"Doubt not Iggy, I am faster than all of you combined when I want to be," Blaze bragged as Aurora joined them, giving Blaze a tap on the shoulder. Four was definitely better than three, but did this mean the reward had to be split four ways?! ...Oh, it's not like it mattered! 250K each was still pretty awesome for a bunch of kids! As the four reached the treeline, Blaze started thinking about how they might do this. The townspeople could be hostages here, and there was definitely more than a few dark mages somewhere in that town.

"...Got a plan? Anyone?" she asked, giving the others a chance first.

---

"Oh relax, Sayto. The whelp isn't dead, he's just.. well, never going to see the light of day again or even feel his own life ever again." Johnny nodded as if to confirm what he'd just said. Trapping people in a dark void for all eternity was definitely worse than death, no matter how one looked at it.

Aurora

(Im gonna be on a bus for a while so I won't be responding for a few hours :( }

nodded, puffing out breaths as she held onto Blazes shoulders for support, pouting her hand raising as she smacked Iggies back, "Oi..Im slow" again pouting as she continued to follow the three, " Plans?...if you could tell...4 vs 3...why would..there be-..three-..." suddenly she felt a rush of fear climb up her spine, remembering the harsh events a few months or days or years..back. " Do you know..when the guild fought 6 and they almost..died? " She sighed her head went staring towards the ground..groaning. This quest was going to be dangerous

"Plan?" Iggy pondered for a moment. "Ah screw it!" He said finally with a laugh. "We'll find out where the dark guild's base it and beat the living crap out of them!" Sure maybe this seemed reckless, but Iggy was sure they could win. I don't think following them will work out too well. So let's go ask the town's people. And nobody move until I say." He said as he watched as the supposed dark guild members left the town. His blood was boiling. He wanted to crush those responsible for terrorizing a town of innocent people. "Aurora. Torie. This is gonna be dangerous. You two joined joined the guild. If there was ever a time to back out it'd be now." He said as he turned to face them getting a bit more serious. "I wouldn't wanna force our new recruits to go do something they don't wanna." This was probably unnecessary. But it still needed to be said. This group was as a disadvantage after all.

Torie smacked the front of his helmet with the palm of his hand at Iggy's words of: "Ah, screw it!". Even if he didn't have any ideas, Torie still thought it'd be best to go in with a plan. He simply nodded in compliance, at the not-plan Iggy told them about. He didn't think Iggy was exactly the brightest of leaders, but he had significantly more experience, so Torie decided it'd be best to place his faith in him.At Iggy's warning, as well as their last chance to turn back, it made him think. "...He's got a point. This is big, way too big for newbies...and there's a pretty good chance we're all going to die horribly...but." He glanced around to take a look at the townspeople...they seemed scared. Scared or just blank faced, having lived in fear so long that it became normal. He was getting angry, angry that any group or person could do this for no reason beyond amusement.

"Iggy." He said as he removed his helmet. He has a rather serious expression on his face, though his brow remained unfurrowed, and he was visibly calm. "I'm going, and you'd need the entire damn guild to stop me. They have no right to do this....it's disgusting. New or not, I know that you and Blaze can't do this yourselves."

Sayto looked after Kinzoku rage filling his eyes, completely ignoring the wizard still near him he called after the dragon "My goal? Was accomplished, but what you lot did to the people in that town was excessive and unnecessary." He said, up until this point he'd laid down quietly when challenged by Kinzoku this instance marking the first time Sayto'd stood his ground. "I regret it more and more every day you know. Bringing you wolves to their door. They were just as guilty as you lot are now, but the civilians? The women? The children, all were innocent peace loving people that you brought nothing but pain." His eyes were burning now, he felt relieved that he'd said that, and now waited, for what he didn't know, but his magic power was building slightly, enough to use electric step if need be.

"Hey, you just watch us do this ourselves!" Blaze suddenly snapped at Torie, but her prideful expression faded into a cheerful laugh soon enough. Until things really went south, she wasn't going to be very serious with this mission. Lives might be at stake, but that was a matter of 'might' right now. If Blaze knew evil nutjobs - and she did - they'd be happy to enjoy the thrill of a real fight, using innocents as hostages or shields wasn't always their first course of action. "Nah, any and all help is welcome. I wouldn't expect anything less of Fairy Tail mages... But the spotlight is all the Dragon Slayer's, I'm sure he loves it~" she teased Iggy before giving him a fist bump.

"So what, we just.. charge? Straight in? I can go in from above, confuse the bitch out of 'em," Blaze suggested.

Kinzoku didn't really pay much attention to Sayto. In fact. He laugh a bit. He didn't wanna bother with this conversation anymore and it showed. Rachael chuckled softly too. "Oh well. Looks like the talk is done." She said as she too walked passed Sayto and left. "Come on. Hurry. We shouldn't stay here and keep them scared for their lives any longer." She said reminding Sayto that regardless of what was said the town would be just as scare of him as the rest of the Dark Guild.

---

Iggy smirked nodding at the approval gained from his companions. "Then we should start by heading down to the village and getting a little information on the enemy." He said calmly before glancing back at the village. Whatever people were leaving would be gone soon. Though he wasn't sure if this was a good sign yet or not. "Have a little faith Blaze. It'd be stupid if we all just busted in together. Of course I have a few jobs for each of us." He then said with a smirk. At times like this one might thank Lucy for not entrusting Iggy's education to Natsu. Sure he wasn't a genius, but he wasn't an idiot either. Which meant he actually did have plans. But of course, it took a little longer. Which was part of where his mind was throughout this talk. He'd come up with something. Of course... It was just a bit more detailed than what he'd said before. Still essentially the same idea. They'd still just bust in and kick the crap out of the dark guild. But in a more organized fashion.

Aurora

sighed, raising her head facing Iggy as she still was holding onto Blazes shoulder, nodding as leaning her head on Blazes shoulder, " Wait...I need some info too. I just oddly sneaked in " She sighed, " Also...Torrie I was near you the whole time and you didn't notice me? " She smirked patting Blaze on the back as she finally stood tall looking down. Sighing knowing that this quest was..going to be oddly strange and deadly. Once more she stared at the trees near wondering how she could be support for the team.

"Whatever my job is, I hope it involves a lot of flying and dropkicking." Blaze said rather bluntly, "I could carry someone in too if you want, Mister Dragneel~" she added on. Strategic brawling sounded like an awesome concept! Blaze could certainly do it, and Iggy was the best at it, ...but what about Torie and Aurora? They were new, and their magics might not suit something this dangerous. It's not like they could turn back to get help now though. Besides, Torie's attitude changed, he wasn't shaking in his boots like Blaze thought he might.

"I like the way you think blaze. You're getting better all the time." Iggy said with a smirk as he he thought for a moment. "Still. Before I can even come up with a good plan we'll need to get a good idea of the base itself." He said before glancing back at the village. Everyone from the dark guild should have been gone. He wasn't getting the exact same scent of fear and despair as before. "Now lets go." He said as he began to head down the hill. "Make sure you're ready for anything. Alright?" He said calmly as he continued his descent assuming everyone was right behind him.

(Short post is short. but at least we're getting somewhere.)

Torie smiled as he placed his helmet back upon his head, before saying: "Not sure if it'll be so easy as to just run in and knock their heads in, but hey, you're the leader here." He then gave a light flick of his wrist to his right, and several of his mint=green colored barriers formed in 1x1 squares, before quickly vanishing. At Aurora's question, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat as he wondered: "How DID I miss a girl with bright pink hair?" Quickly regaining his composure, he cleared his throat and saying: "Well, uh, I was looking out for Iggy. Making sure he didn't puke all over the train! That and uh, I think we only talked once...wait, no, we've never talked before." He averted looking her in the eyes, mainly because he did feel kinda guilty for not even noticing her.

"Oi. Torie. Aurora. Quit flirtin. We've got business to take care of." Iggy tease the two as they came to the town. There were many scared people. One man even attacked the group. Brought some sort of mace down on Iggy's head. "Ah... Good to know some of you still have some fight left in ya." Iggy commenting before explaining why they were there. There was blood rolling down his face, but he still didn't attack or anything. He understood that they were scare, angry, sad. Still they were lucky it was him and nobody else. Without anymore discussion of the misunderstanding they were given a fair amount of information on the dark guild. With a few reassuring words he would lead his small group back into a forest.

There was a clear a bit of a ways in. Located in the clearing was an old broken down castle. Still livable, but beaten down none the less. The information given was that the dark guild numbered nearly 100. However, these were mostly just the grunts. The main force and leaders were a specific 5 or so apparently. "Alright. I know this seems like a lot, but we can handle this." Iggy said calmly as he entered "General Iggy Mode". Stupid possibly, but it was when his mind was most effective. "Blaze. You and Aurora are gonna provide something very important. That being our initial strike." This was important indeed. It could set up the flow of the entire battle. He walked over to Aurora for a moment and grabbed her waist before lifting her up. "Alright. She's pretty light. So you shouldn't have any problem Blaze." He said before setting Aurora back down with a smile.

"You're gonna carry her over the dark guild. Aurora I want you to create a sound wave over them. Make it loud enough to hurt and disorient them. I don't think i need to explain how important this is." Iggy began to explain his battle strategy. "Once your surprise attack is over you can set Aurora down. Meanwhile Torie and I will have already begun our attack on the dazed men. Aurora can join us while you head back up and give us some aerial support." He smirked. "In other words. While Aurora joins the fight on the ground, you give the bastards hell from above." With that the plan was finished. And all Iggy had to say was. "You guys ready?"

---

Inside the castle in the upper floors which actually had fully intact roofs, Kinzoku with the guild mates he actually somewhat trusted was just lazing about. Until he got a whiff of something. "Looks like we're gonna have some company." He said with a smirk. "What does it matter. I'm sure our men down stairs can handle it. And if they can't. Who cares. They're all disposable pieces of crap anyway." Rachel said without much consideration for the matter. Still it was unusual for someone to be out here. So it must have been an attack. But what were the chances they could take out the grunts. Nobody that powerful should be out here. "Still we should keep ready. Right boss?" Kinzoku asked with a slight smirk somewhat hoping for a little real action.

Aurora

Nodded, " Alright " She felt odd. She was mentally ready too fight but was still unsure. Shruggin she could trust Iggy, Shrugging she'd follow the group down into the forest. Once the group stopped she saw a castle? Was it the dark guilds? She thought for a moment waving her arms as she did. She was distracted returning focus hearing only parts of what Iggy said, " Ehh-.." Aurora ort of backed away when Iggy walked towards her, "Wh-.." She sighed as Iggy still continued, guessing he was comparing me over Blaze and so once she was let down she just stood there, continuing too listen too the plan, " Mhm..Alright. " Iggy nodded thinking that she will be one of the main ones too attack. Still she was very unsure about this, continuing too listen, " Yup..this plan is full proof!"

Torie smirked as he listened to the plan, he had no real qualms about helping Iggy lead a full frontal assault, and hey, he figured he and Iggy's magic would synergize well enough; make a tunnel with his barriers so that fire is 100% focused on one spot. Taking the moment to prepare himself, he ran his finger around his left arm, and a rather sizeable polygonal kite shield formed from the panels, holding together. Rapping his knuckle against it, giving a satisfying *ding*, he smirked, and tossed his helmet over his shoulder, which dissipated inside of a mint-green magic glyph, back into his Re-Equip space. Rolling his shoulders, he said: "Iggy, just letting you know, my barriers only work until I move 30 feet away from 'em, so don't get too far ahead if you can help it."

"A sound plan, General!" Blaze said in a playfully fierce manner as she saluted Iggy. She then gave Torie a nod with that same expression, "Good luck you two! Don't get hurt n' don't hold back for anything." With that said, Blaze's wings of flame shot out of her back. She flew around behind Aurora and wrapped her arms around the pink-haired girl's form, ready to fly!

"Don't be afraid now, I won't let ya' go. You just focus on making their ears bleed and blow up!" Blaze cheerfully tried to offer words of comfort, but of course it became an eerie image of dark mages suffering. ...Well it's not like there was a reason to be subtle and merciful! These guys totally had it coming, Blaze thought. Not a second later the two girls were flying toward the dark guild's HQ. They were in for a hell of a surprise...!

"Whenever you're ready, Aurora!" Blaze shouted above the roar of the wind and flames. They were about to pass over the castle...

---

"Don't underestimate the Guild Mages, Kinzoku... It isn't as if they'll be a real problem, but keep your wits about you." Johnny shrugged, sat in his chair in the main hall with most of his subordinates at his side. ...Most. Kaze wasn't around, not even in the castle or the town. So where...

Aurora

"Aye! " she said she was ready for this she was ready for this damned battle and so she rolled her arms and neck a bit and forcibly stopped when Blaze wrapped her arms around her, "W-..Eeek!!" she was being flown up into the air as she was shivering of fear shaking her arms as she was forcibly taken into the air. Though she needed too calm down or one mistake will lead to destruction or death too us. Though she needed too be afraid, seemingly the more scared the louder it was her only way of getting power. She needed too ready her spells and so she did.

She closed her eyes she needed thoughts of pictures scares that scared her as a child and now. Her body began to vibrate as she did this...this spell wasn't one of her most used by her most advanced, " Sound Wall " though she wasn't sure how to control spells but she needed to trust herself and so opened her mouth and yelled, " SOUND WALL!" Vibrating waves of sound quickly came out of her mouth she wasn't sure of it's area off affect but she was she to work and so the vibrating waves soon were seen her walls were high and surrounded the castle but it only lasted for a few minutes. Having plenty off mana left she casted when more spell.

"BANSHEE!" More vibrating sounds came from her mouth as it quickly struck through the should...it sound waves shook the castle and pieces fell though this took all her current mana and she herself fainted...though while she was fainted she could here them coming out the sound walls soon fell shaking the trees near as many birds flew out of the trees.

(And so it begins >:3)

The castle was shaken. The older, more broken down parts practically crumbled at the power of the sound magic. The dark mages who didn't pass out from shock or falling debris were ready to fight. "Blaze! Get Aurora somewhere safe and join the fun!" He shouted before turning his gaze back to the castle. Now it was time for him and Torie to make a move. And it was definitely gonna be a good one.

"Alright." The fire dragon said as he crackled his knuckles and got into position to begin his charge. "Let's move!" He shouted as he charged forward. He was moving fast, but kept himself at a speed just manageable enough for Torie to keep up. "Fire Dragon's!" He began as he took a deep breath. "ROOAAAAAARRRR!!!" He voice boomed as he released the powerful breath attack. The doors of the old decrepit, former, fortress had looked like they'd be opening up in order for the dark guild members to attack whomever it was attacking them. However, Iggy's roar stopped that slamming the doors backwards and blowing them off into the castle taking down a number of mages along with them.

"Can you give me a lift?" He asked Torie as he glanced back. A stepped stone of sorts would allow him to get a little air and make an even bigger dent on the enemy as he came down from above. Iggy felt Torie was the best melee partner as of right now. "Oh and make a shield above yourself too. Blaze should start attacking soon. And I'm pretty sure you can't eat fire." He said with a small laugh as fire covered fists slammed into the guts and faces of a few dark mages who'd made it out of the castle and were primed for attack.

Torie cracked a grin as he saw (and heard) the effects of Aurora's Banshee Scream, bits and debris from the castle coming down like broken bread crumbs. Running along behind Iggy, he took it as his job to basically keep all the dark mages at a distance, pushing back anybody in his range to the edge, and then typically just forming a panel-barrier to toss like a frisbee to hit them. It was simple, and it kept him out of danger as Iggy charged ahead, Torie barely keeping him in range in case he needed to form a shield in front of him.

Suddenly, BAM, Iggy blew the door to the place off its hinges! Torie made a silent mental note to never try and piss Iggy off, before charging over. However, the distance between him and Iggy was breached by several dark mages, all brandishing weapons. Torie, in an act showing his deftness, charged directly at the mages. Rather than fighting them, he simply moved between them, doing a perfect spin as he stopped in front of one, then dashing in front of them all and cutting behind. Placed upon each of his fingers were...belts. He had managed to steal every male dark mage's belt in that line, successfully pantsing them, and for the ladies...well...let's just say that they were feeling a bit more freedom at the moment. Smirking as he approached Iggy, he said: "Sure thing, Here we go..." Looking in front of Iggy, he began tracing his fingers into rectangular shapes, and in a minute, a starcase formed from barrier panels, and Torie would shout: "Barrier Magic: Stairway to Heaven!" Proudly tossing the belts (and unmentionables) aside, he followed Iggy's idea to make himself a shield atop himself, and ran up to Iggy, prepared to help him with whatever crazy plan he had in mind.

"Nice, Aurora!" Blaze cheered as the castle walls began to shatter, though she hadn't noticed the girl falling unconscious in her arms after exhausting all her magic power supply. It was quite a display from the newbie! Iggy and Torie charging in was Blaze's cue to start covering them from the air, despite the Dark Mages getting really smashed up already. Maybe she could infiltrate from a top window or something - find another way to cause chaos. But~, reinforcements could always arrive and cut off Iggy & Torie's escape route if things got bad in there.

Blaze flew into the town, her fiery wings disappearing before she slid to a halt in a dark alley. Gently, she laid Aurora against the wall and smiled. This'll have to do for now. I doubt anyone will come through here. You've earned yourself a nice rest, newbie. She thought, lightly patting the unconscious Aurora twice on the shoulder before running out into the open and launching herself to a rooftop.

"...Damn it, Iggy. I need more action than this!" Blaze sighed as she began to keep a lookout for any signs of backup. That, and she stretched out her senses trying to find magic fluctuations around the town.

(Short post sorry)

Sayto heard the screech, saw the falling bodies, the crumbling castle. Finally it began to sink in, the dark mages castle was under attack. He'd been among the regular grunts when the attack had begun, he wasn't one to hang out with the higher ups. He'd been sat at a table off in the corner of the main entryway, and although the castle was most certainly under attack, Sayto did not move from his chair, choosing instead to see how these Guild Mages fought before acting.

He watched as the doors of the hall were blown off, scattering a handful of grunts across the floor. His hands began to crackle with electricity, could these be the ones to spark his release? Perhaps, however, if he was going to make a move to get out of this place, he'd have to do it soon. If these attackers failed and he tried to escape this guild, he'd more than likely be killed. But if these attackers succeeded and he'd not made an attempt to get away, he'd be thrown in prison with these scumbags. For now he just sat and watched as one by one the grunts fell to these mages, knowing that the greater of two battles was going to start soon