Unraveled (Fairy Tail - next generation)

Chapter 4

★Ayako★

"No. That, my friend, is most definitely not a bear." Otachi says to the old man, whilst reaching for a knife in his bag. "It is, in fact, a Sarachi Demon. Often mistaken for bears. But distinguishable by its significantly larger and angular ears, lighter coloured fur, and most importantly, fangs. Often hard to take down. Especially," he glances at me, "if you're just a beginner."

The knife enlarges to a sword in Otachi's hand. So he does take after his mother. Impressive, but I can see right through him. He wants this team for himself. That's something I'm not willing to give him.

"So it's a good thing that we're not amateurs, right Maple?" I say, as she comes to stand by my side. "Right," she responds, loyal as ever.

Otachi opens his mouth to try and respond, but I'm not going to let him take over this team.

I decide the best thing to shut him up is a show of knowledge.

"So, a Sarachi. It'll kill you straight away if it sees you with that sword, Otachi. It'll kill anything that seems to even pose the slightest threat to it. That's why it's so well known for killing its own kind. But catch it off guard and you might just have a chance. It has quite a large peripheral vision so you'll have to get it from right at the back. Luckily, it's facing the other way. Get it while you can. Maple and I will sneak round the back and get it while it's looking at you."

"But..." he starts to object.

   "Safety in numbers and Maple's with me. Goodbye and good luck."

   I smirk. He forgot one very important thing - my mother is very, very smart.

   I feel like I should take a bow. Maple whispers "Way to go!", Otachi is stunned and even the old man looks impressed. I beckon to Maple and we stride - no, sassy walk off.

"That. Was. Awesome." Maple says as soon as we are out of sight, looking more excited than I've ever seen her be before. "You just put Bossy Boy in his place."

"I know, I know. It was amazing. But we need to focus on the fight ahead. Otachi's about to go at the Sarachi with his sword any second now, so we need to hurry. He'll only have about a minute against the demon before it tries to rip his head off. That's when we attack. I figure if we wait behind buildings on either side, we can have a slight extra element of surprise, as it will only be focused on one of us."

Maple nods. "So Otachi's first. I volunteer to go second. You're the leader and the strongest - you deserve to get the kill. Bring back a spoil of war or something to show them you're the boss, not Big Sword over there."

I giggle. "Maple, as much as my dad would approve, I don't think my mum would like a severed head in the household. But I'll consider it if I ever come across anything with horns. Or maybe-"

I'm interrupted by a loud cry, and an even louder roar followed by a few sword swishes. Maple and I look at each other at the same time. 'Let's go,' I say, as I start running to the left of the monster. Maple runs to the right. Otachi screams- basically the signal to begin our part of the fight. Maple jumps out and blasts the demon with her magic. A few golden beams later and the monster is almost down. So is Maple.

I take a deep breath. It's finally my turn.

I wait for exactly the right moment. The Sarachi is about to snap Maple in half. She shuffles away as fast as possible, but not fast enough. It leans down to bite her and... My metal fist collides with the side of its head.

It stumbles and groans. It spins around, but significantly slower than it did before. Its claws are worn away, its fur tattered and bruised. This is our chance to save the village. We could defeat the monster.

   It roars at me. I take a deep breath, and roar back at it.

   The demon is blasted with my power. It falls over, wails, and dies. I did it. I completed my first mission. I saved the village.

   "Well done, young lady!" The old man says, violently shaking my hand. "You have defeated the beast. The village is very grateful. We shall make heroes of you all. Your names?" He asked.

   "Ayako," I say, proudly.

   "Maple!" Maple giggles.

   "Otachi," Otachi grumbles.

   "Well, Ayako, Maple and Tai Chi, we will forever remember you as our heroes. Thank you and goodbye." The old man waves at us as we walk off.

   "Goodbye," Otachi says, "and it's Otachi. Not Tai Chi."

***

   "We did it," Maple says, "and we're heroes!"

   "Well, you did it, and you're heroes. Not sure about me," Otachi mumbles.

   "Hey, without you it wouldn't have been disoriented!" Maple shouts happily, pulling Otachi into a hug. He pushed her away.

   "Hardly a good job," he sulks, stepping into the carriage. "Well, let's get going so you can go brag to the guild."

   I follow him into the carriage. "No need to be bitter," I say.

   "But well done."