The Power of One Dream (A One Piece x Fairy Tail Story)

Part 18

A/N: Warning: The next two chapters will have some unsettling (and in some cases gruesome) scenes to follow, and perhaps hurtful words. Readers are welcome to skip these.

Nico Robin stood stock still in the Entrance Foyer, still facing the circular hall up ahead where her friends had disappeared through the Magical doorways. Her arms crossed and extending her cloned eyes' range as far as possible in all directions. But to no avail. A combination of the mystery drug she had surely been slipped the night before and the disorientating effects of the Magic of this wretched place kept her from focusing her power effectively. And what she was able to see of the various hidden chambers beneath the old building showed no sign of the captive women, neither their allies engaged in this challenge, nor their enemies. Never before had she felt quite so desperate, or vulnerable.

And yet, she was certain she was homing in on something...?

Behind her, Levi wasn't having much luck either in decrypting the Magical seal on the massive doors they entered in through. Between them, Gildarts, Bickslow and the Straus Siblings just waited on edge while Happy and Pantherlily watched Charle pacing backwards and forwards anxiously in the air above them. And by the sounds of it, Master Makarov Dreyar and the rest of the Fairy company were just as anxious.

"Levi my dear, have you made any progress with unsealing the door? Are you all still alright? And what of the others? Have Natsu and Young Luffy's party returned yet?" Makarov anxiously barraged the remaining party with questions. Levi sighed wearily. "Not yet Master. These seals are tougher to crack than I thought. Some of them seem to keep shifting, meaning I have to recalibrate my whole algorithm each time. I have a feeling something HAS happened to the others by now, but as to where they are...?"

Levi drifted off, worry thoroughly etched on her face. And it was no secret to anyone (especially to Robin) who she was the most worried for. Around this time, the party within the Foyer noticed a distinct quiet from outside the massive doors, enough to draw even the attention of the anxiously pacing white Exceed. "..Master..?" Charle asked cautiously. "... Someone is approaching. In fact, a great many someones. Some though, I believe we already know. Brace yourselves my children." And for a time Master Makarov said no more, and the Foyer party waited with baited breath. This was soon followed by the sound of crackling energy and audible gasps on the outside of the doors.

".. Mystogan..?" they heard some of the Fairies exclaim from the outside. An exclamation that drew all of the Foyer parties' eyes, including Robin's, to the front door. It was clear to the Archaeologist by the commotion outside that this 'Mystogan' was a big name in the guild. And it also seemed from the hurried murmurings that this person wasn't the only newcomer to the outside group. "My children..." Master Makarov began again, now sounding strangely not quite as dire as before though still serious. "..I believe I should leave further explanations to our newest guest."

All of a sudden, a figure appeared amidst the Foyer party to the surprise of all. He was dressed in curiously-styled black clothes under a dark blue cloak with bandages around his arms and legs as well as staves affixed to his back. Little of the man's face could be seen between the dark bandana around his head and the green scarf obscuring the lower half. But the look in his eyes was resolute with a greater purpose.

"Friends among Fairy Tail, and the esteemed Archaeologist Nico Robin. I am indeed the S-Class Mystery Mage Mystogan. Please forgive my abrupt appearance in the middle of such dire circumstances. But please be assured you are not alone in your current endeavour. I already have people on the inside working with members of your party. In fact I have received word that they have at last convened with Master Dragneel and the pirate captain Mugiwara Luffy, as well as with Ms. Heartfilia and the 'Cat Burglar'...". There was an audible sigh of relief both sides of the door, although Robin didn't fail to notice Gildarts looking at the man soberly, and Pantherlily looking at him rather suspiciously.