Spring Cleaning!

[papergurrl]

WHO: OPEN
WHAT: An ad requesting assistance culling creatures in Everglade was posted recently. The log is catchall for those who respond to it.
WHEN: April 25, 2014
WHERE: Everglade Marsh

When travelers/mercenaries/guardian trainees/whoever reach Everglade, they meet the poster of the request, Stuart. He describes the creatures in question as Biguana, and explains that normally they make their home in the marshes outside Everglade. Of late they've been breeding quite a bit and due to successful attacks on adventurers/wanderers that risk going out there unprepared, they've gotten extremely bold. He goes on to note that the creatures have made a den in an underground cavern accessed through a sinkhole a mile and a half from town. When our brave adventurers make their way to said sinkhole (mind the mud, it's slippery in some places), they'll find the cavern - which doesn't really look very stable. There are tracks, multiple ones, of creatures leading in and out of the den. Dare ye brave the depths?

[ OOC: Inside is a group of 10-18 'Biguana', each one about the size and speed of an average horse. They attack with spikes, draining magic and - in some cases - thrown weapons. Reward is $100 per head. ]

Comments

[short_n_sweet]

[Let Jaune Arc, your local Everglade Guardian lead the charge!

... Well, if he was being honest, he wasn't technically the Guardian. That was Harry, and Harry's gone, and no one's been named Guardian in his place. Maybe Harry wasn't actually gone? Whatever the case, it's left Jaune in a bit of a position where on one hand he feels that he's responsible for picking up the slack left behind, while on the other hand he's just not confident enough to take the mantle for himself... He doesn't really want to. Not being a Guardian is just so much easier! And much less dangerous!

But it's not the first time Jaune's lied like that. Probably wouldn't be the last, too. So, he's the Guardian for all intents and purposes, if for no other reason than to impress Raye and... well, and not die or something.]

Oh boy... [Jaune is hiding near the sink-hole where these creatures had supposedly set up their lair. Looks awwwwful dark in there, and scary, and full of lizard-monsters all set to eat his fleshy bits.]

[If you listen carefully, you might hear his armour rattling. But he's not scared, honest!]

[1/2]

[deathsought]

[ Zeref is not the 'quest taking' type. He's not a member of any guilds, he wouldn't trust himself to work in a team, and when it comes to Dark Guilds, he would rather not be involved at all. Of course, that becomes rather irrelevant when he happened across the cave by pure chance. Go figure that it's the same cave mentioned in the ad he just briefly glanced at.

Well... It couldn't hurt to have a little bit of money. Besides, if these things were a threat... ]

I'm sorry...

[ His eyes began turning red, as he heard the hissing noises get closer. Black wisps of energy began radiating from his body. ]

... But you should have stayed in this cave. This will be over quickly.

[ A sphere of Death Magic began encircling Zeref. He bright his palms up to his face, as the sphere grew larger in both diameter and circumference, expanding into a large wave of black energy. Anyone who can sense magic in the area... Yeah, this magic is pure evil. Zeref heard two thuds nearby, as two lifeless bodies of very large creatures fell to the ground, dead as a door nail.

...

... Wait... ]

[explodewiththerage]

[Well then it's a good thing that he's not the only one who decided to look into that request for help. However unlike the armored Jaune the two who have chosen to answer the call for aid are considerably quieter. Something which is also out of the ordinary given that one half of the pair is Fairy Tail's resident Dragon Slayer and property damage Veteran.]

Hmmm? This scent. I recognize it from the party.

[celestial_wizard]

[ And the other half of the pair is Fairy Tail's resident Celestial Wizard. It reaally shouldn't be a surprise to find Lucy there though - where one goes, the other will always follow. Even if they weren't teammates it'd be that way. ]

The party? Do you remember who it is?

[ Wait, why did she ask him ethat - he's horrible with names most of the time. ]

Hopefully he's not in trouble.

[ After a moment as she drew nearer, she caught sight of the cavern near the sinkhole, frowning slightly. ]

That... doesn't look too safe either. We'll have to be careful, if we can't lure them outside an-- hey isn't that..

[ Is that Jaune, cowering bravely standing his ground outside the cavern? ]

[2/2]

[deathsought]

[ Zeref felt his knees buckle. How on earth--... He felt like he was just on the receiving end of Obra's Drain. He didn't just use THAT much magic, did he? He didn't exactly value the lives of monsters that wanted to eat him. No... No, these monsters just did that, likely in the split second right before they died. His eyes reverted back to their usual color. Zeref was left panting for breath. ]

Impossible...

[ He gasped, trying to stand up. Zeref didn't fear death - quite the opposite, actually - but he wasn't going to die at the hands of random monsters. Not here. Not today. He didn't have nearly enough time to try summoning a demon that used Curses instead of magic. No... He had to get out of here. Zeref wasn't much of a physical fighter. Why would he be when, usually, most people don't even live long enough to get close enough to throw a punch anyway?

Zeref began trying to inch backwards. He wasn't down and out yet, but he knew he couldn't stay. Her come back later and flood the place with Nemesis later. Right now, he needed time to recuperate his magic supply. ]

[papergurrl]

[ DELICIOUS Fleshy bits, Jaune. DELICIOUS. Come jump into their mouths! The critters are making all sorts of critter noises in that cavern, and they may be aware of Jaune just because he's got that not-scared vibe going on. They will be very disappointed to know that their visitors are not pushovers! ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Maybe not as quickly as he thinks. Lucy had been in the cavern with Natsu and Wendy when she sensed a familiar magic. With the way it rose and cut off so abruptly, leaving only a faint trace, it was notably worrisome. So she'd trotted back into the cavern. MAYBE not the best option, but considering most of the monsters had scattered already maybe it was safe now. Besides, she wasn't exactly alone. ]

Hello? Does anyone need help in here?! [ The ad didn't say anything about rescue but.. ]

[short_n_sweet]

[Hm? Voices? Jaune looks up quickly from staring at the sink-hole to see... Lucy and Natsu! His face immediately lights up!] Oh thank Go-- Er! *Ahem*

[Stepping out from his hiding spot guard post, Jaune approaches them, straightening up and fixing his armour and stuff.] I guess you guys are looking into this too, huh? I'm a little surprised, this is pretty far from Fayren.

[He wasn't going to play the whole "this is dangerous" card. He's pretty sure Natsu on his own is more dangerous than a buncha lizards.] I suppose I wouldn't mind more help. Now this'll be even easier.

[Look at him, trying to be all calm and collected.]

[explodewiththerage]

Yeah I think his name was June?

[Of course he'd bungle up the name. No matter though because the source of the scent quickly comes out of hiding.]

Woah that's some sweet timing. Yo.

[he raises a hand in greeting.]

It's not that unusual for us. We used to take missions all over Fiore back in Earthland. Even if I always suffered cause of it. At least portals beat trains any day.

[tenkuunomiko]

[ Wendy trailed after Lucy in concern as well, as the blond headed down the cavern. Wendy followed her quietly as she looked around, somewhat peeved by the darkness it held and that strange unfamiliar feeling it gave off. It reminded her of the fight with one of Zeref's demons and it still lingered in the back of her mind. Wendy stayed close to her as she walked. ]

Hello!

[ She called from behind Lucy. ]

[short_n_sweet]

[Portals? Trains? Fiore? Okay, Jaune doesn't know about any of that stuff (except trains), but he holds up a hand anyway with a bit of a smile.] Hey, as long as I don't have to ride on an airship or plane, I'm good.

So you're... uh... That guy that was having the crazy pillow fight. Uh... Net...sa? I mean, I know Lucy, I just... it's been a while. [Of course he knows Lucy. She's hot!]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Well it's close? But Lucy grinned, correcting him lightly. ]

Jaune.

[ Oh. Oh wow, they BOTH mangled each other's names. That's...something. Lucy stifles a giggle, patting Natsu on the shoulder briefly. There there. ]

Gates are much quicker than trains too.

[ Lowering her voice so as not to draw notice from the beasties inside, she glanced between the two guys. ]

I was just telling Natsu that the cavern looked really unsafe, so we should be careful when dealing with those things inside.

[ But something tells her that luring them out won't be easy. ]

[short_n_sweet]

And you're darn right it's not safe. [Jaune straightened up again, one hand on his sword's hilt.] See, when I heard that they're Biguana, I just kinda searched them up on my phone. [Oh, the glory of the internet!] So, they're lizards... big, big lizards. And they can apparently use magic.

[... His confidence deflated rather quickly as he went through the logistics, the boy visibly slumping.] A-And they can use magic and have big, scary spikes and... oof... No it's not safe at all.

/cringes at my previous typos

[deathsought]

[ Those voices... no, what were they doing here? Well, it's not like he had much magic left to use, anyway. The fact that he was afraid of Wendy and Lucy becoming collateral damage weakening his Death Magic was a moot point after whatever it is the Biguanas did to him. ]

Lucy... Wendy...

[ He was able to stand, now, at least. The nearby moss had shriveled and fell off of the cave's sides, and a few mushrooms near the cave's entrance had been reduced to blackened, petrified spores. ]

What... are those things? [ Because whatever they are, all of a sudden, he's glad the Magic Council hasn't managed to domesticate them yet. ]

Here have a Princess

[xroyal_bratx]

[ Fortunately, for Zeref, there happened to be a female as well, wandering around here for her own leisure, and seeing what was going on when she entered the scene, made it easier to almost deduct what was going on. All she needed to know was that someone needed help and she moved him to slice at a couple of them with Sidia, the Holy Sword ]

Hey, hang in there.

[ She moved towards him to help him out. ]

[explodewiththerage]

[Honestly he's in no position to correct Jaune so instead he'll just walk over to the entrance of the cave and sniff in its direction without actually stepping down there.]

Yeesh it reeks. I can small a whole bunch of em inside.

[Magic wielding lizards huh?]

Hmmm so they just come out through this cave?

[Uh oh. He used THAT tone.]

[celestial_wizard]

Oh, so you're familiar with these? That's great! [ Or he just...googlesearched them. ]

Big lizards, ...just... how big? [ Not that she's worried. Not with Natsu here - heck, he smashed a giant snake not too long ago, after all. Big monsters are cakewalks for him. ]

What kind of magic do they -- [... oh no. Oh NO. She heard that tone Natsu, and it worries her! ]

...Natsu, what are you planning...?

[ Don't do it whatever you're thinking. ]

/judges those typos! (Only not)

[celestial_wizard]

Zeref? What h-

[ Whoah, that there is a big lizard. A big lizard that, on sight of someone with lots of magic in her tiny tiny body, starts to make a beeline for Wendy. GIMME YOR FRESHNESS. ]

Wendy, be careful. [ Don't get eaten. She moved over towards Zeref, frowning. ] They're called Biguana. They've been overbreeding and now they're threatening the townspeople nearby.

Thanks, don't mind if I do! :9

[papergurrl]

[ Wandering around in the area for your leisure is unsafe! Although that holy sword is good for keeping three of them at bay, the creatures smart enough to keep their distance when the first of them got cut down for getting a tad too overzealous. But they don't want to let their pray to get away so easily! In fact, one of the creatures waits just long enough for Ishtar to move towards Zeref before it hefts a rock about a foot wide, long and thick, and hurls it at her back. ]

hahaahahah awwwh it's okay~

[tenkuunomiko]

Ah?

[ Wendy already didn't like the giant lizard that was beelining towards her and sh moves quickly away to avoid being EATEN alive!!! This is not cool! She isn't a physical fighter. She avoided as much as she could to run towards Lucy's direction towards Zeref.

Lucy-san we have to get out...they smell strange. Zeref-san are you okay?!

ಠ_ಠ

[deathsought]

[ 'Biguana?' Nice pun. That must be what that paper ad was talking about... now he's in a cave, fighting monsters for money, with Fairy Tail. The irony of it all wasn't lost on him. If only Mavis were here to see this. He'd never hear the end of it. ]

Wendy...!

[ Could he save her? Those things will just drain his magic again if he tries... but maybe if they're distracted, who knows. It just takes one hit from Death Magic, but in his state, he's worried he might miss. He tries to summon a bit more Death Magic to the surface, but it's weak. Weaker than when he fought Ultear, even, when he was actively avoiding trying to kill her.

His magic was useless, here. He honestly never thought he'd miss his demons. ]

Princesses? For me?

[deathsought]

No, don't--!

[ Zeref's magic might not be a threat, but someone saving his life... a life that isn't worth saving. For one thing, he's the worst person he can think of to have to be in someone else's debt, and for another, someone like him was better off dying, even if it's in such an unceremonious way as at the hands of a bunch of hungry lizards.

He tries to shuffle backwards, nearly tripping over a few rocks. ]

Why... [ The only thing he can think of to say. If this woman knew who he was and what he was responsible for, she'd have never wanted to save someone like him. Right?

Right? ]

:D

[celestial_wizard]

What do you mean, they smell strange?

[ She reached down to her keyring, ready to call on Taurus - stopping at the last minute. Wait, didn't that guy say they drained magic? Better not. She snagged her whip instead. ]

Don't get close to them, Wendy!

[ She snapped her whip at the beasts to keep them at bay, but the lizards were still hungry for a Dragonslayer entree. Nommynom come here Wendy! ]

Zeref, can you move?

TOTALLY :D She's a sorta warrior princess nowwww~

[xroyal_bratx]

[ Ishtar eyed the creatures. They weren't that bad compared to what she had to deal with in Facility. Facility had things that were far beyond just this. They were probably good for eating people and kidnapping people, along with more horrendous ways to die. She remembered the akuma as well...

Sorry Zeref, you can't get away from someone like who her who values life no matter who people are. She might have her own concerns but she doesn't leave anyone out to die. Ishtar could use magic to break that rock, but in her own defense she was good at moving better now, so she rolled out of the way and reached to grab the guy before he could get any further. Even if she knew what he was, she wouldn't care, because Ishtar didn't look at people's past.

She didn't need to know what people did in their past for her to save them. ]

We have to get out of here. I don't know what they are, but I don't like it. What do you know about them?

<3333

[tenkuunomiko]

[ Wendy moved out of the way quickly enough to avoid being attacked and she kept her distance as close to Zeref and Lucy as possible. ] I'm okay, Zeref-san. Lucy-san do you know what they can do?

[ The girl mused giving Lucy a worried look. Wendy didn't want to have them all hurt if they didn't know anything about the monsters. ]

I'm not sure... they're different from the monsters we fought in Earthland. Zeref-san said they drained magic?!

[ That unnerving. ]