Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters. All rigths belong to Hiro Mashima. (Sadly)
Here you are my lovely reviewers and the old couple was exactly that. Just an old couple. No worries.
"Deary. The train has stopped for Hargeon. It's time for us to go." A soft voice broke into Gajeel's sleep as the old woman patted his cheek affectionately. His eyes popped open and he gazed around sleepily for a moment before the woman's words finally made sense.
"Uh... Thanks." He grunted, lifting Levy into a standing position as he rose. Pantherlily was hovering beside the door now with Gajeel's bag in his hand. Nodding to the couple Gajeel exited the train, half carrying a still sleepy Levy. "Wake up Short Stuff. We're here." When Levy did nothing he walked over to a bench and sat her down. "Do something Lily." He ordered, ignoring the annoyed frown his cat sent his way.
"Levy?" Pantherlily purred, pawing at her nose.
"Hn?" Levy stirred, blinking her eyes rapidly. "Oh, we're here. Heh... sorry."
"Whatever." Gajeel muttered, picking up his bag and digging around for the map. "Here." He grunted, tossing the old parchment at her. Nodding briskly Levy grabbed the mission and started searching.
"Aha! Lets go!" She suddenly exclaimed, jumping up in the process. The two male mages shrugged at each other and followed her quietly, Pantherlily flapping lazily around Gajeel's head. Gajeel bumped into something then and took a startled step back.
"The fuck? Oh, it's just you." He muttered, watching Levy with curiosity. "What is it?"
"We're here." She said in a tone that implied it was obvious. Blinking at her was the only response Gajeel could think of.
"I knew that." He retorted weakly as she rolled her eyes exasperatedly.
"Sure you did. Come on." With that she grabbed his arms and dragged him into the somewhat empty bar with Pantherlily following close behind.
"Why hello there. What can I do for you?" A petite woman in a green dress asked them politely.
"We're looking for a Mindy." Levy told her when Gajeel stayed silent and glared at the floor, seemingly bored with everything.
"One moment please." With that and a twirl of her skirts she was gone.
"This is a pleasant little place, ne?" Levy asked, not bothering to reprimand Gajeel when all he gave her in response was a noncommittal grunt.
"You called?" A soft, flowing voice interrupted their 'chat'. Standing in front of them was a tall woman- the top of her head was even with Gajeel's cheekbone-with a slender figure and a cream and lavender coloured dress with matching flats.
"You must be Mindy. I'm Levy and these two are Gajeel and Pantherlily. We're here for the library." Levy greeted enthusiastically. Gajeel nodded while Pantherlily shook Mindy's hand.
"Oh good! We were starting to fear that no one would bother." Mindy replied, removing her grip on Lily's hand to hug Levy heartily. "Would you like something to eat? We can go as soon as I can arrange a carriage." Levy nodded her thanks and walked up to the counter, giving Gajeel no choice but to follow while Pantherlily plopped down on the closest table and watched the two from half-closed eyes.
"One blueberry muffin please." Levy requested, magicking an iron for Gajeel in the process.
"Here you are. That will be 10J." While Levy doled out the money Gajeel wandered back to Pantherlily, ignoring the cat's stare. After ten seconds of the intense stare Gajeel gave in.
"What?" He demanded, shoving his cat off the table.
"That wasn't very nice." Pantherlily declared, jumping back on the table. "I was just thinking about Levy."
"While staring at me?"
"Of course. I was wondering what she saw in you." Lily teased, snickering at the expression on Gajeel's face. Levy walked over then and sat down across from Pantherlily and therefore on the other side of Gajeel. Offering some of her muffin to Lily she didn't notice Gajeel's questioning stare on the back of her head. However, before Gajeel came up with the guts to ask her Mindy came back and swiftly ushered them out the door.
The ride to the library was fairly smooth and uneventful-aside from when Pantherlily briefly looked out the windows and saw that the sky was quite dark so he panicked since he loathes thunderstorms.
Upon arrival however things got more... interesting, if you are interested in crumbling, historical buildings. Levy's eyes went wide and her mouth seemed to not know how to shut once she laid eyes on it. One thing she was proud of was bringing out inner beauty in everyone and everything. That's mostly why she would try and settle matters peacefully. She didn't want to destroy that beauty. In its day it must have been a grand place. Chipped and dirty as they were you could tell that the steps were made of marble in the palest shade of ivory while the doors were made of thick oak that was stained a rich green. Every single window was stained glass, most of which showcased blooming flowers for some reason and different books, surprisingly enough all of the windows remained intact-although they could do with a nice washing. Then, there was the inside. Levy could have fainted. The front desk stretched across one corner and the other three corners had been made into reading nooks with multiple tables piled high with books and big recliners lounging about everywhere. Then, in the center of the room was a circle of at least thirty desks with a new research lacrima on each one. Levy didn't even know version 961 was out yet. She was quite amazed that this place wasn't more popular. However, she did notice that for a library there didn't seem to be much of a selection reading wise. Arching a brow at Mindy she continued moving through only to wind up at a large, spiral staircase along the back wall.
"Mindy, is this part of the library? It didn't look this tall from the outside... or this large either." Levy questioned, already figuring out the answer. It must have an enchantment of sorts.
"Of course. Up there is where all of our books are housed and the next floor up is the archives. We have all sorts of information in the archives. I wouldn't be surprised if you found some about yourself!" Mindy laughed, adding more fuel to Levy's idea of an enchantment.
"Also, there is an enchantment on this library... it doesn't make the library bigger. Rather it makes us smaller. But if you wanted to take out a book they would just grow with you. When something enters this building it shrinks, no matter what it is and when something exits this building it grows, no matter what it is. My grandfather found this building, enchantment and all, and decided it would be the perfect place for a library. Business was booming for years until the one opened across the street. Apparently that one is run by the mayor of the city so most people go there now. This is the most people we have had in here for almost a year." Finishing her explanation with a sniffle Levy nodded briskly. This library was really a magical place and she'd be damned if she let it go to waste.
"You can count on us!" Levy said energetically nudging a genuine smile out of Gajeel, who had stayed silent the whole time. Pantherlily purred in agreement and Mindy's face broke out into a cheerful smile as she scooped up the startled cat.
"Thank you so much! Everything you might possibly need is in the closet behind the front desk. I'll check back at lunch and bring you a little something to eat." Mindy exclaimed heartily, whisking herself out the door with Pantherlily still in her arms.
"That lady just stole my cat..." Gajeel told Levy, staring incredulously at the door Mindy had just exited. Levy smirked.
"He can handle himself. I'm sure he loves us enough to return. Now let's get this library in tip top shape!" Gajeel pouted but did as she said and they both found out that absolutely everything they could need was indeed packed into the closet.
(^.^) (^.^)
"Hello?" Mindy called out as she stepped into the library. Taking a look around herself she could hardly believe this was the same place she had left two hours ago. The windows were sparkling and the floor was freshly done over in iron plating with carpets under all of the chairs. All of the walls were a bright cheery green and every chair had a new yellow cushion.
A voice came from the back of the room then and Mindy shot her gaze to the staircase where a head of blue hair was peering down.
"Ah, Levy! There you are. I've brought lunch!" She exclaimed, wielding a large basket in front of her. Happily bounding down the stairs Levy rushed to Mindy and assisted her in placing the food laden basket down on the freshly built front desk.
"You have done an excellent job. I couldn't have asked for more!" Mindy gushed, absentmindedly stroking Pantherlily's fur as he rested on her left shoulder.
"My cat!" Gajeel cried out excitedly, bounding down the stairs and swiping Lily away from the now startled Mindy.
"Oh... that's right. Sorry for earlier." She murmured in embarrassment. Gajeel pointedly ignored her until Lily swatted his nose and Levy smacked his arm.
"It's fine." He grumbled, glaring at his two partners. Levy shrugged and magicked him an iron while Lily just wiggled out of Gajeel's grip to lay on Levy's head.
"Well... uhm... enjoy. Thanks for all you've done. Uh... do you think you can finish it tonight or would you like to stay over? We'll pay for a night at the inn down the street." Mindy offered awkwardly, watching Gajeel out of the corner of her eye.
"No, no! That's alright. We can finish it tonight and thanks for all you've done for us as well." Levy answered, smiling brightly at Mindy. Mindy nodded and exited quietly, giving Pantherlily one last longing glance as she did so.
"So what book do you want?" Gajeel started, hoping to drag Levy's mind from his rudeness earlier.
"If they really do have information on everyone and everything then I want the dragon archive." Gajeel -who had been smiling since his plan worked- stared at her in disbelief.
"What? It's technically a book. Plus it means I'd know more about your heritage and therefore you... in theory." Levy defended herself, blushing profusely and holding her hands out palm-up. Shaking his head incredulously Gajeel finished his iron and went back upstairs to finish plating the second and third floors with a genuine smile on his face.
"Ne, Lily?"
"Yes?"
"Now that you're here could you please monitor Gajeel? I don't want him to destroy something by accident. Plus if you're doing that I can rearrange the bookshelves and archives and we can be on our way back home in three hours." Lily sighed heavily and agreed, flapping up the stairs and onto Gajeel's head.
(^.^) (^.^)
True to her word Levy finished three hours later and actually managed to find the book she wanted from the archives.
"Let's go finish this." She declared, picking up Pantherlily and strolling out into the crisp, darkened night. A few minute of walking brought them to the bar -which had just been closed for the night but Mindy would still be there cleaning up.
"Mindy?" Levy called out, entering the darkened bar with Lily in her arms and Gajeel behind her.
"Hands up." A male voice threatened from the shadows. Levy froze, her mind going a million miles a minute. This can't be Troy. The voice is all wrong. But he had a lot of lackeys and I know I hurt many of them quite badly in my panic. Could he be trying to capture me again? Could his lackeys have come back for me on their own? I've got to- Her terror induced thoughts were halted as she felt an arm around her waist, pulling her up against a flat surface. As she started to open her mouth to let out a scream Gajeel's voice sounded by her ear.
"Shush. Stay quiet and stay behind me." Nodding once Levy quickly ran around Gajeel and placed Pantherlily on the ground, allowing him to grow into battle form and help while she gripped Gajeel's shirt like her life depended on it -which it very well might.
"I said hands up!" The voice shouted, shooting a warning bullet at Gajeel's arm. Stepping sideways quickly Gajeel grabbed the bullet from mid air and popped it into his mouth, smiling at the satisfying crunch of metal as his sharp canines ripped the poor bullet to bits.
"Lead huh? Not my favourite but it'll have to do I s'pose." Gajeel chortled gleefully.
"What are you?" The man screamed at Gajeel's terrifying performance.
"Human of course!" Gajeel responded, stalking forwards. A light flew past his right arm just then and someone jabbed at his thigh with a large sword.
"Ouch." He mocked, rubbing the slightly tender spot.
"That didn't hurt? Try this on for size!" A different voice than the first screamed, launching a magic shadow attack.
"Gajeel!" Levy shrieked, shoving him to the side and allowing herself to take the damage. Shadow hands clawed and tore at her clothing and threw her to the other side of the room, slamming her into tables and chairs alike until she hit the window on the far side and smashed through. Pantherlily managed to tackle the shadow magic man then, finally finding him in the darkness among all of the rubble.
"Leave Levy!" Pantherlily shouted. "She'll hold on, don't worry. Get the other one." Gajeel snarled unintelligibly, sniffing briefly to find the first man. When he finally located the scent he realized the man was right behind him and preparing an attack. Even though he knew it was futile Gajeel ducked and shielded his face with his arms. Two seconds later when he should have been hit he didn't feel anything and opened his eyes to find the man in a sold script net. Levy was standing shakily right outside the window with her pen poised high in the air.
"Short Stuff!" He happily exclaimed, kicking the man in the net hard enough to almost render him unconscious. He wanted him to feel the pain. Levy gave Gajeel a small smile and collapsed forwards into outstretched arms. His eyes widening Gajeel launched himself to the window and jumped out, only to almost land on a startled water mage.
"Juvia?" He managed to squeeze out, blinking curiously. Said woman nodded hesitantly and gingerly handed Levy over.
"Juvia and Gray-Sama were on a mission here to catch those two dark mages. Juvia is sorry she was too late!" She wailed, collapsing onto the ground.
"Don't worry. I'm not mad. Just stop yer cryin'!" Gajeel exclaimed, stumbling backwards with the unconscious Levy in his arms. Juvia nodded and unsteadily stood up, quieting her sniffles.
Gray ran up then and let out a sigh of relief.
"Juvia!" He called out, wrapping her up in a hug.
"G-Gray-S-Sama?" Juvia stuttered, blushing profusely.
"Don't leave me like that. I thought they had got you!" He chided, releasing her and immediately turning his attention to Levy. Running his hands along her arms and legs he confirmed that there were no broken bones while checking her pulse. Everything seemed to be in order and he stepped back, tilting his head up to look Gajeel in the eye.
"Don't worry, she's bruised and a bit knocked up but she's stable. Just make sure she sleeps on the ride home... I guess we'll join you since you finished our job for us then... I'm really sorry they caught you guys. We got here a few hours ago and went to the mayor right away but all he could give us in information was that there was two dark mages robbing nearby banks, bars, stores and even guilds. He then gave us there last location and we had to track them from there. We were just heading over when Juvia panicked and ran ahead. I guess she got here a little too late though..." Gray trailed off, looking guiltily down at the ground. Gajeel shook his shoulder in a friendly gesture and passed Levy back to Juvia.
"Take her and get four tickets to Magnolia. We'll deal with these two, get our pay and meet you two there in five minutes." Gajeel declared, turning and jumping back in the window with Gray right behind.
"Take care of her Juvia." Gray called, disappearing into the darkness of the bar.
"Aye Gray-Sama!" Juvia called back, running swiftly to the train station with Levy cradled in her arms.
(^.^) (^.^)
Upon entering the bar Gajeel kicked the man Pantherlily was holding and lit a torch. Gray immediately jumped on the man and created an ice rope, tying the man up within its chilly confines.
"Mindy? Are you okay?" Gajeel called, walking over to the storage closet. Muffled thumping sounds were heard and Gajeel made a key with his iron, unlocking the door and pulling out five people. Mindy, the lady who greeted Gajeel, Lily and Levy earlier, a waitress, an older man and a young girl.
"Are you alright?" He asked them, undoing their bindings and motioning for Gray to fix the three broken tables and eight broken chairs. Gray blinked at him a few times before complying. It required glue -which they found in a drawer at the counter and two of their precious minutes but Gray managed to fix every last item of furniture. Another minute later had everyone on their feet and heading out.
"Oh thank you!" Mindy sobbed, clinging onto the now small Pantherlily. "I don't care what book you took for your work, you did more than was necessary. Thank you so much. Here is your reward. Hurry now and go get your little blue haired friend." Finally releasing her grasp on Lily she sent the trio on their way.
"We just have to stop by the mayors office now and you can get the reward for stopping these two." Gray told Gajeel, dragging the two aforementioned behind him. Gajeel shook his head.
"Nah. Levy would want you and Juvia to have it. Besides, you guys helped us as well."
"Well thanks then." Gray said, allowing Gajeel and himself to slip into a companionable silence.
(^.^) (^.^)
Juvia was standing anxiously next to the bench where Levy was laid out with her eyes scanning the street ahead of her when Gray and Gajeel stepped into her line of sight with Pantherlily gliding above them. Letting out a sigh of relief she slumped down next to Levy and waited for their arrival.
"Let's go Juvia." Gray said, holding out a hand for the now tired Juvia. Juvia nodded and numbly accepted, leaning on Gray's shoulder for support. Gajeel picked up Levy and with that the five boarded the train and got a compartment that seated six. Gajeel, Pantherlily and Levy took one side while Gray and Juvia took the other. Laying Levy out so her head rested on his leg Gajeel propped himself against the window and wrapped an arm around Levy's waist so she couldn't fall off. Pantherlily smirked at his 'owner' and curled up on Levy's stomach, keeping one eye open so he could watch for danger.
Gray smiled at the three across from him and sat so that his back was against the window and his legs stretched out along the seat.
"C'mere." He called, motioning for Juvia to walk over to him. Juvia sleepily stepped away from the door and closed it, stumbling over to Gray. Without another word he reached out and grabbed her waist, placing her on his lap and therefore laying her out over himself. Closing his eyes and tipping his head back he hooked his arms around Juvia's waist. Seconds later Juvia rolled over so that she was facing Gray and she nestled her head in the crook of his neck, allowing Gray's heartbeats to lull her to sleep. Gajeel watched this with heavy lidded eyes and a smirk on his face that didn't fade away until his eyes slipped fully closed and he fell into unconsciousness.
(^.^) (^.^)
"We're in Magnolia! Everybody up!" Pantherlily shouted, flying around the compartment and making as much noise as possible. Gray and Gajeel grumbled incoherently while Juvia huffed sleepily, tickling Gray's neck. Yelping in surprise Gray fell off of the bench, bringing Juvia with him. Landing on the floor with a slight crash they shakily stood up, bracing each other as they did. Gajeel fully woke up then, smirking at the two.
"Oh shut up." Gray grumbled, grabbing his and Juvia's bags and exiting the train. Gajeel carefully picked up the still sleeping Levy and carried her off the train after the other two with Pantherlily lazing along behind him.
(^.^) (^.^)
The five arrived at the guild in the same shape that they had exited the train and dropped down at a table in exhaustion.
"How were the missions?" Mirajane called out nervously.
"Fine." Gray and Gajeel told her curtly.
"That's good..." She trailed off, scrubbing blindly at an invisible spot on the bar.
"Mira." Gajeel growled. "What is it?" Mira looked up suddenly with tears in her eyes.
"Troy has gotten more dark mages and taken Blue Pegasus hostage." She cried, sinking down to the floor. Gajeel blinked once and looked around the guild, confirming the fact by searching each of their sullen, withdrawn faces. This meant war.
A/N:
Ta-da! Here you are! Hope you enjoyed and thanks for the reviews. Hope no one was too OOC and yeah. I'll try to update soon and lookie here. The action is starting up once again. And to all of you who even bother reading these things thank you. Please review... my results have been dwindling recently and it saddens me. I don't know whether my quality has dropped or you just haven't logged on but I miss my reviews. Anyways I really do love y'all so review pretty please!