Gajeel: HEY! Yeah I am talking to you! Don't fucking Ignore me and scroll down….I swear don't you dare…I am talking pay attention to me.
Levi: Gajeel it is not helping if you yell at them.
Gajeel: Well they should pay attention to me
Levi: *rolls eyes* Where is lilmissshortie1
Gajeel: She went on a long awaited vacation because she didn't update fast enough *evil smile*
Levi: *realizes what he did..Gasps* I'm getting Erza *runs away*
Gajeel: Let me hurry before that demon comes…Thanks to cutey650kuto, ReianaA, CupcakeGirl633, Skymaiden777, and whynotwhynot for the reviews….The rest of you that liked, read, and favorites the story thanks to..
Erza: *comes running* GAJEEL! WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE AUTHOR
Gajeel: Shit!*runs away with Erza chasing him* REVIEW!
Chapter 13: Items in the bag
Cindy walked out the cabin door with a sigh. The rest of the dragonslayer's agreed to come out once they feel as if they are far out in the water. To make sure she will stomp her foot down hard to let them know. That was the only solution for them for Gajeel and Natsu refused to disguise themselves to trick them. Once outside Cindy let her body steam out becoming part of the water particles in the air so Sting and Rogue can't see her as she releases the ship from its hold on the dock.
"Where is the damn captain?" Sting yelled in frustration as he kicked a wooden barrel down. The barrel slammed down and rolled across the deck. Rogue looked at his partner and sighed at his stupidity.
"Why must you kick the barrel? Dumbass!" Rogue said as he looked around. His eyes widen in surprise as he noticed the boat moving away from the dock. "What the hell? What did you do?"
"What do you mean?" Sting asked looking at his angry partner in confusion then around him. Stings eyes widen in shock upon seeing what his partner was so upset about. "What the hell the boat is moving!" Sting exclaimed.
"No Shit, dumbass! Now what did you do?" Rogue exclaimed.
Cindy watched the scene from the sky with amusement as the boat floated out into the vast river. She knew it was like those idiots to fight about something like this. She continued to watch as they argued back and forth about why the boat is moving out into sea without a captain. Cindy laughed as the two dragonslayers started to wrestle now. They are idiots. Finally having enough of watching Cindy let herself come back to the ship materializing back to her normal body on the deck. She stretched her arms and legs out moaning in delight because she no longer water particles in the air.
"Hey idiots!" She yelled earning the attention from the fighting dragonslayers. Sting and Rogue looked at their longtime friend in shock not believing she is there. Their mouths hanging open. "Close your mouths or you'll catch flies." Cindy laughed.
"Cindy! What are you doing here?" Sting yelled in excitement as he ran to the laughing red head picking her up and spinning her around in his arms. Cindy laughed along with her blonde friend holding her. They have always been so close since they met a few years ago. Every time he and Rogue visited the town of Ember she always left the dragon's realm to visit them. "Damn how long has it been?"
"Like a year already! Oh hey Rogue!" Cindy said awkwardly waving to the silent dark haired man. Rogue studied her with suspicion as he nodded his head at her in acknowledgement. Cindy rolled her eyes at him knowing he is suspicious of her.
"Cindy? What are you doing here? And where is our captain?" Sting asked. He set the red head back down on her feet softly. He knew that the red head has never left the town of Ember. He never knew why? Sting remembered the last time he saw her he tried to convince her to go with him, but she told him she can never leave the city. Then it hit him. "Where is Lucy?"
"She has been captured by the Strigoi not to long ago. We are on our way to save her now. Sting will you please help us. Please you know I would never ask for help from anyone unless it was really necessary." Cindy whispered out as she held onto Sting's furry vest looking down. Tears threatening to come out of her eyes just thinking about what her sister is going through.
"Us?" Rogue asked making them notice he was there. Cindy quickly pulled away from Sting looking around cautiously making sure they were a good ways from land.
"Where are Lector and Frosch?" Cindy asked noticing the absence of their companions.
"At the guild they have families now to take care of! Now who are Us!" Rogue hissed. "What the hell is going on?"
"Well looks like it's now or never." Cindy tried to joke. She laughed nervously as she stomped her foot down on the deck letting them know to come out.
Sting and Rogue turned towards the cabin door curiously as the door opened slowly. While this is happening Cindy leaned over the railing looking towards the water extending her arms out towards it. She used her connection to the water to make the boat move faster knowing they didn't have much time. With much concentration Cindy created a current under the boat to lead it to the destination she desired while back on deck the argument started.
"Natsu Dragneel?! What the hell are you doing here?" Sting hissed upon seeing Natsu's face. Natsu and Gajeel just looked at the other dragonslayers with an annoyed face.
"We are going to go save Lucy! And we were hoping you will come and help us. You know how strong the Strigoi are. If we go alone we won't make it out alive." Cindy spoke interrupting before Natsu even said a word.
She walked away from the railing giving the fire dragonslayer a stern look as if telling him to remember why they need them. Wendy watched the scene from her spot behind Gajeel and Natsu with worry knowing a fight will start. With the way Rogue stares at them with hatred. Cindy noticed Wendy's eyes on Rogue and sighed. To convince Rogue will be harder than she thought. The red head motioned for the blunette girl to stand next to her for she is worried she will get hurt. Wendy happily went by Cindy's side.
"Why do they have to come?" Rogue and Sting hissed not taking their eyes off of Natsu and Gajeel.
"You all can go die for all I care." Rogue growled. Sting turned towards to Rogue with an annoyed expression.
"Even Cindy?" Sting questioned. His blue eyes stared at his dark partner with sorrow. Rogue stared at Sting in disbelief as he sighed shaking his head. Rogue knew how his partner felt about the red head and believes it is ridiculous. She obviously doesn't feel anything in her heart except for her nephew and sister. Besides Rogue never liked the girl nor did she like him. "You bastard!" Sting yelled realizing the answer to his question by his partner's silence.
Gajeel, Natsu, and Wendy watched in shock as the blonde dragonslayer launched himself at his own partner punching him in the face. Cindy just sighed knowing how they really are. At this rate by the time they arrive at the destination they would be to worn out to actually fight. Rogue and Sting wrestled on the deck of the wooden ship as they yelled at each other. Sting was hurt by Rogue's not caring attitude after all the times Cindy has saved them back then.
"Enough!" Cindy yelled annoyed. Her arms extended out behind her as the water from the river extended out into a big wave over the ship. The dragonslayers looked up at the wave with fear knowing the red head could drop it on them at any time. Rogue and Sting immediately pulled away from each other not wanting the red head's wrath on them. Cindy sighed as she slowly returned the wave of water peacefully back into the river. "Thank you..Now I know this is a lot to take in and you would rather be caught dead then help Natsu and Gajeel, but please do it for me and Lucy. Please, Sting, Rogue. Remember all the times Lucy helped you whenever you were in town."
"Yeah! You're right." Sting sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. "You and your sister did help us out a lot. Remember when we first met Lucy had was about to kill me because I accidently hurt you."
"Yeah! I convinced her not to because it was my fault with my stupid attitude. Then later that day we had to help you and Rogue with your mission because you idiots were too busy in your bickering to notice you were surrounded by the dark guild near the town." Cindy laughed along with Sting. Natsu watched them in confusion. Also annoyed at the fact that Lucy was close with them. "Sting, please help us save her."
"Look I'll help you because you asked and I owe it to Lucy, but if any shit go down there I am only helping you and her. No one else." Sting spoke his eyes directed at Natsu and Gajeel.
"We can take care of ourselves! Just don't slow us down." Gajeel growled along with Natsu. Cindy watched them and sighed as she shook her head. At least just as she expected Sting agreed. Then her honey brown eyes landed on Rogue's dark ones. Just Rogue left.
"This has nothing to do with me. Lucy can die for all I care. Don't involve me in your pointless matters." Rogue sighed out as he walked towards the ship's railing. Cindy growled angrily as she lifted a wall of ice in front of him blocking his way. Rogue simply turned to her staring at her annoyed. "Don't start, Cindy, for we all know how this will end." He threatened.
"Shall we finish our fight that we held off for a year already?" Cindy questioned with a wicked smile as she walked towards the dark haired man. Sting growled in warning at his partner as he stood in front of Cindy to block her from him.
"No! You will not be fighting like that again. Last time he almost killed you with his shadows, Cindy!" Sting yelled.
"What!" Natsu yelled in shock. He stared at Cindy almost looking her over to see if she has an injuries on her. But Cindy just ignored them all as she had her eyes trained on Rogue in hatred. They never really got along due to the fact that all Cindy saw in him was evil. She was actually afraid to touch him to see his future so she always avoided close contact with him.
"Whatever! Sting, remember we have a mission that the Master assigned us to take of immediately." Rogue sighed out nonchalantly as he crossed his arms over his chest. Sting looked down remembering the mission and how their Master specifically said that it must be done immediately with no distractions.
"I know you have the mission. Trust me when I say you will be able to get it done with no problem after you help us. Rogue...Please help us. As much as I hate you I am begging you please help us save my sister. Please after this you won't ever have to see me again." Cindy spoke as she walked up to Rogue. Sting and Natsu watched the girl with worry as she got closer to Rogue.
Rogue watched in shock as Cindy grabbed his hand looking at him in the eyes. Her eyes widen in fear as they seemed to look out into space. The shadow dragonslayer suddenly felt a wave of worry in him for the girl as he used his other hand to shake her. Then he saw it. It was as if she passed images into his mind. Then all too soon Cindy fell into Rogue's arms weakly her body shaking in fear. Upon smelling the fear the rest of the dragonslayers ran to her in worry. They tried to shake her out of her faze, but she just out. Her eyes looking almost lifeless with fear.
"What the hell did you do?" Sting and Natsu yelled at Rogue in rage as they pulled the red head away from him. Rogue just stood in shock at scene in front of him trying to figure out what just happened.
"They asked what the hell you did. So answer the fucking question." Gajeel growled furiously as he grabbed Rogue by his collar. Rogue's eyes widen as he stared at Cindy's shaking form in Sting's arms. Her eyes still wide open.
"Gajeel! Fighting is not going to help anything." Wendy yelled as she pulled Gajeel away from Rogue. She stood between them with a stern look making her look older than what she is. She then turned to look at Rogue with a knowing smile. The gentleness of her smile reached her eyes calming Rogue a little. "What did she show you?"
"Acnologia!" Rogue muttered out in shock. His brain going back to the haunting image that Cindy showed him.
Everyone stayed in silence shock written on their faces as many questions ran through their hands. Rogue watched as Cindy's breathing slowly went back to normal as she seemed to stop shaking and her conscious coming back. She moved slowly in Sting's arms breathing softly as she looked up at his worried eyes. She sighed as she ran a tan through her red hair knowing she has to keep what she has seen a secret or they will never leave her alone.
The water and ice dragonslayer sat up slowly on Sting's lap as Rogue came slowly to her. She watched in shock as Rogue bent down to her level looking at her in the eyes with worry. Sting, Natsu, and Gajeel let out a warning growl to the dark haired man not letting him closer as Sting tightened his arms around Cindy's body. He held her to him protectively. Rogue lifted his hand towards her, but the red head only moved more into Sting's muscular chest afraid to see more. She doesn't want to ever touch him again.
"Ok..I'll help you on one condition." Rogue spoke serious. Cindy looked at him in the eyes in fear because he knew what she saw. She pulled out of Sting's reluctant arms and stood up in front of Rogue making him stand up also facing her. His face hard with seriousness. Everyone watched in annoyed silence. "When I tell you to leave you leave!" Rogue whispered to her so only she can hear. Cindy's eyes widen in shock at how much Rogue actually cared.
"Thank you." She spoke softly smiling at him. Then she turned back to the rest of the dragonslayers with a smile. Rogue's heart quicken upon seeing her smiling face while he felt his own face form a smile. He couldn't help, but feel an urge to protect the girl. He then looked at the other dragonslayers with a sigh. They all want to protect her and her sister so much they will risk their lives. "Thanks a lot all of you. Thank you for coming to save my sister." Her eyes immediately switched from gentle to serious. "Now we are almost there. It is just through this cave."
Everyone turned their heads to the front of the boat to see it heading inside of a dark cave. The boat came to a halt just a little inside the entrance. The water seemed to stop around it although it looks like it can go much further in.
"Why did the boat stop?" Wendy questioned worried as she looked down at the water from the railing with curious eyes.
"Because this is where I put the current to stop." Cindy said nonchalantly as she sat on the railing swing her legs over the side.
Cindy stripped her black trench coat and combat boot off leaving her in only a black cropped tank top and black shorts. She threw her items on the deck behind her. Everyone stared at her in shock about to ask what the hell she was doing. But then guys screamed in shock as she jumped out landing in the crystal blue water with a splash. Everyone raced to the railing looking out in worry as they only saw the ripples in the water at where she fell in.
"You dumbass!" Sting and Rogue yelled out in worry as her head surfaced. She motioned for them to get in the water, but they all just looked at her as if she was crazy.
"Look the only way to go undetected to Lucy is if we swim the rest of the way. Natsu, Gajeel, Rogue, and Sting come with me. Wendy throw me my bag." Cindy ordered. The guys looked at her with a face a stupid annoying her. Wendy on the other hand immediately yelled in agreement as she ran to the cabin to get the bag. Cindy let out a growl. "Will you idiots hurry and get in the water we don't have much time." She yelled as she lifted her hand creating a wave next to the ship making it crash against it. The ship rocked furiously from side to side as they guys fell out into the water one by one screaming. "Nice of you to join me!" She chirped once they all surfaced the water with a sneer on their faces glaring at her. "Stop being big babies I had to do it. We have to get to Lucy before they start the ceremony."
"Cindy! Here!" Wendy voice echoed as a bag flew in the air heading straight towards them in the water. Cindy smiled as she lifted her hand catching the bag with ease in her hands.
"Thanks Wendy." She yelled back at the blunette at the top. "Wendy I need you to stay with the ship. When we come back and I yell I want you to throw the strongest wind you got towards the inside of the cave. Don't hold back, ok!"
"Hai!" Wendy agreed. Although she agreed to stay she couldn't help, but be upset due to the fact she wanted to go and fight to save Lucy. But Wendy felt inside that Cindy knew what she was doing by asking her to stay on the ship. It was for a reason that only she knows. So when they come back just like Cindy said she will give all she got on the attack.
"Why is Wendy staying?" Natsu wondered out loud as they started swimming away from the ship. The four dragonslayers followed behind Cindy while they swam deeper in the cave. Although the water was crystal clear you can see the see creatures going about their business inside. It felt as if they were swimming through warm silk.
"Because once we get Lucy there will be a big ass Dragon coming after us wanting to kill us all!" Cindy let out seriously as she continued to swim ahead. The guys looked at her in shock as they swam behind her. They couldn't help, but wonder if they will make it out of this alive.
"I'll kill that dragon if he hurts Lucy!" Natsu growled in rage.
His eyes burned with fire as he thought about the blonde in pain. He needed her. He needed to get to her now. Almost as if reading his mind Cindy told the guys to hurry as they swam faster inside the dark cave. The ship and light fading behind them as they kept going. Cindy just kept pushing and pushing as the images she has seen of what will happen next infiltrated her mind. She was scared. For Lucy. For the guys. Most of all she was scared for herself because when she touched Rogue she saw.
"No!" Cindy scolded herself softly as she pushed the thought out.
They were getting closer. She can smell the smell of dried blood and burnt flesh. Her senses instantly knew it was Lucy. Natsu let out a growl as he swam faster towards the scent. The water beneath them started to get shallower as their feet started touching the ground. Natsu was the first one to reach the almost like cave beach while the other's followed behind. Lucy's scent getting stronger along with the scent of death. There were fire torches along the walls lighting the area leading to a made up hallway where Lucy's scent is coming from. Natsu and Gajeel immediately went to go charged towards it, but then they were held back by a hand.
"Let go! We need to go get her now!" Natsu snapped furiously making Cindy almost flinch back in fear. She watched as his eyes seemed to light on fire. He looked like a predator with a thirst for blood.
"Wait…we can't just charge in because we will only get ourselves killed if we do." Cindy hissed almost frustrated with the fire dragonslayer. She understood his feelings for Lucy, but she doesn't want to lose anyone going to save her.
"Then what do we do?" Sting asked. The guys looked at the red head awaiting orders while she took out her backpack from her back opening it slowly. Sting, Gajeel, and Natsu let out a gasp in shock as they saw the certain items she took out from the bag. Rogue looked at the items with a knowing looking because he saw them when she flashed the images in his mind. "Cindy.."
"We can't!" Gajeel and Natsu let out in shock as they backed up from her.
"Yes! We can! Trust me! This is the only way." Cindy breathed out. She had more items in her bag that she got at the magic shop, but they will only be in use to free Lucy. These items will keep them alive. "It has to work!"
The dragonslayer's sighed out in frustration as they looked down on the ground at the items wondering how it will work. They didn't believe this will work. On top of that it could be dangerous due to the fact they don't possess the magic to do it. They won't admit it out loud, but they felt a wave of fear hit them almost instantly. For Cindy to result to using these without…to even use them. Means that..The dragonslayers shook their heads. They didn't even want to think of it. Their eyes just fixated on the items.
For the items on the floor were 12 items.
12 golden items.
12 Golden Celestial keys that belong to none other than Lucy Heartfilia.