Fairytail Next Generation: The New Beginning

Sabertooth

I started to move toward the magazine, wondering what it might say, when a strong hand gripped my wrist.

"Don't." Storm said looking down. I stared at him trying to understand him.

"But it might tell us what we need to know, what really happened that day, who we're up against." I pleaded.

"Yeah, but it might not. Most magazines are just gossip. The facts in there are based around the truth, if they have any at all. Not to mention I'm sure Master Sting knows more than that magazine. So trust me on this and let's just go, okay." He tugged on my wrist pulling me back toward the group. I nodded in agreement.

As we walked the merchant booths we recieved quite a few looks. I could only assume that a group of children probably looked suspicious and that they would expect us to be thieves. However, there was one group watching us that I couldn't quite figure out their intent. I nudged Storm and he glanced their way. He tilted his head toward a back alley. I nodded ever so slightly taking stronger hold of everyone. We moved swiftly trying our best to lose the group that was now tailing us. Then we reached what one might call a dead end, it was part of the group tailing us, they were now in front and behind us.

"Can we help you?" Storm asked pulling everyone in closer.

"Oh you certainly can." One said moving away from his group and closer to us. "You see we deal in magical artifacts and items... and sometimes people. And well we just happened to notice that you've got some of that on ya."

Storm's face turned serious and he scowled. "Look we aren't looking for trouble."

"Oh, but we are." The mans head tilted to the side and with a snap of his fingers his men began to lunge at us. But before we could even react they all fell to the ground as if they were in pain.

"You know there are shadows that lurk in alleyways." A voice said. A shadow moved between us and the man, his body slowly rising out of the ground.

"You should know better than to attack a Sabertooth so close to its den." A voice from above said. We looked up in surprise at Master Sting, Yukino, and Libra. "The scales are not tipped in your favor." Yukino spoke softly but seriously as her eyes met our attackers.

Rouge turned around. "Don't worry about these guys, we've got them covered."

"Fro thinks so too!" A voice shouted from behind the our attackers and we could see two exceed.

"Yukino will take you back to the guild." Sting shouted down.

Yukino smiled down at us and then nodded at Libra. The gravity around us changed and we began to float up to the top of the building where Sting and Yukino help us on the roof. After helping us they shared a brief glance and then Sting jumped down next to Rouge.

"Follow me." Yukino smiled sweetly as she helped us down the other side of the building. After reaching the ground she turned to Libra. "You may release them. Thank you Libra."

Libra nodded and disappeared. Soon the sounds of fighting could be heard, but all could tell it was a one sided battle.

"Hikari told us everything and after a short while we became concerned and went looking for you. While I'm sure you could have handled it I'm still glad we were able to help out." Yukino said never turning around. "Minerva is with them so don't you worry."

Storm laughed "I only worry for anyone who dares to try and attack Sabertooth."

Yukino giggled in response as we approached the front doors to the guild. "Well here we are, Sabertooth!"

Everyone was welcoming as we entered, greeting us and telling us how glad they were to find out we were safe. However no one would speak of the attack. Yukino brought us through several rooms and hall ways, eventually leading to a formal meeting room where we were reunited with the rest of our group.

"What took you so long?" Hikari stood up and approached Storm and I.

"We ran into some trouble." Storm said.

"More like some trouble ran into us." I corrected him.

"You both are more than capable of handling some trouble." Hikari's voice was troubled as if she had been worrying.

"You told us to be covert. So we were. We avoided conflict... that was until we couldn't." Storm shrugged.

Just then Yukino cut in "I'm sure they would have handled it just fine, but this is our home and we would hate to involve you all in our little problems. So Sting and Rouge took over. Not to mention Sting has been looking for a reason to get into a fight for a while now." She smiled at Hikari.

Hikari nodded and backed down. Minerva who had been leaning on the wall took a step forward. "The more important question is what could be taking those two so long. A little squabble like what you've explained Yukino should be no problem for those two."

Just then the doors flew open.

"Sorry were late!"

We all stared down at the exceeds.

"Fro thinks so too!"

"Lector... where are Sting and Rouge?" Yukino's quite voice reflected everyone's quiet thoughts.

Lector's eyes went wide as he looked around him. "Sting-kun!"

Minerva made her way out the door past the exceeds and soon enough we could hear Sting and Rouge bickering in the hallway. Suddenly Minerva shoved them though the doors and into the room.

"Would you two cut it out, we have more important matters to address." Minerva spoke sternly, but not without care.

Sting moved one hand up behind his head, he rubbed the back of his head and apologized. "You must have so many questions, as do we. So why don't we sit down and talk. Yukino, would you mind grabbing some refreshments and snacks for our guests?"

Yukino nodded and smiled making her way out of the room.

"Please sit everyone." Rouge spoke quiet and serious.

We all sat down and began to look around at each other. Finally I spoke.

"What do you know about the events that took place at our guild?"