightwalker replied no looking back.
Natsu's tone turned firm, "No killing."
Knightwalker stopped walking, she then bowed her head down and smirked still not facing the now bold dragon slayer. "As you wish."
The trio began their trek through the forest on the outside of Magnolia, looking for the hideout of Twilight Sparrow. Knightwalker had lost the lead about a mile back as she now found herself following Natsu & Happy's lead. She looked at his back and couldn't be feel his strength radiating from it, he was vastly different from his Edolas counterpart. Even though she no longer had problems with the Fairy Tail of her world she never particularly liked Natsu Dragion. His shy and weak demeanor irritated her to no end. A man who only showed any kind of strength when behind the wheel of vehicle, never stepping up, never standing out, she hated that weakness in anyone; especially a man. But something in Natsu Dragneel was different, although quite the idiot, he was strong in his convictions, never wavering from the path he chose; she could see why Scarlet admire him. Which is probably why she gave her such a grave warning an hour ago.
…
"Knightwalker wait." Erza called now standing up from her floor.
Knightwalker stopped opening the door and smirked, "Scarlet if you plan on lecturing me on 'hurting him' or any other cliché, you can save your breath. You have nothing to worry about."
"Even so-"Erza began, "I'm still going to. If you bring harm to any member of my guild, hurt any of my friends…especially Natsu, then you will never return to Edolas or any other place ever again."
Knightwalker turned around and looked into her counterparts eyes, they were just as cold as hers. Knightwalker knew that Erza meant every word that she said rang true. Every threat was in fact a promise that would spell the end for the commander if carried out. Knightwalker turned around and smirked.
"If you weren't me, I would have killed you for such a threat. Like I said Scarlet, you have nothing to worry over; no harm shall come to Dragneel."
Erza's expression softened and she smirked, "Good."
…
The trio continued to walk through the forest, but they had no idea that they were being watched. Above their heads, far enough to be out of sight but close enough to provide accurate surveillance, a small orb made of lacrima floated. The images shown in the lacrima were being fed into a mediums sized lacrima a small room inside of medium sized castle like structure. An imposing figure sat in a chair in the room as another slender figure stood next to him.
"It seems she arrived here after all Master." The slender figure said looking at Erza Knightwalker from the screen.
"Erza Knightwalker, she looks just like Erza Scarlet. So the rumors of Edolas' counterparts are true. Although this is strange, I was told she was killed on the return trip from Edolas. It seems I was gravely misinformed." He looked to the wall on the left of him. There was a man in chains with scars along his body, obviously a victim of heinous torture. "She must have been the one who killed Orlan in Biard." The figure smirked as his head rested on his massive hand.
The slender figure turned their attention towards Knightwalker's companions "It seems Natsu Dragneel is with her as well. Do you think they know of our involvement in her being here?" The slender figure asked, pushing up her glasses.
"That could be a possibility, I guess we'll just ask them when they get here." The figure laid his hand on the arm of his chair and squeezed it until is crumbled. "Tell the guild to prepare for a frontal assault."
"Yes sir."
…
Knightwalker was still lost inside her head but she surfaced again when she saw that Natsu had suddenly stopped, his head turned skyward.
"What is it Dragneel?"
"Natsu hears something." Happy answered as Natsu's head stayed titled with his eyes closed.
"I had almost forgotten how keen Dragon Slayer senses were. What do you hear?"
"Someone's talking, I think it's about 3 people."
"What are they saying?"
"I don't know I can't really make it out."
"Is it the bandits?"
"Probably." He reset himself and looked back, "It's just past these trees, let's go.' He motioned his two companions to come closer so they could better survey the situation. The three got into position behind the tress as they looked out into a meadow.
"There they are." Natsu said slightly excited, pointing to four men standing outside a medium sized castle. Natsu smirked mischievously and began to move. "Alright let's kick their a-ack!" Natsu stepped out from the tress but Knightwalker grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him back into the forest.
"What was that?" One of the guards ran towards the trees and looked for the origin of the sound. Knightwalker covered the struggling Dragon Slayer and cat's mouths until the guard moved, once he was far enough away she let the pair go.
"What-!" Natsu began yelling before Knightwalker forcibly covered Natsu's mouth again.
She put her index finger over puckered lips. "Shh." She removed her hand again so he could speak.
"What did you do that for?" Natsu repeated, his yell turning into an irritated whisper.
"I stopped you from giving away our position you fool."
"What?"
"If you ran out of here with no plan what did you expect to happen?"
"I would have just kicked their butts and burst through the front door."
Knightwalker was rendered speechless for a moment at Natsu, his cocky smirk made her heart thump a bit but she quickly regained her senses. "We need to be smart about our approach Dragneel. I will scout ahead and signal for you when I find a route to enter the fortress." She looked at Happy, "And you Exceed, you fly overhead and see if there any other guards."
"Aw come on I-"Natsu began to protest but he quickly swallowed his words when Knightwalker gave him a cold stare.
"Don't make me repeat myself." Her tone was as strict and firm as her counterparts.
"Y-yes ma'am." Natsu replied nervously as Knightwalker darted to the left half of the tree line.
"Do you think we can trust her?" Happy asked Natsu worriedly.
"I don't know Happy, I want to think so." Natsu replied as Happy took off into the sky.
Knightwalker ran through the trees, surveying the area around the front entrance to the fortress. She counted 6 guards on the ground. The ground guards were spread out far enough where they could survey the outer perimeter and the two roof guards stood prepared for any possible aerial assaults. The ground troops are wielding staffs. I could tell Dragneel, but he would insist on fighting the roof guards. Since we don't know what type of magic they use, attacking would be ill-advised.
She then began to run back to where Natsu was waiting. It seems our only options are to approach from underground or find a back entrance. Twilight Sparrow… she thought of the guild's name allowed and looked at the fortress. She paid special attention to the guild's mark. It was of a sparrow whose wings spread far out to its side as if it was in flight. In its feet was a crescent shape, in its mouth a sword. I've seen that mark before. She thought to herself as she drew closer to Natsu and Happy. She reached the pair and kneeled in front of Natsu.
He asked for an update on their situation, but Knightwalker was miles away. She suddenly gripped her head as she had a few days prior, gripping her head tightly as images began to flash in her mind again. The cloaked figure she had seen in her last "vision" had returned, but this time she was chasing them through a hallway in the castle's palace. The images were still coming in blurry but she noticed one more thing before coming back to reality, the Twilight Sparrow mark and a flash of bright light.
She opened her eyes slowly to see Natsu and Happy looking down at her worried, she quickly moved away from them and sat against a nearby tree.
"Are you alright?" Natsu asked.
"I'm fine, how long was I out?"
"Only a couple of minutes. Do you want to the guild hall?"
"What?" Knightwalker asked offended.
"Well, you had that same headache again."
"I'm fine, I just…saw something."
"What did you see?"
"N-nothing." Knightwalker hesitated not wanting Natsu to see weakness in her.
"Are those guys the reason you came here?" Natsu asked, a bit of strength to it.
"I don't know…perhaps."
"Well-"Natsu stood up and pounded a flaming fist into his open palm, "We'll just have to ask them."
Knightwalker smirked, "I guess we will." She stood up next to him as Happy touched down between the two and three made it back to where they were before. "So what do we do?" Natsu asked looking at Knightwalker.
"I counted six guards posted around the perimeter of the fortress, each of them carrying a staff of some sort." She looked at Happy expectantly, "What of you Exceed?"
"My name is Happy." The blue cat retorted irritated.
Knightwalker smirked, "My apologies. What did you see…Happy."
Happy softened a bit and answered, "I saw two guys standing on the roof."
"Were they carrying weapons?" Knightwalker asked a bit eager.
The blue exceed shook his head, "No they didn't have anything."
Knightwalker put her hand under her chin in a thinking pose and began to ponder.
"What's wrong?" Natsu asked.
"If the 6 ground guards have weapons but the two roof ones do not, that must mean the roof is the most vulnerable point of entry. Which means that the 2 roof guards are the strongest."
"Well let's go kick their butts." Natsu yelled gung ho again but once again Knightwalker pulled him back by the collar.
"Again?" Natsu asked irritated.
"We need a plan Dragneel, we can't just attack full force." Knightwalker scolded.
"Why?"
"Because it's the smart thing to do. We still don't know what we're up against."
"So what do think we should do?" Natsu asked still slightly irritated.
Knightwalker smirked deviously at him.
...
One of the guards began t make their rounds to the tree line where Knightwalker and Natsu were waiting. Once he was close enough Knightwalker shot Natsu a look and their plan went into action. Knightwalker grabbed the guard and knocked him out, once unconscious Happy flew his body to the roof of the fortress and dropped him onto the guards there.
BOOM!
"What was that?" one of the ground guards yelled, the others looking back at the fortress with the others. They saw dust rising from the top.
"What happened?!" another guard yelled slightly afraid, "Are we under attack?!" The guards then heard a yell radiating from the trees.
VACUUM SPEAR, MEL FORCE!
To their shock a sudden vortex of air crashed into them, sending all of the guards flying into the forest. Knightwalker & Natsu then emerged from the tress and made a bee line for the fortresses front entrance, Happy soon flying down to join them.
'That was a pretty cool plan." Natsu praised Knightwalker with a smile.
"Royal Army Captain of the 2nd Magic War Division isn't just a title Dragneel. And save your praise for when we actually enter their stronghold." Knightwalker commented, Natsu glanced at her for a brief moment and couldn't but notice that she had a small smile on her face.
The reached the walls of the fortress and jumped into the air, soaring just a bit above the roof. The two guards stirred awake and moved their fallen comrade off the them but they reacted too late as they saw what looked like a flame falling towards them.
FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!
BOOM!
Natsu crashed into the roof, once again knocking out the two guards and creating a huge hole that he, Knightwalker, and Happy entered. As they desecended in a group of the Twilight Sparrow's members came from the front entrance.
"What was that?!" one yelled angrily. "Where did everyone go?"
"Look!" another yelled pointing toward the dust coming from the roof. "I think we have intruders."
"Go find them! We have to get them before they reach the boss!" the assembled members then ran back inside to intercept Knightwalker & Natsu.
The ensuing chaos by the trio worked to their advantage as Knightwalker & Natsu blindsided and took out every member of Twilight Sparrow that they came across. Some knew of their intrusion and others were taken completely by surprise. Knightwalker couldn't help but admire how destructive Natsu could be when let loose while Natsu admired that so far Knightwalker hadn't killed anyone. Happy flew safely behind them and noticed that the two were almost as much in sync as Natsu & their Erza were.
The group continued to through the sizable fortress until they reached a huge door at the end of the hallway. The three stood in front of it and took it all in. Natsu & Happy were amazed while Knightwalker was more eager to tear it down.
"You think this where the guild master is?" Natsu asked still in awe.
"hey they're at the bosses office, stop them!" a Twilight Sparrow member yelled as he led a huge group through the hallway.
"I guess it is." Knightwalker smirked and gripped her spear tightly and drew back into a fighting stance. "Dragneel can you take care of our guests while I destroy this obstacle in our way?"
Natsu smirked, "I'm on it. Stand back Happy." The exceed nodded and flew out the way as Knightwalker and Natsu stood back to back, preparing their separate attacks. Natsu gathered air until his cheeks puffed out and the tip of Knightwalker's spear changed.
FIRE DRAGON ROAR!
EXPLOSION SPEAR, EXPLOSION!
...
New chapter up. Honestly this story is going longer than I thought lol. i orginally wanted it to be around 4 chapters, but I kept adding more. Anyway the story is going to reach a conclusion so I hope you'll stick around to the end. As always thanks for reading :).