Alright guys, my idea was this. I was thinking of having a whole week of updates, Sunday through Saturday. Now I might have to take a small break to get all those chapters written, or do it on a day by day basis. Regardless, what do you guys think?
Enjoy!
"Alright Gray, give me a ice replica of the outskirts of the city." Laxus said, him and Gajeel placing the table they were moving down. Gray walked forward and within a few seconds, the top of the table was covered in a sleek replica of the city outskirts. Laxus pointed down at it.
"The Hunters are generally right around here." He said, drawing a circle on the ice with his finger. "Their camps are here. What I want to do is send in a team during the night in order to get Gin out."
"What do we do when Neptu wakes up and finds out the kids gone?" Gajeel asked.
"It's covered." Laxus replied. "Like I said, I want a small team to go in and out and get him out. If you have to, make sure you shut him up. He might be difficult."
"I'll go." Drake said beside Nashi. "I can get in and out quickly with my sound magic."
"Good idea." Laxus replied. "Your in." Laxus then pointed to Ultear. "I want you to go with him, okay Ul?" Ultear nodded.
"Alright." She said. "I can do that." Laxus then pointed to Simon, Elise, and Steph. "You three, I want you to wait over here. Gray, Juvia, over here." He pointed towards the small mountain overlooking the area the Hunters were in, and then to a smaller outlook "Drake, if anything happens, I want you to shoot a blast of poison in the air. You guys see that, shits going down. Knock as many heads as you can."
"Understood." Gray replied.
"Sounds solid." Simon said, arms crossed.
"Why exactly are the strongest of us hanging back?" Gajeel asked. "Just sending in Ice Stripper and his dame and the kids seems a little overconfident."
"You really think sending you in for a stealth mission is a good idea, Gajeel?" Laxus asked. "I want the majority of us to hang back and protect Magnolia. This isn't supposed to be a full blown fight. If it comes to that, we'll have to see what happens. But until then, we stay back and wait."
"Well-" Gajeel started.
"Not to mention the reason I'm sending Ultear is so she can create an ice clone of Gin and trick the Hunters into thinking he's still there. Nashi had to admit, that was a good plan.
"Ugh, whatever." Gajeel muttered. Laxus just chuckled.
"Alright, if no one has a problem with that, we'll set you all out at midnight and-"
"I want in." Nashi looked up to find her father looking down at the icy city. Him speaking up caused the entire guild to become quiet, and Laxus seemed confused.
"What?" He asked, confused. "Natsu, I think it would be best if you were here and not..."
"I want in, alright?" He asked, sounding like he wasn't in the mood to argue about it. "I'll sit with the kids and wait to see if anything happens." Laxus and Nashi's father stared at each other for a while, neither backing down much.
"Are you sure?" Laxus asked.
"Positive." He replied. "Fight's not supposed to break out, right?"
"Right..." Laxus muttered, looking around. No one else objected.
And yet, Nashi felt she wanted too.
"Wait, what do I get to do?" She asked.
"Like I said Nashi, most of us should wait by the city and see what happens. Last thing we need is for any innocents to get involved. That okay?" Nashi made a face at this. She didn't much like the idea of her friends going out without her, but it didn't seem like she had much of a choice.
"Yeah, that's okay." She said. "Was just curious."
"Well okay then." Laxus stood up straight. "Like I said, you'll get out there at midnight. Let's hope to God this works." As the guild dispersed a bit, Nashi felt uneasy. With their track record, something was going to go wrong. It was bound too. What if?
And then, Nashi had an idea. No, she couldn't. It would take too long. Right?
"I'm just saying that it was way to easy." Quinn said. Neptu watched the four members of the Cross argue. "There's no way that guild is just going to give him up like that."
"And you're sure about that?" Elizabeth asked. "Perhaps they want to respect his wishes."
"No, trust me." Quinn said. "They won't."
"Why should we trust you?" Tristan, the final member of The Cross, asked. "We trusted you to hunt the kid down in the first place and you got your shit pushed in."
"You want to go and have a go at him, Tristy?" Quinn asked. "Let's see how you fair."
"Probably a lot better than your dumbass."
"Enough, guys." Abigail said. "It's not the time to argue. Just focus on getting our men out of the city by tomorrow morning." The two men seemed to be a bit agitated thanks to each other, but that came as no surprise. They rarely got along.
Quinn and Tristan had both joined Neptu a few years after he'd started to hunt demons. Tristan was a total hard ass, and didn't take shit from anyone, especially Quinn. Quinn, on the other hand, was a more light hearted and heavily sarcastic guy. Abigail was the final member to join them, and she often broke the two up when they fought. She was an excellent mediator, and both men respected her. None of this, however, stopped them from being some of the strongest people Neptu had with him.
Speaking of which, Neptu turned and looked at the side of his tent, where he could hear his entire collective force outside. When exactly had he become such a well known figure? That people came from all over to hunt those monsters by his side? One day it seemed it was just him and the four, the next an entire army was under his command. Things sure changed fast around here.
"What do you propose, Neptu?" He heard Abigail asked. He turned back to the brown haired woman, and watched her for a moment.
"I don't know." He said. "Perhaps we shouldn't do anything rash."
"What, and watch as that guild walks all over us when they come?" Tristan asked. No thanks, boss."
"I didn't mean that." Neptu said. "If anything, I doubt the guild wants to start a full blown fight right near their city. And neither do I. So if both sides are trying to avoid a full blown war zone scenario, I don't think too drastic measures are in order, no?"
"I agree." Elizabeth said. "We shouldn't do anything that looks hostile. So just try to get everyone packed up and moving."
"Exactly." Neptu said. At this, Tristan scoffed.
"Of course you'd agree with him, Liz." He said.
"Whatever do you mean, Tristan?" Elizabeth asked. Tristan rolled his eyes.
"It's pretty obvious." He replied. "You're only agreeing with him cause you're sleeping with him."
"Tristan." Neptu stood in immediately. "That's enough."
"You trying to say it isn't true?" He asked, Elizabeth still silent. "She never goes out and commands her own squads, she never leaves your side, and she always agrees with you! It's obvious."
"That couldn't possible be because she's like me and wants to respect that city, the guild and most of all, the innocent civilians inside?" Neptu fired back. "We aren't starting anything, you got it?" Tristan looked a little miffed about this, but he growled and pushed his way out of the tent. Soon enough, Neptu could hear him barking orders at his men.
"Jeez, that guy..." Quinn muttered.
"Do you two believe that shit?" Neptu asked, turning to Quinn and Abigail, making them both stand up a little straighter. "That we're an item?"
"Uh..." Quinn said. "I won't say we believe it..."
"But, uh..." Abigail started. "I won't deny that the thought has crossed my mind." Neptu sighed.
"Well it isn't true." He said, looking at Elizabeth. "Liz is my right hand. That's why she stays with me and out of the battlefield most days. Besides, her magic is mostly enchantments. Direct combat isn't her thing."
"We know." Quinn said. "It was just a thought. Whatever, I'll go crack jokes to the men so they don't get scared of Tristan out there." With this, Quinn made his way out of the tent.
"I'll go make sure that we aren't leaving a mess for the city to deal with." Abigail said, also going to leave. "Tristan's men are absolute pigs. o respect for others. Not surprising, considering who leads them." With this, she also left the tent, leaving Neptu and Elizabeth alone.
"Are you ever concerned that your top ranking commanders don't get along?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
"Some days, yeah." Neptu sad, rubbing his head. "Probably why I make sure you four barely cross paths, if I can help it." He looked up at her. "Sorry if that whole conversation made you uncomfortable, they just don't understand."
"It's fine."Elizabeth replied, smiling. "I wouldn't expect them to get it. They joined because they found you. I joined because you found me." Neptu chuckled at this. "I'll go see if everything's in order." With this, Elizabeth also left the tent for the outside. She was right, he didn't expect the others to get it.
After all, Elizabeth would have met the same fate as her entire past life had Neptu not made it there in time.
Up in smoke.
"Alright, are we ready?" Laxus asked, approaching the group going out into the night. Nashi looked over to find those he'd chosen to go out pretty much ready. They were all dressed in dark clothing to avoid being seen, they did indeed all look ready.
"As we'll ever be." Drake said, stretching his arms.
"Remember, get in, find Gin, and get him out." Laxus said. "Don't try and start something."
"We know." Ultear said. "We'll find him. And hopefully he can keep quiet so we don't have any issues."
"Well, we'll have to see about that one." Drake muttered. Nashi looked over at her father carefully.
"Are you okay?" She asked him. "You've been pretty quiet all day." Her father was silent for a moment, before he looked down at her. Their eyes met, and for a moment, Nashi saw his gaze lessen in intensity.
"I'm sure." He said, putting a hand on her head. "I want to scope things out. Besides, if anyone has to do work if we get detected, I can't let Gray beat me."
"What was that, Flamebrain?" Gray called. Her father didn't reply.
"I'll be back before you know it." He told her. "Don't worry." Nashi smiled up at him.
"I won't." She said. With this, her father took his hand off her head and slowly followed everyone out the door and into the darkness of the city, on their way to rescue Gin.
Despite the trust she had for those going on the mission, she had a sinking feeling in her stomach.
And at this, Nashi smiled. Now that she felt so uncertain, she was happy she'd done what she'd done a couple hours ago.
"Hear anything bad? Ultear asked from beside him. Drake concentrated and sent another wave of sound magic over the Hunter encampment, listening for anything that might be a problem.
"Nothing out the ordinary." he replied, pointing to their left off the side of the cliff. "Gin's in a tent over that way, guarded by some of the Hunters. You ready?"
"Yeah, let's go." She replied. Drake nodded and turned back to Simon, Elise, Steph and Natsu who were waiting behind them. Gray and Juvia had taken a different line of sight, so they had gone here.
"Like Laxus said." Drake said. "You see me shoot a blast of poison up in the air, you come running. Shit's going down."
"Got it." Steph said. "Be careful out there, don't do anything stupid."
"This whole scenario is begging for Drake's brand of stupidity." Elise said. "Keep him in line Ul." Drake ignored the girls jab and looked over at Natsu, who seemed to be scanning the camp.
"You alright, Natsu?" He asked. Natsu looked back at him.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said. "Did you hear Neptu or his elites?" Drake nodded.
"Yeah, Neptu's asleep near the center of the camp, and the other four are spread out. They shouldn't be any problem where they are." Natsu nodded at this.
"Alright. Just get in and out quick." Drake nodded and turned back to the cliff face. Aiming his hand down, he shot out a blast of poison, which turned into a talon and gripped the edge tightly. He gestured for Ultear to grab hold, and she did by putting her arms around his back. Jumping off the ledge, Drake felt the cold wind whip around him as they descended quickly. Tightening the poison latched to the cliff, Drake slowed them down so they could land comfortably and quietly.
With that, the two snuck quietly towards the encampment. Once they got the the very edge, Drake activated his sound magic. From the sounds of it, many of the Hunters were sleeping. Those who weren't seemed to be doing rounds of security. Creeping along the edge of the tents, Drake made sure he kept to the shadows, Ultear right behind him.
"Anything?" Ultear whispered. Drake shook his head.
"No, we're good so far." With how many of the guards were sleeping, it didn't take long for the two of them to reach the tent Gin was being held in. Drake watched from the darkness as the four men surrounding the tent kept their eyes open.
"Now what?" Ultear asked. "Got any ideas?"
"Not many, no." He replied. We need to take them out either all at once, or silently enough that they don't see a comrade getting knocked out."
Can't you just paralyze them?"
"I could, but I'm not sure if my poison could prevent them from screaming for backup." Drake watched the men carefully, unsure as to what he was supposed to do. One or two they could have handed, but four?
"Alright, I have a plan." Ultear said. Drake turned to her to find her staring intently at him. "You take out the two in front of us, I'll get the two behind the tent. When you hear me say three, jump out and knock them out. Got it?"
"Sounds good. Go." Ultear nodded and backed away from him, making her way slowly through the darkness towards the other side of Gin's tent. Drake hoped this was going to work, they couldn't afford a fuck up. Drake watched as Ultear's face appeared in the darkness just at the edge of the tents at the other side, watching the guards.
"One," he heard her think. At this, Drake tensed. This was it.
"Two," she thought. Drake clenched his fists.
"Three!" At the count, Drake burst out of the darkness and slammed his fist into the guard on the rights face, knocking him out instantly. Before the other could even make a sound, Drake swirled and roundhouse kicked him in the face as well. Both guards collapsed to the ground as Drake stood upright, regarding his work quietly. He looked over to find the other two guards also on their asses, frost drifting off of them.
"That went surprisingly well." He said.
"You're welcome." She said. "Now let's get Gin the hell out of here." Drake nodded and turned towards the tent, and slowly pushed the flap, allowing himself and Ultear inside.
Once inside, they noted that Gin was curled up in a ball, asleep. Drake walked up slowly and knelt down, shaking him. Gin awoke quickly and, in a daze, stared at Drake.
"W-Wha...?" he asked slowly. "Drake?" Drake grinned.
"Hey bud." He said. "You feel like getting out of here?"
"What the hell are you...? Oh my god you idiots! I gave myself up so that you guys would be safe and now you're-!" Drake clamped a hand over Gin's mouth.
"Hush, jackass." Drake said. "I didn't come all this way in the dark with no sleep to hear you say no. Now get up. We're leaving." Gin didn't seem like he wanted to budge, but he sighed in defeat and stood up. "Alright Ul, do your thing."
"On it." Drake watched as the woman scanned Gin's appearance, before she cracked her knuckles and took the traditional Ice Make stance. "Ice Make: Ice Clone!" Just like Laxus had wanted, the ice clone formed in Gin's exact form on the ground, looking as though he was still unconscious.
"Good job." Drake said. "Now let's go." Ultear turned back to him and frowned.
"I don't know how long an ice clone can fool them, to be honest. I don't think they're that dumb."
"Maybe not." Drake said. "But long enough for us to get the real Gin to safety? Yeah."
"I really just cannot understand." Gin said. "Going through all of this for me. Why?"
"Because you're our friend, damn it." Drake snarled, turning to glare at Gin. "I wouldn't act any differently if it was someone else out here, I'd still save them. Just because you're a Demon Lord doesn't make you any less important, got it? Gin just stared at him silently, before hanging his head.
"Let's just get out of here." Ultear said. "The longer we stay the longer we risk getting caught."
"Help me move the guards inside the tent, Gin." Drake said, walking outside the tent to move the unconscious Hunters inside.
Despite how well it had gone, Drake was no fool. This plan was only a short term solution.
"See anything?" Elise asked.
"Nope." Simon said. "Looks like everything is good for now."
"Hey, uh, guys?" Steph asked.
"What's up?" Simon asked, turning to her. Steph looked extremely confused.
"Has anyone seen Natsu?"
Nashi sighed as she paced around the guild hall, waiting anxiously for the rescue to return. If they did she wouldn't have to worry. If they didn't...
Bzz bzz!
Nashi fumbled with her pocket before she finally pulled out her lacrima phone. She answered the call and held it up to her ear.
"Hello?" She asked.
"Hey babe." A male voice replied. Nashi smiled at this.
"Hey Michael." She said. "Did you do as I asked?"
"It was a bit difficult, but yeah. I did" Nashi sighed.
"That's great, thank you again. Is everyone coming?"
Give or take a few, yeah." He said. "And I...Mami hold on...For fuck sake...Fine!" Michael growled in frustration. "Mami wants to talk to you."
"Uh, okay." Nashi replied. She listened as the phone passed hands, and Mami cleared her throat.
"Hey Nashi." She said. "How're you?"
"I'm okay." She said. "Sorry if this was a hassle, but I wanted to be careful."
"Ah that's fine. No one was forced to come, we all want to help." Nashi smiled at this.
"Thanks. How far away are you guys?"
"Ahhhh...Maybe half an hour, forty-five minutes. Not far."
"That's good."
"Uh huh. Don't worry, we'll be there before you know it." With this, it sounded as though the phone was tossed back to Michael, who's muttered curses got louder as the phone went back up to his mouth.
"We're coming, babe!" He said. "Not to worry. Back up is en route!" With this, Michael laughed and hung up on her. Nashi smiled and slowly put the phone back in her pocket.
She had asked Michael to round everybody up and bring them to Magnolia, just in case.
He hadn't even argued, he'd just old er he'd get on it as fast as possible.
And now they were all on their way. Nashi chuckled to herself.
"They didn't even force anyone to come? Looks like they all love getting into fights too."
Natsu stared at the entrance to the tent quietly. He knew exactly why he'd asked to go with the kids on their mission to save Gin. Perhaps he should have just gone by himself instead of disappearing on the others out of nowhere, but he'd gotten here all the same.
Taking a deep breath, Natsu walked towards the entrance of the tent and stepped inside.
Sitting at the back of the tent, watching him enter from behind a desk was Neptu Skylancer.
"Good morning." Neptu greeted. "How nice of you to drop by."
"Drake said you were asleep." Natsu said. Neptu chuckled.
"Of course he did." He said. "Elizabeth's enchantments tend to distort the senses. Well, except for sight in this case." Neptu narrowed his eyes at Natsu. "Now, care to explain why you showed here? To kill me? To shut me up?" Natsu laughed.
"No, nothing of the sort." He said. "I came here to ask you something."
"Could it not have waited until morning?"
"No." Natsu replied. The two watched each other quietly before Natsu stepped forward a little. "Fire Devil Slaying magic."
"Excuse me?" Neptu asked.
"You heard me." Natsu said. At this, Neptu smirked.
"A fan of the craft?" He asked. "You've got excellent senses." Natsu didn't reply to this. "Yes, I'm a Devil Slayer. Passed down over a long period of time. Fits by work, doesn't it?"
"You could say that." Natsu replied. "One more question."
"Which is?" Natsu tensed up a bit at this.
"You ever kill an Etherious?"
I think I'll leave it here for today. Remember to tell me what you think of my idea! I hope you enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try to get five!