From the Ashes, part 3

Fairy Tail - From the Ashes, Part 3

When afternoon rolled around, Mira decided to take her chances in town. She disguised herself as a harmless old woman with her magic and did her best to stay under
the radar. She had no choice. Laxus was in bad shape. She wouldn't let him die. She needed supplies. The guards paid her no heed. The hunters didn't seem interested, either. Only
one of the elite glanced her way. Calmly avoiding eye contact, she disappeared into the next crowd. She new that traitor...Kurohebi. It was no shock that he'd fallen in with this
monstrous group. Trying to push it from her mind, she went to her tasks and returned to Laxus with extreme caution. No one had any interest in following a granny amid the
crowds of shifty suspects. She tried to rest, but her mind wouldn't ease off of her brother and comrades. Were they really all right? No one had ever come back from the capital to
tell about it, but she hoped for the best. Waiting for night to fall, she tried to think of the best way to frame the news for her sister. It wouldn't be easy.

Back at the capital, Gobi checked over his prisoners. Being warden was one of his many responsibilities. He strode to the area they kept the dragon and god slayers.
Inspecting his previous work, he was satisfied that his newest addition was well secured. Sting had been strapped thoroughly in his restraints. Not being able to see, he was still
aware of Gobi's presence. "What is this place?", he called. A slayer across the room watched helplessly as their warden landed a firm blow to Sting's abdomen. "You will
speak only when spoken to. I only left you ungagged so you wouldn't choke on your own blood, but that mistake can be easily mended", he said sternly. "The empress wants you
kept alive for now. You slayers have a special role ahead of you", he continued. Blood ran from the dragon slayer's lips as he shuddered from the pain. His previous injuries were
just barely holding together. Gasping, he coughed a few chunks of red before smirking. "Smirk if you wish", said Gobi, "It won't last." Sting's expression shifted as he caught wind
of another scent. "Don't you have other prisoners to see to?", inquired a cold female voice. "Sahara, I was wondering when you'd make it to this one", replied Gobi. "Silence,
brother. When I'm working, you are to address me by my title." "As you wish, grand vizier", he said calmly. He paused only briefly when leaving to add, "Our lady wants this one
kept on a short leash." Sahara watched her brother go before stepping close to her new captive. Wiping a bit of fresh blood from his lip, she tested its texture between her fingers.
Uninterested in the result, she looked to her chart. "Eucliff, do you know why you're here?" He gave no response. Calmly, she said, "Very well. We can do things your way."
Down the hall, Gobi ignored the screams now pouring from the chamber. His sister so loved her work.

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Somewhere outside the city of Magnolia, Erza watched and waited for sunset. She stood outside a small shack alone. A noise from inside pulled her steely gaze from
the horizon. Opening the door, she sighed, "I told you to stay in bed." Her patient looked up with an expression between sheepish and determined. Crouching down, she lended her
body as support. Helping Jellal back to bed was the easy part. Getting to him stay there was another story. He sat at the edge, staring at his shattered leg. The cast wouldn't
survive much more movement. It was, after all, only improvised. He winced as Erza tightened the cloth scraps that held the brace in place. Without looking up, she said, "I

wouldn't have to do this if you'd just stay still." "I know", he sighed. At least the bleeding elsewhere had stopped. "How's your arm?", he asked. She glanced at the red seeping

through the bandages. "Fine." A few minutes of silence floated through the room. Eventually, Jellal said, "You can go back without me. Your friends are waiting." He didn't have to

look over to know the look he was getting. After a deep breath, Erza replied, "It's only thanks to you that we saved as many people as we did." The door swung open once more.

Looking over the grim faces, Meredy set down her bag of looted vegetables. "Who died?", she teased. She quickly realized her poor choice of words and went about putting

things away and shuffling things that were already in place, trying to look busy. "Get some sleep", said Erza, rising from her place beside Jellal. He watched her shadow pass by

on the wooden floor. When the door closed behind her, Meredy stared at him. "What'd you do this time?" He glared at her response before giving in and stretching back out.

Outside, the sky faded from blue to purple and orange. Meredy stepped beside Erza and waited. After several minutes of nothing passed, she stretched and said, "Take
care of him while I'm gone." Erza darted her eyes and inquired, "Where are you going?". "I'll go check on your friends", she said, watching the horizon. "It's not like he listens to
me, anyway." Erza grinned faintly. She was the only one who get him to stay still, at least for a little while. "Are you sure you'll be all right?", offered Erza. "If it'll make you feel
better, I can link us", replied Meredy with a smile. After some assurances, Meredy set out in the settling twilight. Erza glanced at the mark on her wrist with a soft smile and
hoped for the best.

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In the city, Lisanna solemnly stared out the tiny window, watching the boots of the guard go by. She knew Mira would be all right, but still, that little voice in the back
her head wouldn't stop bothering her. She turned at a touch to her shoulder to find Lucy offering some hot tea. With a nod and acknowledging smile, she took it and went back to
her reverie. Nearby, Natsu watched over his best friend. Sitting beside him, Lucy said, "He's breathing a little easier tonight." Natsu gave no response, just stared intently at the
feline's broken body. Not sure what else she could do, she tried to take his hand, but he shifted away from her. With a sigh, she headed up to the roof. At least Loke would talk to  

her.

A few blocks over, Gray re-read the note in his hand. It didn't make any sense. "2NITE - THE ALLIE BEEHIND THE BAKERIE" Not only was it horribly written and
misspelled, but there was no other information. "Juvia has a bad feeling about this. Don't go", she pleaded. Not looking up to her, he said, "Relax. I won't." With a sigh of
relief, Juvia watched him toss the note into the fire, staring at the flames in thought. Outside, Gajeel stood in the shadows, waiting for the night to fully set in. Levy sat nearby,
watching him in silence. A noise nearby caught her attention. Lily strode forward. "You shouldn't fly in the light", she chided. Lily nodded and handed her a slip of paper. She read
it quickly. Gajeel turned and waited for a response. "There's a rumor of where one of the elite will be staying tomorrow", she said. Taking the note, Gajeel read it for himself.
"Do you think it's true?", he inquired. She shook her head. "I don't know." Lily offered, "I'll check into it tonight." It had been decided.

Two hours later, Gray and Juvia headed out. It was their turn to gather orphans and survivors. Levy kept watch while Gajeel waited for Lily's return inside. Several
streets away, Gray pushed Juvia to the wall behind him as he watched around a corner, completely oblivious where he had grabbed her. Blushing and afraid to speak, Juvia

simply tried to contain herself. They were near the bakery. That fact just hit her. "Gray-sama", she whispered. "Shh. They're close", he hushed. Sure enough, a troop of hunters

was approaching. Shrinking into the shadows wouldn't be enough. Juvia held onto Gray, turning them both to water, and slid into a near sewer grate. Re-solidifying underground

was safer. Gray was so busy watching the people above, he didn't notice Juvia still hanging on tightly.

Elsewhere, Lisanna took a pained breath. Their runner had come. She'd told them where Mira was and what she had found out. "Elf-niichan", she uttered with worry.
Natsu put a firm hand on her shoulder, trying to strengthen her resolve. In her mind, Lucy saw flashes of the past. Shaking the image of Lisanna kissing the crystallized Natsu form
her thoughts, she said, "What should we do?" "You can't stay here much longer", said Loke. He was right. They needed to find a new location soon or risk being found. "Do you
want to go to Mira?", inquired Natsu, looking to Lisanna. She resolutely nodded her head. Natsu glanced back to the sleeping exceed. "We have to move", assured Lucy. "I know",
he replied solemnly. Approaching his fallen friend, he wrapped Happy's frail form snugly in his scarf. "Let's go." Everyone agreed, the runner would lead them back to Mira and
Laxus. Gathering what few supplies they had, it was time to go. Cautiously heading into the gloom of night, they took their chances.

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Several cities away, Wendy sat with her knees to her chest, resting her head on her arms. Charle placed a careful paw on her leg. Sniffling, the dragon slayer said, "I
couldn't save them." Charle closed her eyes and cursed her gift of foresight. They had come here because of one of her visions. Sadly, though, their presence made no difference.
The troops had come and decimated the town. The exceed twitched her ears at a sound. Wendy stopped sobbing and looked for its source. It was an infant, crying all alone and
likely terrified. Wiping her face, she got up with new direction. There was still a life she could save here.

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Mira stood at the ready when she heard someone coming. Relieved to see her friends, she greeted them kindly. Leading them inside, it was a dark scene. Bloodied
bandages piled over a trash can sat beside Laxus's bed. He looked and sounded horrid. Lucy covered her mouth in shock as she looked over his battered form. Who was capable
of this? Natsu placed Happy near the radiator before turning his attentions. "What happened?", he asked grimly. With a sigh, Mira related the tale from the previous night. Natsu
tensed his fists. "Now they've got all of them, too?" "Yes", replied Mira sullenly. "Where are they taking everyone?", asked Lisanna, still trying to take it all in. "The capital.
Probably the castle dungeons", replied her sister. Placing an arm around her sister, she added, "I'm sure Elfman's all right." Lucy had brought a small journal and was noting
everything they had learned. Maybe some insight could be gathered from the pieces. "Have we heard from Erza yet?", inquired Natsu. Mira shook her head. "She'll be fine. It is
Erza we're talking about." Lucy nodded. "She was on a solo job when everything hit. She's probably making her way back to us." Mira offered a kind smile and added, "Likely
cutting down the enemy as she goes." That thought eased everyone's minds, if only a little. A deep cough jarred the room. Laxus tried to sit up, but Mira swiftly pressed him back
down. "Don't move. You'll reopen all of your wounds", she scolded. "Mira?", he wheezed hazily. She wiped the sweat from his brow and assured, "You'll be all right in a few
days. Now get some rest." He barely noticed the blurred form of the others before passing out once more. Lucy looked on with concern. "Was he really that bad?", she thought
aloud. She quickly followed Mira's line of sight to the tray of projectiles that had been removed. She shuddered at their blood covered shape. "I'm sorry", she said. Mira tucked
Laxus back in and replied, "It's all right." Everyone tried to settle in. The injured seemed so far gone, but they couldn't give up hope. Hope was the one thing they had left.

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To be continued...