Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima.
Sorry guys, I had family things and a foot ball game and homework but here it is and you will be getting an update on Friday. I can guarantee it. Anyways, this arc will be focusing mainly on the Dragon Slayers in general, as you will be able to tell but I promise that there will be more Gajeel and Levy moments. I think that's all I have to say so thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter and please enjoy this one. (^.^)
Master Makarov sat quietly in his office as three of his beloved brats stood before him in curiosity.
"What is it Gramps?" Natsu questioned eagerly, tilting his head to the side. Makarov twitched at the nickname and placed his cane across his lap slowly.
"You are aware, I believe, that Gajeel went on a mission yesterday?" When everyone nodded Makarov let out a faint sigh. "However... I believe you don't know that Gajeel is a double agent, on my wishes. Natsu stiffened but did not protest Gajeel's place while Laxus stayed completely motionless and Wendy let out a gasp.
"Who is he a double agent for?" Laxus questioned solemnly.
"Ivan." With that single word Natsu found himself covered in angry flames and Wendy collapsed to the floor with a cry while Laxus cursed his father. "I need you all to join Gajeel in Ivan's guild." Natsu shook his head vehemently.
"That bastard... I'll never join him. That fucking bastard hurt Lucy." Natsu growled fiercely, slamming his fists down on Makarov's desk. Makarov didn't even flinch at the outburst.
"What if I told you Levy's life was at stake?" Makarov questioned dully, watching Natsu's flames peter out and Wendy let out a sob of fear. Laxus remained emotionless for the most part until Wendy continued to cry and his eyes softened somewhat as he bent down to pick her up. Wendy cried into his shoulder as he hugged her gently while standing up.
"Why is Levy's life at stake?" Natsu asked somewhat calmly.
"Because she is Gajeel's mate. If Gajeel can't get you three then Ivan will make Gajeel suffer." Makarov declared simply. "So Natsu, if you were in Gajeel's place then Lucy's life would be on the line. You'd want him to help you." Natsu clenched his fists at the idea but nodded at Makarov's words.
"Why does he want us then?" Laxus asked, raising a brow. "I thought he wanted nothing to do with me." Makarov sighed heavily.
"That's just it... I don't know exactly why he wants you all. It might just be that he wants to be the strongest guild in the country." The male Dragon Slayers stiffened at the thought.
"We won't let that happen. Fairy Tail is the top guild in Fiore. The top guild in the world!" Natsu declared fiercely, making Makarov smile slightly.
"I need to know." Makarov started slowly. "What's your decision?" Everyone nodded solemnly.
"I'll do it Master." Wendy declared shyly, digging the toe of her boot into the carpet below. Makarov nodded thankfully while Wendy excused herself.
"Boys... you need to protect Wendy and take Ivan down. Your mates' lives could be at stake if you screw up." Natsu stiffened suddenly while Laxus appeared to remain casually indifferent.
"I'm all fired up. That bastard won't lay a hand on anyone." Natsu hissed angrily, exiting the office to find Lucy. Makarov's shoulders sagged with his worry and he allowed his eyes to slide shut.
"Ji-Chan?" Laxus called hesitantly. Cracking open an aged eyelid Makarov awaited his grandson's question.
"Why did dad go down the path of dark magic in the first place?" He asked softly, barely daring to breathe. Makarov clenched his hands upon his cane and sat up as straight as possible.
"Ah... well your mother was a very beautiful and kind woman... she was a wizard in the guild Opal Eye when your father met her. So entranced he was by her beauty that he decided to court her. The months went by and they eventually got together. They were a splendid pair..." Makarov trailed off and stared at the wall blankly. Laxus was beginning to think that he wasn't really going to get an answer to his question when Makarov started up again.
"Years later they came to me with a child. That child was you. They lived with me for a short while so I got to be part of your upbringing and I watched you and your mother when Ivan went on missions. One time he did not return from a mission. Weeks later he arrived home with an evil gleam in his eye and a young woman. Your father immediately went to your mother and called everything off. He then turned around and left. Your mother was heartbroken and I tried to console her, everyone did but it was no use. As the weeks went by she became more and more withdrawn. One day she didn't come downstairs for breakfast and we found her dead in her room. Your father appeared at the funeral but got sent away by your mother's friends. Many knew the woman he was with as Cecilia, daughter of the dark wizard Bane. Everyone believes she pulled him in with promises of power and your father caved... I hadn't heard from him up until a few years ago." Laxus swallowed heavily and quickly rubbed his sleeve across his face, he hadn't realized the tears that had started flowing at the mention of his mother's death. He had been old enough to feel the pain her loss left yet not quite old enough to remember who she really was.
"Ji-Chan... did my mother ever feel as though I was responsible?" He questioned, his eyes downcast.
"No. She loved you very much... you were the reason she held on as long as she did." The two sat in a grieving silence for a few moments until Laxus spoke up once more.
"So I guess I have to avenge my mum, ne?" Makarov allowed a smile to turn up the corners of his chapped lips as he studied his grandson.
"Of course." Laxus smirked at his tiny grandfather and exited the cozy office without another word and Makarov watched him go with a proud smile lighting up his face.
(^.^) (^.^)
Natsu stared up at the side of Lucy's house in apprehension. What if she wasn't there... what if something had already gone wrong? Deciding it was better to find out than wonder Natsu leaped up to the window and silently let himself in. It was dark and he couldn't hear anything so he started moving into the heart of the house.
"Luce?" He called out suddenly, rounding the corner into her silent living room. A muffled thump came from her bedroom then and he scrambled into action, jumping over the couch and bursting through the door only to trip over someone and land on someone else.
"The hell?" He muttered, glancing down at the person he landed on. The person stared up at him in shock, it wasn't Lucy and they definitely did not expect to be caught.
"Who are you and what do you want?" He growled, reaching backwards and grabbing the other person's arm so they couldn't flee.
"Nhatfoo!" Came the garbled response from behind him.
"Luce?" He questioned, turning his head only to find that the arm he had grabbed was hers. "Sorry." He mumbled, releasing her and immediately turning back to the person in beneath him who had stayed silent and motionless the whole time.
"I will repeat." He snarled angrily, punching the floor beside the person's head. "Who the fuck are you and what do you fucking want?" The person flinched and slowly raised a hand to their face to pull away the headscarf covering their identity.
"Who I am is none of your concern." The newly revealed woman spat venomously.
"Yes it is." Natsu growled, pulling himself and therefore the woman off the ground and slamming her into the wall. The woman doubled over slightly and let out a cough. "Tell me now or die." The woman then let out a wheezing laugh, still winded from hitting the wall.
"I'd rather die." She managed to squeeze out.
"You aren't getting your way." Natsu smirked, throwing her back down on the floor and pinning her hips and shoulders to the ground below.
"I think I am. I'm not revealing any information to you Fairy Tail wizards!" She screamed hysterically, thrashing about for a few moments while Natsu watched helplessly as her body filled with a light pink smoke. Lucy let out a cry of terror as the woman suddenly went limp and Natsu immediately felt for a pulse. There was none. Dropping his hands uselessly to his sides Natsu pulled himself up and slowly lowered himself to the ground beside Lucy. They both sat in silence until Lucy turned to Natsu.
"Fan to net hiss oof." She mumbled.
"What on earth?" Natsu questioned, turning to stare at her in concern. Lucy stared at him with a light blush dusting her cheeks as she motioned to her arms, legs and mouth.
"Oh, sorry Luce." Natsu murmured in embarrassment, finally noticing the ropes binding her arms and legs and the thick cloth stuffed in her mouth. As soon as Lucy was free she flung her arms around his neck and let out a small cry of fear, sadness and relief all at once. Natsu immediately wrapped his arms back around her and held her tightly as he stared angrily at the woman's body.
"W-who was s-she?" Lucy questioned through her tears.
"I'm not sure but I think she was working for Ivan..." Natsu trailed off angrily, clenching his fists in Lucy's shirt.
"Hey, it's over. Don't worry." Lucy smiled shakily, rubbing her hand up and down his arms soothingly. Natsu snapped his gaze onto hers and smiled ruefully.
"No it's not." He whispered. Lucy blinked slowly and shrunk somewhat while Natsu tightened his grip on her.
"Why was she after me?" Lucy finally whispered, not willing to meet Natsu's eyes.
"Master called Wendy, Laxus and I into the guild today... he said Ivan wanted Dragon Slayers and that if he didn't get what he wanted soon then he would hurt our loved err... people we care about..." Natsu told her with a light blush.
"But what about Gajeel?" Lucy asked anxiously. "Has he already gone?"
"No." Natsu shook his head firmly. "He's a double agent, on Gramps' orders, and Levy's life is already on the line." Lucy let out a terrified cry and shook her head vehemently.
"I will not let Levy die." She stated determinedly. Natsu smiled gently down at her.
"I'm with you." He declared, standing up abruptly and sticking out a hand for Lucy. Gratefully taking it Lucy allowed Natsu to pull her up and slowly followed him to the woman, still grasping his hand tightly.
"Should we take her to the guild?" Lucy questioned slowly.
"That's probably a good idea. Another good idea would be for you to not leave my side." Lucy looked up at him suddenly, lifting an eyebrow. "What? So you stay safe!" He defended himself, raising his hands in the air helplessly. Lucy smiled teasingly up at him.
"I know. That's a great idea Natsu." She then grinned at him and he let go of her hand to wrap an arm around her shoulders.
"So how do we move her?" Natsu finally asked, keeping his arm firmly around Lucy's shoulders.
"Happy." They both said after a moment's pause.
"Let's go get him then." Lucy said, carefully covering the woman's body with a sheet before grabbing Natsu's hand and heading off to the guild.
(^.^) (^.^)
Gajeel sat silently on the couch with Levy in his arms while she read a book. His arms were wound tightly around her waist and he was leaning back with Levy resting against his chest. Every other minute she would flip a page in her gigantic book and the slight rustle of paper would fill the air but otherwise it was silent and peaceful. Gajeel wished it could stay like this but of course, as soon as he was happy or comfortable with anything, someone or something would screw it up. Like now for instance.
Gajeel listened intently as somebody ran down the street, stopping at his in front of his house for a brief second before pounding up the steps and knocking furiously on the door.
"Gajeel!" Wendy cried out. "There's already been an attack on Lucy!" Gajeel shot off the couch and Levy dropped her book onto the couch, slipping her hand into his and allowing herself to be dragged outside as Gajeel ran to the guild, not bothering to stop and talk to Wendy as she ran as fast as she could behind them with Levy's hand firmly around hers.
"Is Lu-Chan okay?" Levy questioned immediately upon entering the guild.
"Of course Levy, Lucy's just fine." Mirajane replied, enveloping Levy in a hug.
"May I see her?" Mirajane smiled at Levy's question before turning to Lisanna.
"Sorry, not yet, she's talking to Master right now." Mira apologized as Lisanna shook her head 'no'.
"S'alright." Gajeel grunted, grabbing Levy's wrist and pulling her over to 'their' table. Jet and Droy followed slowly behind, waving hello to Levy as she sat down.
"Hi guys!" She greeted happily, standing back up to give them each a hug.
"Hi Levy-Chan!" They grinned in sync. Gajeel snorted at their childish attitude and leaned back in his chair, trying his hardest to ignore the stupidity.
"Gajeel." Master's raspy voice interrupted his annoyed silence and Gajeel looked up questioningly at his tiny Master perched upon the railing surrounding the second floor. With a slight shake of his head Master motioned for Gajeel to join him and he gladly obliged, leaving Levy with her two partners.
"What happened this morning Gramps?" Gajeel asked curiously. Natsu wasn't been raging so Lucy must be fine.
"Ivan sent someone after Lucy. Natsu got there as Lucy was about to be taken. It seems that she was still in bed when the woman showed up and therefore wasn't expecting the attack." Master replied solemnly, staring blankly at the guild members below.
"Oh..." Was all Gajeel managed.
"Natsu will join you in Raven Tail... but he will still live here of course. I told the others already too and they have all agreed. You have successfully finished your task from Ivan. I hope, for Levy's sake if nothing else, that you will be able to finish mine." Gajeel found his eyes drawn to Levy where she sat at their so-called table and watched as she happily read a book while Jet and Droy fought over who got to sit next to her. Suddenly she stiffened slightly and looked around, relaxing and smiling when she saw Gajeel. Unable to control himself Gajeel gave her a small smirk in return and clenched his fists at his sides. Now content, Levy turned back to her book not noticing Gajeel's face darken slightly. No matter what she said or did he swore he would never forgive himself for what he did to her.
Makarov's hand came down on his shoulder then and Gajeel glanced back to see Makarov smiling gently.
"You really should cut yourself some slack. We've all forgiven you. Every single one of us. No matter what you may think, Levy was the first one to forgive you. I didn't forgive you until she did. But she did, and everyone accepts you now. Everyone Gajeel." Gajeel snorted but had to admit he was a bit happier at hearing those words.
"I'm not some sappy fairy." He grunted, shaking off Makarov's hand.
"Maybe not, but you are still a lovestruck one." Makarov winked, jumping off the railing and returning to his office. Gajeel rolled his eyes but allowed a smirk to creep onto his face as he watched Makarov's retreating form.
"Hey bolts for brains." Natsu greeted, slapping Gajeel on the back. Gajeel turned around to see Natsu grinning somewhat happily up at him with Lucy standing quietly beside him, her own smile aimed at Gajeel as well.
"Flame breath." Gajeel responded curtly. "Bunny girl." Lucy glared at him slightly.
"Never let me forget huh?" She grumbled, turning and walking down the stairs to Levy. Both Dragon Slayers burst into laughter and Lucy glared up at them before whispering to them that she would tell Erza they were being mean.
Both of them shut up abruptly and Lucy smirked, running over to envelope Levy in a bone crushing hug.
"Your mate's a beast." Gajeel mumbled and Natsu was about to retort but stopped himself and smiled.
"Yeah... but she's my beast." Gajeel snorted but had to agree.
(^.^) (^.^)
"Master... I apologize deeply for my sister's failure." A deep male voice boomed, echoing off the walls in Ivan's dim office. Ivan sat silently at his desk, tapping his fingers against the hard wood. A dark silence reigned for a few minutes until Ivan suddenly looked up.
"Nikolai, I hope you realize that this task right now is your only chance at redemption. Fail me and you die. Everyone dies." Ivan drawled slowly, enjoying the look of fear that flitted across Nikolai's face. Unlike many other members, Nikolai had a happy life. He wasn't shunned or feared by the world when he joined Raven Tail. In fact, he only joined to keep his sister safe. Now that his sister was gone he wished to go but that was never allowed. When you joined Raven Tail, you joined for life. Nikolai was stuck here until he died but Ivan had the feeling Nikolai wouldn't be dying anytime soon. With a lovely wife and young daughter Nikolai was caught. If he screwed up his family was gone and he knew it. Ivan smirked darkly while Nikolai squirmed anxiously by the doors.
"Fear not Nikolai. Come closer, I won't bite." He laughed, beckoning Nikolai closer with a long finger. Nikolai shuddered but did as he was told, stopping a few feet before the large oak desk. "Your sister's failure wasn't all that bad. In fact, Natsu Dragneel has already made up his mind. That little Lucy never saw it coming." Nikolai's eyes widened and he gaped up at Ivan in disbelief.
"The Natsu Dragneel has already changed his mind?" Ivan smirked at Nikolai.
"Of course. After all, it wouldn't do to have your mate torn away from you, eh?" Ivan laughed and Nikolai cringed. Even though he wasn't a Dragon Slayer, his wife, Camilla, meant the world to him. He couldn't live without her.
"Of course Master." Nikolai whispered, staring down at the darkly carpeted floor.
"So then I assume you know your mission?" Ivan questioned, smirking down at Nikolai.
"Attack the boy, poison the woman. Two birds with one stone." Nikolai murmured dully, eyes flashing with terror and suppressed rage. What was he supposed to do? Argue and lose everything he loved? No... he'd follow through with his orders and hope he made it back alive.
A/N: So there you are. Love it? Hate it? No real opinion either way? Review anyways. This arc is about four or five chapters long and I will be updating next Friday. I swear on... uhh... my love for reviews? Also, does anyone have guesses for the boy and woman? How can they both be taken down at once? Thanks to all who have read and please do so again. Until next time~! Love y'all~!