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Sting and Rogue stretching their arms up high. "Thank goodness we landed. " Sting said cheerfully.
Rogue nodded in agreement. Rufus smirk at Sting and Rogue, glad that they are both back to their original self. "I'm glad you both are feeling better now. Now we can focus on the mission at hand. "
Before they can say anything there was a knock on the door. Dobengal got up to open the door. There stood Lucy Heartfilia with a notebook in her hand, with a smile on her face. "Am I late? " Lucy ask. Dobengal shake his head. He step back, letting Lucy to come in while she hand him the notebook, who accepted it gracefully. "These are the reports that Mirajane had made. It should tell you which knight are going be here tonight. "
Sting hug Lucy happily for helping them out. "Thanks Lucy, your the best! "
Lucy push Sting off her. "Are you sure your not related to Natsu? " Lucy question with a tired tone in her voice.
"I wonder the something. " Rogue wonder as well.
Sting glare at them both. "Very funny. I'm positive that Natsu and I are not related because that'll make Zeref my older brother then. "
Orga pat Sting on the back, making Sting to jump a little. "Yeah your right, Zeref doesn't need to deal with another pain in a ass. One is already enough for him. "
Dobengal scan through the notes. "This doesn't make sense at all. " Everyone look at Dobengal and gather up around him, curious what does it said in the notebook. "Commander Mikazuchi and the Mermaid Heel squad won't be here tonight ceremony for Alexandria Princess, Yukino Agria sweet sixteen birthday because they supposedly have a day off today! " Dobengal read it out loud.
"So the rumors are true. "
Everyone whirl around and see Baku who just enter the meeting room. "Boss! " They greeted him.
Rogue glance down at the wooden floor, thinking. "Is that even a good thing? " Rogue question.
Lucy smirk at them for not realizing the good news. "It is actually. All you have to do is worry about two commander knights, no longer three for now. I heard commander Vastia is too confident and lose his cool easily. Commander Scarlet can be distracted easily by seeing... " Lucy pause when she begin to giggle, making the guys curious.
"I'm curious what makes commander Scarlet distracted. " Sting said with a big smirk on his face.
Once Lucy stop giggling, she decided to tell them. "Strawberry cake. " She inform them. "It should be a lot easier to enter the kingdom, especially when both commanders are guarding the Queen and the Princess. "
Everyone frown except Baku, not believing Lucy at all. "You got to be kidding me?! " They all shouted in unison.
"It's true! " Lucy argued.
Baku cross his arms against his chest. "We should thank the lords that commander Mikazuchi isn't going be here. Rufus." Rufus look at Baku, waiting for him to give the order. "Hand them their scripts for who they are performing as for tonight's performance. " He order Rufus. Rufus did what he was told, handing everyone their scrips. "Sting as Zidane and Rogue as Blank. The two characters you are performing won't be in the play that much, so that'll give you two some time to retrieve the Princess. Though beware you won't have all day, so you better not mess around in the castle. Your part in the play comes in the ending not just the beginning. Don't you dare forget that."
Sting smirk with confidence. "You got it, Boss! We won't fail you."
Rogue nodded in a agreement, he cross his arms against his chest. "We'll make sure to retrieve the Princess safe without no harm to her."
Baku then look at Rufus, Dobengal, Orga and Lucy. "Rufus as Marcus, Dobengal as Cid, Orga as a soldier, Lucy as Princess Cornelia and I as King Leo. Now that everyone know who they are playing as, get to work! " He shouted at them at the end of his sentence.
Everyone nodded, preparing before the play starts.
Erza leading Princess Yukino to the balcony doors. There stood Lyon with a smile on his face, he bowed to the Princess with respect. "Hello Princess Yukino. " He greeted her before standing up straight.
Yukino made a small smile. "Hi commander Vastia. " She greeted back at Lyon.
Erza smile but soon faded when she begin to give orders to the knights around them, then she look at Lyon with a serious face. "As for you commander Vastia, your job today is to help me guard both her Majesty and her Highness. Unless her Majesty says otherwise. Understand? "
Lyon roll his eyes at Erza, he already know what's his job is but he wouldn't tell that to Erza to face her wrath. "Yeah, I understand completely. " He answer.
His answer made Erza smile and nodded in approval of his answer. "Now then, let's carry on! We don't want the Princess to miss her favorite play, do we? " All Lyon could do is frown at Erza that's making Yukino giggle a little. "The balcony is right through these doors! "
Both Lyon and Erza open the two doors for Yukino to enter. Once Yukino is at the balcony, she walk to the small throne that is next to a bigger throne yet looks more like a couch. The one sitting on the couch is Yukino mother the Queen.
Queen Brahne is a large woman with pale blue skin, large lips, and a bulbous, purple nose. Brahne wears a fair amount of makeup, including blush and lipstick, and her face is covered in freckles. Her eyes are blacked out under a large domed golden helmet from which two blonde, bristly ponytails protrude from either side. She dresses extravagantly, wearing a long red coat with a feathered trim, a striped blouse, a long skirt with a golden sash, and a lot of jewelry. She carries a fan, fanning herself constantly.
Her mother glance at Yukino with a big smile on her face. "You look beautiful my daughter. " She complement Yukino.
"So do you mother. " Yukino complement back at her mother quietly.
"Sit down. " Yukino mother order her.
Yukino briskly did like she was told. She look ahead and see a theater airship there in front of them and the audience below them. The theater airship isn't that far away and not too close. Lyon stood at the back in the left corner, at Queen Brahne side and Erza stood at the back in the right corner, at Yukino side.
Yukino smile faded that looks so sad. No one didn't notice but only Lyon did. He show a concern look seeing Yukino like that. Once the music begin to play, fireworks in the sky appear beautifully, the theater airship open up turning to a actual stage of the theater. Lyon smile and look at Yukino from the distance, he gap seeing her not smiling at all but just sad. 'Maybe she'll smile once her favorite play starts. ' Lyon thought.
Baku wearing a white wig and robes that looks like it have a London flag on it, bowed down to the audience. "Lady's and gentlemen! Tonight's performance is a story that takes place long, long ago. Our heroine, Princess Cornelia, is torn from her lover, Marcus. She attempts to flee the castle, only to be captured by her father, King Leo. When our story begins, Marcus, heards of this, crosses swords with the King. And now, your Royal Majesty, Queen Brahne, your Highness, Princess Yukino... Noble lady's and lords, and our rooftop viewers, Sabertooth proudly presents 'I Want To Be Your Canary'. " Baku bowed one last time before stepping out of the stage.
From left to right is Dobengal, Sting, and Rogue on their knees. Rogue got up and pull up his sword. "Bereft for father! Bereft for mother! " He shouted. "Marcus! Thou hast lost even thy love! "
Dobengal got up with his hands behind his back. "Fortunate hath escap'd thee! For what end shalt thou live? "
Sting got up and held his fist in front of himself before he clinched his fist tightly. "For the sake of our friend... Let us bury our steel in the heart of the wretched King Leo! "
"Aye! " Both Rogue and Dobengal agree with Sting.
Sting, Rogue and Dobengal run to the center of the stage, where Baku, Orga and one of Baku men on one side while at the other side was just Rufus by himself. Sting leading his team to where Rufus is at. Rogue held his sword in front of him, in a fighting stance. "We shall back thee, Kinsman! " Rogue let Rufus know that they are going to help him.
Rufus glance back at Rogue and the others before shifting his eyes back towards Baku and the others in front of him. "Pray, Shealth thy swords! This villain is mine alone! " Rufus order Rogue and the others.
"Nay, Kinsman! " Dobengal rejected Rufus order. "For I, too, lost a brother to this fiend! " He try to reason Rufus to convince him to let them help fight.
Baku rise both of his hands up in the air victorious. "What ho? Out, vermin! Away! " He order, pulling out his sword. Baku men brought out his sword and Orga held his fist in front of him. "Thou darest bare thy sword before the King?! All who stand in my way will be crush'd! "
"Treacherous Leo, my Kinsman's suffering shall not be in vain! For I shall instruct thee in his incomparable pain! " Sting shouted at Baku with determination in his tone.
Rogue, Dobengal and Sting step in front of Rufus. As for Orga and Baku men stand next to Baku. Rogue and Sting run straight for Baku, attempting to attack him the same time til Orga got in front of them. Orga held his hands in front of him, a beam of black lightning gathering up in his hand and shoot, heading straight for Sting and Rogue. Both Rogue and Sting stop running, planning to dodge the attack but Dobengal jump in. He teleported up above them, throwing his fist up in the air, and shoot a rainbow beam.
The rainbow beam collided with the black lightning beam, creating a smoke screen. Now when Orga distracted by Dobengal now, both Rogue and Sting run straight towards Orga using the smoke screen as advantage for them. It was already too late for Orga. Rogue and Sting came out of the smoke screen and punch Orga at the same time with a perfectly amount of force and energy. Their punch manage to push Orga out of the way, for them to now head straight for Baku. Rogue punch Baku men when he try to attack him while Sting was about to kick Baku who is using his sword as a shield, but Sting jump back with a big smirk on his face when he spotted cup of small sparks, floating up in the night sky. Baku rise his eyebrows, confuse of Sting action.
Sting pointed at the sky above him, making Baku look up. Baku eyes widen wide, shock to see bright yellow whitish orbs in the sky that looks like stars. Rufus pull his hat upward, before he motion his hand for the orbs to strike in all sides of Baku. So even if Baku use his sword as a shield and dodge, he'll still get hit. All orbs hit Baku, striking him pretty badly that made him fall to his knees yet he still got up, enduring the pain.
Baku stumble walking as he try to escape by going upstairs of his kingdom. "Thou hast not seen the last of me, Marcus! " Baku said, retreating.
"Come back! " Sting demanded, running after him til... Rogue run towards the stairs and stop, blocking Sting path. He held his sword in front of him, making Sting pull out his sword. "Out of the way, Blank! " Sting swing his sword but Rogue jump back to avoid the hit.
"Consider this, Zidane! If Prince Schneider were to marry Princess Cornelia, peace would reign over both their kingdoms! " Rogue inform Sting, trying to convince Sting to let the marriage continue that could bring peace easily.
"Tis foolishness! If all were so easy, why, none would suffer in this world! " Sting disagree with Rogue.
Rogue ran away and Sting went after him. Right when Sting swing his sword to attack Rogue, Rogue whirl around fast, swinging his sword that clash with Sting. Rogue smirk, pushing Sting sword out of the way to stab Sting from his ribs but Sting rise his sword before slashing downward, costing the tip of Rogue sword to stick to the ground. Before Rogue can rise his sword upward to slash Sting on his chest but couldn't when Sting put his foot on top of the tip of his sword, stopping Rogue to rise his sword up to stay on the ground.
Sting rise his foot to kick Rogue on his side which was grab by Rogue. Sting eyes widen wide when Rogue caught his foot with his bare hands. Out of no where, Rogue trip Sting who was standing with one leg, making it easier for him to trip him. Sting hit the ground flat on his back, he grunted in pain. Sting reach for his sword but stop when Rogue pointed the tip of his sword at Sting neck. This action made Sting to glare at Rogue for betraying him and the others.
Rogue just look at Sting with emotionless and serious expression that he usually had on. He retreat his sword to his side, making Sting blink cup of times in confusion. That's when Rogue jump off the castle, and landed at ease on the ground, in front of the castle gate. He glance back at Sting then took off running. Sting briskly got up and took his sword, to run after Rogue. Both pass Rufus and Dobengal, who watch them both leave the stage to where the rally is between the stage and the audience, giving the audience to get a closer view at the actors battle.
Rogue turn around with his sword in front of him in a fighting stance. "En garde! "
Sting held his sword in front of him in a fighting stance as well. "Expect no quarter from me! " 'Rogue and I are getting there. Once this battle is over, Rogue and I have to retreat from the stage to go inside Queen Brahne fortress by going through the locker room of the knights. Her Majesty and the knights won't even notice because that's when Rufus and the others continue the play without us. '
'All we need to do is give Queen Brahne a good battle before we go in the castle, then she can be really interested to continue watching the play. ' Rogue thought.
Sting swing his sword but was block by Rogue once more, clashing swords again. Rogue notice Sting is too focus on pushing his sword towards his, giving a opening for Rogue, who planned to kick Sting on his side. This made Sting smirk before pushing Rogue sword to certain angle that won't cut or harm him before jumping away to dodge his kick that almost hit his side.
Holding his sword in front of himself, running straight for Rogue. Rogue begin to run towards Sting with his sword in hand. Rogue strike but miss when Sting dodge to the side, and jump forward to slash Rogue. Rogue red eyes widen wide, quick thinking, he briskly rise his sword to the side to block Sting attack that clash with his sword. The clashing of both their swords made it unbearable for Rogue, since Sting apply more force in his sword, especially when he jump Rogue by surprise.
Rogue trying to push his sword at a angle to bring Sting and his sword down. Once Rogue manage to do that, he punch Sting across the face, pushing Sting away from him. Rogue glance up and notice how Queen Brahne seem very fascinated about the fighting scene that she looks interested in the play. 'It's time. ' Rogue glance back at Sting. "We shall finish this later! " Rogue said before escaping from Sting, running towards the door that lead to the castle.
'That's Rogue signal. ' Sting said with a smirk on his face. "Come back here! " Sting shouted, running after Rogue, exiting out of the stage.
Yukino glance at her mother who is enjoying the show than she is, not sure she can disrupt her or not. "Um mother... Can I be excuse? I need to use a bathroom. "
Brahne sigh at her daughter disruption. "That's fine, commander- "
"Can I go by myself mother? I promise I'll come back. " She interrupted her mother who is glaring at her.
"That's fine, hurry up. " She gave Yukino permission.
Erza and Lyon open the doors for Yukino, giving them a small smile before exiting out of the balcony. Once they close the doors behind her, Yukino speed walk. She couldn't run due to her white dress being heavy and long that could make her trip or ran out of energy that she might need little on. She went to the hallways where the royal chambers are at. She went to her room, and walk to her closet, taking out clothing to change. Removing all the fancy jewelry and other adornments she had on except her crystal pendant.
She dons a cloak clasped together by a star-shaped clip, with feathery protrusions that cover her chest, shoulders, and mid-back, over her blouse and shorts. The cloak flared at her feet, where it is divided into flowing sections secured by ribbons. She wears a black pair of socks that stopped at her mid-thighs. She took out another cloak that is plain white, putting up her hood to kept her face from being seen.
She look at herself in the mirror, wondering if she's making the right choice or not. 'I have to do this! ' She told herself.
Rogue and Sting storm in the locker room, but didn't notice there was two knights there. Both Sting and Rogue froze at there spot, they were calm but in the inside not so comfortable about the issue at hand. 'Crap! ' They both thought.
Standing there Toby and Yuka who look at them, giving them a questioning and suspicious look, will only Yuka is, since Toby seem to don't mind them being there. "Hey, aren't they the guys from that theater airship? " He ask Yuka.
"Yeah." He answer to Toby, not leaving his gaze from them. "You guys are not allow to be here. Turn around and leave at once! If not then we will arrest you for trespassing. " Yuka warn them. Sting chuckle, making Yuka flare in anger. "What's so funny? " Yuka question Sting, glaring at him.
"Sorry pal but we can't leave, at least not yet til we get what we need."
With that said, Yuka attack Sting and Rogue who dodge at ease. Toby use his claws to attack Sting, but Sting jump away, landing on top of the wooden table. Yuka scan around the locker room and notice that Rogue is no longer here. 'Where is the other intruder? ' When Yuka look down where Toby is at. His black eyes widen wide, shock. He never seen it before. "Toby watch out! " Yuka shouted.
Toby was about to go after Sting right when Yuka yell but it was already to late, he couldn't move. "Huh? " Toby blink cup times in confusion. He look down and see a shadow that doesn't belong to him.
"Let us pass. " Rogue order Toby and Yuka. Toby turn his head to see Rogue right behind him, his red eyes and solemn expression made Toby flinch.
Yuka was going attack Rogue but realize, he too couldn't move because of Rogue shadows. "When did it extended? " Yuka question.
"When you was scanning around trying to find me. " Yuka look up at Rogue who's back is facing him. " You was too busy distracted from the shadows heading straight towards your comrade that you didn't realize there were shadows heading for you too. "
Sting jump down with a big smile on his face. "Great job, Rogue! " He cheered.
"Quiet down, Sting. We don't need to get caught and arrested. If we do, we will fail our mission and the King, plus everyone else who is counting on us to succeed. " Rogue warn Sting, giving him a deadly look.
Sting scratch the back of his head, making a nervous laugh. "Yeah your right. Sorry about that. " He apologize to Rogue. Sting became serious now and walk towards Yuka. "Hand it over. " Sting demanded coldly. He held his hand in front of Yuka motioning him to hand something that he wants over to him.
Yuka blink cup of times in confusion. "Hand what over? " He question.
"How else are we going go inside the castle without getting caught? " Sting question Yuka sarcastically, rolling his eyes at Yuka. " In order to get in the castle without getting caught is by disgusing ourselves by dressing up how you guys dress up. Simple really. " Sting explain.
"I would not never betray Alexandria for scums like you! " Yuka shouted.
Sting glance at Rogue who nodded. The shadows release Yuka and Toby, making them fall to their knees, exhausted to stand up any longer. Toby and Yuka glance up to see Rogue shadows gathering up around him, giving him a dangerous aura around him, making them shiver in fear.
"Okay we're give you guys our clothes, just please don't hurt us! " Toby cry, tears forming in his eyes.
Rogue shadows around him had vanish, along with that dangerous aura around him. Sting smile at them like nothing happen. He held his hand in front of them again. "Thanks for your assistance. " He thanked Yuka and Toby.
5 minutes later
"This is too small! " Sting complain, throwing the helmet on the ground.
Rogue sigh. "Stop complaining, Sting. "
Sting cross his arms against his chest and frown at Rogue like a child would do. "That clothing looks like it fit you well, no fair. "
Rogue frown at Sting. "Stop acting like a child, just bare with it. At least yours is clean because this smells like pure dirty socks for no reason. Anyways we can't waste time complaining. "
"Yeah, Yeah. "
Sting and Rogue left leaving Yuka and Toby alone in the locker room without them wearing any clothing but boxers.
"Doesn't that shadow guy looks scary like commander Mikazuchi? " Toby ask, shivering.
"I don't see it. Sure that guy is scary but comparing him to commander Mikazuchi, she's more scarier than that guy. All I could say is that they are both lucky that she's not here right now because if she was... " Yuka look up at the ceiling. "They would be killed right when they took one step in this castle with no mercy."
...
Rogue and Sting scan around the hallways, seeing cup of knights and soldiers walking around. Sting whistle. "Aren't they in high security alert. "
"They had to, especially if commander Mikazuchi and Mermaid Heel not here. " Rogue explain to Sting while both walking upstairs. "You do remember the plan, right? " He question.
"Yeah, just pour some sleeping weed on the Princess tea that'll make her fall asleep. When that happens, we take the Princess and leave to meet up with the others. " He explain.
The doors burst open, slamming against the wall. Sting and Rogue panic and turn around fast. "Oh no!" They both shouted in unison.
Then they realize that it wasn't the knights, soldiers or commanders. It was a young women in a white cloak, her face is hidden from her hood of the cloak. Both Sting and Rogue sigh in relief. "What a relief. " Sting muttered. "I could've swear I almost had a heart attack. " He laugh a little making Rogue sweat drop at his friend.
"I'm sorry... If I startle you. " The hooded women apologize.
Sting and Rogue look at each then at the hooded women before walking up to her. "Not at all. " Sting lied, smiling at her gently.
Rogue frown and sweat drop at Sting. "You just said it did a few moments ago. "
"Can't you just take a joke Rogue? "
"I truly doubt that was a joke. " Rogue muttered, making the hooded young women giggle a little, bringing attention to herself.
Sting observe the women carefully, trying to see her face but she kept moving her face the opposite direction from him, not wanting him to see her face. Sting smirk. "Well, you may go Miss. " Sting gave her permission to go but he didn't move away. In fact, Sting is blocking her path. "Or should I said Princess Yukino Agria. "
Yukino bit her lip nervously before she muttered. "Please, forgive me... "
Sting and Rogue blink cup of times, confuse of what she want them to forgive her for. Out of no where, Yukino push both Sting and Rogue making both of them fall down. Yukino quickly ran downstairs. Rogue and Sting briskly got up and run downstairs to go after the Princess.
"So, how did you knew that was the Princess? " Rogue question Sting, curious how he knew.
Sting made a nervous laugh. "Well I didn't, I was just teasing. I was curious what she's going do or say. "
Rogue sweat drop at Sting but became solemn, looking what's ahead of them, running after Yukino. "I must admit, your teasing actually became handy. " He complement Sting.
"You bet they are! " Sting cheer.
"Only just this once that is. "
Sting frown at Rogue making him do one of his rarest small smiles.