'You don't think were going to get in trouble for this do you?' Lucy walked side by side with Juvia and Wendy as they walked towards the train station for Clover Town.
'Don't worry Lucy! Juvia was requested personally for this mission and were all just accompanying her!' Wendy smiled up at her rather enthusiastically.
'Yeah, but the mission is to divert a river through the mountain range to help with a water shortage. Don't you think the Master will get suspicious that we are all going for something like this?'
'Juvia would have been happy if it was just her and Gray-Sama going along for this mission. However, it's close enough to Onibus Town so we could find out some information. Juvia thought it would be a good opportunity.'
Lucy and Wendy nodded in acceptance at Juvia's response. Ahead of them was Erza pulling a cart of luggage that looked too huge to be pulled by any normal human. Behind they could hear bickering of both Gray and Natsu with the occasional interference of Carla and Happy to lighten their disagreements.
They reached the train station in no time and assisted Erza in putting their luggage onto the train. The group sat at the adjoining tables with an aisle seat between them. On one side sat Gray, Juvia, Erza and Carla and the other Lucy, Natsu, Happy and Wendy.
'So, what's our plan when we get to Clover Town?' Gray broke the silence between them all. They had all decided to join Juvia on this mission after she had mentioned how close to Onibus Town it would be. However, they did not actually have a plan on what they would do when they arrived.
'All travel to Onibus Town is currently prohibited. I say when we arrive at Clover Town tonight, we find a hotel and try and find out as much as possible whilst Juvia is completing her mission. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves.' Erza made sure to make direct eye contact with Natsu on that last part. The last thing they needed was Natsu to go running into Onibus Town and getting them arrested.
'I still find it so strange though. There aren't many illnesses that can affect both mages and humans in such similar ways. I can only think dark magic could be behind it.' Wendy's spoke her concerned thoughts to the group who only acknowledged her with a heavy silence.
'If it's dark magic or something else, regardless we'll beat it just like all the other times!' Natsu's reassuring but nauseous smile did much for easing their heavy thoughts.
'I just hope Laki and Lisanna are alright. They still hadn't heard anything from them this morning before we left.' Lucy played nervously with her fingers on her lap at the thought.
'We'll make sure to check in with the guild when we find a hotel. Mirajane may have had some contact by then. We're coming into Clover Town now. Lucy, Natsu, Happy will be with me, we'll go ahead and find the hotel. Gray, Juvia, Wendy and Carla. You four complete the mission and try and find out as much as you can before joining us.' Erza stood, gathering her things from the luggage holder above them.
Meanwhile at the Magic Council…
Lahar stood in front of the magic council, clearing his throat as he began to update them on the situation in Onibus Town.
'In light of the virus outbreak in Onibus Town, my sources have informed me that we have 200 citizens visiting the area that are currently trapped in the lockdown. I recommend offering them repatriation to their homes if they are unaffected.'
There were whispers between the council members in front of him. All of which sounded unsure and questioning.
'Do we have any more information on where this virus has come from? What has caused it and how contagious it could be? Do we have means to test for it, and if not, would it not be more beneficial to leave the citizens in Onibus Town until we find out more.' Gran Doma stood from his chair. All eyes landing on him and nodding in unison at his questions.
'At this current time, we do not have any further information into whether the virus has been created by a mage or whether or not this is something else. From what I have been told it is very contagious, but we do have a test for it. It is still in development but currently we have been able to check for the virus through these tests. I feel that those unaffected from the virus could be removed from the situation before it infects them also!' Lahar was getting frustrated at these people. They had little to no interest in the wellbeing of these people.
'I agree with Gran Doma. It is too much of a risk. You said yourself, the tests are still in development. What if the tests don't work and we infect more people with the virus?! It would be better for the rest of us if those in Onibus Town stayed in Onibus Town until we have this under control.' Michello stroked at his tail seemingly unimpressed with Lahar's suggestion.
Mest approached Lahar at the stand. Taking in the whispers and discussions between the magic council before him. 'Would you like me to put out an update to the lacrimas?'
Letting out an exasperated sigh Lahar turned to Mest with disappointment in his eyes. 'No. Not yet. We don't want to panic people anymore than necessary.'
Clover Town…
'Wuahh Clover Town is so pretty!' Lucy stretched her arms up above her head. Sitting on the train for the last few hours had made her stiff.
'It certainly is. It's been a while since we've been here. I seem to remember there being a nice hotel over by my favourite sweet shop!' Erza's excitement was obvious at this statement.
'You guys don't need me to help with the hotel, right? Why don't me and Happy start scoping the place and finding out what's going on?' Natsu was dragging behind them whispering between himself and Happy.
'Absolutely not! We don't need you harassing citizens and breaking things! We'll get in trouble, and I don't have the money to refund them!' Lucy dominating presence with her statement shrank Natsu and Happy, dispelling their plans.
Upon finding the hotel, they made sure to get 3 twin bedrooms next door to one another. Erza and Lucy decided to stay with one another, Natsu would stay with Gray and Juvia and Wendy would stay together in another.
'I wonder how the others are getting on anyway. It didn't sound too hard, I'm sure Juvia could finish it in no time.' Lucy had started unpacking her things after examining the room they had chosen of the three.
'Hey Juvia! Do you need a hand?' Gray and the others stood at the base on the mountain looking up upon the bluenette stood not that far ahead of them. Using her magic, she had succeeded in transferring a bigger river through another crevice in the mountain range to lead into their smaller one.
'Juvia is fine Gray-Sama! Nearly done!' She gave them a wave as she went back to finishing her job.
'Thank you so much for this! With all the news about Onibus Town, we would just feel better having a different water supply to them. You can never be too careful!' The mayor of Clover Town stood beside them twirling his moustache between his fingers.
'This river was once connected to Onibus Town? Is the virus transmitted through water?' Wendy looked quizzically at the man in front of her, hoping to get more information.
'We don't know! Even though we are neighbouring towns we haven't heard anything as to what this is or how it's transferred! We are so blessed that Fairy Tail have been willing to help us with this! It just makes my people feel a lot safer!'
Gray watched as Juvia completed her work and travelled meekly down the side of the mountain, trying not to lose her footing. 'So, you don't know anything about this virus? Whether it was created by a mage or what the situation is in Onibus Town?'
'I'm afraid not sir, we've had the same news bulletins as you I presume from the magic council.'
Juvia who had now come to stand by them all and wash brushing dust from her blue dress approached the mayor. 'Juvia has completed the job Mayor. The river has been successfully created from a new water supply.'
The overjoyed man took Juvia's hands in his own shaking them rapidly. 'Thank you! Thank you so much! This means so much to us!' He handed her the reward before bidding goodbye to the mages. Making sure they had found accommodation for the night and even went as far as to offer his own to them, which they graciously accepted.
Upon walking back to the hotel there was a heavy silence between them all. 'Did you find out anything about the situation from the mayor?' Juvia could tell by the silence that likely the answer was not already but her curiously got the better of her.
'Unfortunately, it appears not even the mayor knows what is happening in Clover Town' Carla floated alongside Wendy, the disappointment in her voice was obvious.
'When we get back, we'll call the guild and find out if Lisanna or Laki have been in touch yet.' Gray's voice was tense and full of worry as they neared their destination.
Upon arriving at the hotel, they met with the others and discussed their lack of findings.
'Someone has to know something! They must be hiding it! I say we bust down the mayors' doors and force it out of him!' Natsu's outburst wasn't surprising.
'I believe the mayor. He seemed genuine and was so kind to us today Natsu!' Wendy tried her best to calm the fire mage.
'Let's call the guild. Perhaps they have heard something more.' Erza stood and headed to the cabinet in which she had unpacked their lacrima.
Mirajane picked up the call from the lacrima behind the bar with a smile.
'Hello everyone! Did you arrive safely? How was the job Juvia?' there was a cheerfulness in Mirajane's voice which eased their tension.
'Juvia completed her job and received her award. Have we heard anything from Lisanna or Laki?' Juvia asked what they all wanted to say with hope in her voice.
'I'm glad! And yes! Lisanna got in contact with me this morning! They were having trouble with their lacrima it seems, but they have managed to get it fixed!' Behind Mira several other guild members appeared to be celebrating the news themselves.
'That's great Mira, are they okay?' Erza chimed in and the others appeared to sit back, a weight lifted off their shoulders at the news.
'At the moment they are both okay. They've been told to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people. Laki says they have been told the magic council may be arranged transport to bring them back home but have not heard anything further. Thank you for travelling to Clover Town but it appears you can come back now without worry.' Mirajane smiled kindly at the group who in turned smiled back.
'Very well Mira, if that is what you suggest we shall travel back in the morning after we have been to my favourite sweet shop.' Erza stood tall at the response.
'Why don't we just go in and get them?! We could save the magic council a job! We can't have come all this way for nothing!' Natsu psyched himself up, ready to fight anyone who would stop him before getting knocked down by Erza.
'We don't want to cause any trouble and if the magic council are going to help then we shouldn't get involved. We've been in too much trouble with them as it is.' Erza's tone was deadly serious causing all in the room to shrink in acceptance.
'She's right. Besides I don't think Master has realised where you are yet. I would come home before he finds out. See you all tomorrow!' With a small wave Mirajane ended the call and turning her attention back to the guild brawl in front of her.