Gaining Courage: The Search for the Lost Keys (a Fairytail Galu story)

Chapter Twenty-Four: Gunsmith

Encana city had been a bust for new information but Gajeel had needed to finish up the last of his missions and the Dark Guild there hadn't taken much time to round up. If he wasn't so infuriating I could almost admit that Gajeel knew what he was doing (at least some of the time). Now if I could just get him to listen to me we could get going as there was supposed to be an ancient ruin to the south near the coast. But no this idiot wouldn't listen to reason.

"We're going north. There's supposed to be bandits around the mountain pass. They should give me a nice warm up."

If I was stood next to a tree I would be bangingmy head against it. Looking round for Pantherlily to see if he could talk senseinto the lug head I found him a way away sitting quietly by the stream on thefar side of the clearing fishing. Knowing I would have no help from there Itried once again to explain that going south would be better for my next stop.I was two seconds away from kicking him when Gajeel jerked forward and tackledme to the ground. Before I could get my breath back let alone complain I hearda gunshot and saw the tree I was standing in front of splinter from the impact.Shrieking and pulling Gajeel closer who had started to get up; I peered overhis shoulder to see what in Mavis' name was going on.

At the sound of gunfire Patherlily had sprung up and turned towards us. Before he could come closer shouts started up from the woods. With the both of us down Patherlily had no choice but to run towards the source of the trouble. Which unknown to me at the time turned out to be the very bandit group that Gajeel had wanted to go looking for? Shoving off me Gajeel 'ghighi' and raced towards the incoming horde. Seeing the gleeful look on his face I couldn't help but face palm and be sorely tempted to simply stay down and let the boys enjoy themselves. At least I was until another shot sounded and the dirt near my head reacted.

Scrambling up and taking cover I tried to find the shooter while staying out of sight. I snuck a quick look over at the boys and watched as Gajeel and Patherlily in battle form danced and dodged their way through over twenty bandits. A flash of green in my peripheral vision had me focusing on movement in the trees on the far side of the clearing on the other side of the stream. Squinting I could just make out someone crouched in the cover with what I soon realised was a rifle.

"Sagittarius!"

Appearing in the tree above my head, the moment he came out I pointed and arrows started flying. Knowing I had to help the boys I left Sagittarius to take care of the sniper and I raced across the clearing occasionally kicking anyone who got in my way. When I stubborn idiot kept jumping into my path I finally had enough grabbed my whip and latched on. The look on his face as I planted my heels and threw him across the clearing would of made me laugh if I wasn't already in a hurry. Running once more I finally skidded to a stop by the water's edge and reached for my belt. With a feeling of nostalgia I sank a key into the water and paused for but a moment as I renewed my promise that someday the key in my hand would be gold. Concentrating I doubled the usual power used for a silver key and called out a game changer.

"I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits I beckon you to my side at once pass through the gate, open gate of sea monster, Cetus."

Even Gajeel looked up from his fight when the roar let loose deafening the sounding forest, as a creature from the depths burst out of the stream. I had to admit feeling the drain as Cetus came out was gratifying (it had taken me so long to be able to use this much power now it didn't even wind me). As I rose into the air the power I could feel running between the two of us almost made me laugh. When Cetus finishing rising I could see clear across the forest. Smirking from my perch on Cetus' head I watched as all the remaining bandits trembled in fear. Not letting them recover I grabbed one of the spines and hung on.