START ARC 4 - FAMILY
The new hideout was, by all accounts, way better than the last one that Romeo and the others were shacking up at. That one was little more than a typical village hut with a basement dug out by Max and Laki. This one was…well, it was more like two huts smushed together in the deep reaches of a forest of twisted vines and fallen trees. But, that at least allowed for a bit more space. There was, at least, still a basemen the account for.
It took pretty much everyone about a week's worth of time to arrive at the new hideout. Makarov and the others decided against using Mest for the majority of their travel. They didn't want to overexert their one means of efficient escape, and too much magical use could put off some sort of alarm the Empire had set up. Erza and those involved with the Grand Magic Games also decided to travel naturally, following directions as laid out in hints by Meredy and her group.
Yukino got to know all of them, and their names, quickly. He had to put it all to memory. Sure, there were some she already knew from her time in the Empire, like Meredy, Kagura, and the rest of Crime Sorciere, but there were other members of Fairy Tail she was not so aware of. Makarov and Laxus she knew from the days before the Empire, but the Thunder Tribe, and the other rebels hiding out, like Romeo, Max, Laki, Cana?
They hadn't come to the hideout, and not even in the extra week had they ever had to be together. Makarov believed them all to be watched by Gildarts, if not at least sticking together and holding the fort at their old hideout. The ones who did come were a woman named Flare, a member of Fairy Tail named Lisanna, and Tayaka, a key piece of prey from the Hunter's Division. Of course, she found her way to Fairy Tail.
It seemed, to Yukino, that all lost souls were magnetically linked to the guild. Former guild.
Whatever.
They all showed their true colors quickly, despite the overcast nature of the Empire. That man, Elfman, partook in many scuffles that Natsu and Gray and Gajeel caused but when the scuffles were inevitablty ended by Erza, he'd be downtrodden, living in the memory of Mirajane and what the Tartaros Division did to her. His sister Lisanna would attempt to comfort him.
It hardly did them any good.
Still, Yukino couldn't help sticking around, or training, if such were an option. Makarov was wary of Yukino at first, particularly given her marriage to Sting.
"Though you are here and my children vouch for you, know that I must keep at least one eye on you," Makarov said.
"I have no further ties to the Empire," Yukino said. "To be honest, if they ever found me, I'd be the first one they want to kill before any member of Fairy Tail. Even you, Makarov."
"Be that as it may," Makarov said, "I won't have a traitor in my midst, not even one who comes with sweet words and leaves the bitter taste of betrayal in my enemies. Am I understood?"
If he did watch her, he had a curious way of doing so. The forest was long abandoned, begotten by the Empire. Though all of Fiore was open for the Empire to just drop in on them, Yukino was quite confident the Empire wouldn't even bother checking on it. Meredy picked a good spot.
Better yet as it allowed Yukino the chance to use her magic and speak with her Celestial Spirits on where her head was at, no longer did she need to involve them in schemes, for, she had none. She left that to Makarov, Laxus, Erza, and Hisui.
At night, she couldn't help the slight bitterness that came with that, as she lay awake beneath the dead trees, staring at skies of unceasing stars. She mocked Sting for his lack of freedom, yet there she was, willingly giving it up.
But, no, that wasn't fully it. She wasfightingfor freedom. Yet, if she walked, would anyone follow her? Would anyone care? Wasn't that what freedom really was?
Yukino sighed.
In the morning, it having been a fortnight since she officially abandoned the Empire, she approached the nearby stream. It was puny in its amount of water, but it would do to at least help refresh her.
The reflection she saw was recognizable, but, only barely. Her hair was mostly the same, yet her outfit had drastically changed, even compared to that which she wore before the Empire. She had a small coat on with two buttons done just above the navel, the sleeves torn off to reveal her muscles. She had a short skirt, and boots riding up just above her calf. The blues were faded from the traveling. Her keys were clipped individually along her belt, easily retrievable.
Her face was slimmer, too, and her eyes seemed to hold some new light to them. Perhaps it was the stars wheeling by overhead. Yukino slid to her knees and eased water onto her face. After a few scoops, she sensed someone nearby, a quiet person that was either sneaking up on her or just trying not to be noticed. Yukino stood.
"Sorry," Yukino said and scuttled away.
"Don't be."
It was Wendy, the little Dragon Slayer. She'd cut her hair a bit, too. Her Exceed, Carla, was with her, too. Wendy splashed some water on her face and down her arms as a refresher. The days were beginning to cool a bit, so she breezed the water off her body so it wouldn't stick to her and get her cold.
"Did you hear?" Wendy asked as Yukino started off. "Apparently Lector will be coming back today, along with Frosch. They were able to heal him."
Yukino shut her eyes. Oh, Lector. How was she going to explain all of this to that poor cat?
"Good," Yukino said, her voice soft.
"You know, just because you dumped your boyfriend and abandoned your cause doesn't give you the right to bog us all down," Carla said.
Wendy gasped. "Carla, that was rude!"
Carla said nothing in response. Yukino balled her hand into a fist, then, nodded.
"I'm not trying to bog anyone down," Yukino said. "I'm trying my best not to get in anyone's way."
"I don't know if you noticed," Carla said, "but getting in the way is what everyone does around here. Believe me."
"Seems inefficient."
"Yet, of the times we've fought the Empire, how many have wetrulylost?"
"And how many have youtrulywon?" Yukino asked, turning with a glower to the little cat. Carla stood her ground, firm with her arms crossed. "Don't treat this like a game or it'll be more than those three girls you lose next time. Didn't you hear what happened from Lisanna? They were all almost wiped out in aninstant. It could happen at any second if we're not careful. I'm trying to keep a steady head to—"
"Steady head? You're going off on your own to brood, you call that steady?"
Yukino seethed through her teeth but couldn't say anything back to Carla.
"I know you want to do better," Carla said. "And I believe you can. But not on your own. You came to us to help defeat the Empire, yes? You can't do it alone by the stream, and can't do it without talking to us.Seriouslytalking to us."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Yukino asked. Gosh, she could hardly remember the last time she had a truly sentimental conversation. Even with Sting, nice and warm as those were, they dwindled in the last few years as his rank solidified.
"For starters, you can talk to me about how you're feeling," Wendy said. She smiled. "Maybe that can take a bit of a load off? Or, if not me, someone you're comfortable with."
Yukino let out a little sigh. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with anyone here."
"Then let's get started here," Wendy said. She found a stump and sat. "Come on. Let's chat. Girl talk."
"Girl talk?" Yukino asked with a sneer but accepted. "Fine. What'd you like to know? How I'm feeling, right? Oh, not too great. Like Carla was all too eager to bring up, I dumped myhusband, the one warm light I've had in all of this since the world fell apart. I've basically be usurped in the eyes of the Empire by your Lucy. I abandoned my sister, and without me there I'm not entirely sure how well she'll hold up.
"So it gives me a lot on my mind all the time. I left them because it was the right thing to do, not the easy one. If it was so easy, I probably would've split a long, long time ago. But Sting, Sorano…that's my family." Yukino stared at her hands. "But, maybe…maybe there's something that can make me feel better."
"Oh?" Wendy asked. "And what's that?"
Yukino's faint smile returned to her lips, and she got up. "Come on. I want you with me for this, Wendy. And thank you."
Wendy blushed and followed Yukino. The two stayed together, idly chatting every now and then, until, in an instant, Mest appeared. It was the first he'd arrived in the forest in several days, and, in either arm, were two small cats: one in a little outfit best resembling Sting's old attire from the days before the Empire, and the other in a frog suit.
"Good as new," Mest said.
A crowd had gathered around Mest, in anticipation of his arrival. Carla and the other Exceeds were front and center.
Mest set the two Exceeds down. Lector jumped back, aghast at the sight of others like him. However, it was Frosch calmly striding forward toward the others that made Lector both calm down and confused.
"Who the heck are these guys?" Lector asked.
"Frosch's new friends," Frosch said. "They helped Frosch find Lector."
"These are the guys you were talking about?" Lector asked. "Where the heck are Sting and Rogue?"
Lector's eyes scanned the crowd, until finally falling on Yukino. He rushed toward her.
"Hey! Yukino!"
"Hello, Lector."
She eased down and wrapped him up in a big hug. He accidentally let out a small purr while he rubbed his head against hers.
"So, where's Sting?" Lector asked.
Yukino gave him another squeeze, then set him down on her lap.
"Sting isn't here right now, Lector," Yukino said. "I had to leave."
"Leave? Sting?" Lector whirled around. "How could you?"
"Because," Yukino said. Her heart tore in half. "Because it was the Empire that did this to you, turning you into lacrima to be used, consumed, as nothing more than an energy source. You weren't safe with the Empire, Lector, and it was becoming unsafe for me, too."
"Not Sting? Why isn't he here? Isn't he going to come find us?"
"I hope so." She pet his head. "For our sake, I hope he does, and I hope he can love us like he always has. For now, he has a lot to think about."
"This—this still doesn't make sense."
"Hey." Yukino gave him another pet, then roped him into another hug. "I'm here, alright? We can talk. You can tell me everything."
Lector searched around the room, then he pointed across the way to Kagura, who'd emerged out of the crowd to see what the commotion was about. Meredy was behind her.
"You! I remember you! I saw you when I woke up, with that bald person! He said you saved me."
"They saved you," Kagura said, gesturing around. "I brought you the help you needed to be restored."
"This is Fairy Tail, Frosch's friends," Frosch said. "They're nice. Frosch likes them."
"Fairy Tail, eh?" Lector said. He rubbed his chin. "Sounds familiar. Ain't you the troublemakers who gave Emperor Spriggan a hard time?"
"Some of us," Makarov said. "The rest of us are…still getting up to speed on all of this."
"Weird, but, alright," Lector said. "Say, you guys got anything to eat around here? I'm starving!"
"I've got a nice bag of fishies," Happy said. The little cat slung the bag away. "Want some?"
"Sure!"
The Exceeds gathered in the middle of the circle where all the wizards were, facing one another. Mest nodded, and before he could vanish, Makarov called out to him.
"It is my opinion that we've spent plenty of time recovering," Makarov said, "and training. Certainly, Hisui has word for us?"
"None," Mest said. "Not until we can secure more information out of Jacob Lessio, who remains entirely silent. And, she wants more information from Lucy in the capital."
That's right. Lucy was a mole, along with her father. It was a good solution—the Empire formed a strong relationship with the Heartfilia Foundation, and mixed with Axel's obsession over Lucy, the Empire had some strong blindspots that could give Lucy a good head of steam before they eventually found out and killed her.
Hmm. A bit grim.
Natsu slammed his fists together. "Alright! This will be perfect. I can't wait to knock some Imperial heads again."
Even Tayaka, the little girl who was the ire of a great many Hunter's Division operations, nodded. "I promised Mirajane I'd get stronger. I have. Now, I want to do what I can to take down the Empire."
Lisanna grasped Flare Corona's hand. "We'll get my sister back, come hell or high water!"
"Getting Mirajane now is a near impossibility, I'm afraid," Makarov said. "Certainly given the level of power you're at now. However, that does not leave training completely out of the question. Over the last week, I've maintained steady contact with Gildarts, who says Max, Romeo, and Cana are progressing incredibly, particularly Cana with her Second Origin awakened. To get your sister back, or stand any chance of doing so, I want to send you two to train with Gildarts. Mest? Can you make that happen?"
"Certainly," Mest said.
"Hey, hold on," Gray said. "What about Lyon?"
"He is with Blue Pegasus now," Mest said. "He'll be Unbroken soon, I promise. Bob is doing everything in his power to make that happen."
Gray, and Juvia, visibly eased up. Mest approached Lisanna, Elfman, and Flare Corona, who maintained a grip on Lisanna. They'd been…vocal…about their feelings for one another. It was surprising, a bit, given what Yukino learned of Lisanna's feelings for Natsu when they were children, but, growing up changed a person substantially. Flare was, certainly, not quiet about what Yukino did for her…and to her. It almost reminded her of Sorano.
"You too, Tayaka," Makarov said. "I don't doubt your improvements, but there are many more to come, and we'll need a power like yours in the days to come."
"Right," Tayaka said and approached Mest with the others.
"Figured you'd wanna go catch up with Gildarts too, old man," Laxus said after Mest vanished.
"I would," Makarov said. "However, I moreover want to check in on some old friends and clients we had that may be of use to Hisui."
"Who, the Ten Wizard Saints?" Laxus asked with a sneer.
"They're all dead," Yukino said, which immediately sliced through everyone.
"Great," Gajeel muttered.
"I have other associates," Makarov said. "No one soul is useless in the fight against the Empire. These are wise folks."
"Then we're coming with you," Laxus said. He spoke on behalf of the Thunder Tribe, who were going to follow him wherever he went, anyway. "Figured you could use some protection, same with the old farts you're gonna find."
"Don't slow me down now, kid," Makarov said. The former Guild Master changed his glance to the rest of the crowd, those who'd fought in the Grand Magic Games, in Crocus, and those in Crime Sorciere. "I suggest the rest of you, troublemakers…"
"I'm going to find Jellal," Erza said.
Everyone raised their eyes, including Yukino.
"He's been missing for over a year," Yukino said. "Along with I—"
"I don't care," Erza said. "You mentioned that all the Wizard Saints aredead? Missing isn't dead. If Jellal is out there, we need to rally him back to the fight."
"You don't understand, Erza," Kagura said. "When Jellal left, it wasn't that he was defeated. He was done, spent. I've never seen him like that."
"But," Meredy said. She raised her chin. "If anyone is going to bring Jellal back, it'll be Erza. No doubt about it."
Yukino set her jaw. Even the Empire's greatest scouts and minds couldn't find Jellal.
"You really ain't found Jellal yet?" Lector said. "No wonder the Emperor's been going after him."
Erza's eyes widened. "What?"
"How do you know what the Emperor is doing?" Yukino asked. Even Sting and Rogue weren't so close as to know Zeref's machinations, she thought that was left for Invel and August.
"Well, it's just a guess," Lector said. "See, sometimes, I liked to take some leisurely strolls around the castle, maybe fly around the place a bit. But every time I flew by the throne room, I never saw the Emperor in there. I figured he was out on some mission."
"Then it's even more prudent that we find Jellalfirst," Erza said.
"Do you haveanyidea of where to look?" Laxus asked.
"Don't be ridiculous, Erza, if you're in a race against Zeref you're facing near certain death," Kagura said.
Erza swung her arm. "What did I say? I don't care! Of course, we can get Jellal back, we need him! I—look. We have Master Makarov, and if we can get Jellal back, that'stwoWizard Saints. With Lucy and Yukino on our side, we even have two Celestial Spirit wizards."
"Three, technically," Yukino said. Everyone shifted their gaze to her. "Hisui has been trained in it, though she's not a Holder wizard, like Lucy and I."
"Even better, in my opinion," Gray said.
"What I'm saying is we're racking up powerful allies," Erza said, "and missing out on Jellal is a critical loss. Master, you don't agree?"
"I don't like you running head-to-head with Zeref, of all people," Makarov said, "particularly considering our last affair with him on Tenrou Island how disastrous that was when he was holding back." The old man met Erza's eyes. Yukino had yet to see the woman so fierce, and determined. "But I cannot stop you. As I said weeks ago, we are agents of a higher force now and are of a level playing field. I am no more your Master than we have a physical guild to call home, got it? I will counsel you, but I am not your council."
Natsu blinked. "What?"
Gray rolled his eyes. "Your flame brain is burning out."
"Whatever man!" Natsu exclaimed. "Erza's right. Jellal is strong, strong enough to probably beat the crap outta their toughest wizards!"
Yukino bit her tongue. It was true, Jellal was powerful. If he'd been recruited into the ranks of the Empire, he'd no doubt have taken up position just beneath August.
However, the leap up to August? It was insurmountable. Only one other could even declare themselves close to him in power, excluding the Emperor.
And she, too, had vanished completely. Not just from the Empire.
From, it seemed, Earth-land itself.
"If you're going after Jellal," Yukino said, the words spilling from her mouth before she could truly process them, "I want in. I want to help. Maybe, if he sees me, he'll see that the Empire isn't as stable as he may think it is. He can see that there's still hope."
"Thank you, Yukino," Erza said.
"We're coming too!" Natsu said. "I still owe the guy after saving my butt with all the Nirvana stuff."
"Aye, sir!" Happy exclaimed.
"I would like to meet Jellal…Mystogan…whoever, the one of this land," Wendy said. "Count Carla and I in, too."
"Ain't gonna let you all have all the fun," Gray said. He stuffed his hands in his coat pocket. "Let's do this."
"I will not be separated from my darling Gray in this dark time, I must be his warmth and light!" Juvia exclaimed. Gray sighed, but nobody said otherwise.
"And you, Gajeel?" Erza asked. "You've been with us so far."
Gajeel rubbed his head. He'd been awfully quiet, and not just for the impromptu meeting. For the last two weeks, he'd been not on his own physically but clearly mentally. Whenever he trained, he did so with a focused ferocity. His Exceed, Lily, seemed to understand why, but never said anything.
"I'm gonna help the cats," Gajeel said. "Not these cats, necessarily. The ones that came over from Edolas. Gotta make sure the Empire hasn't found them yet."
"What?" Yukino asked. Cats, from…where?
"That response is a good sign," Lily said. "The village may be safe yet."
"And we're gonna make sure of it," Gajeel said. "Sound good?"
"Definitely," Carla said. "Give them our regards."
Yukino was going to question them going alone, but, considering how powerful both of them were on their own moving into a territory the Empire had little idea about? Yeah, they'd be fine.
"Frosch and Lector, you don't want to come?" Lily asked.
"I'd like to catch my breath for a second," Lector said. "Frosch?"
"Frosch will stay with Lector. Frosch missed Lector."
Kagura knelt behind them. "And I will stay with these two. I'll guard them with my life, I promise. No harm will befall them." Kagura gestured behind her, where Millianna was busily licking her hand. "Plus, she can't be away from them."
"Fair enough," Lily said.
"That's it, then," Erza said. "We'll go our separate ways again. Good luck, everyone."
"What, we're leaving now?" Natsu asked. "I haven't even packed!"
"What doyouhave to pack?" Gray snapped.
"More than you, you naked ice-pop!"
Yukino snickered at Gray, who'd once more lost his clothes. Gray groaned, dismayed as his curse once more befell him. Natsu cackled at him until Gray tackled him aside.
They probably wouldn't have many moments like this on the road, any chances for levity. Wherever Jellal went was safe enough to be away from the Empire, and he probably maintained all manner of defenses.
Yukino made sure to pack her few things quickly, staying close to Wendy while she did so. In under an hour, she was able to meet Natsu, Erza, Happy, Wendy, Carla, Gray, and Juvia at the edge of their camp. Gajeel and Lily were already heading out, and the Thunder Tribe was considering their first move alongside Makarov and Laxus. Kagura and Crime Sorciere would hold down the fort until all parties had gone and Lector had his wits about him.
She hated to see everyone go already. She was only just getting to know them, and, moreover, get that sense of being in a guild again. She was sure they'd all meet up again, given that all went according to plan, but…
The last time they'd all met, Lucy, Levy, and Mirajane had been with them. They had Hisui, and Mest, and their other friends.
Now, that was not the case. The numbers to meet up with were shrinking. They'd scored a meaningful few punches, but the Empire hadn't truly faltered. It took a bite out of the rebellion. No matter how hopeful the Fairies were, the Empire was that much more stalwart in its resolve.
Yukino released the fist she'd been unconsciously holding. There was no time for thinking like that, not anymore. They had a mission, and she swore to help Fairy Tail win out the day.
Erza gave the command, and she followed in step with Wendy and Gray out of camp, toward whatever road Jellal would lead them on.
Hisui slumped against one of the lobby walls in the Blue Pegasus guild hall, setting her cloak aside while sweat poured down her face. Another rough training session. She glowered at the room just across the hallway. Lessio was there, keeping silent, keeping still, and trying to throw any amount of hope they held onto out the window.
Of course, he knew nothing of Lucy's mission in the capital, but he had suspicions about Hisui making plans, given how much more activity was going on. More wizards getting Unbroken, the Exceed being freed from the lacrima, and continual activity and communications with Hisui and other rebels.
Things were moving.
"But it's all hopeless," Lessio told her that morning, "because you're all just puppets. You think you're free but you just have loose strings. The marionette is still holding on to all of you, waiting to cut the cord and let you all fall to your death."
"The marionette?"
"Yeah. August, little girl. Give him an inch, and he'll rip your heart out. All of you."
The Wizard King was the insurmountable wall, the one thing Hisui could not set aside in her mind. All the others, even the Spriggan Twelve, had weaknesses, had means of defeat. August?
He was the real nightmare. He sometimes made Hisui wish Acnologia would reappear and attack the capital, maybe that would distract August enough to let anyone get a clean shot at him. Of course, all of the best snipers and hunters in the world were aligned with the Empire so…
She tapped her head against the wall behind her. She was alone in the room, its hollowness consuming her. She muttered a silent prayer to Lucy, then managed to get back to her feet. Her muscles were sore, she needed a good stretch.
Then, she had to get back to work.
The Hunters filed into the room, one by one, until their Captain, Orga, emerged. August did not bid them sit, as they'd have no need. He glowered at them, assessing them for a moment. Still in peak form, per their own magic power levels.
Yet it was their faces that would, no doubt, strike the most unsettling fear. Perhaps not her, Araña. But the other two…
"Go then," August said, eyes locking with Orga. "We've assessed that they'll be heading south, no doubt. In search of Jellal."
"Jellal?"
"Do," August said, his voice sharp, "as you're bid, and you will be rewarded, Orga Nanagear."
Orga gravely nodded. "And Minerva?"
"Command her to go with you. She will enjoy killing Yukino Agria, as I suspect she will be with the brunt of Fairy Tail's forces."
Orga gulped, nodded, and filed out of the room. There was no hesitation in the other two, as they'd been bid to kill their friends.
Once friends. Broken wizards had no allegiance to any but the Twilight Empire. Bisca Connell and Warren Rocko would do their jobs well, as they always did. If not?
It was simply two more Fairies off the board.