The two children stood on the platform looking for their client. "It says that they would be wearing a blue shirt and a black skirt," Zander said looking at the sheet of paper. He looked up to say something else to Akane and found that she wasn't there. Upon further inspection of the area he saw the redhead waving him over while she stood with a woman in a blue shirt and black skirt. As Zander approached them he noticed that the only red in the area was Akane's hair, no one was wearing red, there was no red on the walls, not even red flowers. The same goes for the color white. I guess the paper didn't lie. Red and white are targets for this thing. Zander thought.

"You must be very brave to come here like that," the client said to Akane.

"Come here like what?" She asked, praying she wouldn't comment about her hair.

"To come here with such red hair and no way to cover it up. You're either very brave or very foolish."

Just keep smiling Akane, she's the client, you can't hurt her. Akane thought with a smile plastered on her face. That was when Zander stepped up to the plate. "You see ma'am, it's all part of our plan to kill the beast. Akane here is a very talented mage and her red hair helps create a perfect trap for the beast. But for now," Zander took off his jacket and placed it over Akane's head, "we'll keep this on her as to not draw it out prematurely."

"Ah, yes," the woman said, "let's go back to my house and I'll explain everything there."

The three of them started walking, Akane and Zander following the woman.

Akane leaned over to Zander and whispered, "Congratulations, you just saved that woman from certain death."

"I do my best."

"My name is Nikki by the way," the client told them.

"Very please to meet you Ms. Nikki. I'm Akane and my friend here is Zander."

As they walked, the young mages couldn't help but notice the weird stares they were getting from the people they passed. Zander's jacket couldn't cover all of Akane's hair and the people that actually saw the red hair were quickly moving in the opposite direction.

Zander was amazed at the mansion that their client owned. "You two can wait here, I'll make us some tea," Nikki told the two mages.

After she left the room Zander walked up to Akane and said, "no wonder she wants this monster gone, if it wrecks her houses it would be pretty devastating."

However, Akane wasn't listening to him. She was focused on a picture of Nikki and a man hugging each other with smiles on their faces. Zander walked over to see the picture as well. "I wouldn't get your hopes up Akane, they're probably still together."

"Actually, they're not," Akane said with sadness in her voice.

"How do you know?"

Akane pointed to Nikki's left hand. "That's a wedding ring. And it was recent too. You can tell because Nikki looks exactly the same. The only difference is she isn't smiling," then Akane lowered her voice and looked into Zander's eyes, "he was killed by the monster. Probably within the past month."

Zander was still skeptical. "How can you be certain? How do you know they're not just having some hard times?"

"If they were having hard times she wouldn't have the picture on display like this. It would be more off to the side and there would be a picture of her or someone close to her on display," Akane said taking up a sudden interest in her feet.

"What makes you so sure?" Zander asked.

Akane swallowed then paused. Then finally she said, "I've seen how widows decorate their house after their husbands die."

But before Zander could ask any more questions Nikki came back into the room with a try full of tea and things. "Tea is ready you two."

Akane turned around smiling sweetly, "thank you very much."

Still confused Zander thanked Nikki as well then sat down on the couch next to Akane.

After a moment of silence, Nikki said, "I see you two have taken up a liking with that picture back there."

Zander froze but Akane kept her cool, "yes. It's a very beautiful picture of you."

"Thank you," Nikki took a sip from her teacup. "I suppose you two would like to know why all of a sudden I put in a request to have this monster killed. Am I correct?"

Akane took a sip of her tea and Zander answered. "Yeah," he said. Akane put her cup down and elbowed him. "Any history you can give us on the situation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you," Akane said.

When Nikki looked down to adjust her cup on its coaster Akane looked at Zander completely disgusted. 'Yeah?' she mouthed. Just before Nikki looked up Akane resumed her position from before.

"We used to live in harmony with it. Up until very recently that is. About three or so months ago he started attacking the town. Raiding through, crushing houses and anything else that stood in his way, taking girls, etcetera. And about-" Nikki stopped and swallowed hard and took a deep breath in. Akane and Zander exchanged glances that agreed that Akane was correct earlier. She tightened the grip on her hands before she continued talking to them. "About one month ago when my husband was on his way home from his job it decided to make another raid. My husband tried his best to escape but it wasn't good enough." The sobs crept out between Nikki's words every so often that they finally took over and she broke out into a hysterical crying fit. "Aaren was killed before he got onto our block."

Zander didn't know how to deal with a crying woman. He's seen one of his friends help his little sister but he never had to help someone personally. He looked at Akane, scared and not knowing what to do asking her for help. Akane got up from her seat and sat down next to Nikki and comforted her until she regained her composure. "I'm very sorry for your loss," was all that Zander could get out that he deemed appropriate.

Nikki continued, "so I put in a request to Fairy Tale to get the beast killed. Everyone is worried for their lives in this town and a means of end needs to be reached."

Zander stood up suddenly and proudly. "Leave this to us ma'am. You and your town will no longer have anything to worry about," he proclaimed inspiring Akane as well. She stood up and walked over to him, thanked Nikki for the tea and the information, and the two young mages were on their way to do their job.

"So how exactly do you suggest we're going to kill this beast?" Zander asked on their way to where the beast lived causing Akane to stop dead in her tracks. "I thought you already had a plan!" Akane shrieked.

"Getting you to come was only half the plan. You can come up with how to kill it after you lour it out of hiding."

Akane didn't like the arrangement and Zander didn't seem to care. "Why don't you put on a red wig and go and lour it out and then I'll kill it?"

This comment didn't go unnoticed by Zander. "Are you saying I can't kill the beast? Just tell me what to do and I'll do it!"

"Wait," Akane said realizing something, "why are you asking me how to kill it?"

"Well you're Erza's daughter. She must have taught you something. Come on Akane you have to know something about giant monsters. Hasn't your mom told you any stories about her adventures."

Akane paused to think, "Well there was this one time, but she had three other mages to help… then again it was a result of Zerif's dark magic…"

"My dad told me about that! He helped! If we both use what our parents told us we'll be able to take this thing down!" Zander cheered.

Akane looked up. "So I guess that's the plan then," she said with a half smile.

"I guess so."

Then Akane held out her hand. "What?" Zander asked.

"It's been a pleasure working with you Zander," Akane said seriously.

Zander shook her hand. "Really?" he asked.

"No." Akane let go of his hand and walked away.

Zander stood in his place for a moment, and then ran to catch up with Akane. "Wait, so do you think we'll make it out of here alive?" Zander asked. Akane could tell he wasn't joking around this time. He had genuine fear in his eyes. Akane stopped walking and looked him square in the eye. "Of course we will Zander," she said reassuringly. "I promise. So here's the plan. I'll get the monster out of hiding. Then once you see it, use whatever magic you have to kill it or at least keep it from getting away until I can get over to you and help. Deal?"

"Deal."

The two preteens walked up to a cave and stood gazing up to the top, amazed at the height. "That is no five foot monster," Akane said under her breath.

"Tell me about it. Ready?" Zander looked over to Akane.

Akane shrugged. "As I'll ever be."

As Akane walked into the cave Zander looked down and said under his breath, "don't die on me."

Akane looked back. "What did you say?" she asked.

Zander looked up, "nothing, go." With that, Akane walked into the cave and made as much noise as she possible could.

Zander went and hid behind a bush so the monster wouldn't see him before he was ready.

After about three minutes Akane came running out of the cave. "GET READY ZANDER!" Akane shrieked. Zander came out of his hiding spot to see a 30-foot green Cyclops run out of the opening of the cave. It had a horn in the middle of its head warts everywhere. Zander took a deep breath in before fisting his right hand and slapping it against his left palm and screaming, "Ice make: cage!"

Akane was amazed to find the hideous beast to be trapped in a giant cage. Her amazement was broken when Zander called over to her, "I can't hold it very long Akane! Do something!"

"Uh… right," Akane called back. She held out her pointer and middle fingers and made a windmill motion with her arms starting with her right. Her arms stopped with her right hand under her left with about a foot between them as if she was holding a ball. She kept her breathing constant and stead. In through her nose, out through her mouth. In, out. In, out, She kept telling herself.

"Akane! I can't hold it much longer!" Zander yelled. His hands were trembling and sweat was dripping down his face.

"Ten more seconds!" Akane called back.

After a few more seconds Zander called out again, "AKANE!"

Akane focused on what she was doing. "Three… Two… One," she said quietly. Then called to Zander, "GO!"

Zander dropped his arms and the cage he created disappeared as well. Between Akane's hands, a ball of light had formed. With a loud grunt Akane put her left hand into a fist and brought it down to her hip and quickly pushed the ball of light forward with her right palm.

The ball of lightning went flying and made contact with the beast, but kept going and made a hole in its stomach. Seconds later, it fell to the ground, dead. The two mages heaved waiting for their victory to sink in. Suddenly, Zander let out a cheer of victory. Akane just smiled as she fell to the ground and landing on her knees. She supported her upper body by placing her knuckles on the ground and continued to heave.

Zander looked over to share his joy with Akane but instead became shocked and worried when he saw her on the ground and rushed over to see what was wrong.

As Zander approached her he saw blood on the ground next to her hand. He sat down next to her. "Akane, what happened? Is, is that your blood?" he asked afraid to hear the answer.

(A/N)

Thought I'd end the chapter here on a nice cliffy. =] Here's my first author's note in the story and not to sound cocky, I think it's a pretty good story so far. Don't forget to review and let me know what you think, but please try to stick to constructive criticism and don't tell me that you hate it. Lets be honest, if you hate it then why are you still reading to chapter five? Chapter six soon to come =]

Love always, neptune sea 3