Chapter 7

Chapter 7: First contact

AN: (5/23/17) A change to a sentence was done to rectify an error.


Crocus

Local bar


The Fairy Tail mages were discussing the events that happened some time ago that had Lucy arrested. To say that they were unhappy was an understatement. One of their own was taken against her will and they intended to rescue her. However, they needed to do so, discretely as it would be bad for Fairy Tail to openly attack the Royal family. It would cause irreparable damage to their public image. They were discussing their plan when a knock on the door caught their attention. Juvia opened the door and blinked in confusion at seeing no one there. She then looked down to see a piece of paper on the floor. She picked it up and saw that there was writing in it. She read it and gasped, catching everyone's attention.

"What is it, Juvia?" Asked Gray. She then turned to everyone and showed them the paper so they can see what was on it. They all walked closer to read the paper and they all gasped.

"If you want to know why your friend was kidnaped and more about the eclipse project, meet us at the mountains. One of our warriors will help you find us if you accept this deal." Was what the note said. They all went into thought. This was an opportunity to know more about why Lucy was kidnapped and to know more about the eclipse project but they had no knowledge on who sent it. It could have been the royal family trying to catch them off guard and imprisoned them all. Or it was the dark guild that Alarak was in. They were all conflicted.

"Master, what should we do?" Asked Erza.

"Hmm…This group could be the dark guild Alarak was in. They could be trying to manipulate us to attacking the royal family or it could be something else." Said Makarov.

"Well, I say we go and meet these guys. And if they try something we'll burn them to ashes!" Yelled Natsu, punching his fists together. The like-minded Fairy Tail mages nodded in agreement.

"Hold on, flame brain. This could be a trap." Said Gray. "They could just be luring us in with false information and ambush us." Some of the more cautious guild mates nodded their head in agreement. Seeing that his children were conflicted, Makarov ordered a vote to be done to decide in acting on this messages information. Most raised their hands and it was a tie. The only one to not vote was Wendy, who as conflicted on who to side with. On one hand, Wendy was scared of this group but on the other she wanted to rescue Lucy and this group may help them. After some time to think, Wendy voted to go to this mysterious group.

"Very well. We will seek out this group." Said Makarov. The ones that voted against this groaned or just shook their heads. It was then that they all heard a voice in their head.

"Very good." Said the voice. They all widened their eyes at hearing the voice. It wasn't Warren's voice and he was the only telepath they had. They all got ready for a fight when the voice came again. "Do not fear. I come in peace." Said the voice. They all then turned toward where the voice was coming from and sure enough in front of the entrance a figure began to appear. They all then widened their eyes upon seeing it as it was something they never saw in their lives before. It stood around three meters tall, two glowing eyes, digitigrade legs, semi-permeable skin covered in scales, four digits on its hands and toes, broad chests and shoulders, narrow waist with slim midsections, and extending back from the crown of its head were several short tendril protruding out. Looking at what it wore, they have never seen such extravagant armor in such shape or form. It also had no visible mouth, ears, and nose. Carla shook in fear as she recognized it as being one of the beings from her vision. Laxus then instantly got cautious as this being was similar to Alarak. It then raised its hands in the air. "Have no fear. I am avenger Karanix. I was sent here by my leader to take you to the meeting place." They all then got out of their fighting stances but were still wary of this being.

"You're here to take us to your leader?" Asked Erza in her scary voice, walking right up to the avenger. She tried to be intimidating but the being showed no visible signs of fear, surprising everyone and impressing Erza, and its height helped it as well as it towered over Erza.

"Yes. Follow me and I will take you there." Said Karanix, getting out of the way to allow them to leave. After sometime of looking at it, Erza then walked out a motioned Karanix to lead the way. Karanix then got out and lead the way to the meeting point. Soon, everyone then followed the two. After sometime of walking the Fairies and their escort were at the mountains. Karanix stopped and everyone stopped. Everyone then looked at Karanix in suspicion as there was no one here. Gray was about to attack Karanix when suddenly more beings similar to Karanix appear before them in either brief flashes of light or shadows along with some large mechanical lifeforms with big guns and smaller four-legged machines that either had a face on them or were just four legs connected to a pill-shaped middle. All in all, there were fifties of them. They all either had dark clothes that covered their body with green glowing eyes or gold armor with blue lights and had blue glowing eyes. They then saw Karanix join them and another being with more extravagant armor walked up to them. It stopped before Makarov, who looked at it in anticipation and suspicion. It then talked.

"Greetings Fairy Tail. I am hierarch Artanis. Leader of the Daelaam." Said the being. The Fairy Tail mages jaws dropped, eyes widened, and they looked in shock at the being.

"No way!" Yelled Natsu, pointing to the being in front of them.

"What the!" Yelled Gray, who then stripped in front of everyone. Much to the confusion and disgust of the mysterious beings.

"Have I been drinking too much?" Asked Cana, looking at her beer bottle before drinking it.

Laxus, Makarov, and the thunder legion had the best reaction. They all had either their eyes bulge out of their sockets, jaws to the floor, fainted, or all three as they looked at the being.

"Why the hell does it sound like me!?" Thought Laxus as he looked at the being.


Artanis's POV


Artanis should have seen this coming. He, along with everyone else, was surprised that Laxus sounded like him. Nevertheless, he should have seen this happening along with the Fairy Tail guild as well.

"I know that I sound similar to Laxus but we have more urgent matters to attend to. Your friend and the eclipse project." Said Artanis. After everyone recovered, they all then began to listen.

"Yes. What do you know about it?" Asked Makarov, still in shock that this Artanis sounded like his grandson.

"Yeah. And what does Lucy have to do with it!?" Yelled Natsu, getting right up to Artanis's face. Artanis's guards then readied themselves to defend their hierarch. Seeing this, the Fairy Tail mages got ready to fight as well. Makarov and Artanis then told them to stand down. After that, Artanis then answered.

"Calm down, dragon slayer. I wish to help you rescue your friend but only if we all cooperate." Said Artanis. Erza, sick of Natsu's behavior, dragged him back and threaten him with a death glare. He quickly shut up. Artanis looked at the two before continuing. "Your friend is a celestial wizard and that she has the majority of the zodiac keys, correct?" Asked Artanis. The Fairies nodded in conformation. "In order for the eclipse project to work it requires all the zodiac keys. They have captured your friend in order to use the eclipse." Said Artanis. The fairies took this information in. So, the eclipse project can only work if one has all twelve keys to operate it. That would explain why they took Yukino and Lucy as they had all twelve keys and why they took them. Lucy would have probably not go along with the plan of going back in time to kill Zeref as it would have irreparable damage to the present.

"So what is your stake in this? Why give us this information?" Asked Erza. She was suspicious that someone would give such information without a price.

"The same as you all. The Daelaam are a people of honor and justice. We dislike any injustice and will do whatever we can to protect the weak and helpless." Said Artanis. "Your friend is kidnapped for a plot that can do irreparable damage to the future if it is succeeded and we wish to prevent that. I cannot send in all my forces as it will spread fear to the people of Fiore toward my people but I can offer assistance by sending some warriors with you to assist you saving your friend. If you will accept it." Said Artanis. The fairies look at each other, unsure of accepting Artanis's offer. He was offering assistance on getting their friend back and stopping this eclipse project but this was their mess. They shouldn't have others help them when they have something to lose. In Artanis's case, it appears to be friendly relations with the royal family and potentially all of Fiore. Makarov had his eyes closed and was in thought, thinking on accepting or not. Eventually, he opened his eyes and made his decision.

"If you are willing to help us, then I do not see any reason for you to not join us." Said Makarov, causing the fairies to look at him surprise.

"Master. Are you sure about this?" Asked Erza.

"If Artanis is offering support, then I will accept it. If only because we need all the help we can get to rescue Lucy." Said Makarov.

"Then it is decided. I will accompany you to assist you in rescuing Lucy." Said Artanis. Some of his guards were about to disagree when Artanis raised his hand. "I will accompany them as they will need a strong team to do this mission." Explained Artanis. "Before we discuss the plan, however, I need to reveal something to you all." Said Artanis. The fairies looked at Artanis, wondering what he had to show. Artanis then waved his hand and sure enough thirty more of these Daelaam appeared but they didn't have the same color scheme as the others. All of them had jet black armor and red lights and had red glowing eyes and extremely pale skin. They all followed a more armored and intimidating figure with a blade on his forearms. Laxus instantly recognized the figure and growled.

"You!" Yelled Laxus. He then charged at Alarak but Alarak telekinetically lifted him up and pushed him to the thunder legion, knocking them all over. The other fairies were about to attack when Artanis stopped them.

"Stop! He is with me." Said Artanis. They all stopped and looked at Artanis, suspicion and anger evident in their faces. "This is Alarak, high lord of the Tal'darim." Said Artanis.

"*chuckles* For creatures with short life spans, you Terrans are always so eager to die and attack your betters." Said Alarak, amused at Laxus's attempted attack on him. The fairies all glared at Alarak for his comment but there was also confusion on why he called them Terrans.

"I know you all have heard about Alarak from Laxus but rest assured he will help us rescue your friend." Said Artanis.

"Help? That's bullshit right there." Said Laxus as he got up. "This guy won't help us."

"Oh-ho! The Terrans is suddenly a genius now." Said Alarak, making Laxus and the thunder legion glare at Alarak for his disrespect on Laxus. "You are correct though. I am only helping because I want amusement. Your tournament is getting boring. There is no blood spilling. No killing. What is the point in a tournament if you can't kill your opponent?" Asked Alarak. Everyone then glared even more at Alarak. They were really starting to dislike him. "*laughs* I care little for your opinion on me. I will help you no matter what." Said Alarak.

"No way! I'm not working with you!" Said Laxus, getting right up to Alarak. Alarak looked down at Laxus in amusement before kicking him to the thunder legion, knocking them all down again. Everyone was about to attack them when Artanis yelled.

"ENOUGH!" Yelled Artanis, surprising everyone. "Alarak! You will cease attacking our allies and be more cooperative. Do I make myself clear?" Asked Artanis. Alarak laughed before nodded. Artanis then sighed before turning toward the fairies. "Apologies for Alarak. He is a handful at times." Said Artanis. "Now, what is the plan of action toward rescuing your friend?" Makarov looked at Artanis before discussing the plan.


The Next day

Jail cell in palace

Lucy POV


Lucy and Yukino were sleeping when they heard voices. They looked and saw Natsu, Wendy, the exceeds, Mirajane, and two large alien-like beings with them. One was wearing gold armor with blue highlights and the other had black armor with red highlights. They both had glowing eyes that matched the highlights for their respective armors. What shocked both of them, was that the two beings had no mouths, ears, or noses. Nevertheless, Lucy was happy that they came to save them.

"You guys came! Thank god!" Yelled Lucy before they told her to keep quiet.

"I heard that blond Terrans were stupid but I never believed it." Said the dark armored being, remembering a certain ghost that destroyed a portion of the death fleet during the Defender of Man crisis. Lucy frowned at him in anger before turning to see Natsu destroying the prison bars. She then began to change into the clothed that Mirajane brought with them in case she needed them. A girl had to dress as best they could. The dark armored being then groaned.

"What is the point of changing now? The guards can come here and raise the alarm. We should leave now." Said the dark armored being. "Not waste time changing clothes do nothing but be an eye sore."

"Excuse me, but if I'm going out I going to do so in my best." Said Lucy, not liking this guys at all. "Who is these two anyway?" Asked Lucy.

"Oh, the gold one is Artanis and the black one is Alarak." Said Natsu, nonchalantly.

"Where did you find them?" Asked Lucy as she put her top on.

"We didn't. They found us. They helped us rescue you." Said Mirajane.

"Well, I would say thanks if Alarak would be nicer. Is he always this rude?" Asked Lucy.

"You have no idea." Said Carla, remembering all the times that Alarak insulted them on the way here. Mirajane, Pantherlily, and Natsu were ready to beat him to submission if Alarak hadn't knocked them out the first time they tried it.

"Now is not the time for that." Said Artanis. "Where are your keys?"

"Those goons took them." Said Lucy. "I swear when I find the one responsible I will send them to a one way ticket to the spirit wor…" She couldn't say more as the ground began to shake and soon the floor collapsed below them. They all then fell down the newly created hole.

"Can't a girl get dress in peace!?" Yelled Lucy as she put her last boot on.

"It appears not, Terran." Said Alarak, who was surprisingly calm. They all then fell with Natsu on the bottom and the Protoss leaders on the top.

"Heavy." Complained Natsu. They all then got off of him and looked around. They were now in an underground cave. They looked to see an entrance flanked by two statues.

"What is this place?" Questioned Artanis.

"A dungeon. Obviously." Said Alarak.

They all then heard a voice and saw a monitor appear out of nowhere and in it was princess Hisui.

"I hope you'll all enjoy this last bit of freedom because this will be the place you'll all die." Said Hisui.

"Oh-ho. You believe this place can hold Alarak, high lord of the Tal'darim." Said Alarak.

"I don't believe it. Where you are now is the Abyss palace. It's the last place where criminals experience freedom before dying. To this day, no one has escaped it. I seriously doubt that any of you can escape it. Especially you two, Artanis of the Daelaam and Alarak of the Tal'darim." Said Hisui, before cutting off the transmission. Artanis was in shock that Hisui knew of him without him announcing who he is. How did she know about him? Only Fairy Tail and Kagura knew about him and he made sure that no one was around to hear or see him converse with Fairy Tail last night. For now, though, he had to concentrate on getting out. While he could order the Spear of Adun to warp them inside the massive ship, he didn't want that. The Fairies will most likely respond out of fear at seeing the Spear of Adun and the massive fleet he had. They will have to do this the hard way.

"Let us find an exit. There must be at least one here." Said Artanis, before going to the only way out of the area they were in. The others soon following.

"So how did you all meet?" Asked Lucy.

"It is a simple story that your Terran mind can only comprehend if we make it as basic as possible." Said Alarak.

"ARE YOU SAYING I'M DUMB!?" Yelled Lucy.

"Yes." Said Alarak. Artanis then sighed. This will be a long trek.


For all you who don't know, Laxus's English voice actor is the same for Artanis's voice actor. Yup. Their both voiced by Patrick Seitz