p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Ivan Dreyar, the guild master, stood centre of his 'little gang'. He had a sarcastic, sadistic smile on his face that sent shivers down their spines. He seemed proud of what he had done, hurting people that is./spanspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #222222;"br / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele got up, brushing herself off and began to walk towards her guild when an attack of flames whipped at her wrists and neck. She fell to the floor and one wrapped it way around her throat and began to squeeze tight, but Kiele knew she could manage. She let out an electric shock down the flames which caused them to break away. Kiele knew it would work because she knew who she was dealing with./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Once she was free, she managed to get to her feet and stumble backwards towards the Fairy Tail members./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Why did you do that?" Kiele shouted. She knew it sounded immature but she had a point, she was a member of Raven Tail after all./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Because I knew I would enjoy watching the hurt on your face, the face of your brother and the face of my son. I enjoyed the pain."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"He said this so clear, so proud that there was no way that he had been lying, 100% the truth. He enjoyed watching them suffer, but she didn't understand why./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""But I'm a member of Raven Tail. You treated me like family!" Kiele shouted, feeling hurt and betrayed./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""We only used you," Ivan said. "I knew who you were the moment you walked into my guild; the girl that my son would play with for hours on end. I knew exactly who you were, but it would have been no fun if I told you that. I needed to get close to Fairy Tail, and how better than to use a girl with old friends and her brother in that guild. I knew all about you, but I never cared about you. You were just an easy way to get to my goal."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele was hurt. She felt she had been stabbed in the heart with a thousand knives, as cliché as it may sound. She felt betrayed, the only people she had been able to trust in years and it turned out that they didn't even care about who she was, or what she had to say. She was just a piece in Ivan's game./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"She took a step forward went another attack headed her way, a sand attack. She braised herself, but it never hit. She opened her eyes to see Gajeel and Laxus stood in the way, defending her./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Leave her alone!" Laxus shouted at his father./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""She's done nothing wrong!" shouted Gajeel./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Ivan just laughed, like he took pity on them. He stood tall above them, but that didn't stop the mages of Fairy Tail./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Laxus focused and shot a heavy lightning bolt at Ivan but it was deflected by the flames that attacked Kiele before. Gajeel then spat out iron chunks towards Ivan but that was deflected by a sand twister./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Both Gajeel and Laxus were getting frustrated but Ivan seemed to be enjoying their struggle. They were both about to launch for an attack when their arms were grabbed, pulling them back. It was Kiele. She pulled them back, stepping forward herself. She began to speak but didn't make eye contact./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""This is my fault," she said, "I must be the one to fight."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""But we don't let family stand alone," Gajeel said, moving to stand by her side./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Or friends," said Laxus, standing to her other side./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele smiled, feeling better with them by her side./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""We'll all fight," came a voice from behind them./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"They turned around and it was Natsu. He moved to stand by Laxus. Gray went to stand by Gajeel. Member after member did this until there was a lone of mages prepared to fight, for friends and for family./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Ivan looked at their unity, and laughed./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Just because you outnumber us, doesn't mean we will be beaten."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Then, some form of flame magic, not the same as before launch its way towards them. Most managed to dodge, but some weren't able to. These flames weren't normal, they were sticky and clung mages together in groups of three or four, and the more they moved and more magic they used, stronger it became. This flame was thrown several times and by the end, only Kiele, Laxus, Gajeel, Gray, Juvia, Natsu, Erza, Mira and Lucy were left free. But Raven Tail had planned for such a situation that they knew how to deal with it./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"They used more flames, green ones that could last for long lengths of time, to cocoas them into smaller, more manageable groups. Natsu and Juvia, Gray and Erza, Gajeel and Lucy, Laxus and Mira; Kiele was left to fend for herself. Each group began to fight other opponents, only one. Kiele worried slightly but knew she couldn't let it show. She stood there, looking around and analysing the opponent's strengths and weaknesses./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"But before she could truly finish, her own opponent approached. He was tall and slightly lanky. He wore a baggy, green trousers tucked into boots, and a long sleeved black shirt with straps across his body. His hair was purple and stuck out at both sides. It was messy and hung over his eyes like a hood. As a result, his eyes weren't visible. But the creepiest part was that Kiele didn't know who he was./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele braised herself slightly and the man laughed./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I'm like you," he said, "I'm a duel mage too."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Maybe so, but you are nothing like me." She growled./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I'm more like you than you think little girl."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele just glared slightly and didn't speak. She refused to get involved with his mind games./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""It's nice to finally meet you, though the circumstances could be better." He said, in a relaxing and creepy tone./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I wish I could say the same."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""And I am like you. I'm not just a duel mage, but a duel dragon slayer like you."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""What types?" she asked cautiously./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Ice and Poison; odd combination, don't you think?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Indeed. And which is from a dragon?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Poison,"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele stared at him, slightly concerned as this indicated his power. She couldn't wait for him to strike first:/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Lightning dragon roar!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"With this, static charges began to form around her and she launched a powerful attack his way. He dodged and sent back an attack in return:/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Fierce wings of the Poison dragon!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele wasn't as fortunate as she hoped she would've been. It was a direct hit and knocked her back a metre or so. She tried to get back up but a sharp pain down her right side prevented it./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""My poison is coursing through your veins. You can't survive a direct hit like that. I wish I could've played longer but I have other work to do."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Just being told that something is impossible makes it that much more possible for Kiele. Despite the pain, she rose from the ground and stood firm./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Iron dragon punch!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"She launched at the man with great speed, but still he was able to dodge./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Impressive, what's your name?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Kiele,"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I'm Tarico. I'll remember your name after you die, and I'll speak of the other duel slayer I met on my travels."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I think there is a problem with that,"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Oh, and what's that?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I'm not going to die."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"He laughed slightly at her remark, but held it together mostly./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele wasn't impressed by how lightly he was taking this. He seemed to act like it was all a game him; that it was a win-lose situation to move on from with ease. But all this: Kiele got worked up, and she played to win./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Iron Dragon Roar!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size:
initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"It was sharp and it was fast. Kiele knew that his speed would be a problem, but she had a plan. He dodged, as she anticipated, and retaliated in the predicted move./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Ice dragon strike!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"She knew this move and had prepared herself. Instead of trying to dodge, she stood and held her ground. His fist made contact with her arms which were wrapped around her chest, to cushion the impending blow. The ice on his hand was sharp and pointed to a blade's edge. But she took it. She flew back a metre or so after his force became so overwhelming. With her on the ground, he began to laugh. But she got back up, and smiled./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Tarico seemed confused but didn't care enough to ask. He attacked again./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Poison dragon bite!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"With this, purple-red poison began to drip from his jaw, down his shirt to the floor. As the drips make contacted with the grass, the earth began to burn and die before his very feet. The demonic gleam from his, now seem, shattered green eyes, seemed possessed and plagued. This glare showed corruption and power: and the fear of losing that power./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"He launched himself towards his prey, prepared to enjoy the suffering of his victim's death. The poison itself now seemed to be manipulated; flowing through the air in ways that seemed impossible./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele, again, braced herself for the impact she knew she had coming. It hit and she fell, shaking and wincing and uncontrollably in pain./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Ice dragon roar!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Wings of the Ice dragon!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Poison claws!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Ice dragon punch!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Attack after attack made contact with Kiele's body, and she took it every time. She didn't try to dodge, or even counted attack; she just got hit repeatedly, and she got up each time. Until:/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Poison dragon roar!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"A poison blast came her way, and she was engulfed in flames. She remained unseen for a few seconds, until the flames dispersed, a d Kiele stood, unharmed./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Tarico was shocked and his eyes grew large./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""H-How?" he stuttered, just able to keep his balance and words./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I saw your pattern from the beginning. If I used my first generation slayer magic, you would use the lacrima. If I used the lacrima, you would use the first generation. It was predictable," she began to make her way towards him and continued. "I knew you were strong and I knew beating you would be hard: I had to take a risk, but it seems to have paid off."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"At this, more static charges began to emanate from her body. Her eyes changed colour; one blue and yellow, her skin also changed. It hardened and began rougher, while her hair seemed to flow upwards and stayed that way. What seemed like flames rose from her feet and her body to engulf her; flame of grey iron and flames of yellow lightning./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""You underestimated me," she said, closing in on his frozen body, "I know when to take risks."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""It- It can't be!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""But it is."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Duel Dragon Force?!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""You are correct."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Tarico lost his balance and fell to the dead earth. His eyes became wide scared, while his body became shaken and broken. He couldn't move, and he couldn't talk. He, for the first time in his life, was defenceless and fearing for his life./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele carried on walking towards him until she seemed to be looming over him. Her eyes kept glowing and the power Tarico once held was now hers to play with. She knew she had won, so there was no point in fighting again someone defenceless./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"The flames from around her began to dissipate into the air and her eyes turned normal once again. She held out her hand for Tarico, but he was too scared to take it. Instead, she reached down and grabbed his hand, hauling him up from the ground. Once he was on his feet and steady, she released her hand./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""W- Why?" he asked, still shaken./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size:
initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Because I didn't need to hurt anybody. I wanted you to stop, and you did."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"His eyes returned to their normal size and his breathing pattern stabilised again./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Thank you," he said in an almost out of breath fashion./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""But you need to go to prison for what you have done. You vandalised this guild's property and you attacked innocents. I'm sorry but you broke the law."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""It's fine. I chose my actions while knowing the consequences for them. You are right, but you have taught me that you never need to hurt anyone."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Unless it's necessary."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"They both smiled and laughed slightly. Tarico gave a small nod and began to walk to where Raven Tail first became visible./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" By this time all the other Ravens were defeated, leaving Tarico the only one conscious. He smiled again to Kiele, before walking towards the sound of the Magic Council Guards./spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"~~~~~~~~~~/spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"The guards were able to take the Raven Tail attackers away and mention they were going to question the other members./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele stood on the top of a small cliff, watching as the sun set./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""So you're here?" came a voice from behind her. She jumped slightly then turned to find Gajeel and Laxus stood there. She smiled at them and turned back to the sun set. They walked to stand on either side of her. Compared to them, she was significantly smaller but still seemed powerful./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Did you know him?" asked Laxus./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""No, but he reminded me very much of someone I met after I got out of hospital. I met this other person after the Tower of Heaven was destroyed."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""What was his name?" asked Gajeel./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I knew his name to be Erik. He was a sweet boy with not many friends. He had a snake though, and he treated her so kindly; with all the passion he had. Me and Erik travelled for a week together before we got lost and separated. I heard he got in trouble with the Magic Council and was thrown in jail for his crimes."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Laxus and Gajeel remembered hearing about this character, or one similar, and just listened to Kiele speak./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Gajeel went to speak then stopped himself slightly, and Laxus took over./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Since you don't really have a guild to return to... Why don't you join Fairy Tail, with us?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"She looked up and him, then to Gajeel who nodded in agreement./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Really?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Yeah," said Gajeel, "We could become brother and sister again."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""And we can be proper friends again."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele smiled and began to tear up. She didn't realise how much she still meant to them, and her not coming to find them must've hurt them so much. She couldn't put them through that, ever if she tried./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Yes!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"They all smiled and Kiele pulled them in for a hug. Normally they would push it away, but they both made an exception this time. They all felt happy and relived to have this connection again./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Once they had all released, Kiele said:/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I think I'll get my guild mark on my right, inside wrist. Then, I'll final be with my family again."/span/span/p
initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"It was sharp and it was fast. Kiele knew that his speed would be a problem, but she had a plan. He dodged, as she anticipated, and retaliated in the predicted move./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Ice dragon strike!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"She knew this move and had prepared herself. Instead of trying to dodge, she stood and held her ground. His fist made contact with her arms which were wrapped around her chest, to cushion the impending blow. The ice on his hand was sharp and pointed to a blade's edge. But she took it. She flew back a metre or so after his force became so overwhelming. With her on the ground, he began to laugh. But she got back up, and smiled./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Tarico seemed confused but didn't care enough to ask. He attacked again./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Poison dragon bite!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"With this, purple-red poison began to drip from his jaw, down his shirt to the floor. As the drips make contacted with the grass, the earth began to burn and die before his very feet. The demonic gleam from his, now seem, shattered green eyes, seemed possessed and plagued. This glare showed corruption and power: and the fear of losing that power./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"He launched himself towards his prey, prepared to enjoy the suffering of his victim's death. The poison itself now seemed to be manipulated; flowing through the air in ways that seemed impossible./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele, again, braced herself for the impact she knew she had coming. It hit and she fell, shaking and wincing and uncontrollably in pain./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Ice dragon roar!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Wings of the Ice dragon!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Poison claws!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Ice dragon punch!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Attack after attack made contact with Kiele's body, and she took it every time. She didn't try to dodge, or even counted attack; she just got hit repeatedly, and she got up each time. Until:/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Poison dragon roar!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"A poison blast came her way, and she was engulfed in flames. She remained unseen for a few seconds, until the flames dispersed, a d Kiele stood, unharmed./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Tarico was shocked and his eyes grew large./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""H-How?" he stuttered, just able to keep his balance and words./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I saw your pattern from the beginning. If I used my first generation slayer magic, you would use the lacrima. If I used the lacrima, you would use the first generation. It was predictable," she began to make her way towards him and continued. "I knew you were strong and I knew beating you would be hard: I had to take a risk, but it seems to have paid off."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"At this, more static charges began to emanate from her body. Her eyes changed colour; one blue and yellow, her skin also changed. It hardened and began rougher, while her hair seemed to flow upwards and stayed that way. What seemed like flames rose from her feet and her body to engulf her; flame of grey iron and flames of yellow lightning./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""You underestimated me," she said, closing in on his frozen body, "I know when to take risks."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""It- It can't be!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""But it is."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Duel Dragon Force?!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""You are correct."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Tarico lost his balance and fell to the dead earth. His eyes became wide scared, while his body became shaken and broken. He couldn't move, and he couldn't talk. He, for the first time in his life, was defenceless and fearing for his life./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele carried on walking towards him until she seemed to be looming over him. Her eyes kept glowing and the power Tarico once held was now hers to play with. She knew she had won, so there was no point in fighting again someone defenceless./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"The flames from around her began to dissipate into the air and her eyes turned normal once again. She held out her hand for Tarico, but he was too scared to take it. Instead, she reached down and grabbed his hand, hauling him up from the ground. Once he was on his feet and steady, she released her hand./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""W- Why?" he asked, still shaken./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size:
initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Because I didn't need to hurt anybody. I wanted you to stop, and you did."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"His eyes returned to their normal size and his breathing pattern stabilised again./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Thank you," he said in an almost out of breath fashion./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""But you need to go to prison for what you have done. You vandalised this guild's property and you attacked innocents. I'm sorry but you broke the law."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""It's fine. I chose my actions while knowing the consequences for them. You are right, but you have taught me that you never need to hurt anyone."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Unless it's necessary."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"They both smiled and laughed slightly. Tarico gave a small nod and began to walk to where Raven Tail first became visible./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" By this time all the other Ravens were defeated, leaving Tarico the only one conscious. He smiled again to Kiele, before walking towards the sound of the Magic Council Guards./spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"~~~~~~~~~~/spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"The guards were able to take the Raven Tail attackers away and mention they were going to question the other members./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele stood on the top of a small cliff, watching as the sun set./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""So you're here?" came a voice from behind her. She jumped slightly then turned to find Gajeel and Laxus stood there. She smiled at them and turned back to the sun set. They walked to stand on either side of her. Compared to them, she was significantly smaller but still seemed powerful./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Did you know him?" asked Laxus./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""No, but he reminded me very much of someone I met after I got out of hospital. I met this other person after the Tower of Heaven was destroyed."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""What was his name?" asked Gajeel./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I knew his name to be Erik. He was a sweet boy with not many friends. He had a snake though, and he treated her so kindly; with all the passion he had. Me and Erik travelled for a week together before we got lost and separated. I heard he got in trouble with the Magic Council and was thrown in jail for his crimes."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Laxus and Gajeel remembered hearing about this character, or one similar, and just listened to Kiele speak./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Gajeel went to speak then stopped himself slightly, and Laxus took over./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Since you don't really have a guild to return to... Why don't you join Fairy Tail, with us?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"She looked up and him, then to Gajeel who nodded in agreement./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Really?"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Yeah," said Gajeel, "We could become brother and sister again."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""And we can be proper friends again."/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Kiele smiled and began to tear up. She didn't realise how much she still meant to them, and her not coming to find them must've hurt them so much. She couldn't put them through that, ever if she tried./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""Yes!"/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"They all smiled and Kiele pulled them in for a hug. Normally they would push it away, but they both made an exception this time. They all felt happy and relived to have this connection again./spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"Once they had all released, Kiele said:/spanbr / span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;""I think I'll get my guild mark on my right, inside wrist. Then, I'll final be with my family again."/span/span/p