Whew! Has it honestly been that long since I updated this thing? Man, I guess I've been busier than I thought! ... Who am I kidding. I just got lazy... Regardless, it was fun to finally get back to this old clunker!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Fairy Tail. They are the intellectual property of Kishimoto-dono and Mashima-dono.
Thanks to Ryujomaru15, Yuri-the-king-of-dragons (x3), Sithlord king, TheKindredzzz122, Akiyama7Koharu, and Silent Songbird (x3)! Everyone else gets to have a personal visit by Orochimaru! Have fun, and try not to die. I have to clean up his messes!
Thanks as well to all who followed and favorited, now on with the show!
"Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline, and find your liberty."
Frank Herbert
The pirate ship landed on the cursed island of Galuna, and Natsu and Erza disembarked. Erza barked commands at the pirates not to leave no matter what. The things she threatened to do otherwise had Natsu blanching and Madara impressed.
'I must admit, that woman is something else. She might even break Morino Ibiki… I didn't even consider it was possible to do that with rubber ducky and peanut butter…'
'I… really don't even want to try thinking about that… I get motion sick just thinking about that!'
"Now!" Erza commanded, breaking them both out of their secret mental conversation. "We must find Lucy and Gray. They must be punished for betraying the master!"
Natsu face-palmed. This woman really could take things too far… She'd challenge God if she felt he was breaking one of Fairy Tail's rules. Or he took her strawberry cake. Whichever one comes first…
He suddenly perked up when he heard a loud crashing sound come from the coast. "Oy! Erza! There's something going on over there!"
"Are you certain, Natsu? I don't see anything." Erza asked.
"Yes I'm certain! My magic enhances my senses. It's one of the perks of being a dragon slayer!"
"Very well. Lead the way."
Natsu leapt down and began running to the area, with Erza swiftly taking off behind him. As she followed, she couldn't help but wonder, 'He's gotten much faster than before… I'm actually having to exert myself a little to keep up.' She rubbed her cheek as well, where Natsu had punched her all the way to Kardia Cathedral.
"Natsu, just what kind of training did you do over those three years?" She asked.
Natsu sighed, remaining silent for a little bit, before he answered, "The hard kind. I worked myself to the bone every day, even when it seemed like my bones would turn to dust. No matter what, I trained to be stronger than the day before. I trained, even when it seemed like death would be a better alternative…"
Erza's eyes widened, "How could you be so reckless?! What if you did die! Then what?!"
Natsu paused for a moment, catching Erza off guard, "If I felt like I wanted to die, I just remembered her, and I kept going."
Erza looked down, ashamed. Although she and Lisanna were never close, not like Natsu and her were, Mira was never the same afterwards. 'I see. While Mira chose to shut off the pain, Natsu used it to strengthen himself…'
"Besides, I had a nice teacher over those three years. He taught me more than I ever would have learned by myself."
That caught Erza's attention. "A teacher? Who?"
"Uh, he wasn't anybody you'd know, but he was a really good teacher, but he really put me through hell. You could almost say he's always with me in a sense."
*CRASH!* "KYAAAAA!"
Erza rapidly reacted, "That sounded like Lucy! Let's go!" Suddenly taking off in front of Natsu.
"Oy! Erza! Wait up!" Natsu yelled, increasing his speed as well, rushing through the forest, only to see Lucy, kneeling on the ground… as a giant rat went to belly-flop her!
"What the hell is that thing?!" Natsu yelled.
'Perhaps it's a summon? Those things tend to get pretty big…' Madara answered.
'Oh, you're still here?'
'Of course I'm still here! I'm you, you idiot!'
'Oh, right. Wait, aren't I forgetting something?'
'Yes, that one cheerleader was about to get pancaked.'
"Oh yeah! Lucy!" Natsu yelled, only to watch as Erza reequipped a sword, slashing the rat, who was apparently dressed as a maid, and sending it flying right next to another pink-haired woman… "Heh… Erza's as strong as ever!"
Erza looked to Lucy as she responded. "Erza!" only for Erza's look to turn deadly, "Ma'am…" Lucy started shaking in fear. 'That's right…We're here 'cause we broke the guild rules and took an S-class quest.'
Erza just seemed to get darker, "Lucy, I take it you know why I'm here."
Lucy just tried to act innocent, "To take us back, right?" Only for it to echo into silence.
'Wha-?! She sure changed personalities rather quickly!' Natsu sweat dropped, as he watched the whole scene go on.
"Yo! Luigi! How ya doing?" Natsu yelled, trying to break the ice.
"What? Um… Natsu, right?" Lucy asked.
"You betcha!" Natsu answered, giving his trademark grin.
"And it's Lucy! Not Luigi!"
"Lucy-san!" All of them turned to see Happy flying in. "What a relief! Are you all righ-." Happy stopped as soon as he saw Erza. Her back was completely turned to him, but he could tell she was looking right at him.
"WAH!" He yelled as he flew off at max speed into the distance.
-3 seconds later-
Happy was completely unconscious as Erza held the rebellious cat by his tail. Lucy shuddered as she could almost hear his tail popping. "Where's Gray?"
"Oy, Erza! Be careful with Happy! He's kind of fragile!" Natsu yelled.
"Wait, please hear me out! I'm sorry we broke the rules, but something bad is happening on this island! Some guys are trying to revive a frozen demon and the villagers are suffering because of their magic!" Lucy looked to the ground, "We want to save this island somehow…"
"Not interested." Erza bluntly spoke.
"Th-then at least let us finish the job! Agh-!" Lucy stuttered as Erza immediately held her sword out against Lucy's throat.
"You're mistaken Lucy. You betrayed our master. You will pay the price." Erza coldly uttered.
"Now, wait a minute Erza." Natsu interrupted, drawing Erza's icy gaze. "Maybe we should hear Lucy has to say."
"And why is that, Natsu?"
"Well, if what Lucy said is true, then they're going to unleash said demon, and if it gets unleashed, then who knows what damage it could cause?"
"Not interested. They must be punished."
'Argh! It's like trying to negotiate with a brick wall!' Natsu yelled in his mind. "Just imagine the damage it could cause if it should reach Magnolia. It could destroy Magnolia, or even your favorite cake shop!"
Erza's suddenly dropped Happy and took off. "First, we'll find Gray. Then we'll destroy this heinous monster for daring to destroy my cake!"
"OUFF!" Happy yelled as he hit the ground, head first.
Lucy just stared wondering what exactly happened. "Come on, Lucas! Don't want to get left behind now, do you?" Natsu yelled, as he started following.
"IT'S LUCY, YOU IDIOT!"
Unbeknownst to Lucy, Natsu was having a conversation in his head. 'Now why would you be interested in helping a bunch of peasants?' Madara asked, admittedly curious, given the lessons he pummeled into his pupil's head.
'Lucy mentioned it's some kind of demon, so maybe it's one of the biju we're looking for. If Fairy Tail could help weaken the biju for us, it'd make helping catch them much easier.'
'Hm. I'll admit it's clever, for you.'
"Hey! You're impressed and you know it!' Natsu yelled to his past life.
Gray stirred, looking around to get his bearings. 'Where am I?' He couldn't exactly remember how he got to this tent. He got up, albeit slowly, due to his bandaged wounds, and exited the tent, feeling the cool sea breeze on his face.
"Thank goodness! You're awake!" Gray turned to see one of the village girls.
"Where are we?" He asked.
"A storage area a short distance from the village. The village was destroyed last night, so we all took refuge here."
"The village was destroyed?" Gray asked, as he looked down trying to remember everything that happened until he remembered one key detail.
A man in armor, surrounded by three subordinates, giving a cold order, 'Go and eradicate the village!' His face notable without eyebrows, silver hair, and an icy gaze.
'Damn that Lyon. He actually went and did it?' Gray clenched his fist, as he looked at the villagers, trying to get everything in working order, until he felt a throbbing pain go through his wounds.
"It's a blessed relief no one was hurt though, thanks to Umi, and Lucy."
"I see… Where's Lucy and Happy? Are they here too? Where'd Umi go?!"
"Umi-san vanished as soon as the village was destroyed, but Lucy and Happy are in their tent. I was asked to tell you to head there as soon as you woke up. They're in that big tent over there." She pointed to one of the larger tents.
"Thanks." Gray bowed quickly in thanks, and headed to the tent, only to see… Lucy and Happy tied up, and… Erza?!
She simply stared at him with her patented Obey-or-I-will-send-you-to-hell-personally glare, "It's about time, Gray."
"Erza?!" Gray yelled, 'Crap! I didn't think she'd be here so quickly!'
"It took us a while to find this location. Lucy originally led us to the destroyed village, but we couldn't find anybody there."
"Aye! And I searched from the air, until I found the people gathering at this storage area!" Happy said.
"I was just waiting for you so Lucy could fill us in on everything." Erza continued.
Gray couldn't take it anymore. "Look Erza, I know you're mad about us breaking the guild rules, and you're here to take us back and punish us, but we can't leave now! You don't know what's happening on this island! I don't care if you have to kill me, but I-"
"Indeed. That's why I'm here to help." She said.
Gray's mouth nearly dropped to the floor. "Who- Wha- How- Whe-" Erza wasn't going to kill him? And she was helping?! What the hell is going on?!
"You can thank me for that!" Gray turned around to see Natsu behind him?! When the hell did he get there?
Gray just turned to look at Lucy and Happy for confirmation, but they just shrugged.
"Wait, if you're here to help… WHY ARE WE TIED UP?!" Lucy yelled.
"Oh, I forgot." Everyone just sweat dropped at Erza. "Please hit me!" She yelled as she bowed down suddenly.
'That's definitely Erza for you…' Everyone thought at the same time.
*SLAM!*
"EHHHHHH!" Gray, Lucy, and Happy yelled as Natsu suddenly slammed Erza into the ground, grinning as usual.
"Ask and ye shall receive!" He answered, as she got up and dusted herself off.
"Thank you. Now…" Erza equipped a sword and rushed towards Lucy and Happy.
"KYAAAA!" They both screamed as she swung her deadly blade towards them… and sliced the ropes off.
"Thanks for getting the ropes off, but did you have to nearly kill us at the same time?!" Lucy yelled.
"Yes, yes, she did." Natsu deadpanned, "It wouldn't be Erza if anything she did didn't nearly kill you in some way, shape, or form…"
"Ahem." Erza cleared her throat, getting everyone's attention, while Gray just sweat dropped at everything.
'Maybe I hit my head harder than I thought…' He idly wondered.
"Now, Lucy, Gray, if you could fill Natsu and I in on everything that happened before we arrived here."
Gray started, "I'll fill 'em in on what happened at the temple. Lucy, you explain what happened at the village, since I was unconscious."
Lucy nodded, "Sure."
24 Hours Previously; Hargeon Port
"Wow! This brings back memories!" Lucy yelled, taking in the sun and the breeze. "This is the town where I met you guys!" She said, turning back to Gray and Happy.
"Brings back memories?" Gray asked, "Wasn't that just a couple weeks ago?"
"Lucy sounds like an old lady!" Happy said, chuckling until Lucy glared at him.
"Okay! Let's find a boat that'll take us to Galuna Island!" Lucy said, marching off, leaving Gray and Happy to sweat drop at her rabid mood change.
Twenty-some rejections later…
"Don't know what your story is, but you won't find any sailors who'll go there. Hell, not even pirates go near that place." answered an epically-mustached sailor.
"You can't be serious!" Lucy yelled.
"Maybe I could ice our way to the island?" Gray said, forming a mini-bridge in his hands with his ice magic.
"Aye!" Happy said.
"That's even more ridiculous than trying to get a ride there!" Lucy answered, a tic mark on her head.
"Gray! What if Erza finds out though! We could kicked out!" Happy said.
"Kicked out!"
Gray, Happy, and Lucy all shuddered at the thought of angering the scarlet-haired witch- er, swordsman. "Wah! Why did you drag me on this quest, Gray! Now Erza's gonna kill me! Save me Natsu!" Happy yelled.
Gray just grabbed the rebellious cat, "Heh, we just finish this quest before Erza finds out! That way we can't get in trouble!"
Lucy sighed, "I don't think it works that way, Gray…"
Gray just slammed his fists together, ice magic flaring, "We'll show both Erza and Flame-brain we're just as capable as they are! That way they can't punish us!"
The sailor gasped as he saw Gray's magic, "Wait, magic? You guys are wizards? Are you here to break the island's curse?"
"Huh?" They all turned to him.
"Aye!" Guess who…
"Get in!" He gestured to his boat.
"Alright, we'll get in this boat!" Gray said, slamming his fists together.
"Gray…" Lucy began.
"What?"
"Your clothes…" Happy finished.
"Waugh!" Gray yelled, as soon as he found he was in his boxers. "Why does this always happen!"
'Pervert.' They all thought, as Gray scrambled to get his clothes gathered, then they all took off.
Some time later…
Lucy shivered as the air had now turned cold, as the sun had set, "I hate to say it, but I'm kind of scared now…"
Gray, once again without his shirt, shrugged, then turned to their pilot who was operating the boat, "Ne, old man, why are you helping us?"
The sailor turned back from the magic engine, all while still clad in his cloak, "My name is Bobo, and I'm a resident of Galuna Island." Everyone turned in shock to him. "I fled from that cursed island… Disaster will befall you all too… Such is the fate of those who visit the island…"
The sea started to get a little rough, while Bobo continued, "Can you really lift this curse?" He asked, flinging back his cloak, revealing a purple, demonic looking arm, "This demon's curse?!"
Everyone's eyes were wide, "Old man, you're arm?!" Gray asked.
"That's impossible!" Lucy shouted, "Curse? You don't mean…"
Bobo looked off into the distance, "There it is, the cursed island, Galuna…"
Happy, Gray and Lucy all stared, until she noticed something particular, "What is that? The mountain's glowing!" She turned back to ask, until "Ara?! He's gone!" She yelled.
Gray turned, "What?! Where'd he go?!"
"I don't know! He just vanished!" Happy said.
"Huh? What's that sound?" Lucy asked, as she picked up a low-rumbling sound.
Gray turned around, "Oy!"
Lucy turned around too, to see the largest wave she's ever seen! "KYA! A GIANT WAVE!"
"It's going to engulf us! Hang on!"
"Happy! Lift the boat into the air!"
"I can't do that Lucy! You're too heavy!"
*THWACK!* "BAKA NEKO!"
The wave came crashing down as they were all swept into the cold ocean, each of them gasping for air…
6 hours later…
Lucy stirred, feeling the rays of the sun on her eyes, and she slowly got up, trying to get her bearings. "Where are we?" She looked around, seeing Gray also getting up, while Happy's tail just wagged, since his head was currently embedded in the beach. "I guess the wave washed us up onto the island…"
"Looks like we lucked out… muttered Gray, as he blanched from the near-death experience.
Lucy scrunched her eyes, "What was with that man though? He said something about a demon's curse…"
"Let's go exploring! Uppa!" Happy yelled, having dug himself out, bouncing with joy.
Lucy shook her head, pulling out the job flyer, "It's easy to forget he's a kid sometimes… Anyway, according the job flier, there's a village on the island, and the chief posted the job. Let's head there."
Gray got up, "Let's go there! That way the Flame-brain has to be impressed!"
Some time later…
The trio came to a large wooden gate, marked with a usual 'Keep Out…' sign.
Gray just stared in amazement, "It's nice that we made it here, but what is this? Why bother with the keep out?"
"Excuse me! Can you please open up!" Lucy yelled at the top of her lungs, while Gray and Happy plugged their ears.
"Who's there?!" Came a voice from above.
Lucy smiled, "We're wizards from the guild Fairy Tail!"
"Nobody notified us about the job acceptance!" Was the staunch reply.
"Um…" Lucy stuttered.
"There must have been a mix-up with the paperwork!" Gray yelled.
"Show us your emblems!" They yelled, and watched as Happy showed his green mark on his back, Gray lifted up his shirt to show his blue mark on his chest, and Lucy lifted up her hand to show her pink mark.
"Oh! They're real! Wait just a moment! We'll open up the gate swiftly!" They yelled as they headed down.
Lucy leapt in joy, "Yes! Finally things are going our way!" Gray and Happy started laughing at her eagerness.
"Aye! Ha ha ha ha!" Their laughter echoed into the air, until a voice came out of nowhere.
"You shouldn't have come here."
"Ara? Who said that?" Lucy asked, turning around, trying to find the source of the sound.
"Lucy! Over there!" Happy shouted, pointing towards a section of the forest.
Lucy looked in, trying to find the source of the voice, until she found a man in the foliage, camouflaged by his clothes. What she could tell was that he was hooded, wore a mask to hide the lower half of his face, with regular pants and shirt. "Who're you?" She yelled.
"Leave now, before I'm forced to take action." He warned as he turned around, and headed into the forest.
"Oy! What do you mean? Stop now!" Gray yelled as he rushed forward, only to find the strange man had left.
"Did you see where he went?" Lucy asked.
"No… all I saw was that he had some kind of stylized leaf on the back of his jacket… It kind of reminded me of Kyo's little cloud emblem."
Lucy looked down as she remembered the poor fellow, until "Alright! Stand back! We're opening the gate now!" They all turned as the gate lifted up to allow them into the villlage.
"It's like we're entering into a giant monster's mouth!" Shouted Happy.
"Don't say that!" Lucy yelled as they walked in. They saw all the villager's were wearing hoods and cloaks that hid their faces and bodies, as the chief began to speak.
"I am Moka, the chief of this island village. Let's get right down to business, shall we? Everyone!" Moka turned to his villagers, as everyone took off their cloaks, showing off their hideous mutations.
"Just like the man on the boat…" said Gray.
"Ah…" Lucy added.
"Everything on this island is affected by this curse, even dogs and birds…"
"I don't mean to question you, but what makes you believe it's a curse?" asked Gray. "Could it be a disease?"
"We've consulted hundreds of doctors who say they've never heard of such a disease. Plus, the moon's magic has something to do with us taking these forms…"
"The moon's magic?" Lucy said.
"This island has absorbed moonlight since ancient times… It made the entire island shine like the moon. However, some years ago, the moon's light turned purple."
"A purple moon?" Gray began.
"Aye! The moon's coming out!" Happy exclaimed. They all looked up as the wind moved the clouds out the way, revealing the moon was indeed purple.
"It's true! The moon's purple!"
"Now this is creepy…" Gray noted.
"It's a curse. This is the moon's power." Moka said, as all the villagers began twisting and writhing in pain, as they took more demonic forms. "I apologize for the shock."
"What in the world is this?"
"You poor people…"
"Anyway, as you can see, we take on these forms whenever the purple moon shines. If this isn't a curse, then what is?! Come morning, we'll all be back to normal. However, there are some who lose their minds and never change back…"
"Oh no…" Lucy said, fully expecting what came next.
"We've since made it a rule… to kill those who transform into mindless monsters… We have no choice, as they always break free… As a result, I had to kill my own son…" a tear rolled down Moka's face as he looked at a picture of his son's face. A VERY familiar face.
"Th-that man!" Lucy gasped. "But, yesterday we-
"Shh!" Gray shushed Lucy. "I figured out why that man disappeared… It's because he can't rest in peace…
Lucy's eyes went wide in shock, 'A ghost?!'
Moka bowed, "Please, save this island! It's only a matter of time before we all lose our minds!"
Gray spoke up, "We won't let it come to that! We'll find a way!"
"There's only one way to lift our curse… Please destroy the moon…"
In our groups hut…
"You know, when you look at the moon, the creepier it gets…" Happy said, as he looked at the moon.
"Happy! Shut the window! You heard the village chief! We'll wind up demons if we're exposed to the moonlight!
"Although that is troublesome… Asking us to destroy the moon is a bit much… even for Fairy Tail."
"Yeah. I don't think there's any wizard who could do it…" Lucy added. "He wants us to destroy the moon, but I bet we can do something to break the curse if we do some investigating.
"Although I'm beat for now, ya know, shipwreck and all." Gray said, finishing stripping off his clothes except for his boxers.
"You're right. I'm kind of sleepy too." Lucy said.
The next morning…
"It's too early for this shit…" Gray said.
"Who are you blaming for not being able to sleep! Okay! Let's put our energy into this and get going!" Lucy energetically yelled, while Happy and the others looked like the walking dead.
"Open, Gate of the Clock, Horologium!" Lucy invoked, as her familiar clock summon appeared.
"The time is 7:48." He said.
"Are we really gonna find another way besides destroying the moon?" Happy asked.
"Are you really serious? We can't destroy the moon. That's too much, even for Fairy Tail!" Gray said. "We couldn't go moon-viewing anymore!"
"Aye! I can't live without that moon-viewing salted fish!"
"'Stop that, you guys, we don't know what's out there!' She says." Horologium said.
"Uhh, are you sure you're using your celestial spirits properly?" Gray said, as he observed Lucy, while Happy walked next to Horologium.
"'We're dealing with a curse here. intangible stuff is scary!' She say."
*thud thud Thud Thud THUD THUD THUD!*
"Hm, what's that?" Gray said as he turned around, to see… a giant RAT?! "It's huge!"
"'Beat it up, Gray!' She says."
Gray put his hands together, as he prepared his magic, "Ice Make: Shield!" Gray reacted quickly, just as the giant rat breathed some kind of noxious fumes. "Kuso! It stinks!"
"'Oy, what's going on, and when did you get in here?!' She said." As Lucy glared at Happy, who had somehow gotten inside Horologium.
"'Aye!' he said." Horologium suddenly grabbed his nose-clock-face? as he suddenly dispersed, leaving Happy and Lucy to deal with the smell. "It stinks!" They said, as they grabbed their noses.
The giant rat laughed, as it eyed its prey. "Uh oh, this looks bad…" Lucy said, as the rat took off after them!
"Run!" Happy yelled, as the rat continuously bombarded them with stink breath, until Gray had had enough, turning around rapidly.
"Ice Make: Floor!" He yelled, forming a icy floor that the unfortunate rat slipped on.
"Why didn't you do that first!" Happy yelled.
"Quit complaining! You didn't even do anything!"
Lucy turned and noticed something in the distance. "Look! There's some sort of building there!" She yelled, pointing at a very elaborate temple, with the crescent moon them plastered all over it. "Let's get inside while we still can!"
Lucy took off, with Gray and Happy following closely behind, until a swarm of insects suddenly overtook them! "Kya! Where did all of these bugs come from!" Lucy yelled, as she grabbed her whip, and started lashing everywhere, unfortunately clipping Gray more than a few times.
"Hey, Lucy! Watch where you fling that thing! It hurts!"
"Don't you think we have more important things to worry about!"
"I warned you to leave, and you didn't listen."
Lucy's eyes widened, 'That voice! It's the same one from yesterday!' She lashed her whip a few times, as the insect cloud began to clear up. "Who are you? What do you want with us?!" She yelled, as they all eventually caught sight of the strange man from yesterday, arm lifted towards them.
"O! Who the hell are you?! Why did you attack us!" Gray yelled.
"Hm… So they don't know who I am… I guess you'll be safe a while longer at least… However, I still can't let them live…" The man muttered to himself.
"Why can't you let us live! We're just trying to help this island!" Lucy asked.
The man's arm faltered slightly before it lifted up again. "I'm sorry, but I've been trying to stay hidden for far too long. It was enough that I had to deal with those other people, but now, you made far too many intruders."
"Wait! What other people? The villagers?!" Gray yelled.
"Aye!"
"Shut up, Happy!"
"Aye…"
"Can we at least have your name?" Asked Lucy.
"Very well then, it's only fitting you know the name of your killer. My name is Aburame Shinnen, and you're intruding on my haven, like the others."
"This is the second time you've mentioned these 'others.' Who are they?!" Gray demanded.
"They only frequent this temple, so I was willing to let it slide, although shortly after they arrived, the moon turned purple… You on the other hand, kept wandering about, and making a general ruckus." Shinnen brought his hands together, and began making hand signs. "We've talked long enough. It's time to accept your fate!" He yelled as insects began swarming from out of his coat.
"Wait, are those coming out of his clothes? That's disgusting!" Lucy yelled.
"I don't think now is a good time to dwell on that Lucy!" Gray yelled as he place his hands togther.
The insects around Shinnen began to buzz furiously as he spoke. "Hijutsu: Mushidama! Hidden Jutsu: Insect Sphere!" And the rapidly rushed towards the trio.
"Ice Make: Arrow!" Gray yelled, forming a bow, and launching ice arrow after ice arrow. They impacted, and exploded, taking out a considerable number of the insects.
Shinnen's eyes widened, as he began breathing heavily, "Fu, Shino, Subarashi, Tsuchiko, everyone… I spent years raising them, and you killed them!"
Gray raised his hands in a placating manner, "Oy oy oy.. Killed might be a bit of an overstatement… They were just bugs…"
The insects suddenly pulled back to Shinnen, as a red aura started to cover him, "Just bugs? JUST BUGS?! How about I crush you like the bugs you are!" He yelled, as a golden power began to cover his hands.
"I think you made him angry, Gray!" Happy said.
"How was I supposed to know he loves bugs that much!" Gray yelled back.
"Aye-san!"
"Shut up Happy!"
The powder gathered on Shinnen's hands, as he announced his attack, "Ninpo: Rinpun! Ninja Art: Scale Powder!" As he launched an incredibly swift, razor sharp burst of powder.
'This is bad! I can't make a shield fast enough!' Gray braced his arms, as the attack rushed rapidly towards them.
"Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu! Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Another voice came out of nowhere, as a water dragon rushed past the trio and collided with the Scale Powder, causing a massive explosion, while Shinnen's eyes widened.
Lucy tried her best to keep her footing as the force of the explosion pushed her back. "Another one?!" She yelled.
"Don't worry! I'm on your side!" The voice yelled. She opened her eyes to see… a boy about the same age as Gray! He wore a blue coat, as well as a cossack-style hat. His blue hair was wild, kind of like Natsu's, although one spike covered his right eye. On his back was another stylized pattern, this one resembling mist.
"Nice ta meet 'cha!" He cheerfully shouted, "I'm Umi!" Gray, Happy, and Lucy all sweat-dropped at the eagerness the guy had in the middle of a battle.
"Now then…" Umi turned to face Shinnen. "Why would you just attack these guys out of the blue?"
Shinnen now seemed to have calmed down, as he placed his hands in his pockets, "You… that power… Only nine have an energy signature like that… You, Umi-san, which number are you?"
Umi just seemed to get serious, "I thought the big guy was telling me he sensed another one… I'm three. Now that I've told you, which one are you?"
Shinnen just seemed to smile, "I'm Seven."
Umi sighed, "Seven huh? That's pretty high up there… I don't suppose you'd just let them go, would you?"
"Unfortunately not. You should know that Two's presence vanished just recently. Someone might have started gathering them again, so I'm not going to take risks."
"Oy! What the hell are you two jabbering about!" Gray yelled.
"That's unfortunate…" Umi's eyes narrowed, "though you really call yourself a Shinobi if you can't mind your environment like that?"
Shinnen suddenly looked at his person to see several exploding tags by him! 'When did he get those there!' He thought, as they began smoking. 'Shit! This is gonna hurt!' he braced himself as they detonated, sending up a huge cloud of smoke.
"Now that'll keep him busy for a while, but…" Umi grabbed all three of them, hefting them up. "Time to run!" He yelled, as he dragged them all into the temple.
Umi then turned around, as he went through more hand signs. "Suiton: Suijinheki no Jutsu! Water Style: Water Wall Jutsu!" Then took a deep breath and blew an enormous stream of water from his mouth, which then rose up, blocking off the temple entrance.
Outside, the smoke cleared, as Shinnen was revealed, somewhat unscathed, surrounded by the golden powder like some kind of armor. He just looked at the temple entrance, which was blocked off by the water, and muttered, "Ouch."
On the inside, everyone was trying to catch their breath as Lucy looked to their newly acquainted friend, if they could call him that. "Ano… thanks, uh, Umi, right?" She addressed him.
He brushed a bit of dirt of his coat, as he popped a few cricks in his back, "No problem! I'm just glad I had been following you guys for a while!"
Lucy reacted to that, in the obvious manner, "Wait, you've been following us?!"
"Aye!"
"Shut up Happy!"
Umi just started sweating at that, "Er.. Um… I think that came out wrong…"
"Well then, what did you mean by that?" Gray said, starting to get into an attack position.
"Well, after I arrived on the island, I kind of got a little lost, so I wandered around until I came across you guys, but I remained hidden until I knew if you were friend or foe.. You guys seemed like good people, especially for wanting to help the poor villagers, but I couldn't find a good time to introduce myself…" Umi said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
"Hm…" Lucy, Gray, and Happy went as they all took ponderous positions, leaving Umi to sweat at what exactly they were thinking, till they all turned so rapidly to him he almost freaked out, "Okay! You're in!"
"Wait, what?" Um yelled, 'That was fast!' He thought.
"This is an S-class quest, so I guess the help wouldn't hurt…" Lucy said.
"Plus if that Shinnen guy shows up again," Gray said, looking at the water wall, "You seem to be the best equipped to fight him. You both don't seem to use regular magic, that's for certain!"
"Aye! It's just like what that Hyo guy who almost strangled me used!" Happy added.
Umi tensed up slightly at that. "Oh? And what did Hyo use?" He asked.
"Hyo Ni," Lucy said, "He used some kind of blue flames, although he used the same hand signs you guys did."
Umi's eye narrowed, 'Blue flames huh… I wonder if he was Matatabi's host…'
'Most likely.' A voice unheard to the other three echoed in his head, 'Considering Yugito Nii was Matatabi's host when Yagura was mine, I would imagine that Hyo Nii would probably be her host now, or at least… was her host.'
Umi's scenery suddenly shifted, as he temporarily withdrew into his mind, revealing the giant form of the Sanbi no Kyodaigame, the Three-Tailed Giant Turtle, Isobu! 'Thanks old man!' He said.
'Who are you calling old!' Isobu yelled back, before shutting his eye again in thought.
'So why exactly did you call me here again?' Um asked. 'To the island, that is?'
'After I could no longer sense Matatabi's presence, I felt it was best for the jinchuriki to start gathering together. The first time, we were easily picked off by Madara because we were separated. Yagura probably had it the worst of any of them, since that Tobi had essentially enslaved the both of us with his wretched Sharingan.' Isobu looked down, as he remembered his old host in sorrow.
'I see… Although it might be kind of hard to persuade him to join us… He seemed to like his privacy, and I don't think he'll take kindly to me nearly blowing him up…'
'Regardless, you should still try… I have not felt any of my brethren that strongly in a long time… Even if it was Chomei, it was nice to get close…'
'Yeah…'
'Hm… I believe you should return to your plane, your new friends are starting to get nervous…' Isobu said, as he lifted up his right hand.
'Wait!' Um yelled, waving his hands frantically, 'What are you doing?!'
Isobu had what could amount to a grin, 'Allow me to assist you back!' As he swung down.
Umi's eyes suddenly regained focus in the real world, as he got his bearings. "Stupid turtle…" He muttered.
"Thank goodness!" Lucy said beside him.
"Hm?" Umi turned to her. "What is it?"
"You suddenly zoned out, and we couldn't get a response. We were getting kind of worried." Gray said.
'Cripes! I forgot they were here!' Um thought, "Uh sorry… I have a bad habit of doing out sometimes…" He turned to look around, "Anyway, this place is definitely unique…"
Everyone started looking around, as they started seeing the layout of the temple, "Wow! This place is big!" Lucy yelled.
"It's all busted up though…" Gray added. "Just how old is this place?"
Umi looked to the wall, and pointed, "Huh? What are those?"
"They're moons… This place was originally called Island of the Moon…" Gray answered.
"A moon island, a moon curse, and moon emblems… There's something fishy about this ruins…"
Umi turned to look around more, "Man, this place is falling apart." He started tapping on the floor, "Is this floor even safe?"
Lucy noted what he was doing, "Oy! Stop that!" Although it was too late, as the floor gave out, sending them all flying down.
"Umi, you idiot!" Gray yelled as they all crashed down.
Gray, Lucy, and Happy all landed among the rubble, while Umi landed on his feet. He looked at Happy, "I thought cats were supposed to land on their feet?"
"Aye…"
Lucy and Gray looked up, "Happy, can you fly us up?" She asked.
"It's too high up!"
Umi looked around, "Where are we anyway?" He asked. 'I mean, I could definitely walk up the wall, but I don't think they're ready for that yet…'
"We're beneath the ruins somewhere… It's a secret cave!" Lucy yelled.
"Since we're here, let's go exploring!" Happy yelled, as he took off on his wings.
"Wait, since when can cats fly?!" Umi exclaimed.
"Happy! Wait up!" Lucy yelled.
"WAAAAH!" They all heard him suddenly yell.
"Happy!" They all rushed to see what distressed the young cat.
"Happy?" Lucy asked.
"What is it?" said Gray.
"What is this thing?" Happy said, as Gray and Lucy walked in, followed by Umi, as they saw what it was, something Gray never though he'd ever see again…
It was an enormous block of ice, but it was encasing something horrible, some monstrous demon, a great horned one.
Lucy, Umi, and Happy were all staring in shock, but they never expected what Gray said, "Deliora?! That can't be! What is Deliora doing here?! It's impossible! He can't be here!"
"Wait, uh, Gray? You know this thing?" Umi asked.
"It's… It's…" Gray stammered out.
"Gray, calm down! Just breathe!" Lucy urged. She recognized a panic attack when it was coming. "Now, what is this thing?"
"Deliora… The demon of destruction… He looks exactly the same as then… Just what is going on?!"
Umi turned as he heard steps coming, "Someone's coming! Guys, hide quickly!" He quietly warned them, as they hid behind an alcove to see… a dog-man, and a guy with epic eyebrows and blue hair.
"This is where the voices were coming from." Said eyebrows, while the dog-thing just growled in agreement. "Toby, have you been soaking in the Moon Drip again?"
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! THESE ARE ONLY DECORATIONS!" The now named Toby yelled.
"I was just kidding." Said eyebrows.
"Moon Drip?" Said Lucy, "Is that the curse?"
She turned as another pinkish-haired girl appeared, "Yuka, Toby, I have bad news." She said.
"Sherry? What is it?" Said Yuka.
"Someone beat up Angelica." Sherry solemnly said.
"It's just a dumb rat! Don't give it a name!" Toby yelled.
"She is not a rat! Angelica is a hunter that reaches through the darkness. And… love!"
"Talk about a serious weirdo… Especially with that last thing…"
'Has that girl been tripping or something?' Thought Umi. "Although, they aren't from this island… They smell different." He said.
"You can tell?" Said Gray.
"I have enhanced senses, which tends to prove useful." Umi answered, 'Just one of the perks of being a Jinchuriki.' He added.
'Plus, you get to be with the wonderful Isobu-sama!' Came a voice in his head.
'Shut up Isobu.'
"Inturders, huh?" Yuka said.
"Just when the moon's light is nearly gathered too. How sad. Let us get rid of the intruders before the Cold Emperor hears of this." Sherry said, "Yes, before the moon shows itself." Yuka and Toby nodded in agreement. "Now that they've seen Deliora, we cannot let them live. We will give the intruders eternal sleep. In other words, love."
"You mean death." Said Yuka.
A rock crumbled in the distance, and they rushed off to investigate, heading out of the cave, as our group came out from behind the rocks.
"Good work." Said Lucy, as Happy returned from causing the noise.
"This sure got interesting quickly…" Umi said.
"I wonder who this Cold Emperor is…" Happy added.
"Why did they bring Deliora here?! How did they find where he was sealed, anyway?"
"Where he was sealed?"
"This thing was sealed in an iceberg in a northern continent. It's an immortal demon that ravaged the Isvan region ten years ago… Ur-Sensei, the one who taught me magic, risked her life to seal it away. I dunno what it has to do with the island, but it doesn't belong here! You'll have hell to pay if you tarnish Ur's name!" Gray yelled, as his magic began flaring.
Umi turned to face the giant demon, "So your master sealed this demon away? Wow, that's pretty impressive…"
'Although considering the level of the seal, I'm not certain she got away scot-free.' Isobu added.
"Ah, no question about it." answered Gray.
"You're saying this was brought from the northern continent?" Said Happy.
"Could this demon be the cause of this island's curse?" asked Lucy.
"It's definitely possible… This demon is still alive and all…" said Gray.
"I'm surprised given the environment, that the seal hasn't melted. Perhaps it's just me, but doesn't ice seem like it's only effective for sealing in a colder environment?" Umi put in.
"No, my master Ur cast a powerful Ice Magic spell called Iced Shell on this demon. It's an unmeltable ice. Not even the most powerful flame spells can reverse it…" Gray answered.
'I know a certain four-tailed monkey who'd bet his tails on it that's false…' Isobu said mentally.
'Shut up Isobu.'
"So why would they carry this off if they knew that?" Gray continued.
"Maybe they don't know. Maybe they're trying to melt it somehow." Lucy theorized.
"For what, though?!" Gray yelled.
"I-I don't know…" Lucy shrunk.
"This is all too much. Who would bring Deliora here, and why?" Gray asked.
"So perhaps we should go after the guys who just went off?" Umi proposed.
"No, we wait here." Gray adamantly answered. "For the moon."
"Even though it's the middle of the day?!" Happy asked.
"I get the strong feeling that the island's curse, Deliora, and the moon are all connected. They said something about the 'moonlight being fully gathered too.'"
"Ah, I'm kind of curious about that as well…"
Some time later…
"I know I agreed to wait, but this is so boring!" Lucy complained.
"Aye." Happy said, seemingly contemplating fish.
Umi just sat in the corner, meditating, while Lucy suddenly clapped her hands, as she drew one of her keys. "I know! Open! Gate of the Harp Constellation! Lyra!" As she summoned her spirit.
"Lucy! Long time no see! You ever hardly call me! I want to help lots more! You're such a meanie!"
"Meanie? I'm only allowed to call you like three days a month…"
"Huh? Really?!"
Happy just sweat dropped, "Another weirdo…" Lucy's spirits were cool and all, but they always ended up weird…
"So what should I sing for you today?" Lyra eagerly asked.
"Anything. I'll let you decide."
"I want a fish song!"
"Alright! I'll sing whatever! YAY!"
"Lyra's a really great singer." She explained to Happy.
"So is Mira! She even sings fish songs for me!" rebutted Happy.
Lyra's music fell sweetly over the area, as they all soaked in the music. Gray for his part, remembered when he made his first successful Ice Make: Wall, with his master. Such memories, from happy times long gone, were too much for him, and he slowly began bursting into tears, causing Lyra to stop.
"Gray?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah, what?" He strained out.
"Lyra is good at singing about what people are feeling, but…"
"You were crying." Happy bluntly stated.
"I was not!" Gray denied.
"Sing something happier, Lyra!" Lucy asked.
"Huh?! Why didn't you say so?" She exclaimed.
"Now that I think about it, be quiet! What if someone shows up!"
After some time, everyone fell asleep again, leaving Gray alone to ponder, until the ground started shaking again. "What's going on?!" They shouted, as everyone woke up.
A magic seal formed on the top of the cavern, as purple light started streaming down. "Purple light… Is it the moon?!" Gray analyzed.
"What is this?! What's going on?!" Happy shouted.
The light began illuminating the ice. "It's shining on Deliora! This isn't a coincidence!"
"Let's find the source of the light!" Gray ordered, as they all rushed off.
After travelling through several floors, they eventually came to the top, where they found some cultists gathered in a circle, chanting and summoning the moonlight in an elaborate ritual.
Umi spoke up, "These guys really are collecting the moonlight…"
'It's a good thing Shukaku isn't here… Otherwise he'd be going bonkers due to the presence of the moon…'
'Shut up Isobu.'
"They're shining it on Deliora… but what for?" Lucy said.
"It's Moon Drip, a Belianese spell." Lyra spoke out of nowhere.
"Eh?! You're still here?" Lucy asked.
"So that's what's going on. These guys are trying to use Moon Drip to revive that underground demon."
"That's impossible! Iced Shell is unmeltable!"
"Moon Drip can melt it. Focused moon energy can break any spell as a matter of fact."
"You can't be serious!" Happy exclaimed.
"They have no idea how horrific Deliora is!"
"I think the Moon Drip is the cause of the phenomenon the islanders believe is a curse. Concentrated moon energy can contaminate people's bodies as well. That's how powerful this magic is."
"Sh!" Lucy suddenly shushed. "Someone's here!" As a man with elaborate armor and a horned mask suddenly walked in, accompanied by the stranger's they met earlier.
"Damn. I'm sleepy because we woke up during the day…" grumbled Yuka, while Toby started sleepwalking. "We didn't even find the intruders!"
Toby suddenly woke up, screaming, "Were there even any?!"
"It's sad, Cold Emperor," lamented Sherry, "It appeared that there intruders during the day, but they got away. I am unfit to speak of love."
"Intruders…" muttered the Cold Empreor, while Gray suddenly gasped at the voice.
'That voice… that can't be!'
"He sure looks high and mighty, especially with that weird mask!" Lucy noted.
"Really? I think it's cool!" said Happy.
"It kind of seems impractical…" Umi muttered.
"Is Deliora's revival still incomplete?" The Cold Emperor asked.
"From the looks of it, he will be revived either tonight or tomorrow." Sherry answered.
"At long last. As for the intruders… I've come too far to be interfered with now."
"Yes. The only people on this island are in the village on the outskirts."
"Go eradicate the villagers." He ordered.
"Understood!" They responded.
"What!" Umi yelled.
"The villagers had nothing to do with this!" Lucy added.
"I'm not fond of blood… but… they've given me no choice."
Umi suddenly stood up, anger very evident in his face, his right eye shut. "How dare they… Involving innocents! They're some of the most despicably people I've ever met!"
He grabbed several kunai with exploding notes, and threw them in to the air, detonating them to get the attention of the group. "Oy! We're the intruders!"
"Tch! You couldn't wait a little bit longer!" Lucy yelled.
"What should I do? Sing?" Lyra asked,
"You should probably just go away…"
"Aww! You're no fun!" Lyra chuckled as she vanished.
They caught sight of some of the group's Fairy Tail emblems. "Oh! They're from Fairy Tail!" Sherry noticed.
"So the village sent a notice out to the guilds for help…" Yuka concluded.
"What are you doing? Go and eradicate the village!" The Cold Emperor ordered.
"Why?!" Lucy yelled.
"Those who stand in the way, and those who concocted said interference. They are all the enemy."
"You piece of shit!" Umi yelled as he rushed forward, only as Gray ran right in front of him!
"Stop your stupid ceremony or whatever this instant!" He yelled, as he summoned his magic, sending a great rush of ice towards them, and causing them to fall back.
The Cold Emperor responded as well, placing his palm on the ground, sending his own wall of ice, canceling each other out.
"He uses ice too?!" Yelled Happy. "Where's Natsu when you need him!"
"Uh… we kind of left him back home…" answered Lucy.
Gray got up, speaking, "Lyon!" Leaving everyone speechless. "Damn you… Do you even know what you're doing?!"
"Heh, it's been a while, Gray!" Lyon laughed.
"What is the meaning of this!"
"to think that you were one of the wizards the villagers called on… Did you come here knowingly… Or was it sheer coincidence! No… not that it makes any difference. You three, get going and take care on the village."
"Yes sir!" And his followers took off.
"Wait! Stop!" Umi yelled, as he went to follow.
"Umi! Don't move!" Gray warned, but he was too late as Lyon held out his hand, concentrating his magic, as he froze Umi's entire torso!
"Happy! Take Lucy out of here now!" Gray ordered.
"Aye!" Happy swiftly followed, as he took off, while Gray launched an ice geyser towards Lyon, who only formed a shield to repel it.
"Happy! You're just going to leave them?" Lucy asked.
"They're surrounded by a type of magic that chills empty space! Only Gray can handle that!" Happy answered. "We would've been encased in ice next!"
"But we can't just-"
"Who'll save the village if we all get beat!" Happy cried out, tears in his eyes.
Lucy gasped, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were fighting back the urge to help… I'm sure they'll both be fine!"
"Aye!" As they flew off to the village.
"So you created an opening for the girl and cat to escape… Although I'm impressed at the perception of the cat. No matter. I doubt those three can stop Sherry and the others." Lyon eyed both Gray and Umi, who was still encased in his ice sphere. "Regardless," He spoke, as he lifted up his hand, and snapped. "Explode."
"Umi!" Gray yelled, as he turned to help, just as the sphere detonated, wiping out Umi's entire torso! He rapidly turned back, wrath evident in his eyes. "Damn you Lyon!" He yelled, magic absolutely flaring.
Lyon just started laughing, until, "Now that wasn't very nice…" Both Lyon and Gray's eyes widened as they turned to face Umi, who was… still alive?!
"What?!" Lyon yelled.
Umi's head and hands just floated there, streams of water connecting everything, as water began coalescing back into his form. "So it's a fight you want?" Umi dangerously asked, as he began moving his hands together.
"Umi! Go help Lucy and Happy!" Gray ordered.
Umi's eyes just narrowed dangerously, "Do you really think I'm going to let my torso being obliterated just pass?!"
"This is my fight!" Gray shouted.
Umi paused, as he saw the look in Gray's eyes, and decided to comply, "Very well, but you better win!" He said, as he vanished in a puff of smoke.
"I see you're just as reckless as ever Gray!" Lyon spoke.
"could you quit acting like you're my superior, Lyon!" Gray shouted, as he took a step forward, "You're not Ur's student anymore!"
"Neither are you, Gray." Lyon answered, as he took off his helmet. "Because Ur is no longer of this world."
"She sacrificed her life to seal Deliora away! You're trying to destroy her legacy!"
"Don't delude yourself! You killed Ur! I'm amazed you had the nerve to live, Gray! I'll say it again, you killed Ur! It is presumptuous you to speak her name!" Lyon yelled, as he sent a mass of ice, knocking Gray back.
"Agh!" Gray yelled in pain, as he hit, and went through the brick wall.
"What's the matter? Feeling too guilty to fight back? In that case, please stay out of the way. I'm going to revive Deliora.
"I won't let you!" Gray yelled as he rushed forward.
Present Time
Gray took a deep breath, as he finished recalling his fight, and the epic beatdown Lyon handed to him.
"I see…" Erza spoke, as she finished analyzing the situation from what she's been told.
"That's why we can't leave! Otherwise, they're going to unleash Deliora really soon!" Lucy yelled.
"But I still don't have all of the story yet. Lucy, will you tell us your part? Although I am curious about who this Umi and Shinnen are, and whether they're friend or foe, as well as where they are."
"Umi vanished after the village was destroyed, but we haven't encountered that Shinnen guy after the temple. He's probably still on the island though…"
"We'll have to deal with him when the time comes. Until then, we'll deal with the more immediate threat. Now Lucy, will you tell us your part of the story?"
"Uh, I will, but where's Natsu?"
"What? He's right here-" Erza spoke as she turned to where Natsu was, only to see… he wasn't there! "What?! Where did he go?!"
"He left after Gray finished with the Deliora part…" Happy answered, still tied up.
Erza started getting surrounded by a fiery red aura, as her hair started floating. "And you didn't think to mention anything?!"
Poor Happy just started sweating, "Aye… Gray was in the middle of story time!"
Erza just lost it, "NATSU, WHEN I FIND YOU, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"
Meanwhile, with Natsu
'Why do I feel like Erza wants to kill me?' Natsu thought.
'Probably because you left without announcing it.' Madara answered.
'Ah.'
'Anyway, where are you headed?'
'Figured I'd check out this Deliora dude. Sounds interesting. Maybe he can give a good fight.'
'Hmph. Too bad he's not the biju you thought he was. Frozen in the ice, he would have been an easy target.' Madara grumbled.
'Hey! Taking this mission turned out even better than I expected! We found not only one, but two jinchuriki!' Natsu countered.
'Yes, the Sanbi and the Nanami, both of which are both far more powerful than the Nibi. How do you plan to try to catch those, when the Nibi left you nearly for dead!'
'Relax old man. That's why I'm headed to the temple!'
'What do you mean?' Madara asked, somewhat confused by his pupil.
Natsu explained his plan to Madara, who could only grin evilly at his pupil's sinister plot. 'I see… If this works out, then capturing the biju would become even easier!'
'It'll take some time, but if it does, those biju'll be easy pickings!'
Following how Gray described the route, Natsu came to the Temple of the Moon, although he chuckled at the irony of the building. 'It all starts and ends with the moon.' He thought.
'For the sake of peace, it must.' Madara added.
Natsu stepped into the temple hall, where he saw the giant crater from Gray's story, where they had falled into the pit. 'This must be where we head down.' He thought, as he circled the hold, until…
'Natsu, watch out! The floor's still unstable!' Madara shouted, as the ground began to collapse even more!
"WHOA!" Natsu yelled, as he rapidly jumped back to avoid a rather ungraceful fall, although he didn't exactly crash into the wall gracefully… "Ouch…" Natsu grumbled, as he got up, trying to balance himself on the wall… Only for a section of the wall to push in, and a secret door to open, which Natsu once again, not so gracefully fell through. "I think Kami just hates me today…" Natsu whined, as he tried to get his bearings, looking around the dark corridors he apparently discovered.
"What is this place? Some kind of secret room?" Natsu asked, as he lit his hand on fire, revealing more dark corridors.
'Hm… Explore it for now, and see what you find.' Madara ordered.
'Yeah, yeah, whatever…' Natsu countered, as he began traveling through the long and twisting halls.
A few dead ends, and near loss of temper later, Natsu eventually came to a main hall, but it caught him by surprise. "What the hell is this?!" He yelled as he saw the contents of the room.
Laboratory equipment, test chambers, surgical tools, cabinets, journals, you name it. The hall was filled with them! "What the hell is all this doing in a temple!"
'Hm… I have a theory, but you'll have to look around. Try looking through the journals, and see if there's anything that'll tell us who owns the place.' Madara ordered.
Natsu went through the equipment, trying to scan through the old journals, and generally kicking up a crap load of dust, until he finally found a name in one of the journals. 'As I thought.' Madara began. 'This lab was one of the old hideouts of the old Snake Sannin, Orochimaru!'
'Orochimaru, he was one of the guys who fought you, right?'
'Both skillful and powerful, indeed. His knowledge of jutsu proved to be one the major undoings of my plan so many years ago… I hope he died an excruciatingly painful death. It's a shame that it couldn't have been at my hand.'
'What's it doing all the way out here though?'
'He had many hideouts, some in locations so vague and obscure so as to never be found. Even now, there are probably still some hidden ones no one has discovered. However, he was a genius who enjoyed taking specimens, as well as perfecting jutsu. Try looking around to see if you can't find anything that would be useful.'
'Sure, you're not the one getting allergies!'
'Shut up and start looking.'
Grumbling, Natsu started looking some more, and sneezing, and riffling through stuff, and sneezing, until he had had enough. 'That's it! I've had it! I've been looking for a while now, and I haven't found anything!' In anger, he punched the wall, but…
*thud*
"What the-" Natsu yelled, as he started tapping the wall, noting the difference in sound between sections.
'It sounds like there's a hidden compartment in here!' Natsu noted, 'But why would you need a hidden area in a already secret lab?'
'That would be for something he really didn't want people to know about. Try looking around, and finding a switch to open the-' Madara didn't get to finish his statement, as Natsu just dug his hands into the wall, and ripped it clean out. 'door…'
'I've had enough of looking around. We do things my way now.' Natsu said.
'Brutish, but I suppose it works…' Madara grumbled.
Natsu looked into the compartment, as he analyzed the contents of the secret compartment. 'Let's see we've got an old map… Um… it has directions to…'
'It looks like it details where some of his other bases are… Although it's too decrepit. There's only one still legible.'
'Hm… Looks like it'd be located where Oak Town is…' Natsu noted, as he continued rifling through, this time grabbing some kind of sealed, metallic box. 'What the hell is this?' Natsu said, as he began trying to open the box, and after some time and frustration, with a hiss of cool, rushing air, it opened.
Wiping the cool cloud of air out of his face, Natsu looked in, seeing three containers of blood in them, cryogenically frozen, although he was unprepared for what Madara said, after he read the description of the contents.
'Is that what I think it is?! The names on those containers! Save those at once! Knowing that snake, considering what he would use them for… keep searching!'
Natsu quickly read the names on them, 'But those guys have been long dead. I don't really understand why it's so useful to have their blood, but whatever you say…' Natsu said, as he pulled out a scroll to seal the box in.
'Keep looking! See if you can find a scroll or something! If you can find it, then with those three, you won't have to worry about being overpowered anymore at all!'
Natsu looked up, and saw a scroll stashed rather haphazardly in the storage area, which he very quickly grabbed, gingerly opening it, since it was old. It described some kind of jutsu formula, a very complicated one, and by the looks of it, very forbidden. 'Is this what you were thinking of?'
'Natsu, fate has decided to smile on us. Memorize that, and then destroy it. Tsuki no Me just became much easier.'
'Okay… I don't really understand what's going on…'
'Just read the scroll and you'll understand.'
Natsu activated his sharingan, and quickly read through the scroll. His cluelessness very quickly turning to a sinister grin. 'I see now… That's why you were so excited! That's awesome!'
'That jutsu is one of the most powerful you can learn. I know just what it's capable of. Now destroy it, so no one can use it against us!'
'This Sharingan thingy sure is useful!'
'It's not just a thingy, it's one of the most powerful ocular kekkai genkai in the world! It's not just something you can dismiss as trivial!'
'Too many big words there old man!'
'Hmph. Don't you have other things to get to now!' Madara scolded.
'Yeah yeah, I know. World Peace, obliterate my enemies, the usual.' Natsu bantered back as he burned the old scroll, while requiping into his Tobi outfit. He retraced his steps back to the main hall, placing explosive notes along the walls on his way back. "No sense letting anyone else use this place! Although I do need to take care of my stuff before I set them off..."
Finally upon reaching the main hall, he leapt down into the pit, and landed into Deliora's cavern. Walking slowly into the cave, he caught sight of the demon, indeed frozen solid as Gray told him. Sharingan glaring behind his Akatsuki dress, he spoke, "It's time to get to work."
Dun dun dun! Just what exactly is Natsu up to? What did he discover in Orochimaru's old hideout? How will Umi and Shinnen change things up? Find out the rest in the next chapter!
Hope y'all liked it! It was pretty interesting getting back into the swing of things! I was initially planning on doing the whole arc in one chapter, but it got too big, so I broke it up into parts... Probably will be finished in one or two chapters.
Here's what the names of the new characters means: Umi: Sea; Shinnen: Faith, Belief; Deeply rooted conviction.
Current Status of Tsuki no Me:
Shukaku: Unknown
Matatabi: Sealed; Host, Hyo Nii; Deceased.
Isobu: Free; Host, Umi; Alive
Son Goku: Unknown
Kokuo: Unknown
Saiken: Unknown
Chomei: Free; Host, Shinnen Aburame; Alive
Gyuki: Unknown
Kurama: Unknown
Here's the current review listing. Those in brackets will be updated soon!
Paradise Acquired (ANE): 18!
It ended with Blue Flames (FT/ANE): 1
Angels, Gods, and Demons (KI/ANE): 2
[The Demon King of Dragon Fire (FT/ANE): 8]
The Dragon Fallen becomes the Serpent (N/FT): 4
The Dragon's Eye (N/FT): 0
The Angel's Fallen Light (KI): 1
The Guardian Angel of Fairy Tail (FT): 6
The Jealous Flame (FT/FMA): 3
[This is War! (N/FT): 8]
Shoutout time!
Gears and Flames Memoriam, by ShadowDragon94: Fairy Tail is getting on its feet again when Natsu brings in an injured girl who may know more about him than they realize. But what is Natsu hiding? And why? When the Grand Magic Games surface, trouble stirs and the once famous guild will be fighting tooth and nail for their right to be the best and survive. One question: what do this girl and Natsu have to do with it? (One of my all-time favorites!)
I see Fire in the Sky, by snakeboy33: Natsu is present when Fairy Tail disbands, and overwhelmed with hurt, and anger, he runs into the mountains. There, his despair consumes him, and something happens. What happens the next year, is something nobody in the now gone guild, could have ever dreamed in their wildest nightmares. Dark (but maybe not evil) Natsu.
Master Dragneel, by digemsmack: Certain things seemed to line up just right to make it so that Natsu wouldn't be able to go to the S-Class exams. It all started with an urgent quest asking for him and from there it went downwards, but Natsu being himself wouldn't let that stop him. Will he be able to keep Fairy Tail afloat, or will it all come crashing down around him? Disclaimer I do not own Fairy Tail.
Fullmetal Salamander v2, by SmallBasilisk28: Driven by his grief after Lisanna's death Natsu searches through forbidden magic to try and bring her back, but he failed and now has to pay the price for his actions. He now searches the world for the fabled philosopher's stone to restore his arm and bring back the woman he loves. Pairing Natsu x Lisanna enjoy and leave plenty of reviews.
The Slayer, by Silent Songbird: A Demon Older Than Time. A Black Mage. A Legendary Dragon. A God. What do all these have in common? Simple. They are the enemies of Natsu Dragneel. Being the reincarnation of a legendary blonde sage was one thing, but discovering that you're 400 years old? That's something else entirely. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend isn't supposed to be literal!" AU. Natsu-Centric.
Now, as always, please leave a review! It helps a lot with the writing process! Or else I'll have Guy and Lee show you the power of youth... Cheers!
Shinigami