Reflections

Chapter 2: Exploding Pubs

"Can you repeat that one more time, sir?"

"W-well I pointed them in the direction of the local pub nearby..." In a flash of brilliant scarlet, a dangerously sharp sword was placed just inches from the man's adam's apple as he quickly continued. "I- I had no idea that they were the ones destroying everything! Please, please don't hurt me ma'am!" He pleaded.

"Oh, is that so? Surely you must recall what these people look like, right?" Interrogated the intimidating red haired woman.

The man agreed, still nervous of the blade near his skinny neck. "Of course! Now, let me see... uh, there was a young man with silver hair. You can't miss him... and a pretty girl with a pair of strange weapons... and some gangbanger with spiky hair and a silver chain necklace. And-"

"You don't think she's going over board with this, do you?" A few yards away stood Levy and Lucy, who watched on as Erza threatened the man to tell her everything he remembered about the strangers he had just met earlier that day.

Lucy was always impressed with Erza; There she was dealing with a man twice her height, bringing him down with sheer force and authority.

Now he's down to her level. She thought. Below her level. She continued watching, more like, far below her level. Scary.

"Nah, she's just doing what she does best: intimidation." Lucy answered.

"I suppose..." before Levy could continue though, Erza had finished her little 'chat' and regrouped with them.

Behind her, they saw the tall man scramble away into an alley with a look of utter fear plastered on his face.

"We have a lead. It's a group of six people and a couple of strange creatures accompanying them. The last place they were headed for was a well known pub nearby. Levy, could you tell me what time it is?"

Levy scrambled through her brown shoulder bag to find her golden miniature clock. "It's 1:30 right now."

"Right, we'll search the pub now. Hopefully, we'll finally find them. When we encounter them don't hold anything back. The people we're facing could be potentially dangerous, alright? I have faith that the two of you will be just fine." And with that Erza patted both girls on the shoulder, sparking confidence within them, then lead the way.

Lucy didn't know what to say when Erza showed up at her apartment door at the crack of dawn with a still sleepy, messy haired Levy on her shoulder. She insisted that she and Levy go with her on this mission, but didn't go into specifics until they got dressed and boarded the long train ride to this town. Lucy, not knowing what to expect, wore her usual white blouse, dark blue skirt, and black boots. Along with her Zodiac keys and new whip, Fleuve d'etoiles, she obtained from Virgo back in Edolas. Boy was that Crazy. She'd be lying to herself if she said her fingers weren't itching to use it again. But she was patient, she knew the time for it would come soon. Though, she didn't expect soon to come so... well, soon!

Now here she was, on the look out for the people that Erza described to them as they walked.

Okay, so there are six of them. Three girls and three guys, and some weird looking dogs. Two of the girls are about my age; one has vibrant purple hair and the third girl is blonde, probably around Erza's age. A boy with silver hair and a huge sword, a guy with spiky hair and silver chain, and another guy with a long cloak and a scar running down his forehead. Not your typical villains, but bad guys are never consistent. Lucy thought to herself.

She was glad to have Levy here, knowing her, she'd be able to figure out anything that came their way! Lucy knew her knowledge was vast and wide. They'd have no problem there, and Levy's Solid Script magic came in handy too.

Still walking, Levy couldn't help but admire the city's architecture, the way the building's cherry wood beams and supports contrasted beautifully with the street's beige pavemented ground. All the buildings were at least two-stories tall and they flanked the street's side, making it impossible for anyone to see anything on the other side of them.

"This town is really nice, I like it." She mused.

Erza regarded Levy, taking a gander at the same tall buildings, but focused on the sky above them instead. "It is a wonderful town, in any case it seems that the weather will not be."

Taking slower steps, just in case she tripped, Levy craned her neck to look up at the atmosphere.

How could she have failed to notice the dark, brooding clouds that covered the brilliant sun. She had a feeling that it probably wasn't like this in Magnolia. Only here, in this far-away place.

"It almost looks like it might rain." Lucy speculated, worriedly. She unmindfully straightened her bangs.

"Let us continue, and quickly." Erza increased their pace.

They set foot in a large plaza, which must have been the town square. To the left of the plaza, marble steps lead up to an open podium. Engraved in the marble slab that stood atop the podium were the words: The Town of Sycca.

Sycca... Lucy knew she recognized that name before. However, she couldn't remember from where. She would've recalled if she had ever taken the lengthy train ride here.

Including the possibility of rain... She was having some heavy de'ja vu.

Leaving the plaza behind, Erza signaled the girls to stop in the middle of the street.

"Erza? what is--" Levy heard the uproar. An eruption of shouts and chaos came from down the street.

"We found the pub, and I assume our targets are causing that ruckus." A couple a houses from where they were, Erza saw the bright neon lights of the local bar: Chips n' Dice. That was the pub the skinny man had told her about.

"Really tearing into the place, from the sound of it." Lucy observed.

"Let's Hurry."

The three swiftly barged through the now forming crowd around the pub's entrance; Nosy onlookers. Erza reached the entrance with Lucy and Levy hot at her heels.

Lucy prepped herself as they made it inside. She reached for her whip that was at her left side but she never got the chance to draw it.

Suddenly, a bright harsh light blinded them, as intense heat bursted forward and hurled them backwards. The pub had exploded.