Happy wrapped the scarf around his neck. He's been keeping it safe within his backpack, but he was missing Natsha's scent. He felt the longer he stayed away from her, the more her scent faded away. Usually his own scent smelled like the pinky, but now he smelled like forest and perfume; thanks to Evergreen.
Even Laxus seemed distant from the others. Bickslow hasn't tried his usually teasing like he has done previously; not when he gotten very little reaction from the blonde. Since they left Fiore, it's been two weeks and none of them seemed wanting to acknowledge the others presence.
The small cat walked on the grassy ground as he followed Laxus. They were getting to the border of Minstrel and soon they would enter Midi. Freed already explained why there seemed to be very little civilization in these parts, unlike in the north of the kingdom.
Midi.
Not even Freed himself knew what type of lands lies past the border. Midi, from the very beginning, was shadowed in mystery. Famous explorers even avoid it and soon it was marked as danger for humans. Even those pass the border weren't save from the mystery of Midi, and that drove the villagers farther back into Minstrel, where overpopulation didn't bother them.
'Have you heard of the tale of the missing village? During the night, there were strange wings about and no one left their homes. Until it came knocking. A fog covered the village so thick they barely saw who was knocking. And if they did, it was too late. By morning, the whole village went missing.'
"Serpents rode out of the waterfalls of Midi, and came to the shoreline. People thought they were mermaids and followed them back to their cove...where they were all eaten alive. Hopeless men. Gullible women. And even curiously children weren't safe from these nasty creatures."
And those were the only a few of the rumors the group heard from Minstrians. Some of them were strange beyond belief, while others painted the picture into their eyelids.
'Volcanos...' the green hair thought once again. This was the reason he chose this country. The other main reason was because of the mystery. Where else could a dragon nest without the burdens of humans sighting them?
Freed could only hope this was the place. Like Happy, he knew Laxus was getting irritation by all of the dead ends.
Were dragons behind the disappearance of Natsha?
Where they following a false lead from the very start?
Where was Natsha?
He couldn't help but doubt himself. He sighed and slumped his shoulders.
A hand patted his shoulder and he turned back to see Evergreen's reassuring gaze. He returned the smile, "Thanks."
"It's too late to be doubtful now." She nodded her head at Laxus, "Remember, he say he would leave us behind if we slowed him down."
He nodded. With Natsha clouding his mind, he didn't have time to think of others.
...
They lowered their heads as they walked through the align rocks. In front of them was a rocky cliff, and underneath that was a lava pit. Purple flowers grew along the rocks as grass sprouted in several places away from the edge.
The girl barely gotten close to the edge, before backing away. If she took the wrong step, she could fall down into the lava pit; which wasn't on her wish list.
"This is Tambora Volcano? It's just a fuckin' lava pit!" Gajeel shouted through his teeth. He slammed on the rock wall. Their whole trip was just for a stinky fire pool.
Levy bent her legs and looked at the grass, "Do you...smell anything?"
"They have been here," he stated without thinking.
"They who?"
"Blond asshole, bust girl, manic and crybaby. Who else?" He turned and took another sniff, "Oh, and Furball."
"Looks like they didn't find anything either..." she looked at the strands of grass between her fingers. "What about Natsha?"
He took another sniff, but the closest to her strawberry scent was Happy's. He shook his head as he kicked a rock into the lava. He was expecting much of than this. Such much for that long journey just to see erupting bubbles.
Her shoulders slumped and another thought came through her mind. "How do you think Rogue and Mirajane are doing?"
"They are on the right track. Blond bastard went south to Mid-"
"Midi!" she smiled as she hopped back onto her feet. Imminently, her smile faded as she glanced back at Gajeel with sorry written all over her face for interrupting him.
"It's too late to catch up with them now."
"Guess we will have to go back and inform Master. At least we know we are on the right track with Freed and Laxus."
"But not with Pinky."
"Yeah..."
"If they don't find Salamander there, then Freed only has one place left. Friggin' Desierto."
"Juvia's group," Levy remarked. "Hopefully we find Natsha soon. Even with the dragon lead, it doesn't help much now..."
"It doesn't help this case." Gajeel looked off into the distance, "But...we know they are alive, at least."
She gave a faint smile. "Shouldn't we get going then?"
"What's wrong? Don't want to sleep next to a lava pit?" he smirked as he turned around. She rolled her eyes. It was bad enough she had to sleep next to him, with only Lily around; who was watchout duty.
Before they left, she went up to the bush and picked one of the lovely purple flowers. "Aren't these pretty?"
"Looks plain to me," he uttered rather bluntly. The Iron Dragon Slayer never saw the appeal of flowers. They tasted like grass, smelled like those perfumes, which he resented for the strong smells that hinders his sense of smell. But then again, Levy was a girl and liked this kind of stuff.
That was Gajeel. She placed the flower behind her ear and turned around to face him. She was blushing while he stood there with his jaw apart. "Is something wrong?" she questioned in concern.
He shook his head and lowered his head to fit through the gap between the two stones, "Nothing."
...
Erza thrust her sword into the sword and climbed up. Her shoe stood on top of the sword as she lifted her body over the edge. After a quick glance around the ledge, she turned back over, on her stomach, and reached down for Wendy's hand. The small girl reached out and grabbed the gauntlet. "Step on the sword," she ordered.
Wendy followed her advice and angled her foot on top of the blade. Erza let go of her hand and switched to her other arm. "Grab my hand," she ordered once more, and the girl followed. As soon as she touched Erza's hand, it was closed by her other hand. And soon she was pulled over the ledge.
The two gazed at the edge. The little girl gulped as she turned back and looked down. All she saw was clouds; this was the highest mountain in the world for something.
"Carla." Erza called out, "Make sure she doesn't fall."
'You didn't have to tell me that...' the cat thought as she crossed her arms. She stared while Erza started walking away from them.
"Eh?" the girl turned back and gulped, "Erza-san! Don't leave!"
The scarlet haired stood there for a moment as Wendy and the exceed caught back up to her. In front of them was a barrier of fog, which lead Erza to raised an eyebrow. She heard the shop owners within the town say that no one ever made it up here, but there were several weapons laid on the ground.
The girl took a step forward as her eyes widen.
"Wendy-san?" Carla questioned as she side glanced at her partner.
She reached out her hand and the fog scattered away from her touch.
Erza equipped her sword, ready for a sudden attack.
Cling.
It echoed through the fog. Erza halted Wendy from walking into the fog as she took charge.
The fog wrapped around them.
...
"TRESPASSERS!" The tribespeople shouted as soon as Gajeel touched the ground. His eyes narrowed as he growled at the newcomers. Levy dropped onto the ground from the high rock and stood behind Gajeel.
All of their weapons were raised high as their light skin shined in the darkness. They didn't even dare to go where the sunlight came through the branches.
"We weren't trespassing!"
"Gajeel-san!" Levy grabbed onto his shoulders and hide.
The leader's eyes widen as he laid sight on the purple flower in that girl's hair. His face redden in anger. He shook his head as thoughts of beheading these invaders for picking from their sacred bush; but he couldn't exactly kill youngsters. "LEAVE THIS PLACE NOW!"
"Leader?" one of them questioned him and pointed to the flower.
"We aren't leavin'." Gajeel stood his ground against the tribe.
"Come on...Gajeel-san..." Levy pressed her palms against his back.
"No, Skrimp. We aren't listening to them."
The tribe man who wore a spear shook his head at the two. "You fools! Leader gave path!"
"Please Gajeel-san! We have to go!"
Well, I've been thinking of ways to get the groups in trouble. Haven't thought of anything for Sting's group though (but...being with Gray and JUvia should be enough trouble as it is.
Danizinhachan: Well, I promised flashbacks so I had to come through. Bickslow just doesn't care, while Freed does; plus I needed some humor somehow (feels like I have been forgetting Bickslow and Happy everything I show them). Man...do people really think I'm going to mess with Natsha's head? But...now that I have had the suggestions...that may happen *evil laugh*
darkhuntressxir: Well...I really think, knowing Laxus, the two would forget real quick once they met with his fist (does that even make sense?). Yup, Igneel
EpicAsianOrangeTiger26: Now we just need to know why he kidnapped Natsha in the first place...
rinpup14: Second time someone thought I was going to torture Natsha (someone messing with her brain). I just won't say anything for now...
kuromi123: Thanks! I was a bit worried I may have done something wrong (since I really don't know what Natsu would do if Igneel just appeared).