A/N: The longest chapter that I have ever written...be prepared for a lot of evil cats
The Dragneel siblings had to be partially carried by the rest of their team mates as they left Lavender Town train station, since the village where the request originated from didn't have a station of its own, it meant that the mages had to proceed on foot. Team Natsu had asked Rissy to accompany them on a job regarding the disappearance of a large number of girls from a small village known as Violet
"Don't you think that this job sounds weird?" Lucy asked as they walked up the dirt path. Lavender was sitting on her head since Rissy was being carried/dragged by Gray.
Erza who was carrying Natsu turned to face the blonde, the town that they were heading to didn't have a station of its own it was also small meaning that it wasn't on many of the maps of Fiore so the disappearances didn't go un-noticed by the towns people but they weren't acknowledged by the authorities.
"Disappearances of any kind will always be weird..." She paused for a moment as the sky rumbled and it started to lightly pour "But since the village is so remote only adds to it"
The rain pelted down on the mages as they continued on the path, Lucy pulled Lavender down from her head, the small exceed burying herself in her shirt.
"Rain!" Rissy gasped as she recovered from her motion sickness and started dancing around in the muddy puddles. The truth was that the rain reminded the fairy dragon slayer of her time with Leora when the two of them would take shelter in caves from the pounding rain.
"Rissy you keep doing that you'll catch a cold..."Gray pointed out as he watched the salmon haired girl dance around in the rain and mud puddles.
"I don't mind...I actually like the rain" she said, a toothy grin flashing on her face as she continued to jump around in the rain.
"Natsu help me!" Happy shouted as he tried in vain to avoid the pouring rain. Natsu grabbed his exceed, shielding him from the rain underneath his vest.
"We should probably take shelter..." Erza sighed, the rain pelting against her armour making an echo and drenching her scarlet hair.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance" A small voice said. The mages turned around to see a tall, thin elderly man with greased back silver/gray hair, his skin was wrinkled like leather and he was dressed in a crisp tuxedo, hinting a possible occupation of a butler.
"What are you suggesting, Lurch?" Rissy asked, earning a nudge from Lucy.
The butler simply smiled as Rissy statement "Well I saw you baring the crest of Fairy Tail and I overheard your need of shelter so I am offering my master's residence..." The butler explained
"I don't know..." Lucy said, clutching Lavender to her chest as if she were to be taken at that moment.
"Yeah, Luce is right...there might not even be food" Natsu said, his arms folded over Happy with a pout.
"I can assure you, there will be nourishment and my master will be more than delighted to play host to you" He paused and sent a glance Rissy's way "All of you"
Rissy didn't like the way that Lurch was looking at her, however it looked as if her team mates were all convinced with staying at his master's house, since none of them wanted to stay out in the rain.
"We'll be happy to accept your offer" Said Erza on behalf of the team. Lurch smiled, leading the way for the team to follow.
Once they had finished their walk up the dirt path the team found themselves outside a large mansion. The entire setting just screamed gothic and looked like something out of a Tim Burton movie.
"Welcome to Manning Manor" Lurch said once he lead the team inside. Natsu and Happy were the first to gasp, the duo not wasting any time with prodding the knight's outfit on display. Rissy took a step forward, the salmon aired girl gasped once she felt something furry against her legs and looking down she noticed a brown coloured cat.
"I'm not really a cat person" She sighed as she awkwardly tried to side step away from the cat's advances.
"Hey I'm a cat..."Lavender said, clearly offended by her partner's statement.
"No, you're an exceed...not as annoying" Rissy pointed out.
However to the salmon haired girl's disappointment more cats started to appear, surround the mages as they mewed and rubbed themselves against their legs.
"What's with all these cats?" Lucy asked as she stepped out of a large circle of gray cats.
Lurch turned towards them, a ginger cat in his arms "Master is quite fond of cats" He explained, the ginger cat jumping out of his arms to join the others. "How about I show you to your rooms"
"That would be great" Erza said with a smile, the scarlet haired mage was first to follow Lurch as he lead the way down a long corridor.
As Rissy glanced back she noticed the large huddle of cats, they looked as if they were watching the mages with caution, as if noticing her wariness of them they all hissed in unison at the salmon haired girl, causing her to quickly catch up to her friends, and try her best to ignore the glare of the cats.
"And of course, I saved the best till last..." Lurch said with a smile, the tall butler had led the mages into their rooms, each one had their own room complete with a new set of clothes. "This is your room"
He opened the door wide, allowing her to glance inside, the room was much larger than the others, the bed was too.
"Ooh pretty" Lavender gasped as she wasted no time in flying in the room.
"Umm, thanks Lurch" Rissy said with a smile, however it was forced
Lurch smiled "It's quite alright, Miss Dragneel...and it's Hammond" he said as he shut the door behind her, the salmon haired girl couldn't miss the sound of a key turning in a lock.
Turning her attention to the bed, Rissy picked up what looked to be scraps of clothing however holding it up it appeared to a be a tiger-striped body suit complete with shoes and gloves shaped like cats feet. Set beside the cat costume were cat ears and a tail.
"I hope this Master isn't expecting me to wear this, Lavender" She said with a snort, turning around however she got no response from her exceed partner. Turning around she noticed the small lilac exceed sniffing a ball of fluff.
Snatching the fluff away from her she sniffed it, the smell pungent in her nose and caused her to cough. "Catnip?!" She gasped, tossing the bag aside with a scowl.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Lavender gasped as she pounced on the bag once more.
Rissy just sweat dropped. It looked as if she had to wear the weird out as she couldn't sit in wet clothes and looked as if something weird was going on in the mansion.
Lucy stared at her reflection in the mirror, the two pieced cat suit that had been placed on her bed was the only item of clothing that she had to wear that wasn't soaked through. She sighed to herself, hoping that she wasn't the only one dressed in a ridiculous outfit.
The sound of knocking on her door, brought her back from her thoughts, opening it she found Erza dressed in leopard pattered high-waisted shorts and bandeau top, complete with ears, paws and a tail.
"Erza...what are you.."
Erza placed up her hand, silencing the celestial mage "Something strange is going on"
Lucy's eyes widened "W-what do you mean?"
Erza gently closed the door "I feel like I was being watched"
Lucy involuntary shivered "By what?" Lucy asked, suddenly feeling uncomfortable
"I'm not sure but one thing is those cats are shifty" Erza said, picking up a small bag off the floor, Lucy's focus suddenly shifted to the bag.
"catnip?"
"Lucy we need to get to the others" Erza said, the scarlet haired mage slowly opening the door and peering round. "We need to hurry for we're being watched now"
Lucy peered behind Erza noticing the large hoard of cats that were starting down the hall way and were heading straight for them.
Erza headed towards the large bed, her back facing the celestial mage as her hands wrapped around one of the bed posts "Lucy we must move quickly" Erza said as she pulled off one of the bed posts, snapping it in half over her knee "Here" She said offering half of the bedpost to Lucy.
"What am I supposed to do with this!" Lucy exclaimed gingerly holding the piece of wood in her hands.
"To protect yourself...now let's go!" Erza stated as she charged out of the room, leaving Lucy with little choice but to follow.
The cats too had started to speed up, Lucy glancing back and noticed some of them running on the banisters and jumping on the shelves to catch up to them. The blonde instantly cringed at the sight 'Now that just really put me off cats...'
One of the larger gray cats lunged for Lucy the blonde placing her hands in front of her face in a protective stance.
"Lucy, go!" Erza shouted as she whacked the gray cat away with the broken bed post, Lucy just watched shocked as the cat landed on the ground, hissing angrily at the scarlet haired mage.
Lucy gasped at Erza's actions "Erza isn't this animal cruelty!" Lucy exclaimed as Erza started to whack away the approaching cats with her broken bedpost, Lucy standing next to her and doing the same, however finding it hard to hit the animals without thinking of Happy.
More cats started to arrive surrounding the two women, the cats hissing and baring their claws.
"It looks as if we're outnumbered..." Erza sighed as the cats circled them
"This wasn't how I imagined my death..."Lucy sobbed
However before she could plan her funeral an arm yanked her by the wrist pulling her into the room behind her.
"Gray!" She gasped, she turned to see Natsu behind jumping on the bed with Happy "...And Natsu"
Erza came in not too long after slamming the door shut, the cats could be heard on the other side, hissing, meowing and scratching.
Natsu suddenly stopped jumping on the bed, noticing that they were two members short "Where's Rissy and Lavender?"
"I assumed that they would've been with you" Lucy said, causing Gray to nod in agreement.
"You should keep a closer eye on your sister, ash for brains" Gray sighed
Natsu jumped from the bed, landing inched away from Gray "What did you say, ice princess?" he asked, flames engulfing his fists as he readied himself for another fight.
"Shut it!" Erza shouted as she back-handed both men sending them to the floor almost unconscious.
"I hope that they're alright" Lucy sighed.
Natsu walked over to Lucy a look of curiosity on his face "Hey Luce, can I ask a question?"
She nodded her head "Yeah sure"
"Does that costume give you a wedgie?"
She loudly sighed and walked away.
"But Luce you never answered the question!"
Rissy smiled triumphantly once she finally picked the lock, placing the pin back in her hair and straightening out her cat ears she grabbed Lavender out of the room and proceeded down the hall way. Walking down two flights of stairs she found herself in front of a large book-case.
"In the movies the book cases are secret passage ways..." She said, turning to her partner she realised that she was still sniffing the catnip. Pulling out books she searched for that 'secret one' however they all seemed normal enough. Except one.
"All about dogs" She muttered, her finger tracing the book's spine. She pulled on the book causing the bookcase to rotate, revealing another set of stairs, illuminated only by a torch.
"Come on Lavender" She whispered yanking the exceed by her tail.
Walking slowly down the spiral staircase she found herself in a dark room, the room appeared to be a dungeon of some sort and no light shone through, meaning that Rissy had to narrow her eyes to see, even with dragon slayer senses. Taking a step forward she gasped, feeling something on her face, looking up she realised that it was just a spider's web.
"H-help...me..." A weak voice called out
Rissy walked forward, searching for where the owner of the voice. "Where are you?" she loudly whispered still walking forward.
"Over here..." The voice said weakly
Spotting a glint of silver she spotted a small frame chained to the floor. Rissy quickly ran over spotting a women in her late teens dressed in the remains of a tattered blue dress. Her brunette hair was matted and her face dirty, her lips were cracked and dry and her eyes were wet from unshed tears.
"Oh my...are you okay?" Rissy asked, placing a hand on the woman's, she slowly nodded however it appeared that she was in pain.
"Wing slash of the fairy dragon" Rissy whispered, she summoned only a small amount of magic energy that formed a small set of fairy wings, and she then used the magic to cut the shackle of the woman, who smiled gratefully at her.
Helping the woman to stand, she placed one of her arms around her own shoulders to give her support. "Thank you" The woman whispered to her
"No need to thank me yet..."She paused for she didn't know the brunette's name.
"Jennifer...but call me Jen" She said with a weak smile
Rissy nodded "Okay, Jen I will get us out of here" she Lavender walked ahead, leading the way for Rissy.
Rissy kept her emotions in check whilst she was with Jen, however she could help but feel angry at how she was chained like some criminal...and this so-called master.
"Jen, you wouldn't be from Violet village...?" Rissy asked, however she felt she already knew the answer.
Jen nodded "Yes I'm from Violet village..."
That was it... the master of Manning Manor was behind the kidnappings.
"But why kidnap these girls?" Rissy muttered, however the salmon haired girl wasn't expecting an answer.
"Perhaps I can be of some assistance"
Turning around Rissy silently cursed, standing in front of her was Lurch, and the butler was holding a torch the flames emitting light that illuminated only half of his face whilst leaving the other half shadowed. Standing next to him was a man in his late twenties dressed in formal trousers and a dress shirt; making Rissy believe that he was the master to the house.
Sensing hostility from the new arrivals, Rissy pushed both Lavender and Jen behind her, placing an arm in front of them.
The master smirked, Rissy's actions clearly amusing him "And you think you can stand in our way?" The master asked.
Rissy ignored his statement, hoping that keeping him talking would by some time for the others to find them "...So I guess that you're the master of the house?"
The master smiled, outstretching his arms "Myon Manning, I inherited all this from my father..."He paused for a second with a frown "However we recently hit a rough patch and it looks as if I may lose the manor"
She raised a brow, wondering what becoming broke had to do with kidnapping innocent women from villages. "Then what's with the girls and the...cats?"
Myon smiled once more "Ah my ingenious plan..." He sighed, a sudden meow caught his attention as a small white cat walked up to him, he picked it up in his arms and began to stroke it tenderly. "These cats are very intelligent, more intelligent than the average feline"
Rissy took a step backward, her arm still held in front of Jen and Lavender "How so...?" She asked
Myon chuckled lightly and then placed the white cat on the ground "You are very dense you know that..." He stated, causing Rissy to growl "The cats the girls, they link together!" he shouted, his voice echoing throughout the dungeon.
She froze... his statement suddenly sinking in. The cats are the missing girls...
Upon seeing her reaction he smiled "Looks as if you aren't as dense as I thought"
"How?" Rissy asked
He tilted his head to the side "Strange question...usually people ask 'why'" He clasped his hands together "With my magic I can turn both objects and people into animals...not very effective but it works if I wish to punish someone"
Rissy raised a brow, wondering why he would even want to turn women into cats...she knew that he was a crazy cat person but this was just another level of crazy. "what do you even get out of this...a bunch of new pets?!" She exclaimed.
He smiled crookedly "No that's where my accomplice comes in...Ezekiel come forward and say hello to your old friend" Myon said with a smile.
Ezekiel stepped out of the shadows, his midnight purple bangs hung loose over his face, shadowing his eyes. He turned to Rissy with a smile. "Hello, Rissy-Chan"
She stiffened as he spoke; the salmon haired girl hadn't seen Ezekiel since her split with Elijah, not too long after she had left Draco Fire. The purple haired mage had disappeared, much like her old Draco Fire comrades, that was until now.
"Ezekiel, why are you helping him turn people into cats...its a stupid plan!" Rissy exclaimed.
Ezekiel remained calm throughout Rissy's outburst, smoothing his bangs out of his eyes with his hand "Look...when a rich guy comes asking you to help kidnap and turn girls into cats you don't ask questions" He snapped "And you really are dense if you thought that the cats was our master plan" He added with a chuckle.
Rissy was now confused "Then what's with the cats?"
Ezekiel sighed loudly "Not the cats...the catnip"
Rissy picked up the small bag that Lavender had held and twirled it around with her hands "This...what's so special about this stuff?"
Ezeiekl smiled once more "you know about my magic don't you Rissy-Chan"
Rissy nodded, Eziekel's magic could manipulate another person's emotions he could make you feel whatever he wanted you to, whether it was happiness, love, hate even pain.
"Well the catnip was just a trial, it's infused with a lacrima with similar properties to my magic..." He explained
Rissy gasped "So you can manipulate the cats when they inhale it..."
"Good girl, you're a fast learner" Myon laughed
"So if used on people you have an army of those who can feel whatever you want them to feel..."She paused and let the idea sink in "...and attack if you wanted them to"
Myon slowly clapped his hands together "And with this lacrima, we can sell it to all the dark guilds, once again making me rich"
"You don't know what will happen if this falls into the hands of dark guilds...there will be wars!" She shouted
"What they do is none of my business...my only interest is the money..." Myon hissed
Ezekiel folded his arms over his chest, sending a smile his way "Since you know our plan, we can't let you go"
Rissy, felt Jen stiffen behind her "So let's fight" She hissed
She summoned a large amount of magic energy, her fists engulfed in a multi coloured light.
Wasting no time in waiting for Ezekiel to make the first move she attacked "Fairy Dragons R-"
She suddenly fell to the ground, her body contorting as she screamed in utter pain.
"Rissy!" Jen and Lavender shouted in unison as they ran over to the salmon haired girl's side.
Lurch grabbed Lavender by the tail, clutching the lilac exceed tightly, whilst Myon raised his hand, a magic circle appearing before him, turning Jen into a brown cat.
Rissy slowly turned her head, tears in her eyes as all she could do was watch as Lurch had her partner in a tight grip "Let her go!" She shouted, only her voice came out in a small whisper, causing Lurch to laugh.
Hand outstretched, a magic circle appeared in front of him and Ezekiel smiled. "How does it feel to be in utter pain?" Ezekiel asked as he continued to place Rissy under his pain spell
"Hurts...like...a bitch!" She gasped out, body writhing on the ground.
Lavender tried in vain to wriggle out of Lurch's grip only this caused the thin btler to tighten his hold on the exceed "Rissy-Chan...What do I do?" She sobbed
Rissy forced herself to smile, placing a hand on the small exceed "You don't need to do anything..." She whispered.
Lavender whimpered once more as she watched Rissy lie on the floor in pain, Rissy tried to fight but being attacked like this left her defenceless, she closed her eyes, letting out another ear-piercing scream as another jolt of pain was sent throughout her and then unable to take no more she succumbed to the darkness.
What did you think of that?
Stay tuned for the next chapter 'attack of the neko girls'
JustAnotherFairy